[open] Follow the Leader

[lionhearted_victor]

Who| Leonidas Cora and Open!
What| Leo catches up with his Tributes, the Capitol
Where| Training Center and the Capitol
When| August 7 and 8
Warnings/Notes| D2 Priorities, so expect callous description of murder and foul language


I – Training Center (Open to all)

The number of Tributes dwindled with every Arena and Leo wouldn’t be too surprised if some never really made it back at all. Garrett’s return was a boon; the thief had one Arena under his belt. Cullen had no real drive to be of any use…the Batter had the makings of being a Career but lacked the Arena experience. These were things he had to account for in the next Arena and ...well... Jet Link was permanently gone.

So yes, Leo is extra bitter this time around, because another Arena that could have been survivable if they played the rules right but nope. Worse, it was won by one of the oldest, if not THE oldest Tribute District 10 had…it said a lot about the odds in favor of his District. So if anyone were to find Cora, he’s training, stabbing something in the Training Room, or running so many simulations on the computer,

He’s sent all District 2 Tributes a summons to show up at different appointment, to hand them specific sponsors to appeal to and their performance in the last Arena. If Signless was taking a proactive approach to Mentoring, Cora wasn’t going to let him win this little competition they have.

II – Capitol Shopping District (Open)

No sleep was lost for Leo as the Tributes were forced to get jobs in and around the Capitol to make up for the Districts pay for their credit. He’d been wondering about the extravagant lifestyles some of them had and with no way to account for it. Sure, it meant that the staff had to scramble to find more sponsors and maybe even jobs if need be. The Capitol thrived on publicity, on making every Assi worth it.

For now, he sits in a coffee shop, to work somewhere outside from the Tower while also getting a proper gauge of how his District Tributes were seen. The man was clearly on a mission but he had to be a professional about it. From what he hears…it’s not great and

III – Training Center (Closed to China Sorrows)

The invitation sent to China’s suite was as every bit as Spartan as the training she would get from the Small Lion. It read:

You are cordially invited to take part in a fencing session. Please dress comfortably for the occasion, tea and snacks will be available.

I don’t go back on my word, Miss Sorrows. I hope this will be to your liking.

Leo was already making sure that every set of equipment was up to snuff…they were going to indulge in a bit of violent behavior within the Capitol.

Comments

[lionhearted_victor]

Torin's presence is always revered, even after all these months working as a team, as Leo turned to face him. "I've been giving the Tributes the opportunity to hone their survival in the Arena, but getting them Sponsors. With the credit lines being cut-off, they need to secure something in the Capitol."

Maybe the coach has learned a few things in business, and maybe he's not as corrosive as he once was. But there's no stopping some shots at the Tributes' expense.

[bravelyplucked]

Torin nods in understanding. "That's not a bad idea. Match them up with the right ones, and they'll be supporting themselves soon enough." Granted, he's more in favor of a middle ground that at least feeds the Tributes since they're already here working and training, but they've got to work with what they're given. "Do you need any help finding Sponsors for them? I know I've got more than a few contacts."

[lionhearted_victor]

"Every and all contact is welcomed at this moment," Leo looked slightly overworked, picking up some of the Escort's work and making sure that even those Tributes who cause the Capitol some trouble are fed. "What do you have in mind? Also...what's this about you letting loose an iguana?"

Cora just had to ask that, didn't he? But it was just so irresistible to ask.

[bravelyplucked]

"I've got a few contacts at some companies that manufacture outdoor equipment--camping gear, that sort of thing--if we can't find them more specialized sponsorship deals, they should be generic enough that just about any Tribute could do the job."

And ah, the iguana question. "I didn't let him loose," Torin says innocently. "He got out of his tank."

[lionhearted_victor]

"I found one for Garrett but the man wants to test my patience at this rate," He quickly answered, "Let it be known that it was the client who wants the seasoned offworld thief to test his security systems, not my idea."

The way Leo spoke of his Tributes was different from how things started out. He was putting them on the same level as coworkers at the moment.

"I think Luke will benefit the most, he's got the survivor thing going for him. Dunno Cullen."

[bravelyplucked]

Torin's got to laugh at that. "Some Sponsors never learn...wish I could have seen that."

He can roll with Tributes being on the same level of coworkers. It's a strange sort of team they have here.

"We'll think of something. I've got a contact at a cereal company. If we get enough ideas together for themed marshmallows, they would have use for Cullen." Who knew that dinosaur cereal he'd had years ago could pay off now?

[lionhearted_victor]

"District 2 is free of all liability if Garrett does something stupid with his time," the coach grumbled before a smirk sneaked into his face, "Would it be tasteless to make them dragon-shaped? Because he might have to deal with Iskiera from District 1."

Again, this would be an encounter Leo would pay money to see.

"I thought Cullen had a space for his religious time...any way we can make that happen?" Cora asked from his notes. "He asked Ms. Blackwood but nothing came of it...there should be an empty room and it will boost his morale."

[bravelyplucked]

"Might be..." Torin considers it. He's spoken with the dragon, finds her to be not a bad sort. "Perhaps we could approach District 1 for some sort of joint merchandising, just to make certain no one's toes are stepped on, so to speak. Keep it clean, at least for now. Build up a little bit of tension, get the people excited about a possible Arena encounter."

He frowns at that last question. "We can certainly make that happen--I thought he had something, too. There's got to be an empty room on our floor...we'll just move whatever items he needs in there, and if there are any problems, they can come talk to me."

[lionhearted_victor]

Leo made a snerk noise that he quickly covered up as best he could, "Well, there went the surprise." He's proof that the Capitol can't fully destroy the assholeish nature that comes from a life of being regarded as a wannabe mentor. "But you'd be right: best leave the tensions out of the ad space."

But the worship room approval calmed that side of Leo down, softened his smile and got a nod, "I'll bet that the items available in the Capitol would be...inaccurate," he doesn't want to say tasteless but when there's a sexy version of the Inquisitors' uniforms.

"And Felicity?"

[bravelyplucked]

"There's a time and place for everything." Torin just shakes his head, amused.

And ah, the question of accuracy..."I wouldn't bet against you, that's for certain." Oh, they both knew what the Capitol's fashions would do to just about anything.

"Felicity seems to be doing well enough for the moment." He sighs. "So long as she keeps her eye on what's important rather than certain celebrities..."

[lionhearted_victor]

"I think there is a line that should not be crossed and it includes sexy raptor costumes," Leo quickly added to that part, wincing at the mental image of it all.

But the inevitable facepalm is what closes the topic on Felicity, "Please tell me she wasn't seen with Gary Epps again. I swear I might have to beat some actual sense into that young man. I've told him why pursuing her is a terrible idea."

With threats of violence!

[bravelyplucked]

Torin also has to grimace at that mental image. "Definite lines that should not be crossed," he agrees.

"And if you've got to beat some sense into him, well, I'll come along." Torin laughs. "But no, I've not seen her trying to hang around him lately." Which didn't necessarily mean anything...

[lionhearted_victor]

"I make no promises his nose will remain intact if he dares try use her again just to spite us," Gary Epps was a lot of things but a brilliant strategist and manipulator were not part of that list. But it's Yoshida that Leo worries about. He doesn't want to think Torin's reaction if he were to find out things went beyond a simple crush.

But that's a discussion between Felicity, her parents and her uncle.

"As long as they're playing by the rules, she should enjoy friendships before she grows up. Friends then become connections."

[bravelyplucked]

"I'll be sure to vouch for you, say it was an accident if anyone official looks into it." Not that anyone official would much care.

"She should at that! Networking is very wise, very wise." Just so...cutthroat around here. "But I still worry, you know? Kids do that..."

[lionhearted_victor]

"Sir, you make it sound like they've been doing more than just...friends, right?"

Epps might be facing more than a few broken bones at this rate. Leo was sure of that much and that Felicity was getting too in over her head. "Eh, she'll get over it. Young love's pretty flighty, all things considered. She'll find herself a good partner and settle down."

If that partner can survive a grilling by Torin, then they'll be aces.

[bravelyplucked]

"Just friends, to my knowledge," Torin grumps. "But I do worry..." He shrugs. "Young love can be a difficult thing to bear witness to." So many bad decisions to be made...

[lionhearted_victor]

"Yeah, especially if it'll be a guaranteed train wreck and could land her in serious trouble."

There's a time and place for a young lady to learn about the mechanics of politics, but at the receiving end of a gossip rag isn't one of them.

"Her parents will straighten that out soon enough. For now, let's focus on getting a D2 win, right?" Leo did his best to keep his Mentor coworker focused on the Arenas and the work at hand but dammit, Cadet!


[ooc: wrap up here?]

[bravelyplucked]

"I'd hope at her age, anyone would see it as the obvious youthful indiscretion it would be, but..." he trails off in a sigh.

Good job with changing the subject, Leo. "Yes, we need to get a good win in here. I think we can do that, if we work hard enough."

[Sounds good!]