[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

[ka_sera_sera]

Roland raises his eyebrows, glances toward someone who's obviously looking for a place to train in, and walks over toward the wall where the two of them can chat without standing idly in a space that's supposed to be used for practice. He could keep on with what he was doing, of course, but talking while throwing knives can send a certain type of message that, for now, Roland would rather do without.

"Did you get that from your magazine?" Magazine is one of those new words Roland's never quite gotten the hang of, and he pronounces it carefully. Carefully, and wrongly. Magda-seen. "I'm surprised they even knew the phrase, given the sort of things I've seen fans writing. To hear Signless tell it, humans don't usually understand black romance and I'm not sure I do, either. Tell me what it is they said, and I'll see what I can explain."

[lionhearted_victor]

"From what I can see, it's hatefucking," no one should ever believe that Leonidas Cora is a mature and functional adult, even by Capitol standards. "As if my disdain for the troll reached that level of passion."

Again, keep telling yourself that Leo. He's fascinated with Signless now knowing more about his home world and his resolve. The trainer sets down his weapon for this, knowing that if his temper got the better of him, no one had to get hurt.

"And I got that from all the shipping the Capitol has with you and Signless. You've been with him long enough."

[ka_sera_sera]

Roland grunts, not bothered by the crude term for a second. It's a thoughtful grunt. "Has been a while, hasn't it?" It has been. This may even be the longest he's ever kept a lover, and that there's some sort of realization in Roland's mind was clear in his voice just then. Easy not to notice the time passing here, where most of his days in the Capitol are similar and the weeks and months tend to blend smoothly into one another.

"Hm," he says, and dismisses the idea for now in favor of their actual topic. "Fucking has something to do with it, of course. But to hear Signless tell it, their black romance has more to do with respect than hate. Needling someone to their last inch of patience because of a regard for them." Roland shrugs. "Seems a romance like any other, far as I can tell."

Of course, the fact that it's watching Signless and the Psiionic together that'd helped him decide that goes unsaid. Signless gets every aspect of his life and relationships pried into as it is, no one in this Capitol needs any help doing that. "Though I know nothing about whatever relationship the two of you do have. If it's only disdain you feel for the Signless I suppose your district's reputation is safe. You're safe from jealousy, too, no matter what those magazines might have said. How many lovers is it he's taken now? Four, eight, something like that?"

[lionhearted_victor]

"If Celebrus adds me to the list without ever consulting me or verifying the truth, I'm pretty damn sure that my ass is grass...then again, that's what Celebrus does so why do I act surprised?" Leo let out in an exasperated breath then stared at Roland with some disbelief, "Four? That's one hell of a sex life then."

Why was the Districter asking this is best not examined thoroughly or else Cyrus Reagan's law would hit uncomfortably close. "So black romance is based on respecting the other person?"

[ka_sera_sera]

"According to them," Roland snorts, because the Capitol and its endless rumors and gossip is still laughable, when he's got the patience to think so. "Ask one of their news-men, four would be the least of it. In reality?" He shrugs, and leaves it at that. "But yes, far's I recall. Although the first black romance I saw, let's see... back when Signless' descendant was here that first time, that time here Karkat no longer remembers. He and Cuthbert were very close - but Bert was young. A deadly fighter, a fair heart, and my dearest friend, once upon a bye. But young. A child, with a child's understanding of the matters of respect and love, and where the two must intersect."

Roland's tone had started out absent, dreaming. Almost rambling. But Roland Deschain does not, save in very rare circumstances, ramble, and that shows more the longer he goes on. The longer he goes on, and the more directly he looks into Leonidas's eyes, and the more his eyes and the line of his jaw grow ever so slightly harder than they'd been before. "My dearest friend treated Karkat as he'd treat a human, and Karkat suffered for it. They fought, and not as, ah- what was the term? Kismesises ought. By that next arena they weren't speaking. Karkat couldn't bear Bert's presence, and I couldn't find him. Cuthbert was alone, and his death was bad. He was hurt and exhausted, and his killer considered his death a mercy. It isn't the death he'd have wanted, and he never lived to regret it."

"But you're hardly here to hear an old man jabber on about the past," Roland goes on, his tone very nearly casual. He doesn't look away from the other man's eyes. "It's hardly relevant now, anyway."

[lionhearted_victor]

Leo looked like he was deep in thought after Roland concluded the story of that first black romance. How intriguing that Signless would consider those sorts of relationships and mourn them as he did. Though the trainer never pegged him as flighty, he still couldn't understand how a person juggled four lovers at the same time.

"I didn't think it was all that useless," the usual acerbic tone that laced Leo's voice was toned down, enough that it showed some respect. "I didn't get to see that Arena but you make it sound like Cuthbert...didn't get the honorable death he wanted."

For a former Career Tribute, the only way to die was in the field, serving their nation. What that sounded like, it reminded Leo of taking a sick old animal to the back of the house and putting it out of his misery.

"I take it Signless still remembers that?"

[ka_sera_sera]

And so it goes that Roland has no idea his attempt at a joke has seriously led Signless' potential suitor (likely not, he thinks, but the potential is there) to believe that Signless has four other lovers, rather than the one occasional one. Even if Roland did know, though, he would not be surprised. This isn't the first time his delivery has made it hard for others to tell when what Roland calls humor is trying to make itself seen.

So he doesn't know that. Roland is focusing on something else instead, namely the respectful tone to Leonidas' voice. He hadn't expected it. He looks almost surprised to hear it, actually, and studies Leo as he replies.

"I'd be surprised if he didn't. Although, mayhap I paid more attention than anyone else." Roland's tone is a little heavier then, resigned. Such is the nature of this place, at least as he knows it. Only the next new gossip is of any interest, the past worth remembering only when it can be used. Even the tributes can hardly afford to pay attention to every one of them who's lost.

"But the Signless and Karkat as he was then were close - I'd be surprised if he didn't remember something that would've effected Karkat so. Ask Signless about it if you like, I'm sure he could tell you what went wrong with them better than I could. But two cultures coming together in such a way is always a tricky thing. Relationships of any kind need to be handled with a careful hand, even those that look to be filled with hate."

"Do you understand?" Roland adds that last on impulse, wanting to be sure Leonidas gets his message. Not quite break his heart and I'll break your legs, but something like it, maybe.

[lionhearted_victor]

The sudden question and more so, that tone, prompted Leonidas to cock his head slightly, not just in confusion but in defiance. Does this man actually believe that a Districter like Cora would court this offworlder troll?

"I do understand but let's make something very clear; I have no intentions of engaging with the Signless. I respect his Victory and the trials he went through, but that is a commitment that is purely fictional," he stated outright. The threat would not go unnoticed.

"I don't hate the troll, for the record as well."

[ka_sera_sera]

"Understood," Roland nods, even more calm now than he was a moment ago. Because his threat wasn't one, at least not in Roland's mind. Not really. Encouragement, maybe. If someone is going to 'not hate' Signless, that someone ought to understand that he needs to use his brain about it. Roland isn't sure whether anyone born and raised in Panem is even capable of placing their own culture in equal standing with another, rather than far above it.

Nevermind. Roland thinks the message has been received. He's done his part. The rest, whether or not romance becomes involved at all, is Signless' business.

"None of my business what it is you feel for him, friendship or otherwise, although I'm not sure the rumor of your fling with him'll do your district so much harm as you think. What I do know is that even having another species as a 'coworker' can have its pitfalls. I don't claim expertise, but I may have more practice at it than someone who's spent his whole life here. If you do find yourself confused about the Signless or his people, and can find me when I'm not working-" Roland shrugs. "May be better for all three of us if you come to him or me to clear things up."

Well. That could be called an offer. It could be called an order, too, although that has not occurred to Roland. What the hell, we'll be kind here and call it an offer. Following up the maybe-threat with a hand of friendship, or something like it. The only matter, though, is whether Leo decides to see things that way.

[lionhearted_victor]

There's a question that lingers in Leonidas's mind as he considers the threat-offer. To learn more about the troll victor and maybe clear up some of the bad air in District 2's public appearance... "There has been no fling, trust me. But I think I'll take you up on that invitation, Deschain..." Because unlike the offworlders, Cora had one life to live and why not learn something new? It's not like the Signless is going anywhere soon.

"I owe him a hunting date so maybe then we'll clear things up."

[ka_sera_sera]

"Hm." Hunting date. Roland raises his eyebrows, but doesn't ask. "Like I said, no business of mine."

He moves away from the wall, has the urge to clap Leonidas on the shoulder as he makes his way around him. No telling what kind of message that might send. With any tribute he might do it anyway, but with someone of Panem there's no need to take risks. He resists it.

"And speaking of business, I'll leave you to yours. Just remember, sir, I'll leave my offer open." Roland nods, too, before he walks away, because an offworlder ought to show a native a little bit of respect. Isn't it obvious that Roland believes that? Sure it is. He definitely believes it.