[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

[dead_black_eyes]

"You promised that? Those are always the promises you have to uphold," Linden chuckles. "The ones you make because at the time, they seem impossible, and you're counting on the laws of reality and probability to make you into a faultless liar."

The topic change is one that has him back to freezing his disingenuous smile in place and nodding reassuringly. "You know that the Capitol has the best," he says. "I'm recovering well, all things considered. I have many years of Mentoring ahead of me."

In the end, it's a life sentence, the slowest possible execution in Panem.

"Thank you for asking, and most of all for making it sound like you really care, and it's not just an obligation to wish a known trainwreck well."

[lionhearted_victor]

"Remember me as I was, with a functioning stomach after all this, the old man actually proved himself capable in the field, for a so-called pacifist," Leo grimaced at Linden's insistence, "A man is his word after all."

The coach then shot a look at the Mentor, "And you make it sound like I don't consider you a coworker whose presence I would miss dearly." At least he's blunt about his fellow staff.

[dead_black_eyes]

"Nothing more and nothing less," Linden ascertains with grim amusement. "Hopefully he doesn't literally expect you to keep it, but I'd at least perform a token gesture. Bake a pastry in the shape of a hat, eat it, and I would consider your word untarnished."

He offers a faint smile. His way for bending and getting around rules is one that's a bit of a headache to a lot of people, but it's also useful when he's in the mood to share tips.

"Is that the truth? I'm honored."

[lionhearted_victor]

"If anything, I'll have the thing look as much like an actual hat as possible. My digestive tract thanks you in advance, Lockhearst," And Leo adds in a dramatic bow while keeping his fellow staff member's shopping intact.

"Don't be honored by a cripple," Cora's laugh was as biting as it was in jest, "Apparently that's the insult in vogue these days."

[dead_black_eyes]

"And my brain says that your digestive track is welcome," Linden says with a sigh and what resembles an eye roll, but it's nevertheless in fairly good humor. The bow makes him feel a little like he isn't being taken seriously, but then again, he's pretty damn used to that by now, even from Districters and Careers he is relatively friendly with.

"Is it now? What a strange one," Linden says, thinking about how in 6, there'd be slim pickings to accept honor from if it was indeed the case. "I can't say I much care for it. Infirmity is no reason a person can't meaningfully contribute, and that extends to something as abstract as honor."

[lionhearted_victor]

Leo wasn't one to disrespect those of higher ranking but he felt some levity was in order.

"Ask our mutual Capitolite friend and he will tell you I should be deported or considered a charity case," the trainer clarified just before entering the tower. "But if you ask me, variety in your staff is the spice of life."

And really, what better television is there besides the Games than the drama in the tower itself?

[dead_black_eyes]

Linden quirks a brow and then offers a generous eye-roll at the mention of Jason Comspon. With his overlarge eyes, it's an expression that's fairly difficult to miss, and with the amount of contempt Linden feels for a lot of people in the Capitol, he does it relatively frequently.

"If it's any consolation, he thinks I should be shot so that I'm not a further strain on the country's resources," Linden contributes blandly. "For the record, I agree. Variety, within reason and productivity, is highly desirable."

/wrap?

[lionhearted_victor]

"The man seems to make friends wherever he goes," Not even the most suspicious Capitolite could deny that Jason was problematic to be around unless he was sucking up for sponsors and a job. And even then, from what Leo could see, Compson seemed to have sandpaper up his ass.

As Cora settled Linden's items down where an Avox could fetch them, he grinned, "It'd be one hell of a tragedy to see that happen. You're different from the others, not sure if that's a good thing but it's there."

wrap!

[dead_black_eyes]

Linden's response is a soft snort, acknowledging the sarcasm without contributing to it. Since the latest altercation with Compson, he actually feels a little sorry for the man in addition to finding him insufferable, but that's a strange thing to admit under the current circumstances and in the context of this conversation.

"Different from the others? Nonsense..." he murmurs. "At any rate, I'm glad we had this talk."