thecapitol | [open] Follow the Leader

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"The new one, goes by the name of Batter...offworlder naming conventions, you know," Leo had no problems discussing his Tributes, especially the ones that stand out the best.

"The man thinks he's in a mission from his god and his record's impressive enough: managed to destroy the so-called impure world without mercy. The man has the makings of a Career and I am so disappointed he's not a native because he would have been a Victor for sure."

Fate would prove otherwise.

"An entire world? That is impressive. One Arena doesn't sound like it would be a challenge after that."

Encouraging someone else's Tributes may be seen as inappropriate, but it's China's nature to flatter and compliment when the opportunity arises. Especially when speaking of a powerful person.

"It might be given his world was...impure if I remember correctly. This is another game, a new playground for the man. You have an assassin your midst, I should hope your District can give mine something to compete with."

Yep, Leo has placed down a bet for him and China to have in the upcoming arenas.

"What say you a bet? Let's see which of our Districts gets the closest to the finish line? Loser owes the other a thousand assi."

A thousand assi might not be too hard on Cora's wallet, he's not hurting for money but he knows China can be competitive when it comes to this line of work.

What Leo mentioned was, as China saw it, the only good thing about Altair. The blow of his rebellious tendency was softened by his capabilities. When he suggests the direct competition, she wonders if she should have seen it coming. "Very tempting."

A thousand assi isn't worth nearly as much as pride, so what can she do but accept? Besides, it was another opportunity to try for a win of sorts even if it wasn't the Victor's crown. Leo was right about her competitive streak.

"While I'm not sure how valiantly my District will fight for me, I will have to accept. Shall we shake on it?" She extends her hand towards his.

Leonidas extended gladly extended his hand towards China, his rough and calloused palms have seen the business ends of knives and other weapons in training his cadets. Compared to Sorrows', they're downright mangled up but it shows that he doesn't just sit back and watch the spectacle, he lives it with his own flesh.

"Let's." He knows that after this training session, he'll be keeping a closer eye on her District's Tributes. He knows the cameras are watching and the sponsors will eat it up.

"Either way, we both win."

His hand had an interesting texture, at least in the mind of one who'd lived her life surrounded by pampered flowers. There are stories in them, she was sure.

She bowed her head in acknowledgement. "But of course. Perhaps I'll treat you to a nice dinner when I win."

Unruly cadets, working in the masonries and helping District 2, these are just some of the stories that Leo's hands could tell China if he could.

"I think we can call this one a successful lesson, you have potential to be a professional fencing athlete if you were to take more lessons," that's as close a compliment China will ever get from Leo about her skills. It's nothing personal (at least that's what he thinks) but he'd rather pass a Capitolite's pride to someone else.

She covers her mouth as she laughs. Sure, she may enjoy the fawning praise she tends to get, but this? This honesty is refreshing. "I'll put 'star fencer' on the backburner as my next career, then."

"Thank you for this lesson and the unsolicited assessment." She grins wryly--just stepping in the ring with him was probably enough to make said assessment not so unsolicited. "I did enjoy it very much. And perhaps I'll nag you into giving me one another time."

"It wasn't as unsolicited as you make it out to be," Leo shot back with gusto as he took back the equipment and absorbed the reaction he got from China's swipe. As a Career, Cora can bullshit to hell and back because that's how he got sponsors, but every once in the while...things like that slip come to mind.

"I'll see you again...we'll see who has to pay out when the time comes."

She laughed, nodding her head. "Perhaps not."

One last time before she exited, she looked back at him over her shoulder. "We will. Until then, Leo."

[open] Follow the Leader

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