thecapitol | We'll have you, washed and dried.

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We'll have you, washed and dried.

Who: Azula and anyone in the Capitol
What: After a "Noble" death in the arena Azula is indulging herself.
Where: The Training Center, The Spa, A restaurant and a bar.
When: Week 6 of the Arena, a day after her death.
Notes: Pill popping, some alcohol, and it's Azula so she'll probably be terrible in one way or another.

It was...an honorable death.

That was what she was spinning it as anyway. The escort was under threat of pain and suffering that she was to ensure that the Capitol citizens understood that Azula's sacrifice had been out of the goodness of her heart.

And because of it, Diana would survive at least another day in the arena. Now alone with all their supplies and the ocean at her back.

And what of her other tributes? Some remained. Azula wasn't surprised to see Shepherd was still putting up a good fight, but it amazed her how Enjolras was still alive.

Well that was the nature of the games wasn't it? All the skill in the world and sometimes it all came down to luck.

Either way she was free of it now, and bitter at the game makers who would dare to put her there. But that bitterness was easier to swallow once she was reunited with her precious Morphling pills.

And so the "Princess" from district five returned to life in the Capitol as if it was all part of the games. She appeared for interviews. She expressed excitement that her tributes were still fighting on.

And she smiled quietly to herself when she saw other tributes still suffering and dieing.

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Despite her desires, despite her longing there were just some habits that were impossible to break.

Which was why this morning began with a vigorous work out in the gym. For the first time in weeks she had full mobility in her arms and legs, and both her eyes were restored to perfect accuracy and she made use of them.

A warm up jog, then some weapon training. Ranged first then Melee. Finally she would wind down with some hand to hand combat.

When one of the personal trainers suggested a refreshing swim she gave him a look that could set fire to a flower. He backed away swiftly.

Her body sang with the sensation of blood flowing through her veins and the complete confidence that here? She was safer.

Never completely safe...but safer.

Mindy, however, was more than happy to take a swim, and had done so just that morning, hair done up in a ponytail. She was all business about it, of course: after the current chain of events, she wanted to be fit, stronger, back with the old reflexes again. The games were her first foray, and the intention of playing fair had cost her death.

This was not something Mindy intended to ever let happen easily again.

So who should appear in her eye trajectory but the very girl who ended her life in the Games.

"Wow," she commented, standing against the wall, legs crossed. "You mean you actually can fight? Who knew?"

Stilling rage, personal vendettas, keeping a cool head? That was an art.

There was a moment of hesitation as Azula acknowledged Mindy's words without bothering to look at her.

"I am a former Victor after all. Perhaps you should take the time to review some tapes of earlier arenas before you make assumptions of peoples potential."

Mindy looked amused. "Instead of going by my initial impression, that you're a pussy that prefers not to get their hands dirty? Hey, that's all you. Not my fault that you actually CAN fight but prefer to let some metal trap do your job."

She aimed a pretty good punch at the bag in front of her. "Then again, you're here now, so you obviously need a little more time training again, yeah?"

Edited 2013-11-29 14:07 (UTC)

That earned her an eye roll.

"Say whatever makes you feel better. When the next arena comes I'll be enjoying it from here where you won't have a chance for revenge."

Another strike, and another. Each one perfectly aimed, perfect amount of force. Unwavering in the face of Mindy's verbal attacks.

"I know my capabilities. I know how far I'm willing to go, and most of the Capitol knows it already as well. You're the only one who's not caught up yet."

"There is more than one way to get revenge," Mindy said, going for kicks now. She knew there was no going back saying THAT, but she didn't like the chick trying to get under her skin, and especially didn't like the idea she wouldn't even BE in the next one so she could take her revenge. "You shouldn't think just because I can't touch you here that I won't. I know enough about you from the bullshit you pulled out there. Don't think you know my motivations."

Oh, perfect. A tool for the Capitol. Things were getting better and better.

"Oh, I know now, what the score is anyway. That's fine. Just because I have to do this doesn't mean I won't do it my way. Being like you is definitely not a good fit."

"Like me?" She chuckled and continued her methodical strikes. "You mean successful? Happy? Yes I suppose that isn't for everyone."

And she was happy, wasn't she? Today was going to be a very good day for her. It was hard to imagine it any other way.

"I may be your first target, but I won't be your last little girl. Play the game however you like. But focusing your energy on a target that isn't even in your way seems like a waste."

"Oh I'm sure you're bursting with joy," Mindy said, giving a few more roundhouses. "If that's true, though, you definitely have to be a pretty messed up person there."

For mentors, anyway. What was the point of being stuck in this world if you COULDN'T be in the games?

"Knock the little girl shit off, I'm not your mentee. I'll work with what I got, I really don't have any other choice anyway. As for what I'm focusing on, still deciding that."

The nerve of that bullshit. The bitch ripped her leg off practically, and she expected her NOT to hold a grudge?

"You have no idea." Azula muttered in regards to how messed up she was.

As for the rest of it.

"You may not be my ward but you are still a young girl. A little respect for your elders while in the capitol would serve you well. Or are you too good to learn from skilled individuals just because you don't like them?"

"Getting there," she said, moving low and then hitting the bag hard enough that the whole bag shook.

She smiled, giving a flying kick next. "Respect for the person that had my leg torn off, or the ones that stole me from my world to watch me killed and/or be killed for their own amusement? Being young is one thing, but I'm not so dumb I don't see what 'little girl' is supposed to imply."

Azula's strikes retrained a solid steady pace. Hers was not about mixing up her routine but building up her muscle tolerance once again.

"I hope you're not under the misunderstanding that I brought you here. I had no say in it. Though the way you performed you're obviously a better choice then some of the tributes from off world."

Cracks began to appear in the punching dummy. Her repeated strikes were having the desired effect.

Mindy was more about making sure her body varied in how it delivered punishment. The actual working out of her body was going to come later.

"I wasn't talking about you in general, I mean I was just brought here. And yeah, seen that too. Met a few people who definitely don't belong here. Not that I can't guess why they're here."

"Precisely." With a solid CRACK the dummy split in half and fell to pieces. Azula gently blew on her knuckles and took a relaxing breath.

"If you really want to be treated like an adult, you'll start acting like one. Accept your misfortune and move on. Follow the rules of our country and try harder next time."

A pause as she sipped from a bottle of water.

"Or don't. It's of little consequence to me."

Azula wasn't the only one intent on breaking said exercise item. With one more kick it flew off, and Mindy made a noise of approval.

"I don't think anyone can give you a manual on how to accept being stolen and slaughtering people for fun times. Not that I was planning to sit up in my room crying about it anytime soon."

Rotating her shoulders slowly Azula took another sip and set the bottle aside before moving into some stretches to stretch out her muscles and joints. The pills made it easier.

"Obviously not. You've embraced the situation in some ways." As for the other ways, it would remain to be seen.

It was surreal, having a conversation with someone who had actually killed her a few days ago. Then again, she was transported from one world (as she saw it) to another. She watched Azula a moment, just checking her form a moment. Good. A seasoned veteran, at least.

"I just haven't gone nuts. Fucked up situations sort of are my forte though."

Adjusting her position she found her center so that she could hold still and let her muscles adjust.

"You keep offering such tempting little breadcrumbs about your backstory. It's really just so difficult for me not to ask." Her voice was dry enough to make it clear. Yes she had an interest. No it would not break her heart if she never found out.

Here, Mindy knew she had to be careful. Her eyes were the eyes of the government, there were no bones about that. A stooge was a stooge, and she had even said that this system was the perfect one for her. Saying the wrong thing would paint a target on her back, and that was one thing she didn't need.

Not yet.

"I was active in killing people back home, that's just what I did. It was rare: I mean, where I'm from, games like this aren't common, so kids going around killing is usually a bad thing. In my case, there are some exceptions to the rule. So if you do that for a living, accepting the shit around you is never going to slow down and let you take a breath is critical."

"Exceptions hmm?"

So that's what it was. Like some of the others she had been in a positions of questionable morals. But a child was still a child even if it had been denied a childhood. She knew that from experience.

"Then at least appreciate that here you will be appreciated for your skills rather then shunned."

"Yep," she said, starting her stretches. By no means was she going to do any of the deep aerobic stuff without some of these, or she was pretty much asking for trouble.

"The difference is why. I don't mind doing what I do for my reasons. Here, its to appease an audience of people I've never even met. Being someone's amusement for the day doesn't exactly mesh the way I want it too."

She knew, more than anyone, if that became the case, where she could go, where she WOULD go if she never kept perspective. It was just so easy too.

"Then perhaps you should consider the more noble reasons for the Hunger Games. Think of the families in your district who go hungry every time you lose. And consider the peace that reigns because of your sacrifice."

It wasn't exactly her reasoning for participation but whatever would get this irritating girl on the ball instead of focusing on wasting her time.

She was already starting on push ups. Right. She forgot she wasn't the only one trapped in this bullshit: there were people in these districts too. Not that she thought Azula gave a fuck about any of them anyway. There was a lot that was said and not said in this conversation, but Azula's inclinations were quite clear.

"I don't suppose you even get to see those people, do you?" She said in between push ups.

"Well, I can go there whenever I like. There are rules about transporting active tributes however. You may be needed."

At least that's what she had been told.

Mindy looked incredulous. "Need me for what? I died. Shouldn't that wait until the next games start?"

Azula shook her head in dismay "Just what do they teach you tributes when they bring you here? Clearly your mentor hasn't had time enough with you."

Toweling off Azula decided she wouldn't be getting anymore serious training done with Mindy around unless they were going to spar. And that would be giving Mindy what she wanted.

"From the moment you die you are preparing for the next arena. That means training your body, mind and charming those in positions of power so that you will have the tools and supplies you need in the arena."

"I had zero time to meet my mentor," Mindy reminded Azula. "I was just thrust into this. Hell, I think she's actually still IN the games as we speak."

Which made her wonder exactly what Eva would actually do to stay IN the games. She ignored Azula's toweling off though: this was not the kind of girl who was going to show all her cards, even if she could fight. She knew well enough that Mindy wanted revenge. Hell, she even vaguely respected being smart enough to know that even as it pissed her off.

"Oh right. Sponsors. So you have to do that to get you ready for the next one. And charming...gah."

She could pull that off. Probably.

"That's right." Tossing her towel to an attendant Azula folded her arms to continue her mini lecture.

"And anyone can be a sponsor if they have enough money. Which means that it wouldn't hurt to show a little respect. You may not have died the way you wanted but would you rather have died of starvation? Or infection? There are many less noble ways to die then being caught in a trap."

"I didn't die of that," she said. No, that was how she expected it to go, and was fully prepared for it too. She could still feel it in her nightmares: the feeling of smashed bone, of sinew barely hanging on as she dragged herself on, feeling the minutes bleed like eternity after pain filled eternity until Guy came,kept her company, and killed her by mutual respect.

"Someone killed me honorably. I would have died alone and painfully, but I was fortunate. Even I know that might never happen again. But if I do die again, I want it bloody and violent. Only way to go out, as far as I'm concerned. Not sure what sponsors will think of that."

She waved a hand dismissively. Mindy was splitting hairs and they both knew it. Either way she died in a more honorable and interesting way then starvation or suicide.

"They love it. The more of a show you put on the more likely you are to gain sponsors. Support in the arena for yourself and your allies."

"However, upset those sponsors out of the arena? And more tributes like me will be granted all the toys and food."

What she thought about her death, particularly involving Guy, she was going to keep to herself. She was certainly not going to reveal what she thought about it to the person that caused the dying to begin with.

"Well, I can put on a show, you know that yourself. That's not gonna be a thing."

Upset them outside the arena? Why would she have done that?

And that it seemed...was that.

"I look forward to what entertainment you can provide." Azula remarked passively and turned to depart. She'd done her part and even offered some advice. If the little monster chose to hold a grudge and waste time and energy hating a target she couldn't touch that was her issue.

Azula had much bigger things to keep herself busy with.

Mindy nodded. No, they weren't done yet, and it was fine that Azula's arrogance in being a mentor meant she was "safe." She found that funny, since Azula spent most of her talking telling her to shrug off her old perception of things.

But what did she expect? That was typical of what privileged people did: they strove for importance, got it, then thought that they didn't need to do it again, that no one could touch them. True, she was at least keeping herself sharp, but thinking she was safe?

If there was one thing Mindy learned from the criminal fucks she shut down, it was how many ways they could get to you even when they thought you couldn't. And Azula had already made a few noticeable mistakes that could be exploited.

"Won't let you down," she said, turning to find something else to keep her occupied.

The New Ember Island Day Spa was a well known and expensive little Spa found deep in the heart of the Capitol. Here those who were well off would come to let the trained professionals sooth their frazzled nerves and refresh their tired and exhausted bodies.

Or sometimes replace them.

The Spa was very popular for it's "New You" services which provided Hair and skin coloring, radical body modification and even some philosophical classes if you felt even your mind and spirit needed to relax.

Of course, Azula knew it was impossible to improve on perfection. Any sort of radical modifications to her body would be temporary at best and either by her whims, or for the sake of a party. One must keep up to date on current trends after all. And it seemed the latest trends involved tattoos and more primal primitive looks.

Every time Azula spotted someone embracing the style she thought back to the new tribute in the arena and felt a burn of satisfaction clashing with a sizzle of bile in her belly. She wanted him to suffer for not respecting her right to kill him. Twice!

But that was in the arena. Not here...not at the spa. No here the nervous workers were doing their best to maintain a cool and calm demeanor as they personally washed and groomed Azula from head to toe. Pampering her the way she always felt she deserved.

This was what she had been missing all those weeks. Respect! Beauty!

Peace of mind.

Edited 2013-11-24 16:52 (UTC)

A fancy dinner was just what Azula needed after such a relaxing afternoon. Dressed in beautiful fall colors her dress was the perfect balance between professionalism and nobility. She seemed to radiate importance from her wake as she arrived promptly on time for her reservation.

Elemental was an up and coming new establishment that prided itself on it's state of the art designs allowing each section of the restaurant to cater to a different element. From the water section with it's cool relaxing tones and the gentle pitter patter of rain or the burbling of a fountain, to the solid stone section where every seat and table was formed from finely polished minerals. Azula was taken to the fire section where her outfit fit the color scheme beautifully. The warmth of long thin pillars of flame crept through her back and her already relaxed and sensitive skin seemed to melt with delight.

Seated on a large red pillow she glanced over the menu and ordered, indulging herself with spice and meat and assuring herself she would work it off later.

Another pill, and some wine to begin the downward slope of her evening.

Edited 2013-11-24 16:59 (UTC)

Unfortunately, Azula was about to get an unwanted dinner partner. It wasn't exactly Homura's choice, of course. Sponsors did enjoy the idea of a spar, verbal or otherwise, between Tributes nowadays, especially now that they could come back and harbor grudges. They clapped their hands in delight at the thought. Especially since the girl in question had also offed the one Azula had tried to save.

And so one moment, the pillow across from Azula was unoccupied. The next moment - perhaps after Azula threw her head back to swallow another gulp of wine - there was a body, dressed simply but severely, staring back with the same stare she gave at Azula's last moments in the Arena.

"The cinnammon chicken gyoza looks quite refreshing."

Azula rose only a single eyebrow in response to this sudden arrival. She had not heard that this girl had died yet.

"Yes I was just thinking that. But I also wanted to have the cinnamon crusted cheesecake for dessert. I didn't want to over do it with any particular spice."

Turning the page gently to examine the next page casually.

"How long have you been back in the capitol?"

"The day before yesterday," Homura replied. "Both myself, and your District ally."

Well, now wasn't that interesting?

"It must have been a showy death." She remarked finally deciding on a dish and setting her menu down "They haven't aired it yet."

And more unsettling was that Diana hadn't been returned yet. Azula had made sure that the staff would alert her when any of her tributes were returned to their suite.

"I detonated a bomb. I'm surprised they are not showing it more often."

A waiter came by, looking at Homura expectantly.

"Black currant bubble tea, please."

The waiter nodded and slipped away silently, well trained and with his posture nearly perfect. Azula appreciated most of that.

"A bomb? Oh they do love those." Azula commented tracing her finger along the rim of her glass as she studied the unassuming girl in front of her.

"And so here we are, and I can't help but wonder why?" She could speculate of course, but with an impending meal on the way she wanted to be sure to get any unpleasantness out of the way.

"A specialty of mine," Homura replied. "As for my presence...there is a group of men in the corner, who insisted I sit next to you. Unfortunately, the waiters also refused my request to sit elsewhere."

At this, Homura folded her hands together, closing her eyes.

"They seem interested in how you would react to me, and I to you."

Ah, of course.

Fixing Homura with her appraising stare she considered the options.

"Well you are the first to succeed where countless others failed. In my own games obviously I only had the one opportunity and I won." There was no comforting safety net of knowing she would wake up from her death back then.

"My only excuse is that I was so focused on protecting my tributes that I acted against my own best interests." Which was half a lie. Her best interests always had lay with protecting her tributes.

"But my injuries aside, you are to be commended for your resourcefulness. For a newcomer you will be gaining alot of attention for that little display."

And once again she returned to the tribute center, glowing with self satisfaction at her day of pampering.

Drink in hand she settled down into a comfortable seat where she could finally ease herself back into work. Not much, just a little. She would scan the news first on a data pad while The Games played on a screen not far away. Occasionally she would sip her drink or nibble on a fruit and cream covered cracker from a tray of sweets sitting at the low table in front of her.

Surely it wasn't personal...sending her into the arena like that. After all if they really wanted her to leave there wouldn't need to be such a show. Surely they just wanted to make things entertaining for the crowd.

Or perhaps they simply wanted to ensure she knew her place. An unnecessary threat to make sure she would play her part from here on.

These thoughts and more drifted through her Morphling and wine laced mind as she wound down for the night.

It was a nice active day for Azula. Perhaps you ran into her somewhere else? Or while she was traveling from one of these locations to another? Feel free to provide your own setting for running into her today.

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We'll have you, washed and dried.

The Training Center: The Gym

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The City: The Ember Island Day Spa

The Capitol: Elemental Restaurant .

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A million years later...>_< I'm so sorry

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The Tribute Center: Common area and bar.

Out and about