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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 16:16:21 GMT -6
Wren headed towards the weapons corner. There were javelins, bows with arrows, crossbows, axes, throwing axes, hammers, spears, various knives...he'd never seen so many weapons together in one place. He decided to go with a throwing axe for his first weapon, since that's the one he has the most experience with.
The instructor eyed him from head to toe, "Sure you know what you're doing, kid?"
Wren knew this was about his size. "I'm from Seven. I think I know what handling an axe is like." He took aim at a straw target, about 50 feet away.
Throw axe at target
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1d8
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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 16:17:36 GMT -6
The axe fell short of the target by about 10 feet. Shit. Stupid instructor psyching me out. Who the hell does he think he is?
Wren tried again.
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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 16:22:38 GMT -6
Wren decided to try something new, since he was failing at the throwing axe for the moment. Hmmm maybe a bow?
He handled a few of the different bows and one caught his eye: it was made of white oak, which he was pretty familiar with. He aimed at a target on the wall this time. He drew back, inhaled, and exhaled as he released.
Hit wall target
RM2Rj2fA1d8
1d8
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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 16:27:55 GMT -6
The arrow found its target. "Nice!" Wren smiled and looked at the bow again. Maybe it helps to try new things. Just because I'm a lumberjack doesn't mean I need an axe.
Wren shot a look at the instructor, who was refusing to smile at Wren's sudden success with the bow.
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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 17:07:04 GMT -6
Wren noticed the gym was fairly empty. I guess it's still fairly early...and a majority of the tributes are likely hung over. I'm here...I might as well keep practicing. I've never improved without working at something first.
He decided to try one more weapon, for variety. He grabbed a spear and decided to give it a shot, despite having zero experience with one. He aimed at the same target he had shot his arrow at.
Hit target with spear
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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 17:08:02 GMT -6
He hit the target, just on the edge. Not bad...one more try, just for consistency.
Hit target again.
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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 17:09:04 GMT -6
He split the wooden handle of his first spear, right down the middle. Not the center of the target, but how much more consistent can you get than two identical throws?
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Post by Deo Prisco on Dec 7, 2015 18:02:12 GMT -6
Deo was glad last night was over. He had never been good around large crowds of people, never mind camera's and party-goers. Any leftover anxiety left him as he entered the training center. "Finally, something familiar," he thought.
Already tributes were training at the facilities. "They're either very determined, or very worried," thought Deo. He watched the boy Wren try his hand at a nubmer of weapons. Wren seemed naturally talented at certain weapons though obviously he has little professional instruction.
Deo was nervous walking up to Wren. He couldn't help but critique the boys form.
"That was good," he mumbled, "You want to find the balance point of the spear, and grip it there. Kinda like this," Deo gripped the middle of his weapon and threw it at the target.
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Post by Deo Prisco on Dec 7, 2015 18:04:32 GMT -6
The lance hit near center with a satisfying thud*. "Good, I didn't embarrass myself," he thought, letting out a sigh.
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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 18:11:59 GMT -6
Wren didn't recognize the older boy that approached him. "Oh, sorry. I don't think we've met. I'm Wren. And thanks! I've really only had formal training with knives and axes..and you saw how that went." Wren had to chuckle at his own faults. "What district are you from?"
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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 18:13:38 GMT -6
Wren took the boy's advice and tried one more time with the spear, this time trying to find the best balance point and copying his grip in the center.
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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 18:15:55 GMT -6
Wren cringed as the spear went flying out of his hand and crashed onto the floor. "I really appreciate the help. I'll keep working on it!" He hoped he didn't just embarrass himself.
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Post by Deo Prisco on Dec 7, 2015 18:21:14 GMT -6
"Ah, right introductions," he blushed, "My name is Deo, I'm from District 2." He watched the boy haphazardly fling the a spear. Deo realized that the boy might be nervous too, which calmed him. Most of the boys he met during training were confident and aggressive. "It definitely takes practice. Try using your hips more, that'll help with the distance." He had Wren mirror his movements before throwing.
WJMKoJuV1d8+21d8+2
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Post by Deo Prisco on Dec 7, 2015 18:24:11 GMT -6
Another solid throw. Deo felt his body begin to relax. He realized now that the last few days of media and pageantry had made him tense.
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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 18:25:50 GMT -6
"Wow. You seem so natural." Wren realized Deo was from a 'career district' and immediately felt a bit intimidated. He was pretty sure some of the bar gang were careers, too...But he should give everyone a chance before writing off any potential friends. Just because the boys back home were bullies, didn't mean the boys here were...they'd just kill him. And if Wren was being honest, that might be a better outcome than years of being bullied.
Wren tried a few practice throws, without releasing. He just wanted to get the gripping and stance right.
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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 18:38:40 GMT -6
Wren tried a real throw this time. He tried to channel the same confidence he had with his plant identification session. Okay. Grip here, use my hips...and...
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Post by Gwendolyn Fisk on Dec 7, 2015 18:39:14 GMT -6
Gwendolyn watched the two boys throw their pointy sticks. She had never learned to use a weapon, since her line of work didn't really require it. Since she was here Gwen figured she would at least see what holding a weapon felt like. She walked up to a table filled with weapons and grabbed a few throwing knives.
"Hey, crazy eyes. Have a fun night?" Gwen said to Wren, standing at a target. She felt the weight of the knife in her hand. It was heavier than she thought it would be, but not an altogether unpleasant feeling. She looked to the target, spending some time gauging the distance. After a few moments she threw the knife.
wCezeWgP1d8 - 1 = 5
Unbelievably, she hit the target. Gwen shrugged. "So that's what that's like."1d8
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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 18:40:22 GMT -6
Damn. I just can't get it. "Wow. I'm really sorry you had to see that. Can we just pretend that didn't happen?" Wren chuckled awkwardly. No wonder I'm terrible at making friends. "I promise I'm good at some things, though! You shoulda seen me with the plants. If you ever need help in that area, I'd be glad to return the favor sometime."
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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 18:42:34 GMT -6
Wren realized Gwen's sudden entrance might have thrown him off...Yeah, we'll go with that... "Hey! Yeah, I wasn't feeling too well at the end of the night so I headed to bed pretty early. But I like to think I made a few friends. How about you? Sounds like you guys had quite the evening." He smirked at Gwen.
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Post by Gwendolyn Fisk on Dec 7, 2015 18:47:56 GMT -6
"Quite the evening indeed. Though it didn't go quite as planned for me. There are precious few nights left and I want to make the most of them," Gwen winked mischievously at Wren. Gwen threw another knife.
OEGQ4VLE1d8 - 1 = 2
Gwen sighed as the knife bounce off the target. She should have taken more time with that one, but you had to know what failure felt like as well as success.
"Find out anything interesting on your search for answers?"1d8
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Post by Holly Edison on Dec 7, 2015 18:52:31 GMT -6
Holly entered the room quietly, watching the two tributes who had arrived. She noticed the smaller boy from the night before that had caught her interest before Valeria appeared so suddenly in front of her. I wonder if I'm right about him. I think his name is Wren. Following his gaze to the table beside him she saw an array of weapons. Standard fare for the most part.
Bows, spears, maces and various bladed weapons were at the front. Upon moving closer to the table she noticed less common items had been placed in the rear of the display. She took them in. More knives, interesting blades on those. I don't even know what that thing is. Oh! Bolas. Excellent. I doubt any of the other tributes have seen one of these in action.
Holly hoped the events of the night before hadn't taken too much of a toll on her physically. Her head was pounding but she hoped starting here would warm her up for the more demanding agility and more mentally challenging plant identification areas. She knew there'd be more but for now she had to focus.
Steadying herself, she raised her arm and aimed for the target dummy.
Don't fuck this one up, kid. They're watching.
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1d8+2
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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 18:53:13 GMT -6
Wren shrugged. "Meh. Mostly was just trying to spark up conversations. I dunno. Call me cynical, but I just didn't see much point in talking about home and memories when only one of us is going back to that...and everything would be so different it's like everyone loses, even the winner. I mean, I already feel so different here. I'm really quiet back home..."
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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 18:57:20 GMT -6
Wren was delayed to catch the wink from Gwen. Was that flirting? Wren had zero experience with girls back home. He'd mostly hung out with his sister and some animals.
He noticed one of the girls from the bar. Holly, I think? Oh she's from Two with Deo. That's right. She nailed a dummy with her weapon. Wren was impressed. Maybe I should stick to talking for now...I had my luck with the bow, but I obviously suck with axe and spear...
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Post by Holly Edison on Dec 7, 2015 18:57:58 GMT -6
Nice.
Satisfied, she turned to Wren and smiled in what she hoped would come across as a supportive gesture.
"You did pretty well with that spear. Don't sell yourself short."
She picked up a knife and aimed again.
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1d8+2
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Post by Wren Hartwood on Dec 7, 2015 19:02:35 GMT -6
Wow. This Holly girl is good! Wren felt a foreign feeling: he suddenly wanted to impress people. This was so unlike him. He mostly didn't want to be viewed as weak or useless. "Oh, um thanks! I'm nowhere near as good as you, though. I've spent my whole life training in other areas, so I figured I'd better catch up on stuff like this if I want to last more than a day in there."
He went back to the bow and arrow, since that had been his most successful attempt so far...
He tried to relax...He imagined being up in a tree at home. He drew back, inhaled, exhaled and released...
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1d8
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