Skill Day 2 - Official Submission

[Vester Lombard]

This is the tributes' last chance to gain skill points before the Games begin. Each tribute is allowed to submit one post in which you may train for one skill. Take some time to talk to other tributes and find a training partner for a chance at gaining bonus skill points!

Deadline:Thursday,August 1 10:00 PM

[Katie James]

At the start of the next day of training, Katie already knew what she wanted to work on. As someone from district 11, she frequently had to go out and deal with plant life, but it never interested her much. She did it because she had to, and needing to do something never stopped her from putting things off.

She had always been a troublemaker in the past, but after being volunteered to join the games, she decided that she should try and give the sponsors what they wanted because she knew she would need anything they could give her. All that being said, she still nearly did a spit take when she learned she was number 4 on the sponsor's favorite players. I guess a little effort can go a long way...

Knowing this she figured it was about time to master the art of finding and identifying plants correctly. Perhaps she would be better at it than she thought and impress the sponsors further...

[Dolan Tawt]

Dolan was seething when he came into the training area. He had been ranked very low the day before and he was sick of sitting backseat to people like Decimus. He was sick of being overlooked because he kept trying to be nice and help others. It was time for him to show the sponsors and game makers what he could do.

Dolan makes his way to the traps training area and begins putting together several parts from the available materials. His hands flash over parts and quickly assembles a dastardly and masterful looking trap.

Walking past the surprised looking attendant Dolan grabs a dummy and some camouflage paints from stealth and paints a mocking resemblance of Decimus on it. Dolan walks over to his trap and chucks the Decimus dummy fully into it at which point the dummy is pulled by its legs in two different directions splitting it from groin to neck. Dolan throws down the rest of his tools and leaves the mess for the attendant to clean up.

His eyes set on the door Dolan ignores any call or comment. He is dead focused, and he is angry.

[William Mandela]

William and Harmony eneter the pool together, they're all business and get down to work immediately.

"Rotate your torso! Use the flexing and uncoiling of your spine to carry your momentum forward. Good. Don't try to move thrkugh the water, pull the water over you. Yes, very good."
William's terse and concise tone sftens to its usual rambuncity as he shouts, "SPRINT! SPRINT FOR YOUR LIFE! There's sharks and barracuda and eels and crocodiles and they've got knifes and chainsaws and guns and they're trying to kill you and everyone you've ever known and loved! SPRIIINT!"
Harmony pauses mid pool to stare quizzically at William. "Too much?", he asks.

By the end Harmony is a competant, powerful swimmer, and William is elated with the progress his pupil has made.

[Alys Stout]

Tiny Alys struts into the training center followed by David. It's a funny site, a tiny girl little leading the way for a boy who's eighteen. At home, they were in such different stages of life, Alys still a child, and David a young man. Yet here, here in the games they both sought the same thing: to stay alive.

Alys had terrible sponsor reviews to this point. Was she surprised? Absolutely not. She was 12, and she was a girl. Yes, the sponsors were sexist and even ageist. Alys hoped that today she could change their opinions of her.

Alys and David approached the unarmed combat station. The judges looked surprised that a little girl would know anything about fighting, but they didn't know the first thing about Alys. Alys had two older brothers, who had taught her everything she knew. She'd been fighting since she was three, and knew how to defend herself against anyone who tried to give her trouble.

Alys took the first few minutes to show David and the judges what she could do: round off kicks, hooks, jabs, and flips. After she had established her worth, she began coaching David. He was a quick learner. Strength he had, she just taught him the techniques.

By the end of the session, they were able to spar together. Alys enjoyed herself, perhaps for the last time before the games began, when she knew she would be fighting to kill.

[David Spanial]

David was stunned when he first met Alys at the unarmed combat station. In fact, he looked like he was looking at a ghost. He snapped out of it though and introduced himself. The training began.
David was embarrassed by the fact that he was being taught by a twelve year old. He hadn't seen Alys before now. He just wanted someone to teach him to fight. He didn't know she would be 12!
"Kick higher!" she yelled, "Aim for my face!" The instruction went on. David was hyper focused on the task at hand but was reluctant to attack so as to not hurt the little girl. She was tough though, and he eventually started to fight back. All it took was a straight knock to the face. "stay alert," she says, like it's that easy.

"Fhoo! You're not one to mess around with. Thanks for teaching me, I haven't fought in forever. I hope people take you seriously, I know i will. If you ever need anything, let me know. I owe you."
David gives Alys a high five and heads for the showers.

[Michelangelo Costa]

Michelangelo would only get so much out off showing off the whole time. He had to improve other skills too. After arriving at the range weapons training area, he began training while hoping Millie or anyone really would show up to train with him. He didn't want to be alone for the second day like he was previously. He needs more friends he can rely on instead of being the shy untrusting person he has felt like.

[Talia Zinten]

The kick came fast, too fast for Talia to dodge as her trainer's leg dug into the padded chestguard. The impact sent Talia sprawling across the artificial grassland they were training on.

"Simpletons provided by the Capitol?" He called, advancing on the girl as she scrambled to her feet.

"You had the guts to write that on the training room board?!"

Talia fought the urge to run as the training instructor stepped closer. She was here to learn unarmed combat, not escape techniques.

"You know how many of us trainers wanted to 'teach' you unarmed combat after reading that?"

The trainer's jab flicked out towards Talia as she retreated half a step. His gloved fist brushed against her long braid as she dashed back toward him, bringing her leg up for a vicious kick toward his groin which never landed.

The feint's effect worked as the trainer doubled over to protect himself. Lowering his head and arms Talia's uppercut caught him square in the throat. Slipping her leg behind the trainer's foot, Talia's shove placed him unceremoniously on his back.

Coughing and humiliated, the trainer wheezed, clutching at his throat.

"Be ecstatic that I delivered you from their jealousy; if not their scorn." Talia smirked, limping back to the medical station once more.

[Natalya Aeglaeca]

She briskly walked over to the survival station. There Natalya picked up some wood and learned fire starting techniques. She was already used to the idea of survival, after all her family had been through a lot and they were familiar with fighting to survive.

Natalya then practiced building shelters she used pyramid formations and camouflage techniques to create a stable sanctuary. This activity proved to be much easier for her than escape, which she struggled with the day before. Through repetition Natalya seemed to relax and get lost in the physicality of her activity.

[Decimus Augusta]

Decimus and Millie enter the training facility. "Remember, what we talked about." whispers Decimus, "We need to put on a show." Millie and Decimus had spent the morning going over a routine for the sponsors. A dance that would both show off Millie's clever quick fighting stlye and Decimus brutal strength. They march their way over to the martial arts mat, and Decimus whips of his shirt. He had been working out in the hotel and hydrating for definition.

Decimus winks at Millie and he starts an internal count. "3.. 2.. 1.. GO!" he counts off in his head, springing towards Millie. At the last moment she ducks and Decimus buries his shoulder into the weight rack. Tributes flee as bar bells and plates fly across the room in a thunderous crash. All eyes are now on the fight.

Quickly Decimus rolls to his feet laughing. "Nice dodge!" he says gleefully, cracking his neck and grinning. The two square off again. "Trial by fire!" Decimus cackles.

[Alona Fisher]

Alona's brother had always threatened he was going to leave her locked out of the house alone for a few days in order to teach her some of the basics. She knew how to light a fire, but she knew nothing about tracking, about shelter, or about which berries to eat and which ones to avoid. She had always claimed that she would never have to use it and much preferred mastering skills that allowed her to sneak up on people and ease drop in conversations. She knew that she should probably take the opportunity to learn more survival skills but when she entered the room, watching as the judges only halfheartedly paid attention to her, she changed her mind.

Making herself as light on her feet as possible, Alona slipped through the room undetected. The few people that cast attention her way didn't keep their eyes on her for long. As Alona snuck around the room, her feet nothing more than a whisper, she gathered a few things to her side; an extra dagger, some rope, miscellaneous food. Then, standing in the middle of the room, she let everything drop to the floor. She had managed to gain an entire survival kit without anyone seeing her.

As the judges looked up, she smiled at them, letting them take in the fact that this girl managed to tip toe around the room undetected. Then, she slowly backed away. Mastery in stealth was what she was best at. She just hoped it was enough to get her back home.

[Derrin Verittia]

OOC: training with Perrin in Scouting

Derrin walked into the training room, ready to go headlong into the scouting training center, however he waited because this time he would have a partner. Perrin from, he believed district 12 but he could be wrong.

Either way her waited for Perrin and when he came up he held out his hand and said, “Derrin Verittia from District Six. Thanks for responding to my message, I’m sure we can accomplish much more together than by ourselves.”

After shaking his hand he went into the scouting programs and after everyone one comparing notes with the boy, Perrin, he seemed to notice things that Derrin never even thought and vice versa.

He really felt that their training session went well. At the end of the training day he looked at Perrin and said, “Hey thanks for the help, and be careful out there.” He held his hand out the shake one more time and hoped that in the future he would get to meet up with Perrin again. At least before the final fight.

[Mallory Sharpe]

Mallory walked into the training area, her whole body tight with nerves. She was supposed to meet Jaden here and train on their bows. She was familiar with a bow, as most people in District 7 were forced to illegally hunt in the forests in order to survive. The real question was whether or not she would completely embarrass herself in front of Jaden.

[Jaden Fox]

Jaden enters the training area shortly after Mallory. Jaden attempts to teach her basic form for archery, but Mallory turns out to be much more formidable at long range than he had expected. "Not bad," Jaden says as he grabs two arrows from the quiver and launches them into two different targets. He smiles smugly. "Your turn." When Mallory goes to attempt the same shot, Jaden approaches her from behind and gently takes her wrists, adjusting her shot. Together they release the string and the arrows fire across the room where one of them finds its target. Jaden nods at her approvingly, "I can work with that."

[Anna Lansbury]

OOC: Health

It was 15 minutes in, and her vision was starting to darken around her peripherals. I can't take much more of this she thought as her balance started to go. She couldn't give up though, she knew in her soul that if she let go to the sweet release of unconsciousness that she would lose favor with the sponsors. So she kept on taking it, blow after blow by the trainer rained in on her. She was only five minutes from when she would be allowed to strike back...

Four now. Getting ever closer to being allowed to move. She had to prove not only to them but to herself that she could take a few hits and keep on swinging. She was glad that the skill days had come early in the week...

Three. She couldn't have gone through this torment and played in the games the next day, no way. The control she usually kept of her body was starting to waver. First, just slight tremble of her left knee...

Two. her legs were shaking now. Her vision all but gone as exhaustion started to take her. She was nearly there...

One. So close to the p... ... rize. She loses her balance and falls to her knees. The trainer stops for a second, thinking she's given in. The sudden rush of falling gives her a second wind of sorts. She manages to raise her head up high enough to make contact with the trainer, and the look in her eyes tells him that she is not giving in. The hits continue...

zero. Finally she can move. She rolls to the left and ends on her back. Her body so exhausted that she can really only focus on one thing at a time. She chooses standing as being unimportant enough to forget about. The bamboo reed the trainer had been using comes down one final time. As it reaches her she puts all of her strength into one strike, intercepting the reed, spinning it around and taking the trainers legs our from under him.

It was finished. She took the worst beating of her life and still managed to score a point against the trainer. I'll be able to take a hit or two after all... as long as it's not a sword to the head... She shudders at the thought.

Pushing those thoughts as much out of her head as she can, she collects herself and pulls herself into a sitting position. Once she has recovered enough to walk, she takes her leave wanting nothing more than a soak in some warm water before the rest of the nights activities.

[Kimber Beck]

Kimber went over to the hunting station. She had never hunted before, but some of what she already knew came in handy. Finding the animals wasn't that difficult, but then catching them was a whole different ordeal. In the end she could catch a fair amount of game, but she was far from the best.

[Mallory Sharpe]

All Mallory seemed to do these days was blush. She had never acted like this, like such a....child. She had been plucked out of her old life without warning, taken out away from everything for the sole purpose of killing all the people she now was spending time with. She had been chosen to kill, and yet here she was blushing like the school girl she was. That's right, she thought to herself, I was that school girl once. Not anymore. She allowed herself to smile again and leaned into Jaden as he helped her practice. I suppose if I'm going to die, I might as well enjoy myself a little.

[Adriana "Age" Leaf]

Age and Fenlen meet at the Archery station. Age attempts to copy every move Fenlen makes, but she struggles to keep up. They practice their speed, hitching arrows and releasing them as quickly as possible at a target that quickly approaches from the distance. At first, Age can only manage to get one shot off before the target reaches her. "I'll be dead in a second if I can't kill an approaching target," she thinks to herself. She works closely with Fenlen and improves her reloading speed significantly over the course of the evening. "I just hope it's enough..."

[Sophie Parker]

Sophie walks into the training room for the last time!

"I guess it's time to show off!"

She walks immediately to the stealth and camouflage station. 

"What do we have here?"

There stands a large booth with all sorts of camouflage paints. Behind that seems to be a small forest, one that takes up more space than should even be possible. She grabs some and starts painting her face and exposed skin. Continuing, she grabs leaves and twigs to match the surrounding. 

She then walks past the booth, quickly disappearing into it.

[Quinn Watson]

Quinn enters the training room and wanders past sections where other tributes are training, though none of them seemed appealing to him. A man holding a camera walks up to him and fixes in on his face.

"And what will the number one tribute be doing today?" Quinn flashes his awkward, sarcastic smile and lets out a small chuckle.

"Oh, man. Be sure to zoom in a little closer, I might disappear or something!" Then his eyes widened and he mutters to himself.

"Oh, crap. I better do that now." He walks over to the stealth section. The trainer greets him and starts showing him around. Quinn listens intently and watches the trainer’s example.

"Okay, that sounds pretty easy." Quinn looks over; the camera was still watching him intently. He lets out a sigh and says to himself,

"Well, here we go." He starts to paint himself. It looks pretty good. But, again, Quinn started to get a little bored. He thinks for a moment, smiles to himself and gets back to painting. After he is fully covered, he runs into the scenery he painted of himself. The camera man attempts to follow among the forest scenery. Quinn watches him and begins to sneak up on him. He dashes for his back.

"Hey!" The camera man is somewhat startled.

"I told you not to lose me!" Quinn lets out a wide smile amongst the green paint and heads to his room to wash up.

[Fenlen Hux]

Fenlen felt a surge of familiarity rush through his body when he picked up the bow and arrow. He let out a long breath, and without thinking, quickly hitched an arrow and sent it flying for its target.
He allowed himself a small smile. Then he turned to Age and spent the rest of the time giving her a crash course on his long-honed skill as thoroughly as he could in the time he had. Although she was clumsy at first, He was pleasantly surprised to see some real improvements in her long range skills in the one day of training. Her competence and relatively confident demeanor, paired with his own experience with a bow, allowed him to feel a glimmer of hope.

[Millie Cartwright]

"Trial by fire!" Decimus shouted. That was the queue that the show had begun. Millie and Decimus had been training and planning all day for this and this was as much a training exercise as it was a pageant.

Even though Decimus's chosen style of hand to hand combat revolved around heavy slow but timed pinches that carried the weight of tree trunks he had been trained in all forms of martial arts and it was one of those that he had passed along to Millie.

Learning about get dexterity, speed, and awareness from yesterday's training he decided to develop that into an almost liquid for of dance that also appeared to just happen to kill by chance.

As Decimus threw a lumbering punch at her Millie took a leap spinning in air end over end so that her arms planted firmly on his shoulders in a handstand. She used the momentum gained from this flip to drive Decimus to the floor smashing his head into the ground.

As Millie discounted gracefully she smiled but internally grimaced. It was Decimus's turn to shine and this might hurt a bit.

She felt his strong arm reach over his head driven into the ground and grip her ankle and then another. When both legs were in his grasp he picked her up and flung her across the room into the stone wall.

Mike knew how to make it look like a hard hit as Decimus had taught her this earlier but even though she escaped being damaged as she hit the wall it still hurt.

She got up brushed herself off and met eyes with Decimus across the room. A moment later the two were sprinting at each other across the length of the room. When they met in the middle their fists met as they blocked each others punches with the same attack just mirror.

They shifted their momentum so that it looked like the attack spun them around in place so that they were now facing each other from the opposite direction.

"This was it," Millie thought to herself, "the final part and the most difficult part."

They jabbed and thrusted and parried each other with such speed and accuracy that each jab that was parried was blocked and each punch that was blocked was returned in kind.

Although neither of them were getting hurt their footwork and attacks blurred to the naked eye. Those watching couldn't tell exactly what was happening but it was it was obvious that much skill and concentration was involved.

At the climax they blew each other back with a faux impact that blew each other across the room. They smiled at each other and bowed as Decimus had told her to do.

Millie walked over to her giant fellow tribute, "How was that? Did I do good?"

[Baldwin Gamut]

Baldwin is embarrassed to try the traps and snares because he doesn't want to be a dork. He doesn't have formal training in traps and snares but he did do sailing as a child so he is familiar with knots. He tries a few snares but doesn't have a partner so he walks into the trap to test it out. As he hangs upside down he lets a grin overcome his face. It worked perfectly

[Perrin Torly]

OOC: Scouting training with Derrin.

Perrin entered the training room and quickly found who he was looking for, as Derrin raised a hand by the Scouting station.

Perrin responded to his greeting, "I'm Perrin Torval, district 7. You're the one who made that training board, right? It's good to see that there are some who can take the initiative around here. I'm looking forward to seeing what we can get done here. Well, let's get to it!

As they trained, Perrin found that compared to the day before, it went much better when you had someone to give advice and bounce ideas off of. By the end of the day he really felt that he had learned something. As the two of them shook and said farewells, Perrin began to hope that they never came across each other in the field as foes.

[Harmony Locket]

Harmony sprinted through the doors of the training room with her eyes set on the pool. Seeing William next to the pool waiting for her to arrive, Harmony grinned at him as she flew by. In one fluid motion, she threw her hand in the air and jumped a few feet in the air before landing into the gleaming water below. With all of Harmony's might, she swam back and forth...back and forth.

She could barely hear William through the waves of water passing by her ears. All of a sudden, William started to scream at the top of his lungs. "...eels and crocodiles and they've got knifes and chainsaws and guns and they're trying to kill you and everyone you've ever known and loved..." Harmony, in mid lap, halted her swim and stared at William with her eyes squinted and an eyebrow above the other. There was a few seconds of silence between them before William sarcastically remarked, "Too much?". Harmony threw a smirk at him and returned to training.

Harmony and William trained for hours. Harmony came to an agreement that she wouldn't leave this pool until she'd learned everything from William.