trinkett: (wake up in strawberry fields)
Effie Trinket ([personal profile] trinkett) wrote2013-07-15 05:30 pm

Fifth Dispatch. Practice Makes Perfect, And Perfect is Me. Action.

[It's a hot afternoon, and Effie Trinket has sneaked into the Barracks -- first checking to make sure no one else is in there.

No one is.

It's far too hot and dusty and anyone in her right mind would choose the techy comforts of the Battle Dome over this place.

This is a good thing. Effie doesn't WANT to meet anyone today. For one thing, she feels very awkwardly dressed: running shorts and a bright yellow T-shirt (yellow is a Power Color); white athletic socks with that 1970s-era striping at the top; sneakers. No heels, no shoulder pads, no wig, no makeup.

She is here -- VERY GRUDGINGLY, MIND -- to train for warfare. Her last announcement to the village brought on plenty of warnings, and even a subtle death threat or two, and at least a few people giving well-meaning advice. She can hardly believe any of the doubters who'd said the Malnosso would sacrifice her in a battle, but better safe than sorry. One never knows when the higher-ups might make a clerical error or shifting error and accidentally send a valued subject into dire straits.

The second reason she doesn't particularly want to meet anyone is because she knows none of the Luceti peons like her very much. That's fine with Effie. Eventually the Malnosso will take her into the inner workings of the organization and place her right where she belongs. Until then? Well. She can and has been staying indoors a great deal, being a bored journal stalker.

Unfortunately, this lonesome round in the Barracks confirms that Ms. Trinket is not cut out for warfare at all. It turns into hesitant prods at practice dummies with wooden swords, a lot of staring out the windows, and a frustrating turn at a punching bag.

Fighting is horrible and she's horrible at it and consequently is in a horrible mood.]
swordprincess: (What)

[personal profile] swordprincess 2013-07-16 01:38 pm (UTC)(link)
But...but who?

[She wants to know, because what if he tries to poison her, too? She has enough health issues as it is, and she doesn't need to add poisoning to it.]
originaljackass: (I'm better than you)

[personal profile] originaljackass 2013-07-16 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
"It does that sometime," he said even as he began to guess what it was she was doing. "You're thwacking it, babe. You're not trying to whip him, you're trying to kill him."

[personal profile] ex_tessen852 2013-07-16 03:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, it's more like teaching you how to. You see, I teach girls how to fight and defend themselves, and I'll happily teach you.
asthehawkflies: (Soulless)

[Action]

[personal profile] asthehawkflies 2013-07-16 09:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[Clint is returning from a run along the beach, hopping back through the teleporters, sweaty and disheveled. They're not usually used so much as the Battle Dome, so finding someone there is certainly interesting. That it's Effie there, punching ineffectually at a punching bag is even more surprising, and he leans in the doorway to watch for a while.]

You need to put your thumb over the top of your fingers, otherwise you'll break it the first time you get a good hit in.
onlyeffie: (will this never end?)

[Action]

[personal profile] onlyeffie 2013-07-16 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[NO. No. When she hears that voice, Effie freezes up such that the punching bag swings back and bumps her. Bad enough, Sharpe. Not Clint too.

She holds the bag, as much for balance as to stop it bumping her.]


It already hurts. What are YOU doing here?
onlyeffie: (will this never end?)

[personal profile] onlyeffie 2013-07-16 09:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Luceti's too small a place. Don't worry -- his grudge seems to be only against me.

[She says this in frosty tones.]
onlyeffie: (I've changed the locks)

[personal profile] onlyeffie 2013-07-16 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[Effie wants to ask why the girls are fighting. But she shouldn't, because THOSE are the conversations that always lead people to hate her.




But she can't resist a TINY inquiry:]


Oh? To fight?
asthehawkflies: (Watchful)

[Action]

[personal profile] asthehawkflies 2013-07-16 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
A broken finger hurts a hell of a lot more. It'll ache until you build up the muscle and callous to get used to it.

I am just coming back from a run on the beach.

swordprincess: (GBA)

[personal profile] swordprincess 2013-07-16 09:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, all right.

[The assurance seems enough for her, for now.]

[And finally, she'll take a bite from her granola bar. She frowns as she tests the taste, and then eventually, she smiles.]


Mmm...not bad.

[personal profile] ex_tessen852 2013-07-16 09:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, of course. What else did you think I meant?
onlyeffie: (we used to be on fire)

[Action]

[personal profile] onlyeffie 2013-07-16 09:50 pm (UTC)(link)
So that's why you're all sweaty and disgusting.

[There's barely any critique in that statement. Effie herself is sweaty and disgusting and she HATES it. She lets go of the bag long enough to adjust her ponytail. Too much hair is escaping and sticking to her neck and EW.]

I don't WANT to ache. And I -- callouses. NO.
asthehawkflies: (Side-eyeing you so hard)

[Action]

[personal profile] asthehawkflies 2013-07-16 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
It is an unfortunate side effect of exercise, yeah. Means you're doing it right though.

[He smirks a little and steps into the room.]

Then you have to make a choice. If you start training, and do it properly, the way that'll keep you alive, then you will ache. Callouses... well, depends how you train. There are martial arts that are less about punching and kicking than boxing which might suit you better.
onlyeffie: (nothing's free)

[Action]

[personal profile] onlyeffie 2013-07-16 09:58 pm (UTC)(link)
NONE of it suits me!

[Yup. She's getting a wee bit whiny. One palm is already cut up from Sharpe's sword. Maybe it's time for another snack break. Time to bust out the lockbox. Effie turns to her duffle bag, in the corner.]

Which martial art were you talking about? Offending people to death?
asthehawkflies: (Off Duty)

[Action]

[personal profile] asthehawkflies 2013-07-16 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, if you're so sure of that, why are you even bothering?

[He's not here to coddle her, to pat her back and say it'll all be alright.]

There's a few. Judo, jujutsu. Those two might work if you want hand to hand. Otherwise, a weapon and plenty of running to build stamina.
inyourfavor: (she's a Killer Queen)

[Action]

[personal profile] inyourfavor 2013-07-16 10:16 pm (UTC)(link)
What's judo? Is that the wrestling one? How am I supposed to learn that here?

[Her questions come quick and sharp as she drags a metal box from her duffle and swiftly unlocks it with the key that's hanging around her neck.]
onlyeffie: (no gasoline)

[personal profile] onlyeffie 2013-07-16 10:42 pm (UTC)(link)
NO - no, I mean -- to fight WHOM, exactly?
onlyeffie: (keys cut)

[personal profile] onlyeffie 2013-07-16 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Isn't it good?

[Effie has discovered that, of all the prepackaged food she's been eating, granola bars are probably the best. Canned milk is the worst.]

I've found many varieties at the shop.
accepted: <user name="belforma"> - DNS (☀You gave me)

[personal profile] accepted 2013-07-16 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
If you're always serious then that must mean you're seriously an idiot too!

[About being annoyed? Yeah, he's more than that now. Angry, even. He takes a few steps towards Effie, eying the sword on the ground as he does so.]
swordprincess: (GBA)

[personal profile] swordprincess 2013-07-16 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
These can be convenient for traveling. I wish we had these where I come from...
onlyeffie: (have we lost our minds?)

[personal profile] onlyeffie 2013-07-16 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Great. Another one. Effie backs away, trying to remember where the exits are.]

I am no such thing! I am a highly sensible person!

[Really, it made sense to see children as expendable. Surely the Malnosso didn't have much use for them in the enclosure. Effie had even heard that any children born here ended up turning into Cultists. Ugh.]
inyourfavor: (guaranteed to blow your mind)

[personal profile] inyourfavor 2013-07-16 11:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Must you travel a great deal for work? I do, as well. Though I'm provided for; the government gives me a special train that's loaded with all the best food. Anything anyone could want.

[And she finds herself missing that train lately. Its safety. Its familiarity.]
asthehawkflies: (Warlord Prince)

[Action]

[personal profile] asthehawkflies 2013-07-16 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Kind of. It's holds and throws and you can learn it because I know it. Kind of. Or my partner knows it. Dare say there's a fair few other people who could teach you too.
inyourfavor: (guaranteed to blow your mind)

[Action]

[personal profile] inyourfavor 2013-07-16 11:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[From the locked box, Effie pulls out several bags of securely-sealed trail mix. She offers one to Clint. Maybe it's like a peace offering.]

I'm not sure if you've noticed, Mister Clint, but no one in this place likes me very much.
swordprincess: (Ponder)

[personal profile] swordprincess 2013-07-16 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I travel to hone my skills...and to search for my brother.

[It's even worse not even being able to search for him...]

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