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.]
originaljackass: originaljackass @ LJ (Yeah whatever)

[personal profile] originaljackass 2013-07-17 07:14 pm (UTC)(link)
If Jack was a telepath and he could have heard her mental plight, he would have answered, I should totally get a snow-white steed. I would look so cool on it.

But he was not, so such a thought did not occur to him, save for a strange and brief longing to own a quadruped that wasn't completely useless like Babe. But it was only a momentary distraction before he decided that Effie's excuse about being busy seemed suspect, but not something he felt entirely inclined to question or care much about. There was probably a story behind it that would ruin the beach trip thing even more than having to share a towel.

"Well then, follow me. Prepare to be dazzled. Assuming they don't have teleporters where you are. If they do, prepare to be underwhelmed."

He turned her around so he could take her by the hand and lead her that large suspicious metal box that occupied far too much room in the barracks.
greenjacketed: (♖ guitar solo)

[personal profile] greenjacketed 2013-07-17 07:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, crud.

"Don't bother, ma'am. It's as good as over -- haven't you seen it? She's been hiding for the better part of a week."

A broken heart, he suspected. But he couldn't go so far as admit it.
originaljackass: originaljackass @ LJ (Of course I'm better)

[personal profile] originaljackass 2013-07-17 07:19 pm (UTC)(link)
If Jack noticed one thing lately, it was she seemed to be needier later. He definitely needed to fix that.

"Trains are for slow people. Though I did once travel on an intradimensional train. Here, step inside."

He had opened the teleporter door with a single hand, which would be impressive if she had realized it usually took two to do so. He was ready to lead her by the hand into a dark metal chamber that in ordinary circumstances would seem incredibly suspicious.
ruthlessismore: (The Two on your left)

[personal profile] ruthlessismore 2013-07-17 07:23 pm (UTC)(link)
How could she be suspicious of him? He wasn't trying to poison her food.

"We CAN be a little old-fashioned in Panem on long-distance journeys!" she laughed in return, standing as close as possible to him in the metal space. It was a little dank in here, considering the humid Luceti weather.

"I'd much rather travel a shorter distance.....with you."
Edited 2013-07-17 19:23 (UTC)
swordprincess: (Wandering)

[personal profile] swordprincess 2013-07-17 07:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Because he's a skilled fighter? It can be intimidating to be coached by others who are more experienced in the art. But bear in mind that they are trying to help you learn. They just act harshly to prepare you for a true battle. A real battle will be far more harsh, no matter how harshly the instructor treats you.
greenjacketed: (♖ you dare to be in the same army)

[personal profile] greenjacketed 2013-07-17 07:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"She'll overcome it," the man stated -- simple. Bordering on paternally naive. "She won your bloody games, didn't she? One yellow-bellied bastard of a young man seems a trifle in comparison to all that..."

And yet, as a man quite accustomed to falling too quickly and too deeply for the wrong people, he wondered if it could ever be a trifle. He'd encouraged her to move on after losing Peeta -- and this is what she'd gotten for her troubles? For all his advice?

Dammit. His guilt drove him to confess: "...He's the one who blackened my eye, anyway. So if Katniss don't string him up? I will. In time."
ruthlessismore: (In the day and in the night)

[personal profile] ruthlessismore 2013-07-17 07:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm not sure that's wise, Richard." There was no comment forthcoming on the bruising of Sharpe's eye by Sokka. Effie believed the hoodlum capable of anything.

"You'd better let me handle it."

She began to more carefully arrange the leftover items in her lockbox.
originaljackass: originaljackass @ LJ (Surprised)

[personal profile] originaljackass 2013-07-17 07:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"Go the distance?" Jack had a noted look of panic on his face that was hidden as he closed the teleporter doors on them. He had managed to recover and mollify this panic by the time they opened again, because he realized that's not what she meant.

Commitment. It was enough to make any warm-blooded man shudder.

"Speaking of. Here we are."

They were inside a fort along the beach and while it wasn't anything special to look at, the air was much different inside with a distinct cool saltiness to it. Waves could be heard in the distance.
ruthlessismore: (In the day and in the night)

[personal profile] ruthlessismore 2013-07-17 07:27 pm (UTC)(link)
You think Sharpe acts harshly because he wants me safe?

[It was hard to keep most of the bitterness out.]

He wants me dead, Karla.

[Effie is at least 87% sure of this.]
greenjacketed: (♖ feelin' crazy)

[personal profile] greenjacketed 2013-07-17 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"You! With your wooden stick!

What could you do?"
happyhungergames: (do I stress you out?)

[personal profile] happyhungergames 2013-07-17 07:30 pm (UTC)(link)
She flushed with anger, but carefully locked her box and re-hung the key around her neck before confronting him.

"When the Malnosso come for me, I mean. When they give me a position within the Organization. That's how these things work. It's those on the Inside who can better delegate punishment and justice."

And those two things ALWAYS go together. Welcome to her reality.
happyhungergames: (jumping before the gunshot)

[personal profile] happyhungergames 2013-07-17 07:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh!" It was such a relief to be out of the sawdusty Barracks.

Well...this was still kind of dank and wet-stone-smelling, but beyond, she could tell, were good things.

Effie laughed. She was finally beginning to relax. "What would I do without you?"
greenjacketed: (♖ give me hope in silence)

[personal profile] greenjacketed 2013-07-17 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"...The Malnosso have already meted out their punishment," he said -- not quite understanding that this nebulous penalty thing he barely understood didn't actually come from the Organization itself. "And I'd sooner take him 'round the back of a building and crack a rib or two than trust regulations."
swordprincess: (What)

[personal profile] swordprincess 2013-07-17 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
...But why? Did he actually look you in the eye and say, "I want you dead?"

If you can't fight, maybe you need someone to protect you?
happyhungergames: (hunt the hunter)

[personal profile] happyhungergames 2013-07-17 07:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's vile! Vigilante justice is NEVER approved!"
happyhungergames: (jagged little pill)

[personal profile] happyhungergames 2013-07-17 07:35 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm going to get a dog!

[It's with some relief that she rushes into this topic.]

A big one! A big, protective one.
originaljackass: (pic#6004229)

[personal profile] originaljackass 2013-07-17 07:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"I suspect you'd be very bored and covered in far too much makeup."

Jack felt comfortable making light of her ridiculous makeup now that she was no longer in the habit of wearing it around him. He led the two of them outside the fort where the beach awaited them, ocean stretched as far as the eye could see.
happyhungergames: (don't want to dissect)

[personal profile] happyhungergames 2013-07-17 07:37 pm (UTC)(link)
It wasn't too much, Jack. It was what she needed to thrive.

"Oh..."

But she couldn't argue with him about how she preferred to look and be. In fact, the sight of this beautiful sea was near enough to convince Effie to dress and look exactly how Jack asked her to.
greenjacketed: (♖ who you gonna call?)

[personal profile] greenjacketed 2013-07-17 07:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Had Sharpe men here, he was certain they'd tell the woman they preferred his justice to the regulation whip. But they weren't here, and Sharpe was not about to argue his own case. The mere thought of speaking so many words and attempting to say another's opinion about him? It tied his guts into knots.

Better to stay simple: "It gets things done. And men in line."
swordprincess: (Ponder)

[personal profile] swordprincess 2013-07-17 07:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmm...

[She frowns, unsure of the idea.]

A dog might run wild. Maybe you should find a person to protect you?
happyhungergames: (pick you apart)

[personal profile] happyhungergames 2013-07-17 07:39 pm (UTC)(link)
"Do you want new buttons?" Maybe she could come back to that topic. Once the Malnosso brought her Inside, he'd see. He'd learn. "I'm sure the shops have some. Or you could go on a mission and earn some.

I've still got to find an appropriate mission. For my dog."

No, she wasn't letting that drop.
happyhungergames: (my sweater is on backwards)

[personal profile] happyhungergames 2013-07-17 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[oh not again with that argument. EVERYONE KEEPS TELLING HER THE DOG WILL BITE HER.]

No, no! I can't trust the people here. They want me dead. To die. A dog won't. Dogs are loyal. They love their owners.
greenjacketed: (♖ unpolished buttons)

[personal profile] greenjacketed 2013-07-17 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
"I've the points," he said with a wave of his hand. He'd been saving them up -- point by point -- as he did his captured prizes from the field. A coin here, a golden watch there. "And I've the buttons back, as well. It's only a matter of sewing'em."

Perhaps he would get on that task tomorrow. It would be nice to have his regimentals back.

"As for your bloody mutt, pick a mission without fighting. Or else bring someone with you who can."

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