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

[trinkett]

[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.]

Comments

[onlyeffie]

You'd....do that? Teach me how to teach him how to treat a lady?

[She's only shocked because everyone in Luceti hates her. That's all.]

[ex_tessen852]

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.

[onlyeffie]

[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?

[ex_tessen852]

Yes, of course. What else did you think I meant?

[onlyeffie]

NO - no, I mean -- to fight WHOM, exactly?

[ex_tessen852]

The guy bugging you. I'm sure I can think of a few moves that'll take him down in no time.

[onlyeffie]

[She hesitates. Would she really be able to take Sharpe down? Did she even WANT to? He was so....like a big grumpy man-boar.]

...Fine. I want to learn. What's your name? I'm Effie.

[ex_tessen852]

Suki. It is very nice to meet you Effie.

Now, why don't we start with your stance? It's always good to have a proper foundation to build upon.

[trinkett]

I was always taught excellent posture.

[And that's true. Effie's posture is immaculate. She could probably cross Luceti border to border with a stack of dictionaries on her head and a mint julep in each hand and not spill anything.

She stands before Suki as though fresh from Madame Persimmon Constantine's Finishing School for Young Capitolistas.]

[ex_tessen852]

[Not what she was talking about...] Well, that is nice, but what about when you fight? You can't defend yourself well when you're standing like that.

Here. Copy me. [Suki stood in a fighting position.]

[inyourfavor]

So -- bending knees and....

[Effie gets into the position pretty effortlessly. She's good at posing.]

[ex_tessen852]

Good. Now, you have to keep a balance of being light on your feet and rooted to the ground. It sounds weird, but it works, trust me.

[inyourfavor]

[Her balance isn't terrible. Maybe all that posture work helped, somehow. And she's always been singularly graceful, especially in front of large audiences.]

Rooted to the ground...yes. That does sound strange. Like this?

[ex_tessen852]

Yes, and make sure you guard your center. Once your stance is correct, the moves will feel more nature and flow.

[onlyeffie]

[Well -- she's doing her best to feel the flow.]

This doesn't feel very...how am I supposed to best him like this?

[ex_tessen852]

Once you're grounded, you can knock him to the ground.

I do it a lot.

[trinkett]

To anyone in particular?

[She asks this with a bit of a genuine smile. Effie likes Suki, she decides. And this surprises her, because women in the Capitol are raised to compete with each other from a very young age, to a degree that left no room for friendships or admiration.]

[ex_tessen852]

Anyone you want. I, of course, would only suggest you to use it on someone attacking you, or in this case, someone who needs to be taught a lesson.

[trinkett]

This will be MUCH better than my original plan! But it has to involve more than standing and feeling flow.

[ex_tessen852]

It's going to involve a lot more, but you're doing a good job right now.

How about we start with some basic hits right now? [Don't want to work her too hard.]

[trinkett]

Already? You...you think I'm ready for that?

[Ugh. She's not going to LIKE hitting. Effie can already feel this.]

[ex_tessen852]

I'm only teaching you some really simple moves. If you wanted a more complete session, I'm going to start up the Kyoshi Warriors again.

[onlyeffie]

[Kyoshi Warriors. Something about that name sends a flood of interest and adrenaline through Effie's veins. Its wildness appeals to a part of her that she has very carefully tamped down through the years.

On the other hand, it's not ladylike to be a warrior.]

I'll think about it, okay?

[ex_tessen852]

It's alright if you don't come, but the offer is out there if you wanted.

Now, back to this. There are some critical points on the body where you'd want to hit. [She points to them on her body.] Hitting hard isn't the object, just hitting the right spot.

[happyhungergames]

[Effie finds that she likes Suki even more for her unassuming air and for not forcing the Kyoshi Warriors. Definitely likes that.]


OH. I...don't want to hit him there.