trinkett | 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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I think I probably did better when I was all by myself. Trying to fight in front of him just...

It wasn't a comfortable situation.

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.

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.]

...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?

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.

Hmm...

[She frowns, unsure of the idea.]

A dog might run wild. Maybe you should find a person to protect you?

[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.

...But I don't want you to die.

[You don't trust her, Effie? Now she looks sad.]

[She doesn't trust you with her life, Karla. But she does trust you to an extent.]

OH. That's...........thank you.

I don't want you to die either.

[Was that the appropriate response?]

[Not quite the appropriate response, but it's appreciated.]

Oh, I won't die. I have my skills. I'll take any opponent who wishes to challenge me.

[She approaches the dummy once again, and in a sudden, swift, graceful motion, she slashes at it with her sword. The blade cuts cleanly through it about two inches from the top, and the dummy itself falls over, the cut-off piece rolling a few feet before stopping.]

....................Wow.

[Never in a billion years could Effie have skills like that.]

You're right. You won't die.

[Karla slides her sword back into its sheath and faces Effie again.]

I've been thinking lately that I should use my skill for something worthwhile, like protecting others. If there are really so many people who want to kill you, you should have someone to protect you.

[Do you see where she's getting at, Effie?]

.....How much would you charge?

[The thought of charging her hadn't even crossed her mind, but then again...]

...I wouldn't charge you anything. There's no money here.

Everyone has a price. Everyone charges something. No one offers protection for free.

[Clearly she does not believe you.]

There's no money here, I know...

Well...

[afdkslafjdk]

...What would you offer?

[Because she clearly has nothing to ask for in return.]

I'm not sure; what would you like?

I don't know...what kind of talents do you have?

[She's excellent in bed. She is a fantastic public speaker. She can work as a fashion adviser.]

I've won fashion awards back in the Capitol...

[Well, she's not into fashion or public speaking. And she definitely doesn't need the talents in bed.]

I honestly don't need anything...just your own safety will be reward enough.