Standing In The Storm [Rene-Mav]

[Cato]

Rene Sumner

Even though I've spent most of my life training for this very moment, I still make sure I train when I'm given the chance. Not training could be a sign that I'm overconfident, and that gives others the right to believe that I'm cocky and arrogant and think I won't die. I do know what I'm capable of, but I need to make sure I'm seen training so that people leave me alone when I'm marching through the games in hopes of making it home alive. Plus, having people see me will maybe make them leave me alone since they'll know exactly what I'm capable of.

I grab a trident, and I make my way over to the sparring station. Part of me wants to try something new, to attempt something I've never done before. All of my training has been with my eyes open so I can see where the attacks are coming from, but I've never pretended like I was blind. In fact, I can't imagine what it's like being blind and trying to compete in something as serious as this, but I know it will help me should I lose my eyesight in the arena. I would have to listen to the sounds to hear where they're coming from. I walk up to the trainer who is busy talking to another trainer. It's almost as if he doesn't notice me.

Then he turns towards me, and he asks me if I need any help. I've never even considered it before until now, and I need this. "I need some help."

District Four

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[knuckles]

"The trouble is not in dying for a friend, but in finding a friend worth dying for."
- Mark Twain

Finding any form of comfort is important, but here in the Capitol nothing provides what he needs. Everywhere he turns, Maverick is reminded of the reality he volunteered for. Death lingers around every corner, and no matter which way he goes, he can't seem to escape it which is why in this moment the only person he desires to speak with is his own district partner. She provides home, which is something nobody else can give him, yet she's still the enemy at the end of the day.

He roams through the gym, and that's when he sees her holding a trident. She's definitely stronger than he is, at least, that's what Mav wants to believe although it's hard to know. She's definitely more well trained for this, but he refuses to let that stop him. Taking a deep breath, he makes his way over towards her, and he sees her walking up to a trainer. Why would a career want to ask for help?

I need the help, but I'm just a fake career.

Yet he doesn't say a word, and instead he waits for the trainer to answer her. If she can ask for help, then there has to be something that everyone needs. Even the strongest people need assistance every now and then, and right now the only thing on his mind is figuring out what he can do for himself. He wants to talk to her, he has a question he desires to ask, yet he refuses to ask this question now. Instead, he wants to ask another.

"What are you doing, Rene? What are you trying to master that you need help with?"

It's likely an invasive question, but it's better than nothing, and maybe it'll make her hate his guts.

"Maybe I can learn too?" He adds to the end even though it probably won't interest him.

307 words
table by kap

[Cato]

Rene Sumner

Sometimes I feel like people underestimate me, but those people don't know me. Of course, nobody here knows me. All my life, I've perfected my motions. I know I still have a long way to go. I've trained, I've spent hours fighting with other trainers as well as other kids from district four. I still feel underprepared though. It's hard knowing what has to happen. I hoped for one more year, so I had another chance to really develop my skills, but my time came, and not a single person dared to volunteer. That's why I asked the trainer for additional help. I want to always be prepared.

I take a deep breath as I wait for the trainer's reply when my district partner injects himself into the conversation. "What are you doing, Rene? What are you trying to master that you need help with?" I roll my eyes. My intent had been to do this alone, but I suppose I could humor him by letting him know my plan. " I want to see what it's like to be move around without eyesight. What if something happens in the arena? I want to be prepared." Ideally in the arena, I will have no wounds and my eyesight, yet nothing is guaranteed. Things outside my control could happen, so I need to be prepared.

The trainer agrees to help but has a look of confusion on them. Can't blame them as I imagine its not a common request. I put the blindfold on and grip my weapon carefully. My breathing slows down as I wait for the trainer to move, but I feel a smack to my body. Clearly fighting without eyesight is going to be much harder than I thought. I try a few more times, with little success. I'm breathing heavily when I turn to Mav. "Would you like to try? I need to relax a minute."

District Four

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