Repeating History [Matthew/whoever else]

[Jack Lexington]

So far everything has been going as planned. The fight was well coordinated and none of his punches too hard to handle, just very fast.
"I got you." I think to myself when I throw him on the ground and land a few good punches on him using my body weight.
The guy however, is tough as nails. He doesn't even clench his jaw or reach for it when I punch him but comes back with a head butt faster than I can get my own one out of the way. Again he gets me in the same eye momentarily blinding me and throwing my head back with too much force.
Before my vision comes back I catch his fist with the muscle on my right arm. An electrifying pain shoots into my shoulder and all the way to my fingers tips and actually makes me groan loudly. That was a 'good one'. From one moment to the next my arm becomes useless and numb and all I can do is pull it close to my body before he can grab onto it and break it.
As if that wasn't enough he now shoots his knee up into my stomach. This time I'm too preoccupied to deflect anything.
My intestines take the full brunt of the knee and seemingly curl up into little balls. An aweful sensation that makes me double over with the strong urge to vomit.
I don't but I let myself drop off him to the side struggling to get off the ground before he can let another kick follow. With my arm still clenched to my body I flip onto my feet, kick him in the legs, just to keep him grounded and then bend down to let a punch to his nose follow.

Before he can head butt me again I jump back and shout.
"I think it's been five minutes. You earned your stay. Do you want to end this or keep going?"
Either way is fine with me.
"I'll go until one of us drops..."
My left fist is raised while a tingling sensation gives away that my right one is slowly becoming useable again.
Instead of waiting for his choice I reach out my left hand to offer it to him to get up.

[killz4food]

Jonathan Lasten Bio Link

Jonathan Lasten

[/size][/color]

Of District 2

[/color][/size]

I finally put him on the ground. I finally catch him of his guard with one of the swiftest, easiest moves I know. And as I get up to get him for the final time he drops me. He drops me good. I have no time to prepare for what is going to come next. I hear him speak words, but I can not distinguish them.

His fist comes at me at his regular speed and i get ready to brace for it. It comes at my nose and before I have time to put my hands up to block it, it stops and opens into a hand. I look at him and see his eye swelling already. I hit him good in it a few times. I look at his hand and give him a strange look. I sigh and take his hand, pulling my self up.

"Thanks," I say, my voice confident and not as angry. I can feel myself calming down at an alarming pace. I don't think I had ever felt this calm before.

"I don't know if I had properly introduced myself, but I'm Jonathan."I extend my hand out to him, offering the chance to shake it.

[Jack Lexington]

I'm prepared for him to slap my hand away because he's clearly focussed on the fight and honestly speaking I think he's a little bit ahead of me.

His choice is clever though because he doesn't forget what he's fighting for...room and board.
As he takes my hand I pull him to his feet again and now visibly relax as well when he introduces himself as Jonathan.
Nodding I comment. "I know who you are." To pay him the same respect as he did me I add. "My name's Matthew. Matt, call me Matt. That's what my friends call me."
Not that I'd consider him a friend but he's earned my respect.

It let my gaze roam over him for a moment checking for any damage done but he seems okay.
The night has become pretty cold and windy so I point over my shoulder to the house.
"Let's go inside."

I turn around, grab my shirt and gloves from the ground and make my way up the porch to let him into the house.
"You fought one hell of a fight, where did you learn that, Jonathan?"
Inside I flop on the couch and toss my stuff next to me.

[killz4food]

Jonathan Lasten Bio Link

Jonathan Lasten

[/size][/color]

Of District 2

[/color][/size]

I look at his face, his emotions displaying clearly a look of confusion. But a realization crosses his face and he tells me his name. At least I've done something right,I say to myself. But he offers to head inside, and I don't decline. I've earned my stay. As of right now, that's all I really care about.

He turns to grab his stuff and I do the same, entering the door he opens for me and nodding my thanks. He flops on a couch inside, tossing his stuff aside, and asks me how I learned to fight like I did. Before I even know it I'm answering.

"My fathers an ass. You might know him. He's the town drunk. He beats me more often now then he used to when I was younger. But I started career training a lot earlier then most people. When I was like, 10. And so, since then, I've been trying to make sure that I can take his beatings, and either retaliate or win the Hunger Games and come home and whoop his ass. Either is fine by me."

It all really feels good coming out like this. The fight, the realization that I can do something about it, I like it, and I might thank this guy before I leave. Most certainly though my father is going to have some questions. He always does, though I doubt he ever remembers the answer. But regardless, this time, he is going to get a fist in the mouth, drunk, sober, or sideways.

[Jack Lexington]

The moment on the couch makes me relax my tense shoulders. Now that the adrenalin is wearing off I can feel my eye swelling up. In a few minutes I'll look ridiculous and there's no hiding it from my father, which I'm painfull reminded of when he talks about his father.
"You're dad seems to be an asshole." I remark dryly when I hear he's beating him.
"My dad never beat me, not unless we're officially training. He's good, the old man." I muse. My dad's tough as nails. He used to be a career in his time.
"He was a bad ass when he was my age. Now he never uses his skills in the wrong way but oh bpy, don't get on his bad side." I warn our house guest.

After hearing his story I start wondering whether that's why he goes and sleeps at other peoples houses.
"How old are you?" I wonder when I push myself off the couch to grab a few bags of peas to prevent the worst.
There's always a supply in the freezer because I can't seem to stay out of trouble.
When I come back to the living area of our small house I toss him a bag. "Don't know where you need it the most. I got you a few times but I'm impressed how well you did!"
That's actually a big compliment because I usually don't commend my oponents.
"Want a drink?"
I point to a jar of water on the table.
Then I hold the peas to my own eye. The pressure makes me crinch. Why did he have to go for my eye twice?
"Are you staying at other peoples places because of your dad?"

[killz4food]

Jonathan Lasten Bio Link

Jonathan Lasten

[/size][/color]

Of District 2

[/color][/size]

He gives me a little bit of background on his father, much of which I've known, after kindly calling my father an ass. Not once do I regret dissing my father in front of this stranger.

He proceeds to bombard me with question, and I do my best to keep up with them as he does. When he asks me my age I respond curtly 15, not trying to sound rude.

Then he hands me a bag of frozen peas, which he elaborates on. I guess he gets into a lot of fights because he has a freezer stockpiled with them. he compliments how well I took his beating and compliments my style then offers me a drink and I nod, politely accepting, as I rest the bag of peas to my shoulder.

"I've got to tell you, you've got one hell of a kick. I don't know if I'll be able to work with some of the other families after a swift kick to the shoulder like that." He has commended me, so it is my turn to do so to him. And it is not a lie. He really had a nice kick, one so well planted and strategically to. He very obviously hoped to at least put the arm out of commision for a few minutes, like the dead arm I had given him. Little did he know, he fought much like my father though.

I pout myself a glass of water, careful not to take to much, but when he asks the next question I can only help but lock up, water splashing onto the table. When I finally pull myself back together I look at him, my eyes drifting nervously now.

"I'm sorry about the water," I clear my throat. "Yes I do this because of my father. I mean, after my mum died it was to much for him. I'm just glad I could toughen up as the beatings got worse. Though I'm never prepared for the knife. That one," I chuckle nervously, "That one always blindsides me."

[Jack Lexington]

He chooses his shoulder to place the frozen peas on, which doesn't surprise me. I've practised kicks almost every day during the summer. They are fast and well placed usually leaving my oponents with bad bruising or even broken bones. It's almost like a weapon.
His words are true and welcome. With a smirk I nod.
"You can work here for a few days. We can use somebody to help around the house. My mother's ...not here any more." I don't go into detail what happened to her. I'm sure she'll be back one day.

From behind the frozen peas I watch his expression go sour for a brief moment. His dad seems to be a real sore topic.
When he spills the water I want to tell him that he's an idiot but hold back. Instead I listen to his story about his dad...using a knife against him. My brow is wrinkled when I shake my head.
"Your own father? What the hell, man?" I ask. Sure we train with knifes, bows, even ,machetes but we don't use them on our family members.
"Do you know how to deflect a knife? You're in the training program, aren't you?"
I've been training for four years now and learned how to react fast and deflect weapons.
"I can't beleive your old man is doing that. I can teach you what to do if he comes at you with a knife again...in case you want me to. I go to work tomorrow morning but I'll be back around 4. If you come back, you're welcome here."
I sit back and put my feet on the coffee table with my dirty boots still on.
Then I take the peas from my eye and place it on the bottom of my jaw for a while.

[killz4food]

Jonathan Lasten Bio Link

Jonathan Lasten

[/size][/color]

Of District 2

[/color][/size]

He offers me some work around the house and I respectfully accept it. After all, it is what I'm here for. I work for my stay; I would feel like a leech if I did other wise. I hate being a charity case enough as it is. Even though I do work for my nights rest.

I shrug at his confusion, equally as confused as I was. I had never understood why my father did what he did. But that was the way shit went down. When he offered me knife lessons though something inside of me got angry, but some where inside of me I felt a little secure.

"I am actually enrolled in a training program. The guy is private and he doesn't mention his name, nor will he let me use mine. I call him Vic. He calls me X. Because I am undefined and still can be shaped. It's kind of trippy. But I mean, it's effective.

"I do know how to deflect the knife blow, though I am humbled by your offering. It's just...he's my father. I don't expect it from him,you know. Would you expect that from your father? Some one you've tried so hard to show your loyalty to all the time. Some one who you try to please with every aching breath?" It sounds kind of petty, like a drug it out of a sappy love movie. But it's the truth. I do regret giving so much to him. I regret that he will never give anything back to me.

[Jack Lexington]

MATTHEW DUNHAM


While I have a good long drink of water and wipe the sweat from my forehead I listen to him talk about an interesting training program a and his fathers attacks.
He's pretty open when it comes to these things, his feelings. I'm much more closed up.
"No, I wouldn't expect that. I get what you mean."
Maybe I should share something personal as well. "
"My old man test me all the time. I'm his trainee and he keeps throwing stupid tasks and things that can't be solved at me. He's constantly testing me when I don't expect it...I know what you mean by wanting to please."
I've just told him more than I usually would and instantly tense up inside. So I change the topic.

The secret kind. Raising my brows I state.
"Interesting. Didn't know such a thing existed."
To shed some more light on my offer I add. "I just volunteered at the local career center to train some kid for the next reaping." I can't help the frown that spreads on my face when I think about last week.
"They screwed me royally though. I was assigned to two 12 year old chicks." My distaste about not being assigned to a guy is obvious.
"I mean I don't have anything against girls but...I just don't know how to 'handle' them."

[killz4food]

Jonathan Lasten Bio Link

Jonathan Lasten

[/size][/color]

Of District 2

[/color][/size]

Of course I don't expect him to know what's it like to be cut by your father, your blood, someone who you have tried to love so devotedly. I don't really think anyone should know that pain. No one should ever have to suffer that, knowing they had displeased someone so harshly to deserve that.

He mentions his father constantly putting him to the test, always badgering him and training him. Something inside of me secretly wants a father like that; a father who wants me to amount to something. To step up and do something positive for the world is all I've ever wanted, and to know that I will have to do it alone kills me.

"I'm sure your father does it so that you don't end up like a lot of the people around here: drunk and miserable. And there is no such thing as an unsolvable problem. It might seem tricky, but there is always a solution."

After I say this he tenses up, his eyebrows raised like he is in fear of something; what that something is I do not know. He switches the topic though, over to the Career training I mentioned; he is intrigued by my mysterious trainer, and mentions that he has to train two girls.

"I mean I don't have anything against girls but...I just don't know how to 'handle' them." An answer immediately comes to mind because today, we fought like men training women: gradually.

"Teach them like we fought today. Make it gradual. Notice that you started off thinking it was an easy deal; you thought I would be down for the count in no time. But you didn't know what I knew. See what they know and gradually get rougher from there. By the end of tonight we were roundhousing and punching in each others faces."

[Jack Lexington]

A slight smile comes to my lips at his advice about taking it gradual. "I think I might have screwed that up already. I gave them a pretty hard time because I didn't really want to train them...still don't know whether I do. They are girls, you know."

I'm not sure whether he does. A lot of other guys have been with a girl or a few. They actually enjoy it whereas I get intimidated and insecure, which I don't like about myself.
"I didn't expect you to fight like that at all but I doubt that those chicks have tricks like that up their sleeves. You should see them. They're twelve or thirteen and tiny. There's no boom to their punch."
I finish my drink of water and take the frozen peas off my face.

Then I get up and walk over to the kitchen. From the fridge I grab some cheese, cold meat and then bread from the counter to bring it over to the kitchen table.
"Are you hungry?" I ask while placing everything on two plates.
Then I grab a slice of bread and cheese to eat.
"You can stay here as long as you help us around the house." I offer him. I know my dad likes the guy and I'm beginning to see why.

[killz4food]

Jonathan Lasten Bio Link

Jonathan Lasten

[/size][/color]

Of District 2

[/color][/size]

I smile at his attempt to justify the fact that he is hopeless when it comes to women. A small chuckle escapes my mouth. I look up at him, the glass of water still in my hands.

"Trust me; women can be very...sneaky to say the least." I turn my head to show him a scar that runs down my neck and to my collar bone; a scar that is expertly hidden by my hair. At his mention of food though I perk up, my eyes taking on a new glow. I can't remember the last time I had eaten, but I knew that it was to long, because even if I didn't want to say anything, my stomach said it all with a load roar.

I chuckled again, nodding in agreement with his offer. I already knew teh grounds of my stay. Me and him both knew that this wasn't the first time I had stayed. One of us knew that it probably wouldn't be the last time either.

"I could help you with the training if you needed it. I'm sort of good and starting from the bottom."

[Jack Lexington]

While I eat a bite of my bread and cheese I hear him lecturing me on women.
"Trust me; women can be very...sneaky to say the least." He explains before showing a pretty nasty scar.
"Whoa." I raise my brows. Whoever did this to him must have tried to slit hi throat or maybe cut his whole head off. What a barbarian. Could a woman really have done this? I'd like to hear the story about that. That would surely be entertaining and add to my hate against girls in general.

Jonathan changes the topic though by offering me some help training.
"Feel free to be my punching bag." I grin at my plate but then add a little more serious. "Sure, teach me those nasty tricks of yours."
It surely can't hurt...hopefully at least.

For a moment I wonder whether it's appropriate to ask about his scare and watch him take some food. I'm sure he'd tell me if he doesn't want to talk about it so I simply ask. "What happened there?" I motion for his scare with my butter knife in my hand.

[Jack Lexington]

While I eat a bite of my bread and cheese I hear him lecturing me on women.
"Trust me; women can be very...sneaky to say the least." He explains before showing a pretty nasty scar.
"Whoa." I raise my brows. Whoever did this to him must have tried to slit hi throat or maybe cut his whole head off. What a barbarian. Could a woman really have done this? I'd like to hear the story about that. That would surely be entertaining and add to my hate against girls in general.

Jonathan changes the topic though by offering me some help training.
"Feel free to be my punching bag." I grin at my plate but then add a little more serious. "Sure, teach me those nasty tricks of yours."
It surely can't hurt...hopefully at least.

For a moment I wonder whether it's appropriate to ask about his scare and watch him take some food. I'm sure he'd tell me if he doesn't want to talk about it so I simply ask. "What happened there?" I motion for his scare with my butter knife in my hand.