CAREER ARENA PLOT A night out on the town (Cato)

[Jack Lexington]

MATTHEW DUNHAM

The whole day I've been in our companies factory welding together tiny little wires and pieces to circuit boards. It was noisy, stinky and made my back ache.
So when I finally get off work my first way is to the pub. I know my dad doesn't like me going there, especially because I'm still not legal to drink, which has never kept me from it.

On my way I take a short cut through the park and a few bushes, my hood drawn deep into my face due to the cold weather. I can even see my own breath this afternoon.

A guy comes walking down the street and I can already tell he's not paying much attention.
Suddenly he stops. That face looks familiar. I'm pretty sure I've seen him before. Most likely another career, judging by his built.

"Hello." I reply briefly and slow down so i don't run him over when I come out of the bushes.
Now that I'm closer I recognise him fromthe training day. We exchanged a few words.
I give him a nod to let him know I've recognised him. "You train at my center." I state the obvious and start fishing for his name. "Wales?"

[Cato]

[th][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,500,true][bg=000000] Doing "Saying" thinking "Hearing" I don't know what to expect. I feel exhausted. For once in my life, I'd rather recharge my batteries instead of pushing myself to train. Did I really decide not to train? I must be so exhausted. Only deep exhaustion has stopped me from training in the past. My legs lead themselves. I find myself walking down a street. The shock of not training is unbearable. I'm about to head back to the academy when something catches my attention. "Hello." The voice. It sounds familiar yet I cant put my finger on it. "You train at my center." His center? Who the hell does that man think he is? Anger fills me. Its no one's center but mine. I owe that place. Aside from Alyssa, I've kicked a lot of ass at the center. I don't know who this person thinks they are."Listen here buddy. That center is full of wimps. That place holds no challenge at all. Name's Mason by the way." My words came out much harsher then I meant them to be, but I don't take them back. Part of being a career meant that I have to be ruthless. No one in this district will stop me from entering the games next year. No one in Panem will stop me from being the next victor. Table courtesy of Ani

[Jack Lexington]

M A T T H E W D U N H A M


For some reason I expected a slightly nice form of greeting so his snappy "Listen here buddy. That center is full of wimps. That place holds no challenge at all. Name's Mason by the way." surprises me a bit.
"Alright." I state with my brows raised. After all I'm part of that training center and he said it was full of whimps.
"Just for the record. Are you calling me a whimp, Mason?" I stress his name a little too harsh and for now don't offer my own.
My eyes narrow slightly when I take in his figure. The guy is tall, well built and has the attitude of a winner. He's basically a duplicate of myself. Only that today I don't feel like busting somebodies nose.

I point over my shoulder at the pub that lies across the street a little further down the road. Even from here I can hear the loud noises of people drinking there.
"I was actually heading into town to get a beer. So if you're not too keen on getting your nose broken we could have a beer together."
I'm not sure how he'll take my words. I might have either scored myself a fight or a drinking companion. Either way is fine for me.

[Cato]

[th][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,500,true][bg=000000] Doing "Saying" thinking "Hearing" I want to train. My body is telling me to head back to the academy when the man speaks up."Just for the record. Are you calling me a whimp, Mason?" A smile spreads across my face. This new guy seemed to have some fight in him, unlike the pathetic weaklings left at the academy. "I was actually heading into town to get a beer. So if you're not too keen on getting your nose broken we could have a beer together." His words bring me back to reality. I must of dozed off or something. "So what if I am. I haven't personally met you. Maybe I'm wrong. You could be strong, but everyone I've fought besides my best friend.... usually is pretty bad at sparring." I linger over the words 'best friends'. Lyssa is easily my closest friend here in the district, but I know in my heart that I feel something when we're together training. Lyssa would slit my throat if she knew my feelings for her. Maybe she already does. "I don't mind either option. Although if we do get a drink, a fight might happen anyway." I chuckle at the words. I haven't personally had any alcohol inside my body before, but I know the effects it could have. No doubt seeing drunk people would be a hilarious sight to see. Table courtesy of Ani

[Jack Lexington]

For a brief moment the guy seems lost in thoughts when he responds. "So what if I am. I haven't personally met you. Maybe I'm wrong. You could be strong, but everyone I've fought besides my best friend.... usually is pretty bad at sparring."
I look at my feet because I have to suppress a grin. Obviously this boy is new to my center. He's never seen me spar or he'd know that it's my big strength. There aren't many guys who can kick my ass in a close up fight. Distance weapons...potentially very harmful, fists...not so much.
I raise a brow when I look back up at him.
"We can find that out another day. Drinking sounds like a much better plan." And the guy, what was his name again? Seems to be on board. At least he doesn't object to drinking since he's chuckling at the thought.

I wait until he starts moving because I don't fancy a strange career behind my back. Who knows what he might be cooking up?
Then we walk to the pub side by side.
Music and noise greets us out on the street where only a few people are coming home after work.
I take two steps up and push the door open just to be greeting by hundreds of voices when there are only a dozen people inside. Two guys are playing a guitar and a blues harp. I always liked this about coming to this pub. It's a cosy place and they don't mind my fake ID that I use to order two beers.
"First one's on me. I'm Matthew....Mason?" I think that was his name.
The bar keeper gives us both a look but then leaves just to come back with two nicely foaming beers.