freeze me | {of ice and men} blitz

[dars]

. LEX .
need someone to
numb the pain

I had never really noticed how talented I could be when I put my mind to things.

Then again, I probably would have if I even pretended to give a shit.

My hands were closed around a trident and damn, it made me feel this awe-inspiring chill every time I thought about it. The cool steel of the blades glistening in the harsh, artificial lighting, the leather handle, the glossy surface, the feeling of me causing utter destruction wherever I so chose to wield it, and I realized that I really did enjoy being a career.

Wow, look what was possible when I actually opened my eyes to the outside world.

People have always been critical of my lack of interest, and I may have over-done it a bit in retrospect but in the beginning I was only trying to be invisible, just a fly on the wall, a forgettable face in the background of a picture, and it was for my family's safety. My parents were supposed to choose: A life of family or a life of service, but weren't they both the same option in the end, anyway? Why would it be illegal to parent children simply because one had an occupation as a peacekeeper? I guess I could not blame them for wanting children of their own, for lying to the system in order to have them, except now I was just a large mass of indifference and boredom, though it seemed that was soon changing.

Leon had mentioned something about alliances, about me being among the best choices due to my past of training. The way he spoke, it seemed I could have my choice of allies, which would have been great for people that could have been bothered to sift through the potential and choose from the pack of twenty-three strangers, but as far as I was concerned, anyone was better than no one.

But it was the girl from Two that seemed to have her eye on me most, and I decided since her pride probably would not ever allow her to on her own, I took the first step in her direction, extended my hand to her, and offered a lazy half-smile.

"I'm Lex -- District Four."

She had olive skin, and even if Leon had not labeled her the girl from the second district, it would have been obvious. She stood proudly and strongly, with brown eyes and perfectly straight raven hair. She was of average height, and I noticed she had exceptionally nice hands. (Whatever that meant.) "I have noticed you eyeing me a time or two," I claimed as I folded my arms over my chest and decided that as long as I was going to try and recruit her, I might as well make use of the supposed charm I exuded.

"While it's flattering, I usually like to at least know the names of people who can't stop looking at my ass."

[eulalie blake 1a 🍒 tris]

hedvig fabre

It's not as if training amidst a crowd of desperate, sweaty bodies is anything new to me -- but it is rather depressing. 

I've always held a sort of utter disdain for those who can't handle pressure; I spit at those who break down, clawing against the unforgiving earth in an attempt at digging up even just a miniscule amount of sanity. Searching high and low for something to believe in, oblivious as their worthless worlds slowly fade to ash. It's pathetic, and the screeching of shuffling feet and raspy breaths is practically  pushing me to the very edge of a ripreddamn headache.

I groan, running a hand through my locks of brown. I take the time to let my eyes flit about, possibly trying to pinpoint the weaklings that reek of diminutive self-confidence, or maybe it's an attempt at picking out someone that could actually be of use to me.

I'm not ignorant, and I certainly understand how crucial allies are. It's honestly not my fault that hardly anyone speaks out to me, nor that  I had to wake up really fucking early today, and that I'm pretty much in a pissy mood. Everything irritates me -- every lowly little wannabe that tries to swing a sword using the wrong stance, every awkward sneeze, and-...

I blink when the male from Four strides over and outreaches a hand to me, introducing himself. He goes on to remark on how I was checking him out, and I furrow my brows. (Had I been glancing over at him during my slip from reality?) I open my lips to speak, but when he comments on how he prefers to know the names of those who gawk at his perky little  ass, I nearly gasp.

"Excuse me?" I ask, face somewhere between repulsion and respect for his humor. "The name's Hedvig, babe -- and don't go flattering yourself. I can't help that you're one of the few decent people here. Sad as it is. "

Arrogant and coy as he may be, I'd gladly take one of him in favor of a thousand of these other annoying fuckers.

[dars]

. LEX .
need someone to
numb the pain

She agreed to play my game.

And I was excited to have found a playmate, but surely she wasn't the only one that wanted in on the fun? Still, for now, I decided to focus on her. She really was just as he had pictured she would be: Confident, Strong, and willing to bite back. How intriguing... he thought, taking notice of the absence of weapons in her person.

"The name's Hedvig, babe -- and don't go flattering yourself. I can't help that you're one of the few decent people here."

Babe?

Oh, yes, he was definitely excited to spend the next few days with her and he had only barely learned her name. "Well, Hedvig, you've flattered me yet again. Keep it up and you'll be on my list of favorites in no time." Once again, I could not shake noticing the lack of weaponry. "Not up for training?" I asked, a smug grin gracing my features.

"What if I wanted you to show me what you could do?"

The thing about training experience was this: Proper use of murderous tools was to careers was as dancing was to people at wedding receptions. Seeing if she could live up to the expectations of District Two would not only prove to me that having her as an ally would be a greater benefit than before, but it would also be pretty... exciting.

Not that either really mattered to me at the end of the day. I was sure that if things between us didn't keep running as smoothly as they currently were I would fall asleep that night and wake up the next morning with no real recollection of it. Because that was who I was. Anything that should have bothered me was forgotten.

Things were easier that way, I thought.

"Come on, I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

[eulalie blake 1a 🍒 tris]

hedvig fabre

"Oh, that warms my heart," I drone, disregarding whatever significance his petty list of favorites could possibly mean to me. It's not necessary, but childish as he might come across, at least he's being friendly enough -- at least he's not running around like a chicken with his head cut off.

I cross my arms when he asks if I'm not up for training, raising a brow with a purse of my lips. I'm not sure if he's aware of the fact that one needs nary a weapon to hone their skills. Taking note of the trident that he left behind a few strides away, I find it rather likely that he knows little of  the combative field.

"I'm training, yeah," I state, starting to circle around him, somewhat enjoying his urging for me to show him what I've got in return for his own. I take a reckless chance, and I allow myself to begin liking the overgrown child with the perky ass.

If I am to keep him, however, I'll have to see his worth, and to see that, I-...

It happens quickly, when I lash out a palm that collides against his adam's apple. I take advantage of his recoil, kneeing him in his stomach, twisting him as I bend my body in synch with his own. In a matter of seconds we're on the ground, and seeing him pinned beneath me brings a smirk to my face.

"Bet mine's sexier than yours," I tease, giving into his little game, not ashamed in the slightest to have my form so close to his own.

"Your turn, little man."

[dars]

. LEX .
need someone to
numb the pain

The girl circled me like a shark.

One too many times, out at sea back in Four, our boats had taken notice of the jagged points that reached out just a few inches above the water gliding in menacing circles, each one smaller than it's predecessor. Hedivg did the same thing, which meant I should have realized that, like the sharks in my cerulean home, she planned on doing one thing and one thing only:

Attacking.

She slammed her fist into my throat and before I knew it I was on my back, the pressure of another human pressing into my entire form. Usually when someone got me on my back it was in much, much different circumstances.

"Bet mine's sexier than yours," she groaned, and I had to admit: It was. As odd and, yes, embarrassing her attack was, her face now remained perfectly still just inches away from my own. "Your turn, little man." He voice was practically a whisper, practically a plead for me to kiss her, but I didn't. I had to show her who was boss first.

No sooner than the words left her mouth I kicked my left leg up into the air and rolled my hips, in turn, rolling her over so that I was now on top of her. I was now the one with the power. "This isn't how my first dates usually go." I growled. She tried squirming away and I pushed her arms up, pinning her wrists above her head before she got an advantage.

"You want up yet, Babe, or would you rather lay here for a while longer? I'll admit it: I'm pretty comfortable." With a small huff of laughter, I stood up and offered her my hand, though I half considered seeing if she would take me up on my offer before doing so. Something told me she wouldn't be an easy nut to crack, so to speak, and while usually I wouldn't pursue anything that required actual effort from my side, I found her intriguing. "So we have established that you have had you eye on me." I started once we were both standing again. "Who else have you been watching?"

[eulalie blake 1a 🍒 tris]

hedvig fabre

Immature as he is, I never expected him to counter my attack. When he lifted his leg up, spinning us around and pinning down my arms before I could even squirm free, I had nearly snarled in disbelief.

Nearly.

Shocked as I was, he's certainly not the first man to ever hold me down. Not only that, in this stance his stomach and nether regions are vulnerable. One raising of my knee and I could easily reassert my dominance; I could easily wipe away his smug smile, but-...

As much as I hate to be shown up, and stubborn as I may be, for some reason I didn't seem to mind the boy. Sure, his childish actions and remarks were almost enough to set my skin aflame, but at least he had the decency to look at me with a certain form of  respect. I wasn't a piece of meat to him -- well, possibly so, but more a living wolf than a plucked chicken.

His following dialogue brought a small smile to my lips,  though I really didn't bother with replying until he helped me to my feet, albeit a tiny bit reluctant to accept his hand at first.

He comments once again on how I had showed interest in him, and before I can rebuttal about how I did not waste my precious time by checking him out, he asks if I've noticed anyone else worth checking out.

I roll my eyes, crossing my arms. "Oh? Because I'm a living encyclopedia on our fellow tributes?" I ask, a bit too bitter. "Most of 'em are weak as shit, but-..." I twist my lips, pondering a certain  thought. 

I'm going to regret this, I think to myself as I find my eyes lingering on the girl from Seven. Lowly as she is, and as hilarious the thought of careers allying with someone from an outlying district might be, I'm not against giving credit where credit is due -- and the chick's got some talent, it seems.

"Hey, Seven! C'mere a second!"

[Deleted]

By this point in the day, I’ve managed to hit a point of lower interest than I knew existed. 

I did attempt to make something of the morning, spending as long a time at the first aid counter as I could until I almost lost my breakfast at the sight of skin being stitched like fine needlework, after which I quickly set my own equipment down and found a place to settle beside the hand-to-hand combat station. 

And it’s there I spent most of the afternoon, watching the boy from two come back time after time until I was sure the trainer was ready to take a leave of absence just to get away from him. I wouldn’t blame him, for though I wouldn’t dare to admit it just the fact that he towered a solid foot over my own head was enough to make me shrink back further against the wall. 

But it’s not his overbearing attitude or untimely grunts that catch my attention, but the voice of his district partner, a girl whose hair matched the dark eyes with which she smirked. 

“Hey, Seven! C’mere a second!”

If I had any less composure I would have yelled at her from right there. 

Instead I only scowl, taking my time to draw my feet underneath me and stretch for a moment, tossing a side glance at Mason before strolling toward the girl from two and the boy from four, both nameless in my own mind, recognizable only for their trademark stance and stature. 

I take up residence leaning against another corner, though this time I manage to keep my feet underneath me in case things go awry and make a quick departure a thing of necessity (you never knew with those from two, honestly).

“I’ve got a fucking name, and Seven isn’t it—it’s just Margaret.”

[presto][/presto]

table by zoe <3

[dars]

. LEX .
need someone to
numb the pain

I was genuinely surprised when it was a lower district tribute that Hedvig called out.

Not because origins mattered to me, but because I expected them to matter to her, as most careers did. Many of the people back home claimed that they would rather step off their bloodbath plates than ally themselves with a non-career. I guess I understood why they would feel that way in a sense: after all, training in a subject typically yields better results. But these days it seemed a person's home district rarely mattered; if they had talent, they won. Districts Five and Ten had both raked in more wins than Four as of late (though hopefully that would change with me, for ripred's sake.)

However, when the obviously pretty girl spoke, Lex's nose wrinkled in disappointment. The last thing he wanted was to be around someone who made it their personal objective to be bitter and rude at all times for no reasons. "I’ve got a fucking name, and Seven isn’t it—it’s just Margaret.”"

It was odd seeing one that typically would have been a victim in this type of situation become the executer, and also slightly annoying. Obviously Hedvig and I were not like the typical assholes that hailed from our districts, and obviously that reigned true for Margaret -- only Margaret, apparently -- as well.

"Is the attitude really necessary?" I spat quietly in Hedvig's direction.

The reason I had chosen Hedvig was because she seemed like a decent person, but now I questioned her judgment. Was this really the type of person she wanted to surround herself with. "Well Margaret, it's nice to--" No it isn't.

"-- to meet you."