Trainers Tournament '87 | Round 2: Burman v Ash

[✨ zozo.]

Lights, camera, action! The people of Panem were no strangers to watching combat on their television screens, but this year they'd have the pleasure of watching Capitolites battle it out for glory and status - just without the death!

The Plinth Munitions Annual Trainers Tournament, proudly brought to your screens by Fenwick Broadcasting Inc. had kicked off with an excellent first day and record viewership numbers. Round One's hand to hand combat tested the trainer's fast-thinking and ability to hit their opponent where it counted. Many broken bones had now healed to mere fractures thanks to the best medical support Panem could offer - but those that had sustained such injuries were almost immediately knocked down to the loser's bracket.

But all was not lost - each trainer had the potential to rise to the challenge or fall, gracefully or not. Round Two would test their aim, opting for less physical fights to avoid re-breaking bones and to keep viewers on the edges of their seats.

----

Welcome to Round Two, trainers! In this round, we'll be using ranged weapons only! These rolls are: bow & arrow, throwing knives, throwing axes, javelins. It's up to you which weapon your character wishes to specialise in, but you must stick to that weapon for the entire round.

The rules are simple: Everyone starts at 25HP. First come, first post. You have 24 hours to complete your fights - if no trainer has reached 25HP, we will determine the winner based on current damages and activity. Blitz posts are encouraged for the sake of speed. Instas = 10 dmg.

Any questions pls head to #trainers-tournament in Slack.

Good luck trainers - may the odds be ever in your favour!

-----

Marcello Burman ([nyte]) v Dominik Ash (gamemaker kelsier)

[gamemaker kelsier]

 DOMINIK

Yesterday's win had been unexpected. Dominik was still uncertain about whether or not he'd truly earned it. Cassian forfeiting had shocked him, he'd been expecting to lose after all. The celebrity had to have just been toying with him, right?

He wouldn't let it go to his head anyway, Dominik knew that to make it to the next round, he'd have to work extra hard and push himself. While unarmed combat had always seemed simple, Dom's aim wasn't particularly good. Certainly, he had the strength for it, but something about a moving target was hard. He'd never done well with angles in school, math altogether actually.

"Hi Marcello," he called out, "Your mustache is perfect! Who is your stylist?" Dom knew that he was meant to intimidate his opponent but there was just something about a perfectly groomed man.

The bell to begin rang and Dominik jumped a little, a knife leaving his grasp on instinct. A little yelp of surprise left with it.

[dom attacks marcello w throwing knife!]
lj3Tsjb8Ugthrowing knife
[nife Deep in Chest -- 9.0 damage]

25/25 hp

throwing knife

[[nyte]]

 MARCELLO

I make a point to wish Banks luck before his match. I couldn't sleep last night, victory didn't taste very sweet and I've got this restless energy keeping me standing. I'm used to regretting everything, but not this deeply. I'm surrounded by people like me and I don't like the look of it. Greed and ambition are worth more than gold. "Please, call me Marc." Another friendly one, that bodes well! "My right hand, he's quite exclusive I don't think I can get you an appointment." But I tug on the corner of my mustache, nonetheless a little proud.

And then he shoves a knife in my chest and I think the little shit just succeeded in distracting me. "Very clever! But I won't fall for that again. Keep your compliments you charming bastard!" But I'm smiling as I say it, in spite of the blood leaking out of my chest this is the most fun I've had in years.

I mean, I'm really good at throwing pointy sticks.

I'm used to agony, but I've got to admit it's kind of hard to breathe through all this blood loss. I know I'm not gonna die but I think my body might just believe it is. The drama queen.

[marc attacks dom -- javelins]
MI|L5USWoijavelin
[SHALLOW CUT ON LEFT CALF -- 3.5 damage]

16/25

javelin

[gamemaker kelsier]

 DOMINIK

Okay so the knife embedding itself in his opponent's chest was also unexpected. Maybe not to the people watching but Dom had reason to not be super confident in his throwing skills. He'd always been picked last for team sports in school. Then again, he'd also been a skinny little kid. Maybe Lady luck was just really invested in him these days, what with yesterday's win and Cassian hinting at the possibility of a date.

He'd already started planning his outfit in his head.

"Oh that's okay Marc, I don't think I'd ever be able to pull off facial hair like you!" he said, "My stylist told me it'd age me. Oh but- but on you it's fantastic, really!" Perhaps if he wasn't so earnest that would have been a little less convincing. The Capitol operated on backhanded compliments and Dom had never quite figured them out himself. He was just naturally good at putting his foot in his mouth.

A javelin went flying straight for him and Dominik jumped, doing his best to avoid it. He felt the sting of it across his leg, he'd not quite made it out of the way in time. He hopped for a moment, brow furrowing when he noticed the little line of blood. "You've got a really strong throw," he said, genuinely excited, "You have to tell me your arm routine!"

"Maybe over cocktails?"

Dom offered a friendly smile and another knife. He was definitely aiming higher but he released the blade too late and it went right for Marc's legs.

[dom attacks marcello w throwing knife!]
Y6cZW6XnPvthrowing knife
[Knife in Calf -- 6.0 damage]

3.5/25 hp

throwing knife

[[nyte]]

 MARCELLO

It's not really looking good for me. I stumble back under the weight of his blow and for the first time since we started, my smile falters. "Oh, well I do like to look more mature." A beat of silence as I take in a ragged breath, "But my jawline is very sharp! I'd look great either way." It's true, and I should say it.

He's asking me out to drinks while impaling my leg with a little scrap of devil metal and "You mean after the extensive first aid?" I touch my leg, wincing as I watch victory stained crimson seep between my fingers. This isn't a battle, this is a fucking slaughter. "Or during? Because that might help with the whole in pain thing."

Still making jokes. Still ungrateful. I wince at the murmurs I know ripple through the crowd.

I'd do better if I could.

[marc attacks dom -- javelins]
60DsChbSp|javelin
[DEEP GASH ON LEFT FOREARM -- 8.0 damage]

9.5/25

javelin

[gamemaker kelsier]

 DOMINIK

A little rush of excitement scewered him with about as much gusto as Marc's javelins. They were really getting into it but did it have to be so.. pointy? Dom pressed a hand against the fresh gash on his arm. It didn't do much good, blood just leaked out from between his fingers instead. He wondered for a brief moment how tributes did all of it, sometimes without even flinching. Adreniline probably.

Marc was right about his jawline, "Sharper than those javelins of yours," Dom chirped happily. The two of them were pretty evenly matched so the fight was a bit more fun than yeterday's. Though Cassian throwing for him made him blush still, even just thinking about it. Talk about romance!

"Oh I was thinking after the tournament," Dom said, the sarcasm brushing just a touch over his head, "Maybe at mine, as long as you don't mind dogs that is!"

If he did mind dogs, well, Dom would think about that later.

[dom attacks marcello w throwing knife!]
Jwtzy8OH38throwing knife
[Knife Deep in Chest -- 9.0 damage]

11.5/25 hp

throwing knife