:| Teach a Dog to Bite |: {Axel}

Abraham Forsythe, service as a Peacekeeper 21 years, jobs hunting down escaped residents of the district and ensuring that the people don't revolt. No where in my job description does it say that I'm supposed to babysit some pathetic little bitch that needs training. Weren't there better people qualified for this sort of thing, like maybe people who actually liked to train or for that matter liked people. What a surprise it was when I returned to my barricks and found a note on my desk telling me that I had been sent to District 7 for a training assignment. Even more annoying was that it was a reassingment for me, I was in the middle of hunting down an escapee, almost had him actually, but someone would be finishing MY work. What could I do though, I still answered to the Capitol, and that meant accepting my new assignment...at least they didn't force me to be happy about it.

The night before my departure from the barricks I threw everything I wanted to bring with me into a suitcase. I had a feeling this might be a long trip, so no sense in leaving out anything that was at least semi important to me. I threw a few fresh "uniforms" into the suitcase, my uniform being black military grade pants, a black sleeveless shirt, and a bulletproof vest. It wasn't standard Peackeeper attire, but neither was the mask that permanently adorned my face due to an injury I had recieved some years back. Lastly I threw the letter into my suitcase knowing that I would need it to prove my presence in District 7 was in fact authorized. Sighing with slight annoyance I hoped against hope that this training wouldn't take long and I'd be back doing what I normally do. There were few things I hated more then people, and I think training people was the thing I hated most.

Never the less I booked the next trip to District 7 and reached there with plenty of time to settle into my new home for the next...who knows how much time. Apparently I would be meeting the girl, Ana Laroche, in the woods for her first bit of training, and all I could hope was that she was prepared for her life to be a living hell. I was her teacher, nothing more nothing less, I wasn't assigned here to be her best friend. I had already ordered some of the younger Peacekeepers to take my belonging to my new place of residence, and took advantage of the spare time to take in the people that I would be keeping an eye on while I was here. There wasn't much to them, well muscled, but they lacked the proper training to do anything with it, most of them seemed to have an addiction of some sorts or even an ailment, probably a result of the living conditions. It wouldn't be hard to keep them in check, and it might be fun to torture them a little while I was here just to have some fun.

I stomped my way through the district mentally taking notes of everything I saw until I came to the line of trees that marked the entrance to my new assignment. Sighing loudly I stepped into the forest keeping my eyes open for the clearing that marked the meeting place with Ana. Turns out I didn't have to walk all that far to reach the clearing, at least it didn't feel all that far for me, I was used to traveling great distances in my line of work. Either way I approached the clearing to find that there were two people waiting for me. Now either the Capitol, in its infinite sense of humor, sent me two trainees or that was the guide stupidly waiting for me to show up before he left. Taking the final steps foreward I sized up the girl that could only be known as Ana Laroche. Thin, not nearly enough muscle, blonde hair that hung past her shoulders, she looked like the typical priviledged recruit that came from one of the Career districts. Of course it was presumptous of me to believe she had joined from one of the Career districts, but no one said I had any manners.

Clearing my throat I glared at the escort and walked over to him without so much as a sidelong glance at Ana. "Are you dumb, stupid, or both...why the hell are you still here babysitting this bitch? What's the matter afraid some bear or wolf will come along and eat her, I'm sure it would have been a pity if that had happened. Get the hell out of here and don't EVER let me see you again." He gave me a sloppy salute in responce and sped faster than I thought possible out of the clearing leaving just me and the girl. I spun around and stood infront of her, my massive frame twice as large as she was. "Well, what's the matter bitch, I AM your superior so show some respect and give me a damn salute."

[/justify]

This girl was attitude stuck in a pint sized form, I could tell by the way she looked and the way she was standing before me that she had little to no respect for me. Of course her being a pushover would have been no fun, half the fun with training someone was breaking their stubborn will and defiance and making them yours. She would learn one way or another that I won't tolerate it though, infact on a normal day I couldn't tolerate people, being forced to teach someone made me even less tolerant. I will give her points for at least giving the salute though, even if it was meant to be insulting rather than a sign of respect. Even her words were meant to be insulting, but I found them more amusing then insulting. Sooner rather then later she would learn I'm not a man to be taken lightly.

I chuckled lightly into my mask, and grabbed onto her throat keeping the grip light until I began to speak to her. "Ana, it's apparent to me that you don't want to be here, and I'll be very honest with you, I don't want to be here either. If I had my way I would still be out hunting the pitiful people who believe they can escape me. Instead here I am with some little bitch who doesn't know how to treat her superiors with respect." I tightened my grip on her neck to make my point and threw her backwards with out feeling or remorse. Chances are she was ready for anything I could dish out, she was a Peacekeeper after all and we were all trained to withstand pain and punishment.

I took several paces away from her and took stock of our surroundings to get an idea for the circuit I could run her through for her training under me. She had the frame for light, quick travel which means she would be able to travel through the forest with ease. It would be interesting to see how far I would be able to push her before she broke, or if she would grit her teeth and take each blow and trial with a grim and determined face. "I'm going to test your endurance today, oh, and tomorrow don't show up in those clothes. If you're going to be training under me you will be dressed in MY version of the uniform, you will be dressed like me. The standard Peacekeepers uniform is like a beacon to any and all who see it out on the hunt. We're meant to blend in, track, and capture...dead or alive it makes no difference."

I knelt down briefly to look at the ground and then along a trail leading deeper into the forest. It may just do the trick for todays exercise, nothing particularly difficult, just to see how long she could last. After all, she herself had told me she had one of those comfy interrogation jobs that required little to no skill to execute properly. This was different, this was a hunt, where every move you make could cost you time, energy, and eventually your life should you persist in being an idiot. Standing back up I surveyed the area one last time before turning back around to face her. "Do you know why you're here Ana Laroche? You're here to learn how to do my job, which is hunting down the runaways or the criminals of Panem. My fellow Peacekeepers insists on calling it tracking and detaining, I call it hunting because the people we are after deserve neither mercy nor pity. It matters not it they are men, women, or children they will all be treated exactly the same...like an animal.

Do not take this lightly, a cornered animal fights back, thus the beautiful mask that now permanently adorns my face. By the time I'm done with your training you will be one of the best, no one that trains under me can be any less than the BEST." I moved infront of her again and looked disdainfully down at her and grunted. "While you are training under me you will refer to me as Captain or Captain Forsythe, and I will expect you to work on that salute bitch, otherwise you're in for a hell of a time."

[/justify]

I had believed that an endurance test was in order, but perhaps something so normal would bore my poor pupil. I think I'll spice it up a little bit, and give her a taste of what it's like to be one of the people I track and hunt down. At least it would provide me with some entertainment to a certain degree, and it would give me an idea of how experienced she would be in certain situations. After I was finished addressing her she responded with my title of Captain, which in truth probably wasn't even a proper rank, but it appeased my ego. That was one area within the Peacekeepers that I had missed out on with my loner lifestyle, I didn't ever get to rank up officially like all the others. Of course it never hurt to be in a class of your own like I was, but even that wouldn't be quite to important or different after I was finished teaching my new student.

Then she asked me the question that would start it all, "what was my gameplan". If only I didn't have this damn mask on, she would be able to see the look on my face, a look of hunger and perhaps even some excitement. It would be interesting to see what she could do, test her abilities, on multiple fronts. I was interested to know if having that comfortable desk job had made her fighting abilities go soft, or for that matter if she had any fighting abilities at all. Most of the people who were given those comfy desk jobs had shown more promise in the academic portion of things rather then the fight simulations. If that were the case though why would they put her out here to train under me...oh well, not my job to question...my job was to follow orders from my superiors. Following orders meant that this bitch would recieve all the wisdom I had the ability to impart to her.

I will admit the addition of my title, made up or not, pleased me when she said it. Perhaps there was still a chance that this might not be so terrible after all...who was I kidding, this was going to be hell. Better get this thing started though, get through day one of the torture and put this all behind me. "I do infact have a plan for my first training exercise, and it certainly will test your endurance. I intend on hunting you in the forest, I'll give you a head start and give you a chance to find a place to hide or cover your trail. I don't expect you to escape me...yet...but I will make sure that by the time I'm done with you that even I won't be able to track you. Any student of mine is going to be the best, Peacekeepers from all across Panem will know and fear your name just like they do mine."

[/justify]

((OOC:Sorry it's so short I didn't mean for it to be so short))

For the first time since meeting this arrogant bitch I thought I saw either a trace of respect or even apprehension after I proposed my training for the day. My skills were known throughout all of Panem, and even those that didn't know of my directly knew of my work. I was a hunter, it had been and always would be my job to drag in the scum that dared to run away from justice. It was unclear if this bitch knew of me, or for that matter of anything I had ever done, but she was used to analyzing people...so she knew that I was incapable of joking about something like that. I walked up to her and reached into one of the pockets on my vest taking out three items, passing them to her. "These items will assist you while you are attempting to evade me, they aren't weapons though, they are trail markers, invisible to the eyes unless you are using this."

I held up a small case and pressed it into her hand, "These are contacts that will allow you to see the trail markers that you leave behind. I will not be using them, it us unnecessary for me to use them at this point, but I would hate to lose my student without even beginning to have soem fun with you." If only this damn mask wasn't on my face...she would be able to see the grin that was attempting to form underneath it. Instead I put my finger under her chin and lifted her face so she could look me in the eyes. She needed to see the hatred, she needed to see the anger...she needed to know that we were never going to be friends. Letting go of her chin I turned away from her towards the woods. She was in my world now, this wasn't so comfy desk job, she was in the jungle now.

I was going to enjoy this far to much, and it would give me the opportunity to judge how far I could push her. "I assume you know how to put in contacts bitch, or did they never teach you that at the interrogation center? By the way, I'm ready immediately, so if you don't know how to put in contacts you had better learn quickly...and run while you do it. One...two...three...better run bitch...and remember...I WILL find you." I let out a low, rumbling laugh and leaned up against a tree a few yards away from Ana. Tapping my wrist as if checking the time I looked pointedly at her letting her know that she was waisting her time standing here in the clearing. Of course it didn't matter how much of a head start I gave her, she would still be caught in the end. "Maybe if you do well enough I'll treat you to a drink when this is over...but I wouldn't count on it."

[/justify]

((OOC: I'm so sorry this is short again, I really hate myself for this.))

She was ready the instant I turned my back to her once more, for when I turned around she was gone. No sense in following her yet though, she was still a rookie in unfamiliar territory, and that meant there would be the typical running around blindly until she found a spot that was "safe". I would allow her a few minutes to hide, and in the mean time I would allow myself more time to think about why I was given this job. Initial thoughts on the girl was that she had an iron will and a pretty iron back bone considering she didn't flinch when I did my best to intimidate her. Her muscle mass was low though, usually suited to one of those comfy desk jobs or interrogation, so it didn't make any sense to me that they would send her out into the field. It made even less sense considering she was sent to train under me of all people, my job required a certain amount of durability and strength.

Oh well, no sense in thinking to deeply about it right now, especially considering I didn't have any say in who I trained and why. Now was the time to begin the hunt and see just how pitiful her attempts were to conceal herself from me. A rookie mistake that was commonly made, they never used the markers or the contacts on their first attempt, instead relying purely on the scenery around them as a cover. They never took into account that false trails could be set, that proper foot placement could lead me in an entirely different direction. While none of those things would be able to fool me at this point she would have scored some points for at least ATTEMPTING them. That would be asking for to much though, she was a rookie and she was bound to make rookie mistakes, and it was my job to teach her how to do it the right way.

I stepped into the heavily wooded area, and took a deep breath, the filters on my mask making my breath sound awkward and broken, but I relished in the familiar smell and taste of the outdoors. Cooped up in a train and then the barracks here had taken a lot out of me, I wasn't used to being indoors all the time. Considering most of my life was spent outdoors I preferred to be out in the wild, the air indoors was...stifling to say the least. Out here I saw things with more clarity, I was in my element, right now the hunt could begin. Kneeling down I closed my eyes and did the first thing a hunter should do...listen. The natural sounds of the forest gave away most people whether they knew it or not, after all, nature was the worlds greatest alarm system, and she had made a rookie mistake. She had crossed through a patch of dense undergrowth, the leaves were dry from the heat, and they had made an easily detectable sound as she went through them.

With the speed that came with years of the hunt I sped forward in the direction of the sound, and found exactly what I was looking for. The broken branches of movement and the hastily brushed aside leaves...and...well what do you know...a Peacekeepers uniform. Suddenly things got a bit more interesting, I had a mostly naked Peacekeeper attempting to hide from me. Chances are she was around her somewhere, she wouldn't risk straying to far from her uniform, that was unless she had no pride, but I knew she had far to much of that. I scanned the area around me for any more signs of movement, but didn't find any. Either she had suddenly gained some skills or she was no longer traveling on the ground, and that meant only one thing. I looked up into the trees, carefully looking into each shadow for anything that was out of the ordinary, she was intelligent enough to take to the trees, but not skilled enough to hide herself.

Removing the pistol from the holster on my thigh I began talking as if to no one, but I knew she was there, I knew she was just above me. "A pity you didn't find a better place to hide Ms. Laroche, also a pity that you had to leave your uniform behind. Maybe next time I should send a message ahead asking that you not have something so obvious to wear. Though I fail to see how stripping down was any more affective, after all your life indoors has made you pale and easy to spot, almost as easy as the uniform." With barely a glance up into the branches I raised my pistol and fired, knowing the bullet would pass by her hand with barely an inch to spare. "This chase is over my dear, and while I'm sure you'd find it most amusing to watch me climb up after you I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to come down now."

[/justify]

There are the people who say that the bond that forms between master and apprentice is unbreakable, like a chain that binds them together until the end of days. Then there are the people like me, I don't believe in bonds like that, I believe that the only bond that should form between master and apprentice is one of respect and fear. I wasn't going to play around with this bitch and go easy on her, it was for that reason that I had shot at her. While my bullet could easily have ended up in her hand I CHOSE to have it miss her, letting her feel the heat of the bullet as it flew by her. It would not be that difficult to tell what that bullet meant, especially for her, she was a smart girl and knew who her superiors were. There would always be that lingering thought, wondering when or where I'd pull out my gun again...that was fear...whether she would admit it or not.

When she climbed down the tree, as I had asked, I appraised her pale body with a critical eye. Thinner than I had thought, not without a certain amount of muscle to it, but still nothing to the other Peacekeepers I knew that worked out in the field. They had let her grow soft sitting at a desk all day, and it was fairly obvious from her pale complection that she didn't get out much. I liked her stubborn attitude though, intent making sure I couldn't decide if she was being respectful out of fear or because she was mocking me. I respected that in a way, I was used to just fear, seeing it in there eyes or the way they acted, but this girl was adament in showing nothing. I walked away from her as she asked me what was next on todays training, barely aware that she had used the title I had asked her to use, and shrugged off my coat.

I wouldn't be telling her what we would do next, she would realize what it was as soon as we started. I flexed my arms letting them strain against the vest, the familiar sound of the stretching leather like music to my ears. It had been quite some time since I had been able to fight, and who better to fight then my new protege. I stood up to my full height and turned around walking towards Ana, I made no move until she was within arms reach, and brought the back of my fist across her face. My fist stung from the blow, I had let myself go soft unable to fight for so long while I was hunting, but that little sting would be nothing to the pain she must feel in her face. She was still awake though, which is more than most people could say after my fist collides with them, I wonder how much punishment she could take from me though before she was just like everyone else.

I advanced on her again and drove my fist into her side, letting out a rumbling laugh as I began to enjoy myself. She stood her ground like the bitch she was, unwilling to grant me even a little bit of satisfaction in knowing that she was afraid. Perhaps some of that irritation translated into my next blow because I brought my fist up under her jaw, snapping her head back and knocking her to the ground. Still there was no fear in her eyes, only a defiance that made a hatred begin to boil in my heart. I hated this girl for not being afraid I hated her for not showing me the fear that all of my other enemies did. I hated her for it...but I also respected her...because I may have finally met my match...I may have found someone that was actually worth my time, someone that deserved to live. Maybe there was a chance after all if there were more people like her in the world.

I walked over to her again and picked her up, whether she would like it or not, hauling her to her feet. I looked her over again with a mix of curiosity and resentment. So this is the future of the Peacekeepers, this is the next line that will replace me when I die. If so I was going to teach her everything I knew until she was capable of beating me, capable of grinding me under her heal and come to see that look of fear that I knew so well...in my eyes. She would take my place, she would fill in the void that would be created by my death and it would be like I had never left."Welcome to hell Ana Laroche, you've made it past your first day of training, I hope to see you make it through all of them."

[/justify]

She was bold, very bold, the look in her eyes betrayed only the slightest of emotions, an emotion that told me she was ready for whatever I would give out to her. Above her high and mighty attitude though, she was no more than a girl, she was human and she would learn to fear me. Today's training was over though, I had my fun with her, I had left her with enough bruises where she wouldn't soon forget this day, whether she would admit it or not. She was ready though, her stubborn reply to my statement about this being hell made that very clear, but the gates of hell will not open until tomorrow. I let the anger out of my body, feeling the wave of adrenaline that had coursed through me free, and the rasping of my breathing behind my mask slowed down and became more regular.

Spinning away from her I walked back to my coat and picked it up, slinging it over my shoulder. I didn't bother to tell her to keep up, I simply assumed she would, after all, this forest wouldn't be a fun place for her when nightfall came. I took in everything I saw, everything I heard, nervously my eyes scanned the woods. As strong as I was, a brutal as I was, there was something that could be in this forest that could even make me know fear. Involuntarily I reached for my mask and ran my fingers over the pieces of metal that were now the only thing keeping me here in this life. Quickly I returned my hand to my side and began to speak, knowing full well that Ms. Laroche was behind me. "Ms. Laroche, you would do well to listen to everything I have to say from now on because it may eventually save your life. I said earlier that we would never be friends, but I'm looking out for you now kid, you're my responsibility and under my protection."

I glanced back at her to make sure that she was still following and continued on. "Don't give me any of the shit about not wanting or needing the protection I offer. Even among the Peacekeepers I have my enemies, very powerful enemies. You aren't here to make friends, you are here to serve a purpose, you are here to follow the orders of our superiors." I rolled my neck and cracked my knuckles, remembering a time when I had a few friends. Friends that had told me that they would be there for me, through thick and thin they would be there for me. It was all a lie though, they weren't with me for any reason aside from the fact that I offered them protection, that I was the muscle that helped them. The minute I showed weakness, the minute that I needed them they betrayed me.

"Friends do nothing but leave you on the roadside to die, friends are for the weak. There is no one you can rely on more than yourself, you can only rely on yourself to carry out things without hesitation or regret." I spun around and grabbed her shoulders holding her still. A strange mixture of loathing...and compassion...for the girl that would be my student. If I trained her properly she could be everything that I couldn't, she would be able to exceed my level of skill, she would take my place. I wouldn't last forever, I was not immortal, and my injuries would eventually take their toll on me. How long could I survive with a steal contraption attached to my face, basically the one thing that was keeping me alive now, I would need someone to take my place. This girl...this student...she would be my legacy, she would take my place.

I relinquished my grip on her arms and turned away from her again. "I'm moving you to my quarters Ms. Laroche, you'll be in the same barracks I am. I want you close so I can keep an eye on you. No complaints though, I outrank you, so even if you filed a complaint it wouldn't do you any good. I'm also treating you to a drink when we reach the interior, it's on me and you WILL be there, whether you like it or not."

[/justify]