with no one to impress }} xaa.leo

with no one to impress }} xaa.leo Jun 5, 2023 12:01:14 GMT -5

Post by d1b. xylia fray ♕ kaяi on Jun 5, 2023 12:01:14 GMT -5

{ l e o n o r a s p r i n g }

She had spent her entire life in the spotlight.

Well, sort of.

Early on, she fit in with the shadows, but as soon as the Spring’s found her ten years ago, she was shoved into the limelight. The entire District quickly learned who she was. She was no longer a nobody.

Unfortunately.

Now, Leonora was choosing to blend in, to fade into the background and go unseen. It was a pleasant change from District Nine. Nobody seemed to bother, nobody seemed to care. She could spend the entire day in the corner and not one word would be spoken to her.

It was magnificent.

She was sure to use it to her advantage. Lurking and watching as the other tributes learned how to make fires, hold a sword, and how to not accidentally killed themselves while picking a snack off a bush. Leo paid careful attention to those who surrounded her, their strengths and weakness, and making meticulous notes. She was left with the silence and her thoughts that scrambled through her mind. She needn’t really speak unless spoken to.

Leonora wasn’t a great conversationalist anyway.

At least, that’s what Father always said.

Her vision went black and the thought of her father controlling her lit a burning flame somewhere deep within. He could no longer control her, not here, not now, not ever again. He wanted nothing more than to see her fail.

And she refused to allow it.

There was a girl not too far off, District One, Xaahira, if she recalled correctly. One of the most intimidating in the whole batch. She stood in the center of the room, not moving, probably not even blinking, with her arms folded across her chest.

That’s when Leonora decided to face the lion head on.

”I suppose when you’re already excellent there’s no point in practicing, right?” her eyes motioned around the room to the plenty of open stations the girl could be testing her skills on. But instead, they stood facing each other, about to exchange pleasantries. Some would call it crazy, but Leo would call it business. ”Or you’re gauging the competition. Both exceptional choices if you ask me,”

And her father said she didn’t have class.

As if.

”Leonora Spring, District Nine,” hand outstretched and a smile spread across her face. There’s no hiding from business, even when Death stares you in the eyes.

She’s a girl who is used to being noticed.

So why stop now?

with no one to impress }} xaa.leo Jun 7, 2023 15:06:53 GMT -5

Post by minie on Jun 7, 2023 15:06:53 GMT -5

Day in and day out we dragged our bodies into the training center. Some of us making the most of their time grinding away at the stations. Others busy pretending for social media that they were intensely training and making friends. Then there was me, watching everyone like a hawk. Observing and taking mental notes on who was good at what. Who did not have any experience. Who would be a threat or could potentially cause damage. There were not all too many of the latter, Larissa maybe. The blond bitch would eventually meet her demise.

I’ve exchanged words and punches with multiple tributes over the last few days. It may have not looked like I was doing anything significant to the untrained eye, but my actions were of utmost importance. Human behavior is a curious thing and can be predicted by observing one long enough. Some would argue that you never know what you would do in a life-or-death situation. I call bullshit, you can tell from someone’s past behavior if they are going to choose flight or fight. You can tell who has what it takes to survive and who will hide and cower. Being able to tell the difference is essential when holding a position of power.

What I sold back at home did not come cheap. There were always times when people could not pay what they owed, or sometimes they felt entitled. Now junkie Xaahira always had a large pool of creative ways to make someone pay. It all just came down to the type of person. A key reason I always observed the dance floor from above and never within. Now I am stuck in the middle of the mayhem, but my philosophies stay the same. Observing will do me a lot more good than practicing.
My senses have sharpened since being off of the drugs. I am able to take in a lot more all at once than when everything was impaired by the sensory overload I lived for. A voice clear as day spoke at me questioning my motives for standing around.

If the girl from nine was assuming that I was a jack of all training center trades, then my act must be working. My stoic face, smiled at the indicator of a successful lie. Well, was it even really a lie if I never spoke the words myself? I am a career, four words that everyone just assumed, never escaped my lips. A combination of their naivety and my intense demeanor sold the show.

"Knowledge is power, my dear. I assume you agree?" I turned to face her. Her self-assurance, the way she commanded the room, it amuses me. She holds herself like businesswoman who was ready to bargain. I shook her hand. She’s earned it.

"Xaahira Mahdavi, district one. Now tell me, love, what do you want? Everyone always wants something, but more importantly, what can you offer in return?" A cunning smile matches her wide grin.

Business goes both ways darling.

Table credits: Dars