is it cool that I said all that }} larissa&leo.

Her predicament was this: she already knew the things the others were hoping to learn in the Training Center. While the trainers here were focused on showing the tributes how to even hold the weapons, Larissa had already learned various methods to using practically every weapon on that rack, from the smallest, slenderest blades to the bow with the tautest string to the axe too heavy to carry with one hand. She knew the basics already, knew where to plant her feet and how to dodge, knew what to look for when fighting an opponent and what to take advantage of. And her knowledge exceeded battle prowess- the stations for medicine were all most about identifying plants with medicinal properties, vague explanations of how they could be used in a pinch. Larissa had already been forced to make her own salves before. The only way to ensure mastery is through practical application- talking about a bomb all day in a classroom was completely different than remembering what the explosion sounded like.

So, what was she to do? Sit in her room all day, waiting for them to eventually send her off to the bloodbath? It wasn't like the alternatives were much better because every time she stepped off the elevator there was some poor kid asking her how to do something, like she was being paid to be there. The best she figured was that she could busy herself with the stations she hadn't really given much attention to lately back home, like camouflage and rope-tying, because only the most hopeless would waste their time learning knots when they had no idea what a sickle even was, and that made it easier to give them the cold shoulder if they tried to ask for her help or advice.

"Le Roux, right?"

She sighed through gritted teeth, as close to an answer as this girl would get. She was pretty, and she was from 9 so she probably wasn't pro-Capitol. There was a world in which Larissa explained to this girl, Leonora, that they were actually on the same side, and that they could be friends. But this was reality: this was Panem. There were probably microphones recording this very conversation. The safest bet for Larissa was to stay as far away from this girl as possible- after all the intel the Le Roux family had gathered about the things happening in District Nine these days, allying with a tribute from there would've been suicide anyway. Nine was easily one of the Capitol's least favorite children, perhaps only being hated less than Districts Eleven and Two at present.

Eventually, the other girl must've realized Larissa disinterest in holding a conversation with her, because she continued speaking on her own after a couple seconds: "What’s it like? Knowing that everyone but Ridley hasn’t survived… and here you are?"

"Ridley is a washed up has-been in her 30's who has done absolutely nothing for her family or the people of One since winning." Whatever Leonora may have been expecting, Larissa doubted that it was honesty. "And the only person from my family who has been reaped is Julian, and he was just a vain little liar who died when he couldn't keep up with the truth. You know the singer Paris Vanburen?" Probably not, since she was from Nine, but- "He was dating her when he got reaped. The whole thing with the Bellisario guy? Fake."

She allowed a moment's pause, her fingers still working at the knot in her hands, her eyes never even bothering to lift up long enough to address the girl speaking to her.

"So yes, here I am. And if you're trying to freak me out by reminding me I might die: I know that is a possibility already."

She made it a point to keep her tone level and prevent her volume from rising.

"You know the difference between me and them, Nine? I don't give a fuck what any of you think. You can't hurt me with the truth."

She stood, finished product in her hands: it was two identical loops, like makeshift handcuffs, which when pulled, tightened, but couldn't be untightened without knowing the proper technique. She shoved it into the other girl's grasp.

"Here, learn something useful since intimidation clearly isn't your strong suit."