If There's Anyway You Can Help (Jack Lex)

A male's voice roars through the gym, nearly scaring Gala out of her skin, and surprisingly leaving shy Gwen still sliding down the rope. Even though it was Gwen's name called it's Gala that's used to the trouble, by the length of the shout and context it sounded like she was in trouble. At least she didn't manage to knock anything over, just placed her hands behind her in a cup to resist touching anything else. A grin reached Gala's lips eventually, knowing it wasn't like this guy had a lasting effect on her like her sisters did. He didn't seem like the type to lecture for hours, and that was only an estimate from a distance. Gala squinted a little to see who was assigned to them, a guy clearly, but what kind?

"Nope I'm Gala." Gala introduced, cautiously walking closer to get into a good talking range. "She's Gwen." She points over to the shy twin staying on the mat, keeping silent, as she always does. Being at a closer length Gala could finally get a better observation of their trainer. Blond hair and light eyes like the twins themselves, they could all nearly be siblings if it wasn't for the slightly different fare skin. Plus for some odd reason the Thomas's couldn't produce a son to save their lives, so only young girls roamed the house. His structure was much taller and more built, though that's an obvious conclusion.

It appeared that this guy was notified that all his friends were killed or something, he was clearly not enthusiastic about training a girl, or identical twins, or maybe both. "Are you our trainer?" Gala asked the obvious question, Gwen not budging but deciding to observe from exactly where she was. "Don't worry you'll learn to tell us apart. She doesn't really talk, I do." She followed up with in hopes that it might wipe the disappointment off this guy's face, or at least fade it a little.

There was relieving sigh from Gwen when the trainer announced that there's been a mistake, he has to train a boy. Of course a completely opposite reaction occurred from Gala, actually the more he resisted the more she wanted to learn. "We're not guys." Gala defensively placed her arms across her chest. There was always an issue where she has to have and do what others oppose of. Her first personal test was getting this guy to train them, clearly he was stubborn so that must mean he's a good trainer. Fear rushed through her as if one of them had already been placed as tribute, like these were the final days to train. If this guy didn't accept, then maybe no one else will.

Several insults arrive, but all of which are covered with the start of no disrespect. When people say that, it's because they're about to be disrespectful. Eyebrows are arched together upon Gala's face, arms still on her chest, and no smile to be traced for miles. For one she wasn't little, and nor was Gwen, but there was more important things to bring up. Like the fact their Trainer was acting as if it was more important for him to find a boy trainee, then of the fact that all the trainees really needed trainers, and good ones at that. Certainly all the boys were being trained by the same people from when they first signed up to be a career. For all the youngsters that were Careers, they had to rely on a random trainer teaching them everything they need to know.

"No you won't." Gala reassured the Trainer's fear of hurting them, after all there was a lot of things to learn that didn't include sparing, and if that was needed what better sparing partner then your twin. "I can do this, she can do this." She continued on her speech of why this random guy should stay. "So why can't someone a few years older?" Who knew if there was enough Trainers out there, and if they did get a chance at a second one they could risk having someone actually good at their job. This Trainer, though only a stranger, seemed fit enough. "You weren't that big when you were thirteen, were ya?" She asked with pure attitude, her hands finally falling to her side.

Was that enough to convince this guy? Gwen managed to find her way over to be next to her twin sister, being as quiet as a mouse in the process. "Come on lets just go." A hushed voice said, desperate to stay away from conflict. If this guy didn't want to train them, they shouldn't force him. As said before, the twins were very different despite the lack of physical differences.

"No." Gala responded with her head directed towards her sister, then turning back to the trainer she was determined to keep. "You older kids are safe this year. We're not, and it only raises our odds." If he wasn't convinced already, Gala was going to bring out a new tactic. "And there's two of us, doubling our chances of getting reaped." Guilt always wins people over. "So if one of us gets reaped, it's on you if we die, because you don't want to train damn girls. Because you can't." She repeats what the Trainer had said early, that he can't, because we'd end up getting hurt. But this Trainer was so built even sparing with a fourteen year old boy wouldn't change the circumstances.

They were screwed either way rang in Gala's ears. Yeah, they certainly were screwed with the fact that they were untrained, not close to be careers, and the reaping was a short few weeks away. Their only advantage was the fact of the Quell Twist, the only guys either of them would have to fight would only be a year older as the most. They could get lucky and a bunch of tiny twelve-year olds are reaped. Still all they really needed was a trainer to help them, buff them, make them sharp like the beautiful weapons sleeping on their shelves over in the corner. "Not unless you train us." Gala counter-acts the Trainer's statement about being screwed if they went up against guys there ages. It was a little insulting to hear this guy's assumptions without even being tested.

Spinning through the air supporting double your body weight was certainly a workout, and a workout that only Gala achieves. The double part being her twin sister that's suppose to concentrate on the moves, while Gala just keeps them afloat. If any thirteen-year old could kick some ass it'd have to be Gala, especially with her attitude and determination. Another excuse of why they can't be trained by this guy follows, and both girls are annoyed in different ways. Gwen because her sister won't give up and leave, and Gala because this guy could so easily give-up and leave. "I'm Gala, and she's Gwen, there you know us." Sarcasm flew from the young girl's mouth with ease, why was this so difficult? Why was this guy so against show two girls how to throw around some knifes and keep themselves alive?

It was a little intimidating to see the guy step within feet of Gala, he was clearly much taller and extremely more built. He probably weighed the same as both the twins together just because of all the muscles resting on his shoulders. Instead of stepping back, going into hiding like Gwen does, and how Gala truly wanted to, she flinched for a second but stood her ground. At first it seemed like he was going to prove his point by easily knocking both the girls to the ground, but he didn't. A claim of not being able to touch either of them, and there for not being able to train them, followed. He apologized and then stepped back before Gala could put together a good response, but everyone knew the Gwen was better at words and Gala was better as strength. Still Gwen of course stayed silent, like a scared puppy in the corner.

Just as they were all about the give up, watch the Trainer exit the gym to never return, he made the mistake of adding fire to the anger. He did it with such ease, one foot, one simple move, bringing Gwen tumbling to the floor. 'Get a chick.' Was his last comment, as if Gala was actually going to let this guy leave that easily. Before maybe, but now he was only being rude by knocking over the girl who hadn't even said a word to him. It was Gala that deserved to fall to the floor. Usually when either of the twins were hurt the other would run to their side, but Gala sprinted in a different direction.

Certainly there was this urgency to just tackle the guy, but he was much older, and clearly much stronger. But it's not all fists and kicks in the Hunger Games, no they add much more entertainment. A small knife that settled perfectly in Gala's tiny palm, she had never even tried to throw one before, but better late then never. Obviously she wouldn't throw it backward and faced where the Trainer was making his way to, the door. One swift movement, not even caring where it lands, just that it was heard. Of course it doesn't even touch the trainer, just sticks into the door-frame, not even slicing his shirt or anything. "Coward." Rings through the gym, escalated from Gala's voice. Clearly he had to be if he decided to pick on Gwen, the one half that wouldn't even dare to fight back.

Another tiny knife is thrown by Gala again, in the same direction, but of course not even touching the guy once again. "Damn it." Gala mumbled to herself, though it might of been heard though out the gym because of the quiet echo. At least it grabbed his attention, keeping him here for just a bit longer. Gala returned back from the other side of the gym where the Trainer was debating to leave, and Gwen finally made it back to her seat. One last small knife remained in her hand, and Gala placed it on a table, not taking her hand from on top of it for a second. "Just teach me this." She asked, her eyes going back and forth from the weapon between her palm and the table, and the guy refusing to train her.

"Or I'll try again from this distance, much closer, can probably get an arm or a leg." Gala decide to use a threat, unsure if she'd actually give it a swing if it came down to it, or if she'd even leave a small cut on this guy, or maybe she'd actually get a good shot. "It'd suck to go into the games next year with a missing body part, or at the very least a hole." She toke her eyes off of the knife for a second, looked at the Trainer who had the two knifes she stuck into the wall within a grab away. Would he fight a girl? Give in and teach or something? Or walk away anyways? She gulped a little, cursing at herself for not thinking this through better. "Just teach me how to throw this thing, not even Gwen, just me...Please."

In the process of throwing the second knife Gala predicts getting in trouble, which occurs often with all older siblings and a circus to put on. Maybe this guy would actually fight back, but given their age and gender differences it didn’t seem likely. All of a sudden a smile tugged on the Trainers face though, possibly even slightly impressed at Gala’s move. She couldn’t help but grow a slight smile on her own face, a little proud of herself. He states that she performed a ‘pretty bold mood,’ and that only stretches her grin a bit more. Now it’d only be a shame if he didn’t train Gala, Gwen on the other hand was concerned in her own secluded spot as she witnessed everything happening. How they were both so different from one another.

A chance arises when the possible Trainer makes an offer, if Gala’s able to hit him with the small knife, at the distance she was at, he’d train her with more then just throwing knifes. “But if I hit you…” Gala considered it, but it didn’t sound like a good idea. If she hit him, how would he train her? And certainly harming someone was illegal. He gestured for Gala to not get any closer, where she stood, a good few yards away, was the distance she was given. The bright eyes on the tall guy held doubt, like he knew she wouldn’t do it. That only made her want to chuck the knife even more, but the instincts of no violence was radiating from Gwen without her saying a word.

It was a catch 22, Gala could not throw but then not get trained. If she did then she could get trained… Being trained meant she could protect her and her sister from the games, stand a chance if either of them were reaped. “Give it your best shot.” The trainer says, Gala didn’t even know what his name was on account he never gave it up. She could hit a stranger, get trained, or chicken out. Without a second thought Gala threw the knife, towards the left just incase she actually made the target, the last thing she wanted was hitting anything but an arm or a leg. It whistled through the air, leaving a thud as it stuck into the door frame, just a few inches from the other small knifes.

There was a large sigh from both the twins, slight disappointment but more relief. "Fine, whatever." Gala spoke through a tight jaw.

((OOC: Leaving it up to you where or if the knife hits. I’d be good with it landing an inch away from him or something, or hitting him, up to you. Sorry it toke a few days for my response, on a little vacation.))

It almost seemed like this guy actually wanted Gala to hit him, or probably knew there was no chances of that happening. Provoking the small girls was entertaining to him like the typical school yard bully. Either way anger certainly ran through Gala, anger at the trainer who clearly couldn't wait to escape, and anger at herself because she probably did purposively miss him. Everything the older guy was saying was probably all truth, honestly all of it was. The twins belonged with their sisters, under the circus tent, in the air together doing trapeze. But then again they also didn't belong in the reaping, having twice the chances of being sent to one of their deaths.

"And I'm sure the very first time you threw a knife you killed someone right?" Gala brought sarcasm back, the one thing this guy seemed to actually understand. All this guy seemed to care about was training to purposively get reaped, desiring to go into the yearly game where teenagers kill one another for fun. It was fun for this guy, and that was the difference even for Gala. The twins feared going into the hunger games, didn't crave it like some of the Careers out there.

He asked whether she actually aimed, as if to say because if not she lacks talent. Both of the twins were given eye contacted, as if the same person and though Gala threw the knife, either of them could answer. How people thought of the twins as one person so often. Of course Gwen looks away and the trainer's eye ultimately landing on Gala's to answer. Her lips stayed shut though, refusing to answer the question. To no surprise the trainer gets annoyed and turns to leave once again. Suddenly he swiftly turns around, with one of the knifes caught in the door frame. In one fast movement the knife glides through the gym, leaving a thud as it pinned Gwen's shirt to a target, without even touching her skin but still leaving a gasp from the quiet girl.

Why was it Gwen constantly getting picked on? She hated the fact that she was singled out, especially because her sister was doing all of the talking. First being tripped to the ground, now a target for knife throwing. She listened to him explaining going in for the win, not being chicken, or a girl won't even train them. Secretly that was Gwen's plan the entire time, get out safely and find her twin a girl to train them. But there was also the chance of not finding one, all of them too busy or training other tweens. Or they could get so lucky as to find a girl trainer that was as mean as this guy, unwilling to even try to train the twins even though it was a life and death situation.

"If you actually manage to hit me with one of those those I'll teach you whatever you want." Rings through Gwen's ears, though not directed towards her and told a few minutes ago. Before her twin failed to hit him, either from bad aim or the complexion of not wanting to hurt him. Without even thinking about it Gwen grabbed the knife trapping her shirt to a target. Being quiet wasn't always a bad thing, being an amazing observer usually went hand in hand, like having a liability and asset together. Gala would close her eyes at the second of throwing, blinking at the wrong moment out of fear of actually hitting him. Trying to mimic how the Trainer pinned her shirt to the target, Gwen chucked the small knife right back.

It didn't stick into something like Gala's three tries. This knife whistled through the air and sliced the edge Trainer's gym pants, possibly even getting a bit of his skin though Gwen couldn't tell. It glided to the floor. Gala was completely shocked, staring at her twin with widened eyes, with Gwen just as shocked staring back.

((OOC: How's that? Wanted Gwen to come out a little more, plus she is the smart one.))

There was a long pause, a pause filled with silences and anticipation. How was this guy going to respond? Maybe impressed, or possibly angry because Gwen had thrown it and not the expected Gala. None of them in the room expected for that to happen, especially so close to actually hurting him, a few inches off and he could of had a hole in his leg... but then again a slightly off to not hitting him at all, the twins wouldn't have a trainer. After all it was the Trainer who had provoking either of them to go for it, go in for the win as he says, though the twins didn't understand in the least bit. This Trainer illustrated that there really were Careers out there, the ones preparing to hunt and kill and bring home there victory. All the girls could think about was survival though.

A slow, short few claps breaks the ice of silence, a grin spreading to the Trainer face, clearly impressed. Gwen's face stayed serious, but Gala grinned with pride for her twin. Her twin had actually hit the target, despite the fact Gala couldn't and Gwen was the least likely person to do such a thing... though in a way it wasn't a shocker, Gwen did hold all the brains. He gave the good job, declaring that she actually had guts because of the fact that she had hit him. It didn't feel like much guts, more like desperation, but whatever he wanted to call it.

"I hit your pants." Gwen stated with a lack of expression. "But sure, I guess that counts." All she wanted to do was stand her ground, well and of course make her twin sister happy by getting the trainer she keeps fighting for. It was honestly stupid, even if they got trained, Gwen knew she'd never make it through the Hunger Games, let alone to victor...so what was the point? Sure she could hit a target that had tumbled her to the floor and almost got her with a knife...but in the arena will be filled of children, and actual children. Gwen couldn't do that, and she was certain nor could her sister if it came down to it. But training was going to make Gala feel better, and Gwen could never refuse that chance.

He begins walking closer to Gwen, with the knife in his hand, but lack of blood on his pants. Clearly she only hit his pants, which was actually a little disappointment for her. This guy seemed to deserve a little cut, especially from a thirteen year old that he had been bullying for no reason. Even though Gwen's certain he wasn't going to attack her heart began to race just a little, but her face stayed like a statue, no smile or frown. Gala however toke this threat immediately, keeping a slight distances, and ready to protect at any second.

Surprisingly the knife is kindly offered back to Gwen, like the trainer was giving a truths. Of course she toke it, to rest comfortably in her grip, away from any more violence. Next the trainer's hand is offered to add to the shock value, and once again she of course takes it. The hand shake was a bit odd though, with the Trainer's giant hand compared to Gwen's tiny hand, looking like a baby's almost, but still she gave her best shot as to give a good grip. She had earned herself a trainer, but that meant nothing to her if Gala was being trained beside her.

"And Gala to." Gwen responded, not accepting the offer until he realized they were a packaged deal, as they have been their entire lives since sharing their mother's womb. "You need to stop with the singling out, it makes you a bully." Gwen's words were always more mature then her twins, their voices even being slightly different, the only physical difference they might have. "If you don't want to train us both, I can always try for another shot at your pants, two hits to train us two seems fair?" Gwen decided to bring a bit of joking into the mix, seeming like a piece of stale bread all day. A tiny grin finally broke to her face, the first one all day.

"So what's first Mr. Trainer?" Gwen asked, making up a name on account he had still yet to give it. As long as they were getting trained though, making Gala happy that they apparently had a chance, she could careless.