Celestial Equinox [Advanced Original RP Collection] discussion

Here's where you can prepare for your death. In this place you will hone your skills, discover new talents, make allies, and watch your competition. Your life depends on what goes on in this room.

You can find stations such as:
Swords
Bows and arrows
Spears
Knot tying
Edible plants
Fort building
and much more....

Ace walked down the long empty hallway wearing a light blue t-shirt and some black leggings. She stood in front of the door as it slid up to admit her to the large room full of dummies, weapons, and other things of the such. There was a miniature forest to practice fire-making and a looming rock wall to climb. I think I should start with something I know She said looking around for some kind of weaving/art station. The camouflage station caught her eye with it's assortment of dyes and materials. She went to sit there the instructor began to speak but she ignored any word that he was uttering. Slowly she began to paint a picture. The first color she applied to the fabric was black. Outlines first. Always first. She thought to herself. She painted a string of three orchids (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] Coloring it in with different shades of pink. She held the fabric up and shook her head blood.... it needs some blood. She dipped the tips of her fingers into the crimson paint. Then she flicked it onto the picture making it appear to have blood spattered across it. She held it up again letting some of the drops drip down the painting. Nodding, she set it down to dry. "Will you send this to my family and tell them to give it to Michaelle?" She asked the trainer as he was beginning to explain the color wheel. "Yes..." He replied obviously annoyed she hadn't listened to him.

Kali walked slowly towards the training room, trying hard to look big and brave. But she had seen some of the other tributes. They were HUGE compaired to her!!! Really all she wanted to do was go home. Which got her wondering, why hadn't anyone volenteered to taker her place? What kind of monsters just stand by and watch a 12 year old get slaughered? Uhh... She didn't want to die, who did. Still she was here and she might as well use the time she had to get ready. Taking deep breaths Kali walked into the training room. There were all kinds of weapons in there, and not only that but things like camo and edible plants. Kali went streight for the plants section knowing that was the first part to survivin the Games. Knowing your facts, in this case plant facts. Kali sat and spent hours devouring the papers and books on plants, memorizing every line and every picture in her head. She was good at memorizing things, she had spent her whole life with her father the baker in the fish district. She had to be able to name baked goods and fish on sight. Naturally she could memorize some plants. Maybe I'll be okay. she thought quietly to herself, hardly letting the thought sit for fear of gaining false hopes.

Ace got up from the art table satisfied with her work. Michaelle should like it... He always did like crimson... She thought to herself. Her tough exterior gave way to something softer and sadder for the moment that she thought of Michaelle.

*Flashback*

Michaelle sat on the worn rotting floor of his home near the border of the district. His bass lay next to him. He had made it himself out of wood and abandoned metal. It had taken him two years to make it look even remotely like an instrument. Ace sat on the ratty makeshift couch with stiff cushions. Her old red electric guitar that was ordered by the mayor for her many a year ago leaned on the couch next to her. They sat together just enjoying that they could breath the same air.

*Flashback ends*

A single salty tear rolled down her cheek but she furiously wiped it away. I will win! For Michaelle! Nothing is taking me away from him. Not the Capitol and certainly not some stupid ass kid from another district She thought angrily. She was determined and when Ace was determined she was dangerous.

Lily Vane walked slowly into the training room, her eyes scanning the room as she took in her surroundings. Her blue eyes were wide as she looked around, partly in fear and partly in wonder. There were so many different stations, so many different things she had to know to even have a chance of surviving for even a day in the arena. Lily resisted the urge to sigh and burst into tears and strode into the room, holding her head high. The first thing was to look like she seemed confident. Looks were everything, she knew this for a fact. She looked down at herself and couldn't help but bite her lip - she didn't look all that impressive. Wearing jeans that had rips near the knees and a simple black form-fitting t-shirt. Her mothers gold chain hung around her neck and she was pretty sure her blonde hair was all over the place.

Cale walkes into the training room and walkes over to the painting station, he was good at mulitasking so he worked on his camo and watched the other's progress as well.

Lily walked over towards the edible plants station, a small smile on her face. Plants. She was familiar with this. This she could work with. Then again, this was the training center. She really should work on something she didn't know, something she wasn't good at. Lily ignored this feeling and began working at the station anyway, easily plucking out all the plants that would kill you and putting them in a pile.

Ace sat down at the long table with the assortment of knives. She would work on her aim for now then move on to plants. She thought out how she would fit in every station or at least try her best. This time she listened to the trainer who was a tall, lean woman with sun yellow hair and dark green streaks. She picked up each knife and told her what to do with it and how to hold it properly. "A dive knife is one that is specially adapted for underwater use. Dive knives usually have tough thermal plastic handles, durable sheaths, and convenient blade release mechanisms." The trainer droned on and on. "A stockman's knife is a very versatile folding knife with three different blades. These are a clip blade, a spey blade and a normal blade. It is one of the more popular types of folding knives." Ace listened because as you know, she was determined. Nothing could have distracted her from this.

Cale noticed Ace and sauntered cooly over to the station she was at. Leaning back on the nearby wall he observed her. She seemed to be thuroughly bored with what the trainer had to say. He smiled and chuckled a little. No he wasn't the best fighter but he was good at watching, he had alot of experiance with that.

Ace picked up the machete since it looked the most promising. She gripped it tightly in her right hand. She clenched her teeth until her jaw became sore. The trainer had her own machete and a special dummy for her to demonstrate on. She demonstrated some moves as if she were in slow motion. Spinning the knife, cutting at the wrists and face of the motionless dummy. "Your turn." She nodded toward the grey dummy that Ace had been staring down. She didn't have time for slow motion junk so she did the same exact thing a billion times faster. The trainer seemed surprised at her talent and frankly Ace was just as surprised as the trainer.

Cale nodded and said, "Hey can I try? You don't have to explain anything to me I was listening and watching." He strode froward and picked up one of the knives that was laying on the table. He felt it in his hand, finding the balance point. Gripping the blade loosely he threw the knife and hit the dummie between where the eyes would have been. It had just been a guess on his part that throwing a knife would be somewhat like how the workers tossed the sticks of dynamite in the coal mines back home.

Ace spun around when a knife hit the dummy she had been practicing on. It had just missed her shoulder. She narrowed her eyes at Cale. "What are you trying to do?" She asked her voice obviously showed her irritation at him. To hell with him... She thought grumpily stabbing the dummy in the chest hard with the knife and leaving it there. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the ground. just keep working. She thought to herself moving back over to the table. "Next knife?" She asked the trainer. She was handed back a hunting knife. "Let's practice throwing this time." The trainer murmured throwing the knife into the stomach. "This a first vital. Go for the stomach or crotch." She said in her thick Capitol accent. "got it." Ace replied and threw the knife missing the dummy entirely and hitting the wall. She frowned.

"Would you like me to help you?" Cale asked, still slightly amazed that he had hit the dummy himself, "Really I didn't mean to scare you..." He said ernetly.

((gtg in ten minutes :/))

"No." She hissed grabbing another knife. She threw it at the dummy with one eye closed. The knife spun through the air and hit the dummy in the thigh. "See!" She cried triumphantly and then went back to her shielded act of misery and determination. She crossed her arms once more and grabbed yet another knife. Ace gave the boy to her right a sideways glance through her hanging bangs. He was kinda cute and all, but what was his deal with popping in on her business. Not to mention time. Planning out how she was going to spend her time in the training center had been quite an ordeal and she was sure that he was just another distraction who was going to get in between her and Michaelle.

Cale shrugged, leaning against the wall again to watch. But he wasn't just watching her, he was watching the kids at every station, he memorized the way they moved with each weapon they learned. His gaze drifted back to Ace and he said, "Names Cale."

"Aceline (Ace-El-een)" She responded trying her best to curb the irritation in her tone. She wasn't mean or anything she just loved Michaelle and wanted to get back home to him... or die trying her hardest. She shrugged away the train of thought. Just practice Ace. Practice she imagined the love of her life saying this. Then threw another angry knife hitting the dummy in the stomach. The trainer clapped "Good job!" She praised. Odd for a capitol person to do.

"Nice name. So tell me Ace, why do you want to win the Geames?" Cale was now trying to annoy her just a litte, he wanted to test her control.

((He wouldn't know her nickname yet since she told him her full name))

She glanced at him again as she hurled another dagger at the dummy hitting in the face. The dagger went in so far that all you could see was the bronze hilt at the end. " Why would it matter to you? She asked. The fire of her anger blazing again for he had just provided excellent kindling. She silently thanked him in a sense for she was becoming more focused due to her infernal fury. Asshole here needs to get out of my business especially if it has to do with Michaelle... She thought, once again grumpy

Cale shrugged, "I'm a friendly guy. I like to meet new people." He smiled at her anger and turned away, watching the other tributes practice he noticed things about each of them.

Kali finished memorizing the plants and walked over to the fort building station. "Why hello there little girl." The trainer said much to cheerfully. "Can you show me?" Kali asked sounding younger than herself.

Ace sighed and put down the dagger she had been reeled back to throw. "Call me Ace." She mumbled. This was a step forward in friendship for her. She looked down at the ground and studied it as intently as if it had the answers to all of her problems engraved in it. She let go of the anger a bit more and decided that if she was to have an even better chance she would have to befriend most people. Play them like checkers. She thought. Be best friends with everyone starting with this kid. "Sorry, this is all very stressful you know?" She said attempting a shy smile.

This is just like playing Chess. Cale thought to himself keeping a smile plastered on his face. "Oh yes I know exactally how you feel, Ace."

"You got any allies yet?" She asked looking around the room at the other tributes. There weren't very many at the moment. oooo I know how to get him around my finger She thought maniacally

"Nah, I'm not sure the point of having an ally, I'd have to kill them eventually." Cal said picking up another of the knives and tossing it from hand to hand with ease as he caught the blade.

"True...Oh did you see that secret passage down the hall?" She asked knowing this "secret" passage would lead them to a small corner with a red velvet couch.

"Nah. I don't really care either. Don't you think it is more important to spend our time training rather than making "allies" that will stab you in the back later?" Cale asked throwing the knive into the dummies throat, he was totally amazed that his time in the mines had given him such strange good aim. It was important to get things in the mine where they needed without dropping them, so throwing them accurately was a must.

"It's very pretty. You should come." She prodded. SAY YES! She screamed at him in her mind.

((Sorry for the short posts. Not feeling very inspired but still wanna rp))

Cale pulled his knife free and backed up further. "Alot of things are pretty." He said off handedly, throwwing another knife and hitting the dummie in the eye. "Cool." He smiled talking to himself. He pulled the two knives free and placed one back on the table playing with the ohter for a moment before putting it down too. "I should probably go to another station now it doesn't look like there is much for me to learn at this one. But nice talking with you anyway Ace. I wish you the best in the Games." Cale walked towards the fort building station slowly. He saw the little girl from district four. She had a reputation for being quite cunning, she might prove a bigger hurdle than her age showed.

Ace sighed in defeat "Whatever." She mumbled to herself. He was probably going to be easy to kill anyway seeing that his only skill was knives. She moved on the knot tying station. Scattered on the green glass table were several materials. Rope, string, vines, and a few shoe laces. The trainer approached Ace and gave her a small smile. She just looked at him her eyes weary and her face bland. The happy expression of the trainer was wiped away and turned into a more abysmal look. Good dog. she mentally patted his head.
"The first not I will show you is how to tie a noose." He said picking up a rope. He tied the slip not that was required.
"Cool..." She muttered glancing over at Cale every now and then. Everytime she did look at him she was surprised and annoyed with herself. She tied the noose the knot was a little loose but would do.
"Try it with the vine." The trainer pointed to the green material.
Ace picked it up and twisted it into a perfect noose. She smiled to herself.

Cale focused more on the little girl than his work, he in return made a hirrible fort.

Kali looked at the boy who was now at the same station as her, he kept watching her like he was dicecting her on a table.

The bulky trainer stood in front of her and grabbed another section of rope. He tied a butterfly knot undid it and tied a seaman's knot. "Did you see how I did it?"
he asked her. Ace nodded concentrating on the vine in her hands. First she tried the butterfly knot. The vine became tangled up and she had to sit unknotting it. You have to get to 10 stations today at least and the rest tomorrow. She thought, narrowing her eyes in determination. Soon enough she had mastered all the knots except for the butterfly knot. She stood and moved to the rock wall. This should be interesting.

Ezimma entered the training center with a grin on her face. Her steps were bouncy and full of exhilaration. She went straight to the fort area. It looked promising and there were two tributes there. "Hi guys!" She said happily bouncing on the balls of her feet and waving joyously.

The loud girl had scared Kali and she let out a little squeel before retreating inside her well build fort. she peeked out and said a weak hello.

Cale had heard the girl waling up and turned and said hello. "My name is Cale." of course he knew who all the tributes were he had watched the reaping.

"I'm Ezimma but everyone calls me Ezzie. You should call me Ezzie. Ezzie, Ezzie, Ezzie. Has a nice ring to it! Better than Ezimma. That name sounds like a disease that kills people. OR it could be that weird skin thing. Eczema or something... I think." The words flowed out of her mouth like water flows over a cliff. She didn't stutter once let alone pause. She grinned at the small child. "Hey there little one! What's your name? As i said my name is Ezimma... Most people call me Ezzie though. I think you should too! You're adorable. How old are you??????" She smiled wildly.

Kali was kind of overwhelmed by this girl, "T-twelve. My name is Kali Sanders." She said sounding small and cute. Cute?!?!?! This was no time for cute!!! "I like to kill things." Kali added still sounding cute and innocent. She smiled baring her teeth.

Cale watched the little girl Creepy... He thought to himself. And this other girl was just as pushy as Ace had been in a different way. Ugh.

Lily looked over at Ezimma, a bemused look on her face as she slowly walked over to the bows and arrows. She made a mental note to stay away from her. Being that loud would get her killed in an instant. And either way, Lily found her a bit scary.

((Lol I love how everyone hates Ezzie :P Some one should tell her to shut up))

"Hi Kali! ohhhhh. I hate killing things but you know you gotta do what you gotta do!" She grinned then giggled as the child barred her teeth. "You are soooooo cute!" She grinned wider. You should calm down Ezzie. This isn't the place, or time, for your usual exuberant self Said Harold. Oh... She replied her face falling slightly "Sorry." She murmured to Kali "This is how I normally am and meeting new people is just so exciting. You know? Then I remembered that they are all here to kill me." Her frown deepened. It looked out of place on her cappuccino colored face.

Lily frowned as she overheard what the girl had said. It made her feel sorry for her; sorry she had gotten landed in the games. She seemed like such a happy person, but here...Lily shook her head. Now all that was done.

Ezzie looked down at the gleaming metal of the training center floor It's alright Harold consoled her. It's not alright. But what is right is you. I won't survive very long or anything if I am so happy. Not that I could kill someone anyway. she responded. You could and you will. When the time is right. He said wisely. Ezzie sighed but...
Now go train Ezzie! He urged. Ezimma nodded and went over to the knife station. The woman handed her a simple dagger to start out with. "Throw it at the dummy." She instructed. Ezzie stared the dummy down and held the knife. She reared back to throw it but then dropped the dagger. "The dummy looks too much like a person."
The trainer looked at her oddly "That's sorta the point." She muttered.
Ezzie frowned "I-I-I'm sorry!" She cried and ran into the hall with her tan hands over her face. She had just been hit by a sudden realization. She was going to die.

Lily widened her eyes as she saw this, and she put down the bow she had been ready to use, mumbling a hasty apology to the trainer. She walked into the hall and saw Ezzie. She didn't know what to do. Lily wanted to comfort the girl, but didn't know how, and didn't want to appear like she was making an alliance. She wasn't making an alliance with anyone. Yet.
"Are you okay?" she asked quietly.

"No!" Ezzie weeped. Her shoulders shook and shuddered. "I don't wanna-" She shut her mouth at that moment because Harold cut in Shut your mouth child! You are just asking to be a target. He warned. "I just wanna go home." she muttered. "I just wanna go home and lay in a field with my sheep and cows." She looked up at Lily, her face was tearstained and the light of her happiness had faded to close to nothing.

Lily smiled sympathetically at the girl and lightly placed her hand on her shoulder, "All of us want to go home," she said quietly, "Not one of us wants to be here, but," she shrugged, "we have no choice."
Lily looked at her tearstained face and felt a pang of hurt, she felt sorry for the girl. Sometimes the people picked weren't the right choice at all, and she had a feeling this girl was one of them. She was happy and friendly, she didn't belong in the games. Unless she could toughen up, she'd get hurt fast. "We have to do what we can here, and try to win for our families."

"I know I can't." she replied her eyes wide and showing her obvious pain. Harold sighed shut UP!!! He warned I have to tell someone. She replied angrily. "I can't even throw a knife at a humanlike dummy! How in the world would I throw, let alone kill some one with, a knife?" She asked her eyes now seemed pleading. you have just killed yourself.... harold gave up in defeat. I'm as good as dead anyway. she growled.

"You have to. At least one. You hide and let everyone do the dirty work, and when there's nearly no one left, that's when you get them," Lily said simply, her eyes glinting mischeviously. She had just given away her game plan, but she figured this girl would be as good as dead either way.

She whimpered. "I will die of starvation or some disease that those sick gamemakers come up with." She sighed you know that you need allies. Harold suggested no... I would slow them down she replied this thought only adding to the glum direction her attitude was turning to.

Haven looked around, trying to find something to do as she assessed the other players. That's what she called the Tributes. In the end she stuck with Archery, picking up the bow and weighing it in her hands. It felt completely unfamiliar to her, but she'd seen others do it. She notched an arrow and pulled back the string, surprised by how difficult it was. She released the string, the arrow flying a few feet short of the target before clattering to the ground. Haven frowned.

"You'll have to pull harder than that," The helper said, handing her another arrow. Haven nodded and pulled it back again, struggling to reach her chin, her entire body quivering with the effort. She loosed it again. The target hit its exact mark.

"Well hey, look at that," Haven commented, grinning at the helper's face.

Ruby/Pinkemina wrote: "She whimpered. "I will die of starvation or some disease that those sick gamemakers come up with." She sighed you know that you need allies. Harold suggested no... I would slow them down she re..."

"With that attitude you will," Lily said simply. "You have to be confident in yourself, and even if you're not, you can't let it show. The more confident you look, the less of a target you seem...unless of course you're too confident. Then you'll seem like a threat and the jerk everyone wants to get rid of."

"Do you see me as a target?" She asked raising an eyebrow and searching the girl's face for something, anything. Harold muttered to himself well of course she does, she wants to live and you are obviously defenseless. Ezzie pinched her arm(Harold) and growled(MENTALLY) I am going to freaking die HAROLD SO SHUT UP! keep that up girl! you got it!

Lily simply shrugged, her face betraying no emotion. "I have yet to analyze anyone, so I can't say. But I do think you have potential. You just have to apply yourself. You have to put everything you've ever known behind you - forget about it - if you want so much as a shot of winning."

"That's good advice." She remarked wiping her eyes with her forearm. "Can I maybe train with you?" She asked Lily her voice returning slightly to her normal perky self. She tamed it, curbed it. Don't let the real you be you now. Harold urged. got it she gave him a thumbs up.

Lily struggled internally for a moment before shrugging, allowing her lips to curve into a small - very small - smile. It just wasn't in her nature to be cold and callous. "Sure if you want."

Haven looked over at two girls who were immersed in conversation, quickly assessing them as she took another arrow. She rolled her eyes slightly, noting their expressions. One seemed more interested in herself than the other girl, who seemed like she knew everything. Fantastic. Haven drew back the string again, her muscles again shaking, and hit the next target perfectly.

"I think I like archery," She said to herself, putting the bow back. She wasn't that strong, and it hurt her muscles. She moved on to a spear, hefting it in her hands for a moment, assessing that too.