watch how you go ~mat

[matrim daniel fairbain]

Mat hadn't thought of that in terms of humans being targets, and any hit causing damage. It was true, of course, but humans (and animals, for that matter) moved, while the targets that Mat had often practiced with did not. Still, Rufus had a good point - Mat probably had more training and skill with a bow than a lot of the other tributes. "Right, but at the same time, no overconfidence, right? Because that would get me killed just as easily," he realised. So he had to find a balance in how he viewed his skills, and that included not being overconfident in his close combat prowess, as well as not underplaying his skill with a bow.

"So when it comes down to it, ideally I'd try and get access to a range of weapons, right?" he asked. That would give him options in terms of different weapons for different situations. Of course it was likely that he would be in the Careers alliance, but that also meant that it was important for him to have some of the better weapons for himself in case he needed them when the group turned on themselves, which they were bound to eventually.

[rufus jove whitacre]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width:430px; -moz-border-radius: 50 50 50 50; -webkit-border-radius: 35 35 35 35; padding-top: 12px; background-color: #;] Rufus nodded instantly at the last comment. "A range is best. A knife is beneficial for hunting, I would recommend that. I'm aware you are good with a sword, that would be useful but do nothing stupid to get one. They are typically near the back of the Cornucopia, but if your alliance works well and no accidents occur then you should have control of it on the first day and can claim one." He would need to make the approach when they arrived in the Capitol, to ensure it would work as it usually did. "A balance is needed between a range and too many, however - if you are weighed down it makes it tougher to fight when surprised. That balance is up to you, but remember you will most likely also get a rucksack also, so small items can fit in there. You seem physically strong, but speed can beat that - be realistic." And no overconfidence, of course, as Mat said. He was definitely getting the message. Now, of course, he had to remember that under a high stress situation. A time when a notable number of competitors had lost it. There had been some shocking incidents - Mat seemed relatively stable, thankfully, but he hoped the others were the same. "Yes, and no overconfidence. Thinking you can take on someone holding a spear with a knife is just plain dumb. Thinking you can carry a whole armoury is just dumb. You've got to keep your head on you. Don't get into dumb fights with the other careers - go with what happens, lead if you need to but be prepared for them to cut your throat the second numbers wear down. That includes Elizza." ★ NOTES: ★

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[matrim daniel fairbain]

The Career alliance did indeed usually control the Cornucopia. But there were always a lot of losses in the bloodbath, and more often than not, that included some Careers. He had no idea what would happen there - would the alliance be already established, or did it take hold after the initial bloodbath? Did the Careers meet up beforehand and establish the alliance, or was it just taken for granted that it would happen once they got to the Arena? Mat had to ask. "So with the Careers alliance, how does that come about? Is it just assumed, or is it best to meet up with the other tributes beforehand and work it out?" he asked cautiously. Assumptions were always dangerous, particuarly in the arena, so assuming that people were on his side would definitely be dangerous.

Rufus' next comment was on a similar topic - not to get into stupid fights with other careers, and to be wary of them. Even Elizza. "Sure, I know that the alliance will eventually break down, and I have to keep an eye out for that. But it'll help having the smaller alliance within the Careers group, at least that way if a fight does break out there will be two of us together," he reasoned. "I mean, I know I still have to be wary of her..." he trailed off, noting the end of what Rufus had said. "And I'll still watch my back and not trust her, but having the smaller alliance inside makes sense tactically, doesn't it?"

[rufus jove whitacre]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width:430px; -moz-border-radius: 50 50 50 50; -webkit-border-radius: 35 35 35 35; padding-top: 12px; background-color: #;] To start answering Mat's questions, he needed to start from the beginning. "Myself and Auricula are going to with the other Mentors when we arrive to secure an alliance. We'll tell you which Districts, but probably one and four at least. You don't discuss it with anyone - you leave that to us. Then we got training and meals with the other Tributes - that's when you all get to meet and figure out some stuff. There's usually a kid fighting to be leader - if he's stupid back someone else, but otherwise just go with it and stay on his good side - he might be a bit less likely to kill you if you mess up." Only a little less, but that could help. "A smaller alliance makes sense early on but if you do that you risk getting attached. Some kids choke up when it comes to killing their alliance partner. That means they die and that partner might die too and then it was all for nothing." In his own case, his grudging alliance had unintentionally seen him and his partner down to the last two. "In the pack it makes sense - after the pack breaks up for a bit too. But when the numbers go down you need to pick your time and go your own way. Someone else will kill her, if she doesn't win - you won't have that on you unless luck doesn't go your way. Unless she kills you first." ★ NOTES: ★

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[matrim daniel fairbain]

Ohhh. So the Mentors secured the alliance. That was a vital piece of information that Mat most definitely hadn't known. That made things a lot clearer for him. "So once you've met with the other mentors, you'll let me know who have agreed to the alliance?" Mat asked, just to clarify. "I didn't realise we shared meals with the other Tributes too, is that all twenty-four of them together, or just select groups?" There were a lot of questions about how this all worked - when did the tributes find out about these alliances? Did they hear about them from the mentors and talk about them before the games begun? If it was in a group with all of the tributes together, how did they ensure the other tributes weren't aware of their alliance? It all felt quite unclear, but he hoped he'd understand it better soon. "And what are your thoughts on seeking leadership myself? Is that a dangerous position to put myself in, or do the benefits potentially outweigh the danger?"

Mat nodded. He had seen people choking up when it came to killing their alliance partner. That was a danger, and one he had to be wary of. Having Elizza in an alliance would be helpful, but there was that danger involved as well. "I guess deciding when to leave the alliance will be one of the most important decisions in the game," he said thoughtfully. "Staying with the group for long enough to take out most of the other tributes, but then not staying long enough that I'm at risk of them turning on me."

[rufus jove whitacre]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width:430px; -moz-border-radius: 50 50 50 50; -webkit-border-radius: 35 35 35 35; padding-top: 12px; background-color: #;] Mat's last thoughts were very much right. Rufus remembered, in his own Games, that he'd refused the approaches of alliances - only his district partner had taken it up and his Mentor had all but called him a fool. It was later on he made his own alliance, unintentionally, with a girl from District Seven. Sometimes, alliances couldn't be plotted - sometimes they simply occurred - an incident, a meeting and a spark between personalities...that was something that Mat would have to discover on his own, however. If he planted the idea in his head he may seek alliances with people who may simply just kill him. "That's the key aspect again - balance. In terms of alliances you may get a feel for when things are going downhill. But I would recommend that if you and Elizza are in an alliance with the other careers that one of you is always awake. When you break off, whether together or alone, sleep somewhere out of reach and try to stay well rested." Sleep was also a rather good idea. It was hard the first nights, in an unfamiliar, uncertain surrounding, but eventually it almost became like a second home. You came to learn about the little nooks and crannies, the creatures, the sights, the tastes, the smells - it was the place that could kill you but that could also save you. When he'd left it he'd almost...missed it. In an odd way. He'd never again have connections like he had had in the Arena. "We meet, we agree, we tell our Tributes and you go from there. All Tributes train and eat together. So you can sit in your alliance and get to know them better, watch them to assess any strengths and weaknesses - but know they will be doing the same. If you seek leadership, however, then that is really your choice - usually the strongest personality will triumph. See the group, judge what you want to do - if you have major opposition then that is up to you," Rufus explained. "We won't know more until we arrive and see them. But first we have the Parade through the Capitol." ★ NOTES: ★

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[matrim daniel fairbain]

One of them always being awake. They'd have to talk about that and plan that out when they were on their own. It definitely made sense, though, if they were both asleep and other Careers had their own internal alliances, they could just kill Mat and Elizza in their sleep. And that wasn't really optimal. "Yeah, sleep is another thing. I guess learning camouflage in the training area is going to be pretty important, right? Especially if I end up going off on my own, I'll have to be able to keep myself hidden while I'm sleeping so nobody can find me," he reasoned. "And are there any ways you know of to ensure I'll wake up quickly enough if I need to?"

Ah, yes, the parade. First Mat would meet his stylist and prep team, and they would be getting him dressed up and made up all ready for the parade, in which he and Elizza would be standing together as they were paraded through the Capitol in front of the adoring audience. It all seemed so, well, put on. Which of course it was. "Yeah, how long do we have before the parade starts?" Mat asked. He wondered if the stylist would have already worked out what he would be wearing, or if they would be designing it once they had a look at Mat, and based it off who he was.

[rufus jove whitacre]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width:430px; -moz-border-radius: 50 50 50 50; -webkit-border-radius: 35 35 35 35; padding-top: 12px; background-color: #;] For a moment, Rufus had to wonder if Mat had watched the Games before. Or perhaps he'd not been watching closely. He imagined most people didn't. He couldn't remember a time when he'd just watched a Games, instead of obsessively following every little details. That trait started when he was watching both his brothers' Games - he'd silently urged them to win, to come home. Neither had. Then, of course, there was his own. But watching the Games in this way had, it turned out, helped him. He became aware of little details. He became aware of the kind of show the Capitol wanted and enjoyed. He became aware of traits the most popular Tributes had and what gifts Sponsors could provide that could be beneficial. The power of a warm meal alone could not be underestimated after days of eating little. "When we arrive we'll go and get prepared - you meet your stylist, they'll tell you what to do." He should really know how the rest of that worked - the Parade led the Tributes to the Training Center, where they would stay until the Games began. "If you want to camouflage then that's something you can figure out - there's probably a station for it. If there's trees you can climb them, but there might be animals - it ain't something you'll know until you're there." Rufus thought aloud. Trackerjackers, mutts...it could be more dangerous than being on the ground if you couldn't recognise them. But going to the station would be a wise idea. Plus, if Mat could already fight then learning survival skills there may be the most beneficial use of his time here. Unless, of course, he deemed it necessary to make a show of strength and show off at the start for the other Careers to show he shouldn't be messed with. That may be the way to start...he would need to see how the other Tributes did in the parade and try and judge from there. "And as for waking up quick...you'll probably sleep light in the Arena first off - find somewhere secure, try and make sure you'd have time to react - set a trap or something if you can do that kind of thing - and keep everything beside you. Then you can move as quickly as you need to to get the hell out of there." ★ NOTES: ★

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[matrim daniel fairbain]

Mat had watched the Games, but not intently and not really in a way that would prepare him best for going in them himself. It had sort of been an abstract idea, not a carefully planned one, that he would volunteer for the Games, and then it had happened and he suddenly had to pick up on the small details that would help keep him alive. "So have they announced the stylists yet? Do you know who I'm getting?" Mat asked curiously. He knew that sometimes stylists stayed on the same district two years in a row, so Rufus might have met the person who was going to be styling Mat. He briefly wondered if she would be hot, or then, if it would even be a woman. There were occasionally same-sex stylists, even if it was a bit less likely.

Something he wouldn't know until he was there. So he'd have to have the skills ready to adapt to whatever the arena threw at him. That meant lots of different stations in the training area, picking up lots of skills that he didn't already have. Combat he wouldn't have to spend much time on, he was already comfortable with that. But skills like camouflage, knowing how to tell signs of danger, they were things he'd have to get better at.

He nodded in agreement. "Right. I'm good at setting traps, well concealed ones, and it makes sense to have everything beside me so I can make a quick getaway if I need to." He thought about Elizza briefly, thinking how it would be a lot easier when they could have one of them awake at all times. "And I guess learning about camouflage would be helpful in terms of knowing how to find other tributes when they're hiding or sleeping, too, right?"

[rufus jove whitacre]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width:430px; -moz-border-radius: 50 50 50 50; -webkit-border-radius: 35 35 35 35; padding-top: 12px; background-color: #;] Stylists - that was always a tricky one. A couple of times they had had absolutely ridiculous ideas and dressed the Tributes up in outfits so horrible that he'd had to rewatch the playbacks the next morning for fear that it really was as bad as he feared. Most of the time it wasn't - once it was, and he'd been so enraged that, after his rather intense talk with them, they'd broken down into tears. It hadn't been intentional, but he was pretty sure that she was just a little over-sensitive. Thankfully, a lot of other Tributes that year had been horrifically dressed (he supposed it was some Capitol fashion trend) and it hadn't been too detrimental. Plus horrors were to be expected and, he'd learnt after disagreeing a lot in his first year and being proven wrong, what he deemed a horror many in the Capitol might a beauty. They weren't selling it to him - but he did like to think he had some grasp of what was too much now. However, the current stylist River had been with the District for a couple of years now. They, oddly, didn't quite see eye to eye on everything but he'd had no major complaints. That was, really, an achievement if anything. "She's called River - she's worked with some of the lower districts before but she's been with the District for a couple of years - she's done nothing horrific." That was as close to a potential 'she's ok' as he could manage. It was more than most people got. He supposed he needed to think of her with the correct frame of mind. They worked together, after all. It was rare he enjoyed it but, once a year, it was necessary and, furthermore, the effort wasn't for his sake. "And I guess it would - but tell me about these traps. What type are we talking? Catching? Trapping? Killing?" Instantly his mind was reeling through past Games. Nets had been there before. Wire as well. Darts made poisonous too, but you'd need a pretty good eye to do that, an understanding of mechanics and such things. However, it Mat understood then that would give him a definite advantage. A lot of things could be used and even crafted with the right materials. ★ NOTES: ★

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[matrim daniel fairbain]

River. That rung a bell with Mat, probably from watching the Games in previous years. The stylists didn't get a lot of screen time in the telecast of the games but their names came up here and there, and River was one that Mat recognised. "Nothing horrific? Well I suppose that's somewhat comforting," Mat joked wryly. It was becoming pretty clear that Rufus wasn't one to give out unnecessary compliments. But if River had been with District two for a couple of years, she must have been a pretty decent stylist. Mat supposed that would remain to be seen, though, until he met her later on that day. At least she was a girl, he thought - having a guy styling him would be weird, and he would find it somewhat uncomfortable.

"Oh, multiple kinds. Quite a few killing ones, my father designs fortress defenses so usually his traps are to take care of anyone trying to break in. But with a few adjustments here and there they can be changed from lethal to non-lethal and vice versa," he explained. "I'd need to find the right materials to make really effective ones, but I could do some basic ones just with some rope and a bit of wood."

[rufus jove whitacre]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width:430px; -moz-border-radius: 50 50 50 50; -webkit-border-radius: 35 35 35 35; padding-top: 12px; background-color: #;] Mat seemed to have something of a sense of humour. That generally went down well in interviews - it made a person more likeable, personable. It made it easier for sponsors to like you as well, although that was never enough by itself. You needed the skills to back it up. They didn't want to waste their money, after all, and that meant they only backed those they felt were the best. Sympathy and likeability only went so far in these Games. Rufus was not one to laugh at jokes, he rarely found things amusing, but he was aware others did. Therefore, when Mat made the joke, he simply looked at him before listening to him outline the type of traps he could do. This type of thing was a big advantage, but, again, the Arena could contribute. There may be no wood. The Gamemakers may give nothing to help, either. Rope was typically somewhere. But it could be in a bag that would be lifted by another Tribute. As a Career, however, Mat would have an advantage. He could get a good selection from the Cornucopia, never specifying why. This was a skill that needed to be kept well under wraps. It would be his secret weapon. "Don't go mentioning that to anyone else," Rufus said immediately. "You don't want anyone knowing that - don't even use it with the other Careers or even Elizza, save that for when you're by yourself," he said. Unless he needed it before then, but Rufus doubted it. Still, he was sure Mat could adapt if necessary - he seemed to have a good skill set already, he could work around it. ★ NOTES: ★

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[matrim daniel fairbain]

Mat nodded, understanding that it was important to keep certain things under wraps. His skill with traps was definitely one of those. But it was quite possible that traps and those sorts of things would be useful in protecting the Careers camp, so Mat was a bit unsure whether he should pretend to have no knowledge at all of them, or admit to some basic ones so that they could protect the camp better. "So I keep it on the down-low that I know any of them?" he asked. "What if some of them would be useful in defending the Careers camp? Would it still be worth keeping them a secret, or should I then set some basic ones?" Traps would definitely be helpful in keeping out the non-careers, but like Rufus had said, it was important that he had information secret from the Careers as well. If they knew everything about his skills, they could better work out how to take him out. And that would be bad, obviously. Cause, well, dying wasn't what Mat wanted to get out of the games. To put it lightly. And it was likely that they would know all about his skills in combat based on the training, so that wouldn't be a secret to anyone - it would also be expected of him based on his district. So in that sense, the skill with traps was the perfect secret skill - it was one that wasn't particularly common in Careers, so it wouldn't be what people expected. And going against expectations of his opponents was vital to success.

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[rufus jove whitacre]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width:430px; -moz-border-radius: 50 50 50 50; -webkit-border-radius: 35 35 35 35; padding-top: 12px; background-color: #;] Rufus was instantly shaking his head. It may show some value to the other careers, but Mat had numerous other skills that would see him through. "Some things are better left unused." At least, in his opinion. At the end of the day, while there may be an alliance, you had to put yourself first. Any advantage, no matter how slight, could save your life. "You have other skills, use those instead. When you are alone you'll thank me." Of course, when they were alone then they generally cursed him for not sending more help. At times he didn't because the things they needed were near, or he didn't think it would benefit them in the longer term. Sponsors were better left for the necessary things. And, at times, yes, a moral boosting pot of stew. At others, sponsors were simply not willing to spend that much money on something so small despite the case pleaded, but more of the older sponsors were aware of the impact that little things could have. He liked to target those sponsors, in particularly those who had seen him in the Games. It made him feel as if he had more influence with them. A few, he knew, had even sponsored him at the time. They'd made a point of getting their photograph taken with him quite a few times and keeping up to track on 'their investment gone right'. It was hard to hold his tongue - he had to remind himself that the Tribute came before his anger. ★ NOTES: ★

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