Willow Skies
Egeria District
I realise as I stand in the elevator that I'm completely unprepared for the training days ahead. And for some reason, it's really disturbing me. I really do not like being unable to plan everything out. I have no idea what it'll be like when I get there and what I'm going to do and it's really freaking me out.
So I tap my foot while trying to ignore how worried I am. The first thing I try to focus on is how realistic this virtual reality world is, but that's making me even more anxious. It's identical to the facility we're staying in. I wouldn't be able to tell the difference if it weren't for the fact I remember entering the pod in my room.
Suddenly, the elevator suddenly stops and Karrie gets on, looking happier than ever.
"Why were you on this floor?" I ask. There's no tribute facilities on this floor, so she'd have no reason to go there. I'm not even sure what is there. It could be something different in this simulation world.
"None of your business." Karrie mumbles, while smiling strangely to herself. This is all quite suspicious, but I don't think I should ask more. She's probably just meeting with a secret lover or something like that.
We stand in silence as the smooth descent begins again. "Are you ready for training?" I ask, trying to fill in the awkward silence.
Karrie nods, not looking at me. "I couldn't be more ready. You don't look so prepared yourself though."
"That's because I'm not." I show an awkward smile, trying to cover up my pent up anxiety that will explode at any minute.
She doesn't seem too sympathetic. "You had all the time in the world to think things through, before you came here."
If only it was that easy. There's a chime and the door opens, showing the spacious basement. I've never been in a building like this before and it's...definitely marvellous! It absolutely likes the official training centre, being all grey and metally and cold and unwelcoming. There's certainly a distant and off putting feeling to it all, which is probably intentional. I thought this place was meant to be more lighthearted and fun.
I saunter over to one of the benches, finding Grati and Miri. We seem to have an alliance going on already. I wonder if we should scout anyone else yet? When we're allowed to mingle in the stations, I could ask about. The more the merrier.
"Hi Willow!" Grati smiles. "We've been talking about what we're going to do over the next few days. Do you have any ideas?"
I sit down on the long, cold bench too. The training uniform was thicker than I expected, but I guess it makes sense in this freezing set. "I'll just...stick to weapons for now."
Miri nods. "Cool…are you going to show all your skills off or leave the audience some surprises?"
Does she think she's being sneaky? I giggle at the absurdity of how…oblivious she thinks I might be. "That's for me to know and you find out."
I have zero experience when it comes to pretty much every weapon though. A knife shouldn't be too hard to use though, should it? "I think you should be worried about managing your threat level however." Grati decides. I guess she cares more about the competition side, while Miri cares more about the whole television side.
I shrug. "It's not like I'm a threat though."
Nobody here seems to think that highly of their skills, but I'm sure we'll be disproved as the days go on. "We have an alliance, right?" Grati asks, quickly changing the topic.
"Yeah! I don't see why not. We all get along well." I think for a second. "But should we try to find some other members?"
Grati shakes her head. "I think we have a good number. There's a lot of problems with larger alliances. They're harder to control, we'll need more supplies, there's more chances for tension…"
Miri frowns. "Aww! But I wanted to try to like...persuade people to join. I like meeting new people."
"We can always keep our eyes out for a fourth member." I decide. We don't want it getting too large, but an extra person won't be too harmful, will it? We'll be able to cover some more bases.
Miri claps. "Yay! Cause I have my eyes set on someone. I think I can...charm him into joining us!"
Grati doesn't look too happy about this prospect. "Good luck."
The conversation ends there, as everybody has arrived at the hall. An official shouts through a speaker, announcing that somebody will be coming in a second to start off our training experience. We have to listen to that same introductory speech they play every year before being allowed in the smaller rooms.
Tiara Christal
Suada District
The training will take place entirely in the VR world they've created. It was really easy entering. You just entered one of the pods and...layed there. They attached some weird plug things on my limbs and I just sort of passed out. But when I opened my eyes again, I'm back in the same training centre!
As soon as the training actually starts, the first thing Lycoris does is take me straight to the knife throwing station. I wanted to focus on the weapons anyway so it's like...fine. We talked a little bit just before the training started and set the boundaries to this fake relationship, so I feel a lot more comfortable now.
"Tiara, I've been thinking." Lycoris says to me, as we wait for the station to open. Only a couple of minutes now. "Would you like to start a career alliance?"
"Err...sure? What is it?" I don't know what that is...
"Oh, sorry...I forget that it's technically slang." Lycoris giggles to himself. "It's the alliance between the inner district tributes every year. Normally...1, 2 and 4? Forgive me if I'm wrong, I haven't touched up on my games knowledge in a while."
Ohhhh...that'll be a great idea because they're always the fan favourites and they normally do better than usual. "So will we like...control the Cornucopia and that?"
Lycoris nods. "Yes. It'll definitely benefit us a lot. We'll be able to take hold of the arena and...I'm sure the audience will love us. They'll love you even more than they already will."
I nod, blushing slightly with my usual laugh. "Yeah! We should definitely do it. Do we need some more, like, people to join though?"
He nods again. "Mmh...that's why I've been talking to everyone. I haven't offered the proposition yet but...I think by giving everyone a good first impression of me, they'll be more willing to join."
I know that's a lie, as I heard him flirting. But I don't question it as I don't want to start any drama yet. I don't care really, as he doesn't actually love me…
The station finally opens up and we can walk in. It's like that tardis thing? It looks like a small grey box on the outside but it's a lot bigger on the inside. There's about ten different lanes, each one with multiple targets spread about on the walls. There's also a shimmery field in front. That's probably a forcefield that we can't go through.
An official shows us the proper stance to start off with and how to grip the knife properly, as well as a bunch of other safety tips. We're giving a selection of different knives, so I just pick a smaller blade that's easy to hold.
"Don't be scared." Lycoris whispers to me as he watches. My body is relaxed, my right foot is in front and I'm standing straight. I take a deep breath, before twisting my arm and doing a spinning throw. I miss entirely, the knife clashing into the wall and dropping onto the floor. "It was a good first attempt."
"It was shit." I laugh, looking at it disappear. I try again a couple of times (maybe 10?) and only two hit the target, though none of them hit the rings. I laugh again at how bad of a career I am, but I'm sure I'll improve.
Lycoris is much better at it. While he starts off uncertain, most of his throws actually land on the target. He makes it look so easy and he's so confident. And he looks gorgeous as he does it...I giggle a little bit more.
We finish off and step away from the lanes. On the end is Willow, who's looking kind of tired. I didn't really see how she did, but looking at her expression, it probably isn't too good either. We sit against the wall next to her, equally as tired of throwing knives.
"Hi...Willow!" I smile, realising I haven't spoken to her much. I think we talked at the party but she was boring me. I don't really want her in the alliance but if Lycoris does, I'm not sure if I can go against him. From what I can tell, she's at least been putting the effort in so far though. Her fashion show presentation was perfect! "How's training so far?"
"Good, thanks. It's only just started though, so we'll have to see if that changes." Willow shows a smile, as she twists her hands around.
Lycoris smiles too. We're all smiling. Too much smiling in my opinion, coming from the person who smiles all the time. "I'm sure it'll remain just as good for you. How did you find knife throwing?"
Willow shrugs. "Fine, really."
"Good. I'm sure you'd have no problem picking it up." Lycoris smiles. I can see his eyes gleam and twinkle as he pats himself on the back. Willow looks a little bit put off, but...I guess it was a nice compliment? I feel a twinge of jealousy though. Like a sort of jealousy where I want to stab both of them and completely cut them out of my life. "Would you like to practice some more with us?"
So that's what we do. We continue for a bit and I improve slightly. At least I hit near the targets most of the time. It seems like as soon as we start, we finish, which I'm happy about. I just want to get the fuck away of both of them for a while.
"Willow...I think you're very talented at this." Lycoris starts.
"Really?" Willow says, as she places the knives down. I feel like her patience is wearing thin...except it's not? Like she doesn't seem irritated. Maybe I'm just thinking about how I'd act in her circumstances. "I was quite mediocre."
I shrug. "That's still better than like...Nefeli. You did well."
Willow mutters thanks. "You definitely have the talent to fit into our alliance…" Lycoris starts.
"Was this whole thing just to get me to join your alliance?" Willow cuts him off, laughing in disbelief. "Is that why you're acting so fake around me?"
But before any of us can answer, she takes another step back. "I don't want to be in your 'alliance'. Thanks for the offer though."
Willow storms out of the room, teleporting back to the actual training centre. Wow, now isn't that just great? That failed terribly! And this is meant to be our strong suit.
Lycoris swears loudly as soon as she leaves, insulting her not so kindly. That's a different side to him that I've never really seen. Lycoris looks disgusted, his nose twitching. The normal calm and elusive Lycoris is no longer here. I think I kind of like it. "What a fucking bitch."
I shrug. Why did she deny it? Something must have been off putting about us, and I'm not sure whether it was Lycoris or me…
"Calm down. There's still another like...ten tributes!" I then laugh, to try to tell him that I'm not being too serious. I don't want to offend him.
Lycoris frowns. He picks up a knife, before putting it back down. "Right…there's plenty of fish in the sea for us to catch."
He sure is confident...a bit too confident? I wish I could have as much confidence as he does. I don't want to worry so much about my image and the thoughts of others when I'm talking to new people. I can't keep shrugging it off with an awkward laugh all my life.
"Sorry about my…rudeness." Lycoris laughs as if it was nothing. I shrug, not caring too much. We all have moments like that, right? I think it's cool that he can show his true feelings without fear of judgement from others.
"That's fine." I smile, trying to be sweet and supportive still. "So like where do we go next then?"
Dae Frazier
Suada District
Before we enter any of the stations, Auberon and I grab all the other people at the party who played the never have I ever game with us. Thankfully everybody agrees to stay back for a minute, just so we can have a quick talk before we head out.
"Err...my apologies for gathering everybody here and taking some of your precious time but I have a very important...offering…" Auberon starts once the six of us are sitting around on one of the tables.
"You don't have to be so proper." I laugh at him and how he's struggling to string his sentences together. Just speak like Auberon normally would.
Auberon nods. "Yeah, true! Well I have been thinking!"
"For the first time?" Rowan jokes to a few sniggers. He says it a tinier bit louder than he meant to, I think.
Auberon shrugs. He seems to be crackling under the pressure of having everybody stare at him, as he's turned red. "M-maybe? I think a lot. I think I daydream more though! That still counts as thinking! Sometimes I think I have nightmare daydreams but they aren't really a thing, are they?"
We've gone off topic already.
"That sounds terrifying." Osiris shakes his hands a little, not sounding too impressed.
"Yeah! You don't want to randomly think about all your teeth falling out, do you? Do you?" Auberon emphasises. Most people look confused, but I sort of get what he's saying!
He shrugs, but I shake my head. "I wouldn't! I've never really struggled with nightmares before…how do you get them?"
"Well, the main cause of nightmares is stress or anxiety. You must live a peaceful life." Grati helpfully tells me! She's so wise!
But what she says is true. I've never really gone through much stress before...it's kind of a foreign feeling. I'm so grateful that I've had such a good childhood, but I can't wear protection pads all my life.
I do admit that parts of the games stress me out though! Such as walking down the catwalk earlier! But that ended up turning out really well, so my fears were just irrational and pointless. I guess it's sort of a lesson though, to teach me to deal with such fears? I'm sure I'm going to face much worse in the arena, so I'll have to quickly grow prepared for the new found feeling.
"Can we get back on topic?" Rowan asks respectfully and we nod.
"Err...would you like to form an alliance or at the very least stick together for training?" Auberon rushes through.
Osiris straight away shakes his head. "Nah, sorry. I'd rather keep to myself! I don't need anyone else weighing me down."
That...wasn't the most polite way to put it, but it's fine. I get the feeling. "Well, I for one, would love to join!"
Auberon blushes again. "Thanks...err...anyone else?"
Miri frowns, looking quite sorrowful. "Sorry...I've sort of got a thing going on already. But the offer is really tempting!"
That's what Karrie said to us last night and she didn't dance with us. I assume it's her being a good person and she's trying not to hurt our feelings. But I'd rather her be honest. I'm not the best at reading people or understanding social cues at this point, but I'm learning! I've got a lot of growing to do!
Grati nods too. "Yeah...I also don't think big alliances are too smart either. Sorry."
Ok...so three people have denied but I have accepted? The optics aren't looking too good here.
"It's fine!" I smile. I still feel alright so there's nothing to worry about. "Don't worry about apologising."
We turn to Rowan, who is staring blankly. I can't read his expression when he doesn't have one! His mouth turns to a smile...which is good! "Sure, I'll join."
Yay, there's three of us now! A trio is a perfect number needed for an alliance, methinks. "Sorry again." Miri says slowly, in a higher pitch. I assume that's guilt.
"Really, it's fine! The Victor's are going to win the games!" Auberon proudly declares.
"Victor's? Seriously?" Osiris laughs.
"Are we the Victor's?" I ask, confused.
Auberon looks at us confused. Like our questions are stupid? "Yeah...like, an alliance name!"
Rowan looks...hmm, I'd say that's disbelief. "But there can only be one Victor. We can't all be Victors."
"In our hearts we can!" Auberon hums to himself. I think it's a cute name actually, but maybe we should change it then. I feel as if we're cursing ourselves.
The other three disperse to do their own thing, while we head to the rope thing station, which is completely empty. Inside, the room is decorated like a forest, with branches and thick foliage poking out of the walls! I didn't know that was possible, but that's VR for you! Our footsteps crack on the dirty floor, as we walk over to the racks of different ropes.
We're kind of quiet as we learn how to do some of the simple knots, but I still appreciate it.
"This is really boring!" Auberon says with a lot of enthusiasm. How can he sound so happy if he's in a bored mood?
"Beats my job at the library." Rowan frowns as he drops yet another surgeon's knot into his quickly growing pile. I only have a handful while Auberon has two granny knots.
"You have a job? Why do you need a job?" I wonder. I thought he was rich…isn't everybody here rich?
Rowan sighs, as he drops all the ropes. "Me and my boyfriend need the extra pocket money."
I feel like questioning more as I'm still confused and things aren't adding up. "But, aren't your parents rich? How much money do they make?"
Rowan gives a dirty glare and stays silent. Oh! I quickly realise that I might be acting quite insensitive! How foolish of me to keep questioning like that.
We sit in silence after I mutter a small apology. Rowan doesn't seem to be too upset as he goes back to his prior mood, which still doesn't seem to be that positive but at least he's smiling!
I smile too as I finally have a good set of friends that I get along with! But I do feel a little awkward after. I never would have imagined that I'd feel like this a week ago though.
Osiris Casimir
Egeria District
There's complete silence. I unsheathe my katana, gripping the handle tightly to the point where it hurts my skin. It feels good to have this in my hand again, as I haven't been able to access my VR set in a few days. I take a deep breath, before taking a step forward.
I'm in an empty meadow, which stretches out as far as I can see. I had a wide variety of options for the world I could enter, but I chose this simple one to start off with. The fresh morning air makes me shiver as I trudge through the long grass knotting around my feet. Clouds cover the sky, giving me full vision.
Out of nowhere, a blank humanoid figure enters the world too. They're small and weak, with the stature of a twelve year old. The figure also has a katana, but mine is much more impressive. The odds are definitely stacked in my favour.
I wait for the figure to approach me, watching it's every move. It's slow and wobbly. It strikes at me and swings it's weapon but I easily step out of the way. It strikes again and I block it, causing the katanas to clang. The figure falls back slightly and I easily swing, knocking into it. It poofs into the dust…
I would have easily killed it if it was a real person. I smirk slightly, the first different expression to my serious nature before. Another figure spawns in, almost identical to the previous one though it's much faster. I don't have the time to rest or celebrate.
It's another easy kill as I dodge every move, easily predicting where they're about to swing. It's clear that this is meant to be easy as their reflexes are really slow and moves are really obvious. I go through another three figures with no problems, until two figures suddenly spawn in.
Both of them are small and weedy like the first one, but I have to defend myself from one while attacking another. But before they can attack me, I pull out the katana and jab it into me with full force. The room flashes red before I poof too, back into the training station.
I'm not worried about improving my skills with the katana yet (even though it's my best weapon.) I'm just assessing the VR station and slowly getting used to it. I don't need to go any further and display any of my other skills to the others yet.
"Woo! You go champ!" Nefeli sarcastically cheers, clapping. She was watching me the entire time. I should have been even flashier! Maybe for one of the fights I could have blindfolded myself. "You're not meant to kill yourself, genius."
"Woah! I never knew that." I smile, acting as if this is news to me. I stand next to her in the seats, which are rather uncomfortable and cold. "Shouldn't you be training instead of insulting my skills though?"
"I have been." Nefeli rolls her eyes. "But can't a girl take a break?"
I shrug. "There's no time for breaks here."
"Get back to training then, king." She mutters.
I feel like I can at least be open to Nefeli. If she was watching me, she should have seen how well I was doing. "Sure! I'm sure you can guide me a little seeing how better you are at training!" I smile, sensing her smugness.
"The only way I'd be better is if you fought while doing a handstand." Nefeli says, looking a bit annoyed. Maybe that wasn't the best thing to say.
"Well that can be my next challenge." I decide, excitedly. I think a lot of people would want to watch me fighting with my feet. If only it was possible.
We stand in silence. Nefeli decides to leave to do something she can actually do, but I don't follow her. I want to try out some other things and socialise with a few of the other people. I can't revolve my entire time training around her!
I wheel to the closest station. I can't use my legs for extensive periods of time as they get easily tired, but it beats not being able to walk at all. It's easier to travel smaller distances with my chair, but I'd rather use my legs when actually training. I have to build up my stamina.
So I go to...the water finding station, which is as entertaining as it sounds. But it's important in the grand scheme of things, so I guess I had to have come here at some point. It's empty, but that's fine. I'm not too worried about socialising here as I should be focusing on training and myself. I don't really need allies. And if I were to ally with someone it wouldn't be in a big alliance of six. I just need to find those one or two good people…shame they haven't really popped up yet.
Blu Saint-Germain
Virtus District
My plan was to lay as low as possible, but being placed into the District of strength almost destroyed this. I think a few of the others are expecting me to be a threat now...so I just have to start off by proving them wrong. They just need to see that I'm useless at most things.
So I'm standing at the archery station, looking directly ahead at the target. I don't plan on using a bow in the games as I'm better with one on one, closed ranged fighting. It'd be foolish for me to go out of my element unnecessarily.
I see Lycoris at the side, watching me intently. Honestly, he doesn't look like a threat to me either. He's a little bit above average size, with a slight muscle mass. In a fight, I could easily beat him, so I'm more worried about his other aspects. I watched him socialise with all the others, something that clearly comes natural to him. He's slimy and calculated and fake. If he does manage to succeed in winning the others over, I'll have no hope.
From what I can tell, he's also rich and very subservient to his role in the system. He's the type of guy I'd avoid as much as possible from home. He'd rat you out for looking at him funnily.
I draw the string backwards, letting the arrow fly. It doesn't make it far, falling just before the target. I show no reaction, instead just picking up another arrow. This time it hits the board, but on the outside of the ring. A couple more failed attempts later, Lycoris finally walks up to me.
"Hello there." Lycoris smiles. What does he want? Is he trying to assess me too? He wouldn't come up to me for absolutely no reason.
"Hey." I practically ignore him, nocking another arrow as he speaks.
"I couldn't help noticing…" Lycoris starts, taking a pause. "How much you've improved in such a short amount of time."
He's trying to suck up to me. Lycoris definitely wants something, though it may have not been as negative as I assumed at first. I don't need to panic as much now. "Barely. I wouldn't call hitting the board an improvement."
"It is. My arrows wouldn't even hit the halfway mark." Lycoris lies. I don't find his compliments endearing. They have no effect on me. They're not honest, they've been carefully chosen to persuade me. So I just have to shrug them off.
"You should practice some more." I decide, letting the arrow fly. I make sure it flies above the target, bouncing off the wall.
I turn to Lycoris, who clearly doesn't look too pleased. I'm not acting how he wants me too. I fumble through the arrow draw, picking one that's ill fitting arrowhead on purpose. Lycoris brews over his thoughts, before he speaks up again. "I should. But I'm much better at the other weapons. Want to see?"
"No, I'd like to practice with the bows, thanks." I smile, knocking it. I change my stance a little, to one I know is incorrect.
Lycoris's mouth twitches. "Well, the offer always stands."
"Thanks."
He watches me for a little bit longer. My third arrow after this actually hits the outer ring. I curse in my mind, but I'm able to pass it off as a lucky fluke, as the next shot is terrible. I land nowhere near the target.
He suddenly speaks up when I'm not expecting it. "Are you...averse to joining alliances?"
"Depends on which ones." I simply respond. I'm not planning on joining any, I just think this is a good opportunity to find out some more information. Who's in his alliance, what are their motives and why do they need me of all people?
"How about an alliance that'll seize control of the Cornucopia? Like the inner tribute ones we see every year." Lycoris asks.
So that's what he wants. Does that mean he still sees me as a threat, despite my pathetic showings so far? "I...I'm not sure. Why would you pick me?"
"You have the...necessary qualities needed for this alliance." Lycoris smiles. Is he just trying to complement me again or is he really saying what he's thinking? His previous actions make me think it's the first one, but I'm still worried that it's the second one.
I pause. "Who else is in it?"
"Just Tiara and I at the moment." Lycoris smiles. So...it's rather empty right now. I assume they want at least a quarter of the tributes, so around 3-4 members. Maybe they're just running low on members?
I think through all the possibilities, focusing on the worst ones. Could he be planning to watch over me and betray me? Am I that dangerous? Or does nobody want to ally with him? And why?
"I'll have to pass on that offer, sorry." I decide, trying to sound as polite as possible. I think I desperately need to leave this station and get away from Lycoris as quickly as I can.
Miri Sunburst
Suada District
It's hard to stay positive when I'm all by myself. I had to stay back at the plant identification station as it took me so long to remember all the basics. Willow and Gratiana made it look so easy as they finished it so early. I don't like being left out because of my shitty memory and I especially don't like feeling so...embarrassed by my skill.
But I can't sop around too much. I have to keep my act up, no matter how I'm feeling. That's just my life now. At least learning a simple weapon shouldn't be too hard. I don't have to remember tons of tiny details that are all so overwhelming and irrelevant. The few vital tips and tricks should be much easier to remember.
My fingers run over the kukri. It feels weird in my hands. This is an actual weapon, not a little toy. This curved weapon could easily kill if it weren't for the fact we're in a virtual world. For some reason, that kind of freaks me out.
Huh...maybe I should just think things through first. I can't be my camera self while using this or any other weapon, can I? In a fight, the only thing I should be focusing on is the fight, not on how I'm acting. Likewise with a lot of other things, like the survival side of the games. I think I'll have to show my real self in the arena, though I could frame it as an act? It did feel refreshing at the party the other night.
My thoughts start to disappear, as I twist the kukri into the featureless figure in front of me, hesitantly. I'm scared to see what happens next. But luckily the figure just...disappears. There's no blood, or screams or pain. The same should happen when I'm fighting with another tribute then. Or it could happen to me…
I think it's best not to think about that either.
I leave the room, my curiosity satisfied. Inside each station is a screen, where you can watch the others in the same room. I see that Baxter is just wildly swinging his sword around, with no technique or form. He looks incredibly disgruntled and annoyed.
I linger around for a second, just watching him. My plan was to try to charm Osiris, but that went out of the window when he announced he didn't want allies. He seems like a fun guy and quite stupid, so I thought'd it be easy. Maybe I can try with Baxter instead? He looks just as thick in the head.
"Hey...I recognise you from somewhere…" I suddenly hear. Baxter left the room and is now standing in front of me. He still looks really grumpy, but my smile should cheer him up.
"Really? Where from?" I bat my eyelids slightly and whine a little. He doesn't smile though. He just has a look of complete confusion, as he looks up and his mouth hangs open a little.
"Oh fuck!" Baxter suddenly looks at me. "You tried to ask me out that one time!"
I don't remember that ever happening? I tried to ask out many rich guys years ago when I was trying to break into fame and climb the social ladder. I wouldn't be shocked if Baxter was one of them.
Sure, I was attempting to use him but he must have seen through my act if he denied me. I wonder why? "Yeah! I was probably like...a little bit drunk and crazy at the time."
"Yeah, yeah! I only said no because you tried to ask my friend out too! He called you a slag!" Baxter tells me. Hey, you should keep that a secret!
"I'm not a slag. That's so rude!" My face comforts into disgust, but I quickly go back to smiling. "I was...just sick of being lonely. You can relate, right?"
Baxter shakes his head. "Nah, I'm never fucking lonely." Ok then. I think of what to say next, but he thankfully speaks up before me. "Hey, do you want to see me stab a bunch of shit?"
Ok?
"Of course I would!"
He does look like he'd be good with a sword. He enters the world again, spawning as many opponents as possible, which probably isn't a smart idea. Baxter is definitely trying to impress me but I don't think it's going to work. Oh well, it should be a good character assessment.
He starts by swinging wildly again, knocking a few of the opponents out. I look at the computer to see that they're on one of the easier difficulties. They're clearly going easy on him and he's still not doing that well…I giggle a little at his pathetic showing.
Anyone can just swing, right? As he begins to mess up though, he attacks even harder and faster. He's constantly cursing and shouting and making rude remarks. Baxter looks...very scary when he's so angry? Remind me not to get on the wrong side of his rampage.
I don't think it'd be a smart idea for me to hang around with him. The audience will look down on him. I don't want Baxter to ruin my image or brand or scare away my fans. I'll just have to...leave before he exits his little world!
