Chapter 12: Mind Your Mentor
Night of July 4
District Twelve Suite
Nobody was more surprised than Billy was at how well he was picking up that night's lesson. Logan had promised to teach the group of kids that usually met on the rooftops how to use pressure points, and all of Billy's reading, all his practice putting his friends back together after accidents in the woods, all his time keeping Tommy from getting himself killed — it was finally paying off for him.
Of course, America was pretty pleased about Billy's newfound talent. It was clear she had been convinced he was entirely useless when it came to ... well, anything that they could actually count as defensive or offensive or related to fighting in any way. So it was nice to be good at something like this so that America would stop giving him a look like she was so incredibly put-upon trying to keep him alive — like she wasn't the one to volunteer for that job in the first place.
Still, Billy was feeling pretty good about himself as Logan walked him through another few pressure points, and he just nodded along — probably not even realizing that he was nodding in time with the upbeat music that Noh-Varr was playing in the background as the blue stylist hung out in the living room of District Twelve's suite to watch the show, with Jubilee leaned into him with her head on his lap and her feet up on the arm of the couch.
"Well, now it really is a party," Miles said as he ducked into the suite, looking around at the gathered group as he was already starting to bounce the slightest bit to the music on his way over. "We just need some snacks and sparkly lights…"
"Don't tempt them," America warned Miles, then pointed a threatening finger Noh and Jubilee's way. "Don't think about it."
"You act like I wasn't going to glitter bomb the hell out of you," Jubilee said with a grin.
"Do not glitter bomb me," America glared. "That stuff doesn't wash out, and I'm not going to my assessment tomorrow with glitter in my hair."
"Red glitter with blue and silver stars …"
America let out a little huff before she turned to point at Noh. "Control your line partner."
"That's simply not how this works," Noh replied easily.
Both Logan and Scott just laughed at America's insinuation that it was even possible. "At all," Logan agreed. "But feel free to try. I'm sure that won't start a war or anything."
"Yeah, good luck with that, seeing as she won't be able to get to me in a couple days anyway," America pointed out.
"I'll make sure to have Noh tuck some glitter into your parachute. You'll know it's yours from the star trail it leaves as it falls."
"You're going to get me caught by Careers," America countered, shaking her head.
"They're probably afraid of you," Jubilee said.
America had to smirk at that one and drew up her shoulders. "That's right they are."
"Why don't you focus on what we're doing now instead of worryin' about that crap," Logan muttered as he moved back to let Billy try out his pressure points on America for a little while. "Who wants to learn a new takedown?"
Miles shot his hand in the air. "Oooh, me first! Before Kamala gets here! Me!"
Logan waved Sam over to help. "It's a little complex — but if you can do the other ones, you can probably do this one too."
Sam just smirked as he crossed the room and stopped in front of Logan, shaking his head. "Is this what you've been doing the past two nights?" he asked Logan. "Jess said there was a party — didn't realize it was a literal thing."
"More or less," Logan replied. "Try not to flinch when I take you down. I don't want to break your neck."
"Comforting," Sam muttered. "Sure you should be teaching this? If these kids do it wrong…"
"For the smaller ones. If they do it wrong, it'll still hurt you like hell."
Sam glanced over at where Miles was practically bouncing in place and had to let out a sigh. If there was anything he could do to help his incredibly young tribute… "Fine."
When Logan explained to the gathered smaller kids how to do the move, Sam just stared at Logan and shook his head. "That is not a real move."
"Yes it is," Logan countered. "And it works." But Sam — and Scott — were both looking like they just flat didn't buy it.
By that time, though, the rest of the little group had arrived to watch the show, and Miles was ready to burst with excitement and making little 'go on' motions with both hands at the pair of victors.
"Okay," Logan said. "Demo. Watch carefully." He took a quick step toward Sam and grabbed his arm with a twist, and in a couple quick movements, he'd yanked Sam down by his head, using his legs and keeping his hands free to stop Sam from fighting back — had he not been knocked senseless by the takedown. "Works best on much taller opponents."
From the ground, Sam just blinked up at Logan for a moment before he simply started to laugh. "Well. I was wrong."
"Told ja," Logan said as he offered Sam a hand up.
"Me next!" Miles called out, his hand shooting up to volunteer. "Right? I called it!"
Sam glanced over at Logan and just had to shake his head with a little smile. "Well, you are here to learn," he told the excited kid, which just got Miles to break out into a huge grin at the prospect of tossing his mentor.
Logan made his way over to help Miles, showing him exactly how to climb Sam fast and where to put the pressure on to flip him to the ground. They went over it until both Sam and Miles were ready, and then he simply stepped back and crossed his arms.
It wasn't the smooth takedown that Miles had been hoping for, and Sam obviously winced when he hit the ground. Miles covered his mouth with both hands, eyes wide, but Sam was quick to reassure his tribute. "That was really close," he said. "Close enough to count in the arena, anyway."
"Are you okay?" Miles asked through the cracks in his fingers, and Sam just nodded and pushed himself back to his feet.
"Fine as ever — want to try that again?"
Miles nodded, though he looked nervous about hurting his mentor again. But — after a few quiet suggestions from Logan — he tried the takedown again, this time much smoother. Sam positively grinned from the floor as Miles went immediately into a whoop of celebration, punching the air excitedly as he spun around to face the others. "Did you see that?"
"Nice work," Logan muttered before he turned to the next eager student.
Since Sam was the tallest victor available, he found himself on the receiving end of several takedown attempts from the smallest of the group — though Peter Quill arrived after a while and gave him a break. But he didn't mind in the least when he saw the huge grins on the youngest kids' faces as they went through the moves Logan showed them, clearly excited to have something that they could actually use when, in their regular training, Sam knew they were getting the brush off for the most part because of their age and total lack of experience. Not every trainer in the Capitol was like Danny Rand, who at least tried with every kid, even if he taught like a tall person.
"Got any tips for tall people?" America asked with a crooked smile. She was at best medium height, but of the gathered group, she was actually on the tall end and seemed to be enjoying it.
"Don't get in the little guy's way," Logan shot right back.
"Real helpful," she countered.
"Rand is actually pretty good for general knowledge," Jessica said. "So if you learned anything from him — you're probably fine."
"But that's not fair," Kamala said with her lower lip out a bit. "We get to learn all this cool stuff, and — and what about Mr. Super Tall over here?" She pointed at Scott in particular, who looked like he wanted to be left out of this argument.
"Hey — I don't even know half of this stuff," Jess said with her hands up.
"Same stuff applies to taller people," Logan promised. "Just don't have to do as much climbing to get there."
Kamala nodded thoughtfully before she called out to Scott, "Come on, then! You gotta try this — it's actually really fun!"
"That's alright," Scott said, shaking his head. "I worked with Rand yesterday and today—"
Kamala put her hands on her hips. "This is so much cooler, mister," she informed him, sticking her finger out at him. "Come on."
Scott looked between Kamala and the other kids for a moment, clearly not wanting to get involved but also completely unable to say no to the thirteen-year-old with her hands on her hips in front of him. "Fine." He let out all his breath and crossed the span to stand with Logan and Sam and turned to Logan. "Can you walk me through it without the climbing part?" he had to ask, a bit of a smirk on.
"Sure," Logan said with a little smirk of his own as he started to take him through the steps and explaining only for Scott as to exactly how the angles worked in his favor before he stepped back and let him decide how to start.
Scott had nodded through the whole explanation before he tried the move on Sam, surprised for only a moment when it worked and Sam hit the ground exactly as Logan had explained it before he started to smirk quietly.
Logan's expression didn't betray anything. "Best first try so far … keep going."
"Sure I'm not tying up your test dummy?" Scott couldn't help but smirk as he helped Sam back to his feet.
"You got anywhere better to be, Sam?" Logan asked with a smirk. "Any big parties or dates you're sorely missin?"
"I'm good here," Sam said, returning the smirk as he got back into position so Scott could throw him again. "S'pposed to be mentoring anyway, right?"
"Go ahead, Scott," Kamala called out with an encouraging grin, which of course, just meant Scott had to do the move again.
"Wouldja look at that," America muttered to Clara, bumping shoulders with her as she tipped her head Scott and Sam's way. "He listens to the tiny one more than you," she teased.
"And yet, I am not insulted," Clara replied with her arms crossed.
"Well, he also listens to you more than the other tiny one," America pointed out, this time gesturing at Logan with a huge smirk on.
"Well he's just an idiot for not listening to that one," Clara said. "Doesn't know what he's missing out on."
America smirked even wider. "Well, he's not wearing your rose-colored glasses," she teased.
"He still hasn't been properly introduced to my brother, so…. He's living in denial."
"Which one?" America asked with a little chuckle.
"Which brother?" Clara asked with a smirk.
"No — which one of these two idiots is in denial? Because they both seem to be deep in it to me," America laughed.
"Oh. The tall skinny one for some reasons, and the little one for others. The big one thinks the little one is a flake and the little one thinks the big one hates him. Still … unproven."
"Your district is a circus, Clara," America chuckled. "Honestly."
"You know, it has its moments?" she agreed. "Refined crazy. You know how I got my brother to back off, right? The reason he's not sticking his big nose into this?"
"I just assumed you hit him. It's very satisfying, and everyone should try it," America laughed.
"Satisfying, but that rarely does the trick long-term," she pointed out. "I just told him if he got in the middle of things or tried to screw up what I was doing, I'd step off my platform before it starts."
America turned her whole body to face Clara, the shock obvious. "What?"
"You have to make an impact with him," Clara defended. "Speak to him in a language he understands."
"You wouldn't really, though, would you?" America asked.
"You know … the tribe back home talks about spirit animals? And you know what I think mine is? A bee. Because those little bees, when they sting you — it hurts. A lot. But they die to cause you that hurt. Yes. I am that spiteful."
America stared at Clara for a moment before she simply had to shake her head, torn between laughter and disbelief. "I can't decide if you're just crazy — or if I want to kiss you right now."
"Part of the Seven charm," she said with a cocky smirk.
"Clearly." America shook her head again before she almost couldn't help but add, "Of course, if I went for you, there'd be comparisons to last year's romance, right, lover boy?" She grinned shamelessly Logan's way.
"Except this one might actually exist," Logan shot back. "More believable anyhow."
"And the players are cuter, too," America agreed, fluffing her hair to toss over her shoulder.
"Lies," Logan said, shaking his head and turning his back to her. "Delusional crazy chick."
The group of kids kept right up with their practice, going through takedowns and pressure points as well as reviewing some of what they had learned in the previous two nights. They were all occupied with their partners and practice when there was a knock at the door, and Logan was closest to it — though he didn't know who it could be, considering all the kids were there as well as the other three victors who had been interested in watching the circus. He almost wouldn't be surprised if it was Charlie checking in — that seemed like a move he'd pull.
Logan looked over to the kids and called out for them to stop before he made his way over to see who it was, and even Noh turned the music down before he opened the door to find the skinny little redhead from One.
"You lost?" Logan asked with a little frown, blocking her from just walking through the door.
"No. I was just on the roof when I heard the music," she said with a small smile. "It sounded like fun."
"Invite-only."
She frowned at that and kept trying to look past him. "But this isn't even your floor."
"Also not your damn business."
"What's so wrong about wanting to relax and party with the other kids?" she asked openly.
"Sound like you just left your party; you should go find them."
"I think I'd like this party better," she countered. "Better company."
"Be that as it may? Leave."
She held his gaze for a long moment with a deep-seated frown before she let out a huff and turned to head to the elevator — and Logan waited until she was in it before he turned back in to the party.
"Who was there?" Billy asked, genuinely curious as to who would be visiting his district's suite this late.
"No one that wanted to be friendly," Logan answered as he shut the door and turned back to them. "Just a nosy Career."
"Ooh, which one? Because actually, some of them aren't so bad this year," Miles said with a grin.
"Yes, they are," Logan said with a scowl. "You just believe their crap. And it doesn't matter which one it was."
"Yeah, chico, just stay away from all of them," America advised.
"Trevor's not so bad though," Miles defended. "He's crazy, but he's the hilarious kind of crazy. I mean, you should hear him narrate some of the goings on in training!"
"The tech guy's kid? No," Logan said, shaking his head. "He's just like his father. Calculating."
"Well then what about the girl from Two? She seemed friendly enough when she was talking to Scott," Billy pointed out. "And it's not like there's not a precedent for friendly Twos."
"The model?" Sam asked, shaking his head a little bit. "At least she's not from the Academy."
"Yeah, but she's not as friendly as the one that kissed you, huh, Scott?" Kamala asked with a little giggle as she bumped Scott with her hip, and he looked like he would like her to please stop.
"The one that what?" Logan asked, with a bit of a look of shock as he spun to face Scott. "When?"
Scott let out a sigh as he glanced Kamala's way with only half a glare. "Yesterday at the knives station."
"And …"
"And she really isn't that bad," Scott muttered, though he wasn't meeting Logan's gaze — or Clara's, for that matter. "She's not from the Academy either."
Logan shook his head and waved him off with one hand. "Don't buy it. If that's the one I think it is, she's trouble walking — and she'll take you down in a heartbeat, given the chance."
"I'd like to think I'm not that easy of a target," Scott grumbled.
"I'd like to think so too," Logan agreed. "And I said given the chance. I didn't say you were just walkin' around with a bullseye on you."
"Nope, just a 'kiss me' sign," Kamala giggled.
"That's just about as bad," Sam pointed out. "It's rare for an actual romance to start in the games and not end with a knife in the back."
"Or other crap," Billy muttered as America just nodded beside him.
"I'm just teasing," Kamala said, shaking her head as she lightly punched Scott in the arm.
"Yeah, but we're not," Jessica said. "Don't trust pretty girls from Career districts."
"What about pretty girls from outliers?" America called out with a horrible, sloppy grin.
"Then it all depends on who it is," Logan called back.
"Oh, always trust the pretty girls from Six," Kamala said with a smile. "Especially the little ones. We're irresistible, right, Scott?"
"Oh yeah," Scott said, smirking her way as she beamed at him.
"Don't worry," Kamala added Logan's way. "I won't let him get taken in by any pretty girls besides me." She tossed her hair over her shoulder and giggled.
"I'm sure," Logan said with an eyebrow raised Scott's way. "That's probably about enough for tonight anyhow. Your escorts are going to flip out if you go into assessments looking like hell tomorrow." He looked toward Scott and Clara. "Moira will anyhow."
"Not to mention your stylists," America said with a smirk and leaned over to high-five Jubilee.
"No, no," Jubilee said. "I'm fine with battle-ready. Sets an image in the mind."
"Ooh, I like that too," America agreed, redirecting to her own stylist. "Noh, make sure when you're starting a line with her tonight you take notes on battle-ready."
"He's got no paper when they're working on their line," Logan muttered her way. "It's all body paint and glitter."
"Then after," she muttered back with a little twinkle to her gaze.
"You are never going to let that die, are you?" Noh asked with a look of longsuffering painted on his features.
"Nope!" America shook her head.
"It gives her life," Logan told Noh. "That's what she's telling you."
"Yep. You're stuck with it 'til the day I die — and then I expect Logan here to carry on my work for me in my name," America agreed.
"I'll do what I can. My schedule's pretty full with takin' the Mickey outta Quill."
"You'll just have to reschedule once he's married," America said philosophically.
"Oh no. It's just gonna get worse once he's married," Logan promised with a smirk. "Someone's gotta tip off the press to the green bean count down."
"That's never gonna happen," Quill said with a sharp glare Logan's way.
"Like you have a say."
"He'd have your nose," America called out to Quill, who just gave her a 'why' sort of look.
Logan smirked. "And his mother's snarl."
"Good night, Logan. Have fun with your tributes," Quill said pointedly as he spun on his heel and headed for the door.
Logan turned to America with a look of false concern. "Too much?"
"No, no," she assured him, laughing quietly. "Too much would have been twins."
Logan just chuckled at her and tipped his chin toward Scott and Clara. "Come on, we should go be officially where we're supposed to."
