A Different Kind of Training || Aage & Mona
“I could ask you the same thing. Aage wants me to help train someone. Don’t know why he asked me, but who am I to say no?”
Rona smiled slightly, wondering what kind of name Aage was. “He probably asked you because you’re so amazing!” She was only half joking. Mouse seemed to be a good foot soldier, from what she had heard from Winter. Mouse was also really patient, a great trait for training someone. Rona was proud of him. Training was a big responsibility.
“What’s in the bag?”
Following his gaze, Rona cursed inwardly. She hadn’t gotten around to telling him that she was going to start training today since one, she hadn’t seen much of him recently, and two, she didn’t know how to tell him without him freaking out. “Oh, just some clothes,” she said casually. “I was thinking about working out today. I didn’t want to wear sweaty clothes home.” That wasn’t a lie. She was going to work out. And she didn’t want to go home sweaty. At least he would be busy with helping that Aage guy train that other trainee. He wouldn’t be able to fuss over her if he had to focus on someone else.
Rona decided she might as well tell him. There wasn’t much he could do about it now. “I’m- I’m actually training today.” She started out shakily, but she lifted her chin and stared straight into Mouse’s eyes, her voice getting stronger with each word. “I’m supposed to start training with a man today.”
"He probably asked you because you’re so amazing!"
Mouse couldn't help but smile. "Clearly," he said with a self-deprecating eye roll. "I'm actually kind of nervous about this. I'm glad you're here." He felt good when Rona was around. She inspired him to be calm and hopeful, to imagine a life after the dust settled and the rebellion was no longer necessary. She'd become part of the reason why he fought, but she was also a light at the end of the tunnel that could mean happiness when all the fighting was over.
He nodded at her response to his question, but he sensed something was wrong, a conflict just beneath the surface. "I’m- I’m actually training today." [..] “I’m supposed to start training with a man today.” Mouse tensed up, his eyebrows knitting together. "Do you know who with?" he asked, a sharpness to his voice that he tried to shake off. He should have a talk with the trainers to make sure they didn't do anything too dangerous with Rona. He knew, logically, that she was a part of this battle the same as he was but he didn't have to like the idea of her being in the middle of it.
She was, though. She was well-known in the Capitol, famous, and god if anyone found out she'd be a target practically overnight. Mouse swallowed his suddenly rising fears and tried to keep his expression still. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" he asked her.






