It all started when out of the blue, Chancellor Griffin knocked on the door of Bellamy's single dorm that he had to share with his sister.

Before this day he had some encounters with the Princess of the ark only a few times, and none of them were particularly fond memories of his. And he had left each encounter feeling the exact same thing - every damn time – that he'll never come to understand her agenda.

This chancellor was famous for her unconventional methods and general flexibility towards the rules of exodus charter. Though it's not to say that she hadn't floated people in her time as chancellor. There was a particular case of stolen medicine where she had to float the accused but Bellamy particularly remembers that case, because contrary to the norm, the accused was given a week's time with his family and was allowed to see his daughter get better before he was floated. This was unprecedented in the history of the ark and had earned the chancellor Bellamy's respect.

Anyway, coming back to the present moment, Bellamy finds himself in a unusual situation where royalty has graced his humble (overstatement) abode, and he says as much: "Are you lost?"

"Clarke?", a voice sounds behind him and he turns to find his sister looking at his visitor curiously.

"You know her, O?"

Clarke smiles at her fondly "hey Octavia, how are you doing?"

"Surviving." Octavia replies with the same warmth, "Are you here because you missed the last chess session? Man you are hardcore."

"It's a chess class. And no, I'm actually here to talk to your brother."

Bellamy who had been looking between the two women in bafflement looked up at this "me? What does the Princess want with me?"

Clarke didn't even bat an eyelash at the nickname but his sister hissed out a 'bell'

"Are you going to let me in then?" Clarke asks raising an eyebrow, her hip cocked, hands folded on across her chest.

"Who can say no to your highness?"

If Clarke was perturbed by his constant mocking she didn't show it. She entered his living quarters looking around as if inspecting it for hidden traps. Bellamy took in the sight – Clarke looked odd standing in his space - not like she didn't belong but more like she belonged too much. Any space she entered became hers – it was unnerving.

Clarke had been the youngest Chancellor in the history of the ark, becoming one at a young age of 28. In her campaign she hadn't promised much ; just that if she were to be instated she would treat everyone fairly and equally. Considering she was already famous among the common masses as a caring healer and her being one of the upper elites, she had won with a landslide.

Bellamy shook himself out of his thoughts "So what can I do for you today, Your Majesty."

"You can stop mocking her." Octavia piped in from behind her. Clarke turned to give her a grateful smile and Bellamy contained himself so as not to smile at the scene.

When she turned to face him the smile was gone and was replaced by a smirk, "You can accept my offer of becoming a councilman." She said in the same bored tone as someone would use while saying 'I want to eat a fruit'.

Bellamy sputtered. "What?"

Clarke cocked her head, "Did I stutter?"

The insolence brought Bellamy back to earth (metaphorically), "With all due respect," Clarke and Octavia snorted and Bellamy ignored them, "Chancellor how do you propose I do that?"

"I thought I was clear, I ask you to become one and you accept my offer."

"I mean to say," Bellamy said with difficulty pinching the bridge of his nose, "how does a janitor with a felon – dead – mother and an illegal sister become a councilman. Aren't there laws against that."

"Ah!" Clarke nodded in understanding, "The law prohibits you from entering the elections, you are not going to be entering elections."

"Then how -?" Octavia started while Bellamy remained impassive having an inkling what she was suggesting and not liking it.

"Every Chancellor gets to appoint one councilman or woman at his or her appointment, I hadn't appointed anyone to the post when I became one so I have a due and as it happens I need a comrade now so I am cashing my I.O.U., by appointing you as a councilman."

Octavia whistled, "that's one heck of an I.O.U.!"

Bellamy had to agree, that was some broken shit. For a moment he considered the offer, to be able to afford better living quarters for him and Octavia, better rations, better life even. But then he came back to reality and realized that nothing was free. So this offer clearly had some hidden agenda behind it.
Bellamy crossed his arms and gave his best impression of an unimpressed look, "So what's the catch?"

Clarke shrugged bending over a stool to pick up his old battered copy of The Iliad, "No catch, there's just an agenda I've been trying to get passed in the council and it seems I need an ally."

"So you want me to be a puppet just giving my vote to whatever agenda you have."

Clarke gave a feral grin which made her look like a smirking lion, "Believe me Mr. Blake if I wanted a puppet I would have gone to practically anyone beside you. I've come to you because I believe you would be interested in seeing my agenda pass." There was a pause where they stared each other down and then she spoke again, "so if you have no more issues do I consider the proposal accepted?"

Bellamy thought about it and then he asked the question that had been on his mind since he had heard the proposal, "Why me? You don't even know me enough to make those assumptions."

Clarke smiled, a real smile small and knowing and damn him if his breath didn't catch, "I know you enough, you forget that I have known Octavia for some time now and all she has said about you leads me to believe that you are a good man. As for the qualities required for a councilman you are a union rep. You have the support of most of your people and even those who might not like you respect you. If you were allowed to run for the council seat from your district you would definitely win. I do my homework Mr. Blake, do you accept my proposal now?"

Bellamy ran a hand through his hair, a nervous habit, and asked, "can you give me some time to think?"

Clarke nodded looking down at her watch (which Bellamy noticed did not belong on a woman's wrist but still suited her so), "Octavia missed her chess lesson so I have time for a match but then I would require an answer."

Bellamy nodded he knew Octavia had improved a lot since she started having her lessons so he was certain that he would have enough time to think this through.
Clarke turned to Octavia who had been listening on their conversation and had already done taken out her chess set that Bellamy had made for her last birthday.
Bellamy turned away, considering the offer seriously. On one hand it would really improve his life if he were to accept, on the other hand could he really trust Clarke Griffin?

For all the 'homework' she had done on him she still didn't know him what if he disagreed with her agenda what will she do then kick him off the council do something worse? It all came down to what kind of person she was. As Bellamy was thinking this he had inadvertently started watching Clarke and Octavia play. While watching them he came to know certain things about her, having made up his mind he said, "Okay I accept your offer."

Clarke turned to smile at him, "thank you. I look forward to a harmonious relationship." Turning to the board she moves a piece, "Checkmate."

Bellamy suddenly feels like he has walked into a trap.

Cross posted from AO3