So I haven't written much fanficiton recently, and I really, really, really should be working on my previously started work but... inspiration is a fickle thing! And I can't stay away from this pairing! I love them so much, they're absolutely adorable so OF COURSE I HAVE TO WRITE SOMETHING FOR THEM! But for the longest time I had no idea what to write about... until I decided to focus on Lincoln's artwork. I'd love to detail more how and why he fell in love with Octavia, I find it very interesting so I'll also weave in that into my little interconnected one shots...
I hope any Linctavia fans enjoy this little addition to the fandom!
Disclaimer: I do not own The 100... but whoever does better make sure it gets the seasons it deserves!
Introduction
Lead and chalk were my primary mediums. I searched endless hours for the pencils that trailed the colors of the rainbows. They were hard to find in the wreck of earth, just as an artist was hard to find amidst the blood and gore. Perhaps it was my artistic tendencies that set me apart from my clan, separating me from their ways. There was a disconnect that drove me from my village to the solace of the forest.
In the survive or die it had always just been me, me and my artwork. In the soft cream pages of my book, those dark figures and shape mapped a trail of my life, capturing for eternity what I could never forget.
It had always been that way, and I had assumed it would always be that way.
More than alarmed, I was frustrated that the rabbit I had been skinning now lay against the dirt, the brown specks digging deep into the soft flesh. Rabbit meat was sweet, good for eating, but not when dirt and moss and who knew what else riddled the meat.
With a growl I lifted myself to hands and knees, feeling the last tremors run through my body. I glanced swiftly about, up into the foliage of the trees. A distant bird tweeted out a happy call, and the forest once more slipped back into its trance of tranquility.
But that was not an earthquake. The shining orange, red object had plummeted to earth, so close I had heard the snapping and cracking off branches. I stood, deciding then to investigate what that object had been. I left the rabbit forsaken beside the log, food for the predators. With light steps I ran swiftly through the woods, slipping back and forth between the trees, uncertain just what I would find.
Through the trees I caught glimpses of the thing that had fallen from the sky, a large bulky black thing, metal from the looks of it. Painted on its sides were markings and numbers I had never before seen. All seemed quite still, but here the forest held its breath and so did I. I crouched low behind a tree, tugging up my mouth covering to hide the faint sound of my breaths.
Nothing happened for a long moment, my fingers clenched around the bark of the tree and I glanced about. Vaguely I was aware of another across the space, also watching. He was aware of me too, but we stayed silent, uncertain.
There was a great noise, a groaning shudder and I quickly pressed myself low to the ground, peering out as I watched in stunned silence. My hand went to the sword at me side, and I took a calming breath to prepare for… whatever.
In a screen of mist a part of the object began to lower, and landed with a thud that reverberated through my fingers. Across the glade I could see my nameless comrade shift, crawling up the tree to a better vantage point. The smoke cleared, drifting away into the sweet air of late autumn afternoon.
And before me stood a band of wide eyed, paled skinned children.
They all stood still, looking as stunned as I was to see them.
Slowly one broke from the group, a girl with dark hair and pale eyes. She stepped hesitantly forward, eyes closing and taking in a deep breath of the heathy smell of ferns. Then in a burst she breathed it all out, expression one of pure delight. She continued forward as the others lingered back, steps clanking against the metal walkway. Then she was at the edge, and she did a little jump, boots landing on the earth and bending the leaf of a fern. Still she seemed in shock, and her shock amused me.
A smile stretched across her face as she took a few more shuffling paces forward. She raised her hand and took in a deep breath, smile turning wider and greater.
"WE'RE BACK BITCHES!"
Her scream cut through the uncertain silence, loud and triumphant. I was surprised to understand her words, and beneath the mouth covering I smirked.
What arrogance.
But at the call the others within the metal beast cheered, streaming out in rushed steps as the first girl once again pumped her fist into the air.
They scattered and I suddenly felt vulnerable in my hiding spot. I had not expected so many, I quickly tried to count, but they kept shifting and moving, intertwining with each other in a way that made counting impossible. But there were many, perhaps a units worth, if not more. I hunkered low, covering myself with the foliage of the ground, careful to remain still and quite. They did not notice, the few that strayed near my hiding spot were too drunk on wonder to look to closely at anything.
As the kids began to gather once more by their… falling star, and I decided then that it was a safe time for me to leave. I glanced at the trees and found that the other was still there, peering down at them with dangerous curiosity. I glanced back to the foreigners and found the dark haired girl, still smiling her brilliant smile and wonder just what she was so happy about. I forced myself to back up slowly, slipping away like a dark shadow from their sunny day.
I wanted nothing to do with them.
"I assume you know why you're here?" Anta asked and it was not a question to get wrong. I held her iron gaze, unwavering. I had not appreciated being forced from my caves, not this late, and not when I knew of whom it concerned.
"The Sky people." I provided finally, relenting. Anya's sharp face was drawn low in anger. By her side Tris glowered at me, a pesky thing she was. But her marks proved her, for her age she had quite a number. "I saw them descend."
"As did Conner. I would wish to hear your account now."
I paused a moment, considering how I could best describe the scene with as little words as possible. I knew there would be retaliation; I just needed to minimize it.
"I saw the falling star, and I heard it land, so I went to investigate. The object was made of metal, and one section came down and there were children. Too many to count, but I assume about a unit's worth. I retreated then, my position was too unsecured."
"Why did you not simply re-position?" She snapped, long fingers tapping against her hips.
"I found no need to remain, I had no orders."
Her hand was quick, slashing out with speed, nails digging against the flesh of my cheek. Droplets of blood slipped down my cheek, dribbling against my lips and I could taste the metallic blood.
"That is for not following them." She growled, then paused and curled her hand into a fist. "For now we will not attack, I want to full account on them, if they are a threat and what they could be capable of."
I reached up to smear away the blood welling in the fresh cuts.
"Lincoln."
Anya's sharp voice drew back my attention. She did not seem pleased, but then she rarely was.
"You will make up for your failings. I want you to scout these 'children'. That is now your job."
"Understood." I nodded, teeth grinding in frustration.
"Go then."
I left, snapping the flap of the tent sharply behind me. Nyko stood abruptly, swiftly drawing to my side as I stalked from the tent.
"That bad?" He questioned, seeing my dark gaze.
"I left the camp to find solace, and they keep dragging me back into their messes."
"You're useful." Nyko shrugged, but his words did little to ease my frustration. "Maybe if you weren't such a good artist? I could stop teaching you medicine if you'd like."
"Shut up." I growled and pushed past him, tramping through the underbrush. Behind me Nyko chuckled. I continued swiftly through the woods, thinking darkly that perhaps I'd get lucky and these sky children would soon be killed by wild beasts.
In the survive or die it had been only me and my art. My art was my life, and the book was a reflection of my very self. Despite my retreat from my village, the clan still held a metal hold of my life, but they could not control my art. And when my art reflected her, I barely knew how to react.
Because in the survive or die it had always been me. But now I wanted her.
And there we are! Until the next one... which will hopefully be sooner than later!
