A/N: This story is an ode to Jayenator565's story Princess Did What which was the inspiration for this little tale. Seriously, you should stop reading this and go read it. It is freaking hilarious!
This is gifted/dedicated to the Clexakru: Jayenator565 Lordofdeathn Vydanion, Mac_Aroni and Off2Polis You are all wonderful human beings.
A/N: This was supposed to be lots of funny and some smut. Instead it is a little funny and really smutty. I dunno if I should apologize or say you're welcome.
She sighed as she stood in front of the window looking out over the sluggish river. The glass in the window was cracked and bubbled, a testament to both durability and resilience. It was nothing short of a miracle that it had survived the bombs, but her view was hazy and warped from the glass, and she pressed her hand against the little bubbles. She idly traced them, smiling at the feel of the curves pressing into the calloused pads of her fingers. Glass was in short supply after the world had ended, and glass had become a symbol of status and even wealth, if there was such a thing in the new world.
She cocked her head when she heard the murmurs outside her door, the steady tapping of hurried feet down the hallways. Breakfast would be ready soon, and she turned from the window to finish dressing, pulling on the dull grey heavy, ripped and stitched jacket. She finished hooking it around her waist and then grabbed her leather boots, stomping her feet down hard into them, perhaps a little harder than necessary. She smirked and then took a deep, shaky breath. She was on a mission today, and she needed to hurry to the market.
She slipped outside the main door, barely managing to avoid Magda, who ran the Heda's household. Truth be told, she ran Heda also. She was allowed far more freedom than most in their dealings with Heda. Not many were able to slap Heda's hand with a wooden spoon and live to tell the tale. She chuckled remembering how Lexa had sulked while Magda waved her spoon in her face, effectively shooing her out of the kitchens. Octavia had made the grave error of laughing, and she had suffered the consequences in the training ring that afternoon. She had sported a black eye and various cuts and bruises for a solid week, but she had born each with pride; because Heda herself had a matching black eye.
Clarke smiled and pulled the heavy, scarred door shut behind her. She ambled down the cracked stone steps, impulsively jumping down the last two. She thought she heard a snort, and she turned quickly and smirked at the guard who tipped his head to her.
"Hai, Linus. All quiet?"
"Sha Skai Heda, all is quite. Headed to the market?"
"Sha, Linus." Clarke nodded, a small smile playing about her lips. She gave him a jaunty wave and beamed when he raised his hand to her. It had taken months for her to get the quiet guard to smile and then wave at her. Not that it could really be called a wave. It was more of a resigned gesture, and acknowledgement of her unbending tenacity. He was smart enough to not fight a losing battle.
"Skai Heda," she more than recognized that tone, and she came to an abrupt hault. She huffed and turned towards him, her good mood quickly evaporating. She crossed both arms over her chest, already knowing what he was going to say. She rolled her eyes at him.
"What?"
"Aren't you forgetting something?" He stared at her, trying to refrain from smiling as the blonde narrowed her eyes. She muttered something unintelligible under her breath. Since when had Linus become passive/aggressive? It was unlike the Trikru to not be blunt and to the point. She scowled harder when she realized that he had probably learned it from her. She glared at him to no avail. It was hard to intimidate a warrior who was literally twice her size, who could fit the top of her head in his palm.
"No, Linus, I'm not forgetting anything." She smiled as brightly as possible and then quickly turned on her heel, hoping to make a quick escape down the path, only to be interrupted by twin voices.
"Skai Heda."
"Skai Heda. We are ready."
She groaned, dropping her head and turned slowly to look at the warriors behind the voices. Kaiden. And with him his twin brother Aiden. Naturally. Where one went, so too went the other. She eyed them carefully, wanting to groan in frustration, but knowing it was probably useless to do so. It would only amuse Aiden.
She decided not to bother to fight it this morning. She knew she was lucky to only have to deal with two guards following her. Heda's orders. She waved the warriors to follow her, and she headed back down the path that would take her to the market.
The first blush of dawn was warming the sky in pinks and oranges, and she knew the vendors were already set up in the market. She was still getting used to all that Polis had to offer even after being here for three weeks. And she wasn't sure she had even seen all that the market had to offer. Every time she stepped foot in it, she was sure that the layout had changed that there were new vendors and new wares. It was a noisy, living, bustling center of activity in Polis, and it ebbed and flowed and wound its way through the city. It was here in the chaos of the market, that she had found a particular measure of peace, and she was anxious to immerse herself in the colorful, riotous bedlam.
She sauntered along, listening to the sounds up ahead. She cocked her head, smiling as she heard people talking loudly, bartering back and forth, the cries of children running about, birds cawing in the sky, and the squeals of what could only be pigs. She quickened her pace, and almost slammed into another body, so intent was she on getting to the market.
"Damn. Clarke. What's your hurry?"
"Oops. Sorry, O. Wasn't paying attention I guess." She gave the brunette a smile who smiled back at her and fell into step with her.
"That's dangerous, Clarke. You need to always be aware of your surroundings." Octavia kept stride with Clarke, her eyes ceaselessly moving, cataloguing each person, each sound as they approached the market. She wrapped one hand lightly around the dagger at her hip. It was always a little nerve-wracking first entering the chaotic market. It was loud and noisy, the air heavy with the smells of spices, cooking food, salty fish, day's old sweat, hanging slabs of freshly butchered meat, and the ever present smell of dust and dirt.
Clarke hesitated for a moment, catching Kaiden fanning out to her side from the corner of her eye. She liked the quiet young man. He was slim, not heavily built like so many of the Trikru. But he was incredibly fast with a blade, and was one of Heda's best archers. He was also one of the best tree climbers, and he had always been more than willing to scale a tree and pick nuts for Clarke while on hunting trips.
And where Kaiden was slightly shorter than the average warrior, Aiden was inches taller and huskier. His hair was short with small braids, tied off with clay buttons. Kaiden's hair was longer and fully braided, held back with a leather strips. Aiden winked at her, and Kaiden simply nodded in his quiet, thoughtful way. Truth be told, out of all of Heda's elite guards, these were two of her favorites. They were smart and strong, and Aiden was prone to at least smiling at her. Sometimes he even told her stories of the days when the Trikru first walked the earth after the bombs.
She turned her head slightly in the other direction and watched as Aiden casually sauntered around the first vendors, weaving his way between the stalls, his right hand gripping the short blade at his waist. He appeared to not be paying any attention to the ebb and flow of the market around him, but Clarke knew nothing had escaped his notice. He turned and faced the entrance, nodding to Clarke and Kaiden.
She stared at the large market in front of her, smiling brightly at the stalls of vendors lining narrow, twisting paths. The dirt was tamped down, and very little grass grew, just a few hearty blades that hadn't learned to give up yet. Down the hill, she could hear the creaking of boats tied on their moorings and the yelling of the fisherman making deals on the wharves.
She turned and smiled at Octavia, arching an eyebrow asking if she was ready. Octavia chuckled and together they stepped into the market, quickly being swallowed up by vendors stepping from their stalls, their arms filled with strings of garlic, bushels of onions, brightly dyed fabrics, wolf skins from the north, oranges from the south, jewelry from the west, steel blades from Polis; and the vendors never stopped; jostling each other in competition as they attempted to draw the attention of the women.
Kaiden followed closely behind and to the right, and Aiden took up position a few steps ahead of them to the left. Their eyes never stopped scanning, prodding at those who stumbled a little too close to the group.
Clarke nodded her head politely to the vendors but forged on ahead, sliding between bodies, ducking under overhanging tarps, and wiggling her way around corners. She was on a mission, as she pushed through the crowds, her eyes scanning for one particular shop. She finally found what she was looking for and ducked into the long ramshackle building.
It had been built before the bombs with large stones, but had since been patched in mud and straw, and propped up with logs. Vine crept through the cracks in the stones, pushing and cutting their way up the side of the building. It listed slightly to the side, and despite her original misgivings at walking into what appeared to be a death trap; it still stood the test of time. Mac, one of her fellow adventurers in the market, had assured her on more than one occasion that she had nothing to fear from the building. It had withstood the bombs, and it would withstand Clarke and her klutzy feet. That comment had earned him a hard slap on his bicep, to which he simply grinned unrepentantly at her. She chuckled at the memory, but quickly refocused her attention. She didn't have much time left.
She breathed in deeply as she stepped through the door, letting her eyes adjust to the low lighting. Several lanterns were hanging from the long beam that ran lengthwise down the middle of the building. There were three shops on each side of the building, each closed off from the other. She walked down to the last shop on the right and hesitated outside the door. She bit her lip nervously, and glanced back at Kaiden who was checking out each shop on the left and Aiden on the right, to make sure nothing or anyone unusual was lurking about.
She glanced at Octavia, wondering how she could get rid of her. "So, you can stay out here," she gestured lamely to the open space between the two rows of shop. "This will only take a minute, and I'm sure you will be bored."
"Excuse me?" Octavia crossed her arms over her chest, glowering at the blonde. "Did you really just try to get rid of me?" She snorted and let her arms drop, feeling more than a little irritated. She glanced at the shop, not understanding what was so special about it. It was small with one large window in front, with a plain wooden door to the right of it. She eyed the various goods in the window, her brows furrowing at the eclectic mix of well…junk. She thought a number of items might have been from before the war, but they appeared rusted, and some were definitely broken. She glanced up at the faded lettering on the window "Jay's Emporium."
She glanced back at Clarke, ready to give her the third-degree; but the blonde wouldn't look at her. Her mouth dropped open a little when she saw the flush climbing up the pale neck and blossoming across pale cheeks. She grinned wickedly. Oh this was too much.
"So…." She waited for Clarke to turn and look at her, but the blonde still refused. "Sooooooooo…" she laughed. "You gonna tell me why you are as red as a….um…what are they called again?"
Clarke stared blankly at Octavia for a moment. "What do you mean?"
Octavia huffed and waved her hands around a little, "You know what I mean. Those shell creatures that the Boat Clan catches…" She groaned when Clarke still looked at her uncomprehendingly. "Yeah…you boil them, and they turn bright red."
Octavia groaned when Clarke shook her head. "Come on, Clarke, you know what I mean! They have claw thingies that pinch you." She held up both hands and started imitating a pinching motion with her thumb and fingers, repeatedly holding them together. She waved her arms around gesticulating rapidly. "Clarke! You know what I mean?"
"Octavia kom Skaikru y Trikru, are you well?" Octavia froze in mid pinching motion and rolled her eyes up and to the side to see a concerned Kaiden looking expectantly at her.
Octavia swiveled her head around when she heard a muffled snort, and her eyes narrowed at the smirk on Clarke's face and the smile twitching along Aiden's mouth.
"Damnit, Clarke," she growled at her; and Clarke burst out laughing, not able to contain her glee anymore. Aiden looked away, in an effort to not laugh also, and Kaiden just shook his head at their antics.
"It is clear, Skai Heda."
"Thank you, Kaiden."
"I will take the front of the building, Kaiden you take the back. Just whistle when you are ready, Skai Heda."
Clarke nodded and reached for the door of the shop when Octavia grabbed her arm.
"You didn't answer my question, Clarke.
Clarke huffed in irritation, refusing to look at Octavia. "Lobsters. They are called lobsters, and no, I am not telling you why you can't come in."
"Well, you're shit out of luck, Clarke, 'cuz I'm not leaving." Octavia laughed again and jerked open the door, walking into the shop. She still held the door out behind her and looked at Clarke with a raised eyebrow, "Well? You coming?"
"Ugh," growled Clarke, throwing her hands up in the air. She stomped over to the door, ripping it out of Octavia's grasp, who only chuckled at her. Octavia was still laughing when Clarke stomped by her in a huff, but her laughter stopped almost immediately when the door closed behind her, and she finally turned her attention to the small shop.
Every nook and cranny was packed with items, many from before the war. She heard a faint buzzing sound, and she looked up, her eyes opening wide in wonder. She knew her mouth was probably hanging open a little, but she didn't care. There were things hanging from strings buzzing around in circles. She stepped closer, her neck craned all the way back as she stared. It took her a moment to recognize them, but she gasped out loud in delight.
"Planes, Clarke! Planes!" She laughed and pointed excitedly at the small, metal planes that continued to buzz and whir. Their paint was faded in chipped, and some had dents and scratches, but they were beautiful. She had only ever seen one picture of a plane, and it was nothing compared to the small toys weaving circles above her head.
Clarke looked up and laughed. "Yup. Planes. She also has some trains around here too."
"Trains!" Octavia practically squealed, her attention now torn from the planes. She grabbed Clarke's arms, barely refraining from shaking her "Oh gai! Where? Where, Clarke?!" She looked around excitedly, her gleaming eyes trying to soak it all in: china dolls with faded silk dresses; small shelves crammed with old, dusty books; tables filled with statues of horses and bears and other animals she had never seen before; a large contraption with two wheels and what looked like a very uncomfortable seat; and hundreds of more items she had yet to identify.
Clarke laughed and pushed Octavia's hands off her arms. She gestured over to the window, "I think it is set up over there."
Octavia turned excitedly, and then she heard it: a soft chug and hoot; and she covered the distance in a few strides, knocking over a few items in her haste. She threw herself down to her knees staring in awe at the small train that chugged its way around a railroad track. It was made of metal, and perhaps one time it had been black and red, but now it was mostly grey, as most of the paint had chipped off. It had a little dent in its side, and one of its cars was missing a wheel; but it was beautiful.
She felt her eyes fill with tears for a brief moment, remembering all those years ago when Bellamy had read to her from a book about trains. It was one of the few books available in the library on the Ark. Bellamy had brought it home one night and read it to her; and she had loved it. She had cried when Bellamy had returned it, but then one day he came home and presented her with a new book. Its binding was made of string, and the pages were cut uneven. The pictures weren't quite the same, but it was hers. She learned later that Bellamy had saved his rations for weeks and sold them on the underground market for pieces of paper, string, and little bits of paint. He had painstakingly copied every single word from the book, and painted every single picture, spending hours trying to get the detailing on the pictures correct. And he gave it to her for no reason, other than he loved her, and couldn't bear for her not to have something to call her own. She had treasured that little book, and she would hold it to her chest while she lay under the floor, imagining what it would be like to be a little blue train chugging her way up the hill, "I think I can; I can think I can; I think I can." She used to chant it to herself in her head when the walls closed in around her, and the air grew too thin under the floor.
She shook her head, wiping the tears from her eyes, and gingerly reached out and touched the train, smiling at the feel of the cool metal against her fingertips. She slouched low, her eyes almost level with the tracks, and she simply watched as it went around and around, chugging and tooting.
Clarke smiled and turned her attention back to the front of the store. She walked up to the broken counter leaning against it, trying to peer into the small back room. She knew she was back there, but she just shrugged; knowing Jay would come out when she was ready. She cast a quick look back at Octavia, relieved that she was absorbed in the train. She walked over to an old, dark armoire. At least that was what Jay called it. She opened it, smiling at the sight of the brightly colored clothes hanging neatly from pegs and racks. She bit her lip, stepping back and peering over at Octavia again; feeling a little more than relieved that she was still absorbed in the train.
"We meet again, Skai Clarke."
Clarke barely suppressed her yelp as she banged her head against the side of the open armoire door.
"Yeesh, Mac! You startled me!" Clarke rubbed her head, hoping a bump wouldn't form. "Stupid armoire," she muttered as she stepped back and turned to face the smiling young man. She rolled her eyes but smiled at the dark haired man with warm eyes.
Mac nodded, not bothering to suppress his mirth at the slightly scowling blonde. "Perhaps you should have been paying better attention, Skai Clarke. It isn't good to let an armoire get the drop on you." He gestured to the armoire, "Everyone knows how vicious they can be," he smirked at the blonde.
Clarke grumbled at the teasing but couldn't help but laugh, "Sha. I guess I'm no match for the mighty wood!" When Mac looked at her in confusion, Clarke gestured lamely in the air not sure how to explain herself, "I mean…eh…whatever."
Mac stared quietly for a moment at the girl. She was unusual, like all the Skaikru; but he liked her. They had met in the market soon after she had arrived in Polis, and it was he who had first brought her to Jay's.
"So…where is Jay?"
"What's wrong? Am I not enough for you, Clarke?" he teased quietly, laughing when she smacked him on the arm.
"Oh shush, Mac! Seriously where is Jay? I need to ask her something."
"I'm right here, Clarke."
Clarke yelped, jumping slightly in the air. She grabbed at her chest, cursing under her breath. "What the hell, Jay! What is it with you, Trikru? Seriously, give a girl some warning! I should put a bell on you!"
Jay smirked slightly, shaking her head at the Skai Girl. Wait a bell? "I don't think a bell would make you hear me, Clarke. You are still very loud when you walk."
"Hey," she muttered indignantly, "I'm getting better!" Jay stared at her in amusement. It was a well-known fact that a few days after arriving in Polis, Heda had taken her on a hunt, and not only had the Skai Girl managed to scare away all the game, but she had walked into a tree and cut her eyebrow. It had required three stitches from Nyko.
Heda had been completely flabbergasted, questioning how Clarke had managed to survive for weeks on her own in the woods all those months ago. Clarke had simply huffed at her, refusing to tell her that the reason she had walked into the tree was because she had been distracted by a very shapely bottom in tight leather hunting pants. But she had inadvertently told Jay while digging through Jay's treasures, and Jay had kept her secret, pretending that she hadn't understood when Clarke had blurted out her secret. She was rather proud of herself for not even telling Mac, who would have teased the Skai Girl mercilessly.
Jay simply nodded, choosing to ignore the blonde's eye roll. The girl was certainly strange. Different. She had created such a havoc in Polis upon her arrival, and the citizens hadn't quite known what to make of the girl who openly both smiled and glared at Heda whenever she chose. But she was intelligent and funny; and she liked to listen to Jay talk about her treasures; so Jay couldn't help but be pleased.
She waved Mac away, who ambled off mumbling something about going to see Aiden. She glanced over and behind Clarke, gesturing towards Octavia.
"Oh, that is Octavia," and Clarke knew she didn't need to continue as Jay nodded, having heard of the tales of the girl who lived under a floor, and became a great Trikru warrior.
"Did you want to buy or barter for something, Clarke?" Jay grasped the door of the armoire, leaning against it slightly, not invading Clarke's space, but still close enough to be a gentle reminder for Clarke to tell her what she wanted.
"Oh…um…yes." Clarke chewed on her lower lip nervously, trying desperately to fight the blush that was crawling up her cheeks. But she knew it was a losing battle. She took a deep breath. She could do this. It was no different than buying a sword or book in the market. Except that this meant something more than a book or sword. This was for Lexa, and she was still unsure of what Lexa's reaction would be.
She quieted her nerves and reached behind the clothes, and grasped the package, slowly drawing it out. It was heavily wrapped in parchment and twine, but she knew exactly what was in it. She had been curious about it before, and Jay had let her open the package and examine the items for herself. Yes, they were perfect. Exactly what she needed for the final steps of her plan.
Jay smiled knowingly. She had had a feeling that the blonde would be back for it; and she had kept it behind the counter; but when Mac had told her that the blonde was on her way to see her; she had placed it back in the armoire.
Jay gently took the package smiling softly, "A good choice, Skai Clarke."
Clarke blushed again and nodded her head. She followed Jay to the counter; reaching in to her pocket and pulling out two leather bags and setting them down with a clunk. "You said you were looking for these, and I finally found some. Traded a couple of fox pelts for them."
Jay smiled eagerly, her fingers trembling slightly as she opened one of the leather bags. She laughed and let the small glass balls fall out into her palm. They were all different colors and sizes, with bright swirls of color buried deep in the glass.
"Ah, Skai Clarke! These are perfect, but they are worth more than this," she gestured towards the package.
"Oh…well…that's ok. Just take them." Clarke put her hand on the package ready to take it and go, but Jay vehemently shook her head. "No, a deal is only honored when something of worth is traded for something of equal value." She stared thoughtfully around the room filled with her treasures, wondering what else she could offer; when her eyes landed on the brunette who was still kneeling in front of the train.
Jay put her hand on the package, "This," and she hefted the leather sack in her other hand, "for this," and she gestured with the sack towards Octavia, "and for that." She waited patiently for Clarke to accept the deal.
"Jay, I think that is too much."
"No. Your package and the train for the glass balls." She set the sack down and offered her arm to Clarke expectantly.
Clarke smiled and grasped Jay's arm in a warrior's grip. "Deal!" She grabbed the package, waved to Jay and head back to Octavia.
"Come on, O. Time to go."
"O. O!"
"Octavia Blake!"
Octavia finally managed to tear her wide eyes from the train and stare in confusion and then sadness at Clarke. "Oh. Right." She awkwardly scrambled to her feet, slightly appalled by the sad ache in her chest. She bit her lip, and then shook her shoulders back. She was a damn Trikru warrior and it was just a toy! Except she suddenly felt that familiar cold, longing in her chest that had been her constant companion under the floor.
Clarke smiled gently at her and reached out grabbing Octavia's satchel. She flipped open the top, and then grabbed the train. She pulled the top off and emptied out the water. She carefully wrapped it an old piece of cloth Jay had given her, and placed it in Octavia's bag.
"B-but…what are you doing, Clarke?" She stuttered in bewilderment as she watched Clarke quickly disassemble the tracks, wrapping each one and placing it in her satchel. She couldn't help but feel the burst of warmth in her chest though.
"It was part of the deal I made with Jay," she looked up into the younger girl's wide eyes. "It's for you, Octavia. It's yours."
Octavia raised her hands quickly, "I can't, Clarke."
"You can. And you will. I'm the Skai Heda, and I have so ordered it." Clarke flipped the top of the satchel down and patted the side. "Stop arguing. Come on, time to go." She gestured to Octavia to follow her, and she turned back around waving to Jay who returned her wave and then disappeared into the back room.
Octavia just shook her head and smiled, knowing better than to argue, and not really wanting to argue anyway. She smiled excitedly, patting the side of the bulging satchel. She couldn't wait to show Bellamy!
A/N: Thoughts?