"This will be your new home for the next while" Alexis smirked as she spoke slowly to Octavia, concentrating on making sure her words were clear enough. She was not used to speaking for all of the Trikru had made an effort to communicate with her in her chosen language which was sign language. Octavia gave her a slight head tilt, a small smile crinkled at the corner of her lips as she glanced at the girl from head to toe, silently appreciating her form before snapping back up to meet dark eyes; not feeling the slight bit of shame at being caught but she had tempered herself for she had only just met Alexis and she wanted to fit in with this culture seamlessly as possible. Alexis's hand pulled back the hessian clothed entrance and gestured for Octavia to step inside her new home.
Octavia stepped around the woman to step into the big tent and her eyes fell on the two beds; glancing at Alexis in question, a soft chuckle fell from the deaf woman's lips and she moved over to one of the beds and sat down, beckoning Octavia to sit down opposite of her. "Le- I mean the Heda asked me to be your… I don't know the words." Alexis looked confused for a moment trying to find the right word to describe what she meant and lifted her hands to sign it, hoping that Octavia would understand. "Roommates" Her smile widening when the younger Blake's eyes lit up in understanding and she continued to sign slowly, encouraging Octavia's receptive skills. "Would you be okay with that?"
"You're like that, aren't you? One of those who..." Octavia subtly pointed to her own ears and then to Alexis's hands, not seeing the look on Alexis's face. "I mean, not being able to hear" Octavia added when she realised she might have offended Alexis.
Alexis took a deep breath to calm herself and looked at Octavia, realising that from what Clarke had mentioned to her, that the SkaiKru didn't understand their culture, that they had looked down on deaf people and she was aware of Octavia's background and she had defended Clarke but she was not going to let the comment pass her by.
She was not used to speaking with her voice, but she had to try for the girl she was about to room with. "I am deaf… Deafness is not a disease, it is partly who I am. It doesn't make me |me|, I make me. I know of your people and their ways, and I know you don't think the same way but be more careful with your words." Her lips pulled together thinly as she let herself calm slightly, looking at Octavia's features. "I'm sorry but we faced prejudice from the other clans and now we hear of your people who are far worse. There are things that you are not aware of, of even your own. Clarke will tell you in her own time."
The other girl was stunned into silence by the speech from the Grounder, she hadn't realised what her words would mean to Alexis, and even an innocent statement was hurtful for the deaf woman. She reached out to place a hand on Alexis's knee, squeezing it softly and she leant forward slightly. "I apologise, I didn't mean to cause any offence with my words. I… I will be more careful. Will you teach me more about your culture and what you did with your hands?"
An innocent look crossed Alexis's face as she gave Octavia a flirtatious smirk and placed her hand over the taller brunette's and lifted her free hand to sign. "I think I can show you just how good I am with my hands" Laughing when all she got in response was a confused look from the other girl. "Of course I can teach you, we can even have our first lesson soon."
Shy smiles were shared between them, subtle squeezing of their hands. Oh, Alexis spelt trouble for Octavia… but Octavia did throw caution to the wind. "You're on."
"What's going to happen to Murphy?"
Lexa refrained from rolling her eyes at the interruption from the blonde who took it upon herself and banged on the war table, making everyone's eyes look at Clarke. Secretly the Heda was amused at the spirit that Clarke was showing, and proud that Clarke was beginning to be confident within herself after only a few days at the camp. In comparison how they had first met, Clarke was shy and meek; but those stormy blue eyes held so much to the blonde; the eyes that Lexa had found herself falling deeper into. A brief nod to her companions had them disperse while she concentrated her attention to the spirited blonde.
"Well that was a nice entrance Clarke, Hello to you too. Your signing is improving, I see." Lexa held herself back from smirking at her own words, turning to lean against the table to face Clarke properly so she could let the deaf girl see her face and hands clearly. "Murphy is in our cells, he will be going through a certain… ritual for what he did to you."
A scowl was apparent across Clarke's features, she didn't want this to happen, this was not the way to deal with things. Life had to be more than this, it had to not always end up in death. "Please, don't. I forgive him for what he did. A second chance should be given to him. Even if it's as your prisoner. He deserves to live, people do." Clarke looked up at Lexa, with hope shining in her eyes that Lexa would listen to her. The blonde had thought about that day over and over since she was brought back with Lexa, yes Murphy did try to kill her; but there was that niggling feeling in her gut that told her to plead her case to Lexa. She saw death amongst the stars, she didn't need to see the ground bleed with his life. "Please" She spoke softly.
That one word was all it took to make Lexa's walls crumble, the plea in those ocean blue eyes; made Lexa stumble. She was the Heda, Heda did not give in to anything, especially not from a blue eyed blonde that was standing in front of her. She already knew that she would spare Murphy's life all because she was asked to. Lexa would have to bear the consequences from Anya when the General found out. Over the course of the few days, Lexa had felt the pull towards Clarke beginning to strengthen but she would not let herself get close, she couldn't afford to… not after Costia. She closed her eyes momentarily, her head tilting downwards as if she was giving into defeat. "Fine, but he stays as our prisoner." Lexa murmured under her breath, knowing that the blonde wouldn't be able to lipread. "What are you doing to me Klark." She could feel the tears pricking the back of her eyes and she willed them away before facing her companion. "Would you like to come along hunting with us? I will teach you to hunt" At least this way Lexa wouldn't get distracted by the blonde and have her attention solely on the task, she hoped.
A demure smile crossed the blonde's lips as she accepted that Murphy was not going to be subjected to his death and that she was being invited out by Lexa, she stepped even closer to pull the taller brunette into an embrace and Clarke breathed in Lexa's comforting scent of cinnamon, the earth. She could feel the Heda tense underneath her hands and there was a beat… or two before she felt Lexa's arms around the blonde's waist in a loose hold. The deaf girl turned her head slightly, and felt the shiver trembling down Lexa's back as her breath hit the shell of Lexa's ear, whispering. "Thank you Lexa"
The taller brunette pulled back to regard the girl in her arms, she couldn't let herself fall for Clarke not after what happened to Costia, she couldn't let that happen to the blonde not when she was… Lexa closed her eyes as she forced herself to pull away from her new friend; it would have been too easy just to lean in to press her lips against thinner ones. Shaking her head to clear her mind of those thoughts, they were just friends and Clarke had enough on her plate as it was. Their arms were still around one another, sharing little shy looks before Clarke spoke up to break the clear tension in the air between them. "When do we go?" Lexa pulled away from the sky girl's warmth reluctantly and put a bit of distance between them. "Laurien is scouting the area and she will send someone when it's clear for us, you would like her." Her lips quirked up at the very thought of her friend, Laurien was very outspoken at times and when she with Alexis… they spelt trouble for the Heda for they had guessed that she liked Clarke more than she should and now here she was; inviting Clarke along. She had to brace herself for teasing that was sure to come from her two close friends. "If you go to Alexis and tell her to get you some clothes for the hunting, she will supply you with them."
Clarke smiled brightly, the smile reaching her eyes; the excitement showing in her features at the prospect of learning something new and at the hands of Lexa. Taking a few steps back towards the exit. "I'll be ready, whenever you are" Clarke turned to leave the tent, forcing herself not to look back at the stunned brunette.
Clarke Griffin was going to be the death of Heda Lexa.
The sounds of their footsteps against the metal plane of the flooring resounded in the corridor, harmonious with their heavy breaths. Panic surging through both of their bodies as they hurried towards the small ship Raven had set up. "Hurry Raven, they're coming after you, they can't know I was behind this." Abby whispered harshly to the other girl, trying to catch her breath. "Marcus is distracting them for the moment." She pulled in another breath, holding her side as she ran; trying to get rid of the pained stitch.
Raven slowed down her pace when she looked around at Abby, holding out her hand to help the older woman up. "You won't get caught, not if you follow my instructions, Jaha needs to be stopped. You and Marcus need to stop him, I over heard him… jesus christ, he's going to kill all those people." Raven's heart beat faster at the very thought of her own people dying, her priority right now was to get to the ground and look for this so called Mount Weather. Her trusted colleague gave her a heads up that there might still be techonology, outdated but might still be valuable to get the Ark down to the ground. The oxygen was starting to dwindle and tensions were high on the council, Abby and Marcus approached Raven and they had planned this escapade right down to the minute but they hadn't factored in the last minute shift change and this was why they had to change their plans on the spot and get Raven out of the station sooner than was planned. Luckily Raven had already finished with the ship at that point, it just frustrated her that the plan was destroyed in a matter of moments and she hadn't the time to say goodbye to her mother.
Abby pulled herself together long enough to keep moving, she could hear the distant running and shouting. Spurring herself on to push her legs to run faster until she saw the ship a few yards ahead, her hand reaching into one of the lockers to grab a space suit and a helmet; almost throwing it at Raven. "Tell Clarke I love her… please?" Abby was bogged down with guilt and regret after turning in her own husband and not doing anything when Clarke was taken away, she was weak; she didn't stand up for her family. Now was her chance to redeem herself and help her people to get to the ground |alive.| "I'll look after your mother Raven." She stroked the young girl's hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead. "Be safe, find Clarke" Abby gently ushered Raven into the ship, watching as the girl readied the ship. With a slow nod, she stepped out of the area so that she wouldn't get sucked out into space with the ship; pressing a button to close the door between them. At the girl's assurance that she was ready, she pressed another button and watched the ship disappear from her sight. Abby didn't believe in God but she sure hoped there was someone watching over Raven and ensured that she found her way to her estranged daughter.
The shouting and footsteps got closer and she peeled herself away from the door, sneaking into one of the air ducts like Raven had instructed her to make her own way back to her own quarters as silently as she could, crouching in the small suffocating space until she reached the hallway that led to her quarters, checking that the coast was clear. Hurried footsteps took her instead of her room, heartbeat racing as she slunk against the door.
"Did she make it?" A low voice asked, full of concern as a hand crept around Abby's waist in a protective hold. Her head falling against his shoulder as she nodded tiredly. "She's gone, I can only hope she will Clarke… alive I might add" She felt a kiss pressed against her temple from Marcus's lips. He was her saving grace throughout this year, he came to her one night while Clarke was in her cell and they had grew closer since that night. They were… something more than just friends but they had to keep their relationship under wraps for they were always in the spotlight and scrutinised by Jaha.
"Reyes is a strong girl and as your daughter. They will find each other well. I promise you, Abby." He looked down at her with love shining in his eyes and he captured her lips with his own in a sweet gentle kiss.
He could only hope for Abby's sake that Clarke would be found alive and well.
Shoulders hunched over as she tried to calm herself from her crying, taking deep breaths as she stayed sitting on the edge of her cot, elbows on her knees as she covered her face. The youngest Blake had waited until Alexis was out of the tent when Clarke requested her help and she was safely on her own. She needed the time to herself to fall into her own darkness, to break… even if it was just for a moment. Hot tears blurring her vision as she let the events of the past few days take her over. Octavia had harboured a secret, a secret that not even her brother knew about; she was born with a penis. Octavia had kept it well hidden, wearing loose shirts to cover the obvious bulge that was buried in her pants, and now her insecurity was coming out at the news at sharing a tent with another woman… an attractive one nonetheless finally hit her. The young brunette had loathed herself for years, unable to connect with the foreign part of her body. At first she was excited at the prospect of sharing a tent with Alexis but as she had landed her gaze on the other brunette's ass as she retreated out of the tent and her cock began to twitch; awakening her to the reality of her body… |Fuck|, how was she to hide this? The floodgates opened, pummeling her with emotions from being torn away from her and Bell's mother, watching as the woman slowly suffocated to death in the cold dead of space.
Octavia was shoved into a metal coffin, waiting on her impending death with her brother; shoved out into space towards Earth with the sole intention of seeing if it was survivable. She was amongst others that the Ark government considered criminals… Nerves had wrought her insides, she was leaving the place that she had known all her life but it was not home, it never was. Her home was with Bellamy and here she was, running from her own people who would sooner spit on her than help her. There was a sense of belonging amongst the Trikru but she didn't belong just yet. Panic set in within the younger girl as her cock refused to obey her mind's demands to relax, her hands moving to cover her crotch as she willed her mind to calm down, but images of Alexis kept flashing into her mind defied her wishes and she let out a low whimper.
Some time later, a hand squeezed Octavia's shoulder in concern and another hand went under the upset brunette's chin to meet Alexis's concerned features. Her voice soft and low as she knelt in front of Octavia's hunched form. "Hey? What is wrong?" Seeing Octavia's tear stained cheeks, a part of her heart cracked at seeing the girl in pain. When there was no answer, Alexis pulled on her new friend's hands to hold them to convey comfort when she saw it, the tent in the taller girl's pants; the source of her distress. That was something she had not expected to see when she came back into their shared quarters, she had heard of women being born with extra appendages but had never encountered one but she did not judge people for what they had, having been judged herself for her disability; she did not wish that on others.
She crooned softly to Octavia and made the girl shuffle back onto the bed fully so she could lay beside her, kicking her muddied boots onto the ground. Once they were settled, darker skinned fingers brushed away the tears that were on Octavia's cheeks and spoke quietly and with care. "You are beautiful Octavia" Alexis moved her hand down to cover the brunette's stomach carefully, ready to jerk her hand back at the slightest sign of discomfort from the other girl. "You are what you are, what you have does not define you, it just makes you more special." Her words were of encouragement, and of support. She hated the Skaikru with each passing moment, they did not seem to show themselves in a good light with Clarke and Octavia thus far and she hated that the girl in her arms was going through turmoil and she had guessed by the reaction that Octavia thought she was not going to be accepted by Alexis which was far from the truth. "It's going to be okay. I promise you" She signed the last part to emphasis her feelings. "You are safe here, please rest and I'll be here." She adjusted herself so that it was her that was laying back and Octavia was pressed up against her in a tight embrace. This was something new to Alexis, she had never felt a pull that was this strong before and it scared her in a way, but she resolved to protect this girl.
This girl who fell from the sky and to her.
"There's a deer over there, to your left." Laurien signed to Lexa subtly out of the deer's eyesight for any movement was sure to spook the animal. She crept backwards to sidestep to another tree whilst getting her bow and arrow ready to aim at its companion to her right, she was a capable and trusted hunter which was why Lexa had put her in charge of the hunting party. Lexa looked over at her long time friend and gave her a small nod as she readied her own spear, she could feel Clarke close behind her; watching on anxiously, and she could feel the light press of the blonde's fingers upon her back. She could not afford to let herself get distracted and miss out on this hunt, a hunt that would provide for TonDC and its' families. Breathing through her nose and she mentally counted to ten before letting the spear fly straight into the deer's jugular, the noise spooking the birds; making the blonde clench her fingers tighter into the brunette's armour. "It's okay, they just got scared from the noise" Lexa calmly explained with a soft smile, it was rare that she did smile but with Clarke, it was coming more easier and often. Seeing Clarke's look of understanding, she chuckled lightly and she looked over to see Laurien standing over her deer with a triumphant grin, Lexa rolled her eyes at her long time friend and signed to her friend. "Collect those two and I will get you back at TonDC. I have to show Clarke the waterfall"
"I'm sure you do." Laurien laughed softly at Clarke's confused look and shook her head slightly, letting Clarke know it was just a small inside joke, beckoning the rest of the party to collect their rewards. "Have fun!" The blonde shot a wink at the Heda before she broke away from Lexa and Clarke to head back to the village. Lexa shrugged helplessly at the blonde next to her and started to move in the opposite direction, her hand on Clarke's lower back to lead her. "What is a waterfall and why are we going to see it?" Lexa felt her insides wrench at the thought of Clarke and the others having missed out on the incredible sight that the Earth had to offer, but this way… she would get to see the blonde's expression when she saw it for the first time and she wouldn't miss it for the world. "Just wait and see, it's a place I go to when I… need to be myself at times; away from the noise. You and Anya are the only ones who know about this place, not even Alexis and Laurien knows." Clarke looked over in surprise at Lexa, at the fact that she was allowed this small bit of treasure that belonged only to the Heda. This was something that she felt proud of, that she felt closer to Lexa because of this, she leaned closer into Lexa's touch and she looked into verdant eyes. Clarke could feel that there was something between them, it was undeniable at this point; she felt it from when she was in the pit and she was feeling it now.
Lexa leant in slightly, this was not the right time or place but she was too drawn not to resist the call of Clarke's lips, her eyes closed momentarily and she could feel the blonde's breath ghosting against her lips, just one inch closer and she would have everything that she had ever dreamt of since Clarke arrived into the village. A roar in the distance broke her out of her thoughts and sheer panic ran through her body when she realised what it was… |Pauna|, she met a confused blue gaze and all she could say was…
"|RUN!|"