Chapter 11 Tris POV
We head back to the cafeteria and I find Christina again. I ask her to start gathering the rest of the Dauntless leaders and have them meet us somewhere private.
"There is a conference room that'll work. I know where it is" Four provides. He explains to Christina where it is so that she can find it and also give anyone else who hasn't been there the directions. Four suggests that we head up now so that we can get paper and pencils set out for everyone to take notes at the big meeting. It doesn't take long for Christina to come in bringing 6 others with her. Four indicates to me that this is everyone we should be expecting. I don't recognize any of them.
For a moment I am a little surprised not to see Peter. He has had a pretty good track record of always being close to any scent of power. I make a mental note to find out where the little weasel is. Better to know where he is so that I know from what direction to expect potential damage or treachery. I wonder if I can bargain for Providence or O'hare to take him. I imagine only Providence would manage to keep him happy enough to stay put. I cut this thought short as I notice the wall at the head of the table. It has the Dauntless manifesto painted on the wall. I have been wanting a chance to read it since initiation. As I read each line for the first time I find myself agreeing wholeheartedly as I did when Max first told us the line he used in his speech. I remember my dream of wanting to see Dauntless the way it should be under this manifesto. I also recall how badly I wanted to belong, having to hide my Divergence and how desperately I wanted to fit in. I search my inner thoughts and re-read the manifesto and wonder if allowing Divergence into the open changes where I want to live and realize, no, Tobias and I can probably be happy here if we can make this faction the way it should be. It hits me then that the best way to do this is to be in some kind of position in power I internally roll my eyes at the idea and Johanna's words "Great leaders don't seek power, they're called by necessity." I think back to my conversation with Tobias about how badly I do not want it but as I look at the manifesto painted on the wall in this room I can't help but feel a desire to help my chosen faction be better. I still feel too young and unqualified. I still feel the desire to just get to experience a normal life, but I am starting to understand what she means about being called to power.
I read the manifesto over and over as the room fills. I see the line "We believe in shouting for those who can only whisper, in defending those who cannot defend themselves" and think of how hard I am working for the factionless. They certainly can shout and defend themselves as they have proven but I feel as though that is one thing we used to have in common with Abnegation. I don't have to shout to be heard any more. It seems people are willing to listen to what I have to say. I still don't understand why but it seems kind of silly to waste such an ability that I can use to help Chicago rebuild and do better.
I turn my attention to the group of people in front of me. Everyone is looking to me expectantly. I try hard to keep me annoyance off of my face at being put in this position again and straighten my posture. It is getting easier to school my features and to talk to people. Making decisions isn't any easier though.
"I really don't want to have to say too many things twice so for the moment I would like to start you all brainstorming and set out a plan for a meeting between the factions." I state with as much authority as I can muster and hope it doesn't come out as bratty as it feels. They all just continue to look at me. When no one argues or even gives pushy body language, surprise causes my brain to falter. At the silent urging of one of the older people across the table I continue. "I understand you heard a bit about O'Hare and Providence." They all nod. "I have a final meeting with them in one week." They appear shocked and there are a few whispers.
I look to one person who merely states "That's not much time, What exactly are we supposed to accomplish in that week?"
"I have asked that they give up the experiment, their ability to interfere and monitor us and to leave us in peace. It appears that should be doable but we need to focus on solving this war between the factions and factionless. We need to get our house in order and worry about the external threat. I have dealt with most of the external threat but I want to eliminate the potential for future threats." I say.
They all look at me with approval.
"I would like to ask for volunteers to go to each faction and let them know about the time and place of the next large meeting. I also want to ask each of you to start brainstorming some ideas. We will only settle this war if we do better for the Factionless. I have some things in the works to improve their living situation, but I need someone with a better understanding of our economy and point system to start working out how to set something in place for them they will also need their own faction name. I promise I can give you more details later as to how that will work but I would rather we brainstorm this with the other factions with all of the information."
Two people offer to go to Erudite, two to Amity, Christina and another to Candor, and a pair to Abnegation. I realize that including the Factionless is going to take time to get used to. I volunteer myself and Tobias to go get the Factionless representatives. "With that settled, I suggest that we use the auditorium where we do the choosing ceremony. It should fit everyone well enough and feel like neutral ground." They all nod. I look at the clock and say, shall we go let everyone know, come back for lunch then have the meeting just after lunch time?" No one argues, they just nod and begin to rise.
When the room empties except for Tobias and Christina, I turn to Tobias and say what I'm thinking. "Well that went far too easy for me to feel good about it."
He gives only his tiny smile and I realize with Christina in the room he is in Four-mode. Christina is the one who speaks up. "I think everyone is sick of fighting. We just want our old normal back. I thought more of them would be bothering us about what is outside the wall but they seem to trust us to tell them what they need to know and don't care too much outside of how it will affect the war and their immediate futures." I nod at her as it makes some sense. I decide for once I won't question a good thing. Worrying about it right now won't help me deal with it any better in a couple of hours I just need to focus on the next meeting with the faction representatives but first the impending meeting with Evelyn. With that thought, Christina's words make even more sense. I turn my attention back to Four and say "Shall we go see your mother now?" He nods and we make our way out of the conference room and to the train in silence. Christina joins us on the train and we part at our respective destinations. I once again manage to not poke at the good thing when she stays quiet. I would worry if it weren't clear that she is just letting us have peace and quiet. If we get a dinner break from the later meeting I will make sure to sit with her and let her talk my ear off. Four and I make our way through the Factionless sector and head to Evelyn's quarters.