Disclaimer: I do not own Divergent
Chapter 24
"Hey, Four?" I call lightly as I hold the hook on the wall.
"Yeah?" He replies over his shoulder, grunting as he drags my punching bag over, "By the way, why the hell is this so heavy?"
"Oh, you know, reinforced material and all that plus weights in the bag," I wave my hand around, "Do you think we need to give these kiddly-winklies a demonstration in sparring?"
Tobias eyes me warily, "With you?"
"Who else?"
"You're going to force me to, aren't you?" he scrubs a hand over his face, sighing.
"Yep. So, initiates! Four and I are known as the two 'prodigies' in Dauntless," I roll my eyes and hang quotation marks in the air, "And you get the delight of watching us spar!"
"More like watching me be beaten up," Tobias mutters, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Sorry, Four, did you say something?" I flash him a sickly-sweet smile.
"No."
"Good, now let's get started!"
Together, we stretch our muscles and ready ourselves for the upcoming fight.
"I'll try not to hurt you too much," I mutter.
He smiles weakly, "Try not to leave any lasting marks. Eric still has bruises from your 'demonstration'."
"No promises."
I close my eyes and take a breath. Adrenaline, as always, is useless in fights. It can potentially be fatal; tunnel vision, shakiness, and bad coordination are the least of it. Mess up your hits, and you could lose not only the fight but also your life.
"Do we need a counter?" I enquire.
"Get an initiate," he shrugs.
"Anna! Count down for us!"
The initiates, crowded in a circle around the sparring mat, part and form a pathway for Anna.
"Three, two, one, go!" she yells.
Well, that's my cue.
I shift into position, knees slightly bent. Balanced, I push off my back foot and catapult myself into a sprint. Just before I reach Tobias, I jump in the air and strike out with my arm. He barely dodges my punch, eyes wide. As I land, my bare feet squeak on the mat as I spin around in a crouch. I lash out my leg in a sweeping kick.
Once again, he manages to dodge, the breath of air next to his head an indicator of how close it is. He reaches out towards me, hand clenched tightly in a fist. I duck under his arm before springing out of the crouch with a roundhouse kick. Tobias manages to lift his arm and block my kick.
Bruise number one.
I end up in a crouch again. This fight isn't going as well as I'd like it to. But hey, what did I expect? He's also a prodigy.
Tobias suddenly attempts to kick me whilst I'm down, but I duck and grab his leg as he comes round. Using his motion, I pull hard and plant my fist into his stomach.
Bruise number two.
As we make contact, I raise my arm and hit him on the cheek.
Bruise number three.
With the force of my hits, he is flung to the floor. I wince as the air expels itself from his lungs. This is going to take a lot of apologies. He climbs shakily to his feet, touching his cheek tenderly. Suddenly, I lunge towards him and grab his shirt. From standing, I fall backwards into a roll, pulling Tobias on top of me. Using his momentum, I push him over my head, slamming his back onto the floor.
Surprisingly, he recovers quickly. Both of us scramble into a crouch. He attempts to sweep me off my feet but I jump over his leg and land behind him. I lash out my foot, connecting with his back and sending him sprawling.
I frown as he manages to get up one last time. His pain tolerance is amazing.
I guess we have to thank his darling father for that. I swear, I will kill that man!
I snap back to reality as he rushes towards me. He reaches me quickly, tossing punches at me at the speed of light. I circle round, evading and dancing from his punches. Gathering the last of my resolve, I duck under an overstretched fist before slamming up with a punch to his stomach.
That's one big bruise there.
He curls around my fist instantly. I grimace as I immediately withdraw my hand. Just before he can fall to the floor, I grab his arm and steady him.
"Sorry, Four," I wince as I help him regain his balance.
He straightens up, flashing a small smile, "Don't worry about it."
I leave his side, striding into the middle of the mat and catch the attention of the initiates. I can't decide if the shock and surprise on their faces are comical or... well, comical.
"And that," I flourish a bow, "is the end of today's session, transfers. You might wish to work on your moves in your free time - you will be fighting each other tomorrow."
As they file out of the room, Tobias approaches me with a slight look of worry.
"Based on what they've done, they do deserve to not have an extra lesson. But remember, Tris, that their results reflect on you too."
"I almost forgot," I bite the inside of my cheek.
"You could always offer extra lessons," he shrugs.
I bark a laugh, "That's not going to happen. I don't want to spend any more time with those brats as it is. They're hardly going to sign up to it as it is."
"True, that," he chuckles, wincing as he disturbs his bruises.
"Are you okay?" I ask in concern.
Standing in front of him, I trace around the bruise on his cheek. It had already formed, evidence of the force behind my hit.
"Sorry again," I grimace, "How's your stomach? I hit it pretty hard."
"I'll live. Later today, I'll go get that new Erudite serum. Apparently it heals bruises almost instantly. Anyway, it's not as bad as Eric had it last time he fought you, eh?"
"Don't tell him," I glance around the training room conspiratorially, "But you're better than him."
He winks, "I won't tell him."
"Better not," I mutter.
Hands linked, we wander into the dining hall. We're met with cups being banged on the tables and cheering from our 'audience'. I'm not sure why they're doing this, though.
"Tobias," I whisper, "What the hell is going on?"
"It's called cheering, Tris," he murmurs sardonically.
"You know what I mean," I snort, shaking my head at his antics.
"It's cause of your dare last night. Remember?"
My face flushes a dark red, heating my cheeks up until they feel like they're on fire. I flash a smile towards the crowd, grinning as the appreciation gets louder. I wave it away with a hand, shaking my head at their antics.
I gather my food, dragging Tobias along behind me.
Double chocolate muffin with coffee, here I come!
Once our trays are relatively full, we manoeuvre around the full dining hall to 'our table'. Y'know, the one in the corner that only we sit on. Surprising, right?
"Wait, Uriah, how long have you been here?" I raise my brows in surprise.
"Since I got hungry," he shrugs, grinning at me.
I look at him, utterly deadpan, "Well that explains a lot. Where are the girls?"
"Chrissy's instructing and the other's are practising I think."
Sitting down, Tobias and I start on our lunches.
"So, want to explain why Four has a hell of a lot of bruises?"
"Max," I call as I rap my knuckles on the door, "Open the bleeding door."
The door swings inwards, revealing Max. He smirks before stepping aside to let me in. The room is rather plain, just bare walls with no decorations. In the middle of the room is a large desk and two chairs, mostly taken up with heaps of paperwork.
"What did you want me here for?" I ask curiously as I seat myself.
"Right," he settles into the chair behind his desk, smiling at me as he rests his elbows on the armrests, "I want an update on the transfers; Christina and Uriah will be giving me one tomorrow."
"What do you want to know?"
"Just the usual. How they're getting on, how far through training you've gotten, approximate placements, and the top three students."
"The initiates are... irritating at best," I sigh, pulling a hand over my face, "They don't seem to know what to do with me. I've had the usual problems with them - a few troublemakers, some who aren't as skilled as the others, all the stuff. The majority of them, however, are hardworking.
"As for the training, we've covered knives and guns - with a little help from Eric - and we've covered the basics of fighting with a demonstration. They'll be paired up tomorrow and the day after that too."
"What about the placements?"
I lean back in the chair, my hands folded in my lap, "Most are around average. We have a few high risers, like Anna, but that's it. There aren't any incredibly weak initiates though."
He taps his lips with his fingers, "Doesn't sound too bad at all."
"It's not, to be honest," I reply, "But there were a few rocky patches with trust and all that malarky," I roll my eyes.
"Top three?"
"First is Anna, second is Rick, and third, through some kind of miracle, is Kaila. Though how she managed it, I don't know."
Max quirks his mouth, "And by that you mean...?"
"On the very first day, she screamed in the bathroom. You know why? Because she saw herself in the mirror," I can't hold back a snigger at the memory, "Now, however, she's pretty down to earth and not half bad at what we do here in Dauntless."
He raises his eyebrows, shaking his head as he chuckles.
"Anything else you wanted to know?"
"Yes," his face, always taken up with laughter lines and smiles is suspiciously serious, a smooth and blank expression resting upon his features.
I groan inwardly, "What's up?"
"What are you going to do after the transfers graduate?" Max leans forwards in his chair, viewing me over his clasped hands.
"I - " I pause, "I don't know."
"You don't have to decide anything immediately, but initiate training doesn't last forever, as I'm sure you know."
I frown, deep in thought. I mean, sure, I'm a leader. but that doesn't exactly leave me much to do.
"What do other leader's usually do?" I ask, head tilted to the side.
"They either take up a personal assignment or do something relating to the other factions," he replies easily.
The only thing I can think of at the moment is something to do with Abnegation. I swear I read about something regarding this when I was younger, I think.
"Oh!" I exclaim softly, "I knew I read about something. Max, are there Dauntless ambassadors?"
"Ambassadors?" he frowns, rubbing his chin briefly, "There hasn't been an ambassador in Dauntless since before I became Leader."
"Oh."
"But, I can see the use of having one. Especially one with your skills and past."
I keep silent, hoping that what he's saying means what I think it does.
"Tris, would you be willing to become an ambassador for Dauntless?"
"I would," I beam at Max.
"You do realise you would be dealing with all the factions?"
"Yep," I pop the 'p', "I have experience with them all as well. My brother's an Erudite, and in Abnegation, we used to help everyone, meaning that we know what they want and how to deal with them."
"Well, it sounds as if you're perfect for the job, Tris," he smiles warmly, "Thanks for coming."
I take the comment as a casual dismissal. I exit his office, wandering down the corridors of my faction. I check my watch quickly. Six pm. Actually, Tobias should be home soon.
I change my direction, heading towards our apartment. I can't wait to tell him! Soon, I'm at our door. Slipping my keys out, I unlock the door quickly.
Stepping in, I call out, "Tobias?"
"Evening," he calls out from around the corner.
I close the door behind me.
"How's your - "
I stop in my tracks, gasping at what I see.
"Oh, Toby," I breathe, "It's beautiful."
The lights are dimmed, leaving the room to be illuminated mostly by candles. A deep, crimson cloth is draped over the table. A single red rose is placed in a vase on the table. Soft, romantic music reaches my ears.
"Not as beautiful as you," he steps out from around the corner, dressed in a tux and a smile.
"What's the occasion?" I ask with a soft smile.
"It's the anniversary of the first time I realised I was in love with you."
"First time?"
"I realise it every day," he smiles.
I blush furiously, the heat on my cheeks not lost on me.
"Do I need to get changed?" I ask.
"Go into the bedroom," he turns away from me, heading towards the stove, "There's a very excited person in there waiting for you whilst I finish dinner off."
I creep towards the room with trepidation. I pause just before the door, recollecting myself with a deep breath before pushing it open quickly. Almost instantly, I'm assaulted with an over-excited Chrissy hugging me around the neck and squealing in my ear.
"Ow," I mutter, "Chrissy - can't breathe."
"Oh, sorry!" she beams.
I rub my neck, groaning, "How long have you been here?"
"Ten minutes? I set up everything for you!"
I close my eyes, an unwilling smile landing softly on my features. I can't really blame her for being excited, can I?
"What about a dress, though?" I ask.
"I bought a new one for you!"
"Oh, Chrissy," I bite my lip, eyes suspiciously wet. This time I'm the one who hugs her.
"Tris, there's time for that later," she grins mischievously, "We have to get you ready!"
I slip into a two-piece dress Chrissy hands me. I can't help but admire how I look in it. The dress itself consists of A main, cropped top part and a long, flowing black skirt. The top has a relatively high neckline and ends where my ribs do. It's white but has swirls of black around the sides and the neck.
"Where did you find this beauty?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
"Well, I made friends with her around a year ago - "
"Chrissy, you know what I mean!"
She smirks at me, shaking her head. Turning around briefly, she spins around to deposit high heels in my hands. They're incredibly high black stilettos laced up with a gold band around my ankle and the lace ending up wrapping around my calf. I'm glad Tobias and I are eating in tonight.
On the note of his name... I just hope she didn't hear me call it. Then again, the bedroom is soundproof.
"Chrissy, this must have cost fortunes - "
"Nope!" she beams cheerily, "It is for a leader after all!"
I groan, sincerely hoping she didn't tell anyone we were going on a date.
"Jewellery next!"
She hands me a rose gold necklace of a half moon cutout. The earrings also follow the general colour scheme, black roses with rose-gold edging. Both beautiful pieces.
"Makeup now," she winks. Oh, goody! How lucky I am.
After a suffocating ten minutes, I'm fully dolled up, my currently faded turquoise hair in waves. Chrissy's gone for a dark, velvety cherry colour for my lips and the same colour for a smoky eye.
I can't blame her, I don't look half bad. I stand up, gripping her hand tightly, squeezing in thanks. We slowly make it to the door, myself a bit unsure in the heels.
"Thank you," I whisper.
"Anytime, hun."
I push the door open, my eyes flickering up to meet Tobias'. His jaw goes slack, awe transforming his face.
"Tris," he breathes.
I smile softly at him before taking his outstretched arm. He leads me over to the table, pulling my chair out and seating me.
"Dinner?" he asks with a smile. I'm bowled over by the wonder and, dare I say it, love in his eyes.
"That would be perfect."
He carefully lifts two plates from the kitchen counter and places one in front of me, the other where he is going to sit. I inhale the aroma, my mouth watering at the sumptuous smell.
"Lamb with mint sauce, with a side of potatoes and spring greens," he smiles.
"You cooked this?" I raise my eyebrows in shock.
"I did indeed."
"I think you might be cooking for us more," I grin, "Thank you, Tobias. It looks and smells delicious."
He seats himself, pouring a glass of deep red wine for each of us. I can't keep a smile off my face. We set to eating the meal, light conversation bouncing between us. The meal and wine are delicious, just as I thought. I never knew Tobias could cook, I think. Soon enough, we finish the meal.
"If you would like to take my arm, fair maiden, we may go to a special surprise," he grins at me, reaching out to tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear.
I do as he suggests, walking by his side as we leave the apartment.
I'm starting to regret the decision of actually wearing these high heels. Damn that Christina.
He leads me past the pit, almost parading me around Dauntless. The few members who spot us together start up applause and catcalls when they see us. I can almost feel my cheeks turning scarlet.
At the end of our parade, we are above the pit, in the glass building. My dress trails behind me smoothly. We take the exit that leads to the train tracks.
"Is the surprise the train?" I grin.
We're back at the first taste of Dauntless any transfer ever has.
"Unfortunately not," he laughs, "But it's on it."
I slip off my shoes, sighing in relief as the blood starts pumping again. I leave the heels in a corner, ready for me to pick them up afterwards.
Just in time, I think as the floor starts vibrating.
"Ready?" Tobias grins, holding his hand out to me.
"Ready," I nod my head, lacing my fingers with his, my other hand gathering up the trail of my dress.
We run alongside the train, not struggling to keep up with it. I wince slightly at the feeling of gravel on my bare feet. Once we are level with the correct carriage, Tobias taps my hand. He swings himself into the carriage, leaving room for me to leap in.
The carriage itself is nothing to be bothered about. However, it is, as with many other things, what is on the inside that actually matters.
The end furthest away from the doors is taken up with endless soft blankets and fluffy pillows. Fairy lights and candles light up the carriage, the light dancing on the flowers decorating the room.
I gasp at the scene before me; it's gorgeous.
"Oh, Tobias," my eyes glisten, "I love it."
"I'm glad."
He leads me over to the piles of blankets and cushions, laughing as I let myself fall onto them with an oomph.
"Thank you for tonight," I whisper to Tobias after a few minutes.
"It's no problem."
"No, I mean it. Thank you," I lean over and kiss his cheek softly. he blushes slightly, eyes turned away with a small smile on his face. I lean my head on his shoulder, sighing out a breath of utter contentment. He hugs an arm around my back, fiddling with a lock of my hair. We stayed in that position for an age, taking silent comfort in each other.
After all, the heart wants what it wants.
Hello again! Unfortunately, I'm going away again soon, but I will hopefully be able to take my laptop with me.
Now, featuring a rhyme from I believe in nargles too!
Tris is different now
Badass and a lead
If any troubles rise
She'll sort them with fast speed
PLEASE LOOK AT THIS!
I need to talk to you guys and ask some questions:
Can anyone please get me a cover for this story?
How do you think it's going? Are you enjoying it?
Is there too much fighting?
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! DON'T GO YET!
I've been thinking. I know where I'm ending this story (the end of initiation). But if you guys want, I'm thinking of doing a third part, featuring Tris as an Ambassador. that's what the scene in Max's office was mostly about. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
Love you all, my delightful smiley faces!
MG