A/N: I was going to release this on the 23rd but I had a hell of a day involving my boss knowingly coming into work after being exposed and testing positive to Covid. So, I needed something to cheer me up. This is it. After much deliberation, here is a happier version of The Art of Seclusion. It's mainly from Eric's POV (which was a trial). You may recognize the beginning if you read Seclusion but that's just the setup. I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know what you think.

HUGE shout out to elliesmeow who not only convinced me to write this but has helped me in forming my ideas, editing and encouraging me on. It wouldn't exist without her.

Also, feel free to find me on tumblr at "asirensrage". I post mood boards, edits and whatever else catches my fancy including some prompts.

Chapter 1: A Choice

He sits across from her silently. The leader of his faction had called him to her office, mere hours after his testing. He should be honoured. Instead, all he can think of is that his results read Dauntless.

It doesn't matter. He has a choice. He's been watching Amelia for months. She's bound to stay in Erudite when she makes her choice. So will he.

"You must be curious," Jeanine Matthews says, "about why I asked you here." She's sitting behind her desk, just watching him.

He isn't, but he can't say that. This will be his faction after tomorrow. He has to be on good terms with the leader. "A little," he finally says.

"I received your results." She looks down at a paper on her desk. "Dauntless." She doesn't say that he also scored minor in Erudite. Those type of scores are irrelevant, based on the norms that the children were raised with. She stares at him and her eyes look like stone behind her glasses. "I have a proposition for you."

He waits, now curious. Was she going to ask him to stay? Maybe help with weeding out the unworthy.

"I want you to choose Dauntless—"

"No." His voice cuts across hers. Her eyebrows raise in surprise but he doesn't break eye contact.

"No?" Her voice is sharp.

There is no Erudite in their right mind who would oppose her, but he won't stand down. He has plans. She may be leader but he won't be moved. "No," he says again. "I'm choosing Erudite."

"Your test results show Dauntless. For what purpose would you choose Erudite?"

He pauses, unsure of exactly what to say. "There's something here that I want."

Her eyes gleam with an understanding that he doesn't like. "Something only in Erudite," she says. It puts him on edge when she nods. "Let me make something perfectly clear," her voice is hard, leaving no room for arguing. "You will not make it past initiation if you choose Erudite."

He inhales sharply. She could do it too and no one would question her. There would be no way of truly knowing Amelia if he was Factionless. His eyes narrow at the threat from Erudite's leader.

She gives a small smile. "I am not opposed to giving you what you want from Erudite, provided that it is a reasonable request and that you accept my terms. Understood?" She waits for his nod before continuing. "Shall we negotiate?"

He thinks of the younger girl who kept pouring over her books, writing her reports and interacting with her family. He's seen them all but it hasn't quite been enough. Not yet. He wants more. He looks at Jeanine. "What are your terms?"

He's not stupid. He can't trust Jeanine, despite her being the leader of the faction. She wants him to be Dauntless to support her plans with nothing but her word that promises what he wants. It's not enough. He knows that she'll make good on her threat...so what to do? Does he simply surrender to the threat and help Jeanine, hoping that she keeps her word? There has to be another way. One that he controls.

The Choosing Ceremony is in hours. Eric has to formulate a plan, one that will work to his advantage. Not hers. He has to ensure she can't simply get rid of him, not without others questioning it. He makes his way to the library. He needs to research.

The books give him nothing. The librarian, however, does. After he admits he met with Jeanine, the man's face lights up. He becomes decidedly more helpful, telling Eric that he must have a bright future if Jeanine herself is interested in him. After all, their esteemed leader is the best, so surely she can tell the promise of a new recruit.

The librarian keeps talking as he brings more books. Eric has never put much faith in people. They rarely serve a use to him and he's never had the patience for them. Though...he is being proven wrong. At least in his initial assessment. The longer the man talks, the more he gives away. People, Eric learns, are not as useless as they seem. At least not Erudite. The more they talk, the more they reveal. Especially their love for their leader. He's reminded of how the leaders of Erudite are chosen.

It gives him an idea.

He hasn't slept when he joins the crowd in the Choosing Ceremony. He has no clue if his parents are in the crowd and he doesn't look for them. He's not going to have to see them again, even if he makes it through initiation. He sits next to the same guys he's known for years. They joke around but he knows they stick by him because others are scared of him. They like that. They also don't shut up until the Candor leader walks on stage. You're not supposed to talk about your choice, but he already knows which of them are staying and who is leaving. He watches dispassionately as the names start to be called.

Finally, it is his turn.

He walks up slowly, taking his time to enjoy this moment. This is when everything is going to change. Jeanine catches his eye as he passes her, giving him a slight nod. He doesn't react. He stands in front of the basins and takes the knife. There is a part of him that wants Dauntless. There's a freedom there where no one would question his reactions...like why he acted physically before anything else.

But there's something he wants more, here in Erudite. It isn't going to be easy, but Eric has always been someone who knows what he wants. He cuts his hand and holds it above the basin of coals. Just before the drop falls, he moves his hand and lets it fall into the water.

"Erudite!" Jack Kang's voice calls out. There is clapping coming from the section dressed in blue. His gaze meets Jeanine's. Her eyes are stone cold. He can't help but smirk back. He's made his choice.

He follows the other Erudite initiates out. They're led to the main building and there is a platform raised in the middle of the foyer. He forges his way to the front. Jeanine steps up to stand above them. Her eyes are hard when she glances at him but she smiles.

"Welcome to Erudite," she says. "You have chosen your faction wisely. Some of you will not excel," she meets his eyes. "Our tests are rigorous and we accept only the best."

Eric waits until Jeanine finishes her speech on why Erudite is the superior faction before he raises his hand. She ignores him until one of the others on stage points him out. He can see her lips press together before she motions for him to speak.

"Thank you," he says. "I cannot properly express, and I'm certain that the others with me will agree, my admiration for you. You are my inspiration to be here in Erudite because how can I not want to be a part of the world you envision. You will surely continue to lead our faction to greatness and drive our knowledge higher."

"Well said!" One of the others on the platform says before they start clapping. The other initiates join in and Eric takes the opportunity to shout out: "To Jeanine! To Erudite!"

The others follow exactly as he expects them to. He watches Jeanine who looks torn between her desire to bathe in the accolades being offered and her want to glare at him. He needs to ensure that the balance stays in his favour. It's the only thing that stops him from smirking back at her.

The initiates are led away from Jeanine by the educators who will be running the tests. Eric follows, mindful of the stare on his back as he leaves.

"That was quite the speech," someone says as they step up next to him. "What inspired it?"

Eric looks to see one of the educators walking at his side. The woman is older, closer to Jeanine's age. He can't help but wonder if Jeanine sent her to question him.

"Exactly what I said," Eric answers. "It was Jeanine. She requested to meet with me before the Choosing Ceremony. She left me with a very clear vision of my future here. I couldn't imagine choosing anything else after that."

It isn't a lie. She gave him an option in their meeting. He just took the one that suits him best. As long as he does it right.

"She met with you?" the woman asks. "Really?"

Eric nods.

The woman smiles widely. "She must see something in you that we will foster into greatness here."

"I can only strive to meet her expectations," Eric says. It is the right thing to say because the woman smiles again and nods. She walks away and he watches as she goes to one of the other educators and speaks to them. The other looks back and meets his eyes. They turn around and Eric tries to hide the pleased feeling that grows in his chest. His plan is working.

Initiation in Erudite involves being introduced to all areas of the faction. There are tests in each one, meant to ensure an initiate has the ability to acquire knowledge and which area piques their interest the most.

Eric needs to be the best. It is not merely his desire to outshine any competition, but he cannot give Jeanine any reason to exile him. It has the bonus effect of encouraging the rumours about him. Erudite is prone to gossip and it works in his favour. Many know that he was selected by Jeanine prior to his Choosing. He has heard mention that Jeanine has asked about his results so far. They assume it is due to his thirst for knowledge, that she sees in him something great. They do not know that Jeanine's continued interest is likely her wanting to find a flaw, something that she can use as a reason to be rid of him as she threatened.

Any praise he gets he diverts back to Jeanine. It is because of her, of course, that he does well. Her belief in him drives him. It should be an obvious tactic, one that the others should see through clearly. When any other initiate tries it, it comes off as simpering desperation. When Eric does it, it is relayed as honest feedback. This is only because of that meeting with Jeanine. There is proof of it in her calendar if anyone dares to look. He will use her own tactics against her if it keeps him in this faction.

Once the introductory weeks are finished, the initiates choose two areas to focus on as potential future careers. The last two weeks of initiation is an apprenticeship with a master in one of the fields. There are a limited number of spots as there are a limited number of masters who can be spared from their vital work, even for teaching the future generations. If they survive the tests and succeed in the apprenticeship, they will be welcomed as proper Erudites. It is a gruelling seven weeks in total.

He knows he's not touching medicine. Or education. His parents are in those fields and anything that keeps him away from them is ideal. His choice to remain has nothing to do with them. That leaves research, engineering and chemistry.

Eric passes his general knowledge tests with ease. The others like to study together, but Eric has never been one to welcome company and he needs to focus. He will not abide idle chatter when he has goals in mind and chose to make a very powerful enemy. He can't afford to make any mistakes. Neither can anyone else if they want to succeed and Erudites will do anything to gain the knowledge they feel they need. That includes cheating.

Eric doesn't need to cheat. That does not prevent others though, nor any attempts to sabotage him. Playing up his own importance to Jeanine has consequences. He expected that. It's the very reason that he is careful to be transparent in all of his studies and tests. He can't have any suspicion on him. Which is why, when the head scientist in the chemistry division suspects cheating and someone mentions his name, Eric frames one of the other boys.

It doesn't take much. He mentions to one of the scientists that he heard the boy talking to another one about information he has, and how he's going to show them all. Apparently being smart doesn't necessarily mean you have to be the best at studying. The scientist is offended just enough to search the boy's things. It turns out that the boy in question is cheating. He has been bartering off answers he had gotten from his older brother. It doesn't matter to Eric, as long as the suspicion is off of him. The boy is exiled to the factionless.

Visiting Day approaches fast. Eric has no desire to be here, in the main hall where the families gather.

"Eric!"

He turns at the familiar voice. His brother is bounding towards him. He hasn't seen his brother in a couple of years. Somehow, he seems taller.

"What are you doing here, Ethan?" Eric asks, glancing around quickly. He cannot allow Jeanine to see his brother, to know that they get along.

"It's Visiting Day!" Ethan says with a grin. "Had to come see you. Didn't think you'd stick around in this place."

"Something compelled me," he says. Ethan didn't know about Amelia. Eric met her the year Ethan left. There was no way Eric could tell him here. He needs to get him out of this faction. Amity was at least safe for the man in front of him. As children, they had looked out for one another against their parents. Eric wasn't about to let Jeanine try to take this as well. "It's getting dark fast out there," Eric nods to the window. "Wasn't sure you had your jacket." It's an old code phrase they used as kids. A warning when one of their parents was out for blood. "Better get home, Ethan."

The joy on Ethan's face drops. There's a shrewd calculating look in his eyes. "You sure?" he asks.

"I still have to make dinner and study after this waste of time."

"Okay," Ethan nods. His brother has always known how to read him. "You can make it up to me later," he continues the phrase. Ethan glances around before he looks back at Eric. "Be silent."

"As death," Eric says. Ethan leaves with a last look at Eric. Neither of the brothers look pleased and it works in Eric's favour. If Jeanine asks, they did not part on good terms.

Eric lets out a slow breath. Ethan was a surprise but he got through that. He's already tired of Visiting Day.

He does not expect his parents to show and he hopes that his expectations hold true. Of course, because of that, they show.

His parents assess him as they stand across from him.

"The faction is running wild with rumours of your success," his mother says. "We had to see for ourselves."

Eric grits his teeth, keeping himself from lashing out. This is the greatest downside to remaining in this place. "Here I am," he says. "You may leave now."

His mother's eyes narrow. "You are presumptuous as always."

"I learned from the best," he says sardonically.

"Is it true that Jeanine spoke to you?" his father asks.

"She did," Eric answers. "We met before my Choosing."

"And you're certain she asked you to remain? I would have thought our Leader wanted our faction to function efficiently. That is not your forte."

"I am certain you are mistaken, mother," Eric says. "I am nothing if not efficient in my goals. I am, after all, favoured by our Leader."

She leans forward. "You are a disappointment," she hisses. "Your brother was far more promising than you."

"And yet he chose Amity and a life away from you. His desire for peace was far stronger than any need to suit your expectations." He takes a breath. "What galls you more, mother? The fact that it is I who remains in your faction, or that I am excelling in ways you dreamed he would?" He looks between them. "I would say that it is good to see you, but we all know that it is a lie. Goodbye, mother. Father." He leaves without another word. He can feel the heat of their glares on his back but he does not turn around. His parents are of no consequence now. This is just one more test and, having passed, Eric gets to continue on with his plans.

[tbc]