xv.
part fifteen
Fang returns from another day of training with Octavia, sweaty and exhausted. Jeb had tried to let him rest comfortably afterwards, but it wasn't long before he had to return to his cage.
Just when he thought he could rest, an annoyed Max rattled her cage to get his attention.
"Why are you the only one who gets to train with Octavia?" The dirty blonde girl huffs, "When will we ever get to meet her?"
Fang shrugs, because he really doesn't know why Jeb chose him to introduce to the older brunette girl first. If anyone, Max or even Nudge would have made a better first impression. Maybe it had something to do with the extreme disobedience he had been exhibiting, and Jeb thought that Octavia would be a good example for him?
He doesn't know, so he doesn't answer.
Max, still annoyed, clicks her tongue and turns away. Iggy hums from where he sits uncomfortably in his own cage, "Maybe he thinks Octavia is the best match to help Fang train?"
Max frowns, "But we need to learn how to fight, too! Why is Fang the only one learning?"
"Well, Octavia probably doesn't do one-on-one training often. So, wouldn't it be suspicious if she suddenly had to do that with several other kids?"
Fang slowly nods, "Jeb did mention something like that." Max and Iggy turn to him, "I think he's having me train with her under the pretense that I'll be a weapon, too— Like her."
"A weapon…" Max repeats quietly, eyebrows furrowed in thought. "I forgot about that whole agenda. Still though," She sighs with a pout, "I wanna learn to fight like her."
Iggy snorts, "Okay, well how about this? Next time, we'll just ask Jeb upfront if we can all finally meet her? Instead of whining about it when others are trying to sleep."
"Hey—!"
Iggy raises an eyebrow, an expectant smile on his face that makes Max promptly shut up.
"Fine."
xxx
The Flock do indeed get what they want from Jeb eventually. It took several more weeks of anxious waiting on their part ("Octavia is busy with her training right now," Jeb had said), but it finally happened.
Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, and Gazzy were once again led to a room overlooking the training yard outside the School. This time, however, it was one of the much larger and fancier rooms. Most likely used for entertaining important figures and whatnot. Like the other room, the walls and floor were white, and it also came with the annoyingly bright fluorescent lights and the giant one-way windows that took up an entire wall.
It was furnished with white modern-looking furniture, and even had a small kitchenette.
Before the group could do a little more than stare with wide, curious eyes (besides Iggy, who coudln't appreciate the room's interior design himself. Though he could feel how large and open it was compared to the one they had visited before), they noticed a familiar figure sitting atop the glass coffee table that was near the giant windows, placed in the center of several plush looking sofas.
Octavia sat facing the window, her large, light gray wings fully spread behind her back and in full view of the Flock. The bright sun outside revealed that they were thin enough to see light through.
It looked like… She was cleaning them?
"Whattttttt?" Nudge exclaims, making the Flock jump. She was very confused by the concept and suddenly very conscious of the miskept tawny feathers on her back.
Octavia turns slightly at the noise, taking in the group of children and assessing each of them before falling on the familiar faces of both Fang and Jeb. She then turns back to Nudge, who looks back with wide eyes and a hand clamped over her mouth.
She had not meant to say that out loud.
"You must be Nudge," Octavia says before returning to preening her feathers.
Fangs rolls his eyes at the exchange, whereas Nudge is rendered speechless, "I-I—"
Jeb stops her by placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "Octavia this is the Flock. They've been eager to meet you. Everyone, this is Octavia."
Max steps forward, shoulders back as she presents herself confidently. "I'm Maximum Ride, but you can call me Max."
Iggy waves awkwardly in Octavia's general direction, a hesitant smile on his face. "Uh… I'm Izzy— I mean Iggy!"
Gazzy laughs loudly from where he stands beside Jeb, holding the man's hand. His big blue eyes shine at Iggy, no doubt finding humor in his pain. "Gazzy, tell Octavia your name," Jeb whispers to the young blond, urging him towards the girl.
Instead of introducing himself, Gazzy catches Octavia's eyes and exclaims "Tovie!" The boy removes himself from Jeb and toddles over to Octavia. She remains unmoved, simply watching the toddler approach her. Her eyes go to the cream-colored wings on his back. They were a bit too large for his body at the moment, and covered in brown speckles. Octavia was surprised the weight of them didn't make him topple over.
Still, she made no move to help him get to her.
When Gazzy reached her, he collapsed against her legs and was panting. Her eyes narrow, 'I guess they do put a strain on his body.'
The room is silent, as if watching the two of them with bated breath.
Octavia herself is also cautious; like a stray cat coming into contact with a human for the first time. She eyes the toddler carefully, before finally reaching down and pulling him onto her lap. She handles him carefully, but tries not to look at him too much; he reminds her of another baby boy she used to hold close.
The tension immediately disappears, and the rest of the Flock finally decides to get closer as well.
"Um, what were you doing with your wings?" Nudge asks with a nervous smile. She decides to plop down on one of the couches, and the rest of the group follow her soon after.
Octavia looks up from where she was accessing Gazzy's wings —they definitely needed some grooming of their own— and shrugs. "I was just preening them. You're supposed to take care of them, you know." The brunette says this as she fixes Gazzy's plumage.
"We didn't know that, actually," Max says with crossed arms.
Octavia gives a pointed look to Jeb, to which he gives an apologetic look. "I found out for myself eventually. Surprisingly, the whitecoats are pretty stupid when it comes to taking care of birds."
Iggy laughs, "Did you just call Jeb stupid?"
"That explains why they feel so uncomfortable," Max says with a frown as she flexes her wings.
Fang sits beside Octavia on the coffee table, his shoulder brushing against her own at their closeness. She closes her wings a bit to give him some more space, but the dark-haired boy doesn't budge. "Can you show us?"
Octavia nods, "Yes. I don't know why I didn't think to show you before." A small smile appears, "I always thought your wings looked ratty."
"Hey." Fang frowns, and the others laugh.
xxx
Before demonstrating how to properly take care of their wings, Octavia went ahead and finished tending to Gazzy's first. It took a bit of time, and a few of the feathers had to be gently removed to make room for new ones. That was a natural process of growing, however, so it was nothing too concerning.
"Okay," Octavia hands Gazzy to Jeb who takes him with open arms, and turns to face the others who are sitting on the couches. "Iggy," She calls to the blind boy who looks startled at the sudden summon.
"What? Me?"
"That's your name isn't it, moron?" Max says with a deadpan stare. Nudge is grins behind her hands.
Iggy rolls his eyes, but turns his attention back to Octavia. She stands this time, and places a hand on his own, making him jump.
"H-Hey! Give a guy a warning!"
"Sorry," She says but doesn't sound the least bit apologetic. Fang smirks and shares an amused look with Max and Nudge. "I thought you could hear me moving."
"I did but I didn't expect—" Iggy quiets as Octavia forces him to stand and gently guides him to the coffee table. She sits back on it, and pushes Iggy a bit on his shoulders to get him to sit in front of her. "Sit down with your back to me," She guides, gently adjusting his wings so they can slide through the slits in his shirt a bit better.
Iggy arches his back at her cool touch, "O-Okay. Geez, your hands are cold."
Octavia clenches her jaw, but says nothing at the comment.
"Since you can't learn visually like the others, I'm going to go through the motions and narrate what I'm doing so you know how to take care of your wings, too. Even if you can't get it down, I'm sure the others will always be there to help you."
"And you!" Nudge interjects with a grin, "You'll be able to help too— You're part of the family now!"
Octavia is a bit taken aback, and looks away to hide her face. She clears her throat before continuing, "Yes… Anyways."
"You're so embarrassing…" Octavia hears Max mumble to Nudge, who hisses a "shut up!" in reply. The interaction makes Octavia smile slightly, before she goes back to her presentation.
Slowly and carefully, Octavia aids everyone's feathers. They all could really go for a good bath, but she did what she could with only the kitchen sink at hand.
"There," She said upon finishing Nudge's wings. "All done. Hopefully you remembered how to maintain them; otherwise I guess Jeb will have to sneak me in to see you all again."
Octavia flashes them a happy smile; something not very common on her usually blank features. The Flock is in awe, as if they're meeting a goddess in person. They could practically see the shining light behind her…
"Uh… What's going on?" Iggy breaks the silence, confused at the sudden shift in the atmosphere.
"She's smiling, you idiot!" Nudge is quick to smack the tall boy, before standing on her tip-toes to whisper in his ear, "And she looks so beautiful! I wish she smiled more."
"O-Oh…" Iggy stuttered bashfully, giving an awkward chuckle. "My bad."
author's note: i know i said last time that i wouldn't post anymore drabble-like chapters of octavia's past and would instead jump into the thick of the story. but i lied lol i'm still working on the big story so for now i'm going to post the rest of her backstory. i might post the main story as a separate work just bc the flow will be different once i switch to canon. who knows but i'll keep everyone updated.
thanks for your patience, and i hope you enjoyed the chapter.