A/N: This chapter will briefly touch on Tobias choosing ceremony. After that it will have a time jump in which almost everything will be exactly the same as the books which I do not own, with minor differences that will be mentioned in later chapters. Again don't own divergent.
Tobias' POV
It was finally the day of my choosing. My only regret was leaving the poor girl to face my father. It felt almost like I was betraying her. Through all the years, we never met, but we shared a pain. It was almost comforting knowing someone else out there who knew, who understood. Now she'd be alone. I couldn't let that thought change my mind. I couldn't stay, I probably wouldn't survive. I'm surprised I've lived this long. I quickly dressed for the day and met with my father downstairs. The problem was I still don't know where I wanted to go.
"Where will you choose?" he asked.
"Abnegation," I responded. Definitely not Candor.
"That's my boy." I resisted shivering at the sentiment.
On the way there I considered my options. Amity would be peaceful, a pleasant change, but then there's the problem of everyone is higher than a cloud. Erudite, I liked the idea of being knowledgeable but they were all stuck up pricks. I watched as the Dauntless jumped out of the moving train. Reckless, but also fearless. That would be nice, not to fear being hurt again. To be strong and brave and capable of sticking up to my father. Maybe I could become strong enough to save that girl. I had made my decision.
We filed in with the rest of Abnegation and I went to stand on the sides. It's Dauntless' turn to run the ceremony. After the Dauntless leader, I believe he said his name was Max, made the opening address, he starts to read off the name in reverse Alphabetical order. I would be near the end. I watched as one by one people chose between the place they've known as home all their lives and the place they truly wanted to be. Finally I hear my name, I feel the silence as my ears start to ring. I don't look at my father or the crowd. I focus on the bowls in front of me. I take the fresh knife. I quickly slit my palm. The pain is nothing compared to what I'm used to. I quickly without hesitation squeeze my hand over burning coals.
I looked up at the shocked crowd as I heard gasps ands whispers. I look at my father for a brief second. His mouth was open, barely containing his rage. I was free.
*Time Jump to the day of Tris' choosing still Tobias' POV*
It was almost time for the new initiates to arrive. Most of the other Dauntless and I stood around the net waiting for them. Some betting on how many we'd get, others betting on which faction would jump first. I spot my friends in the crowd.
"Hey Four!" Zeke called. "Which Faction do you think will jump first?"
"Your brother chose this year didn't he?"
"Yup, Little Uri's all grown up," he said as he wiped a fake tear from his eye.
"You didn't tell him anything about this part did you?" asked Shauna
"And ruin the best part?! How dare you accuse me of such blasphemy!" I rolled my eyes at his dramatics.
"My money's on Erudite," said Lauren from behind me.
"Oh yeah well mine's on my little bro."
"Shhh!" Everyone hushed as we see Max' silhouette on the ledge. I thought back to my choosing day and wondered whatever happened to that girl. Where did she choose? Surely, she didn't choose Abnegation, maybe Amity. Did she leave last year, or maybe the same year I did? She couldn't be choosing next year. That would've made her only four when the abuse started, maybe five. The sound of whooshing air pulled him out of his thoughts. A shadowy figure fell from the roof. I went to help them down. She was small and clad in grey...
"Thank you," she said before looking up. The moment she looked up she froze. Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth as if to speak but Lauren interrupted.
"Can't believe it," The girl looked around me to see who was speaking. "A Stiff, the first to jump? Unheard of."
"There's a reason why she left them, Lauren," I said. "What's your name?"
"Um..." She hesitated. I understood. She wanted to leave that old life behind her for whatever reason and ridding herself of that name can be the easiest way to cut ties.
"Think about it. You don't get to pick again." This is your chance to choose who you want to be.
"Tris," she said confidently.
"Tris," Lauren repeats it as if testing the name, "Make the announcement, Four."
"First Jumper - Tris!" Everyone comes out from the shadows cheering her on as we hear the screams of another female jumper.
"Welcome to Dauntless."
After all of the initiates had jumped, Lauren and I began to lead the new initiates down the narrow hall. It was quiet except for the shuffling of feet. Eventually our two groups split off and I began to show the newbies the tour.
I hardly even made it past my name before I had a Candor piping up. I asked her if there was a problem to attempt to gently shut her up. I thought it worked for a moment, but only a moment. I couldn't even say a single sentence before she mouthed off again. I wasn't going to have it.
I walked right up to her so I had to tilt my head to look her in the eye. "What's your name?" I asked her.
"Christina," her voice raised an octave and doubled in pace. Good, hopefully she'll listen.
"Well, Christina," I said making sure to accentuate her name, "if I wanted to put up with Candor smart-mouths, I would have joined their faction." I looked at the whole group to address them. Tris stood barely behind the girl. She seemed terrified. I felt slightly bad for scaring her, but they needed to hear this. I wasn't going to listen to smack from the smartasses. "The first lesson you will learn from me is to keep your mouth shut. Got that?" I asked that last part directly to Christina to make sure she understood. She nodded, good she listened.
As I turned to continue the tour I heard whispers behind me. I opened the doors to the pit and let them all file in. Various kids were oohing and ahhing. I gave them time to soak it all in, this would be there new home after all. I remembered the amazement that I felt the first time I saw the pit. So different from the bland uniformity of Abnegation.
After a reasonable amount of time I showed them to the chasm and explained the symbolism of how bravery and stupidity are different defined by a fine line. Finally it was time for dinner, I lead them to the mess hall. The Dauntless didn't disappoint with a welcome of screams and shouts. Tris sat next to me and stared at the burgers curiously. I had a sudden feeling of De Ja Vu.
Feeling sympathetic, I took pity on her, since she would be the only one in here who has never seen a burger before. "It's beef, put this on it," I said as I passed her the ketchup. She seemed to tense for a moment, before warily accepting the condiment.
"You've never had a hamburger before?" Asked the Candor, incredulously, as if that's the most ridiculous thing she's heard.
"No, is that what it's called?"
"Stiff's eat plain food," I explained, hoping it would end the conversation. It didn't.
"Why?" she asked.
Thankfully, Tris answered, "Extravagance is considered self-indulgent and unnecessary."
"No wonder you left."
"Yeah, it was just because of the food," her voice dripped with sarcasm. I smirked for just a moment, she was adjusting well. That would never have been approved of in Abnegation. Good. Suddenly, the hall fell quiet. I looked over my shoulder for just a moment. Eric had entered the room, lovely. I went back to eating my food.
"Who's that?" The candor whispered quietly. They should probably know who he is as he will be training with me.
"His name is Eric. He's a Dauntless leader."
"Seriously? But he's so young." She really hadn't figured things out yet, well they needed to learn this fast.
"Age doesn't matter here," capability does.
I hoped I wouldn't have to deal with him, but he just couldn't stay away. I took just a moment to acknowledge him and his dark greasy hair. I stopped keeping track of how many piercings he had a while ago but couldn't help but wonder if he got a new one.
"Well aren't you going to introduce me?" he asked, nodding to the girls. I wanted to do anything but. The candor may annoy me but that didn't mean I wanted to subject her to that. And Tris, well I couldn't help but want to keep her as far away from him as possible. It was probably only because she was from Abnegation like me.
"This is Tris and Christina."
"Ooh a stiff," he taunted. I hoped he wouldn't bring up my old home, I was sure he remembered. "We'll see how long you last. What have you been doing lately, Four?" He directed his attention to me. I attempted to brush him off, no dice. He asks me about a meeting with Max. I knew he felt threatened. You could tell he had been beating out his frustration from his busted knuckles. I assured him I wasn't interested in taking his job. After a bit of pointless back and forth he left.
"Are you to...friends?" Tris asked.
"We were in the same initiate class," I explained.
"So you both transferred." Did she recognize me or simply figure it out that fast? I needed to find out who she was. I didn't want her to expose any more in the meantime.
"I thought I would only have trouble with the Candor asking too many questions. Now I've got Stiffs, too?"
"It must be because you're so approachable. You know, like a drunk factionless." That last part felt almost targeted for some reason. She had a fire in her eyes that was mesmerizing. There was definitely some bite to her bark But that attitude was going to get her in a lot of trouble. Then she began to blush as she began to feel uncomfortable. It was kinda cute, but I couldn't show that.
"Careful Tris," I warned before I stood to leave. Eric had the initiates after dinner. As much as I hated the idea of leaving him alone with them I needed to find out who she was before. I knew just who to ask.
The tattoo parlor was empty when I walked in, except for Tori. "Four, come to make an addition?"
"Not today Tori. Actually, I was hoping you could answer some questions about an initiate." She went back to sanitizing her station.
"You know I can't tell you anything about aptitude test results," her stern look made me almost re-evaluate.
"I know, I know. I just wanted to know if any Abnegation tested Dauntless."
"No," her answer sounded genuine, "a couple of Amity, even an Erudite, but none tested Dauntless. But hey maybe the Amity tester got one."
"Pity, I'm trying to find out who this new initiate is. She's got some sass. Short, blonde, blue grey eyes ring any bells?" She looked over in sudden recognition. She did know the girl.
"Four, I've been testing the Abnegation for 20+ yrs, a lot of the Abnegation look the same and their faces blur. You really expect me to remember one over all the others?" She tried to dismiss it. I didn't understand why but I got the feeling she wasn't going to budge.
"Alright, well thanks anyway," I turned to leave. I thought I might go catch up with Eric, make sure the initiates were okay.
Before I reached the door, I heard Tori call after me, "Hey Four, why don't you swing by my place after I close? It's been a while since we caught up."
"Sounds like a plan."
"Great I close in 30."
"I'll stay and chat for a minute." We talked about random things for a bit, she told me about some of her favorite tattoos she's done recently. Before we knew it the shop was closing. I walked with her back to her apartment.
"You want a drink?" She offered as I closed the door.
"Yeah, that'd be great, just a water is fine."
"You may want something stronger," she replied as she opened a cabinet and pulled out some glasses.
"Why's that?"
"Well if we're talking about who I think we are, then I want a drink," she said as she poured herself a glass. She did just give me water as requested as we sat on her couch.
"Why what's wrong?" I asked confused and concerned.
"I did test a girl who matches your description," She took a sip of her drink. "She tested as Abnegation, officially."
"Unofficially?" I understood now why she didn't want to talk about it in the shop.
"She tested as Abnegation and Dauntless...and Erudite." This time she took a long drink.
"THREE!" Divergent are rare themselves, but I've never heard of someone with 3 before.
"Yes, and you say she's an initiate here? What did she say her name is?"
"Tris."
"She didn't even change her name that much. Why would she choose here?"
"Maybe she couldn't stay," I know my dad wasn't an accurate representation of most abnegation, but I wondered if there were others like him. Tori's expression softened knowing what I was thinking.
"I know what you're thinking, but I'm pretty sure I actually knew her father. He was always kind."
"You knew her father?"
"Well if it's who I'm thinking. I recognized her last name. I grew up with him in Erudite. Very studious and intelligent. It shocked his family when he transferred. Anyone who knew him at school knew why though. He had a Dauntless girlfriend and she transferred to Abnegation."
"So wait her mother is Dauntless, her father was Erudite, and she was raised Abnegation? Huh, interesting. But they were good people?"
"Yes, which is why I don't understand why she'd leave. Abnegation would be the best place to hide. I know why you didn't. I didn't even know you were divergent until the fear simulations."
"Yes well I also had my father instruct me on exactly what to do in the test," I mention.
"Huh, well I wonder what your actual results would've been," she wondered. I thought she might suggest using one of our simulation rooms to put me through the test.
"Not like it matters now. What does matter is making sure she gets through initiation now that she's here," I said drawing attention away from myself. She nodded in agreement. "So what is her real name?" I asked with a mischievous smirk, now that I knew Tori knew her.
"Why do you want to know?" She gave me a knowing smile.
"I was just wondering since she's from Abnegation is all."
"Her name is Beatrice Prior," I'd heard her name before. "Well you probably did, her father was on the council." I didn't realize I had spoken out loud but now that she said it, that must be where I'd heard her name before.
"I should probably get going I have a long day of training tomorrow."
"Goodnight Four."
AN: Sorry this took so long, my toddler erased a portion 4 times.
