Rowan
"So, how did you find this place?"
We gazed out at the lake, savoring the last remnants of a delicious meal.
She looked at me for a moment before turning and giving a brief, high-pitched whistle. My curiosity turned to delighted surprise as a dog came bounding out of the woods.
She met my amusement with a grin. "This is Daya—Dei." The dog snuffled around our blanket, searching for crumbs. "She found this place a little while ago."
I laughed as the dog enthusiastically crunched on a piece of apple before once again heading off, tail wagging, to explore. "She's wonderful. So happy."
"Yes, she always seems to put me in a good mood." She glanced at me, then back out to the lake. "When I decided to come to this faction, I had to leave behind my books. I missed them terribly, as they were a great solace to me in Abnegation. Daya's been a welcome companion during my time here."
I frowned, confused. "You had books? Did Abnegation allow for that?"
She shot me anther impish grin and shook her head proudly. "I took them from Erudite."
I laughed out loud in amazed disbelief. "Well, well. My virtuous friend has turned out to be no more than a petty thief!"
She giggled gleefully, covering her mouth with her hand. "I supposed Erudite wouldn't miss them. It took me a few years, but I collected a few."
She leaned back on her elbow, gazing at the deep, clear sky. "You wouldn't believe the books they have in Erudite. Stories and stories; about this land, about the people that came before us…even some tales that our ancestors themselves created.
"I'm not sure how they did so, mind you; not when there was so much work to be done. But, even still, they managed to create art and music and stories when they weren't working. Perhaps, before there was work, there was art."
I slowly shook my head in wonder. There was so much to learn. I didn't even know where to begin, which questions to ask. All I knew was that I had felt the tingling rush of new knowledge along my spine, and I wanted to continue that feeling more than anything.
We sat in contented silence for some time, looking out at the lake, before I again turned to her.
"If you would, tell me a story."
She smiled at me before settling down on the blanket. She gazed up at the sky, and a faraway look came into her eyes. She was quiet for a moment, and then she began:
"Call me Ishmael…"