Chapter 24
Raven watched her in the early morning light. Clarke seemed somewhat lighter but there was more to it. She was in the little kitchen area cooking. This was something that Raven had never really seen. Echo and Octavia were both there with her. They moved around each other like they had been doing it for years, and for them, they had. For everyone else, it had only been days, weeks. There was a simple domesticity to it, and Raven could only remember seeing something like this in the movies that they had watched on the Ark, never in real life. And, that is when she realized that they were cooking breakfast.
Clarke was at the stove like area. She was working on some eggs, and it looked like a lot of them. Octavia was kneading something and making flat disks. Raven would letter find out it that it was a Grounder type of flat bread, easy to make and perfect for a warrior's campaign. She didn't hate it, so she just watched as they kept working. Echo was beside Clarke. She had some sort of meat in her pan. They were strips and Raven could smell it. She knew that she should know what it was, but she would wait until they served her to take a guess. She found that guessing made meals more fun sometimes; others, she really didn't want to know what she was eating. Octavia moved around them as Raven finally noticed a big pot near the fire. She wasn't sure what was in it, but Octavia had gone over to stir it.
Clarke must have finished cooking the eggs, because she dumped them into a big bowl and covered it with another. She moved back from the stove and set the bowl on the table. She didn't see Raven, leaning against one of the posts watching, as she moved over to the pot over the fire. She took a turn stirring it.
"Do you think that they will like the porridge?"Clarke asked as she stirred it.
"I don't know, Clarke. We didn't exactly have all this last time, remember? We were on the clock to tell them as much as we could."
"I wish you had stayed with them," Clarke lameneted. "But, I understand why you didn't. I'm sorry for being angry with you. I just..."
"We know, Prisa," Echo replied. "We failed you before that by not keeping you alive. It wasn't a wasted life though. They learned the hard way what was to come and what needed to be done. I think that it helped Lexa. She needed to understand that you were telling the truth and that we were there to help and not fight her for the throne of Heda."
"Oh, she believes now," Octavia added. "Trust me on that. Gaia has pretty much deified you, Clarke. The people are willing and able. They just await the words of Heda and Wanheda to tell them what to do. At least none of the Trikru will fight you. They damn near worship you."
"That isn't what I wanted or want," Clarke stated.
"Want or not, it's there. Azgeda wants to serve as well. Roan and Costia wait to welcome you and tell you of what they've done to help Heda prepare for Praimfaya. It was right to make him Haihefa and leader of Cheyenne Mountain."
"That maybe, Echo, but I don't need people thinking that I am sort of goddess. Just because I'm trying to save Man, that I know medicine and that I'm unfortunately very ruthless on the battlefield doesn't mean that I can save and spare everyone. Hell, I don't know if I can save all of us. Past experiences only help me so much. I can't control the people. I can only show them the way and hope that they listen."
"And, that is all they are asking for," Echo told her. "Out people don't worship the gods like the people before. We respect them and the spirits. I won't lie and say that some aren't fanatical. They are, but they are usually a small group and dealt with quickly but the masses. Only Wanheda and Heda seem to be the central spirits for us all. We aren't what you call religious, we're spiritual. We believe that the spirits tell us how we should behave and what we must do. That is why the cult of Wanheda was so revered in Azgeda."
"Why?" Octavia question as she fried the bread disks.
"The people needed something to believe in. We all knew that Nia wasn't good. We knew that there had to be a better life than the one she was enforcing, but she was so fanatical in her need for power, that she beat everyone down. The people wanted to rise up, but they needed someone to show them, to lead them, but Nia killed them all as soon as they has a small following. When you were in the pits, she couldn't kill you. Your blood was the only thing that saved you, Clarke. Without it, she would have sent your head to Heda just to prove that she could. It didn't matter that Lexa loved you or if she didn't. She would have destroyed the only thing that gave her people hope," Echo explained. "And, while we ran into the Ice Fields to Becca's home, there were people that were fighting against her. Your wins in the Pits and Lexa's death were the catalysts. Even Ontari started to fight back, remember? You inspire people, Clarke. Spirit or no spirit, you inspire, you give hope, and with that hope, you promise life. And, what is the thing that you want most besides peace and prosperity for all of Man."
"For life to be more than surviving," Clarke answered.
"Yes, and if Wanheda can inspire the people to help us to that end, then let her. Their sacrifices will not be in vain. You will insure that. We all will. So, do not tell the people not to believe and wish for your coming, because they know that it will lead to a better life," Echo told her.
"Thank you," Clarke replied.
"Always, Prisa, you know that," Echo stated.
Clarke left the fire. This time she saw Raven, but she didn't acknowledge her more than that as she moved towards Echo. The taller woman took her into an embrace and kissed the top of her head. Raven just stood there watching. She knew that Echo loved her and that Clarke loved Echo, but it wasn't romantic. It was devotion. She saw how they cared for each other, but Clarke was different with Lexa. She knew that if Lexa would allow it, Echo would act the same with her as she did with Clarke. There was a wall there that not even Lexa could cross as Heda, but Clarke jsut climbed over the wall and said "Fuck it, you're mine. Everyone else can deal with it." Lexa let her, and no one really seemed to mind. But, Clarke also was smart enough not to be overt with it. She did it behind closed doors and only in front of certain people. Raven smiled. She got it now.
"What?" Clarke question as she turned to start setting the table for them all.
"I get it," Raven replied.
"Get what?" Octavia asked as she flipped some of the bread onto a plate and started more.
"I get why you ended up with everyone, basically, at some point," Raven answered. "Echo was right. Your love is inspirational."
"I wasn't with you romantically, Raven," Clarke reminded her.
"Wasn't for lack of trying, I'm sure," Raven quipped back.
"You married my mother," Clarke responded.
"Wait? What? When?" Raven inquired. "I was your 'Daddy'?"
"Eww, no, never."
Raven laughed. She moved over to the table to help Clarke finish setting it. As they set the table, Octavia and Echo continued to finish the food. She made sure to get closer to Clarke. She was playing and joking with her as they finished. Clarke was taking the ribbing well, but she was afraid that Raven might take it too far. She knew that she should do something to stop her, but she loved the fact that she could cut up with her friends like this even after telling them about her different lives.
For Clarke, it was a godsend. They didn't treat her any differently. They still saw her as the same old Clarke. It didn't matter what she had done to get them to the point that they were now. It had all been a learning experience, and now, it was one that she shared with them.
"I still don't see what the big deal is," Raven started as they were all just standing around the table waiting for everyone else to join them.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I don't really understand why you didn't pursue me," Raven inquired.
"Rae, you're like a sister to me. It would be weird," Clarke told her again, for the thousandth time. "I love you, but not like that. It has never been like that and honestly, it will never be like that. Besides, you have this weird obsession with Mom. And, I'm not going to try to compete with her for you, sorry. I have enough to deal with besides trying to stroke your ego. But, honestly, after everything with Finn, I couldn't. You've always been one of my best friends and closest allies. Seeing you with Mom was a little weird, but it made sense."
"Why?"
"You kinda remind me of my Dad," Clarke replied.
"So, I could have been your 'Daddy'?" Raven teased as she grabbed Clarke around the waist.
They were laughing. Echo was staring at them, but Octavia was grinning. They all knew that Raven was playing, but still didn't mean that Echo was going to stand down. This was first time that Echo was close enough to Clarke that she didn't have to worry about her. She was her personal guard and she'd been left behind, somewhat.
Their noise led Luna and Lexa into the main room. Lexa cocked an eyebrow at the display in front of her. She was a little uncomfortable with it, but Luna couldn't help herself. Anya came up behind them, grumbling about the early morning noise and wondering why they were already in the training rings. She stopped cold behind her lover and her sekken, as she watched Raven teasing Clarke.
Clarke was sure that if Raven knew that Luna, Lexa, and Anya were there, she wouldn't have continued her teasing so brazenly. But, then again, this was Raven. She didn't always care about being appropriate. So, Raven decided to push the issue. Still holding Clarke around the waist, she spun her in her arms. As soon as surprised blue eyes met wild and mischievous brown, she was pulled in closer to Raven's body and held tightly. They just starred at each other.
Luna put an arm out and stopped Lexa from moving.
"No, wait. Let's see what the Little Bird does. We all know that Klark loves you more anything and anyone, except for Madi. I want to see what she does to my niron for overstepping," Luna said.
"And, if she hurts her?" Lexa asked.
"Then she had it coming," Anya answered as she moved more behind Luna, making no attempt to wrangle Raven that early in the morning, and especially before her breakfast.
Lexa watched as Echo met her eyes. There was worry in them, but Echo didn't seem to be moving to stop it. Octavia was just amused. She knew that if it was something to be worried about, Echo would already have Raven in a headlock or worse.
"Striksora just can't help herself, can she?" Luna mused as they all watched the scene unfold in front of them.
Raven leaned in. Clarke didn't stop her. It seemed like the blonde was completely bewildered by what was happening, but she was mostly in disbelief that Raven would even think about kissing her, let alone doing it. Without anymore fanfare, Raven kissed her.
Clarke never closed her eyes. She didn't push her away. She just waited. And, the moment that Raven pulled away, she looked deeply into her friends eyes.
"See what I mean, Rae," Clarke said softly. "You're my sister and never do that again."
"Eww," Raven replied. "What was that? That was horrible. I'm not a horrible kisser, but there was nothing there. Weird."
"Weird?" Octavia piped up as she brought the bread and meat to the table.
"I'll get the bowls ready," Echo added with a laugh in her voice.
Luna turned to Lexa and asked, "So, what are you going to do to her, Sister?"
"Raivon? Nothing really. Might scare her a bit, but that is all."
"Honestly, I was expecting Klark to flip her onto the table and threaten her with a hidden knife or something," Anya added.
"A hidden knife?" Luna questioned.
"She's worse than Leksa. She's probably got five knives on her right now. And, she's quick. Don't know who taught her all that, but Wanheda is trouble."
"And, don't any of you forget it," Clarke piped up as she turned to smile at the trio. "And, it's more like seven. Two boot knives in the left, one in the right, one behind my back, one on my hip, and two in my shirt, one of which none of you get to see. But, as to who taught me, you have no one to blame but yourselves. Between Anya and Echo, and a little from Luna and Lexa, it is amazing what I can do with a blade. But, then again, you can't discount my mother and all her medical training. Mixed with what y'all taught me...it would be a very quick and bloody fight."
"Oh, the sass with her. I love it. Can we keep her Leksa, please?" Luna begged. "She's perfect."
"I know, and she's mine," Lexa stated as she moved for Clarke. "Go play with your little bird. And, remind her that I don't share well."
"No worries there, Heda. She's all yours. Trust me," Raven replied and shook a little, like she got a chill. "I will not be trying that again."
"Why Little Bird? Afraid that Wanheda would take your lips?" Echo teasingly inquired.
"No, because she's right. It is like kissing a sister. It's just wrong. It just feels weird to me that I'm like the only one that Clarke hasn't slept with."
"I never said that I didn't sleep with you, Rae. I said that we never had a relationship," Clarke replied. "And, you aren't the only one."
They hadn't heard Indra and Gaia come in. The two darker warriors looked around the room at the mess of them and couldn't figure out what they had stumbled into. Nor, did they hear the knock on the door to announce that the rest of the Twel had come for breakfast.
"I should hope not," Indra stated as she escorted the rest in. "No offense, Wanheda."
"None taken, Indra. You have always loved me like a mother and mentor," Clarke told her and then whispered so only Octavia and Echo could hear her. "I'm not the one you wanted...in any lifetime."
"Morning, honey," Abby said as she bypassed everyone to get to Clarke.
"Morning, Mom. Did you sleep well at Nyko's last night? Get some tips and supplies?" Clarke asked.
"I did, and yes, we are going to trade some things. He has an abundance of these leave for pain. It is remarkable. He's gifted me a plant to cultivate back at the Ark," Abby replied as she moved with Clarke to sit down. Looking around the table as they all sat, Abby realized that she'd missed something. She wasn't sure if it was something big or not, but it seemed to have a few of them on edge. Well, maybe edge was the wrong word, they seemed to be a little confused and shy about the topic. "Okay, what did I miss?" she finally asked when she couldn't take the tension anymore.
"Nothing much," Octavia stated.
"We were just talking to Clarke about her partners through her lives," Lexa added, as if it would be an issue for Abby to know."
"And, you were discussing my daughters paramours and sex life because?" Abby questioned.
"Raven was a little upset that I haven't had a relationship with her, personally," Echo replied.
"She is upset because Clarke hasn't had a relationship with her?" Abby inquired, like she was trying to make it make sense.
"Yes, it seems that Clarke has been with most of us during her many lives," Lexa answered, again, not understanding Abby's reluctance at the topic.
Clarke turned red and buried her head in her hands. Raven looked like she was going to eat her own lips. Echo, Octavia, and Murphy were trying not to laugh because she understood that the Grounders didn't have the same etiquette as the Arkers, especially when it came to sex.
"And, why is that important?" Abby probed.
"It isn't!" Clarke interjected trying to stop the conversation from going further, but Lexa just didn't get the hint.
"Niron, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Being with someone is comforting. You've told me this yourself. I cannot fault you for seeking comfort with another, especially after you've told me how many times you've watched me die. I wouldn't want for you to be lonely and alone. I would expect for you to find comfort with another, and I am relieved to know that it was with one of our many friends," Lexa stated.
"Thanks, Lex," Clarke replied tightly.
"So, out of the Twelve, you've not slept with like half of us?" Raven finally quipped, mostly because she wanted to know.
"Something like that," Clarke answered not looking up from her bowl.
"So, we get Indra, Abby, and Madi. You said that with me it was just weird. So, who else is on the list hasn't banged Clarkey, hmm?"
"Can we not?" Abby asked as she looked Raven dead in the eyes, angry swirling.
"I see where she gets her fire," Luna stated, as she broke some bread and popped a piece in her mouth. "Well, done Abi kom Skai."
Abby looked confused, but she nodded at the comment. Clarke was mumbling under breath and shaking her head. This was not how she expected her morning to be going. Looking around, Murphy just had to poke the bear, so to speak. He wanted to see what Abby would do, but mostly he just wanted to cause a little chaos. He really didn't care about the answer. Clarke took care of him, but sometimes, they just needed to let loose.
"So, what's the number, Clarke? Six? Seven?" Murphy pushed, and earned a slap from Emori.
"Nine or ten depending on who you are counting," Clarke answered as she looked up and met his blue eyes with her own.
"How do you figure that?" he questioned.
"Still not sure if Madi is one of the Twelve or if it Diyoza. For now, she holds a spot. So, depending, it is either nine or ten."
"WAIT!" Raven shouted. "You've slept with Diyoza?"
"Yeah," Clarke answered.
"So, I'm the only one that you've never had a real relationship with?"
"Again, Raven, yes. You're my sister. And, to be honest, when you aren't pursuing my mother, you get adopted into the family most of the time."
"She's done what now?!" Abby asked loudly and full of surprise. "Wait, is this why you aren't upset about..."
"We can talk about that later, Mom. And, it's okay. I knew before, but I respected you enough not to say anything. Besides, she isn't the only woman I've seen you with," Clarke told her. "Yeah, it was weird for me at first because of Dad, but I want you to be happy too, Mom."
"Oh, baby," Abby said as she gathered Clarke in her arms. Giving Raven a very stern look, "Topic closed. Nope, no more questions. We have other matters to discuss and take care of. If you have some maniacal need to know more, you can discuss it later when I am not around. Understood?"
Raven just nodded.
"Good, because I do not want to know about it either," Indra added. "Thank you to whoever cooked. It is good."
"You're welcome," Echo, Octavia and Clarke all answered.
"So, what do we need to discuss?" Indra inquired.
"After breakfast," Clarke stated. "We need nourishment before we start planning more adventures. Please eat up. We have a lot to go over."