an unexpected arrival [open]

[Clarke Griffin]

Clarke was busy with so much things. Settling the others in, planning, whatever fell onto her shoulders. She was constantly on the move, too, constantly having to deal with one thing or another. With everything that was going on and how far peace was for them, Clarke rarely had a moment to just sit down and contemplate what they could or should do. Leadership was still as fresh to her as it was a month ago and given that she was a leader for such a short time, she knew nothing, but had support in the other leaders in the Camp. It was pure chance that Clarke was passing the gate when the people approached it. She watched them grow bigger as they grew closer, but for the man she could place no name to the face as she had not ever seen him before.

It was the attire that gave him away, though. The was he dressed, it was obviously not their clothing. The Arkers rarely had big decorations on their clothing, unlike Grounders. Grounders had all forms of decorations on them, bones often, she found, masks to make them look bigger and worse, especially the warriors. She knew the beads, the braided shirts, the fur, she had seen it all and so it was easy to tell at least he was a Grounder.

“Don’t shoot – for now.” Clarke ordered the Guards. They could always shoot later. Their technology was still advanced to theirs. “What do you want?” Clarke called out the Grounder approaching them.

@king Nicolette Carmichael

[Deleted]

He gave an unconvincing and quite frankly, an untrustworthy grin, "are you blind, perhaps?" he responded loudly in kind. Holding the woman up with his one side, since she was still clinging onto him, his right hand brushed against the gate. It was cold. He rapped his knuckle against it and with that produced a reverberating sound, and he turned to his side: showing the woman on his back. On on her back, you would see her gun. Something that Kinos was not permitted to touch. Well, his own moral code anyway. "This is metal." he spoke factually, intrigued at how they, people from the sky managed to also obtain it. They must've been from the earth before. 

Given that it would then be noticed that he was holding onto one of them, and that Nicolette may say something herself, he stayed quiet for a moment and given the gate being opened or some other action, he would progress forward and as far into their camp as they would allow. 

When prompted to, he would softly allow Nicolette to fall from his body, and he would suddenly feel lighter. His right hand kept on top of her right hand: stabilizing her. 

"Are you ... the leader?" he spoke. His head tilted forward slightly - and his eyes became piercing as he stared at her. Not exactly wide-eyed, but very curious, his eyes stared as deeply as they could allow into hers from the distance currently between them. Bore on Kinos's face was intrigue. Nicolette does not lie. There are pretty women in this camp of theirs. He thought to himself. It was not a mean thought: Just that of a man who knew of his sexuality. His thoughts trailed off. 

It was probably clear by now that he did not speak perfect English, given his accent.  His next thoughts were to ask how they managed to create the legs and phantom limbs so that their men and women could work again. But he would tame that thought - only sparsely. It would come soon.

Either way. Kinos tapped himself once more with his free hand. "Vine." he smiled at her. 

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Nicolette Carmichael]

What they found at the front gate was Clarke. Oh dear. Of all people it had to be her. The leader. When Clarke asked the of, "What do you want?" 
The man turned slightly to show Nic off. Nic awkwardly glanced at Clarke. "Hi. Uh-" She paused. How could she explain this situation. It must look very odd to the girl. It was crazy to think that this girl, only 18 was the leader. But everyone respected her. Including Nic. It must be hard to do, to get people to respect you at that age, and considering the things she already had to do? Well, Nic could never handle that. She was ok with just being a pawn in this big game of chess. "It's my leg. It's busted again." That was the lamest explanation ever and Nic wanted to slap herself, but she was still clinging to the man, afraid if she loosened her grip she was going to fall off. 

But she did loosen her grip. "It's ok, you can let me go now." She prompted. Someone, possibly even Clarke would help her out. She didn't need this man to help her anymore than he already has. 

[Clarke Griffin]

Clarke had heard a grounder say something before, probably Lincoln or back when they held her captive together with Finn, it was one thing that resonated with her ever since, because it was so very different from their culture. Everything was different and sometimes, depending on how tense relations with the Grounders were, Clarke liked to point out the glaringly obvious differences between their people. With them there was one unquestionable leader with all the consequences. The Arkers had a council, something that was apparently rather unfamiliar to the Grounders. Clarke didn’t however address it with him. 

“Yes, I am the leader.” And claiming that authority for herself once more, would protect her people from whatever his motives were now, good or not. Intentions would probably be misinterpreted by his people, leading to consequences she was not ready to shoulder and the council would most likely agree with her decision: Do nothing to provoke the Trigedakrus authorities, not that she thought a single grounder would matter much, sometimes they were looking for excuses. Clarke rather focused on the familiar face of the guard, her mind adding the information automatically. 

“We will be able to fix it, don’t worry.” Clarke reached for the gun of one of the guards, signaling for him to give it to her and help the woman inside. She could do it herself, but it would be a lot easier for a trained guard to help her support her weight or even take her entire weight onto them. “It’s good you made it home. Any longer and we might have sent out a search party for you.”

[Deleted]

So she was the leader. He gave a quick and small nod the the head to show his respects. Purely out of formality to the woman. Why did he show that deference when he did not need to? There were three reasons. The first was their Heda, the Commander was female. Gender meant nothing in this world. The second was to give himself a better impression. And thirdly. He also wanted to learn English better.

As she let go of his hand he looked at her a single time, nodded and went back to Clarke's gaze. This was a time to be serious. His features dimmed down to a neutral stare.

"I find myself interested in the Sky People." he began, looking around at the various faces who had gathered - to see him. The foreigner, invader, grounder... whatever he was called to them. He was there first, was all he could think in response. "I want to speak better." 

"English used to be our language I have been told. This is... not as true now." he crossed his arms. "I can teach in return. I know this."

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Nicolette Carmichael]

A guard had come to help Nic, and she was grateful. She placed her arm around the guy's neck, while the guy held her waist tightly with both arms. She smiled at him. "Thanks." She told him. The guard helped her hobble towards Clarke. Clarke and Vine seemed to be in a staring contest of dominance. They were exchanging words, but Nic wasn't really listening, she was focused on walking with only one functional leg. It was hard, but the guard was good at keeping her balanced enough for her not to fall over. In moments like these she felt both awkward, and annoyed. Annoyed at being useless and having someone to help her. But right now it couldn't be helped. It either this or being carried in his arms. Carrying definitely was not an option, it freaked her out. 
Nic gave a small chuckle at Clarke's comment about the search party. "My shift wasn't over yet." She just said. Every time she was in Clarke's company she felt a little awkward. Once upon a time Nic was the superior, now Clarke was. But that wasn't the awkward thing about it. Clarke's personality was just so strong. She radiated authority, confidence. Everything Nic wasn't. And she never knew how to act around the girl, or woman, as Clarke definitely shouldn't be considered a girl anymore. She was so much more than a girl. 


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Clarke Griffin @king

[Clarke Griffin]

Clarke almost didn’t want to believe her ears when the Grounder opened his mouth to speak. What did he think they were? A charity program? Kill them first then exploit them? Hell to the no. He was a stranger to them. They had not a single reason to trust in him and with that not a single reason to let him in – bringing the guardswoman Carmichael back was not something that gained him their trust or access to the Camp, especially given the reputation of his people. They had seen them act before. In the end it was much more likely for him to end up being back here, carrying more than the weapons he was carrying now and with malicious intent, if he didn’t have it already. She wouldn’t risk it. She’d have the guards act first before she even consider letting him into the Camp. On top of it what he wanted was just a joke and absolutely laughable in Clarkes eyes and probably in the eyes of a lot of the guards around them. He was not the first Grounder they encountered either.

“Well, we’re not lab rats for you to study.” Clarke replied. A lot of them seemed to think they were entitled to a lot with them. Like this one, a perfect example of the way a lot of Grounders seemed to think they could just barge in, demand, make the first attack and expect the Arkers to be the more clever ones and end the war they never started. She was willing to go with their culture for a lot of things, but she certainly would not let a single one of them trick her with such cheap methods. They had learned too much of their culture for that one to work.
“If you want to speak English better, speak to your Warriors. We know your people are perfectly capable of full and fluent English. We don’t teach anyone of your people English and you have nothing to offer us.” Clarke turned to the guards, especially to Charmichael. “I’m sure Bellamy and Kane kept tracks of that. I’d suggest you sit down, rest and then afterwards report to Kane. He’ll want to have a full report. My mother, too, probably. You deserve to rest now, though.”

[Deleted]

Like he had said, he didn't speak very good English. However, understanding? That was very different indeed. He didn't quite understand what she said when she said 'Lab'. She had heard that in passing with something to do with the Mountain Men. But this was the only thing that he could draw a link to.

'Is their leader really this... incongruent?' Did she really believe that their way was one of force? For the past one hundred years, they had coalesced into something peaceful. Of course there were conflicts: Where did they not exist? Take Kinos to that place. He would've much rather been there, then in this world of pain and violence and conflict.

HE wanted to eat and fuck and laugh and love. But he had been dealt cards just like his parents were savaged by mammals, and he had been dealt cards just like his people had to fight their own people who had once been their friends... turned into something monstrous. 

This was their world, and that was the difference between the him and her. 

He knew this rationality and like the rest of his people: Had learned to live with it. He was but one man and could not change the world. He began to see this leader of theirs in a worse light. Light that was blinding her, rationalizing away and generalizing Kinos and the people he walked with as one and the same. Savages. This was what hurt him. This was further from the truth.

He had been asked by her what he wanted: and spat at when he said what he wanted. This was rudeness.

[Music Start]

Of course, Kinos was brought up in a way different to them, he was not as privileged as them to end up on the ark: He had his harsh truths, he was a fighter... but not a warrior. He was fiercely loyal to his people and in a fight? He wouldn't hesitate to cut someone open. Absolutely mercilessly. They had separated their territories and that was completely fine... if they were to fight...

With her response, he watched her face contort, spitting out each of the syllables harshly at him. If words could give venom, this was it. His body language generally remained the same, except for the emotions on his face. Kinos would remain quiet until she was completely done speaking, even after having turned to Nicolette and spoken. He would remain quiet and unwavering until she had turned back around and paid full attention to him.  

"Grounders... may look the same, but we are not the same." when he spoke the word 'not' there was this sharp emphasis, and you could see that his pride had been hurt.

"I am Vine to you, not the one that may have hurt you or your people. If I was a warrior... I be taught it. I thought better than... this." his hands gestured to the floor and around them - while not directly at the group of people here...

He let himself drag off, his point had been made. He was no warrior and would never claim to be, why would they try teaching him? There was no reason. He have her a purely courteous nod his head, and looked over at Nicolette. If their eyes caught or not - he would give the smallest nod to her, turn and leave. 

He would not listen to her response, she was not deserving of his time. He would learn, and it would not be through her. 

He would return to the clearing, collect his things and leave.

-EXIT-

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Nicolette Carmichael]

Nic felt absolutely awkward while the two people clashed, grounder vs arker. She had let this happen. She was such an idiot. She never should've talked to this guy, never should have let him into her life like that. Dumb, Nic, she thought to herself. Later she would probably punish herself, most likely relive her worst memories. Great. 
Clarke was going to be pissed at her when Vine left. But she deserved it, so it was ok. She would listen to her leader, and take in as much criticism as she could. “I’m sure Bellamy and Kane kept tracks of that. I’d suggest you sit down, rest and then afterwards report to Kane. He’ll want to have a full report. My mother, too, probably. You deserve to rest now, though.”
Clarke told her, in the middle of all of this. 
Nic shrugged lightly. Yeah. How was she going to explain this? She was most likely going to get fired! Man, she really had screwed up. "Yes, Clarke." She said a little awkwardly. She turned away from the girl and glanced over at Vine, who was now angry 
He gave her a slight nod before turning and walking away. 

She had screwed up. It was official. She wanted to tell Clarke that Vine didn't have any weapons on him, that he was only there to find plants. But she didn't want to make the situation worse. She glanced at the guard who was still holding onto her. "Could you take me to the engineers, please?" She asked in a small voice. 
"Sorry." She told Clarke. "I'm sorry." She whispered, more to herself rather than to Clarke. The guard started to walk her towards the engineer's tent. First order of business, get her leg fixed. 

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Clarke Griffin