Friend Or Foe

[Isa]

❅AI GONPLEI❅

AI SWIS

"I am of the Azgeda, the Ice Nation." That was all the information she was willing to give him of her home. She doubted any Skaikru would make it far enough to ever see the ice shelves and snowstorms. 

"Everyone has lost people to the fog." Her hands still on a rusted sign as she thought back to her first days in these lands. It was wartime then as well, her people against the tree people. They had no way of knowing what the horns meant then and those they fought wasted no time to explain. Instincts, reasoning, and luck had saved a number of her people, but the fog had still taken its toll.

"The Trikru might know something," She straightened and dusted off her hands as she turned to face him. "But they never shared such knowledge with is." 

Not that she blamed the tree people. The peace between the clans was younger than she was. They all knew what the horns meant and that was enough to keep the truce without giving away information that might be handy if war were to break out between them again.

"It seems to always come from the mountains." Isa motioned in the general direction of Mount. Weather. "So at least we know which way to run."

created by lilith

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: Isa

whatever

THE HELL WE WANT

The Ice Nation? That worried Bellamy. He had assumed that there were other groupings of Grounders out there, but he wondered why those of the Ice Nation were here now. He couldn't help but think that the Grounders were getting more people for the inevitable war that was upon them. They were already outnumbered . . . reaching out to other clans would undoubtedly destroy them. He knew it was only a matter of time before the war came, and this was making him more concerned about exactly how many warriors they were dealing with.

But he was far from defeated. If this war was going to be the death of him, then he had every intention to go down fighting. "How many of your people are here?" He questioned, again, unsure if she would tell him or not. He had no idea what their political perspectives were, but he imagined the two groups of Grounders weren't exactly enemies of those of the Ice Nation were here among them. She then said that everyone had lost people to the fog . . . Bellamy didn't exactly care about other people. He cared about his people. The Arkers. The 100 -- or what was now left of them. "Do you guys not get along?" He further inquired when the woman spoke of how the knowledge was not shared with them.

That was . . . interesting. You'd think that if you were truly allies, you would tell someone all you knew about a common threat in attempt to overcome it. But that didn't seem to be the case here. She told him that it came from the mountain, and a familiar term came to mind. "The Mountain Men." He didn't know much about them, other than whatever Lincoln had told Octavia and then what Octavia had told Bellamy about it. "They seem to be another common enemy. Ones that are greatly feared by your people." His knowledge of them wasn't at all extensive. They seemed to be a mysterious bunch . . . and yet another enemy they would have to be faced with. Great. Just great. They really were racking up the enemies and threats in this damn place. All Bellamy felt fortunate for, was that the current Grounder he was in a confined space with . . .wasn't as hostile toward him as the others were.

[Isa]

❅AI GONPLEI❅

AI SWIS

"Enough." The smile she gave him was cold and did not reach her eyes. While the Azgeda had small numbers than the Trikru, they were fierce and vicious warriors made of sturdy stuff. There was a reason the Trikru could not defeat them in the war.

"We are allies," She answered simply enough. Explaining the Coalition of the twelve clans to the Sky Person was not on her to-do list that day. What did it matter to him? The Skaikru would die trying to defeat them. They clearly showed no true signs of being curious about learning about their neighbors. Besides, the knowledge of the wars and somewhat shaky peace between the clans might give him the wrong idea to try to break their peace. 

"You've heard of them," Only heard, she guessed, since he did not say much about the Mountain Men. Chances were that she knew more about them and their weapons. "The Azgeda don't fear the Mountain Men, but the Trikru are not wrong in fearing them. If the Skaikru were wise, they would fear them as well. If the Trikru don't defeat you, then the Mountain Men will."

created by lilith

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: Isa

whatever

THE HELL WE WANT

He was hardly surprised by the laconic answers he received from the Grounder. She did however say that her people didn't fear them. It made sense. Her people didn't technically live here. Why fear an enemy when they were not your enemy? Whoever the Mountain Men were, seemed to target the group of Grounders that were here, and eventually, possibly the Arkers. "You underestimate us," he stated. Typical ignorance, to assume that his people would be so easily defeated.

"Which is your first mistake." The second you underestimated an enemy, you were at a disadvantage. They had been through a lot, and the Arkers were resilient. Why shouldn't they be able to beat the enemies that came at them? "Fear is weakness. Weakness is death." He had said somewhat similar words to the others, and he stood by them. He would not fear their enemies.

He would fight them. He would fight them until his last breath if that was what it took. The Grounders may be expecting them to submit, but Bellamy wouldn't. And he knew that his people wouldn't either. "And by the way, the binding on your wound will hold." His words were in regards to her earlier commenting about how the binding wouldn't hold . . . and he now felt the need to respond to it. Another way that she was underestimating him and their skills.

[Isa]

❅AI GONPLEI❅

AI SWIS

"No, I don't." Her eyes narrowed slightly but that was the only outward sign of her irritation. He assumed too much about her and her thoughts and his pride would get him killed. "Your people are resilient and adaptable, but you are still strangers to these lands. Not only is war a threat, but surviving the ground is a threat as well. At least you'll die fighting and thus die well."

"Stubbornness will only get you so far." Isa turned away from him then and returned to her earlier scavenging. She needed something to do with her hands lest her irritation grow. She had decided not to fight him, but if she let her temper get the best of him then that unspoken promise would be through out the window."

She honestly did not want to fight him. Not today, at least, and maybe not even tomorrow. He was irritating but she had no desire to be the one to take his life. 

"It may remain in place, but it will not last until I return home." She spoke over her shoulder rather than face him again. Had he been offended when she said the bandage would not hold? Why did it bother her? "The journey is far too long. It will need to be changed before I get to the Triku territory, let alone home. There is little a good bandage can do with a wound this deep and a trek as long as mine."

created by lilith

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: Isa

whatever

THE HELL WE WANT

She claimed that she didn't underestimate them . . . but she was. Assuming that they would all die in war, that they didn't have a hope in hell of being victorious or finding a way to fight off the Grounders. Bellamy had more faith in his people than that, and he would never admit defeat. But nor did he want to fight with her about this. He had seen parts of her that set her apart from the other Grounders . . . and hoped to see more of that. Though it seemed the longer they conversed, the more disappointed he felt by the fact that she wasn't any different. Maybe that was him assuming now, and part of him hoped she proved him wrong about that.

Why should he even be disappointed? He couldn't explain it. Nor understand it. They weren't friends, however maybe he had hoped that somehow . . . she would be different. Maybe she was, as he focused on her previous actions rather than her words. "You don't know us. We're survivors. Fighters. And your people, should not treat us so dismissively." Assuming they would win; feeling they had an entitlement to the land. They were all humans. Both sides had killed people on the other. The Grounders saw them as enough of a threat to want to attack . . . that should say something in itself. "Funny. I could say the same thing about you," he told her when she spoke of how stubbornness would only get him so far. His tone wasn't overly rude or aggressive. But it was blunt. Just as he often spoke.

"Fine. Keep underestimating our skills. I'm telling you though, the bandage will hold until you get to a healer." He knew about basic survival, how to tend to battle wounds. Hers wasn't incredibly deep, otherwise the blood would have fully seeped through the bandage and surely she would have been feeling light header by the loss of blood by now. He wasn't going to argue it. He had done what he could to help with what he could, and if she was going to assume that his skills were inadequate . . . then so be it. Bellamy then leaned against the wall, hoping that the acid fog passed soon so that he could get out of here.

"For what it's worth, I don't actually like arguing with you." He wasn't sure why he felt the need to say that, but he did. Bellamy didn't actually enjoy arguing. He made decisions, and justified them, that was all. But he didn't want this conversation to turn into a heated debate or fight. He wasn't trying to provoke her -- which was different from how he tended to be before when it came to provoking others. But he had a reason for everything. But he recently spoken words were sincere, lacking anger or agitation. Spoken with a leveled tone of voice. Yes. He wanted things to be different with this Grounder . . . and perhaps clinging to that hope that it could be was foolish. But actions spoke louder than words. And her actions, had said plenty.

[Isa]

❅AI GONPLEI❅

AI SWIS

"No, I don't know you. You may surprise me yet." Her shoulders grew stiff with tension. This was not what she wanted. Getting into some kind of argument with a Sky Person had certainly not been on her list things she wanted to do that day, but even if they were not yelling at each other it still felt like an argument. "Your people are untried and I have yet to see reason to believe you'll survive."

"Underestimating is letting your guard down. My guard isn't down." She gave up the facade of scavenging and turned back to face him. "Am I supposed to encourage you by showing faith in the skills I've seen and those I haven't? You're my enemy by proxy. It's better to demoralise you or push you to act with emotion, pushing too far to prove something."

"As for the bandage, I meant no insult there. You did well." She reached up and touched it with her free hand. It ached but was dry and she figured the wound would open when she removed it later. "Set aside your emotions and pride. I can't give you a indication of how close, or how far the nearest Trikru camp may be. Besides, I have no intentions of seeing one of their healers."

Made restless by admitting so much she began to move. Isa approached the door and pressed her ear against it. It was think but she thought she could still hear the rustling of leaves as the fog moved through them.

"I don't like arguing with you, either." Isa was a fighter. She fought with blades or arrows, not with words. Maybe it was because he had helped here more than once or perhaps it was just the acid fog, but she did not want their argument to progress any further.

She swallowed and turned. "Truce? No more assumptions, on either side. No war or drama between us? At least for now."

created by lilith

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: Isa

whatever

THE HELL WE WANT

Untried. From her point of view, he supposed it made sense. Especially since she wasn't from here, she was just visiting. He knew that they would constantly be put to the test; that they would have to keep fighting to survive rather than just live. Perhaps the time would come, but it wouldn't be anytime soon. The Grounders had been surviving here on Earth, while the Arkers were surviving on a station in space. Both groups had faced their struggles; both groups were clearly survivors. "We will," he answered simply. He didn't have to prove it to her, for she would see for herself . . . if she was still around. Then again, he didn't need to verbally prove it to anyone, especially the Grounders.

Enemy by proxy. He continued to wonder if that was why she -- and whoever else from her clan -- was here. They were allies with the present Grounders that resided in the woods, but it didn't sound like they had always been so with the way she spoke of them, and the way that the Grounders potentially withheld information about the Mountain Men. Was this a way to strengthen the alliance, by combining their forces together to wipe out a common enemy: the Arkers? "Well you can demoralize me all you want," he told her. "I'm not going to fight you unless you give me a reason to. A legitimate reason." Meaning, if she attacked first. He wasn't going to draw first fire or throw the first punch. And it didn't seem like she was going to either, especially as the conversation progressed, seeming to ease of the tension that had threatened to grow just moments before.

"Careful. That almost sounds like a compliment," he said with a hint of sarcasm as well as a bit of teasing in his voice when she told him that he did well. But she then spoke of how she wouldn't see the healer. Was it pride or distrust he wondered. "And why's that?" He asked nonchalantly, not having incredibly high hopes for an answer but asked the question never the less. His eyes followed her as she moved toward the door, listening to what she could hear from outside. Judging by what came after, the acid fog was not gone yet. They would have to wait a bit longer it would seem.

She did however, offer a truce. Bellamy's gaze remained on her. "Truce," he agreed with a nod. It may not last, but he could safely say that right now . . . in this moment, he didn't want to hurt her. He didn't want to argue or fight with her. She wasn't like the other Grounders they had encountered and . . . it made him feel quite differently around her, in a new and almost refreshing way. "In our culture, we shake hands to solidify an agreement, among other things," he told her, as he extended his hand. He didn't know what they did, but assumed that if she wanted to share a bit of her own culture, she would. He wasn't going to push it, but he hoped that his own piece of Arker cultural knowledge opened the door for her to do the same should she so wish to.

[Isa]

❅AI GONPLEI❅

AI SWIS

"Fair enough," It was good to hear he had no intentions of fighting her without being provoked into it. As much as she enjoyed a good fight, which was a lot, she was not in a mood to fight today. At this rate neither of them would fight and would leave this happenstance encounter alive and relatively uninjured. 

"Take it as you wish, but don't let it go to your head." Isa shrugged and spoke as deadpan as ever, but a tiny smile managed to crack past her icy demeanor. The crack did not last long though, fading as soon as he questioned her reasoning for not wishing to see a healer. She did not trust the Trikru well enough to rely on them when it came to wounds, but that was not the only reason. Even if it were, revealing the lack of trust was hardly a good strategy. "I don't like healers. Unless I have no choice I avoid them at all costs."

She stared down at his hand for a moment, digesting the information and seeing some sense in it. Symbolically, at least. Shaking hands could not be done with weapons, after all. Even though it felt a little strange she put her hand in his and gave it a little shake. His hands were warm and a bit rough, like she expected of a survivor. "We share warmth in the cold of winter. Blankets, gloves, or fire to show our goodwill and desire for the other to survive."

created by lilith

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: Isa

whatever

THE HELL WE WANT

He saw it there, the slightest hint of a smile. It didn't look like an expression she wore often, which appeared to be something they had in common. But then again, he didn't know her well enough to be entirely certain about that. She didn't really have a reason to smile around someone who was supposed to be an enemy . . . though that was before. Seeing it now, well, it suited her quite well.

"Can't make any promises," he returned with the faintest smirk in return, a flicker of the expression. She then answered his question, saying that she didn't like healers and wanted to avoid then while she could, unless she had no other choice. "Well in that case, I hope you don't have to see one." Because it would mean that her wound wasn't serious enough to have to visit one. He didn't wish her dead. He hoped she healed and went on with . . . whatever she had to do. Even if it was to fight in the upcoming war between their people. He watched her as she soon enough took his hand. He gave it a gentle squeeze, associated with a short nod.

The warmth of her hands was not surprising; there was a softness and yet indication that she was a warrior, one who wielded a weapon. While his people didn't exactly use swords all their lives, he could feel it on her skin. Realizing that he was prolonging the gesture for an unnecessarily long time . . . he slowly let go, his arm falling back to his side. Winter was something else inevitable. A season that they needed to prepare for as the Arkers had never endured a winter . . . ever. "Makes sense," he answered. "Being part of the Ice Nation, I imagine you have a lot of resources to offer." But he obviously wasn't going to ask for himself or his own people. They would figure it out. He couldn't expect the Grounders to help them. They would sooner want to wipe them out than anything else.

[Isa]

❅AI GONPLEI❅

AI SWIS

The little smirk he gave her almost made her wish to see a real smile from him, but she suspected those were rarer and she doubted grounders gave him much reason to smile. 

"I shouldn't have to." She knew enough basic techniques to keep it from requiring the aid of a healer. It might scar a little, but she had been fighting for years. Scars were part of life and a warrior without scars was one without experience.

Although she was not willing to admit out outloud, it was kind of nice to know that he did not desire her dead or ill. It was generally one or the other with enemies but the longer she spent in his presence the less she could see him as one. It made her question what she would do if ordered to war, because if all Skaikru were like this man then her desire to fight would be lessened.

"We do. No one survives winter quite like an Azgeda," Winter came sooner to her home and left later. They were harsh and dark, but her people were well-versed in surviving such cold. It was a blessing and a curse, their winters, offering protection against enemies and strengthening her people with each passing year. But even the Azgeda suffered losses in the harsh winters. 

When he released her hand she resisted the urge to ball it into a fist. The contact had lasted too long and she was not sure how it made her feel. It was not a bad sensation, but certainly something she could not afford feeling. It almost felt like a sentimental attachment and Isa tended to avoid such things even more than she avoided healers.

"Maybe if the war between you and the Trikru ends in peace my people can offer yours some assistance." She motioned towards the door. "Winters here are not as harsh as ours, but it will be your first on the ground, right? The first winter of a life is always one of the hardest."

created by lilith

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: Isa

whatever

THE HELL WE WANT

On the Ark, Bellamy had read books about people who lived in snow covered nations. Eskimos, they were known as if he recalled correctly. They would wear thick fur, and build homes known as igloos with ice and snow. It seemed to be a consistent lifestyle for them . . . and he imagined that if the Ice Nation was true to what was suggested by its literal name, then they were very used to surviving winters, if not constantly residing in the cold weather. She suggested offering assistance if the war ended in peace, and the thought alone caused Bellamy to pause, pensive over her words. Was there even a chance for peace? Bellamy had doubted it since they first speared one of the Arkers. That, had been a warning. A horrible warning. But when it was clear that his people weren't going anywhere . . . they continued to be perceived as a threat.

"I'm grateful for the offer," he said sincerely. He wasn't above gratitude, and he had to admit . . . the fact that she was suggesting helping them through what he knew was going to be a brutal season, showed consideration and a desire to help. "But I don't think peace is an option anymore. We tried to make a truce. Didn't work out." Bellamy was a realist. He wasn't going to get false notions that the Grounders would reach out in attempt to make peace. The only reason it worked the last time was because Lincoln had spoken for them . . . the bridge incident had ended in arrows and bullets. This particular Grounder though probably had no control or say in that, if she was just a visiting one.

Anya had been the name of the Commander. And it appeared that what she said, goes without question. She had explained that the first winter was always the hardest, assuming that this was their first on land. She was correct in that assumption. Bellamy didn't want to verbally confirm it, but the Grounders knew. Hell, they were probably banking on the fact that if they themselves didn't kill the Arkers, then the harsh winter would. "We'll have to get through it. We're here to stay." He couldn't ask for advice, or details about it.

It would then become known that they were lacking the proper resources. That they needed aid. He wished he could accept her offer without condition. But alas, tensions with the Grounders were too high to hope for peace. "I take it the cold is a constant where you come from?" He inquired, wanting to learn more of where the Ice Nation was settled. Not for any strategy play against them. But because he was genuinely curious. This was perhaps the longest conversation he had ever held with a Grounder. It was surprisingly easy to converse with them . . . once it was established that neither of them were going to try to kill each other.

[Isa]

❅AI GONPLEI❅

AI SWIS

"War doesn't last forever." Isa spoke from experience, remembering fighting and killing the Trikru and now sitting among them as an ally. In the chill of battle peace seems impossible, but nothing ever lasts forever. One day the Trikru and Skaikru may come to peace or one day one will destroy the other. It was even possible for the peace between the Trikru and Azgeda to break. "Nothing lasts forever."

"I'll speak to Queen Nia of your people." She decided that then and there. The war did not feel like her own, but they could not be the Skaikru's allies until the war was settled. At any rate, the possibility of not being enemies with them was a possibility. It was rare that Isa hoped for peace. She had warrior's blood, filled with ice and bloodlust, but this was one of the rare occasions she hoped there would not be battles. 

"You're determined." That much was obvious from the moment the Skaikru landed. They had been disorganized and immature from what Isa had heard, but they adapted at a decent speed. "That stubbornness will keep you going for quite some time."

His question was met with a raised eyebrow and a deadpan response. "No, not at all. It's all sunshine and beaches. Why would you think that it was cold?"

She could not help it. Teasing him over his silly question happened without thought. It was the closest she had been to playful in a long time and felt nice. It also raised red flags in her mind, warning her that she needed to get away from him soon lest she form an attachment of some sort.

created by lilith

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: Isa

whatever

THE HELL WE WANT

War doesn't last forever. He hoped that was true. The main problem right now was that The Grounders had numbers on their side. Bellamy was determined to fight, yes, but he also knew that it was entirely possible that his people would get wiped out before the Grounders did. If the Arkers joined them, that would give them additional hope . . . more numbers. But right now, it was difficult to tell. It was why they had to be strategic. "Tell that to your allies," he responded. His voice wasn't bitter or abrupt, but merely said as a casual statement. War didn't last forever. Nothing lasts forever. That was true.

But his concern remained on the present. On how to best fight off this war, because in the end . . . there would be casualties on both sides. And he imagined it would be only the first battle of many. Her next words surprised him. She offered to speak to her queen -- apparently they had a queen? Now that was interesting.

But it was the meaning of her statement that he found surprising. She wasn't saying that she would target them. No. It almost sounded like . . . there could be a possibility for some sort of peace. Though he also wasn't a naive fool. Their priority were the other Grounders tribe. Nevertheless, this could be a step in the right direction. "And I'll talk to my people about you." He would most definitely talk to Clarke about this, but didn't want to single her out, due to the fear of building a bigger target on her.

"War is a last resort. We're ready if it comes down to it. But if your people, your nation don't have to fight us, then we can definitely have something to talk about." His words were with the understanding that she may not have full control of what happened. It depended on their clans politics; on what Anya and Queen Nia wanted. But just the mere fact that she was willing to speak of them . . . it meant a great deal.

"Thank you," he added. Words he did not usually say. Clarke was the one who was more eloquent with words; a better diplomat, better speaker. Bellamy was more the brawn and man of action. It was why they were able to co lead so well. But right now, he had to be more the speaker than the one who acted. The ease in which he was able to do so with her was . . . surprising. And something told him that it wouldn't have been the same with any other Grounder apart from her.

She then called him determined, and that his stubbornness would keep him alive for a while. "I'll take that as a second compliment. You're really pouring them out now," he said in the same teasing, almost sarcastic tone that he had said his other words on the same subject. This playfulness he responded with was not something common for him. It was rare. For there was so much to do, so many people to take care of, that he seldom found the ability to engage in light teasing and playfulness. It usually consisted in more intimate activities with women, or in those fleeting moments between doing work, and even then, only when he was with someone he was quite close to.

Yet with a Grounder, this Grounder of all people, it just came naturally. Who knew. No sooner did the thoughts enter his mind, did she retort with a sarcastic statement. He rolled his eyes, all in good humor, and found that he was enjoying her teases just as much as he was in giving them to her.

"I have no idea," he responded with the same sarcasm, the same playful banter. "Maybe you're starting to overestimate me now," he added -- a reference to when he had previously told her that she was underestimating him. Though he was now drawing humor from it, stating it on a lighter note. "You really need to find a middle ground with that," he further teased.

[Isa]

❅AI GONPLEI❅

AI SWIS

"I won't tell it to my allies." It sounded harsh to her ears and she did not mean it as such so she elaborated. "I don't have a way with words, Sky Man. I am a warrior and a loner. I'll speak to my people and leave the silver-tongued business to them. Maybe some good can come from it for all of us."

"I appreciate it. I have yet to harm any of your people and I would rather not be mistaken for a Trikru, if it can be avoided." Truth be told, all she had done as watch the Skaikru and listen to what the Trikru had to say about them. She was curious about the people from the sky in a way she was generally not curious about those she fought against. Maybe it was because of where they came from. They were a novelty and something she had not faced before which put them in the area of something she would rather learn about than kill. If they attacked her or the Azgeda, however, that curiosity would be cast aside. 

"I'm certain your people did not mean to start a war." But war is what they were getting as a result of their actions leading to the death of the Trikru people. It was cause and effect instigated by ignorance rather than cruelty, if her estimation of what happened were correct.

 "Either I am too complimentary or I underestimate you." She faked a sigh and shook her head, trying not to smile. Although they had been arguing before, they had settled into an amicable teasing that was actually rather fun. "It seems as if there is no pleasing you. Pray tell, what am I supposed to do?"

created by lilith