Clare Jordan

Geneticist. 22. Former delinquent Born to Farm station

[clarexjordan]

It’d been a month since he’d been locked up, and every day that passed only served to worsen her mood. The only thing lately that distracted her was helping Kyle with his mission for the mountain girl. She couldn’t say she cared much for the girl herself, she’d barely met her, and preferred to keep it that way with most people- most days she wasn’t even sure how Kyle had managed to sidle into her very limited circle of people she liked- but her general mood was constant: 

Very Pissed Off. 

“What? What? What? What could you possibly want right now?” She snapped, pulling a hand too-roughly through her hair, yanking out a few strands in frustration at the knock to the door that, to be fair, might actually be for Kyle and not for her at all. 

[clarexjordan]

A month. He’d been locked up, despite her very loud and demanding protests that she didn’t care were starting to wear thinly on Pike’s nerves, for a whole goddamn month. She’d been denied access to him after the first couple weeks and she knew what that meant, but she also knew that there was no obstacle she couldn’t overcome if she tried hard enough. And it took another two weeks, but she got the access they were trying to deny her. 

She wasn’t one for blackmail. Not usually. But desperate times called for desperate measures, and while she didn’t normally care about other people’s business, when she went hunting, she usually found what she was looking for and as it turned out, Octavia Blake wasn’t the only one in camp with a grounder to protect. 

So she slipped into the room quietly, warned for the fourth time in the last three minutes that she had to be extremely quiet and that the guard would knock when her time was up. 

She hadn’t expected the extent of the injuries. She’d braced herself for him to look worse, skinnier, bruised, defiant. She hadn’t expected so much dried blood, so much obvious pain in the way he held himself, and she felt her infamous tamper flare dangerously, taking a second before she even trusted herself to speak without screaming for Pike so she could beat him with the nearest blunt object. 

Once she was confident she wouldn’t reveal her being here, she fell next to him, reaching out to touch one of the only unbruised or bloodied parts of him that she could see. “What did they do you?” She whispered, her voice horrified. 

@anicarusborn

[anicarusborn-deactivated2017021]

“Go ahead, you’d be arrested for wasting food. Wouldn’t do anymore much good if you’re locked up too” He shrugged, fighting back the desire to let it out. It was boiling inside of him, everything from the moment he was taken to now, she was how you’d break him. She was the key, they knew that too, but he couldn’t let her get under his skin. But what she didn’t know was he chose to leave. He always went alone, mostly because he knew he’d be caught if he didn’t. He knew they’d never allow him to go even accompanied back to the camp. But what she didn’t know was she was why he kept coming back. Clare and Monty were his reasons to stay and his reasons to risk his life on a chance. He had the bunker which had a lot of the equipment they needed, or even the Rovers, but he chose to come back. It was his choice, Clarke had even tried to stop him multiple times, but he always found a way out. Now, he was imprisoned for it. It was his sin he had to pay for, if he hadn’t been so selfish he never would’ve ended up there. He deserved this and he wouldn’t let them take the blame for what he did.

Jasper rolled his eyes as she went on, he knew she was hurt even before she walked in the door. He knew the moment she found out, she was casting the blame and taking the pain as her own.  It was Clare, she took everything to heart especially when it was about family–was about him. She wasn’t emotional, but when she was angry she was a hurricane. She was on a warpath and he was next to be taken apart by her wrath. But he couldn’t take her throwing this on herself, he couldn’t take listening to her try and tear into him. He wasn’t sure what she wanted to accomplish by doing all of this–but he couldn’t listen. “Shut up, Clare, just shut up!” He snapped at her. “You–you know they’d never do any of that. No matter what you did, they wouldn’t give me a damn thing until I give them up. That’s what they want, they want me to talk to you. They’re listening, they wouldn’t let you come in here if they weren’t.” Jasper knew the room had to be bugged or even maybe she was, either way, it wasn’t safe to say much of anything. He was standing now, his hands tethered to the bench by the hand cuffs. “You’re not, I know that, but you’re on their side, you’d–you’ve trusted them and you’re not going to change sides now. And if you tell ‘em about us, everything I told you–You’be signing my death certificate. I’d be just like Erik. You’d kill all of us, our blood would be on your hands, is that what you want Clare? They don’t want us to come back and make friendship bracelets with them, they want us dead ‘cause they know we know the truth. We know what’s really going on and and you’re so–If you wanted to stop this, you’d quit blaming yourself and actually do something!” The metals clang together as he pulls at the cuffs, trying to walk towards her, he was screaming now. “I would’ve left even if you tried, you’re not my mom, you can’t tell me what I can and can’t do. I was trying to save you, save all of us, Clare. I can’t lose you too, I was trying to keep you safe. You’re in more danger–you couldn’t just leave it alone, could you? You couldn’t just trust me, just once I needed you to trust me and let me fix it. And you couldn’t.” He sighs, turning away from her. The emotion was already slipping through, but he’d be damned before he’d let her see him cry over this.

[clarexjordan]

“If it’d make you believe me it’d be worth it.” She was still snapping, but still wanting him to trust her. She knew why they let her in, and she knew he knew. But as much as she wanted to tell them, she hadn’t yet and she wasn’t sure she could go through it. He hated her enough right now and she’d done nothing more than find out his secret. She could only imagine what it would be like if she gave up his secret.

The question was, would it be worth the hatred if it saved his life?

He shouted and she quieted in surprise. She was used to people yelling at her like that, she was used to Jasper yelling, but she wasn’t used to Jasper yelling at her like that. His sudden lack of faith in her ability to get what she wanted was just another thorn in the long vine of briar that separated them, that seemed to grow the longer they were on this damn planet. He’d always laughed at her demanding nature, always joked she could get whatever she wanted. But now he had no faith in her ability to get even small comforts for him, to make this shithole a little less shitty, and that too hurt. Which only worsened her mood as she stood to meet him.

“You’re right, I’m not your mom. Because we both know she wouldn’t stand for seeing you chained up like this and she’d want you out. And furthermore, you don’t want me to do something to stop this, because you know what I’d do and the assurance that you’d hate me if I gave up these kids you seem to value so much is the only reason I haven’t.” She growled. “I don’t know what it is about Charles that makes you think he’s satan incarnate, but he’s not. He’s just a man, thrown into a violent situation and responding in kind because when we tried to be peaceful, we died. I get that you don’t like his methods, and yes it’s unfortunate what happened to Erik, but has it occurred to you that you’ve all created a self-fulfilling prophecy? Charles doesn’t hesitate when he feels there’s a threat to his people, that’s his issue. You keep fighting against him and you keep giving him reasons not to trust you, and to think you’re a threat to the safety of the rest of us. If you’d stop trying to split the camp and fight against Charles’ Chancellorship, you wouldn’t have to fear for your safety.” 

“And how dare you accuse me of not trusting you? Of not leaving it alone? When did I not trust you? When I kept your secret for you against my better judgement? When did I not leave it? When I walked away and let you continue to risk being caught? You’re so blinded by your friends you seem to have forgotten that I do want to have your back.” She turned, prepared to leave, but still words spilled out. “But if you don’t want me around anymore, fine. You want to act like those kids are all you’ve got trying to help you? Fine. But don’t you dare belittle what I’ve done for you to make me seem like the enemy because you hate Charles.”

[anicarusborn-deactivated2017021]

His gaze stayed on his hands as the door opened, the voices seemed distant and didn’t quite reach him. His mind had drifted off, this thoughts pulling him to a safer place. The pain that echoed through his body seemed to be the only thing keeping him sane at this point. For days been locked in a dark cell, when the door opened he was pressed and beaten for answers that he refused to give. The men wore him down, leaving his skin colored with different shade of bruises and blood, a prince he had to pay. He wouldn’t be the reason for another death unless it were his own. So he held back his words, holding on to what little parts of himself he still had left. He wasn’t sure who he could trust, no one wanted anything other than to get the names and the place–not even Hannah Green, his second mother, could be trusted. Now as he heard Clare entering the room, he knew he couldn’t say anything..she could and would betray him too.

Jasper didn’t look up, he didn’t even acknowledge the food. The smell of it made him feel sick, his stomach ached for something to eat. But to give in would be to give them exactly what they wanted. He pushed the food away, keeping his head down and eyes averted. He couldn’t look at her, he couldn’t have her try to break him too. He wanted to trust her, he wanted to know that she wasn’t trying to turn him too–what a stupid thing to hope for. “I’m not hungry,” he said flatly, the words burning against his raw throat. “Especially not for a bribe.” He leaned forward on his knees, twisting his hands together. “And if that’s what you’re trying to do, you should go. I’m not talking, Clare.”

[clarexjordan]

“If I beat you with this presumed bribe, would that make you believe it wasn’t?” She asked archly, not appreciating his tone. She wasn’t the reason he was here, his delinquent friends were the reason for that. They were the ones who’d selfishly let him risk his life creeping in and out of the camp so they could have what they needed. They were the ones who hadn’t cared to send him any backup, leave him anyone to watch his back. They were the ones who’d made him feel like he had no choice but to risk himself helping them. She didn’t put him here, his friends did, and she wasn’t about to take his attitude like she was at fault for this. 

“I wasn’t going to bring up talking, I was going to ask how you were, if you needed anything I could guilt or bully one of the others to give you but if you’re going to treat me like the enemy I won’t bother.” She snapped, hiding her hurt under irritation despite the fact that she hadn’t fooled him in years. She’d always been the same way; the more hurt and emotional she got, the more vicious she got, it was her go-to defense mechanism. 

He wasn’t interested in talking, so she did. “I didn’t fucking put you here Jas, don’t talk to me like I did. I didn’t tell anyone what you told me, though you can bet it’s crossed my mind every minute since I’ve heard you’re in here, and I didn’t give you away. I told you it was too risky but you insisted on doing it and I let you and now you’re here, so instead of treating me like I put you here, why don’t you give one second to think about how I already feel like I put you here because I didn’t stop you.” 

[bryannolan-deactivated20200214]

Bryan was quiet as he leaned against the wall with her, listening to what she said and seeing just how worried she was. Gently, he moved his hand to slip into hers, wanting to show her that he was there for her, and that he wasn’t going to let her be worried alone. He understood, after all, and just wanted to somehow make this all okay for all of them. How, he wasn’t sure, but well, they’d figure something out, right?

“I don’t understand why Jasper doesn’t see it…” He admitted, “Pike isn’t going to want to like… force them all to come back or anything, right? It can’t be about that. Besides, it’s not like they pose a threat to us. Jasper and the others would never hurt any of us, Pike can’t think it’s that.” He shook his head a little, not believing that for a second.

However, the look Clare gave him made him hesitate just a bit, before repeating, “They don’t pose a threat though. He just has to tell Pike whatever it is he wants, and I’m sure nothing bad will happen. Pike just… doesn’t like not knowing things. Which I don’t blame him for, you know? Knowing that you’re safe is important. They just need to both talk and understand that.”

[clarexjordan]

She was surprised to feel his hand in hers; not many people offered her comfort (not that she blamed them, she didn’t offer people comfort and didn’t expect it from anyone), and it was foreign. But she squeezed his hand, a little too tightly in her worry, glad for the uncommon reassurance. 

She couldn’t agree with him though. “I don’t know. And maybe that’s the problem. He may want to force them here, and he may put them in cells too to keep them here. They know too much, and if they don’t trust Kane and they don’t trust Charles, there’s always going to be a risk of them going to the grounders to change the balance of power. And if Charles is thinking the same thing, he won’t let them just live peacefully outside the gates.” 

A part of her felt the sting of betrayal against Jasper, but she couldn’t deny what she saw unfolding. “And if Charles thinks they pose a threat, which they could if they side with the grounders, he’ll either contain it, or eliminate it.” She could only hope Bryan wouldn’t hold against her her next words, because she knew Jasper would. 

“It’s the only smart move.”

[bryannolan-deactivated20200214]

Bryan let out a soft chuckle at Clare’s retort, but continued to pick up the papers that were on the floor, carefully putting them into piles on the table, so that Clare could re-sort them all out. He let her rant, quiet and just listening as she spoke, though he jumped as she suddenly threw herself against the wall, dropping a few of the papers he’d picked up.

Quietly, he picked the papers up again with shaky hands, resettling himself as he thought of what to say. “I know,” He finally decided on, standing up again and turning to face her. He walked over, leaning against the wall next to her lightly. “He shouldn’t be in jail,” He added, “I know that Pike isn’t going to let him just sit there… but you’re not useless. We can figure something out, okay?”

He tilted his head to look at her then, chewing a little on his lip, “I understand that Jasper is loyal to them, but he needs to take care of himself too. Maybe you can talk to him and get him to understand that? Or… Make a deal with Pike or something. Pike isn’t a bad guy. He’s just trying to keep everyone safe, you know? Jasper has to know that too, right?”

[clarexjordan]

Normally she’d be more attentive to Bryan’s moods and reactions to her, normally she tried to at least be responsive if not always instinctively conscientious. But right now, she was too worried and too stressed and too angry, and she missed his flinch in her selfishness, her her hand covering her face in frustration. 

She did feel him join her leaning against the wall, and she uncovered her face to look at him with an expression that felt unfamiliar on her face; worry. She wasn’t accustomed to not being in control and she didn’t like it. She nodded at his first words, though they didn’t do much to make her feel less useless, she appreciated his effort. 

But at his second ones, her expression grew even tighter. “I know he’s not, that’s the problem. He’s a good guy, but Jasper refuses to see that. And despite being a good guy, he’s not harmless. If he thinks the others pose a threat outside the walls, he’ll do anything to figure out where they are, and that’s what worries me.” We know what he’s capable of if he feels threatened, she tried to communicate with her eyes. 

[clarexjordan]

@criminallyjasper

She nodded to the guard, and when he didn’t leave her alone in the room she lifted an eyebrow, snapping at him. “Thank you bye take the hint.” Reluctantly, he left, and she turned back to the boy she couldn’t decide if she wanted to hug or throttle. She couldn’t believe he was choosing to sit here and rot in a cell (whether it looked like a room or not the fact still stood; it was a cell) rather than save his own skin and just tell Charles and the others where the kids were. It wasn’t like they weren’t eventually going to go looking and find them; how original did they think they were, hiding in the nearest fortified safe haven? 

But she did neither, just went to sit near him, trying not to say what was on her mind, just offered a plate of food. She’d heard- though Hannah had briefly tried to deny it, Charles hadn’t bothered- that they were withholding most of his food to try to get him to talk. And she assumed the reason they let her bring the food she had to him; trust. 

Well. She didn’t need food for Jasper to trust her, but she wasn’t about to say no to the opportunity to get him a little more. “Some of the boys caught I think they said it was a panther; I wasn’t sure if you liked it down here but I figured better than nothing.” 

[bryannolan-deactivated20200214]

Now that he was on the guard, Bryan had more information about what was going on, and had been hearing more things. He knew that Jasper had been caught, and he’d heard people mumbling about how Clare was reacting to it. Knowing that she would probably be upset, he was on his way to find her and see what he could do to cheer her up a bit. Maybe it wouldn’t be easy, but he wanted to try; Clare was someone that he cared about a lot.

“Whoa,” He stated in surprised at seeing a girl go running past him from where he knew Clare was, raising an eyebrow at hearing the slammed door. He paused a moment to give her time to settle a little so he didn’t get the door slammed on him if he tried to open it. He stepped forward then, opening the door and stepping inside, taking a look around the room, not surprised by the chaotic state of it.

“You know, if you keep chasing people off like that, you’re going to get voted off the island, babe,” He stated gently, a light tease in his voice, “And i don’t think that’d be fun.” He stooped and began to pick up the papers that were scattered around, letting her have a moment before he would get any closer.

[clarexjordan]

She heard the door open and spun on her heel, prepared to chase off whoever was stupid enough to come in while she was so pissed off just like she had the other girl, but her scathing remark died on her tongue at the sight of Bryan, though her pinched expression didn’t change. 

She didn’t even bother commenting on the nickname; Bryan was one of only two people that could get away with calling her babe (the other being Wick and only because she refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her irritable over it) without losing an appendage. “I’m about to vote myself off this stupid island.” She retorted, watching him gather up the fallen papers and rather than kneeling to help, she started pacing again. 

“Jasper’s in jail, Bryan, what the hell am I supposed to do?” She babbled, half to Bryan, half to herself. “Charles isn’t going to let him sit there forever without wanting something, and Jasper’s being stupidly loyal to the other kids and I’m sitting here fucking useless!” She threw herself dramatically against the wall, her back slamming into the metal with a satisfying thud.

[clarexjordan]

@bryancolton

“Stop touching my shit, just- dammit,” She snapped, yanking the papers from the girl who’d supposedly been trying to help her (somewhat against her will, but Charles had sent her help and she hadn’t wanted to spit in the face of his gift) trying to stay calm, but when the girl reached for another stack and accidentally knocked those over, she snapped. 

“Get out!” She threw her own stack at the girl, shooing her out with her hands. “Go go go!” she shrieked, until the girl had been chased from the room and Clare could slam the door behind her.

She wasn’t even mad at the girl, or Pike for sending someone useless to her. She was mad at herself. Jasper sat in prison and she sat here with information that could get him out and yet she did nothing. Was her promise to him to protect a gaggle of kids she didn’t really care about really more important than protecting her cousin? She paced around the little room, not bothering to clean up the chaotic papers scattered across the floor that normally would drive her insane. 

[wickengineer-blog]

He smirked a little at the idea that he was stuck with ( overly young ) mini-einsteins was a little scary. But the smile fell off his face the minute she mentioned the Ice Nation territory. RIGHT should probably ( not ) be joking about almost getting slaughtered in the snow. Also he had to give props to these Ice Nation guys they’d successfully made humanity scared of fluffy white stuff. Like wow. That’s really some amazing ( or horrifying ) marketing right there.

Though as she questioned his loyalties, Wick could feel himself getting a little unsettled and he wasn’t sure why, “ It’s just Avery man. She’s this cute girl from the mountain, the marrow treatments they did aren’t enough to keep her healthy out here so – I wanna fix it y’know. She’s sweet.And puts up with my shit, which is more than YOU do. ”

[clarexjordan]

“Like I’m the only one that cant’ deal with your shit.” She’d agitated him with her comment, but she couldn’t bring herself to redact it, just move on from it. Just Avery. It wasn’t so much his insistence that she wasn’t anyone special as it was that paired with the rest of the comments. She cocked her head at him, but she’d never been one to turn down a challenge before, and she wasn’t about to now, especially if it helped one of the few people she could tolerate on a frequent basis.

So she nodded decisively. “I’m in. Bone marrow, huh? That’s…” intense, was the word she was looking for, but she got distracted by a thought, “what was wrong with her?” Something that merited bone marrow treatments- which were both risky and unpleasant even in incredible facilities- must be something big.

[bryannolan-deactivated20200214]

Bryan couldn’t help the soft grin that crossed his face at the praise. He knew that she didn’t like people questioning her, and she was someone that knew what she was doing. He would always trust her, and never question her. He was also slightly afraid of what would happen if he did, and he didn’t want to find out. Besides, he liked seeing her happy, and he knew that loyalty was the way to go for that.

“Well, I’m here for it,” He chuckled, knowing that she was slightly kidding; he wasn’t super devoted to this stuff like she was, more-so just devoted to being a friend and helping, but he supposed it all added up to the same thing. “I trust you will,” He stated with a nod, “I know you’re good at instructions.” However, at hearing her mention the grounders, he tensed up a bit, carefully sitting the papers down on the nearest table.

“I… okay,” He managed out, voice just slightly shaky, “Are they… really civil here? I mean, I haven’t exactly spoken to any of them, because after what happened, I don’t know, but…” He shook his head, and then without thinking, moved to take the papers from her too, sitting them down and then practically tackling her in the hug he’d been waiting for.

[clarexjordan]

She laughed at the polite way he’d worded how bossy she could be. He was adorable, something that surprisingly made him more endearing to her rather than less, as was the case with most people. She had no time for fluffy, adorable things or people, but Bryan had been the exception to that rule since she’d met him.

“They’re decent. I don’t know if I’d say civil, per say, but they’re not the furry killers we met when we landed. They’ll be somewhat saf- what?!” The papers in her arms were suddenly gone, but instead of the snap at the sudden snatch, she only grunted in surprise as he threw his arms around her. Only he and Jasper really got touchy and affectionate with her, and while she wasn’t the best at the cuddly thing, she gave him a hug back, feeling a sudden rush of gratitude that he was safe and alive, something few people that disappeared from Ice Nation managed to return as.

Her arms tightened around him for a moment before she pulled away and shook her hair out of her face, reclaiming the more familiar pragmatic expression she was used to. “I forgot how huggy you are.” She said, the admonishment made moot by the fondness of her tone.

[systemsteel-blog]

           The question wasn’t something that he cared for real. It didn’t matter if Steel was curious about the mountain SURE as a System Engineer ( which was basically just a fancy word for former Zero-G mechanics who hadn’t taken the engineering exams but were more than qualified to be engineers so they made them work on the less life threatening systems ) he should CARE about what was in the mountain. But as long as his son was safe ( and he was – so what was holding him back now ) maybe it was the idea that if he went THERE he would get too distracted to want to come back – and he needed to come back. He needed to have his SON and his GIRLFRIEND and he had a duty to these people from farm station to protect them. He could go getting distracted by the beautiful technology ( OR WHATEVER ) that was hidden in T`HE MOUNTAIN.

“ I’m CURIOUS just not enough to want to go up there without orders – but a science mission on your behalf I wouldn’t turn down. ” he ended up answering after a bit of careful consideration. Because that seemed like a thing that he should say if he really was interested in doing anything with the MOUNTAIN. Was it bad that he didn’t want to touch it ? That he thought he would turn into a worse dad. 

[clarexjordan]

She knew she was in the minority with her constant desire to have proper equipment, to have the answers to everything only she seemed to care about, but at least Steel indulged her, which was more than she could say for most of the others. She didn’t think she was asking for much, just an ability to understand the natives of this new world they were living in. And with (relatively) friendly natives in the forest unlike the fur clad yetis of where Farm station landed, she had more a chance now.

But the idea of the runaways being in the mountain put a kink in her plans. She wanted desperately to get into that mountain, and she had Steel volunteering to go on a mission for her, and with Steel in her corner there was no way Pike would say no.

But the kids. She’d promised Jasper she wouldn’t give him away, and now she was stuck trying to figure out how to deny herself something she’d open and demandingly wanted since day 1. “Maybe. Charles has a lot to worry about right now, maybe I’ll give him some time to get everyone settled before I start ordering random people around an abandoned mountain.” She said, adopting a familiar, long-suffering expression Steel and the others had gotten on more than one opinion when she agreed to curb her demands for the greater good.

[saudi-blogger]

You think I can’t? Watch me.

(via devilishgoddess)

[systemsteel-blog]

            They’d just started on their walk when he caught a familiar voice, the scientist CLARE and he stopped. Clare was one of the good ones, he didn’t even have to try to check her. Clare was one of their own. But the whole anything interesting might as well translate to anyone interesting. “ Besides half of Alpha being hostile ? No I think it’s pretty much the same as yesterday. ” and he was going to continue, but he was thinking. Of how to say the next thing, “ Rumor has it that — that’s where the teenagers are now. Course can’t confirm that, they won’t let us know anything ‘bout the place. But word of mouth tends to be somewhat accurate, so at least we can confirm that we’re missing a few kids. ” of course this was Clare she probably cared much more about the fact that, “ It was a military base right ? You’re wondering if the old research lab is still up and running ? I’m sure if you ask Pike he’ll get something set up for you — the guard’s have gone before, I doubt they’ll be able to keep up from grabbing the supplies there, it’s a fucking military outpost they’ve got to have some important stuff there. ”

[clarexjordan]

“They’ll get over themselves.” She dismissed the aggression they’d been met with by the Alpha station. She didn’t know what their problem was and, quite frankly, she didn’t care. They could either grow up and do something about it or keep their mouths shut. Either way didn’t concern Clare and she had no intentions of concerning herself with them.

She wanted to confirm it for him, the words were already on the tip of her tongue and it was pure luck that she didn’t just blurt out ‘oh that’s where they are’. But loyalty to Jasper- arguably the only emotion she let override her typical bluntness- stopped her, and she simply listened. And when he moved on the technicalities of the mountain, it was easier to resist blurting out the secret Jasper had reluctantly let slip. “I love how quickly you knew that. This is why you’re one of my very limited favorite people. Pike, true, he’s never much cared for my work but he’s never gotten in the way of it either.” She was somewhat reluctant to ask Pike about getting access, it would put the kids up there in danger if they were found out.

But still, the opportunity was so tempting.

“You don’t sound curious yourself, don’t you wonder what’s up there?” Only slightly less risky, asking if he was curious too, but Steel wouldn’t harm the kids. Worst case, he’d drag them back. But hopefully if they came back, Pike wouldn’t be too upset with them. They were just rebellious teenagers after all.

[rylist-deactivated20181015]

          At the sound behind him, Monty looked up hopeful– though for a strew of faces he knew were gone. Arkadia was too quiet these days, and though he didn’t regret staying behind ( okay maybe some nights he did ) he did regret the loss. Splitting up had been for the best, right? Then how come it just felt like another gap in which to loss and hurt? Any optimism dwindled, however, as soon as he saw the face. 

          He missed his friends.

          He missed the hundred.

                                       “Oh, hey.”

[clarexjordan]

“Hey Monty.” She pinned the boy with a look. Ever since catching Jasper sneaking out, she’d been wondering about this mass relocation to the mountain. And yet; his best friend was still here. “You look a little down. Anything you want to talk about?” She forgot how out of character it would seem for her to be talking about someone other than herself for more than a few minutes.

[anicarusborn-deactivated2017021]

Jasper nodded as he hurriedly put his pack back together. “Yes, that one, that Mountain.I got a first hand look at it before we shut down the Mountain–it’s great.” Of course, it was more like he was nearly killed there, but he didn’t want to tell her that or even think of it right now. He had more things to worry about, like leaving so he could live to come back again when he needed to. “They said he won’t help, but wants us to it with what we have–no extra supplies. A lot of it was cleaned out, we’re trying to make it livable again so we can do that. Gah– I don’t know, Clare, I’m just doing what I’m told because I don’t want to be the next on Pike’s hitlist.” Which was true to a point, Jasper knew of the rebellion and he knew that’s part of the reason they were there. But for some of them, it was just a safe place that was in desperate need of supplies.  But Pike’s involvement–complete bullshit. He just needed her to buy it.

[clarexjordan]

She knelt down and helped him pick up the last of his things, but her expression was a familiar unhappy one when they finished. “He’s not some serial killer, Jas. He doesn’t have a hitlist. He’s just… intense. A lot intense, admittedly, but he’s not awful.” She tried to reason. Yes, that incident with the kid guard was a hard sell, but Jasper hadn’t been in Ice Nation, he hadn’t seen Pike stand up and organize the people, lead scouting trips for food, learn and teach others firearms and ground weapons, didn’t see him stand up and protect those that survived the landing, didn’t see him take to heart every person that fell victim to the Grounders.

It didn’t fix what Pike had been doing since arriving, but it made it easier to forgive him in Clare’s eyes. “I just got you back, kid. Don’t go running off into some mountain in grounder filled woods just to spite some pompous asshole. It’s not worth dying over, and I swear that if you do die, I will summon you back from death just to read you the riot act.” The words were gruff, trying to brush over the genuine concern in her eyes, the genuine fear that he would leave the fence and never come back.

It wasn’t as though that hadn’t happened all too often to her in the last months.

[wickengineer-blog]

          Be USELESS isn’t quite right, he doesn’t quite care about it. The whole SCIENCE thing wasn’t exactly the most useful thing down here and if he was being honest he didn’t quite care for things that weren’t 100% needed up until things calmed down a few weeks ago. Why did it matter if he’d looked for them at all, still as she kept talking he just nodded along, letting out a small laugh as she suggested that he might actually have missed her ( which they BOTH knew was a little too true ) and promptly moved on from the topic. No need to linger in a place where they both would just get too awkward if it continued. He did however give her a small thanks as she concluded that she was going to get him a helper ( not like he’d expected her to wait six months anyway ). 

He paused when she asked what HE’D been up to – “ Just working on the ark mostly, you know since I’m amazing, nah but really I gotta give most of the credit to Raven who really gets most of the shit done I just think of how to do it – and the asian kid has been improving a thing here or there – but I’m the one that made us have all of this. ” e motioned around to indicate the light. “ Though right now I’ve been trying to figure out how to make tech and medical merger for um – a friend. ”

[clarexjordan]

“Totally amazing.” She deadpanned, rolling her eyes and laughing when he mentioned Raven. “Now there’s some amazing. Asian kid… Monty? Jasper’s friend? Hmm, not too surprised about that. So you’ve been over here with brains like that and I’ve been stuck in a tundra trying not to die. Who’d I kill in a past life?” She groused.

His voice hitched on the word friend, and she narrowed her eyes at him. “You don’t have friends. You have lackeys and you have people you occasionally tolerate. Who’s this friend that’s important enough to merit a favor from you?”