GRIM REAPER¹, bellamy blake

009 ━━ immediate conflict

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THE GRASS is greener on the other side, the saying says.

Yet, here, on this so-called 'other side' that the rumor speaks of- where two sides have finally merged to create peace- only seems to be barren land.

Iona feels nothing but unease as her eyes scan the group of Sky People, all looking just as suspicious of the clan before them. It was meant to be an alliance, a new formation of unending trust and shared secrets- but Iona could practically feel the buzz of electricity in the air.

Electricity that signaled both danger and the underlying hint of hidden truths.

Clarke approaches the table, directly across from Lexa, while Iona stares at the face of a pretty young girl- Octavia, if she remembers correctly.

"Please," Kane says, handling a piece of cloth with something tucked within, and instantly, Iona's eyes narrow in caution, "accept this gift, Commander. We drink this at special occasions. I believe this qualifies."

Kane hands forth a glass bottle which appears rather foggy, but Iona doesn't miss the harmonic sloshing of unfamiliar liquid inside.

"If I must," Iona murmurs quietly, "you cannot trust such forthcoming gestures, Lexa."

"I'm not stupid," Lexa replies, sending the woman a sharp glare.

She huffs, a scowl overcoming her features before she sinks back into the shadows, leaning against the wall and crossing her arms over her chest defensively.

Then, Lexa looks over to her guard and nods.

He takes the bottle with two hands, the glassy exterior reflecting the light from the skylight above, before handing it to Lexa so she can inspect it on her own.

"Thank you," She says with a curt nod, "Marcus of the Sky People."

"You're welcome... Lexa," He stutters briefly, trying to get his words right, "Com Tri Kru."

Iona watches the scene with a disgusted look on her face, a flurry of emotions overcoming her.

Her culture, her clan, her land, her people- all becoming one with people she's never been able to trust. All of them have done nothing but ruin the lives of her people, and now one of them is before her, speaking her native tongue and making offerings to her leader.

"Unbelievable..." She breathes angrily, "such a waste of time."

Lexa reaches a hand behind her, gripping tightly onto the wrist of her cousin and tugging, forcing her to stand by her side and present herself proudly.

"Clarke, allow us to drink together."

Clarke nods, "It would be my pleasure."

Within the second, two cups are being handed to Lexa's guard, just as quickly being filled with the shimmering liquid, and then one handed to Lexa, and one to Clarke.

"Heda, allow me," He says, offering his hand to the woman and taking her drink from her without a second thought.

Then, he raises the drink to his lips and takes a big sip, eyes momentarily widening at the taste before handing the cup back to his commander.

"Tonight we celebrate our newfound peace. Tomorrow, we plan our war," Lexa raises her glass and finally, Iona matches gazes with the raven-haired beauty across from her, who furrows her eyebrows slightly before nodding respectfully.

"To those we've lost, and to those we shall soon find."

Just as Lexa is about to take a sip, the guard begins to fall until he roughly collides with the table, pushing glasses and food away with his body upon impact. He coughs roughly, backing up against the wall and heaving.

"Poison!" A guard screams.

Within seconds, chaos ensues, and accusations are being thrown carelessly.

"It was the Sky People!" Indra cries, drawing her sword.

A table is being shoved away to make room before the two groups meet head-to-head. Iona has a hand hovering above the hilt of her blade, ready to draw with the given order.

"This wasn't us! You have to know this wasn't us!" Clarke says, backing away as a blade is brought to her throat.

"I told you, Lexa," Iona says with a simple tsk.

She watches as everyone begins to scream and yell, circling the Sky People with weapons drawn. They begin getting pat down and searched for poison and any weapons alike, as Iona merely stands in the corner, shaking her head.

Lincoln stands before Octavia, protecting her from prying eyes and wandering blades, while Bellamy has his arms outstretched and is acting as a shield to Clarke.

Lexa stands in the corner with her fallen guard, shouting orders to her healer, with her eyes scanning the scene- for once, Iona catches the look of panic in her gaze.

Finally, Iona draws her katana, holding it at arm's length, the tip of the blade dangerously close to Raven's shoulder, right above where her heart should be.

"These people are not worthy of our trust."

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