Stained (Red vs Blue)

Lessons Learned

Before The Storm

Iowa and I met back up with Alaska around thirty minutes after that. At that time, there was only about twenty minutes left until dinner. "Good timing, Al. If you didn't come when you did, we would have left you," Iowa said, smirking. Alaska rolled his eyes, and started walking to the cafeteria.

We walked passed the training room, and I noticed Montana training by herself against a dummy. "You guys go on ahead. I'll get Montana," They looked at me skeptically, shrugged, and walked away as I ducked under the opening door.

I jogged up to her, stopping about ten feet away or so, hoping not to get hit with the fugil rod (a.k.a the 'pole'). It would hurt, especially without my armor. "Montana, just dropped in to tell you that it's almost dinner time... Just so you know," I was about to turn around to leave, but, from the corner of my eye, I saw something head toward me.

The Ais appeared, just as I managed to turn back around, and catch the rod with both hand. I was sent skidding back a few feet. I put my left foot behind me to keep me from falling. It hurt my hands. When I was good, I looked at Montana.

"Seriously? You were seriously going to try that?" I said, keeping my voice even. Montana didn't respond. "If you want to hate me, just tell me why. Don't take it out on the others. Got it? And here. You can have this back," I said. throwing the rod at her .

She tried to catch it, but failed. It hit her dead in the chest. She stumbled back and hit the dummy behind her. I turned and walked out of the room. The Ais followed behind me. I could almost feel Montana's gaze on my back as I left the room.

I climbed up the stair, and headed to the cafeteria. My hands were aching. I looked down at them, only to notice that a bruise was already forming. Great... I thought, shaking my head.

Iowa, Alaska, Michigan, and Oregon were already sitting at our table. They waved as they saw me, and continued with their conversation. I went to the front of the room, and plucked up an orange, and a water bottle, and walked to the table. They saved my spot in the corner.

"Thanks, guys," I said, sitting down. I took a swig of my water. "I'm guessing Montana didn't want to come?" Iowa asked. I shrugged and said, "Yeah. She was training," We went silent as we ate. Oregon took our trash, and threw it away.

Montana walked in, looked around the room, found me, then instantly turned her head away... but less... aggressively than usual. I briefly glanced her way, before turning back. I glanced down at my hands.

The bruise was darker now.

Iowa saw my hands, but didn't say anything. She just gave me the you-better-tell-me-what-happened look.

We were dismissed to bed. Iowa and I got changed into our usual outfits for the night, and we split up with the boys after that. As soon as we entered our dorm, Iowa grabbed one of my wrists, and looked at my palms.

"What happened?" She asked. "It's fine, Iowa. It doesn't hurt," I said. She poked it. I flinched a little. "Okay, maybe it does, but only when someone touches the bruise...," I said.

"Just tell me what happened, Neva," She said. "I just caught a fugil rod," I said. She let my wrist go. "Who threw it?" I could tell she knew who it was, but asked anyways. I rolled my eyes. "Montana,"

Soon after that we went to bed.

When I woke up, I didn't get changed into my casual clothes. I put on my armor. "Neva? It's our day off... Why are you in armor?" Iowa asked me as I adjusted the plating on my arm. I looked at her. "There's a chance I might be in a fight today," I responded.