Our People (the Third Book of the Her Weakness series)

Chapter 83

Clarke's POV

After breakfast and Lexa talking about this town, we head downstairs and I pause on the steps for a moment when I see what's going on. Octavia is arm wrestling Lincoln, and it looks as though she's actually winning. Raven is standing next to the table they're doing it at and cheering on Octavia. Ryder and Nix are standing next to Lincoln and watch silently. When Octavia finally wins, she gets up so fast that her chair tips over but she doesn't notice because she's too busy yelling victoriously and throwing her arms up in the air.

Octavia and Raven high five and then do some complicated hand motions, like a secret handshake type thing (nerds). Raven gives Octavia a quick kiss in celebration. While that's happening, Lincoln is looking down at his muscled arms like they've betrayed him.

"What is going on?" I ask, barely holding back from laughing.

"I'm stronger than Lincoln!" Octavia cries out, doing a dorky victory dance and getting Raven to join in.

"You are better at arm wrestling than me." Lincoln corrects, a smile forming on his face as he watches them dance around.

"Potayto, tomahto." Octavia shrugs, finishing her dance by picking up Raven and spinning her around. Raven laughs and I smile. As annoying as they are together, I'm glad they're happy.

I can't remember if she's the one that said that before, but either way it's wrong and slightly annoys me. Like a fly that's flying in my face but is too small or too fast for me to kill with my hands. Wait no, the fly analogy was bad. Tiny fast flies are much worse than Octavia.

"So Lexa, what are we doing today?" Raven asks, seeming content with Octavia's arm around her.

"I think we should meet up with Ora and Ryn first, but we should have the rest of the day free to do what you want to. Just make sure you tell them what you plan on doing so they can tell you if it's okay for you to do it. Raven, no blowing up things." Lexa orders, half teasing and half serious.

"Aww. Does that mean no tinkering?"

"Ask Ora." Lexa responds. "The cliffs around the town have taken years to get this stable, but an explosion could cause a rockslide."

Raven nods, her expression serious. "I'll be careful."

"Thank you." Lexa and Raven seem to have a silent conversation and then Raven bounds out the door.

"Last one to Ora's is a rotten egg!" She calls.

It's incredible how fast she runs with her brace. I mean, it took her a while to get to this point but it's seriously impressive. Though she is Raven, so of course she didn't give up and then she exceeded everyone's expectations.

Octavia immediately starts running after her, while all the Grounders look confused.

"Rotten egg? How would we become a rotten egg if we are the last to arrive?" Ryder asks.

"It's a figure of speech. She's basically saying 'race you there.'" I explain.

"Then why did she not say that?" Lexa asks as we all begin walking out the door. She makes sure to lock it behind us.

"Because she's Raven." I respond, letting out a breathy laugh. I tap Lexa's shoulder as we make our way toward Ora's. "Race you."

As soon as I finish the words I start running. I can hear  Lexa's annoyed "Clarke!"

I end up winning, but only barely. Raven and Octavia are already there, laughing.

"I can't believe you almost knocked down an old man!" Raven cackles.

"I missed him!" Octavia protests. "I didn't run into him."

"You barely missed him." Raven points out. "And you guys call me a trouble maker."

"It takes one to know one!"

"Mm hmm. That's why we're together, babe. To wreak havoc on the world with our awesomeness." Raven says.

"Sure, that is why." Ora says, making us all jump slightly and look at her. I hadn't noticed that she opened the door, but I can't say I'm surprised she did. Raven and Octavia don't really know how to stay quiet, even when they're just teasing each other. "Now come in, all of you."

She disappears back inside and we follow her. Ora's home feels warmer than I expected, and not just in the literal sense. It feels as though it's been lived in, like an actual home. She leads us to a living room and gestures for us to sit. I have to admit, it's funny to see the guards sitting on chairs that seem comically small compared to their size.

"I assume you all have a couple questions?" Ora asks as she sits down (with Ryn's silent assistance) on a chair that looks more like a throne.

"Yes." I say, remembering the cave from yesterday. I just hope that of she does let me, I have enough paint to do it. "Would it be alright for me to paint the cave?"

Ora leans forward slightly. "What about it makes you want to paint it?"

For some reason I feel like she's testing me. "It's truly a beautiful sight, walking down the road with the blue crystals overhead. The lighting is perfect, illuminating everything just right." I stop myself before I go into a passionate tangent and wait for her response.

"Of course you can paint it." Ora smiles at me. "I would love if allow me to keep it if you are as good as I suspect you are."

I blush and Lexa squeezes my hand gently. "Thank you. If you like it, I'll definitely let you keep it."

After a few moments passes, Lincoln speaks up. "Would it be alright if Ryder, Nix, and I trained? We will stay closer to the walls and try to minimize sound."

"That is fine, yes." Ora nods, glancing then at Raven and raising an eyebrow. "You have a question?"

Raven squirms, looking like she's both nervous and excited. "Can I tinker with some technology? Like the guards, I'll stay away from people and I won't do anything that has explosive potential." She promises. "And Octavia will probably be with me the whole time, she can make sure I don't do anything too stupid or risky."

Her eyes are wide and hopeful as she looks at Ora.

"Octavia, you will stay with her?" Ora asks.

"Of course."

"Then very well. I have heard about your prowess in the 'boom', Raven and I would prefer to keep my village standing. Understand?" Ora asks, sounding like she's teasing Raven but also serious.

Raven sits up straight and gives her a two fingered salute. "Yes, ma'am."

That was a bit longer than normal! Next chapter they'll all go have their fun! Thank you all for reading and for your wonderful comments! Stay awesome!