Tris flinches at the prod. Her eye's already swelling shut, but she can't tell how bad it is. Doesn't have any idea how Ellie can tell either. The mention of Eric immediately makes her scowl, which also hurts. But then, everything does. Especially her head. She's starting to feel dizzy again and can't tell if she's swaying, but she sure hopes not.
"I think Eric has a different idea about what makes a coward."
Her words sound like judgement, and for once she doesn't worry who she's saying what to. It's not like it's a secret that Tris isn't Eric's greatest fan.
Ellie pauses, then takes the selfsame pen she'd threatened the boys with earlier, clicks a button on the end. It lights up and she shines it into each of Tris's eyes, watching how her pupils respond to light. It's a simple check for a rattled brain, but generally reliable. Thankfully, what she finds doesn't seem to alarm her.
"You're probably okay, but stay away from balance beams-"
Cutting off, she grins sharply, something borderline vicious and angry in her eyes.
"You've got no idea." It's a cryptic statement, but she doesn't know to trust Tris yet. Four seems to, but it takes more to get past Ellie's suspicious nature. Speaking of him: "Are you gonna tell Four what happened?"
She's got some idea, at least she thinks so, but she isn't about to tell stories just yet.
"I... don't know," she accompanies her answer with a shrug, startled into honesty. "I mean, it probably won't make a difference."
Because he'll probably find out anyway, whether she brings it up or not. Besides, she doesn't expect them to face consequences all of a sudden. Cruelty and violence aren't taboo here.
It's not a question, but a realization that she doesn't think to keep in, to keep safe. She's seen all sorts of reactions to him. Many are wary, some outright afraid. Some of the Dauntless born initiates are more at ease with him, but she never got the idea that any of them were really close to him. But then, maybe some are. It's not like she's been here that long.
Setting her jaw stubbornly, Ellie wets another paper towel and swabs it across her face with a sigh. "But yeah, I trust him. More than anybody else in this place. ... he should have been a leader. But I guess the best never want that."
The bleeding from her lip is beginning to slow down some, Tris finds as she removes the towel pressed against it and dabs at it slightly with a part that isn't yet soaked. Still, time for another one. An excuse to stall for time, too, if she had to be honest.
And on the note of honesty, she's considering what to answer, while at the same time imagining what Dauntless might be like, if he was one of the leaders. And then she thinks of Eric, and of Edward and Peter and too much blood on the dormitory floor.
"I think Eric would've tried to kill him." And Eric is ruthless about everything he's after. But she isn't sure that is enough of a reason. If Four really had wanted to lead, he would be, come whatever threats may. He's no coward.
It doesn't sound like a question, but before Tris can answer, Ellie looks slowly out towards where they came from, towards where blood is absolutely still on the floor from the recent attack.
"... besides, if he ever tried, he'd have a couple of people to answer to."
Ellie pauses, then turns back to Tris, eyes serious. "You and me though, not so much. Maybe that's why those assholes thought they could fuck with you."
Tris isn't sure what she thinks. No matter how strong Four is, he isn't invincible or invulnerable. But he is also able to look out for himself, so she's never thought to worry about him before.
Herself, on the other hand... apparently there's more reason to worry there than she'd realized. Anger makes her tense, jaw clenching and eyes becoming colder. She wants to end this, (end them, maybe, but no, no she wouldn't. she can't be the kind of person who would.) but she hasn't thought of a way to. Yet.
Tris glares murder at the trail of small drops of blood they've left in the bathroom. She doesn't want them to have to worry about answering to anyone. She'd much rather they worried about her but then- maybe that's what got them into this situation in the first place. Maybe they already worry about her. Thoughts of Al rise to the surface, turning her stomach.
"Maybe. But I'm wondering what I can do about it without making it worse."
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nestbox2014-11-09 11:57 pm
no subject
"I think Eric has a different idea about what makes a coward."
Her words sound like judgement, and for once she doesn't worry who she's saying what to. It's not like it's a secret that Tris isn't Eric's greatest fan.
no subject
"You're probably okay, but stay away from balance beams-"
Cutting off, she grins sharply, something borderline vicious and angry in her eyes.
"You've got no idea." It's a cryptic statement, but she doesn't know to trust Tris yet. Four seems to, but it takes more to get past Ellie's suspicious nature. Speaking of him: "Are you gonna tell Four what happened?"
no subject
"I... don't know," she accompanies her answer with a shrug, startled into honesty. "I mean, it probably won't make a difference."
Because he'll probably find out anyway, whether she brings it up or not. Besides, she doesn't expect them to face consequences all of a sudden. Cruelty and violence aren't taboo here.
no subject
Ellie leans in, dabs at Tris's lip again, gives her a meaningful look. "There are some people here worth having at your back, and he's one of them."
no subject
It's not a question, but a realization that she doesn't think to keep in, to keep safe. She's seen all sorts of reactions to him. Many are wary, some outright afraid. Some of the Dauntless born initiates are more at ease with him, but she never got the idea that any of them were really close to him. But then, maybe some are. It's not like she's been here that long.
Either way, she watches Ellie closely. Curious.
no subject
Setting her jaw stubbornly, Ellie wets another paper towel and swabs it across her face with a sigh. "But yeah, I trust him. More than anybody else in this place. ... he should have been a leader. But I guess the best never want that."
no subject
And on the note of honesty, she's considering what to answer, while at the same time imagining what Dauntless might be like, if he was one of the leaders. And then she thinks of Eric, and of Edward and Peter and too much blood on the dormitory floor.
"I think Eric would've tried to kill him." And Eric is ruthless about everything he's after. But she isn't sure that is enough of a reason. If Four really had wanted to lead, he would be, come whatever threats may. He's no coward.
no subject
It doesn't sound like a question, but before Tris can answer, Ellie looks slowly out towards where they came from, towards where blood is absolutely still on the floor from the recent attack.
"... besides, if he ever tried, he'd have a couple of people to answer to."
Ellie pauses, then turns back to Tris, eyes serious. "You and me though, not so much. Maybe that's why those assholes thought they could fuck with you."
no subject
Herself, on the other hand... apparently there's more reason to worry there than she'd realized. Anger makes her tense, jaw clenching and eyes becoming colder. She wants to end this, (end them, maybe, but no, no she wouldn't. she can't be the kind of person who would.) but she hasn't thought of a way to. Yet.
Tris glares murder at the trail of small drops of blood they've left in the bathroom. She doesn't want them to have to worry about answering to anyone. She'd much rather they worried about her but then- maybe that's what got them into this situation in the first place. Maybe they already worry about her. Thoughts of Al rise to the surface, turning her stomach.
"Maybe. But I'm wondering what I can do about it without making it worse."