Briar Moss's Point of View

The flowers I had tattooed on my hands were sprouting out new shoots of every flower imaginable, bursting with color. As I left, I heard Sandry sigh and sit Ely down for an…interesting talk, I decided. Glad that Coppercurls had gotten us out of this, I followed her to her room, on the other side of the floor we were on.

"Tris…Tris!" I called out, as soon as I was sure Daja was gone and Sandry and Ely were out of earshot.

The redhead didn't even turn to look at me. If she hadn't heard my voice, she would have known it was me. Our connection was unbearably strong, because she had taught me my letters among other reasons.

We were nearing her door, and I hastened my pace in order to catch up before she closed the door in my face. She matched my increase, and sighing, I picked up a sprint. She started to run, but slowed down after a few feet. I jogged to catch up, finally doing so at her door. Tris went in first, but charitably, she left the door open.

"Yes, Briar?" She asked, no hint of emotion in her voice. That was Tris- efficient and to the point as she began shuffling through her things for her traveling bags.

"Thanks for bailing us out of there…didn't want to explain that magic was real."

I should have known better: I had set myself up horribly for her explosion.

"Oh, you didn't want to explain that magic was real! You didn't want to ex- I can't believe you! Briar Moss, didn't want to explain magic, yet he took it upon himself to tell our little Elysivy all the stories of our adventures, and no less, exactly how to go about taking from the elements her power! You didn't want to explain magic existed, but yet you told her stories upon stories about me! You didn't want to explain, Briar, but yet, in your way, you've caused this! You didn't want to expl-"

I clapped my hand across her mouth, sorely wishing she'd stop and sorely wishing I hadn't completely ruined everything.

"Tris, I know I messed up. With Ely, with Sandry, with Daja, with you…but can we spare me the sermon? I know, I know, I know."

I could see the lightning in her hair dancing, and grinned.

"You never could control it around me." I restated.

"You're infuriating, annoying, slang-talking…" Her train of insults continued as she harshly tugged backwards, moving away from my hand.

"stupid, unendurable, agonizing, insufferable, unspeakably excruciating…."

I watched her grab her dresses from her wardrobe, and mentally thanked Sandry for putting all those stitch-witch charms on them.

"beyond repairable, frustrating, clueless, bleat-brained, heartbreaking…."

"What was that?" I asked quickly, thinking I had heard a hint of well…actual pain in her voice.

"distr-What was what?" Tris moved towards the doors I had closed, looking out. "Is something wrong with Ely?" I could tell she had dropped into her center, searching for signs of worry in the room down the hallways. She had that look on her face, concentrating and delighted at the same time. Her eyes clouded over with faint mist and her features slackened slightly, making her look easier and almost kind.

"No, nothing's wrong with Ely. But you said 'heartbreaking'. Me, heartbreaking?"

"Yes, you Briar…because if you don't remember, I do. And I won't force you to think of it, but I know what happened. It wasn't that long ago. You know it, I know it. The only thing that came between us was our fears and the barriers we clung to because of them. I'm not saying I could give it another chance…I don't know that I could, but Briar…don't even pretend you don't know. You do, you do."

For a moment, I was speechless, expecting her to go on. When she resumed bustling around the room, I knew I was dismissed. Without hesitance I shut my connection with Daja and Sandry, and strode to her. She looked at me, her gray eyes beholding me with a curious light: uncertainty, old memories…I grabbed her shoulders, and knew I ought to.

But I didn't. I merely looked at her eyes...her gray, compelling and lovely, yet harsh and straightforward, honest eyes.

It would have been easy, if I had been the Briar I was not so long ago. And I could have done it. But I knew Tris, and I knew me. I had changed. Not much, but enough to know that if I did anything, it would break her again.

I tore my eyes away and left her, standing with her blue dress in her hand.

Note: I apologize for the length, it's rather short. My chapters will soon be up to a fairly regular length, unless you mind seeing multiple Points of View in one chapter. Also, if anyone's confused on what transpired between Tris and Briar, emails or review questions are fine. It's sorta a poke at the past, but I don't know if I plan to write a prequel to this or just flashbacks. You could...help me decide, you know. It's good to know people are reading this...even if it's not shown in the reviews (1, at this point). But I know I'm on lists and things, so I appreciate that. The next few chapters will contain one on Daja, and one of Sandry talking with Ely. Feedback is greatly appreciated!