somewhere | b.blake ✔️

1x09✔️

"Tonight
We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun"

- We are Young, Fun (ft. Janelle Monáe)

*****

"My friends. This is a historic Unity Day. Every year, we mark the moment our ancestors from the twelve stations join to form the Ark. But this is the last time we do this while aboard her. Next year... on the ground." Jaha's voice echoes throughout the buzzing camp, a mixture of nostalgia and hope resonating in the air as the proceedings of Unity Day begin.

Ash has never personally celebrated Unity Day. For her, the day has always seemed like an event meant for those from the top stations. Most years, she and her parents would sit around their small table, playing board games as a way to mark the occasion, but this year feels different. This year, she has friends who are determined to change that narrative.

In between their gun lessons, Monty, Jasper, and she have spent the last few days working tirelessly to create enough of Monty's moonshine for the entire camp to enjoy before the Ark descends and potentially dampens their spirits. While Monty calculates the precise ratios of ingredients, Ash works alongside him, double-checking equations, and Jasper is on quality control, eagerly taste-testing each batch.

After three failed attempts, Jasper finally declared it perfect. 

"I can't wait to see the look on their faces when we serve this." Ash exclaims, a wide grin spreading across her face as she picks up one of the containers brimming with the frothy liquid.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Jasper replies, a mischievous glint sparkling in his goggle-covered eyes. "Let's do this!"

With ear-splitting grins plastered across their faces, the trio bursts out of their tent, cheers echoing into the night. Curious eyes turn toward them, and in unison, they shout, "Who's thirsty?"

The reaction is instantaneous; lines of eager kids form in front of them, excitement palpable as they clamor for a taste of the forbidden drink, laughter ringing through the air.

"Happy Unity Day!" Ash calls to each person she serves, genuine smiles lighting up her face as she pours the moonshine into cups, feeling a thrill at being part of something bigger.

The camp has rarely felt this joyful since the looming threat of the Grounders cast a shadow over their lives. Ash feels a weight lift off her shoulders, knowing she is contributing to the joy that radiates from everyone around her. This is a typical teenage experience they all deserve after being imprisoned on the Ark, reduced to mere subjects in a cruel experiment.

Once she is sure everyone has been served, Ash pours herself a drink and begins to mingle, weaving through the crowd. The younger kids get tipsy quickly, lacking the experience to pace themselves, which amuses Ash as she remains only slightly buzzed, having learned her lesson from the Jobi nuts the day before.

As laughter and music swell around her, Ash hears her name called from behind. She turns to see Clarke, surrounded by a group of kids, setting up for a game and gesturing for her to join.

"Hey, what's up?" Ash asks, making her way over, her grin wide.

"Hey! Welcome!" Clarke beams, her eyes glazed from what Ash assumes to be from the alcohol. 

"I'm here for the party, not the speeches," Ash replies playfully, rolling her eyes. "I never really celebrated Unity Day before, you know?"

Clarke tilts her head slightly, a hint of surprise in her expression. "Really? I guess it makes sense. I heard a lot of the other stations didn't. You were Mecha, right?"