Flaming Hearts - Fourth Wing

Chapter 2

So much for keeping a low profile, Ace thought so herself, the same cheeky grin still on her face. Rhi will tell her exactly how stupid that was later, Ace is sure about that. She can see Rhiannon and Violet in the distance. Rhi just finished as it seems, good, and Violet about two thirds of the way. Looking over her shoulder for a second, she sees Jack, walking onto the parapet, taking long strides in her direction. She picks up the pace of her jog, to get to the other side as quickly as possible.

Balancing isn't an issue for her. If you can sit and walk on the rail of the Moby Dick in crazy weather (and the weather is a lot of things back at home, but nice is not the word Ace would choose), you can easily walk this wall. This is child's play compared to that. Ace is lost in thought for a moment, thinking back to her time on the big ship.

"I'm coming for you, Portgas!", Jack called out, making the distance between the smaller. "Sure, you are." She called over her shoulder, not bothering to turn.

She can see Violet talking, to herself it seems, about to reach the other side.

"..made up of hostile, mountainous terrain and bordered by the Emerald sea.."

Is she studying?

Ace thinks, completely lost as to why someone would study voluntary. A shudder runs through her; she would never be caught studying, ever. Pretty sure everyone in the crew would call a doctor, or an exorcist, if they ever see her with a book.

Not that that is ever going to happen now, Ace thought, hit with a sudden sadness, that she quickly tries to shake off. Not now, I don't have time for sad thoughts.

"Will you scream the whole way down?", Jack mocks, still shouting, but significantly closer than before.

"Nah, I don't think so.", she called back, still unbothered. Her observation Haki will let her know when he's closer or trying to attack. Ace is almost at the other side, when she saw Violet stepping into safety. Just a few more steps and I'll be at the other side.

"You think you'll be safe back there?", Jack's voice is harsh, and close. By then, Ace reached the end of the parapet, two walls on each side. Jack charges behind her, lunging for her Backpack. Sensing this, Ace dodged down, making him miss and wobble for balance. She quickly jumps down the small distance elevating the parapet from the courtyard, where two riders wait.

Jack roars in frustration, charging after her. She spins around, ripping a dagger from its sheath on her left thigh, just as Jack skids to a halt behind her. Murder etched in his narrowed, glacial eyes as her glares down at her and where the tip of the dagger now indents the fabric of his pants, against his balls.

"I'm pretty safe.", Ace says, glancing up at him, her lips forming a smirk.

"Are you?", his voice vibrates with rage, his cold eyes never leaving her face. But does not step forward. Ace feels Violet step up behind her.

"It is unlawful for a rider to cause another harm. While in a quadrant formation or in the supervisory. Presence of a superior-ranking cadet, as it will diminish the efficacy pf the wing. And given the crowed behind us, it's clear to argue that it's a formation. Article Three, Section –"

"I don't give a shit!", jack interrupts Violet, making Ace press her Dagger harder against him.

"Name?" the rider next to them asks bored. "Acelin Portgas.", she answered, turning her head to face them, with a smile on her face.

"Interesting maneuver." The redheaded rider points out, writing down her name, making Ace smile even wider.

"And what's your name?" she asks again, gesturing towards Jack.