𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 | 𝐉𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧

𝐈𝐈 : 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐥𝐟

"What's the matter?" he whispered.

"Your brother is interrogating Mr. Arlert. Zeke has already asked about his marital status and everything. We have to break him free before he gets trapped."

Eren nodded in understanding and tiptoed behind you to the back of the house. Together, you continued sneaking around to the front with your backs pressed against the home's siding. When a visibly uncomfortable Mr. Arlert appeared in your sights, you turned to Eren.

"On three?"

"On three."

"One–"

"Three!"

Eren bolted towards the blonde faster than you and hooked his arm around the unsuspecting author. Your best friend gave the Londoner a hard yank towards the street while you roared in laughter. "Goodbye, Zeke! I promise I'll return your little brother safely before daybreak!"

"Goodbye! And so long, Mr. Arlert! I'll pray for you!"

You and Eren laughed loudly as your guest barely managed to keep pace. The age gap made a difference in his ability to run through the humid summer air.

"So, Mr. Arlert! Welcome to our lovely little town," Eren began the tour. "Today's date is June sixteenth, the time is approximately one in the afternoon, and the weather is humid and hot with a high chance of rain, wind, and lightning. That, over there, is the bakery, and that's the fabric shop. You'll see the butcher to your left, the general store to your right, and if you keep going down that road, the whore house–" You smacked Eren's head. "Ow! I mean, the brothel is that building with the red curtains just barely in sight. Any questions?"

Mr. Arlert struggled to catch his breath. "Where is... the tavern? I... could... use a drink."

"Well, that's our first and only stop today. Y/n, take it away."

"Of course. The tavern is that big brown building that looks more like a barn than an inn. However, the doctor's office is over there. That's where Eren works with his father."

"I'm an excellent nurse, Mr. Arlert. Very cleanly, too, so no risk of infections."

"It's true, he is. The town hall is on the other side of the street, along with the Constable's office, but you can't miss them. And the church is the tall building with the cross. You also can't miss it."

"We miss it every Sunday," Eren interjected.

"Don't tell Niccolo."

"Or my mother."

"Well... that was... quite informative. Do you ... often rehearse... this routine?" Mr. Arlert panted harder.

"Every time someone new comes to visit!" you answered.

Eren mumbled, "If she didn't pay me a quarter, I wouldn't do it."

"Eren calls it his actors fee." You clasped your hands over Mr. Arlert's shoulders, pushing him toward the tavern. "Now, let's get you something to drink."

The smell of food, wine, and spirits swirled your senses like a leaf storm in autumn. The watering hole was full of townsfolk gossiping and drinking, even on a cloudy afternoon. The volume slightly lowered when you entered, but you cheerily hopped to the only open table and sat down.

"Eren? The drinks?" you asked.

"Yes, ma'am. Mr. Arlert, do you have a preference?"

"Do they have any specialties here in America?" the Londoner asked.

Eren looked to you for an answer, but you gave him a shrug. In truth, there were no specialties at this tavern. Most of the liquor tasted more like paint than alcohol, and although there were a few ales that the barkeep, Hannes, brewed himself, they could hardly be qualified as a specialty.