Reiner: right, attack first, lets go Bertholdt
*reiner makes the first move rushing out towards levi*
Bertholdt: reiner, you shouldn't just- ...fine, lets do this
Ymir: yea, the first strike always win, the clown gets it, bet he gets his ass cut off
Krista: they're our strongest
Ymir: hey what about me?
Krista: you're the strongest too ymir
*Bertholdt runs to catch up behind reiner but is cut off by mikasa charging towards him, Bertholdt swiftly raises his sword to block*
Bertholdt: you're fast
Mikasa: so you cant be slow
*their swords clash echoing throughout the area, mikasa slashing at him aggressively, the most Bertholdt can do is defend, he keeps his composure as he barley evades her strikes*
Bertholdt: mikasa ackerman right? You're fast, will you protect my princess?
Mikasa: that girl does not concern me, but if she would be the new queen i guess i would have no choice
Bertholdt: i would like to see your skills, please by all means don't hold back
Mikasa: you want me to kill you?
Bertholdt: heh you're confident, im glad, kind of wish i had that
Mikasa: you made it this far, you must have something
Bertholdt: not something, someone
Mikasa: I'd say that girl? Annie?
Bertholdt: ...
Mikasa: we've only just met and I've seen you glance at her several times now, she is important to you?
Bertholdt: she is
Mikasa: and you want me to protect her?
Bertholdt: I'd be grateful to you
Mikasa: dont be, show me your skills, i dont like easy kills
Bertholdt: good, and if you do kill me, at least ill know she will be ok
*mikasa swiftly dashes side to side towords Bertholdt, she jumps to come crashing down her blade against his, the force of the impact staggers him, before he can back away to recover mikasa runs to him relentlessly slashing at him, he tries his best to read her movements, he stays defending on guard when suddenly with all his force he strikes at her blade instead of her effectively making her stumble just enough to follow up, as soon as she stumbles she realizes and pulls out another blade to block him*
Bertholdt: a duel wielder
Mikasa: going all out right? You'rer good at defending
Bertholdt: you're good at attacking
*her attacks are faster and become more fierce, defending is even more straining now, he can feel the pressure, he sees annie in the corner of his eye and slips falling to the ground, mikasa pointing a blade at him*
Mikasa: what? Thats all? You said you would fight, don't look at her, look at your opponent, she'll get you killed
Bertholdt: my mistake, shall we go again?
Mikasa: no, im done, i have to be somewhere, i also have someone i need to protect
Bertholdt: i see, then go, protect them with everything
Mikasa: you as well, im sure we'll meet again, goodbye
*Bertholdt turns to see Reiner laying on the floor, levi arms crossed standing over him*
Levi: your best huh...not terrible
Bertholdt: reiner!
*reiner raises a thumbs up signalling that he is in tact*
Reiner: yea im good, guys tough
Ymir: thought you were going all out
Reiner: hey i tried alright, i doubt you could do better
Ymir: keep talking, and whats your excuse berthright
Bertholdt: ...no reason, mikasa is just. so fast
Ymir: she didn't even hit you once
Bertholdt: but all i could do was block, if i tried to attack she most likely would have killed me
Erwin: you did well, you both handled yourself well...good work levi
Levi: ..sure
Erwin: well Bertholdt are you convinced now?
*Bertholdt glances at annie helping reiner with ymir and krista, Bertholdts worries are lessened, his voice calmer*
Bertholdt: yes, i think i am convinced now, thank you
Erwin: are you staying then?
Bertholdt: ...i dont know
.
.
Bertholdt: princess...annie, can we talk?
Annie: sure, hey where's reiner and the others?
Bertholdt: out drinking
Annie: kind of strange after all this time you still call me princess
Bertholdt: you are, and im your knight
Annie: but you're not Bertholdt, you're not just some knight, you're my friend, reiner and ymir too
Bertholdt: no princess, when you are queen you cant treat us differently, we cant get special treatment
Annie: why not? My kingdom my rules
Bertholdt: others in the court will notice and they will grow to dislike you
Annie: so, i don't care
Bertholdt: i do
Annie: you do? Why?
Bertholdt: ....annie are we going to see the king?
Annie: no
Bertholdt: ...i know you're upset with him
Annie: and you aren't? He could've killed you, why are you asking anyway? I thought we agreed im not going back
Bertholdt: we did?
Annie: i did in my head
Bertholdt: annie he's your father
Annie: yea he is, is that supposed to change my mind?
Bertholdt: well, its supposed to get you thinking
Annie: thinking?
Bertholdt: your parents, mother, father, even if you fight, you should see him
Annie: the point of fighting is not seeing him
Bertholdt: annie
Annie: im here to get married and be queen, make friends, watching you fight with that mikasa girl, you're lucky Bertholdt, you get to fight whoever you want
Bertholdt: you still want to fight?
Annie: how did you guess?
Bertholdt: then lets go back, we can train again...warrior princess
Annie: you're really trying, you really don't want me here huh, tell me what is it about this place you don't like?
Bertholdt: i like it, i do, these people seem nice...
Annie: i still can't see him, he's just sick its nothing, it'll pass, if he dies just from a little cold what kind of king would he be, a man even, weak
Bertholdt: .....
Annie: ...bertholdt-
Bertholdt: its because he's sick......annie, don't mistake me for defending your father, he is indeed mad, but im just trying to say, you only get one...go see him while you still can
Annie: ......im sorry, i didnt realize-
Bertholdt: its fine annie...its fine
Annie: you think about your father alot
Bertholdt: hm, i do, these past few days especially...tomorrow is his birthday, i want to visit him, but i don't want to leave you here alone
Annie: what? I wont be alone, armin, marco, erwin-
Bertholdt: no annie
Annie: Bertholdt visit your father
Bertholdt: i cant if you stay here, he will understand
Annie: you cant bet on something like that
Bertholdt: oh its no bet, i know he will understand, he is the one who taught me never to let go after all
Annie: never let go of what?
Bertholdt: ....nothing, so?
Annie: hmm today before my wedding you decide to take me away, how convenient for you Bertholdt
Bertholdt: !? princess? I..i didn't-
Annie: im kidding, you wouldn't do something like that keeping me from my wedding
Bertholdt: yea...i wouldn't
Annie: i guess we'll just postpone it until we get back