Two Perspectives
It was my turn to watch over the kid as we sat in the mess hall. A day after the failed experiment. I decided to just have private time with him for now. Hoping he ease's up.
I sat at one end of the table near the door while he sat at the other end. I sipped my tea as to not burn my tongue and take a few glances at Eren, who kept his eyes averted from me. He stared at the ground or at his tea.
"What's wrong?" I asked placing my tea down.
"W-What?" Eren asked, his shoulders stiffened, his eyes showing slight fear.
"You don't like tea?" I raised a brow, slightly tilting my head.
"N-No. I do. It's just... I have a question. Well. A few questions." Eren said gaining a little confidence.
That caused me to smirk as his curiosity. "Alright. Ask away. We have an hour together before the others group up. So ask anything and I'll answer truthfully. I trust you Eren. I hope you trust me as well." I said with a smirk on my face, resting my head on my hand. Curious as to what he'll ask.
"Well for starters. How and why do you keep a smile on your face, despite all you've seen." Eren asked, easing up.
"Honestly, I don't know. I've seen hundreds of my comrades die and get eaten by Titan's in front of me... When I met Hanji, she was a pretty serious person, but had just a tad of happiness in her. Years later she was more of a bubbly person and... She seemed so happy." I explained, looking at Eren who was slightly surprised when I said how much more serious Hanji used to be.
I looked down at my tea, watching it swirl around and continued explaining with that same smile I have on most times.
"I have two reasons why I always keep a smile. Before that, how I always keep a smile despite the shit I've seen is. I'm guessing because of the things I've already seen in the past, before I became a soldier. So. One reason is, when Levi became a new soldier of the survey corps, I decided to be like that same girl he knew way back then. The second. I thought if I keep a smile and joke around like Hanji, maybe I can feel joy instead of rage, sorrow and regret."
"And. How's that going?" Eren asked, catching me off guard. I looked up and stared at him surprised. The smile I once had was now a frown. I averted my gaze from him to the ground.
"Not how I thought. But I don't wanna be the same closed up serious woman I used to be, when I became a soldier." I explained, clenching my fist, feeling rage fill up inside me.
I'm not mad at Eren for asking, I'm mad as myself for doing this shit to myself. Though. It's not really an act sometimes.
"Are. Are the rumors true? And do you regret it?" Eren asked, snapping me out of my thought. I questioned him, dumbfounded at what he was asking. "How you used to be a masked murder, that killed sinful people in the underground and how you were forced to join, when you were caught by the commander."
I stared at him in shock. Soon my shocked slightly gaped mouth, turned into a smile. That smile got bigger as I started laughing like a maniac. "HAHAHAHA! S-Sorry! Hm! Yes that's all true! I killed them, but whatever money I found in their pockets, I gave to those who needed them even more and saved some for me. Truly though, I don't regret a single thing! Those disgusting humans deserved what they got! Besides! They helped me satisfy my desire for blood!~ So I thank them for that! AHAHAHAHAHAHA AHAHAHA Ah—"
I felt a hard hit and soon everything turned black.
~~~~~~~~~~
Eren's P.O.V.
As Captain (F/n) started laughing like a crazy maniac, I noticed Captain Levi appear behind her and knock her out. Finally ending the crazy laughter as he caught the knocked out woman.
"Tch. There she goes again, getting carried away and not controlling her blood-lust." Captain Levi said making me stiffen at how he just knocked her out, acting as if this were an everyday thing.
"Uh- S-Sir." I finally called out as Levi hummed in response, turning towards me. "What... What was all that about?" I asked, referring to what just happens and what she said.
"Listen kid. She's someone who craves for the sight of blood. Making her dangerous when she's in that blood-lust state. It's something that runs in her family, so try and avoid hurting yourself in some way when not necessary, that draws the attention of her. Most times she'll be able to resist, but you got her to talk about her past. Her bloody past, which was a red flag. I'll lay this idiot in bed while you put away her cup. That's an order." Levi explained as he finally carried the unconscious woman in his arms, out the room and towards her room.
So. It's true that she really is a Scavo and not just someone who coincidentally got the same last name. Doesn't her surname mean Slave? If she really is a Scavo, it doesn't connect to it all all. Though. From what I heard from Armin is they've changed and instead of Slaves, they've become murders. It seems like Captain Levi knows how to deal with it. As if he's done it in the past. They both came from the underground so... Did they both know each other when they were down there?!
Just as I thought that, Levi squad came in and took a seat. Eld questioning what all the things on the table were about and asking about Captain (F/n).
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3rd P.O.V.
Arnost walked around during midnight bored out of his mind. He sneaked out, surprised there wasn't anyone that was on guard despite what happened with those two Titans.
I'm starving. I didn't eat anything this afternoon due to that old man ordering me to clean the whole barracks while everyone else ate. Huh? Is that... Annie?
Arnost thought as he raised a brow and stopped in his tracks, squinting his eyes making sure he wasn't just seeing things. It was her though. She just stood there leaning on the stone rail and staring at the water. He walked over to her and leaned on the stone rail, looking at the water, not saying anything for a minute or two before speaking.
"Whatcha doing here all the way over here, Annie? You patrolling the place or just came here to admire the water?" Arnost asked with a slight smirk. He wouldn't say he had a close relationship with her, but they spoke from time to time during training camp. Despite her scary looks and her attitude, he. enjoyed her company and she didn't mind his.
"You can say that." Annie responded as she continued to stare at the water. In her perspective, she thought they were pretty close. She told him a bit of her past, apart from the whole Titan thing and her mission. For some reason, she trusted him enough to become friends with him, but for some reason she felt something else when with him.
"Ah, my first day sucked. I was stuck cleaning the barracks while everyone else ate. That short old man is a pain." Arnost complained as he ran his fingers through his hair, moving it away from his face.
"Maybe I should cut my hair. It's staring to get in the way despite me tying it up... how short do—"
"No!" Annie half shouted half whispered, surprising Arnost. He raised a brow as he looked at her in confusion. She turned away, avoiding his gaze. "I mean. You shouldn't. You said yourself you wanted to grow you're hair, so don't cut it because of what others say." Annie explained as she looked back at him.
He has a surprised look with faint pink, blush on his cheeks. He smiled and ruffled her hair. "Thanks for the advice Annie! I guess you're right. Besides who cares what others say. It's my choice, so I decide what to do." Arnost said as he shrugged and gave her a smile.
She could feel her cheeks slightly warm up as she stared at him. She turned back towards the water and decided to ask him something.
"Arnost." She spoke, earning a hum from his, assuring her that he was listening. "What do you think about the armored and colossal titan?" Annie asked as Arnost placed his index finger on his chin.
"I don't know. I don't resent them, but I'm not fond of them either. Those Titans seemed like they knew what they were doing, they had intelligence. So I assume their Titan-shifters like that kid Eren. Of course if that's the case, I can't help, but wonder their reasons for destroying the gates." Arnost explained, failing to notice Annie's shocked and confused look.
"Why don't you hate them? Didn't they destroy you're home?" Annie asked, staring at him with a shocked look. Arnost turned his head and stared at her with a confused look.
Manga/Anime spoiler warning
"Why would I?" He asked with a raised brow, still leaning on the stone. "If they really are Titan-shifters, they must have their reasons for doing so. I have an idea as to who is a titan shifter. Their in the survey corps. If my theory is right, then they must have been a kid when they destroyed the gate. He doesn't seem like the type that would do such a thing, so. My theory is he was somewhat forced. As if he had to do it, as if he was ordered to do so. You can see the regret in his eyes." Arnost continued, speaking calmly and not freaking out. He didn't seem mad at all, he didn't seem like he wanted to kill the ones that caused destruction in his home.
"Who... Who do you think it is?" Annie asked, feeling herself tense up. She didn't know how someone could figure it out so easily.
"Bertolt. If it is him, then his friend must be another titan-shifter since they both came together. Reiner must be the armored titan. They both have regret in their eyes." Arnost answered as he sat on the stone rail with his hands in his pockets, his gaze locked on the ground and his tone was so calm that you'd think he was another suspect that was admitting everything.
"But. They must have reasons. If people knew, they'd call them enemy's and traitors. Which is what they kind of are, but to me their just like us. The same. Wanting freedom. I know they didn't experience the Titan attack and they came from somewhere else. How? Their backstory reminded me of an old man who said the same. I overheard his conversation, but I don't know who he said it to. I also over heard Reiner and Bertolt. Will I rat them out? No. Why? Who knows. I feel somewhat pity for them. They really are good people despite what they did. Now. Annie. Won't you shed a little light on what you guys are planning?" Arnost explained at he lifted his head and glanced over at Annie who stared at him in shocked disbelief.
How does he?—