A little girl with wavy, sandy brown hair glanced up at the door as her father was just coming in. "Hello, papa." She greeted cheerily, flipping her book shut and coming to hug his legs. He smelt like he always did—except with a hint of dirt on the side. His clothes looked beat up and she looked into his eyes concernedly. He was looking at everything except her, which silently confused the little girl.

"Honora, allow me this time to have some rest…" She understood that tone. She nodded quickly, taking her book and leaving the house.

She wandered the moderately sized grounds of her family's property. The Ashe household lived inside Wall Rose, in one of the more pleasant districts nearer to Wall Sina. This was where the standard of living was far better compared to most of the people living within the walls. Honora was well aware that her family was better off than most, living a quiet life in a small village full of people whose lifestyles were just like her family. She sat down under the shade of the tree and began to read.

Except, she could do anything but read. She left the book open on her lap as she surveyed her surroundings.

Everything was idyllic. She observed the vast field of green that surrounded her family's cozy, two-story cottage. She had to admit-she pushed back her glasses-the perks of her father's position in the Royal Court made her life so…easy.

She glanced at the book in her hands, another thing that was a product of her privileged station in the hierarchical life inside the walls. Books like the one she read in her hands were hard to come by and she sighed. She closed her eyes for a bit, forgetting the fact that her father couldn't even make eye contact with her that afternoon when he always greeted her with a hug.

A few minutes of this quiet meditation and Honora opened her eyes. The sound of distant laughter could be heard and she looked at the direction where it came from, a small group of children her age were playing. She sighed and mumbled to herself, choosing to ignore them. She concentrated on reading the open book on her lap once more.

Year 842

Honora, now 20, turned to enter the office. In her hands were the products of years of research. Her father had passed away a few years earlier, but she knew that he would be proud of what she had become. A top-notch medic and researcher for the military, all within the span of three years. She smirked to herself. She was only twenty but it felt like she'd been working all her life.

.

She stepped out of the office hours later, files gone, fists clenched. They took it. They—they just took it. She wanted to cry. She slid down the door, holding her knees tight to herself. Never before had she the urge to cry so badly. They took it. And what did they say? Nothing. I bet they're going to burn it.

They ridiculed her. "It isn't necessary." Of course. All because they were "safe" within the protection of their precious walls. Those wallists that were present during the meeting had been the most vocal in their critical reception of her research—saying it was offensive to them that she'd even conceive of such a stupid idea. The commanding officers of the military had said they'd "consider" it, but she knew very well they'd scrap it. She could see it. They all thought they were safe inside the goddamn walls. They didn't need medical-tactical researches that could save the lives of people when there weren't any people that needed saving, right?

When she'd think of it, even her colleagues at HQ didn't work because they believed in the same thing. No wonder it always seemed like she was the only person ever working whenever she went there. They usually lounged in their offices drinking wine, smoking and playing cards. And those pigs got paid good money for it.

Was she wrong to think she was worth something even after her father died?

She ripped her glasses from her face, letting the tears fall. It became too hard to even hold them in. "Bastards." She muttered to herself in between a few silent sobs. She clenched and unclenched her fist, having the sudden urge to punch something.

She stood up and swung a forceful punch at a stone column. The column obviously went unharmed, but her knuckles bled. She didn't bother wiping off the blood though, she could care less right then. Useless. Utter waste of resources, we have the walls to protect us. Honora nearly growled to herself. "Stupid bastards."

There were footsteps behind her and Honora quickly wiped her tear stained face, hiding her bloody hand behind her. She turned to face whoever was coming her way. There were two of them. One tall and one laughably short. She would've laughed weren't it for military uniforms they wore. She hastily donned her glasses.

She scanned their faces as they came to a stop before her; she quickly recognized them to be part of those people who had attended her little session. The two had held indifferent faces to what she'd presented, she recalled clearly. The shorter one had a bored look on his face all the while, but at least the taller one had looked mildly interested when she'd said she could reduce casualties using her research. What do they want?

"Miss Ashe." It was the taller, blond man with icy blue eyes. His tone was warm, but she would've hissed at him regardless. She pushed back a stray lock of her sandy brown hair and addressed them.

"Yes?" Honora asked attentively as she stared at them with her neutral gray eyes. The shorter man looked really, really bored, and it bugged her out of her mind more than anything. Glad to know my research isn't the only thing that bores you.

The blond man stepped forward, a full head taller than her. She looked up at him, ignoring the other man who seemed to be more interested in the scenery than their conversation. "I'm sorry, sir, but I'm not entirely sure who you are." I never was good at memorizing the names of assholes anyway.

He held out his hand. "Major Erwin Smith of the Scouting Legion." Something told her she should be impressed a man from the only military division to make it out the walls and back was talking to her, but she remained impassive. She took his hand and gave it a slight shake, finding his grip firm. "An honor." She mumbled.

She stared blankly at him as she let her hand rest at her side. "You're the daughter of Neil Ashe, the former royal physician, correct?"

Honora scowled but nodded reluctantly. Does anybody know me beyond being Neil Ashe's daughter, anyway? Why was he here? The man looked at her seriously. "While the men inside that room may claim that your research is useless to them, my commanding officer would beg to differ."

She looked at him, startled. She furrowed her brow. Of course he would. The Scouting Legion always comes back with fewer men every year no matter how many recruits they get each year, all because of their dangerous expeditions outside the walls. She easily realized that the commander—or any high ranking officer of the Scouting Legion would really be interested. But why hadn't he said anything during the meeting?

"I know what you're thinking, why we didn't say anything." Honora looked him in the eye. There was a certain twinkle in his eye, like he knew he'd just come across something extremely useful.

And her research was useful. To the Scouting Legion, at least. But he could've just taken the files they took from her earlier—why would he be talking to her?

"But the only thing I would like to say is this," There was a hint of a smile on his face as he regarded her. "The commander thinks you would make a valuable addition to the Scouting Legion."

Honora took a step back. Her? Become a soldier? What is this guy, crazy? I'm not going to…Oh, is he actually serious? The slightly calculating look in his eye as he took in her reaction told her she was correct. "That way, the Legion could work together with you and utilize that research of yours."

He had a knowing look when he stepped back and smiled enigmatically. "The Legion has much to look forward to with you in its ranks."

She shook her head, baffled. She said nothing as she watched him walk away with calm and practiced steps.

"You shouldn't make a habit of that." Honora turned on her heel to find that short man from before; he was only a few centimeters taller than her, apparently. His face was stoic as ever, but his disgusted eyes were trained on her bloody fist.

She glared at him. What's it to you, shorty? "What, punching walls?" She bit back, lightly annoyed. She observed him—his short, cropped jet black hair, his thin brows, his sharp blue eyes, the grave line his lips always formed. This was the face of one extremely skilled soldier, judging by how he reacted to everything. Nothing seemed to impress him. That or he was just one arrogant prick.

She had a feeling it was a little of both.

He said nothing, only stared at her face. Before she knew what was going on, he pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose—she hadn't even noticed she'd been wearing them slanted the whole time. She blushed slightly. "You should do as Erwin says." He said simply, a tone of exasperation mingling with his bored voice.

The day I'll take orders from you is the day the titans sprout wings. Honora looked away, ashamed by her pink-tinged cheeks. "That depends on me, doesn't it?"

He turned to walk away slowly. "Actually, it depends more on your humanity. You and your research are important to the development of a new tactic that the Scouting Legion desperately needs in order to save lives during expeditions."

She grit her teeth. How could she forget? He'd basically said that they'd needed her and her research to save the lives of people. People who risked their lives going in and out of the safety of the walls, gathering more information about the titans than the other two military divisions combined. How could she have been so petty, thinking only about herself?

He stated in a drab tone, "Besides, your medical expertise would come in use on missions outside the walls. The Legion is in need of a competent medic after all…If you make it, anyway." And he was gone.

That was all she needed to convince herself. The Scouting Legion needed her. She turned away and started the walk back to her house, more resolve in her step than ever before. So this was their plan in approaching me. To convince me to join their suicidal division.

Hours later, Honora smirked to herself as she tightened the straps of her bag. She put on a pair of old boots that were originally her father's. He would've accepted her decision. After all, it was for the good of humanity.

She closed the door to her house. She'd lived alone in it all these years despite the fact that her father died. She did a little jog in place as she prepped herself for another long walk to the nearest recruitment center. She honestly thought she'd make a fairly good soldier—even make top 10 if she tried hard.

She'd prove that shorty wrong and help humanity to the best of her extent if that'd be the last thing she'd ever do. I'll make it. I'll top the whole damn batch if it'll prove my worth. I promise.

.

Alright so let's clear a few things up.

This is set 3 years before Erwin officially takes command of the legion, hence his 'major' title. Levi is already in the legion, though not notable enough to be called humanity's best soldier just yet.

Honora's father, Neil Ashe, died when Honora was 18. She is left their house inside Wall Rose, living there for two years.

Honora at 17, goes into civil service by becoming one of the people who conduct researches commissioned by the government—something that would've come in handy 100 years ago (that would be year 742 or so) when the humans were still building the settlement, but has no use in modern terms (year 842 onwards) because the walls have already been built.

Practically, the government has no need for these researchers but they still pay them big bucks for doing nothing. The government has not commissioned any researches in recent years.

The research Honora presented in this chapter is something she had chosen to do voluntarily (More information about this later).

It's pronounced 'o-no-rah'. But imagining Levi's seiyu saying it with the whole Japanese thing going on, I think it'll sound more like 'on-no-ra'. I dunno if you guys get the difference, but yeah. =P

Honorah's still a little hasty in her decisions, but what can you expect when she desperately wants to prove herself, eh?

***Don't believe some of the words that come out of Erwin's mouth just yet. =D Please review and tell me what you think! Time skip up next with Levi & Erwin in it again. Haha.