"It's smaaalleeer"

Those two words resounded as if in echo- ringing in her ears. Ha-Had she said that? No, surely not. She would never say such a thing. The two lackeys erupted with guffaw but were swiftly interrupted by a shot of ice from their Captain. Surely their childish giggles only irritated him all the more, bringing her further worry as to what Levi would do with her. A sudden distance was made between them, the same sharp, cold, uncaring look in his eyes.

"Excuse me a moment."

He headed down the line of new recruits to a man three from her, who, judging by Levi's reaction, was the source of the aforementioned utterance; a tall guy, with blond hair and a sort of pursed-face and thin neck. He looked down at Levi nonchalantly who pierced up at him in return. The shorter delivered him a swift kick to the gut and the man keeled over, biting his tongue and wincing as he was brought to the Captain's level, crimson erupting from his mouth. Levi returned to his position.

"You're excused."

Petra found this strange... Without even judging their skills?, Without having them perform in any way?, He decided he was already done with them?. Well, she would prove him wrong one way or another. She would get another chance this afternoon and would follow through on her intentions. She couldn't guarantee he'd take her, but she was skilled and would try her bloody damnedest. She sighed, following the others back to the courtyard.

"Good job, Petra."

"Eeeeeh... please don't talk about it."

"Well, at least he knows your name."

"Yeah, but that's not exactly the way that I wanted to attract his attention."

She smiled at her comrade. He'd always been supportive of her. If she couldn't be the best of the best, she would be happy to join the same squad as he. He had been top in their class, was at times overly serious and always there to set things right.

"I believe in you. Do it right."

"You too ... I should go. There's someone I need to speak to."

She made her way to purse-face, who was sitting on a rickety wooden crate at a corner of the courtyard, trying to look at his own tongue. Strange... as that is a very difficult task to accomplish. When he rose his tawny gaze to her, he found himself faced with her amber crown.

"Thank you! F-For what you said! I mean.. it wasn't exactly polite.. but, I don't know what he would have done to me if you hadn't. So- thank you!"

She was lightly flushed in nervousness which caused him, in conjunction with her words, to redden a bit, rubbing the back of his head with his hand. She was gorgeous; strong, friendly, kind. The sun brought a warmth to her face and strawberry-blonde hair that he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by, and he continued to rub his head nervously and proudly.

"Eeeeeeh. I-It was nothin'. His boots are too small to do any real damage."

A heaving sigh. "You.. really shouldn't talk about him in that regard ... Though... I... think we can count ourselves out of Squad Levi."

"Eeeeh. Who needs him. Fool.

She sighed again because she needed him. She respected him and wanted to earn his respect. However, she had always known there was no sense in arguing with purse-face. They hadn't interacted much, but she'd seen him, heard of him.

"You shouldn't talk that way about the Captain.-..." An exasperated sigh. "I don't think we've ever formally spoken. What's your name?"

"Auruo Bossard."

She noted that he said everything, including his own name, with a punk-ish tone to his voice, drawling out each syllable.

"Does it hurt? I know you bled."

"Naaaaah. He's too weak. Tch."

"Let me see."

Pleased that she cared, he talked in his nasaley, gangster-like, over-dramatized manner about how he was fine and Levi was too small to do anything to him, puffing out his chest as he spoke to her. She found him a little strange and overzealous, but was happy to have made a friend in this unpleasant situation nonetheless.

Their depressing conversation was brought to a premature end by the sharp thump of boots in approach, no one would have guessed someone of such small stature to have been the procurer of said sounds but sure enough, glancing over her shoulder to place the face with the tap that grew ever near, she found herself faced with the Captain they'd just been discussing. Levi descended upon them, his whole 160 cm and 65 kg feeling like ten times that. His cravat was tossed by the wind in elongated stride and the look in his eyes made Petra feel as though she were prey. His cold, ashen eyes said so much though he truly said so little. As her copper gaze met his of stone, she felt a wave of urgency wash over her, leaning in swiftly to her strange saviour.

"You should go. He's heading over here."

"Eeeeeh- he's so puny. Doesn't matter."

Honey orbs turned to fire, sharp like her tongue, beneath her amber fringe."Why would you say stuff like that about the Captain?-" She could tell his words were larger than his act, but that didn't matter. There was no sense arguing with raisin face, not when they had so little time to spare. But really, couldn't he be slightly more respectful? She permitted her honey orbs to peer over her shoulder just briefly, finding the aforementioned man at her side to which she straightened herself in salute, balled fist placed over that precious organ she'd sworn away to humanity. He returned her gesture with a nod of acknowledgement, arms crossed, with the same expression -or lack of one- as ever, as he collided his boot with the young, smart-ass again. A spurt of crimson sprayed from his mouth as teeth collided with tongue. Though thankful for his earlier behaviour, she now felt he truly deserved the punishment, having been bad-mouthing their Captain when boot and gut collided, despite her warning and reprimand.

"Woooouuuuahhhh!"

"I expect to see the both of you in an hour at the training grounds."

There was a pause.

"Come with your boots polished. Understood?"

"Sir!" Copper orbs shut tight in salute, a light breeze teasing the amber fringe against her brow.

A long pause.

"He's gone ya'know."

She looked back to her bleeding comrade.

"Come on, let's go get you cleaned up... I'll make us some tea. Then we can prepare to meet the other squad leaders. We need to catch someone's eye. It's unlikely Captain Levi will be taking us." She wanted nothing more. She'd still give her all to impress him. First impressions were worth a lot, and if anyone could make up for that which had transpired, it was Petra Ral.