I've made a terrible mistake. This was my first thought as I look around incredulous at the people surrounding me.
"Erwin," I ground out " your plans seemed to be failing more and more lately." I was currently in the middle of a huge number of soldiers. Erwin of course, was on horseback meanwhile I'm dying among all these random survey corps slugs. Finally turning his head halfway so I know that he is speaking to me he says,
"Don't worry I have my most trusted with me today, with the exception of one. He's actually at your place right now." Smiling with amusement, Erwin faces toward again.
Wait a minute, somebody besides me is messing up my perfect system? Not cool Erwin, and not happening on my watch. I stopped walking, almost making the tall man behind me, with the bad sniffing habit, fall. Keeping my distance had been hard with this titain trying to catch a wiff of me every five seconds. Noticing rather quickly, what was about to transpire ,the horse carrying Erwin, was pulled to a stop immediately.
"Erwin, what the he'll does that mean?! You know damn well the consequences that happen when people mess with my shit!" Huffing and shaking with anger I considered turning around and beating up anyone trying to stop me. If these were the sacrifices I would have to make, I'll just take my chances.
My information bank was my life, without it i have nothing. No way to receive income, no way to pass the time, no way to keep tabs on the underground and the monsters down there waiting to resurface. If I was one millisecond slower processing the content I could very well end up dead before I had the chance to realize it.
"Diane, he will take the best care of your materials. They'll probably be in better condition then when you received them."
I bristled a bit at that jab. Taking a deep breathe to keep my temper in check I ask "What exactly does that mean, Commander?" Raising my eyebrow, in a mocking sort of way. Honestly, me following orders?! The very thought is puke worthy.
"Sir, we are about a ten miles from camp. Are we stopping for the night?" It was one of those foot soldiers that spoke up. The night was coming so it made sense that we would be stopping soon. However if I knew Erwin as well as I think I do right now he'll say-
"That won't be necessary soldier."
Surprise surprise.
"We'll just need to pick up the pace. The pick up took longer then I expected." Erwin glanced back at me as if to say 'this is for being so difficult'.
Bastard saw my cringing when he mentioned that I would have to walk to the Survey Corps. Something about blending in with the rest of the soldiers. He even brought an extra uniform, now that was a tight fit, me being tall tends to make jackets look shrunken. The jackets are already ridiculously short. I don't understand what purpose they serve. It can't possibly be to keep them warm, can't it?
As of right now, I can feel the soft summer breeze picking up into something a bit more nippy. With Autumn comes harsher weather, and more people inside making it harder to pick up information.
Well, unless I'm there in the background. I've always sort of kept more in the shadows. It's quite funny actually, to see the reactions of novels faces when they see me step out of the shadows. At six foot five I can be a very intimidating figure to most people. That's why I don't have a lot of problems with most clients. The ones that do have a problem, are promptly escorted out if the house and blackmailed before you can say wall Maria.
One time a bigger and very buff man decided that the report I had given him was a lie. I do not take kindly to being told I'm a liar. It's one bad business to lie when that's the source if your income and two it's against my moral code. The code is very meager but I do have it. The moron was beaten to a pulp, brutal absolutely brutal, and sold into slavery. The code has no qualms against justice. Last I heard, which was about a month ago, he had died if a fever. Just like his daughter, who was sold into prostitution. If only he had kept his bitterness to himself, he could have lived. He might have been able to persuade the bar keeper to tell him where she was buried. Pity that emotions rose up and killed him.
Control and communication is the key to living. If you are able to maintain control over your emotions, you can fool the enemy. If you are capable of seducing your target by communicating, you'll get the opportunity to kill. It's all about waiting for the right moment and creating enough time for that moment to come.
Observing is also important. How do people expect to learn if they never shut up? People watching has always been my hobby. Also been my salvation, knowing that the guards prefer a small and child like woman allowed me to fetch someone that fit the criteria. With that I was able to gather the books I needed. Books are illegal and extremely rare though some are still floating around if you look in the right spots.
A close associate of mine is a smuggler, a very good one at that, he managed to trick a while crowd of guards into thinking he was fat. The 'fat' is really whatever stolen goods he decided to sell that day. It's really quite a spectacle seeing him waddle down the street. With his fake portly belly jiggling and his huge beard made out of wool. It's no wonder why his business is slow during summers.
Ryder nearly collapsed when he brought me my books two summers ago. That day I wasn't as paranoid and let him in to sit down and drink. He felt it safe enough to take off his gear, it really was heavy, and relax for a bit.
He was a skinny man with his greasy hair and freckles. He always seemed to look honest to me. Those clear, bright blue eyes just looked as if they were from a baby. Innocent of the dark and cruel ways of the world. It was as if nothing could taint Ryder. He was forever pure and unknowing of the terror the shadows hid. But he did understand, he could tell that I had been to hell and back. He had done the same, but the bastard was a better actor.
Charm was his middle name, with trouble being his last. No matter how many times I tried to tell him that a job was a trap. He'd walk straight in and I wouldn't see him for days. Just when I start thinking that he's dead he comes back to life. Damn fool has more lives then a cat. I hate cats.
We had finally reached to the blasted camp around midnight. Be still my heart for this is not a fairy tale where I suddenly turn into a pumpkin. I wish I could so my feet would stop hurting so much. Sitting down, more like falling, I sigh deeply. Gods have chairs always been so luxurious. Hell, I bet the one back home thats normally piss poor quality by my standards would be heaven.
For now the one I'm in is fine, more then fine, it's perfect. Footsteps walking towards me turns in a switch for my paranoid ass.
"Diane, if like for you to meet someone. This will be your designated buddy until you get into the routine." Erwin was standing next to a extremely short ginger girl. She had a sweet and sincere smile on her face as she reached out to shake my hand.
"Petra Ral! Nice to meet you I'm sure we're going to get along really well." Her hands were really and I mean really small. I felt like I was holding a doll. My hands were softer while hers were callous. No doubt the training had made her far from the doll that she looked like. This doll is capable of killing titans and watching comrades die.
"Darling, you and I will be getting along swell." Flashing out my own smile, it wasn't as sincere has hers but she seemed to be taken with this attitude so I kept it up. "Oh I just can't wait to see everything!" I giggled in that ungodly annoying way that seemed to make Petra smile even more.
"Come on, you're probably tired and want to sleep." She gestured gently with her hand to follow. The ginger ties a few steps before noticing that I was looking at Erwin waiting. I was hesitant to leave his side. He may be a complete asshole, but I at least knew about it.i didn't know anything about Petra Ral. Her name had come up a few times during work but it was mostly the speculation of a secret relationship with Captain Levi. Not exactly a lot but to be fair I wasn't expecting to actually meet her.
Erwin looked at me with confusion in his eyes before understanding what was running through my head. Taking a small step closer a softly said "It's alright. She's alright. It would be easier if you could manage to make some friends here," at my glare he quickly backpedaled, "associates if you will. When your room for all your books is set up you will be able to continue your work."
"How long Erwin?", I ask almost desperately, " Playing pretend is easy but doing so requires more energy then I have at the moment." Looking at him I hope e understands what I'm getting at here.
Erwin looks thoughtful for a second then turns to Petra, who had been standing waiting patiently, and informs her,
"After you give Diane the tour, take her to my private quarters-", flabbergasted my mouth drops. This was not what I meant you son of a bitch, what the fuck are you doing?! Now she's going to think that we have something going on!
Trying to regain my composure I start to speak, " Erw- Commander that really isn't necessary I'm sure you have more important things to-"
"Nonesense, we have much to discuss," Erwin then gave his thousand watt smile to me and making sure anyone around heard him clearly declared, "You're wellbeing is very important to me and keeping you comfortable is top priority."
With that the whispers started, in the beginning there hasn't been too many soldiers around. It was a little past midnight after all, just how many people needed to be on guard? After a bit most of the squad that had accompanied us this morning were eating and quietly chatting about the day's trek. But when Erwin started to talk normal they all pricked thief ears. Eager no doubt, about on why I was picked up and immediately given a uniform
I haven't even gone to training as far as they know. What's more I look pale as hell, that's pretty noticeable. Most of the people here are more tan then I am by about twenty shades.
All in all Erwin is a fucking terrible friend.
Thoughts? Questions? Comments?
