Thanks fellow follower. ^ ^ Really appreciate it. So I suppose ribbons are Eudocia's character items. Don't know if I should be happy or something because I'm going to have to draw different kinds of ribbons now. Well, I don't mind. Chapter…BEGIN!
"You there!"
"Yes, sir!" That's Armin's voice! I was awfully tempted to turn my head and see what's happening but I'm too scared of getting in trouble. I gulp and stare from the corner of my eye.
"Who are you?"
"Armin Arlert, from Zhiganshina!" He barks out.
"Yeah? That's a stupid name." A frown threatens to appear on my face at what he just said. Don't move an inch. Don't move an inch. Don't move an inch. Just keep your hands clasped behind your back and you'll be fine! I decide to ignore all his yells and instead focus on some of the other recruits faces. Some were smiling, scared, and most wear just plain…emotionless. If I remember right, I believe Armin had a frightened expression. That must mean he's only looking for frightened recruits or those who believe that it will be extremely easy. Not wanting to be "interviewed" I clasp my hands tighter together and stare straight ahead with furrow brows and a straight face. Did Mikasa have it like this? It's so hard to imitate Mikasa when she's not in your line of vision no wait; it's REALLY hard to try to imitate her at all! Oh man I feel a frown coming on again.
Must keep straight face.
No.
Must keep straight face.
No.
Must Keep straight face!
No.
MUST KEEP STRAIGHT FACE!
…
I was having some internal war with myself because part of me wants to have a frown but I really do not want to get yelled at.
"Row 3 about face!" I see from the corner of my eye that Armin is now facing the opposite direction. As the instructor is walking towards my direction, I shift my eyes to the center and manage to keep my straight face on. It works because he walks right past me and focuses on another girl.
"Mina Karolina, from Karanes!" She shouts out. For a moment, I see something red and that's when I notice it's her face. Poor girl having to shout that loud.
"Listen up! I've seen a lot of shit in my time, but you are the sorriest pieces of shit I've ever seen! You're in for three years of hell!" His voice blares loudly. I try my best not to reach up and fell my ribbons for comfort. A habit that I've grown over the years is whenever I need reassurance or comfort for that matter, I always need to touch one of my brother's ribbons. I love my brother so much that I don't care what day it is and wear any ribbon I feel like wearing. Today though, I just had to go with the bright red ribbons and put my hair in my usual pigtails. I resist the urge to turn around at the sudden noise of grunting and what sounded like a body hit the floor.
"You're doing it wrong, Connie Springer. I explained that this salute demonstrates your resolve to devote your entire heart to the people. Is your heart on your right side?" Who could possibly do the salute wrong? I don't think it's that hard but people make mistakes sometimes. I just hope –What was his name? - Connie fixes it.
"Hey, you…what are you doing?" What is the person doing?! Now I really want to turn but I don't want to get yelled at. Why is there no answer? I let my question face – One eyebrow down, one high and a circle shaped mouth – slip and question this year's trainees.
"You're the one I'm talking to! You, who are you?!" The instructor's yelling brings me back to reality and I take a moment to shake my head vigorously from left to right. I settle down and notice multiple eyes on me. I feel my face heat up at the attention and immediately shift my eyes to the brown dirt beneath me.
"Sasha Blause, from Dauper village, Wall Rose South District!" Sasha sounds like a person you shouldn't get involved with. Just what is she doing angering the instructor so much?
"Sasha Blause, what are you holding in your right hand?" He questions with a frighteningly calm voice. Oh so she's holding something?
"A boiled potato! The kitchen had a fresh batch and I couldn't resist." At least she's honest with her answer.
"Did you steal it? Why? Why would you choose to eat a potato now?" Did she not eat breakfast this morning or did she just want to anger him and leave right after.
"Letting it get cold would've been a waste, so I decided to eat it now." Amazing. She's brave and nonchalant about it as if she was at home and this happened all the time.
"Well, I still don't understand why you would eat that potato?" He questions once again.
"Are you asking me why people eat potatoes?" She answered (?) him with a question. Did she just ask that? Now this I have got to see. I turn my head but I make sure not to turn my whole body. It would be way harder for me to turn back around once he's over with her. They have some stare off and after a few seconds she begins to break the potato in two. Once she's finished, it looks as if she's debating on which piece she should give away. It would be the bigger piece no? She can't possibly be thinking of-
"You can half." SHE DECIDED ON THE SMALL PIECE?! I have no words for to describe myself at her decision. If it had to be one, it would be blindness.
"Half?" The instructor muttered while looking between the potato in his hands and at Sasha. Is she going to say anything more? Everyone stares waiting for her reaction. My neck hurts from watching at this angle and I'm ready to turn my head but something catches my eye for the last second. Sasha Blause, the girl who just made fun of the instructor, smiled.
She smiled with potato crumbs on her face.
Five Hours Later
"He's still making that potato girl run." Marco commented. I stood between Armin and Eren watching as we call her, "potato girl". As we were training, she was running around the camp for hours nonstop. She still had her uniform on and that is such a pain to take off. The other trainees had gotten to take off their uniform and replace it with something clearly more fitting. I was wearing a short blue Amigaut that stopped mid thigh and a loose belt was tied around my waist. My skirt's a light gray color and I have the same brown boots as all the other recruits. The only real difference between me and everyone else is that I still have my ribbons on. I think I positioned my pigtails really high; they're above my ears while every other girl has pigtails or ponytails for that matter, nearly at the tips of their hair! I have side swept bangs that I tend to brush either towards the left or right but as of right now, I have them facing left.
"The dropouts." Connie either answered or commented.
"There's dropouts?" I tilt my head to the side in order to look at him.
"Were you really not paying any attention to what we were just talking about?" Eren seemed a bit angry at me. I play with my pigtails as a way of saying 'sorry I messed up'. He and everyone else merely watch as I hit them from the bottom and they bounce up.
"I was thinking about something, sorry." I don't stop hitting them because he hasn't stopped staring at me. He also hasn't said a word and that's also what I'm waiting for from him. He sighs and continues speaking to Connie.
"They requested a transfer to the frontier. " Connie continues.
"What? But it's only the first day." I hear Mina say in astonishment.
"If you aren't strong enough you have to leave. Hard to believe they'd rather go back to weeding and picking up rocks." Eren says with….Was that pity? I stop playing with my pigtails and look down at my boots instead.
"Hey, he didn't ask where you two were from, did he." I look up at Marco and smile. I lift up a pointed finger and take a deep breath before doing what I am about to do.
"We're from Zhiganshina, the same as him." I bring my finger back down because of Eren answering before I did. I turn around and try my best to glare up at him with a forced frown. My hands are balled into fists in front of my chest and he just watches me with a smile. Not fair!
"I see…That's…" I stop my pretending and stare at Marco's petrified face. I shift my eyes to everyone else and see them with the same look. Why are there staring at us like that?
"Then, weren't you there on that day?" Connie questions excitedly.
"H-hey…" Marco tries to prevent him from continuing.
"Did you see the Colossal Titan?" He continues with even more excitement. I smile and place my hand on Eren's shoulder which causes him to stare quizzically at me.
"As a matter of fact," I lift a pointed finger once more. "We did." They stare at us in awe.
"Really?" Mina asks once more. I turn my head to face her and give Eren's shoulder a light squeeze.
"Y-yeah." I notice he seemed less excited than before. My expression turns into one of worry.
Time Skip, Dinner
"This soup sure is delicious right Mikasa?" I ask her with a smile on my face. She merely nods before continuing with her supper. "I sure wish I knew how to cook, than that would make me-" I feel no liquid or any solids as I dipped my spoon into the bean shaped bowl. I look down at the now empty bowl and feel my bottom lip quiver. "Mikasa…Sorry to ask this of you but can Ihavesomeofyoursoup?" The end of my question comes out in a jumbled mess and I can't help but put my hands in a praying manner as I wait for her answer. A 'clank' and 'plop' is what I hear. I stare down at the bowl and notice a chunk of potato and some liquid. My eyes shine as bright as Christmas lights and I face Mikasa my savior, with a huge smile. I hug her while repeating 'thank you' over and over. She only continues eating while ignoring my action. Finishing the newly added pieces and liquid, I pick up my loaf of bread and break it in half. I hand her the bigger piece of the two and shove the small one in my mouth. She lets a small barely noticeable smile pass by for a second before she returns to her usual straight face.
Gong, Gong, Ding, Dong
"We should leave." I hear Mikasa after the ringing of the bell. I pick up her plates and leave them beside mine before standing up from my seat.
"Sure I'll follow after you. I want to do something first." She nods at me before standing up and making her way out. I scan my eyes around the other tables to search for someone. A girl and her name is Sasha. I notice she's not here and sigh sadly. Oh that's right she couldn't have dinner today. Guess I'll just have to meet her tomorrow. I pick myself up from the table and make my way over to the exit. I notice Mikasa's nowhere in sight. Wanting to catch up to her, I take off jogging.
"Hey you with the ribbons!" I freeze mid step and turn myself around to face whoever was calling me. I resist the urge to frown because I just made it outside and was already going down the last step.
"Yes?" The person who called me was a boy and I recognize him! He's the one who wants to join the military police.
"Do you know her?" His question goes through my head and I don't understand who he's talking about. Girl, girl, girl, girl, girl, oh is he talking about Mikasa?
"Mikasa? Yeah she's very special to me and one of kind!" I exclaim with a bright smile and closed eyes.
"I see…What about that boy, Eren?" This guy sure asks a lot of questions.
"He's also a very special-"
"Not you. What does he mean to her?" Well that's mean. He cut me off and doesn't even care. Well at least I don't have weird hair. Ha take that mental insult!
"As I was saying, he's a very special person to Mikasa and to me as well." I cross my arms above my chest and stare up at him. Curse him for being so tall and looking down on me. I notice he's quiet for a while and I assume this conversation is over so I turn and step off the final step. Wait…What if he heard my mental insult! I should apologize; I really should.
"Thanks." I almost choke on my own saliva at what he just said. That's when I remember that I haven't even learnt his name yet. Why guts…why do you give me the power to insult people I don't even know? Sighing, I decide to ask him.
"Before I forget, what's your name?" I rest my hands on my hips as I wait for his answer.
"Jean…Jean Kirschtein." Jean sounds like an easy name to remember and I hope I do. Turning on my heel, I stop and feel my pigtails bounce.
"Eudocia Asker. I hope we become great friends…Or friends at least." I mumble the last part before shaking my head. "Anyways, have a nice night." I don't wait for an answer and instead speed off towards Mikasa and Eren. I spot them way off ahead of me and increase my jog to a sprint.
"Hey Mikasa, Eren I made a new friend! Well, I think I did!" They both freeze and stare at my approaching figure. Once again, I gain looks from other trainees and at this moment, I could care less. I finally reach them and bend down with my hands on my knees. That sure took a lot of energy out of me.
"Did you really have to shout that loud?" I wave off Eren's question and pick myself up.
"I was really excited because I made a friend…Well we learnt each other's names, aha." I laugh it off with a hand on the back of my head and one on my hip. I thought I heard Eren mumble idiot but I guess it was just my imagination, dumb me.
"So who is it?" I walk between the two and prepare to answer Eren's question.
"It was Jean." He suddenly pauses his walking and stares at me with narrowed eyes. Did I say something to make him angry?
"You made friends with the first person I nearly got into a fight with?"
"You got into a fight with him?" I asked him with my question expression.
"It really is pointless to argue with someone like you. What were you even doing at the time?" He reverts back to his frown and waits for my answer.
"I was eating…" I answer with shame. He bonks me on the head before continuing his walk.
"Pay attention to your surroundings. That could get you killed when using the Three Dimensional Maneuver Gear." I latch my elbows with both Mikasa and Eren.
"Of course I know that, now let's drop you off at your bed." I whisper because I notice some fires go off. It's time for bed and I really need to rest to prepare myself for tomorrow.
"You will not. Not even at the door." I sigh sadly before turning towards Mikasa and smiling.
Next Morning
"First we'll evaluate what you have!" I yawn at the instructor's loud yelling. "Anyone unable to do this can't even serve as a decoy! They will be sent to the frontier!" What about the frontier? Is this an exam? Am I going to die? So many questions ran through my head and I didn't even hear what he was saying. Nope aside from being sent to the frontier, nothing else was heard.
"Next!" Looking from left to right, I notice no one in front of me so I point to myself. "Yes you!" I slowly walk towards the rope/leather thing and gulp. Please don't let me cut myself or anything like that. I stand as still as a rock as the strange man with the long overcoat fixes everything for me. "Alright, there you go." The man walks back to the crank and begins to turn it. I close my eyes and imagine myself on the ground almost as if I didn't float up into the air at all. I feel nothing for about 10 seconds and that's when I open my eyes. I don't look down and instead stare straight at everyone in the crowd. They seem amazed at what I'm doing but everyone else who's doing this are doing the exact same thing. Knowing I have to be here for at least two minutes, I decide to fix my ribbons. This time they're a light blue color and are very thin. These feel so soft and silky.
"Pass! Next!" I feel myself being let down and that's when I notice Mikasa, Armin, and Eren waiting. I wave at them and only Armin waves back.
"Hey did something happen?" Mikasa nods while Eren shakes his head.
"Did you pass?" Armin asks with excitement.
"Yeah how bout you all?" I ask and await their answers.
"Yes."
"Yeah!"
"I will." I stare at Eren and notice his angry expression. I don't like it when he's feeling mad so I give him a thumbs up.
"Yeah you will!"
Sunset
"Stick to the basics, and you should be fine. Don't worry about doing well. Watch the balance and stay centered. Slowly rest your weight on the belts attached to your hips and feet." I watched from Eren's right side as Mikasa gave him advice.
"Stay calm, and you can do it. I was able to." Armin assured him.
"This isn't something you can't handle." He looks at all of us and takes a deep breath.
"Okay, I think I can do it this time! Raise me, Armin!" He listens to Eren and turns the crank. He's doing it he's really doing it!
"Ah!" I cringe at seeing him flip and hit his head on the hard ground beneath him.
"Bandages bandages! We need bandages!" I'm running in a circle and jumping around because of what just happened. I bend down and lift his head up. His eyes are wide and he just looks completely out of it. "Mikasa he's bleeding! Armin where are the bandages?!" I would have him lay his head on my pants but they're white.
WHITE.
People would get the wrong idea. Especially the girls...Ugh girls are so hard to talk to. I lay his head down on the ground before removing the top of my uniform and placing it on the floor. I lift his head up once more and lay him down onto the soft fabric. I notice someone sit by my side that begins to work on his head.
"Ah Mikasa glad you got the bandages."
"Armin had some on him." I should carry bandages too. Wait…Where does he keep them? I mentally shrug and keep a note of that.
"Thanks Armin." I wave at him and he just nods.
"Is he alright?"
"He'll be fine." I stare at Mikasa in awe. She bandaged him up fast. It would be cool if I could do that too.
"Take care of my uniform and I'll go find a table for us, it's almost dinner time." They all nod at me and I sprint off towards the food court. Wait I have to change so….That way! I turn to the other direction and jog off to the girl's beds. I finally reach it and I immediately begin taking off all the annoying straps. I grow frustrated with the strap on the bottom of my foot and pull as hard as I can. "Why won't you…COME OFF!" I don't feel any weight on the strap anymore and a huge smile appears on my face. Yes, yes, yes, wait what's that? I don't have time to ponder as something smacks me hard in the face. That's going to leave a mark…A big red mark. The last thing I see before I black out, is a dark figure looming over me.
Sometime Later
"What was that?!" I leap into the air and feel my forehead. A bandage what is that doing there? That's when I notice all the straps have been removed and I'm just on my bed in my uniform. I go to my drawer and pull out my normal clothes before replacing them with my uniform. "I wonder who did that. Are they still here?"
"Yes…" I jump at the sudden voice and grab my chest.
"What? Why did you do that?" I slide my boots on and tighten the belt before making my way over to the mysterious person leaning against the wall. "Never mind that but were you the one who did this?" I point at the bandage on my face and await their answer. It must be a "her" if she's in the girl's cabin.
"Yes…" I smile and clasp my hands together before bending over.
"Thank you so much!"
"…" She doesn't say anything. I decide it's my turn to introduce myself first so I pick myself up and offer my hand to her.
"Eudocia Asker, you?" She lifts her head up and I notice one of the most beautiful shades of blue eyes. (Well aside from Armin's). She steps out from the shadows and as her hand reaches up towards mine, it suddenly stops and comes back down. I don't take it personally but it is a little confusing. I retract my own hand and await her reply.
"Annie Leonhardt." Her tone is smooth and she doesn't seem to have any emotion to it.
"Annie…has supper been given already?" She nods and begins to walk over to her bed.
"Aren't you going to eat? We could go together if you want." I question with a hopeful voice.
"I already ate. " She takes a seat and begins to take off her own boots.
"Oh well-"
"Let it be known that what I did was no act of kindness nor was it an invitation for you to talk to me. If you're searching for a friend, I have no intention of having friendships with anyone. The action I did twenty minutes ago was because you were blocking the path for me when I walked in. It would've caused quite a commotion if I hadn't come across you first. No thanks has to be said, I don't expect anything in return." She lies on her bed and that's when I know I won't be hearing anything from her anymore.
"I still appreciate what you did for me and let this be a fair warning. I will not give up on having a friendship with you. Rest well." I won't and will not give up. I really want to know more about her and yes I do indeed want to be friends. I continue my way to the hall and hear the bell begin to ring. Did I really just skip out on dinner? I guess I'll just have to walk back then…Wait my uniform. If I remember correctly, Eren should have it right? I run with all my speed towards the guy's hall and feel something behind me. That's strange…Why would anyone be out at this hour and why don't I feel my pigtails? Where are my ribbons? Why is my hair so long? Why do I see Eren's cabin from right here?! I can go back to the girl's cabin, retrieve my ribbons, risk getting in trouble for not having my uniform in the morning OR march in there and retrieve my uniform.
Ribbons.
Uniform.
Ribbons.
Uniform.
Ribbons.
UNIFORM!
"I don't want to run tomorrow." I whisper and begin to walk towards the door. I raise my hand to knock and that's when I begin to get nervous again. I really just want my ribbons yeah; maybe he'll still be up. Maybe he'll be tal-
"Docia?" I jump and slowly turn my head to face Eren. Only to find that three other people are with him and one of them is Armin.
"Eren who's the little lady?" I begin to shiver at the deep voice and wave with a trembling hand.
"Eu…Eudocia Asker." The blond looks as if he's thinking and suddenly snaps his fingers.
"Ribbons girl?" I nod and he just laughs quietly. "You can't possibly be her. What happened to your ribbons?" I scratch my cheek and laugh…awkwardly if I may add.
"I don't know but I really just came here to ask for something from Eren." I answer nervously.
"Me?" His face clearly shows that he has no idea what I'm talking about.
"I came here for my uniform. Remember the one I let you rest your head on?" He suddenly remembers and excuses himself before walking into the cabin to retrieve it.
"Cia your hair has really grown hasn't it?" I smile at Armin's um…Compliment? I pick at the tips of my hair and notice that it reaches just below my hips.
"It has hasn't it? I actually need to roll it up into small buns to make sure it doesn't get in the way of my training anymore." That's when I remember the third person. "I don't believe you've told me your names, have you?" I turn towards the two tall guys and they only smile.
"Bertholdt Fubar." The tallest one answers. He seems awfully nice maybe we'll be able to become friends. Friends…I like that word.
"Reiner Braun." I wave at the both of them and suddenly the door opens.
"Here," Eren hands me the folded piece of clothing. "I even scrubbed the blood off." I part my bangs to my left and tilt my head down. "What happened to you?"
"What?" I question confused.
"That." He steps towards me and flicks the bandaged spot. My hands instinctively go up to massage the now painful spot.
"I," I look down at the wooden floor and gulp. "Hit myself with the brown leather strap while taking off my uniform." He bursts out laughing and soon after, his friends join in. Armin's the only one who actually cares and even asks me if it still hurts. I shake my head at his question. "Now I better get back to my cabin." I wave at the four of them before sprinting off with the folded piece of cloth held in my right arm. I didn't even wait for their replies; I just needed to get out of there and fast.
Next Morning
"Eren Jaeger, are you ready?"
"Yes!" Come on Eren you can do it! We believe in you! I hold onto Mikasa's and Armin's hands with nervousness.
"Begin!" He's going up; he's going up, one second, 5 seconds. I begin to loosen my hand on their hands, close my eyes, and instead raise my hands up towards the sky along with everyone else. He did it, he did it! When I finally open them, I notice Eren's head on the floor and that's when I'm filled with sadness. He didn't do it…I notice how his eyes and voice are trembling and I can't help but feel even more sadness fill me.
"Wagner, change belts with Jaeger!"
"Yes sir!" A little while later he's in the air again and this time he's got it! I do a small clapping motion and jump up and down in place. My pigtails bobbing up and down as I did. The ribbons today are a soft light yellow and I think they're good luck ribbons. These are good luck ribbons meant for Eren. I should tell him later.
"So, he managed to stay upright for a bit, even with a broken belt?" I hear whispers of how cool my friend is and I can't help but feel so proud of him.
"Th-Then, did I pass?" He questions nervously.
"You're fine. Commence training." He raises his arms to the sky and grins at us.
"I guess it all worked out." I pat Armin's shoulder.
"Of course it did." I smile at him.
"He's looking at us as if to say, "See!" He sure is.
"No…He's relieved because he thinks we won't have to be separated now." Mikasa comments in a serious tone. I pat her back and smile at her too.
"Yeah you're right. He won't have to be separated from us now." Cue weird stares from Armin, Bertholdt, and Reiner.
Sunset
Trees are everywhere! I can't believe we're finally using the 3DMG and it's really f-u-n! Sorry I can't think straight because the wind on my face feels so nice and I feel like a bird that's just been let out of its cage. I don't mind the weight on my legs, that's what all the running and push-ups were for. I glide through the trees and soon catch up with both Mikasa and Eren. I watch Eren as he does a back flip in mid-air and I can't help but want to try that too. Before you know it, we're doing flips back and forth with Mikasa who now joined in on the fun as well! Brother, this is exhilarating and I've got to say, is the best thing out of training! I hope you're proud of me and don't you worry because I'll be using up all of your ribbons while slicing Titans left and right. You just wait and see!
Wait and see
A/N
I apologize deeply for any mistakes you have found (Or may find if you're reading this chapter from the bottom up). I was up till 2 AM yesterday writing this and now I'm editing a few things here and there. I know I said I would put up the picture but my laptop does not want to connect to the printer and I can't scan it. Sorry! This is beginning to look like an Armin x OC story but I'm still not sure if I want that. Just two more chapters and I'll be writing a "special" so be excited for that but only if you want. ^ ^' I don't know if I made anyone ooc and I sure hope I didn't. Anyways, look forward to the 4th chapter (If you want) and have a great day/night!
Inspirational Song – Shine Days
Performed by – LiSA
Thanks for reading! I truly appreciate it! \ ( ^ o ^ ) /
