Near the Castle

...

They finally arrived at the Castle. As far as castles went, this one was impressive. And incredibly imposing to someone situated at ground level. She dismounted, with Skulduggery's help and gazed across the courtyard. After her and Skulduggery's disagreement he'd briefed her on the other members of the 'Levi Squad'.

Over by the stables, in what seemed like a heated argument, was Petra Rall and Oruo Bozad, Bozad apparently had an impressive Titan kill count of 39. She'd seen the Titans in person, for someone to kill 39 of them with just a sword and 3DMG was impressive to say the least. Not that she'd ever to admit that to him, he looked like the kind of person who had a big enough ego already. Besides, magic was much more effective.

Striding across the courtyard with an impassive air of confidence were Eld Gin and Gunther Schultz, their green apes flowing behind them. Just dismounted from his horse was Erren Yeager, the newest addition to the 'Levi Squad'. She and Skulduggery had a lengthy conversation about him. They didn't know much, but it was enough to be wary of him.

Valkyrie briefly stretched. But couldn't help to yawn. To be honest, she hadn't had a proper nights sleep yet. Sure she'd been unconscious for a few hours but that wasn't relaxing, at all. It seemed that the adrenaline pumping through her was finally wearing off.

"Tired?" Asked Skulduggery. She turned to face him, a tight smile on her lips.

"You can say that again." Valkyrie replied.

"Hey! Guys!" A voice suddenly cried from across the courtyard. They didn't have to look to guess it was Fletcher. The teenager sprinted across to them, to her dismay.

"I was hoping he'd forgotten about us." Skulduggery murmured while he was still out of earshot.

"Yeah... That's not gonna happen." Valkyrie replied.

"So it seems..." Skulduggery raised his voice when he addressed Fletcher. "What do you want?"

Fletcher reached them a grin on his lips. "This is soooo cool." He beamed.

"That's nice. Anything else?" Skulduggery dismissively answered, with a flourish of his hand.

"Yeah-" Fletcher began but the Skelton interrupted.

"That's what I thought. Nice chat, go annoy someone else now." Skulduggery instructed, and began to turn. Valkyrie took this as a good time to leave and followed.

"That went well." She sarcastically commented.

"I know. I should handle these situations more often." Skulduggery proudly answered. She rolled her eyes but said nothing.

As they neared the Castle Valkyrie was picked up in two of the Scout's, Eld and Gunther's , conversation.

"Look at these weeds, this place has gone to hell." One of them commented.

"Its been abandoned for years, I bet the insides are in shambles." The other replied.

Clearly someone else had been listening into their conversation too, as a sharp voice from behind her made her jump."In which case we have a problem, don't we? Best grab a broom and get to work."

Valkyrie whirled around, it was Levi... Wait, what had he just said about cleaning? You've got to be kidding... She thought, her shoulders slumping.

Suddenly his eyes shifted across to her, "And that includes you Miss Cain, we don't expect to see anyone slacking off."

She sighed, "Can this get any worse?" She muttered once the Captain was out of earshot. Although it seemed Eld heard her, as he turned with a faint smirk on his face.

"Trust me, if this place isn't ship shape by the end of today, it can." Eld warned, before heading over to the castle.

"We're really doing this?" Asked Valkyrie.

"So it seems," the Skelton replied.

...

Valkyrie begrudgingly dusted a window ledge in an uncomfortable silence. Occasionally, her eyes drifted over to Levi but he seemed to emersed in his cleaning to notice or care. She'd tried to start up a conversation with him before but had only been fixed with his blank, dismissive facade and glaring eyes. He wasn't really one for small talk.

Erren appeared at the doorway, and timidly spoke, "I'm done with the upstairs, Sir. And, uh, If I may ask Captain, where will I be expected to sleep?" Asked the Titan Shifter.

Levi huffed, then turned to face the Cadet. "Your sleeping quarters are in the cellar."

"The cellar... but sir.. Again?" Erren asked, looking disappointed. Whereas Valkyrie arched an eyebrow... Again?

Levi didn't flinch at the boy's tone, his features just stayed glaring at you with a jdgemental and bored look. "Our safest option. Your abilities aren far from being under control. After all, you might go Titan in your sleep. You being restrained was one of the conditions I was given when I took custody of you. I must keep you under tight security: morning, noon and night. While we're in dream land. You're in restraints, it's the rule." Levi finally finished, "Now, I'll check your work, you take over her, I want it spotless."

"Yes, sir." Erren replied with a sigh, his shoulders drooping.

When Valkyrie was sure the Captain had left, she forced a smile onto her face. "He's got a great personality, don't you agree?" Valkyrie sarcastically remarked.

"You can see that again. I mean, what's the whole deal with cleaning?" Eren gruffly replied.

"Don't ask me. I'm new to all this." Valkyrie replied, doing her best to be as friendly as possible.

Eren had a moment of realisation. She was one of the three Abnormals the Scout Regiment had found. It was rumoured they had special powers. At first, he'd presumed they were Titan Shifters, like him. But he'd heard gossip that the girl, Cain, had been targeted by three people disguised as scouts, apparently, she'd used hand to hand combat and... Abnormal Powers, like fire. He had to ask her about that.

"So you're one of the Abnormals." Eren guessed.

The girl arched an eyebrow. "Abnormals? Wow, you guys make us sound like freaks or something."

Eren couldn't tell if she was offended or just messing around. "What? I mean, uh, that's just what everyone's been calling you." He did his best to apologise but she didn't look impressed.

"Right..." The girl replied with a roll of her eyes. "I'm Valkyrie Cain, and yeah, I guess you could say I'm one of the 'Abnormals'. Although, we prefer to be called Mages."

Mages... Eren replayed the word in his head. "I'm Eren Yeager." He introduced.

"Ah, the Titan shifter. Now that's what I'd call abnormal. Turning into one of those 15 metre Giants? I've never seen that before... Hey, maybe you could show me some time!?" Valkyrie suggested.

Eren sheepishly ruffled his hair. "Yeah, well. I'm kinda on a tight leash, you see? I'm not supposed to shift unless it's in training with the other members of Squad Levi."

"Oh, that's too bad." Valkyrie sighed, inside she was cursing, it would be useful to actually know what Eren was like in Titan Form. Just in case she ever needed to take him out, that is. "Maybe I'll join you in training...? You never know..." She mused aloud.

Eren was about to reply when Levi stormed into the room. "What's going on?" He demanded, his eyes straithed over to Eren. "Your cleaning is lamentable. Do it all again. Back upstairs now." Levi ordered, his tone furious.

"Uh, y-yes sir!" Eren replied, and scampered out of the room.

"And you, Cain, didn't I say no slacking?" Levi asked, rhetorically.

"Ah? Did you? Well, you see, I wasn't really listening." Valkyrie replied, in a voice that was asking for trouble.

Eren rolled his eyes. He was sure Levi would think of a horrendous punishment for that.