"The old survey corps headquarters. Originally it was an old castle we remodelled. So it certainly looks imposing. But being so far from the rivers and walls, it ended up being useless for the survey corps. It was established right after the survey corps's formation, when ideals were all they had. But I never imagined that this giant ornament would end up being the perfect place to hide you. Don't get cocky, new kid." I cast a glance backwards at Eren and Oluo as he leaned closer to Eren, trying to look intimidating I supposed.

"Sir?" Eren said, looking confused.

"I don't care if you're a titan. I can't believe Captain Levi will spend all his time with a brat like you…" Suddenly the horse slipped on a stone making Oluo bite his tongue. I smiled slightly and turned my head back forward.

"We are soon there." Eld said and I looked up at him, nodding as an answer. I still felt a little embarrassed having to ride with him. I looked forward and thought back to the morning before we left the headquarters.

Surprised Eren had been the one knocking on my door this morning, something that never happened before, and now we were the two first standing by the stable waiting for Levi and his squad to arrive. It didn't take long until a couple of peoples came closer and I recognized one of the immediately, slightly surprised that Petra was a part of Levi's squad.

"Good morning!" She said as she came closer, smiling at us. I smiled back.

"Good morning!" I answered her and then looked at the other three behind her, my eyes landing directly at a man with his light brown, curly hair styled in an under cut, like Levi, and a cravat around his neck, like Levi. I wondered to myself if he was trying to copy Levi when he caught my eyes and looked at me with a cold manner.

"It's astonishing the Commander allows a civilian to come with on such a confidential and dangerous task!" He said with a dry tone, stepping closer. "Especially such a frail woman."
"Don't let my appearance fool you." I said with a smile.

"Sorry Valerie, he doesn't know how to behave." Petra said, looking mortified by her fellow squad members approach. "This is Olou Bozado." She continued and then went on introducing the other two in the squad, a rather serious and stern man named Gunther Schultz and a more calm and proper man named Eld Jinn. It didn't take long before Levi showed up questioning why they hadn't readied the horse yet. The others made a move immediately but I was left standing, turning to Levi who'd stopped besides me.
"We're riding?" I asked and he looked at me like it was obvious. "I can't ride." Still silent but his face expression changed slightly to a questioning one and I sighed. "You think I've had the time to practice?" He kept his eyes on me for a moment before he looked into the stable.

"Eld." It didn't take long for the man to stand in front of us. "You'll take Mrs Evans on your horse, since she hasn't had the time to practise." When he said the last part he looked at me with a smirk. I narrowed my eyes slightly at him.

"Of course, Captain!" Eld answered with a respectful tone in his voice. I sighed to myself when Levi left to get his own horse ready but smiled at Eld.

Just like Eld had said we soon arrived to the old headquarters, the castle had seen better days I thought but it still was quite breathtaking. Eld helped me down from the horse and I thanked him. As the others went to bind their horses I let my eyes wander over the castle, it really looked old with weeds sticking up in the stoned court and you couldn't see thru the windows because of the dirt and dust that build up. I wrinkled my nose just thinking about how it would look on the inside.

"Look at all these weeds." I turned my head, Eld and Gunther standing behind me and noticing the same as me. "What a mess."
"It hasn't been used for years. Inside, it's probably covered in dust." Eld said, saying out loud what I've been thinking.

"That's a serious problem. We'll begin immediately." I couldn't help smiling when I saw the dark look on Levis face.

"Yes, sir!" The two men said, turning to gather up the others.

"What you're smiling about?" Levi asked when he walked up, standing besides me.

"Nothing in particular." I answered and turned my eyes to Eren, Levi did as well. "If he thought cleaning with me was horrendous, then he has no idea what he's up against." Levi looked back at me and I smiled at him. "I don't expect he'll get by easy, considering how you criticized me in the beginning." Hadn't I known where to search I would like most people miss the signs of his face softening and his steel grey eyes hinting feelings, this time I caught something sorrowful in his eyes. As his squad and Eren came closer it disappeared and he turned to them barking out orders. Eren was ordered to take care of the upper floors and I volunteered to take care of the kitchen and dining room.

Entering the kitchen I had to take a deep breath as I took in the sight; dust, dirt and cobwebs everywhere. This kitchen hadn't been used in ages and it I would need to pull out something close to a miracle to make it usable. I couldn't help but to smile a little as I rolled up the sleeves of my white blouse. For days I'd been caught up in the survey corps headquarters with little to do and much to think about. Cleaning that small room I've been staying is didn't take long and dinner had been served for me. And now that Eren finally was out of the prison I could feel my body ached for this kind of work. I remember Gloria pointing out one time that cleaning was my relaxation. I took a deep breath again and then got to work, starting with opening up the windows and the door leading out to what I guessed once had been a garden land to grow vegetables. It was now overgrown with weed but with some attention it would soon be back to be a usual garden land. Something for later I thought to myself and turned to the kitchen, starting with sweeping the floors.

Entering the dinning room Levi found it already cleaned and spotless. He stopped, dragging his finger over the table and a smile playing on his lips as he found it completely clean. Looking up towards the door leading to the kitchen he proceed towards it. Opening it slowly he could hear a soft humming, one he hadn't heard in years. For a moment he was transfixed by the door just letting the sound sweep over him like a calming lullaby. At last he opened the door and walking into the kitchen to find it also already cleaned. Moving his eyes over the room he located the sound coming from an open door leading outside. Outside was Valerie on her knees, humming, and digging up weeds from an old, overgrown garden land. Her forest green eyes focused on the plant in her hands as she pulled it up and threw it on the pile of other weeds besides her. She stopped humming, breathing out slightly as she wiped sweat from her brow. This gave Levi a better sight of her dirtied clothes and he tsked in disgust, making her turn her head.

"You look disgusting." He said and she looked down on her clothes, a small smile on her lips.

"Rather like a hardworking woman." She looked up at him again, her smile soft and warm. She didn't get offend by his harsh words, she'd never had and rather by being taken back by them she'd read the meaning behind them. She stood, trying to dust off some of the dirt with her dirty hands resulting in her clothes getting dirtier. He wrinkled his nose.

"Go get those clothes clean!" He ordered and she looked up at him.

"Yes, sir!" She answered him, still smiling and moving towards the door where he stood. He didn't move from the opening so she stopped. Reaching out his hand a removing some straws of weed from her dark brown hair.

"And get a bath!"

After putting on a new change of clothes after cleaning myself up, I took a proper look around the room I'd been assigned to stay in. It was quite similar to the rooms at the current headquarters. However I had noted a door in the wall opposite to the bathroom and I was wondering where it was leading. Walking over to it I lightly put my hand on the handle and pulled it down. It opened and I slowly opened the door, curious to see where it led. It was an identical room as mine, I felt slightly disappointed and was about to close the door again when my eyes took notice of some papers lying on the desk. I walked inside the room, letting my fingers run over the desk as I looked at the papers on it, immediately recognizing Erwin's handwriting. I felt suspiciousness rising inside of me and turned my head to look to the bed. As far as I could see there were no wrinkles on the bedding. At last I turned my head to the closet and without hesitation walking over to it. Putting my hands on either knob I pulled it opened and as I suspected; properly taken care of clothes hanging in it. I pursed my lips, knowing exactly whose room this was.

"Why is my room next to yours?" Levi looked up at me from where he was sitting in the dining room. I read surprise in his eyes at first but it was soon hidden behind an uncaring face expression.

"Erwin's order." I kept my eyes on him, my hands on my hips.

"Why?" I asked again. He tsked in annoyance.

"He thought it best."

"In case I'd try to kidnap Eren? You honestly think I have the power to do that and do I need to remind you he's here on his own free will." He looked up at me again; his glare matching mine.

"In case the brat shifts and loses his control." My glare softened and he turned away his head again. "You're a civilian and protecting you is priority in case of that happening." I stood silent for a moment. I hadn't thought about that.

"I see. Sorry!" I straightened, looking at the other direction. I hadn't noted Eld and Gunther being in the room, they regarded me with surprise. As I'd come to understand people didn't stand up against or question Levi, if they didn't want to be put in place by him. So I guessed seeing me question him like this was and get out alive was strange to them. I looked back at him. "I suppose the rest of you got better things to do so I'll start with dinner!" I looked up at me and I read his respond in his eyes before I moved to the kitchen, feeling Eld and Gunthers eyes following me before Levi told them to stop starring and get back to work.