LEVI: My head swam and my legs ached, though I knew we should try to get Eren back from the Titans.
"Weellll, Hanji..." I slurred, "let'ssss go get Urrennnn..."
"Not in your condition, Corporal Neat Freak," Hanji waggled a finger at me; or at least I think that's what Hanji did. I couldn't really tell. "Mikasa, Eren's rescue will have to wait until morning."
When my head cleared and the sun poked through the windows of my apartment, an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach; one of the kids I had been forced to look after was gone.
I heard rustling in the kitchen, and I woke to find Hanji making coffee. Hanji handed me a steaming mug.
"Thanks," I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.
Hanji sipped on the hot blackness. I knew Hanji liked sugary coffee, which explained why Hanji always acts so high.
"Eren's gone," I said flatly.
"Mhmm."
"We gotta go find him. I can't believe I failed to look after the kids I didn't even want to look after at the beginning..." I said.
Hanji put a hand on my shoulder. "You are attached to them, aren't you?"
I nod solemnly.
Hanji set down the mug to wrap warm arms around me. Hanji's cheek pressed into mine. "We'll get him back."
I wrapped my arms around Hanji's body. "Do you really believe that, Shit Glasses?"
I felt Hanji's head nod. "Yes."
I released Hanji and stared into those twinkling brown eyes. "Alright."
I got dressed and met Hanji downstairs with Mikasa and Armin. I sat down at my desk to begin discussing the hideout of the Titans.
"I don't understand why they didn't just kill us," Armin said, "not that I had wished that, of course. But something is weird; it's like they didn't care if we ran back and ratted out their hiding place."
"Maybe that's not their real headquarters." I suggested.
"That is more likely." Hanji agreed.
I heard a loud tapping coming from the back door, which confused me; everyone always knocks on the front door. Who could this possibly be?
I go out to the back, keeping Isabel by my side in case this person wanted to start something.
The person's back was turned toward me, and they wore a hood over their head. I slid open the door, but they stayed with their back to me. The person was small, smaller than me. Their appearance was slightly obscured by the baggy sweatshirt draped over their tiny frame. The person wore baggy sweatpants, as well.
"Uh, can I help you?" I asked.
"I heard someone very important to you was stolen by the Titans," the figure said in a voice that was clearly forced an octave lower than it should've been.
"How would you know?" I raised an eyebrow, not that this person would've been able to see.
"I have an in with the Titans," the voice replied, "a very close connection, if you get what I'm saying."
"No...I don't get what you're saying at all." I shook my head. "Why don't you just come inside and save me some trouble?"
"If I do, neither you nor any of your accomplices are allowed to look at me!" The voice demanded.
"Tch, alright," I rolled my eyes. I turned my back to the person. "Follow me."
I heard footsteps behind me so I knew the figure was following.
"Oi, close your eyes," I called out to the other room.
"Why?" Hanji asked.
"Just do it, or this valuable information will go to waste." The voice answered.
"Levi? Who's with you?" Mikasa demanded.
"I...I know that voice..." I heard Armin mumble.
That surprised me; had he heard this forced lowness before?
"I'm someone with a connection to the Titans. I can help you get your friend back as long as you help me get my friend back." The voice explained.
"That doesn't seem too hard. But why won't you let us see you?" I asked.
"I can't risk being seen," the figure persisted.
"Wait...Krista?" Armin shrieked, which made us all open our eyes.
Of course, I had no idea who this Krista person was either way.
I turned around and saw the face of the informant. She was petite and blond, with large blue eyes. She could've been Armin's cousin or something. And yet, she looked oddly familiar...
"Who are you, Krista?" I squinted.
Krista gritted her teeth. "Dammit Armin, can't you keep your mouth shut?"
"Am I going to have to subdue you?" I threatened lightly.
"I have a knife," she said.
"I'm sure you do," I crossed my arms.
"Levi, this is Krista Lenz. She's in my grade. I recognized her voice because she's in the drama club with me." Armin said.
"You do drama club?" Mikasa squinted.
"Y-yeah, I'm on set design." Armin stammered.
"I didn't need to know that Armin was a thespian, I just need to know who this girl is." I said.
"Yes sir," Armin continued, "but that's all I know about her."
"And even you don't know the real story," Krista said. "Look, all I wanted was to give you some information as to where the Titans are hiding out so I could get my friend back. She joined the Titans a really long time ago, but I didn't know she was a part of them until last year."
"That's great. Now what's your real story, Krista?" Hanji demanded.
"Like I'd tell you. How do I know that, once you find out who I am, you won't hand me over to the police and tell the truth about how I know about the Titans?" Krista smirked.
"Because I could give less of a damn about who you are, I just need to know where the Titan headquarters is." I said.
Krista seemed surprised at this comment.
"W-well then, the hideout that Mikasa and Armin went to last night is sort of a branch of the true headquarters. The true headquarters are all around us, in the buildings that house the city's defensive systems." She said.
"They're in the WALLS system?" I asked.
None of us really knew what WALLS stood for, but it was the program that kept the city secured. I think the last letter stood for "security", but I wasn't too sure.
"Okay, is that all?" I asked.
"I'd like to come with you on your mission to retrieve Eren." Krista said.
"No way, it's already dangerous as it is; I don't need another untrained kid to get injured, or worse, on a professional rescue mission." I said quickly.
"I know how to shoot a gun," Krista insisted, "besides, how will I be able to convince my friend to come back?"
"We'll convince your friend for you." Hanji offered.
"She won't listen to you; I'm the only one she listens to." Krista's tone was slightly dreamy. I wondered who this "she" was, and what her relation to Krista could be.
"You're still not going. If you want your friend back, you'll have to conduct your own mission." I said.
Krista thought for a moment. "If I tell you who I am and who my friend is, will you let me come along on your mission?"
"I don't see what correlation that has to this mission," I said. "You're still not going."
"What if I told you I'm the mayor's daughter?" Krista smirked again.
"Excuse me?" I shook my head.
"I'm Mayor Reiss's daughter, Historia." Krista said.
"Your real name is Historia?" Armin blinked.
"Yes, but if I didn't change my name, I wouldn't be able to go looking for her." Krista/Historia said.
"Who are you looking for?" Hanji questioned.
"I feel like I know," Mikasa said, "it's Ymir, isn't it?"
"Okay, who are all these people?" I asked, frustrated.
"She's my girlfriend, okay?! I'm looking for my girlfriend, Ymir!" Historia shouted, exasperated.
"You two are dating? But I thought your father-" Armin began.
"-was a homophobic asshole? He is, so that's why I had to go by the name Krista Lenz." Historia interrupted. "Now, if you don't let me come on this mission, I'll tell my father that you kidnapped me thinking I had some connection to the Titans because my friend is one of them."
"I never thought you'd use your father's political power as blackmail," Armin said, "you were always such a goddess at school."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that I'm a goddess, but I do enjoy helping others. But when it comes to things that I am passionate about myself, then you'll feel my immortal wrath." Historia explained.
"Riiiight...well, we'll leave at eight to find Eren. For now, we need a plan. Historia, will you help us?" I asked.
Historia grinned almost maniacally. "For Ymir, I'd do anything."
