"We live in a world where unfortunately the distinction
between true and false appears to become increasingly blurred
by manipulation of facts, by exploitation of uncritical minds, and by the pollution of the language."
― Arne Tiselius
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Doing an incredibly poor job of trying to hold a miasma of anxiety at bay, Joe went through his inventory again; he had checked it a dozen times by this point, but it gave him something to do. He needed to leave in about five minutes to be on time, but his bad habit of speeding would ensure he would have time to spare.
Unless it's my lucky day to get pulled over.
His mind was ablaze with worries; he had long since found ways to cope with the nearly overwhelming anxiety that had taken over his life during the past few months, but now there was simply so much. Other than the obvious looming meeting that he was about to leave for, he had to contend with thoughts of what his final grades would look like, whether or not he would obey his parent's wishes and return home for the summer, and, of course, her.
Her… can't even remember her name?
He cursed at Dust and slid his .45 back into its concealed holster within his suit coat.
"I don't need your crap right now."
I almost believe you.
Putting his wallet back into his pocket, he paced in front of his mirror and straightened his tie. He hated getting dressed up, but when he did, he wanted nothing to be imperfect. He rotated his shoulder and looked over it to see the now empty space across the room. For a moment, the anxious thoughts swirling through his head were blocked out, replaced by a tumultuous sense of melancholy.
You killed him.
Had it been right?
Snapped his neck right and proper.
"Shut UP!"
He stared at the lonely wooden frame and mattress.
Had it even been necessary?
With an unpleasantly urgent ring, his phone's alarm blared at him, noting him of a date to keep that he was already well aware of. Silencing it with a swipe of his finger, he looked in the mirror one last time and strode quickly out, trying not to look back.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
"Is it all going as expected?"
"Yes, both sides will all be here within the hour."
"Now don't fuck this up on your end. Remember, your only job at this point is to watch it unfold."
"I know."
"You better. There is a lot riding on this."
"Don't worry, there will be plenty of fireworks."
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
As Sasha practically skipped by, clearly very pleased with how she looked in red, Ymir couldn't help swinging an open hand around and slapping the brunette hard in the ass.
"OW!"
She turned after jumping with surprise, looking alarmed then almost immediately huffy; Ymir smirked as she leaned back against the car.
"C'mon, like you don't love that shit."
Adopting a look that was hilariously snobby, Sasha tilted her chin back,
"You're simply jealous. Though I don't blame you."
Ilse laughed, coming around the other side of the car, as Ymir took a mockingly aggressive step forward,
"Of what exactly?"
She was more than about to receive a likely lengthy response when the building's back door swung open and the rest of their troop exited the building. Hange was going over something in her head, counting off on her fingers as she nearly tripped over her forest green getup; it was obvious she hadn't taken the time to size herself properly. Annie was hiking down her own laced dress, likely over a thigh holster; the light blue color of it seemed unlike her, but it complimented her icy eyes brilliantly. Finally, Krista came out, accompanied by Mikasa who was assuring her in no uncertain terms, that she looked gorgeous.
"It was this or the flounce, honestly, I think it could have worked either way, but I'm sort of regretting it now, I think this strappy flashes a little too much, I mean… "
"Krista, you put all of us to shame, there's no reason to fret."
The blonde stopped playing with her straight, worked hair and froze as though she had just come to a stunning realization. Then she gave a weak laugh,
"Look at me… we're about to walk right into enemy lines and I'm freaking about how I look."
Mikasa smiled and rested a hand on the blonde's shoulder before walking after Hange, a question obvious. She looked stunning herself in a black, open-shouldered romper that flowed beautifully with her hair. Ymir smiled inwardly.
Joseph won't be able to keep his eyes off her.
And he could all he wanted. Because Krista…
Ho-lee shit.
Once again, Ymir reflected on how lucky she was as Krista walked towards her in her beige outfit; it seemed to be a part pf her, tight enough to highlight her incredible body while maintaining a reserved feel, baring her arms and legs just enough to drive Ymir crazy. The blonde smiled nervously and the brunette shook her head,
"Why?"
Krista frowned in concern,
"Why what?"
She stood and walked forward to meet her girlfriend halfway.
"Why… do you ever… EVER… worry about how you look?"
Blushing, Krista looked away,
"I… old habits I guess."
She shook her head again, smiling,
When a bitch like me can get away with being with someone like her… really anything is possible, isn't it.
Krista reached out and tugged at Ymir's sleeves.
"You look good too!"
Ymir rolled her eyes and looked away,
"It's just a fuckin' t-back, and besides no one's gonna be looking at me."
She poked Krista in the nose,
"They're all gonna be looking at YOU."
Smirking at the blush she received, she turned as the familiar hum of Joseph's bike rumbled into audibleness. She couldn't help laughing as she saw him pull into the lot on a rather old motorcycle and decked in a very respectable suit and tie; he could have been something out a Bond movie. He dismounted quickly and walked quickly over, his clothes allowing for less movement than he clearly wanted.
"Sorry, if I'm a little late, I forgot about the construction on Main Street and didn't want to risk going around… "
Hange spared him a quick look,
"You're fine, at this rate we should be right on time."
She glanced at her phone,
"Though we ought not take any chances… "
Clapping sharply, she gesticulated for them all to gather up; Ymir didn't fail to notice Joseph's eyes wandering between all of them, looking impressed, speechless, and stunned at the same time.
Guess he hasn't been to a lot of dances and or weddings.
As they rounded around the front of the black SUV, Hange wasted no time,
"Now I'm sure you all remember what we're here to do, so I won't reiterate too much, but… play it very cool, there's no need to add more tension to this. All our other people are already there and it sounds like everything is going smoothly so far."
She looked around seriously, her normally upbeat aura held impressively in check,
"I know you're all angry. Perhaps hungry for a little revenge. But, at least for now, this is a nonviolent meeting and I'd like to keep it that way. You're all far too valuable to risk for vengeance's sake."
She was met with hard nods all around and her familiar smile returned,
"Well then, let's do it."
Wordlessly, they all piled into the two cars, their numbers split evenly. Ymir slid into the driver's seat of the rear vehicle, joined by Krista too her right. Behind her, Joseph and Sasha climbed in; Sasha appeared in fiercely excited spirits in quite the contrast to Joseph who rather looked as if he was going to both a funeral and the world's tallest rollercoaster. As they pulled out of the lot, Ymir looked at him through the rear-view mirror, eyebrows raised,
"You don't have to look so dead to the world. Remember, this is a farce, so you need to play the part."
Though she said it half-jokingly, he seemed to take her words to heart; taking a deep breath, he straightened up and adopted a politely interested expression that was promptly wiped away as Sasha kicked off her shoes and through her feet onto his lap.
"Massage please."
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Their informant's hadn't lied; the venue was very high-tier if not overly flashy. The bass of whatever music was playing thudded from inside the building as Mikasa stepped out into the twilight air. Behind her, everyone clambered out of their vehicles and walked up, eying the building as well. Ilse blew out a sight,
"Alright so, go in, don't kill anybody and try and have a good time."
Sasha brushed past her for the door,
"So let's get it on already."
Mikasa followed as they all moved quietly into the building. After passing through a dim hallway that was guarded by both people she recognized from their own business and those she didn't, they entered the main room. It was a low-lit, yet high energy setting; people were dancing on a moderately sized dance floor and a long bar overlooked a large table where others were sampling a great many different assortments of food. As they walked deeper in, she noticed Hange's aid, Mike, chatting avidly with Eld, one of the men whom they had dealt with in the forest; they both were talking with what didn't seem to be a care in the world. Not entirely sure if she wanted to sit or stand, Mikasa followed Annie and Ilse to the bar, as the group split apart.
"Well hello there, young misses."
The bartender was a thick, mustached man who, for all his size, seemed hardly imposing, though she fought a shiver as his uncanny resemblance to her father gave her a slight rattle. Annie through up her thumb and the two fingers closest to it,
"Three of whatever's quick."
He nodded and turned away; the three of them followed suit, looking out at the room. It wasn't a small place, but it seemed relatively crowded regardless, which seemed curious considering how many of them were supposed to be there. Ilse laughed and Mikasa followed her gaze to where Ymir and Krista were already on the dance floor, moving as though they had been practicing their whole lives. Ilse shook her head,
"Ymir spends her whole life talking about how she thinks dancing is stupid, but once Krista grabs her arm… "
Annie grabbed one of the drinks as the bartender returned, eyes still locked on the two,
"You'd almost think it wasn't by choice."
She nearly spilled as Sasha half-collided with her, a familiar redhead in tow,
"Guys, you all remember Petra?"
They all nodded and Ilse extended a hand which Petra took before speaking,
"Good to see you all again, I had a feeling we'd be dealing again soon, you guys seemed to really know your stuff."
"Hey misssssster."
Sasha drawled as she nearly jumped over the bar grabbing at the bartender for two more drinks as some eighties love song came; the lights slowed in their flashing to hold on a thick red coloring that bathed the whole room in a calming manner. Annie's eyes flicked to Petra,
"Only wish it was under better circumstances."
Looking honestly confused, the redhead furrowed her brow,
"What do you mean?"
Annie locked eyes with Mikasa who gave her head a quick shake.
She doesn't know… ?
Annie was quick to correct course,
"I mean what with the border locking down around the areas where dealing is most convenient."
Petra's confusion gave way to an understanding look as she took a glass from Sasha, giving her an appreciative smile,
"Of course. The one deal we had was enough of a fright, the incredible profit we made aside."
She took a healthy swing and looked to Mikasa approvingly,
"It was quick thinking to send your friend to pull that diversion, I had an idea or two at the time, but that worked exceptionally well."
Mikasa was forced to adopt a painful smile as the lied through her teeth,
"He did what he had to and he did it well."
And fuck him for it.
Petra nodded slowly, eyes moving to the dance floor. She smiled as she saw Krista and Ymir close together, holding one another tight and rotating slowly in place,
"They really are so cute together. The rest of us ought to take notes."
A loud male voice called out her name and she twirled to locate the source; doing so, she looked apologetically at Sasha,
"I'd better go say hi."
She jabbed the brunette in the shoulder,
"You seem fairly spry this evening; I'll want a dance."
Sasha broke into a wide smile,
"I'll remember you said that."
As the redhead walked quickly off, Ilse glanced over,
"You two seem pretty chummy."
Shrugging, Sasha leaned against the bar,
"Seen her at the gym a few times and she seems pretty nice. Though… "
Her smile faded,
"Does she really not know about why we're really here?"
Mikasa glanced towards the floor, feeling the same wonderment. It was entirely possible that Levi wouldn't have told all of his associates of the hits he had ordered, but of all the people who would have known, Petra should have been one of them,
"Hange said she was one of his more trusted people. But he may just be trying to play it as below the radar as possible."
Ilse nodded,
"I'd rather not believe she had anything to do with the hits."
Collectively, they looked after where Petra had walked too, where she was presently being talked up by a very loud and very pressing young man who looked like he could have been captain of both the college football and sumo teams. She appeared to be trying her best to shake him, but was having little success; looking over she waved weakly as the man threw a hand around her shoulder. Sasha giggled,
"God that looks funny. But I suppose I better go try and save her."
She skipped off, her red dress being played well by the lights. For a moment, the three of them remained there, sipping at their drinks. Then, Ilse smiled gesturing with her glass,
"I knew he'd be a blast.
Mikasa followed her gaze to see Joseph sitting reclusively in a corner well shrouded and well out of the way. He would sit there, deep back in his seat, drumming his fingers on the table and occasionally looking around nervously if someone laughed or shouted loudly. He looked very much like he was waiting for someone to walk up and shoot him dead.
"Maybe I oughta go shake him up a bit, get him a drink. He needs to realize that no one here really wants spilled blood, at least not tonight."
Annie looked at Ilse with a gently raised eyebrow,
"Let him be. If he wants to rot in a corner, let him."
The dark-haired girl looked disapprovingly at the blonde,
"That's not looking out for his best interests."
"Who's to say what his best interests are?"
Ilse huffed,
"You are so rude."
Mikasa heard their conversation, though she was half-ignoring it. She looked at Joseph who didn't notice her gaze; she wanted to walk over and…
… and what? Talk to him? Ask him how he's doing? Get real.
But she couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to walk over. She was roused from her thoughts as the music shifted drastically and the lights once again began to pick up pace. Ilse tilted her head back,
"Fuck, I don't think I'll ever get tired of this song."
Not recognizing it by the first instrumental strums, Mikasa waited until the vocals came,
"Oh don't you dare look back,
Keep your eyes on me… "
She couldn't help smiling as the realization came; in her peripheral, she saw Sasha dragging Ilse from the presence of the much larger man, both of them laughing heavily as they leaped onto the dance floor, and instantly, Mikasa knew what she wanted.
Not saying a word, she placed her empty glass onto the bar top and walked over to Joseph. He didn't register her, until she was right next to him, and he looked up with a jump.
"Shit, don't spook me like that."
She said nothing, but reached out a hand. He stared at it, eyebrows furrowed. It didn't take him long to figure her meaning,
"Oh no, no, no, sorry I don't… I can't, I really can't."
She didn't move. He looked up at her with a nervous laugh,
"Seriously, I'm total trash out on the floor, you don't want… "
Not wasting any more time, she took him under the arm and, ignoring his low, frantic "Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait", she pulled him out onto the dance floor. Over several people's shoulders, she caught Ymir's eyes and she received a knowing wink. Taking Joseph's hand and putting the other on his shoulder, she watched him look around, looking almost panicked,
"This seriously isn't a good idea, you shouldn't… "
She took her own hand away briefly to put his hand on her waist; smiling inwardly at the silence that claimed him as she did so, she mouthed the lyrics of the song, before sweeping him away,
"Shut up and dance with me."
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
"He just arrived."
"He's inside?"
"No, but he will be any second."
"Alright, sit tight. Where's Richard?"
"Right next to me. We're tucked away in the back."
"Good. Stay put until the shit hits the fan. Then you know the plan."
"Sure thing."
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Collapsing into a seat, sweating and breathing heavily, Joseph looked over smiling open-mouthed as Sasha cackled at the sight of him, Ilse clapping slow and deliberately,
"Look. At. YOU! I had no idea you could move like that!"
He wiped his brow, muttering quietly,
"Makes two of us."
His smile grew as fresh laughter brewed; looking around, he saw Mikasa with Hange, who had pulled her away to meet some man who she had been talking with since they had arrived. The three looked deep in conversation about something outside of his knowing, but he was having trouble caring; he felt more elated than he could ever remember being. While being slightly embarrassed, he was having trouble keeping a stupid grin off his face which Sasha took full advantage of, reaching over and pinching his cheek,
"You look so adorable when you're happy like that."
Growling, he batted her hand away before standing abruptly,
"I need the bathroom."
Ilse smirked, wiping sweat off her own face as she poured a healthy glass of wine,
"Around and to the left I believe."
Standing and adjusting his suit, he ignored the laughter coming from behind him and strode off. As he walked through her field of vision, he met Mikasa's gaze briefly from across the crowded room. She didn't return his smile, but she didn't need to; her eyes said plenty. Trying not to skip he crossed to the other side and went for the hall he assumed the bathrooms were in. The hall held three doors all of which held no labels and held an "employee-only" vibe. Turning and grinding his teeth, he saw two men sat in a table distant from the partying with their backs to him. He made his way towards them, hoping they may be able to give him a direction. As he neared the table, he heard the shorter of the two speak,
"So how many do you think are dead?"
Joseph stopped, mouth opened, just behind them. By some instinctual reasoning, he didn't speak, only listened. They didn't notice him and continued speaking,
"Hopefully all, though that's unlikely."
"I bet I can take out six of them in six seconds when the shooting starts."
"That isn't the plan, both sides start shooting and we are out of here, that's the plan."
"How long do you think?"
"Just looked outside and saw Levi's car. So probably not too long. I hear he's PISSED."
"And Hange's people… I bet they're none too happy neither."
"Won't matter how they feel when they're dead."
Hardly aware he was moving, Joseph backed away as quietly as he could and tried not to sprint for the hallway. He practically slammed into the first door that he saw and it opened, miraculously revealing two more doors clearly marked as restrooms. Staggering into the men's, he leaned over the sink breathing heavily. In the previous few minutes of dancing, he had completely forgotten the reason they were there in the first place, and now, with what those two had said…
What does it mean? Who are they? Who are they working for? They plan on both sides opening fire… then getting away, they mustn't be on either side.
Breathing heavily, he haphazardly splashed cold water on his face.
This… what do I do?
For a few seconds, he paced the small area, racking his buzzing brain, willing it to find a solution.
You can't do anything by yourself… Mikasa… tell her… tell Hange… tell SOMEBODY.
Shaking his head, he swung the door open and was met with the butt of a pistol. Light flashing before him, he scrambled at the wall, trying to not to go down and two hands grabbed him by the upper arms and began to force him along.
"Got him, let's go."
As his vision returned, he struggled violently as he was dragged through a different door and up a staircase. His swearing echoed up and down the stairwell thought it only earned him a second strike that almost knocked him out. His thought process returned as a final door swung open and he was shoved out onto a rooftop as a hand felt within his coat and relieved him of his two pistols. The cool night air felt oddly refreshing as he was shoved pushed hard away from his assaulters. Turning, he was able to face them and see that they were indeed the two who had been at the table not seconds ago. The taller had a gun trained on him while the shorter addressed him without looking at him, instead eyes examining his gun,
"I assume you heard all that."
He looked up patiently. Seeing no reason to lie, Joseph nodded. The man looked back down,
"Well, I suppose then you know why this has to happen."
Not wanting to waste time, Joseph quickly asked,
"Who do you work for?"
He was met with two arrogant smiles that ensured he was about to be blabbed to,
"As you are about to wind up very dead, I suppose I can tell you that much. We have been working under the supervision of Mr. Blaire as he calls himself, to put your two groups against each other. We've done that much and tonight you will both spill each other's blood, leaving both sides defenseless to stop his operation from becoming the prime one in this area."
Joe opened his mouth again, but was cut off,
"Ah, ah, ah, no more. That was your one question."
For a split second, the three glanced to the left as a massive ventilation fan kicked on to high gear; they shorter man had to nearly shout to be heard,
"Have some fun Richard, but don't be too long."
With that, he walked back through the door and closed it behind him. Left staring down the barrel of a gun, Joe was surprised to see it tossed aside. Richard proceeded to pull of his upper layers to reveal a thick and muscled frame that even Reiner may have been jealous of. The man gave a disheartening grin,
"You gonna go down fighting at least?"
Trying desperately to figure a solution to his predicament, Joe's mind came up empty. He steeled himself; he knew he would have to move this man to save the brewing disaster down below, but as he stared at the huge man in front of him, he felt his resolve start melting.
"I'll do my best."
A short, guttural chuckle proceeded an impossibly fast fist that rocketed towards his face, blasting him nearly to oblivion. He hit the ground hard and heard more laughter through his ringing ears.
"It can't be that easy!"
As he rose shakily up, another hit lifted him off his feet and to the ground again and again he tried to stand; it appeared pointless as a heavy kick sent him flying back into the barrier around the roof, where he dropped to one knee. Staring at the ground, he felt his fist clench,
If this keeps up… I might get mad.
And he stood, thinking of those beneath his feet.
Think of her.
The thought gave him strength.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Krista tried desperately not to giggle as Ymir's fingers tickled her side harshly. She had been practically chasing her around the dance floor with her fingers after the blonde had accidently trod on Ymir's toes. It was hardly a big deal, but, for Ymir, that was all the more reason to make it one.
"STOP!"
Ymir backed off, smiling, hands raised in mock surrender,
"Sorry, no need to get so worked up."
Red in the face, Krista stomped a foot angrily,
"You are so… UNBEARABLE sometimes!"
And with that she stormed off, towards a surprised looking Ilse and Sasha. Ymir laughed, throwing her head back; deciding to make amends as quickly as possible, she worked her way towards the bar. Seeing a group of men who looked thick in both a physical and mental standpoint, she eased herself to the left of the seats, next to a short, dark-haired man. She glanced at him briefly as she sat, looking around for the bartender and inhaling deeply. The man behind the bar came over quickly as she waved at him,
"What can I do for you miss?"
She laughed,
"Miss? Nicest thing I've ever been called… two glasses of Grey Goose."
He nodded and walked purposefully away. Ymir leaned back and placed both hands on the counter; she found herself surprised as the man suddenly spoke without looking at her. His voice was steady and low, with a possible line of menace beneath,
"You're Ymir."
She looked at him, eyebrows raised.
"Well, that's the rumor."
He nodded, taking a sip from his own glass, not looking at her. Waiting only a few seconds, she found herself impatient,
"Though I must confess, I don't think I know you."
The man sighed,
"I suppose you wouldn't."
He looked at her, with naturally narrow eyes that rivaled Annie's in terms of the raw cold they gave off.
"Levi. And I imagine we'll be learning a good deal about each other this evening."