Hello everyone! Alright new chapter, as always thank so much for reading and reviewing, so on with the story…
I push people away; when all I really want is for someone to hug me and tell me it's okay~ Author Unknown
Petra had woken extra early that day, she was in the cold and barren kitchen making tea and getting out some food from the stores. 'Let this day go well please Lord' she pleaded. Turning her head when the door opened and Levi, Erwin and Ember entered. The ginger haired girl smiled and said "I thought you all should have a good breakfast before you had to leave for Wall Sina" "Thank you Petra" stated Erwin and Ember at the same time; whilst Levi simply nodded his head in acknowledgement of his squad members actions. 'She walks like she weighs nothing, like she's on clouds' Petra contemplated the short haired girl, as she made her way to the food and more importantly tea. Indeed after years of training Embers stride had grown very light and graceful, though she was unaware of this fact. Pulling out two cups close to her she poured the tea in the light glass cups and took them over to her Corporal and Commander, who had gotten some food and sat down at a near table, then returned with two more for her and Petra. Drinking in silence for a few minutes finally Petra spoke up saying "How long is this going to take Heichou?" Snapping out of his own thoughts Levi considered the question. "A day or two, depending on how pretentious the people in Wall Sina are going to be this time, from what I've seen this shouldn't take long, Erwin?" he questioned his friend who looked at them finally feeling fully awake "Sound about right to me, I've been to loads of these trials, they usually don't last long" However the blondes thoughts echoed that of Levi's, that a case like this had never been tried before, they did not really know what to expect, he could sense that Ember knew this as well; however the prospect of someone (Petra) thinking everything would be fine was better than no one thinking it.
Finishing with their meal, tea for Ember and Levi and food for Erwin they all got up. Petra gave Levi a hug that he shirked away from, then Erwin extended his hand and thanked her again for the food and added "Keep an eye out for the cadets , if Myeil does something incredibly stupid send word to us." At this Petra nodded and stepped up to Ember giving her a tight hug, she already considered her a close friend. Going to give her a small French kiss on the cheek somehow her lips missed and brushed on the other girls. Ember took a step away a little shocked, Petra too backed off a blush rising to her face, she slowly raised her head to meet the disapproving eyes of Levi, who had his arms crossed over his chest. Petra smiled and gave a light laugh and mouthed sorry as the group exited the doors, she was good with awkward situations with Levi.
Exhausted by Myeils training Ember fell asleep next to Levi on the carriage ride to the town far away. At some point she rested her head on his shoulder and he draped an arm over her shoulder to stop the rough movements of the horses and the bumpy road from waking her. "You should get some sleep too Levi, you've been up far too late these past few nights you know" stated Erwin. Levi had no intentions of taking the blond man up on his offer. However sleep slowly crept up on him as well and he slumped forward slightly. The Commander had to admit that the two younger people riding with him looked cute as they were. 'They don't look all serious when they sleep" he smiled at himself. Half an hour later the horses had to stop, one of them had thrown a shoe and it was being mended when Levi woke. Surprised to see he was leaning on the form of Ember his head resting on the top of her head. He could not help but notice the scent of mint and grass on her person that was very relaxing. Poking Ember awake when he was a safe distance from her; both getting out of the carriage to stretch their legs and find Erwin.
They were soon on their way again, with Ember ridding on one of the horses in front of the carriage tired of the cramped space.
Time skip to Wall Sina
At the military base inside the high walls the group had not much to do but wait for the next morning, Ember enjoyed her time by riding on the incredible track and course the base had for horses. Levi spent his time productively and worked on papers while Erwin went to speak to some friends that he had not seen in a few years. After Ember had showered she got a book and joined Levi on the couch, making herself comfortable in the older worn out cushions that sank deep down when anyone sat on it.
Ember was a bit concerned, the morning of the trial they had to wake early and she felt that she was instantly being judged, hustled and glared at by everyone but her friends. Like she was a dangerous animal that needed to be herded and scared, like that was going to do anything. The judge was a large man that about three Heichou's could fit in him.
After long proceeding and readings of regulations that Ember couldn't understand, and at last the judge read out the crime. However Ember could hardly process a word of it as she was sneered at by Victor. He was never a handsome man, but now he appeared so much more cruel, nothing of good seemed to reside in him anymore. As for Talia and Tiffany who stood on either side of him, like some sort of perverted twisted version of Christ and the two robbers on either hand, the girls also wore the sneer of disgust. "Please answer our question miss Hill, who are your parents, there seems to be no record of you here" stated the man. Mouth dry and throat not seeming to work she answered with a low almost male sounding voice "My mother's name was T-Truly, and my father's name was Dante" she had a hard time recollecting these things, it was so long ago. "There last names please" questioned the man again. "I don't remember their last names, honestly those names I gave you could have been there last names" she stated quietly. "and why can you not recollect their last names miss Hill?" "Because one of them left when I was two, and the other one died when I was seven, so I really don't remember" she stated again quietly. "Why did that person leave, and speak up when please" he stated. "I-I d-don't remember really" Ember stated slightly louder. "Try young lady" the judge stated again. "I-I w-was a bastard child, is that what you want to hear!" Ember shouted to the judge who was half consumed in shadow. "There is no need to shout miss Hill, now Truly is not a very common first of last name, where did you live when you were around six or seven?" "The Underground" stated Ember trying to keep her calm. "So, you aren't registered"
'Registered, registered, registered' Everything was swaying to Ember the room, the sky peeking through the windows, 'how is this about what happened to me' were the girls last thoughts as she swayed into blackness, a long forgotten memory surfaced in her consciousness.
'The fuck is this guy thinking!' Levi shouted in his head, this is supposed to be about righting a wrong, 'an eye for an eye or some shit like that' He noticed Embers shallow breathing, her standing in a ballet pose stiff as a board head raised chin up. But her hands were betraying her, they shook like a leaf. And a part of Levi clenched in with unease, his heart seemed to be struggling to pump blood, as with his lungs and air. The more the prick of a judge kept asking pointless questions, that enraged him more, until at last he was about to crumble himself but Ember was lucky and the first to fall. 'At least she's not being humiliated or insulted anymore' thought Levi as he vaulted the railing separating him from Ember.
To Be Continued…
