"Those walls, how were they built?" Evelyn asked. "Do you guys have access to some machinery that helped to make it that smooth? I would have expected bricks like the houses but it looks to be made out of something else."
Hange shrugged as she chewed her food. After a moment she replied, "They've always been there."
"What do you mean 'they've always been there'? Walls don't just appear out of thin air!"
"Well they have always been there, ever since the beginning of recorded history."
"You expect me to believe people with fewer resources, than you have available now, built a wall that big? Or are you going to blame aliens?"
Hange regarded Evelyn quizzically.
"Beings not from this world."
"Like yourself?"
"I am not," Evelyn froze before shaking her head slightly. "That's not what I meant."
"The only thing I know is that when I went to experiment on the wall as a child, soldiers shooed me away."
"You're curious about it too then?"
"Well, I wanted to bring a shovel to it. They probably just didn't want a child to cause any damage."
"Right," Evelyn nodded slowly in thought. "I'm sure that's what that was about." Her eyes narrowed as she explored other theories in her mind.
If these walls protect against those monsters, how did they build them without mass casualties? Surely that would have been recorded. But, Hange didn't mention anything when asked. Where would they have gotten the resources from? Are the walls that long to house that rich of stone resources? Seriously, how is there no record of this?!
"Isn't it kind of suspicious that your recorded history started around or after the wall had been built and there's no information before that?" Evelyn stirred her soup mindlessly as her mind tied itself in knots.
"Maybe the people that built the wall were the ones that thought to record history? You might get more information if you spoke with someone that works in the Garrison branch. But, don't do that. You'll draw unwanted attention to yourself."
"But that's the strange thing! Wouldn't they brag about building something so intricate? History is written by the winners and people have large egos. Was there any kind of civil war in the past where they would have destroyed outside information?"
Hange shook her head. "Honestly, any time I've tried to learn more about the walls, Commander Erwin told me to focus on the titans as they are our priority. I do agree that it is strange, but I have asked similar questions and the answers all lead to the conclusion that the walls are here to protect the last remnants of humanity."
"See," Evelyn pointed her spoon at Hange. "I don't believe that last part. Humans are the cockroaches of sci-fi. They appear all over the place. Even with the titans..."
"What's sci-fi?"
"Science Fiction."
"You're comparing the real world with fiction then?"
"It was to make a point. It'd be pretty hard to destroy human populations with the titans alone. They can do damage but humans are smart enough to use tools and build or find shelter. Besides, the titans sound pretty fictional if you've never come face to face with them."
"But they're not fiction, they are an ever-present threat. And now, with the fall of Wall Maria, we've discovered intelligent titans that can strike at our weaknesses."
"They're generally not intelligent then?" Evelyn asked.
Hange shook her head. "Not in the way that humans are. They appear to work more on instinct. Some are a bit different; those are the abnormal ones. They can be more dangerous. I want to run more experiments on the titans but the Commander says it's not worth the cost of capturing them."
"So, you have done experiments on them before?"
"Sort of, the first strange thing I noticed was when I went to kick the head of a titan and it was light as a feather."
Evelyn's mouth dropped open. "Ok, now you're pulling my leg. Those things can't possibly weigh nothing."
"I'm not joking! I kicked it and it felt like kicking air."
"That's impossible, something that big would have a lot of mass and that would make it heavy. The gravity here seems the same as where I'm from too."
"You've likely seen one dissolve before your eyes from the report Captain Levi gave about your first encounter. The titans are a strange breed and we simply do not know enough about them."
"Well, do you know why they need to eat humans? Could they be satisfied with animals?"
Hange shook her head.
"From what we can tell, they don't need to eat humans, they want to."
Evelyn dropped her spoon as she searched for any sign of a joke in Hange's features.
"They also don't touch animals and target humans specifically."
Evelyn ran her fingers through her hair, snagging on some knots in the wavy mess. Her eyes traced the wood grain on the table but her mind had gone blank.
"Do you understand our predicament now?"
Evelyn brought her gaze up to meet Hange's and nodded slightly.
"And you truly think I can be of help?"
"From everything we've discussed, yes. But we need you to cooperate with us, and this," Hange motioned to the space between the pair as they sat on opposite sides of a large table, "isn't helping."
Evelyn sighed.
"Hange, how many times do I have to say this? I've explained the situation yesterday with Moblit. You may be reckless in this endeavor but my conscious can't take being the cause of someone's death through carelessness."
"You have that mask on almost all day around others; that should be enough. We need to spend time getting you to fit into the ranks. Otherwise, others might get suspicious."
"The cloth around my neck isn't the best protection, it's just an idea I took from a different culture. The others will get suspicious no matter what I do. But as far as combat prowess, I would have to start with simple forms anyway. My dad got me into martial arts as a kid, but I'm a bit rusty. Plus, my arm isn't finished recovering."
"Are young children all taught combat where you're from?"
Evelyn shook her head.
"Nah, generally that stuff is seen as a sport or even an art form."
Hange nodded absent-mindedly. "Well, the basics should help your arm stretch out without overworking it if you go slow, but you'd still need a sparring partner."
"Can't someone train me with a dummy for a week?"
"It's not optimal but it'll have to do."
"-not a problem, I'm happy to help." Petra said as she and Levi walked into the mess hall. Hange waved the pair over to their table. Petra moved to sit next to Evelyn but Evelyn scooted herself further along the bench.
Noticing Petra's hurt expression, Evelyn scratched the back of her neck sheepishly. "Sorry, I know it's hard to remember to keep distance sometimes."
"Oh," Petra smiled in recognition. "No, I'm sorry. I forgot. But how will this influence our training? "
"That's precisely why I asked you here." Hange turned to Levi who sat at the end of the table not far from the group. "Although, I didn't expect you."
Levi shrugged.
When no response came Hange turned to the other women.
"Moving on, it seems that our new addition has some experience with hand-to-hand combat."
"Hold up," Evelyn interjected. "Don't assume I'm good at this. I was half the age I am now last time I did anything."
"You'll have to start at the beginning anyway to avoid hurting your arm. Speaking of," Hange looked at Petra. "Do you know where the training dummies are?"
"Likely in a storage room somewhere. If there are any that were left behind."
"Well, if we can't find any, we can make one from the hay for the horses. How are your hand-to-hand combat skills? Do you think you're up for training Evelyn?"
"I'd have to see what she's capable of to give a straight answer but I can help with exercising your arm." Petra looked at Evelyn. "We can begin ODM training and check your balance once you can move your arm a bit more as well." Evelyn nodded.
"How do you feel about horses?" Hange asked Evelyn.
"I don't hold them personally accountable if that's what you're getting at. I love animals for the most part, I'd just rather not learn to ride with a sprain."
"Perfect, then we'll likely train in the mornings, discuss in the evenings and go from there."
"You're forgetting something." Levi stated. Hange looked toward him quizzically as he leaned on his right arm; his hand hanging limply off the table's edge. "She has laundry duty."
Evelyn's expression dead panned as she met the piercing gaze focused on her.
"Right." Hange mumbled taking her chin in hand. "We'll find a place for it in the schedule. Maybe before or after lunch."
"After, if I'm allowed a say in this." Evelyn spoke up. "I need a break after training before I can really work on anything else."
"Oh, we could discuss things while you work then." Hange's face lit up. Levi cleared his throat. With Hange's attention turned toward him he simply shook his head.
"She still needs help and Erwin wants answers and her trained. It will still be a punishment." Hange turned to look at Evelyn to drive the point home before returning to Levi. "However, in order to leave this castle in the near future, we'll have to combine some tasks. In the meantime, I would like to discuss the different items Evelyn has brought."
"Yeah, about those..." Evelyn chewed on her bottom lip. "Some of them will run out of battery if we wait too long."
"Run out of battery?" Petra asked.
"Essentially," Evelyn swallowed the lump in her throat, "die."
"So how does that black box play music?" Petra asked as she walked with Evelyn towards their assigned rooms, each woman on the other side of the hallway.
"That's a really long story. Did you like it?"
"It was a bit," Petra paused to search for the right word. "Wild."
Evelyn laughed. "Yeah, rock music isn't everyone's cup of tea. I have a couple of different songs that might be more up your alley. They're a bit softer."
"Really, when can I hear them?"
"Um, maybe in training? But, I doubt we'd have much quiet time then. How about after dinner tomorrow? Might as well use what's left for someone's enjoyment other than my own."
"What do you mean?" Petra asked stopping by a door.
Evelyn paused to look at her. "Well, it's the closest thing I can think of to give it a good send off; before it's used up." The words caught in Evelyn's throat as she tried to continue.
Noticing the change in tone, Petra reached toward Evelyn but pulled back just as quick. "I wish I could offer more comfort, but..."
"It's fine," Evelyn interrupted before walking toward the hall, her gaze focused on the floor. "Thank you."
Hitting dummies, eating poorly, and scrubbing sheets while discussing the basics of modern society, all with a bum arm, had taken its toll on Evelyn's energy. The near constant feeling of being observed, as to have no fun while doing the latter task, had broken her to the point of not commenting on their lackluster dinner. Opting to simply finish and leave the day behind her she stood to leave.
"Hey, Evelyn!" Petra called as Evelyn began to make her way out of the dining hall.
Evelyn turned to look at the other woman, confusion filling her fogged thoughts. Petra waved her over to a table with the Levi squad without the Captain and some others from Hange's team seated around it. Evelyn shuffled sluggishly towards them.
"I hope you don't mind. I told the others about what we discussed last night." Petra gestured around the table. "I thought if it's the last time we'd get a chance to hear this music it would be better as a group."
A spark of recognition woke Evelyn from her stupor.
"I had honestly forgotten about that. I left my phone in my room. If I go there now, I'm likely to fall asleep."
"I can escort you if you'd like." A male with shaggy brown hair spoke up. Evelyn looked toward Petra, who shrugged but indicated she didn't see a problem with the situation.
"Um, sure." Evelyn shrugged in return.
"Name's Harold by the way," The man said as he approached her, keeping a good arm's length of distance between them as they walked.
"Nice to meet you, I'm sure you heard mine too often lately." Evelyn chuckled dryly.
"I don't mind, you're an interesting topic."
Evelyn turned her head slowly to the man and raised an eyebrow.
"That came out wrong." Harold scratched the back of his head. "Although I will admit to wanting to know more about the person that's caused such an uproar. It's hard not to talk about someone who wears strange things without the superiors really saying anything."
"My clothing isn't that weird!" Evelyn spat out, sounding a bit more insulted than she intended.
"Oh no, well some pieces are strange but I meant the metal in your face. I like it."
Evelyn laughed. "Your superiors did have an issue with it but mainly when I'm supposed to be blending in. I talked Hange into letting me leave them in while I'm out of the public eye. I doubt the holes will close up fully but it's something that gives me comfort."
"Really?"
"It helps me feel like I'm still me I guess. Would you mind waiting in the doorway?"
Harold nodded as Evelyn retrieved the phone from her bag.
"That's something."
Evelyn followed his gaze to the hammock.
"Oh yeah, it's kind of hard to get into at the moment but the overall comfort is better once I manage it."
"You get in it?"
"I know it look a bit complicated with all the pockets and bug net but it's really just fabric stretched out to support my weight while I sleep. I'm sure someone already came up with the idea here."
"I'm surprised it hasn't fallen down yet."
"It's not meant to..."
"No, that's not what I meant. Look there, that isn't a support beam it's more for decoration."
Evelyn looked toward the outer wall of the room.
"You'd need attach that line to the larger beam in the corner; before something breaks. I could change it for you if you'd like."
Evelyn chewed her lip but nodded in the end and moved to an opposite corner.
After fiddling with the anchor strap, Harold shot Evelyn a smile.
"Ready to head back?"
"Don't get me wrong, but how are you supposed to dance to this?" Petra looked to Evelyn.
"You don't really dance to rock music. Some people head bang, others mosh; I guess most bob their leg or head in tune."
"They bang their head against something?"
Evelyn laughed. "No no, here, let me show you." Evelyn stood from the table for better control and threw her head forwards and backwards in time with the song. Sitting down only after the feeling of acting like a fool became too strong to ignore. She looked for the others reactions while taming her hair. Petra seemed a bit concerned but interested, Oulo had scoffed and crossed his arms while the others either smiled, nodded with the music, or mimicked the devil horns gesture Evelyn must have unknowingly made during her demonstration.
Heavy wooden doors slammed against stone walls as Hange stormed in.
"What's this? You're doing this without me?"
Evelyn placed her hand across her eyes and mumbled, "I knew I was forgetting something."
"Yes! You were!" Hange's stern expression turned to elation as she sat among her squad members. "Now, what were you talking about?"
Evelyn studied Hange closely.
"Do you always have this severe of mood swings?"
Hange tilted her head sideways.
"Would you prefer me to be mad?"
"Point taken. Music genres, I'm showing them the different music types."
"It all sounds like noise to me. Petra …." Oluo began.
Petra pushed him lightly, "oh, hush!"
"What is going on here?" a deep voice boomed from the entrance to the room.
"Please take this?" Evelyn's gaze pleaded for Hange's help.
Hange leaned back and folded her arms as a coy smile formed.
"You forgot about me."
Evelyn dropped her forehead on the table.
"I asked a question." A cold voice noted from behind her.
She scrunched her eyes shut further before turning to look at her worst nightmare from the past few days.
"I asked Evelyn to show us this music box she has." Petra spoke up in her cheery way.
Evelyn released the breath she didn't realize was caught before her gaze was captured again by a frigid, faint scowl.
"What was with the doors?"
Evelyn looked towards Hange, who was very intent on cleaning dirt from under her nails. Noticing Evelyn's gaze, she shrugged before returning to her work.
"Hange!" Evelyn hissed.
"Blaming it on a superior now Turner?" Evelyn's shoulders slumped.
"It was Squad-Commander Hange, sir." Petra chimed in. "She was upset about not being here sooner."
The room felt 10 degrees warmer as Levi's stoic glare shifted off of Evelyn. He scoffed before seating himself at the edge of the table.
Evelyn's eyes met Petra's with an unspoken question. Petra nodded quickly and shrugged her shoulders assuring Evelyn this was normal.
Hange's grin had spread across her face as she failed to suppress her cackling.
"Oh zip it!" Evelyn barked.
"What?" Hange asked.
"It means be quiet. You could have helped."
"Nah, I wanted to see what would happen."
Evelyn shook her head.
"So… do you have a favorite song?" Harold peeped up as the room's tension began to dissipate.
"It changes from time to time. Depends on what gets stuck in my head."
"What's stuck in your head now?"
Evelyn grabbed her phone and looked through a couple songs before pausing on one and shaking her head.
"What's wrong?" Petra asked.
"That one's a song about battle. I don't think it would be appropriate."
"Play it."
Heads turned toward the end of the table.
"What?" Levi asked.
Evelyn shrugged before hitting play. Starting slow before thundering into a quick rhythm, the song captured everyone's attention.
"What's it called?" Harold asked.
"Through the Fire and the Flames."
"How long does this…," Petra began to ask during a guitar solo before Hange 'shh'ed her.
Before the next song could start Evelyn hit the pause button. "I did promise Petra something a bit softer; maybe something by Avicii, something pop-y."
"So you do have more sounds than, what did you call it, rock?" Hange asked.
"My library is a bit all over the place. Pirated songs from my teens, music I actually bought, stuff I got because it wouldn't get out of my head."
"What's pirated?"
"Um," Evelyn looked at the ceiling conspicuously. "Taken from a secondary source."
"Sounds like stealing," Levi interjected.
"It's more complicated than that."
Levi's left eyebrow raised.
Evelyn looked to the opposite end of the table from him.
"Ok, it's stealing."
"I don't care, choose the next song." Hange tapped on the table by the phone.
As Evelyn tried to decide on the next set of songs to play after a few she picked before were coming to an end, Hange spoke up.
"You're walking a lonely road, becoming numb and wanting to be more like you than others, and even a song about being blue. I'm noticing a theme."
Evelyn's eyes darted around the room erratically trying to avoid all the others.
"I, uh, don't worry about that."
She scrolled through her phone quickly and hit the first song that stood out.
"Here's a fun one, welcoming you to the jungle."
"What's a jungle?" Moblit asked.
Evelyn brought her palm to her forehead.
"Right. Keep that in mind, I'll explain it later."
Song after song played with Evelyn focusing on not choosing particularly sulky ones. Once it became hard to keep her eyes open, she instinctively reached to turn the music off.
"Hey!" Hange protested before noticing Evelynn drooping over the table.
"Ah, Alright everyone, time for bed. We have work to do tomorrow."
Howdy strangers. Sorry for the super long pause. I started working on another degree so I kind of lost the will to keep writing on top of that but I'm starting to get back into it again now that I have a bit of a handle on things. So, double chapter post for you guys! (I hope this appeases you. Please don't kill me. :D )
I hope you guys and gals had as good of a year as you could have with Covid last year and this year so far.
Let me know if you all are interested in me expanding the music party scene. I wasn't too sure if it would be cringe-y to write more on that and choose different songs. I mean it's kind of already cringe-y but I can't think a a person that wouldn't show off their music collection in that situation. Heck, if you have a particular song in mind that you think might fit, let me know and I'll see if I include it in a rewrite or in a side drabble or something.
Also, I tested the battery thing. It really does not take much battery to simply play music over the speaker for longer periods of time, at least for my phone.