So, there were a few additional scenes I couldn't get out of my head, and of course, I started to write them down. For practice and for fun. They'll be from different perspectives, but not from Levi's, so they don't belong in Same Time, Same Place (that's strictly his territory).
Still, I thought I might as well share them if they already exist - hence, another companion piece. Maybe some of you are interested!
The first chapter is a short look into Nora's past.
Chapter 1: Here's to the Fools Who Dream
Year 835
"I'm going to join the military this year, mum."
Nora's mother put down her spoon with a loud clatter, mouth drawing into a thin line, her forehead creasing.
"You're still fixed on this idea?" Miriam regarded her daughter with brown eyes full of worry and frustration.
"You told me you would let me if I still wanted to, last year," Nora reminded her.
Her mother sighed. "I don't get it. You're so smart, you could do everything."
Nora rolled her eyes. "You're just saying this because you're my mum—"
"No, I'm saying this because it's true—"
"And besides, I don't want to do anything else."
Miriam ran one hand through her brown hair, leaning back in her chair. "Why on earth the military, darling? Now don't be miffed, but following orders and discipline aren't talents of yours. I must know, I've raised you."
"Yeah, but I want—"
"And I always had to force you to go outside and play with other children, and now you want to do a job where you'll be surrounded with other people—"
"I know, mum!" Nora intervened, her voice raised. She took a deep breath, exhaling through her nose. Quieter, she continued, "I want to know what's outside."
Her mother's eyes hardened. "I told you exactly what's waiting for you outside the Walls. You've seen the Scouts returning from a mission, once, bloodied and broken—"
"Death's not the only thing out there." Heart racing, Nora was clutching the edge of the table, her meal forgotten.
"You're saying that because you're a thirteen-year-old girl." Miriam shook her head, nostrils flaring. "You cannot really comprehend the possibility of dying. Nor should you; you're too young."
Nora bit her tongue, scowling at the table. This discussion was useless. She wouldn't change her mind, and neither would her mum. It was the one subject they'd always fight over.
"So, what now?" she asked after a few seconds. "Does that mean no? Did you lie to me, last year, just to shut me up?"
Her mother huffed. "If I forbade it, you'd be cross with me for the next three years, and then join the military anyways, once you're sixteen and don't need my permission anymore." Sighing, she rubbed her temples. "Stubborn girl. Do what you must, but don't expect me to be happy about it."
Nora's heart leaped in her chest as her stomach simultaneously clenched with guilt. It did not matter. She could not give up on her dream, on the one thing she was passionate about. After all, it was her life. Even if it could break her mother's heart.
Miriam stood, about to carry her dishes to the sink. She had made one step when she gave a short yelp. Her spoon and bowl fell to the floor in a loud clatter, the bowl cracking into several pieces, the remaining soup spilling over the wooden floor, seeping between the boards.
"Shit," she cursed, cradling her right hand in her left, rapidly clenching and unclenching trembling fingers.
"What the hell was that?" Nora had jumped from her seat at the ruckus her mother had made, eyes travelling from the mess on the floor to her mum's hands.
"My hand got weak and tingly all of a sudden. I must have slept on it weirdly, or something…" Frowning, Miriam massaged her palm with her fingers. "Ugh, dammit, look at this mess." She bent down and started to gather the shards from the floor.
"And you always say I'm the clumsy one." Rolling her eyes, Nora retrieved a wet rag from beside the sink, mopping up the soup.
Her mum gave her a grateful smile as they cleaned up together, eyes twinkling. "You have to get it from somewhere, daughter of mine."