Separation

Liberio

Mikasa and Sasha had arrived to Liberio and were welcomed by Armin.

Sasha is nervously fidgeting in the car that was taking them to Armin's home.

Armin: So Sasha, I have to thank you

Sasha is confused: Huh? Thank me for what?

Armin laughing: For causing so much trouble that Mikasa had to come here with you haha.

Sasha gets red of embarrassment

Armin: We have really missed you.

Mikasa: I wish we had come only to visit Armin… sorry to have troubled you.

Armin: Oh no it's our pleasure. Annie is more than excited about this.

Mikasa looks and Sasha who is very clearly uncomfortable.

Armin and Annie's Home

Annie was waiting by the door when Armin, Sasha and Mikasa arrived. A little girl was besides Annie.

Armin: Hey Annie. Here is your prisoner haha

Sasha nervously: Hey aunt Annie… hey baby Christine! I have not seen you since you were born! I'm Sasha!

Christine is Armin and Annie's 2 year old daughter. She giddily reciprocates Sasha's excitement.

Annie picks Christine up, looks at Sasha from top to bottom: Hmm… you have not changed at all… a pain in the ass for your mother… you know how much she has been through?

Mikasa approaching: That's not necessary Annie. She knows.

Annie angry: Well she should ACT like it.

Mikasa puts her hand on Annie's shoulder in greeting: It's good seeing you.

Annie suddenly hugs her, shocking Mikasa: I've missed you…

Christine hugs Mikasa too. Sasha smiles at the scene

Armin puts his hand on her shoulder: You must not see that too often do you?

Sasha: No… it's nice to see.

Armin: Maybe you should do it too sometimes you know? You both might need it at times.

Sasha gets a bit embarrassed: Yeah… I guess.

Annie and Mikasa enter the house. Armin and Sasha follow them

Sasha: Where is Leo? I haven't seen him in 2 years! He must be taller than me by now!

Armin: Yeah where is he? Annie where is Leo?

Annie annoyed: He is hiding. That's also your fault Sasha.

Sasha: Wha? WHY?!

Annie is getting angry: I don't know. He must dislike you that much.

Sasha is shocked.

Mikasa looks at Annie annoyed: I thought you stopped doing that.

Annie nervously: Doing what?

Mikasa stares at her: Forget it.

Armin brings Leo out of his room slightly dragging him.

Leopold is 12 years old. He has very short blond hair. He has his father eyes but his mother's facial features. He is quite tall and has a strong build for his age, although at that moment he is hunched and has a very insecure presence, contrasting with his body.

Armin: Here he is. Don't know what is up with him haha.

Leo nervously and blushing: H..hello Lady Mikasa… Sasha.

Sasha happily approaches him: Hey! How come you didn't want to see me?! Are you mad at me? Sasha grabs Leo hands.

Leo blushing: N..no! I… just…

Armin puts his arms around him: You should have seen him these past few days! When we told him you two were coming he got so excited he spent hours selecting what to wear, what to say, it was really funny.

Leo wants to drop dead. Sasha smiles and feels moved that Leo feels their visit is that important. She just wishes it was for a different reason.

Annie angry: Could you stop shaming your son Armin?! Someone else in here is who should be shamed!

Mikasa: I agree. Let's discuss why we came here Sasha.

Sasha looks at her mother scared.

All of them sit at the living room. Christine is running around them happily.

Mikasa: First of all, I want to thank you Armin, Annie and Leo to have welcomed us into your home in such short notice… and to have agreed to help me in this embarrassing situation.

Sasha is covering her face in shame.

Mikasa: I have failed to raise Sasha properly… that is my fault. I tried to do it alone… but it's evident she needs other points of view of life… and a closer look at how things are… I tried to protect you… from everything we had to endure at such young age… but I didn't consider how that might affect you… and how it could make unfit for the difficult life you will have… because of who you are…

Sasha is listening to her mother. She feels awful. She can feel the pain in her mother's words. She does not want anything that is happening.

Mikasa: So… you are staying here… with Armin and Annie… learning and knowing about life without anyone protecting you… away from the boundaries you have at home… until Armin and Annie consider you are ready… to face the troubles of home.

Sasha is shocked: Mom?... are you… serious? You… want me away from you?

Mikasa starts to tear up: I… have become an anchor in your life Sasha… you are so much like you father… and I… don't want to make the same mistakes… you need to learn to be free… make mistakes that will let you grow… be safe… and I can't give you that now…

Sasha starting to cry: Mom… I'm sorry… please.

Leo is concerned watching at Sasha and is timidly trying to approach her.

Annie: See what you have done?

Armin: That's enough Annie. We agree with Mikasa. You have to experience life on your own Sasha. You are still young… but life is not any less forgiving for that. You have to be ready. Your mom loves you too much to let you experience any sort of trouble or pain… so we will help you.

Sasha is still crying and feels very concerned. Leo is kneeling besides her trying to touch her hands. Annie is very annoyed by this.

Annie: I will teach you defend yourself and others… properly. Your mother told us you failed to protect the princess and were nearly killed by a bunch of assholes. That will not happen again.

Annie clenched her fists: I'll make sure of that.

Armin: I will take care of you education with the help of Falco and Gabi. I think you don't know them yet. You will be very annoyed hehe.

Mikasa: Armin will bring you home once a month for a weekend… I will stay at our estate… training the princess.

Annie chuckling: That will be interesting.

Armin: And… there is something else. Mikasa asked us to teach you discipline… so we asked someone to help us with that.

Mikasa: Is he here?

Armin: No, he hates reunions. He said to bring Sasha tomorrow to the outskirts of the city, to the border post camp. He wanted to meet her there.

Sasha is confused: Of whom are you talking about? Why all the mystery?

Annie laughing: You'll know tomorrow little girl. I'll be glad to see it.

Afternoon – Liberio's Port

Mikasa is getting ready to leave. She could not handle staying longer.

Sasha strongly hugs her mother crying profusely: Mom… forgive me…

Mikasa softly: It's ok… it's for the best… you have the same spirit of your father… I can't keep you tied to me… just promise me to be safe…

Sasha sniffing: I promise… I'll write you everyday!

Annie to Armin whispering: I hope not. That would be expensive.

Armin: Annie please.

Mikasa and Sasha hold hands and put their foreheads together closing their eyes.

Sasha crying: I… love you mom. I'll make you proud… you won't have to worry about me again…

Mikasa softly crying: I'll always worry…

Sasha asked to stay in her new room for the rest of the day. Leo was very worried about her.

Leo: Dad… can I… show Sasha the city? To… make her feel more at home?

Armin smiles at him: Sure son… but let's leave that for tomorrow okay? I think she needs to be alone with her thoughts for today… and she'll definitely need a friendly distraction after tomorrow… poor girl.