Elsie hummed as she cleaned up her desk, grabbing papers that she needed to grade and making sure that all the supplies were put away. She wiped the chalk board off, coughing as she inhaled the white smoke. She missed white boards the most when she had to clean up the chalk at the end of the school day.
She did a once over the classroom, taking in the rows of desks that held her fourteen year old students. Deeming it worthy, she grabbed her bag and stuffed the papers into the pocket. Her bag had seen better days yet she hadn't gotten around to shopping for a new one. She locked the classroom door and exited the empty building. It was designed like a chapel, she thought, and was chilly when the sun began to drop. The bricks did nothing for retaining heat.
Elsie pulled her cloak closer, shivering as she finally entered the busy streets. She scanned the crowd, looking for the green cloak that her guard would be wearing. Every night it was someone new who watched her, she never expected the person.
"Tsk, you must be blind."
Elsie beamed at the deep voice, spinning to see Levi Ackermann standing at the bottom of the stairs. His hands were tucked into his pockets, the cloak pulled over his raven hair to keep the locals from noticing Humanities Strongest. Elsie was quick to greet him, pleased to see him. It had been weeks since he had been given the duty to take her home.
"Only tired, Levi. I'm so happy to see you again! Where have you been?" She asked. Levi didn't answer but turned on his heel and pushed his way through the crowd. Her house was only a five minute walk but it was still unsafe.
Her house came into view, the beautiful tulips flourishing in the weather. Elsie never had a green thumb in her old life but that quickly changed when she entered Trost District. She loved her two story house, given to her by the government. The only thing that she would change about it were the towering iron gates that bared entrance for those who did not have a key. Only the Scout Regiment laid claim to that - not even Elsie had a key. Levi waited for her to catch up before he swung the heavy doors open and made sure to lock it once she was safely in the yard.
"Stay for tea, please?" She asked, opening the front door and throwing her bag on the entry table.
"I'll make the tea. You can't make it right for shit." He grumbled, keeping his cloak on as he passed her in the thin hallway.
Her house was small, a thin hallway leading to the stairs and two archways giving entry to the kitchen and dinning room. Upstairs was a loft that she used for her sitting area and then her bedroom with its own bathroom. For just Elsie, it was perfect.
Elsie followed Levi into the kitchen, watching the Scout grab the teapot and cups. He boiled the water and picked the tea, sorting it into bags so they could quickly seep it. She smiled and leaned on the counter, giving him a once over. He had a cut on his face and his knuckles were bruised.
"Was your mission a success?" She asked, knowing that Levi would only given her yes or no answers. He never liked talking to her about his missions and was very short with her.
"Yes. Have you been listening to Erwin's orders?" He fired back, giving her a stern look with his grey eyes.
She puckered her lips and crossed her arms, "Yes! When can I leave, Levi? I've been locked inside this house for months, my only company you! The others won't even speak to me when they pick me up. It's like they're scared of me or something."
Levi turned back to the tea pot, "They're doing their job, leave the bastards alone. They probably don't want to hear your never ending chatter."
"I take offense to that, I am great company!" She smirked and shrugged her shoulders. "If I wasn't, would you still be here?"
Levi ignored her but made sure to give her a dead stare. Elsie snickered and went to retrieve her bag when he put the tea bags in the cups; Elsie would grade papers and Levi would sit on the chair as she did so. She knew he wouldn't leave until the sun set.
He followed her up the stairs and placed her cup on the table, taking his position in the comfortable green chair. He crossed his legs and sipped at his tea in his unusual way, watching as she carefully organized her papers and grabbed a pen.
"For when you'll leave," He began and she looked up in shock. Elsie had thought he'd let her forget their topic. "Erwin thinks that your existence is well covered. There has been no rumors with the officials of an all knowing teacher from another world."
She sighed, "Levi, the clock is ticking. I told you all what happens in 850, and the new year comes in a month."
Elsie peered at the captain from under her eyes, waiting for his response. When she had woken up in the dark alleyway of Trost, she couldn't believe her eyes. She had watched Attack on Titan with her friends, had always loved the show for its gore and ruthlessness towards its characters, but never would she have wanted to be in that show of all shows. She wouldn't have minded in waking up in Riverdale or Sabrina, The Teenage Witch for fuck's sake. Yet, for some unknown reason that she couldn't comprehend, she woke up in Attack on Titan.
It had taken her days to get her bearings together. She couldn't wrap her head around this world and had tried waking herself up in painful ways and by trying to sleep for days on end. Finally, she accepted that she couldn't go back to 2018. She was stuck in this third world shit show and there was nothing she could think of to get her back.
Elsie took to wandering the streets, stealing bread and trying to survive with nothing. She couldn't get a job with no name and her clothes drew unwanted attention - no woman was wearing tight jeans (which, no one had created jeans in this life) and a tank top. Elsie looked scandalous compared to the more conservatively dressed women. For that, she would be grateful for. Levi had been walking Levi Squad through the city, on their way to who knows what, when he'd spotted her leaned against the wall.
She took her chance and jumped down his throat, blubbering and crying about another world without Titans and how yes, the sea existed please believe her. Levi actually did, took her in, and with her compliance with giving information the Scout Regiment protected her. However, they didn't want everyone to know of her existence. Even they knew that once her secret was out, the government would take her and use her for their advantage. She told them that it wouldn't help their attack on Titans and that was all it took for Erwin to agree to hide her.
"Yes, we're well aware of it," He said, his tone annoyed. She knew he hated when she pestered him about the attack on Trost. "Since the time is coming closer, Erwin has agreed to let you have a key to the gate. Soon."
"How soon is soon? Oh that's great news! I've been wanting to go to the market to get a new bag and some spices, and actually meet people!" She smiled, turning back to a paper. She tried to forget about the attack, knowing that over two hundred people in the city would lose their lives and other than telling the Scouts, there was nothing she could do about it.
"You choose to spend your freedom shopping?" Levi scoffed, frowning. "Typical."
"What else should I do, Levi? Go on a date? Get married? There is nothing else for me to do here." She snapped. It took a toll on her that she was just an informant, that only the Scouts and Eren Jeager can make change.
He sipped his tea, gazing at her over the rim, "You can start training."
Elsie set her pen down and turned her body towards Levi, "Are you serious? Who will train me? On ODM gear?"
"Like I said, no one knows of your existence. You can stop playing teacher and join the Corp."
Elsie pondered the idea. She knew that if Erwin said she joined the Scouts, then she damn well joined the Scouts and nothing could change that. She hadn't seen a titan yet besides the drawn figures on her television. Who knew what they would look like in real life. She wasn't the bravest person around, she was a teacher in 2018 and had no fighting background. The most she had ever done was shoot one of her dad's hand guns as a child, which in 850 their guns were nothing like the ones she had. She had no faith in herself training to become a Scout Regiment.
"Levi, do you really think I can do it?" She asked softly, insecure. She played with her hands, waiting Levi's harsh but honest reply.
"It doesn't matter what I think. If you push yourself and do it, then you'll succeed. You may be the worst soldier but at least you can defend yourself and won't be completely useless."
Elsie looked up and gave him a small smile, "Alright, you've convinced me."
She had spent nights tossing with guilt. Everyday she taught her students and felt remorse over the fact that their days were ticking down. They were unaware of what was coming and she felt terrible that she couldn't do anything for them except join them and hope that the Regiments could protect them. Of course she had thought about being trained to fight titans but then she would look at herself in the mirror.
"Good. Now I won't have to force you to join," He hid his vindictive smirk behind the cup. She scowled and turned away from him, focusing on the papers again. "We'll start small to get you into shape so you won't be a complete joke."
"Ha ha ha, you're so funny." She mocked under her breath.
Levi stood from the chair, placing the cup on the table with her. It was empty which meant he was leaving. Although Levi was short in conversation he was the only one who would actually talk to her. And it was nice having someone to bicker with, forgoing niceties and being honest with each other.
"We'll start on the weekend with hand to hand combat. I'll be here early so you better be awake." He warned as he lead the way down the stairs. She scoffed and followed close, wanting to ask him to stay longer but already knowing he would tell her to stop acting like a needy dog.
"Of course, Levi. Not like I'd want a wake up call from you." She grumbled, already knowing he would pour water on her or flip her out of bed. She wouldn't put it past him.
"Are you sure? I've heard their quiet lovely." He taunted. Elsie found it amusing that his face never changed, no matter if he was teasing her or angry. Always the same impassive look, forever in place.
"Lovely my ass." She opened the door and Levi gave her a parting glance before exiting her yard. She waited till she heard the gates heavy lock fall into place before closing the front door.
Elsie took her place at the table and finished grading all her papers. This was her only form of entertainment since she lived in solitude and had no technology. It had been hard to come to terms with the lack in communication with her family, she missed them the most when the house was silent. Tonight wasn't so hard since Levi had spent thirty minutes with her - he was the only one who came inside.
Once she finished with her papers, she blew out the candles and headed for her room. She got out of her red maiden dress, her favorite out of her small collection, and changed into a shirt and underwear. She climbed into her large bed and pulled the wool blankets over her, sighing in the silence.
Another day in paradise.