Chapter 3
As Rolf continued to watch Drill Sergeant Keith Shadis grill into the recruits, he kept his pose standing there, grinning somewhat as he knew to from his days in the Urban Rangers. In particular, Keith focused on one girl that was eating something during the hazing. Sure enough, this was not pleasing to him, and the girl was sent running.
Rolf is happy to see that the upper keepers of order are not with mercy in their dispensing of the duties.
With that done, Shadis made his way down the rest of the rows. After this process was finished, the recruits were dismissed, where they were to go and find their barracks where they'd be staying in. Rolf grinned as he arrived, changing out of his uniform and back into his regular clothing.
"Rolf's back hair tingles with anticipation for the many tasks and chores Rolf shall be assigned in the coming time, yes." The Son of a Shepherd said gleefully before exciting the barracks. The sun had begun to set, and as Rolf left, he saw that one girl from earlier, Sasha Blouse, still running. It was clear she was losing stamina, but she kept going.
"Rolf respects the efforts of she-who-eats-too-much girl." Rolf said, as he stepped out. In front of him were some of the other recruits: Armin Arlelt, Marco Bodt, Connie Springer, Mina Carolina, and one of the boys that wasn't hazed by the sergeant. Said boy was staring very intently out past Sasha.
"I can't believe anyone would rather pull plants than fight." He said in a dismissive tone.
Rolf walked behind the group and spoke up. "No nothings, do not mock the plant pickers. For their back and toil is the source of all of the greatest of all answers. Where would any of you be without the humble beet or the great potato, yes? Rolf knows of their ways, and Rolf assures you it is a noble task."
At that statement, the five who'd been conversing looked back at Rolf not expecting...well, this. The boy slowly spoke up, after a moment had passed where the five just stared at Rolf in utter confusion. "Uh...I suppose that's true, I just-"
"Still, Rolf supposes the warrior is of a higher cast than that of the Son of a Shepherd like Rolf's family." Rolf again interrupted, before looking at them. "Oh, of course, Rolf forgets he is not back home. I am Rolf, Son of a Shepherd." Rolf said introducing himself.
After yet another moment of looking back at the smiling boy, as well as looking between each other unsure of just...what to make of him, Mina was the first to speak up. "Uh, hello Rolf, I'm Mina Carolina. That's uh...a very interesting way of putting things."
"Ah, Rolf thanks you. Rolf knows that imparting the vast wisdom Rolf contains is important and that thos who hear are well endowed with his knowledge."
Next, the farm critic spoke up. "Uh...I'm Eren Jaeger. Nice to...meet you?"
"Ah yes, a fine name for you indeed, Eren-boy." Rolf nodded approvingly, before being properly introduced by the others. As they did so, Connie spoke up, still looking confused about what exactly Rolf was.
"So...where are you from, Rolf? You sure talk pretty differently." Connie said, bluntly. Fortunately for him, Rolf didn't pick up on that, even as Mina shot him a glare and both Eren and Armin shook their heads, while Marco sighed.
"Ah, Rolf is from Rolf's homeland! Rolf's family lived there as Rolf wasted away his days with youthful tomfoolery and lazy good for nothingness." Rolf grinned. "Rolf is not exactly sure where Rolf's home is now, though. Nothing in his strange place is the same from Rolf's homeland or new place in the cul-de-sac."
The others looked back at Rolf, before Eren tried to respond. "Um...yeah, I guess this wall must be pretty different...and in the military too."
"Yes, this is all far different from what Rolf is accustomed too. Yet oddly more so than Rolf's last place of residents, yes. The fields are a familiar spot as ever. Not enough beets, however. For the beet is the master of all of the plant life that is to be eaten." Rolf informed them, gracing the simpletons with his vast knowledge. Still, it seemed the Son of a Shepherd graced them with too much information, if their looks of confusion were anything to go by.
"So...past Wall Rose, got it." Connie said, shaking his head.
"That would be true, shiny-in-the-head-Connie. Rolf plowed Papa's fields beyond those mighty walls that tower over us daily." Rolf answered back.
As Rolf said that, the sun began to set, and the six decide to walk over to the mess hall. As they did, Marco spoke up. "Oh, I almost forgot to ask Eren. Where are you from?"
"Oh, same place as Armin, Shiganshina." Eren said. Everyone, but Rolf, turned to Eren, eyes wide. Connie, once again, took the opportunity to butt in.
"Oh, so does that mean you saw the Colossal one? The massive Titan?" He asked excitedly. Eren slowly nodded, and Rolf raised an eyebrow.
"Shinganshiwatsit? Rolf does not understand what is this Shinga you refer to." Rolf said, however he' been forgotten as everyone crowded around Eren. "...Was it something Rolf said?"
Rolf grumbled slightly as he ate at his soup. He'd sat at the same table as Eren after the boy got his food, and that had proven to be something of a mistake. The news that Eren was from this Shiganshina place served to form a crowd around the boy. And by extension, Rolf. It wasn't terrible and Rolf was able to keep eating, but it was an annoyance.
They were bumping past Rolf to get in closer to listen to Eren, as Rolf dipped his spoon in to bring to his mouth. People asking how big this "Colossal Titan" was, and what this "Armored Titan" looked like, and whatever. At one point, he was asked, "So, what were they like?" Eren froze up, dropping his spoon.
Everyone suddenly got quiet, and Rolf decided he could actually speak up. "Now then, that you've upset big-mouthed-Eren-boy, could you all leave him and Rolf and stop crowding over us like chickens at suppertime?" Rolf said, standing up to look at the others. However at that point Eren raised his hand.
"No, it's not like that." He said, taking a bite of his bread. "Those stupid Titans, they're not that big a deal."
"Rolf would have to agree with Eren-boy. These so-called Titans, are nothing more than a pest like the fleas that infest Victor's behind." Rolf added to Eren. After his brief moments of panic when everything was still confused, Rolf had a little time to think. And he remembered how he was able to bring down such a giant. Seeing Rolf back him up, Eren grinned more confidently.
"I'll soon be able to get my revenge on those monsters. After this, I'm joining the Survey Corp." Eren declared. However, across from him at another table, someone thought that Eren was full of it, that being Jean Kirstein.
"Hey are you crazy or something? Not that it's my business, but signing up for reconnaissance is a death sentence." Jean said, however his condescending smirk didn't make it out that he was saying this out of any concern for Eren.
Eren looked back, meeting his gaze. "I guess we'll see, or at least I will. You seem content hiding behind the interior with the MPs." At this point, Rolf sighed and looked as Eren and Jean started to go back and forth at it.
Ah yes, this reminds Rolf of the many flap-doodle between Kevin and Three-haired Ed-boy. Why must the lacking in stature always contain a big mouth and see to come to blows with others? Rolf thought as Eren and Jean, both of whom had gotten up and were ready to fight, were interrupted by the bell signaling bed time. Rolf sighed, but seeing everyone exit, he was able to sit down and finally, albeit quickly, eat his food while everyone else filed out.
As Rolf ate, he was able to catch Jean stammering and failing at talking to one of the girls as she walked out. Judging by the way he was blathering and sweating like one of the boys back home, he was into her.
Standing up and slurping the rest of his soup down, Rolf walked out and saw Jean staring out at the girl walking with Eren. And he was clenching his fist angrily. Rolf smirked as he wiped his fast and elbowed Jean in the side.
"Aw, poor head-over-heels pretty boy is feeling the spite of wanting what others possess, oh? Oh hoh hoh hoh, Rolf is always amused by the shenanigans of those in goo-goo ga-ga romance, yes!" Rolf chuckled as he walked past Jean.
The next day all of the cadets were awoken bright and early, the sun barely peaking over the wall. Some were fine, some were upset a bit at having to wake up this early. Rolf was, of course, in the former category. As he woke up and stretched, yawning, Rolf turned to those next to him.
"Oh hoh, bright and early fellow wee-roaches! Today Rolf is excited for the various tasks and doing hoods we shall be ordered to accomplish, yes?" Rolf grinned, leaping out of bed to go step into his uniform.
Next to him, Connie yawned as he got out of bed, looking over at the humming Rolf. "Ugh...why'd I choose the bed next to him? As if I'll understand him more in the morning..."
"Come on it's not...uh...that bad..." Mina said, trying to encourage him even with her own clearly forced optimism.
As the trainees all dressed and marched out to the training field, Rolf saw the large contraptions behind Shadis. Rolf would cock his head in confusion if he weren't standing still in order for the instructor.
"It's aptitude time, so listen up! There is no place for you here if you cannot perform! Fail, and be shipped to the fields!" The sergeant barked out at everyone, before the rows each stepped forward to strap into the contraptions. Rolf leaned to his side and whispered in Connie's ear.
"Rolf apologizes for the intrusion, but Rolf must ask what is the doohickies we are getting into?" Rolf asked Connie, causing the boy to look over.
"What? Those are dummy Three Dimensional Moving Gears. They're testing us to see if we can even use them at all." Connie whispered.
"Oh good." Rolf said, before leaning back down. "What are these Three D whatchamacallits?"
"What? You don't know what 3D Moving Gear is?!" Connie asked, looking up.
"Cadet Springer, stay at attention!" Came the sharp voice of Shadis, causing the two boys to stiffen back up.
As the testing went on, soon Rolf was up. Walking up to the device, Rolf was strapped in. He'd been watching the others do it as well, so he had a slight idea of what to do. As the crank was rolled, Rolf was hoisted in the air. After squirming a bit to keep his balance, Rolf soon felt he had a pretty good sense of balance, even if he was a bit wobbly at it. The harness connected to his waist did a lot of the balance work, and it required Rolf's lower strength to hold him up, which meant on that end he was solid.
As Rolf was lowered down, the instructor nodded at him. "Excellent job there, dirt worker. Seems you're able to do the very basics despite your empty head." He said, before turning back. "Jaeger! What are you doing?!" The instructor yelled, before marching off. Rolf grinned.
"That was all? Rolf has accomplished more difficult tasks when Victor was sick in the middle of plowing the garden." Rolf said, before looking over and seeing Eren was hanging upside down as Shadis yelled at him. Some people crowded around to watch and barely hold back their laughs. "Ah, the time-honored mocking of those incapable. Yes, yes, Rolf remembers those fondly. Oh well, Rolf is finished."
"Come on Rolf, I mean you saw passionate Eren was last night, right? I mean, this must really hurt him..." Mina said, having finished and walking up next to him. Rolf shrugged and looked down at her.
"Rolf supposes, but the burning sense this feels will only drive Eren-boy's will further. Hmm...maybe if Rolf were to give him a massage with the skinned carcass of a mackerel?" Rolf thought, causing the girl to widen her eyes in disgust.
Aptitude testing took up the rest of the day, so Rolf walked by the other cadets who had also finished. As he did, Rolf was passed by a blonde girl with a sour look on her face.
"Oh, Rolf says hello!" Rolf said, waving, getting the girl's attention. "How did you perform at the doohicky testing? Rolf performed with the utmost skill the Son of a Shepherd could, like the baking of the mushrooms under the new moon for supper, yes?" Rolf said. The girl blinked a couple times just staring at the grinning boy, before turning away and walking off. "...Well goodbye, she-with-the-glare-of-a-hungry-weasel."
After this, Rolf walked over to Sasha. "So, big in the stomach and small in the wits Sasha-girl, tell Rolf, do you know where one could find any sorts of mammalian membranes?" Rolf asked her, which...understandably caught the girl by surprise.
"Uh...what? I mean...why would you need it?" She asked, confused. Rolf cocked his head.
"Why to make a celebratory stew or to create a blanket with which to massage the belly of those in need. Rolf cannot tell you how helpful the membrane of a yak is to clearing ones head before work..." Rolf said with a grin, as Sasha took the opportunity to become...busy. Elsewhere.
Rolf spent the majority of the day watching the other recruits for the most part succeed in the aptitude test. On occasion he'd try talking to some of the other recruits. He would get one of two reactions generally: sheer, utter confusion followed by them leaving Rolf, or some strange fascination that even they likely couldn't explain.
By the end of the day, as the sun set and cast an orange glow over the training yard, the cadets began to return to their bunks. Most had made it through, although some had failed and were to be sent to the fields. However, not every failure would give up.
"Rolf, please, you have to help me." Eren said, Armin at his side, as he met Rolf in his barracks. Rolf was currently straightening his bed out when he stopped and looked back.
"So, big mouthed Eren-boy seeks the guidance of the Son of a Shepherd, yes? To learn how to master the hook doohickies? Well too bad. No, go away, come again another day." Rolf muttered, walking back to his bed, putting his arms on it, as if he was about to climb on it.
"No, Rolf please! I need you to help me, I have to pass it!" Eren pleaded, before Rolf smiled and wrapped his arm around Eren.
"Oh hoh, Rolf pokes fun at you, small in the height Eren! Come, Rolf knows exactly how to help. Rolf will massage your temples with the pilfered skin and seat of a yak!" Rolf explained as he led Eren away.
Eren's eyes widened at that point, and he slipped out of Rolf's arms.
"Um...on second thought…I think I'll uh just practice some more. Yeah, tomorrow morning. Maybe I'll see if anyone else has some advice too." Eren turned around, before Rolf grabbed his shoulder.
"Why must Eren reject the yak? Rolf knows that the massage will clear one's mind, yes, allow for better focus. Come now!" Rolf said as he walked out of the door, humming to himself. Looking back, Rolf saw Eren was gone.
"...Well, Rolf tried. Eren cannot come boohooing to Rolf tomorrow." Rolf said as he returned to his bunk.
The next day started out similarly to the first. Everyone was woken up bright and early with Rolf jumping out and into his uniform with no problem. As the sun shone, Eren was given one more chance, and he eventually succeeded. Rolf didn't watch the incident, so he missed how Eren had done it, but Rolf had a feeling that his advice must've gotten through Eren eventually.
After this, the group of cadets were given their Maneuver Gear. Shadis walked among the recruits and spoke out loudly.
"Today we will begin your first real life use of your Vertical Maneuver Gear! We'll start out simple so you idiots don't accidentally kill yourself on the first day. Today is all about learning the controls of your gear as well as practicing how to move with them." Shadis yelled out, before directing everyone to the armory.
Rolf looked at the devices, an eyebrow raised as he held them. "How is one supposed to use this to fight those large Titan beasts?" Rolf asked himself, before being instructed how to put them on. However, he soon got his answer during the instructions. Went over the controls. Apparently, one used these devices to fire out wires and hooks to allow people to zip around the air, moving at incredible speeds and through the air.
Rolf, of course, was dumbfounded at the full nature of what he'd now signed up for. And after that, Rolf couldn't help but be both a little excited and intimidated by it.
Rolf finds such devices far too complex for that of the simple Son of a Shepherd, yet Rolf also knows he cannot back down now. Rolf is not someone who quits! Rolf thought as he was standing in front of a forest, Shadis sitting on a horse, looking out at everyone wearing their equipment.
"Like I said, we're to go easy today! As tempting as it might be, don't get in over your head and try to do anything fancy! At the speeds you're going, one wrong move will leave you with broken bones if you're lucky! As for the exercise, I want all of you to make it to the center of this forest. Use the trees to move around!" He said, before turning around. "Alright cadets, move out!" He yelled, before riding off into the forest.
Rolf looked at the handles he held. As the instructor told them, Rolf aimed his hips towards one of the trees and pulled the trigger. From the device a hook shot out and embedded itself into one of the trees. The zip-line soon rapidly yanked on Rolf, sending Rolf flying towards it.
"Aaah!" Rolf cried out, before swinging his body forward, and launching himself past the tree. Rolf noticed he was tightly holding the trigger, which pushed him forward with bursts of gas. Looking up, Rolf aimed with his other one, and fired, sending it and him flying. Rolf kept this up, looking around him at the other cadets doing the same thing. As he swung, Rolf soon began to get the hang of it.
"Heh, Rolf is doing it! Yes, the Son of a Shepherd is flying! Rolf will show everyone that Rolf can-" Rolf cried out, in victory...before smashing face first into a tree. Rolf crashed through said tree, and tumbled down, crying out in pain as he smashed through several branches. Bouncing off the ground, Rolf groaned as he looked up.
"...Rolf will lie down now." Rolf said, before laying back, closing his eyes.
AN: Initially I thought about combining this chapter and the next one into one larger chapter to get back into my usual longer styled chapters. But I think these earlier chapters are better suited with these shorter chapter lengths, and it gets more out faster so we can get to the good stuff.
On a side note, I recently learned there is already a character in AoT named Rolf. Interesting.