Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan
Rated M for gore violence, language, and sexuality
Enjoy
Southern Cadet Corps Headquarters, Wall Rose, 847...
Vanessa stood silently and obediently in line as Commandant Sadies dressed down the freshmen. Her hair was pulled back into a crown braid, with wisps of shorter strands hanging around her face. She also now had a scar on the left side of her face, curving from the corner of her eyebrow around her eye to her cheek. She stood in the fifth row. To her left, a black-haired, freckle-faced boy that stood a foot taller than her. To her right, another boy, but he was only four inches or so taller than her. Commandant Sadies was tall, bald, and intimidating. He approached a short, blond boy in the third row. "Hey, mop-top!"
"Sir!" the boy saluted.
Sadies bent over to yell in his face. "What do they call you, maggot?"
"Armin Arlelt from Shiganshina, sir!"
"Whoa, seriously? Why would your parents curse you with such a dumb name?"
"It was my grandfather, sir!"
"Cadet Arlert, why is a runt like you here?!" Sadies demanded.
"To help humanity overcome the titans!" Armin shouted. His voice cracked. He sounded like a mouse.
Sadies stood up straight. "That is delightful to hear! You're gonna be a great light snack for them!" He grabbed Armin's head and turned him around. "Row Three! About face, runt."
Sadies continued down the next row. Vanessa noticed some recruits were nervous, fearful for their own intimidation from Sadies. However, he didn't approach all of them. Some he simply glanced at, and continued on. "Row Four, about face!"
The fourth row obeyed, turning right around. Vanessa noticed a golden-blond-haired girl standing almost directly in front of her. She was very small with big, bright blue eyes. What Vanessa found odd was that the girl looked just like her. She felt almost as if she was looking into a mirror. "What do we have here?"
A boy with ash-brown hair saluted. "Jean Kirschtein, sir. From the Trost District."
"And why are you here, cadet?"
"To join the Military Police," Jean answered with a small smile. "The best of the best."
"That's nice," Sadies said. "You want to live in the interior, do ya?"
"Yes, s-"
Sadies slammed his forehead against Jean's. Jean dropped to his knees, clutching his head and shaking from the pain. "No one told you to sit, recruit! If you can't handle this, Kirschtein, then forget about joining the Military Police!"
Sadies moved on to his next victim: the freckled-face boy next to Vanessa. "What the hell is wrong with your face, you smiling idiot?!"
"Marco Bodt at your service, sir, from Jinae! Southside of Wall Rose!" Marco saluted, still smiling. "I aim to join the Military Police and give life and limb in service to the king."
"Well, then...that makes you an idealistic fool. And a rube." Sadies leaned in close, his face practically touching Marco's. "The only use the king has for your life and limbs are as titan fodder."
Marco's smile fell as Sadies moved on. He glanced down at Vanessa, but walked right by her to the boy on her right. "Hey, cue-ball! You're up next."
"Oh, me?" The boy saluted with his left hand proudly. "Sir, Conny Springer from Ragako Village, sir!"
Sadies grabbed Conny by his head and lifted him up, squeezing his head. "You have it backwards, Conny Springer. That was the first thing you were taught. The salute represents the resolve in your heart to fight those bent on the systematic destruction of our people. Is your heart on your right side?!"
The sound of a crunch drew everyone's attention. In Row 7, a tall, brown-haired girl stood with a potato in her hand, munching. "Hey, you there." Sadies dropped Conny. "What do you think you're doing?"
The girl glanced around, unaware Sadies was speaking to her. She took another bite of her potato. Sadies rushed over to her. "You are officially on my shit list! Just who the hell are you?"
The girl swallowed and saluted with the potato still in her hand. "Sasha Braus from Dauper Village at your service. Reporting for duty, sir!"
"Sasha Braus, huh? And what is that you're clutching in your right hand?"
"A steamed potato!" she declared. "It sat there in the mess hall begging to be eaten, sir!"
Sadies furred his brows. "The theft, I understand. But here? Why eat it here of all places?"
"It looked quite delicious and it was getting cold," she explained. "So I gave it shelter in my stomach, sir!"
"Why?" Sadies breathed, truly baffled. "I can't comprehend. Why would you eat that potato?"
Sasha raised an eyebrow. "Are you asking me why people eat potatoes? I'm surprised you don't know, sir."
Everyone widened their eyes in shock. Sadies continued staring down at her in silence. Sasha broke her potato into two uneven parts. She held out the smaller piece. "Here, sir. Have half."
"Half? Really?" Sadies took the piece. Sasha smiled up at him, potato crumbs falling off her face.
Later...
In the mess hall, everyone was gathered around a table in the far corner. Eren Jaeger told several other recruits about his time in Shiganshina, seeing the Colossal and Armored Titans. Vanessa, for the most part, ignored them. She finished her dinner then left the building. She knew the bell would be ringing soon, signaling for everyone to return to the dorms. She glanced over at the dark forest on the other side of the training fields. With a huff, she headed towards it. Sasha stumbled past her, exhausted from running for several hours. Vanessa made it to the edge of the property. It was marked with a barbed wire fence. She easily slipped through, and continued through the forest. The terrain changed as she found herself walking up hill. The forest grew thinner, letting in more moonlight. She reached the top, smiling with excitement. "Oh, fuck."
Her excitement was gone in an instant. Three people were standing in the clearing, and hadn't noticed her yet. She recognized them, but couldn't remember their names. A girl with pale blond hair, a tall brown-haired boy, and a blond-haired boy were huddled together. "...broke the wall for this?"
"Worried you won't make it into the Military Police?" the blond boy asked.
"That's not what worries me," said the blond girl. Her eyes shifted from the blond boy over to Vanessa. Panic flashed across her face for a moment. The boys followed her gaze and noticed Vanessa as well.
The blond boy turned around. His eyes were wide and serious. "What the hell are you doing? You have any idea what time it is? You shouldn't be out here."
She raised an eyebrow at his tone. "What are you? My father? Sadies will most likely skin all four of us for being off military property."
The blond boy deepened his frown. Vanessa could see the thoughts spinning in his head, like he was trying to decide what to do next. The blond girl girl sighed and pushed past him. "Forget this. I'm done with you two."
"Annie," said the brown-haired boy. "Wait a sec-"
"No," Annie said sternly. "Don't ask me about our village again. I'd rather not relive that nightmare."
The brown-haired boy motioned to go after her, but the blond boy held him back. "Let her go, Bertholdt. She's right. We shouldn't have brought up home."
Annie walked by Vanessa, eyeing each other as she entered the forest. "You haven't answered my question," the blond boy said. "What're you doing out here, Christa?"
"Christa?" She made a face at him. "My name is Vanessa."
His demeanor completely changed. His shoulders relaxed, and his expression seemed more...approachable. "Oh. Sorry. You two look a lot of like."
"Reiner," Bertholdt said. "We should go. We don't want to get caught by the Commandant."
"Yeah, okay."
Vanessa walked past them and plopped down on the cliff's edge. She smoothed her skirt, stretched out her legs, and leaned back on her hands. Reiner took a step towards her, his eyes boring into the back of her head. "So, you gonna fess up? What're you doing out here?"
She heaved a heavy sigh, and gazed out over the cliffside. She had a clear view of the lake below and the mountains on the other side. "I noticed this cliff on the ride here. Reminded me of this village I used to live in when I was little before I moved to Shiganshina. As expected...the view is quite breath-taking."
Bertholdt and Reiner exchanged glances. Vanessa could see them out of the corner of her eye. They seemed to be having some sort of silent conversation. Bertholdt inhaled and turned to leave. "Well, enjoy the view. Good night."
She halfheartedly waved at him, and he left. His footsteps faded into the forest, but not Reiner's. Vanessa felt a familiar instinct prickle in the back of her head. She had her back to him. If he wanted, he could give her a good, hard kick and she would roll off the cliff-side. She might survive by diving into the lake, but there was no guarantee. Her vulnerability was a façade. She could easily avoid him and sprint back to the forest. To her surprise, Reiner sat down beside her. He sat cross-legged and folded his arms over his chest. His back was pin-straight which she found unusual. He was starting to bother her, disturbing her quest for serenity. "Wondering if I heard what you guys were talking about?"
"Huh?" His tone sounded innocent, but his expression was panicked.
"Relax. I didn't hear anything." Vanessa rubbed her scar out of habit. "Honestly, I don't care what you and your friends were doing."
"We're not friends," he said. "Well, Bertholdt and me...we grew up together so we're like brothers. Annie is from our village, but we never really got along."
"So why bring her all the way up here to talk?"
Reiner raised an eyebrow. "Thought you didn't care."
Vanessa shrugged, raising her hands defensively. "Just making conversation."
Reiner tapped his finger on his arm as he thought. "Did you say you were from Shiganshina?"
"Sort of. I moved there about a year before Wall Maria fell."
"Then where are you from?"
Vanessa lowered her gaze to the ducks swimming around on the lake. "I was born in a small river village on the east side of Wall Rose. My mother never liked staying in one place for very long. We moved a lot."
"What about your dad?" he asked.
She shrugged. Reiner noticed she had become more guarded, turning her face away from him. "Was he just never around, or is he dead?"
She whipped her head around to frown at him. "I don't know, man. Why are you so interested in my dad?"
"Just making conversation." Vanessa gave him a warning glare. "Look, we're comrades, right? Aren't we supposed to get to know each other?"
"We just met," she pointed out. "We are nowhere near the 'discuss daddy-issues' level."
Reiner snorted. He looked out over the lake, his serious face broke with a half smile. Vanessa studied his features. Despite his perma-frown, she had to admit he was rather attractive. Reiner harrumphed and got up. "Well, it's really late. I'm gonna head back. You gonna stay up here awhile?"
She shook her head. "Just a little. Haven't really gotten to appreciate the quietness."
Reiner smiled down at her. He liked her playful tone, and her mischievous smile. He squatted down, resting his elbows on his thighs. "You said your name is Vanessa, right? Vanessa...?"
"Raske."
Reiner held out his hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Reiner Braun."
Vanessa placed her hand in his and shook. His palm was strong and calloused. No doubt from working in the fields. She mirrored his smile. "Nice to meet you, Reiner."
Training Fields, next day...
The Cadets were gathered around the ODM stands to test their aptitude in using the gear. Majority of the girls had their hair either cut short or pulled back to keep them away from the wires. Vanessa was fine with her crown braid. It was secure, pretty, and allowed her to keep her hair long. Sadies called the cadets forward four at a time. Mikasa, Conny, Sasha, and Jean passed. "Next up!" Sadies shouted. "Braun, Hoover, Raske, Jaeger!"
The cadets opened. Vanessa stepped forward, but Sadies called her back. "Cadet Lenz! I did not call your name!"
Vanessa froze. "Uh, sir?"
"I called for Cadet Raske! Not you!"
"But, sir, I'm Raske," she said, pointing to herself.
Christa poked her head around Ymir. "I'm Cadet Lenz, sir!"
Sadies looked back and forth between them. Both girls looked confused. Other than their hair color and Vanessa's scar, there was no difference between them. This seemed to piss off the Commandant. "Cadet Raske, fall in!"
"Yes, sir!"
Vanessa hurried to the ODM sling, taking Sasha's place. She glanced back at Christa who was staring at her. Vanessa turned away. She clipped the wires to her belt, and waited for the instructor to raise her up. As soon as her feet came off the ground, she instinctively used her thighs and aid in balancing. It felt easy. She straightened her right leg, testing the over all strength of the belts. "Whoa!"
Vanessa looked to her left. Eren Jaeger was hanging upside down. He kicked his legs, but couldn't bring himself upright. Sadies knelt down by him. "What is your major malfunction, Jaeger?! Straighten yourself up!"
Eren said nothing as he hung helpless, seeing everyone laugh at him. Vanessa reached over and yanked on his wire to get his attention. "Eren. Push on the straps on your feet."
"I-I'm trying," he said. "It's not working. I can't flip back."
"That's enough!" Sadies declared. "Lower them."
The other instructors obeyed. Reiner, Bertholdt, and Vanessa all settled on the ground. Eren was lowered all the way to the ground. He sat up, internally screaming. Sadies stood over him. "Move, Jaeger! Back in line!"
Eren obeyed. Mindlessly unlatching himself from the wires. Vanessa watched him walk back over to Mikasa and Armin who tried to offer him words of comfort. She felt a tap on her shoulder, and turned to find Christa smiling at her. "Hey. Congrats on passing."
"Thanks." Vanessa took a step to her right to let Mina through the crowd.
"Can we talk for a moment?" Christa asked.
"Sure."
Christa beamed and led Vanessa out of the crowd. They walked across the field, out of earshot from anyone else. Vanessa shrugged as soon as they stopped. "What'd you wanna talk to me about?"
"Um." Christa shifted her weight from foot to foot. She nervously glanced around, checking to see if anyone was too close to hear. "This is going to sound really strange and totally out of the blue, but...I just...I need to ask you something."
Vanessa studied Christa. She seemed sweet, but her eyes showed she was terrified. Christa took a deep breath. "Could we be...is it possible you and I are...related somehow?"
A surge of panic rushed through her bones, but Vanessa quickly brushed it off. "Are you asking because we look alike?"
Christa nodded. Vanessa scanned the area around them this time. "It could be a coincidence. It's not uncommon for two unrelated people to look similar."
"We don't just look similar, though," Christa stressed. "You have to admit...it's almost like looking in a mirror."
Vanessa sighed uncomfortably. She wanted to walk away, but something was keeping her from it. Christa seemed desperate, and she spoke as if her words were treason. Vanessa let her curiosity take control. "Do you know both of your parents?"
She nodded, again. "My mother was...she died a few days after Wall Maria fell. My father handed me over to the Military Police who shipped me here. Though, I didn't know either of them very well."
She didn't say it, but Vanessa understood the relationship Christa had with her parents. "My mother died in Shiganshina. I never met my father. I don't even know his name. My mother went to great lengths to keep me hidden...she was scared shitless of him. The Military Police found me at a refugee center in Trost."
Christa's eyes fell on Vanessa's scar. "Did they...?" Vanessa looked away. "I see. I'm sorry."
Vanessa rubbed her scar habitually. "I thought they were gonna kill me. But, then this man showed up and told them to send me here."
"Who was he?" Christa asked.
"I don't know," Vanessa replied with a shrug. "He was fat and short with brown hair."
Christa gasped, and covered her mouth. She gave Vanessa a look of terror, and Vanessa returned it. She placed her hand on Christa's shoulder. "Hey, we really shouldn't talk about this anymore. It's too dangerous."
Christa processed her words, and took a deep breath. She relaxed her hands, having not realized she was clenching them so tight. "You're right. I'm sorry. I...I shouldn't have even brought it up."
"It's okay," Vanessa assured her. "I get it. It's weird how much we look alike. And considering how we ended up here...it's fair to assume we have a connection. I don't blame you for being curious."
Christa gave a small smile as Vanessa removed her hand. "It is curious, isn't it? Do you think we could be twins?"
"I doubt it," Vanessa said with a light chuckle. "I'm thirteen."
"I'm twelve." Christa glanced down, a faint blush on her cheeks. "We may never be able to find out the truth, but it's nice to think we might have a connection. I've never had family. B-But, I know that's too dangerous."
Vanessa could see the hope building in Christa's mind. Despite everything, their fear, the terror they endured, the promises they made...here they were, rebelling. Vanessa smiled at that thought. "It is dangerous. So...wanna be friends?"
Christa's blush grew brighter as she beamed. "Yes! Let's be friends!"
Later...
In the mess hall, no one was gathered around Eren's table. He was too busy having an existential crisis. Vanessa sat with Christa, Sasha, and Ymir. Sasha reached for the seemingly abandoned piece of carrot on Vanessa's plate, but Vanessa snatched it up first. Sasha gave her an offended look, but Vanessa smiled innocently in return. "Excuse me, ladies."
She got up, taking her dirty dishes with her. She dropped them off in the corner tubs for the kitchen staff to wash in the morning. Reiner approached, holding his own dirty dishes. "Hey. Long time no see."
Vanessa smiled, and she didn't know why. "Hi."
She stepped aside so he could put his dishes in the tub. "So, uh, are you going back? To the cliff, I mean."
"I was thinking about it." She tilted her head slightly. "Why?"
"Just wondering if I could join you," he confessed. "I promise I won't distract you this time."
Vanessa pressed her lips together, trying to suppress her smile, but it wasn't working. She inhaled deeply. "Only if you promise."
"Alright. See you later." Vanessa nodded, and Reiner headed towards the door, following Bertholdt out. She had a moment of clarity and shook her head. Get ahold of yourself.
The next day...
Vanessa was leaning against the cliffside wall. Everyone was gathered around the single ODM stand as they waited for Sadies. Today was the day for second chances. Eren was pacing behind the stand, twisting his hands nervously. Vanessa pushed off the wall and walked over to him. "Hey, Eren."
He stopped, turning his angry, anxious glare to her. "Yeah?"
"Use your thighs."
"What?"
"Your thighs." She pointed to his belts. "Use them to maintain balance. Should help."
Eren relaxed his frown. "Uh...okay."
"And breathe," she added, poking his chest lightly. "Not a good idea to hold your breath when you're trying to keep steady."
"Oh. Uh, thanks, Vanessa."
She smacked his shoulder and smiled. "No problem. Just don't fail."
Vanessa rejoined the crowd, sneaking a glance at Reiner. He noticed, and held her gaze as she walked by. Ymir suddenly grabbed Vanessa's arm, pulling her into a side hug. "Man, what were you talking to Eren about?"
Vanessa shrugged her off. "I gave him some tips. Why?"
"Because Mikasa hasn't stopped glaring at you," Sasha pointed out.
Vanessa followed Sasha's gaze to where Mikasa stood. She seemed expressionless, but her eyes were almost green with envy. Vanessa turned away. "It wasn't like that. He looked like he was gonna throw up. Figured I'd just-"
Everyone cheered suddenly. Eren was fighting to stay upright. He struggled, but he was doing it. However, he suddenly flipped back, and the cheering died. He kicked his legs, trying to push himself back up. Sadies ordered Eren to be lowered, then ordered Thomas to switch belts with Eren. He allowed Eren to try again, and this time, Eren had no issue staying upright. "Well, whaddya know."
"Surprised, are we?" Ymir teased. "Were you hoping he'd fail? You and Christa are gonna tough luck when we start ODM training."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Vanessa and Christa asked at the same time.
Ymir blinked in surprise. "Are you sure you two aren't twins? Sisters?"
"We're not," Vanessa answered. "And what did you mean we're gonna have tough luck?"
"Just stating facts," Ymir said with a shrug. "All of us over five-foot-six got high ratings for this aptitude test. The instructors use it to determine who's gonna be at the top of the class. Everyone knows only the top ten get to apply for the MPs."
"It's only an estimate," Christa insisted. "They don't know for sure until our final assessment. Besides, we should be supporting each other, not-"
"How much you wanna bet I'm ranked first on ODM by the end of the year?" Vanessa asked.
Ymir raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What do you have to offer?"
Vanessa shrugged. "What do you want?"
"Guys, stop it," Christa begged.
Ymir ignored her. "You get ranked first, I do all your chores for the rest of the following year."
"Deal."
Vanessa held her hand out and Ymir shook it. Ymir held her hand. "You come in anything other than first, you do all of my chores until graduation."
The Training Forest, nine months later...
Vanessa zoomed through the forest. Sadies followed the cadets on horseback. They flew by him one-by-one. Vanessa moved through the trees with grace. She was stuck in the middle of the pack when they started, but now she was with the front group. None of them had swords. It wasn't time to practice with those yet. They had to master the ODM gear, first. And Vanessa was charging ahead. She sailed past Reiner and Annie, and swooped under Marco and Daz. Vanessa fired her anchor and swung a sharp corner, surprising Eren and Bertholdt. Vanessa loved the feeling. The wind rushing around her, the sound of the gas propelling her through the air. She didn't have to use as much as some people. She was a hundred-pounds and her body adapted quickly to the ODM gear. Vanessa noticed two figures flying ahead. She smirked. Those two were always at the top of the class; Jean and Mikasa. Vanessa began to close the gap, and Jean noticed her. "What the hell? Where'd you come from?"
"Jean!" Vanessa pointed. "A tree!"
"Nice try! You can't trick me-AH!" At the least second, Jean released his anchor and avoided colliding with a tree trunk. He caught himself on the branch, and glared as Vanessa flew by. "Not cool, Vanessa!"
Vanessa flipped him off as she continued on. She was only a few meters behind Mikasa, now. Mikasa seemed disinterested as Vanessa fell in sync beside her, but she noticed the devilish smile on Vanessa's face. "You're pushing too hard."
"I've got a bet to win, Mikasa." She flipped over a tree branch. "No hard feelings."
With that, Vanessa punched it. The gas propelled her forward, bypassing Mikasa all together. She burst through the tree line and swung low to the ground, releasing her anchor. She took a few steps as her feet hit the dirt, slowing down her momentum. The instructor looked at his watch. "Congrats, Cadet Raske. You just broke the course record."
"Really? Nice!" Vanessa smiled as she placed her hands on her hips.
Mikasa finally exited the forest, followed by Jean, Ymir, and a few others. Vanessa held her arms out as she beamed at Ymir. "I told you so, Ymir!"
"No way," she scoffed. She walked over to Vanessa as more cadets flew out of the forest. "You've been a solid number three for months. There's no way this puts you at the top."
"Except the instructor said I broke the course record. So, coming in first and breaking a record?" Vanessa shrugged her shoulders despite smiling triumphantly. "Means I beat them both out."
Ymir rolled her eyes, and sighed. "Jeez, fine."
"No!" Jean shouted, pushing past Ymir. "You cheated."
Vanessa feigned offense. "Wow. You're such a sore loser."
"Shut up! You distracted me. I almost flew into a tree."
"It's not my fault you can't watch where you're going," she argued.
Marco rushed over and pushed them apart. "Calm down, guys. There's no need to get worked up."
Vanessa took a deep breath to calm down. "You're right, Marco. I should relax seeing as Ymir will be doing all my chores until graduation."
"Until graduation?" Ymir raised an eyebrow. "Uh, I said I'd do your chores for the next year."
End of Chapter 4