The soldiers knew exactly how to make a girl feel at home. They had definitely increased security measures since her failed escaped. She couldn't even sneeze if without finding a dozen blades pointed at her.

Currently, they had her situated in a wagon. Normally this vehicle would be packed with supplies or injured soldiers. Instead, it held the captive packed in with several able-bodied soldiers, poised with their weapons readied to strike. They also made sure to reinforce her original bindings. Her wrists and ankles received the most attention, but the rope had been hoisted around her body. Her mobility relied solely on her company.

That's how the past two days have been, on the road with no stops.

And while Lydia was initially happy that Hange volunteered to remain at her side on the journey, the constant conversation she had been forced to endure was a punishment all its own. She supposed this was fair for how things played out during her escape.

Fortunately, Lydia managed to divert the conversation away from herself. In trying to learn about the blonde, she mentioned being unfamiliar with the beast she'd come across—a 'titan' Hange called it. Thus began a daylong spiel about the creature's biology, physical makeup, and the century-long quest to survive their devastation.

Glancing around at her guards, they looked just as exhausted at the conversation as she was. Probably more so, this was all information they'd heard before. Lydia felt bad for them.

"Oi, four-eyes, you're talking too much. You should be doing the listening" Levi interjected from his horse, you might suppose he counted as one of her guards since he remained by the cart at all times. Lydia could have been grateful for the intervention if it had been anyone besides that man.

Hange's mouth hung wide in shock, "Ah, you're right. I just so carried away with that topic"

Lydia wanted so desperately to rub her tired eyes, but with her predicament, that was a lost cause.

"Now then…" Hange drifted off, finding the right question to pose. Her eyes were as hungry much like they were when they first spoke. While the brunette held a carefree and joking manner, there was no mistaking that she was a predator. Maybe not so much a thirst for blood, but rather for knowledge. This woman craved information like an addict craved their fix.

"Tell me what this is" She asked pointing to the blonde's rope covered shoulder. It took Lydia a moment to understand what she was talking about, but caught glimpses of the ink through the rope and realized.

Lydia was going to try and answer with the most simplicity for all her questions. Without a prompt she wouldn't say more than she had to, "It's a tattoo".

Hange's face fell once again in surprise, "No way! That's a tattoo" she exclaimed.

Lydia half expected to have to explain what it was, Hange's knowledge caught her off guard. "Yes, does it took different than what you're used to" she inquired, turning the question back on her.

The brunette shook her head as she answered, "Very much. Tattoos are very rare in the city, but when I have seen them they are far more simple than yours. I've never really like them, but yours is exquisite"

If there was any way to get on Lydia's good side, it was complimenting her ink. Especially the piece covering her collarbone. Dark green stems and leaves stretched across her skin and ended with some purple flowers and berries…a perfect recreation of the belladonna plant. A plant that was beautiful with several medicinal properties, but also a deadly poison at the will of the user. The plant's duality was what appealed to Lydia, and something she aspired to be herself.

With such a beautiful tattoo, Lydia always opted to show it off. For the money she paid, she had to. As such she wore many off the shoulder blouses, as she was wearing now. Thus allowing Hange to take note of it.

"How was it you were able to attain such an intricate piece" Hange asked, drawing the blonde back into the conversation.

Trying to find the answer was a difficult one, "I guess how it's usually done, with a needle and ink. Although the quality of the tattoo depends on the artist"

A sudden thought occurred to Lydia, one that veered away from any thoughts of tattoos.

"Are you sure this is what you want to be asking me about? I think there's a whole lot more you'd rather know besides my ink"

Hange smiled and sat back in her seat, "While I value every bit of information I can get my hands on, you're right there is plenty more I find out about you. Unfortunately, Erwin wants us to wait till we're back at headquarters before we start to dive too deep in your mystery. Attain proper documentation, and if need be, incentive to have you comply"

Torture.

"But, if I can help it we won't have to utilize those methods. I think you'll be more forthcoming on your own terms" She added, calming the panic that had arisen in the woman beside her.

"So how much longer then"

Hange looked ahead, "Not long. We're actually nearly there". Lydia followed Hange's gaze towards the horizon, hoping to catch a glimpse of their destination. Her eyes squinted to try and make something out, but could hardly see much of anything.

Then she saw something that was neither part of the grasslands or sky. It was something fair in color, but too rigid to be a cloud. It stretched far across the grassy plain, she couldn't make out where it ended.

Was that their destination?

If Hange spoke during this time, her words fell on deaf ears. Lydia's sense of sight dominated her being as she took in the sight of an ever growing wall. Now that she stood at its base, her neck bent so far back trying to see its summit. Her hearing was reawakened at the sound of stone sliding against itself. With a tunnel emerging in sight, it was impossible to see beyond the horde of soldiers.

Her head swayed with the sudden motion of the cart moving. Her gut wretched at the anticipation to see what lay on the other side of the tunnel. There she would finally get some bearings about the world she had found herself. Maybe she could even find her sisters there.

Lydia had some idea what the world might have been, but shock canvased her face when she saw it with her own eyes.

It was if she had jumped back in time. Between the brickwork buildings to the old fashioned dress the townsfolk donned, her observations reaffirmed her beliefs. This world was far from the one she had known, and all the more dangerous.

People gawked as the soldiers trotted through the streets. Their faces held expressions of despair and resentment, and these motions seemed directed to her captors.

It was only when they reached a fort, in the center of town, that they received a reprieve from the onlookers. Even though she wasn't the receiver of such harsh gazes, Lydia was still relieved to be free of them.

Suddenly her confines loosened and she was ushered forward off the cart. The ropes were quickly replaced by shackles, confining her hands and wrists. The metal around her limbs was rusty and slightly large for herself, though not enough for her to slip from them.

A touch on her bare shoulder, made her shudder. It came from an unknown soldier, on of a pair. They said nothing, but she understood them clearly despite that. As her feet moved across the cobblestone the trains rattled, it was a sound that annoyed her.

Any of the superior officers she had met previously were gone, other matters taking precedence. Her guards led her further inside the fort, their pace slow due to her confinements. From the courtyard to the initial indoor areas were bustling with soldiers. As they descended deeper inside fewer soldiers were present.

The hallways were dimly lit by torches, no windows allowed sunlight to fill the halls. A staircase came into their path, leading downward. While they made their way down, Lydia could make out a voice. A muffled sound growing louder and louder. Eventually, it could be defined as someone yelling.

The source was no doubt where they were taking her.

The stairs ended a couple feet away from a door and finally they could make out the exact words, "Listen Bitch, I know you can hear me! If you thinking I'm being loud now, just you fucking wait!"

Lydia's heart fluttered at the sound, that colorful vocabulary and screeching voice were so familiar to her. The guards unlocked the door and ushered her inside, were an array of cells lined up against the wall. Another soldier was found inside, lingering just beside the door.

"What's all that noise about" One of the soldiers beside her asked the other.

"This drunk was brought in a few hours ago, public disturbance and whatnot" He answered, exhaustion escaping through his tone.

"One of us will switch with you after we lock this one up" The soldier said, taking pity on the guard. They began pushing the blonde once more, guiding her over to one of the empty cells.

A hand reached out from one of the occupied cells, the movement forced the soldiers to pause. They flinched and pulled their captive back with them. From this position Lydia was able to come face to face with her sister.

Lillian.

Her icy blue eyes stared back in shock at the discovery of her sister. While their reunion might have been between iron bars, they were still relieved to see one another. Neither said any words, not wanting to tip off their familiarity with one another.

Two of the three were together, and it was only a matter of time until the third would be found.

Only a matter of time till they could find their way home.