Shinganshina 844

Iliana Hawthorne tried her best to clear the hair that was hanging in her eyes as she scrubbed at her face. The stillness of the morning air seemed to stick to her skin. It was a humid day, with the sun burning down even though it was still slightly early. She dressed simply in an off the shoulder white linen blouse and a royal blue skirt with her brown boots. She combed her fingers through her wavy chocolate brown hair, trying to tame it before giving up and pushing it back with a bandana. She headed down the stairs, drifting into the kitchen to grab a cup of tea. Footsteps behind her alerted her to a new presence and she poured a second cup, turning and setting it down in front of the newcomer.

"Good morning Grisha."

Grisha Yeager chuckled, ruffling Iliana's hair as he passed her to grab the bread and two apples. "How are you feeling today?"

Iliana tried not to grimace as she caught the double meaning in his words. "I'm okay. I feel fine. Still a little sore but fine."

Grisha sighed, placing a comforting hand on the girls shoulder. "Want me to check your dressings?"

She shook her head quickly, letting her hand drift to her shoulder. "No, I'm fine, I promise I'll let you know if it's hurting."

She sipped the tea she made. A quiet silence settled over them, the morning sun pouring in through the windows. Slowly tracing a finger along the wood of the kitchen table, Iliana searched for the words she wanted to say to Grisha. Thank you just didn't seem to cover it. Thank you didn't cover the extent of her gratitude for the good doctor. The words stuck in her throat in a lump. Grisha, always looking out for others.

She finished her tea, tucking the apple he held out for her in her bag for later. She rose from the table, getting herself ready to leave.

"I should go before Eren wakes up. God only knows if I'm still here when he rises, I'll be facing an interrogation and he'll never let me leave."

Grisha chuckled, knowing the girl was right. Grasping her hand while she passed by him, he squeezed it gently. "You know that our doors are open to you, anytime."

"Thank you." She wrapped her arm around his shoulders, dropping a kiss on the older man's cheek in graditude.

Iliana shouldered her bag on her uninjured shoulder, closing the front door behind her with a soft click. As she began to wonder down the barely stirring streets, she let her mind wander off. Her bones felt heavy and tired. She sighed, slowly making her way back to the small HQ the Garrison used. She'd only been gone for an evening, but she was set to be back on duty within an hour or so. This outlier district was one of the busier ones as far as titans surrounding the walls were concerned. But that hardly mattered because it seemed like humans were the biggest worries around her.

Drunk asshole.

Coming up on HQ, Iliana rubbed the back of her neck, trying to work out the kinks out. A hand darted out, grabbing her arm. Throwing her fist out, her assailant grunted as she caught him in the gut. Grabbing his hand and bending it backwards, she locked his arm behind him and slammed him up against the wall. She gritted her teeth in pain and shoved harder.

"Woah! It's me!" The tall blond man struggled against the small girls strong hold, turning his face so she could see it.

"Hannes?" She let go and stepped back, glaring at him as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't sneak up like that on me!"

He chuckled and clapped her on the shoulder, frowning when she flinched. He pulled her blouse to the side, brows furrowing when he saw the gauze stretching down her shoulder. Turning her so her back was to him, he tugged her collar down, eyes flicking over the gauze that stretched over the upper part of her back. "What the hell short stuff?"

"I'm fine I swear." She shrugged his hand off and hiked her bag back on her uninjured shoulder. "I just ran into some issues last night. Drunk asshole mouthing off about something or another and decided that I was a good target to pick on."

"Well, I'd hate to see what they look like now." Hannes roved his eyes over her one more time before tugging on the end of her hair. "Hey by the way you're needed in the section Commander's office. Commander Pyxis is here to see you."

"To see me?" Iliana pointed at herself as her eyes went wide. Why the hell would the Commander of the entire Garrison be here to see her of all people?

Hannes shrugged and ruffled her hair. "No clue what about short stack but I would go check in with him." He paused as he inspected her. "Well, I would get dressed first."

Iliana rolled her eyes and flipped him the bird. She sped walked into HQ, taking the stairs up to her dorm two at a time. Unlocking her door and slipping inside, she threw her bag on the bed, rolling her shoulders as she pulled her uniform out of her wardrobe. Yanking out the bandana that held her hair back, she undressed quickly, sliding her grey uniform pants up her legs. Tucking in her white button up shirt, she made quick work of buckling the belts of her ODM gear and pulling her tan uniform jacket on. Swiping her long hair up into a ponytail, she sighed as she inspected her appearance in the mirror that hung on her wardrobe door. It'll have to do.

Her steps echoed off the stone of the hallway, the sound bouncing back at her. She focused on the vibrations, evening out her nervous breathing. She hoped whatever they were calling her in for had nothing to do with what she was involved with the previous day. She'd made sure not to go to the Garrison medic, instead arriving on Grisha Yeager's doorstep, bleeding and exhausted. The gauze on her shoulder chafed, the soft material of her shirt doing nothing to help the itching pain that shot up her

Arriving at her captain's door, she knocked and swallowed hard, schooling her face into a mask of cool indifference.

"Come in."

Upon entering her commander's office, Iliana stood in front of his desk in a rigid salute. Sitting in front of her was Dot Pyxis, his withered face set in a wiry grin, a twinkle in his eyes. He folded his hands underneath his chin as he studied the small woman in front of him. Iliana Hawthorne was strikingly beautiful, her long dark hair swept back into a ponytail, eyes like hardened jade that seemed to cut straight through him. A heart shaped face with a pouty mouth seemed to draw every male's attention, even stoic Erwin's cheeks heating as her eyes locked on him. "I've heard great things about you. At ease Cadet Hawthorne. Come join us."

Now why does us include Commander Keith Shades and Squad commander Erwin Smith of the Scouts?

Iliana took a seat, her eyes flicking to each commander. "Why am I here?"

"Now now dear, sure I can't interest you in a drink first?"

"I'm fine."

Commander Pyxis grinned even wider when Erwin cleared his throat, a clear signal for Pyxis to get on with the real reason for their meeting. The young blond man behind him was clearly very impatient. Thrumming his fingers on top of the file in front of him, he contemplated the young woman sitting before him. Her spine was rigid despite her seated position. Although his eyes appeared glassy, the twinkle of them caught everything including the white gauze sticking out from the young girls collar.

The sound of pages shuffling snapped Iliana out of her study of the superior officers in front of her. She knew what the papers read.

"Top scores out of the Academy. Military police potential. Yet you chose the Garrison regiment." Running his finger over her scores, he locked eyes with her. "Why is that?"

"For personal reasons sir."

"Not military gain reasons?"

"Excuse me?" Iliana's eyes snapped towards Erwin Smith, his eyes calculating her while she studied him. There was something hidden in the depth of his irises that unsettled her.

"You heard me. With your scores, smarts, and skills it's obvious that you have the ability to move quickly through the ranks. You graduated at the same age that we all do. It's a big accomplishment to place at the number one spot of the cadet Corp. So why didn't you use it?" He crossed his arms over his chest as he studied the girl who out marked him even though she was a few years younger. "You've been with the regiment for over 3 years now and you've turned down every promotion you've been offered thus far. What I want to know is why? Staying blended into the crowd to further your own intentions?"

Iliana's calm and collected mask finally cracked, her eyes blazing as she stood quickly. She sucked in a breath through her teeth as the movement stretched her wounds. "What the hell is it to you eyebrows? Don't stand there with a holier than though power trip because you're older and technically rank above me. I guarantee you and your bosses that will get you no where with me. Now tell me exactly why we're here and what you three want."

Erwin clamped his mouth shut, his cheeks flaming as he got a dressing down from the tiny woman. When she first walked in the room he had realized how short she was, but even at her five-foot stature, she stood intimidating.

"I want you to join the Scout Regiment. We're prepared to offer you more pay, potential in leadership. You have a certain skill set we believe may be invaluable to our mission outside the walls."

Silence met them as Iliana blinked, her eyes wide. "You came here with an offer for a promotion, after insulting me by questioning my intentions within my regiment?"

Erwin sucked in a deep breath as he nodded, shame flooding his body. "Well yes but…"

"I'm sorry but I'll have to decline your offer. I have familial obligations I need to honor. I won't be leaving Shinganshina district until those are fulfilled." Saluting once more out an ingrained respect, Iliana turned on her heel.

"The offer is a standing offer. However long it takes for you to be ready, we'll hold a spot within our ranks for you."

Iliana tried to hold back her unlady like snort, her hand clenching around the doorknob. "Yeah, whatever eyebrows."

Walking out of the office, Iliana sighed heavily. That was a complete waste of her damn time. Grabbing the rest of her gear from her room, she left HQ, heading for the outer gate for her shift. She was already across the courtyard when she heard a shout behind her.

"Wait!"

Turning on her heel she spotted Erwin speed walking to catch up with her. She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest and jutting out her chin.

"We got off on the wrong foot. I apologize for my brash choice of words. There's been a lot of moving parts and underlying issues that have come to the surface." He glanced around almost nervously as he spoke. Iliana's eyes flicked over his face and then scanned behind him. With a jerk of her head, she motioned for him to follow her.

"Hey Hawthorne!" Hannes jogged over, slinging his arm around her neck, he pulled her close with a sly grin. "I thought you were supposed to be on outer gate duty. Who's this guy? Not like you to get distracted."

Iliana scowled and dug her elbow into his ribs. "I'm headed to my post. Just showing a friend from the Scouts the best way to the market. Move it or lose it Hannes, we got places to be."

"Alright I get it. You want alone time." He made smacking noises at her, waggling his eyebrows. Iliana rolled her eyes again, shoving him hard away from her.

"Lecher."

Erwin couldn't help but smile softly at the man's easygoing demeanor.

"Stop smiling like a fool eyebrows. Even if I did make an attempt at dating, you're not anywhere close to my type. It's not gonna happen." Erwin's smile faltered and his cheeks flamed as he stared at Iliana with wide eyes. "Now are you coming or not? I don't like being late for my assignments."

He followed behind her, eyes flitting over everything as he watched her navigate the crowded streets. Reaching the gate, he raised his eyebrows as she made a hard left, and then engaged her ODM gear. She used it to propel herself up the wall until she stood on top of it.

"This is most definitely not authorized." Erwin landed behind her, raising his eyebrow as she looked over at him.

"Here we can speak freely. I am on outer gate duty." She pointed at her feet. "This is the outer gate."

"Nice work around."

Iliana shrugged and sat down on one of the pillars that stuck out above the flat part of the wall. "You wanted to talk. So, talk."

"There's been rumors floating around for a while now that there will be a vote to disband the scouts. Reallocate our funds to line the pockets of the nobles. I believe there already may be an attempt at this in the works."

Iliana propped one knee up, resting her forearm on it as she studied Erwin. "And you've come to me why? Also, why trust someone you just met with what seems like some very sensitive information. As far as you're concerned, I could be working for the very nobles that you speak of."

"But you're not." He pulled a file from his jacket, one that he knew even Pyxis didn't have access to. "Iliana Hawthorne 18 years old. Graduated from the Cadet Corp at 15, in the number one spot. Headed for what seemed like a bright future with the Military Police but turned down the job to join the Garrison regiment."

Iliana snorted and rolled her eyes. "So, you have my military records. So what?"

"I'm not done quite yet." Flipping another page, he continued reading. "Lineage questionable, due to the fact that Iliana and her parents appeared one day in the city of Shinganshina with paperwork granting them citizenship above from the Underground. Your mother went missing shortly after you were brought topside."

Iliana froze. "Matter of public record."

"Tell me why you're using the name Hawthorne. It's not your father's name."

"No, it's not. It's my mother's maiden name."

"Ahh yes. You were born as Iliana Owen." Erwin paused, placing the file in her hands. "I don't think I have to read the rest to you."

"No, you don't."

"So why would a noble bloodline hide its name and decide to move Underground?" Erwin turned to look out over the vast expanse of land stretched in front of him. "What were your parents hiding?"

Iliana said nothing, just stared down at the file in her hands.

"You have the power to help me turn the tide to assist the military. To give humanity a fighting chance. To give us a future." He turned back to her, watching as the light flashed in her eyes. "Don't look at me like that. You knew you'd make waves once you started using the Hawthorne name. We can help each other. Think about what it is you wish to achieve. You know where to find me when you're ready, Lady Hawthorne."

His sarcastic tone rang out through the air, lingering long after he'd leapt off the wall. She stared down at the file in her hands, tempted the crumple it up and send it scattering through the wind. Flipping open the file, her heart throbbed as she picked up the painting that laid inside.

"Mom." Tracing her finger over the lines of her mother's face, she smiled softly. Setting it back, she flipped to the reports that laid inside. The Military Police report of her mother's "disappearance" glared back at her. Snapping the file shut she shoved it in the back of her pants and flipped her jacket down over it. Landing back down on the ground, she made her way to the outer gate. Trying to ignore the feeling of the papers at her back, Iliana made her way towards her superior officer, intent on forgetting her encounter with Erwin Smith.


The bell tolled out three times, signaling the end of Iliana's shift. She sighed in relief, saluting her comrade's goodbye before taking off. She headed for the marketplace, walking along the river. A breeze blew through and broke the heat. Iliana stopped on one of the bridges that led to HQ, leaning forwards and watching the water float through the canal. Placing her palms down on the rough stone, she traced her fingers over the ridges in the bricks as her mind drifted.

Born to parents who seemed to always look over their shoulders, she was constantly left to fend for herself. Fingering a bandage on her shoulder, she started let her mind drift to the memory of the previous evening. Anger pulsed through her. It felt like a throbbing in her veins. A hot heat that filled her chest burning all the way to her fingertips. She never understood the allure of alcohol and drugs. People's need to drown their demons in substances so bad that they become the very thing they tried to bury.

Curling and uncurling her fists, she shook her head trying to clear it. She didn't want to think about that. Not now. The memory of glass shattering on her back sent her stomach rolling. She was tired. So tired of this dreary existence. Most would say that it was Titans who would be the end of humanity. But if you were to ask Iliana, humanity would be its own downfall.

The breeze that drifted over the water washed over her skin, taking the clammy unsettled sweat that had broken out over her skin with it. She longed to get out of this dismal place but knew at this point, it would be impossible.

She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to fight off the dreaded feeling of past memories.

"Iliana! Iliana!"

"Iliana look!" Two small bodies collided with hers, sending her stumbling forwards.

"Woah!" Wrapping her arms around both kids she chuckled as Eren's bright green eyes and Armin's sparkling blue ones stared up at her. "Whatcha guys got?"

"A new book!" Armin held it up and she grabbed it from him.

"Ohh this one looks cool! Have you shown Dr. Yeager yet? I'm sure he can tell you if half of these drawings are right." She held the book low so the boys could still see the pages.

"That's where we were headed when we found you!" Eren grabbed her hand and tugged, pulling her in the direction of his house. "Dad said you were there this morning, and I didn't get to see you. Why are you avoiding me?"

Iliana ran her hand through his hair. She put her hand back in his, squeezing it in reassurance. "I'm not avoiding you kiddo I had a meeting with my higher ups this morning I couldn't miss."

Eren snorted. "Still don't understand why you'd be in the Garrison when you could have a job that's cool like being in the scouts."

"If I were with the Scouts then I couldn't be here anymore. Who would be left to dig you out of trouble?"

Eren tightened his grip on her hand. "Yeah whatever."

"Stop being so surly buddy." Iliana tugged both boys along with her. "Come on, we're near that bakery your mom likes a lot."

Ducking into the warm bakery, Iliana couldn't help but smile wide as the boys ran in, both of their faces lit up in excitement. A warm hand on her shoulder had her glancing over, her smile growing bigger as she spotted Grisha behind her. When Erwin had brought up her family, it had made her heart sieze and stop in her chest at the memories of blood and devestation. Of crying nights and broken bones. Of a fierce promise at 8 years old to always remain by their sides.

But this. This warm feeling of having them. The smiles that stretched on each of their faces. The love in Carla's eyes as Iliana, Grisha and the boys came in with a box of her favorite baked goods. Helping Grisha pack up medicine for another trip to the interior and the underground city. This family was her reason for staying. This family had healed her and put her back together. For them she'd do anything.


Grisha lit a fire and stood silently next to Iliana as she looked at the file in her hands. Iliana stared at the words on the page, mouth pulled down into a frown.

Dane Owen, - Deceased. Killed with a knife through the heart.

Marie Owen- Missing. Marie was no where to be found when her husband was discovered dead.

Iliana Owen – age 9. The girl was found in the home unharmed, but soaked in blood. It's believed that Dane died defending the life of his daughter. She was taken into the care of Grisha and Carla Yeager.

"They don't know the truth."

"They never have to." Grisha laid a hand on Iliana's shoulder.

Iliana took a deep breath and pulled her mothers portrait out, tracing her fingers over her mothers cheeks and eyes. She tucked the portrait in her jacket pocket and closed the file. Without a second thought, she threw it into the fire, watching as the flames burned her past away.