The days began the same. Elsie was shaken awake by either Petra or Gunther and she preferred it that way. Oluo once came in, slowly running his hands down her shoulders and singing a song about the morning being here in a voice meant for children. It had freaked her out so much she punched him in the face, causing a nosebleed and his hysterical screams of never being nice to her again.

Elsie sat with Petra and Gunther for breakfast, the jokes coming easy now as she felt like a part of the team. They treated her like a little sister, teasing her for her lack in knowledge but still having the patience to talk her through it. Oluo sat across from them, glaring and munching on his toast, having something to say every now and then. He had stopped his flirtatious comments after Elsie had punched him, thankfully.

Levi and Eld disappeared into the office for a majority of the day, poring over paperwork and plans. Elsie felt the tension over the coarse in time as the mission drew closer. Although they had all signed up for this no one liked leaving the safety of the walls. She felt their attitudes affecting her and put all her efforts into training.

It wasn't easy. After breakfast Gunther and Petra would take her to the yard and train her like the end of the world was coming (it was). She ran miles, did sit ups and push ups and things that she had never considered doing in her old life. Within weeks she could see how her body had toned and muscles grew, eyeing herself after a shower at midnight. Gunther had pulled out the ODM gear and to her relief she had taken to it easily enough, although once she became airborne that was an entirely different story. She was scared to go too fast, to take risks that would result in her getting injured. She could tell that the others were beginning to get annoyed with her lack in challenging herself. And she only knew this because Levi came out of his office to watch her on the ODM one day, a month into her stay at the castle.

"What the hell are you doing? Taking a joy ride?" Levi shouted from the ground.

Elsie grunted when she landed on a tree, hanging from the wires. She twisted to peer down at him, "I'm trying not to break a fucking leg!"

"Are you talking back to me?"

"Yeah cause you yelled at me first!" Elsie shot back.

Petra and Gunther exchanged looks and she knew that she was in trouble. A shadow cast over Levi's face and she heard the sound of his wire hitting a tree close to her. Elsie squeaked and without thinking she took off, not wanting Levi anywhere near her. Her fingers were quick with the triggers as she darted through the trees, flying straightforward. She looked back and yelped when Levi was only a foot behind her, scowling. Elsie turned back around and focused in front of her. The trees began to meet in front of her and she knew that she would have to pull some quick stuff to get ahead of him. She released her left grapple hook and fell to the right, twisting her body as she flew between two branches.

Elsie winced when the trees scratched at her arms but she continued, too focused on getting away from Levi. She heard Levi behind her, still, and knew there was no way she could possibly get away from him. She looked up to see how tall the trees were and shot her gear straight up, flipping in the cords like she was on a trampoline. Levi looked up at her as he flew beneath her, eyes dark, and she squealed as she went back the way they came. She heard him hit the tree to push himself in her direction. Her heart was pounding, clouding her hearing, and her eyesight was blurry from how fast she was going. Never had she attempted to go this fast.

She saw the tree line end and shot one last hook, cheering when she made it out of the trees. Her cheer was ended when she felt two feet plant themselves on her back and push her straight down, the wind rushing through her hair. All Elsie could do was scream as she was shoved roughly into the ground. She whined at the pain, feeling Levi on her back as he stood on her.

"Get that smart mouth under control, shithead." Levi snapped, finally stepping off of her.

Elsie rolled on her back, panting for breath, "I can't feel my face. Is it broken?"

Gunther's face blocked the sun as he peered down at her, "It looks like your nose might be. You fell a good ten feet."

Elsie groaned and touched her nose, immediately pulling her hands back at the pain. Levi looked down at her, scoffing before heading back to the castle. She grabbed a rock and feebly tossed it after him, the stone landing nowhere near him. Petra laughed and shook her head, helping Elsie stand.

"You did great! You've never moved like that! Keep it up and you'll be fine outside." Petra comforted, patting her on the back. She winced and shook her hands off. Her entire body ached.

"I want to go die now." She muttered, stumbling into the castle. She was embarrassed that they had witnessed Levi literally stomping her to the ground but she was more proud of herself for going so fast on the ODM and only using one cord - something she had fought Petra on multiple times.

Elsie closed the bathroom door, glad that it was open for once. After training all day they fought to get the hot water before it ran out. Elsie, sadly, never got it first. She winced as she took her white blouse off, gasping at the swollen skin on her back. No doubt she would have bruises in the morning. She undressed and took in her wounds, her swollen and bloodied nose, the dirt in her face and all over her clothes. Yet, she was proud of herself. She had successfully gone through the trees without staying straight. She had even done a flip! She fell into the shower, sighing as the water hit her stinging back.

There was a bang on the door, "Hurry up! I'm next!" Oluo bellowed.

"Patience is a virtue!" She screeched back, having lost her patience weeks ago.

She finished washing her hair and towel dried, slipping into her dirtied clothes since she had forgotten to bring in a new pair. Elsie yanked the door open, glowering at Oluo. He pushed himself off the wall and shoved past her, slamming the door shut behind him. She had quickly learned that everyone in the squad treated each other like brother and sister, there was no special treatment.

Elsie entered her room and tossed her dirty clothes into the basket for laundry day and changed into a loose grey shirt and black slacks, staring longingly at her bed. All she wanted to do was sleep but it was only midday. She still had her chores to do around the house and probably ride the horses later. There was barely any time for sleep anymore.

The dining room was vacant so she grabbed an apple off the table, devouring it as she made her way around the castle. She took note of what needed to be cleaned, having learned early on what Levi's standard was. Her entire body screamed for a break when she grabbed the mop but she knew better than to be spotted sitting down. Gunther walked in shortly after, leaning against the doorway as he watched her mop the sitting room.

"How are you?" He asked.

"Sore but fine." She gave him a smile, leaning on the mop handle. She would gladly use his presence as an excuse for a quick break.

"You did really good, Elsie. I wish you would do more of that instead of playing it safe."

She looked at her hands, picking at the dirt under her fingernails. It was always there, "I know, I know. It's just difficult to push myself like that. I'm still coming to terms with all this. I'm sorry, you guys are trying so hard to help me."

"We are and don't you forget it!" Oluo inputed as he walked by.

Elsie scowled and Gunther shook his head, following his partner outside. She looked out the window to see them meet Petra and head to the trees, easily taking off on their gear. She sighed and returned to her cleaning duties. Once she was done with the room she took the supplies back. She had nothing else to do; the castle was practically spotless. Elsie glanced at the stairs that led to Levi's office, prepping herself for what he was going to say. He hated being disturbed while he was working, especially because Elsie was being difficult with training. She took a deep breath and made her way up, knocking on the door.

"Come in."

Levi's office had no personality to it, which she wasn't shocked about. There was a black couch to the left that looked like it had never been used with two stiff chairs in front of his desk. He sat in his large chair, head bent as he wrote on a scroll, no doubt a letter to Erwin on their progress. She knew it wouldn't be very long.

Levi didn't look up as he pointed at a chair. She sighed and slouched in it, wincing at the pain. He finished his letter before rolling it up and tying it with a red ribbon, putting it in his pocket.

"Your nose is broken."

She gingerly touched it, "Thanks for that."

"If you weren't being such a pussy I wouldn't have to chase you through the woods."

Elsie knew he was telling the truth and let her eyes fall to her lap, "Sorry."

"Don't say sorry, fucking change it. My squad has more important matters to attend to than training a snobby girl." She winced at his words. She hadn't considered that she was coming off snobby. She was just scared to do the things they were doing. It was insane that she was even here to begin with.

When she didn't say anything Levi stood up and reached into one of his desk drawers. He pulled out a folded green cloak and held it out to her. She gingerly took it from him, shocked that she finally got a Scout cloak.

"Let's go." He grabbed his own cloak off the back of his chair and put it on. She quickly buttoned on her cloak, a sense of pride and accomplishment taking over. She was finally a Scout. Sort of.

Levi led her to the stables and brought out Noir and a mare, Suni. They were already saddled and she figured this trip had been planned before her training. She quickly mounted Suni, patting the pinto on the neck as she waited for Levi to direct her.

"We're delivering the letter to Hange's squad." Was all Levi said before he kicked Noir into a run.

They passed the woods and entered empty terrain, the horses leisurely running over the meadows. It was beautiful to see all this greenery and she soaked it in. She lived in Las Vegas, there was no such thing as meadows or places to take your horses like this. She looked at Levi, he was focused straight ahead, stone faced as usual. He hadn't been in a great mood - no thanks to Elsie. What was in the letter they were taking to Hange? Probably something about the mission in two months.

She didn't know where Hange's squad was or if they were close but an idea struck her. She glanced once more at Levi before kicking Suni to go faster. The horse neighed and sped up, easily passing Noir. Levi shouted in shock and she laughed, turning to look at him over her shoulder.

"Can't keep up, old man?" She teased.

His eyes narrowed and he stood on the stirrup, urging Noir to catch up. She turned back around and shouted for Suni to run as fast as she could, laughing as she galloped. She knew she would have to enjoy every second of these next months before shit hit the fan. She wanted Levi to enjoy it before his team was so cruelly taken from him. Elsie gasped when Noir bolted in front of her, Levi's cloak billowing in the wind. She urged Suni to go faster but the mare had reached her max, neighing in protest.

Levi pulled Noir to a trot when a run down farm house appeared ahead of them. Elsie caught up, glaring at him, before turning to inspect the house. It was nothing like the castle, falling apart and having a half stone wall. She thought it looked familiar before remembering it as the house the squad is staying in with Historia and Eren, doing experiments there.

They tied the horses with the rest, heading to the door. Levi raised his fist to knock but it was opened before it could touch, a beaming bespectacled Hange at the entry. She ignored Levi and immediately grabbed Elsie's arms, dragging her into the room. She sat her at the table and began to poke and prod at her, murmuring under her breath.

"How old are you?" She asked, her voice high.

"Twenty five." Elsie squirmed when Hange ran her hands over her sore back.

"And you know everything of our world yet you're not from here? How fascinating. I've been wanting to get my hands on you." Hange's hands laid on Elsie's blonde head, pulling out a piece of hair. Elsie glowered at the woman.

"Stop touching my cadet," Levi sat beside Elsie, putting the letter on the table. "She can only do so much before she starts screaming like a banshee."

"Oh yes, Erwin informed me. Let me see your neck and arms."

Elsie sat silently as Hange took note that Levi's fingers had scarred on her forearms but her neck was rash free. She could see Hibolt standing tensely behind Hange, no doubt ready to pull her away when she went too far.

"Your nose is broken. Is that from saying something?" Hange gasped.

"No, that's from Levi." Elsie said.

Hange raised an eyebrow, "He hit you? Are you safe? Blink twice for yes and once for no."

Elsie blinked. Her chair moved from Levi kicking it. Elsie and Hange laughed, ignoring his steaming look. Hange finally took a step back and placed her hands on her hips, nodding in finality. She reached over and grabbed the letter and read it, humming as she did so. Hibolt looked over her shoulder.

"Very well. We will be ready to leave on that day. I'm excited to get my test subjects finally." Hange giggled.

Elsie looked between them, "You're getting test subjects on this trip? That's what it's for?"

"Trying to, at least. I've figured that if we can get all our man power together we can drag a titan in. Just where to put it is the question," Hange tapped her chin in thought. "If anything I can leave on the other side of the wall and conduct quick experiments over there."

"Which is stupid." Hibolt muttered.

"It's not happening, Hange." Levi said, standing from his chair. Elsie quickly followed suit and headed for the door, waving good bye to the estranged woman.

Hange shouted something after Levi but the door clicked shut behind them, muffling her shriek. Elsie laughed and shook her head, quick to untie Suni. Levi mounted Noir and pulled the horse around, glancing over his shoulder as he waited for her. He raised an eyebrow when she stopped beside him.

"Race back?"

She beamed and kicked Suni, not giving him a chance to get a head start. She heard Noir neigh before the sound of his hoofs were on her in no time and she laughed, enjoying the sun and Levi's company.