They had separated in their sleep, Elsie laying on her stomach with a hand in her hair, a leg kicked out and brushing another hairy limb under the blanket. Levi laid on his back, hand over his chest, snoring.

Elsie traced him with her eyes until the birds sang outside. His nose wiggled and his eyelids slowly opened, a yawn escaping the 'o' of his lips. He palmed the sleep from his eyes, sighed, and turned to check on her.

"You look like shit." Levi said before pushing the comforter off and sitting on the edge of the bed. He cracked his back and meandered to the bathroom.

Elsie threw a pillow at the closing door, falling back and enjoying the lazy morning. She changed into her uniform when she heard water running and made the bed, although not to Levi's OCD neatness, finding it pointless to tuck the sheet in when they pulled it off every night. She fixed the pillows, running her hand down the handle of the dagger beneath Levi's. Had he always slept with one?

Elsie was twisting her hair into a strict, low bun in the mirror over the dresser when Levi appeared. She didn't think anything of the silence behind her until he cleared his throat. Elsie glanced over her shoulder, turned to look at her reflection, before whirling back around. He stood in the doorway of the bathroom, clutching a towel around his hips, water dripping from his hair. The best and worst thing she had the pleasure seeing.

"I need clothes."

"Oh." Not wanting to be called out on her staring, she pulled the first drawer open, biting the inside of her cheek as she plucked his outfit for the day. From his boxers to his belt, Elsie grabbed it all and placed the fabric in his outstretched hand, avoiding his gaze.

"Brat." Was his thanks, the door shutting in her face.

Elsie exhaled and found that her boots weren't as tight as she preferred. She focused on lacing, her nimble fingers finding it easy compared to when she'd first worn them. It was a good distraction from daydreaming about the water gliding down his six pack and to the faint V of his waist, his dark eyes not once leaving her when she'd gone through his belongings.

Levi raised an eyebrow when he returned, "Did the bitch die?"

"I don't know why you have a problem with Himari," Elsie rolled her eyes, following him out of the room. "She's alive and well, thanks for asking. I told Van that I needed to rest after all... of that... so she doesn't have to help me get ready. Probably happy about it, if I didn't know any better."

"All she does is cry. Useless."

"Did you ever think that it might be because you called her names?"

"I call Hange and you the same names, have you ever cried?" Levi scoffed, finding no sympathy.

Elsie couldn't recall if Levi had ever made her cry with insults. She had known Levi before she'd known him and the crude behavior had been expected, so she wasn't all that hurt when Levi did cross a line. Hange found everything Levi did funny, to her it was a game. Himari was a sweet girl who didn't have the same thick skin as the women in Levi's life.

"We're different, you can't expect everyone else to be okay with being called a bitch. Hey, where are you going?" Elsie had a foot on the stairs, ready to eat with the rest. Levi had veered right, a hallway that housed Erwin's room.

"I'll be down for lunch, Erwin and I have breakfast with Lord Mahil in a pitiful attempt to get him to like us." Levi curled his lip and Elsie could only imagine how quiet that table was.

She had no plan to invite herself, "Sucks to be you. Bye!" She skipped down the stairs, hearing a tut from behind but no yelling.

There was an air of excitement as the Scouts gathered around the fire pits. A loose circle formed around Elsie and the two squad leaders, who had their heads joined in planning, a sheet taken from Hange's room and a permanent marker in Elsie's hand as she wrote the first round of fighters. Two people were absent, the two men who had missed dinner, and it didn't seem to deter the soldiers. They buzzed, bumping shoulders and giving last minute reminders to those who signed up.

Eren was stretching, his long arms reaching for the sky before touching his toes, a determination to him that made Jean huff and flex his arms, not one to back down. Mikasa hadn't signed up, nor Armin, and they were attempting to talk Eren out of it. Ymir pushed the worried friends off of Eren, slinging her long arm around the boy and pressing their cheeks together, giving him a pep talk that had him nodding and standing with confidence.

"Alright, we have the brackets made! We will call first round, winner moves up! Hope you all ate breakfast because we're not leaving until we get to the final two!" Hange's shrill forewarning only roused applause and agreement.

Elsie theatrically cleared her throat, silencing and drawing attention, finding it natural with her experience of controlling thirty fourteen year olds. She eyed the Scouts, shocked when she noticed Bierthodlt at the back. His name wasn't on the list and he'd kept quiet the past few days, mourning the loss of Reiner she supposed. The entertainment had drawn him out of the shadows, finding a companion with the worried Krista.

Miche and Hange lifted the sheet, tying it to two thin trees behind the pits. The crowd moved forward to read, Eren pushing on Armin's shoulders to get a look.

Gallen - Jacob

Roman - Hugo

Driss - Fumio

Eren - Shira

Katoka - Ymir

Elsie - Alaric

Jean - Barden

Charles - Evzen

Eren looked at Shira, who was competing with Ymir to the be the tallest girl in their year. Elsie knew that he had problems with fighting girls and with Annie's capture nearing, she needed Eren to not let a little thing like gender get in the way. Reiner hadn't expected a small blonde to slit his throat.

"Alright, first up, Gallen and Jacob!" Miche boomed, pushing the crowd back to once more create the circle. "Hand to hand only! When your partner taps out you immediately let go and help your comrade up! Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir!"

Gallen and Jacob entered the ring, shaking hands before raising their fists, smiling coyly.

Elsie pat Eren's sweating head, cooing that he had done great, even though one eye was swollen and he was gulping the water Mikasa had brought him. Shira was worse off, bleeding from her arm where a rock had sliced the skin, the result of Eren's final blow. Elsie hadn't been surprised that Eren was sweet on the girl - to the absolute mortification of Hange who had screeched, "Rip her hair out, Jeager!" - but when he had realized that Shira was more than capable and could take a hit, he'd lost the heroic attitude and finally got down to business.

His fight had taken the longest out of the eight. Alaric had appraised Elsie, knowing that she could be dangerous, and figured he should make the first move. Elsie had sat on top of him until, red cheeked and near fainting, he tapped on the grass desperately.

"Fantastic, fantastic!" Hange said, crossing out Shira's name. Miche took and gave money to the Scouts, dishing out some creative insults when someone was upset their fighter had lost. "Now, to the second round!"

"Do you need the women to take care of you, Jeager? Hahaha, loser!" Jean was in stitches, holding his side as he laughed. He had almost broken his arm against the thick Barden but had pulled some last minute maneuvering that Hange had ooh'd at.

"Squad Leader Hange, I think Shira needs stitches." A friend said, crouched by the dejected brunette.

Miche walked up for a closer inspection, sniffing, "It's not bleeding thick enough to worry about. You're fine."

"Listen, kid, aren't you having fun? Huh? Do you want all this to come to an end because you want stitches for a little flesh wound? If the commander or captain catch you, what do you think they would say, huh?"

Elsie thought it was unfair of Hange to put the fear of God in the pale girl but the crazy lady was right. Lord Mahil was clearly tolerating the Scouts on the premise that they were off-duty and needed a place to recoup for a week before traveling. He wouldn't think this was a game like the regiment did.

"Let's get a move on already! I need to kick a horses ass!" Eren's battle cry spurred the next round to commence.

Elsie rubbed the sweat from her forehead, light on her toes as she circled Ymir. The Jaw titan was playful, mirth in her oval eyes, faux punching to make Elsie move. But she was patient, and she waited until Ymir pivoted her right foot, a sign that she was going to attack.

Ymir was long legged and toned, her hits reverberating through Elsie's bones. Elsie used this to her favor, being short and deft on her feet, she moved constantly so that Ymir was spinning to face her. Frustrated, Ymir swung her leg wide and caught Elsie in the stomach. Elsie grimaced and fell back, hands raised, and her opponent taunting.

"Kick her ass, shortie!" Hange squawked and looked like a bird, flapping her hands in what appeared to be punches.

The shouts were loud and close, the girls the last of the second round and igniting a thundering liveliness in the on lookers. Jean had defeated Eren on technicality, punching him in the nuts and Eren falling to his hands and knees, groans of sympathetic pain coming from his colleagues. He'd taken it in stride, clutching his jewels and hobbling to Mikasa, who found it amusing to Eren's embarrassment.

Ymir was confident that Elsie was exhausted and charged, one fist after the other thudding into Elsie's forearms. She feigned falling, Ymir relenting, and planted her hands on the grass. With all her strength, Elsie pulled her left knee to her chest and shoved back, her foot finding solid between Ymir's breasts. Ymir lost breath and stumbled, Elsie's escaped hair flying with her as she spun and swept Ymir's feet off the floor. Ymir landed on her side, hurrying to stand up, and Elsie snapped her foot once more, her heel colliding with the dark haired woman's chin.

Blood arched in the sky, following the span of Ymir's head falling back. She didn't tap out, though, and Elsie held her down, digging her nails into her arm as she raised to punch the nose.

"Ymir!" Krista's cry was reminiscent of when her lady love had jumped off the falling tower to save her life. "Tap out!"

Her olive hand smacked the ground twice. Elsie uncurled her fingers, smiling confidently, and pulled Ymir up with her. The girls shook hands, having no hard feelings, and Ymir turned to Krista.

It was at that time they realized that Krista hadn't begged Ymir to back down because of her impending loss. No one was interested in the fight anymore, looking towards the end of the pit where a man in all black stood, inscrutable eyes taking account for every person who was involved. Elsie heard the sheet be torn from behind, coins clicking as they were shoved into Miche's shirt pocket. Ymir left the inner circle to stand at Krista's side, leaving Elsie a beacon for trouble.

"Does anyone care to tell me what the fuck is going on?" Levi's voice was malignant, daring a brave soul to answer him.

Hange was fantastically useless, having a 'who me?' moment, looking between Miche at her side and Elsie before her, panting from her brawl. Elsie assumed that meant she was supposed to answer.

"Well, you see, Captain Levi, uh..." Elsie floundered, the dark gaze landing accusingly on her. The thirty other people who had been haggling and spurring her on were suddenly tight lipped. "We were bored?"

"Bored." He repeated, the word a curse on his lips.

Elsie scratched her ear, hoping that someone would see her sinking and throw a rescue float. No one wanted to take on the captain and only a nervous cough echoed from the bystanders. Squad her ass, they were going to let her take the fall! Where the hell is that camaraderie Miche had been talking about?

"I mean... Yeah? We haven't done anything all week and Jean and Eren were going at it-" The teenagers gasped in horror at being thrown under the bus. "-and Miche and Hange were collecting bets!"

If she was going down she was going to take them with her. Miche stuttered, pulling out his pant pockets, saying he'd never gamble in his life, how dare Elsie insinuate that. Hange didn't deny it, her face stating that it was all true and she didn't feel an ounce of regret, raising her chin and cocking her hip.

Levi entered the circle, people shoving and tripping to get out of the devils way. Elsie stood gallantly, figuring it was best to face his anger now instead of when they were alone tonight. He had a hand in his pocket, considering Elsie with an unreadable expression. Levi stopped directly in front of her and smirked, breaking the cold facade. He tossed coins to Miche, who swiftly caught the money and stared at it in question.

"Five on me against this fucker."

Hange swept her hands out, "Move back people! Time for a real fight! You haven't seen anything yet! Who wants to put money on Captain Levi?"

"Are you kidding me?" Elsie was insulted, all hands raising.

Levi tossed his jacket in Eren's face and stepped back, rolling his shoulders. Sure, the guy had a broken arm that was no use in a fight, but she knew better than to think that would hold him back. Elsie was highly aware that he was ambidextrous, his left hand just as strong as his right, and that she had just fought three separate people, tired and in no shape to win.

Miche came up, rubbing her shoulders, "Listen, kid, I got a hundred on the boss, easy. Just take the loss so we can all get out of here alive."

"The fuck I will." Elsie grumbled, raising her fists once more.

There was ooh's from the crowd, shocked that she was actually taking on Humanities Strongest. Little did they know he's been beating her up since day one, and Elsie was positive that she knew all his tricks. She had to, she'd been primed to be a mini version of him after all - only Levi had a hand in her fighting technique, everything she's done a mirror image of his own moves. She may not beat him but she'll put a hell of a show on before he dragged her down.

Hange rallied the crowd until they were rambunctiously hollering, stomping the floor and demanding blood. The scientist came between Elsie and Levi, her wispy hair not breaking their eye contact, and sliced the air with her hand, yelling start.

Elsie didn't entirely believe Nurse Bianca when she said that Levi's arm was broken. He used both arms to attack and Elsie was faltering back, knowing that it was best to dodge. Her furious hits were blocked by the cast, his hand undercutting and taking the air from her lungs, entering her space to deliver the blow. Elsie wrapped her arms around his neck, holding his forehead to her chest, and repeatedly kneed him.

"Fuck him up, Elsie, yes, just like that! Get him!" Eren's voice was the loudest, unsurprisingly. "Take a tooth, damnit!"

Elsie lost her balance from the brute kicks. Levi wrapped his arms around her and she thought briefly that he was going to break her fall. No such luck. He lifted her up and slammed her to the hard floor, her spine sending shots of alarm to her brain. Knowing full well where this was going, Elsie pulled her knees to her chest and pushed against the toned stomach she'd been drooling over, throwing a curled fist into his cheek.

Levi grunted and kneeled back, shaking his head. Elsie's kick was perfectly aimed, the top of her shoe colliding with his forehead. He swayed and Elsie scrambled from the dirt to tackle him, the crown of her head crunching against his pointy chin. It didn't feel good for either party, let's just say, but Elsie was on top and the shouting had turned into a chant of her name.

"You little shit," Levi was growling in her ear, a cheating hand coming to wrap around her released hair and yank her head back. Given any other situation Elsie would've swooned at the action. "I'm getting my fucking money."

Levi brought her back down, head-butting her. Elsie saw stars, her grip slackening, and before she knew it she was on her knees with Levi's cast at her neck, his hands clasping so she couldn't break free. She scrambled for release, her feet kicking, her bony elbow jabbing back to hit any part of him that she could. Elsie tossed her head, heard his nose crunch, and his arms fell limp.

Elsie tried to get behind him but he recovered, dragging her back into his choke hold. Elsie gasped like a fish, looking at the faces around her as if they would give a hint to survive. They only shouted, fists shaking. Eren was pushing people aside to make it where Elsie was looking, falling to his knees and smacking the ground, not at all concerned that her lips were turning blue.

"You have him, keep going, Elsie!" Eren roared.

Elsie could only feel Levi's heavy breathing in her ear, his chest pressed against her sweaty back, the feel of his well-developed body sending a spark of want that wasn't appreciated at the moment. It must've been the lack of air that was making her notice that her butt was pressing against his pelvis, her legs trapped between his thick thighs. Elsie was at his mercy, she had lost.

"Ackerman! Fraser!" The bellow was enraged, the fury in her last name promising death.

Levi quickly released Elsie. She fell to her hands and knees, wheezing, arms shaking with the weight of her tired body. Levi didn't stand up though, Elsie's ass still pressing into him as her body heaved. She looked up through her bangs, this time gasping in horror at who was walking down the hill towards the fearful group.

Erwin led the two Donovan Mahil's, his fists curled and a look of pure hatred that Elsie thought was reserved only for titans. In all the excitement no one had noticed the Lord's round body coming over the hill, his lips twisted in malice. Van was at a lost, perturbed by Elsie's position or the bloody fight that had been happening.

"Get up now!" Erwin was upon them, his menacing stature casting a shadow over the duo. "What is the meaning of this? Captain Ackerman!"

She knew, along with everyone there, that they were in deep shit if Erwin was using last names. It was respect that people outside of the Scouts used surnames to address people, it was the brotherhood that kept the soldiers using first names for their superiors.

"It-it wasn't his idea, Commander Smith, it was all me," Elsie stuttered, her bravado faltering when his strict face turned to her. "I thought it would help the moral-"

Levi wiped the dripping blood from his nose, "Don't get angry at her, I should've stopped it."

"Right you are, sir! The blasphemy of this, ack, disgusting behavior! Commander Smith you promised that no training would take place on my land and look, a lady is being strangled as these animals cheer it on!" Lord Mahil was louder than Erwin, there was no fighting it. "And you tell me that the Scout Regiment is as refined and serious as the Military Police!"

"I wasn't being strangled! I was fine!" Elsie protested. "Please, Lord Mahil-"

He spat on the floor, "I won't speak to you like this. Look at yourself, covered in blood and dirt. I wouldn't be able to distinguish you from a street rat!"

"Uncle, calm down, it's not good for your health. They feel bad, look." Van was a soothing voice in the hysteria, grabbing the Lord's shoulder.

Every head was bowed in the shame of failing Commander Erwin Smith. Elsie was positive not a soul felt for the Lord's reason.

"I can't! Heathens, all of them!" Lord Mahil turned, stomping back to the castle. Elsie tried to not compare him to a gorilla as he went, hollering over his shoulder. "Have your woman cleaned and brought to me, instantly!"

Van was devoid of sympathy, leveling Elsie a look that could rival her father's when she'd gotten an F in math. Erwin radiated murder and Elsie felt no urgency to leave. She was with her people and she would take her punishment with them. She was not Van's woman and refused to be treated as such; Erwin would speak to her, not the Lord.

"The stupidity that I have witnessed today makes me wonder if there is any hope for the Scouts." Erwin said.

"Erwin-"

The glare Levi received was heart wrenching, betrayal on Erwin's face as clear as day. He didn't want to hear what Levi had to say and left, no doubt to find the Lord and try to fix what they had broken. Levi deflated, using more force than necessary to scrub the red away, and cursed under his breath.

"We'll talk to him tonight," Hange was solemn, frowning as Erwin disappeared from view. There was an aura of woe as the soldiers gathered their things, no one speaking or meeting the other's eye. "Elsie, it's best if you try to calm the Lord down."

Elsie frowned, "Shouldn't we start running laps so Erwin can count us through the window until he falls asleep? The Lord can wait."

"Erwin is more worried about what the fat pig has to say than punishment. Fuck." Levi titled his head back, brushing the sweaty hair from his forehead.

Someone else joined their huddle, an intrusive body that was greeted with equal amounts of annoyance and blood related hatred. Van had faced Levi before but he couldn't control the flicker of fear when the shorter man gazed upon Van like he was a nasty shit he'd stepped in. Hange, who was frequently smiling and a bubble of happiness, crossed her arms.

"Elsie," Van licked his lips as he inspected her bruises, ripped uniform, and the unwelcome curl of her lips. "Come along, let's have the nurse check you out."

"I'm fine."

He was startled by her resentful tone, "Are you serious? Your face was purple, for Heaven's sake, Elisabeth! Uncle saved your life!"

"He didn't save my life, he broke up our-our game! You seem to forget that I'm in the Scout-"

"Not anymore. You're discharging, remember." This was not said for Elsie's reminder. It was directed at Levi, who was vexed to begin with.

Elsie didn't like that he thought he had the authority to speak to Levi. She stepped forward, blocking her captain, and said through clenched teeth, "I haven't yet. It's no concern of yours what I do with my squad."

Van grabbed her arm, not spiteful but to calm her, "You are my-"

A hand appeared over Elsie, digging into the shoulder that connected to the hand touching her, with the intent to apply force. Van dropped his hold, scuffling backwards, wide-eyed at the audacity Levi had.

"Talking requires your mouth, not your hands." Levi said plainly, letting his hand fall to his side once Van was far enough for his satisfaction.

Van wanted Elsie to stand up for him, she could tell from the way his eyes searched hers. It was like looking for someone who never existed. Hange appeared, breaking the tension, leaning on Levi's good side and humming a tuneless song that weirdly enough calmed Elsie to recollect herself.

"I'm sorry, Van, please forgive me," Elsie took a deep breath. Levi's head twitched at the words but he stayed at her side, warning Van. "Everything happened so fast, I hate to get in trouble. Let's go to the nurse."

Elsie didn't dare glance at her comrades face's. Van nodded, relieved she was seeing his way, and with a hand on the bottom of her bruised spine, he led her to nurse Bianca's capable hands.

The hospital wing did not placate Van. Shira was having her arm stitched, Eren laid on a bed with a bag of ice between his legs, Alaric had his shirt off with Elsie's foot prints bruised along his ribs, and a dazed Fumio was having his bleeding forehead cleaned. They waved and cheered when they saw her enter, Eren eagerly sitting up to hear the rest of the story.

It fell dead silent when Van walked behind her. He could sense the change in attitude but it didn't deter him, close to Elsie as she sat herself on the last open bed. Bianca came over, a silver bowl full of medical supplies for any surprise that hid under Elsie's shirt.

"Now what did you do?" The nurse tutted, shaking her head as she moved Elsie's chin to and fro. "Your neck will be bruised and I can't do anything for the swelling on your cheek. You walked in fine so no broken bones. Anything else I should know?"

Elsie shook her head. Van hunched over her, incredulous, "Are you serious? Do a full body examination! How should she know if something's wrong?"

"Have you treated soldiers before?" Bianca looked fixedly down her nose. "I didn't think so. A soldier knows when they're seriously hurt, they know their body. Do you need an examination?" This was directed at Elsie.

"No, thank you." She stood.

"I have other people to attend to, then." Bianca turned curtly, heading to Fumio to begin his stitches.

Elsie didn't tell Van 'told you so' or ease his worry with a smile. She walked out and waited for him in the hallway, figuring their next stop would be to change out of her uniform. The Lord didn't want to see her like this, her true self, after all.

"Why is everyone so calm about this? You had a fight ring going on and you're acting like I'm the bad guy for stopping it!" Van had lost his patience.

"I told you, it was just a game. You're over reacting."

"I don't think you're reacting enough, to be honest with you, Elisabeth."

"Stop calling me that! And I'm sorry, I truly am, because you don't understand. You'll never know what it's like to be in the army, and that's okay! But you can't look at us like we're bellow you for doing what we do!"

Van held his hands out when Elsie's tone had risen, "Elsie, Elsie, alright. You're right, I don't understand, but that doesn't mean it's okay to choke an innocent girl. That man, Humanities' Strongest, had the intent to kill, and don't fight me on it! I saw with my own eyes how he looked at you. He smiled when you hit him in the face, what sick bastard finds enjoyment in being hurt? He's a sadist, that's what it is!"

Elsie screeched, "You haven't heard a word that I've said!"

Lord Mahil's beady eyes examined Elsie from head to toe. He sat at his cherry wood desk that oozed money, his sausage fingers rhythmically drumming the arm of his chair, bedazzled with layers of golden bands. The red curtains were pulled over the wall length window, barring the world from seeing what was happening.

Elsie squared her shoulders, hands entwined at her stomach, the high neck yellow dress hiding the bruises. She stared with the intent to convey that he didn't scare or hurt her feelings; she was a Scout and it would take more than a gorilla to make her shake.

"You look like a lady but I still see the varmint. Do you find enjoyment in being strangled, Miss Fraser?" Lord Mahil was grave.

Van shuffled his feet but if he was uncomfortable with the talk he didn't object.

"I do not, Lord Mahil."

The fat lard huffed, "Could have fooled me! I can't get their shouting of my ears, we could hear it all the way from the doors. I do commend Commander Smith, he informed me that you will all be punished for breaking my law, and the looks of you all when he came down- ha, you'd have thought a gun was being shot!"

"I'm sorry, Lord, we thought our game-"

"A game, you say? Not even children play that! Oh my nephew, I will admit that she is a sight for sore eyes, but do you really wish to pursue a woman who thinks fighting is a game? A Scout, no less!"

"Miss Fraser plans on discharging, uncle."

A gleam promising that it would happen crossed the Lord's face, "Oh?"

"Yes, is is true," Elsie's mouth was dry. "I still have two years left-"

It was frustratingly annoying that both Mahil men thought it was quite alright for them to interrupt. If Elsie dared she would get a tongue lashing.

"Donovan, leave us."

Van was tempted to stay by the way he opened is mouth but his uncle's unwavering stoic expression silenced him. His fingers brushed Elsie's clothed forearm in parting, as if he was actually sorry. She knew he was happy that his uncle could do something for her, to get her out of the raggedy army, and it made her sick.

The door clicked shut, the flames of the Lord's fireplace cackling at her misery.

"I know the look of love, Miss Fraser, and I must admit that my nephew is enraptured by you. I cannot say the same for you," Lord Mahil had to hold the table to bring himself up, lumbering around the desk to stand before her. "He came to check on you after your fall. He was under the impression that you needed rest."

Elsie was at a lost on what to say, "I felt better."

"Yet did not attend church? Minister Nick had sent a letter about your... words. Strange that you wouldn't want to continue the Lord's work."

"It took a lot from me, I didn't want to risk another-"

"Fall? I'm sorry, that confuses me as you were being brutally slammed to the ground not twenty minutes ago," The Lord was not apologetic. "What are your intentions with my nephew?"

"I have no intentions, I'm getting to know him." The conversation was changing swiftly, Elsie tried to gather her thoughts.

"Hmphf. Military women, nothing but open legs and teasing tongues. I warned him when he told me about you, I said that people of your sort don't cherish love like the rest of us," He was happy that he had gotten that part right. Elsie knew damn well how to cherish love, she's loved and she's lost, while he sat here and judged, safe in his little castle. "But, he's adamant that I'm wrong. I don't see you helping his case anytime soon."

"Only time will tell." Elsie said smoothly.

"Yes, yes you're right at that! Three days he has to convince you to stay, I'm sure he has something planned for the ball," It made Elsie nervous, considering letting Levi ask the question so she could avoid it. "Come here."

Elsie, chin high and brave, stood toe to toe with the Lord. He took her in, smirked, and with strength that shook Elsie's teeth, he smacked her across the face. Her head snapped to the side, her cheek bruised from the fight and now stinging for attention. She felt the skin tear from his thick rings, blood wetting her skin.

"That is for embarrassing my nephew. Think of it the next time you want to play a game."

Van had found company with Himari. He towered over the timid girl, intent on the door when it slowly crept open. Elsie slid out, her head bowed.

"What did he say?" Van asked, grabbing her arm.

"No more games." Elsie was curt.

"That's understandable, you can't deny that. Anything else- Hey, look at me. Is that blood?" Van lifted her chin, gasping when he saw the cuts crusting over puckered skin. "I will speak to him! Unacceptable! Maid, take her to the hospital wing at once!"

Himari curtsied, wrapped her arms around the dejected woman, and ushered them down the vacant halls. Elsie heard the Lord's door slam, voices rising. Himari was asking if she was hurt anywhere else, a question that had a heavy insinuation. Elsie met the red head's eyes, a look of understanding passing between the two.

Elsie held her hand.