Men in three piece suits swung the throne room doors open, melodic tunes coming from the fine dressed orchestra members, heads bowed as they strummed the strings as easily as walking. Women in all colors of the rainbow were spinning in the center of the room, lavish dresses having layers of ruffles that teased their suitor's wandering eyes. They danced in tandem, an invisible track for the waltzers to follow, feet fast and purposeful. They circled and spun, hands out to bow when they had finished.
Elsie clapped with the on lookers, bedazzled by the lavish show. Van watched Elsie smile in greeting, petite and invisible at his side. Men of nobility came to him, clasping his hand and patting his shoulder, asking if the other man looked worse. Van faked a laugh in return.
Perhaps it wasn't done on purpose but somehow the Military Police and Scout Regiment had segregated each other. Thick men and women with unicorns on their jackets had claimed the right side, boisterously joking and throwing back drinks Elsie was sure wasn't punch. Annie Leonhart leaned against the wall, arm crossed, wanting to leave judging from the prominent scowl on her face. Her comrades had no problem ignoring her, forming a circle that left her on the outskirts.
The much calmer Scout Regiment had been commandeered by Sasha Braus to the food. The mellow tones, green cloaks, and unwelcoming sneers had kept the nobles away, although it was highly doubtful that any one had tried to start conversation. The crowd had followed the police's lead, backs turned and preferring to pretend that the green figures weren't in the room.
"Would you like a drink?" Van asked after a friend walked off, demanding more talk later in the night.
His frustration and embarrassment had risen with each round of concerned questioning. When they had first met outside of her room Elsie had glanced at his healing yellow eye, sweetly asking if it was worth it. Van didn't answer, mutely holding his arm for her to hold.
"Yes, please." Elsie once more leashed herself to him, keeping her steps small to match his saunter.
The police heartily welcomed the young Donovan. He was snatched from Elsie, smiling ear to ear as he recognized each face. It wasn't shocking to see one man appear out of the hustle, attempting to grow a mustache. Elsie easily recognized him and the rookies tiptoeing behind him.
"Little Donovan! How are you kid?" Dennis Aiblinger was loud for his skinny body, too great in force when he smacked Van's arm in greeting. It was quite clear he had a couple drinks in his system already, eyes red. "Holy shit kid, who gave you that? You know if you give me a name, I'd... Ah, well, not in the presence of your little misses. Hello there, sweetie."
"This is Miss Fraser, Dennis, have some respect."
"Oh, yikes, sorry kid. I had a couple drinks. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Fraser. I won't keep you any longer, I'm sure the lady doesn't want to be around a bunch of military men," Dennis laughed, overly touchy with Van before turning and slapping his arms over the two people behind him. "Come on Hitch, let's show Marlo how to party. It's only every six months we get a free feast!"
Elsie looked at him through the corner of her eye, "Thank you for that."
"Of course. Drink?" Van didn't have to lift a finger. A servant had two glass champagne flutes at the ready, bowing.
"Thank you," Elsie sipped the expensive drink, scanning the faces near her. "Lord Mahil has done well with the planning."
"Mmm. It's my aunt Hertia that does it all, from the colors of the drapes to the guest list. She was very excited to hear that the Scouts would be joining us." He was circling the subject.
"At least one person likes us." Elsie quipped, taking another gulp.
"I like you," Van thought he was smooth with the comeback. "It's our last night together, can we not talk about it?"
Elsie finished the champagne, "Of course, Van, whatever you want."
"Elsie!" A lanky body hung over her back, toothy smile on Eren. "I haven't seen you all day, what have you been up to?"
Elsie rolled her eyes, "Avoiding you-"
"Eren."
His mischievous blue eyes landed on Annie, who had deemed him important enough to leave the wall. Hitch and Marlo, who were trying to entertain the drunk Dennis, gaped in disbelief.
"Annie? Hey!" Eren didn't hesitate to stride the few feet that separated them. He treated her like Armin, eagerly asking how she's been since Trost, if she was liking Stohess.
Annie was pleased with the attention, gladly keeping Eren with her as she returned to the wall. It was only seconds later that cadets from the 104th joined them, breaking the line between Scout and Police. Slurring Dennis made an ugly comment that was shushed by Hitch.
"Oh, they know each other?" Elsie wondered if any MP had been nice to a Scout in public.
"They trained together. Annie was in the top ten and came here. They haven't seen each other since Trost." Elsie found neutral ground between them. If she kept things from turning personal surely she could make it through the night with Van.
"Let's leave them to talk. I wonder where my aunt has gone..." Van peered over the chattering people standing to the swirling dancers.
Elsie put her glass down, waving the boy off when he tried to give her more. Another drink would calm her nerves but she wanted to be fully aware, even though her part was done. Get Annie and Eren together, check. The next step was all on Eren.
Hertia Mahil was an unknown face therefore Elsie couldn't help Van with his search. She preferred to look across the dance floor, catching a certain man's attention. There was no competition, he was the most handsome one in the room, holding his cup irregular, crazily fascinating dark eyes holding Elsie captive.
"There she is, Aunt Tia!"
Van ushered Elsie to the front of the room, a gaggle of women with pearls animatedly talking. Hertia was the tallest in a silver gown that sparkled from all the diamonds on it. She was well into the festivities, a maid holding a platter of champagne for the women to take, and was rosy cheeked as she hugged Elsie.
"It's so nice to finally meet you! Your hair, oh my, it's so long! Look at it girls, have you ever seen such a golden color? Oh, don't mind me, dear." Hertia had gathered the ends of Elsie's hair, none too gently trying to pull it into a friends awed face.
Van separated them, blushing, "Aunt Tia, really-"
"Shush, boy, I'm talking! Have you danced yet? Oh, I love this color purple on you." Hertia spun Elsie, admiring the slim fit dress with a low neck line.
"Not yet, Lady Mahil."
"Call me Tia, everyone does! Donovan, why haven't you taken her out yet? Honestly, I have to do everything for these men."
It was comical to see Van silenced. Elsie smiled, not minding this Mahil.
"I prefer to watch the dancing. I don't know any of the moves," Hertia boo'd this, pouting and grabbing another glass. "I do like the music. It's well picked."
"Aren't you the sweetest? I always get the Stohess Orchestra, you see they owe me a debt for this mishap that happened well, wow has it been twenty years?" Hertia glanced at a nodding brunette behind her. "Well, what music do you like then? Let's request something!"
Van was left with the older ladies who took no time to pull him into the center, picking at his outfit and giving him tips on how to impress. Hertia's cold hand held Elsie, her head high and greeting people to their right and left. Minister Nick was in the crowd, trying to keep them longer than necessary to Hertia's annoyance. She was on a mission, dismissing the minister like a servant, and stomping Elsie to the sitting conductor.
"Hello, Jillian." Hertia said coyly, holding her glass at her chest.
Jillian didn't look, "What song do you want now?"
"It's not for me but for this lovely girl. Have you seen her hair?" Elsie blocked the reaching hands, prepared this time. Jillian monotoned that no, in fact, she hadn't. "Go ahead, girl, tell her what you want."
There was only one song that Elsie wanted to hear, "I heard from Van that there's a song for the Scouts."
Jillian smiled, "The Soldier's Song? It's not for the Scouts but for the strongest man. He's over there, actually. Not what you'd expect, if I'm honest."
Elsie and Hertia watched the strongest man. Levi's narrow eyes were focused on Sasha, who had said a brief hello to Annie before returning to save the finger food that had been laid out. Her pockets were bulging yet she was wrapping cake into a napkin, discreetly putting it in her bra. Levi's nose curled in disgust, leaving Hange's side to say something.
"Captain Ackerman, what a man! You know, he's short but I'd still ride-"
"Yeah, that song!" Elsie didn't want to hear the end of Hertia's sentence, turning back to meet Jillian's sparking eyes.
"Finally a good request. You should bring her to more of the parties, Tia."
"I plan to." Hertia had finished her drink and was snapping her fingers for attention.
Jillian told them to wait two more songs. Elsie was returned safely to Van's side, Hertia gathering her friends to inform them that they would be dancing their hearts out tonight. Just as fast as she'd been fascinated with Elsie, she bid them farewell. Van moved Elsie into the crowd, directing her as she shook the hands of men's wives.
"I think I'm going to get a snack. Do you want anything?" The first song came to a tinkling end, Elsie tugging Van's arm to get his attention in the loud room.
"I'll walk with you- Actually, I'll stay here with Matthew. Take your time."
Elsie had a skip to her step on her way to the Scout infested area. Sasha was in the corner, head pressed against the wall having a time-out. Levi stood just two paces from her, arms crossed, making sure she followed through with her punishment. Erwin had finagled his way into Lord Mahil's good grace, locked in conversation and leaving Hange and Miche to pester their squads how they saw fit.
Elsie swiftly passed Levi, turning Sasha to stare at her, "Stop stealing food and go hang out with your friends. I'll save you some."
"You're the best!" Sasha cried, not taking her words for granted and galloping off to find Connie.
"What'd you do that for? I'll get her later, the fucking glutton." Levi warned, not impressed.
Elsie twined her fingers behind her back, smiling deviously, "We're gonna play a game."
"This isn't the time-"
"You have to guess which song I picked." The second song began, heavy with violins and leading the couples into a slow embrace.
"The shittiest one." Levi deadpanned.
Elsie hummed, shrugging, "It might be. I've never heard it before."
"Then how will you know which one it is? Tsk, fucking idiot." Levi fixed his cloak to cover his cast, not the least bit interested in amusing Elsie.
"I'm not worried about it," Elsie reached to help, straightening his cravat. Levi's frown softened to a thin line. "Eren's doing good."
"All he's good at is talking. This should be the easiest shit he's ever had to do," Eren's friends had left him with Annie, the two sitting now as they talked. "He has twenty more minutes."
"Then you can hear the song."
"Do I have a fucking choice?" Levi retorted grumpily.
The second song ended. The couples broke apart to bow, applause scattered in the throne room. Elsie eagerly faced the dance floor. Did the song have a dance? Would anyone like it? This wasn't the best audience to play a Scouts' song to but this was the only time Elsie would ever hear it. She would clap at the end if no one else did.
A fiddle strummed, pleasant and energetic. Jillian stood at the front of her musicians, facing the crowd, and had a beautiful smile that swooned a few men. There was abated silence, eager to continue dancing. Jillian's voice was reverential, captivating all ears.
There will come a soldier
Who carries a mighty sword
He will tear your city down, o lei o lai o lord
O lei, o lai, o lei, o lord
He will tear your city down, o lei o lai o lord
There were only cheers at the song. It was fast paced, no direction to this dancing. They went in and out of each others arm, spinning as fast they could. Elsie looked over her shoulder, gazing at the soldier with a mighty sword. Levi was a hard person to get to know and many days she had agonized over trying to read his facial expressions. It was no different then.
There will come a poet
Whose weapon is his word
He will slay you with his tongue, o lei o lai o lord
O lei, o lai, o lei, o lord
He will slay you with his tongue, o lei o lai o lord
Elsie had to admit the lyrics were spot on. Whoever had written it had personally known Levi. The raven haired man, who was intent to not seem amused at her choice, rolled his eyes and looked away. Elsie punched his arm, drawing his attention back, and swayed in her spot the strumming fiddle. He didn't seem hurried to take his heavy gaze off of her, slowly letting his eyes wonder lower to take her in.
There will come a ruler
Whose brow is laid in thorn
Smeared with oil like David's boy, o lei o lai o lord
O lei, o lai, o lei, o lord
Smeared with oil like David's boy, o lei o lai o lord
O lei, o lai, o lei, o lord
He will tear your city down, o lei o lai, o
O lei o lai, o lei, o lai, o
O lei o lai, o lei, o lai, o
O lei o lai, o lei, o lai, o lei, o lai, o
Elsie's clap thundered above the others.
It was well into the night, the drunks leaning on friends for support and loudly proclaiming their love for the party. Elsie had left her heels with Van at the table, laughing madly as she spun in Mr. Duboius' arms. She felt like cinderella, waiting for the clock to strike midnight so she could return to her normal self, but enjoying the small sense of normalcy. Unlike cinderella, Elsie had no lust for the prince or royal life.
Elsie twirled out of Mr. Duboius reach, holding her side to catch her breath, hair stuck to her cheek as she watched the others continue to dance. They had been at it for an hour, at least, and she looked left and right. Eren was gone, she couldn't find Levi's dark hair, and Erwin was holding session with Dennis - who should've left an hour ago but was slugging drinks back like they were water.
At this moment, Eren was leading Annie down a staircase. Mikasa and Levi would be lying in wait, glistening blades in hand and ready to strike her down when her foot touched the last step. Elsie wished that she could be there, wanted more than anything to check if they were okay. But the castle wasn't crumbling, no red hands coming out of the floor. It must be fine.
She had to believe it.
"You fit right in with them."
Ymir held a drink, hand on her belt as her knowing eyes read Elsie's face. Elsie frowned, checking that Van was still being entertained by his friend Matthew, before facing the taller girl.
"It's not that hard, just play dumb. You wouldn't be able to do it."
"Because women aren't smart?"
Elsie laughed, "No, because they like their egos stroked."
"You're right, I wouldn't last a day," Ymir's demeanor shifted, a slight riff in the joyous air. "Are you going to stay with them? Krista said she heard talk about a wedding."
"Oh God no. Sorry Ymir but you're stuck with me."
Ymir grinned, "You're not as freaky as you used to be."
"That's nice, thanks."
"Actually, less freaky and more mysterious."
Elsie's eyebrow rose, "How am I mysterious? I'm an open book."
"You are. I know you're from Wall Maria, well educated, you care about us even if we want nothing to do with you, and you have been with Squad Levi for years. But... One thing doesn't make sense."
"And what's the one thing that makes me mysterious?" Elsie teased, knowing she had her bases covered.
"You write like me. No one from inside the Walls knows how." Ymir raised her glass in salute, deciding that she'd like to be mysterious as well and walked away.
Elsie stared after, shocked into silence.