If Ymir truly wanted to threaten Elsie, she wouldn't have walked away. It was all the lost girl could think to calm her panicking thoughts. It was a game, it had to be, a test to see if she was like Ymir. She wasn't intimidated enough to make a direct move against Elsie, no, she was testing the waters.
"Miss Fraser! I haven't been able to get you alone, you're a very popular lady." Minister Nick grabbed her, leading her back to the table where Van was.
Her date was pleased to have her returned, "You looked beautiful dancing! Mr. Dubious could've kept you all night, good thing you got out of there."
"Would you have left me?" Elsie was grateful for the chair Van pulled out, falling heavily into it.
What should she do? Ymir found Krista with Jean and Sasha, who kept to her promise and wasn't stealing food. The entire ball seemed to be in good spirits, the police leaving their side and merging with the nobles. The Scouts, although brave, were not as willing to part with their people.
"He had one more dance before I planned to intervene." Van's eyes were droopy but his voice clear, energetic with his friends around and the drinks never ending.
"Good. I don't think I'll be able to feel my feet for the rest of the week." Elsie smiled kindly. Van patted her hand before returning to the conversation of horse racing.
Minister Nick scooted behind Elsie, tapping her shoulder to make her turn for him. He wore his thick necklaces but had left the robe at home for a suit.
"I've heard through the grape vine that the Scouts will be leaving tomorrow. You can't possibly leave, not after all that we've done."
"Why don't you join us then?" Elsie offered out of the blue. Minister Nick's eyes opened wide, shaking his head at the horror of it. "Oh, well then, Minister. If you keep track of where we're going I'm sure you can send me letters to translate."
"It's too important, it could get in the wrong hands."
Elsie leaned forward. No one paid mind to the Wallist and the pretty girl, thinking they had more important things to talk about.
"Who would go against the church?"
Minister Nick licked his lips, "I wish I could say no one but...That girl you brought with you on your first day. What's her name?"
"Krista."
"She...I shouldn't..."
Elsie held his forearm, gripping tight, "Minister Nick, I lied about what happened that day. I-I saw the future, I saw the Walls, all three Walls, standing and..." Elsie lowered her voice. "I saw a queen."
Minister Nick crossed himself, "Dear Lord. I am a loyal servant to King Fritz of course but in the last five years I have witnessed injustice coming from him. He has turned his back on the people, and while I am only a Minister who can change nothing... the girl can. But she has brought attention in her stay here, word has spread, and I fear that the King will send..."
"Who?"
"The First Interior Squad. Their leader is a vile, revolting man. When the King appointed him as head I knew that we were truly corrupted. Miss Fraser, you are a shining light in these dark times, I know deep in my soul that I can trust you. You must keep the girl safe, please."
"I think we should talk to the Commander." Elsie leveraged herself up only to be yanked back down.
"No, no. Not now there are people watching."
Elsie wanted more than anything to spin around and catch who was watching. Minister Nick wasn't the most frightened she'd seen him, he was being cautious. She had to admit, a drunken party was the best place to have this conversation. Even if someone was watching the Minister, it would't appear strange for him to talk to her. If he approached the Commander of Scouts... Just who the hell was here?
"Who is Krista? Who's watching?" Elsie urged him to continue. If he told her, could she relay the message? Would she not need him to say it?
"Krista Lenz is Historia Reiss, the true heir to the throne," Minister Nick held her shoulder, squeezing. "At the time of her discovery, I had believed it to be best to hide her and allow King Fritz to continue. Your vision, it is God speaking directly to me, telling me I had done wrong by turning her away. We must fix my mistake, Miss Fraser. I won't stand by the King if she were too..."
Elsie couldn't believe what she was hearing. Minister Nick would support Historia? The church would stand behind her? This just made things a hell of a lot easier! And all of this information at the ball? How many drinks did he have?
"Who's watching?"
Minister Nick looked over her shoulder. Van and Matthew had left the table, pulled by the older women to dance. Elsie caught Van's gaze and he smiled, waving her over.
"Kenny the Ripper," Minister Nick shivered. "I heard he was in town doing business but no one knows what it is. I hadn't connected it, her and the Interior Squad being here at the same time."
Elsie had urgency in her steps, gathering the purple fabric in her hands to lengthen her steps. The ball was nearing its end, she knew as much as she had in the beginning, and all she could think about was if Levi was okay. Where was he? Had he hurt his arm? Had Eren given him trouble? If Eren had fucked the whole operation up Elsie would be happy to clock him in the face.
"Elsie! Where are you going?" Van caught her, well gone and smiling dopily.
"I think I should head to bed. I have to be up early, you know."
"Can we talk before you go?"
She wanted to say no. She wanted to find Levi. Instead she smiled and nodded, following him out of the doors and into the more subdued hallway. Some of the party goers had found themselves in the darken corridor, handsy couples pushed against the wall, one man throwing up as his friends laughed at him. Van took them to the end, the opposite direction of where Levi would be, and held both of Elsie's hands. He rubbed the skin between her thumb and pointer, a feeling that should be soothing but felt rough and uncomfortable.
"I have never met a woman like you, Elsie Fraser. I'm not an idiot, I know it's because you have a story and experience to you that no other lady in Stohess could possess, and I know that it hasn't been a very impressive courtship on my part. What with my uncle - who might I add, feels awful about what happened. I just... I wanted to tell you that I don't think I'll ever find another person like you."
Elsie was flattered. Who wouldn't be with those words? She was one in a million and Van had tried but not succeeded. She thought if things were different, if she didn't have these feelings in her for another man, would she have liked Van? No, he was too passive for her. He stood while the waves washed him. Elsie was surfing, trying to get past the bank.
"Van, thank you for everything that you have done for me. This past week has been great and I'm so happy we had this time together. I'm not... I don't think I'll ever settle down but you will find that person, someone who looks at you the same way you look at them. I wish you the best."
Van was sad but he still grinned, "Good bye, Elsie."
"Bye, Van."
Elsie pulled from him, disappearing into the shadows.
She found Ymir and Krista at the same rock from their first day. Krista laid on her back, hands behind her head, whistling as she took in the stars. Ymir, hands in pocket, turned at the sound of crunching grass. She grinned, spotting Elsie at the peak of the hill.
"Hey, freak." Ymir wasn't any different from the past week.
Elsie took a deep breath once she met with them. She dropped her dress and leveled them with a look that clearly indicated she was not the one to mess with tonight.
"Krista, what's your real name?"
The tiny girl shot up, spinning to gasp at Elsie. Ymir did not expect the question, mouth opening and looking expectantly at her friend. The two stared, Krista looking between them in a cry for help. Ymir, who would usually help destroy any situation that made her uncomfortable, was happy to let her suffer.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about."
"Should I just say it?" Elsie offered, not unkind.
Krista stood, "How do you know?"
"Wait, you both know and you're not telling me?" Ymir threw her hands up.
Elsie glanced at the tall shifter, "You know my secret. I don't know why you're here, Ymir, but I'm here to help Krista- or rather, His-" The pain kept her from finishing the truth. Elsie rubbed at her neck.
"What does that mean?" Krista asked, bouncing on her toes to try and catch Ymir's steel look.
Ymir and Elsie spoke through their eyes. Yes, Elsie was from out of the Wall, but she won't tell if Ymir didn't. Yes, Ymir was here for Krista, and Elsie wanted to keep her just as safe, if not more. It was understanding for their care of Krista that made Ymir subtly nod before focusing her brown eyes on the griping Krista.
"What's your name, Krista? You said you would tell me one day." Ymir asked softly, her hand caressing the blonde's elbow.
Krista melted at the touch, her trusting eyes flickering between their faces. She took a deep breath, "Historia Reiss."
Ymir hugged the girl, eyes shutting as she pressed her nose into the crown of the blonde's head. Ymir opened one eye, watching Elsie turn and head up the hill. The rest could wait for tomorrow.
She had to find a soldier.
Elsie checked the hospital wing. She went to Erwin's room but no one answered. She slammed Levi's door open, the bed made but no captain. Elsie ran a stressed hand through her hair, standing blankly in the hallway as she decided where to go next. The stables? Not at this time of night.
There was a grunt. Elsie spun, her eyes landing on the door across from Levi's. In three steps she had a hand on the golden knob, shoving the door open.
"What the fuck?" A body stumbled, loosing their balance when the door hit their back.
Elsie walked past Eren, her eyes on the man sitting on the right side of the bed. He had no new injuries, his cast was still intact, there was no blood. Elsie sighed, letting out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, and fell into the spot next to him.
"Oh, I'm fine! Thanks for asking, Elsie." Eren snapped, forcefully shutting the door.
Elsie glanced over her shoulder, "Oh, hi, Eren."
Mikasa and Armin were against the wall, snickering at Eren's misfortune. Erwin, who appeared to have been in the middle of a declaration, disdainfully took in Elsie's entrance before continuing to pace, thumb on his chin as he thought. Hange cleaned her glasses, sitting opposite of the bed.
"Well? What happened?" Elsie looked between them, landing on Levi last.
"Eren and Annie Leonhart walked to the cellar. She was unaware of Mikasa and Levi, they were efficient in cutting her arms off. Instantaneously, the wounds began to steam and regenerate. Hange wrapped her up, gagged her, and she is being restrained in a carriage with Squad Miche watching her." Erwin summarized.
Elsie was glad that the destruction of Stohess had been avoided. This would calm the people hating the Scouts, it would help in their quest to established Historia... The timeline was happening quicker than Elsie was expecting but she was ready. It was finally time for the secrets to be known.
"That's great!"
"It's not! I just watched my friend get cut up-"
Elsie cut Eren off, the rudest tone she's used against him,"Your friend killed my squad, excuse me if I lack sympathy for her."
Eren scowled, bowing his head. Mikasa shifted, fixing her eyes on Elsie, upset with her. Armin was the only one seemingly not affected by this information, looking like a mini-Erwin with his hand at his chin, gaze clouded as he thought.
"There's nothing else that can be done today," Erwin met their eyes. "Do not take this day lightly. This is a victory for humanity. We will take the prisoner to Levi's base in the morning and discuss more with the rest of the corp. Good work, everyone."
Elsie was not appeased, "That's it?"
Levi stood, kicking her ankle, "Get a move on, brat."
The kids were sulky as they filtered out. Hange rubbed her tired eyes, bent over her knees when the door clasped behind Erwin. Elsie, not wanting to go into Levi's room with the commander there, didn't know if she should wait in her room or not. Erwin sighed, walking to the edge of the hallway, answering Elsie's question, and making to turn the corner. He stopped, drawing Elsie and Levi's attention.
"I don't want to know what's happening between you two. The next time you fight, take it outside so we can get a peaceful night of sleep." With that, Erwin disappeared.
Levi shook his head, opening his door for Elsie to enter. She spun once they were alone, grabbing his hands and pulling him towards her. She ran her fingers over his palms, seeing no damage, and silently motioned for him to take his jacket off. Levi said nothing as Elsie did her check up, his back tensing when she trailed a finger down his white shirt, no signs of blood. She patted him in relief, stepping back and allowing him to face her.
"Was it really okay?" Elsie asked.
Levi shrugged, walking to the dresser, "As okay as dismembering a person can be. Eren cried like a bitch during it all. If it wasn't for Mikasa I doubt he would be alive."
"Did Annie say anything?"
"She was too scared."
Elsie sat, kicking her heels off, "I think Eren should talk to her."
"Why?"
"She likes him."
Levi closed the drawer but didn't move. Elsie took the clips out of her hair, letting the sore top half fall freely down her back, scratching her scalp as she watched him. All night she had wanted to be here and finally a sense of content had settled.
"Are you going to shower? I didn't even do anything but I'm sweating like crazy-"
"You look good."
Elsie froze, not believing she heard right, "Really? You do know I'm wearing a dress."
"Yes," He walked past her to the bathroom, not giving her the time of day in this epic moment. "Really."
The door shut. Elsie couldn't stop smiling as she undressed, choosing clothes to wear. A shower would take too long and she was more excited to be in bed, eagerly trotting to the mattress and pulling the sheets back. It soothed her sore feet, which she cozily scratched on the sheets before resting her cheek on her knees, listening to the water run.
Levi said she looked good. She didn't think she would get any sleep. His words repeated in her head as she braided her hair, trying to keep the inner teenager from squealing like an idiot. He thought she looked good. Levi always said she looked like shit, that the dresses she wore were hideous. But tonight, he said she looked good. That's the greatest thing she's heard since she's been here.
Levi got into bed and Elsie blew out the candle, returning to her sitting position, but not laying down. She stared at him.
"What do you want?" Levi put his arm over his face, hiding the best part of him from her.
Elsie didn't want to scare him but she wanted to hear it again. She bit her lip, leaning on her arm to gaze at him, "Levi?"
"What."
"Can you say it again?"
"No. Go to sleep, shit head."
Elsie slowly laid on her side. Levi let them lay seperate for only a second before he huffed and blindly reached out, the back of his hand hitting her nose. She didn't complain, scooting over with her pillow. She molded into his side, laying her head on his forearm. She felt his body slack, relaxing.
Elsie closed her eyes, trying to calm enough to find sleep.
It was impossible when no more than thirty minutes later, Levi's sleep heavy voice whispered, "You looked good tonight."