Ch. 15 Plans& Surprises
Not long after their incident outside, a cadet informs Levi that Commander Erwin needs to speak with them. They make their way back up the stairs, past Levi's office, to a set of double doors at the end of the hall. Rhea fidgets nervously with her skirt again as Levi knocks, and a muffled "come in" is heard from the other side. Levi places his hand briefly on her shoulder as he pulls open the door and steps inside.
Erwin's office is at least twice the size of Levi's, with several plush chairs and a full size couch. All eyes turn to Rhea as she steps into the room and she shrinks into Levi's side at the piercing stares.
"Rhea! How's my favorite new experiment doing?"
Hange embraces Rhea in a warm hug and she can't help but smile at Hange's teasing. She lets out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. As she inhales, preparing to answer the scientist's question, an utterly familiar scent assaults her. Her blood hums and her eyes flash gold as she turns sharply to to find the scents source, which carries the same underlying current of power as her own. Her burning gaze lands on a tall, sandy blonde scout with small blue eyes, and a thin mustache and beard.
He stares back at her with a matching expression of wide-eyed shock and faint recognition. Rhea ignores the other occupants of the room as she approaches the man cautiously, instinctively tucking her chin. The room is silent as the grave as she draws near the tense soldier and takes another curious sniff. Rhea meets his gaze and stares in wonder.
"We're the same. It's faint,but...you have wolf in you."
Rhea holds perfectly still as he bends over her small frame and takes a generous sniff at her hair. When he pulls away, his shrewd eyes are comically wide. He turns to Erwin, who sits at his desk to their right, and gives a single firm nod.
"She's right."
The tension in the room is palpable. No one seems to be able to come up with a response to this information. Rhea has a million questions, but has no idea where to start. Judging by his expression; the mustached blonde feels the same.
"I should have known. Of course you would be the first one to not be freaked out by his little habbit. I bet you never thought someone would sniff you first, huh Mike?"
Levi is the first to recover, cutting through the tension with his not so subtle jab. Rhea steps back from Mike, watching as he smirks and shakes his head.
"No."
Hange blurs into Rhea's vision as she jumps Mike and invades every ounce of his privacy she can reach, her volume increasing with each frenzied word.
"Holy Rose! I've come up with a hundred different theories over the years to explain Mike's impossible sense of smell. But this!? Ahh! I wonder if you could transform too?"
"I would like to know that as well."
Silence falls over the group again as all eyes turn to Erwin, who's fierce gaze is fixed on Rhea. She can see the gears turning in his head, all the things they could accomplish with two giant beasts at the scout's disposal. Rhea turns her gaze back to Mike, looking him over carefully. The scent is definitely there, but…
"I'm not sure. Have you ever felt like...lightning was burning in your veins, maybe during an extremely dangerous or desperate situation?"
Mike shakes his head no.
Rhea turns back to Erwin, noting the faint trace of dissappointment disappear from his expression.
"Then I don't think he can. Everytime I've found myself in extreme danger, or experienced overwhelming emotion, I felt the power through my entire body. With each situation it grew stronger, until finally, I transformed for the first time. Mike fights titans. He's been putting himself in danger for years now right? I think if he was able to transform, he already would have. I think the wolf trait is too faint."
Erwin crosses his fingers under his chin and leans on his elbows.
"Yes, I think you're probably right. We can talk more on that subject later. For now, lets move on. All of you, please take a seat."
Mike wrenches Hange off of him and drops her on one of the plush chairs, then moves to take the seat furthest from her. Rhea feels Levi's fingers brush, feather light, against her knuckles as he takes one of the large leather couches. She wastes no time in taking a seat next to him. He throws an arm behind her and crosses one leg over the other, same as before. Rhea wonders whether this is his usual relaxed position or just an excuse to touch her, because his fingers are already twirling a lock of her hair. She smiles at him, but Levi is focused on Erwin.
"I'll assume either you or Hange brought Mike up to speed. So, have you come up with something to convince the government she's not a threat?"
"I have a few ideas, however, I think it's best if Rhea's abilities and identity remain a secret for now."
"Why? The longer we keep it a secret, the more cause they'll have to accuse us of treason."
"I am aware. However, in light of recent events, I think it will be safer for everyone. I received news this morning that the lieutenant, who you swore to secrecy, has been reported missing. He didn't report for duty this morning. This, combined with the incident in Trost, leads me to believe someone has been keeping an eye out for Rhea's return. And given that they've gone as far as to kidnap a soldier and obviously have no qualms about causing Rhea harm; I have to assume they are not looking for her with good intentions. If we involve the government now, we will spread our focus too thin."
Hange joins the discussion, her expression more serious than Rhea thought possible for her.
"I agree. If they were able to get to Hannes so soon after it happened, then they probably have spies in the garrison and the military police, possibly even the scouts. We should focus on weeding out this enemy first."
"What are we supposed to do in the meantime then? She can't just hide in my room forever. Several scouts have seen her. The rumors are bound to have started already."
Erwin nods his head pensively.
"Yes, I've caught wind of a few, mostly harmless so far. But you're right Levi. Which is why you and your squad will leave for the old headquarters immediately after this meeting. You can train with Rhea there, with little worry about being seen. I will make a formal announcement that we have gained a new recruit, who will be working closely with Levi squad for an upcoming mission, and the details are need to know only. If there is a spy in our ranks, they might reveal themselves trying to discover where you've gone...Mike, I need you to go to where Hannes was last seen and see if you can pick up a trail. Be as discreet as possible. Nanaba can take over your squad's training for the time being."
"Yes Sir."
"I will start looking into Mr. Carter. Rhea, we will need a different name to introduce you to the scouts as. A spy will know it's a fake, but we shouldn't confirm your identity."
"Elizabeth is my middle name. I don't know about a surname."
"Elizabeth should work. It's pretty common, so I don't think anyone would connect it to you specifically. As far as a last name, Smith should do just fine. The less it stands out, the better. I will have a uniform with that name ordered for you, and have some enlistment papers drawn up to make it look official. Hange, I know you have a lot of projects going on, but your titan research will have to take a back seat for now. You'll go with squad Levi to assist with her training."
"No problem! I can't wait to get some new expiriments underway. We are gonna have so much fun Rhea!"
Erwin stands, and everyone follows suit.
"Are there any questions? Anything else we need to discuss?"
The officers and Rhea shake their heads.
"Very well. You have your assignments. Dismissed."
Mike and Hange hurry out of the room; Levi lingers a moment at the door.
"Erwin. I'll be taking her outside tonight."
The commander pauses from packing a bag to address Levi.
"Yes, Hange informed me that might be the only option. You have my permission; I trust you to be careful."
"Right."
Levi shuts the door and heads toward his own office. He opens the door and motions to Rhea.
"Pack only what you need. Be ready in 30 minutes. I'm going to inform the squad. Don't leave the room until I come back."
Rhea purses her lips in agitation.
"Do you really think a scout will attack me in broad daylight? I can meet you at the stables."
Levi turns to face her with a knowing look. He had obviously expected her to argue.
"Look, brat. I know you can protect yourself. I'm not worried about you being attacked. I'm worried about someone seeing you and deciding to follow us. We don't know who we can trust right now. That's the whole reason we're leaving. So, will you just humor me and wait until I come back? I still have to pack anyway."
Rhea huffs, blowing a few auburn strands out of her face and stubbornly crossing her arms. She knows he's right, and that he's only trying to protect her. Rhea had always been the protecter. She remembers quite clearly her frustration with Riley, who had never accepted or wanted her help. She hadn't understood why Riley was being, in her opinion, completely obstinate. Now, being on the opposite end, she can finally empathize with her sister.
She knows Levi doesn't think she's weak, and he's not trying to be condescending. She's also very aware of the danger she is in. And yet, the need for someone to protect her rubs Rhea in all the wrong ways. She feels so powerless...inferior. Rhea hadn't felt inferior to anyone in a very long time. She despises it. She wants to lash out; refuse to comply with Levi's wishes and insist that she doesn't need to be babied.
As she is about to act on her desires, her mouth already open to begin her tirade; her sisters face flashes in her eyes, wide-eyed, pale, cold. If Rhea had gone against her sister's whishes for independence and sent a guard that night, would Riley still be with her? If she refused Levi's help and something terrible happened, would he feel the same sense of failure and worthlessness?
Rhea takes a deep steadying breath, uncrosses her arms, and nods with resignation.
"Good. I'll be right back."
Levi turns to leave, but stops and looks back at her. He hesitates a moment, then reaches forward to cup Rhea's cheek and place a soft kiss to her lips. Before she can lean in and try to deepen it, he pulls away.
"Thank you."
He murmers softly, and she smiles against his lips. Levi takes his leave, and Rhea hurries inside to pack.
It's almost two hours before the group is ready to leave. Hange had taken forever to pack. At last though, Rhea sits behind Levi on his beautiful mare as they ride with haste toward wall Rose. The sun is already high in the sky. By the time they arrive it will be late afternoon. Rhea wraps her arms tighter around Levi's waist and urges time to pass quicker. Her stomach rumbles in agreement. Just a few more hours.