Another Levi chapter for you, this one a bit long-ish. We'll start getting into the angst now. Hope you're enjoying the story. If you are, maybe you could say so?
Spoilers: Same message, but louder. If you still haven't gotten through season 3, you're just ruining it for yourself.
NOTE: I made up Jentama. If for some reason you want to use this made-up town in your story, please mention where you got the idea.
An Understanding Chapter 6
Levi woke again around dawn and knew from years of experience that he was unlikely to get any more sleep if he tried. Tea, he thought groggily. He got up and was mildly irritated when he remembered which room he was in. He would have to go across the hall to get clean clothes. And, in spite of the earliness, he wouldn't be able to take his time this morning. He needed to order a cot at the general store.
He crossed the room and washed his face in the basin on his bureau. Then he changed into fresh clothes and changed the bedsheets. Next, he went downstairs to empty the basin and refill the pitcher. Erwin should have a set of these too… But he had only one set. He sighed. When the pitcher was full, he carried it and the basin up to what was now the guest room and carefully set them on the nightstand beside the lantern. Then he went downstairs and, after reviving the fire to heat water for tea, found a spare tea kettle and mixing bowl that would suffice for him until Erwin's test visit was over.
Next, he mopped up the little puddles of water that still stood near the doorway, evidence of the rainwater shed from cloaks and boots the night before. When the moisture was gone, he swept the path of highest traffic from the door to the fireplace and gave the hearth some close attention. He liked fire in general, as a way of heating and cooking, but ashes were sneaky little bastards that would end up all over the room if he didn't keep on top of them.
By the time he had his tea things ready, the kettle was singing. He felt mildly relaxed by the brewing of the tea and sitting in a comfortable chair to drink it, but he was irked when he realized that there would be no time for his usual morning exercise. It was already opening time for some businesses, and knowing Hanji and Erwin, when their plans were no more specific than "in the morning," they would be meeting first thing. Military habits die the hardest.
Once he had washed up, he prepared to leave. The sky was cloudless this morning, as if the storm had never happened. But the puddles in the streets clearly said otherwise. Levi left his cloak behind, since it was likely to be hot that day, but took his jacket. He didn't like to be out in public without it, simply for the sake of formality, though he knew that it was a completely unnecessary measure. Most retired military were very relaxed about such things, and the civilians went without jackets most of the time in summer. It irritated him slightly, though he couldn't say why. It was logical, after all. Why wear something that would make you too hot and cause you to sweat in your clothes more than you would otherwise? That just meant extra washing. Still… the jacket came with him.
Things were changing steadily in town. With the discovery of another civilization came the discovery of new technologies. New machines were slowly but steadily being imported. There was talk of a photographer moving to the area. There was a lot of excited talk about electricity and what it could do for businesses and individuals. Levi did not share the excitement of such things, but he assumed that the changes would affect him little. Perhaps one day he would have electric lights in his shop… but perhaps not. It didn't matter.
The general store was full of signs and fliers advertising coming change. New products would be available soon. Levi paid them no attention. He was one of the first customers inside, and was able to go directly to the clerk without waiting for anyone.
"I need a cot," he said. "Military surplus if you have it."
"Certainly, captain," the clerk answered, clearly eager to serve someone of Levi's status. "Are you going to be traveling?" He led Levi toward the back of the large sale space, where the larger items were stored.
Levi knew that the small talk was the way of merchants everywhere—getting their customers to talk about themselves sometimes led to the sale of more merchandise, or more generosity in payment. He had little patience for such customs. "I'm having a house guest," he said simply.
"I see. I see." He looked like he didn't see at all, as if Levi's entertaining someone for more than a day was unfathomable. "Here we are. I've got a few cots here…"
"I'll take this one," Levi said, putting his hand on the nearest serviceable-looking one.
"Well, it helps to know what you're looking for." The clerk told Levi the price and he paid it immediately.
"Can you have that sent to my shop this afternoon?" Levi asked, pocketing the receipt.
"Certainly, no trouble at all, captain. Let us know if we can be of service in any other way."
You can stop licking my boots. "Thank you."
He left the store at a brisk walk and headed across town toward Hanji's research facility. He could have gone to the livery for his horse, but going out of his way and waiting for it to be saddled would take almost as much time as walking. Besides, that horse wasn't the same as the one…
Levi picked up his pace and pushed the thoughts away. Focused on his own steady footfalls to drown out the sound of rocks tearing through houses, soldiers and horses screaming… He couldn't think about it. Couldn't imagine the distinct smell of smoke from a flare gun or the weight of gas tanks on his hips. Hanji. That stupid mad scientist and her den of horrors awaited him. He'd be damned before he showed her any emotion.
He let himself into the converted warehouse. A couple of Hanji's lackeys noticed him, but made no move to stop him and offered no more greeting than a respectful nod. He nodded back to them and made his way to the back of the building, where he knew there were some rooms sectioned off. He followed the sound of Erwin's voice into one of them.
He walked up behind Hanji and Erwin as the latter finished speaking. He took in the scene quickly: two rats running around an enclosure, one with a whole, steaming tail and the other with a bloody stub.
"Exactly." Hanji nodded. "There must always be a control group."
"How long ago did you first get this result?"
"Just three days ago… well, two and a half, really."
"That isn't much time. The serum may have serious side effects."
"That's true, very true."
"For instance, it may limit the life of the subject."
"That's exactly the kind of thing that should keep you from trying it," Levi said.
"Good morning, captain!" Hanji exclaimed.
Levi rolled his eyes at her and nodded to Erwin.
"You look tired," Erwin said.
"Don't I always?" Levi wasn't eager to explain all the rearranging he had done the night before, or to point out that he hadn't slept well for a decade, so he gave the briefest explanation he could. "I got up early to order something to be delivered to my shop this afternoon. Did I miss anything more exciting than rat tails?"
"No, you're in good time," said Hanji. "In fact, since you're here, I'd like to try the experiment on a dog, as Erwin suggested last night."
Levi didn't like the sound of that. "Since I'm here?"
"Yes. Someone of your experience would be ideal to have around in case something went wrong."
"Tch. You want me to clean up your mistakes."
Hanji was already asking her assistant to bring in "Scrounger" from the other room. "And bring a sword for the captain, please!" she sang.
Levi groaned. "I suppose you have a set of ODM gear for me, too?"
"That won't be necessary, I'm sure… you're very resourceful, after all."
"Sure."
Levi was glad that Erwin stood back as Hanji tied up a medium-sized mongrel with its tail to a chopping block. The commander wasn't without any common sense.
"Here you are, Scrounger, darling," Hanji told the beast as she stroked its head. "I just know you'll do a lovely job for me."
"Yes, obey the sick lunatic," Levi muttered under his breath.
The dog's panicked yelping made Levi's eyes blink hard for a moment. He had heard the sound of despair too many times—inescapable pain and fear. But he steeled himself against the discomfort. This was nothing; just a dog's tail.
After a while, the dog calmed down, its tail steadily regrowing in a stream of vapor.
"Fetch some meat scraps for the dear boy," Hanji told her assistant. "He did a wonderful job."
Levi set the sword aside and stood with his arms folded. "Shouldn't you keep everyone nearby until you're sure that thing won't turn into a canine Titan?"
"I suppose anything is possible," Hanji said, "but I think it unlikely. You really need to learn to be more optimistic, captain."
"You really need to learn to be more human."
Erwin stepped closer to the dog, watching its tail regrow.
"Your thoughts, commander?" Hanji asked.
"It's impressive," Erwin said.
"No control group this time," Levi pointed out.
"Good point, good point, but I had only one dog at my disposal," Hanji said, looking regretful. "I'll get more."
Run away, dogs of Jentama.
"I don't think I can make up my mind today, in spite of these results," Erwin said. "There's still too much we don't know. If becoming a Titan-shifter limits a person's life to thirteen years, might this serum limit them in some other way?"
"It might," Hanji admitted. "Unfortunately, the rats and Scrounger here will likely die of natural causes before thirteen years are up, so I can't predict that very well. Unless it causes them to die sooner according to their species' lifespans, but even so, that could take a while."
"So, these results don't mean shit," Levi concluded. "The risk is too great."
"Perhaps you could try the serum on someone near death," Erwin suggested.
"That is my fall-back plan," Hanji said, looking disappointed. "I've talked to the doctor in charge at our local clinic, and he has tentatively agreed to allow me access to such a patient if the timing is right."
"So, you have a plan," said Levi. "So, we're done here." He turned and walked toward the laboratory's exit.
As he walked away, he heard Erwin say, "I'm sorry to put you off, but I'm afraid our unsupportive friend is right—the risk is too great."
He was glad that Erwin agreed with him, however reluctantly. It was all right to let Hanji perform her experiments, but putting them into practice before the results were thoroughly tested would be fool-hardy to say the least. It wasn't that he didn't want Erwin to get his arm back… he certainly deserved it. But so much had been lost; they shouldn't take foolish risks that could cost them even more.
He kept walking until he was outside again. There were still few clouds in the sky, and it was getting hot. He took off his jacket and slung it over his shoulder.
How am I still standing?
The sounds of battle were ringing in his ears again. Titans were falling in his wake, but his comrades, his people, were being slaughtered in front of him. And Erwin… He shook his head. Stop, you idiot. You're alive. Be grateful. Move on.
He suddenly felt as if he were being watched. He looked back and saw Erwin standing behind him. They looked at each other for a moment, reading much but discerning little.
"Do you want to get your things now?" Levi asked.
"Yes," Erwin answered. "Will you meet me at the shop?"
"I'll come with you," Levi decided. "It won't take long, right? And I can carry something for you if you like."
"All right. No, it shouldn't take long."
When they entered the boarding house where Erwin now lived, he stopped at the front office and paid a week's rent ahead. "I'll be away for a while," he told the landlord. "Still in town, but I'm not sure when I'll be back, so I wanted you to be sure that I wasn't giving up the quarters."
The landlord expressed his appreciation.
"Will you come up with me?" Erwin asked.
Levi had no curiosity to see the state of Erwin's living quarters, but he thought he might be able to make things easier for him if he came along, so he nodded.
Upstairs, Levi stood in Erwin's doorway, leaning casually on the frame while his friend packed some belongings. Military life had taught him to pack light, but his supplies looked perfectly adequate.
When he had a large satchel packed, Erwin said, "Oh yes…" and retrieved a folded cloak from the top of his bureau. "Thank you for loaning me this," he said, handing it to Levi.
"No trouble."
"You can carry my jacket and cloak for me, if you would."
"Certainly." Levi went into the room and spread Erwin's cloak on the bed. He put his folded cloak onto it, folded his own jacket and Erwin's on it as well, then folded Erwin's cloak around them into a neat bundle that would be easy to carry.
"Shall I bring my manuscript?" Erwin asked lightly. "You could read it if you like."
Levi had no doubt that he would find reading Erwin's work interesting, but right now he wanted as few reminders of the past as possible. "Maybe," he said. "Might as well bring it. You might get the urge to work on it."
Erwin grasped his bundle of papers and painstakingly wrestled them into a leather bag.
Levi knew that he could have performed the action much more quickly, but he didn't offer. He wasn't going to be Erwin's nursemaid, even if the stay were temporary. He couldn't set that precedent now.
Erwin seemed unbothered by his difficulty or by Levi's failure to offer assistance. He pulled the leather bag's strap over his head and shouldered his satchel. "Ready," he said.
Levi led the way out into the hall and waited while Erwin locked his door behind him. Then he let Erwin take the lead again.
The streets were busy now. Levi turned his head this way and that, not sure exactly what he was looking for. The town was young and bustling with growth, but peaceful, too. It was just what he had wanted, and yet he couldn't help expecting something to jump out at them at any moment. A Titan? A human enemy? He didn't know. The sheathed knife at his belt reassured him to some degree, but it was surely an unnecessary precaution. The people here left him alone or seemed glad to see him. There had been no major bad incidents since Jentama's founding after the retaking of Maria.
Maria… Looking up, Levi could see the wall in the distance. If he were in the right spot in the city, or on a rooftop, he could even see the sealed gate near the new one they had erected last year. The scene of so much carnage was now open for travel again, into the old Shiganshina district. The outer gate was still sealed as well, and as of yet no outer gate had been installed, though there was talk of that coming.
Let it come. Cover the battlefield with crops, the ravaged township with new homes. Bury our dead and their memories. All that will remain is two uncanny, iridescent statues of humanity's last best hope. One day, they will be a mystery to the children of these lands. Titans will become legends again.
They arrived at Levi's shop and he unlocked the door. He stood back to let Erwin enter first. "You can put your things in the room upstairs, first one on the left," he said.
"Thank you."
"Boots."
"Right." Erwin removed his boots before going further.
While Erwin went ahead, Levi hung the cloaks and jackets on the hooks by the door and removed his own boots. Then he began getting the shop ready for business. It was late morning now, and he normally opened sooner.
A morning in the life of Captain Levi. Seems he's not quite as content with his retirement as he claims to be, though the issue may not be loneliness.