"I've always found [new] people to be terrifying…you never know what they're really thinking…fuck that, I'd take a Titan any day"-Edith M. Brown Diary, 850

Spring 850
Courtyard Alcove, Sina Courthouse

Following the tense conversation in that small room, Edith walked next Hanji who chattered continuously about different Titan theories. Edith would throw her opinion every now and then, quietly answering questions or asking her own. Her broken prosthetic was clutched in her other hand; the loose nuts and bolts rattling as she walked.

Up ahead, Eren was stuck shackled in between Mike & Levi, with Erwin at the front. The males never spoke a word the whole time, although the looks that Levi would send in their direction every so often spoke levels.

It took a while for the group to weave their way through the twisting and turning hallways of the Sina courthouse, Edith had to jog a couple of times to keep up with the others much to Hanji's amusement. Damn their long legs. She thought raising her hand to block the sun out of her eyes as the group trickled out into the courtyard.

Edith let her gaze wander over the scenes around her as the group moved towards the carriage sitting ready at the gate. All around them, soldiers milled around-mostly Garrison soldiers and Military Police. Erwin continued on with his head held high as he ignored the whispers and pointed stares; the others following his lead.

Hanji continued to chatter on, the topic switching from Titans to other random little things whilst Levi's gaze wandered over his surroundings like a predator with a scowl permanently in place and Mike would sniff every now and then taking in the scents around him.

The group continued on like this until their path was cut off by two Military Police officers and a rather heavily pregnant lady behind them. "Commander Erwin, Lady Margaret Colt to see Medic Edith Brown" stated the taller brunette on the right, neither saluted the commander, something that was noted by the darkened scowl on Levi's face.

The group moved off to the side where a small alcove was located off to the left so that they could talk in relative privacy without of the scrutiny of the other soldiers. Levi stood next to Eren who sat on one end of the bench; Mike, Hanji and Erwin stood spaced out along the entrance of the alcove and the two Military Police officers stood a metre or two from where Edith and Margaret sat on the other end of the bench.

The other members of the squad were kind enough to give the two some space at the same time that they kept an eye on the two and the lady's pale guards. "It's good to see you, Peggy" Eddie hugged her friend with her one good arm, mindful of Peggy's pregnant belly. The two officers looked scandalised at her casual greeting.

"You too, Eddie" Smiled Peggy as the two clutched at each other, melting into the embrace.

"I see you've been busy" smirked Edith

"Oi!" laughed Peggy as she smacked Edith in the arm "Now what have you got for me?"

"Here" Edith handed Peggy the prosthetic.

Peggy let out a wheezing gasping noise as she looked over the condition of the arm. "What did you do?"

"Uh…would you believe it just happened?" Edith scratched her cheek bashfully.

"Edith" Peggy warned.

"It was a combination of a few things. I, uh, hit a wall and uh, dissected a few piles of Titan vomit. Turns out it's quite corrosive"

"You are so lucky I've already finished the new arm. Gimme a look at the socket"

Edith shrugged her tan jacket off and folded it in her lap; leaving her in a sage green tank top. Shifting on the bench, Edith turned around on the end of the bench so that her automail socket was facing Peggy. She flinched slightly at her friend's cold fingers as they fiddled around with the wires that were left hanging in the socket. From her spot Edith could see Hanji looking over her friend's shoulder to see what was going on.

"Alright, looks like we'll need to widen the socket a little, but other than that you should be fine with the new arm" Peggy stated sitting back "Unfortunately I can't do it today. How long are you in Trost?"

"Uh…" Edith looked at Erwin for an answer.

"We're heading out soon, when is a good time?" Erwin replied arms crossed, revealing no specific details.

Edith mostly tuned out the rest of the conversation as Peggy helped her put her jacket back on. She was able to gather was that the Commander had agreed to allow Peggy to visit the Scout HQ in order to install the new prosthetic, but only under the supervision of Levi and Hanji. Peggy's two guards had protested a fair amount at this, but were shut down with a quick glare from her.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow then" Edith hugged Peggy goodbye.

"See you then" smiled her friend.

After having farewelled her friend, Hanji had escorted her back to Trost HQ so that she could collect her things. Things had gone well, she had left Hanji outside with the horses and had snuck her way through the building to gather her things. There wasn't much anyway, a couple of extra shirts, and extra pair of pants, socks and a few extra tools, ODM and medical alike, most of it able to fit in the standard cadet pack.

She thought she was going to be able to make it out of the building without too much trouble, at least until she was cut off by Mikasa who stood in the doorway and Armin who stood off to the side.

"Where are you going, Edith?" Mikasa asked her arms crossed and a dark scowl upon her face. Normally a look like this would make most cower, however Edith was unfazed. She was used to dealing with stroppy patients and Mikasa's stare had nothing on Norfolk's.

"I've been reassigned" replied Edith as she tried to skirt her way around the angry cadet. But Mikasa merely stepped into her path once more.

"Where are you going? Have you seen Eren? What are you doing with all your gear?" Mikasa fired back.

"…Look Ackerman" Edith sighed. She did not have time for this, "I've been placed under a gag order, which means I couldn't tell even if I wanted to. Now move, there are places I need to be" She didn't wait for Mikasa or Armin to reply as she skirted the two and joined up with Hanji by the gate. Swinging herself into the saddle with a little bit of difficulty, Edith followed Hanji towards the meeting point where Levi's squad were waiting.

Spring 850
Old Scout Regiment Headquarters

"An architectural marvel, don't you agree? A proper royal residence once upon a time and more recently? Our former headquarters" Oluo crowed in response to one of Eren's many questions. Levi was all too happy to let the taller man answer as the group approached the looming castle through one of the many forests that bordered the territory.

"Fancy, yes. But absurdly practical once the Scouts got down to business. Much, much too far removed from either river or Wall, this was the early days for us you understand; hopes soared high, now this opulent bobble is little more than a holding cell, the place where we store our newest toy"

Eren glanced over his shoulder at that remark, back towards where Levi took up the rear of the group. The man met his gaze with his usual deadpanned scowl head-on and Eren spun back around in his seat, the green hood of the cloak he had been given fluttering as he did so.

To his right sat Edith atop a pepper-coloured mare called Tui, with the reins wrapped around her good hand so that she could steer. She too had been given a green scouting cloak to wear once she and Hanji had met up with the squad.

The only difference about her, (besides the cloak and missing arm) was that she now wore a bright red cloth tied around the bicep of her left arm, indicating that she was a medic. He could see glimpses of it every now and then as her cloak fluttered in the wind.

There had been quick introductions at first, everyone giving their names and rank before they had left. Editing hadn't said much since then, not that that was unusual, Edith had always been quiet even at boot camp.

"Hey Edith?" Eren muttered catching her attention.

"Mm?" she answered.

"How'd you know Lady Colt?"

"Who? Peggy? We grew up together"

"D-Does that mean you're…a lady too?" he spluttered.

"Who? Me? Not a chance! There's too much Eight Mile in me for that!" she laughed.

"Y-you're from Eight Mile? Seriously?"

"Mm-hm…Oi! Quit looking at me like that!"

"Like what?"

"Like I'm broken. I'm not broken!…Well mostly"

"…Sorry"

"It's fine…"

"Wait then how do you know Lady Colt? If you're not a lady, I mean"

"She married into the family. Her father was offered the betrothal proposal as part of a business deal. She marries into the family and her father gets a higher paying client with more avenues for other possible business"

"Oh" What was he supposed to say to that? Its not like it was unheard of, but still…

"Yeah, well she seems happy. So y'know…" Edith trailed off, their quiet conversation trickling away as the sound of hoofbeats filled the forest.

Eren would never admit that he jumped in his seat when Oluo leaned over towards him from his left, choosing that moment to bring the young boy's attention back to himself. "Do not be deceived greenhorn"

"Excuse me?" Eren asked slightly leaning away from the man. God he had bad breath!

"Don't be expecting the royal treatment, whether you're Titan or human, don't imagine for a second we all share the Captain's good will. You too Pipsq-" Oluo only got out so much before he bit down on his tongue. Hard. Blood flew as he slapped a hand over his mouth, his face screwed up in pain.

Eren threw a hand up in surrender, the other still tightly gripped to his reins as the group continued on, showing no sign of remorse at their teammates sudden pain. It was clear by their reactions that this sort of thing happened often and Oluo sunk into silence for the rest of the trip.

Glancing over at Edith he saw no sign of her having heard what had just happened as she her stormy eyes continued to follow a pair of sparrows flitter amongst the branches above them, a content expression on her face.

Edith stood next to Eren and his horse, unbuckling her horse, Tui's saddle, humming 'Sweet Child O Mine' as she did so. it was a slow process with only one hand, but it let her relax a little and listen to her surroundings.

"That's what you get for flapping your gums on horseback" scolded Petra.

"The rookie needed to know his place. First impressions are important" Oluo whined through a muffled mouth.

"Well you certainly made an impression on 'em. No question there"

"Indeed. The exchange went exactly as planned"

"What…what um happened to you? You never used to talk like this. I mean it's really none of my business, but if you're trying to copy the captain, it's kind of embarrassing. You and Levi couldn't be born less alike, even if you'd been born different species"

"Heh, if you intend to hound me like a wife, Petra dear, there's rather more of me you need to be acquainted with before you can lay claim to the privilege"

"Ha! You wish! I'd tell you to bite your tongue, but you've already got that covered. This time I hope you bleed out"

"Oh? Me thinks the lady does protest too much!" laughed Oluo.

So here they are: the Scout's Special Operations Squad, the Levi Squad. Eren thought looking over at the two members sat by the stone gazebo. Petra Raal: 10 Titan kills to her credit, 48 kill assists.

"You disgusting swine herd!" insulted Petra in return; Oluo just laughed. Oluo Bossard: 39 kills, 9 assists. Elite as they come. Eren's gaze shifted to the pair walking through the courtyard as Edith pulled the bridle out of her horse's mouth. Eld Gin: 14 kills, 32 assists. Gunther Schultz: 7 kills, 40 assists. Every one of these Scouts were hand picked by Captain Levi for accomplishments in the field. That and…they're my executioners. They one's who'll end me if I lose it.

Eren turned to Edith who let out a small chuckle at something. "What?" he asked. Had he missed something?

"Nothing, it's just…doesn't Oluo kinda remind you of Jean?" she chuckled.

"Huh?" he asked looking over at the man in question.

"Maybe it's the hair"

"Oh…yeah" She's kinda had a point there.

"Cousins maybe?"

"I dunno"

"Look at these weeds, this place has gone to hell" Eld commented.

"This place has been abandoned for years, bet the inside's a shambles" agreed Gunther as the two stared up at the old castle.

"In which case, we have a problem, don't we?" Levi interjected. His two subordinates turned to face him as he joined the conversation, "Best grab a broom and get to work"

As predicted, the clean-up of the castle took up most of the day. They were ordered to clean everything from window sills and light fixtures to windows and floors. The entire castle stank of bleach by the time the sun had begun to set.

Edith sat in the room that had been nominated as the infirmary, the room now sparkling clean and reeking of bleach, so much so that even with her goggles pulled on her eyes still watered at the stench. The large iron tub before her was filled with a steaming solution of water and herbs that were sterilising the medical tools within.

She had hung her jacket on one of the hooks that lined a section of the wall by the door, leaving her in her tank top, ODM harness and the standard boots & pants. Leaning down into the tub, she pulled out another set of tools to wipe down and set aside to dry, once again thankful for her small stature as the rubber glove she wore ran further up her arm than intended. Although she had to periodically pause to wipe the condensation from her lenses, it was rather relaxing work-despite her slow progress.

This wasn't her first job in the cleaning operation. Oh no. She had helped clear out one of the barracks earlier that day but had left to find something else to do when she kept flinching away from the hordes of spiders that lined the beds. Edith shuddered at the memory, she could almost feel them crawling all over her.

Despite this, she had found two untitled books-journals- that she had tucked away in her pocket before making her way here, to the infirmary. She'd read them later, for now there were other things that needed to be done.

She glanced up at the increased sound of loud purring. Off to her right lay a large ginger tom (a Maine Coon if she had to hazard a guess) enjoying the sun patch that was warming the floorboards where he lay. A smile stretched across her face when she remembered the encounter a few hours earlier with Captain Levi and Petra who had come to check in earlier.

The steam swirled around the room, enveloping everyone inside. They couldn't open the windows as Eld and Gunther were cleaning their exterior whilst Petra was systematically cleaning the interior of the windows and the sills.

Edith sat with her back to the door as she continued to stir in the herbs she had prepared for the sterilisation of her medical tools. Sweat was already starting to build on her brow as she worked. All was well and good, the two girls were more than happy to work in companionable silence than the awkward stuttering conversation that had occurred earlier.

Suddenly the door to the infirmary swung open to reveal Captain Levi in the doorway. He had originally come to check on the progress of the infirmary when his attention was caught by the large ginger tom lounging by Edith's feet as she worked.

"What is that?" Levi demanded, his eyes locked on the cat.

"It's a cat, sir" Edith replied smartly.

"I can see that brat. What's it doing here?"

"I assume it lives here. There's probably plenty of rats for it to eat, sir"

"Get rid of it"

"Why, sir?"

"Are you questioning my authority, Brown?"

"I'm just asking why would you want to get rid of the beast who was ridding the castle of its pests. Unless of course you would rather catch the rats yourself, sir?"

Levi hadn't answered for a moment, his eyes narrowing on the shorter girl before him and his gaze darkened as he contemplated what to say next. Petra, who stood in the far corner of the room, paused in her work as she watched the interaction, slightly shocked at the medic's brazen attitude.

"…That beast is your problem" Levi stated before he turned on his heel, slamming the door behind him. He wasn't sure why he had let the brat keep the cat, maybe because the situation had reminded him of another? Of Isabel? He shook the thoughts away as he continued on down the hall.

"How did you do that?" Petra asked shocked at the Captain's sudden change in tone, "He's always so stubborn!" Edith merely grinned in response as the cat began to purr, curling up against the warm side of the iron tub.

During Supper later that night, everyone was gathered around a single table in the dimly lit mess hall. Eren sat at the head of the table whilst Levi sat opposite him at the other end of the table, everyone else filled in the benches on either side.

"It's safe to assume that our standing orders will stretch into next week" Eld commented setting down his cup of tea. Across from him, Edith cupped her cup in her hand as she took a sip of the tea. Tea wasn't usually her first choice, but it warmed her up, so it wasn't like she was complaining. The tom cat that she had named Bear, lay across her feet like a blanket, fast asleep. Levi had glared at the cat, the moment it had followed her into the room; apparently he wasn't a cat person.

"Word through the grapevine is that we're gearing up for a big mission, about month from now" Eld continued, "One where a bunch of wet-behind-the-ears graduates are slated to be our main back up" Both Eren and Edith had looked up at that. He couldn't mean their classmates, could he?

"That can't be right" Gunther muttered, "Why do something like that? The cadets have been through enough with the last Titan attack. Why subject them to that kind of danger again?"

"You have to wonder how many of those snivelled rug-rats pissed themselves" Oluo commented slurping his tea. Edith clutched tightly to her cup at the insinuation. What a dick.

"Surely that can't be the case!' Petra added turning to Levi for input.

"Mission planning isn't my responsibility, but it is Erwin's and you can bet the man's obsessed over every angle" Levi replied.

"That's the truth, especially given how unique the situation is. Consider how many people died on the operation to retake Wall Maria" agreed Eld. Edith absentmindedly finger the right-hand side of her torso as her thoughts drifted to that day. "Now consider the hope that comes in a form no one expected, one we're not entirely sure how to deal with"

At this everyone turned to look at Eren who seemed surprised at being called out all of a sudden. He had been more than happy to sit back and watch the squad interact with each other, even if they had been discussing the upcoming mission which hinged on his ability to transform and control his Titan. I suppose they have a right to be worried Eren thought as he looked down at the tabletop in front of him It's not like I have the best track record.

"Most of us still find it hard to believe. So how does it work? This whole changing into a Titan trick" said Eld.

"Wish I could tell you, but the fact is my memory's not clear. Guess it's kinda like being in a trance" replied Eren, still not meeting anyone's gaze "I do know that the trigger seems to be hurting myself in someway though, like biting my hand" Wait! Why do I know that but nothing else?

"You're not going to get anything out of him apart from what the Scrolls have laid out in the reports. Not that you won't know who'll have a go at it" Levi interjected as sipped his tea, "You'll be lucky to come out of it alive if that one lays into you. Course it's only a matter of time"

"Who are you talking about?!" Eren demanded as a cry of pain was heard from behind the barricaded door.

Levi continued to drink his tea as Petra got up to let the person inside. It was Hanji. "Good evening, team Levi! How is castle life treating everyone?" chirped Hanji.

"You're too early" Levi grumbled.

"Am I? I just couldn't help myself!"

"Sergeant Hanji?" Eren breathed as the woman approached the two new graduates at the other end of the table.

"Hello Edith and Eren. In the event that you haven't pieced it together yet, it's my duty to spearhead the Scout Regiment's research efforts. Essentially I poke and prod our captive Titan specimens and I'd very much like your help, Eren"

"My help? In what way? Like what would I have to do?" Eren asked confused.

"Join me of course! On a quest of scientific discovery!" Hanji replied hungrily with a manic look in her eye.

"Um…Sure" Eren then turned to Edith, confusion still written across his face as he muttered, "What did I just agree to?"

"Think it through Jeager. She want's to poke you with a stick" Edith replied sipping from her cup.

"Oh. Oh"

"Levi, what's on the docket for him tomorrow?" Hanji asked.

"Clearing out all the weeds" Levi dryly replied.

"Excellent! Then it's cinched! Young man, tomorrow will be grand!"

"Uh Ma'am?" Edith interrupted her rant.

"Yes, what is it?" Hanji asked, her manic expression dropping for a moment.

"It's just Peggy's supposed to be coming tomorrow to install my new arm and she says she wants to show you how to connect wires to nerve endings just in case anything happens later on" Edith replied.

"Let me see" Hanji held out her hand and Edith handed over Peggy's letter that had arrived earlier around lunchtime via carrier bird. "How long will this take?" she asked as her eyes scanned over the letter.

"Uh, probably a couple of hours at most"

"Good, that'll be fine. I can work with that" Hanji handed the letter back to Edith who folded it up and placed it next to her saucer for the time being.

Eren and Hanji were the only two who remained at the table in the mess hall once everyone else had escaped during Hanji's passionate speech about scientific discovery and intrigue. Eren almost felt betrayed as he watched even the cat who had been following Edith around all day, leave as well.

Eren tried to get comfortable as Hanji began her tale. "…As a scientist, naturally I started with the standard battery of tests that we use on all such captures…"

"Hello beautiful" Hanji said to the Titan who was more or less fully restrained in cables and nails.

"…First was an attempt at communication…"

"How are we feeling? Do you have a name? Are you in pain?" The blonde Titan merely grinned and panted as he leant forward until he was almost on top on Hanji.

"Sarge! You're too close!" Moblit warned from off to the side. God this woman was going to make him turn grey!

Moving to the brunette Titan, Hanji tried again "Hi there! Lovely weather, don't cha think? Are you hungry?" Her questions were suddenly cut off as she leapt backwards from the Titans snapping jaws with a yelp.

"Woohoo! That was close!" she cheered.

"That's what I've been trying to tell you!" Moblit cried. Despite this, Hanji crept forward again and again she had to jump back from the snapping jaws.

"…Sadly my findings were consistent with all other past attempts. No communication with them seemed possible. That said my time spent in intimate proximity to these creatures, did indeed help me cope with the tediousness of day-to-day tasks"

"Once upon a time, many centuries ago now, there was a vicious tribe of cannibals" Hanji started pacing back and forth in front of the Titans. "You may think I'm speaking of your kind, but in fact these cannibals were human. They would maraud on wary travellers near their cave. Their ruthless parlour did not discriminate against merchant and clergymen, highborn and lowborn. Valuables were taken, flesh feasted upon"

"We gotta go through this again?" complained a Garrison soldier, leaning against the spear in his hand. "Her naming scheme is so weird"

"Yeah, what did she end up going with last time?" his comrade replied.

"It was Chikotela and Albert"

"…In the end these cannibals sustained themselves on human flesh for 25 years give or take. Historians suspect they killed somewhere around 500 people in that time. That's probably more than either you or your friend have gorged on combined.

To their creed though, they perfected the art of preparing flesh: steaks cut from hindquarter meat, leg meat diced and added to stew, belly fat ground into patties and fried, sausages made from blood clots and intestinal lining. In fact one could almost suggest that they furthered the culinary arts. In that respect they were distinct from you" Hanji continued ignoring the moans and groans from the sick soldiers behind her.

"Alas this tribe of cannibals were caught and executed by the Crown all because of a single mistake. In that respect you're similar. You both underestimated your quarry's resourcefulness and wound up captured as victims of your own appetite" Walking closer to the two, she finally decided to name the two captured Titans.

"In honour of the cannibal's notorious leader, I'm going to christen you beauties accordingly. You'll be Sonny" she said pointing to the blonde "And you'll be Bean" she pointed to the brunette. "No need to fret though, I'm not gonna publicly disembowel you or burn you at the stake. Pleasure to meet you Sonny, likewise Bean" she stated placing a hand on a finger that had been nailed through the Titans respectively. "Let's be chums, huh?"

"…That's how I came to name the seven metre Bean and his grinning four metre companion Sonny. The next step involved sensory deprivation, denying them sunlight. Observing as we do that Titans were less active in the nocturnal hours, we may extrapolate from this experiment that the sun is likely a key source of energy for them. Nevertheless, I discovered a profound difference between the two…"

"Hmm. Well done Sonny" Hanji murmured raising the lantern up to illuminate the restrained Titan inside the dark tent that had been erected around him, "See you in the morning. Sweet dreams you lug"

"…Corroborating the previous data, Sonny grew noticeably sluggish only after an hour's lack of sun…"

"My, my someone's certainly a night owl, huh? You're going to wear me out. Oh well, this wouldn't be my first all-nighter in the name of science"

"…Bean however still moved three hours in, a staggering find believe me. They don't require food or water to survive, they posses vocal organs but have absolutely no need to breathe and the only thing their bodies metabolise into energy is sunlight.

Every Titan may have a different threshold in regards to sunlight withdrawal so I have to be careful, don't want them dying on me, y'know? Several have passed on in captivity, owing to my ignorance, sad to say. Two passed when we accidentally struck the soft spot. Poor devils, such adorable little smiles. What we did to them was terrible and it haunts me…I mustn't let that happen again. I couldn't bare it"

"Yeah, no sure" Eren muttered, unsure of what to say to the downhearted sergent At least that was until she jumped up into his face and gripped tight to his shoulders as she shouted at him.

"CARRYING ON. PHYSICAL CONTACT WAS THE NEXT STEP BECAUSE I SIMPLY HAD TO KNOW IF THEY EXPERIENCED PAIN AS EITHER YOU OR I!"

Slamming a spear through Bean's head, Hanji cried as both steam and tears poured. "Woah, there's no need you to scream as well, Sergent" Moblit tried to calm her down.

"I CAN'T DO THIS AND NOT SCREAM! DAMN YOU! LOOK AT HIM! HE'S IN ABSOLUTE AGONY! MY POOR BEAN! I'M SO SORRY! HANG IN THERE!" Hanji cried, tears pouring down her face, ones that were definitely not produced from the steam stinging her eyes.

"…It was the only way to learn if they had any weaknesses, apart from their napes you see" Hanji continued to explain ignoring the wide-eyed look on Eren's face, "I hated myself for it"

Hanji then moved to test Sonny, this time she seemed more in control of herself. "Sonny? Sweet pea? I skewered you straight through the heart. Does it not hurt dear? Don't you feel that?"

"…Sonny was, shall we say, more introverted than his counterpart. If he felt pain, he was unwilling to show it"

"…Go on, talk to me!" Hanji encouraged as Sonny opened his mouth wide. The jaws snapped down on the space where Hanji had been only seconds before and Moblit was yelling at her once again.

"For the love of God! Stand clear!" he cried.

"You almost got me that time, didn't you darling? Hanji laughed.

"You want your head chopped off?!"

"…Sonny's range of expression is somewhat limited, I think. The only things he knows to do are lunge and bite"

"Sarge with all due respect, but how can you be so…lighthearted about them? You talk about them like they're badly behaved pets. It's just that they're the single greatest threat mankind has ever faced. They've nearly driven us to extinction, you're a Scout, you know that, you've seen them in action countless times" Eren questioned.

"True, in fact more than my fair share of friends have died in the jaws of a Titan right in front of my eyes. When I first became a Scout, I fought them out of pure white-hot hatred" Hanji replied sobering up at the question and yet still not looking Eren in the eye as she continued,

"I'd kicked the severed head of a three metres Titan out of spite. It weighed next to nothing, might as well have been a feather. In the realm of improbability, that fact would seem to rank fairly high. Their utter strength volleys against that and such was the case with every Titan. Contrary to the appearance of density and great mass, the severed limbs were as light as tree bark.

I've been given to understand that when you transform, your Titan body materialises as if from thin air. It's so bizarre, in fact the only way I can think to describe it is to compare their weight with their true substance. We've been fumbling around in the dark with our prime attack based on contempt and fear. We need a fresh strategy, one guided by knowledge, whole new way of looking at the enemy. Of course it could be a complete waste of time, still though nothing ventured, nothing gained"

Joining the Scouts has been an eye opener Eren thought as he drank from his refilled cup. Shock after shock, it's not just Sergent Hanji everyone here's a little off. It's like I've wandered into a sanctuary for crackpots. But they're striving for change and that's been the appeal of joining the Scouts all along, right?

"Sergent Hanji, if I'm going to help, I think I should hear about these experiments in greater detail" said Eren much to the delight of Hanji who began her spell that lasted well into the early hours of the following morning.

After following the other's lead, Edith had escaped from the table with Bear close behind just as Eren had recaptured Hanji's attention. She returned to the infirmary where her jacket still lay. By now the water in the tub had gone cold and she set about emptying it of its contents.

The moon hung high in the sky by the time she had finished her work and instead of trying to find her way to the barracks in the dark, she decided to get into one of the infirmary beds where Bear had made himself comfortable. She stripped off her harness, pants and boots leaving them in a pile on the neighbouring bed as she made herself comfortable in her temporary bed.

Of the two journals she had discovered, the larger one in her hands had obviously been used a lot more if the wrinkled spine was anything to go by It reminded her quite a bit of her own journal, actually. In comparison the smaller journal appeared to only be a few pages long and was filled with neat handwriting scrawled across the pages. Placing the burning candle on the bedside table next to her, she opened the larger and older journal and began to read.