Lover's Day PART II
Uma's POV
11 years later...
I didn't remember it was Lover's Day until I reached the market and saw all the vendors hocking their usual holiday fare of sugar covered almonds and bracelets made from red ribbons to all of the couples that were out. Honestly, I always thought this holiday was useless. It was just a ploy for vendors to make some extra money during the last month of winter.
This place reminded me a lot of the town that Jodi and I lived in, especially on market day. The crowds, live music, and colorful knickknacks took me back. All this stimuli painted our little world, concealing how dark it really was. Somehow, we managed to eek by, though. I knew that if it weren't for Jodi, I would probably have lived that life until I died… god knows it wouldn't have been long before that happened, either.
On my way to the vegetable stall, I came upon a tea stand. It was filled with expensive looking cups and teapots and in the back were crates of different sizes filed with all kinds of teas. Remembering the little stand Jodi used to dance next to, I couldn't help but stop and take a look.
The shop had teacups of all different materials ranging from porcelain to cast iron. Some of the china cups had flowers or intricate scenes painted on them. Spotting a pretty one with pink peonies on it, I gingerly took it up in both my hands, holding it as if it were a baby bird. The cup was so incredibly light that I felt if I breathed on it too hard it might break. I remember there were wild peonies growing outside the last place she and I ever stayed and how Jodi told me they were her favorite flower. She asked me what mine were once and I honestly couldn't answer her. Thinking back, I took very little joy out of life and flowers were one of the last things on my mind. If she were to ask me that same question today, I'd probably say sunflowers. Many things have changed since then.
Jodi was delicate, just like the bone china I held in my hands. I know it wasn't fair of me to think of her that way but, in my eyes, she was someone who needed protecting. Even though I was a kid who could barely take care of myself, that was a job I felt I could do, in fact, at the time, it felt like my entire purpose for living.
When I first met Jodi, I didn't pay her much mind. She was sweet and a lot younger than me. It wasn't until a strange incident occurred after prayer class that I became involved in her life. I was packing up my things to go to class when our priest, Father Dom pulled Jodie aside and told her that he wanted her to stay after prayers from then on to have extra scripture lessons with him. He told her she was very bright and that these lessons were special. I could see the confused, timid, look in Jodi's eyes as she agreed and all I wanted to do was scream out 'no'.
I did not trust Father Dom. There was something not right about him- I could see it in the gleam of his dull eyes when he smiled. The warning signs were easy to sense, like smelling smoke on the air. Once I heard Jodi agree to the private tutoring, I immediately turned around and demanded that I get extra lessons as well, claiming that I understood absolutely none of the scripture and needed help. I made sure to be insistent and unrelenting saying that I might even have to go to the director about it. Needless to say after I mentioned the director, he begrudgingly caved.
From then on, everyday after prayer class, I'd plant my ass in a seat at the front of the room and pretend to go over pages and pages of stupid Wallest doctrine. Father Dom would just look at me with such resentment and venom as he halfheartedly instructed Jodi about goddesses and whatever nonsense these people claimed to believe. Despite my fear that one day he might find a way to outsmart me, it was pretty satisfying to piss him off.
After about thirty minutes or so into the session he'd try to shoo me away, telling me that I knew the material, but I'd simply claim that I didn't and insist on staying, making him even more frustrated. But what was he going to do? He was a teacher as well as a priest and it would look strange to turn a willing student away.
Afterwards, Jodi and I would always leave together and walk to the dining hall for dinner. I made sure we did this without fail. We had gotten to know each other very well over the next few months and although she was pretty young, I think she had a good understanding that I was protecting her from something. She seemed grateful and eager to go along with my unspoken plan and pretty soon, we became inseparable.
We went on like this for a while but when the director of the orphanage died, he had passed all authority over to Father Dom. I knew from the moment I heard the news we weren't safe anymore. With Father Dom's power becoming absolute, we had no choice but to leave. That same day, I sang "The Hunt for Life" for my mother at sundown and then Jodi and I left the orphanage, escaping into the city.
From there we lived our lives as vagrants, making our way further and further south. Every new town and village had their problems, but with them came the realization that I still had plenty of fight left in me. Caring for her allowed me to reclaim my life. If it were possible for me to see her again, that's what I would tell her...
"Can I help you with something?" Came a weathered, voice from the other side of the counter. Shaken from my thoughts, I found myself looking up to the strong gaze of the old shop owner. Finding him staring back at me expectantly, I quickly shook my head, still a bit jarred from the interruption.
"No thank you," I told him, promptly putting down the cup. God knows I couldn't afford anything here. Not on military wages. The old man probably knew that too and wanted me to stop handling his merchandise.
"And what about you, young man? How can I help you?" He asked, turning to the person standing next to me. I hadn't even noticed him until the shop owner said something, leaving me to wonder if I was that distracted or if he was just that quiet. The young man looked as if he were about 18 and was dressed pretty respectfully for someone his age, making it seem as if he had some money. However, if the old man had been able to catch sight of his cheap, worn shoes, he would have treated him with the same disinterest in which he had treated me.
With a polite smile, the teen pointed to an odd-shaped teacup with a lid on it. "I would like to buy this one, please. It's for my mother. She's such a sweet woman and it's time I showed her a little appreciation," he said.
"Well, today is the day to do it then," said the shop owner, managing a small grin.
The teacup was tall and painted with love knots and gold accents. Not to mention, it was comprised of three separate pieces; a lid, an inner device, and the cup itself (a design I had never seen before). It was a luxury item I didn't even have the privilege of recognizing.
To me, the sudden appearance of this young man seemed a bit strange. His ratty shoes and the drawn-out bit about buying a present for his mother was odd. Not to mention, that sugar sweet smile was far too much for my taste. Considering the red flags I was seeing, I should have been more alert than I was, but then again I wanted to give the kid the benefit of the doubt... or maybe I just didn't feel like dealing with anyone's bullshit today.
The shop owner, however, seemed non-the-wiser (probably too concerned that the Survey Corps rube would break something). So the second the old shop owner picked up the display cup to get the one that was already boxed up beneath it, the young man swiped the box up and took off running.
"Thanks old man!" The cocky asshole shouted as he bolted into the crowd.
"Shit," I cursed, promptly taking off after him. Benefit of the doubt my ass, I thought as I quickly weaved through the crowd. Didn't he even notice me in the fucking military uniform? Perhaps he just didn't care. It's not like the Survey Corps was held in the highest regards, anyway. But what this idiot didn't know was that I could read his every damn move.
Ducking down an empty back alley, I broke into a full-on sprint. By the time I made it back to the main street, I was ahead of the dumb bastard who seemed to have no clue anyone was chasing him in the first place.
Rounding the corner into the main street and spotting my mark, I threw my arm out from my side, using my momentum to propel me forwards and clothesline the stupid teen, catching him in the throat. His feet flew out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground. He hit the dirt hard, coughing like mad, trying to catch his breath. Terror was the only emotion I saw in his eyes as I kneeled atop him, my knee pressing down into his heaving chest.
I could tell this guy was an armature, overconfident from probably having gotten away with a few petty crimes before. By the way he was looking at me now, scared shitless at what I might do, I almost felt sorry for the idiot.
"Just give me what you took and get the fuck away." I growled, taking my knee off of his chest. For some reason I was feeling generous today.
The guy nodded frantically as he quickly pulled open his coat and gave me the red silk box. Hopefully the stupid thing wasn't broken, I thought before standing up and leaving the guy in the street. His throat would be bruised for days. I suppose that was punishment enough for his pitiful attempt at robbery.
I headed back through the market to the old tea vendor then. The people around me who saw what happened made way (or kept their distance), unsure weather to applaud or get the hell out of there. The vender was out front of his stand, worriedly pacing back and fourth and wringing his boney hands together.
"You're back!" He exclaimed, catching sight of me. His expression fell once he realized I was alone. "Where's the thief?"
"He got away from me," I shrugged before holding out the red box to him. "I got your cup, though."
The man's face switched from disappointment to shock in an instant.
"Oh my... Thank you!" He said, deeply grateful as he gingerly took it from my hands. "Thank you very much."
"What does it do, anyway?" I asked, referring to its odd composition.
The old man waved me back over to the stand where he could set the box on the counter. "Well, it's comprised of three pieces, the cup, the strainer and the lid," he said opening the box and carefully showing me each. "See, you put the strainer in with the cup and then pour the water in with the tea leaves. Put the lid on in order for the tea to properly steep. It takes away the need for a teapot."
"Smart. How much does something like that go for?"
"$1,400," the vender said, without even having to look at the price tag.
"Shit!" I blurted out. "Sorry, I just never would have thought it'd be that high."
"Tea is an art form," he explained, managing to keep any snootiness from ebbing into his tone.
I let out a slight laugh, thinking of Levi and his obsession with the stuff. "That explains… a lot." I murmured, more to myself than to anyone else.
"Sorry?" The man asked, confused.
"Oh, it's nothing," I said, dismissing my comment. "Have a nice day."
With that I turned and began to head towards the produce stalls. I had wasted enough time already and if I didn't place our order with the vender by noon, the shipment would be delayed an extra day and then I'd catch a shitload of unneeded hell.
"Wait!" The old man called out at the last second. He then stepped out from behind his stall and hurriedly approached me holding a little bag in both hands. "You see, I support the Military," he explained with some hesitancy, which most likely meant he supported every branch but ours. Still, it seemed he was being genuine so there was no reason to be annoyed. "You deserve something for your trouble. This is 3 ounces of my finest tea, White-Tipped Midnight Jasmine." He said presenting the colorful bag to me.
"Thank you," I smiled politely, bowing my head and accepting his gift.
The amount he had given me was comically small however, considering the prices of his teacups, who knows how much this this was worth. Folding the bag up, I slipped it in my jacket pocket and continued on towards the vegetable stall.
TITANTITANTITANTITANTITANTITANTITANTITANTITAN
Once I got back to HQ, I realized I had a dilemma on my hands. It was deciding what I should do with the expensive tea. There wasn't enough of it to put in the storehouse and, in my opinion, tea was tea, I doubted I would be able to appreciate it as it should be. Therefore, I figured it should go to the one person who would probably kill for it. Levi.
The problem was, giving him what was technically a gift on Lover's Day was a mortifying idea. Not-to-mention, if anyone saw, it would probably land me in a shitload of trouble and never-ending grief. The thought had crossed my mind to give it to him tomorrow, but that was not much better either. It might seem like I was trying to make up for something from the previous day. In the end, I decided it would be best to just drop it off at his office with a note or something.
As I drew closer and closer to his door, I could feel my resolve lessening with every step. The click of my boots against the stone floor became slower and slower as I came upon that heavy wooden door. Fuck. I didn't think about the possibility that he might be there. In the time I spent staring at the door deciding whether to knock or walk away, I heard a voice that nearly caused me to jump out of my skin.
"Either shit or get off the pot, Uma."
Turning from his door, I came face to face with the Captain himself. Thankfully, I was composed by the time I met his dull gaze.
"Sorry," I said stepping out of his way, giving him a clear path.
"What's that?" He asked, unmoving. I saw the faintest hint of curiosity spark in his gray eyes as he looked down at the little bag in my hands. Could he have recognized the packaging?
"Tea… the vender gave it to me for helping him out." I said, not bothering to elaborate. Even though there was no change in Levi's expression, I could tell he was extremely interested once the word 'tea' left my lips. It almost made me want to laugh but I didn't dare. "It's supposed to be very good. It's Silver-Tipped Jasmine Something-Or-Other, I don't really remember."
"Sliver-Tipped Midnight Jasmine." He corrected me, his expression dead serious.
"Yes," I nodded.
"So, what do you want?" He asked bluntly.
"I uh…" I muttered, a knot in my stomach suddenly twisting up my words. Shit, how do I put this?
"What is it? You look like you're holding in a big shit."
Strangely enough, his vivid comment immediately erased any of my nervousness. "Well I was going to give it to you, but then I thought it might come off as inappropriate considering what day it is." I told him, being oddly straightforward.
"Why? What day is it?" He sighed, his impatience obvious. Though, it seemed like he genuinely didn't know.
"It's Lover's Day." I told him, the word 'lover's' sounding particularly foreign on my tongue. Saying it in front of him made it especially awkward.
"Tch, who gives a shit?" came his blunt reply.
"Usually I wouldn't, but people might get the wrong idea." I attempted to explain, trying not to tell him this through gritted teeth. How did he not see why this might be inappropriate? Did he really not understand?
Apparently he didn't care what day it was and was probably biting at the bit, wanting to see if I'd actually give him the tea. In a way, I found it endearing and maddeningly frustrating in another. So, before he could say something to change my mind, I handed him the bag.
"I don't know the brewing instructions…" I told him, not sure what else to say. "Enjoy, Heichou."
Feeling that our awkward exchange was over, I headed down the corridor. As I rounded the corner, I snuck a backwards glance at him. He was still standing in the same spot I left him with the bag held up to his nose. It was, admittedly, satisfying to see.
AN: REVIEW FAVOR FOLLOW! I want to thank all of you for the amazing reviews and messages. I never thought that my story would become so big or gain so many amazing followers. It really makes me happy to see how welcome I am in the fan community and how well received my work has been. I plan on writing many more chapters in the future even though I realize I'm quite slow at it and I hope you all continue to read how the story of Uma and Levi unfolds.
Extra note: Eren and the gang will show up in later chapters. My story follows the manga/anime timeline.