The man in front of me seemed much more cool and docile than when we first met. I could study him better as there were some candles and torches lit, rather than the setting sun. He had jet black hair parted down the middle and swept to either side. His eyes were a blueish grey color that pierced through one's soul. Small, lean, and highly likely to cut off your head before he shakes your hand, he made a perfect thief and assassin.
"So, you've been considering my offer?" He said in a smooth, even tone.
"Yes, I have. I've come to apply." I said, hoping he wouldn't be able to detect my true intentions.
"Tell me first, Mr. Smith, what made you change your mind? You were so determined to become a cadet, why did you come here?" He asked calmly.
'Damn, he knows' I thought to myself. I quickly came up with an excuse.
"I realized that it was an unrealistic dream and I would have a better chance of surviving here." I said trying to be as emotionless as he.
"Oh? It has nothing to do with Darius wanting information, or I don't know, wanting to extinguish my little group by stealing our resources?"
"No, sir," I said, trying not to give myself away, "and I am offended that you think I am capable of carrying multiple times my weight in food and gold alone without being detected. The news of your wealth travels rapidly, Mr. Heichou. Some say that you could give enough supplies away to everyone inside of Wall Maria to last them a year, and still have a twenty year supply left over. While I doubt this very highly, I still find this fascinating. I couldn't imagine myself being able to take enough food to cause you any shortage."
"Some people say that you can tell when someone is lying by how much they say after their initial reply. Those who talk alot, have something to hide, and you are concealing something rather large," he pointed out with a smirk dancing on his lips.
"Don't we all?"
"Fair enough, Erwin."
I called in one of the serving ladies to show Erwin where he would be sleeping. Once alone, I made the arrangements for the entry ceremony. I had a feeling that something was going to happen, so I locked the doors to the food cellar after grabbing the lamb's blood and wine. I gathered everyone in the grand hall save two serving maids, who guarded the cellar.
I mixed up the cocktail and place it on the table in front of Erwin. Then, when the room fell silent, I began reciting an old hymn and was joined by several others.
"Welcome, o' brother.
I give you my sword.
Welcome, o' brother.
I give you my shield.
Welcome, o' brother.
I pray you not yield.
Welcome, o' brother.
I give you my strength.
Welcome, o' brother.
I welcome you this night.
Welcome, o' brother."
One of the serving boys brought in a live trout and laid it next to the goblet of wine and blood. Another brought a knife and set it on the other side. 'If Mr. Smith can not kill a live animal, how can he be a thug?' I thought. The man that kneeled in front of me was hesitant when picking up the sword. He seemed to be watching the fish suffer due to lack of water.
A smirk played around his lips as he picked up the blade. Slowly, he cut the tail fins off, then the fins on top of the scaly sea creature. He traced the gills lightly with the tip of the knife, then laid the side of the blade on them. He pressed down hard and blood spattered onto his shirt, something I would remedy later. His smile turned into a twisted grin as he licked the red substance off of his mouth and fingers.
Erwin seemed to have enjoyed sucking the life out of a creature, so I could not wait to see how he dealt with people. I watched as he picked up the goblet of swill and drained it entirely. He stood to look me in the eye and laughed, leaving everyone bewildered. He turned on his heel and set off towards the exit.
"You should have known Heichou," he chuckled over his shoulder. I found myself following him out of the hideout and was furious when I saw five wagons full of food and gold fleeing from the premises. I ran to check the cellars, only to find the two maids dead and nothing left in there save a note.
"Heichou," it read, "you probably noticed that your supplies have been taken. Hope it doesn't affect your performance, from Erwin."
"Son of a bitch," I heard from behind me,"what're we going to do now, boss? It was your idea to let this guy in, now you gotta fix it."
"Rally your best men, we set out in the morning."
About three years earlier
I noticed that the roots of my dark brown hair had turned a rich shade of chestnut. I was worried that my parents would find out, so I asked my friend, who looked almost like my twin, for advice.
"Irene, what do I do?" I sobbed into her shoulder.
"Neasa, you are going to swap me clothes and change your name to Irene Sauff." She whispered into my ear.
"You mean trade lives?"
"What else are you supposed to do? Cut your hair short and pretend to be a boy? You know that a woman or man that has a different hair color at their roots than at the tips in your class is considered to be associated with the titans."
"But what of your class? Isn't it a crime for…"
"The common folk? No. Quickly now, and also give me your scarf. I'll need it to cover my face with."
"Okay." I said hesitantly. Soon we were standing next to eachother, fixing the skirts of our dresses.
"Well Irene," she said, looking the part, "shall we head out?"
"Yes we shall, Neasa, or rather, Lady Mathiasen." I replied as I took her arm. I could finally live a normal life without being asked to be at someone's wedding. We strolled out the door and set off down the road.
After a while, we found ourselves amongst the market stalls. A boy, slightly older than us, was seen begging for food.
"Please spare a coin, I haven't eaten all week, and I-I'm so cold." He said, shivering. I couldn't blame him, seeing that it was late autumn and it was getting very cold. Irene stopped in front of him and slipped several coins into his hand. The street went silent. No one had ever seen a wealthy woman give so much money to a filthy beggar. However, Irene had a big heart and understood the feeling of being starved.
"Here you go, sir. If I might ask, what is your name?"
"Grisha, ma'am, Grisha Jaeger."
"Grisha, I'd like you to have this," she said, taking off the maroon scarf I gave her, handing it to him and exposing her face.
"I have some questions, if I may." Mikasa asked, hardly believing what she was hearing.
"Of course," Levi replied.
"First, how do you know both Erwin's and Neasa's sides of this story?"
"I memorized my favorite parts from when they told me theirs. As you may know, I tend to have many one sided conversations with people that talk too much for their own good."
"Okay, my second question is, your girlfriend met Eren's dad?"
"That is what I was told. She made an oath to never lie as well, so I believed her word. That is also her scarf that you're wearing. Neasa gave it to Irene, who gave it to Grisha, who most likely gave it to his wife, who gave it to Eren, who gave it to you."
"Interesting, umm, Eren, mom gave this to you right? And she got it from dad?" Two nods came from Eren. "This world must really be small, then."
Author's Note
Sorry it took me so long to write this chapter. I am the third biggest procrastinator I know. I have also been working on a cosplay for Levi, but I have no cloth so I'm using yarn. Please, leave a reveiw, and thanks to those of you that choose to read this story to the end.