"It was late yesterday afternoon, we had noticed that we had went further than expected – when we weren't fighting Titans, we were enjoying the scenery." Samantha began. "Anyways, it was getting late, and our horses were too tired to run, so we stopped and began to rest under a tree. We decided that once the sun came up, we would travel the rest of the way on horseback…" Rivaille, Hanji, and Commander Irvin could tell what was about to happen next by the…anger, not sadness, but anger on Samantha's face. "I usually watch first, so I was doing my duty, and by this time, the boys had fallen past asleep. It was almost time for us to switch turns, and I noticed a 17 meters class running our way."
"At night?!" Hanji questioned, highly intrigued and practically breathing down Samantha's neck at how close she was.
"Mhhmm…" Samantha continued. "I woke them up quickly and almost instantly we were already trying to come up with a plan, but it was covering a lot of ground very fast, so we decided to wing it; they run away on horseback, distracting the Titan, while I use my 3D Maneuver Gear… But… I missed." A single tear ran down Samantha's cheek, before reaching her chin, Rivaille wiped it away. "My 3D Maneuver Gear hit the Titan mid back, catching his attention to me. I jumped on my horse and ran her as fast as she could go. Alec, knowing his weakness, decided to try and get in front of the Titan to lure it away from me. It worked. But not the way he had planned. The Titan stepped on him – we stopped – and watched the Titan eat our beloved friend…" Samantha sniffed, recollecting her emotions. Commander Irvin bowed his head, but Samantha decided to continue. "Then, Esus took a chance while the Titan was standing still as he was eating Alec - he only got to the Titans shoulder when the Titan swat him like a fly and proceeded to eat him as well. The Titan stood still, giving Xavier and I time to share a look, as a last goodbye, knowing that one of us was going to die next. Xavier ran up to the Titan on horseback, jumping off and using his 3D Maneuver Gear to swing around the Titan – but he ran out of gas, he had a bad habit of using up his gas to gain speed… The Titan caught him in mid air, he held Alec in his grip, turning his head to me – looking me dead in the eyes as he bit Alec apart piece by piece." Samantha shuttered, remembering the scene. "I began to uncontrollably cry, I began yelling vulgarly at the Titan, I jumped off my horse – catching the Titan at the temple with my 3D Maneuver Gear. I spun around; using what was left of my gas, cutting the Titan at the eyes, deep enough to where the upper half of his head fell to the ground, blood gushing out onto me. When I circled back around to his back, I then gave him the fatal blow, to the nape of the neck…" Samantha had finished, she felt like she was out of breath, as if she relived those last moments with her comrades.
Commander Irvin stayed silent, still looking down as before. "I'm sorry about what you had to go through. But how did a mere 17 meters class kill off your team?
"I believe it was because it was dark, it was difficult to see – especially since we remained our distance from the Titan, so we couldn't see where our 3D Maneuver Gear would hit him or if it would even hit him at all."
"Very well," Commander stood up, and walked over to the seat next to Rivaille. He then sat down and began to speak. "I am currently planning another expedition outside of the walls, but it won't be but months from now – giving time for Rivaille to heal, and giving Samantha time after her loss." Samantha and Rivaille shook their heads simultaneously. "That is all." Samantha widened her eyes to Commander Irvin, making him chuckle. "Well, Samantha – I had only begun to plan it when I had heard of your return, so that is all I have for you two now. Until I have more information regarding this expedition, I don't have anything to tell you until more information occurs or when I decide to tell you." He smiled, standing up, heading towards to door, the opening it – gesturing them to leave.
"It's getting late, Rivaille…" Samantha spoke sweetly, holding Rivaille's arm once more. Rivaille and Samantha had been walking around town about an hour after talking to Commander Irvin. "But I thought you were enjoying the scenery?" Questioned Rivaille, now standing in front of her, holding her hands, swinging them swiftly in the breeze.
"I am, it's just I don't want your back to hurt tomorrow..." Samantha said bashfully, she hadn't yet expressed how much she cared about Rivaille yet. "Well, if it does, you can just give me a massage while I'm soaking in a hot bath." Smiled Rivaille, Samantha blushed at the thought of bathing with Rivaille. I wonder what he looks like naked, he had seen me, it should be my turn now! Rivaille and Samantha were walking now, seemingly back to the Scouting Legion castle in which they stay in.
"Want to come to my room?" Questioned Rivaille, biting his bottom lip in a nervous manner, swinging her arms again. Samantha could feel her face get warm. Sleep in the same bed as Rivaille? "Uh, sure!" Samantha heard herself say, flashing a big smile to Rivaille – making his heart flutter. I've done it… can't go back now…