The following days leading up to the trial were tiring, not just for Levi and Erwin but for the rest of the squad. Imelda had been nervous and timid to touch anything after the bathroom incident and need a lot of persuasion to allow them to pick her up, as her legs could only carry her for a few minutes at a time. She had nearly killed Hanji when she'd met her; this was because she wore glasses and smelt of chemicals…just like the scientists.
"Well, I must say she did surprise me when she tried to stab me with a piece of book shelf."
Hanji laughed as they sat at their table, Imelda on Erwin's lap, here orbs never leaving Hanji, her little body tense with suspicion.
"You did run at her screaming about experiments shitty glasses, of course she'd try to defend herself, though,"
He said turning to the girl, who looked back at him,
"trying to kill one of your carers comrades is wrong."
Imelda looked down, ashamed; she didn't know the crazy lady was Levi and Erwin's comrades.
Erwin decided to change to subject,
"The trial is tomorrow, we'll be leaving at precisely 07 hundred hours; you'll be coming with us Imelda."
He finished looking down at her smiling slightly.
Imelda's speech had slowly come back as she listened to the others conversations but sadly she had learnt most of her words from Levi.
"Why? What's happening then?" she asked looking around,
"There's going to be a trial for the bad people who hurt you"
Petra explained, she had arrived at the survey corps a few weeks before Imelda, and she liked the small child a lot, despite her super strength and violent mood swings.
"Oh…do I have to? Will the shit heads try to hurt me again?"
She asked fiddling with the hem of her little dress they'd made for her out of one Erwin's old shirts. Petra gasped and Olu bit his tongue; Levi hid a small smile behind his cup and Hanji let out a cackle of mad laughter.
"Don't swear Imelda, its rude"
Erwin reprimanded but then softened his tone as he added,
"and no, those men won't ever hurt you again, they're going to be locked up."
Nodding the little girl rubbed her eyes sleepily. The sight was too cute to behold even for Levi, who had never been a big fan of small brats, though this one was an acceptation.
"Right time to get you to bed, Levi, will you take her? I need to discuss a few things with Hanji."
Erwin asked standing up with the girl in his arms.
"Tch, fine whatever"
Levi mumbled and took Imelda so that she was resting on his hip,
"I'll be in my office Erwin if you need anything."
And with that he walked out the door. The journey back up to his office, Imelda had taking lodgings there, was a silent one, with only Levi's footsteps and Imelda's gentle breathing to break it. Entering his office, he headed for his room and placed the snoozing girl on her small bed at the foot of his own. The child's face was a little grubby from supper making Levi's OCD kick in as he pulled out his handkerchief and wiped the crumbs of her pink cheeks.
"Levi"
she murmured rubbing her eyes sleepily,
"Yes?"
Levi replied in an unnaturally gentle way,
"You're really tall."
She whispered before going back to sleep, her small hands enclosing over the handkerchief in an iron grip. Levi's heart gave a twang of appreciation for the sleeping brat as his mouth twitched upwards; this little thing was growing on him.