So today was the day; Imelda was going to join the army and train with as a recruit. And she was utterly terrified. Sure they'd explained to the trainers about her passed and condition, but that wasn't the thing that worried her the most, no; it was the first time she would meet and work with people her own age. All her life she'd lived with people over twice her age, and now she would meet people her age for the very first time.
"But what if they don't like me?"
She asked as she put the last of her clothes and necessities into her small rucksack. Erwin sat on the end of her bed leafing through her note book she'd given him.
"Well if they don't just let them be, no point in picking a fight them; especially since you'll hit them to the other end of Wall Rose."
He smiled trying the calm her nerves. Imelda laughed slightly clipped her rucksack shut, confirming that her packing was done. Just then Levi entered, carrying a brown jacket with the wings of freedom imprinted on the back.
"Since you're only going to be there for a year there was no point in wasting the materials;"
He explained,
"so we agreed that you should wear one of my old ones. It should fi-"
He was abruptly stopped by Imelda throwing herself at him in a crushing hug. Levi stiffed, he never like hugs, and he saw he could feel his skin bruising from her tight embrace. Erwin laughed at the sight and Levi gave him a strained desperate glare as if to say, get her off me before she kills me.
"Thank you thank you thank you thank you"
Imelda cried into his chest, soap and cleaning products filling her nose. Erwin's gentle hand on her shoulder made her loosen her grip on the small captain; who staggered a bit, and turn to Erwin to give him the same treatment.
"Okay Imelda"
Erwin managed to choke
"That's enough please, we need to go through the procedures with you."
Sighing Imelda let go and flopped down onto the bed holding the jacket close to her body like it was a blanket. It had been decided that the girl would be put in a separate dorm to the other recruits situated in the just off the training ground. Imelda would be allowed to be with the others until curfew. If she cut herself badly she was to inform the nearest soldier on duty and/or to head straight for her cabin. All through Erwin's plans Imelda was nodding, mentally making notes.
"You can tell the other recruits about your life but you don't have too okay?"
Levi added leaning against the door. Again Imelda nodded standing up and scratching her head.
"Also, you can't just be called Imelda, so we've decided you should have my surname; you are now called Imelda Smith."
Erwin smiled as the girl smiled nodding vigorously.
NEXT MORNING
The sun shone down harshly in the training ground as all the new recruits, including Imelda, stood in lines. Imelda's nerves seem to have disappeared over night and she stood to attention, her face an unreadable expression. Shardis, the head of the training corps was yelling at the recruits. He had just given a guy what for, because he had saluted with the wrong arms; Imelda had had to make sure not to smack her head in disappear. She noticed a lot of people had been staring at her, probably because she was wearing Levi's jacket;
"Tear it and you're dead"
He had said before she left, that nearly made her smile at the memory.
"AND WHO MIGHT YOU BE SHRIMP?"
Shardis' voice rang through her ears as she was shook from her recollection and looked up at him before saluting and shouting,"
"Imelda Smith, from the Survey Corps, Sir"
Whispers rang out all around them as everyone now had their full attention on the small girl who wore the Survey Corps jacket.
"AND ARE READY TO GO THROUGH HELL?"
At that Imelda gave her best 'Levi' smirk showing the right side of her teeth,
"I already have sir; if you can recreate it I'd be impressed"
Shardis eyed the girl carefully; she seems to have a tongue despite what Erwin said, this should be an interesting year.