Chapter 17 – Eavesdropping Fumes

It was the day before Liette and the group were to embark on towards the next district, the Nedlay District. This district was something different than the other Districts according to Irene, in fact, she deemed it as the most dangerous district since the next Crime Lord was possibly even more rampant than the Paramount himself.

This coupled with Irene's description of him being clinically insane, proved to be a worthy warning for Liette.

The land to the north was also known as the Lawless District, since corruption is so deeply rooted that even the Stationary Guard within the vicinities are compliant with the Crime Lord, Dimitri Kustov.

Not only that, the host for power in the northern lands came from an extremely powerful resource, metals. The mountains around the area are rich with precious metals required to create the many weapons that the Military keeps in arsenal, especially cannons and the 3DMG.

The mining company that Kustov owned was the largest distributor of metals and controls the largest mining operations known in mankind. According to Irene, Kustov is in close relations with the Paramount, and if she manages to successfully complete the task the crazed Lord asks, a plethora of information would be waiting for her.

But a very clear, and desperate warning was what Irene gave to Liette when they spoke. "The man is dangerous Liette. Your life is on the line here" Irene knew there was no point in trying to persuade Liette into not going because she was too determined to find out about herself, so watchful insight was the best alternative.

Irene had a backup plan if what she fears would occur, "In a worst case scenario, be prepared for everything" She didn't tell anyone else except Elsa about this but, the meeting she went to before was a coordination between the Stationary Guard in the Chlorba District as a backup force to combat the Kustov Corporation.

Liette was busy pondering over the next District, trying to quell her fear as best as she could. Indeed it was true that she was very scared. It wasn't like fighting titans where the fear was natural, this fear was anxious fear because the foes she was going to fight were intelligent. Unlike the titans where death was the result of making a mistake, death at the hands of humans was the result of someone out performing, out thinking her. She could do everything right, but still lose in the end.

From the interior of the HQ, she went outside to try to get some fresh air to calm herself and take a smoke break.

But before she was to light her cigarette, she heard Rivaille's voice, accompanied by Irene's soft voice. Liette was towards the back of the orphanage, next to the corner to the right side. Rivaille and Irene were down the corner and on the opposite side of Liette. She kept quiet to listen in, attempting to learn what Rivaille and Irene's relationship was. She suddenly realized what she was thinking, and slightly hesitated for a moment, "I-I'm not jealous! I'm just curious"

It puzzled her for a moment, the thought of love. Prior to this time, she never really thought about having romantic relationships with anyone ever since the incident with Ricken. Right now, however; she realized that there was a possibility that she had the capacity to have feelings for Rivaille, which was quickly pushed back as the last thing on her mind. Rivaille was a good friend to Liette, and she constantly thought to herself that. Whether or not that was going to change, she hadn't the slightest clue.

Keeping silent, she continued to eavesdrop on Rivaille and Irene.

"What's wrong Rivaille?" Irene asked.

Rivaille sounded troubled, very troubled, something different from what Liette is used to hearing from him. He sounded, in need of help, something rarely to never seen from the Lance Corporal. "I've been having nightmares within the past few weeks." He sighed a bit, "She's always in them, I always see her."

Irene sounded sympathetic, "Rivaille, you need to let go of her"

"I can't Irene..." He replied, "I just can't. That girl... gave me hope..."

"Hope..." That was a word Liette had never heard Rivaille say before in that context.

"If someone should feel the most guilty, it should be me" Irene spoke up again, "Please Rivaille, I'm asking you, please let go of the past. You cannot let it affect you now" She quoted him, surprisingly. "I'm begging you. What happened to the man those years back? Elsa still looks up to you. If she saw you groveling here now, what would she think?"

Rivaille's voice lightened up a bit, back into his usual tone, "I would die before that brat saw me like this"

ooo

Irene was silent as the door creaked open and closed. Rivaille sighed before hearing the sound of a match lighting, and light breathing.

From there, he realized that Liette was eavesdropping on them as he could smell the fumes of Liette's usual cigarettes. "What did you hear?" He asked sarcastically, and a bit angry.

"Everything" Liette replied as she casually approaching him, cigarette in mouth. Leaning over the wooden railing with him, she inquired, "So what was her name?" It was a sincere question.

Rivaille sighed in a very tired tone, turning his head to Liette, "Tori... her name was Tori"

Liette nodded her head. She was still curious, but she began to become more empathetic towards Rivaille, as, she had never gained wind of this part of his life before. "What was she like?"

"And why would you want to know?" Rivaille reacted badly, thinking that they typical Liette would poke fun at his life.

"Because I want to help Rivaille" She replied, giving him a glance of concerned eyes. "We're friends right? Isn't that what friends do?"

"Friends...?" He murmured sarcastically as he crossed his arms before looking away. Rivaille sighed and paused, opening his mouth again for a heart wrenching story of his past.

She was a sweet girl, shy, but sweet. I happened to be walking about when I heard screams of a girl through the alleys of the slums. She was being harassed by these thugs who thought it was fun to screw around with wandering people around their turf.

I rescued her, but not for any particular reason except to keep her safe. Humans killing humans, it's quite idiotic if you ask me. There's so few of us left anyway, why speed up the process?"

I was going to leave, but she provided for what I desired deeply, nourishment. But at the time, it was physical nourishment, food. Little did I know, this girl named Tori would have provided me with much more than something to eat.

From that time I rescued her, I only thought that she might only come once, and then never show her face around these dangerous parts again. The slums are not a suitable place for her, especially since she came from a rich family. To my surprise, she kept coming back, bringing a basket of food with her. At first, she came maybe once in a couple of days, but as the weeks came by, she came by everyday.

I learned that she did not live far from where I was living. Just on the inside of the Wall Sina. I lived in the slums outside the Hermiha District. Everyday I hear people standing at the entrance to the District, wondering how different their lives would be if they had the opportunity to step through that gate.

Everyday she came by, she brought me food, and in exchange for that food, I gave conversation. All the pent up frustrations, all the hidden desires of human companionship swelled within her. It was intriguing. Tori was an only child, and her parents were extremely protective of her. She stayed in her mansion everyday, not allowed to wander far from the estate. Occasionally she would go with her mother into the District to meet friends, but that was it. Going outside the District was off limits, unless it was inward, or to a different District along the Sina. However, a few days after I rescued her, she visited again. She explained that her parents were out everyday, and she was left alone with the servants. She was lonely, and wanted to get out.

The more and more she visited, the more and more I began to attach to this girl.

I would even say that it blossomed into love, but it was short lived.

Tori visited me one day, but unbeknownst to her, her mother and father had taken some time off. Panic stricken and worried, they urged the Military police to scourge the District and surrounding areas for their daughter.

They were blazingly angry, and forced her under watch to stay in her home.

She resisted, and as a result, she snuck out in one last attempt to enjoy my company. It was a picnic in the hills east of the town. She told me that she wanted to have one last conversation and meal before we separated.

I showed her through the alleys towards the designated spot.

However, something bad was going to happen, something terrible. While in the alley, there were strange men following us, shady. They clearly were not part of any gangs that I had previously encountered. To my horror, they surrounded us.

I asked them what they wanted, and they replied, "The girl"

"Why?"

"She's the daughter of important folk" The man replied. He was fatter, and his mustache still had traces of food left over. His teeth were crooked, and he seemed very ruthless "She's got a high price on her head, and we be want to collect."

"The fuck I'll let you get your hands on her!" Tori's small figure hid behind me as I tried to desperately stay calm in this situation. There were no exits, no use in calling help, and I knew that I wouldn't be able to take all of these guys down by myself. But I had to try, I just had to; I would die right here if needed.

They all came at me, and I fought like a monster, trying and trying to defend her, but it was no use. I was lying there on the floor, beaten, defeated, and I watched as they did the same to Tori as they did to me.

Her squeals pierced my heart as her moans of pain racked my gut. I watched and watched, but she did not cry, no tears were flowing out of her eyes, as if she were accepting it. She was a completely different person within the last moments of her life.

When I talked with her, her emotions seemed so frail, easily capable of crying.

After moments of death driving pain, they stopped. But they weren't done. The fat man, he pulled a knife out, and dug into her. Tori wailed in pain.

They made me watch, how that image still is so crystal clear in my head, even to this day. 10 years later, and I can still remember every single detail of that horrifying scene.

Blood was seeping from jab in her chest, and her bruised, bloody face was covered with rain drops and dirt.

"Should you do this guy down under too Karl?" One of the fat mans cronies asked.

Karl only laughed before sheathing his knife. "No... we'll let this one live. I'll enjoy his suffering"

With a snap of his finger, they threw me forward into the pools of mud and water, towards Tori's cold body. Without caring about anything else, I rushed forward to see if she was still alive; barely.

She looked at me with tired eyes as we had our last conversation together. After a bit, she had departed, leaving a kiss on my lips and sorrow in my heart.

A light breeze blew between the two as Liette stood in silence. Rivaille looked up at the sky, waiting for Liette to speak, but there was silence. He was about to say something before Liette pressed a hand on his shoulder.

All this time, his heart stood so still, silent and lonely, and when Liette had squeezed his shoulder, he actually felt cared for. For once in such a long time, he felt that someone stood attentive and sincere. He nodded, without smiling still but felt the urge to, and turned his head forward once more.

He murmured, "Thank you"

A/N: Filler chapter incoming! Just kidding. This chapter was more of a development chapter for Liette and Rivaille for their incoming, (But far away!) romantic relationship! We get to learn of Rivaille's past, (as envisioned by me) and how he became the clean freak you see him today.

Since that was the main focus of the chapter, there's not too much to say about it, but for the next few chapters, it'll be pretty action packed, so get excited! We're not fighting titans here.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this little snippet, and please don't forget to leave a review. See you next time!