Chapter 04 | Tea Time
WHAT is taking her so long?
Levi got up from the chair next to the window and stalked in a slow circle through his small but elegantly appointed sitting room.
I should never have agreed to let her go back to the barracks first. Said she wanted to "freshen up" what does that even mean?
As he passed by the shelves and side table Levi stopped to examine the objects on them.
But when she gives that… that LOOK… what is a person supposed to do but agree!?
When he got to the fireplace, he paused and from the mantle, he pulled a long taper.
I was an idiot… I should have brought her straight back here. It's just too dangerous.
He reached over and touched it to the flame of the kerosene lamp that hung from the ceiling in the center of the small room and brought the flame over to light the wood set there.
There's a growing hostility to the Survey Corp. And it's not safe for us to be alone in town after dark anymore.
The flame caught and spread quickly. Levi watched for a moment then blew out the taper, replacing it on the mantel. As he did he made sure that it was parallel to the edge.
Those thugs at the Red Lion… That was planned – what was it that one guy said when they ran out? "They're not paying me enough…" Interesting. I wonder who "they" could be… and do "they" know?
As the fire began to crackle and jump, Levi realized he had become distracted and noticed that smoke was beginning to build.
Damper's closed!
Quickly, he reached in and opened the flue. As he pulled the lever back, he heard the heavy clunk as the metal slid into the open position. Levi felt the sudden rush of air pulling the smoke up the chimney as the flames danced higher.
Close one – not paying attention.
He pulled a soft red cloth from the wood box as he crouched in front of the roaring fire. Using great care and attention, Levi carefully wiped every speck of the black ash from his hands. He replaced the cloth, folding it neatly over the edge of the box, and let out a gentle sigh of relief that the soot laden smoke had not escaped into his tidy, ordered home.
I'll give Krista another few minutes – then I'm going after her.
He stood and watched the flames for a moment, then turned to go back to his chair by the window. What he saw in the living room stunned him.
"Krista?!"
She was smiling broadly and held her boots up, one in each hand.
"How about THAT for quiet?! No clumping sounds!"
Levi's eyes widened slightly. His mouth only dropped open a fraction as he stood there staring at Krista.
I never thought anyone – even Mikasa – could get in here without my knowing…
He looked down and saw her toes wiggling happily, under her thick socks.
She is really proud of herself and wants to win my praise. It's very endearing. In a way – she's still innocent.
The muscles under his eyes tensed causing them to narrow slightly.
"Very good Krista. Now listen carefully. Never sneak up on me again, it's very dangerous."
"Yes Levi, I'm sorry. But I didn't want to wear my boots in your home because it's rainy and muddy outside and… well, I know how you are about those thi –"
Levi impatiently took Krista's boots and cloak interrupting her.
"Yes – that is greatly appreciated. Thank you for being so considerate."
As he hung the cloak on a hook by the door and carefully placed her boots in a large wooden box by the door his voice became more kind as he spoke to her.
"Please take one of the chairs by the fireplace. I'm making tea, would you like some?"
"Oh, yes please! Can I help y –"
"No."
Then Levi disappeared through the door into the kitchen leaving Krista in the living room by the fire. She settled back into the chair and enjoyed the heat coming from the fireplace. She looked around at the room.
The mantel piece was a simple beautiful, gleaming span of polished mahogany with several intriguing objects dominated by an elegant chestnut barrister clock.
She had never been in Levi's quarters before and was delighted to have the opportunity to learn a little more about her commander from the things she saw there.
So strange, by the clock – that feather – next to the golden locket, it's perfectly white, just sitting there. As if it had fallen by chance… I wonder why he has that – what it could mean?
She put her feet up on a little padded stool in front of the chair and let her toes warm by the fire. Krista glanced again at the feather, then the gold chain of the locket. She could feel her thick, wool socks soaking up the heat, and it felt great.
Sure beats guard duty! Huh – I wonder why he wants to see me so badly? Is it about the terrible, awful incident at the Red Lion? I wonder if I'm in trouble?
Her eyes were pulled again to the mantelpiece but this time to the locket. Krista looked quickly to the kitchen door, then stood and reached up and pulled the locket down. It was simple gold and there was an engraving on the back.
The wings of the survey corp. I wonder…
Pressing the catch, the locket swung silently open and a tightly folded paper dropped into her hand. But what really caught Krista's eye was the image within.
OH… oh my, I… I never realized how beautiful –
The image was of Petra. She was smiling. It seemed so life like – almost as if she were about to laugh. Krista looked at the paper in her hand and replaced it as quickly and carefully as she could. As she softly closed the locket, she knew she had strayed where no one should tread.
This is personal… I've done a terrible thing.
"Ahem… Tea is served."
Krista spun around in horror and came face to face with Levi. He was holding two large trays, one with the tea and the other was full of toast. She looked down at the locket as it gleamed in her trembling hands like a little evidence bomb.
"Levi – I am so sorry… I didn't – I didn't know."
When Levi spoke next it was in a voice she hadn't ever heard him use before. It was gentle and filled with compassion.
"It's okay."
He put the tea tray with the pot and the cups down on the table situated between the chairs. Then he carefully laid the large plate of toast next to it, as Krista stood rigid and watched. Levi silently walked over and took the locket from her hands. He held it up between them at eye level and let it slowly turn catching the light from the fire.
"This locket – it was her father's… he gave it to me – after she was killed."
It glowed and sparkled so that the reflected light almost appeared to be coming out of the object itself.
"It came with a note."
Levi lowered it then pressed the catch to open the clasp. Krista reached out and touched his arm.
"Levi, I put the note back… it's in there."
As he kept his eyes on the locket, he smiled and said, "I know… but…" He took the folded square of paper out and turned it clock wise one quarter turn, then placed it with extreme care back into position. "…there's a certain way it has to go."
He tapped the paper lovingly once with his right index finger and gazed briefly at the image of Petra and spoke as if no one was listening.
"The note was full of things she wanted to say to me, but was afraid to."
Krista watched him quickly wipe a tear away with his left sleeve as he closed the locket and continued speaking.
"I am so glad she took the time write the things she did. My greatest regret is not going with her when…"
He took a short breath and placed the locket back on the mantel. Krista paid close attention to how he carefully arranged the chain in a certain way. As she watched him reverently form a graceful curlicue, the realization of her transgression took on an even greater weight. That weight seemed to lift slightly as Levi looked at her and smiled. He seemed tired.
"I'm glad you took it down and opened it… It had been – too long."
He sat down and indicated for her to do the same and as she did he poured the tea and handed her a plate of toast.
They sat quietly as they sipped their tea and ate the toast. Only the crackling of the fire made any sound at all. Then Levi spoke up.
"So, now you know something about me. Something very personal… deeply private."
He smiled as he poured her another cup.
"I guess that makes us even."
Krista was confused by that last statement.
"Even? What do you mean?"
"Nothing. But tell me – how is the tea… your highness?"
The sound of Krista's tea cup shattering on the floor was the only response, as it tumbled from her shocked fingers.