A figure burst through the doors of the mess hall in a flustered rush. All eyes fell upon her. "Oh, um, sorry about that."

She slowly edged to the right and then began to walk up to a table. She sighed and flopped down onto it, not noticing the person opposite her. She looked up and jumped as she saw the taller male lazily looking at her, like all was normal. "I'm so sorry! I didn't know you were here. Sorry again. I should go."

"It's fine." He sighed and laid back, taking a swig of his drink.

"Oh, thanks."

"I thought me and my friends were the only new people here."

"No, no. I'm only here to observe."

Markov rose and eyebrow and thought better than to question it. "How rude of me! I haven't even introduced myself. I'm Maggie, from Greece if you think my accent is weird."

"My friends are from Japan and England, you're fine. I'm Markov Kaiser."

"Ah, I heard about you. Is it Nix Grim and Kita Irne?"

"That's them." His monotone voice replied.

"You did really well in all of the tests. How are you so fast?"

"It's natural."

Maggie chuckled and was about to speak when another figure aproached. "Hell no, Kaiser! You took the hearts of all my shots, you are NOT taking another."

"And I don't intend to, but you are being irrational."

Jean scowled and flipped his body to Maggie, resting on his elbow, his back facing Markov. "So, what brings yo-"

He was met with a punch to his face and a stagger backwards. "Never talk to me again." Maggie spat at him.

"What the hell is wrong with you, you i-"

Markov stepped in front of him and glared down at him. Jean felt a churn in his stomach as he remembered the last time he got stared at like that. "You win this time." He snarled.

"Thanks Markov! That was awesome."

"That's a good punch you have there."

"You think so? I don't punch much so I wouldn't know. Oh! I have to leave now, I can't be late for Pixis!"

The flustered Maggie ran out of the doors again and tripped up on the steps. She quickly brushed it off and ran off. "Who was that?"

"Maggie, I didn't get her second name."

"Did you get an analysis?"

"Tries to be organised for things but ends up late, she is cheerful most of the time, but can fight if she needs to. She likes her friends and is quick to make them."

"She sounds nice, where did she go?"

"I believe she went to see Dot Pixis. She came here temporarily to observe. I think she is becoming a commander, slightly older than us."

"What, she's like 18 odd right?"

"I don't know. What have you got on your 'challenge' anyway?"

"3 girls. You start." Kita said.

"Okay, so our first one is Ymir. She's tall, independent, a fighter. Though, she's protective over Krista Lenz and is very sarcastic."

"I've seen her. I dislike her by the way she acts, she's caring inside but I just don't like her."

"Well that was a dead end."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because we can, okay Kita, who've you got?"

"Her name is Annie Leonhardt, she's probably the best one I have seen around. She's basically the female you."

"That's a no go, Bertholdt is head over heels for her, and it's mutual."

"Really? Those two?"

"Yeah I didn't expect it either."

"I guess it works though."

"Number three is obvious, Mikasa Ackerman. She's calm, steady, caring."

"Give her a chance Markov."

Markov looked at their desperate eyes and caved in. "Fine."

Nix and Kita high fived and celebrated. "No doubt she'll come over to you."

"Her friends have figured out something is wrong with her."

"Mikasa!"

Armin jogged up to his taller, female friend and stopped when he was a meter from her. "Hello Armin."

"So, are you going to the Valentines party?"

"There's nobody to go with. So it's a pass." She sighed.

"Why don't you ask Markov? Or if you're really desperate, Jean."

"I'm never going to ask Jean. And, I'm pretty sure Markov doesn't feel the same way."

"Have you talked to him at all since the fight?"

"No.."

"Then get to know him. Look, you have eight hours until the party, I'd hurry if I were you. Go prepare. I'll talk to him."

"You'd do that? For me?"

"Mikasa, you're my friend. I'd do anything."

"I appreciate this."

Armin smiled as she walked off. She really liked Markov, so he would at least try to make it happen. He took a deep breath and walked past some rooms to get to the mess hall. "Here goes."

He opened the door, fortunately for him, Nix and Kita were elsewhere. He slowly made his way over to the almost empty table and took a seat. "Hey, Markov right."

Markov nodded shortly to answer. "You've probably noticed already, but Mikasa likes you. And, as her friends I'm obligated to help her."

"I know."

"So...would you go to the Valentines day party tonight with her?"

"It depends if she comes to talk to me or not."

Armin thought over his newly found information and thanked Markov, then wandered off to where he thought Mikasa would be. "Mikasa? Where are you?"

She came out, her hair and scarf all sorted out. "Hurry, he's waiting."

"Thanks Armin."

She left after pulling on her Trainees jacket. "This is too weird to watch, just go already."

"Look, I'll be straight out here, I like you, and it's all grown from respect. I don't exactly grasp emotion that well, but after that, I just felt weird whenever I looked at you. I know this sounds really forward."

"That's one thing we have in common, we both don't handle emotion well. I am physically unable to feel certain emotions. I injured myself when I was 6, but whilst my family were grieving, I felt nothing. No pain. No sadness. No joy. It's been like that since then, so I try and make my friends happy if I can't. It's simple really."

"I think mine comes from the fact I killed somebody when I was young. They killed my parents, they tried to kill Eren, so I stabbed him."

"Is that what the scarf is about?"

"Yes. Eren gave it to me."

"So now we have both told our backstory, we should establish my hate on Jean."

"That's the second thing we have in common."

"I just can't stand it when something happens to my friends, threat or insult."

"I feel the same way. Jean was disrespectful to Eren, then tried to flirt with me."

"He is a moron."

"I agree."

"I can sense him right now. 3...2...1."

"Hey idiot! What did I say about Ackerman?"

"And how did I reply? Look Jean, I try being nice to you, but it's draining trying to act that much. You're just so easy to dislike I find it easier that way." He said in a monotonous voice.

"I forbid you from dating Mikasa."

"You can't. You just, in general, cannot do that. And keep in mind, that every disgusting syllable that comes out of your mouth can be used against you, and also is angering Mikasa."

"She's fine."

"How many bruises have you gained since I came?"

"More than the usual."

"That's because we all dislike you. There's no point in holding Mikasa down if she will go for you, because I would too."

"Mikasa wouldn't fight me."

Mikasa huffed and rolled her eyes, then punched Jean in the nose. "I forbid you from talking to him again."

Jean crawled away to a laughing Sasha and Connie. "So, what do you like doing?"

"Art, I just do sketches all the time, or writing."

"Could I see some of your work sometime?"

"Depends on the outcome of this."

"I agree."

"Here's something for you, what emotion do you think Levi is?"

"Hot headed, tries to act calm."

"Well done. You have successfully become friends with Markov Kaiser."

"Does that mean we can go to the dance together?"

"As friends. Nothing more. I like you Mikasa, not in the same way though. I think you'll just have to deal with your emotions."

"I see. Well, I don't exactly see a point in going."

"Yes, well I don't want to be a third wheel to Nix and Kita."

"I hear Reiner's been grovelling over it."

"He was five minutes late. Only five."

"Seriously?"

The casual chat went on for a while. Mikasa could get used to this, normal talking. They could be friends, nothing more, nothing less. She could deal with herself.

She was just happy she gained a friend.

"So how'd it go?"

"I don't like her that way. But she's a friend. She seemed alright with that."

"Ugh! We still haven't found anybody. She was the best shot, apart from Annie of course."

"Don't even think about it Kita." Nix laughed.

"We'll go on one last search, that's it."

"Go ahead." Markov muttered.

"How'd it go Mikasa?"

"We're friends. We're not going together."

"Jean?"

"No. Don't be absurd. I'm not that desperate."

"How nice. Well, maybe you'll find somebody."

"In five hours? I doubt it."

"Don't lose hope."

Armin passed her a quick smile and went to find Eren. Mikasa leant down and looked out at the darkening sky. "Hey, are you okay?"

Mikasa hesitated, flinched and looked up. An adolescent about her age, slightly taller, was looking at her with confusion on her face. "Yeah, I'm fine. I haven't seen you around before."

"I came yesterday, I've just been doing all of the training and tests, I need a rest is all."

"Well, the dining room is in there." She muttered and pointed to the door.

"I know, you just looked upset. Whatever."

She pushed her elbow into the door after running a hand through her jet black hair and entered the room. Mikasa sighed and stood straight up, mentally debating whether she should go back in or not. The party was in a few hours, most were getting ready, only a few would be in there. She pressed her head against the cold wall and felt the temperature change from her previously heated headache. She finally approved herself of going inside and took a large breath to knowing she'll see Markov again. She finally exhaled and followed the footsteps of the girl she had latterly spoken to.

Markov opened his tired eyes and looked around, surveying his surroundings to see if it had changed at all. Only slightly.

There were fewer people around now, one stood at the door, back facing him. Presumably a female due to figure and features. She had long black hair, one plaited strand on her head like a half crown. She moved slightly, turning her head. She finally turned so much that Markov could make out her face. Glistening, vibrant green eyes, perfect face.

"Jade?"

shoutout to Ssj Maggie for helping me with my stories, and for playing a part in this chapter ;)