Pieck was feeling particularly giddy today. It had been a few months since she'd touched down in Paradis, and winter had ended a week ago. The coming of spring was pleasant. Oh sure, Pieck had enjoyed making snowmen and snow angels and having snowball fights with Mr. Grissom's kids on her way from work, but she definitely preferred the warmth over the cold.

Not that she had to worry about heat, her Titan was toasty warm inside and out, the steam really helped her treks outside the Walls.

Her first few months here, she had gotten to work, scouring the Island outside the Walls for days on end, in Cart form the whole time. But quickly she'd realized that despite it being an island, Paradis was still rather large. She only had so much time available as Cart, and she'd rather not have to risk being practically paralyzed in Mindless territory while recovering. At the rate she was going it would take a year to cover the whole exterior of the Walls.

But that's when it hit her: the Walls! If the falling star, this meteorite had fallen behind enemy lines, surely someone was talking about it! Pieck had sincerely doubted it had destroyed a section of the Wall like Calvi had speculated/hoped, but maybe the impact had made some noise.

So she approached. She easily found what she assumed was Bertolt and Reiner's work, two gates broken and an entire village empty. A slight relief, their infiltration was a success. From there, a simple mater of making her way to the second Walls under the cover of night, and slipping over. With a backpack of spare clothes, rations, and a knife for emergencies, Pieck made for the nearest village.

It hadn't exactly been a cakewalk, but Pieck was nothing if not determined and charming. A couple conversations here, a ride to the nearby district of Trost there, and finding a job in a local textile shop which wasn't far from a local inn, she'd been able to secure herself a base of operations and income.

Well, in truth the inn was irrelevant, as her coworker had been most welcoming.

"Oh Pieck my dear, times are hard right now! You can't afford to waste a single coin right now!"

"Lynn I promise you I'll be fine!" Pieck insisted with a smile. The kindly woman beside her was so motherly, it honestly wasn't hard to like the woman. She was just the right amount of bearing in Pieck's eyes.

"Nonsense! My son is in the Cadets right now, his room is empty, you're more than welcome to stay there." Lynn insisted.

"Are you sure? Wouldn't it be scandalous if your son returns home one day to find a beautiful woman in his room? He might think you bought him a bride or adopted behind his back." Pieck joked.

"Ha! If anything maybe that'll get him to come visit me more to make I don't pull such a stunt. I told him he's welcome to drop on by, but it's been almost a year now since his last visit."

"I'm sure he's just busy working hard. You did say he wants to join the MP's, I'm told that's not easy."

"I know, I just worry. He's such a good kid, but he can be a little full of himself. I hope he didn't act like a big shot the whole time he was there, I half expect him to be mailed to me stuffed in a barrel."

Pieck snorted at that. It was clear Lynn loved her son, but he sounded he needed a few life lessons knocked into him.

Lessons that the Titans would probably provide, unfortunately. Pieck wasn't wishing for it, but she had no doubt Trost would be a likely target for another gate smashing. Her poor son would probably discover his mom was eaten…

Banishing such gloomy thoughts, Pieck had accepted Lynn's offer with a smile, and found herself a cozy house with home cooking (that Pieck contributed to for groceries at least, she didn't want to eat poor Lynn out of house AND home) to periodically search as winter had come. She had managed to pick up information about the "Falling Star," that it had crashed in the territory populated by Titans between Wall Maria and Rose, and that the Scouts had gone after it but evidently hadn't found anything. At least, nothing the villagers had seen, no great big rock, no fallen god. Pieck had gone out a few times in an attempt to find the crash site, but even knowing it's general landing point being south of Trost, no luck. She had considered sneaking around the Scouts, but they were quite observant, never letting their guard down for a second, a far cry from the Garrison soldiers.

Pieck had resigned herself to waiting for the snow to thaw, and before she knew it, spring had come. As it turned out, Lynn had a dish that was at it's peak with the coming of the spring, as the chickens eggs were the perfect flavour. Which meant her omelette was, in Pieck's eyes, divine! Her first meal with them, Pieck couldn't help but cry out in delight! Now, after a good shift, she was off to the market to buy those sacred ingredients for Lynn.

Which was at that moment a cart rolled down hill, just as Pieck turned the corner into the street that entered the market.

It was coming rather fast, there really was no time to dodge, or transform. Even if Pieck had thought such a thought, she really didn't want to blow her cover, or clue the enemy in to Titan Shifters. But she was about to be slammed by a large object, which would certainly break her bones, and Pieck didn't know if she had enough control over her healing to keep them broken.

Who was she kidding? She knew she didn't.

(The irony her cover was about to be blown by a cart was not lost on her.)

'A real shame, this spot was perfect. Checking outside the Walls, gathering Intel from rumours, I was making progress.'Pieck sighed in her head as the cart was about to strike-

Pieck felt the air leave her lungs as something slammed into her from the side! It wasn't the cart, that was for sure, this was much softer. And currently cradling her with it's arms, preventing her from slamming into the ground fully. The cart rolled past them, and thankfully slammed into a wall not far off, luckily not hitting anyone, though evidently it's cargo of chickens were freed from their cages, clucking around freely as they scuffled about. There was a moment of pause, as Pieck took in deep, startled breaths, the body on top of her doing the same, before it began to speak.

"Geez, are you okay?! Don't freeze up like that!"

Well, that was rude! Pieck hadn't frozen up, she was just… unable to react beyond preparing for impact.

Okay, maybe she had frozen up. But she would have survived, and just have to leave her perfect little set up here and hope she hadn't let slip a clue to the enemy. Oh boy, please tell her none of the other Warriors had seen that.

Deciding to give her "saviour" a piece of her mind her gratitude, Pieck turned her head to gaze into a spikey brown haired boy's concerned face. A very close face. A face that was rapidly going from concerned to smug.

"Well, no need to thank me, just doing my duty as a soldier of humanity. Course, probably can't expect me to save you again, as I'll be in the Interior soon. So enjoy this moment while you can."

…Oh, wow. Someone was full of himself. Pieck had half a mind to pinch his nose just to see how he'd react. But seeing as he did save her some trouble, she decided to be lenient.

"Oh, my knight in shining armour, I bet you say that to all the cute girls you rescue." Pieck managed to wiggle an arm out to drape it over her forehead to play up the dramatics.

The boy blinked, clearly not expecting that. "Uh, are you okay? You didn't hit your head on the tumble, did you?" He had gone back to concerned again. Aw, so there was a heart under that bluster.

"Why yes I am. I'm just so smitten right now, a girl saved by a dashing hero from certain doom, how could I not feel things right now?"

"Ooooookay, you're clearly insane. I'm just going head out now before it passes on to me." The boy moved to get up, and helped Pieck to her feet as he did so.

"Aw, shouldn't you check on me a little more? I could have twisted or sprained something."

"Somehow, I doubt that." He did however make to help her to a crate for her to sit on, probably to check her legs.

Pieck laughed. He was a decent sort alright. "I'm sorry. Just having a bit of fun, I'm fine. It's my way of coping, I did almost die."

The boy exhaled. "Yeah, that was a close one. You're really okay?"

"Hmm mmm." Pieck nodded. "Certainly feel much safer with a soldier like you on the job!"

"Ah." Her current conversation partner rubbed his head. "I'm actually still in training, technically not a full soldier."

"Well, I certainly hope when you graduate you get assigned here, you've already got a leg up on everyone else." Pieck smiled. "Saving helpless maidens like it's natural, we can all sleep safer with you watching over us."

"Sorry to disappoint, but I'll be on my way to the Interior as an MP." He actually puffed his chest out a bit, guess he was confident in his career path. "Maybe I'll drop on by the old neighbourhood and wave to you. Make sure you don't get smacked by any runaway carts."

'Oh Ho Ho Ho Ho, what a cheeky little devil!' Funny enough, Pieck wasn't thinking devil in the traditional prejudiced sense, not that she was dwelling on it. She was having too much fun right now. "Well then, at least tell me your name."

"Huh?" He looked confused at that.

"You wouldn't want me to go home and just think of you as "that nameless cadet who saved me", would you?"

"I dunno, that's a nicer description than "clueless bozo who almost got turned into paste.""

"Well for that remark I'm calling you "Big jerk with egg on his face."

"Wha-" Jean began, then stopped as he noticed Pieck got to her feet, bent down to pick up a chicken that had wandered by, and aimed it butt first at him.

"Talk, or I squeeze and fire eggs at you!" Pieck had a devilish smile on her face, while Jean just look bewildered. After a few seconds, he sighed with a hint of laughter in it.

"Okay, okay. Jean Kirstein."

'Kirstein? Oh, don't tell me!' Managing to keep the surprise and realization off her face, Pieck responded. "Pieck Finger. Thank you Jean Kirstein."

"Told you you didn't need to thank me."

"Well I did anyway. Now, does a Cadet help clean up the market? It might get you bonus points!" Pieck inquired, only half joking as she shuffled the chicken to tuck it under her arm.

"On top of saving you, I'd hope so." Jean looked around, wondering where and if he should start, as stall owners had converged to observe the crash.

As it turned out, Jean wasn't tasked with cleaning up. A Cadet could be ordered to serve, but when the officer in charge had been regaled with his exploit in preventing a civilian injury or death, as told by Pieck, he'd been given a clasp on the shoulder and a job well done. Promises to inform his Instructor helped put a big grin on Jean's face, as he escorted Pieck home.

"Can't believe they let you keep the chicken…" Jean's good cheer was checkered with confusion at the strange girl beside him.

"I'm just borrowing it, the owner of the cart was so apologetic he'd offered me a months worth of eggs. I wasn't going to say no, but I didn't want to put him out of business. So I asked if I could have a chicken to lay them for me, just for a few days while he recovers his stock." Pieck explained, her feathered companion gently cradled in her arms.

"Hope you know what your doing, it's still gonna make a mess."

"It'll be fine! I'll put it in the yard with the fence closed, feed it, and wait."

"You also have to give it a nest. And you have no idea if it's ready to lay eggs."

Pieck looked up, confused. "Don't you just feed them and they make eggs?"

Jean shrugged. "Heck if I know."

Pieck pondered, then shrugged with a smile. "Well, I'm sure it'll work out!"

"And I'm sure you'll be covered in feathers and chicken shit the next time I see you, but don't let that stop you."

Pieck laughed, and to his surprise, Jean laughed too.

"So, are we close to your house?"

"Oh yes, though it's not my house exactly. My co worker offered me a place to stay, said I should save up my wages as much as possible. Her son is in the Cadets, so she said I could have his room."

"Well, that's nice of her." Jean commented. "Hope you haven't been taking advantage of her kindness, like say, stinking up her home with a smelly chicken."

"How dare you insult Commander Cluckers! She is the sweetest smelling chicken in Trost!" Pieck actually brought the thing right up to her face and nuzzled it's feathered chest with her nose. "Aren't you? Yes you are, you are!" The chicken merely twitched it's head left and right, even to the point Pieck sneezed.

"Maybe don't rub your nose with a hundred feathers, yeah?" Jean couldn't help but laugh at her dumbassery.

"Ahhhh, we suffer for those we love." Pieck sighed dramatically, giggling.

She had feathers in her long hair now. Reaching forward, Jean plucked them out, sighing. 'This girl…'

Looking back up, he noticed his own house was coming into view. Huh, wouldn't it be funny if she lived close by? Maybe Mrs. Wagner was putting her up, she was nice.

"Are we close?" Jean asked.

"Why? Eager to get rid of me?"

"Yes, but that's not why I asked." Jean responded instantly, which Pieck guffawed at the audacity. "I just live right over there," he pointed, "and figure I could drop by to see my mom."

"Oh? A mama's boy are we?" Pieck grinned.

"Pfft, as if, I'm just making sure she doesn't have an excuse to nag me for not visiting her. It's not like I only have one day off every two weeks and that I'm trying to get us into the Interior Mom!" Jean sighed, exasperated.

Pieck continued to smirk, oh, had she a prank in mind! "It's funny, I'm rooming with a mother of one right now, and her son happens to be in the Cadets."

"Really? Huh, small world. Wouldn't be a Marco Bodt, would it?"

"Nope. But she said her son was strong and handsome and that she hopes he'll give her grand kids some day, y'know, the standard motherly fare." Pieck had picked up how mothers were from her friends back home and her espionage missions, even deprived of one she could fake it. "Oh, but also that he had rocks in his head and was a bit of a blowhard, she doubts he hasn't had his butt kicked by the other cadets."

"Ha! Sounds like a real dope!" Jean laughed. Thomas, had to be Thomas! "I'll be sure to let him know!"

Coming to a stop in front of his home, Jean turned to look at Pieck, who was looking right at him, chicken attempting to preen itself in her arms.

"Well, uh, if it's all the same to you, I'd rather not have to make a round trip back here if that's alright." Jean attempted to be diplomatic. He knew it wasn't proper to just ditch, but he had quite a bit of action and would like to rest his feet.

"Oh no problem. But if you don't mind, could I just rest Cluckers in your yard a quick moment? I think she wants to stretch a little?" Pieck titled her head, smiling earnestly.

"If you can convince my mom, knock yourself out." Jean shrugged and moved to knock on the door. "But as far as excuses to not say goodbye to me go, I have to say, the effort to plan ahead by nabbing a chicken-"

"JEAN KIRSTEIN! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?" The door flung open and Jean found himself being pulled into a hug. "You don't write, you don't visit, and when you finally make time, your over an hour late! What's wrong with you boy!"

"Quit… nagging… me!" Jean forced out, trying to wiggle out of his moms hold.

"Why, of all the days to show up late, if Pi- oh, Pieck my dear! There you are!" Lynn Kirstein noticed her tenant, standing there smiling the most innocent of smiles.

"Pieck? You know her?" Jean asked.

"Why, she works with me in the textile shop. I offered her your room to help her out a bit with finances. I wanted to explain in person, it's why I kept asking you to visit." Lynn explained. "But, have you two met already? And… my dear, I just needed you to bring eggs, not a whole chicken…" The dawning realization and horror coming across Jean's face was worth every second of waiting to Pieck!

"Oh, we just met today actually! You should have seen him, zipping in on ODM gear and carrying me off into the sky as a herd of stampeding horses came barreling down the streets, it was magical!" Pieck dropped her precious Cluckers and flung her hands up for dramatic effect. "After that, he invited me into his home, where he promised he'd make me a home cooked meal and introduce me to his wonderful mother, who he's said is nothing but amazing!"

'No, please Walls no!' Jean cried internally.

The time it took for Jean to get the real story out to his mom, and be brought up to speed himself, was longer than it should have been. That was mainly due to Pieck opening her mouth every second sentence to tease Jean or put her own spin on things, to the point Jean clamped his hand over her mouth just to speed things along. By the time he had tentatively accepted the situation (and his mom whacked him over the head when he had asked if there was no way they could kick Pieck out onto the streets, "Suggest that again and it'll be you sleeping outside on the yard, not the chicken!"), supper was in the process of being made. Not accepting any help, Lynn had suggest Pieck and Jean figure out the sleeping arrangements, "and it better be in separate rooms!"

So, here they were, in Jean's room, where Pieck seemed quite comfy in his bed.

"I really do like the springiness! Just the right bounce for my butt when I sit on it!" Pieck grinned mischievously.

"Yeah, that's over now, off my bed." Jean declared, arms crossed and face saying he was not debating this.

"Oh boo." Instead of getting up, Pieck fell back and laid back, arms over her head as she put all her acting to use. "Can you not spare any thought to my delicate womanly body? I've molded the mattress to my figure, I can't change now!"

"Can you just not make my life difficult? Just in this regard?" Jean pleaded. It was his room dammit! He wanted to sleep in a comfy bed not a military one, just once! A fact he attempted to impart on Pieck. To which she instantly rebuffed.

"But what if you become soft? What if sleeping here makes it so you can't sleep on those military beds? What if, your rank drops because of it?!" Pieck exclaimed with mock seriousness.

Unfortunately for Jean, it made him think. And the thought was enough that he gave in. "Fine, the couch is comfy enough I guess. Lousy little free loader…" he grumbled under his breath, leaving to find a spare pillow and cover. Searching the closet revealed nothing, and as he was about to head down, a pillow was held out before him, courtesy of Pieck.

"Thank you for letting me sleep in your room Jean." Pieck smiled, a genuine smile.

"…Yeah, no problem." Jean blinked, then shook his head. For a moment there, she had looked… cute.

The couch sucked. It was comfy enough to sit in, but for some reason, it fucked up Jean's spine as badly as a horse stomping on it. Working the kinks out in time for breakfast, Jean departed after a full belly and an embarrassing goodbye kiss from his mother, which he returned, with a promise to come back soon, there was a special training course in Trost in three days. That pleased his mom, she was happy to see her Jean Boy after so long.

When Pieck puckered up her lips with eyes closed, he simply walked past her without saying a word, ignoring the chicken that basked at him too. It was too early in the morning for her shenanigans.

Jean returned to the barracks, feeling exhausted and strangely refreshed. Pieck was weird, and she was hogging his room, and his mother dotted on her and embarrassed him… but she was funny, and not the worst person he'd ever met.

That honour belonged to Eren Jaeger, forever and ever and ever.

He returned as promised in three days, getting permission from Shadis to stay the night at home while everyone else assembled in the morning, in preparation for the Titan Evacuation drill. And he put his foot down this time on sleeping arrangements.

"I'm sorry, but tonight, I have to be a poor host and take my bed back. I can't afford to have my back wrecked the night before the drill." Jean insisted.

"Jean, I'm sure your exaggerating. But for the sake of your score Mr. Future MP, I'll gladly brave that horrible no good couch for you. Remember me fondly when you make it into the Interior, never forget my sacrifice!" Pieck joked, heading down with her (Jean's) blanket and pillow (also Jean's).

The following morning…

"What the hell is wrong with that couch!" Pieck cried, shuffling on the ground on all fours, unable to get up and forced to roll off her sleeping accommodation.

"Told ya." Jean stated, bending down to gently help her up to the table.

"Maybe I should go shopping for a rollout mattress or even buy a spare bed." Lynn wondered aloud, giving her kids an omelette each. "Greg at the carpenters gives me good deals, I certainly can afford it."

"Please don't!" Jean begged. "She's comfy enough here as it is, you don't need her to actually consider this her home!"

"Awwww, and here I thought you were warming up to me." Pieck chuckled, resting her head in the table as she slowly got her back in order. Titan healing certainly had it's perks, and thankfully it was internal so it wouldn't be noticed (apart from maybe a creak or two which could be taken as natural healing), but wow! Her back was wrecked!

Jean sighed, and helped himself to some fresh orange juice. Noticing Pieck's hair was sprayed over the table and her plate, he brushed it out of the way before offering her a glass. Pieck smiled and accepted, working herself into a sitting position to eat.

The Titan Evacuation Drill had gone well enough, Pieck and Lynn made it out properly and back home in time for lunch. It was around then that Lynn decided she should bring her Jean Boy some grub, for him and his friends. And Pieck, seeing an opportunity, asked to join. She had come up short in her investigations, and more importantly, had yet to come across the other Warriors. She hadn't seen hide nor hair of Marcel, Annie, Reiner, or Bertolt. It had been years, but she figured she'd recognize them if she met them. Having come up empty running around in Trost and somewhat beyond into Wall Rose, Pieck figured the next best spot to look would be in the Cadets, surely at least one of them had signed up to gather intel.

Needless to say, Jean was more than a little mortified to see his mother drop by, and the weirdo that had taken up residence in his house. He had enough on his plate already with Pixis contest, he did not need this!

"Wh- wha- what are you doing here?" Jean spluttered.

"I was thinking about a career change, actually!" Pieck beamed.

"What?" Jean could only stare, confused.

"Why Pieck, this is news to me! Don't you like working at the shop?" Lynn asked, a little surprised at the sudden announcement.

"Oh I love it! But seeing those Cadets in the air, I thought maybe I should try to help out too. They do so much, something in me just felt the need to contribute. I'm not looking to be a solider, but maybe they could use a chef or housekeeper?" Pieck pondered aloud. She then chose to plop down next to Jean, clutching his arm. "And who knows, maybe seeing my beautiful face every day will give you the morale boost needed to reach the Military Police!"

"Would you just leave me alone?!" Jean struggled, attempting to pry Pieck off of him. He was still trying as Lynn placed a boxed lunch in front of him.

"Calm down Jean Boy, Pieck is just trying to be supportive." She stated, affectionate but firm.

"She's trying to drive me insane, that's what she's doing!" Jean protested!

"No way, Jean has a girl friend?" Someone whispered just loud enough for Jean to hear.

"Guess he moved on from Mikasa, good for him."

"She's kinda cute, not gonna lie."

"Dark hair too, remember how he was choking on his own tongue over Mikasa's?"

"I CAN HEAR YOU ASSHOLES!" Jean shouted. That was the last of his self righteous anger, as he just deflated into his seat, exhaustion from so many emotions going through him at once taking his strength. Mercifully, Pieck had let go, and with a double clap on his shoulders and words to "Cheer up Jean Boy!", she went to Lynn to pass out the apples they had brought. Jean sighed, and stared at the lunch before him.

Pieck had handed an apple to at least three kindly Cadets, who she greeted with smiles and good cheer. She waved off any questions about if she and Jean were a couple, instead deciding to say how he saved her life, which brought up a whole new set of questions! Being as true to the story as she could be, Pieck certainly improved Jean's standing in the eyes of his fellow Cadets that day. They still would think of him as an arrogant blowhard, but now he was a blowhard who had a heart of gold!

As Pieck and Lynn prepared to leave, Pieck stopped a passing officer to inquire about job postings.

"A cook, a cleaner, a laundry girl, I'd be more than willing to help out around the base sir!" Pieck passionately claimed.

"Cadets are typically the ones to do all that, miss."

"Yes, but surely they don't do everything? I can't imagine they make the meals, so many portions and all." Pieck was very familiar with how a training camp worked. Even one stuck in the 16th century was surely no different.

"Well, we do have civilian chefs, but we've got a full roster." The officer stated.

"I could help! Be an assistant, prep the ingredients, go out for supply runs! I ask of you, please, give me a chance!" Pieck bowed.

"…Well, you seem sincere, and the chefs have said they feel run a little ragged… I'll take a look, see what the others say, you can come back tomorrow."

"Thank you sir! You won't regret it."

As the officer left, Pieck turned to see Lynn. "Oh Lynn, I'm sorry, I should have-"

"It's alright my dear! A passionate thing like you, so eager to help out! You're just like my Jean, the both of you are truly good souls." She smiled. "Don't think this means you have to give up your room, well, my sons room. You're welcome to stay anytime." Lynn embraced Pieck, giving the Warrior a hug that filled the girl with warmth and love. "And if you could keep an eye on Jean while your at it, I'd be very grateful. He's a good boy, but sometimes he needs a friend."

Pieck could only smile, and return the hug. Lynn Kirstein was a good woman, Jean was so lucky to have her as a mom.

Pieck had returned to the good news she would be a cook's assistant, possibly even a laundry girl if she was willing to pick up extra shifts. It was all fine to her, she could work five days then take two off to prowl the territory in Wall Maria for the Fallen Star, now that the snow had melted it might be easier.

It was just a shame her first day on the job she was delegated to scrubbing clean the pots and pans the Cadets had used in a cooking contest.

Huffing and puffing as she got some rather burnt bits out of the bottom of a cooking pot, Pieck hoped this decision would bare fruit. She was used to work like this, even as child she had done similar, but even as a good little Edlain she'd never enjoyed having to get burned food bits out. Didn't people know to soak things in water anymore?!

"Need a hand?" Pieck almost squeaked, almost. She turned to see Jean behind her, in his civies.

"Uh, yes. But can you spare the time? Don't you have classes or something?" Pieck was genuinely surprised, her usual wittiness absent at the moment.

"Nah, Pixis gave us a free day. It didn't feel right leaving my dirty dishes, so I wanted to clean up. Didn't expect to see you here though." Jean reached for a wet rag and a frying pan.

"First day on the job." Pieck smiled. "The perks of being the new girl."

"Ouch, sorry you got stuck with this."

"It's fine. I said I wanted to help, and if this is how I do it, so be it! Dedicate your heart!" Pieck gave a mock salute, scrubbing tool still in hand as she held it over her chest.

Jean snickered. "Careful, Shadis will kill you if he sees that." Pieck chuckled, and the two got to work.

It didn't take long for them to converse, and Pieck certainly had no end of entertainment with Jean doing most of the talking, well, griping.

"And don't get me started on how I ended up with dead weight for the contest!"

"No good in the kitchen were they?"

"Absolutely not! And I don't say this to be mean, Armin's a smart guy, but he isn't a hunter, or a chef, and his big brain didn't come up with anything to help me cook, he was no help at all. And then he broke his leg of all things…"

"He broke his leg?!" Now THAT she wasn't expecting. If a cooking contest involved that, she wouldn't be surprised if someone had gotten strangled with their own ODM gear.

"Yeah, I was shocked. Got him to the nurses office really quick, though he was out of the contest. But, amazingly, he managed to show up for the final part, the cooking and presentation, even with both legs in casts. Determined, I'll give him that."

"Well bravo to him! Points for determina-… wait, both legs? I thought you said he broke one?" Pieck asked, confused.

"Ah. I, uh, I may have dropped him on the way to the nurse…" Jean muttered, clearly ashamed.

Pieck was speechless. Truly speechless… for about five seconds, then she laughed. "Oh, that's wrong…" She tried to get her chuckles under control.

"Please don't laugh, I feel bad enough." Jean begged, embarrassed.

"I'm sorry." Pieck chuckled, and worked to get herself under control. After a few minutes of deep breaths, she managed to ask, "So, what about your other partner? Who was it?"

"Ugh, somehow the best and worst Cadet we've got, Annie."

That snapped Pieck back to reality. 'Stay calm. It could be anyone. Lot's of folks named Annie. You haven't met anyone else, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. What are the odds you find one of them the moment you come here?' Keeping her expression a light smile, Pieck pressed on. "Sounds like a charmer, what's their deal?"

"Her deal is she could easily be in the top two of the class but does only just enough effort to be in the top ten. She's got talent but she's a slacker. She's cold, like, really cold. I'd take my chances being between a bear and her cub than being alone with her."

"Yikes, and to think she'll be going to the Interior with you."

"Don't remind me! I swear I'm sorely tempted to join the Garrison instead."

'Yep, that's my Annie alright. Poor Jean, at least you've only seen her human side, and survived! Maybe she won't hurt you when she-'

"But what I think annoys me most is how she won't admit she's got a crush on Armin." Jean continued.

'…What?' Pieck's thoughts came to a halt.

"Like just yesterday! She hated this contest, thought it was a waste of time, but she came along because it was teams of three. Or so I thought. The moment Armin gets hurt and is supposedly out of the contest, she bails. But when he manages to come back, she shows up too. Seriously, it's soooo obvious."

Pieck was really stumped right now. On the one hand, it did sound like Annie. On the other…

'Did Annie really find someone like that here?' It wasn't impossible, these were good people, getting close to them wouldn't be impossible, Pieck certainly had. But this was Annie! She was… well, tricky, to get close to.

Still, this was the best lead she'd gotten in months! As she finished up the last of the pots, now all pristine and clean, Pieck began to rinse her hands. "Well, as I'm going to be here a while, hopefully you'll introduce me to your friends. Get me acquainted with everyone."

"Not my friends." Jean immediately denied.

"Oh hush, you like them. Like you like me." Pieck smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not looking to replace you, you're one of a kind Jean!"

"Back at you." Jean replied. Then, a thought coming to him, "The one of a kind thing, I mean! You are an odd, odd person Pieck."

"I prefer to think of myself as different. Unique. And what's unique is always worth more." Pieck replied, smooth as ever.

Jean guffawed at that, but didn't deny it. It was a good line. Getting up, he decided to close with the conversation. "Well, I guess I'll see you around?"

"That you will, I'm scheduled to ride out to the training camps with the rest of you. Looking forward to your continued success, I'll be cheering you on!"

"Heh, thanks. Just don't expect me to help you with your job too much, I do have loftier goals in mind than being in a kitchen."

'As do I Jean, as do I.' Pieck thought, looking forward to tomorrow.