Redemption or Damnation: Annie's Choice

by DMtotheAAFan

A Post-Rumbling Annie Leonhart finds herself on Paradis in the past, 10 years before the Fall of Wall Maria. If that wasn't strange enough, she finds she's trapped as the Female Titan! Armed with the power to shatter mountains and knowledge of the future, but lacking any means of communication or her old allies, how will Annie handle this situation?

3. The Camping Titan

"You know, it might be cheaper, and safer, to just hire some protection." Wald offered, placing the coins in his scales as he made sure Issac Arlert continued to be one of his more honest business partners. A very recent business partner, and a very active one, what with him coming in every day these last two weeks.

"For a camping trip?" Issac smiled, that moustache of his crinkling as he did so, his round face offering nothing but honesty and good cheer. "We're not heading out the gates to fight Titans Wald, just a little outing in Maria to enjoy the splendour of nature."

"Is that why you've trained on how to use this," Wald gestured to the musket on the table between them, "Every day since you found out about my business?"

"…Well, nature does have teeth."

"That it does." Wald watched as the scales balanced with his good eye, and removed the coins to put them in his money pouch, before removing a slip of paper, no bigger than a playing card. "Alright, your money is good as always. You'll get your deposit back after you return the gun, and any bullets or gunpowder you don't use will get you a slight refund. Sign here, if you would." Wald slid the paper across the table, Issac already removing the quill to finish this transaction.

It didn't need to be said, but should anyone turn up dead from a gunshot, and Issac was unable to account for all his shots, Wald would point the Garrison to him if they came asking. Owning firearms might technically not be permitted to anyone who wasn't military aside from saloon owners, but out here in Wall Maria the Garrison was a little more forgiving. They could understand not everyone was able to use a bow and arrow, and the woods, nay, even the open road were full of dangers. So they gave Wald a pass, as he'd been generous with his gifts to them and particular about his clientele. Provided none of his customers used his wares to do harm, Wald was free to rent out firearms, even train people on how to use them.

And in the event someone did turn up dead due to Wald's negligence… well, that was what the slip of paper Issac was currently signing was for. Everything to make the investigating officers jobs as easy as possible, with accompanying bribes and apologies tucked away. Wald had been very clear, he wouldn't take the fall for another's poor choices.

Course, Wald liked to think he could read people fairly accurately. And Issac and his family (Wald had done his homework, lovely wife and a father who was retired but knew enough about Stohess to point his son in Wald's direction) were not the sort to take another's life. Aside from rumours the Arlert's might be keeping some contraband in the form of books forbidden by the King, they were ordinary citizens of Shinganshina. Wald had every reason to believe Issac was being utterly sincere that this rental was only for protection against the local widlife.

'So why is it I feel he's hiding something from me?' Wald withdrew a hand rolled cigarette from his breast pocket, and had just finished lightening it when Issac finished putting down his signature (so nice to have another customer who didn't just sign X). Sliding it back across the table, Issac made to pick up the musket, when Wald reached out to grab it in the middle.

Issac startled, but didn't resist, looking to Wald with a questioning gaze.

"…Your wife, she's coming along well?" Wald used his free hand to withdraw his cigarette, and exhaled slowly.

"Quite well. Doctor Jaeger has supplied medicine to help her sleep, and says all so far it looks good."

"So far?"

"Complications can happen." Issac grimaced, but quickly recovered. "But Grisha assures us his doors always open for regular check ups, so even if something unexpected happens, he's confident he'll deliver a fully healthy baby. Just as long as we follow his advice."

"And are you?" Wald gestured with his good eye to the weapon between them.

Issac nodded, not at all affronted by the dealer's prying into his personal life. "I know what you're getting at, but Ellie… she's a free spirit. She's not going to sit around at home doing nothing until the birth happens, no matter how much I beg her to. While she can still walk under her own power she want's to see things, to live." Issac chuckled, fondly. "She ah… she says she wants the baby to have an adventurous spirit, a desire to explore. She's hoping not sitting around will install some sense of… well, natural curiosity in the child."

"…You're not thinking of climbing a mountain are you?"

"Oh Walls no!" Issac actually released the gun to hold up his hands. "Even if she did, that is absolutely where I would put my foot down!"

"Just checking. The way you were talking, almost sounded like she was going to try heading outside."

"When pigs fly." Issac chuckled, before bringing his hands back to once again, take the rifle. This time, Wald let him. "Should only be a week, maybe two if we drop by a village to replenish our supplies."

"You have a full month, up to you how you use it." Wald waved away, reaching for the wrapping paper and twine to help Issac disguise his transaction here, lest until he could get in on his cart and into Wall Maria's wide yonder.

With practiced hands that had bundled many book purchases in similar ways, Issac wrapped up the rifle nice and neat. He retrieved the bags of ammunition and gunpowder at his side, and proceeded for the exit. Only pausing slightly to address Wald with a familiarity only his favourite customers were allowed.

"By the way, how's Peter doing? Saw him running around my store the other day, he's a very passionate youth."

Wald smirked. "That he is. Boy's already got his head full of dreams to join the Scout's and fight the Titans, and he just learnt how to spell his own name."

"Going to try and talk him out of it?"

"What father would I be if I didn't?" Wald chuckled. "Safe travels Issac. Let me know if you manage to kill another wolf. Long as the pelt is mostly intact I can give you a better deal than Marcus."

"Please, that was just pure luck." Issac laughed. "At best maybe I can bring you in a couple of rabbits."

---

"I think she'll be excited to see us." Ellie beamed confidently, practically bouncing in her seat. They'd just finished loading up everything in the cart, Ellie particularly happy about a bundled up clothe she'd carefully placed inside, and with a goodbye to Issac's father Eugene, set off for the gate leading into Wall Maria. The old man clenched his cane slightly more than usual, his weathered knuckles gripping the even more weathered wood, but he gave no sign what he was thinking, other than wishes for a safe journey.

"I… very much doubt that." Issac replied honestly to his wife, after trying very hard to picture the Female Titan showing any sign of enthusiasm or affection. At best he could picture a dismissive amused snort, but that was more in line with a "Oh, you fools actually came back?" reaction.

"I'm serious. We connected back then, in that cave. Saving our lives, drying our clothes, letting us stay in her home. And don't forget how she behaved with Lucy, trying to get her to come to us, and listening to you when you asked her to leave the girl alone." Ellie's bouncing was actually happening now, recalling that night always got her like this. "We connected. There was a connection."

"Or it was a one time act of taking mercy on us, and we should prepare for the worse." Issac offered, which got him a pitying stare from his wife. "I'm just saying, we should temper our expectations a little. She might not want us to be there, she might not be there, a totally different Titan might have come in and chased her out-"

"Oh, so you are considering there might be other Titans living within our Walls theory?" Ellie interrupted, sadness at her husband being the realist instead of the romantic right now replaced by enthusiasm at a scientific debate. "Do you think it might only be other Females, or do you think some of the Males might be here too?"

"I think if there are any others, they would have to be intelligent, like her. As she's our only example of one, it's far too soon to think that being Female is the defining trait, and it's not the being skinless that's the factor here." Issac offered. "There's a chance skinless Male Titans are here too, and we just haven't encountered them."

At that moment, they paused in their whispered conversation to give their greetings to the gate guards, announce their intentions, and proceed on their merry way, the magnificent Walls only access point surrounding them for less than a minute. Less than a minute, and yet ever so daunting, it was almost like being under a Titans foot, the weight of the unknown stone threatening to crush them.

But soon enough, they were out in the open terrain again, and heading straight for their destination. Seeing they were clear of any possible listeners in… Ellie resumed their conversation.

"Think she'll answer us if we ask her? About her brethren, why she's different?"

"Would it be that easy, I'd be over the moon." Issac managed to smile. "Or really, I'd settle for being over the Walls."

"I'm sure if you asked nicely, she'd throw you." Ellie smirked, before looking to the blue sky. "Actually, she probably could. You might get to taste a cloud before coming back down. And we could make the you shaped hole in the ground a landmark for travellers."

"Not how I'd like to be remembered." Issac chuckled at the image, it was honestly more funny than grim. "Dad would kick my ass when he comes to see me in the afterlife."

"Must say, he really handled our story better than I thought he would." Ellie reminisced. "Didn't outright dismiss us, didn't ask if we'd been drinking… I want to think seeing the wolf's body helped convince him, but even before then, he seemed to believe you."

"Well, he knows I couldn't come up with a story like this." Issac smiled. "If I wanted to play an elaborate prank on him, my best years for doing that are behind me."

"Best years implies you were any good at it in the first place, dear."

"…Okay, so it's behind me and my brother, the real mastermind, happy?" Issac pouted. "But anyways, the point remains, my dad knows this is too outlandish to be anything but the truth."

"Has he mentioned anything about wanting to see her?" Ellie was curious, if her father-in-law believed them, then surely he'd be intrigued?

"Hasn't outright said it, but I'm expecting he'll ask one day sooner rather than later. Probably as soon as he sees us return home safe and sound." 'If we return safe and sound.' Issac kept that thought private, he'd said his piece already and would give Ellie a break from the morbid for now. Shaking his head and brightening, Issac asked, "And what about your family? Think we should drop this on them at some point?"

"Whoa now, you know my family!" Ellie held up her hands. "They'd call the Walls down on her in a heartbeat, then turn us in before we could get a word out edgewise!"

"…Yeah, you're definitely right." Issac winced, his chat with his own father had gone so well, he'd forgotten his in-laws weren't as open minded and practical as his wife was.

"But maybe we could tell your brother?" Ellie offered. "He's… well, let me get this off my chest and say that was a mean prank you pulled. Telling me, "Come meet my brother and his family, you'll like them! Well, some of them. Well, one of them… maybe."" Ellie chuckled, recalling the memory. "You're such a bad brother, trying to turn me against my in-laws! What, were you trying to spare me the fact your side of the family is so much more pleasant than mine?"

"…No?" Issac tried to deny, but Ellie wasn't having any of it.

"Uh huh." A playful wack on her husbands arm, before Ellie continued. "But anyways, how about Killa? This would literally top any family get together forever, and he'd love you for it."

"…We'll see." Issac honestly had no idea how his brother would react to discovering the Female Titan inside the Walls. He loved the man, but Killa lived in Rose these days, and that had made him a businessman and an opportunist.

And a Titan that could be controlled, that was a grand opportunity, one Killa would be hard pressed not to pursue.

(Issac either, if he was being honest.)

Ellie, seeming to sense her husband's thoughts were somewhat less than pleasant, leaned over to hug him and rub his shoulder. "…Well, we can take our time. Doesn't have to be right this minute, or even this year. First we have to get to know her, then get her permission, then we can see about sharing the secret, yeah?"

"…Yeah." Issac reached up to take his wife's hand, then turned to kiss her.

They really had all the time in the world here.

---

All too soon for Issac, but not soon enough for Ellie, the Arlert's arrived at their destination. Far off the main road, past a great big field, approaching a hill that had a great forest right next to it, where a cave entrance awaited. The cave looked just the same as when they'd left it, and even during midday, the inside was completely hidden by the darkness.

It really was the perfect hiding spot for her.

When Issac and Ellie had left her, they had been surprised how lost they'd really been! That storm had caused them to lose sight of the main road, it had actually taken a bit of exploration to find out which direction they had to go. There were no other people around, no villages or lone houses for miles, and by the time they got to a main road the hill that housed the Female Titan was out of sight, lost with distance and the forests.

Ellie had done a remarkable job remembering the route they'd taken, and going by a map of the area, managed to chart their course. A couple more visits and they could map the best routes to the Female. Then hide those maps with some careful planning, maybe drawing it in lemon juice? An old trick, but not widely known…

But anyways, time for that later, first they had to see if their first encounter was a fluke or not. Coming to a halt a mile away, Issac stared ahead. He'd gone over this a hundred times in his head, he'd replayed that night and the Titan's actions and determined she was indeed an intelligent creature who didn't kill out of spite, and even if she didn't want to see them she'd most likely be merciful and let them go after forcefully making her point…

But she was still a Titan. It would be absurd not to imagine the worse happening.

"Issac?" Ellie's gentle but firm fingers took his, and Issac realized he'd clutched the reins so tight the leather was actually compressing. He looked towards her, to see her kind smiling face staring into his. "Honey, it's okay. It'll be okay."

Issac wanted to laugh, to ask how could she possibly know that? How could she just believe that?

But he couldn't. Because one touch from his wife, with that look, that voice… and he could believe it too.

"…Stay here. I'll check if she's home." Issac reached back to take the musket and jump down, before thinking better of it. "Here. If any wolves show up…"

"I'll scare them off and come racing towards you." Ellie assured him, taking the gun in her hands. She shifted over to the drivers side as he left, and put the reins in her lap. "Course, maybe our friend will come running out to help?"

"If every meeting we have with her involves needing to be saved, I don't think that'll endear ourselves very well."

"That's what this is for." Ellie reached behind her to lift up a bundled up clothe about as big as her belly from the cart. "A little thank you from us."

"Little is right." Issac whispered under his breath, amazement and amusement in his tone. Letting amusement grace his features so that he may see his wife off with a smile, Issac turned to the cave with a deep breath, a shake of his body and arms to remove any tension, and strode forward.

It was a bit of a walk, naturally having parked so far to give his wife a chance if this turned out to be a mistake. Even entertaining the the worst outcomes of this trip, Issac felt he deserved a little credit for his legs not turning to jelly, his stride unwavering. Part of it was not wanting to appear a coward, but most of it was a sense of responsibility. This Titan, she was a marvel, the first recorded instance of an intelligent, friendly version of her species, and to think she'd been hiding within these Walls all this time!

'…Has she been here all this time?' Issac pondered. It certainly would be more plausible to think that than that she'd actually climbed in here from the outside, climbed the daunting Walls to stumble in here…

But was it possible?

Shaking his head, Issac continued onwards, the cave now just a few meters away. As always, yet another one of endless questions that only the Titan herself could answer. Which looped back to Issac's original chain of thought, her being intelligent enough to answer those questions. If she was willing, then Issac and Ellie could very well unlock the secret to peace between their species! Learn the Titan's origins, how to communicate with the rest of them, maybe even unlock a way that humanity could go to the outside world, and see all the wonders the Arlert's had dreamed about for years!

'All those senseless deaths, all that pain month after month… it could finally be brought to an end.' Issac felt his heart drop at the memories of the Survey Corp coming back from beyond the Walls, beaten, broken, and bloody. They cleaned themselves up, they went out again on another Expedition, but just seeing what the Titans did secondhand was too cruel. Issac couldn't imagine witnessing his friends and loved ones dying at the hands of those giants, and to do so multiple times…

Issac was now at the cave entrance, just a single meter before he would have crossed the border to actually being inside. Even this close, he couldn't spot the Titan.

'…If talking to her is somehow the key to ending all of that, then it's only right that I try.' Issac nodded. Steadying himself, he prepared to announce his presence…

BOOM.

Only to stumble as a footstep thundered inside.

BOOM.

Then another.

Soon, a skinless hand emerged from the darkness, followed by a large amount of blonde hair. That impassive face stared right at Issac, before proceeding to pull herself out of her home.

'Oh Walls, she's actually coming outside!' Issac quickly stepped to the side, as the Female crawled out into the open sun. She noted Issac just to her right, before continuing to clear the cave. Once free, she stood up, to her full dominating height.

'…Holy…' Issac took off his hat, and clutched in his mitts, out of reverence or awe or an attempt to be polite, he couldn't say, it was just instinct.

That first meeting really hadn't done her justice for how huge she really was. Crouched as she had been, confined to the cave, her face having been so close to him and Ellie, that had been terrifying enough! But seeing her standing tall, looking down at him from on high, at a height of… Walls, she must be a full fifteen meters! The largest Titan size recorded!

She stood there, gazing down at him, head tilted, face showing no signs of what she was thinking. When she rotated a little to have her body fully face him, Issac almost fell on his backside. The sight of her massive feet spinning and lifting and mercifully coming to a halt instead of landing on him caused his heart to race.

'She really could just step on me and that would be it.' Issac continued to wring his hat, his courage temporarily sabotaged as he couldn't find it within himself to look up at her, coming to stare at her feet instead. She was… very intimidating, even if she didn't mean to be.

Issac wasn't sure if she could comprehend that, but soon, one of her feet took a step backwards, followed by her legs bending as she came down in a crouch. She braced a hand on the hill that was her home, and another on the ground. Issac swallowed, but he willed his eyes to look up again, staring into those large blue eyes. She had no judgement on her face, nor signs of disgust, hunger, or curiosity. She just stared back at him, waiting.

"…H-hello." Issac stammered, before swallowing and trying again. "Hello there… ma'am. I, uh…I don't suppose you remember me?"

The Female Titan nodded.

"Oh, good." Issac gave a shaky smile. "Apologies if you were hoping our last encounter would be our last, but I-" Issac paused as the Female shook her head, two shakes, "…Well, that's a… relief." If she wanted to see them again, then that might bode well. Surely she wouldn't be hoping to see two intruders she released just to eat or kill them? Perhaps she desired company, or… maybe she too wanted to learn?

'…It didn't occur to me that maybe we could teach her just as she could teach us. Maybe peace can be possible for our species!' Issac grinned under his moustache, before the side of his brain that considered all possibilities spoke up. 'Or, she wants to learn so it'll be that easier to breach the Walls and conquer us with her kin. Tread lightly Issac.'

Issac shook his head. He'd be careful, but he wouldn't go into this suspicious at every turn. He wanted a friendly rapport with this creature.

The Female noted his sudden head shake with an inquisitive gaze, her first real expression. Issac straightened up, and spoke, plain and true, but polite.

"…My wife and I… we couldn't get our first meeting out of our heads. We keep trying to wrap our heads around it, you, you saving us, you being able to understand us… it's an unprecedented miracle." Issac was starting to feel animated now, his hat wringing taking a back seat as he moved his hands around to indicate how amazing this was. "We… we want to understand you. To learn from you, how you came to be, why you're here, and… what makes you different from your brethren on the outside." Issac pointed, out where right now, hundreds to thousands if not millions of Titans roamed the world, penning the last of humanity in here.

The Female followed his outstretched arm, then followed suit, raising an arm to point in the same direction, casting a shadow over Issac that only briefly caused his sphincter to clench, before he relaxed upon realizing what she was doing.

"Yes, out there." Issac nodded. "I… presume you know about them, know they attack us on sight, killing and… and eating us." A nod, yes, she was aware, Issac hadn't just reminded her how she was supposed to be acting, thank the Walls. "You are the first Titan in our people's history not to do that, the miracle. You may just be the answer to how we can obtain peace between our species, end the violence."

The Female Titan looked down at Issac, arm still raised. Really hoping she wasn't planning on bringing it down to squash him, Issac finished his pitch, being sincere but also adding flourish to convince her.

"It's why I have to ask… would you let us learn from you? Try to find a way to a better future, for both of us?"

The Titan stared… before bringing her arm down.

Issac froze, his mind going a mile a minute, already saying his silent goodbyes and praying Ellie could flee in time!- Only to stare at that extended bone white finger, pointing at his chest.

No, not pointing. The Female wagged it back and forth for a second, almost as if…

'…Shake on it? Is she… asking for a handshake?'

Extending a hand to take the offered digit, before feeling that was wholly inadequate and gripping the tip of her finger with both hands, Issac held on as she moved it up and down. She then made to pull it back, slightly at first to indicate she was doing so (good thing too, Issac was a little stunned and would probably have forgotten to let go), then completely retracting her hand to rest on her knee.

She then turned her head to stare in Ellie's direction, stood up, and gestured for her to come over.

Issac had no protests, even if he wasn't feeling his fingers, trying to place the sensation of that smooth bone like substance, he would have given Ellie the sign it was all clear.

'…One of these days, hopefully, I'll stop suspecting death is coming whenever she moves.'

---

Ellie rode on up, her pregnancy in no way impeding her efforts to drive. She came to a halt just ten feet away from the Titan, not wanting to crowd her after all. Issac dutifully ran up to her to help her down, then withdrew the bundled up clothe and the musket, handing the former to his wife.

Ellie strode on up, smiles aplenty, but Issac noticed the Female was staring at him instead.

Staring… at his weapon.

"…Oh! Oh this?" Issac held up the musket, which the Titan didn't react to but her gaze was trained on it still. "Oh no, it's not- this was just in case of wolves, I swear!"

The Titans expression changed, not to anger, thankfully, but minor puzzlement. She pointed to herself, then made to flick her finger off her thumb.

"I'm here, I can take care of it." Was the obvious message. And it certainly made the Arlert's feel special this magnificent creature was offering to protect them.

"…Well, we did have a lot of open road to travel. And coming out here, it's pretty far from civilization." Issac reasoned, once again pleased he hadn't offended his host, and… well, honestly kind of touched she was still offering to protect him and Ellie. "Better to have and not need then to need and not have, as one might say."

The Titan shook her head, then pointed to herself again. She then pointed to Issac, then to the cart, making a dismissive gesture with her hand.

This time it was Ellie's turn to interpret. "Well, I'm here now, so you can put your toy away."

"Oh, we didn't want to put you out of your way." She held up a hand in a placating gesture while her other held the bundle by the top of the clothe knot. At the Titan looked towards her, Ellie smiled. "It would be rude after all if we needed you to save us all the time. The least we could do is properly defend ourselves."

The Female Titan seemed for a second like she wanted to insist they rely solely on her hospitality, her hands raising and fingers twitching to illustrate a point… before she dropped her arms and rolled her eyes. Briefly closing them, the Female's chest rose and lowered (possibly a sigh?), before she coaxed the Arlert's over with her finger.

"Fine, come on over then."

Ellie beamed and strode forward, while Issac nodded and hurried to place his ammo and flint in his pockets. The Titan noted Ellie staring straight up at her, and deemed now was as good a time as any to get comfortable, lowering herself to sit down. Even though she didn't just drop down, and made every effort to be as graceful as possible, her posterior impacting with the ground still made a decent THUMP sound, and Ellie actually bounced in the air a bit before landing on her feet!

"Whoa!" Ellie laughed, delighted. She placed a hand on her belly, steadying herself, before resuming her trek to get closer to the Titan. She was sitting with her knees drawn up, resting her wrists on them. It was yet another normal thing to see from a human, but from a Titan it was akin to seeing lead turn to gold! Ellie hurried to approach the space between her feet, and offered a polite bow, as much as she could anyway.

"We really didn't thank you enough for saving our lives." Ellie began, and as she suspected, the Titan waved off her thanks, clearly she didn't think it was a big deal to kill a wolf and give them shelter. "No really, you were a god send back then. Safety and shelter, all through the night. And that wolf pelt actually fetched a nice little sum, thank you for letting us keep it."

Ellie set the clothe bundle down, and began to untie the knot on top, sliding the clothe covering down. "I wanted to repay you for all that, in whatever way I could. I know, I know, I really doubt I'll be saving your life at any point… but I was wondering, maybe I could repay you in a different way?"

Ellie opened up the now revealed wooden crate, small and lightweight enough that even she could lift it, with one hand even. Turning to the Female Titan, Ellie asked what would be the first in a long line of questions the Arlert's would bombard her with.

"If I may ask, are you able to taste?"

The Titan blinked. A head tilt and a furrowing of her brow, in what Ellie took to mean, "Could you repeat that?"

"Sorry, I just… well, it's a depressing topic, but I've been told Titans don't eat for sustenance, only to kill. You don't possess a digestive tract, and you… regurgitate the things you eat after a while." Ellie tried not to wince, but it was a horrifying subject, and she might be embarrassing their large hostess. Still, for what was coming up, better to get this out of the way now. "So, I was wondering, can you taste the things you eat? Experience flavours at all?"

'Flavours of people?'

The Titan stared down at Ellie, and, seemingly unconsciously, rang her tongue under her closed mouth. Ellie watched as the muscular organ bulged out her lip as it rubbed against her teeth, perhaps in memory of a meal?

(Hopefully not a person, but… Ellie would give her the benefit of the doubt, she would continue to believe this Titan was a friend as long as she could.)

The Titan finished her action and possible reminiscing, and nodded. "Yes, I can taste."

She then had a suspicious look on her face, leaning away slightly. "Why?"

"Well, I was just wondering… maybe you'd like something yummy to eat? I mean, I really can't assume your taste buds work the same as a humans, but maybe today we could find out!" Ellie beamed, pulling out the contents of the box she'd opened.

…It was a pie. A delicious freshly baked cherry pie, one of five Ellie prepared, and presented to the Female Titan.

The Titan didn't move, though she did relax at Ellie's reasons for this line of questioning. Still, she made no move to inspect or take the offered treat.

Ellie Arlert was undeterred. "It's a pie. Cherry flavoured, I figured we could start with something safe, something you had a good chance of finding tasty. My husband and I made them fresh this morning." The future mother to be turned to her husband, who waved from his spot where'd he'd lead Lucy to tie her reins down, having set up a stake in the ground. "I promise, they're really good! And if they're not to your liking, we can make something different!"

The Titan gave a half lidded stare, before lifting a hand off a knee to point to her stomach, then traced her finger up to mouth where she opened it, sticking her tongue out in a lazy gesture of throwing up.

"…Yes, I realize what the end result will be, I didn't forget." Ellie confirmed. "But even so, would you like to try? Just a quick tast test, and if it doesn't work, I won't try again, promise." A quick swaying of the pie as if to tempt the giant. "Even if there's no reason like sating your hunger, something delicious gracing your mouth might be enjoyable?"

Some more staring, but Ellie held firm, and eventually, the Titan shrugged, then brought her right hand down, resting it beside Ellie.

"Oh good. Just a second!" Ellie didn't think twice, she gathered the other pies, balanced perfectly atop each other, then sat down on the edge of the Titan's hand, giving a thumbs up to indicate she was ready to be lifted up.

The Titan had an incredulous look on her face, one Issac shared. It was the Female who recovered first, lifting Ellie off the ground (the woman giving a little "Whoa!" of excitement at her second time being picked up), and Issac running up to… do nothing but watch, and hope his wife wasn't being reckless here.

There was some slight adjustment from the Female as she brought her hand up to her face, staring down Ellie who was just a tad nervous being so high and so close to the giant face, that giant mouth… but she kept calm, she kept up her smile.

Even as that mouth opened, and a massive tongue extended.

Ellie tried not to wince at the rush of air temporarily bathing her, it didn't exactly stink to high heaven, but it was still morning breath. Trying not to wave a hand in front of her face, Ellie gingerly placed one pie on the exposed muscle.

It retreated back into the mouth, and Ellie watched as the Titan took two chews, then swallowed.

"…Well?" Ellie asked, after a moment. "Any good?"

The Female seemed to be in thought, possibly trying to chase the fleeting flavour… before she looked back at Ellie and raised a hand, four fingers extended.

"…Oh, put all four of them on?" Ellie clarified, having briefly assumed the Female was giving her a review on her culinary skills. The mouth opening and Ellie being shifted close enough she could now touch those pearly whites was her answer, the hand holding her stopping as soon as her legs tapped the Titans' chin.

Issac gave a brief yelp of fright from below, but Ellie only managed a squeak. But she soon recovered, and gingerly, placed the four pies just beyond the teeth on the resting tongue.

"Please wait for me to give the all clear before you start eating, please?"

There was no response of course, but after Ellie had set down the last pie, she called up to announce she was done. Mercifully the Female moved her passenger away from her mouth before she ate her meal, and Ellie watched again as the jaw set to work, with more chewing this time, and eventually, a swallow. Ellie followed the Adam's apple as it moved up then down, and waited for the Female to give an answer.

'I suppose she could just chew then spit out the pies once the flavour was gone.' Ellie contemplated as she watched and waited. 'Either she's being polite, doesn't want chewed pie around her home like spit out sunflower seeds, or maybe the act of swallowing is pleasant and a crucial part part of eating for her? So many possibilities…'

Eventually the Titan looked to Ellie, patiently waiting in her palm… and gave a nod. No smile, but a nod.

Ellie grinned. "Oh, wonderful! Now, I can't promise I'll always be able to make something, but I can certainly bring you other foods to try out, would you like that? Is there anything you may have seen or smelt you'd like to try? And the quantity is a factor, so please be patient, we can't give you too much of what we actually need to eat for ourselves, but maybe…"

The Titan gently set her down as she babbled, right next to Issac who helped up his excitable wife. As Ellie beamed and almost hopped up and down, so pleased she was her idea had worked…

Unnoticed by them, the Female gave a brief small smile. It was gone as soon as it appeared, but it had happened.

---

'So far, so good, they haven't run away screaming.' Annie assessed how this second encounter had gone, while simultaneously trying to keep the taste of the pie she'd munched like bits of candy in her mouth as long as possible. It would be a mess she'd have to upchuck later, but honestly having something tasty, or anything with flavour no matter how minuscule had been a relief. Yes, she didn't need to eat, her body was entirely self-sufficient, but even if she wasn't starving not having food was still uncomfortable.

'Point to the Arlert's, let's hope they can keep it up.'

She knew what she was in for. Or suspected at least. They'd have questions, so many questions that Annie would pick and chose which ones to answer honestly, in her limited way, and gauge how much of the truth they'd be safe to hear. They'd make observations, watching her as she did literally anything, trying to understand what set her apart from her Mindless brethren. And they'd run tests, most likely. Even if it wasn't on the scale of the Scout's legendary Section Commander, there was no way the Arlert's wouldn't half ass this, they'd be thorough, for "humanity."

And of course, there would be an undertone of them being absolutely terrified of her. Granted that wasn't so different from how people acted around Annie when she was human, but it would understandably be worse now. She was Titan, with the power to crush them and end their lives in all sorts of horrible ways as easily as breathing. Every moment around Annie the Arlert's would be wondering, "Is she moving to kill us, or are we still safe?" Getting to the point they'd stop tip toeing around her and fearing her would be something of a chore, and in the meantime that would make information gathering and rapport building more tedious.

Annie had prepared for all of that, prepared to be patient, and understanding. To see this from their perspective, as poor ignorant ordinary people looking at their species life long enemy, unaware it was an actual human inside.

Annie would give credit to the Arlert's, so far this had gone MUCH better than she expected. Even with her saving their lives, she wouldn't have put it past them to done something foolish, out of fear or duty.

"We were hoping you wouldn't mind if we stayed overnight?" Issac asked as he retrieved what was obviously camping gear from the back of the cart. "I figure you might prefer your alone time, but it is a bit of a trek to come out here from our home. But say the word… er, figuratively speaking, and we can leave before the sun sets!"

"We promise we won't be a bother!" Ellie hurried to say, taking out the bag of provisions they'd packed. "We just have so much we'd like to ask and there's only so many hours in the day, it's really all about-" Annie cut her off as she reached forward to pick up the rest of the carts contents, gripping it firmly but carefully, and hoisting it into the air. A look at Ellie for where to put it, and the woman recovered with a smile. "Over there please, where Issac is laying down the tent. Thank you kindly!"

Annie moved her hand around and set its contents down, where Issac gave a smile and his own thank you, which earned him a nod as she leaned back. Annie watched as the man got to work setting up their shelter, close to the entrance of her cave but not inside it, as they respected her domain.

Didn't matter to Annie, they were welcome to it should it prove better shelter from nature. She would protect them from the wildlife regardless if it would "inconvenience" her, but should a storm arise there was little Annie could do about that.

'I could use a good storm, actually. My first night here was a fluke, but I can't risk climbing the Wall and alerting any soldiers to my presence here.' Annie thought to herself. 'Running around at night is one thing, scaling the Walls where patrols could be walking is another. If a storm broke out, they'd take shelter, probably, and I could scout out the area outside.'

"Now, I hate to just rush in to things, but I thought perhaps I could ask you a few questions?" Ellie walked on over between Annie's feet, and set herself down, staring up at Annie who'd remained seated this whole time. "I'm sorry if I appear too eager, but you have no idea how many theories were going through my mind since we met! I really need to give my brain a break, as it were!"

"I'd also like to ask some questions, if you have time for me?" Issac spoke up from where he'd set up the first tent post.

Annie looked between them both, making sure they had her in sight, before nodding.

"Wonderful!" Ellie beamed, pulling out a fresh blank journal she'd bought for this sole occasion, and brought her pencil down to the paper. "Now, just to clarify… are there any more like you?"

'…Damn, already going with that one.' Annie didn't visibly react, but inside she was groaning. That one question opened up a whole can of worms, and there were so many ways Annie could answer it.

She could tell the full truth, and bust open the secret of the Walls and the truth of the world for the Arlert's right here, right now.

She could tell a half-truth, that there were other intelligent Titans like her that were different from the Mindless, without giving away they were human.

She could lie, feed the incorrect theory the Arlert's had been pondering about her, about there being multiple Female's.

Or she could say nothing at all.

Every option posed some sort of risk. Not just to her, but to the Arlert's. The King's eyes and ears were throughout the Walls, and they'd gotten Issac and Ellie once before. If they learned the truth and word got out, they were dead, possibly before Armin was even born.

But then again, they were risking themselves just by meeting Annie out here. Annie knew that, but she still let it happen anyway, because she was desperate for any sort of aid, any familiarity. If she was stronger, if she wasn't so lost right now, she'd never have returned to this cave after scouting out the area.

The fact was, they were already in deep. It was up to Annie to decide how much deeper they went.

…Slowly, Annie gave a nod.

Ellie looked like she'd gotten everything she'd ever asked for on her birthday all at once. "Does that mean more like you you? More Females?"

A shake of her head, no.

"Oh?…Oh! Then do you mean… ones who are intelligent like you, sorry if that sounded rude?"

A nod, and brief hesitation before she held up nine fingers.

"Nine?" Ellie titled her head, not understanding.

Annie flexed her fingers, then pointed to herself, tapping her head.

"…Wait, are you saying… there are only nine Titans in the world, who can think?" Ellie looked baffled by such a thought, though she was probably envisioning the entire globe covered in Titans.

Annie nodded. It was a risk sharing this, but honestly Annie couldn't get the thought out of her head of the Arlert's trying to approach a Mindless hoping to establish contact, only to get eaten. Better to make clear how rare someone like her was, and that they weren't all friendly.

"Wait, then how… how does your society function?" Ellie's attempts to write came to a halt as she rubbed her forehead. "Is it… are the nine of you leaders, do you rule over the others? Or are you in hiding, defects? And how do you reproduce, don't tell me it's-"

"Whoa now, slow down honey." Issac had run over seeing his wife's distress, barely a minute in and she was overwhelmed. Not that Issac could blame her, he'd evidently been just as shocked watching the conversation. "Our friend can't exactly answer all that, just take a deep breath and gather your thoughts." He rubbed her shoulders, smiling as she turned to face him.

That seemed to do the trick, as Ellie took a deep breath, then released. "Right… sorry, sorry. I… let me try to sort through these, I'll get back to you." Ellie apologized to Annie. "Dear, why don't you give it a go?"

"If you're sure…" Isaac looked to them both, and both gave their assent. "Well, alright then. If I can, may I inquire how you came to be here?"

That got Issac the sight of Annie rubbing her forehead in clear distress, before looking at him and giving a shrug, palms up to the sky.

"…You don't know?" Issac was clearly shocked, as Annie figured he would be. Honestly it was easier to admit that then try and make up some elaborate story with her limited means. If she could talk she'd build up off Ellie's comment about being in hiding, that sounded good. If Armin were here he'd probably have a more elaborate story, but then again if he were here he'd probably tell them the truth, and spend time with them.

Then introduce her as his wife, wouldn't that have been fun?

"Ah, excuse me, ma'am." Issac held up a hand, trying to get her attention. Annie blinked, not realizing she'd been lost in thought, and peered down at him. "Sorry, but… are you alright? You looked a bit… distressed. Sorry, did my question upset you? That wasn't my intent, I swear." The man said not out of fear, but genuine concern and remorse.

'…Like father, like son?' Annie couldn't help but think, the man's demeanour and posture, right down to those shining blue eyes, he was like a doughier, softer version of his son. Not fat, but he was sporting a bit of a gut. Unlike Armin, who according to Mikasa had managed to develop abs even while completing the Cadet training.

A bizarre thought entered Annie's mind, and before she (or Mr. Arlert) knew what she was doing, she reached forward and poked him in the belly with her finger.

"Oof!" Issac gasped out, more out of surprise, it was a soft poke, didn't even cause him to slip or slide. Rather quick too, he hadn't been able to register what Annie was doing and form a response, either shrieking or backing away.

His mini-heart attack subsiding, all he could do was stare up at Annie, unsure what to feel from this.

Neither was Annie. She stared at him, very glad she couldn't explain herself. It just… felt like the right thing to do.

"…I'm not pregnant too, if that's what you're wondering." Issac declared, smoothing his shirt.

Let the record state Annie's friends would kill to see her Titan slap a hand over her mouth to rein in her amusement.

She could easily count on both hands the number of times she'd laughed out loud (Stohess included, unfortunately), even with her life in front of her and love at her side, Annie's demeanour hadn't drastically changed.

But the response was so absurd, and yet made so much sense, for Issac Arlert to think this beast thought his girth was hiding a child. Her fault for her tummy poke, Annie wouldn't deny.

She kept trying to keep her laugh under control (a hoarse sound that was not very pleasant on the ears), almost missing Ellie walking over with an amused smile to stand next to Isaac.

"Well, I suppose it makes sense she'd have questions of her own concerning our biology. Must have only the basic concept in mind concerning how the plumbing works." A hand stroked her own belly.

"If she asks to see what's below the belt, I'm loading everything back on the cart and heading home." Issac declared, loud enough Annie could hear.

Another snort, another round of muffled giggles that resembled an animal dying.

'Like father like son indeed.'

---

Annie had eventually gotten herself under control, and cleared her throat. She gestured to the Arlert's to resume their questions, her brief moment of levity granting her the strength to continue.

Before that, though…

"Silence?… No, secrets? You want us… to keep this a secret?" Ellie deduced what Annie's finger to her lips and the gesturing between the three of them meant. "Well of course, we don't plan on telling anyone about you unless you give us permission-"

"I think she means, we can't tell anyone about what we learn today." Issac interrupted, looking to Annie, who gave him an appreciative nod. "Is it because… it's forbidden for you to share this with humans, or…"

His only answer was Annie dragging a thumb across her neck, with a glum look. Let him make what sense of that he could, but hopefully he'd realize how important keeping this under wraps was.

"…Just a moment, please." Issac leaned into his wife, and spoke in a hushed tone. At multiple points, Ellie wrote in her journal, before resuming the conversation. Annie wouldn't let them know she could hear them just fine, she was content to sit there as they discussed how much they wanted to learn right away.

Ignorance could sometimes be bliss, after all.

"Alright, we talked a little, and we came up with a series of "yes" or "no" questions to ask you." Ellie turned around, showing her journal which had been filled in with said questions. "Some of them will definitely need a bit of clarification and follow up questions later, but we'll save that for another time, alright? And… we figured we can hold off on the questions about your kind. It is a bit of a heavy topic for our second meeting, after all."

Annie nodded. She could do that, though she did have one condition…

"Oh, and if you don't want to answer, for whatever reason, just give us a thumb's down. We respect your privacy."

Annie lowered her hand, satisfied. "Ask away." She gestured.

"Alright, so, question one: have you been outside the Walls?"

A nod.

"Does the sea exist?"

An amused smile, accompanied by a nod.

"Mountains of fire?"

A nod.

"Fields of ice?"

A nod.

The Arlert's grins grew wider and wider, and Annie could admit, their enthusiasm was pleasant. It reminded her of Armin, how he'd wanted to see the outside world, even knowing what awaited him beyond the Walls, he'd still managed to find joy in it.

(How she wishes she could have been there, to take his hand and lead him to the sea. Watch his eyes light up, watch him… being happy.)

Before the Arlert's could ask her if which of the sights of the world they'd discover first (the sea, obviously), Annie held up a finger, indicating she had a question. The Arlert's stopped talking immediately, and watched as Annie began to bring her finger down to the ground, paused, then frowned. It was only after a moment before Annie looked to Issac, then to his musket he'd propped up by a nearby rock, one suitable for him to sit on. It was just out of Annie's reach, unless she made to get up off her butt.

She pointed to it, causing Issac to follow and frown himself.

"My rifle?" Issac scratched his head, understandably confused. "Do you… want me to fire it?"

Annie shook her head, no, she didn't need a demonstration, she needed a writing tool. Pinching her forefinger and thumb together, she simulated her intentions.

"…Oh, no…" Issac grimaced, not liking what he was seeing, clearly.

Ellie was of a different mindset, though she could understand her husband's response. "Dear, this could be a major breakthrough…"

"We've had several major breakthroughs, maybe we can put this on pause and pursue this one another day?" Issac tried. "The gun is a rental, if I return it to Wald in less than perfect condition…"

"I'm sure he'll forgive a few scratches, it's not like the wooden part is brand new."

"Stock, and there's a difference between scratches and being reduced to splinters."

"But Issac…" Ellie gestured with her hands to Annie, who was patient enough to let Issac fret and decide if he was willing to make this sacrifice. Truth be told she could try and find a branch or small enough tree, maybe a rock to carve into the ground…

But another part of her just really didn't want to go through all that effort. She understood her strength and the fragility of the musket, Issac would get it back.

"… Wald's going to charge me a bundle for this…" Issac groaned, and with slumped shoulders walked over to retrieve his weapon. He picked it up and carried it over with a resigned attitude, and held it up for Annie to take.

She did take it, and she did so without even cracking the wood, thank you very much. Adjusting it so the barrel was sticking out, she brought it down to the ground, where the dirt was softest, and began to draw.

One circle, two circles, three circles. It was a little wonky, but the message was clear, Annie had just drawn the Walls of Paradis.

"…Okay, so you are aware of all three Walls, I was wondering." Issac noted. "…Oh no. Does that mean you… climbed over them?"

Annie nodded, while simultaneously handing Issac back his weapon. The barrel was clogged with dirt, and there were some nicks, but it wasn't bent or crushed, and could be returned without paying a deposit, probably.

But Issac didn't care about that. He was more focused on the fact a Titan just admitted she could climb over the only true defence against her kind! Using the gun as support, Issac exhaled, unsure how to take that news. He could only stare at the crude map, suddenly wondering if he should try to get his family out of Shinganshina.

A giant bone finger entering his field of view, and gently tipping his face up, had Issac stare at Annie, who shook her head. Pulling her hand back, she flexed her fingers before engulfing them in crystal, letting both Arlert's get a good look. Carefully, she brought her hand down, and carved a sharp line in the ground, bringing up chunks of rock and dirt before lifting her hand up.

She pointed at her hand, then herself.

"…You… or the others like you, are the only ones who can climb the Walls? Using this… crystallization?" Ellie asked.

Another shake, and another point to herself.

"Just you?" Another great sigh of relief, the Arlert's fears dispersed. They had plenty of time before the Warriors would arrive and ruin their lives (if they even lived that long this time), Annie could be forgiven for her little white lie.

Now that that was out of the way, Annie tapped on the ground, on her map. Once her guests were looking at her, she pointed to herself, then the map again.

"Where am I?"

Annie suspected she was indeed in Maria, in the south east judging by the sun, but the outermost section of the Walls was vast and she hadn't had an opportunity to scale them again. Her scouting of the area the last two weeks hadn't provided any familiar land marks from her brief stint out here the last time, though to be fair her investigations now were restricted to the night. Annie could have kept running in either direction until she came across a Wall, then a protruding district, but there was a chance she'd have been caught before she could find a suitable hiding spot again.

As it was, getting an answer from the Arlert's was easier and more efficient.

Both of them frowned, and studied the map Annie had drawn. It was Issac who bent down and traced one little half circle on the outermost circle.

"Well, if Shinganshina is here- that's what our home is called, by the way, that bit of Wall sticking out from Maria," Issac unnecessarily informed, "Then… you are around… here." Issac pointed. "Roughly… 20 km from Maria, and from our home… it was about an hour, so about the same distance."

Annie nodded. Alright, good, she could work with this. A respectable distance from Shinganshina and the Wall, and it was the outer Wall. If worse came to worse and all the regiments of the Walls came for her head, she could beat a hasty retreat, with subtlety gone out the window.

She tapped the map again, then hovered her finger to a section further west. It was about 15 km's away, roughly, an area she had stumbled across in preparation for future meetings, just in case anyone tried to follow Issac and Ellie. Too many trips out here could be suspicious, after all.

"Hmm? Is there… are you asking us what's out there?" Ellie pointed to where Annie had her finger. Shaking her head, she raised her arms up above them, then simulated a swimming motion, before pointing again.

It looked as ridiculous as it sounded, but the Arlert's wouldn't let her know that. After all, they got the gist of it.

"A lake? You're telling us a lake is there?" Annie nodded. "Okay, so… why are you telling us this?" The tone wasn't dismissive, they were just trying to understand.

Annie pointed to herself, then the cave, then brought her hands together to simulate sleep. She then pointed to the lake on the map, then herself, and once again, simulated sleep.

"…Oooooh, you mean… this is a second home for you?" Ellie clarified. "I see… yes, that makes sense! After all, you are a Titan, hanging around one spot for too long might be dangerous!"

Annie was pleased to see she didn't have to explain the reasons why. To reward Ellie for her deductive reasoning, she gave the mother to be a patented Female Titan thumbs up.

The woman clapped her hands with glee, pleased the Titan was pleased.

"Well, definitely will have to take a trip out there just to get an accurate location." Issac scratched his head, memorizing it to put on their travel map later. "We should probably come up with a way to know which one you'll be at, maybe a sign like a broken branch or a-"

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrumble

Any and all thought of further scientific discovery and secret meeting locations ended at the sound of a stomach growling. To the human's relief it wasn't their Titan friends, but rather one pregnant woman.

Ellie rubbed her head bashfully. "Um… maybe we could put this conversation on pause for a bit? What say we cook up a stew, I'd say it!s getting close to lun-…dinner? Oh wow, we've been talking a lot…" It was true, the sun was starting to set.

Time sure flies when one is having fun.

---

Supper had been brief, and sleep had come not long after. The Titan had watched Issac cook, watched him prepare a stew, and had frowned as he only put in potatoes and carrots. She'd promptly stood up, and wandered into the nearby forest.

It was only ten minutes had passed before a terrific BOOM, different from her footfalls, cause Ellie and Issac to jump in surprise, before the Titan returned, fist clenched.

She deposited the rabbit she'd killed on the ground, then sat back down on the ground again.

Blinking away their shock, it was Ellie who recovered first, making to pick up the rabbit and fetch the knife, the one meant for self defence, from the camp supplies. She returned to her seat, and got to work, putting the knife down briefly to tear off the skin.

"Thank you kindly for the meal." She'd offered with a sincere smile.

The rabbit meat certainly made the stew better, Issac declared to their giant friend. He had worried she'd only done it because she expected some dinner herself (the image of her slurping the cooking pots contents in a single gulp flashed before his minds eye), but no, it was all for them.

Guess Issac could get a return on all his ammo after all.

After that, they'd talked some more, mainly about how to stay in touch with their Titan friend, and making it clear they wouldn't breathe a word of what they learned to a soul.

At least, not yet. There would come a time when they'd have to talk to someone (after clearing it or at least trying to with the Titan), they couldn't in good faith just sit by and not provide people with answers.

Answers the Arlert's hadn't received themselves yet. Talks about the Titans kind had been put on hold, for now. Seems she needed to sort herself out before she potentially betrayed her kin.

With that, they'd gone to sleep, their giant protector standing watch once again.

The next day saw a morning like any other.

The sun was shining, having reached past the horizon, and a bit more past the Walls.

The birds were singing, obnoxiously loud and at regular intervals that guaranteed you couldn't go back to sleep. Also at that perfect pitch that just pierced through to your brain, where one's beautiful wife's snores failed to reach.

That fresh morning air and chill you couldn't get in a district or a village, making leaving the minuscule warmth of your covers a chore.

And your new Titan friend, her one eye peeking through the tent opening.

Spoke well of Issac, he didn't panic or jump out from the covers. He just blinked, before offering a wave.

"Good morning?"

The eye blinked back, before pulling back. For some reason that compelled Issac to get dressed and follow her immediately, see what she was up to. He found her sitting beside the tent, just had to turn his head as he stepped outside to spot her, standing tall this morning, staring down at him.

He only shivered a little at the intimidating sight, just might be he'd curb his fear sooner than expected!

"…Uh, hope my wife wasn't too loud?"

The Titan snorted, then made to plug her forefingers into her ears, a pointed look at Issac.

"You get used to it." Issac rubbed the back of his head, he loved his wife and everything about her, but Walls she snored like a wild boar sometimes! Completely random, at different tones, always kept him on his toes.

Speaking of toes, the Titans wiggled as she stood there. Ten little piggies, each bigger than his noggin, a mix of white and red. Interesting enough she still had toenails, somehow? Her fingers too, despite looking like solid chunks of polished bone.

'Whoa boy, I really want… no, HAVE to ask about her anatomy, but at the same time I'm dreading that topic.' Issac shook his head.

In spite of the fact they'd veered off course from asking her about her brethren (only nine intelligent Titans in the whole world, he really hoped she'd explain that more. With her limited speech it sounded like a three day conversation, at least), Issac had felt really fulfilled from their first real talk. For one thing, they were talking, the Titan was a friend, that was already tremendous! For another, she had seen the outside world! The thought of his book, locked away with countless other "forbidden" texts, that he could show to her…

Even if she couldn't really describe it, just knowing the book spoke true would be enough.

Another shuffling of her feet, and Issac looked up, at the Titan that looked down.

"…I gave it some thought, about how we can signal where you'll be, either here or the lake." Issac made for the clothe that had bundled the pies, a nice assortment of colours. He picked it up from where it lay in the ground, and held it up. "Maybe… if you want to tell us where you are, you could hang something like this up? Somewhere on the road to Shinganshina, where we'll see it?"

The Titan tilted her head, then nodded. At her approval, Issac kept going.

"I was also thinking of other places that could hide you." Issac offered, walking on over to the Titans map drawing. He didn't flinch as he felt her shift positions and kneel down, peeking over his shoulder. "I haven't been everywhere mind you, but I know of some mountains that could work, and there's a couple other lakes you could take a look at, see if they're suitable."

He drew the described locations from memory, taking care not to tread too much in the Titan's work.

"…Oh! And there's also!," Issac began, before cutting himself off. "No, no… that's a tourist spot, everyone's dropping by there. Sorry, I was going to suggest this forest right around here." A finger pointed to the south east of Wall Rose. "There's this giant forest, huge trees even taller than you are! It would have been perfect, you could have blended right in. But yeah, with everyone visiting, that probably won't do."

Issac leaned back, crossing his arms. Darn shame, but hey, the other spots he'd marked might work out, so hopefully she had some other places to call home next time he saw her. A few of them would be a further journey out, some were even in the north, but Issac could spare a longer ride for his friend being safe.

He turned around and smiled, looking up at said friend who didn't react beyond a simple nod.

He hadn't noticed how Annie had flinched at the mention of the forest. Hand's seen her eyes go wide, and her fist clench.

---

"So, between your home here, these lakes, a mountain… yeah, I'd certainly say you picked out a bunch of good hiding spots." Ellie nodded, committing the locations to memory. She'd draw actual markings later on a map, but only after going to the effort of disguising such a thing, it wouldn't do to give away her friends location. Maybe with lemon juice, or on a separate piece of paper with the markings to overlay on the map…

Well, she'd figure it out later. Maybe Eugene would have an idea, her father-in-law certainly seemed like he had some shifty secrets. He'd pointed Issac in the direction of Wald for firearms training and procurement after all.

"So, you plan on moving around at random, right?" Ellie looked up from her seat, a bowel of breakfast in her lap, to receive a nod from the Female. "Then… any plans for how to let us know where?"

"We thought of that." Issac produced several strips of clothe, about as long as a person, all torn from something or other from the camp supplies. "If she can hang one of these at the old hanging tree, it'll be the first thing we see and we can change course immediately. The colour will determine which place she's staying at."

"Kind of a grisly choice of landmark, isn't it?" Ellie grimaced. The hanging tree had been where a Garrison soldier that had had enough of a local kidnapping ring, and strung up the entire gang. All twelve of them, dangling from there, it had been a horrific sight to see, even if the locals had slept more soundly at night. Despite the bodies being taken down, the tree stood tall.

"Maybe, but it's still the biggest landmark we'll see the earliest." Issac offered. "And it's far enough from the gate the guards won't see her. Hear her, maybe…"

The Titan waved off his concerned look, she'd be fine.

Ellie nodded, liking this plan. "Alright then. So, for our next visit, I take it we should probably consider the lake you pointed out to us?"

A nod from the Titan.

"Alright, we'll make a trip there to get our bearings beforehand. And… well, for our next topic of discussion, would you be willing to talk about Titans some more?"

Another nod, Ellie was on a roll!

"Fantastic! Final question, I promise." Ellie reached for her almost forgotten breakfast of porridge, and dug in a bit before she continued. "…My father. Father-in-law, I mean. We told him about you, because he's trustworthy, like us. Would it be… would it be okay if he saw you?"

The Titan sighed, but nodded. She held up a finger to cut off Ellie's profoundest thanks, and instead pointed to her porridge bowel. "Eat your breakfast."

Ellie grinned, and helped herself. Smiling with her mouth full at Issac, who chuckled at his wife's antics, she swallowed and took a breath, that bite clogging her airways somewhat.

This had been a good trip. The first of many, for sure.

---

A fist to the back of his head and his face smashed up against the glass of a bookstore door, and Varric Barker was doing the old routine of "Not Resisting" against the current batch of Marleyan assholes wanting to bash his brains in.

Honestly he was probably due for a beating. He'd gone a full five days without running afoul of the powers that be, had gone in and out of the gates doing what menial work he could with his pass and armband at the ready, and had smiled and bowed no matter what happened. The worst he had received was a sneer or a verbal smack down, but even his employers of the day hadn't found cause to lay into him, Varric was nothing if not dedicated to the work.

So of course, his good luck had to run out eventually. Varric hadn't dared hoped his good fortune would last forever, but if it had to happen he'd entertained the thought it would be a simple tripping or tossing garbage at him. Nicole said she loved him for more than his good looks but still, everyone had their limits…

'Oh, whoops.' Varric barely had time to regret the minute smirk that crossed his face at the thought of his love, as that just gave the officers pressing him up against against her door one more reason to strike him.

"Oh, what's this? Oye Jerry, I think we got us one of em masochist types, little Eldian fuck seems to be getting off this!"

Varric wanted to be a smart aleck so badly right now. 'Little!? I'm a full head over you and your boyfriend, you twerp!'

"Well, that would be a bit of a dilemma then, Benny." The other Marleyan standing off watching the show commented, making no effort to help restrain Varric. Honestly neither of them needed to hold Varric down, he'd take his lumps like a "Good Eldian" if he knew what was good for him.

"Yeah? How do you figure?" Benny asked his chum.

"Well that means he enjoys getting hit. So you punishing him isn't a punishment, it's a reward."

"Ah hell, that just takes the fun out of it… Sick Eldian fuck, can you people be anymore fucking depraved?" Another five strikes, using the whole arm to cap off with the elbow, Varric tried his best to hold his head back but…

CREACK

…Fuck.

"Ah ah ah, what's this? Getting violent are we? Whoa boy, guess that solves the dilemma now, gots to put you down for disturbing the peace. Ain't no way you'll be getting off that, but if you do you'll still be dead." Benny laughed, now holding both arms behind Varric's back as Jerry reached for his pistol, if the sound of a hammer being pulled back was any indication. "Luckily we saw a bunch of your filth working the road round the corner, they can come and carry off your body-"

"Is something the matter here?" The voice of an absolute angel came from the heavens, though Varric knew he wasn't ascending just yet.

Nicole, sweet beautiful Nicole… never in a million years did he imagine taking up the job of fixing her bookshelves would have lead to true love, and with a Marleyan falling for him of all things!

"Sorry for the disturbance ma'am." Benny was suddenly a lot friendlier and a lot more professional sounding. "Caught this Eldian Devil disturbing the peace, we were about to take him in."

'From scuzeball to soldier in the span of a second, wow.' Varric held back from voicing that thought, but he was thinking it really loudly.

"Oh no, really?…" Nicole looked absolutely crestfallen, which was picked up by Varric's tormentors immediately, naturally.

"…Madam, is there a problem here?" Jerry asked with a warning tone, clearly suspecting a sympathizer.

"Yes, there is. This Eldian is supposed to be finishing his work on my renovations!" Nicole directed a glare at Varric (he'd told her time and time again she just didn't have the face for it, it was like being glared at by a kitten), and even made to strike him for added effect. "Months of work, having to put up with him for hours on end, and just when the end is finally in sight… you stupid, stupid Devil!"

Jerry eased up immediately, possibly even relieved he didn't have to see one of his own die. "Ah, my apologies madam. If you like, we can pick you up another to pick up where this one started?"

"Believe me, I would have it was that easy." Nicole smacked Varric in the arm, again. "So many of them came and went, giving me all sorts of excuses like "It's too hard," or "It can't be done," and even "It would be honestly easier to move out." Just… the absolute gall! Do I look like I'm made out of money?!" Nicole gestured to herself and her humble little bookstore.

"Uh…" Jerry clearly did not want to answer, as the increasingly irate woman would probably take any answer he gave the wrong way.

"Exactly! Gods, sometimes I fear there's a Devil who's more financially well off than I am! My mother assured me our honoured Warriors aren't much better off from the regular rabble, but still…" Nicole sniffed. "But still I didn't give up! I knew one of these wretches could do something as simple as renovate a tiny little bookstore. And I was right, this one could use what little brains he possesses! But now, he gives in to his wicked Eldian nature just as he's about to finish! Oh, how cruel can life be? No one has it worse than I do!"

Honestly, all three men present felt that was probably not true in the slightest, all for different reasons of course but they didn't share it. But the more and more Nicole ranted and made a fuss, the more and more Benny and Jerry found themselves not wanting to contribute to her little spiel.

"…You know what?" Benny pulled Varric off of the door, and shoved him down at the feet of Nicole. "I just can't stand to see a good woman cry."

Jerry nodded in agreement. "Now that I think about it, maybe we were confusing this Eldian with someone else. After a while they just sort of blur together."

"Oh, you think we got the wrong one?"

"I do. How fortunate Miss…"

"Baker. Nicole Baker."

"Miss Baker arrived in time. Isn't that right, Eldian?" Jerry sneered. Varric made to answer, only to get smacked in the head (lightly), by his wife.

"What are you doing, taking a nap?" Nicole berated. "Get inside and fix my home!"

Varric scrambled to his feet and through the door, accepting the out as soon as it was presented. He could hear the Marley assholes give their apologies to their fellow citizen, even as he went up the stairs to check on the other miracle in his life.

As if sensing his presence, his barely month old daughter began to fuss, shifting and squirming as if all of a sudden her handmade crib wasn't good enough for her, even if she'd be sleeping in it no problem before he arrived.

No, his little Annie wanted her daddy to hold her.

Smiling, and wanting to hurry before Annie put those powerful lungs of hers to good use and invite his attempted executioners inside to check he wasn't attacking a baby, Varric quickly but carefully lifted his daughter out of the crib.

"There there, don't worry, daddy's here…" Varric cooed, already gently bouncing and shushing her. "Come on, let's not cry, mommy is making enough noise for all of us outside…"

Annie giggled, and blurbed, and whatever other cute noises babies make, her mood immediately better just being in her father's arms. Her father's mood improved too, his injuries all but forgotten, as he held his precious miracle.

"Now it's breaking the rules a bit, as we need a priest to bless it, but I figure the gods will forgive us for this slight." Varric balanced his daughter on one arm, while he reached for his jacket, pulling apart the stitching to hide the secret inner pocket. Withdrawing his hand, he held a single ring, a tiny chain looped through it. It had cost him more to make than it was worth, but Varric had no regrets.

"You see this? Look, it's a Eldian family ring." Varric bounced the shining metal up and down, mesmerizing his daughter who followed it with her eyes, while sticking a fist in her mouth. "I got it when the most amazing woman in the world agreed to marry me. When she let me embroider our names on the inside, see there? There's mommy, there's daddy, and now, there's you, my little munchkin. I put you there before your first birthday, but I think we'll be forgiven."

Annie reached for the ring with her free hand, and Varric gently guided it there. She didn't quite manage to grab it, her hand eye coordination not exactly great yet, and soon she got bored and stared at her father again. Varric simply smiled, and pocketed the one sign they were a family he let himself have.

The sound of footsteps approaching almost made him put Annie down back in her crib, before a triple stomp on the step of the stairs signalled he was in the clear, their code to stay safe. Grinning, Varric turned to greet Nicole, who offered a smile before leaning back against the doorway, exhausted.

"Oh my gods… did you actually do anything this time?" Nicole groaned, already knowing the answer.

"Was literally just walking here, my head bowed and making no signs of trouble."

"Figures. I wish I could say it's just those two and as soon as I figure out their patrol schedule, you can come by the days they're not working…"

"But they're all like that." Varric finished the thought, to which Nicole nodded glumly. "You don't get to be a man of the law here by harbouring a love for the Eldian people."

"Believe me, I'm aware." Nicole sighed, memories of her father's dinner rants all too clear. The day he retired to stay at home had almost coincided with the day she'd moved out of the house, she couldn't stand the spiel even when she'd be a prejudiced know nothing.

Nicole perked up, letting the sight of her husband and daughter give her strength. "But that's over with, for now. And soon… forever?"

Varric nodded. "Just a few days more. My friends in the railway, they say my ride is happening soon. A cramped one way trip to Osea, and nothing but the clothes on my back and Marley's boot off my neck to make my living."

"That, and your beautiful wife having sold everything she owns to join you." Nicole walked over to give her love a kiss on the lips. She looked down at their daughter, smiling up at her like her mom was the whole world… "…This is really happening… it's actually happening."

"…Having any doubts?" Varric placed an arm on his Marleyan wife's shoulder, holding Annie carefully in the crook of his arm. They were both risking everything, but really she was the one making a sacrifice here.

"Of leaving this horrible place forever to live together as a proper family? Never." Nicole assured, reaching up to hold her Eldian husbands wrist, rubbing her thumb along it. "I just… are we being too hasty? It seems… it feels like it's too easy. And don't give me that look, I know you've had it hard, but it doesn't feel hard enough. Like we should have had soldiers knocking on our doors already, ever since we…"

"Since we delivered our daughter and bribed the doctor to fudge the blood test?"

Nicole nodded. Try as Marley might, there were those who valued money over patriotism and keeping the Eldians in line. Thankfully, that included doctors, ones who made a profitable side business delivering Eldian babies that had a smidge of Marleyan in them. It had cost Varric the one valuable he'd still owned, his fathers silver watch, and Nicole had been forced to deliver her daughter without him. Couldn't have an Eldian there, even her clueless mother would connect the dots.

But it had worked. Annie had been delivered, safely in this world, and no one was the wiser who the father was, Nicole saying it had been a one time fling, thankfully with another Marleyan, the test confirmed it.

And yet… Nicole still expected a squad of soldiers to arrive, any day now, to arrest her for treason. To send Varric to Paradise, and… and Annie too.

As if sensing her mothers distress, Annie started to fidget, on the verge of crying.

"Oh no, no no no no, no need for that!" Nicole hurried to take her daughter out of her husband's arms, and whispered sweet nothings to her. "No need to cry, don't worry, everything's all right… yes, there there, mommy is here. All… is well."

That seemed to do it, as Annie's frown became a smile. The sight of it erased Nicole's doubts, and renewed her desire to give her daughter and husband a better life, far away from here. A place where her daughter could grow up and eat hot food and have friends and never have to think about Titans or hate her heritage for a moment, just a normal life for a normal girl.

Gentle but strong hands caressed her shoulders, and a kiss greeted her cheek. "She's going to look just like her mother. Cept the eyes, those are all me."

"They are your best feature." Nicole beamed, and turned around to give a kiss of her own.

"I thought it was my brilliant mind and ability to come through all the time?" Varric beamed, as he slipped out the family ring for Nicole to see. The blonde woman could only smile and kiss her husband again, while hugging Annie to her chest.

Soon… soon they'd be free.

---

Varric walked back into the Internment Zone, his earlier skirmish with Marley noticeable but thankfully not too upsetting to look at, if his wife and daughter had been any indication. He greeted the gate guards, the few on the list of "decent" Marleyan's he knew, and showed his pass. It was all in order, not a moment of overtime, so there was no reason to keep him from returning to his shack.

A shack that he'd bid goodbye to for the final time soon enough, just as soon as he got word back from the railway. The thought that he'd never see his home again, a place he'd lived in his whole life…

Varric couldn't help the smile that came to his face.

"And what do you have to be looking so happy about, I wonder?"

And just like that, his smile disappeared. Only to tepidly come back, as Varric forced himself to be pleasant to an absolute pissant.

"Can't a man just smile once in a while, Damarion?" Varric turned around with all the false cheer he could muster, standing a full head taller over his neighbour. "Oh look, you found your hat! Told you you'd probably just misplaced it."

Damarion Leonhart. If there was anyone who needed to lighten the fuck up once in their goddam life, it was him. The man was absolutely miserable 24/7, he didn't have a single moment of joy in his life. Despite Varric trying to invite him out for drinks, a chance to get to know each other, or just to shoot the breeze in the endless trying times of being an Eldian, he just scoffed and derided Varric every chance he got.

"You've been gone an awful lot of the time these past few months." Damarion ignored Varric's attempts to be friendly, continuing with his mini-interrogation. "Pray tell, what work exists for lowly Eldians like us that keeps you gainfully employed?"

"The kind that can only afford one of us as it's a Marleyan that's close to us in terms of financial status." Varric replied, smoothly. "We've been over this Leonhart, it's a full renovation but they can only afford to hire me."

"Hmph. More likely you are stringing your employer along, playing up your skills while keeping all the work, and the pay, to yourself."

"Hey, I come by here and drop off tips for jobs all the time. I'm not stopping anyone from working, least of all you."

"Work that has me breaking my back just for enough to make it through the week." Damarion scoffed.

"You talk like that's not the same for me, or literally everybody here."

"Because it isn't." Damarion actually stepped forward, getting right into Varric's personal space. Despite the size difference, and Varric being built himself, there was no doubt who was the more dangerous man here. Nobody knew Damarion's full history, only that he had been outed as an Eldian at some point while serving in his countries military. His homeland had turned him over to Marley without a second thought, and the courts had taken "pity" on the man, finding him ignorant of his own cursed heritage, they'd permit him to start a new life in Liberio.

So Damarion had gone from a life of luxury (compared to living here), to nothing but the clothes on his back, the kindness of strangers (which he spat on, or at least just with Varric), and his combat skills. Yes, combat skills, which he kept up in top form even though he had chance of enlisting as an Eldian volunteer in the Marley army. Lord knows why, but it certainly kept anyone from trying to pick a fight with the man.

Varric didn't square up, he didn't clench his fists, he didn't set his jaw. He just sighed, and backed away, hands up in surrender.

"Look, if you have a problem with me, just say it. What is it? That my shit hole is nicer than yours somehow? That I can grow a beard? That I'm taller, people like me more, what? What is it?" Varric shrugged, lost as to what Damarion wanted to hear.

Damarion stared at Varric, then turned around. "My problem is I can't suffer fools. And you, Varric, are a fool."

"…Okay then." Varric shrugged, and resumed his walk to his home, already moving on from this encounter, not even trying to understand the prick. Let him wallow in his bitterness, soon Varric wouldn't have to deal with him.

Damarion didn't break his stride, even as he pulled out a ring with a chain looped through it, rubbing it between his thumb and forefinger. His expression didn't change, even as he was suddenly granted a reprieve from his suffering.

Tossing the ring to the ground where Varric would hopefully see it when he no doubt came back in a mad panic retracing his steps, Damarion made for his home.

Let the man see his wife one last time, and believe everything was okay.

Damarion Leonhart wasn't cruel, after all. He could wait to inform the Marley Security Bureau.

---

I actually had a whole year pass by in this. Arlert's come and leave, then grandpa comes by, then some shenanigans here and there, then winter (and other things) come so the visits have to stop for a bit. But I figure that was better left for the next chapter.

To be honest I feel like a bunch of this was… well, not my best work. Maybe it's writer bias, I'm writing it so I don't find it good, I dunno. Hope it was entertaining for you all at least, I promise some action will be happening next chapter, as well as Annie coming up with the making's of an idea of a plan!