1st POV

.

.

Welp

That happened.

After my quick visit to my treehouse where I packed a few things like some clothes, a toiletry bag, my beloved sketchbook where I doodled some of the cast, I asked them before, mind you! And other stuff in a brown military backpack, I warped back in the HQ's dungeon and found it empty. Guess poor Eren's still being tortured by Hanji's ramblings. His fault for opening his maw. Thank Allah nobody saw me pop outta nowhere cause I was still a mess. A now clean mess but still a mess! To be frank, the stunt my man Levi pulled had me shook!

'damn you, little man!' I shook my head in frustration 'cause I needed to figure out how to act around him and gosh I could be awkward! Sounds easy to act like an All-knowing bitch but damn that ain't me!'

Grumbling, I enter the cell and put my stuff on a bed. You see the sparkling effect that appears in animes? That's exactly how I found the cell and honestly, it was noice. There's a small barred window that lets fresh air in and I've never been this happy to breathe pollution-free air in my life. Thank Allah I don't have asthma anymore.

'Much better than Mitras. 10/10!'

It's situated high enough to avoid any escape attempts only if you wish to break some bones while trying. The walls are all covered in stones, typical dungeon, and not gonna lie, it gives me medieval vibes even if that's stuffs seen more in movies and videos games than in real life. My country ain't known for its castles-do we even have castles? heck, we got more mosques instead-eh I'm going astray! There's a sink with a mirror-

'gotta have Eren practice his 'tatakae' with it mdr'

And some cuffs and chains attached to the beds. There are three cells actually since the Survey Corps ain't known to hold criminals so their numbers are scarce, opposite to the capital, yet they're big enough to hold two prisoners in it so Eren and I share one. My decision really.

Hm...seems like they're letting us roam free today seeing as nobody's here to monitor us-sure Eren's stuck with Hanji while I'm 'volatile'. Must be because of the whole pinky stuff. Pretty sure someone's supposed to watch us or something, or maybe that's 'cause we just got there and everyone's exhausted as hell. Bruh I did all the work but okay. Anyway! Tomorrow's another day so let's see how it goes!

'why am I cheerful I have no idea! Just hope Hanji followed my advice. Good night world!'

The moment my head touched the pillow, I was out cold.

Next morning found me in the HQ's garden which's pretty large so I went crazy. I wore my uniform minus the straps, with the jacket attached to my waist and a grey sleeveless turtle neck. I was currently in a crouch, eyes glowing with my hands on the ground, making different plants grow out of the holes filled with seeds with my powers.

"hm...I think it's good!"

Once finished, I nod in approval, quite proud of myself. It's exactly 6 AM and I just finished my self appointed mission which was :

[Turn this sad land into a SPLENDID garden!]

Gosh, there are so many colors now. I love it.

Why am I up at 6 Am you ask? Try sleeping in after 3 years of constant "WAKE THE FUCK UP ASSWIPES" and tell me if you won't jump to the ceiling the moment a tall bald man kicks the door open and starts YELLING. Fucking Shadis and his loud ass mouth. EH, good-Bad? It ain't bad...right? habits die hard so I'm up.

I remove my hands from the soil to observe my work from my crouched position, which I'm pretty proud of ngl. The garden is now divided into two parts. Fruits left, vegetables right separated by a dirt path to give access to the plants. Nothing fancy of course just basic stuff like tomatoes, carrots, eggplants, salad, red-yellow-green peppers, corns, and so on for the veggies (EAT- Nah, that one's easy). On the fruits part, oranges, apples, grapes, strawberries, pears, watermelons (hmmm, watermelons~) and my favorite, Sounsoun trees!

(don't know if there's an English equivalent for it but I'd be a fool to not add it here. It's delicious af. oh, it's called Atis too.)

As for the carbs, I'm sure they already got them in bulk, but I can always add them if I grab the right seeds. Can make them appear but Meh. Now they'll have choices between several dishes and dessert I'll of course introduce to them!

'I should write a list...yep, I'll do that.'

Am I planning to buy their trust with food? Yes, yes I am. Just eager to see everyone's face when they wake up.

'I hope Levi'll appreciate it though...'

Am I desperate for his approval? Yes, ugh, this is not the time to fantasize, Woman! It's not like he's not keeping an eye on me, told me himself. FIIOGF4DJJ.

After a good night's sleep, I acted on yesterday's comment: add more food on everyone's plates, and if anyone came to ask "How in the actual hell did I manage to grow plants out of nowhere?!" Imma just say it's one of my titan abilities which isn't a lie in itself.

I, during my one year before canon, discovered that my titan, Mother, had some of the nine's powers WHICH WERE TOO OP FOR MY TASTES, WHAT THE FU- with a few pluses. I can reinforce various parts of my body if not all, order and understand titans, or change heights, 18 meters which is the base form to 50 if I really push it. Shrinking was an option too since I found myself as a 8 meters once because why the heck not?! Gotta say the shit puzzled the heck out of me but I still got things figured out in the end so twas a plus! And after noticing the plants my titan indirectly caused, I concluded that I could grow a shit ton of things if I thought of it and freakin abused it to help Maria's refugees but y'all already knew that. That was the titan part. Me? I'm OP as fuck. Fucking threw a rasenshuriken at some trees for the heck of it. Still remember the crater it caused. Rip trees.

The process didn't take much of me so I was relatively good. !

'Hmm...should say hello.' nodding, I looked toward the pillar where a meek 'Eep' and clumsy steps sounded then silence. I laugh inwardly, finding the person's attempt to spy on me adorable since I felt them follow me to the garden the moment I got out of my 'room', add the few shocked gasps to my display and here we go.

"Sup Ilse, you good?"

A choked gasp came from the pillar then a few seconds passed until an embarrassed Ilse slowly revealed herself. She was a bit unsure, eyes avoiding mine, likely ashamed to have been caught spying. She wore her uniform minus the straps since it's too early for it.

"...How did you know I was here...?"

I snort "you weren't really quiet by the way you kept gasping every time a new tree grew. Became difficult not to react with how silent the place is." I turn my head towards her. "how have you been? Can see you got questions for me, go on I'll answer to the best of my abilities." I smile.

Her eyes fell to the garden before me then returned to my person with a bemused look. She must have a million questions racing in her head. Can't fault her with the bullshit I just pulled.

"why...are you here?" her tone held some hesitation but she pushed it back to ask more. "are you really Lith...? What am I saying-of course you are if you said so yourself- what's going on? H-how are you here? How are you human? Are you human? Wh-what-"

"Wow, girl chill! I ain't going nowhere. " I stood up

dusted myself off then made my way towards her. She stiffened

as I got closer but slightly relaxed at my slouched shoulders. "come on, one question at the time." sitting on the low wall separating the garden from the alleyway, I patted next to me. "here, let's chat a bit."

Caught off guard by my words, Ilse stops her ramblings and does as told with some hesitations. I chuckle as she tries to calm down but lamely fails by the way her feet tap the ground repeatedly. I shake my head.

"now let's go from the beginning. Heya, the name's Colith Tobe, also known as Lith the titan! Sorry for not telling you the first time around, was just training in the woods that day and came across your terrifying shrieks which was understandable given the situation I found you in 'cause you almost died- damn that was uncalled for-okay hum oh boi I talk too much? I talk too much Nice to meet you again I guess and Mavea's really sorry for almost eating you! I punished her properly!" I promptly offered my hand and mentally slapped myself.

'jeez what a way to start'

She gawks at it while muttering Mavea's name with a shudder for a few seconds probably assimilating what I just said then slowly reaches for it.

"I...uh...nice to meet you...?"

Okay I just-

A laugh escapes my mouth which puzzles her further and I laugh harder 'cause her face just screams "WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON??"

"OH boi this is too good." I wipe a tear off my eye and give her an amused look. "Not what you were expecting eh? I know I was all mysterious and shit but that was just me panicking so don't bother with formalities." I said waving a hand "So, one I'm here to help with a few things, two yes I'm Lith, and three, dunno if I can still qualify as a human" she blinked a few times at the last part.

"Huh..not human? What do you mean?"

I smirk "Can't tell y'all everything till I inform my beans first, then I'll probably explain."

Her brows furrow a bit but decide to leave it since she knows of my reluctance to say more. I made myself clear back after the trial. She turns her head toward the now filled garden in awe. "this...how is this possible? How exactly did you manage this?" her eyes flew over the differents unknown plants, hands hitching for her sketchbook to draw the foreign species.

"hm, an ability of mine which allows me to control the flora itself. I can grow pretty much everything out of nothing, with or without seeds. Just need to think about it." I shrug and follow her eyes. "Damn I'm proud of myself."

"Huh...what are those?"

"Oh those are plantains. Once fried they get so delicious you can't live without them."

"Ah"

"Yeah."

"..."

A peaceful silence fell between us. Birds chirp in the background while the sun gradually rises in the sky which brings out shades of gold that clash with blue, hinting at the promise of a new day. I take a deep breath, inhaling the different scents which vary between plants and land, not surprising considering where we are.

'gotta wash my hands tho..'

From the corner of my eye, I see Ilse readying herself to ask more questions.

'here we go again'

"Say...why did you tell me to keep your existence a secret only for you to reveal yourself later? What is your purpose with us? I know... no I'm sure that you aren't a threat with the way you helped us all these years even if a lot aren't aware of it but..." her face scrunch up in concentration as if trying to decipher an enigma. " but I wasn't aware of humans who could transform into titans. Heck, I always thought that...you were a new species of titan with odd features who could talk. Why didn't you tell me you could...shift?" she turns to me, a pang of hurt flashing through her eyes which makes me inwardly wince a little.

'shiiiit'

I heave a sigh out then gently pat her back. The sudden contact makes her jolt in surprise to which I grimace. I remove my hand. "sorry. I just...I wasn't supposed to meet anyone outside. I've been avoiding scouts to not attract attention. " she looked at me in question. "As said earlier, I was out training, couldn't have guessed I'd run into you. But I'm glad I did since I was able to save you in time." I gave the girl a genuine smile.

Her shoulders sagged. "... I see." She looks away for a while, eyes trailing on the different plants then back at me again. "you won't tell us where you're from but you seem to know a lot." she paused "Will you eventually tell us?" a ray of hope and curiosity brighten her features.

I huff " one day maybe I will. Though where I'm from isn't important." I straighten up to stretch my back. Bones crack at the motion which makes me sigh in delight.

"what's important right now is that you guys find yourselves powerful allies, and turns out that I am one so hurray."

"allies? Allies for what?" she looks at me in confusion.

My smile disappear, replaced by a solemn expression. The sudden change of demeanor startles Ilse by the way she stills, turning apprehensive. Oopsie.

"Titans aren't your only foes."

Ilse blinks a few times before what I just said finally sinks in. Hazel eyes widen in disbelief. "W-what?"

"Yep. Y'all didn't live 100 years without a hitch just for a huge ass titan to spawn out of nowhere and wreck your ramparts apart for shits and giggles. It wasn't a coincidence, I think. I mean didn't you wonder if there wasn't something? Like a motive or a purpose? You know, titans aren't very smart and nowhere intelligent enough to 'plan' so... "

Ilse began sweating, a worried look taking over. "so...there must be something...or someone, an intelligent entity beyond the walls...but that's impossible! No humans can survive out there!" she exclaims.

"wow, you wound me." I chuckle. Realizing what she said, Ilse jolts in panic and stutters.

"N-no it's not- Gah!" She flushes furiously while fumbling with her hands." I didn't mean that you-huh- oh jeez it's not-"

"Chill, I'm just messing with ya." I tap her shoulder amicably. "told ya I can't qualify as human for reasons, but please do continue, you train of thoughts' interesting." I smile brightly.

She sent me an uncertain look but clears her throat out, visibly embarrassed by her outburst but goes on. "...like I said no one can survive out there with or without ODM gear, it's suicide! We don't exactly know how many titans are lurking out there. Plus we lack information on the breeding process-Do they even breed?- by the lack of genitalia or if they just appear out of thin air." she shakes her head, adopting a thinking pose. "it's hard to believe that human life beyond our protections is possible...yet here you are. " I snort. "... or maybe it is." she squints her eyes, shifting them to meet mine. "Are you sure there are others out there? Did you meet anyone else? Are there others like...you? The government told us that we were the only survivors so that shouldn't be-"

"duh" I deadpan. "assholes-" she winces "-keeps sprouting bullshit left and right. Wouldn't surprise me if they lied about it to keep you guys from finding out. EH, too bad for them, I'm here to assist you. And yeah, you got attacked by shifters, probably ordered by outside forces to wipe you guys out and retrieve something while they're at it, though I didn't meet any-" I yawn."-one out there." wasn't even lookin for anyone, though there is something out there I ain't gon say yet.

Surpriiiiise.

Ilse's mouth dropped to the ground. " 'r-retrieve something' ?! Wipes us out'?! w-why would they do that?!" she almost shrieks in horror. "Innocent people died! what is so important that they'd put people in danger like this?!" she stops, eyes widening, finally recalling something. "could it be that...they're after Eren and you?...you said they were searching for something. If they wanted to kill us all, they could've done the same they did with Maria but didn't...because they found what they were looking for! They could've gone further and destroyed the inner gates but stopped when you and Jaeger appeared!" on cue Ilse began panicking. "T-this is madness!" poor girl starts hyperventilating. "i-I can't- t-this is- wha-"

I made a face then reached out to rub her back in an attempt to appease her while releasing a calming aura around us. It took effect almost immediately by the way her body relaxed as her breathing slowed to match a more tranquil rhythm.

"better?"

Regaining her composure, she glances back at me in wonder. "huh, Yeah I think. How did you do that? I feel calmer than before."

I smirk then pull my hands away to wiggle my fingers. "Magic~"

She stares at me for a while before snorting in response. "You're so strange."

"lol I know."

"..lol?" she perks up.

"Huh, It means 'laughing out loud'"

"but you're not laughing?"

"Ilse sweetie it's an expression you use when something amuses you."

"Oh, did you create it?"

My shoulders shook with laughter as I denied because damn, how did I forget that they weren't up to date with my humor. Really need to teach it to them at some points. Can't only corrupt my beans ya see. Ilse chuckled now calmer than before. I hear her sigh then decide to reassure her.

"stop worrying so much" I bump shoulders with her. "you got me here, things are gonna turn in our favors, trust me, I know what I'm doing 'ttebayo!" Ilse refrains from asking what 'ttebayo' means and nods instead.

"Whatever their goals are, imma make sure they don't achieve it! You can count on me!"

She looks at me quizzically. "Why are you doing this for us?"

I grin " Because one of my boys wishes to see the sea and I promised to take him there one day."

"the sea?" Ilse tilts her head in question.

"Yeah, it's a vast expanse of saltwater stretching over thousands of kilometers full of new species of fish and other creatures I'm sure you'd love to sketch!"

"you've been there before?" she awed.

"ya think?" I chuckle.

"Okay, that one's on me." she laughs and I join in.

We end up in peaceful silence. The sun had managed to trek further in the sky, turning into proper daytime. We talk for a while, especially about our love for art. After a lot of probing, I managed to convince a blushing Ilse to show me her sketchbook which she ends up doing after sighing. Turns out she has it with her everywhere she goes. Most were sketches of different environments ranging from streets filled with people, stray animals, birds, houses, and everything you'd find in populated districts to forests, plants, Oh a rabbit, and some titans she must've seen during expeditions. Ilse's talented as fuck, even saw a glimpse of my titan between two pages before she snatched it from me but no can do, I saw it and whistled.

"HOLY CRAP! This is Amazing! Lemme see lemme see! " I exclaim with stars in my eyes. "my titan looks so great in your style! And that's after seeing it once? Dayum! "

"t-thanks but it's not much..hehe" she chuckles shyly while massaging her neck. I use this opportunity to snatch back the book to her dismay and continue looking.

"Bullshit! You're talented! Be more confident about it!" I pump one fist in the air. "Oh oh! I'll give ya tips and lend you some of my art supplies, we can draw together too if ya want?"

"Would that be okay?"

I nod with renewed enthusiasm "Yeh! It's been a while since I found another artist. None of my friends shows interest in it, sure they'll awe at it for a sec then move on" I shrug, giving her back the book.

"OH...in that case, okay." she smiles a little.

I squeal in delight, wildly clapping hands together which startle her but she just giggles in response. I reach my fist out for a bump. She stares at it then looks at me not understanding.

"it's a fist bump, you bump your fist with mine to show that we're friends!"

"w-we are?" (we aaaare on the cruuuuise-) she asks, surprised.

"hell yeah, we are, the moment you choose to keep me a secret you became one." I smile warmly. " thank you for putting your trust in me, I appreciate it."

Ilse blushes, freckles cheeks reddening in embarrassment. "...i-I don't know what you did that day but the titans left me alone and I returned home safe." she rubs her cheek with a hand, eyes softening "I got to see my parents once more when I thought I wouldn't." she paused to give me a genuinely grateful smile and bumps fists with me "Thank you for allowing me to live for another day and thank you for giving me a chance to make them proud..." she grins.

"so that's why" I laugh "I'm glad then! Do them, proud friend!"

She chuckles, not matching my excitement but was content regardless.

"Say, Ilse ?"

"Yes?" she perks up.

"you think Levi's single?"

Ilse choked on her spit.