"Alright," Celine said, looking up from the notebook she had in hand. "Bite down."

The pointed teeth of Ymir's Titan form came down on the stone in hand. A crack appeared on the surface, spreading until a shower of pebbles accompanied the rock breaking in two. The Jaw Titan let out a grunt, spitting the rock out of its mouth.

"Granite – successful," Celine said. "Good, we'll be moving on to iron. If you're able to tear into this busted cannon, do me a favor and break it into pieces. It's scheduled to be melted down and you'd be saving the Tech Department some steps."

It was an interesting sensation having a Titan look at you in contempt. Celine gifted the Jaw Titan with a sweet smile.

"Pretty please! It would be a great help!"

A gust of air blew over Celine as the Jaw Titan let out a huff. It turned, using its elongated arms to walk on all fours toward the cannon a short distance away. The object was lifted up like a children's toy, the Jaw Titan appearing much like a child itself teething on an unknown object. The barrel to the cannon bent under the pressure. A chunk was broken off and spit to the side before the Jaw Titan went back for another bite.

"What does this have to do with plugging the hole?" Levi asked, stepping beside Celine.

Celine flinched. She looked to the side with a scowl. "What's with you and starting conversations without facing a person first? You scared the shit out of me."

Levi didn't appear guilty in the slightest. "A Titan is standing within spitting distance, and I'm the one you're afraid of?"

"I would say more 'startled' than 'afraid,'" Celine said, matching Levi's look of contempt. "Announce your presence next time instead of creeping over my shoulder." She hummed, turning her attention back to her notebook as she began to write. "And this has nothing to do with the hole – this is all intel for combat purposes. Although I may have another answer for you when my request for a piece of Wall Rose is approved. There should be some lying around from the time I blew it up, and I'm curious to see if Ymir can get through it."

Celine stepped forward, elbowing her way around the other soldiers watching the display. She clapped her hands to grab the Jaw Titan's attention. "That's good, Ymir. We'll be switching to observing Eren after lunch – thank you for your cooperation; you're dismissed for the day."

The Titan slumped. A burst of steam from its nape accompanied Ymir's human form clawing her way from the flesh.

"I'm getting tired of that condescending tone of yours," Ymir said. She pulled out her legs, standing upon the Titan's deflating husk. "It reminds me too much of the pricks from the Interior."

"Well, I am a prick from the Interior, so you'll just have to learn to deal with it," Celine said. She kept her eyes locked with Ymir as the younger woman spat what was likely a metallic taste out of her mouth. It wasn't until Ymir turned her back and stepped away did Celine allow her expression to relax.

"I think it would be better for you to take the lead with Ymir's development from here on out," Celine said, looking over her shoulder.

"I'd only be repeating what you would tell her yourself," Levi said. "I don't see the point."

"The point is that she respects you more than me," Celine said, gesturing with her pencil. "Plus, you two can bond over how much you find me annoying."

"The whole squad's done that already," Levi said.

"That's funny," Celine said, her smile turning sly. "I've picked up the impression everyone besides Ymir likes me more than you – even Jean, and that kid hates my guts."

Levi appeared unamused. "My role here isn't to be liked."

"Clearly."

Celine's smile softened. A tilt to her head indicated Levi should walk with her toward where bowls of stew, cups of tea, and roasted potatoes were being handed out for lunch.

"I would've never guessed asking Eren and Ymir to clean out a basement would result in such a change of heart," Celine said. "I thought you were insane."

"It was a gamble," Levi said. "Their group was divided; I introduced myself as a common enemy and forced them to interact in close-quarters. They would either pull together or self-implode. If they failed, we would at least have an answer and be able to head back to Trost. I refuse to be forced to stay out here for no reason."

"Agreed," Celine said. "I can't stand the country."

. . .

Groups of soldiers convened on blankets produced from saddle bags. Atop one such blanket sat Moblit, a journal in his lap and a stack of folders at his side. He looked up when the blanket shifted and a bowl of stew was brandished in his face.

"Oh! Thank you," Moblit said, accepting the bowl from Celine. He returned Celine's nod in greeting as she seated herself with her own bowl. The other end of the blanket received a few quick swipes to brush off the dirt before being occupied by Levi.

"I've compiled everything important concerning a Titan's hardening ability for your review, Unit Captain," Moblit said, offering his notebook to Celine.

"Ah." The notebook was accepted with a stern expression. "Thank you for your fine contribution, Unit Captain."

Moblit's eyelids drooped. "You're mocking me."

"Of course," Celine said. "As fond as I am of my new title, hearing you call me by anything other than my name feels off. Besides – as the same rank, there's no need for you to try and brown nose me."

"That wasn't my intention."

Celine opened the notebook, flipping through the pages. "That's good. A recommendation from someone with a record like mine wouldn't get you far, anyway." A certain page caught her attention. She put her chin in her hand as her eyes scanned the information. "Annie's statement mentioned a few of these 'Nine Titans' have hardening abilities, but she's unsure if the one Eren has is capable of the feat. She's pretty positive Ymir won't be able to do so."

"How convenient for her," Levi said. "The Female Titan would make herself a valuable asset if she were the only one who could quickly plug the wall."

"She's a valuable asset either way," Celine said, placing the journal down. "Although I think we should also experiment with Ymir concerning the hardening ability if we want to be thorough."

"I agree," Moblit said with a nod. "That's something the Commander wanted us to test as well."

Moblit watched an icy expression fall over Celine. She lowered her gaze, picking up her bowl of stew. Celine made no move to raise the spoon to her mouth.

"You and Hange are acting like children."

Celine's hand twitched. She slowly raised her eyes to Levi. The object of her attention didn't appear bothered by the cold reception to his remark. He took a sip of tea as if they were sharing a far less tense conversation.

"You're a captain," Celine said, her eyes narrowing. "At least make an attempt to hold your cup like a civilized member of society."

Levi kept his hand clutched over the rim of his mug as he took another drink. "Who said I gave a damn about acting civilized?"

Celine looked away with a huff. "And you call me a child." She took a single bite of stew before snatching up the notebook. Her eyes remained averted as she got to her feet and raised her voice. "All right, everyone! We're relocating five kilometers south – pack up and let's move out."

Moblit hummed in a worried fashion as he watched Celine step away. There were grumbles of unease from the other soldiers over the short lunch break; Celine didn't appear to notice.

"I know you're only trying to encourage them to speak again, Captain," Moblit said, turning to Levi. "But I think it would be best to drop the matter for now. The Commander has dodged every attempt I made to talk to her about it … and it looks like Celine will do the same."

Levi's gaze slowly slid to meet his. "Having seen both sides, I get the impression Hange is the only one suffering over their falling out. Do you think Celine really gives that much of a shit?"

Moblit regarded Levi in surprise. He turned to watch Celine in the distance. She was holding Moblit's notebook out to Eren, the boy nodding as she gestured to various items written on the page.

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I think the Commander is someone very precious to her; she was the first person Celine was ever able to call a friend." He scooped up the stack of files in one hand and his bowl in the other before getting to his feet. "I would ask you not to repeat that – Celine will cut my throat in my sleep."

"You sound certain of that," Levi said as he stood.

"As the second person Celine was able to call a friend," Moblit said, putting on a wry grin. "I'm quite certain."