Ray didn't know why she was there. She hardly remembered her old home just outside Shiganshina, with her and her mother moving to the most southern District of Byugal when she was just four. That was eleven years ago, and she rarely left her home near the south, plus with how long the trip would have taken... well it just wasn't worth it in her eyes just to reminisce on a time she could hardly remember. Her mother seemed to feel the same, or maybe the place just reminded her of her late husband too greatly.

Either way, they could agree on that at least.

Her family was... strange; to put it mildly. She technically had three mothers, though they live far apart, with her mother living in Byugal and Historia and Ymir living in the inner most wall, they do meet up surprisingly often. She didn't mind though, trains are quite fast and she'd always get bought sweets as a child when she was brought there. She never did get told how her father ended up having three wives, but she didn't really care all that much.

Besides, her father was a sensitive topic for Mikasa.

Then there was her sisters, the very reason she was in Shiganshina to begin with.

"Oh come on Ray, aren't you curious about what our home was like before? When our whole family lived together?" Her blonde sister questioned, emerald eyes locking with her own as a reminder of the traits they shared, ones they received from their father.

Ray just sighed. It wasn't that she wasn't curious, she hardly knew anything about the man despite him being her own blood, someone who her mother spoke with so highly on the rare occasion that she breathed a word about him.

Yet... she wasn't even sure if he could be considered her father. She vaguely remembered a man with dark hair and green eyes, one who looked at her and her sibling with love, one who spoke to them kindly, and one who loved them.

But, she hardly knew the man. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to.

Her silence caused Carla to sigh, though Faye remained silent, and for a while the three if them just let an awkward silence sit.

It wasn't as though they hated each other, there was even love in a kind of 'you're my sibling so I have to' kind of way, though that didn't change the fact that they didn't spend enough time together. Well, more like she didn't spend enough time with them, her other mums being closer than Mikasa was in many ways, she'd even go as far as to say they were more like cousins than sisters. Close, but in a fleeting way.

The path they were on wasn't wet, but it was a colder time of year so they huddled together slightly.

Their old home was somewhere in the woods, though she wasn't exactly sure where and she'd be inclined to think that Carla and Faye didn't know either, though she was soon proven wrong when a home came into view.

And it looked good; she'd say so at least.

The house she saw before her was big, enough that two families could probably live in there, and it looked remarkably intact for it's years supposedly abandoned. The roof had several broken tiles, though no visible holes, and there was quite a bit of moss and vines, though not to the point it was overgrown. And, the windows in the house looked partly cracked, but somehow alright for use.

Overall, it was a nice home. Maybe she could live in it come a few years. She'd need to do some repairs though.

Her freckled sister narrowed her eyes and cupped her chin, as though she were examining the place." Is this it? It seems kinda familiar, don't you think?"

Carla voiced her agreement." Yeah, this is definitely it. Why don't we check it out ladies?"

Ray snorted, cheekily adding." Of course, princess." Carla looked a slight annoyed at the mention, but she earned a chuckle from Faye, and her blonde sister was definitely smiling a little underneath her expression of irritation.

She took the front and cracked the house's door open, with her having to push more than she expected, and she was greeted to the sight of dust... everywhere? Yes, though the house was quite well put together, though very barren.

"Is anything even in here?" The tallest one of them, Faye, questioned and she couldn't help but agree. She shouldn't have been surprised, her mothers would have taken anything of value when they left, but it was still disappointing.

Carla's voice cut through the air." Let's go upstairs, maybe we'll find something there."

Ray began to follow, but a plank under the floorboards knocked loose causing her to jump backwards and notice that in the floor was a small red book.

Her sisters noticed this too, and kept an eye on Ray as she picked the book up in her hands and blew the dust off it. She couldn't help but show surprise when she saw the title.

'For my daughters'.

"What does it say?" Carla questioned, licking some ice-cream, as they started to make their way back. They hadn't found anything of value in the house, besides a photograph of their father and their pregnant mothers, so they'd quickly decided to leave before it got dark.

Yet, Shiganshina proved itself to be a lively city during the night, and the people who lived there were kind to them. They were given a decent sum of money to get home and rent an inn, so they decided to enjoy themselves a bit.

They were sat by the banks of Shiganshina dangling their feet off the edge, where ships could pass through the canal and make their way through the Walls and deliver goods inside through the High Force stream, and they were ignorant of the world around them. It was surprisingly pleasant, and it also felt familiar for some reason.

"Are you sure we wanna read this? I mean... we hardly even know our dad-"

Faye was quick to interject." But, he clearly wanted us to read this. You know, with it literally being a message to us and all. So, why don't we just do it?"

Ray wasn't sure what to say to that, but still felt hesitant. Yet, eventually, her sisters proved their stubbornness and she began to read aloud to them.

"Alright, let's see here... 'This is a message from Eren Yeager, father to Ray, Carla, and Faye Yeager. If you aren't one of these three, then don't read the personal contents of this notebook, otherwise feel free'".

She thought it was a strange start, but didn't stop."' The day you three were born was the day everything changed for me. My life, my dignity, my humanity, I never cared about any of that when it came to you. I had three years left to live, and I didn't want that future for you. One where you'd have to look over your shoulder, scared that everyday could be your last. Because, even if I could protect you, I couldn't protect you forever. So, even if I didn't choose this, I think I still would have.'"

Ray blinked, surprised at the tone her father's last words were taking. The tale was, Eren Yeager was a man who erased the Titans, mankind's sworn enemies, from the world using his powers. He was said to have freed mankind from it's chains, the Walls and it's people didn't have to fear being eaten because of him... what was he talking about?

Ray, not noticing her sisters were reacting in a similar way, continued."' I wish I didn't have to leave you, my beautiful daughters. I want to grow old and watch the day come when you are strong enough to fly on your own, when I'm just there because you want me, not because you need me. But, I won't get that chance, I'll have to leave you. But, if nothing else, know this: I love you, my girls. I will always watch over you. Even if it's down from above.'"

Her mouth was dry by the end, and for some reason his words had made her tear up, only slightly though.

Carla and Faye also appeared to be affected slightly. Neither of them were crying, but they didn't look far off.

Ray wanted to laugh at that, though she was in the same state. It was just a stupid note. A meaningless, pointless, saddening, heart-warming, beautiful note from her father.

It was nothing-

Ray subtly wiped her tears, trying to focus on her ice-cream, and the river water below.

-nothing at all.