Attack on Titan: Bloodline – Chapter 19 (July 22, 2019)
Lorraine sat on the edge of her bed the next morning, dressed in her Scout uniform, her hair falling down over her shoulders. Her eyes still stung, raw from crying so much the previous day. When the Scouts had returned from the 57th Expedition, she had retired to her quarters without even bothering to eat anything, saddened by the massive losses the Scouting Legion had sustained. She fell asleep quickly, but not before bawling her eyes out. She turned to look out the window and ran her fingers through her hair, pulling the long locks over her shoulder.
She stood up and said, "Yes? Come in." The door opened, revealing Captain Levi. His expression was grim, but still stern. He said nothing, but Lorraine gave a strong, nervous salute.
"C-Captain Levi. What can I do for you?"
He said, "Lorraine. Commander Erwin has requested that you accompany me today. We have to deliver the news to the families of our dead comrades." She gasped quietly, then asked, "Sir? Why me?" Levi sighed and said, "Who knows? I want you ready to go directly after breakfast." Lorraine said, "Understood. I'll be there." As he walked out, shutting the door behind him, she found herself thinking once again about her first conversation with him.
"Lorraine. I'm sorry. Fifteen years ago, I left my baby daughter on the front porch of a small cabin just outside of Shiganshina. The guilt has haunted me since. Suddenly, she started appearing to me. First in Shiganshina. Then Trost. Now here."
She sighed, shaking her head. Lately, she had found her mind wandering back to that day in Captain Levi's office. She always told herself that it couldn't possibly be true, but there was a little part of her that almost believed the famed Captain.
"I mean, what reason would he have to lie to me...?"
In the mess hall, she sat next to Armin, eating silently. There wasn't a lot of chatter in the mess hall this morning, but some were trying to remain optimistic. Even Reiner wasn't as talkative as he usually was. Armin nudged Lorraine's arm gently and she looked up at him. He gave a half-hearted smile. She made an attempt to return it, then said, "So, apparently, I'm going to the families of the dead with Captain Levi today." Armin furrowed his brows and asked, "What? Why?" Lorraine simply shrugged and shook her head. She said, finishing off her small loaf of bread, "Commander Erwin requested me to go with the Captain. Not sure why me, though." Armin said, looking off into space, "Maybe he sees something in you that others don't." Lorraine scoffed.
"Yeah. A smaller, female Levi, right?"
She stood and carried her tray back to the counter, saying good-bye to Armin, then went outside to the courtyard. There stood Levi, petting the muzzle of his large, pure-black horse. His gaze was soft and caring. A side that others rarely, if ever, saw. She sighed and approached him. He turned and said as she placed her fist over her heart, "Ready, Lorraine?" She nodded. He said, "Good. Get your horse and we'll ride into town." She acknowledged and jogged to the stables. She looked around for her newly-appointed horse, a beautiful palomino mare named Fiona. She smiled and gently guided Fiona out. Lorraine tacked Fiona, making sure the saddle wasn't too tight and that the reins were comfortable before bringing her out to join Levi and his horse.
"Captain. We're ready."
He sighed and said as they both mounted, "Good. Let's go." They rode in total silence most of the trip. Even as they reached the first home, not a word was spoken between them. It was only after a young woman opened the door excitedly that Levi finally spoke. He spoke slowly and surely.
"I'm sorry ma'am. I'm Captain Levi Ackerman of the Scout Regiment. I'm afraid that your brother was killed on the field of battle on our most recent expedition."
As the woman listened to his words, her face dropped. Tears formed in her eyes as Levi continued, "He was a brave soldier who fought to the bitter end." The woman buried her face in her hands and began to cry. After several long moments, the woman, still weeping, thanked Levi kindly for informing her and wished him and Lorraine well before shutting the door on them.
Each household seemed to be harder to talk to than the next. Lorraine couldn't say much more than the occasional apology or reassurance for fear of breaking down just like the families, but Levi gave her the occasional comforting nod that kept her from completely bursting into tears. The two made their way through the city of Trost one home at a time, delivering the grim news and, to some, personal memoirs to the families. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and children grieved. Some cried, while others simply mourned silently. Levi and Lorraine were shunned by one or two families, but Levi assured her that it was natural for them to feel that way. At each household, they were bombarded with the same bout of questions.
"What happened?"
"Did they die for nothing?"
"Please tell me their deaths made a difference."
Lorraine, after one particularly sorrowful home, mounted her horse and sighed. Levi looked up at her and asked, "You alright?" She nodded, tears in her eyes. She felt a lump forming in her throat and Levi saw that her entire body was trembling. He rode closer to her side and said calmly, "I know this is difficult." She nodded again, unable to speak. He frowned and said, "Do you know why we do this?" He fell silent as she took a deep, shaking breath and said, "Th-the families need to know...about their deaths..." He said, his blue gaze unwavering, "To bring meaning to their sacrifices." She looked up at him. His eyes were narrow and cold, but they shone sincerely as he looked into her amber-coloured eyes.
"Lorraine. One day, you'll have to do this on your own. When you do, you'll understand better."
She bit her lip and nodded once again. She said under her breath, "I see." Levi rode forward, taking his hand off her shoulder. Lorraine wiped her eyes on her sleeve, but before she started onward, Levi turned back and said gently, "We have two more homes. Can you continue?" Lorraine said softly, calming herself, "Yes. Yes, I'll be okay." As he turned and rode on, Lorraine let out a sigh. The rest of the trip was quiet.
Upon their return to HQ, Lorraine and Levi returned their horses to the stables, untacking them and giving them a gentle brush before walking out, shutting the gates of their corrals behind them. Lorraine walked alongside Levi for just a little longer before turning away, heading towards the mess hall. She looked back and caught Levi's gaze for a second, then turned away again.
Levi sighed, his thoughts still on the young woman that he wished he could convince of the truth. As he walked, his mind flashed back to that day, so long ago, when he received a visitor. The woman brought him a beautiful baby girl with a thin head of black hair and beautiful, amber eyes that shone like the sun.