A Middle-Aged Boy

If consternation had a face, it was clearly those of the people he was surrounded by. And for what reason? His mother was the one who showed him the picture books distributed to every household by the Marleyan government as a little boy of that wicked woman who shared an apple with the Devil of All Earth.

Her children spread their seeds on the wind. And these seeds turned all the people of the world into weeds.

She read it to him so many times that he had it memorized before he turned five, as most Eldian children had. They discussed Ymir Fritz all the time as one to revile, unlike those devils in league with her who worshiped her and her whorish ways, following their King to that island that, maybe after all, really had cursed him for life.

And she somehow enjoyed this? This woman who cursed them all to hell? These frivolous sick fantasies had surely done her in by now. And just after she got rid of the first one that plagued him as an unwilling victim as a spindle she jabbed in his back. What didn't she understand about his life for the first twenty-one years? Did she learn nothing from that horrid day in the desert at the fort? He was all she needed.

Who the hell was he kidding? Only Gabi could truly understand him. But maybe she had been compromised, first by his mother and now aided by Levi of all people? And he trusted him. Her carefree enthusiasm when she blurted out this revelation hurt to hear. The world was mortified of the islanders, and with the way the locals were acting, they were in danger here as well. Yet Levi was more than willing to compromise it by invoking that name from some book. No wonder he looked so pale in the bedroom- not out of pain but shame. Yet he boldly sinned and invoked her name all for the sake of his fractured clan for unclear motives. He'd have to badger him for more answers over food he probably wouldn't touch, or he'd feel sick.

Why had he gone away in his state leading up to the thaw where it all melted at once?

"So, what's gotten everyone so enthused about this dead woman? Trying to scheme our way into becoming Marley's breeder dogs again because the world's too frightening to handle? I mean, it's a step down from celebrating the island's idol, but you'd think she just deserves to fuck off already."

Nobody responded. Viola sat facing him on the table, slapping her chubby hands down. He held her in place. Not only Gabi. This little girl too was in danger of being the next pawn of the family. Onyankopon motioned to Levi to do something, but he shook his head. He'd been keeping pretty quiet. Almost a bit too quiet.

"Sorry for being so blunt. I only want to hear your side of this too. Levi's done enough."

"I'll- I'll have to talk to Gabi. I really didn't want her sharing this with you yet," she spoke to herself as she rubbed her forehead. "I'll explain, it's a lot, but…." His mother's eyes darted around the room until she finally came up with something passing for apologetic. Good, because she needed to answer for this scandalous topic.

"Dear, if you think we're doing something to hurt any of you, I can assure you that isn't true in the slightest. You wouldn't believe me, but none of us expected these discussions to turn into… this. It's all been kept between our house, Levi, the Grice's, and Onyankopon. You see, we had a plan… we thought it would be of help to you and the ambassadors in telling our story about us in negotiations."

"Who's 'us', exactly? We already got our own little speeches and sob stories prepared."

"Right, right," she stumbled. "But did any of them include Ymir's story?"

That name was giving him a headache. He wanted to plunge a fork into his head. No need for a mad doctor to stab him with a needle into his brain through the eye. Same effect without the intimidation of being held down and gagged like an animal. "Why should it?"

"You cannot separate Eldians from Ymir. Not even by King Karl Fritz did her power and influence get cut off. And I bet very few on the island keep her in mind, wouldn't you think?" She nodded toward Levi, who didn't respond, and crossed her arms. "Those Jaegerists should have spent one day in Liberio where it was ensured we wouldn't forget her name."

"Can't let old habits die. I see." Reiner removed Viola from the table and closer to him. He looked to his right to see Levi sipping his tea, or at least fumes of it at this point. Onyankopon seemed to be staring off at the wall and holding those prayer beads in his pocket that his people used. He must have been praying for them to not scream at each other. It would have been even better if he prayed for that name to vanish from the face of the world. Or himself. "Doesn't answer my question."

"Because everything is a mess of knots, and us Eldians are at the center of it. You would think that we could at least agree now about one person tying us together here and the island."

"Yeah? Lots of people could be that person." Lots of wide eyed eager boys and girls dreamed of that, drooled over it just like the family dog was salivating over and sniffing toward an unattended pot full of some meat meant for dinner that night.

"Because…" His mother sat at the table across from him. Her gaze was firm."Ymir Fritz was just like us. She was a victim like you and me. And all her subjects."

Reiner mulled over the summary of the report that Armin had made three years back, or what he remembered in his empty state, the memory bouncing inside him like a ball in a hollow box. Work had not been on the forefront of his mind- the world blowing up to the next smallest portion of smithereens with him in it didn't seem too bad in the chance negotiations failed- but the points of a slave wanting the affection of the first King Fritz did line up with this odd idea. They were victims of so much. Just craving to be heroes, to be outside those damn walls, to be worth something in the eyes of the world. In the eyes of a parent, the one who could show mercy or send you on a one way ticket to a devil's paradise.

Oh. That's what she was thinking, wasn't it? Twice now she'd exceeded his she have really thought this out? He didn't underestimate Levi's own perceptive abilities to read people- perhaps not including the deceased from two millenniums ago, but how much did a woman whose only education came from propaganda and only work to her name was cleaning a military barracks really know about making such bold statements about historical figures and what their lives meant in the long run?

"I see. I never thought of her that way," he stated as empathetically as possible.

His mother's face relaxed. It glowed lightly at his understanding. "I'm glad you get why we're not just going to forget her around here. In a way, her story has been guiding us through our lives these past weeks. If we just forget her, nobody will remember why we are alive today talking at the table. We're her children, after all."

Viola stretched her hands toward her. Reiner held her back, not wanting to give in to this alluring ideology quite willingly. "So. You want the ambassadors to talk about her in hopes of drawing out archetypes to get them to sympathize with us over here and surrender their weapons and sign a treaty?"

Her face wrinkled. She probably didn't understand literary terms very well. "Oh, I wish that would work. Do you think a few would listen? There have to be a few who would." She sighed. " Maybe some of it is just a guess, though who truly knows what Ymir felt? Mikasa might know. She's part of the reason this has happened. She has a right to know this, and she's Levi's clan, which is why we also wanted to put together a little letter to send over to see what everyone thought. But if not, then it's just something to pass onto our children here."

Reiner didn't want to question just how his mother had come to know the truth behind the true victor that damn day, and if anybody else had let their tongue loose. Why did everything have to connect like a worm's segments, each disgusting tendril pulling the next one forward? Looking at the big picture, it was enough to mess with anybody's mind to consider just how much Eren and Ymir, in tandem, concocted what they did. A great sick joke to play on him.

"Are you sure there's nothing you're planning to do with this?"

"Reiner… What else could I ask of you to do? You don't have to like discussing her name- your Uncle Giuseppe hates hearing about her just as much as you do. All I need from you is to be here. We're all we have left of each other after that horrible day." Her plea rang clearly. She wasn't feigning any promises as far as he could read. She seemed to love this woman from another book, albeit a side story of sorts, a far cry from bitter spite in a wish to eliminate her blood's sin by covering her arm with an equally red armband.

Question was, how much did she love him? Did she just want to hold him close to hear his heartbeat for the sake of it? Because he was sick of feeling it in his own chest these days. Regrets numbered greater than the twenty percent who survived, with only one reason or so that tipped the scale in favor of waking up.

Onyankopon paced toward the living room with the dog in tow, thwarting his effort to steal scarce meat. Levi had fixed his focus on his emptied teacup, clasping it clumsily, which somehow entertained Viola. It wasn't a mystery that he wanted to be involved in this too if Mikasa was a pawn in a scheme outside of time. When his family had first attempted to pry information out of this fearsome yet heavily weakened island devil, he hadn't mentioned having any family alive at that place, save for the fact Mikasa had the same name. Then again, there were only bits and pieces of his past he shared aloud.

"Alright. I don't want any part in this, then. I'm glad it makes you happy, though."

His mother's eyes twinkled with a touch of disappointment. "I understand. Maybe you'll open up later. And I don't want you to worry about anything or anyone. All I want is you to feel well."

Viola gurgled in unanimity. She squawked at the sight of the door opening and her big sister's appearance. Her hands were coated in wet dirt.

"We're all done, Aunt Karina!" she shouted unnecessarily. Sometimes, Reiner wondered just how she managed to pass the portion of training that required absolute deprivation of spoken communication. "We spread new grass seed on the bird's burial spot. I had to beg my dad to not put another flower bed there. It's Falco and mine's favorite spot to sit."

Bird? That's what that dirt mound was? What made it so special that it was worthy of a ceremonial departure? Poor pitiful creature got a great spot at least.

"Wonderful, dear. Lunch will take a little while longer."

"Uh, is everything okay?"

She scowled at his cousin. "You need to control that mouth of yours, Gabi. You're just as bad as us at gossiping. You see, we were just having a talk about Ymir Fritz."

Her blushing face made her alert brown eyes stand out. "Uh, sorry, Aunt Karina. I couldn't help it. I thought since it was about our family it would be okay."

"I suppose you're right. Now go wash up."

Gabi grinned, relieved to avert further punishment. "Look, Viola! I'm all dirty too!" Her sister cackled and would have rolled off of Reiner if he didn't have her in his arms. He felt himself smile slightly for a fleeting second or two. Someone to his right peered at them then turned away to look down at his empty cup. His mother got up to grab the kettle. Unlike Gabi, Levi was excellent at keeping his mouth shut. But something seemed off about him. Was it his aching leg which would be blessed enough to have a scalpel plunged into it? His sole gray eye was empty, like it was longing for something.

"There are regrets I hold."

"Please give this to Captain Levi or pass this along to him…. I'm having some regrets. I'm aware of what he's been through over the past three years, and…" She bowed her head. "I feel guilty for not being there."

Well, if this ordeal was that important to him, so be it. His gaze could take the edge off of anybody or strike the fear of whatever deity out there held a deathwish on him. As long as he was here, maybe he'd help keep his mother in check.

Gabi trotted away as Onyankopon returned from his wrestling match with the dog which resulted in Theo being confined to his crate from which he protested. "I swear this dog is part wolf," he complained." He removed his jacket revealing his white undershirt which outlined his torso. He'd kept in great shape helping to rebuild his native homeland. "Do you two think you're ready to get your documents approved and expedited?"

"I believe so," his mother replied.

"As ready as they'll ever be. But I need to reply to Mikasa's letter. Separately. It's a personal matter," Levi chimed in. First time he'd spoken for a while. "I'll work on it after lunch here. Quietness makes it hard to concentrate." He pointed a finger toward Viola.

"Excellent. I wish I could have been of help in your passion project, but all eyes are on the foreign affairs administration. Public opinion is swaying away from us as if we're playing catch with Paradis using a bomb." Onyankopon brushed his hands over his buzzed haircut. "But again, this is something Eldians have the responsibility to handle."

Levi and Onyankopon branched off in a conversation about the Eseresoan Church's theology and historical studies from several schools of thought about Eldians before two consecutive occupations inundated the nation. Most common theory until the mid-740's was that Ymir had been born a regular girl, caught up by "a clash" between a good spirit and a bad spirit, the latter possessing her good flesh maintained by the good spirit and corrupting her to become a Titan.

The Marleyan government later messed with the texts to make it all her fault, causing splits and factions in the Church, some protesting the dehumanization of a child, others seeing her for the untamed outsider who walked with evil. Their pseudoscientific theories married themselves to the government's legislature as well as the clergy, and Marleyan law was de facto when it came to handling the Eldian population.

"Our parents were considered heretics by their own friends and worship family," Onyankopon explained. "All Dodzi and I were told as little boys to do was to pray the Akyirikyiri passages on the goodness of the Creator in all races, not the vile preachings of a priest bribed by money and taunted by a rifle over his shoulder."

Reiner was starting to lull off when his mother asked, "Will you be joining us?"

"Yes," he replied half-heartedly as if following an order. Onyankopon's truly righteous condemnation of his people's sins would not absolve his own. He was the walking embodiment of two overarching empires inside of him. Would the day come when he'd be split in half, organs divided by Eldian or Marleyan among the oppressed, as they pounded him to dust?

Though currently the only dust scattered on the floor was from the shoes of Gabi's parents as they returned from the garden.

"Glad to see you awake, nephew," Uncle Giuseppe said. Why did he always call him nephew instead of his name? "Oh, you're holding Viola. Don't drop her." He clenched his teeth. Did he think he was a klutzy little kid?

"Dear, what are you saying?" Aunt Tina scolded. "Do you think he would do anything to hurt her? That's not like him." She cleared her throat. "Sorry, Reiner. We've been worried about you."

No shit they were. "Thanks."

His mother carried a pile of plates to the table and put them down with a huff. "And you should show your gratitude toward Mr. Ackerman here for getting him up, brother."

"And I thought we were all on a first name basis," his uncle said snidely.

'I was called Captain longer than I was Mr. Ackerman. Got to catch up somehow." It was as if a gust of wind broke the calm. Levi was at full attention, ready to pounce. "And no need to be so thankful. I just gave Reiner a prod, and he made his move."

"Right," his uncle rolled his eyes. Why did everybody look as if they had invisible knives pointed at each other and a large shared one at him, save the baby and Onyankopon? Probably had something to do with his uncle disliking this impromptu book club as much as him. He'd have to get on his good side later to get another explanation, but not before convincing him that he was not a great Warrior on a rampage against the unseen enemies that encamped around him.

Gabi came barreling down the hallway dressed in a fresh yellow shirt and denim overalls, a little bit of sunshine in the boarded up home. "Mom! Dad! Guess what? Reiner's up and he and Aunt Karina were talking about–"

A handful of forks clanged upon contact with the floor followed by an infuriated grimace from his mother.

"About what, darling?" Uncle Giuseppe asked as his wife went to help pick up the mess. He bit his lip.

"Oh, um, about how happy she is he's up, isn't that right, Reiner?" She grinned bashfully.

"Yes, she is," he covered for her nearly blurted blunder. "Go help your aunts. You need to put food in your mouth sooner than later instead of spitting more words out."

Viola fussed and started to cry when she realized her mother was not holding her. Reiner handed her off reluctantly. And why was he always the opposite when his mother tried to make some meaningful contact with him? Yet here she was, promising him there was no pernicious teaching seeping through the cracks and that he did not have to partake in this unwritten word of the goddess.

"Oh, Giuseppe? The flowers? Make sure to water them daily, save for rainy days." Onyankopon advised, abruptly changing the topic.

"Certainly. Just like my little one, they'll bring us some new life to the home to appreciate."

Reiner removed the blanket from his shoulders. The atmosphere was sickly hot. And of course, Levi was back to sitting still as stone. Come to think of it, he'd gotten pretty defensive a few days back toward Uncle Giuseppe when he berated his own sister. Was he really this worked up over this whole Ymir Fritz business, or was there something else left unsaid?

He didn't want to think about this too hard, or he'd lose his unattended appetite.

…

Home was where everything was warm and safe. Mama kept the place constantly clean while Uncle Giuseppe and Uncle Mateo were working on repairing homes in Liberio and Grandpa Marwig sometimes came to visit when he wasn't in the hospital and would read him books. Aunt Sigrid was his mostly new auntie who came to live with them after she and Uncle Mateo got married almost a year ago. She used to work on selling produce, but recently, she stayed home more.

"Reiner, come here. The baby is kicking. Do you want to feel?"

The little boy, unaged by the world despite being the grand age of five, the minimum required to become a great Warrior candidate, waddled toward his Aunt Sigrid in the rocking chair, abandoning his toys. Mama said that as a Warrior, he wouldn't have time to play. She told him to get used to it if he wanted to see his Papa, which he agreed to.

She was always so nice to him. His uncles were only sometimes nice. Uncle Giuseppe didn't look up from those papers he always read. Uncle Mateo sat nearby on the sofa, peering up from the newspaper. Reiner liked him better than Uncle Giuseppe. His fascination with her offer enticed him. She let him climb onto her unspacious lap occupied by her belly the size of one of those watermelons that she had brought home once after she got married as a special treat from her boss. He let her guide his hand to a spot where suddenly, little movements startled him. It was like holding a fluttering bug.

"I feel it!"

Aunt Sigrid smiled. "I think the baby likes you. Do you think your cousin will be a boy or a girl?"

Reiner thought. "I want a girl."

She laughed. "A girl? Most little boys want another boy. Well, I can't change it, so you'll have to love the baby no matter what. Promise?"

"Okay. But Aunt Sigrid, how did the baby get in there? Did you eat a seed from the wind? I don't want to eat any seeds when I'm outside becoming a Warrior."

Uncle Mateo covered his mouth. He was trying not to laugh. Aunt Sigrid held him closer.

"No, you can eat all the seeds you want. You won't get a baby or a watermelon in your belly." She poked his belly button. He giggled. "Only mamas have babies. When a mama and a papa love each other, they have a baby when–"

The newspaper dropped. Uncle Mateo put his palms up. His face was all twisty. Aunt Sigrid noticed. Her face drooped. "Oh." She went quiet.

Mama came into the room from downstairs with some laundry. "Everything alright?"

"Oh, nothing," Uncle Giuseppe said. "We just remembered Reiner is a little too young to learn about how babies are made. The exact details, that is."

"Uh uh," Reiner protested. "I know this one. It's a mama and a papa. It's when they love each other." He suddenly remembered his talk with his Mama some weeks ago but not all the details. He slipped off Aunt Sigrid's lap. "The baby can have these toys when he's born. I'm going to be a Warrior. Warriors can't play with toys."

His Mama smiled at him.

…

Sandwiches packed with sliced meat, sheep cheese, and half brown lettuce appealed more to Uncle Mateo and his family than participating in this perplexing new family game where every other sentence received a reprimand with or without spoken communication. Reiner just picked the bread apart to make smaller pieces for himself. He'd give the rest to Gabi if they were back in the camp, or Viola if she could eat more solid food.

Martino hadn't quite forgiven him or Levi from the morning jump tackle, or that's what Reiner surmised despite Levi coughing out his own apology. He wasn't a spiteful young man, barring the typical blood-painted picture of islanders the family elders hammered into him as they had for generations. Just like the rest of them, he simply didn't understand.

If he could have been born a full-blooded Eldian and into the same family, Reiner wished he could have been born from Mateo and Sigrid. Same old propaganda, but no sickly sweet promises of a fallacious union between devil and man. No worries about passing intense military exercises or writing an essay worthy of publication by Marleyan academics before he got all his adult teeth. No looming day of human sacrifice to the next super lucky candidate who belted out "it's an honor!" until her face turned blue.

All Martino was expected to do outside of following all the laws was to take care of their parents as they aged and carry on the family name. And in those years Reiner was away killing the evil King and his followers, he'd been sternly lectured to prevent any traces of jealousy from creeping into his thoughts, being taught to laud the sacrifices his kin were making to free Eldia in hopes that he'd be freed.

These days, it was as if he wanted to pretend that he hadn't believed in lies. Lies about Marley. Lies about Eldians. Lies among themselves. They could never hold normal conversations with each other asking about the nature of his work or the weather or a simple inquiry about how he or Gabi were doing, though he and Gabi did seem to find some mutual solace in each other, having been the ones to see the other grow up, neither of them quite getting to know Reiner outside of what he was: the Armored Titan. Marley's greatest weapon.

And when that was stripped from them, what was there left to discuss? For Reiner, he could never truly slip into a normal life- just more work and luxury won by blood. For Martino, there was no returning to his obedience laden life behind walls he never exited save once when the first mission began and he stood on the docks, waving and boasting to several nearby kids that it was his relative that would liberate them.

As for seeing a Titan? Very few in Liberio had the privilege to see a Titan up close. That was, until the raid. Except this lucky lad. He'd been home ill, missing the festivities. The message of the devil Eren Jaeger he heard and rushed out of his home with his parents, just barely arriving on time for the train, separated from the rest of the family in the confusion and chaos. It wasn't until the camp when the family reunited tearfully. It turned out that they had been on the opposite side of the Fort when that worm emitted the vapor. Again, they were nearly lost in the hasty evacuation until a last minute search for more survivors went out. Why were they the ones who got to stand around in the background, avoiding all the action?

No law necessitated an armband in Esereso, but he kept his head down all the same, along with his parents. Not caring whether they received about anything they needed from the government as reward for merely being related to the two military brats, all they could do was bury themselves in construction laboring work or helping the neighbors. Did they keep the truth of the world as told by the Tyburs in the back of their minds? The chaos of the raid did not stop the earth-shattering reality that they had been deceived into living their ordinary routines inside the walls from spreading. If they did, they never brought it up around him.

As for family time, whenever Reiner was around, talks quickly turned into more rambles against the island in its current affairs- not nearly as sharply as Uncle Giuseppe, yet leaving a sting. And if Levi was around, they'd just as quickly restrain themselves, fearing his mere presence lest he awaken his strength once more in servitude to the royal bloodline, or even worse, Eren Jaeger. Though they'd gotten better in the last year or so.

They got to be normal Eldians. Just a happy father, mother, and son, eating the fruits of his labor he broke himself for. Maybe he should have been squashed in that battle by Bertholdt. He'd died a similar death, the juices of his body splattering, coating the earth that deserved to be nourished.

Forget about being born a full Eldian or Marleyan. If he'd been born of a watermelon seed, he would have grown into a delicious fruit. But at the end, he would just be eaten at, munched away, his seeds spit out for the next in line to devour. Such was a bitch like fate.

The same thing could be said of this charade going on around the table. Even Gabi who gobbed through most meals feared chastisement surrounding the name of Ymir Fritz or the island. Hell, everybody here dared not speak of that place in front of him. The sound of chewing and plates clinking and Viola babbling drove him irate. He had to do something. What were they thinking?

What were they thinking? Specifically, the most normal ones.

"So, Uncle Mateo," he started. Mealtime came to a rapid hault. All eyes from his family were on him as if he were to announce a warning for an oncoming storm, bracing for the high winds. Except for Gabi, of course, and his mother. "How has your work been?"

Uncle Mateo tried to hide his bafflement and looked to his sister. "Brother, he asked you a simple question." He reluctantly gathered his thoughts.

"Fine, thank you, Reiner. But we're getting some hours cut. Something about waiting for more trees to grow here. The mainland has far fewer trees than other places. At least that's what the supervisors claim."

Understandable. Severe drought in other parts hindered progress.

"That's too bad. The island has giant trees. If we could get our hands on some saplings, they'd replenish the world like nothing happened."

But something did happen. Memories couldn't be trampled or rewritten on their own. The world would never forget this.

"I don't doubt it. But not every type of soil works with every tree. Isn't that how it works, dear?" He passed the baton to his wife, a stick of burden.

"That's right. Once as a little girl, I tried to plant a seed from an apple in a flower pot, but it didn't grow. My father had to get me a book from the library to explain that the soil needed to be loamy. I was very sad when I found out none of the fruit we sold could be grown in Liberio." Aunt Sigrid cleared her throat to smother her sadness.

What a fantastic dream to have. The only thing to sacrifice for an orchard was time, not a child.

"Depending on the success of the gardening project," Onyankopon interjected, "there may come an opportunity to have community gardens. That and whether or not our peoples can tolerate each other during the Church Conference."

"Don't worry, we'll keep our heads low," said Uncle Giuseppe. "No need to get involved in other religious beliefs."

"Brother!" Karina snapped.

"Dad!" Gabi simultaneously reprimanded.

Oh great. Reiner regretted opening his mouth. Couldn't they have one conversation about mundane things without yelling?

"I apologize. I wasn't trying to disparage any beliefs, but…" Uncle Giuseppe looked at Reiner. "There have been a lot of unusual discussions I wish we had not had. It's a lot to explain in your state."

"About Ymir Fritz? I know."

A soundless tune played in the room that grew louder and louder.

"Yeah, Dad," said Gabi. "I, uh, told him. It wasn't only me. Then Levi did. And Aunt Karina."

Uncle Giuseppe buried his face in his hands. "Wonderful. Let's drag him into this too."

"Well, we were going to explain what was going on sooner or later!" His mother exclaimed. Levi said nothing from across the table, but he was doing a piss poor job of hiding his annoyance. Reiner didn't want to guess what his own face looked like.

"Nephew, I'm so sorry for your mother's behavior and-"

"Uncle, would you shut your goddamn mouth?" Reiner's hands hit the table's edge. His bandaged hand shook. "She explained everything. I dislike this as much as you do, but you don't need to treat me like a cracked glass." He folded his hands as the family's mouths hung agape. "Gabi enjoys it, don't you?"

"Duh, of course I do! So does Falco." She grinned out of reluctance.

"Martino?"

The younger Braun casted his eyes down on his empty plate, probably wishing for more food to occupy himself with to avoid conversation and ease his hangover.

"Well?"

Uncle Mateo nudged his unresponsive son in the ribs. "Um…." His desperation for another to answer was in vain. "It's fine? I don't… have an opinion." He shuffled his feet under the table.

No surprise there.

"I wish more of us could be like you," Reiner said nonchalantly. "Anyways, your hours are getting cut. What are you going to do with that time? Stroll the streets? Hang around clubs? Use our family name to bring someone home? Slack off with a bottle of alcohol a few nights a week?"

Martino rolled his eyes. "No." Gabi snickered. Her mother scolded her.

"Then what?"

"There's night school for Eldians downtown starting next month."

"Oh? That's wonderful, Martino," said Reiner's mother. His parents glowed with pride.

"Yeah, thank you, Auntie. It's going to take a few years to do it but I… I want to study to… be a military engineer."

Joyful expressions turned sour all around. Gabi looked at Reiner, wincing. He didn't need to guess they were thinking the same thing.

"Boy." Uncle Mateo breathlessly replied. Aunt Sigrid covered her mouth. Their son didn't hide his exasperation.

"Mom, Dad, I'm nineteen. And it's not a combat position."

"Dear, please. You don't need to do this to be like Gabi and Reiner," Aunt Tina begged. Viola snatched the spoon with some mushy vegetable out of her hand while distracted.

"What? No!" He put his face down and held it. "Rebuilding bridges and river barriers isn't the same thing as that."

"Then why don't you stick to the civil side?" asked Uncle Giuseppe.

"What's wrong with wanting to defend our country?"

"Alright!" His mother stood from her chair. She never needed physical strength to keep the family in line to conform to the world's expectations of them. Nobody defied her. Neither did their two guests want to cross a line when she was in control. "Settle down. Martino, you've always liked building things, haven't you?"

He nodded.

"Yes, well, it only makes sense. Being stuck in one place for a long time can wear on you." She closed her eyes and gripped the table as she sat back down. "But are you sure you want to join the military because you are interested?" She looked at Reiner and Gabi.

No response.

"Well, then, you can choose as you wish, but think about it first."

Reiner felt exhausted. If only this revelation hadn't emerged, he'd have the energy to handle it. At least his mother had. That was what, the third time she'd impressed him? Aunt Sigrid dried her eyes on a napkin as her son slouched in his chair, a mix of alcohol and wishes to take back his words taking effect.

Theo rattled his cage, only aware he was denied any crumbs from the table. That was the only noise in the sordid room, until something shrill shouted out–

"GA-BI!"

Viola did not understand why all the people in the room were staring at her, but she clapped her hands and delighted in her parents fussing over her. Gabi was overjoyed and nearly kicked her chair against the wall as she jumped and spread her arms.

"I'm her first word!"

"It seems the Creator has opened her mouth," remarked Onyankopon. "And it's love for another of Its children."

"Looks like the brat will be just as loud as her sister," Levi added. But he looked a little happier.

Reiner couldn't help but feel proud for the little girl. It was wonderful she could have her whole family here to applaud her for this great accomplishment. Just like a normal family.