Fault lines
In my mind
Blur time
Make it seem like it wasn't so hellish
Damn, I was a brave ass kid

"Kid" - Raveena

Chapter 1

Kata's father sat at the desk of his study, hands clenched together pressed against his forehead, his brows knitted together. The Daily Telegraph lay on his desk, the pages sprawled out to her column about an epidemic scavenging the outer wall. Moving his hand to pinch his nose in irritation, her father looks at her with a mix of impatience and contempt. "Again. You do this again, Kataline."

Kata stood in front of her fathers study - arms behind her and head down in a state of compliance. She looked through her touch thick hair at him and

"I'm meeting with the god damn lieutenant general of the military police in two days and you decide to publish this. You're making us look like idiots. What do you think he will think of us - with you publishing these sorts of things against the government?"

He grabs the newspaper in his hand, shaking it in front of him in anger. Standing to his full height he loomed over her even from across the room. "I have taken it upon myself to orchestrate a proper union for you. Something that should have been done years ago if I were to be honest, we have been giving you too much freedom Kataline and you have relished in this freedom too much. After everything me and your mother have done for you. This is just like the San Carlo all over again. Should have known and put a stop to your attitude then…"

As a child, Kata was part of an ensemble of musicians for The Teatro San Carlo - the local theater where she lived. She hated it. Forgetting the permissive act Kata spits out venom heavy in her voice, "After everything you've done for me? You've done nothing for me, you sick bastard other than giving me grief!"

Her father's arm swings up as if to strike her. Kata stumbles back in shock of the sudden threat of her fathers wrath. Instinctively Kata's arm swings up to protect her from the swing for it never to come. August - her older brother - stands before her, his hand gripping her fathers arm tightly. They look at each other angrily as if telepathically speaking to each other.

Kata doesn't breathe, it's so tense in the room. Her father slowly lowers his arm as August says firmly, "I will talk to her."

Though they were full blooded siblings, Kata and August were completely different in stature and temperament. Where August was tall and lean, Kata was small and soft. Where August was studious and serious with a level headed outlook on life, Kata was fiery and rebellious, often disregarding rules and conventions in favor of her own desires and impulses. Years of concert performances and sitting at a desk not promoting the willowy and strong build August had achieved by being in the Military Police Brigade. August - ten years Kata's senior - was more of a father figure in her life than her actual father. Her father who realized her potential in music paid her way into being a full fledged member of The Teatro San Carlo. Who turned a blind eye to the older men and women who saw her as a little thing to play with. August never turned away. Though she was young she knew with the presence of her brother with her at every practice, performance, interview nothing got too out of hand until she decided to leave at fifteen - the year she stopped singing all together.

Those times the orchestra would start playing and Kata would stand on stage, silent and cold. She would say eerie and somewhat foreboding things to her fellow cast mates in practice. Her mother would wail and cry while her father would scream and go red in the face, persisting that Kata was embarrassing the family. But she didn't care. Eventually her ominous presence got so excessive that several members of the ensemble actively coordinated to kick her out of the troupe. Three years later when Kata was eighteen she sent in an article to the The Daily Tribunal - a local newspaper in the area - reviewing a show for the Theatre, critiquing the show harshly.

"What I had seen,'' she writes with a continuing contempt, "was a cheap attempt at keeping interest high in the Theater when sales have hit an all time low. With its moving background of the crowded and oftentimes distracting ensemble cast along with it's tacky costumes and props the San Carlo is grasping at straws to keep interest of the public. The poor little creatures they have found to grace their stage appear to scramble from one scene to the next, not being able to keep a single tune. All these culminating in a sad attempt at keeping their ensemble alive. I pray for all those sad creatures who can sit and enjoy such a sight of cruelty, for those who have suffered more and have come to understand the downfall of the troupe I pity more. The Teatro San Carlo solidifies itself as a theater where talent goes to die."

August sighed, rubbing Kata's back as she heaved and sobbed into her pillow. "Don't act like this Kata, you knew this day would come. Maybe not in this context but even my marriage was arranged when I got of age. I was even younger than you when mine was put together. Now I have come to genuinely appreciate her company."

There was a hint of obedient indignation in his voice that Kata was quick to catch on too. She spun to face her brother indignantly as she hissed through her teeth, "How is that supposed to make me feel better? That you're okay with being married to a bubble brained dolt."

"She's nice," August said, frowning at his sister with a stern look coming across his face.

"Nice?," Kata repeats in shock. "Nice? Does a nice person lie to herself everyday? Turn a blind eye to others suffering? Does a nice person-"

"Stop. Just stop - you need to put an end to this hang on you have in trying to help people. Trying to give your voice to people outside of here. People here in Sina… they don't want to hear it. The stuff you're saying-"

Kata clenched her teeth in anger, shooting daggers at him, "What are you even saying?"

August took a deep breath. His eyes flickered toward the stairs. For a second she thought he might tell Kata to forget it, go upstairs and avoid this conversation.

Instead, he stayed.

"It means," he said, every syllable metered and clipped, "that you have a pathological need to save people."

Kata's heartbeat drowned out the hum of the lights overhead. Air roiled in her ears like a giant breathing. August waited for her to say something, but when she didn't, he sighed.

"Ever since you were a little girl, you've saved people," he said, looking tired and suddenly aged. Were there more lines around his eyes than Kata remembered, or was she seeing things? "You've stood up to more bullies than I can count. Your tutors were always leaving notes."

Kata's chest hitched. "August—"

"No, let me finish," he said, his stony eyes booked no argument. "People don't like steering from the status quo. But you….You come home with split lips from defending people. Bruised ribs getting into fights with Garrison. Not to mention that time you went hungry collecting food in your room to take to Trost beyond our wall to give food out to people and getting practically trampled."

"Yeah - it wasn't very smart of me," Kata mumbled.

A small silence lapped between them.

"That was…. kind, though," August said eventually, picking his words wisely.

Kata sighed, placing her cheeks on her palms, "And look where it has gotten me."

August's voice was soft yet stern, "I knew once you got that job at the Daily Telegraph you'd put yourself into danger. You have no care what people think of you as long as you were doing the right thing. The truthful thing. But no matter how well you fight, you're still just one girl." His voice rasped like he'd swallowed sand. "I don't mind you having a job. You just go overboard, and—"

"Yeah, yeah it doesn't look good on daddy," I whispered.

"You almost died that day," August tells her somberly. He spreads his hands out in front of him, "For what, Kata? Your pride - what's your pride worth if it costs you your life?"

Kata felt a pang in her chest as she listened to August's words. She knew he was right, that she had a tendency to throw herself into danger without a second thought, and that her determination to uncover the truth had put her in situations that could have ended much worse.

"I know it was dangerous," she said quietly. "But I couldn't just sit back and do nothing. The truth needs to be-"

"The truth?" August says exasperated. "Is this what this is about Kata? You want to hear the truth? Your actions have consequences. Now you must lay in yours."

And that Kata must do.

Kata's eyes were steady and determined as she met her own gaze in the mirror. Her father's staff he had on hand for her bustled around her on an array of movement. One is applying rose-colored blush on her cheeks, another applying rose oil to the back of her ears and wrists while the third one was taking her unruly hair out of their braids. Kata stared unblinking letting the ladies fuss over her.

One of the serving girls who had been undoing her hair - Hilda - whom Kata knew since they were both young gently placed her hands on Kata's shoulder's. "You look beautiful Lady Kataline. As per usual."

Kata says nothing to this, despite knowing Hilda meant well the compliment meant nothing to her. Her beauty didn't guarantee her safety, her beauty did not guarantee her stability or kindness. The steady pressure of the corset presses' against her ribs, the weight of her hefty skirts weigh her down, though despite this, not a muscle on her face moves to make her discomfort known.

When she is all done up , Kataline stands slowly, her feet steady beneath her. Her mother, an almost spitting image of herself other than their eye color raises as well and excuses the maids from the room. This would be one of the rare times Kata had ever seen her mother sober.

Unfortunate, Kata would think at the time. That it would take me leaving for us to share this moment.

Her almond shaped eyes, filled with worry and nostalgia meet Kata's and then slide down to look over the maid's work. Kata wondered if she had seen herself on her wedding day when she was forced to marry Kata's father.

"Oh, Kataline," Her mother breathes slowly, a hand slowly coming up to meet Kata's cheek. "My Kataline..."

It is too late for apologies and there is no reason for it. There was no way her mother would defend her against her father. Her mother long stopped fighting. Kata looked down at her mothers swollen belly. Who knew if she would be able to ever see her sibling born or be in their lives in general. To this family, to the society behind Wall Sina, she was just another pawn to be shipped off. She had to go and make an embarrassment to her family and now she was being discarded for it.

Kata couldn't help but snicker at the thought of it though. Better than being paired with some high born pig. Despite still being forced to marry someone in the military it was someone from the Scouts. A branch of the military her father hated.

Kata strokes her mothers hands not unkindly. Despite their drastic differences in personality Kata did feel empathetic to her mother. Often times she felt even responsible for the older woman. "Do not cry mother, you know I will be able to take care of myself."

"Kataline," Her mother warns, gripping her hands tighter. "You do not know what kind of man your father has pick for you-"

Shockingly her mother flung herself into Kataline's arms and she stumbled back surprised by the sudden weight. Her mother whispered into her ear, "You are stronger than me. Stronger than anyone I know... Do not let him breed with you. Let this pain end with us."

Kata look at her in shock and pity, nodding slowly not knowing if she would be able to keep that promise.

When they make it to the court house her eyes meets with the man she is to marry, It is not love at first sight. She does not feel her stomach turning or the ground shaking under her feet. Her heart is not beating faster, albeit only her nerves about this whole situation. He is good looking, Kata can admit, but her first impression of him is on the neutral side.

There was no denying that she was a beautiful woman. Any man with half an eye could see that. Delicate facial features and a slender neck that led to a magnificently well-endowed chest. Slim waist and long beautiful legs, though she still stood a few inches shorter than himself. She had long dark hair cascading down her back, thick wavy and coarse. She had rich, golden brown skin reminding him of days spent outside. Skin like sunny days and the sound of water. Days completely opposed to how he grew up. But whatever qualms he had over the woman, he had to admit that she was stunning.

The ceremony was small, held at a simple court office with just Kata's family and a few other military personnel that included Erwin and a few of Levi's own squad though after they were forced to stand as someone had drew their picture together for the announcement to be shown in the local newspaper as permitted by law all legal weddings (and name changes) must be published in a newspaper of general circulation that publishes legal notices.

After the ceremony Kata and Levi are taken to their new living arrangements via horse and carriage. In the military, living conditions can vary depending on the branch and location. However, typically, military personnel are provided with housing based on their rank and family size. Those with families may be granted larger living quarters to accommodate their needs, while those without families may be assigned smaller quarters.

The quality and size of the living quarters can range from basic dormitory-style rooms to apartments or even larger houses. While military housing may not be luxurious, it is generally clean and well maintained, with amenities such as laundry facilities, kitchens, and basic furniture.

Due to Levi's rank and their status now as husband and wife Kata wondered where they would be placed to live. Kata is immediately drawn to his sharp, hawk-like features and intense gray eyes that seem to pierce through her. His jet-black hair is cut short in a no-nonsense style, and his lean, muscular frame is clad in a form fitting shirt and dress pants. His face is expressionless, giving him a stern and unapproachable air, yet there is something about the confident way he carries himself that is oddly captivating. Despite his aloofness, Kata finds herself unable to look away, feeling both drawn to and intimidated by his cool, detached demeanor. Kata looks at him and then around the carriage they were in, drawing out her words she started, "So you're some kind of mutt or something?"

His eyes find hers, "What?"

"Ackerman," Kata taps her chin. "Could be from somewhere East in the old world. Quite an expensive mutt. That's not something to be ashamed of though I am a mutt too, y'know?"

He doesn't reply, simply locks his jaw and turns away from her. I add, "In the old world my moms side of the family were from an archipelago of islands. Too far back for her to know though, my dad bought her for a pretty penny back in the day and bada bing bada boom here I am."

Levi looks out the window of the carriage, his hand on his chin. "My parentage is really not any of your concern."

Kata stares at him incredulously, "Well… I wouldn't say I'm concerned. Why the fuck wouldn't be concerned about you?"

Silence stretched between them as Levi looked up to meet her eyes. She had been wrong, she realized, his eyes weren't gray but a very deep blue. His eyes were the color of the sky at seven in the summer, by the lake. They were the lake on a moonless night. He let out a soft snort, his initial aloofness gave way to amusement not used to people being so direct with him, finding her refusal to be intimidated by him refreshing and surprisingly endearing. "You're too nosy for your own good, but the next time you call me a mutt I'm taking your tongue out."

Kata looked from side to side, her arms held wide beside her, "And putting it where exactly?"

Levi's smirk widened, eyes sparkling with mischief, "Up your ass princess."

The coachman turns as he hears the coach fill with laughter.

The military provided them with a modest house in Wall Trosse, not too far from the main town area but still far enough that they were considered the open country. It was a well-built log house, surrounded by lush greenery and vast plains. The exterior of the house was made of rough-hewn logs, with a sloped thatched roof. There were two small windows on each side of the front door, and a simple stone chimney extended upwards from the roof.

Inside, the main room serves as a living area and kitchen, with a small wood-burning stove in one corner and a large dining table in the center. There is a small bedroom located off the main area, while a larger bedroom and storage room are located in the back.

The coachman bids the couple goodbye as Kata stares at her new home. Levi makes his way towards the room by the entrance, "I'll take the room over here and you can take the room in the back."

Kata slowly nods, not really knowing what to say. What was she expecting? To be a true wife? Kisses? To sleep in the same bedroom? Kata's cheeks blushed so hot she was sure steam was coming from her face in embarrassment. Of course, she didn't want him to kiss her. Did she? Granted, she was attracted to the man. He was handsome…and she did have twenty twenty vision.