49.
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CHAPTER FORTY-NINE — Trial and Error
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...
-Unspecified Location; Wall Rose Territory-
Little thought was given to the passage of time following Eren's rescue or Rosalie and Jean's brief trip into town. Days that turned into weeks quickly turned into months, and eventually— seemingly in the blink of an eye— summer began to give way to autumn. And although the change was slight— the leaves hadn't even begun to change color yet— the daily increasing chill in the air was still quite noticeable.
It was only a matter of time before they would all need to don thicker layers to fight off the bitter cold that the mountain's higher elevation had to offer.
Rosalie shivers at the thought, sniffling as she gently closes the door behind her with a nudge of her booted heel. A much-welcomed heat floods her face then, making her cheeks sting and eyes water as she crosses the room to stoke more gathered kindling to the kitchen's hearth.
Once satisfied with the size of the flame, she turns and steps closer to the sink; hair now tied up and sleeves rolled to her elbows as she begins to pump water into the basin in preparation for washing her hands.
Footsteps are then heard, thudding dully against the wooden flooring, followed promptly by the familiar but mildly annoying sound of a swishing broom.
Swish…
Swish…swish…
…Swish…swish…swish…
Swi—
"Eren…!" Rosalie sighs exasperatedly, her growing irritation evident in the way she cuts her gaze over her shoulder to the boy in question— finding him standing by the door she just entered, broom in hand. And her terse beckoning ceases all activity in the room.
Eren looks up at her, his eyes narrowing at the tone of voice. "What?"
Armin— having paused in his task of readying the tabletop they used for meal prep— swallows at the clipped inquiry; the hair on the back of his neck raising as the duo continued to stare at one another silently.
Had it been possible, the blond could've sworn lightning flashed between their locked gazes.
Wiping her hands on a nearby dishtowel, Rosalie stubbornly refuses to break eye contact as she turns to face him fully. "You know what. I told you we had the kitchen covered. Armin has already swept and mopped the floor in here… If you want to clean so badly, go find another room that needs it."
Agitated, Eren makes a face at her words. "Every room is clean. But they won't stay that way if people keep tracking in dirt from outside!"
"No one is tracking dirt anywhere." Rosalie retorts, planting her hands on her hips sternly as she fought off the urge to grind her teeth. "The kitchen is clean. We're trying to cook in here now and I don't want you fanning that damned broom around while we do it…! I assure you that whatever microscopic dust you see on the floor, is nothing to worry about."
Eren takes a step forward, knuckles turning white as his grip around the broom handle tightens. "Do you honestly believe Captain will—?!"
Rosalie scoffs, waving him off as she turns her back to him once more; visibly done with the conversation. "Do you honestly believe any one of us could reach his impossibly high standards? I admire your tenacity, but the man is neurotic when it comes to cleanliness. Only he can meet his own expectations."
Eren makes a disgruntled sound in response but Rosalie pays him no mind as she drains the sink, refilling it to clean the garden vegetables laying on the counter to her right. "Now, as I see it, you have two options… Either you find somewhere else to clean or you put that broom away and help us finish dinner. It's your choice, but I won't tell you again."
A moment of silence passes before Eren trudges out of the room with a huff.
Breathing through her nose in a silent laugh, Rosalie turns her head to look over at Armin, finding him shaking his head in equal amusement.
...
...
After Eren's departure, the peaceful atmosphere returns tenfold.
Rosalie and Armin continue to work in tandem, weaving around each other with little issue as they completed one task after another. The brief periods of comfortable silence between them only being broken by lighthearted conversation or the brunette's occasional soft humming.
Eventually, meal prep was finished. Vegetables were cleaned, chopped, peeled, and ready to cook with whatever venison that was readily available; the bread dough was kneaded and placed in the oven, ready to bake.
All that was left, was the first round of cleanup. (The second would later come after dinner itself was finished.)
Heaving a sigh, Rosalie takes a kettle of warmed water from the stove and fills the sink, only momentarily stepping aside to allow Armin room to hang the cast-iron pot of uncooked stew on a hook located inside the hearth. And once he's cleared of her way, she starts the tedious task of washing the knives and spoons they dirtied.
It's at this moment that the door opens with a flourish, immediately garnering the duo's attention, and Rosalie can't help but smile as the sound of their friend's bickering filters into the small cottage.
"You just try to steal some food, Sasha! I'll get Captain Levi to chop you up into nice bite-sized pieces!"
Sasha sends Jean a scandalized look as they step inside— acting as if he'd just accused her of the unimaginable. "I won't!" She retorts, sliding the small crate in her arms onto the recently cleared table. "…Probably…" She begrudgingly mutters under her breath in afterthought before beginning to hastily unload the supplies.
At the utterance, Jean whips his head around to look at her, nothing short of annoyed as he lowers a sack of grain onto the countertop by the door. "What was that…?"
Connie snorts as he brushes past, shaking his head but staying quiet as he unloads his own burdens onto the rickety table.
It's then that Eren reappears from the depths of the house, broom still tightly clutched in his hand. "Hey…! Did you guys wipe the dust and dirt off your shoes before you just came in?" He interrogates, his expression pensive and highly annoyed.
Rosalie looks up to the ceiling at that, silently asking any deity listening above for patience. This, however, doesn't stop the groan that emits deeply from within her chest. "Eren…"
The boy in question ignores her obvious ire; his gaze and attention zeroed in on Jean and Jean alone. "Well…?!"
Jean looks over at him, his prior confusion quickly giving way to his own budding agitation at the shorter male's accusatory tone. "What…? No, we didn't. Can't you see all of the stuff we're carrying?"
"Do you seriously think that attitude will satisfy Captain Levi?!" Eren retorts as he leaned closer into Jean's face, his eyes wide and alight with worry; his expression now one of pure dread. "Listen… If I hadn't personally given your sheets hospital corners this morning—!"
"Quit nagging!" Jean snaps, interrupting Eren and single-handedly shoving him out of his personal space. "Who are you, my mother?!"
Rosalie softly sighs and unplugs the water-filled basin, wiping her hands on the previously discarded towel as she looks their way.
Then, in hopes of avoiding another quarrel, she moves away from the sink and crosses the room, stepping between the two as she gently shoves them further apart. "C'mon, guys, that's enough. Let's not fight right now, okay?"
Eren and Jean share a glance at that— one full of strife as they seemingly weigh the risk of inflicting the brunette's wrath. Although, they're quick to think better of it; unanimously deciding to drop the subject with reluctant, begrudged huffs.
Relieved, Rosalie sighs and focuses her attention solely on Jean and the supplies still in his possession. "Thank you." She murmurs, a cheerful smile forming on her lips as she takes the small sack of flour from his arms.
Jean grunts, his eyes adverting for a split second before he leans down and plants a chaste kiss on the brunette's cheek; grumbling a low "you're welcome" under his breath.
Rosalie flushes at the sudden affection, still not used to initiating or receiving such acts in front of others. Her bashfulness, however, fades quickly— along with her smile— when Eren gags mockingly at the sight.
Pivoting on her heel, Rosalie promptly whacks the back of the aforementioned's head with her dish towel and returns to the sink without a sound.
Eren squawks out in surprise as his hands instinctively raise to protect his face, the action forcing him to drop the broom and leave it to clatter noisily against the hardwood floor.
Jean snorts at the sight, growing increasingly smug when Eren turns to him with a scathing glare. However, before another argument could unfold, the kitchen door opens for the third time.
"We're back." Mikasa announces needlessly, leaning her ax against the wall by the door as Historia enters and closes it behind them with a nudge of her boot; both of their arms laden with chopped wood.
Incredulous, Armin peers over Sasha's shoulder at the dark-haired girl. "Wait, were you just chopping firewood?!"
"Gotta stay in shape." Mikasa answers simply with a shrug, even though his question was borderline rhetorical.
Armin shakes his head as the two girls enter further into the house, bewildered. "You got grabbed by a Titan! You should stay in bed!"
"I try to stop her but she won't listen!" Eren interjects as he stoops down to pick up his broom, drawing attention his way while Mikasa makes her way over to put away the wood. "I saw her and Rosalie both doing push-ups earlier!"
At that small tidbit of information, Jean blanches and angrily rounds on the brunet a second time, his eyes narrowed with accusation. "How dare you, you peeping-tom!"
Eren backs up a step, surprise marring his features. He, however, is quick to retort. "Huh…?! How does that constitute as peeping?!"
Sure enough, another argument between the two unfolds.
Rosalie groans, her head tilting back in dismay. "Must you two argue over everything?!"
From across the room, Armin sends her a pitying glance before his eyes are drawn to Mikasa as she passes. "Mikasa, you do know you're not a wild animal, right?"
Mikasa, as expected, stays silent. Paying the fussing blond no mind as he trails behind like a puppy.
…
"It's almost like we're back in the Cadet Corps." Sasha suddenly voices with a smile after a moment of taking in the bickering and banter filling the room. And her cheerful statement is what draws it all into contemplative silence as all eyes turn in her direction.
Armin hums to himself, thoughtful. "Yeah… Why do you think we were chosen for the new Levi Squad, though? Protecting Eren and Historia is such an important mission…"
Sasha shrugs. "Because we're talented, I assume." She replies lightly, slyly swiping something from the crate before stuffing it inside the satchel that hung limply against her side.
Armin, immediately noticing the action, tilts his head; eyes shadowed by his hair, giving him an ominous appearance. "Sasha… What did you just put in your bag?" He inquires lowly, voice low and scolding.
Sasha bows her head and takes a similar stance, body tense and ready for any sudden movement as she quietly answers. "Nothing food related."
Jean, overhearing the inadvertent admission of guilt, immediately turns in their direction and marches over. "Why you—!"
Eren follows after him, his expression now bordering panic. "Hey, focus! We've gotta finish cleaning before Captain gets back!" He warns, only to be ignored as all attention remained on Sasha.
"Give it back!" Connie demands, pressing the palms of his hands flat against the tabletop as he leans forward.
Rosalie shakes her head, exasperated. "Sasha, I love you, but this is getting ridiculous."
"Sasha, put it back." Armin orders.
"How many times have you done this now?!" Connie interrogates as he begins to round the table, purposely aiding Jean and Armin in their attempt of cornering the gluttonous brunette in place.
"Our food reserves are precious!" Armin exclaims as Jean takes another step forward.
"Cut the crap, Potato-Girl!"
So invested in the spectacle, everyone— except for a very fearful Eren— is late in noticing Levi's arrival; but when they do, all fall silent.
The male in question steps forward, face stoic as always as he brushes his fingers underneath the table. After a moment, he pulls his hand away and his expression tightens; darkening into something more intimidating as he observes the revealed dust and grime.
Eren sends Rosalie a pointed look and the latter can only subtly shrug in response.
"I'm quite sure I gave you enough time." Levi muses rhetorically, his sharp, narrowed gaze taking in all of the fear-filled faces surrounding him.
When they all stay silent, he sighs to himself and wipes his hands on a handkerchief procured from his pocket. His focus then shifts as his steely gaze zeroes in on Eren specifically— who freezes up under the sudden scrutiny. "Eren. Hange is itching to get the experiment started. We'll begin first thing tomorrow morning."
"R-Right."
...
...
-Unspecified Location; Wall Rose Territory-
A flash of light streaks through the sky; steam and dust billow into the air as Eren's Titan form begins to knit itself seemingly out of thin air. And not a second later, the gargantuan figure appears where he once stood. However, much like the multiple attempts before, nothing new or exciting happens. Only failure.
Eren roars loudly, a guttural sound that seems to crawl its way from the deep recesses of his chest. His first step forward turns into a stumble and soon enough, he's falling, landing face-first on the ground in a crumpled heap.
"WHAT'S WRONG, EREN?! GET UP…! THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY IS RIDING ON YOU! GET UP, DAMMIT!" Hange's voice could be heard echoing down from the cliffs above— from which she and Levi observed— cracking from the strain. However, the Shifter does nothing. "…EREN…?! CAN YOU STILL MOVE?! GIVE US A SIGNAL OR SOMETHING!"
Eren doesn't respond; remaining immobile.
Clicking her tongue, Rosalie lightly nudges her horse— this one fondly dubbed Lemon due to his sour disposition towards male riders in particular— in the side and cautiously approaches Eren's still form. Her eyes trailed the Titan's side, immediately taking note of the lack of muscle from the waist down.
Maneuvering her horse around, she squints up at the two superiors, unable to meet their gazes completely due to the distance. "THIS FORM IS DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS…! IT'S TOO EMACIATED! WITH LEGS LIKE THAT, HE CAN'T EVEN HOLD HIMSELF UP—! LET ALONE SEAL A WALL!" She calls out to them before approaching the Titans head and dismounting.
Mikasa, immediately catching on, jumps off her own steed to join the brunette. "Eren…!" She exclaims as she runs forward, effortlessly dodging Jean as he tried to use his horse— Buchwald— to block her path.
"Rosalie…! Mikasa! It's not safe!" Jean calls out in exasperation, though both girls ignore him.
…
Hooking into the Titan's head, Rosalie maneuvers her way up to the nape with Mikasa, Hange, and Moblit hot on her heels. Drawing her blades, she slices into the flesh, revealing Eren's unconscious form inside. "Eren…!"
It's then that Hange takes the lead and begins to pull the boy out, hissing as the expelled steam began to burn her skin. "Hot…! Hot damn, you are hot!"
Mikasa, thoroughly panicked at this point, steps forward. "Hange, wait! Eren is bleeding!"
Rosalie peers around Moblit to get a better look, her face losing all color at the sight of muscled strands clinging to a skeletal face. "Bleeding…? He's bleeding?! He doesn't have a face!"
Mikasa double-takes at the observation, her horror growing tenfold. "EREN…?!"
For a moment, Hange watches the two as they panic, unable to register Rosalie's words. Leaning forward, she cranes her head around, her own eyes bulging as the side of Eren's skeletal face comes into view. "Woah…! Check it out, Moblit! Eren's face—! Hurry up and sketch it!"
"Section Commander, are you lacking in human compassion?!" Moblit exclaims, nothing short of bewildered.
Mikasa— having enough of nothing being done— draws her blades and moves forward to cut the flesh keeping Eren fused with the Titan's body. And the action sends both him and Hange falling backward in a piled heap.
Stunned by the sudden movement, Hange stares down at Eren's face— or lack thereof— for a moment longer before looking up at the trio next to her, apologetic. "…Sorry… I got a little carried away…"
Rosalie drops to her knees with an anxious huff, unable to look away from the dark, empty sockets that once held Eren's expressive eyes.
Swallowing thickly, she hesitantly reaches forward and presses her fingers against his inner wrist, heaving a heavy sigh of relief when she feels the faint pulse thrumming through the delicate skin. "He's okay…!" She breathes, only relaxing further when regenerative steam began to fizzle and rise from where bone met reddened flesh. "He's okay!"
Feeling faint, Mikasa lowers into a crouch next to the brunette; palms firmly pressed against her forehead as she inhaled and exhaled deep, steady breaths.
Wiggling around, Hange maneuvers out from underneath Eren and stands, turning to the gathering soldiers below. "The experiment is over! All troops disperse at once!"
"Roger…!" One of the officers replied store addressing the rest with an order of his own. "Make sure there are no witnesses!"
"Yes, Sir!"
...
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-A Few Hours Later; Military Barracks Private Quarters: Trost District, Wall Rose-
"I see… Another failure, then. If the plan would've worked out, we could have plugged a hole in Shiganshina District in less than a day." Erwin muses as he looks away from the report and over to Levi and James— who were each seated in plush armchairs across the room.
"Wishful thinking on our part. When is it ever easy?" James mutters, relaxing back into his chair as he sipped at his tea, his eyes meeting Levi's as the shorter male spoke up next.
"It's because we lack information… Might be a different story if there was a book about the hardening ability. But we only have Krista— No, Historia Reiss…" Trailing off on that thought, Levi looks at Erwin. "Maybe we learn about the Wall through her?"
"I read the entire report about her upbringing." Erwin supplies informatively. "She's the illegitimate daughter of Lord Reiss, and it's by no means a happy story." As he speaks, his gaze travels towards the window of his office thoughtfully. "But the real mystery here… Is why a mere regional lord would know the secrets of the Wall."
James sighs and raises forward, placing his teacup down with a small clink. His actions and next words immediately garner the duo's attention…
"Well, it wouldn't hurt to find out, now would it?"
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