A carriage had been provided for your group to take you from the courthouse to wherever your next destination was supposed to be. When it had rolled up at the backdoor you practically groaned in relief. No further walking.

Hange and their companion Miche piled into the carriage along with you, Eren, and Levi. You had no idea of Erwin 's whereabouts. Hange tapped the top of the carriage twice and it started with a jolt.

You sat sandwiched between Eren and Miche, who kept sniffing for some reason.

'Allergies? ' you had asked.

Miche merely grunted.

'Just a keen sense of smell, ' Hange replied with a wide grin.

Levi and Hange had sat on the opposite side of the carriage. Levi avoided eye contact with everyone while Hange split most of their time staring wide-eyed between you and Eren. You could tell they were trying their damnedest to hold back an onslaught of interrogation.

You too were bursting with questions to ask Eren, but you had the decency to give the kid some space after the day he 's had. Besides, considering what 's been hinted at between Hange and Erwin, you knew you would have plenty of time in the future to ask him all the questions you wanted. When he was ready to answer, of course.

The setting sun peeked through the single window on the back of the carriage. It reflected off of Hange 's glasses and casted a halo glow around Levi. You held back a smile at the sight. An angel, alright, especially after that courtroom performance.

The sun dipped just below Wall Rose by the time you arrived at what looked to be a tavern, splashing the sky in deep hues of violet and red. 'We 'll be spending the night here, ' Levi said as your small group exited the carriage, one by one.

Miche offered his hand to you when you warily looked down. Transferring your bag to one hand you accepted his with thanks, jumping down from the carriage.

You stretched out your legs from the cramped space, grateful for the fresh air. You caught the pleasant hint of woodsmoke and stew wafting out from its chimney. Your stomach growled. You thought back to the sweet roll you had eaten so many hours ago. With the day having been so long and hot, the thought of a cool drink down your throat accompanying dinner sounded heavenly.

You approached the building. The only thing setting it apart from its identical neighbors was the weather-worn sign that swung on creaky hinges above the door. You squinted your eyes, trying to make out the painted words on it, but years of neglect made it impossible. It hardly provided reassurance of the quality of where you were to stay. At least good smells were coming from it?

Hange jumped from the carriage and stretched their hands above their head, sighing ruefully. 'This is where we must take our leave. '

Eren blinked up at them. 'Are you not staying with us? '

Hange grinned at him, resting their arm on his shoulder. 'Don 't you worry, Eren Jaeger, I will return to you as soon as I can. I just have some matters I need to tend to first, ' they said with a dramatic sigh. They departed, waving a hand over their shoulder with Miche by their side. 'Believe me when I say I would much rather stay with you lot! '

'Oi! Levi! ' a man 's voice called out. The door of the tavern slammed shut, prompting you and Eren to look over at the source. The approaching stranger had blonde hair that was tied back; the facial hair on his narrow, handsome face mere whiskers on his chin. He raised a hand in greeting. 'I see you and Erwin were successful today. So this is Eren? ' The man eyed Eren with suspicion, his expression and stance guarded.

Levi nodded once. 'We need someone with him at all times until we arrive at headquarters tomorrow, ' he said. 'He cannot be without supervision, especially here. '

'I 'll keep an eye on him, ' said another male voice as the door of the tavern opened again and out came a young man; his nose was round and his dark hair styled up. Behind him came two others around the same age, a woman and a man. 'Take a short moment to rest before the journey tomorrow, Captain. I will handle things. '

'Don 't get overwhelmed by such a task now, Gunther, ' said the last man to come out. He held himself in such a way that exuded self-importance. He strutted towards the group. He looked physically older than the rest, with an undercut styled similarly to Levi 's and a cravat around his neck. You supposed it to be a popular style with scouts. 'I can always switch out with you should you need the help. ' Oluo stopped before you and Eren. His eyes surveyed Eren from head to toe, and then did the same to you. He gave you both a superior look you assumed was supposed to be intimidating.

'I think Gunther can handle the task just fine on his own, ' said the woman beside him, slight irritation etched onto her features. Her face was framed with blonde hair cut to the shoulders, her brown eyes soft and warm. They alighted when they beheld you.

'You 'll be with me! ' she said enthusiastically. She took your arm and tugged you into the tavern, leaving behind the men outside. 'I 'm Petra. It can be dreadful being with this lot all the time. I mean, they 're fantastic teammates, don 't get me wrong! I wouldn 't want to work with anyone else, in fact. It 's just that 'it 's different getting a new friend around here, you know? Someone who hasn 't been so heavily involved in the Scout Regiment. '

'You 're all a part of Levi 's team? ' you asked. When you entered the tavern, it took a moment for your eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. She led you up a flight a stairs that creaked so badly you were afraid your foot was going to fall through one of the steps.

'Levi chose us all personally for the Special Operations Squad, ' Petra said as she opened one of the doors that lined the dark hallway. The room itself was quite small with just enough space for two beds and a table pushed against the wall. It sat underneath a window, atop it an empty basin and a jug of water. 'The blonde one with the facial hair is Eld. He 's Levi 's second-in-command. The goober who tries to pretend he 's just like Levi, that 's Oluo. He may get insufferable at times, but his abilities are impressive, so we tolerate him well enough. '

'And the one who 'll be watching Eren? ' you asked, setting down your bag by the foot of the bed. 'Gunther, was it? '

'Mhm! ' Petra neatly lowered herself onto her bed, legs folded. 'Gunther Shultz. He can be a very quiet man, like Eld. He 'll take his duty of watching Eren tonight very seriously. '

'Do you think Eren will try something? '

Petra shrugged. 'Who knows. We 're unfamiliar with his ability, and we don 't know how unstable it is. Gunther will be able to ensure he doesn 't try anything funny. '

A troublesome thought snagged. 'And if Eren were to transform while in the tavern? '

'Well, provided we don 't get crushed by falling debris of the inn, we 're all more than capable of pacifying him. But, hopefully we won 't get to that point. We just need to make it the one night before we can depart for headquarters tomorrow. We 'll be better prepared there. '

'So why bring him to a tavern in the first place if he 's so volatile? Why not take him somewhere more secure for the night? '

'Well, our barracks in Trost are still being repaired from the damage it took several days ago, so that severely limited our options of where we could all reconvene before departing for our new headquarters. As for keeping Eren in a secure location, Oluo and Eld have made arrangements for that. He won 't actually be staying in the normal rooms here. There 's more to this place than you might think. ' Petra looked towards the window stained with soot and grime. 'It 's a dangerous gamble, I admit. It 's a first test for both us and Eren, I suppose; our ability to keep watch of him and Eren 's loyalty to us. ' She gave you a friendly smile. 'At least the stew they serve here is supposed to be really delicious? '

You still found it strange, that the higher ups would have allowed Eren to come to such a place. Why not go straight to these headquarters the captain had mentioned earlier? Speaking of '

'Levi had mentioned headquarters. Where is that located? '

'Old headquarters is stationed near Trost, ' said Petra, leaning back onto her hands. 'It 's a big, old dusty place these days, which is why it 'll be perfect for Eren. Hardly anyone goes there anymore and it 's big enough to contain Eren should he transform unexpectedly. '

'This is quite the job you 've accepted, ' you said, noting the nonchalant way she described everything. 'You all seem so calm and sure of yourselves. I suppose that 's to be expected, though, considering Levi chose you all. With what I 've heard in the past of his abilities, you lot must be something really special. '

A faint, pink blush graced Petra 's cheeks. 'We are quite good at what we do. I like to think we 've all gotten even better since joining Levi 's squadron. Getting to work alongside him and seeing his abilities, he 's just 'he 's really something else. ' Her cheeks flushed darker.

You raised a brow. 'You two '? '

'Oh, no, no, no ' Petra said awkwardly, waving a dismissive hand. 'Nothing like that. '

Clearly it

was

something like that.

You reminded yourself that you came here to work. You were given an immense responsibility, one that left little time to interfere with the personal affairs of your new colleagues. Besides, you knew very little of their personalities and relationships, so who were you to judge what you knew nothing of?

'I 'm excited to work with you, ' said Petra sincerely. 'Levi says that Hange desperately wanted the surgeon in Sina to help aid in the research of Eren. They also pitched that it would be smart to have someone so talented healing scouts right there on the field, so our mortality rates could possibly improve. So, if you 're here instead - his prot 'g ', right? - you must be really something, huh? '

You suddenly realized how high their expectations were of you. Doubt roared in your head. You became self-conscious.

There was a knock on the door and you immediately became relieved, grateful for the interruption. Petra got up to receive whoever it was.

You heard Oluo 's voice. 'Petra, I 'm going down for tea if you would like to join, ' he said. 'Levi and Eld are downstairs. Gunther is already settled with Eren. '

Petra turned and gave you a smile. 'Joining? '

'I will in a moment. I just need some time to wash up, ' you replied. Your nerves from this morning came back in full force.

'We 'll see you down there then, ' she said pleasantly, joining Oluo and closing the door behind herself.

You walked over to the washbasin and poured water into it. You splashed your face a few times.

You wondered what you could have possibly gotten yourself into. No, what Dr. Helfen had gotten you into. You didn 't know the first thing when it came to fighting Titans, and now here you were, expected to keep up with the greatest squadron in the entire Survey Corps? Granted, you doubted you would be expected to fight alongside them, considering your very apparent lack of training. But the expectations of you were even greater than you realized.

You stood staring at your reflection in the basin. Water dripped from your chin.

You 've lived a very comfortable life in Wall Sina. Titans had always been just a horror story. Even when Wall Maria and then Wall Rose were breached, you empathized with those who faced the horror, but you didn 't truly know it was actually like to face a Titan, to have your life destroyed in mere seconds.

You healed those who managed to make it to Dr. Helfen 's practice. You saw the effects of Titans on the victims that escaped, but never have you had to experience such ghastly conditions first hand. Whenever you passed a grieving soul on the street, someone full of such sorrow at the discovery that their loved one will never again return to them, did you truly understand their plight?

And what about those who did manage to return?

You noticed that those you helped heal frequently questioned why they were the ones so lucky as to be given the gift of survival. Oh how burdensome such a gift could be. It seemed many viewed it as a curse, rather than a blessing. They would ask you questions you had no answers to, their eyes and hearts as vulnerable and open as the wounds on their bodies. Perhaps death would be preferable to this living hell, they would ponder. You often wondered if healing them physically was in actuality dooming them for an eternity of mental suffering.

You could always stitch up any physical wounds they may have, but you had no way to lift the guilt on the souls of those who survived.

These past few years, questioning defeat began finding its own way into Dr. Helfen 's heart and your own. There were days when there were so many wounded civilians and soldiers to tend to, but there simply wasn 't enough hands, supplies, time. Such overwhelming days would exhaust you physically and mentally. You had wondered how much longer this cycle could continue, how much longer of this you could take. How long was it until it was Wall Sina that 's breached; when you were forced to endure what the other districts have had to face and healing others would then become impossible.

But with this Eren Jaeger - the one Erwin and Levi seemed so confident would be such a great asset to the fight against Titans - he could be the change you all needed.

You decided you would trust the process, trust Levi, and trust Dr. Helfen. You would stay by your word to your mentor and try your best. You just needed confidence in yourself.

You were taught well, by the best university in Mitras and by the one man you trusted most in this world. You would have confidence in your knowledge and your abilities. If Dr. Helfen felt that you were ready for such an expedition, then you would trust his judgement. You would make him proud. Make yourself proud.

The sound of live music wafted its way into your room. Musicians must have just started playing in time for those sitting down for their suppers and evening drinks. You smoothed down your hair and took a deep breath.

It all started with making a good impression with Levi and his squadron. You needed to gain their trust - something you suspected was incredibly valuable and essential. Which meant that absurd, fleeting moment of jealousy you felt - of discovering that Petra had a close relationship with the captain you found handsome and intriguing - would need to be pushed aside. Smothered deep down and locked away. Boundaries needed to be set and respected. A professional relationship was all to be had with these kinds of people. Realistically, it was all that could be had in this environment.

You straightened out your clothes and took one last deep breath. You desperately needed a drink. Something to wet your throat and calm down these returning nerves. You opened the door and the sounds of the music mixed with the conversations of those below grew louder. You went down the creaky stairs, finally ready to join those below.

The main room of the tavern had filled quickly to your surprise. With how worn everything was you wouldn 't have expected it to be such a popular place. Lit lanterns that hung against the walls and sat on various tables casted dark auburn glows across the room. Occasional bouts of laughter would punctuate the steady hum of the conversations in the filled tavern. Smoke from tobacco pipes made the room 's already dim atmosphere harder to see. You waved away the clouds as they wafted in front of your face.

You passed a table where a card game was taking place, random bits of money and jewelry tossed in the center. The cards they held were well worn and stained yellow. Your interest piqued. You never had much growing up, and the practice had never been all that profitable in terms of money. You wondered the rules, and if it would be possible if you could join - if you even had any money to gamble with in the first place.

Silverware clinked as people feasted. Mugs of ale slammed against tables, foam sloshing over the edge. The sight only served to make you thirstier.

You scanned over the heads of the filled tables and finally spotted Levi, Petra, Eld, and Oluo at the far side of the room at a table to themselves. You made your way towards them, carefully pushing past those already wobbly with drink. A drunk patron slammed into you and you lost your balance, pushing you into the back of a man at the bar. He turned and glared.

'Apologies, ' you mumbled, straightening yourself.

Down the way you overheard a conversation occurring between one of the patrons and the woman who worked behind the bar - the owner, you assumed based on her age and the ease in which she traded from behind the counter.

Her rounded cheeks were flushed red from the heat of work. Her dark hair pulled back from her face in a braid that was combed through with white. Behind her was a much younger woman who tended to a giant pot in the large hearth.

Ah ha

. The stew you had smelled when you first arrived. Your stomach grumbled, adding to your parched tongue. You wondered how you were going to pay for a drink and a meal.

'Come now, Amelie, just one more pint, whaddya say? ' the man before her slurred. He tilted forward, barely catching himself in time on the side of the bar.

'You 've had quite enough, Kaspar, ' she said sternly. 'Now I 've got others to tend to. If you cause more trouble tonight, you 're getting thrown out on your ass again! You can sleep in the stables for all I care. '

'You know that won 't keep me away, beautiful, ' he giggled, then hiccuped. 'You always let me back in. '

'I let your

coin

back in, Kaspar, there 's a difference, ' she retorted.

As you passed, the drunken man turned his head and gave you a sloppy grin.

You paused. 'Hello, ' you greeted uncertainly. You started to walk past him again.

He reached out and grabbed hold of your arm.

'Now I haven 't seen you in here, before. Can I get your name, pretty- OW! '

The barmaid, Amelie, had taken a rolled up towel and smacked the man in the back of the head with it. 'You let that nice person go right this instant, Kaspar. I will not have you harassing my clients! Out. Now. '

He released your arm and rubbed his head. 'But, but ' '

'Out, ' she said sternly.

Kaspar slumped off the stool and sulked away, stumbling into tables and other patrons as he left.

'Annoying git, ' said Amelie.

'I 'm surprised he left willingly, ' you commented as you watched the man trip over his own feet.

'Ahh, he 's an annoying bugger, but he listens. At least compared to some of the other regulars that like to come here. A firm hand and voice is all you need to get that man to leave when he 's sauced. But don 't let that scare you off. I don 't let nonsense like that happen in my tavern, no ma 'am." She leaned against the wooden counter, hand on hip. 'Let me get you a free drink, to make up for that lout 's behavior. What do you like? '

You didn 't even try to be polite and deny the offer. Your parched tongue and empty purse wouldn 't have allowed you to anyways. 'Whatever it is you recommend. Just something that will quench my thirst and help resolve some nerves. '

She smirked and turned around to the shelves behind her. 'It was a hot one today, wasn 't it? ' She pulled down a bottle and slid it towards you. As you accepted it you couldn 't help but notice the skin of her hands covered in puckered bits of scar tissue.

'Thanks. Cheers, ' you said with a smile. You tipped your head back and drank deeply from the bottle. The mead that greeted your tongue was sweetened with berries and spiced with cinnamon. You drank a little deeper, feeling a pleasant warmth bloom throughout your chest. You finished half the bottle by the time you lowered the glass from your lips.

'My, you were thirsty, ' Amelie commented as she wiped clean an empty mug returned to her just a moment earlier. 'Or very nervous? May I ask what about? '

What the hell, might as well be honest.

'Not living up to the expectations of others and failing miserably, ' you replied glumly.

'Yeah, that 'll do it to ya, ' she said with a short laugh.

You eyed the woman 's hands again. 'Do they cause you a lot of pain? ' you asked, nodding towards her hands as you took another drink - a smaller, more polite sip this time.

'Always, ' she answered. 'Accident with the hearth 's fire that happened many years ago. Didn 't bother me as much until my fingers started to ache with aging. '

'I can help with that, ' you said.

'For what price? I haven 't the money for- '

'Just one bowl of that stew, ' you said, interrupting. 'Let me soothe your hands in exchange for dinner. '

She raised a brow. 'You 've got fancy medicine or somethin '? '

'I do, but that hardly won 't work for you in the long run once you run out, will it? Or when certain supplies become further scarce. ' You shook your head. 'No, I will show you something you can make here that will help with the aches. '

'Hmph, alright then. It 's a deal, ' she said. The innkeep turned to the younger woman who was busy tending to the large pot of stew. 'Oi! Tasha! You 're in charge now! '

'Yes, ma 'am, ' she said, right away wiping her hands on her apron as she abandoned her station to take care of those at the bar.

'Alright, then. Show me how it 's done, ' said the innkeep.

You smiled, taking a deep drink from your bottle, savoring it one last time before putting it back down with a clink and joining her behind the counter. 'Firstly, you have black tea leaves? ' you asked. You went to the washing basin against the wall and pumped the lever of the water siphon. Grabbing the lye soap on the sink 's edge you scrubbed your hands clean.

'We do. The tin is still out from the man who just ordered it. ' You followed the direction of Amelie 's eyes and it landed on Levi 's table with his team. In perfect timing, he lifted his cup and took a drink. He didn 't hold it by its handle, but rather from the top of the cup itself. You paused. What an odd way to hold a cup.

'Strange man, ' she commented lamely as she gathered the tin of dried black tea leaves.

You tore your gaze from him to focus on the task at hand. You took one of the clean bowls and scooped several teaspoons of tea leaves into it. 'I need vinegar, an egg, honey, and if you have it, lavender or rose oil. '

Amelie started pulling the ingredients from shelves. You added them one by one one, crushing and mixing them together with the leaves, pestle in hand.

'Tasha 's, ' Amelie said as she placed down a tiny vial of lavender. 'Says she likes to smell pretty for the customers. But I know she 's just sweet on one in particular. '

You smiled politely as you took the stopper from the lavender bottle and added only a few drops. 'Give me your hands, ' you said once you finished mixing.

Amelie obediently gave them over. You scooped the salve onto your fingers and began applying it to the innkeep 's hands, massaging it gently into her joints. You applied an extra layer where the skin had been burned badly and left behind thickened scar tissue.

She eyed you over as you tended to her hands. 'You 've got a sweet yourself? '

'No, ' you replied. 'My profession doesn 't allow the time. '

'Really? What a shame. You 've got the touch. ' She smirked. 'Although that dark-haired man, the one who drinks that tea funny, he 's glanced over here a few times. It seems you 've got

someone

who 's sweet on you. '

'Huh? ' You looked up, your hands stilling.

'I see

everything

in this tavern, love. Nothing happens without me knowing. ' She puffed out her chest in pride. 'It 's my special talent, you see, reading people. I can sense the emotions and conversations happening in here at all times. And that group in particular, with their fancy scout uniforms and aloofness, you bet your ass I 've been keeping an eye on them. ' She clucked her tongue in disapproval. 'That man better not have any wrong ideas. He may be a scout, but he 's got the look of trouble on him. And with the way that young woman hangs onto his every word, he 's going to break some hearts. I just know it. '

'Ma! That 's Captain Levi, don 't you know! ' the younger woman, Tasha, interjected in a harsh whisper.

'Levi? From the Scouts? ' said Amelie in shock, eyes popping open. She immediately strained her neck to get a better look at him. 'Why, he 's much smaller in person than I imagined! Tasha, why didn 't you tell me sooner that was him? '

'I tried! When you were brewing the tea! But you told me to shut my gob and tend to the stew before it burned! '

'To think we 've been so neglectful tending to their needs! Supper, straightaway for Levi and his team! The man needs more than just tea. Humanity 's greatest soldier needs food in him to stay strong! And to help him grow! ' She pulled her hands from you and bustled about behind the bar. She took down a large bowl and ladled spoonfuls of the stew into it.

'He 's not a child, Ma! ' Tasha groaned in embarrassment.

Tasha 's mother ignored her, tucking smaller bowls underneath her arm and hurriedly bringing it over to their table, the contents threatening to splash over the edges.

'Sorry about her, nosy old bat, ' Tasha said to you with a sheepish smile. 'She can be quite the force, sometimes. How quickly her tune changes about a person the moment she discovers they 're someone important. And her gossiping is a horrible habit. But I suppose there isn 't much in the way of other entertainment when you serve people all day. Only thing you can do is stick your nose in other people 's private affairs. '

You began scooping the salve contents from the mortar into an empty tin. You screwed on the lid tightly. You handed it to Tasha. 'For your mother, when the pains in her joints get bad or if either of you get burns from the stove. '

She smiled and thanked you, ladling a bowl of the stew and handing it to you. 'I overheard the deal you struck with Ma. Thank you for tending to her hands. I worry sometimes she overworks them. '

'It was my pleasure, ' you replied, happily accepting the dinner. The warm broth trickled down your throat pleasantly as you sipped from the bowl.

'You know, she wasn 't wrong. '

'Hm? ' you hummed, looking up from over the bowl.

'Ma. She wasn 't wrong. Captain Levi

has

been looking over here, ' Tasha said with a mischievous smile. 'I got excited at first, thinking that I possibly had caught the great Levi 's attention. But then I realized when I moved to the other side of the bar, it wasn 't me he was looking at. '

You knew better than to think it was in any way like the way this woman and her mother implied. 'I think you 've got the wrong impression. I work for him. He 's ensuring I don 't cause any trouble, ' you said. 'Besides, I 've only just met him, so I have yet to gain his trust. '

'Hmph. Regardless, don 't you want to at least

pretend

he 's looking at you for a different reason? I know I would. He 's so fine. ' She sighed dreamily. Those thoughts you promised yourself to keep down bubbled to the surface. You forced them back down.

'Most people think he 's ugly and frightening from all the stories I 've heard, ' you said coldly, tipping the bowl back and taking another sip of the stew. God it was good.

She gave you a look. 'Do you agree with those stories? '

You glanced over at Levi 's table. Your eyes grazed down the slope of his straight nose, his hooded eyes, the line of his jaw, the cut of his dark hair. You smiled ruefully up at Tasha. 'I don 't, no. '

She tilted her head. 'It does seem that he 's already taken by that girl though. The blonde one, I mean. With the way she keeps looking at him, do you know if they 're- '

'I don 't. Like I said, I 've only just met them, ' you replied. You hurriedly spooned more of the stew into your mouth. Too soon, it scraped against the empty bottom of the bowl.

'What is it you do for them? ' Tasha asked as she took your emptied bowl and tossed it into a basin filled with other dirtied dishes. 'You don 't wear their uniform. '

'I 'm their physician, ' you answered, not divulging any more details. You stood with a heavy sigh, taking your bottle of mead with you. 'Well, thank you for the stew. It was delicious. '

'Thank you for the salve and conversation. It was a pleasure meeting you, ' Tasha returned with a smile. She handed you a second bottle of mead before tending to a new patron who had just approached the bar.

You supposed it was finally time to face the source of your nerves. With a full stomach and quenched thirst, you had nothing left to fuel your procrastination. You made your way to their table, bottles of mead in hand.