Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

NINETY-FOUR

'Fear is most often a paralytic. It takes a man with an iron-clad will to stand bare in front of what others cower from.

Never take a coward's advice. Safety is nought if not a restraint.'

-An extract from scholar and journalist Aksel Briggs' first works, now widely banned across the Walls for inspiring a violent vigilante movement against Havas.

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NINETY-FOUR

Wall Maria, North Region, Islet

Islet was just as Lorelai remembered it.

This snow-dusted town had held her childhood. It was the same crooked stone buildings that sneered down at her, the same cobbled streets that meandered together in a great tangle of lanes and alleyways.

When she had seen it last, just after Havas fell, it had been surreal to return. The feeling hadn't left her even now.

Peering out the window, Lorelai felt like a child again. Looking down at the wintry streets, she was back in the Briggs manor, watching the world, curious, yet a stranger entirely.

"Lorelai?"

She turned. Levi was behind her, concern dressing his features. He'd always be a worrier.

"I'm fine," she assured him, turning her gaze back to the town outside.

He sighed, walking over and sitting next to her on the window seat. Levi also set his eyes on the town, but Lorelai knew he didn't see it as she did.

They'd arrived in Islet about a day ago. Far too many people had insisted on accompanying her. While Levi was a welcome presence, and Romero of course, Erwin, Elske, Gabriel and a group of assorted Scouts were rather bothersome.

She'd wanted to be alone up here. Lorelai knew what was coming, and while she might dare to believe Levi would understand, many of the others would not.

The situation had been quiet since she arrived. Perhaps Briggs hadn't expected Lorelai's play; perhaps he was simply building suspense, but, there was no word from the Anti-Havasians.

"Are... are we going to stare out the window all day?" Levi asked, the hint of amusement tugging at his lips.

"Am I boring you, love?"

"No, no. I just, uh, I expected this 'grand showdown', as the papers put it, to be a little less waiting around." Levi smiled a little at her, reaching forward to tenderly tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

She grinned as his fingers lingered on her face.

Levi shifted closer, his steely eyes playful. He kept his voice low, "Well... if you have no plans today, we could always..." Levi moved to whisper in her ear.

She stopped him with a coy smile. "I never said I didn't have plans."

His face fell, chuckling and moving away. "Always the tease, Lorelai. Alright, what is it? I thought you were done with the mystery."

"I am." She stood up. "We're going to see my grandfather."

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Lorelai's grandfather was a man by the name of Friedrich Briggs. According to her, he was a kind of recluse who hadn't associated with the family in years. Friedrich was Aksel's father, so, Lorelai hoped he might offer her some advice.