Already Gone

Chapter Five: Banquet

Niema and Levi walked down the long corridor of the Court house. Their feet hitting the marble floors were the only thing stopping them from being in complete silence as they left yet another meeting. With the mission on Liberio being labeled a "success" by many of the new recruits and MP's the nine veteran scouts couldn't help but leave with scowls on their faces. Before leaving Niema had left Hange in charge of Eren and the other members of Levi squad while she went to deal with Liesl who was now residing in the barracks down below. A task she didn't want to upkeep, but felt more than obligated to do.
"How—Uh how did it go?" Levi asked as they walked. "I havent really spoke to you nor Hanji since the air ship." Niema shrugged keeping her eyes locked on her moving feet. "She told us a little bit about Zeke and Marley's history but when she found out that Zeke was alive and on the airship with her she sort of freaked out. I'm going down now to talk to her again."
"Tsk,"Levi shook his head in disgust.
"I won't be long. Make sure to stop back here once you've gotten Zeke back from the holding cell so we can take him to his hotel." Niema reminded him before turning down the hall and making her way down the staircase to where Liesl would be. The basement of the courthouse was the same as it always had been, it was dark, and damp, and always had the faint smell of mildew. Niema couldn't help but feel guilty for placing Liesl in the barracks, but she couldn't let empathy blind her from her duties. Liesl was from an enemy state, and shes affiliated with Zeke, two major red flags that could not be ignored despite her tears. "Morning Niema," Liesl's voice was barely above a whisper as she rose from the small bed in her cell and ran her fingers through her hair. "I hate to do this to you, but I need you to finish telling me everything." Niema said plainly pulling a wooden stool near the steel bars that separated her and Liesl.
"Is he alright?" She asked avoiding eye contact. Niema slouched a bit and rubbed her temples trying to understand why Liesl could care about him so much. "He's alive, but your not proving that your no longer his confidant anymore Liesl. If anything after the breakdown you had last night on the airship i'm half tempted to take you to Levi and have him deal with you as well." Niema sighed, she had enough on her plate with Eren alone, she didn't want to have to be on guard for any other person. Liesl nodded her head and slowly stepped toward the bars and crouched down in front of Niema taking a seat on the floor of her cell.
"Levi's one of the Ackerman's right?"
"I'm sure Zeke has told you all about Levi," Niema chuckled.
"I'll finish telling you about Zeke and I, but you have to promise me that I am fully aware of everything that happens to him," she demanded.
"Deal."
Liesl sighed and slouched over so that her elbows rested on the top of her knees. "I wasn't naive I knew that something was up. Ever since Grisha and Dina were sent off Zeke always said he 'found his purpose', and I was dumb enough to think I fit in that picture." Liesl looked up at Niema who stared blankly back at her, waiting on the edge of her seat for Liesl to continue. "We didn't get married before he inherited his titan, and I hate to say it but I wasn't surprised. All I wanted was to be with him, and all he wanted was to finish his duty to Eldia."

A large celebratory festival held by many of the Eldians occurred on the day that the Warrior Candidates inherited their titans—That is if you could even call the gathering in the center of Liberio a festival. The interment zone was extremely poor and had little support from their mother country nor did they have any real allies who were willing to lend a hand, so their celebrations were always kept to a minimum. Yet that didn't cease the excitement of the people. The entire day the Eldians on Liberio would cheer and lallygag around the town until their Warrior Candidates were sent inside the HQ.
Liesl tossed and turned the entire night, and by the time the sun shown through her curtains she was even more exhausted than she was when her head first hit the pillow. Zeke had a similar night, his body couldn't seem to relax with the thought of devouring Ksaver lurking in the back of his mind.
"Liesl?" Berak knocked on her daughters door gently, hoping she wouldn't startle her. Liesl let out a sigh, slunk form her bed, and threw on the robe that was laying on the floor in her room.
"Come in!"
"How—Uhm," Berak wasn't sure how to address the situation nor did she have a solution for her daughters anxiety. "How are you?"
"I'm alright, just a bit exhausted."
Liesl had became a beautiful young women as the years passed, but her mother became frail and gray as her youth slipped through her fingers.
"I sewed up one of my old dresses for you to wear today," Berak smiled and out stretched the arm that was behind her back to reveal a blue dress with fancy stitching down the sleeves and a low neck line. "I know it's not the best but it's—"
"It's fantastic mom, thank you." Liesl embraced her mother so tightly that it triggered a groan of pain from Berak. "I'm sorry," Liesl said going to let go but Berak held her still.
"Don't worry about it, my bones just ache a bit." Berak smiled and stroked her daughters dark hair wishing she could hold her this close for eternity. The tender moment was interrupted by the sound of bells from the steeple and the excited cheering of children.
"Shoot I'll be late!" Liesl exclaimed and quickly ran in to the bathroom to prepare herself for the festival. Warrior Candidates were celebrated during the early hours of the morning till dusk when they were sent off to HQ to complete their inheritance. Magath who was a curt man with a glare that seemed permanently etched on his face had been generous and allowed his subordinates to join in the festivities.
"Liesl! Zeke is here!" She could hear her mother shout from the living room as she let Zeke in to the house. Liesl groaned and looked in the mirror trying to figure out what else she could do to make herself look presentable.
"That's it," Liesl said to herself and rummaged through the drawer until she found the old silver ribbon she once wore in her hair.