MorningWood

Chapter 4

Connie and Jean stand around the entrance to the lobby, clearly bored and impatient despite only having waited for about a minute. Mikasa quietly walks up from their side, Eren following closely behind her to join them.

"What's their main serving? Eggs, I'm guessing." Jean sputters, still a bit drowsy and not entirely looking forward to a breakfast served by the hotel.

Connie shrugs, himself a bit drowsy still, "Looks like it, but I don't know."

Eren and Mikasa stop beside them, looking around the lobby at the quarter-filled seating arrangements.

A hotel employee, presumably a waiter from the restaurant going off his approach and his clothing, walks up to the four of them. "Good morning! Seating for four?" the man pauses very briefly, either not really expecting an answer or just assuming he is correct, "Right this way."

"No." Mikasa cuts him off with an even tone, "We are waiting for one more."

"Oh, I see. My mistake." The waiter bows lightly, acknowledging his error, "Would you prefer to wait for your friend, or would you like me to show you a table that will suit your group?"

Connie, Jean, and Mikasa glance around at one another in a muted interrogation. Eren stands, implacably continuing to survey the room – studying the table arrangements, doorways, reddish theming, and occupants.

"We'll take that table," Eren points to an unusual semi-circular table with five chairs on the opposite side of the room from them. Adding a light layer of manners over his request, he tacks on a final, "Please."

The waiter follows his direction, recognizing the table. A pause while he considers whatever order the restaurant seating may have, or some other such guidelines before turning back to Eren and the group, "Very well. Follow me; if you will."

The four step off in the direction the waiter leads them, winding around an empty salad bar for lunch and dinner times before bee-lining for the table. Eren glances backwards as they approach the table, noticing Armin's familiar blond hair and figure walk into the area the group was gathered moments ago. He keeps walking, but partially turns around and raises and arm in the air, waving Armin over. Armin catches Eren's tall figure waving at him from across the dining room. His blonde hair rustles as he acknowledges Eren and begins pacing over to the group.

Mikasa sits first, taking the second chair on the flat side of the semi-circle while Connie and Jean take to the closest seats to the lobby entrance on the crescent side. Eren sweeps himself into the chair beside Mikasa.

The original waiter spreads out drink glasses and fills them with ice water. He pulls an extra menu that was accidentally left on the table at some point and addresses the group just as Armin reaches the final seat, "Your waitress will be Shishan. She will be with you momentarily." The man walks off, disappearing behind an "Employees Only" door nearby.

Connie wastes no time plopping his elbow on the tabletop and lackadaisical skimming over the breakfast menu as he rests his face on his fist. Jean sits a little more upright as he quickly discovers what he wants and drops the laminate back to the table without second thought.

Armin glances around the group quietly studying everyone. "You all don't seem all that enthusiastic for our trip today."

Mikasa hums to herself, barely audible as she muses the options. Eren glances up from the menu at Armin but doesn't say anything before Jean does.

"Eh, you're the lead on this one. Not us." Jean stretches in his chair, leaning back like he would in a school classroom with a mildly interesting subject, "I think we're more just weary from that hike Eren insisted on yesterday."