Clipped Wings

5

Breakfast is full of excited recruits; they're all talking about what they think they're learning today. Most of them are wrong, of course, but seeing their smiles made me look forward to seeing them grow into skilled soldiers.

I wait at the ODM gear site for the recruits to arrive. Keith is waiting at the other end. We're going to split the corps into two so it's easier to answer questions and help those who need that extra push.

Levi walks up to me and chats for a bit, asking me what we're doing and if I'm going to try to act all intimidating. I laugh, and tell him it's better for them to see me as a friend than to fear me. Keith's approach is straight up intimidation.

Soon after Levi leaves, my half of the corps forms a group in front of me. In the front row, there's a blonde girl, a blonde boy, and a brunette boy. They look ready, but far too serious. Potato girl is also in this group.

"Welcome Cadets, I'm Captain Rena Erhart. Today, we're going to be going over Omni-directional Mobility gear, what it is, how to use it, and why we use it," I say as I walk down the row.

On a table, I have disassembled gear. I explain what each part is and its importance. After each recruit has gotten the chance to hold each piece and seem to have a good understanding of them, I move over to the balance beams.

"The key to ODM gear is balance," I hop onto the beam. "I want you to break into groups of 3, and try to get with some people you haven't had the chance to talk to!"

All of the cadets split into their groups and start to chat amongst each other as I set up the beams as well as the hanging areas.

"Attention!" My voice echoes.

All their conversations came to a halt, but they didn't look so stiff and nervous anymore. I smile.

"There are 12 beams, one beam per group. Each of you will walk the beam normally, like so."

I walk across the beam steadily, without any wobbles.

"Then, after each of you have successfully walked across the beam without shaking or wobbling, stand on one leg on the edge of the beam until you have a steady, consistent stance. Do it with both legs!"

I demonstrate what I'm saying as I say it.

"I will be walking around to each group to answer any questions but also to ask questions of my own. So get to it!" I say with a smile.

I give them a few minutes to start their balancing and only a few fell off. The blonde boy was one of the first to fall. Unfortunately for him, I walked up to his group right as he fell.

He stands up quickly and looks all flustered. I try to give him a reassuring smile.

"What are your names Cadets?" I ask the group.

"My name is Reiner Braun, Captain!" the blonde one that fell says with a salute.

"Anne Leonhart," the blonde girl says in a monotoned voice as she salutes.

"I-I'm Bertolt Hoover, ma'am-er Captain!" The brunette boy seems nervous.

"Do you have any questions about the balance?" I try not to just look at Reiner, I don't want to single him out.

"Well actually..." Reiner says, "I don't get it. Am I doing something wrong?"

"Let me see how you start, Reiner."

He steps on the beam and sticks his arms out to attempt to balance but he's wobbling everywhere. His footing is awkward and he falls off the side, but this time he lands on his feet.