Attack on Titan: Aftermath

Familiar Faces

"Good job picking out a place to eat" Falco whispered to Gabi, nudging her shoulder. The two were escorted by Nicolo to a table in the "Very Important Persons" section. This area of the dining hall was lighted by a warm yellow tint and had no windows. The seats were cushioned with a beige mulberry silk and built with the most expensive wood Eldia had to offer. For this section was the eating area to the elites of Eldia, including the Military Police, the generals of the once Jaeger Division which had been renamed to the original Garrison Division, and the reestablished Survey Corps. The Survey Corps' was now commissioned to foriegn affairs such as aid, colonization, and charting unknown territories since Titans had ceased to exist.

"Listen, I only listened to my stomach at the time." Gabi replied to Falco in a shouting whisper.

"Thank you both, for coming to this establishment." Nicolo interrupted, having heard the short conversation and loud whispers of the couple. "If you don't mind... once your food is prepared... can I join your meal?" Gabi and Falco looked at him astounded.

"Well... I don't see why not" Falco shrugged and gave Nicolo a smile. He smiled back. Gabi was still in shock of the situation, for she had a very distaste towards Nicolo. Nicolo gestured them to a table and the two sat down and looked at the menus in front of them.

"I'll be back round in a bit. The Marleyan Cuisine is my favorite." Nicolo mentioned. Gabi and Falco nodded their heads and smiled in understanding.

"What the hell was that!?!?" Gabi scolded.

"Listen, the war happened 4 years ago. Maybe he wants to make amends and lighten his consciousness. I know I would. So, we shouldn't be the ones keeping him from doing that."

"Ugh. You and your empathy... since when did you mature to be some kind of pacifist?"

"Since I grew up" Falco chuckled. "Seems to me you're just anxious about the idea of interacting with him, and resentment is the only way you know how to express it. Seems to run in the Braun bloodline I suppose?"

"Oh shut up. I... Yeah I'm nervous. This just reminded me that there are a lot of people who don't like us and even their judgmental glances makes me terrified."

"Who cares what they think? We didn't destroy the walls or anything back then. It's not that big of a deal."

"I know... it's just that... I feel like the waiter's eyes are getting closer and staring at me. Like if I blink the wrong way they'll ruin something of mine... my future... you..." Gabi said shakily, sweat dripping from her face.

"Hey" Falco reassured, noticing her symptoms. "Listen, not everyone thinks of us as heroes but we'll get through this. Maybe actually talking to Nicolo and getting some food in our system will help. You must be starving, it's probably just that."

"Yeah..." Gabi started.

"Alright, are you two ready to order?" Nicolo began, walking up to their table.

"I'll get the Marleyan cuisine" Falco responded. He looked over to Gabi who was hiding her face with the menu, too nervous to answer. "Actually scratch that. Can we get a box of donuts, a liter of ice cream, and a pizza please?"

Nicolo looked at him with some concern, then returned to his waiter face. "Why yes of course. Anything to drink?"

"A chocolate sundae with two straws please. And whipped cream." Falco smiled. Nicolo looked at him hesitantly as if he was waiting for him to change his mind.

"Alright. I'll join you two shortly." Nicolo said, seemingly starting to regret his decision to eat with them. He walked away into the kitchen.

"You didn't have to do that." Gabi said flustered, putting her menu down so Falco could see her face.