Humanity's Strongest(Rivamika)

First Look

The riders camped in the Forest of Giant Trees, high up out of the reach of titans. Levi was concerned about the fact that no titans had targeted them on the ride there. Mei seemed very unconcerned about the whole affair. Levi wondered how she and her men had made the journey unscathed.

Levi watched in surprise as a pigeon alighted on Mei's shoulder, a scroll attached to its leg. Mei reached up to untie the scroll and her eyes slid rapidly down the note before tearing it into tiny pieces and let the fragments float down to the forest floor. The pigeon cooed contentedly from her soldier and Mei beckoned Mikasa over, transferring the bird from her shoulder to her hand. At Mei's encouraging, Mikasa reached out tentatively to stroke its head. The bird's eyes dipped close contentedly and Levi felt an irrational stab of jealously, wondering what it would feel like to experience Mikasa's soft touch.

Mei then said something to Erwin but Levi didn't bother to move closer to hear.

*time warp*

After traveling for six more days with no titan interference, Mei announced that they would glimpse New Asia at the next rise. Levi was still baffled by the lack of titans but kept his mouth shut. They rode over the next rise and a shining city rose into view. Tall buildings rose into the sky in vivid colors with intricated patterns carved into the doors. It was a a tangle of elegant buildings and wide streets that from this far away, Levi could see tiny moving dots that were the people that inhabited this bustling community.

Mei urged her horse into a gallop and her horse neighed triumphantly as if it knew it was home. A cloud of dust came streaming toward them and as it approached, Levi recognized the men that accompanied Mei to the Scouting Legion headquarters.

They smiled and waved, jabbering at Mei in a confusing language. Levi saw Mikasa's wide eyes taking on the vibrancy of life that emanated from these people. The most noticeable difference between New Asia and the walled cities was the aura of contentment, the absence of despair.

Mei would later explain that the tall buildings with the strange roofs were called pagodas, a style that was prevalent in Asia before the titans. As they traversed the streets towards the center of the city Levi saw a lifestyle he would never have dreamed of. People flocked to the streets chattering in foreign languages, but Levi recognized Mei's name, he assumed they were welcoming her back. She seemed immensely popular and well known. Small children with features that reminded him of Mikasa ran happily after the returning Asians. Mei lead them to a building at the center of the city. It was enormous. It had a wide, green courtyard with sidewalks made from white gravel criss crossing over the entire vacinity. Trees Levi had never seen before were placed randomly. They had blossoms that were a vivid pink. The building was the size of a castle with several stories and a set magnificent double doors at the entrance. Mei opened them, seemingly unmindful of the time and skill it must of taken to carve such striking images into them.

On the immediate other side of the doors a sparse entryway greeted them. Mei slipped off her boots, her men following suit. They left them lying haphazardly on the floor before stepping up on a dais where the floor was made from smooth, clean sandalwood. A few paintings were hung up, simple water color portraits of a rose, a bird, and a young boy.

A spiraling staircase rose througjt the center of the room, presumably to the numerable levels this building. Mei beckoned them down a different hallway and each door opened to simple but elegant room. Mei explained that this was the living level, bathrooms were at the end if the hall. Each bedroom had a mattress on the floor and a paper screen in the corner for changing. Levi was amazed at the spartan elegance. He was used to simplicity, but this was soothing and peaceful. Abstract designs decorated the building. Mei told them to rest and relax, she would be back to show them around later. Hange, Erwin, Eren, and Armin collapsed gratefully in their chosen bedrooms. Mikasa hesitated, looking at Mei, before retiring to her room. Levi didn't bother going to his room. He didn't sleep much anyway.
Mei disappeared, presumably making the rounds in her precious city. Levi had a mind to wonder around, but he was concerned that the Asians would not take kindly to his snooping. Plus he couldn't speak their languages, it would be hard to explain himself. With nothing else to do, he silently followed Mei's retreating figure. He followed her up the spiral staircase he'd seen in the center of the entryway. On the first floor he paused, amazed. The square room was lined with  nothing but shelves of books.
Rows upon rows, stacks upon stacks of books and scrolls filled the place. A square table set in the corner and Levi was baffled at how low it was to the floor. A stack of cushions rested beside it. Were you supposed to sit on the floor? That was kind of weird. He was startled when Mei's voice sounded behind him, "No doubt many of these books would interest you, but you cannot read our languages." Levi refused to admit he'd been snooping around.
Mei shrugged at him, "Since you're going to be awake, I might as well show you around, you can show your friends around when they wake up." Levi nodded and followed her up to the second level.

OK phew! It's a lot harder to describe buildings than you'd think! Also chapter 67 of the manga is out and just when I think I have Levi figured out, he just surprises me again. Try to think of New Asia as the Forbidden City, except with some changes. Here's the center building Mei lives in. http://onestep4ward.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/forbidden-city.jpg