Phases

First Quarter

"She hasn't even really given us anything relevant, Hanji." Levi argues.
"What she has given us is quite good. We now have corroboration there was a creator of the titans!"
"She's telling campfire stories! Bullshit! Why am I the only person who sees this?"
"I know what I see! I see you crapping up the atmosphere in my lab when I'm trying to talk to her! Why are you even down there?"
"You guys-" Irwin tries to interject.
"I'm not saying I don't believe her about some things, anyway; I just think she's milking this out due to some ulterior motive."
"You guys please-" Erwin tries again.
"And I think you're looking for anyway to make the poor girl miserable. She lost her entire village!"
"IF there's a village." Levi emphasizes.
"You-" Erwin tries again.
"Of course, there's a village Levi, and we're going to find it!"
"We're actually going to waste resources on-"
"That's enough!" Irwin yells, startling them both.
They look at him in surprise, and the dull thud of his elbows on the table as he puts his face in his hands echoes in the sudden quiet.
"Levi, I want you to focus on training the cadets and only training the cadets." Erwin says, his voice muffled by his cupped hands. "When you have the free time, find something better to do than going down to Hanji's lab. You are a better soldier than this. What on earth is it about this girl that digs under your skin?"
He doesn't really give Levi a chance to answer, but instead turns to Hanji.
"And Hanji, gather as much more as you can. I will see about getting this expedition approved. You are both dismissed."
They stand up and are both about to leave when Erwin raises his head from his hands.
"Actually Levi, stay behind."
He sits back down and looks at Erwin calmly.
"What is your problem, Levi?"
"I don't trust her Irwin, it's a simple as that. I think she's using her knowledge to gain something from us and I want to know what it is."
"But you believe her."
"To an extent."
"Alright, I really do not want you in Hanji's lab, but outside of that keep as well of an eye on her as you can. Please come to me only with something concrete."
Levi nods shortly and heads out the door. Assigning the cadets to some cleaning duties, he next searches out Kia.
Nowhere.
Not a damn sign. Even Hanji has no clue.
"You tried her room?"
"I knocked several times." He dislikes his sudden anxiety about her whereabouts. Maybe he should check the roof....
No. She would not be out there this time of day.
"And didn't just barge on in like you normally would? I'm impressed." Hanji says with a grin.
"Shut the fuck up, Hanji."
"Levi, she's been telling me she's more tired during the day lately. She probably slept through your incessant pounding."
He turns without another word, and heads back down the hall; Hanji following.
"What?" She says, in response to his scowl. "I'm here to ensure you don't behave like an asshole."
Rolling his eyes, he stops at her door and knocks one more time for good measure.
Nothing.
Shrugging, he unlocks the door and walks in. There she is. Sure as shit, sleeping.
"Lazy bitch", he mutters and leans over to shake her awake.
The next thing he knows, he's pinned to her bed and she's straddling him; a wild and unfocused look in her eyes.
"Holy shit!" Hanji exclaims from the doorway.
He's brought back to that dream he had, the one where she pounced on him in the woods; and that pulsing sensation is back.
It's stronger than ever, and unthinkingly his trembling fingers reach up to gently trace her lower lip.
With a growl of frustration, he throws her off of him, and she hits the floor; rolling and springing to her feet.
Marveling at her agility, he slowly gets up. Now there are cadets gathered around as well.
Great.
"What are you doing in my room?" Kia asks, clasping the front of her gown. It had come undone during their little wrestling match, and the gawking cadets make her uncomfortable.
"You should be spinning your web of lies in Hanji's lab right about now, not being a lazy worthless shit."
"Get. Out." She growls at him, furious at his behavior towards her. Not only that, but that pervasive pulsing is back again; pulling at her greedily.
He flips her off, a childish gesture sure; but he doesn't really care at this point.
And now she's smiling at him. What is it with this bitch?
"Really Levi? Right here, right now? There are a lot of people around to witness your utter failure, are you sure?"
A muffled 'Oh shit!' sounds out amongst the mass of cadets, followed by a chorus of 'shhhh!'. Hanji however, laughs openly.
"Would you like to take the horses out?" Hanji asks once she stops laughing. "We can talk as we ride."
Kia is too busy staring at Levi, a challenge in her eyes. He gazes back, determined not to lose this match.
"We're not even the same species, dog."
She laughs.
"Even a dog like me is above you."
Gritting his teeth, he takes a step towards her. Their eyes still don't leave each other as he orders everyone out of the room. The cadets race for the door, but Hanji stays.
"Levi, stand down." She says worriedly.
"Get the fuck out, Hanji." He growls, still not taking his eyes off of Kia.
"Levi! I-"
"It is okay, Hanji. He has anxiety regarding his performance. Understandable. I will go easy on this poor thing."
The door snicks shut, leaving them in utter silence. Minutes stretch out, and still the silent showdown.
"Whatever this is you are doing to me it needs to stop, Levi." The tremble in her voice catches his attention and he steps closer.
"I'm unsure what you mean, Kia. Why don't you explain." He's finally calming down enough to talk, but that pulsing feeling hasn't gone away. He's unsure why, but he feels he can't trust himself right now. This sensation...
"This pulsing thing you make me feel. Deep down, it is here!" She exclaims, balling a fist into her stomach.
Tilting his head curiously, he steps closer still.
"You are the one causing it, Kia. Not me, and I would ask you to stop."
"You need to leave!"
Looking into her wide eyes, he realizes she's not wrong. If anything, he needs to get as far away from her as possible. Giving her one last look, he storms hurriedly out and slams the door.
The pulsing subsides only once he's on the other side of the barracks.

He's in the forest again, surrounded by wolves. There is nothing aggressive about their behavior, in fact some of them are rubbing up against his legs. A couple towards the end of the mass are having a friendly jaw-sparring match, and he finds their antics amusing.
Soon though, they part from him and leave an open path. Kia is standing at the end. Ahu Ur is standing by her side. He lets out a series of growls and yips, that Kia seems to understand as language.
"Nahu, ahu su nadanu na aksu."
(Calm down brother he gives no danger)
The wolf relaxes and the two turn away, going farther into the woods.
It's strange he thinks, strange that he can understand what she is saying; but he does. He also doesn't want to lose sight of her, and without hesitation he follows.
He can never seem to catch her. Why can't he catch her? She's up ahead, and the distance between them never seems to shrink. He hears panting behind him. A wolf, and a young one by the look. He has black fur and amber eyes, and is looking up at him in a rather friendly manner. At least, he hopes.
"Go on! Shoo!" He points back in the distance. The young wolf only bows in a playful gesture. Kia and Ahu Ur stop and turn to watch. He looks back at them.
"What the fuck am I supposed to do with this thing?" He asks. The little wolf has jumped up now, giving a playful yip.
Kia laughs. "Sharaku."
(The act of giving a present)
She turns and continues to walk, with Levi and the little wolf trailing behind.
He wakes up then, giving a huge yawn and stretches.
"Your name is Wasu As."
(Little one)
He gives a start at his own words, unsure how he knows this.