Life of Maverick: In the Land of Giant Man Eaters

-Chapter 15: Tales by the Fireside-

Old Man Winter had arrived in the lands inside the Walls. Despite the cold winds and chilly snowfall, there was a sense of merriment among the denizens of the three Walls. For many know the winter season to be a time when the large man-eaters outside their bastion let up, thus allowing humanity a few months of relative peace. To the more informed and knowledgeable, the lack of sunlight during the winter months caused the titans to slow down in their movements, making them slower and easier to deal with.

Regardless, the lull in their enemy's actions was reason enough to celebrate and enjoy the winter solstice. While the military sent their soldiers to maintain watch over the walls and their commanders planned their next actions, the children of the land played in the snow, revelers sung and danced in the streets, friends and families gathered to enjoy in each other's company, and the devoted preached and spoke their litanies. All in all, good times were had by all.

Minus a few of course, including a certain large statured scout.

-oOo-

Near the outer breach, Shiganshina District

The members of the Scout Regiment were returning back to the Shiganshina District, after dealing with yet another group of titans that were sighted making their way towards the outer wall of the district. To say it was an easy engagement might have been a bit of an understatement, but the fact that the lack of much sunlight made their foes groggier and slower in their movements, certainly shifted the pendulum in the scout's favor. That, and the assistance of their resident superhuman was always a boon.

Speaking of him, some had noticed a slight change in Maverick's attitude, none more so than his squad mates, especially his Squad Leader. Hange had noticed that throughout their engagement, Maverick was a bit...off, so to speak. While his performance was awe inspiring as always, it was the expression on his face that brought her attention. For Maverick always had a look of assurance whenever they went out, a smirk on his face whenever he knocked the teeth out of a titan or ripped a nape with his bare hands, but today was different.

He had a rather flat look to him, as if his mind was somewhere else. While a small smile did cross his face a few times, it didn't seem to be directed at either the scouts or at the situation at hand. Even as they returned to the district his head still seemed to be in the clouds, as he watched the snow fall around the ruined structures of the district.

Hange continued to take nervous glances at her comrade as he continued to walk at a slower pace, causing some of the scouts to maneuver their horses around him. Even Levi voiced his concern.

"Oi! Pick up the pace you glowing oaf!" He shouted. Unfortunately, it did little as the marked man continued to walk in his slow pace. He turned to Hange with a look that told her to deal with him. She understood his look and slowed her horse down, matching Maverick's speed. She coughed, trying to get his attention, to no effect. She then spoke in a soft yet concerned tone.

"Mav? Is everything alright?" She received no response from the man as he continued to walk across the road, humming a little tune as he kept his pace slowed. Hange pouted while a slightly worried look formed on her face. She had seen this behavior from him a couple months back, but it wasn't as bad as this. As she tried to think of a way to get his attention, and idea suddenly popped in her head.

'Oh!'' She thought, why didn't she think of it sooner. She'd do the same thing that Levi always did whenever she got to focused into her work. It always worked for her, so she assumed Maverick would be no different.

"*Helloooo? Hanji to Mav?*" She began to snap her fingers at a rapid pace in front of his face, uncaring for the looks from the rest of the scouts. It worked almost immediately as Maverick's eyes glowed brighter, snapping him back to reality.