However Long The Night

THREE: A new world

Rosario had been outside of Tamashi before. For certain raids she had to see the world above. Despite her efforts, despite what she told herself, she couldn't help feel giddy at being once again above ground. Especially after leaving Trost for the Scout Traning Quarters.

She would never stop being from Tamashi even if for the rest of her life she never set foot on it again. There was no pride in that to her or anyone who came from the underground. It was simply a fact.

Tamashi is not a place you live in, it's a place you survive. It means something to the people below to make it past a certain age down there. To survive day by day. There's no honor in the city, but a testament of strength and the will to live.

Had she truly made it out? Had she found what everyone in her city desired? Fresh air and a better life? Had she truly been saved by the betrayal she endured?

The whole way to their destination, Rosario couldn't help but truly think about what was told to her. Had there been any doubt in her mind that Oliver had, in fact, sold her out to save his own hide, Rosario would have jumped off the wagon and taken her chances. Over and over she went through the sequence of events, even coming up with explanations for certain aspects.

Still, they all came to the same conclusion. She'd been sacrificed. Rosario would never see the scouts as a second chance, but she'd been damned to stay where she isn't wanted. She was born to be independent. Raised to be all she needed. It wouldn't change because she grew attached to one man. It was about time she remembered who she was.

At first, only lights carried by Scouts on wagons and horses illuminated the way. Everything past what the light could reach was pitch dark, very much like her home.

Now, with the majority of their way undergone, dawn has started to break and the sun has begun to light the way for them. Rosario hadn't caught a wink of sleep the entire way. No idea why, either. She truly didn't believe they'd try to kill her. Despite his ease with words, she wholly believed Armin Arlert when he said she was in no danger from them.

Perhaps the unknown kept her awake, or simply the very nature of her being. She was bred to always lack trust and question everything, to never give an inch.

Instead, she watched as the horses trotted and the Scouts spoke to pass the time. Springer and Braus seemed to love telling jokes. Some were actually funny. Springer favored puns while Braus went for insanely clever jabs. Rosario caught herself wanting to laugh after each one.

Kirschtein, who for the better part of the ride spent between laughing at their jokes and telling them they were idiots, was told to shut up and conserve energy after being caught nearly falling asleep on his horse for the second time.

Rosario kept her eyes ahead until they reached a building and the horses began to slow down. Everything from here was territory she isn't acquainted with. Only her mother, long ago, had told her about other places within the walls, but those were stories. This was the first time Rosario truly saw more of the island. 

The Scouts led the the horses into stables, getting off and securing them. Arlert and Petra Ral were Rosario's designated babysitters by order of the commander. They, upon waking up, led her out of the wagon and stood beside her as the commander gave the order of what to do next.

"Rest," Erwin Smith said. "We will take up our duties once we've all had some rest. I will announce what our plans are for the upcoming weeks. In the meantime, go to your rooms and get some well-deserved respite."

No one needed to be told twice. After a salute and unified confirmation of the order, the scouts began to head toward their sleeping quarters or wherever they decided to spend their resting time. Only a few remained to ask the commander certain things, but eventually they all left. In the end, only Rosario and a few others remained.