However Long The Night

FIVE: Do what needs to be done

Day by day went the same. Rosario didn't sleep a second over the time and no girl dared to even leave the room until every girl was ready to exit. She ate breakfast ever morning and had her dinner ever evening. Per Captain Levi's requests, Commander Smith ordered Rosario gradually get used to being outside. After a week of taking it easy with the heat, Rosario could finally be out all day without feeling on the brink of death. Copious amounts of water were still needed.

The training didn't nearly exert her body as much as she expected, so physically tired she never was. However, being surrounded by so many people all day, every day, took a toll on her she hadn't expected. Making allies felt impossible. She barely liked any of them, which was expected. It took her years to become agreeable with Pierre, Keegan and Mariola and she held nothing against them.

Still, those three weren't constantly hogging her to speak and interact and become friendly, so perhaps that's why it took so long.

Sasha Braus, apart from a hero, was annoyingly persistent.

For the fourth lunch in a row, she positioned herself beside Rosario. At first, Kirschtein and Springer didn't join, but those three seemed to be a package deal. It wasn't long before Rosario had all three of them in the edge of the table she chose specifically because it always stayed empty. Jaeger, Ackerman and Arlert didn't come as close, but their eyes constantly stayed close.

And just imposing on her personal space wasn't enough for Braus. She also had to talk Rosario's ear off. Despite the fact she rarely got a response, prompting her friends to join the 'conversation', Braus didn't stop.

"...and today we also had to help Section Commander Hange with her experiments, which was as exciting as it was terrifying. The woman is nuts. If it's her squad you're appointed to, Rosie, beware of her antics."

For the first time, Rosario's interest piqued. She set her spoon down and turned to Braus. "What makes you think I'll be appointed to any squad?"

It wasn't hard to miss the suspicious looks on Kirschtein and Springer's faces at her sudden interest. If Braus felt the same, she didn't let on for a second. Rosario had learned to not underestimate a single one of them.

Braus gave her a look as if it should be obvious. "Everyone is appointed to a squad for expeditions and missions. No one is a lone soldier here. But there's two squads that are permanent at all times. Those are the Levi and Hange squads. Levi Squad is mostly for the front lines. We handle missions that require battle. Hange Squad is composed for intelligence and reconnaissance. The muscle and brain, you could say. We work together but mostly have different tasks. The others squads provide backup and do tasks that are not given enough severity like for our squad to be called for."

Rosario made sure to remember all the information. "So the Hange Squad would be the ones that direct themselves mostly to the officials inside Mitras when something new about Titans comes to light? Since they provide new research."

Braus seemed pleased at her interest, "yes. Exactly."

Rosario nodded. "So you think I'll get appointed to her squad? I've been here, what, nine days? Isn't it too soon to decide?"

It was Kirschtein who answered. "For a regular soldier, perhaps. We didn't get appointed to the Levi Squad until it's other members all died. Except for Petra, that is. That was months after we actually joined the Scouts. You, however, much like Mikasa and the captain himself, seem to be stronger than the regular soldier. You sure you aren't an Ackerman?"

Rosario wanted to laugh at the thought. It was ridiculous. Still, how would she explain how much she knew she wasn't an Ackerman? Instead, she shrugged, looking down at the table. "I've been an orphan my whole life. Got no idea who my real parents are or what bloodline I belong to."