However Long The Night

TWELVE: The world will always be against you.

Like foretold, Rosario was there the next day. And the day after that. And currently the one after that one. Her duties remained being bookkeeper and serving tea. It wasn't as bad when she got into the routine of the higher ranking scouts. They spent all day cooped up in the office, from daylight to nighttime. It seemed to be a pattern for Rosario to be the last one to leave and the commander to stay behind reading until he had enough.

She did her rounds of tea like some tavern worker refilling ale. Most drank at normal pace, making her only do a round or two in an hour. Then there was Captain Levi, who ingested it like the stuff pumped through his veins and he needed to constantly replenish it. Rosario was astounded at how he went through cup after cup. Even more so at the fact he barely got up to go to the bathroom.

At first, she only refilled his cup when she did the others. Rosario couldn't have cared less if he went into withdrawals. However, when the commander regarded her with a pointed look and proceeded to drag his stare to the empty cup in front of the Captain, Rosario got the message loud and clear. The Captain's cup was not to remain empty for long periods of time.

"Top shelf. The information we have so far on titan shifters."

Rosario moved around the group of people and toward the bookcases. She got the book, placed it in front of Moblit and had all of one second before being asked for another.

"Get me another sheet, will you Rosie?"

"I need the blue log about the weapons inventory and material list."

"Give me the most updated map on the Walls we have."

Rosario moved quickly to get all the things before dumping them in front of the respective requesters. She knew all the shelves well enough by then, not needing time to think before gathering the books.

Hange gave her a smile when Rosario set the papers in front of them. "Thanks."

Before Rosario could move away, Hange took hold of her sleeve and pulled her back. Rosario's body went rigid, but she let herself be guided back. The Section Commander looked at her with a mischievous smile as they reached into their pocket and fished out something wrapped in a napkin. Rosario took it, opening when the Section Commander nudged her to. It was a cookie.

"I stole it from the kitchen. There were two but I ate one. Sorry about that. Either way, you're doing a good job, kiddo."

Rosario looked down at the cookie. She forced the words out of her throat. "Thank you, Section Commander."

But they didn't let go. Rosario looked at them expectantly. If they noticed, they pretended not to. "Eat it! It's really good, I promise."

Begrudgingly, Rosario popped the cookie in her mouth and chewed. It was bland, with just a touch of sugar. Somehow enjoyable despite the lack of rich flavor. Only when it was crumbs in her mouth, did the wave of sweetness hit her. Rosario stopped chewing and Hange Zoe's eyes went wide. "Apple! Good, right? Oh, crap. Go, go, go. Erwin is giving us disappointed looks."

Rosario walked toward the desk, picking up the pile of books that were no longer needed and turning to shelf them back. Even after swallowing, the sweet taste of apple sat on her tongue. Perhaps she'd steal some more.

--

"Aha!" Section Commander Hange snapped their fingers, pausing all other activity and conversation in the office. Rosario moved away from their flailing arms, protecting the kettle.

"What is it, Hange?" Commander Erwin asked.

Hange ignored him, turning to Armin on their left. "Here it is, Arlert. I knew it was there."