Microcosmos || Rivamika

Ch9 Tybur's Palace

Summary: Levi finds an unexpected face inside of the Tybur palace as Willy and Magath return two days early. A cramped closet proves to be a much needed hiding place for safety and warmth amidst the growing dangers of the palace.

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"One whole week until their getaway ship back to Hizuru?" Hange plopped into a chair before slumping over the table. The past two weeks without the Captain of the Scouts has been a pain in the ass, and all the weight of the rise of the Yeagerists fell on her shoulders alone. The initial trip to Marley proved to be unsuccessful in establishing any kind of peace with the outer world, and it meant Pixis and Zachary had little to no grace for their troubles.

A knock on the door sounded. The door swung wide open, revealing Onyankapon trailed by Connie, Sasha and Jean who promptly gathered around him for the big welcome. He laughed nervously, reassuring the curious soldiers that the adventure was nothing to be praised for on his end while miserably attempting to answer their unending questions. How are Captain and Mikasa? Where are they? Have they found Eren yet?

"Alright, alright, alright. Leave the man alone! No questions from you!" Hange stood from her chair abruptly as the Scouts filed back into line, quieting themselves. Hange shoved away Onyankapon's handshake and replaced it with a friendly hug and a smiling face. "Welcome back! How is Mikasa? How is Levi? Did Levi open my gift? How was Hizuru? What was it like? Was the climate okay? Did they leave for Marley ye-"

"From what I know, they were supposed to leave for Marley together from Hizuru," Onyankapon fixed the collar of his suit and re-adjusted his hat. "However, Lady Kiyomi sent the message that they had left separately after an... undisclosed mishap. Captain had left some time after Mikasa. There is no way to tell if they found each other."

Jean scratched his undercut. "Mishap...?"

"OH, OH, OH! Did they get into a fight?" Sasha interrupted, a glint of excitement over the potential gossip lit in her eyes. She was always easily entertained.

"They always used to get into fights..." Jean rolled his eyes, still bitter about the fact that the Captain was getting to travel alone with his raven-haired crush.

Sasha rolled her eyes back at her friend. "But they never do anymore! Maybe there's some kinda love triangle quarrel..."

"Love triangle?"

Connie received a headbutt from Jean. "Are you dumb, Connie? They're going back to reunite with the suicidal maniac she's obsessed with. Maybe the Captain's just jealous... Hah... Jealous..." Jean turned his back to the room of soldiers snickering to himself.

"Oh..." Connie's mouth was agape as he nodded to an understanding.

The room went silent and all signs of gossip came to a halt.

"So... Think they've done it yet?"

"DAMMIT, CONNIE." Jean threw his hands in the air. His eyes pierced into his bald friend as if wanting to kill him on the spot.

Onyankapon hid his face behind his fedora as Hange burst out in laughter, allowing the chaotic conversation to continue.

"What?! What else are they gonna do alone while waiting for Eren to show up?" Connie was dumbfounded. "I mean... We're all thinking it, right?"

Sasha's sly face was pure red as she looked off to the side giggling and thinking of... things. Jean ran across the room to shake her out of it, smacking the back of her head.