The Humanity's Strongest & The Graceful

A Shared Secret

While Levi was with Shadis discussing the Cadets that required extra help, Tessa went into the cabin to prepare the letter for Erwin to inform him of the first day of this week. Before they left, Erwin requested to have letters of the progress to see if this would need to be an annual thing for the Captains to be there to teach the Cadets. Tessa realized Kip wasn't with her, so he must be with Levi. She started laughing about earlier when Levi said Kip was partially his, yet he never complains if Kip's by his side more than Tessa's. After walking inside the cabin, Tessa takes off her jacket to put it on the hook, then pops the kinks out of her back. As the knots slowly start fading, Tessa takes down her hair while flopping onto the bed, "Finally, a moment of peace." She whispers while letting out an exhausted exhale. Even though she already knew what the letter for Erwin would say, Tessa wanted to enjoy this break of being a Captain and teacher for only a moment. Tessa takes another deep breath before pulling herself off the bed because she feels the exhaustion slowly taking over her body, which means Levi will find her asleep and the letter not written. Tessa digs in her bag for her journal and pen after starting a fire in the fireplace. While still looking for it, the clasp on Tessa's watch breaks, "Fuck." She curses when she grabs ahold of the book's spine to put it on the table, just for the entire timepiece to fall apart. Tessa sighed while separating the pieces, "Well, I guess it was time for this one to get replaced." She muttered as she put them in one of the pockets of her bag. After sitting down, Tessa opens her journal and begins writing the letter to Erwin.

While Tessa finishes writing the letter, there is a knock on the door. She raises a brow because she knows Levi would just walk in, so who could it be? Tessa puts the pen down to greet her unknown visitor, and to her surprise, it is Mikasa, "Hey, Mikasa, everything okay?" She asks, and Mikasa nods, "Yeah, it is. I wanted to let you know that Kip was with Eren and me, so you didn't have to worry like last time." Mikasa explains while petting Kip's head, who barks happily from the attention. Tessa smiles as she watches her hound's tail wagging and shakes her head, "Levi's right. You are spoiled, Kip," She chuckles, then looks at Mikasa, "Thank you, Mikasa. I'm glad that Kip was with you guys." She says, and Mikasa smiles, "You're welcome, Tessa. There is something else, but if you are busy, I understand." Mikasa suggests as she adjusts her red scarf. Tessa noticed the nervousness in Mikasa's fidgeting. It was almost like hers whenever she messed with the wing around her neck. Tessa shakes her head while opening the door wider, "No, I'm not busy. I just finished a letter for Commander Erwin before you knocked. So come in because it seems like you need my advice." She insists, and Mikasa nods while giving her a weak smile as she walks into the cabin.

After Mikasa walks in, Tessa closes and then locks the door, hoping no one else will disturb this talk between them. She offers the seat opposite her, and Mikasa sits, "Thank you, Tessa," Mikasa smiles, "I'm sorry that I haven't used your title, I-" She goes to say, but Tessa holds her hand up, "Mikasa, listen to me. Right now, it's just two women talking, so I'm just Tessa right now. You just have to use it in front of your superiors, okay?" She asks, and Mikasa nods, "That also goes for Eren and Armin too." She adds, and Mikasa nods again, "I'll let them know." Mikasa agrees before twiddling her thumbs in her lap. Tessa crosses her arms while narrowing her eyes at Mikasa and smiles, "I think I see what they mean that you're the new me." She says cryptically, and Mikasa raises a brow, "Sorry?" She asks. Tessa pokes her cheek with her tongue, "Shadis and Levi said that you are the new me, and now I see it," Tessa answers, "Especially since you're the Cadet surpassing my score by keeping up with my speed and agility, and now you're fidgeting is almost like mine." She reveals, and Mikasa's eyes widen, "I-I am?" She asks, and Tessa nods before telling her what Shadis had told her earlier.

While giving the summary to Mikasa, Tessa watches Mikasa's face turn in amazement from hearing high regard from Shadis, Levi, and Tessa herself. There was even a pink tint on Mikasa's cheeks, which made Tessa smile. Mikasa lightly chuckles as she adjusts her scarf, "I-I didn't know I was that close to surpassing you, Tessa." She confesses, and Tessa laughs, "Believe me, I'm happy to know it's one of you three." Tessa reassures her, which makes Mikasa smile. Tessa leans forward and folds her hands onto the table, "Now, what's on your mind?" Tessa asks. Mikasa takes a deep breath as she meets Tessa's sky-blue gaze, "Is there anything you could do to change Eren's mind about joining the Scouts?" She asks, and Tessa's eyes widen, "What do you mean? I thought all three of you wanted to join the Scouts since I met you," She questions, and Mikasa looks away, which makes Tessa narrow her eyes, "Mikasa, what is it?" She asks. Mikasa sighed as she tried to find the right words to say, "I-I just don't want Eren to get hurt, and I won't be there to stop it," She paused and looked at Tessa again, "Tessa, can I ask you something?" She asks, and Tessa nods, "How do you balance what to do in the field and protect someone you care about?" Mikasa asks.