𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙧 |AotxMaleOc

Together

About 4 years had gone by now and Shiganshina was finally starting to return to its pre-attack population. Wall Maria itself began to really start to thrive economically, this was mostly thanks to Historia's initiatives to invest in the area. Particularly in industry, something Ari and others had advised her was going to be necessary. Talia had really been growing up quickly as well, all of Ari and Historia's friends had loved meeting her for the first time and she loved all her Aunties and Uncles, all apart from Levi who Talia found kinda scary.

They had intercepted and stolen many Marlyen naval vessels that had tried to go to Paradise which were promptly pressed into servicing of the new Eldian navy. Well the ones Ari or Eren didn't break in half or damage beyond repair that is. They received training on how to work these huge machines from the sailors themselves. Ari and Hange loved the ships, they loved learning about how they worked and what powered them. Ari reasoned that Paradies rare resource would be a much better and more powerful source of fuel which it was.

With the help of these volunteers Paradise now produced more advanced weapons such as bolt action rifles and semi-auto pistols. Train tracks were laid and rail cars rode on them to further improve transportation. Paradise underwent massive change in such little time, but Ari knew that while all of it was great, it was nowhere near the level Marley was at. However the problem with that was they had never actually been to Marley. Ari had books detailing it but they were very dated, one of the volunteers, Yelena, had described it to them. But that just wasn't good enough and Ari frankly did not fully trust Yelena. So the decision was made, Hange would lead a mission with Ari, Levi, and the others to Marley for reconnaissance.

The plan was to sail out with smaller boats in the dead of night and climb aboard a commercial passenger ship and once they reached port just depart like normal passengers. Then another volunteer by the name of Onyankopon who they had met already would greet them and take them to the residence of the Kiyomi's, a group they had met with previously. They represent a struggling nation and want to form an alliance with the new Eldian nation, but their conditions for an alliance were that they would basically get a monopoly over Paradise's unique resources, something they would not give up.

The day before the operation had finally arrived, Ari did not get his uniform ready, instead he got a nice suit ready which is what they were all going to wear. Ari looked at himself in a bathroom mirror and adjusted his tie, he tried to picture what an average Marleyan citizen looked like. He was going to be among the first people to actually see the enemy; the vast majority of them had no idea had been plaguing them for 100 years.

Historia stood beside him with her hand on his shoulder. She got on her toes and kissed his cheek.

Historia: Darling, calm down, you'll be just fine. It's only a reconnaissance mission.

Ari took a deep breath and tried to calm his nerves a little.

Ari: You're right, I'll be fine.

Talia then entered the bathroom and had a super bright expression on her face. She had on her favorite little floral blue dress. She had long brown hair that went down a little past her shoulders. It flowed as she walked right up to her dad and looked up at him with her bright blue eyes and hopeful expression.

Talia: Daddy, when you get back will you teach me to use ODM gear?

Ari and Historia chuckled a little bit at her question. Ever since the two began telling Talia stories of their adventures she's been asking constant questions about them and if they will teach her stuff.

Ari: I told you, when you're older.

Talia pouted a little.

Talia: Well...Will you or mom teach me how to fight soon?