The Humanity's Strongest & The Graceful

The First Experiment

After Hange and Tessa join the rest of the team inside the planning room, they see Levi standing in front of the chalkboard, looking over the idea of Hange's again. Tessa looks at Hange, who has a massive grin as she bounces on her heels, which makes Tessa shake her head before popping her knuckles, "Let's get started." She announces with a grin as she walks to the front. Hange goes by the crate and sits atop it while folding her hands, listening to the two Captains looking over the plan again. When the girls walked through the castle, Hange decided for Tessa and Levi to explain it since everyone would tune her out because of her excitement with her experiments. Plus, she always loved seeing Tessa and Levi act with one mind because it always impressed her how they were opposites in personality, yet they were alike when taking charge. Hange lets out a mischievous giggle at the thought again of the hypothetical child of Levi and Tessa being just like their parents. Of course, no one, not even the Captain with the keen hearing, heard her mischievous giggle.

While the two Captains overlook the paperwork of Hange's again, Levi looks at Tessa, "While we were waiting for you and Four-Eyes to join us, I came up with an idea, so we won't actually kill Eren." He informs in a low whisper, and Tessa raises a brow, "Which is?" She asks, and Levi turns with his back facing the team, "Do you remember how those kids said they struggled in getting Eren out of his Titan before Rico had to cut him out?" He asks, and Tessa nods, remembering the burn marks she had seen on Eren's face after they rescued the group. Levi says nothing as he hands Tessa a new sheet, explaining where he is going with his question as Tessa's sky-blue eyes glaze over it. It was of the possibility of Eren becoming stuck in his Titan again, to which they would need to cut his limbs off to help free him better. Tessa rests her chin in her free hand, thinking of this working because it would also give Eren enough time to recover his strength and possible senses in case he loses control again. She meets Levi's gaze, delivering an understanding look in her eyes, signaling that she agrees with this idea.

With Tessa agreeing with his idea, Levi turns to face Eren standing behind the two, "Good news, I may have come up with a way of stopping you without killing you." He announces, which makes Eren gulp as he jumps, "Sir?" He asks in a shaky voice, and Tessa pinches the bridge of her nose because she knows that even after almost a month, Eren is still scared of Levi, "It's for your Titan form, Eren." She reassures him, and Eren nods as he lets out a shaky breath and shifts his questioning gaze to Levi. Levi turns his stance while grabbing the chalk off the blackboard, "We may have found a middle ground, after all," He informs before drawing a figure, "The method I have come up with will only leave you mutilated, well, it's at a theory. It really depends on individual skill." He explains, and Tessa cuts her eyes over to Hange, who is already writing it down before meeting her gaze where it can be another idea to try today.

After Levi finishes the drawing, he takes a step back for everyone else to see, "Essentially, it involves cutting you out of your Titan's nape while you're still inside. The only thing to get severed will be your limbs." He says, and Eren jumps before Tessa puts a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "I know this is scary, Eren, but this is good. Because the important thing is you will survive this." She reminds him, to which he nods, only for Levi to click his tongue, "Your limbs will grow back like a lizard. You creepy little bastard." He insults, but Tessa elbows him, "Quit it." She growls, which makes Levi rolls his eyes because he is only being honest. However, Eren is still trying to process what Levi had said, "W-Wait. I still don't know how it happens, Captain," He says while stepping back, "What if it doesn't work? I don't think it's worth the risk." He admits, which makes Levi narrow his storm-colored eyes at him.

Tessa and Hange lock their eyes, recognizing this intense glare of Levi's since they have seen it for the past six years. Silence passes for a few minutes as Levi continues his narrowed gaze on the fifteen-year-old while he places the chalk on the board, "Oh, I see. You're only interested without taking any risks, right?" He rhetorically asks, and Eren gulps, "No, I-" He goes to say, but Levi stops him, "Then be prepared because all of us are in the same boat as you. If you go on a rampage, you could kill us. So we're even." He says in his deadpan tone, and Eren slowly nods, "Yes, sir. It seems perfectly fair to me." He agrees though the frightened look is still in his eyes. Seeing that fear makes Tessa shake her head as she puts her hands on both Levi's and Eren's shoulders, causing both of them to look at her, "Alright, that's enough," She says before looking at Eren, "Eren, do you remember what I told you, Mikasa, and Armin, that night of your graduation?" She asks, and Eren nods, "Yes, you told us to be ready for anything if we want to join the Scouts." He recalls, and Tessa nods, "Right, which is why you need to be ready for this. You can and will have to trust us, okay?" She asks, and Eren nods again, "Right, Captain Tessa." He weakly smiles.