Life of Maverick: In the Land of Giant Man Eaters

-Chapter 35: Season of Giving-

T'was the night of the winter solstice, and all through the base, Squad Four's leader ran from hall to hall, giving her crew quite a chase.

For she had heard from Marlene that her dear comrade was returning home, causing her to drop everything she was doing in the workshop, literally as the machine she dropped nearly fell on Moblit's foot. Receiving an apologetic look from her friend the squad lifted up their work and went off to catch up with their leader, who was already far ahead of them.

Though the sound of her laughter echoing across the halls was very audible. Only matched by the loud tone of one Captain Levi.

"Watch it!"

Turning a corner the squad were met by the small statured scout, who was reclining on the wall, looking at the end of the hall, as the echoes of Hange's laughter reverberated. Dusing himself off he turned to see Moblit and the other juniors.

"Oi, what's up with her?" He asked. Moblit took a moment to catch his breath before answering.

"Just got word from Marlene. Ness spotted Maverick's carriage approaching the interior." Levi's pissed expression fell to a calmer and more neutral look as that certainly explained her far more erratic behavior.

"Ah. What it's been, almost a month now?" He scratched his chin. It had certainly been some time since the giant left. I was almost like the olden days.

"Month and a half, roughly." He let out a semi amused huff, that was certainly a long time. After a quick apology on Hange's behalf Moblit and the boys continued on in their pursuit, with Levi somewhat reluctantly following along, though he was in no real rush.

Meanwhile Hange was already reaching the front doors to the building, just in time to see both Erwin and Dieter talking among themselves.

"Ness, Ness! Did you really see him?!" Her voice caused Ness to jump slightly, while Erwin simply turned and smiled, long having grown used to her gleeful outbursts.

"Like I was telling Erwin, I spotted a certain carriage while I was taking Charlotte out for a little-"

He was interrupted as Hange ran between the two, slamming the double doors open and sprinted across the plaza.

"And there she goes." Ness chuckled. Just goes to show how much she missed the man. Erwin too had a humored look, though it quickly subsided as he wanted to hear more of his report.

"Anything else?" Ness leaned his head forwards wanting whatever he was about to sat to stay between the commander and him.

"Saw that there was a small cart attached to the back." Erwin's bushy brows raised in interest as Ness spoke in a serious tone. "Whatever was on it was covered Sir, hard enough to see with the snow. But not hard enough to see it was glowing."

"I see." Erwin found himself both intrigued and concerned. He recalled the main reason for Maverick's departure was only to oversee the construction of new artillery pieces.

"*Sigh* I'm sure Maverick will explain himself. But, for now let's gather the others and welcome him home."

Ness nodded and joined the commander as they headed for different sections of the plaza, only to take pause at the sight of the members of Squad Four as they ran in the direction of their leader, one nearly tripping on the snow.

-oOo-

Outside of the Survey Corps Headquarters

Adorned in their fur pelts the scouts stood outside the HQ's main entrance patiently waiting for their comrade's return, minus Hange who rocked her feet back and forth, anxiously hoping to see the carriage appear. Her hand grasped at her deer hood as she began to lose herself in her thoughts, thinking of all the things she wanted to do as soon as he got home.