A Little Bit Human (Erwin x OC)

34: Visitor

The next couple days went by painfully slowly. Lillian never thought that spending time with Levi's squad could become boring. Or maybe she was just getting older and didn't understand their sense of humor.

But even now when they weren't joking around, and just sitting around a table drinking tea and talking. Talking like adults. Lillian still felt out of place.

"It's safe to assume our standing orders will stretch into next week. But word through the grapevine is we're gearing up for a big mission a month from now." Eld, Levi's second in command, and quietest one of the bunch explained. "One where a bunch of wet-behind-the-ears graduates are slated to be our main backup."

Lillian watched as Eren's face grew from a bored expression to a worried one. Everyone in Levi's squad was sitting at the same table. Lillian sat at one of the empty tables around them, wanting to only listen and not speak. She was resting her head in her arms on the table.

"That can't be right. Why do something like that?" Gunther asked. "The cadets have been through enough with the last titan attack. Why subject them to that kind of danger again?"

"You have to wonder how many of those snivel-drop runts peed themselves." Oluo chuckled.

"I don't remember you doing any better, Oluo." Lillian mumbled.

"Surely this can't be the case." Petra said.

"Mission planning isn't my responsibility. But, it is Erwin's." Lillian's head picked up upon hearing Erwin's name out of Levi's mouth. "And you can bet the man's obsessed over every angle."

"That's the truth. Especially given how unique the situation is. Consider how many people died on the path to taking back Wall Maria, then hope comes in a form no one expected. One that we're not even entirely sure how to deal with." Eld looked over to Eren. Everyone was looking at Eren. "Most of us still find it hard to believe. So how does it work? This whole changing into a titan trick. Really?"

"Wish I could tell you, but the fact is my memory's not clear. Guess it's kinda like being in a trance. I do know the trigger seems to be hurting myself in some way. Like biting my hand." Eren explained.

"You're not going to get anything out of him. Apart from what the scribblers have laid out in the reports. Not that you-know-who won't have a go at it." Levi took a sip of tea. "You'll be lucky to come out of it alive if that one lays into you. 'Course it's only a matter of time."

"Who're you talking about?" Eren's eyes darted to all the faces around the table.

Speak of the devil, or in this case the crazy lady and she shall come. The sound of Hange hitting the door rang through the room. Followed by her cursing at the door. Petra got up and took the bar off the door.

"I'm so sorry. Good evening, Team Levi!" Hange's eyes looked around the room. "And Lillian. How is castle life treating everyone?"

"You're too early." Levi grumbled.

"Am I? S'pose I couldn't help myself." Hange marched over towards Eren.

"Section Commander Hange?"

"Hello, Eren. In the event you haven't pieced it together yet, it's my job to spearhead the Scout Regiment's research efforts. Essentially, I poke and prod our captive titan specimens. I'd very much like your help."

"My help? In what way? Like, what would I have to do?"

"Join me, of course! On a quest of scientific discovery!"

Oh god. Lillian thought. She could tell by that crazy look Hange had in her eyes. There was still time to save Eren.

"Well, uh. I'm happy to help, except I'm afraid it's not up to me. I'm under close restrictions by order of the higher ups, you see."