A Myriad of Scents (RivaMika Week 2015)

Day 4 - Sweet

JULY 6TH, Day 4: Sweet (e.g. Molasses)

Mikasa opened her tired eyes, and propped herself up in the unfamiliar bed. She remembered the events of the previous night: the fire and smoke that engulfed the scout's headquarters, and her attempts to find Sasha and Eren with Levi. She rose from the bed, still in her scout's uniform and headed toward the window. It had been early morning when she had gone to bed, exhausted by the exertion of the events the previous night. The sun now hung low in the sky to the west, suggesting that it was the afternoon.


She remembered Levi's last words to her, "Find me later, when you've had some sleep, Ackerman."
Mikasa stretched her limbs, trying to rid them of the sleep that still laced them. Her muscles, now more in tune with her wakeful mind, began to make their way out of the room, and towards the courtyard outside.


I have no idea where to find him. Mikasa realised, as she saw that most of the other scouts had already woken up. Most of them were lounging around, some lying in the grass, chatting with each other and taking it easy. It wasn't often that they were given time of from their usual rigorous training. Mikasa observed the unfamiliar crests of the Garrison go past. She assumed that these must be members of Stationary Guard that had been sent by Commander Pixis to help repair the damage to the Survey Corps headquarters that had been caused by the fire.


Mikasa stood in the courtyard for a moment deciding what to do, when a pang of hunger struck her. I haven't eaten since dinner last night. Deciding that food was a priority, Mikasa set off for the dining room. She was met by her fellow members of the 104th. Sasha as per usual, had a large plate of food in front of her, which she diligently protected from Jean's nimble fingers. Eren was sitting with Reiner and Bertholdt, the three of them deep in conversation. Armin was at the other end of the room, talking with two men who each wore a crest with two red roses – from the Garrison no doubt.


"Mikasa! You're finally up." Sasha said with her mouth full of food. Mikasa had no idea how she spoke with all that food in her mouth, without any of it falling out.
"Yeah, I was pretty tired. Have you guys been up long?" Mikasa said taking a seat.
"Maybe an hour or so ago." Jean replied, "You want some food? Everyone was getting up at different times, so the guys on cooking duty left food in the kitchen for us to take when we wanted."
"Sure." Mikasa said rising from her chair.
"Sit down; I'll get it for you." Jean said with a smile.


Mikasa nodded, and turned back to Sasha. "How are you after last night?"
Sasha put down her fork and looked directly as Mikasa.
"Mikasa, I am so sorry about last night. The fire was my fault."
Mikasa shook her head in response. "It's OK Sasha. I'm just glad that everyone got out safely, including you."
"Seriously Mikasa, I feel so guilty. You and Captain Levi could have gotten hurt or even worse..." Sasha's voice trailed off.
"But we didn't." Mikasa said definitively.


Jean returned with a plate full of bread, cheese and sliced beef. Mikasa gave her thanks to the blond haired boy, and he took his seat with the girls.
"So what happened to you and Captain Levi after Sasha left? You guys were in there for a long time." Jean asked.
Mikasa recounted her story to her friends as best as she could. Heads turned in their direction when Sasha let out a roar of laughter, as Mikasa explained about not wanting the give the ODM gear to Levi.
"Yeah, you guys looked very comfortable when we found you on the floor after taking a tumble from the window." Sasha jested.
"Funny." Mikasa said, making sure to coat her comment with sarcasm.


Jean cleared his throat in preparation to say something.
"I'm glad you're okay Mikasa. But you should be more careful, what you did yesterday was really risky."
Mikasa turned her head in Jean's direction.
"I would have done it for any of you guys – not just for Eren, if that's what you're thinking." Mikasa retorted.
Jean crossed his arms and a slight pout formed on his lips.
"Still though, you should be more careful."


Mikasa ate her food, as the rest of her friends joined them at the table. Armin, through talking with the Garrison members, told them that the repairs would be finished in a few days.
"Yeah and I'll bet that Captain Levi will have us on cleaning duty for a week non-stop to clear up all the soot and ash." Jean added, his tone was miserable.


Mikasa stood up and announced that she was going for a walk, when the others offered to accompany her she explained that she would prefer to go alone. None of them thought anything of it; they knew Mikasa needed time to herself sometimes. As she made her way down the corridor, she remembered that she had no idea where to find Captain Levi.


Maybe he is in his room. With that, Mikasa headed down the corridor and turned the corner towards the officer's quarters. She knocked twice on the heavy wooden door and waited for a reply. But none came. She knocked again,
"Captain?" Mikasa asked as she slowly opened the door.


She took a few steps into the sparse room. The only notable feature apart from his bed was the bookshelf that was stacked with books. Mikasa found herself drawn to it, and quietly took a few steps into the room.
Recruits into the Survey Corps were not allowed to bring many personal items, but for the Officer's this rule was relaxed somewhat. If he is not here, I should just go. She tried to reason with herself, but her hands were already stroking the book bindings, as she scanned their titles.


"See anything you like?"
The steely voice came from the direction of the door. Mikasa spun on her heel, and her hands looked for refuge behind her back. Levi's piercing eyes caught her off guard.
He does not look happy. Mikasa swallowed hard, trying to regain her resolve.
"I apologise for entering you room, Captain. I was trying to find you, like you asked me earlier."
Levi's expression did not change.
"So when you couldn't find me you decided to go through my things?" Levi's voice was toneless.
Mikasa felt like her stomach plummeted, and her heart began to race.
"No, I just – "
Levi's expression relaxed somewhat.
"Take it easy, Ackerman. You can make it up to me if you want..." Levi said.
"And how would I do that?" Mikasa said, trying to keep her composure.
"You can help me with something, if you are not too busy that is."
"I'm not busy right now, Captain." Mikasa replied, a little nervous of what he was going to ask of her.
"Then follow me."



The pair of scouts walked in silence as they made their way to the orchard. Levi had picked up a few things before they left, two large glass jars, a torch and only one set of ODM gear, which he wore. Mikasa still had no idea what Captain Levi needed her help with. The sound of chatter from the headquarters faded as they made their way further into the orchard.


Mikasa looked at the branches of the trees that held apples of different varieties. In a few weeks they would be ready to picked, so for now they remained untouched. The sky had darkened slightly, and the oranges hues became more significant as they ventured further into the orchard. It wasn't exactly dark and Mikasa couldn't fathom why Levi brought the torch, with it still being light out.


"Why did you bring to torch, Captain? Will we be out here long?" Mikasa questioned.
"We should not be out here for too long. We'll need the torch for later."
"Care to fill me in on what exactly it is you need help with, Captain?" Mikasa asked.
"Harvesting."
"Harvesting what?"
Levi stopped in his tracks and pointed to something in the distance. At first Mikasa couldn't make out what it was, but she noticed a faint buzzing in the air.
"We're harvesting honey?"
"Mmm hmm."


Levi had pointed to a tree, from which several branches had honeycombs hanging from them. How does he expect me to help him with this? And why does he need honey for anyway?
Once they reached the trees, Levi set down the jars, and handed Mikasa the burning torch. He checked his ODM gear, and once he seemed satisfied he began gathering dry leaves from the floor of the orchard. Now that they were standing directly below the honey and the busy bees, the buzzing noise became unnerving, although they did seem to be leaving the pair of scouts alone for now.


Levi set down the leaves on the floor by Mikasa's feet, and turned to look at her.
"You're going to stay down here, and light these leaves up with the torch you have there. The dry leaves will produce smoke, which should in theory keep the bees calm. I'll use the ODM gear to get close to the honeycomb, and cut it down." Levi said pulling a small knife from one of his boots. "I'll need you to stay down here to keep an eye on the smoke, and catch the honeycomb I'll drop down to you. Once you catch them, put them in the jars."


Mikasa said nothing but nodded. Levi also nodded in acknowledgement as he got his ODM triggers ready.
"Light it up when you're ready, Ackerman."
Mikasa lowered the flaming torch until the red and orange flames licked at the leaves and finally ignited. The smoke began to rise in a column under the honeycomb and the bees that accompanied it. The buzzing noise in the air seemed to ebb slightly. Is the smoke working?


"I guess that's my cue." Levi said, pressing on his triggers and he catapulted into the air. One of the branches that the honeycomb hung from was a significant height from the ground. The ODM gear latched itself onto the branch, one latch was close to the main trunk of the tree, and the other was at the far end of the branch. Levi seemed to be suspended right under the honeycomb.


Sensing an invader, the bees began buzzing furiously at those that would steal that which they had so diligently worked so hard to create. Mikasa threw more dry leaves onto the fire, hoping that the extra smoke might pacify the bees. Levi began cutting at a section of the honeycomb, seemingly oblivious to the bees that buzzed beside him.


"Ready, Ackerman?" Levi called, holding a piece of honeycomb out in his hand.
"Yes, Captain." Mikasa replied, jar in hand in preparation.
The honeycomb fell through the air and landed directly into the jar. Mikasa sealed the jar with the lid, and grabbed the next one.
"I'm ready for the next one!" Mikasa yelled.
"This is the last bit." Levi called back, the next piece of honeycomb already in his hand.


Suddenly a hot sharp burning sensation coursed through Mikasa's skin.
There was a sharp intake of breathe and Mikasa's hand clapped to the back of her neck.
"Dammit!" Mikasa yelled, unable to restrain herself.
"What happened?" Levi shouted from above.
"I'm pretty sure I just got stung. Just throw down the honeycomb and let's go."


Mikasa caught the last piece and sealed the jar just like before. Levi reached the ground soundlessly, his prowess with the ODM evident. The pain was unlike anything Mikasa had experienced before.
"Can you take the stinger out for me; I can't really see it from here?" Mikasa asked through gritted teeth.


Levi made his way over to Mikasa as he put his ODM triggers away. The bees seemed to have settled down, now that the intruder had left what was left of their honeycomb. Mikasa removed her scarf, and let it drop to the ground as she pulled her charcoal hair to one side, in an attempt to make finding the stinger easier. Levi stood directly behind Mikasa; their bodies close as he pulled down the collar on the back of her shirt.