A Wall Of Blue Roses(Un Mur de Roses Bleues)

Leaving for the Scouting Legion

"Hey, have you heard what happened to the Boyer's eldest son?" A merchant leaned against his stall, next to a tavern.

"Still missing in action." The tavern sweeper answered, sweeping up the entrance. "The whole family must've been devastated. I even heard their young daughter has graduated from the military to become a cadet."

"I hope she's safe and in good hands." An old woman said, hopefully.

A young woman with long brown hair passed through town, holding her navy blue cloak around her shoulders and her face was concealed underneath, wearing a long flowing blue dress with a light blue corset-like mid section and ruffled cuffs of the same colour at the very end of the sleeves which only came down to her elbows. The trim around her shoulders was also ruffled, but like the rest of her dress, it was blue. Concealed underneath the hood of her cloak was a beautiful blue rose ornament in her hair, which was a gift from her mother. She was already on her way home from running errands for her family, listening to the civilians talking about her older brother who was missing in action. It's been a long year since she graduated from the military and has received the rank of cadet. She was already at her house, thinking about how she would get her brother back.

Upon entering, she greeted her mother, father and grandparents, both maternal and paternal, sharing a bed that was big enough for four people, with paternal grandparents on one side and maternal grandparents on the other.

"Oh Belle, ma fleur. You're home." Therése greeted her daughter, as she was concocting a sweet smelling perfume.

Therése Boyer was a local perfume seller with a gift of concocting different scents, havinglearned the art from her parents, Marie and Jacques Valentin.

"Oui, mére. I've got all the errands for you." Belle nodded, removing her cloak to reveal herself.

"It's been such a long time since Claudius went missing in action." Sighed Alexander.

Alexander Boyer was an American traveller who was visiting the old Montmartre area in Paris where he met and fell in love with Therése upon meeting her at her family's perfume stall. He got along well with Marie and Jacques and even Therése got on well with her in-laws, Abraham and Rose.

"Yes, pére. I miss him terribly." Belle bowed her head in sadness, not knowing whether her brother was still alive or dead. She felt a warm, wrinkly hand on top of hers and turned to see her paternal grandfather, Abraham, smiling warmly.

"Don't you worry about a thing, nightingale. We're all happy that you've graduated from the military."

Belle smiled. "Thanks, grandpa."

"And we'll get Claudius back someday, petite Piaf." Piped up Marie.

Belle nodded to her grandparents as her mother went to get dinner started. The whole family having dinner together wasn't the same without Claudius either. They would eat in silence until their plates were empty and Belle would help Therése with the washing up, before they would all retire to bed for the night to wake up the next day.

However, there was bound to be something different that was going to happen, after the Boyers had finished eating as the little bell by the front door rang.

"Now who could that be?" Alexander inquired, raising an eyebrow as he got up from the table, placing his plate and cutlery in the sink on the way to answer the door.

Upon answering, he was greeted by a tall figure, about 188 centimetres in height with blonde hair, icy blue eyes, clad in what seemed to be a military commander uniform and had big eyebrows, the same colour as his hair, to top it all off.

"Good evening. Is this the Boyer residence?" The commander asked.

Alexander nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Commander Erwin Smith of the Survey Corps. Scouting Legion. We apologise for our fellow cadet, Claudius' disappearance causing him to be missing in action but I have come to inform you that Captain Levi has handpicked Claudius' sister, Belle Boyer."

"I am Belle Boyer, monsieur." Belle piped up, upon seeing the commander.

"Ah, there you are. We have heard so much about you and your skills and we require your service to the Survey Corps." Erwin looked her over.

Belle nodded. "If it'll help me find my brother."

"I know he's still out there somewhere." Erwin added solemnly. "You will be escorted to the castle where we will provide your lodgings. I look forward to working with you."

Belle kept her composure. "I won't let you or the captain down, sir."

"Good. I shall give you time to pack and bid farewell to your family before we pick you up at sundown."

They both exchanged salutes before the commander departed, leaving Belle time until sundown where she would leave to join the Scouting Legion.

A few hours passed, it was now sundown and Belle was all ready to go.

"Au revoir, everyone. I will bring Claudius back, no matter how long it takes."

"Au revoir, Belle. Take care." The whole family embraced Belle before she would board the carriage with Erwin and left home for the Scouting Legion.