LITOST // ackerman

In the Beginning or maybe the End [part three]

Inside Wall Rose - 2 years and 2 months after the fall of Wall Maria

   "I'm sure you're very excited to go back out into the open." Hange spoke, smiling as they led the other girl, who frowned. "Levi wanted to make sure someone was with you, since he couldn't be. And obviously I had to volunteer. I haven't seen you since the battle. Poor thing, what happened was..." Hange poured on, but Amane ignored them as they stepped out.

   She was finally back out into the world. But she didn't expect it to be so.. bright. Her eyes stung under the pressure of the sun. Instinctively, she hovered a hand over her gaze.

   "Commander Erwin wants to see you as soon as possible, also. If I recall correctly, he asked me to take you straight to him." Hange brought their right hand up to Amane's nose, poking the tip. "If you want to see him. I'm not going to make you."

   "Yeah, yeah." Her response was enough for Hange to pull her to the left, dedicating their time to a new path.

   Amane sighed. Much didn't seem to have changed. Even with her spending two months in the over-cramped infirmary, the Survey Corps, and all other people, carried on their lives.

   The entire first month she had been continuously in and out of consciousness. Doctor Minima had said it was over her blood loss, the stress and the trauma of what had occurred. She couldn't argue with that. Levi had been there constantly. Though she'd begged for Levi not to, and ultimately won. She just.. didn't want him to worry.

   The second month was Hell. They made her take physical therapy, to reeducate her with her wounded leg and entire right side. The scars over her stomach, they said, would never heal. But it wasn't just her stomach. The scars traced over her right hip and onto her back, stopping just at the edge of her spine. Amane asked that they remove them, but they said it wasn't possible. Therefore, she had to grow accustom to the grotesque markings that would remind her of a battle she wanted to forget.

   When Hange helped her to Erwin's office, Erwin asked that Hange wait outside. The Titan-obsessed person agreed without hesitation as Amane stepped in.

   With the Commander before her, flashes of the battle took her mind.

   It was when Erwin held a glass of water out to her that she awoke from the terror of her own mind. She took it, quickly downing the drink. Her throat was still sore, but she ignored it.

   "You're still pale—since the last time I saw you." He gave her a once-over before he walked behind his desk, taking his seat.

   Amane took the seat directly ahead of him. She set the empty glass in her lap, her fingers brushing over the cold exterior. He and Levi seemed to take turns visiting her, along with some odd comrades that came and went. But they stayed for hours, often together. Even when she just sat there crying Levi and Erwin were at her side, Levi brushing her tears and Erwin sitting there calmly.

   "I think I'm going to be pale for a while. I'm just now getting my contact with sunlight back into my life."

   He nodded as the door opened. Both sets of eyes ran over the figure that joined them. Unlike Amane's mind believing it was Hange, someone else came in. Erwin didn't appear surprised.

   The girl ahead of them was tall. Short almost-white hair cut only a bit longer than Erwin's framed her face. A black jacket draped over her right shoulder, with her hand holding it there. Her left hand was shoved in her pocket.

   Before anyone spoke, her foot collided with the door, sending it back into place. Amane jumped at the noise. The girl didn't notice, she just came forward.