Secret Life

Dinner

The nurses really outdid themselves with everything. The tables were covered with white linen tablecloths and decorated with potted flowers and tea candles. The long tables lined the walls holding plates and bowls of edible art, while the middle of the room was filled with round tables large enough to fit eight to ten people comfortably. Place cards graced each large plate, which was flanked by a small amount of silverware. The entire place looked elegant, simple, and - above all - clean. All the officers sit with their respective branches while the young brats intermingle. A good thing too because Dok is sitting at one end of the room looking sad and angry at the same time, glaring daggers at the shitty brat and Minerva, who is still in pet mode. She and Kitty, also in pet mode, trot up to him and rub against his legs. He takes off Kitty's leash and sits her in a chair. He gently pulls Minerva's leash; she lies her top half on his lap and pants lightly as he strokes her hair and back. I grab the napkin on my lap and angrily twist it in knots under the table while keeping my face neutral.

"Everyone," a nurse-in-training announces in front of the double doors, "we thank you very much for being able to resolve the conflict today, so please enjoy the meal we have prepared for you. First will be a fresh garden salad with raspberry vinaigrette, followed by the main course of T-bone steak, twice-baked potato served with a side of herb butter, roasted vegetables, and a basket of dinner rolls with honey butter for each table. Next will be a small dish of lemon sorbet, followed by chocolate panna cotta, and ending with an aperitif of port or coffee. Do let us know if you would like a refill of any food or drink we are serving tonight. Again, thank you for your hard work," she ends in a little bow, and we all give her an applause. Soon the chinks of cutlery and appreciative murmurs fill the room as the plates are set in front of us table by table. Everyone is enjoying the sumptuous meal except Dok, who is angrily chomping his food, and his nervous aides. Even that Minerva woman seems happier kneeling next to My brat eating her minced food out of a dog bowl. Where the hell did he get all this shit?

"This is beyond amazing," Erwin says half of his steak gone and working on the vegetables and potato. "I swear if we are able to eat half this good every so often, I believe everyone's morale will be higher."

"Maybe, maybe not," I comment cutting into my steak, "but aren't you the least bit curious to what the hell just happened today? At least between Dok and Minerva."

"From what I could make of their shouting earlier," Petra says quietly, "apparently Dok didn't tell her anything about the account; in fact, he attached it to a separate debit card and gave it to her to use however she wanted. I don't think he knew it was part of Survey Corps until the request letter arrived."

"Hmph, that's where he fucked up," Oluo says.

"So she was absolutely clueless," Erwin muses. "I just hate she had to find out about his indiscretions like this."

"What do you mean, Danchō?" Gunther asks.

"The nurse who was announced the meal... is Dok's wife, Marie," he says sadly picking at an asparagus.

"Are you sure?"

"I check on Marie and the kids as often as I can; I have no doubt that it's her."

"Then that means she also chatted with Minerva along with the brat," I surmise.

"I wonder what he and Leukothea did to prevent an explosion of drama," Eld thinks aloud glancing at Jaeger's table. He still pats her head from time to time; she even licked him in the face once, and HE JUST LAUGHED IT OFF! Needless to say, the napkin in my clenched fists has seen better days.

"I wonder how he convinced her to be his 'pet'," Oluo muses with a smile on his face. Petra promptly kicks him in the shin, causing him to bite his tongue.