Awakened

Chapter 21

Judith gazed around at everyone, never meeting their eyes once. Tauriel smiled. "So, new kid, got a name?"

"Um," Judith replied timidly. "Ju-Judith."

"Cool," Tauriel said. "Judester, welcome to the fam kid."

"Um," Judith said. "That's not my name."

"I know. It's just a nickname. Don't like it?" Tauriel asked. "What about Judie? Judeston? Judemeister?"

Judith rubbed the hem of his shirt between the tips of his fingers to calm himself down. Tauriel was speaking too fast and had said too many things in a short amount of time. "Um, can you maybe, s-slow down a bit?"

Tauriel raised a brow, but nodded. "Sure Judester."

"That's not my name."

"It's a nickname-"

"Just call him by his actual name." A voice spoke up.

Judith snapped his attention up and actually met the eyes of the speaker. He averted them quickly, the red eyes piercing him intensely. He suddenly felt hot all over from the startling gaze, and focused on the other features of the girl.

"Arlise," Tauriel greeted, despite the Scout being there for a while. "Nice of you to actually join the conversation. It's rare to hear your lovely voice, since, you know, you barely talk." She teased.

"I have no need to talk unless I find something worth commenting on." Arlise told her and Tauriel rolled her eyes.

"Well excuse me princess, didn't know you had such high standards of conversation." Tauriel retorted.

"Tauriel, stop being such a pain in the ass," Mikasa said, walking forward and sitting in the nearest chair. "And call Judith by his actual name. He doesn't like nicknames."

"I like nicknames," Judith blurted out suddenly, feeling the need to correct his Captain. "I just don't like the ones she said. Those aren't my name."

"Well then," Mavick spoke. "What nicknames do you like?"

"Just one." Judith explained. "Jude."

"Well isn't that creative."

"Tauriel," Mavick scolded and she shrugged.

"I'm a sarcastic shit, okay? Things slip out."

"Well keep it under control." Mavick told her.

"Don't fucking tell me what to do."

Mavick frowned at her, crossing his arms. "Im just saying-"

"You're not my Captain, so don't say anything." Tauriel interrupted.

Mavick's lips curled. "You-"

"Enough." Mikasa's voice cut through. "We have a new member. Welcome him. Training starts tomorrow an hour before dawn."

"Are you serious?" Tauriel asked skeptically. "Why that early?"

"Because I said so," Mikasa replied, leaving no room for discussion. "Now-"

-

"Hey."

Arlise snapped out of her reverie, meeting green eyes that averted their gaze away.

"Um, a-are you okay?" Judith asked.