Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

FIVE

'Change is something particular to the soul; each who experiences it performs it differently. We see some change as beautiful, life-giving, but others, ugly and full of death. In my daughter, I see both, how I anticipate the woman she will grow into, how I dread letting her go.'

-An extract from the book 'Evolutions' written by philosopher Adette Briggs

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FIVE

Wall Maria, North Region, Islet, Islet Military Hospital

Days in the hospital quickly turned to weeks, wounds closed, and people changed— some for the better, some for the worse.

Romero's drinking had worsened. He had lived in the same house for his entire life— his home, his legacy, all gone in the blink of an eye. He drank to forget it; he drank to force his body and mind to move on.

Gabriel, a boy with a soft heart, could only grieve for others' losses. Still, he saw hope in a fresh start. He felt there could be a place for them here... if they dared to reach for it.

And Lorelai? Lorelai couldn't guarantee Romero's chance to move on nor Gabriel's fresh start. She was worried. This was the evening before their court session. In mere hours, a judge, likely prejudiced, would order them to the gallows, and the last smithers of her life would be stripped of her.

They would die tomorrow if this didn't work.

For hours that day, Lorelai and the Scouts that had become unlikely allies were working to devise a hopefully flawless defence argument for her people. If there were even a little crack, a tiny flaw, it would have all been for nothing. It had to be perfect.

It was late, far into the night, and they were still working, finding flaw after flaw to be corrected.

"We need to address the more recent events," said Lorelai, looking up at her new allies gathered around the table. "I have been proven hostile; I attacked the Captain on a whim. Is it really possible to prove my innocence?"

"It is possible," Hange tried to argue. "All we need is the right angle." But there was no weight to her voice— all four of them knew that Lorelai's chances tomorrow were slim at best.

She put her hand on Hange's. "Thank you, Section Commander," she told her. "But I cannot ask you to waste your time in court arguing for my sake. My people must take priority. It is hard for me to accept, but I sealed my own fate."

Levi looked at her. Over the past few days, Lorelai had gone from a far-off enemy to someone with thoughts, wishes, and personality. Before, he might have accepted her demise offhandedly; but, now that he knew the humanity behind that guarded disposition, it was not so easy.

"I can spend no more energy on this pursuit. All I can pray for is my people's safety tomorrow." Lorelai stood up tiredly. "Goodnight, you three." She smiled at them as she left.

Her absence left a cavity in the room, and they were left looking at her empty chair. It was not a kind fate that Lorelai would meet, but they were all in agreement: it was necessary.

After all, sacrifice was no stranger to the Scouts. They had come here for business, not to make friends.

"Commander! News from the High Court!" A soldier burst into the room, carrying some rolled-up parchment.

"Give it here," Erwin ordered, crossing the room to the soldier, then proceeding to read the letter aloud.

'To Commander Erwin of the Survey Corps,