Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

EIGHT

'In the heart of it, loss breeds adventure.'

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

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EIGHT

Wall Maria, North Region, Tallenn, Tallenn Inn

That night passed quickly, and for once, Lorelai did not wake far before the sun had risen. Instead, she enjoyed the comfort of a lie-in, nestled in heavy woollen blankets. Until eventually, it was time to go, and Romero shook her awake.

Lorelai had been wearing government-issued emergency clothing for this past week. For a woman who prided herself on her style, she anticipated buying something less grey and shapeless. The idea filled her with a warm feeling. It was nice to be concerned with trivial things once again.

After a brief meal, the Havasians were ready to embark further South, much further South.

Erwin had decided to return to a base just south of Trost, all the way in southern Wall Maria. The journey would take three days at best. For Lorelai, that meant a lot of downtime with her new comrades.

They stood outside the old inn, ready to embark. She kissed Gabriel and Romero's cheeks before being ushered into a carriage with the three Scouts. The carriage began to move, and Lorelai took a seat between Hange and Levi.

Levi sighed in annoyance; common courtesy would have been sitting on the otherwise empty side with Erwin. But no, of course, she would wedge herself between himself and Hange for this lengthy trip.

"Well!" exclaimed Hange. "We have a lot of time to kill, so we may as well ask you some questions. How does that sound?"

"Of course," said Lorelai. "Ask as many as you like, sweetheart."

Kill me now, thought Levi. It was far too early for this.

"Well, my first question is a little strange. Tell me, is there a particular reason you and the others call everyone 'sweetheart'... or are you just being friendly?"

Levi had noticed that too. And it didn't end with nicknames. Lorelai and most of the other Havasians tended to be a little 'handsy', as he put it. They acted oddly familiar with strangers and especially each other. Whether it be handholding, hugging, kissing, platonic or otherwise, they were constantly touching each other.

Their displays of affection were so open, so easy, and so common. It was uncomfortable for Levi, as he was so used to giving and receiving cold treatment.

Lorelai at least had the decency to appear embarrassed. "Oh, I don't know. I suppose it's just the local custom."

"I see," remarked Hange. "Now, for my next question... back when you gave the briefing in Islet, you said 'you were of the political family Bervik.' What does that mean?"

Lorelai appeared a little more pleased to answer this question. "Well, in Havas, instead of a single leading family, we typically have thirteen."

"Thirteen! Does that not get confusing?"

"Oh, not at all. Each family's head sits on the Council of Thirteen, and the vote of the people dictates each council member's power." That tone of patriotism had returned to Lorelai's voice. "I find it works quite effectively. Well, usually."

"So, why is it you didn't sit on the Council?"

"Oh, I refused the position when I was sixteen."