Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

NINE

'One of the more permanent aspects of the world are limits. Everything and everyone has one. Kind people can turn cruel; the strong can fall, and the weak can rise. As humans, we all try to avoid our limits, deciding nothing good can come of them, but it is my firm belief we were given this life to test each other.'

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

<><><>

NINE

Wall Maria, East Region, Bardwich Merchants Town

The town they stepped out into was called Bardwich Merchant's Town. It was situated in a lush river delta that provided its residents with plentiful resources and riches beyond imagination.

It served as a way-stop for some of the wealthiest merchants in the Walls. The people were dressed as exorbitantly as the town was decorated. Valuable dyes and stains made the town vibrant with wealth.

Lorelai stood marvelling at the town and its people. A noble's girl herself, she was no stranger to the finer things in life. Erwin soon joined her.

"This all must be strange for you," he said, following her gaze.

"For an enemy nation... it's rather charming."

He took on a knowing smile. "Well, I hate to disappoint you, M'Lady, but not all of the Walls looks like this."

She smiled back. "Pity. I was just thinking I might like it here."

They continued to chat easily. All around them, the Havasians were leaping from their carriages and looking around the town gladly. Some headed into little shops and emerged with baked goods and other comforts. Others, still unsure, waited near the soldiers.

Levi watched them; he was not particularly interested in shopping nor idle chatting. Not to mention he felt awfully out of place in this zoo of nobles. He couldn't help but notice how Lorelai and Erwin seemed to fit right in— rich kids, he scoffed.

Now that he thought about it, Lorelai and Erwin were remarkably similar. They were both blonde, tall, and talented leaders— the list went on. Hell, they even talked as though they had known each other for years.

Lorelai's family, two starkly different Havasian men, went to join their conversation. Levi wandered over as well, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Oh, I never introduced you both to my family," said Lorelai. "This is my godfather, Romero, and his son Gabriel."

Odd, Levi had thought them related by blood. But it seemed otherwise.

"The pleasure is mine," smiled Erwin.

Gabriel shook hands with him, thanking Erwin once again. He seemed a quiet sort of boy and nothing like Lorelai. Levi wondered where she had gotten that snide personality of hers.

"Oi, quit givin' out them dirty looks, boy," Romero scolded Levi. "Y'ought to respect your betters, ya' clear?"

Oh, so there's where Lorelai got it.

"Excuse me?" he droned, giving Romero a warning glare. Levi didn't care that the Havasians were proper citizens now— that didn't protect them from a good beating.

His threat didn't appear to have the intended effect. All Romero did was scoff and hold up his hands in lazy surrender.

After another few minutes of pointless chatter that Levi didn't care to recall, Lorelai announced, "Please excuse me, gentlemen. I'd like to do a little shopping while we're here... if I'm not otherwise required?"