Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

THIRTY-EIGHT

'Many have asked my opinion on the conflict between the Walls and Havas. And though, more often than not, I advocate for peace, respect, and equanimity, I can see no clear path forward for we who have survived. This past century has proved that when people are denied security and resources, they morph into something animalistic and selfish. It'd take a miracle, a tragedy, and a single act of selflessness to make peace an option once again.'

-An extract from an article on the conflict between Havas and the Walls, written by philosopher Adette Briggs.

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THIRTY-EIGHT

Wall Maria, South Region, Port Noaks, Noaks Survey Corps Base of Operations

The following month soon slipped through Lorelai's fingers. It was a slow month of dull activity around the base while the world around her grew ever the more chaotic.

Every damn newspaper in the Walls was talking about her.

The success of the mission had opened the tidal gates. Having been long deprived of Havas' secrets, journalism now raged with Havasian news, Havasian headlines, and Havas' ambassador. Every morning, Lorelai would wake up to a new screaming headline declaring a new love affair, a new scandal, a new take on her political stance. Some papers seemed to know more about her than she did herself.

It was always a mix of good press and bad press, however. Some declared her a Havasian miracle sent from the north to save their Scouts. Others thought her a corruptor of their precious military— a zealot, a witch, the list went on. But good or bad, everyone in the Walls was talking about Lorelai Bervik.

And they all knew so very little about the reality behind that prized, noble name.

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"Fresh in," Levi declared, walking into the empty mess hall and placing a new batch of newspapers on the table. "Hell, you'd think they'd get bored of talking about you."

Lorelai groaned as he seated himself beside her. She placed her tea down with a huff. "I've never even talked to a journalist— where they're sourcing this information is beyond me."

"Tch. I suppose there's no such thing as bad press, though, right?"

She sifted through the papers, grimacing at the headlines. "Not when they're busy theorising about 'when King Fritz will execute Lorelai Bervik.'"

"Mitras Weekly has always hated you. Look at this one, though, 'the unlikely hero.'"

"It's so corny. Do these fools have any idea what proper journalism looks like? At this point, I'd rather have Briggs reporting on me."

"I'm not sure that'd be too beneficial to your image, Miss celebrity."

"Oh, whatever," she grinned. "You're equally, if not more famous than me, Mr Humanity's Strongest."

"Now that is a real corny title. Anyway, aren't you supposed to see Erwin? It's already 0700 hours."

"Shit," Lorelai cursed, standing up and leaving Levi with a quick goodbye kiss to the cheek. "See you for ODM later!"

"Don't be late," he droned, watching her disappear from the mess hall.

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