Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

FIFTY-TWO

'In facing our demons, we wish to leave them thus behind, but it takes enormous and often unattainable courage to take that leap of faith. To be truly over one that haunts you, distraction is not enough. You must look them in the eye, see their smile, and know that this is not what you want.'

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

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FIFTY-TWO

Wall Sina, Interior, Mitras City

Before long, the dawn of the day they would venture into the Krüger Tunnels was upon them. After briefing the Military Police on how the mission would run, they were almost all set to begin. Thomsen would be arriving with his men. They'd head out to Mr Hoffman's quarry in the afternoon. And after that... it all hinged on finding that gold.

Of course, as Levi had come to expect, what Lorelai told the MPs was not all she had planned. They slipped out in the early morning, unnoticed, to find somewhere safe from the prying ears of the palace.

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"I'll take a vile of morphine and a roll of bandages, please," Lorelai told the apothecary, paying the woman over the counter as she retrieved the items.

"Tch," Levi grumbled next to her, checking his pocket watch. "Are you done shopping yet? We need to talk before we head over to the quarry."

"Yes, sweetheart, I'm almost done." She slipped the morphine and bandages into her medical kit. "There's no harm in being over-prepared."

"...Do you expect it to be dangerous down there?"

They left the apothecary and stepped out onto the busy street. "I'm not sure. The tunnels have been abandoned since Havas fell; there's no telling the state they'll be in."

That wasn't exactly very reassuring.

Noticing his unease, Lorelai took his arm as they walked down the street. "Like I said, there's no harm in being over-prepared."

"Right."

Levi looked around at the busy street. This was Mitras' shopping district, reputed for its pickpockets and assortment of shops boasting exorbitant prices. There were so many people. Nobles in great feathery hats walked right by the homeless sitting idly on the cobbled walkway.

He and Lorelai were just doing some light shopping— nothing too risky. But Levi still had to keep his eyes peeled for her assassins, who undoubtedly lay in wait behind every corner.

"You said we had to talk away from the palace. Do you have a place in mind?" Levi prompted.

"How about a café?"

She led him by the arm to a small, secluded café tucked off the main road. There weren't too many people inside. It seemed safe enough to discuss their plans if they kept their voices down.

"Table for two, please," Lorelai told the waitress.

It was snug inside, and they took a table towards the back behind a wooden divider. Lorelai and Levi removed their coats as they sat down.

"What can I get you?"

"We'll take a pot of black tea, thank you."

The waitress left them in silence. He couldn't help but notice Lorelai's nerves as she fiddled with her dangly gold earrings.