Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

EIGHTY-TWO

'Hardship breeds amity like nothing known to man.'

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

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EIGHTY-TWO

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

Gabriel was taking his morning meal in the mess hall. It was busy today; the room was filled with sounds of chatter and cutlery knocking against plates.

Despite the casual atmosphere, he felt unbelievably awkward.

Sitting on the table opposite him was Thersa. After their little argument yesterday, neither had said a word to each other. Hell, Gabriel couldn't even muster the courage to look in her direction.

Thersa was presently talking rather glumly with Lorelai, who was tailed by Captain Levi, as always.

Gabriel sighed to himself, shovelling his food into his mouth. He just wanted to get out of there quick before he was forced to say something to her.

"Hey, kid. You alright? You seem a bit out of it."

He looked up; it was Thomsen. He was still just as obnoxiously handsome as ever, calm, intelligent looking. Gabriel couldn't tell if he wanted to be Thomsen or wanted something else...

"I'm fine, just uh... well, my girlfriend and I sort of broke up yesterday."

Thomsen blinked, taken aback. He seated himself opposite Gabriel at the table. "Girlfriend, huh?" If Thomsen was being candid, he didn't think Gabriel was all that interested in women.

"Yeah, ended kind of badly." He gestured behind Thomsen. "That's her, with the blue eyes."

He stole a glance briefly. Thersa was a cute sort of girl, sweet-looking; Thomsen felt suddenly self-conscious. "How so?"

"Oh, she was just angry I'd been spending time with you so much. Silly really."

Thomsen blinked. These past few days he and Gabriel had taken to running the trails through the woodland often; it was a nice escape. And, well, it was also an excuse to spend some time with a cute Havasian boy.

He hadn't imagined Gabriel had a girlfriend, or that he would come between them.

Thomsen cleared his throat. "Sorry, I feel like I caused this. I'll clear off before I cause you further trouble." He made to leave.

He paused as Gabriel grabbed his hand gently. His skin was warm.

"Don't worry yourself. I was going to break things off with Thersa anyway."

He smiled. "Alright, then. Now, how about a run?"

"You read my mind."

The two were getting up and clearing their plates away when-

"Gabe, Thomsen, wait a second. I need to talk to you both about something." It was Lorelai; whatever it was, it seemed rather important.

"Really?" Gabriel complained. "We were just about to-"

"Oh hush, Gabe. Just meet me outside."

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They gathered in front of the manor. Gabriel looked at the people around him: Thomsen, Thersa, Larken help him, and the smaller of the two bandit girls, Iva. She was fiddling with her black curls; clearly, the girl wasn't fond of being separated from her friend.