Hope can mean sometimes having to wear the cloak of a Nobleman

[cleanblade]

The scouting expedition past the walls had overall produced results worthy of calling them a success; however, there were certain factors that needed to be considered which Levi himself had no jurisdiction over. Funds were thinning the further they moved to establish their routes from Trost District to Shiganshina, the politics stretching the legion even more than ever before since the Wall had fallen. If the money that they required was cut off, then humanity's hope would be defeated not by the titans, but by humans themselves. Levi, along with many of the others in his squad, had become aware of the tense situation. But surely, Commander Erwin had established a plan that no one else had the foresight to envision.

Erwin had called for his report to be given after the troops had sustained themselves at dinner, and so with crisp, quick steps, his knee-high boots made the tell-tale tapping as he made his way to Erwin's office. The mess hall was still alive with conversation by the time he'd exited, Levi scarcely in a mood to entertain the soldiers' boisterous talk let alone Hange's maniacal raving.

With a push of the door and not so much as a knock, Levi made his way into his commander's sanctuary. "Erwin. You wanted to see me." He spoke with that cool tone customary of the corporal's chilly demeanor, his gaze unwavering as he looked the man in the eye. His readiness for business was no less serious than his reflex to kill, a clearly no-nonsense attitude prevailing from him as he folded his arms across his diminutive chest and stood before his commanding officer's desk.

Comments

[noblebrow]

While true to their word that the Scouting Legion was always on the advance, none made it so impossible to speak such than the denizens of the innermost walls. While the common-man of former Shiganshina and now of Trost, could scarcely spare their coin for the Legion's efforts, the noblemen of Sheena had deep tight pockets. Pockets the commander could only hope to loosen with a bit of crooked persuasion.

And while it was true the profound commander was often miles ahead in his plots towards the future and the security of his men, it wasn't until his eyes descended upon his most loyal subordinate, that he got an inkling of just what he could do about their declining funds. Seated straitlaced and poised at his desk as always, Erwin Smith took a breath's moment to quaff the deadly visage in front of him.

Levi's pallid face was marred with his usual dispassion, yet even behind an imperturbable mouth he could see the telltale sign that his jaw was grit in order to drown out the world. Erwin's own quirked, sure Hange had been prattling on about some new and wild speculations and souring his meal in the process. Leaning back in his seat, like some lounging big cat, blue eyes wide and prying, he let the silence and his muse alone inspire something absolutely esoteric.

"Levi."

Deeply aureate in tone, his voice compelled the mind to turn attention and sever all tension to promote the surest of understanding. Though one could prepare themselves for some sort of sibylline discourse about to take place, his inquiry was rather ordinary.

"I know you're eager for a volte-face in our situation." A thick brow then cocked ever so slightly in a prying gesture seemingly most unlike him, "but your posture is speaking all the wrong things."

[cleanblade]

Silencing the world was a none-too-quiet design set into place by the rapacious, slovenly rich. Levi had no illusions about what they were bribing the royal government with to keep any questionable matters out of the public eye. No doubt they didn't bat an eye to the Scouting Legion's funds being slowly stripped away, given the faction that went outside the Walls were hardly popular. As a soldier, he had no say in political scheming like Erwin did, no matter how it frustrated him that their expeditions were being cut short by the corrupt and greedy.

His duty was heavier than the burden of the bodies he often had to carry, the blood that would never wash away tainting the former Underground pauper with the prestige of glorious death. But, for the hope of humankind, Levi continued to serve under their visionary leader, Erwin Smith. He'd follow him to the bitter end. And yet, while he'd do anything that he was ordered to do, never could he imagine what Erwin held in store for him.

Hunched even as he may have stood, Levi scowled with a furrowed brow, the remark seemingly offensive as his expression darkened in a way that suggested the comment was in no way welcome.

"What of it?" Levi asked as tersely as possible, making his displeasure known more vibrantly than heat could from radiating off a midday sun. Evidently, the eloquently-spoken commander could shove off or get to the point.

[noblebrow]

All too well he knew if he persisted being obtuse, he might just lose his charge's rather stalwart attentiveness. Still, he couldn't help but simper just slightly at the miffed expression that darkened Levi's already gaunt features.

"I have an assignment of what might be seen as untoward, even for us." The way he uttered this was like he was spinning a vicious scheme, worthy of only the most rotten. While he certainly wasn't above those sorts of things to get his way, this somehow had a sinister vibe to it, no matter how exquisite he spun his words.

"Will you humor me?"

[cleanblade]

Desperation could paint the Walled city ugly, if abused in the wrong way. But the urgency in Erwin's tone commanded Levi's attention enough that he quieted from his position despite the anger still marking his humorless visage.

"I'm listening." If there was a plan to orchestrate, Levi knew his role, of course, was that he'd be the catalyst. The wheel that set everything into motion, even if he'd be just the tool. And while he may not know every facet of what Erwin had in mind, could it be altogether too unwholesome a thing? Levi was about to find out.

[noblebrow]

The commander rose from his seat then. The motion was elegant and effortless, as if he not so much interacted with the world, but the world itself acted in reaction to him. He was practically incorporeal. Something that frightened and disturbed most proletariat around him, but was seen as simply what made him novel amongst his compatriots. Merely approaching was even an affirmation to his courtly demeanor, as his gait was genteel, and his august presence seemed to soak into the very floor at Levi's feet. The very way in which he stood was like the cornerstone pillar to a great and formidable castle.

Erwin's size seemed to engulf Levi's two-fold as he stared down his aquiline nose at the bitter creature before him. In all accounts that mattered towards humanity's future, Levi was utter perfection. But who cared for such things but the Scouting Legion themselves and perhaps a few peasants here and there? If Erwin was to get anywhere beyond the walls and touch the burning horizon like he dreamed... he would have to make Levi shine so that none could dare turn away from the shear grandeur Erwin Smith saw in him.

Without so much as a warning, Erwin's broad hands were upon Levi's lanky upper arms and pulling him upright like he were nothing more than a manikin.

"Shoulders square." He bid tersely as he released and tucked his index finger beneath Levi's jaw to coax it out, "Chin up."

Then making a wafting gesture towards himself, Erwin willed the brusque man to do as he did, "...breath deep..." his chest swelled out, showing the full contours of his battle-hardened form, "Stand tall, as if a string were pulling you upward from the top of your crown."

[cleanblade]

A slight squeak should have been enough of a warning for Levi to retreat, but he was not the type to run from criticism even in this form. Touch was not a personal favorite, yet he'd endure it for the sake of the lesson itself. Levi's surprise must have shown in the way his sleepy eyes widened and his mouth bit itself into something sour, as if he'd just swallowed a bag entirely filled with lemons.

"T'ch. I hope for your sake there's a reason for all this." He grumbled to himself, beneath his breath, though he knew fully well there was always a reason for Erwin's actions. He stiffened once the commander went into pushing and pulling him into a more "suitable" position, his posture thus corrected in an almost comically doll-like fashion.

The strength the golden-haired man possessed was rather frightening, or at least may have been, had Levi himself not been altogether used to these eccentric outbursts on occasion. His eyes rolled for a moment before he took in the breath, straightening though it did nothing to fill in the distance in height between them.

"There. Better?" He growled, his annoyance almost palpable now with the twitch of his mouth and the flat, side-ways stare he was giving Erwin.

[noblebrow]

A most analytical gaze watched Levi stiffen with a mote of approval. Sharp as a straight edge. Punctilious, prim, and pressed. He was not unlike an overly starched piece of cotton cloth. Something only the most elitist of haute couture would find ideal.

Perfect.

Said the ghost of a smile on his lips. Not, of course, what he saw before him at that moment. But what he saw in Levi's future. His potential for enchanting the masses of the higher chaste was a gleaming beacon on the horizon. Something he would shoot for immediately... If his unruly underling didn't protest too much, that is.

"It's a start." Erwin spoke genially, a stark contrast to abate Levi's vexation, "A promising one."

The commander stood back then, a look of prospect taking over his usual grim and unreadable visage. For now, he would allow himself to be an open book to Levi... At least the prologue part of the story anyway.

"As you know, our monetary situation grows more dire by the day. If things are to continue as they are, it will not be the approval of the bourgeois, the fickle desire of the royal government, or the fall of Wall Rose that ends us... But a mere lack of resources." Deftly, he turned and walked to the windowsill behind his desk. The frigid air from outside clung his breath to the glass, despite the mild warmth that brimmed inside his office chambers. Erwin's reflection changed to that of one prepping to defy an inevitable end.

"That is why... Sometimes one must put on airs in the face of those who believe themselves to be your betters. Even if it feels degrading or humiliating."

[cleanblade]

Stiff was certainly one word for it; the tension that could be felt in the very room as a result of the correction dictated by his perceptive and prestigious leader and commander could have been discerned as nearly palpable. The squad leader and junior officer of the Scout Legion, Lance Corporal Levi, was certainly not above playing Erwin's games; but to what end?

He gave a snort as if unconcerned, though clearly the man's formidable scrying into an unknown future bothered him. Those lazy grey eyes watched Erwin with measured precision, scrutinizing the noble-minded Erwin Smith with all the wariness of a feral cat being lured in by food. Evidently, the cat had sharper instincts in that it could sense there was a nefarious plan at work here. Taming a crude beast who sprung from the Underground with little regard for its betters could be quite the challenge, after all. Refining it would take time, and much effort. Surely, there had to be a reason as to why Erwin would place his cards on the table in thinking that he would gain quite the sweet fruit for his labors.

"Erwin, you know I already am aware, so why are you telling me this?" Ah, but there was the answer staring him in his face. He glanced at the reflective surface of the slightly frosted glass from the less-forgiving world outside, glancing from his own disgruntled expression to taking note of the devious if not cunning glint in Erwin's own cold gaze.

"If you're giving me the order to perform a task, I can't just ignore it, so come out with it then. What do you want me to do?"