3RD PERSON'S POV
~*~
The Survey Corps rode in quiet coordination, their horses kicking up soft clouds of dirt as they traveled toward the old headquarters. The group's formation was precise: Gunter, Eld, and Oluo took the lead, their eyes scanning for any sign of danger. In the middle rode Eren and Cesia, while Petra and Levi brought up the rear, Levi's sharp gaze observing everything with quiet intensity.
The morning light cast long shadows on the ground, and a faint breeze carried the scent of damp earth and distant trees. The trial's tension still hung in the air, but the squad tried to shake it off with casual conversation.
"Eren, you look stiff as a board," Oluo called from the front, twisting in his saddle with a smirk. "You sure you're ready for this? We don't need anyone slowing us down."
Eren frowned, gripping his reins tightly. "I'll keep up," he replied, his tone firm despite Oluo's jabs.
"Relax, kid," Oluo added, his smirk widening. "Just try not to embarrass yourself too much. You've got some big boots to fill."
"Maybe you should focus on your own riding instead of intimidating the new recruit," Petra called back, her tone light but teasing.
"Oh, please," Oluo shot back, puffing his chest out dramatically. "If anything, I'm the one setting an example here."
Right on cue, Oluo bit his tongue mid-sentence as his horse jolted over uneven ground. His muffled yelp earned a snicker from Gunter and a knowing shake of the head from Eld.
"Perfect example," Eld quipped, smirking at Oluo.
As they rode, Cesia and Eren exchanged a few quiet words. Her serene expression never left her face as she turned to him, her voice soft but clear. "You're doing well," she said, offering a brief reassurance.
Eren, who had been a whirlwind of emotions lately, met her gaze with a small, grateful smile. "Thanks. It's just... I don't know what to think anymore. All this power... it's hard to understand."
"You don't need to understand everything right away," Cesia said with a quiet wisdom, her tone unhurried. "Take it one step at a time."
Her voice was like a balm, softening the turmoil in Eren's heart, even if just for a moment. He nodded, grateful for her presence.
Levi's eyes narrowed slightly, watching their interaction. The way Cesia could so easily calm Eren, how she could sense what he needed without words, it was unnerving.
Levi's gaze flicked to Eren, who appeared more at ease in Cesia's presence. There was no awkward tension between them, only a quiet understanding, as if she had a way of grounding him.
"She's always like that since we met her yesterday," Petra murmured, her voice low enough for Levi to hear. "Kind, calm... but there's something else, isn't there?"
Levi didn't respond immediately, his attention still on Cesia. "She's problematic," he said finally, his tone unreadable.
Petra glanced at him, curious. "That's not a bad thing, though. She seems... trustworthy."
Levi didn't reply, his thoughts remaining his own. He wasn't sure if it was trustworthiness he saw in Cesia or something deeper, something elusive. But whatever it was, it kept him watching, analyzing, trying to piece together the puzzle she presented.
At the front, Oluo turned in his saddle again, catching sight of Cesia's face. "You know," he began, adopting a dramatic tone, "if you ever need someone to show you the ropes, I'd be happy to step in. I mean, not everyone gets to ride with someone as skilled as me."
Gunter snorted. "Careful, Oluo. You're going to trip over your ego."
Cesia smiled, though her response was quiet. "I appreciate the offer."
Her politeness seemed to fluster Oluo more than anything, and he quickly turned back around, muttering something about how "not everyone recognizes greatness."
Eld chuckled, shaking his head. "I think you're losing your charm, Oluo."
Behind them, Levi allowed the faintest trace of amusement to flicker across his expression before it vanished as quickly as it came. His eyes lingered on Cesia again, drawn to her quiet strength and the peculiar mystery surrounding her.
As the group continued their ride, the conversation gradually became more lighthearted, with everyone taking part in the usual banter. But Levi couldn't shake the quiet, growing curiosity he felt about Cesia. The way she seemed to observe everything without saying much, and the faint smile that would appear rarely... it made her seem almost otherworldly.
Levi wasn't a man prone to sentimentality, but for the first time in a long while, he found himself wondering what lay beneath Cesia's quiet exterior.
And maybe, just maybe, he would find out eventually.
________________
The old headquarters was a disaster zone. Dust blanketed every surface like it was holding the building together, and cobwebs hung like festive decorations for a particularly grim party. Levi stood in the middle of the chaos, arms crossed, scanning the filth with a look of pure disdain.
"Get to work," Levi ordered, his tone leaving no room for debate. "If I see so much as a speck of dirt when you're done, you'll clean it again."
Petra rolled up her sleeves with a determined grin. "Come on, Oluo, let's start in the kitchen."
"Kitchen?!" Oluo scoffed. "I should be the one directing this operation, not cleaning pots!" He turned to Levi, attempting to mimic his sharp tone. "Captain, don't you think-"
Before he could finish, Levi leveled him with a glare so intense that Oluo immediately bit his tongue, literally.
"Ow! Damn it!" Oluo groaned, clutching his jaw as Petra sighed and dragged him away.
Meanwhile, Eren and Cesia had been assigned the study. Eren stared at the dusty desk with visible despair. "This place is beyond saving. I think we should just burn it down and start over."
Cesia, standing nearby with her usual serene expression, shook her head and handed him a clean rag. She didn't say much, but her small smile was enough to encourage him to try.
Eren knelt down and began scrubbing the floorboards with more effort than skill. Meanwhile, Cesia moved to a dusty bookshelf, her movements so fluid and graceful it was almost mesmerizing. She worked with a quiet focus, her long black hair tied back but still framing her face in soft waves. Her unusual red eyes scanned each surface before she wiped it clean with efficient precision.
Levi entered the study not long after to inspect their progress. Eren was on his hands and knees, wrestling with a stain on the floor. Sweat dripped from his brow, and his muttered complaints made it clear he was losing the battle.
"Eren," Levi said, his voice sharp. "Are you scrubbing the floor or wrestling it?"
Eren froze, looking up with a sheepish grin. "I, uh, think the floor is winning, Captain."
Levi ignored him and turned his gaze to the other side of the room. He stopped short when he saw Cesia. The bookshelves she'd cleaned gleamed like new, the windows sparkled as if the glass had been replaced, and even the air seemed fresher. She was now on her tiptoes, reaching to wipe down a high ledge. Her movements were precise, almost like a dance.
