Taller they stand

Independent SNK Roleplay Blog tracking levigrunting

[thuglevi]

[levigrunting]

How long did it take you to realize that it was pee?

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

Our Fallen Comrades {Closed @LeviGrunting}

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

  It takes a moment or two, but eventually the blond is on his feet, the heel of his hand rubbing roughly at still teary eyes in an attempt to clear his vision. A sharp wince seethes passed clenched teeth as a hand gravitates to his head, the pounding that wracked through making it hard to focus—or more so, harder to. His breathing is heavy as he attempts to recollect himself further, his gaze slowly switching over to the smaller man, over all, just—surprised, that he had done this. Especially for someone like him.

He wanted to speak, to ask why—gain clarification, but, he could barely find the words to say, let alone trust his own voice to come out as anything other than a broken mess. 

Still, the boy felt a numbness take over his body, one that was hiding any further injury he could have received, one that made it feel like he wasn’t even alive, that he was in some sort of dream—that he was back in that same spot, staring as the Titan’s devoured the ones closest to him, frozen. Unable to react. Useless.

A thick swallow is taken as the feeling of tears begin to well in his eyes again, a hand quickly going to rub them away before his attention is on the Corporal. Silence fell over until the man had spoken again, the boy’s lips parting slightly as if he was going to speak, to let the other know that what he said was acknowledged—

Though, it was too late as Humanity’s Finest had launched forward, heading toward safety. 

Any know about of danger was void to him at this point, the soldier only following the lead of his commander now. Shaky fingers find their way to his thighs, shifting the knocked-about gear into a more comfortable and secure position before he’d follow in suit, wires shooting from the metal hunks as the gas is released, propelling him from his spot on the ground once a location is set. 

[levigrunting]

Eren and Levi returned to the safety of the walls as part of the usual melancholy parade. Some came back with their faces dipped toward the ground. Some with tears in their eyes. Some were carried home on stretchers or laid over the back of a horse. It was never an uplifting sight.

Those that didn't come home from the fray would remain beyond the walls forever, rotting in the shifting shadows of monstrous creatures.

Every soldier that ever returned had to remember--or perhaps lie to themself--that each journey outside the wall was a victory. That every life lost was worth something. That every tear shed was a sacrifice for humanity.

We are the Survey Corps. No matter what happens to us, for the rest of our lives, whether we live to see the day of our species' salvation, or die a warrior's death, we will always treasure the memory of our fallen comrades.

[florcrat-blog]

[ Dick touches everywhere ]

[levigrunting]

*grunts loudly*

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

  Levi Heichou no das gay 

and my FRIEND JUST FUCKING DIED YOU MIDGET STICK

[levigrunting]

Nigga, c'mon. Lemme just smell yo diq. 

[levigrunting]

Your friends just died. Would a pee-pee touch make you feel better?

*touches Armin's pee-pee*

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

Our Fallen Comrades {Closed @LeviGrunting}

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

The trembling in the blond’s frame never once halted, not when he was shook, nor when tears were wiped from his face, and even the initial embrace went unnoticed. It was as if time had completely stopped, that he was lost in some array of clouded white, that his mind had just gone blank. Nothing ran through his head, nothing but pain shot through the strategist’s body, and nothing but anguish twisted his features. 

Sobs continued to wrack through his frame, coming out in choked coughs and sputters of broken words—ones that couldn’t be pieced to actual meanings, but must have meant something to the boy in some way. 

Though, the longer he lay there, the less time they had, the closer the Titan’s would come and the more each of their lives would be in danger—and in that time, the first thought had sprung into the broken boy’s head.

Survive.

It was as clear as day, the voices that accompanied such a command where none other than his fallen comrades, his friends, and most importantly, his family. They wouldn’t stand for his life to be merely wasted away, to have him sit there and practically feed himself to the monsters of humanity.

No…they’d be disappointed, hurt, and would never allow such a thing. 

Giving up wasn’t an option, it never was, especially not in a world like this. Not around people like them. 

He loved them too much to go against their wishes. 

It’s slow, but eventually a pale hand raises from the grass below as fingers weakly wrap around Levi’s wrist, the sobbing and shaking emitting from the blond beginning to fade out into distant memory. Tears are still pooled in the corner of soft-blue eyes as his gaze begins to fix onto the elder, a slight quiver in his frame still making itself present as sobs are swallowed down to be replaced by sharp inhales of air. 

Pathetic—he felt pathetic, as his surrounds began to come into vision and his body register the closeness of the other man’s. The hand around the raven-haired one’s wrist tugs slightly, giving a meek attempt to pry himself away, to show that he didn’t need that—the coddling.

He could get back up, he could fight for his life—he could escape by the side of Humanities Finest with, at least, his memories intact.

"We…should go."

His voice is nothing above a whisper, almost monotone if it wasn’t for the cracking that made it difficult to speak, the soldier now attempting to push himself up from the position on the ground, eyes squeezing shut tightly as his body begins to take in the physical pain from his earlier fall.

[levigrunting]

The brushing of air in the clearing tossed Levi's hair around. It hid the smell of the titans closing in from the forest, as it was coming from the opposite direction. It smelled sweet. Fresh. This is why people join the Survey Corps, Levi thought, for this exact moment. The largely uncharted beauty of the outside world. The smells, and sights and sounds that haven't yet been seen. A swift death after having the chance to behold them. Sure, the views from the mountain tops within the walls were nice, but there was no sense of freedom and no sense of danger.

It was time to leave Armin. He said goodbye to him the way he said goodbye to all others that had died by his side. He said nothing. Just before he released the boy, a hand closed around his wrist and tugged slightly.

"We... should go."

Levi's eyebrows were high on his forehead. He released the boy and stood to look down at him. "Oh, so you've returned from your tantrum."

Armin probably responded, but Levi wasn't listening. He wanted to slap the boy for committing him to such affectionate gestures, but there wasn't time. A corporal of his status should never be seen rocking a crying soldier. Disgusting.

He stared into the forest because he couldn't stand to look at the boy again. He was so sure that the shell-shock Armin received in the forest meant that he would be unable to continue. He felt as if the boy had just come back to life, after he had already been mourned. I was so sure you were a dead man. That's the only reason I held you.

Levi didn't know it, but his face was turning a bit red. His fists were clenched tight at his sides under his cloak.

He didn't know whether the boy was speaking, but if he was, he was going to be interrupted. "Armin," he said, pointing toward the trees. "Look over there."

Levi didn't bother to look at the boy again before engaging his maneuver gear toward the far side of the clearing, and cannoning off the ground.

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

Our Fallen Comrades {Closed @LeviGrunting}

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

Even though he wanted to, the boy couldn’t will his body to move, hell, it seemed the only thing he could do was sit and stare at the dirtied ground with tears pooling in the corner of his eyes, only to have them run over and spear down reddened cheeks. His breathing would hitch each time he drew in air, harsh, loud swallows being taking when a sob would threaten to wrack his frame.

Move, move!

His mind began to scream, trying to force his body to move, to get up off the forest floor and run, to not waste his own life away—but he couldn’t, he felt so…numb, like everything around him had stopped. The sounds of distant screams faded, the warm rays of sun against his skin went unnoticed, hell, even the Titan that had begun making its way toward his body seemed to have vanished in his sights as they were clouded with tears and bubbling rage.

Though, just before all would seemingly end for the blond he was lifted from the ground, blue pools widening as a low grunt sounds to the impact against his body, unsure of the events unfolding.

Eventually all is beginning to process—though, mostly that he was being taken away, out of danger, but also away from his friends, his family, they were back there, he had to go back—

"We—we have to go back—!"

The strategist begins to panic when they make their landing, heavy breathing soon turning into something quick and short, the boy practically wheezing by this time as his body begins to give in to the shaking. He feels sick, dizziness and nausea overwhelming his senses, causing his head to pound and stomach to churn, fingers curling into tight fists as loud sobs push their way from his throat. 

At this time it doesn’t even matter that it’s Levi, the Corporal, who has Armin in his arms, who hears and sees him sobbing and wailing—every ounce of care is gone as he can no longer hold any of it back. Streams of tears stain his cheeks as fingers now grip at the soft grass underneath him, pulling out handfuls of green at some attempt to preoccupy himself, to stop the crying and screaming—

"I—I, I couldn’t—save—"

[levigrunting]

"Are you alright?" He laid the boy's head down. "Armin! Speak! That's an order!" The blonde was clearly paralyzed by pain, locked inside his head. He couldn't hear a word.

The boy just laid there, unable to stop the water streaming from his eyes, unable to cease the whimpering and stuttering. The sight of the boy brought Levi back to the times where he was most vulnerable: living in the underground streets of the capitol.

This was an ordeal, now. He had to bring Armin around.

"Armin!" He shouted at the boy. "There's nothing you can do for them now. You'll have time to mourn later." A moment passed, but still nothing.

He grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him frustratedly, growling. "Get up, you fucking brat!"

Still, no response. Armin was gone, as if in another world. "I--I, I couldn't--save--"

"That's right, you couldn't! Not even I could! Now they are dead, and nothing can change that. What's important is that we get you back with the rest of the group!"

How could love be such a powerful weakness? How could a friendship be so strong that one would trade their life for one last embrace? How could it immobilize a strategic mind in such totality, and reduce a soldier to this? A mumbling, screaming muck. Levi had never felt the influence of a love so strong in all his life, but here was evidence of it right at his knees.

He quickly scanned the treeline for danger, then looked at the boy with an expression that was almost pleading. I don't have enough gas to carry us both. A loud and sinister drumming came from the trees, probably two hundred meters in. It was the marching of beasts.

Carrying him, and swapping air half-way there would take too much time. We would be leading the titans right to the rest of our group. I have to leave him here if I want to return home.

Levi's cold mind wandered for a second as he stared into the trees. He thought of Eren's last moment, the sight of him clinging to Mikasa. He looked at Armin's quivering figure on the ground, so lost, now completely alone. Without his friends, why should he care to live?

One last embrace before you die, Levi thought, to honor Eren... but I will not die beside you. 

He gathered the boy into his arms, and pulled him close. Drawing up the soft cuff of his sleeve over his thumb, he managed to wipe the tears away from Armin's eyes, but they just kept coming. So, he put Armin's face to his chest, and squeezed the boy, rocking him back and forth slowly. "It's okay, now. Shhh... It's okay."

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

Our Fallen Comrades {Closed @LeviGrunting}

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

“Eren!”

An agonizing yell and the boy looses his footing on the branch he was to leap from, gear not activated quickly enough as his sight was distracted by his friend, and the corpse of the other being surrounded by large, filthy creatures, wanting nothing more than for humanity to suffer. 

Plummeting downwards to the forest floor the boy gains enough mind to duck himself into a position to roll, gear clattering onto the ground as he’s tumbling forward, landing face-first into the dirt on the last initial roll. For some time the boy doesn’t move, motionless besides the trembling that wrecked through his petite frame, uncertain of his motives—

Eren and Mikasa, the two who had stuck by him from the very beginning, kept loyal to him, protected him from the destruction that came into their world, the hatred, the corruption and death—his only “family” left, taken within moments of one another, every little thing shattering before blue eyes. In the back of his mind he knew, he knew they wouldn’t all make it, but—the two he expected to thrive were now gone, beaten down and eaten by the very things they sought out to destroy.

Laying on the ground as he was left the boy an open target, but, his thoughts where blank, nothing told him to move, all his body wanted to do was lay there. Slowly processing what had been witnessed tears begin to sting in the corner of his eyes, a wheezy inhale being taken with force before he’s slowly pushing himself from the ground, tears beginning to mix with the blood that seeped from cuts on his face from the impact with the hard ground.

"Eren…Mikasa…"

His voice is barely above a whisper as he pushes himself to sit, legs turned out on other side of him as he only stares, blued hues seeming to focus on the group of Titans only meters away as they devoured the bodies of loved ones, the boy unable to do anything to prevent such actions.

He wanted nothing more than to go back, to realize sooner where it was all going, to warn, to prevent this, to be a better leader—

But no, it was too late, time couldn’t be turned back and he couldn’t have been a better soldier, to realize his friends were in need and to actually be able to do something besides yell commands and lead the group. 

Slowly, the scout’s gaze would shift from the monstrous creatures and to, none other, than humanities finest who seemed to be the only other behind, standing above the gruesome scene that was happening down below, utter hopelessness making itself present on the blond’s features, even from such a length away.

Why… 

[levigrunting]

Levi had seen enough. He jumped from the tree and headed southward. The edge of the forest wasn't more than a few minutes away. Something Armin had no doubt taken into consideration when he lead the troops away. 

Levi swung and listed through the air, slowly coming to terms with Eren and Mikasa's death. He had seen a lot of death. Even in his childhood, living on the streets. It wasn't a matter of pain any more, just a matter of getting used to not having a person around. Eren was an asset that humanity had lost, and Mikasa was a beautiful and talented soldier. Both would be heavily missed. He worried most for Armin though. The boyish young man that he saw minutes earlier. He was an extremely close friend to the deceased. A moment this traumatic could harm his strategic capacities moving forward.

Just as he was picturing how the boy would react, he spotted the boy down below the trees, sitting on the ground. 

A sigh escaped his lips.

A titan had already taking interest in the frozen Armin down in the leaf-litter. The green cloak arced downward and swooped in, slowing. He grabbed the toe-head by his 3D maneuver gear but as he did, droplets of water splattered his neck. 

Armin was crying.

Shit, he saw it all.

He pulled the boy as close as he could while still maintaining speed. Screams sounded in the distance where wounded soldiers lay slowly dying. The body count seemed to be significant. Hopefully the majority of the expedition had made it out safely.

After a few minutes of travel, the two boys came upon a clearing. Where Levi could check Armin for broken bones before firing off smoke and continuing on. The descent was more rapid than expected. The weight of both of them put a lot of stress on the maneuver gear. Long thick grass made for a soft landing, and Levi slumped to the ground, with Armin in his arms.

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

Our Fallen Comrades {Closed @LeviGrunting}

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

levigrunting:

  Hm, the brat already knew which direction to send them. His judgement better be right. 

Levi was on the move again, swinging northward toward Eren and Mikasa. His approach lent him little view of the northern end of the ambush, but when he cut inward, the sight was—or would be to any other man—extremely discouraging. Six steaming behemoths had Eren and Mikasa on the defensive and they were losing a lot of ground.

The sight of Eren and Mikasa was a comforting one to Levi, though, as they were buying time for the rest of the group to retreat.

"Eren! Head south and join up with the rest of the group! Do NOT bite your hand. Mikasa, you and I will hold them back." Levi didn’t have time to listen for a response as an arm had shot out from the periphery, it’s fat fingers prematurely closing. Levi was a spinning disk of silver before impacting the hand, and he easily cut through, spraying red everywhere.

He reoriented and negotiated a tree with half an orbit, sling-shotting himself back at the titan. His blades dragged smoothly through it’s neck and he flicked the blood off, his nose wrinkling in disgust.

"Killing these things never gets any less nauseating."

He looked back up and caught a glimpse of a boy successfully fleeing. He felt a little comfort knowing that humanity’s last real hope was safe for the time being. The dark haired girl was out to his front dealing with three titans at once. Two more were closing in.

She wrapped herself up across the chest of one like a bandoleer and dispatched it with ease, while another one stumbled over it. Then, ricocheting off a branch, she wound herself around a forearm and killed another. Her dismount gave her time to shoot Levi a thankful smile, which he saw from 50 meters away, as he swung toward her.

Glad I saved your hopeless brother, I take it? You’re a moron for protecting him.

He liked this girl, Mikasa. She was inexperienced, but outperformed all her colleagues through sheer tyranny of will. All she cared about was protecting Eren. A foolhardy undertaking, but she was good. Very good.

The smile on her face only lasted for part of a second, but it brought a small smile to his own. A rare thing for a man like him.

Then it ended abruptly as an elbow smacked Mikasa, and brought her right into a tree, splattering her with the force that only a 20 meter titan could bring. The treetop overhead shook, raining green feathers from above. Levi’s smile vanished and his eyes widened. He passed overhead as most of her limp corpse plummeted to the ground like set of car keys.

The moment of distraction was long enough to nearly collide him with the titan’s fist. His wrist made an upsetting crackle as it hit a giant knuckle, and a single tear flitted from Levi’s eyelash. He watched as it fell toward Mikasa.

The near-miss had sent him reeling, but his face had returned to the blankness that it was used to. He pulled his gaze away from the girl.

Though you wouldn’t know it by looking at him, he had never managed to get used to this part. He leveled out and adjusted his course to the south.

During their retreat the blond had slowed behind the group, making sure each soldier was well off enough to handle themselves once out of the heart of battle, readying himself to shout another order if things where to go unplanned—and seemingly, it had. 

He’d stop himself just enough to glance back, waiting for the others—Eren, Levi, Mikasa, and a few more stragglers that where in tight situations, worry quickly seeping in, causing his mouth to dry and a thick swallow to be taking down. This wasn’t good, there were too many, they couldn’t hold them off with just a few scouts—

And in that moment, everything seemed to shatter.

It was out of the corner of his eye, but he had known exactly what went wrong. Even from his distance it was easy to see the bright red scarf that fluttered to the ground before the female had fallen, barely even noticeable between the legs of the Titans that began to surround her. 

"M-Mikasa!"

His tone is harsh, but his voice breaks instantly, the sudden well of tightness in his chest causing nothing more than a whiny-high pitched wheeze to shove itself out, the sight of the fallen causing all confidence he held to melt away as if he was directly in the suns rays—no, this couldn’t be possible, not now, not her—

As if he never missed a beat, a familiar dark-haired titan-shifter had zipped right passed the blond without much a word, going in the direction of the raven haired female who’s body had been lost in the fray of beasts, nothing being heard but a guttural growl when he’s into the action. In the heat of the moment the boy spins, taking down his first target with ease—the one who had seemingly taking Mikasa, is soon down for the count as the nape of the neck is cut out, the creature falling to Earth with a loud crash.

But of course, he’s not finished yet—he’s blinded by rage, his hatred for the monsters only rising as they had now taking another one dear to him, Eren Jaeger, humanities hope, could not hold his own emotions to let himself live, and risks them to get revenge on the fallen.

The blond’s eyes begin to sting before he leaves his perch, heading toward his fallen companion and one filling with anger and detest, his gaze only momentarily meeting with Levi’s before he’s passed—giving a silent warning.

It would only all be in vain, seeing as he wouldn’t make it in time at in attempt to save his childhood friend before all had come crushing down on him, the swell of the Titans proving to be too much for even the titan-shifter, who hadn’t a chance to stand in their wrath, and merely seemed to focus on the body of his sister, protecting it, not letting the monsters touch and soil her any further—

[levigrunting]

Eren, no!

Levi broke his course for pursuit with a practiced flip. The boy seemed to be overcome by the sight of his fallen sister.

"She's dead, you idiot," he said aloud, though he couldn't be heard over the sound of flapping fabric, speeding air, and titanic foot-stomps. He struggled to keep up, swinging and flipping through the dark branchey network. Eren was moving the fastest Levi had ever seen him move, easily keeping a good distance ahead.

"Eren, stop! Don't!" Levi's echoing command was ignored.

The boy flung himself through a crowd of titans, and landed beside a mess of gore. A stained red scarf was wrapped around what was left of the corpse. Levi swung himself up to a high branch short of the crowd of lumbering giants. There was nothing they could do for him now.

The last sight of Eren was a pitiful one. He was holding her crushed body in his arms. His face was buried in her shoulder, covered in blood. Her ruined head was relaxing on his own shoulder, with her neck clearly broken. He wasn't ready to let go it seemed.

Levi knew that entering a group of enemies this size could only end one way--with the two of them dead. Their only hope would be if Eren changed into a titan, and fought his way out. Even then, the odds weren't good that he would make it.

"Bite your hand, dumbass. Bite it," Levi whispered.

Eren didn't bite his hand, or perhaps he had but it wasn't working. Levi watched his whole body tremble, rocking Mikasa in his arms. In his final moment, he looked toward Levi. His mouth hung just a little bit open, his eyes wide and disbelieving. Then he disappeared from view behind massive fumbling human forms. They piled over him and Mikasa, a beige cloud of arms and legs and teeth.

After half a minute, a smaller titan emerged from the crowd, carrying an arm in its mouth. Though it was a good distance away, Levi could make out bleeding bite marks beside the thumb of the hand. Eren was gone.

[levigrunting]

Dicks everywhere 

[levigrunting]

Poop joke in the distance 

[levigrunting]

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

Our Fallen Comrades {Closed @LeviGrunting}

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

levigrunting:

  Swinging around a bright green tuft, Levi saw something out of the corner of his eye. A bright blond bowl a hair. His eyes widened and he slammed on the brakes, cartwheeling on to a branch. He had landed on the far side of the tree from the boy.

He called out, “Armin! Organize a retreat immediately, that’s an order. Go, NOW!”

His initial reaction to the Corporal was fear—not knowing at first who, or what, had come close to him, causing the boy to almost jump before blued hues are focused onto the man, wide, and unknowing.

 It takes a moment or two to process what the other says, a dry swallow being taken down before all clicks together, head giving a quick nod. An arm lashes out before him, the blond’s voice raising once again to get the attention of the soldiers.

“Everyone fall to the South! Our only chance is through the trees—”

As if on cue a massive hand had come close, breaking the branch that Armin had previously been on before jumping back and falling harshly to the ground, a low wince seething passed clench teeth to the impact, the boy almost dazed as the pain shot up through his body—no, it was no time for this—

Determination would settle in before he’s up on his feet, swerving around the large Titan that had come close in contact, the boy merely ignoring it, now following the group with the commanded retreat, though, almost pause as to make sure that all was to follow—that is, the man who had been by him and ordered such a command in the first place.

[levigrunting]

Hm, the brat already knew which direction to send them. His judgement better be right. 

Levi was on the move again, swinging northward toward Eren and Mikasa. His approach lent him little view of the northern end of the ambush, but when he cut inward, the sight was--or would be to any other man--extremely discouraging. Six steaming behemoths had Eren and Mikasa on the defensive and they were losing a lot of ground.

The sight of Eren and Mikasa was a comforting one to Levi, though, as they were buying time for the rest of the group to retreat.

"Eren! Head south and join up with the rest of the group! Do NOT bite your hand. Mikasa, you and I will hold them back." Levi didn't have time to listen for a response as an arm had shot out from the periphery, it's fat fingers prematurely closing. Levi was a spinning disk of silver before impacting the hand, and he easily cut through, spraying red everywhere.

He reoriented and negotiated a tree with half an orbit, sling-shotting himself back at the titan. His blades dragged smoothly through it's neck and he flicked the blood off, his nose wrinkling in disgust.

"Killing these things never gets any less nauseating."

He looked back up and caught a glimpse of a boy successfully fleeing. He felt a little comfort knowing that humanity's last real hope was safe for the time being. The dark haired girl was out to his front dealing with three titans at once. Two more were closing in.

She wrapped herself up across the chest of one like a bandoleer and dispatched it with ease, while another one stumbled over it. Then, ricocheting off a branch, she wound herself around a forearm and killed another. Her dismount gave her time to shoot Levi a thankful smile, which he saw from 50 meters away, as he swung toward her.

Glad I saved your hopeless brother, I take it? You're a moron for protecting him.

He liked this girl, Mikasa. She was inexperienced, but outperformed all her colleagues through sheer tyranny of will. All she cared about was protecting Eren. A foolhardy undertaking, but she was good. Very good.

The smile on her face only lasted for part of a second, but it brought a small smile to his own. A rare thing for a man like him.

Then it ended abruptly as an elbow smacked Mikasa, and brought her right into a tree, splattering her with the force that only a 20 meter titan could bring. The treetop overhead shook, raining green feathers from above. Levi's smile vanished and his eyes widened. He passed overhead as most of her limp corpse plummeted to the ground like set of car keys.

The moment of distraction was long enough to nearly collide him with the titan's fist. His wrist made an upsetting crackle as it hit a giant knuckle, and a single tear flitted from Levi's eyelash. He watched as it fell toward Mikasa.

The near-miss had sent him reeling, but his face had returned to the blankness that it was used to. He pulled his gaze away from the girl.

Though you wouldn't know it by looking at him, he had never managed to get used to this part. He leveled out and adjusted his course to the south.

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

Our Fallen Comrades {Closed @LeviGrunting}

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

levigrunting:

  Five enormous shafts of flesh closed around Levi as fast as any human eye could track, but before the fingers could snap shut into a fist, the green cloak had vanished leaving a lonely horse sprinting for its life. The high pitched hiss of screaming bearings whistled for a moment then faded as Levi disappeared. The Titan brought the closed fist to it’s face and opened it. It greeted the empty palm with a sad - almost confused - expression, silently appreciating it’s failure to grab the man.

Silence, for a moment.

Among the suspended still-frame of a titan, the blur flashed passed. A crimson potato-wedge of spongey muscle slid out of place, and the titan collapsed, shaking the ground.

An un-phased Levi flipped away into the dark earth-woven labyrinth, his face empty of emotion. What are those idiots thinking? This whole mission was going to shit.

The man allowed his arms to automatedly sheathe his blades as he focused his vision through the trees. He heard booming echos in the distance. Far too many booming echos for a small scouting party to contend with. And the smell… it made him sneer.

Then, a splintering crack of a sound caught him from ahead and to the left, and a tree moved slow motion into his flight path. He danced off of it at a speed that would impress a bullet, and soared downward before re-engaging his maneuver gear.

Ppssssvvvvrrring! And then he was gone.

—There were so many that seemed to come out of nowhere, leaving the blue eyed boy almost shaking as he finally settles on a high, thick branch, the crisp sound of gear wires zipping back into place before he finds his balance, his gaze quickly snapping down to the action below.

There seemed to be barely any spots to get through from—the monsters each seeming to pick their “prey” one by one, soldiers already going down in battle as they risk their lives to save others. As if a light had switched in the blond’s brain he took advantage of his “safe spot”, assessing the situation as he could, gathering the information needed to attempt to bring out the best battle plan, one that would hopefully get most of them out alive. 

It takes longer than anticipated, the boy’s mind clouded with thoughts and worry, but eventually, he’s off his perch, carefully making his way down back toward the other soldiers, though still not going into the heart of it all—staying on the sidelines, his voice raising to its highest volume before he’d shout commands.

“They are coming from every way, but the weakest group is to the south! Smaller, and less clustered, a place where we could make our escape!”

It was a long shot, but it would be the best course of action—to get out of the middle and go for where they would have a better chance fending them off, to get out and meet up with the other group who, hopefully, were safe. 

He’s hoping to get the attention of others, that they hear his voice—though, he’s worried for all, two in particular are taking his attention. Mikasa and Eren, who, by what he could tell, for the time being were fending themselves off—each having their own set of skills that Armin admired from afar, though, his attention was still set on himself as well, being sure to do his best to help with soldiers around the area, and keep himself out of immediate danger. 

Though, seeing as they had Humanity’s finest on their side, who, had seemingly already taken a Titan of his own down, it settled a fraction of the worry—though still, didn’t calm any of the commotion. 

[levigrunting]

Swinging around a bright green tuft, Levi saw something out of the corner of his eye. A bright blond bowl of hair. His eyes widened and he slammed on the brakes, cartwheeling on to a branch. He had landed on the far side of the tree from the boy.

He called out, "Armin! Organize a retreat immediately, that's and order. Go, NOW!"

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

Our Fallen Comrades {Closed @LeviGrunting}

It was so sudden—one moment they were all on horseback, strategically formed so eyes would be on every corner, so no blind spots would be unchecked, the group merely on a scouting mission. Location of the hordes, that’s what was important today, spot them, then turn around, don’t interact unless truly necessary—

But that’s exactly when things went wrong.

The trees were thick, blinding the groups vision as they began to lose one another, part going to the left, the other to the right, though were determined to meet back where the thick foliage lifted, to regroup and make their ways back to the walls—But of course, things were never that easy.

It had happened in an instant, it started with one Titan showing its face through the trees, one that was easily taking care of—until it let out a piercing cry, calling others of its kind to come to its aid, and soon, the area was surrounded. Eight meters, Ten, fifteen, and even up to twenty eight showed in the area, the cause for panic beginning to rise. Horses often traveled faster than the creatures did, though this time, there was almost no where to run, forcing the squad to fend for themselves.

Luckily, they had some of the best accompanying them—the highest ranking Soldiers in the legion, though, that still was no reason for anyone’s performance to fall, each soldier on their toes when action strikes.

“—Look out!”

A high pitched yell seems to echo through the thick of the forest, the blond giving a warning as the Titans grew near—luckily for them, they could take the trees to their advantage, going above the creatures and maneuver their way around the branches and trunks, a place where the 3DMG shined.

Though, that also meant it was easier to stray from the group—to turn around a wrong thicket and lose yourself.

Instantly, the blond heads for the highest branches of the nearest tree, needing a place to get high and to assess the situation, see the area, take note of the attackers—to bring out the best possible battle plan before time would run out. 

[levigrunting]

Five enormous shafts of flesh closed around Levi as fast as any human eye could track, but before the fingers could snap shut into a fist, the green cloak had vanished leaving a lonely horse sprinting for its life. The high pitched hiss of screaming bearings whistled for a moment then faded as Levi disappeared. The Titan brought the closed fist to it's face and opened it. It greeted the empty palm with a sad - almost confused - expression, silently appreciating it's failure to grab the man.

Silence, for a moment.

Among the suspended still-frame of a titan, the blur flashed passed. A crimson potato-wedge of spongey muscle slid out of place, and the titan collapsed, shaking the ground.

An un-phased Levi flipped away into the dark earth-woven labyrinth, his face empty of emotion. What are those idiots thinking? This whole mission was going to shit.

The man allowed his arms to automatedly sheathe his blades as he focused his vision through the trees. He heard booming echos in the distance. Far too many booming echos for a small scouting party to contend with. And the smell... it made him sneer.

Then, a splintering crack of a sound caught him from ahead and to the left, and a tree moved slow motion into his flight path. He danced off of it at a speed that would impress a bullet, and soared downward before re-engaging his maneuver gear.

Ppssssvvvvrrring! And then he was gone.

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

levigrunting:

  That’s right, Levi thought. He couldn’t help but be a little impressed, but he effortlessly betrayed his surprise with his body language. He furrowed the space between his eyebrows and sharpened his voice a little.

"You don’t find the 20 meter, and the 23 meter near the west gate… worrisome? I don’t know how a brat like you would describe that situation, but the word ‘notable’ comes to mind."

He figured he’d make something up to test the boy; see how much he truly knew about today’s titan activity.

"Well—I—"

When the other had spoken Armin was, well, a little taken back—he hadn’t exactly thought anything of it, before spoken of, hell, had he even noticed said Titan’s by the gates? With a harsh swallow he fidgets a bit nervously now, fingers rubbing at the back of his neck, his attention quickly leaving Levi and beginning to focus on said Titans mentioned.

a 20 and 23 meter gathering toward gates at the west gates—Armin knew there were men stationed on all sides of the walls, especially by the gates, seeing as if they were to be opened for the Scouting Legion to go through, they’d have to first make sure no Titans would prevent such a thing—though, the blond didn’t know of any scouting to be scheduled that day. 

Though, Two titans of that class most likely couldn’t cause much damage to the gates, either, they were built how they were for a reason—sturdy, and the only instance that was ever proven wrong was when the Armored Titan had reared its head, acting as if the gates were made of paper.

It takes a moment or two, but eventually the boy snaps back into reality, his gaze quickly shifting back to the corporal.

"No, sir, unless our defenses were down the two Titans should oppose much a threat in the area. Men gather toward the gates, and unless we are forced to exit, the two will most likely loose interest and fall away in due time."

[levigrunting]

"That's right," Levi said, neglecting to smile but internally approving of Armin's answer. Titans of that class would be a threat only to scouts outside the wall. With lookouts keeping track of every section of the wall, there would be no obvious threat, given that information alone.

Levi had been sure that Armin would be frightened above his ability to reason from the last expedition beyond the wall. Titans were much more fear-inspiring in person. Armin's judgement seemed to hold firm though, even after the stressful sights of their latest mission.

Indeed a 20 meter and a 23 meter were no threat to the western gate. Not only because they were incapable of breaking through, but also because they weren't even there. The western wall had seen no activity all day.

"I was wrong to assume that two titans of that size would scare an inexperienced soldier like you." His voice was monotone and bleak again. "Many of my men have lost their lives to titans half that height. Better, stronger, faster men and women than you, let alone the stationary guard."

[bakerboyarlert-deactivated20141]

levigrunting:

  "I could tell you, but you already know, don’t you Armin?"

His cloak relaxed; his shoulders were straight now. Levi had wonderful posture from his years of training, and he seemed comfortable now with the adjustments he’d made to he maneuver gear. He looked Armin in the eyes.

"You pay more attention than most of your comrades. Whether or not it will do you any good remains to be seen."

With the grace and confidence of a high ranking official, Levi tilted his head and turned about. A pencil appeared from beneath folds of green fabric, and met a piece of paper and clip board.

"So tell me, Armin, are there any notable reports of titan movement?"

His eyes were on the report log in his hand.

—And there went the conversation topic. Of course he knew, it was easy enough to not only see but hear reports from other officers and soldiers. Levi wasn’t exactly helping his cause here.

A soft sigh falls passed pale lips before the boy clears his throat, weight shifting from one foot to the other as he attempts to change his awkward stature, to seem more relax, loose, and not so tense around the man. To seem confident.

Once again his throat clears before speaking, a hand pushing blond bangs from his face before letting them fall in position once again.

"Notable, not exactly. The movement is as slow as they have been—seemingly to have either lost interest in us, or to have not noticed, though a group has moved to the south side of the walls within the past hour."

[levigrunting]

That's right, Levi thought. He couldn't help but be a little impressed, but he effortlessly betrayed his surprise with his body language. He furrowed the space between his eyebrows and sharpened his voice a little.

"You don't find the 20 meter, and the 23 meter near the west gate... worrisome? I don't know how a brat like you would describe that situation, but the word 'notable' comes to mind."

He figured he'd make something up to test the boy; see how much he truly knew about today's titan activity.