#beyondthesword

[meetzan]

There was one hell of a storm outside, and Zan was struggling to reach the medical wing. Since her ankle was still hurting a bit, she was walking with crutches, which was not making her task any easier. Still, it was almost Christmas: and since the Scouting Legion and the Garrison would probably not spend it together, she had to give them their gifts now. It was now or never: so despite the horrible weather, she opened the door of the large building and stepped inside.

Seeing wounded soldiers sleeping on the uncomfortable, hospital beds just before Christmas Eve made her feel sick in the stomach. It was unfair, it was cruel. She still couldn't get used to it. Looking around the room, she seemed to be looking for someone. And she was. The nice soldier who had helped her with her ankle a few weeks ago. Nik. And since the Scouting Legion came back from another expedition the day before, she expected him to be here. She just hoped he was alright.

[meetzan]

Another grim day.

A few minutes ago, the ambiance inside the walls was...rather cheerful. People were waiting in front of the gates, expecting the Scouting Legion to come back from their expedition anytime soon.

And then the gates opened, letting a ridiculously small group of soldiers in. Wounded, bleeding, on horse or on foot, barely standing up, their heads were lowered in shame. And as if it wasn't enough, the crowd started insulting and mocking them, as usual.

And as usual, the Stationary Guard did little to help them.

Except one soldier.

She was tall, taller than most of the girls in the military, and had long, blonde hair falling down to her shoulder blades. She was wearing the Garrison uniform, and was trying to push the crowd away from the Scouting Legion soldiers, though it was obvious she had little authority. And given the fact that her 3d maneuver gear was so loosely attached it seemed it was about to fall down anytime, she probably wasn't one of the best soldiers either.

"P-please make way...!! C-can't you see these soldiers are wounded...?! Have some respect, plea-"

But the crowd wouldn't listen, and the girl ended up being brutally punched in the stomach, then thrown aside. Standing up, her legs trembling, she lowered her head, but kept assisting the Scouting Legion in silence.

[thekyojinhunter--old]

The Freed Man

Eren held his jaw, dabbing the blood away with a wet cloth. Is every order I get around here going to be preceded by a brutal beating?

Levi was clear on his orders, at least. He was to report to Nik Friedman, the top-of-class from the 100th Trainees Squad. The name was familiar. Friedman... Did father treat someone with that name when I was a child? The previous five years had made his childhood seem like a blurry dream rather than something that happened in his life. Whatever it was, it didn't matter. This Nik was his superior, and that position demanded respect. He knocked on the door to what he could only assume was Friedman's office, "Eren Jaeger, reporting as ordered."