When you're drunk and the kids leave impossible tasks

[fieldresearch]

WHO: Hange Zoë, Erwin Smith, Levi, and the rest of the 104th Survey Corps cadets. Except Reiner. SORRY REINER. >:T jk reiner we love you
WHERE: Residence #028
WHEN: 6/4, Evening
WHAT: A meeting with the new commander to discuss a VARIETY OF TOPICS! New commander, new powers, new mottos… new house?
WARNINGS: Spoilers! Many much spoilers, up to chapter 57 of the manga.


[ Hange kept the instructions to the cadets short, sweet, and to the point. "House #28, 17:30, for an official Survey Corps meeting. Bring your dossier folders."

"Nervous" didn't even begin to cover the feeling in Hange's gut. It was more like someone had released four dozen small, panicky birds in there. Her mouth was dry and she couldn't resist fidgeting with the green bolo tie around her neck. While she knew that the damn thing couldn't weigh more than a few ounces, it weighed on her neck like a bag of stones. She hadn't requested that the cadets come in uniform, but she herself was wearing hers. Along with the bolo tie, she was fidgeting incessantly with the collar of her jacket. Was it always so hot in here? She grabbed a bottle of water and gulped down half of it in one go.

At the very least, Erwin was still here. This wasn't like how it would be at home, when she would surely be alone for this. Here, she could still use his wisdom and lean on him a bit if she was feeling lost. But she couldn't be too reliant. She was the commander now, and she had to act like one.

Which meant putting on a brave face for the cadets. They needed to know they could trust her, rely on her, just as they had Erwin.

Never in her life did Hange imagine she would be so scared of facing a bunch of teenagers. Kids she'd seen a hundred times. Worked with, fought with, plotted with, trained with. But that had been as a Squad Leader. How in the hell did Erwin not crack under this kind of pressure?

Just keep calm, Zoë. It's just like before. It's not like anything has really changed. There's just more decisions to make! Erwin has faith in me. I must have faith in myself.

And so she sits on the couch, having grabbed enough folding chairs for everyone, and waits for the cadets to arrive.]

[[ ooc: no rush on this, and no real posting order, but I will be commenting at least once a day to keep things rolling! ]]

Comments

[sacrificusdux]

[Erwin had expected to feel some kind of relief when he had handed the bolo tie to Hange, leaving everything in her hands but he supposed the full realization hadn't sunk in yet. His years as official Commander of the Survey Corps had been short but he had been used to controlling everything even if it had been using Shadis.

Now, he had to truly hand things over, he had other matters to attend to so this was the right decision. That didn't mean that there were strange emotions in handing over authority officially to let Hange run the show. He would at least attempt to take a step back this time.

Tonight he had decided against the uniform, opting for instead dress pants and a white button up shirt. It would be a visual reminder that he was supposed to be retired now. Erwin looked just as composed as normal as he came downstairs, clean shaven and awake.]

I am sure it will go well. [He offered as he sat upon the couch beside her. He remembered his first official address as Commander, he wouldn't deny he had felt some sense of anxiety as well then.]

[huntergames]

[ Sasha arrives in a timely manner, but dressed in a simple blouse and long skirt befitting the current time's fashion as to not draw attention to herself or the house. If everyone else is in uniform, she feels a bit silly, but given the situation back home she's uncertain as to how to proceed.

There's a restless stirring in the pit of her gut and it's not hunger for once; she's nervous about this meeting and whatever it is the Squad Leader or Commander have to say to them all. She manages to restrain any hard feelings threatening to spill from her expression, still displeased over Levi's treatment of Historia. Who knows what the Commander has planned for her.

Her posture, as always when they are summoned, is military straight and her head is leveled. ]

[alofts]

Oh, you're here.

[ Light-footed without his boots Levi emerged almost as if out of thin air, flanking Sasha. Without the height he still seemed to loom over her like a shadow the engulfed any room he entered. In uniform sans jacket he was the most formal looking of the bunch if only because of his trademark cravat, and that he kept his shirt pressed with enough starch to give the creases a knives' edge.

What had transpired between he and Historia in addition to Sasha's own misgivings were unknown to him for the time being. Not that it changed the pervasive tense air that followed him every where he went like storm clouds. ]

How many of us does that make now?

[isaytheeneigh]

[Given a strong desire not to stick out like a sore thumb in this world, Jean has abandoned his uniform to the closet of his house. Instead, he's wearing a simple, short-sleeved button up top with a pair of denim jeans. He looks slightly overheated when he enters, damning himself for deciding not to wear something better for the weather here.

Upon seeing his superiors and Sasha, he straightens up, trying to get those negative thoughts out of his mind. He falls into place alongside Sasha, and he glances down at her with a slightly twisted mouth—his mouth perhaps being the greatest indication of his discomfort. Jean isn't always the best at hiding his emotions, even if he's grown better since the day he chose to join the Survey Corps.]

I believe it's eight. [That bit is something he heard whilst entering.] Ten if we include the titan shifters. ["Titan shifters" is what he prefers over "Reiner and Annie." Jean still wants to distance himself from them, even if that's almost impossible.]

[notmymom]

[Punctuality was crucial in the military, so Connie didn't like being late. He just hadn't wanted to abandon his intersection mid-shift before his replacement arrived. Choosing which authority figure to disappoint had been tough, but when it came down to it, there just weren't any titans in this city. None of them could serve the king anyway, or the queen if it came to that.

So Connie arrives late, and sweaty. He might not see any reason for a meeting to be taking place like this, but he still ran to get there. He owes everyone in the room that courtesy, if not his life. His crossing guard uniform is peeled off loudly as he drops down next to Jean. The sticky button stripes that hold the bright best together are always noisy to pull apart.

He doesn't flash Sasha a smile or apologize to Jean for smelling like he's been out in the hot sun working all day like he has, because the military training still pops up instinctively even here in this new place. Like the others he sits up straight and watches forward, almost like aseated form of Attention.]

[fieldresearch]

[Armin and Eren weren't here yet, but... Hange was nervous, anxious, and ready to start. She was sure she could fill them in if they came in late. She straightens the bolo tie and her glasses before clearing her throat and standing up]

I'd like to thank you for being here on time. I'd like to go ahead and get started, if that's alright with everyone! Haha... [the laughter is nervous, as is her posture. She could do it. She had to] The first order of business I'd like to address is a change in leadership. [she taps the bolo tie and gestures to Erwin] Erwin Smith has officially retired from the position of Commander of the Survey Corps and has named me his successor. As the 14th Commander of the Survey Corps, I'm going to do everything I can to make sure our missions and goals are successful, and keep our spirits up when they aren't! Um... obviously, since Former Commander Smith is still here, he's going to continue to be around on an advisory basis. I ask that you continue to treat him with the same respect you've always shown.

[she pulls a small piece of paper from her pocket and reads from it. She seems to be getting more confident as she continues speaking]

If there are any questions or concerns, I'll hear them now. Otherwise, I'll be moving on to the next order of business.

[sacrificusdux]

[Each arrival was noted with a composed expression, as was each absence. As Hange spoke, he let his gaze go over each of the new recruits, noticing Sasha's nervousness, Jean's expression, Connie's posture. He's not sure where in the timeline they are from, not yet at least, so their reactions at least give him some clues. He was entrusting Hange with a great deal, it hadn't been a decision he had made lightly or without long consideration well in advance though he had given her little warning.

He doesn't interrupt as Hange makes the announcement though, this is for her to handle and address any concerns unless they are directed at him. But he does let out a silent breath once she's done speaking, it's done.]

[blondtactician]

[Armin takes a moment outside the door to mentally prepare himself for the dressing-down he'll probably get for being late, and walks in. He hasn't taken the time to cut his hair lately so it's getting a little on the shaggy side, worn pulled back. He's coming from his job at the library which enforces a dress code which means khakis, nice shoes, and a blue button-down shirt. He's rolled the sleeves up and unbuttoned the collar a bit to combat the heat, praying he's not sweating right through the fabric. He pulls off the big floppy hat he wears to try and keep himself from more sunburns (he's already quite freckled from previous burns, and his hair has gone a shade lighter) and sets his library tote near the door before going to join the others. He waits for Commander Zoe to finish talking before moving properly into the room. He offers a smile for Connie, Jean and Sasha, before settling down next to Sasha.]

Sorry I'm late, my bus was delayed.

[huntergames]

[ Hange's announcement is met with shock and confusion on Sasha's end. She quickly sneaks an uncertain glance between Armin, Jean and Connie, wondering what their thoughts on the change of superior officers are. Her eyes then dart over to Erwin, observing his expression and composure as Armin joins them. It's true Erwin's lack of an arm may pose an issue, but she's astonished he would give up his command in this world where they face a whole slew of new problems and oddities.

It doesn't sit well with her at the moment. She thinks back to those nights Hange and Levi tortured those men. For vital information, but as far as she felt, they had resorted to extreme, horrific tactics. Her stomach twists and her throat closes up recalling the agonizing screams from those men.

And this is who their new Commander is.

She can only hope things will be different in this world. ]