Through years of bloodshed, so many soldiers been claimed by death himself; salty tears had been shed for the lost souls of the Scouting Legion. When it was first mentioned that Jean Kirstein would take the place of their previous Commander, Hange Zoe, Eren at first needed a moment to laugh, but when her name was called to take the position of his second in command, she very nearly choked on her own saliva. Eren could, in person (and when the Commander was not around), muse and brag about how well he did his job; how his naturalism towards it was what helped him climb the ranks-- though his speeches could always leave room for improvement. Eren could not be less enthusiastic towards her own duties-- being the Captain was not what she thought it to be.
Most days were spent within the confines of the walls with her superior (not that she would ever get used to calling Jean that), deciding on which paths to take when plotting the search routes for their next expedition. Her brain hurt during most meetings with the rest of the Military's branches-- holding her tongue for the sake of not insulting the Military Police. Not only that, but having to report back to a soldier she's learned to hate as a child, like life was sick of her bullshit and was kicking her in the ass the best way it knew how. The notion that she was supposed to take and obey his orders was one Eren certainly frowned upon, at least, at first.
Still only two years on from their gained positions and letters were written to families in scrawled words, funeral requests were denied by the Military Police, mothers still refused to believe that their sons had fallen in battle, and fathers struggled for breath at the loss of their daughters. Riding through the streets with solemn expressions became a known ritual, nobody spoke and nobody moved as the carts rolled through- it was a respectful silence, but it never stopped people from calling out the leaderships skills of Commander Kirstein and his Captain-- one who had remained faithful, even then.
He was sending boys to fight a manâs war, brothers and sisters in arms, but Eren stood by his side and saluted them. Less than half returned, and those that walked through the gates behind her were scarred for life after witnessing such horrific scenes. Having him by her side eased the burden only slightly, after all, they were wrapped in a world of cruelty and bloodshed-- nothing could ever ease it completely. Sealing the gates, however, was a ritual Eren liked to watch, the idea of shutting the outside world away was something she'd rather come to love-- her childhood wishes of one day exploring the vast space seemed to have died with her comrades in their passing.
The loud and resonating sound of the gates closing in on themselves broke her from the trance she'd subconsciously out herself in, and immediately she urged her horse to the front of the line, beside the Commander himself. "We're gonna talk about what you did out there today, Jean," Eren muttered under her breath, grey hues never once leaning in his direction. "---- I've got a bone t'pick with you."
