Enjoy the Silence

Episode 7

Cultivating Friendships & Gaining Affection
A Choice With No Regrets

You open your eyes. 

Only an inky darkness surrounded your vision for as far as you could see. You blinked and let out a quiet, very quiet, exhale. Don’t panic, there’s no time to panic. Assess the situation, find out where you are and how you can escape.

Before you could put that idea into practice, that’s when you heard it. The footfalls of someone approaching. Looking around for something to use as a weapon proved to be an exercise in futility.

And then you saw her, the AI. The mirror image of yourself.
How you really saw yourself before this whole simulation began and you’d undergone multiple transformations, been dressed to impress and kill in new outfits, etc. 

Tensing, prepared to…to do something, lash out maybe, when your(?), her, mouth opened.

“A new player has entered the simulation.”

‘…What?’ Confused, as you so often are, you’re unsure how to react. A new player? What did that even mean…? Perhaps anticipating this reaction, the AI thrust a hand out, palm first, in front of her and a screen appeared in front of your face. 

The person there is… He’s vaguely familiar. 
Not an anime character or anyone from a movie or series, but someone that you actually know from the real world.

‘That’s… [Male Character Name]. ….So, so… that means-’

“There are some simulations and situations that would work better with a partner to back you up. Indeed, co-op mode can be toggled on and off from the Main Menu. Would you like to do that now?”

You select yes, and while you’re perusing through the Main Menu, you swipe until you come across Settings, bypassing Options altogether. You check the box that would allow Co-Op Mode, scrolling down until… 

“There we go…” You mutter underneath your breath, checking the box(es) that would always show off a minimized screen with your choices, and the option to rewind and select different choices without prompting. Default voice commands were pre-chosen so that it wouldn’t distract from game-play, words such as Pause would obviously freeze the simulation, whereas the word, Begin, would start the simulation again. You changed the command Menu to M1 after some thought, and that would take you back to the Main Menu, and instead of Return, you switched it to R1, and that would take you out of the simulated reality entirely, returning you to the real live world.

For a second, you deliberated with that idea. 

Going back to the real world, in a pretty epic house, working at a company that did pretty awesome stuff, its just the people that you were consistently annoyed with or barely tolerated, and your dating record was pitiful… 

And then you shook your head. ‘It’s nice to have the option to bail out, at least.’ 

Too many times had you read horror fanfics or a string of conspiracy theorist nonsense about the situation that you’re currently going through right now. The possibility of being stuck for years in a simulated reality that you couldn’t escape from… Not fun, of course.

However, for the most part, you are having fun right now. You got to drool over, oggle, fuck, and walk alongside some of your favorite characters. You wanted to see more, discover more realities. The real world and it’s bullshit could wait another day.

Once you’re completely done with that, you look up and see that the AI is still standing there, watching you. Creepy, really. 
And then she gestures behind her.

Five doors open, one after another.

Maybe she said something deep and profound, maybe it was a warning, but you didn’t care. Didn’t listen. Your feet guided you forward of their own accord and without hesitation, you step through the doorway that called to you.  

To the start.

‘The Underground can almost be called beautiful in a way, with this view…’
You think to yourself hazily. 

The lingering sensation of being bathed in warm water as you stepped through the doorway into the simulation dissipates rapidly, only to be replaced by the sound of rushing wind. 

“Pull up!”

Levi’s warning nearly comes too late. 

Instincts that you didn’t even realize you had kick in at the correct moment. 

You run forward quickly, doing a handstand on top of a stack of crates on an old fashioned cart truck, tuck, then roll, and pop back up again, continuing to flee the scene. There’s a crash from behind you and you don’t look back to confirm what’s going, the curses and complaints of the Underground merchants are enough of a clue.

Getting up high is the goal and you don’t think twice as you put on an extra burst of speed, jumping up and beginning to scale along a wall of a dilapidated house, thankfully its not that big and there’s a couple ledges. All this exercise is more than you’re used to and you take a couple quick breaths, ignoring the stitch in your side as you begin to run again. 

Momentum, momentum, that’s what you need. Don’t look down. Just do it…!

You vault of the edge of the house and the bottom of your stomach feels like it’s fallen when there’s nothing but straight stone if you fall, and oh my God, fuck, holyfuckballs, black people do not do this daredevil crazy shit!!

Again, instincts, or the game settings, perhaps, whatever it is, kicks in and saves you as you work your ODM gear like a pro. You’re like straight up Spider Woman as you zip through the air until you catch up with Isabel, Farlan, and Levi, taking up position in the rear of the group.

“Wooohoooo! Yeah! You’re so cool, [Your Name]!”

Unbidden, your mouth quirked upwards in a little smirk. Stil, she’s looking backwards and not paying attention. You’re about to call her out on it, only to catch a glimpse of forest green in your peripherals and your heart skips a beat. 

“Levi, pursuers coming up fast.” It’s a wonder that your voice is so steady. 

“Heh. Military Police, again, eh? Haven’t learned their lesson, have they?” Again, Isabel looked back, her face smug, and arrogance was clear in her tone. “Levi-bro, what I said was a cool line, right!?”

“Are you an idiot?” Levi asked bluntly, not at all impressed. 

Isabel’s face comically dropped and she looked at you beseechingly. “Big sis, what about–” Farlan interjected though and moved the conversation along. “They definitely haven’t yet, and they’re still sending elite soldiers.” 

“The merchants must have alerted them.” Levi deduced. 

“Most likely.” Farlan agreed. “Last time, we got quite a big “donation” from their safe.” He smirked. “We saved them from getting any fatter and further ruining their health. They should be grateful!” Isabel tacked on, smirking. 

The banter and easy camaraderie with these two is adorable. 

“Farlan, Isabel, [Your Name]. Let’s go.” Levi swooped down low, almost touching the ground, only to swing his body easily, twisting about in the air and getting even higher. For a moment, you can almost see him decked out in Survey Corps gear, his future(?) bright and clear, why everyone looked up to him.

Then a bright white arrow flashed on the wall in front of you, pointing to the left, and you had the feeling that this was part of the game’s mechanism. Not even thinking twice, you followed where the arrow pointed, splintering off from the main group and with your ODM gear, you swooped right through an open window. Dashed past a small family, avoiding stepping on the children’s toys, and dodging the father’s frantic swings with the kitchen knife, he probably thought you were a burglar or worse. 

You slipped out the open back window (why, oh why, so careless, Papa-san) and dropped down onto the next building. The landing could’ve been better. Thankfully, you didn’t break anything, though you might be a little bruised. The arrow flashed again, insistently, pointing forward and you see another building, this one looking emptier from a distance. 

Dusting yourself off, you caught your breath before you started running, and when you leapt, this time you did the smart thing and didn’t look down and have a freak out mid-air. 

Your ODM gear worked like a dream and you were inside the abandoned building where a couple satchels of knives and a gun waited for you. 

The gun was typically old time-y and it threw you for a loop. 

Luckily for you, you didn’t have to puzzle out how to assemble it or anything weird like that. Or so it seemed. The arrow kept pointing down at the gun so you picked it up after a moment, and just as you did, you heard a loud crash. Glancing out over the ledge carefully, you watch as Levi fights Mike with just a little pocket knife, almost, compared to the blades that Survey Corps’ members carry around. 

He even manages to knock one of those blades away, and thrusts the knife forward and up, aiming to stab Mike in the chest or throat, more than likely. Only to be intercepted by another Survey Corps member, the hood falling off to reveal a familiar looking man with a head of blonde hair. 

It takes you a couple seconds to place exactly who he is.

‘Shit, it’s Erwin!’ 

You watch, heart in your throat, as Levi and Erwin are engaged in a locked standstill for a few seconds. Then two more Survey Corps members come out with Isabel and Farlan in chains. Despite his reputation as a hardass at first glance, Levi is kind of soft to the people he cares for, and you’re unsurprised when he lets his weapon fall from his hand. 

Gritting your teeth, you watch the proceedings. Levi, Isabel, and Farlan are on their knees, Erwin is interrogating them, it looks like. For a moment, you even dare to think that things might go differently, somehow Levi will pull a trick out of nowhere and…

And then Mike slams Levi’s head to the ground, right into a puddle of filthy water.

The gun in your hand feels heavy, but you know what you have to do. You settle down, set it up and aim. Finger on the trigger, inhale, hold the breath. Erwin is kneeling in front of Levi now, so close. 

If you miss… Pushing that thought away, you pulled the trigger. 

The recoil is enough to almost put you on your ass if you’d not been expecting it, but you manage to stand strong, only barely. The bullet hits the intended target, felling the female soldier. Your ears are ringing and you know you have only seconds, if that, before the remaining fuckwits pull their shit together. You reload, aim again, and… Your chosen victim, the other random Survey Corps member, he’s right there and boy, does he look pissed. He’s thrusting his blade at you, screaming something, but you don’t hesitate, you fire, he tilts his head to the side, narrowly avoiding the bullet to the brain. 

What kind Matrix-esque, Jet Li bullshit is this?

Your incredulity is put on the back burner as you’re in struggle for your life. The gun is knocked away from you and the soldier is swinging his blade at you with angry precision, the desire for vengeance clear in his gaze. He’s all fancy footwork and speed, while you’re like a bull in a china shop in comparison. Eventually, he makes a mistake, letting his guard down and you don’t even hesitate before you’re doing something dumb. You ram into him full speed, not realizing, or forgetting, how close he is to the window and you barely even have time to think ‘Oh shit!’ before the two of you are sailing out of it. 

The soldier is better in the air than you are and you hate to acknowledge this fact. Legit, the asshole doesn’t even blink as he uses his ODM gear to swing free of the potential danger (and death), you along for the ride. He drives his elbow into your face once, twice. You taste blood and know that you’ve got a bloody nose, gross. The next time he goes to hit you, you punch him back, hard. You hear a crack and know that your hit has broken his nose. 

Pettiness satisfied, you let go of his waist, using the ODM gear to your advantage and swinging off, around him. He’s still got his blades, aiming to skewer you. You retrieved a couple knives from the gun holster strapped to your shoulders and back, and without hesitation, you throw them with deadly aim. 

He hits the ground, holding his shoulder. 

You only get enough time to use the sleeve of your shirt to roughly wipe away the blood dripping down your nose grossly before Mike is upon you. His characteristic blank expression is still in full effect as he engages you in a fight. 

At first, it takes place in the air, but he’s easily dominating that and he grounds you forcefully. 

You scramble away, getting up and going for hand to hand combat, with a couple knives, but you’re no Levi. Good, decent, yes, you are, but Mike is obviously on another level and he isn’t holding his punches at all, even though you’re a girl. 

Maybe even because of that fact, who knows.

The fight is over before you know it and soon, you’re in the same predicament as Isabel, Farlan and Levi. The manacles on your wrist make you highly uncomfortable for a lot of reasons and you immediately want them off. Erwin seems to sense your feelings, being the weirdo with the power kink, or whatever, because he stares you down like an animal at the zoo.

“Keep looking at me like that, Eyebrows, and I’ll get ideas.” It might be considered flirting to some people, but your tone is distinctly sardonic. Isabel snorted, only to cut herself off abruptly, and at the corner of your eye, you note that Farlan elbows her. 

“Apologies. I’m just inspired by your cunning. I’d have thought you would have left you companions to their fate.” You don’t say anything. “Then again, based on the intel we’ve collected, you’re in charge if Levi is occupied.” Again, you stay quiet, but either your poker face must not be as good as you thought or Erwin is just a conniving, controlling bastard and wants to milk the situation for what it is, or something because he lets out a slight chuckle and then looks you dead in the eye. “Please forgive my reprehensible manners. My name is Erwin Smith. You are..?”

He’s got charisma out the ass, you can acknowledge that much at least. You glance off to the side of his head, the very image of put out. Annoyed.
“…[Your Name].”

“[Your Name]. I’ll give you the same opportunity that I just offered Levi. Lend me your strength. Join the Scouts.” Although you kind of expected this, it’s not any less shocking to actually hear him ask. 

“But, sir!” The injured Scout piped up, looking at you hatefully.
Erwin did nothing more than raise a hand and he shut up. 

There’s silence for several moments. 

The urge to look behind you at Levi is strong, but you strangle the impulse. 

“And if I refuse?” 

Truthfully, you’re asking partially to be an ass and also you just want to know, really. Is it worth it, going out there day after day, witnessing giant naked people chomp down on smaller human beings? Do you really want to throw your lot in with these soldiers who really were just cannon fodder, for like, years?

You heard the sound of metal against metal and then felt a blade pressed against the nape of your neck. Erwin looks you in the eye, his features blank and cold. “You did kill one of mine…”

“Heh. So I did.” You’re unapologetic about that fact too. “…Fine. You’ve got me ass over a barrel. I’ll join the Scouts.” A chill ran up and down your spine, and you wonder what will happen going forward. Glancing at Farlan and Isabel in your peripherals, you make a vow that you won’t let them die for nothing, without a fight. 

You risk a glance at Levi and his face is blank, closed off like normal. As Erwin turned away to talk to the angry Scout, and Mike removed his blade from your neck, just before you glanced away, Levi’s expression softened only slightly and he nodded as he caught you watching.

This is the job that you, he, Isabel and Farlan agreed to do. 

Now it’s just about seeing it through.

                               »»————-　　————-««

And thus another episode ends. You’ve cast the die and made your pledge. Will you survive the horrors that await. That is to be seen…