Take Over, Pt. 2

Champagne, bowties—smug bastards with bellies and bronze cigars—not exactly my type of setting, but, nevertheless, I was here for a good cause. In no way did my flat modesty fit in with the crowd, by my signature cravat over an embroidered black vest did camouflage quite nicely. My eyes scouted the ballroom toned in classical music and opulent tapestry, along with the cluster of top hats and toupees that towered over me. Hange insisted that I presented myself, along with the other captains in the militia. To decline the invite would result in decreased subsidy, and in a simultaneous effect, seem like a slap in the face to those supporting my station. Of course I was her escort, but she had wandered off almost half an hour ago after entrepreneur Krevfaogh seized everyone's attention with that bullshit of a speech on Reclaiming our Land.

It was obvious Sir Ganellsen held a particular interest in Hange. Not for their love of science or their anatomical interest in titans. The researcher made good use of that though in luring her away from me, while trying to keep his sprouting girth in check. He did not faze me, his flirty eyes towards her, the curl upon his lips as he drooled all over my wife. Hange, being so oblivious, took his offer to tour his lab, and of course I allowed it. I trusted Hange, and besides, the man wasn't her type anyway. The opportunity also gave me some time to myself, feeling absolutely smothered and suffocated in these haughty fumes.

A small handful of troopers were invited as well, those held under the spotlight for far too long. It did benefit me at least, given Eren was here, somewhere between the sweaty bearded masses and the wine steward. Suddenly I twitched, immediately noticing Yeager's wavering stagger as he patted the wine steward's arm. I pushed myself down the crowd in a hurry, advancing towards him, but he quickly spotted me, leaving me with a grin on his flushed face before he dashed off. The little drunken bastard thought I was playing a game of chase with him, dumping conversations on me as he bumped into benefactors and their ladies alike. An annoyance it soon became, as I was stuck on the floor with wave after wave of nonsensical political banter. In between it all, I had noticed Mikasa searching for him also.

Finally I caught a break, or at least I thought I did. Eren kept to his sashaying hips as I crept up behind him in the balcony, only to realize his indecency swinging back and forth over the sprinkled hedges. My face surged beat red, and I palmed my eyes over before his blissful whistling stopped along with his stream.

"So juvenile… "

He shook off his manhood before tucking it in his trousers. "Have you seen the line to the bathroom?"

"You're such an embarrassment."

"I'm sure no one saw me." He cackled, veering to me. A pitiful sight.

"The one time you can't keep yourself together, right?" I zipped up his pants, then snatched his wrist, pulling him along.

"Where are you taking me?"

"You're going to cost us all funding. I need to hide you somewhere until you sober up."