Connie:"Woah, they're giving off intense stares. Who do you think is gonna win?"

Jean:"I'm not sure, they're both equally strong. Annie has technique..."

Sasha:"So does Mikasa, she has strength too."

Connie:"Hey Armin, Eren, who do you think will win?"

Eren:"Annie."

Armin:"What!? But earlier you said Mikasa would win."

Eren:"Well, when Reiner had me spar against Annie, I had first taste of what she was capable of doing."

Annie:"So, the Beast really wants to pick a fight on little old me?"

Mikasa:"Beast? I don't know where you get your delusions but I'm no beast, I was just given great training by someone. Training that can be used to teach 'little old you' a lesson."

Annie:"I was minding my own business until your friend showed up and decided to pick on me. I merely defended myself. If you really want to fight then I'm all for it, just don't go crying."

Mikasa:'If I want to be a Mandalorian, then I shouldn't back down from a fight. Right, father?'

The wind blew setting up the scene for a spectacular fight between two of the toughest girls in the 104th. Many of the cadets gathered around and off in the distance, the commander watched on on curiosity. Shadis, the former commander of the Survey Corps, watched over Mikasa's training ever since her arrival. The daughter to one of the strongest men in the Scouts piqued his interest.

Shadis:'A superbly powerful soldier she will one day be, no doubt. To be trained even by him will add more skills to her inventory in the later years.'

He watched as Mikasa closed the distance between her and Annie and started to pummel away at the girl. Annie blocked and dodged most of the punches and kicks until a few made it's mark on her. In retaliation, Annie returned a few kicks and punches of her own, striking Mikasa in the chest and her right arm.

Annie swept Mikasa's legs causing her to land onto her back. She grunted from the landing but rolled out of the way of an incoming stomp. Mikasa quickly recovered and threw a right hook hitting Annie in the stomach. Annie threw her own punch hitting her in the cheek.

Both girls were equally matched and the fight seemed to favor neither side. One girl would punch the other with tremendous force as would the opposing side. The fight would have lasted forever if Shadis hadn't come in and stopped it.

Shadis:"Alright that's enough from you two! Annie Leonhart, Mikasa Ackerman, go get yourselves cleaned up and knock aside your differences! You'll die rather quickly if you can't work together! The lot of you, get lost!"

When Shadis started to disperse the crowd, the two girls shrugged off whatever dirt they had on them. They glimpsed at each other once and hated to admit that fact that the other had remarkable skill in hand-to-hand combat. Annie was intrigued with Mikasa's brutal technique and the same could be said for the Foundling.

Annie:"I hate to admit it, but you have skill."

Mikasa:"Thanks and likewise."

Annie:"...who taught you?" She asked. This surprised Mikasa since Annie wasn't the curious type.

Mikasa:"...My father."

Annie:"Really? He taught you all of that?"

Mikasa:"Some of it, he still has more to teach me. I can't hold a candle to him but strength wise, he said I'm stronger than him."

Annie:"...Sounds like a good man. Do you miss him?"

Mikasa:"I do, but I'll make him proud when I get out of here and join the Scouts. At least that's what I'm aiming for."

Annie:"Must be nice..." She whispered. Mikasa overheard her but chose not to say anything out of respect. Soon Shadis came back and scolded them for getting too crazy with the fight.

__________

Din washed his face inside Carla's washroom. He looked up at the mirror and noted a few extra wrinkles on his face from the extra stress he's being subjected to.

Din:'Must be from all the titan killing...or I'm just getting old.'

He stared at his reflection for a bit until he sighed and retrieved his helmet. He looked at the visor and thought of Mikasa when she was little. He wondered how she felt when she first saw him. All armored up showing no hints of humanity with just a reflection of the person staring back at themselves.

Din:"I wonder how she's doing..."

A few days after the successful expedition, Din was given time off by Erwin to go and visit his friends back in Trost. As promised before Carla left, he made his way to their house and surprised the group with his arrival. To his surprise, only Randolph was there at the home. The old man couldn't hold back his excitement as he brought out a bottle of liqour and started to down it with Mando, despite refusing to do so. A couple of bottles later followed by some conversation, he learned that both ladies started to work at a nearby tavern.

Din:'I should go and see how they're doing. Hopefully nothing too bad.'

He donned his helmet and walked downstairs passing the drunken old man sleeping on the couch. Din gently took the bottle out of the old man's hand and set it aside.

Din:'Gotta take it easy, Randolph. Now time to find them.'

___________

In a tavern not far from the new house, Carla and Frieda were working as barmaids to make a living. Having experience from her younger years, Carla quickly gained the bar owners attention with her ability to work hard. Frieda, having been born into nobility, had no idea what she was doing until Carla was able to show her the ropes.

The two were going about their day serving Garrison troops and regulars, not knowing Din was in town. Some of the regulars that go there were drawn in by the two ladies beauty as well as other new customers. In this instance, some customers were chatting it up with Carla and Frieda hoping to gain their attention.

While they were talking, one of the patrons thought he could be slick and tried to touch on Carla. Luckily Frieda noticed and quickly opened her mouth.

Frieda:"HEY! What do you think you're doing!?"

Patron:"Hah? I don't know what you're going on about, missy."

Frieda:"Don't act dumb! I saw your hand going for Carla's ass!"

Patron:"And so what if I was!? You damn barmaids ain't going to do shit!" He got up from his table and knocked over the drinks. Carla stepped in front of Frieda hoping to de-escalate the trouble.

Carla:"Now, now, I'm sure we can all go on about our day and ever forget this happened, right?"

Frieda:"What!? He was about to touch you, Carla!" She yelled out. The patron was starting to get irritated with her yells but thought of something.

Patron:"Haha! I see now, you don't wanna get left out of the fun, do ya? Well, I can take you over to my place and we'll have some fun with my friends. C'mon, what do you say?"

Frieda:"I say no! Let's go, Carla, we're going to talk with the owner." Before they could leave, the man violently grabbed Frieda's arm and yanked her back.

Patron:"Damn it bitch! I ain't leaving without you two!"

Carla:"Let her go!"

Several bystanders just watched on while the man and his friends were trying to take the ladies. The bar owner came out from the back with a rifle in hand and aimed it at the drunken men.

Owner:"Let go of them and get out!"

Patron:"Haha! You got one shot and there's six of us. How do you expect to save them?" He questioned. His question was answered when the bar doors were opened up revealing the Mandalorian.

Everyone in the tavern quickly shifted their focus to the door and found the Tin-man at the entrance. Carla and Frieda almost couldn't believe their eyes when they saw him, calling out to him.

Carla/Frieda:"Din!"

The drunken group looked at the two then back at the armored man as he walked towards them.

Din:"Let them go." He ordered. The group bursted out in laughter at his ridiculous command.

Drunkard:"You're a funny one, shiny! There's six of us and one of you. You really think you can take us on?" Din looked at them all one-by-one and replied back.

Din:"I like those odds."

Din readied his whistling birds and made quick work of the group without breaking a sweat. All six of the men lie unconcious on the ground from the small concussion blasts.

Everybody in the tavern looked terrified at the man in terror. The only ones who weren't scared were the two ladies who now rushed at him for a welcoming embrace.

Frieda:"Din!"

Carla:"We missed you very much! We're so glad to see you here."

Din:"I'm glad to be back and see you're still safe...well, I can see that you're sort of safe."

Frieda:"This doesn't happen often, we swear." She responded. She let go of him and walked over to the unconscious man from earlier and kicked him in the groin.

Frieda:"That's what you get for touching me and Carla!" Din felt that and felt bad for the guy but understood it was well worth it.

Carla:"Why are you here? I thought you'd be busy with the Scouts?"

Din:"I was given some time off by Erwin. Premier Zachary was happy with the results from the expedition and Erwin's performance as the new commander. So, this is my reward, a small vacation."

Carla:"Have you heard anything from Eren or Armin?"

Frieda:"Yeah, what about Mikasa?"

Din:"I haven't, more like they can't send any mail or anything during their training. I'm sure their fine though, they're strong kids in their own right."

Carla:"Oh, I hope you're right. I just don't want Eren to get himself into any more trouble."

Din looked down at the worried mother and pulled her in for a hug. This surprised her and Frieda since he's never done anything like this before.

Din:"If Mikasa was ever down or upset, I would cheer her up like this. I don't know how to properly cheer up a person so I'm sorry if this bothers you."

Carla:"N-no, this is fine, thank you..."

Frieda:"W-w-what!? Why not me!? I was the one who got pulled around! I'm upset too!" She told him. He looked at her and opened up his other arm, allowing her in. She quickly took the chance and pounced on him.

Din:"Better?"

Carla/Frieda:"Better."

Din:"Good to know. Well, care to show me around the place? I want to know who you work for and what you do."

Frieda:"You think this place is shady?"

Din:"Given how the customers act around here, I say yes." They giggled at his serious tone but agreed to show him around.

🙄😤