Omake: Levi vs. Erwin, just a couple of cool bros hanging out

[solutioning]

The clouds covered the moon, and so it was an exceptionally dark night, and bitterly cold. The worst of the storm had passed. Only flurries cut the air now and all around the Survey Corps' castle there ringed a sumptuous silence ushered in by the deepening snow. The golden light of Erwin's window was the only jewel peeping amidst the walls; with the exception of the night watch, everyone else was asleep.

Against the cold and the draft an enormous fire crackled in the hearth. No other lights burned here in Erwin's office. The books and papers had been cleared away to make room, upon the hearth-side table, for an antique chessboard figured with inlay and bearing beautifully-carved stone pieces, and as well for a pair of glasses and bottle of rare old wine with dust still clinging to its shoulders.

Erwin poured a little into Levi's cup and his own. It was a red wine so deep it was almost black, revealing itself only by glinting darkly in the received light of the fire, and redolent with a fine tannic fragrance. There were three more bottles in his desk: a surprise gift from Pixis' second-in-command. Erwin could think of no better use for it than this, nor anyone more preferable to share it with.

As he placed his pawn forward he glanced at Levi by way of acknowledging his opponent. More than one game had begun.

((It's an omake I can impose winter on a show that appears to have none.))

Comments

hopefully no real wine people ever read this

[shortcutter]

Though the scene was picturesque in its warm comfort, with both the setting and the company, there was a prickly edge to Levi's nature that could never fully vacate itself. It was also his nurture, in part. There was still enough of his older self left -- the young man that had clawed and fought and bled his way to not only survive, but thrive, in the capitol's seedy underbelly. That lingering shadow would forever reject the stuffy pastimes he once thought had been reserved for indolent nobles.

Fine wine and chess versus stale beer and dice; the cultural dichotomy was apparent, but a game was still a game. In terms of pure strategy, Levi would not pretend he was a match for Erwin. However, on the invisible board that balanced between them, there were many more pieces at his disposal. It was there that Levi needed to gain his advantage.

But first, the libation. With little ceremony, he swirled the glass once and took a quick taste. He was no connoisseur, but the word coarse came to mind. Most importantly, it was quaffable, and Levi gave Erwin a brief toast before taking a full sip.

"Not bad," he said. "Considering it came from the garrison."

He then pushed his queen pawn, more or less expecting Erwin to do the same.