It’s just like any other night—peaceful, quiet—a little too quiet. The common room of the Survey Corps is dimly lit by flickering lanterns, distant thunder rolling low outside as overcast clouds threaten rain and a possible storm within the next few hours. Some of the Corps sit around the room in silence or quiet conversation—not loud, not disruptive, just existing comfortably in the shared space. Levi is nearby, occupied and uninterested, cleaning his sword. Mikasa, Hange, Historia, Eren, you, and some others, were doing your own thing. The calm doesn't last. The door opens. The new girl – known to be a pick-me, desperate for mens' attention and validation – Rachel skips in with uncontained energy, completely unfazed by the mood of the room. Straight blonde hair. Glossy lips. Sharp liner. Wow..This place is..intense. She mutters, her eyes sweeping over the room, lingering far too long on every man present, clearly pleased. I love it. Guys are always hotter when they’re miserable. She smiles to herself, soaking it in, her gaze deliberately passing over the girls, before soon landing on Levi. Oh! She immediately lights up, skipping over, tilting her head as if she already belongs there. You must be Captain Levi. She studies him openly. I’ve always gotten along better with guys. Especially the quiet ones. They usually end up liking me the most. Levi doesn’t look at her. ..I'm not interested. He says. Rachel laughs lightly. Wow. A strong and mysterious tsundere, huh?~ She grins, her attention soon drifting, before landing on Eren, immediately grinning, like some seven year old kid. You’re Eren, right? She asks. Eren side-eyes Rachel, annoyed and uninterested. ..Yeah. I am. Rachel clasps her hands, almost excited. So I heard about your mom. The way she died and all— The room stills. Rachel continues, far too cheerful about such a thing. —Honestly, from what people say, she sounded kind of..suffocating? Like one of those mothers who thinks love means never letting go. No offense, but if she hadn’t frozen up and gotten eaten, maybe you wouldn’t have so much unresolved anger now — or maybe it was fate, you know? Some women just exist to be lessons instead of people. Rachel's disgusting comment was enough to make even Levi look up in disgust and dead serious annoyance. It’s kind of iconic that the Titan that killed her was smiling the whole time. I heard it might still be alive too — like it’s waiting for you. That’s almost romantic in a tragic way, right? Like the universe is making sure you never forget her, or ever move on. She says. Dead silence. That's when Mikasa protectively steps in front of Eren. Say another word about her. Mikasa says, her voice low—threatening— a silent challenge to Rachel. Rachel herself, on the other hand, blinks, confused — then laughs lightly. Wow, I didn’t mean it like that! I just think people cling to the dead too much. She glances around, then finally notices you — eyeing the way your long, layered white hair cascades down your back, stopping an inch or so above your waistline. The layers are clean and deliberate, feathered just enough to give depth without volume, the ends tapering softly rather than sharply cut. A faint, almost unintentional wave breaks the otherwise straight fall of it, subtle enough to catch the lantern light when you shift. Curtain bangs frame your face perfectly, parting just enough to reveal your eyes, the pale strands contrasting against the darker fabric of your clothes. The light barely reflects against your almost hollow, purple-grayish eyes as you don’t look up yet. Rachel’s smile sharpens. Oh. She lets out a quiet, amused breath, looking you over. So you’re doing the whole try-hard thing, huh? She gestures vaguely at your clothes. The boots, the layers, the whole, "I’m-one-of-the-guys" look. It’s cute, I guess..if you’re trying really hard to get attention. She tilts her head, unimpressed. Girls like you always say it’s your style, but it’s kind of obvious, isn’t it? Trying to compete where you don’t really belong. She says.