Laying in her bunk, Lenore stared blankly at the ceiling. For some reason, she just didn't feel like reading as she usually did. Something was wrong, and she didn't know why. Reaching a hand out into the air, she stared at each of her fingers in turn before clenching them into a fist and letting it drop to her side. Closing her eyes, she sighed quietly. Maybe I should go talk to Zin. She'd probably be in her dorm at this time. Blinking her eyes open, she got down from the bed and made her way to the door and swung it open, looking up just in time for a brown fist to hit her in the forehead.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that, short stuff! Didn't see ya there, wahahaha~!" A woman she'd never seen before stood in front of her, laughing as if she'd just heard a funny joke. The woman had long gray hair in a braid over her shoulder, and when she opened them, revealed that her eyes were the same color. She grinned. "Sorry, sorry! I'm Yesenia, if you didn't already know that. I'm guessin' you're, uh... lesse here... "Abendritter"? Got a letter for ya, if you are." Rubbing the spot where the older girl had unintentionally hit her, Lenore nodded. "Right, here ya go, then!" She pushed an envelope into the small girl's hands and ran off with a wahaha.

Lenore flipped the envelope over in her hands, staring at the return address. Eric Hartmann. So it was the letters from her parents, then. She went back to the bed and sat down, her eyes never leaving the envelope. Eric Hartmann's words echoed in her mind. 'I hope they bring you some closure, if nothing else.' She slid a finger under the seal, opening the envelope, and spilled out the contents onto the bed. Most of the pages were faded, but one was fresh. She picked that one up first, and began to read.

Miss Abendritter

As promised, here are the letters from your parents. I hope they find you in good health. Viktor and Sophitia were good people, and I'm honored to have called them my friends.

Best of luck with your training,
Eric Hartmann

Setting it aside, she picked up the first of the many letters left. Opening it, she blinked as she recognized her father's handwriting.

My dearest daughter,

If you are reading this, then I'm sorry I'm not with you anymore. I wish I could have seen you grow up - possibly become as beautiful as your mother. Although, Eric assures me that you look more like me than Sophitia. With any luck, you'll never read this, as I certainly hope that both your mother and I will be back in Shinganshina in time for your seventh birthday.

She paused her reading. Seventh birthday? She didn't remember her seventh birthday, but she knew her parents had only died after her ninth. So Eric Hartmann had kept all the letters, then, which explained why there were so many. She continued to read.

I would hate to leave you alone on such an important day, let alone at all. But, if fate dictates that we fall against the titans, then just know that your mother and I love you, so, so much.

Love always,
Your father

Lenore blinked as a spot appeared on the page, followed by another. Was she... crying? With shaking hands, she set the paper aside and wiped angrily at her eyes. She didn't cry when she found out her parents were gone, so why now? Because the finality of it was sinking in? The knowledge that she'd never see her parents again? It didn't make any sense - she'd never held any illusions that she'd ever see her parents again, even if she hadn't acknowledged their death. Was that really all it took?

She glared at the letters as she remembered Hartmann's words again. Closure, huh? This was supposed to help her? What a laugh. But she wasn't laughing. No one was. Her parents were dead. The word echoed in her mind. Dead. Dead. Dead. What are you going to do? Run away from the military? Run away from Zin? Run away from the fact that your parents are dead? "Shut up!" She shouted at nothing. Wait, that's right - you already have. The girl flipped the letters off the bed and onto the floor and flopped down into her pillow face first.

If nothing else, it muffled the sound of her crying.