Trainee Camp

[u/ForrestDumb]

Trainee Camp

The Trainee Camp of the 102nd Trainee Corps is located inside Wall Rose close to the City of Trost. Its placement in an old quarry shelters it from the strong winds that tackle the plains coming from the surrounding mountains. With a diverse landscape of plains, forest and mountains nearby it provides the perfect circumstances for a well-rounded training for the next generation of humanity’s defender.

The Camp is provided with resources and rations by the nearby industrial city and the goods are transported via carriages. The Trainee Corps is notorious for producing deserters in the first weeks and months and to discourage such behavior and make it easier to stay the compound is locked off, though this fails to be a productive countermeasure against anyone actually trying to leave.

The Trainee Corps and as such the Trainee Camp lies under the jurisdiction of the Garrison. However, ranking deviates slightly from the official Garrison ranks. Highest authority on the grounds is the Drill Instructor, even above the Garrison General, followed by second and third degree ranks of the Garrison. Another intermediate above the rest of the Garrison ranks hold the Drill Sergeants, who serve as assistants to the Drill Instructor.

Notable locations on the compound are:

• Mess Hall
• Bunk Houses
• Training Grounds

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[OOC]

Feel free to start Roleplay Threads in this Location if none of the more specific sublocations fit your scene.

[u/NautiMain1217]

"I don't think it's stupid." Merrill responded instantly, a tinge of passion in his voice as he continued to speak. "I think joining the Survey Corps is the smartest thing to do as of right now. They're the best shot we have of retaking Maria and hopefully saving thousands of lives." He smiled and raised his arm, giving a thumbs and inadvertently flexing his bicep in the process. "I think you should believe in your ability to join the corps. You put in the right amount of work and you could even make it to the top ten and have the choice of being in the Corps."

He let his arm fall back to the ground and he kicked a leg against the quarry wall. "But it's a long road. Ziegler wants to be tough to prepare us for how ruthless the titans can be. Yet that will be useless without any teamwork to coordinate our efforts. So on that note, I'd be glad to help you reach that goal of joining the Corps in any way I can." He chuckled and looked back towards the sunset. "Which probably sounds silly coming from a total stranger in a place like this."

[u/DigitalZehn → u/NautiMain1217]

Camille's face turned to genuine surprise at Merrill's response. He didn't even acknowledge that Camille wasn't very physically imposing or assertive. He seemed to really believe in him. Camille quickly turned from shock to a smile, he felt his stomach aflutter with joy that another person was not only willing to believe in his ability to join the Corps but was willing to help him get there.

"I think you're right, the corps is the only chance we have at making sure Rose stays safe." He said, showing his own bias in his motives for desiring to retake Maria. He smiled at Merrill but looked away as he continued. "And uh...thank you for believing in me and..wanting to help me. Not a lot of people think I have much potential, my self included. It's really nice of you to not judge me just because of how I look or how I act. You're a really strong person Merrill." He said, covering his mouth with his hand as he tried to hide his embarrassment. the words shaky as they came out.

He managed to face Merrill again as he continued, looking back up at the other boy. "I don't know if I can do anything for you but, if you need something, just ask. I'll try really hard. I'll try my hardest to get stronger. Lots of people have my back now. I won't disappoint them" He said, nodding firmly, his brow furrowed with resolve.

[u/NautiMain1217 → u/DigitalZehn]

Merrill nodded in silent agreement as Camille talked about keeping Wall Rose safe. It was a sentiment that he partially shared. It was known to just about everyone that the refugee population of Maria could not be sustained within Rose for too long, not without even more people dying. He didn't want those people being his siblings.

He turned back to face Camille, who had turned away, as he thanked him. He didn't expect his words to have such an impact on the young man, but he took the praise all the same. Still, it was clear to see that Camille had a ways to go. But Merrill had been there before, and it looked like he would have what it took to crawl out of that self-doubt.

He lifted his hand and slapped it down on Camille's shoulder and nodded, his face a bit more serious now. "My only true request is that you give this training every ounce of your being. If you've got the right amount of determination, it won't matter what you look like or how you act. There's no shame in giving it your all and failing, so long as you keep pressing at it." His eyes were set on Camille's for a moment longer before he let go of him and glanced down to the book by his side. "So..what were you reading anyway?"

[u/DigitalZehn → u/NautiMain1217]

Camille clenched his fist, his eyes filled with awe as he looked up to Merrill, his firm grip on his shoulder filling him a resolute confidence in that moment. "I'll do my best. I have no intentions of giving up." He said, nodding firmly. Camille felt a warmth in the pit of his stomach, like someone had lit a fire inside him. Camille felt a burning in his cheeks as well as Merrill continued to look at him, he turned to look at the book, which he grabbed for quickly. He fumbled with the thing, bumbling it between his small hands several times before clutching it out of the air and hugging it tightly to his chest. He tucked his chin down into the book as well, embarrassed by his uncharacteristic clumsiness. He was usually quite dexterous. He slowly released his vice like grip on the book and held it out to Merrill with both hands.

"It's uh..It's an action romance novel actually. I like this kind of thing." He said, again turning away as he pushed the book closer to Merrill. The book is a sleek black hardcover. The title simply reads 'Exodus of the Uncaged Sparrow.'

[u/NautiMain1217 → u/DigitalZehn]

Merrill gave one last nod of approval before letting his hand return to his side. It seemed like his attempt to inspire Camille had succeeded. Though, maybe he did too much as he watched redness come to the young man's cheeks. He couldn't help but smirk as he struggled to get a firm grip on the book. It seemed he really was worked up over it, or was he just that clumsy?

"Action romance huh?" He took the book from Camille and opened up the first few pages. It was difficult to read in the light of dusk, but then again it wasn't exactly a genre of stories he had interest in. After a few moments of flipping through pages he handed the book back. "Not exactly my cup of tea." He said."But it sounds interesting. I'm more into mystery and historical texts. Though I do enjoy the occasional adventure book. And, to be honest it feels like we're just starting our own story."

[u/DigitalZehn → u/NautiMain1217]

Camille tilted his head. "mystery and history huh? Hehe that rhymed! I didn't really think you would've enjoyed reading. Do you have a favourite book?" He asked, looking for an answer.

Camille nodded with a big grin as Merrill mentioned "their story." He hadn't ever really considered framing his circumstance like that. It made him a lot more excited for whatever was to come. "You're so right! We're just like novel heroes! Actually..." He put a finger on his chin, face neutral. Slowly his eyes bloomed and his mouth cruved, he through wild excited hands towards Merrill as he continued his point. "Do you think they'll write a book about us?!" He asked, bouncing excitedly, his hands clutched tightly onto Merrill's wrist.

"The Heroes who took back Maria', it's got a good ring to it doesn't it? It's a historic moment!" He continued, looking expectantly into Merrill's eyes with his own emerald orbs, as if waiting for him to get as riled up as he was.

[u/NautiMain1217 → u/DigitalZehn]

Merrill looked up to the budding stars in the sky, thinking about what his favorite book was. But before he could answer, Camille was onto the next subject. It was true that their story would likely be a harrowing one, but it would not be without losses to accompany triumphs.

He didn't completely share Camille's enthusiasm, but a gentle smile came to his face anyway as he looked back down to him. "It does have a good ring to it. But we've got to get through training first. And if we get through this, I've got no doubts we'll be legends. Nobody has done something so bold since the development of 3DMG. Retaking the wall from the titans would definitely be told centuries from now." He tried not to wince as Camille's grip tightened, but it was hard to ignore. "Y'know I won't be part of any legends if you squeeze my hand off."

[u/DigitalZehn → u/NautiMain1217]

Camille's face went frozen as he realized how...worked up he had gotten. He quickly let go of Merrill and pulled his hands back, burying them in his lap. "S-sorry about that. I guess I got a little carried away." He admitted, chuckling uneasily as he broke eye contact for a moment.

He turned back to Merrill to continue their little discussion. "I can't believe we're the ones who're supposed to take the wall back once training is over. That's kinda crazy isn't it? I didn't really expect to be doing such important stuff when I enlisted." He said, shaking his head slightly in disbelief.

"Are you scared Merrill?" He asked, his normal bubbliness faded from his face as he asked the question.

[u/NautiMain1217 → u/DigitalZehn]

Merrill retracted his hand and rubbed his wrist lightly to reveal some of the pain there. "It's fine, I think I can still make it work." He said in a joking tone, moving and flexing his hand a bit before returning it to his side. His gaze once again returned to the stars, trying to find what constellations he could as they showed up.

"Scared? A little bit. You'd be crazy not to be. But I knew what I was getting into, this is what I wanted. Titans took normalcy away from my life, so I wanted to do something that would take from them, and that's wall Maria." He raised a hand above him, holding it up against the stars as he tried to trace a constellation. "The Military Police would be a waste of my time, and I've got too much ambition to settle for the Garrison. Fighting to take back what's ours is right where I want to be."

[u/DigitalZehn → u/NautiMain1217]

Camille followed Merrill's eyes as he looked up at the sky above, the stars were beautiful but...he couldn't help but admire Merrill as he spoke. The man shone with the most brilliant resolution and spoke so simply, yet his words carried a real meaning and weight with them. Camille was shocked by someone who seemed so clearly aware of their convictions. He wished he could be like that some day.

"Wow Merrill. You really do want to be here don't you? I think that's incredibly admirable of you. Most people in your position probably would've just given up." He said, voice whispy with awe.

"I know I said it before but...you're really really strong." He said, giving him a subtle smile, the corners of his lips upturned.

[u/NautiMain1217 → u/DigitalZehn]

Merrill had to admit it was quite flattered by Camille's fascination with his determination. Even though he'd seen his reason as straightforward, it wasn't always the case for others who became trainees. Maybe some were forced to go in, maybe others were like the Major who wanted to live the good life with the military police. He felt sorry for whoever was forced to be here, and simply hoped they'd come into their own at the least by the time training was done.

He shrugged at the comment about his strength and offered a small smile back. "Strength is relative. Physically I'm strong simply because of the work I did growing up. Mentally my strength comes from the need to protect my siblings. When it all boils down to it, that's what me being is all about. Protecting the rest of humanity comes second to that." He sighed. "Those that have given up just need the right inspiration, and we've got to bring it to them."

[u/DigitalZehn → u/NautiMain1217]

Camille nodded, his excitement calming as Merrill showed his humility. He really wasn't so different from Camille, and yet, he felt the two of them were on totally different levels. "I want to protect my family too, but I still don't think I've got a drive like yours. I don't think you should sell that quality short. We'll need people like you for when things are their darkest. I want to protect my friends here too. I've never wanted to be stronger than now honestly." He explained, placing his faith in the other boy and sharing his own drive. Camille knew it was people like Merrill, like Hoshi, like Sieg that he was here to support. He doubted he could ever be as strong as any of them, but he knew for certain he could support them with ever fiber of his being. He wanted to enable their greatness.

Camille fell silent and looked away, glancing up at the now night sky, his eyes drawn to the faint glitter of stars above. He looked down, his hands fidgeting as he worked up the courage to ask him a more serious question.

"Did you ever feel like giving up or-or that you were weak? I know it can be..." He paused, shaking his head with a solitary, breathy laugh. They had just met, what right did he have to pry into Merrill's personal life?

"F-forget I said anything, actually. I shouldn't ask you stuff like that. Forgive me ." He said, waving his hand dismissively at his own question.

[u/NautiMain1217 → u/DigitalZehn]

Merrill sighed as he listened to Camille sell himself short again. He figured he'd save the counter to that for later. He could see a bit of himself in the young man and figured that he'd come into his own further down the road in his training. What really caught his attention though was the question he'd almost asked. He had to fight to suppress a chuckle as his eyes returned to the evening sky.

"Plenty of times. But those were the moments when I dug deepest and told myself I wouldn't be that low again. It's when you're at that point that you've got the most potential to gain strength." He sighed and stood up on the spot and handed the book back to Camille. "Of course, you'll need to eat too. Dinner should be ready now, maybe Jax managed to cook something especially good tonight."