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Side Note: Sorry for the long wait. I did plan to be full of hype and get into writing these oneshots as soon as I could. But than I caught a bad cold that lasted almost two weeks due to me weak immune system and well, I just got back to trying to write for this account again. 

https://youtu.be/1sa108SP9NU

Mikasa carried along the sack of chicken feed with ease and leaving Armin to sit along the grass, writing notes from Carla books over being a proper and delicate women. He's been helping Mikasa to study these past couple years as she prepared herself for the matchmaker and wanted to write down a few notes that might help her if her nerves kick in and makes her forget anything. He was going to be her right hand man through all this and support her as best as he could. 

Even if he was adding cheat notes down on his arms and legs in hopes to be able to mouth out any answers he may forget when with the matchmaker. He knew his dearest friend whole future rested on today result. She had to pass and impress the matchmaker if she wanted a good future and a chance to marry one day.

He knew how important family was to her, she's always dreamed over having her own even if she was a little frighten over no one loving her like her father did love her mother. She wanted a pure and true love, where she'd be respected and cherished instead of seen as a prized doll collected. 

That's why Eren and himself had given their word to completely check out any man that comes for her hand in marriage. They weren't going to let their parents decide who she marries, they'd let her decide after gaining as much dirt on the guy as they could first. 

"Shouldn't you be getting ready?" Grandpa asked with worry as he came wobbling towards them with the help of his walking stick, knowing that Mikasa should at least be in town and being prepared for her meeting with the matchmaker. 

"Eren forgot to feed the children" Mikasa sighed as she placed the sack back down by the backdoor to drag in later on. 

"And his other chores so we had to do our own and his share first" Armin added on with a small frown as he placed the lid back on the ink body. 

"What's left to do?" Grandpa asked as he took notice over the writing on his grandson arm and wondering if Mikasa studies haven't gone as well as Carla mentioned they have. 

"Placing the laundry out. We've washed it but we've just got to hang it up" Mikasa answered as she walked back over, patting her dress skirt down a little to be rid of any dust or dirt she's gathered. 

"I can do that by myself" Grandpa replied with a small smile, knowing the young women would be in trouble if she stayed here any longer. 

"But grandpa, you're leg-" Armin started to argue back with worry before being spoken over by his grandpa. Mikasa helping her brother to his feet and pulling down his sleeves before they both got in trouble over it. 

"I've lived with this old wound since I gained it in the last ward. I can survive with it a little longer and hang up the laundry by myself" Grandpa smiled back, shaking his head amused over his grandson little faith in him doing simple chores. 

"At least have your tea first. Grandfather, always remember, the doctor said three cups of tea in the morning and three at night" Mikasa offered as she walked over, a teapot and a teacup in hand and already pouring the tea as she knew Armin would only worry over him if they left without seeing him drink any. 

"Thank you, Mikasa. But you should already be in town. We're counting on you to up-" Grandpa started to reply as she took the offered cup of tea, concern filling his eyes as she won't be prepared in time to face the matchmaker. 

"Uphold the family honour. Don't worry grandfather. I wont let you down or anyone else down" Mikasa finished off for him as she's use to hearing the same thing over and over again since the thoughts of preparing her for marriage. She won't bring dishonour on her family, not when they've taken her in and cared for her like she was their own from blood. 

"I know you won't. You're not my worry" Grandpa sighed, sipping at his tea while Armin quickly returned the pot back into the kitchen and was hurrying back. 

"Don't worry, Grandpa. I'll keep an eye on Mikasa and help today to go smoothly for her" Armin promised with a bright and cheerful smile as he was happy to help his friend pass and stop anyone else from ruining it for her. 

"Wish me luck" Mikasa replied as she looked towards grandpa as Armin finally reached her and they started walking out of the garden. 

"Hurry!" Grandpa called back, shooing them with his free hand while the other tightened on the handle of his walking stick. 

"We'll bring back the good news later" Armin smiled back, grabbing hold of Mikasa hand and running off towards the stable that held Hannes, the family loyal horse. 

"I'm going to...pray some more" Grandpa whispered under his breath as he turned back towards the temple. He had full faith in Mikasa passing the matchmaker tests and bringing honour but he had little faith in a certain young man not messing it up for her instead. 

Mikasa was soon riding out on Hannes with Armin left sitting behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. Mikasa leaving Hannes to go as fast as his old legs could take him since they did have a deadline to meet and Mikasa knew she needed to go through a deep clean before the hairdressers and dresser did their own magic on her. Armin calling out questions from where he sat, quizzing her on everything that Carla pointed out that the matchmaker would ask and demand her to know over. 

"Carla, is your daughter here yet? The matchmaker is not a patient woman" The bath lady asked as she poked her head out from the window, looking towards Carla who only shakes her headto show no.

The bath lady signs before she goes back into the building and leaving Carla waiting on Mikasa some more. The young women was already late by thirty minutes and the bath lady no longer held much luck on her passing the matchmaker. 

"Of all days to be late. I should have prayed to the ancestors forluck" Carla mumbled to herself as she stood anxious, one arm hugging her stomach as her hand rested against her chin in fright. Mikasa wasn't normally this late unless she was helping one of her brothers.

But Carla was smarter this time, once her own son had admitted to finishing his chores up she dragged him along early with herself to town. She prayed that if she kept him close by and kept an eye on him than he won't cause any trouble for Mikasa big day. 

Speaking over her son, he soon came walking in with a cricket in a cage. Grinning from ear to ear as he's found the best way to help his adopted sister pass today and stop his parents from forcing her to prepare herself as a bride or adding pressure to keep the family honour. 

"How lucky can they be,they're dead. Besides, I've got all the luck we'll need" Eren scoffed back as he rolled his eyes over his mother looking towards their ancestors for help. Mikasa was smart, strong and delicate enough to pass by her own hard work. She was already the most wanted girl in marriage and every man was waiting for her to pass today in hopes to ask for her hand before anyone else got the chance. 

"Please show more respect to our ancestors, you'll be joining them one day" Carla sighed as she pressed her hand to her forehead, feeling a headache forming. 

"This is your chance to prove yourself" Eren whispered towards the cricket as he lifted the cage, knowing this was their chance to show his mum that they could find luck from the living instead of the dead. 

Connie the cricket chirps approvingly making Eren give an excited nod in return. He soon covers his eyes and steps into a busy street without any concern for his own safety or any worries over the trouble he'd be causing everyone else around him. 

"Eren No!" Carla cried out as she steps forward, holding a hand out towards her son who only stayed walking in a straight line. 

The traffic barely misses Eren as he crosses the busy street. But twohorse and carriage collide causing a big accident. He still safely arrives at the otherside of the street, uncovering his eyes and looks at Connie. 

"Yep, this cricket's a lucky one" Eren cheers out from the other side of the street, waving towards his horrified mother who stared at the large accident he's caused once again. 

Connie falls over out offright, his whole body shaking while Eren casually swings the cage and starts heading back towards the bath house. And that's when Mikasa and Armin arrives on Hannes. Hannes jumping over the recent accident in the street and Mikasa jumps off with hay stuck in her hair before she helps Armin down. 

"We're here" Armin smiled shyly as he take notices over Carla sending them a stern look. 

"Mikasa I trust you know how important today is. I had hoped you would be on time like you know to be. Why were you so late?" Carla asked with worry as she steps towards her daughter, pulling some of the hay out while Armin lifts a concerned eyebrow towards a smug looking Eren with Connie. 

"Eren didn't do his chores. I helped Armin to do his share as long as our own. Sorry for being late. We did rush over as soon as we could" Mikasa answered, feeling bad to worry her mother this much.

"You didn't do your chores!" Carla screamed out towards her soon who froze on the spot before giving a nervous chuckle.

"You said you wanted me kept out of Mikasa way as soon as possible. Ditching my chores got me to leave with you early. I was only doing what you said" Eren replied with a cheeky grin as he scratched the back of his head and trying to pass the blame. 

"I wanted to make today as easy as I could for Mikasa shake. Not she's already behind and we'll have to rush through getting her ready. Sorry Mikasa, I wanted you to enjoy yourself even just a little. I know I haven't been able to have much girly bonding with you and I hoped today we could" Carla apologized as she took hold of Mikasa hand and started leading her back up the stairs towards the hired bath house. 

"It's okay, Carla. I'm sure I'll still enjoy myself. I'm rather looking forward to meeting with the matchmaker and finally leaving all this stress behind once I've passed" Mikasa reassured back, not wanting her adopted mother to feel bad or guilty over all this. She was already use to Eren ways after all and she was happy with her life as it was. 

"Let's get you cleaned up and ready. Just know, Mikasa .. no matter what may be decided today. I'm proud over you either way and I know just how incredible you truly are. You've brought plenty of honour to not only my family but to your parents as well. I'm sure they'd be proud over you" Carla softly spoke with a mother like smile as she lead Mikasa into the bath house, leaving her two sons outside to keep Mikasa dignity protected. 

"I won't let you ruin this for Mikasa" Armin warned as he crossed his arms over his stomach and looked towards his brother and friend. He knew Eren meant well but he also didn't think over other people feelings or the results that came with his actions. 

"I'm not ruining it" Eren yelled back upset. 

"What's with the cricket?" Armin asked as he glanced down to the cage, already seeing it as a future problem for them. 

"He has a name. It's Connie and he's lucky. With this, Mikasa should be fine" Eren answered as he held the cage up, Connie looking a little sick and still shaken up from the events from before. 

"Mikasa doesn't need luck, she's studied hard for this. She needs us to hold faith in her and to stand to the side as she faces today. Her whole future lays on the matchmakers impression on her today. Not just for honour or to be wedded, but for herself. She doesn't believe she's loveable or worthy enough to stand as a pure, young women. She's still traumatised and while we've accepted her as she is .. not many other's would. She needs to pass today by her own hard work to gain her confidence as a women. We can't help with that but we can support her from the shadows" Armin huffed back with a frown as he placed his hands on his hips and giving his friend a stern look since he knew how many wild ideas his brother could think up and see as a "good idea" until they end badly. 

"I know but Mikasa is fine as she is. She's got nothing to worry over" Eren responded a little smugly as he knew his sister could handle herself. He's watched her take down three grown men by herself without gaining a single hit on herself. He's also seen her carry things that other men would struggle with and still be able to cook tea for them all afterwards. He was certain she could easily pass a simple girly test. 

"Mikasa may seem strong and brave in your eyes but she's still a frighten girl. She tries to act strong for the family shake and acts brave for our shakes. But she's still frighten over the little things that come along with growing up. We just have to help her but supporting her. She's going to pass today because she's worked hard to seem the perfect lady" Armin explained to his friend as they might have seen Mikasa as an inhuman beast sometimes but she was still a shy, delicate girl that got scared but simply hid her fears in hopes to not worry those around her. 

"This is just stupid. We both know that men will try wedding her if she passes today or not" Eren grumbled back as he glared at a spot on the ground, kicking at it a little. 

"They'll only want her for her rare looks. But if she passes, she can prove to herself that she's a proper lady. She'd be able to know that she's worth marriage and proved herself to be a good wife one day. Having a family is important to herself and today, she'll learn if she's got what it takes to live her dream correctly" Armin answered with a sad smile as he knew how important today was for her and wanted to help it go as smoothly as it could for her. 

"You're way to involve to emotions to be a man sometimes" Eren commented with a frown as he looked to his friend. 

"I'm just smart enough to keep an eye on you and make you don't ruin this for her" Armin argued back in his defence as he saw nothing wrong in understand a person emotions and being attacked to their feelings. 

All the while the bath lady undresses Mikasa with the help of Carla comforting her and pushes her into the filled bath. Leaving both Armin and Eren to awkwardly sit on the stairs outside, waiting for her to be moved onto the hair dresses where they'd be allowed to stand inside with her. 

This is what you give me to work with?

Well, honey, I've seen worse.

We're gonna turn this sow's earInto a silk purse.

Bath Lady moves the silk partition aside showing Mikasa inthe bath. Carla sitting beside it, filling a small bucket with the bath water and pouring it over Mikasa head as the young women covered her eyes, always hating water in her eyes. 

"It's warm" Mikasa commented surprised, pushing her hair out of her face and looking towards her mother who giggled. 

"Eren ears always turn pink when he lies to me. I had a feeling he forgot to do one chore and knew to run your bath after the appointed time. I just didn't know he didn't do a single chore otherwise I would have left him with Grandpa to complete them and brought you with myself early on" Carla explained as she knew what her son was like and knew to run the water much later than the appointed time so it would have been nice and warm for Mikasa when she arrived. 

We'll have youWashed and driedPrimped and polished till you glow with pride

Trust my recipe for instant bride

You'll bring honour to us all

Bath Lady sings happily as she washes Mikasa hair and leaving Carla to wash Mikasa hands and nails. 

Armin and Eren listen in awkwardly, Connie left in his cage between them and looking much better compared to before. Eren catches something black on his friend wrist and quickly grab holds of his wrist before pulling the sleeves down. 

"Armin, what's this?" Eren asks with a raised eyebrow, not believing his friend actually had cheat sheets. He was meant to the one who cheated over any tests, not his smart friend. 

"Ahh, notes,in case Mikasa forgets something?" Armin answers with a shy smile, battling his eyelashes for his friend to look the other way. Armin didn't believe in cheating but he wanted to help his sister and friend in anyway he could. Even if he had to cough out a word or two that might escape Mikasa mind later on. 

"Here, hold this. We'llneed more luck than I thought" Eren mumbled back as he passes Connie cage over to his shorter friend and knowing they'd need more luck if his friend was prepared to cheat over today results. 

Mikasa looks on with an air of disappointment, her nerves slowly kicking in and she starts to second guess herself over passing today. She knew she acted like the proper women and Grandpa always praised her for her charms women, excitedly looking forward to her wedding day as he knew she'd make the perfect wife. 

Sure, to anyone else it might have seemed a little creepy to hear such praises and hopes from an old man. But Mikasa cherished the praise and knew her grandfather meant well. She was always worried over never being good enough, not after she ended up taking a person life and how she never found her smile or joy like she had when she held her innocence. 

But being told she could still make a good wife and seem like an actually lady, it made her fill with happiness at knowing she wasn't as broken and damaged she thought she was. 

Soon she was pulled out of the bath and wrapped in towels and a bathrobe. A pair of slippers on her feet and she got dragged along to the hairdresser by Carla. Armin hurrying along behind them, the cricket cage in his hands and he took care not to jolt the poor creature about too much. Eren nowhere in sight making most of the family members secretly worry a little as he always caused trouble whenever left by himself. 

The air dressers crushing and combing Mikasa's hair much to Mikasa wincing and praying for Carla to take over before she had all her hair pulled out. Even Armin stood covering his eyes and leaving the cricket in Carla hands instead. 

Wait and see

When we're through

 Boys will gladly go to war for you

With good fortune

The hair dresses all sang as one and making quick work over drying and putting up Mikasa hair. One of the hair dresses finalizing the hairdo to look exactly like her own and leaving Mikasa to glance towards Armin who gave a forced smile, giving a shaky thumbs up as he knew the hairdo did not suit Mikasa at all. 

But Carla gave a sweet smile as she gave an encouraging nod towards her daughter and standing in front of Armin to block his unease from Mikasa sight. 

And a great hairdo 

You'll bring honor to us all

Carla  and others all push Mikasa out and heading towards the dressers building next. Mikasa following her Mother at the back with Armin beside her, their arms hooked as if they were children skipping along all over again.

They all passes a xiangqi game and Armin pauses to take a look before watching as Mikasa make an impressive move. Armin keeps a smug look on his face even as Carla comes back and drags the two of them away. 

A girl can bring her family

Great honor in one way

By striking a good match

And this could be the day

The dressers all sang as Mikasa was pushed behind a changing screen. Carla turning Armin around to stare at the far wall and leaving Connie in his hands once more. Armin tapping his foot along to the song while Carla hurries over to help change Mikasa as she knew how uneasy her daughter was over having other presence while she's nude. But than again, so was anyone and sometimes professionals like the dressers forget that. 

Men want girls

with good taste

They all sang together as they grabbed the clothing they needed for her and grabbing matching shoes to go as well. Leaving Mikasa to shuffle a little closer to Carla, feeling a little exposed with her bathrobe and towels thrown over the changing screen and out of reach to cover herself with them again. 

Calm

Obedient

Who work fast-paced

With good breeding

Helping to slip on her undergarments and working round to work on her corset while Carla moved to stand in front of her, holding her hands as she knew this next part wasn't going to be pleasant for her. Not when Mikasa had always had wore lose clothing and kept dependable underwear on without worrying over her waist.  

And a tiny waist Mulan 

"huh" Mikasa breaths out in pain at her waist being squeezed so tightly. 

Before they all worked to slide on the slim and black dress, tight around her waist. It fitted like a glove to her figure and helped to hide some of the toned muscles she's gained over the years of her hard working and doing chores.

You'll bring honor to us all

Mikasa being dragged out from the screen by Carla as they moved on to the make up lady next. Armin smiling, a true smile and complimenting how beautiful she looked in her new dress. Hurrying after his adopted mother and sister, wondering what the make up lady could even do when Mikasa was a natural beauty. 

Carla releases Mikasa hand and hurries ahead as she noticed the make up lady waiting for them outside her little shop. Armin stays with Mikasa, both slowly walking over and giving her time to get use to breathing with her corset as it was all new to her.  

As they almost reach the shop steps, Mikasa sees a boy stealing a doll from a girl. Without thinking Mikasa grabs the doll from the boy and returns it to its owner, the little girl. She giving a small nod towards the smiling girl who passes on her thanks and Armin smiles sweetly to the girl before hurrying his sister up the stairs. 

We all must serve

our Emperor

Who guards us from the Huns

A man by bearing arms

A girl by bearing sons

The make up lady sings as Carla sits Mikasa down and make up lady places, powder, lipstick and eye liner on Mikasa face. 

Armin looking over towards Connie, poking a finger through the gaps in the cage and tickling the cricket a little. Carla pretends not to notice the worried look that flashes in her daughter eyes over the mention on bearing sons. 

She knew no women held no power over the gender of their child and it was a heavy weight to carry on their shoulders over the burden on expecting to birth a son. 

When we're through

You can't fail

Like a lotus blossom

soft and pale

How could any fellow

say "No sale"

You'll bring honor to us all

The make up Lady holds a mirror so Mikasa can see her reflection and handy work.

Armin and Carla takes notice over Mikasa not lookingpleased over her reflection. She didn't look at herself and didn't even recognize her own reflection right now.  Mikasa takes a single short bang and brings it down in front of herforehead and gives a happy nod. 

Now she wasn't mere perfection but a little odd still. 

Carla walks over with Armin as Mikasa stands up and slips her shoes back on. Leaning down as Carla waved her hand for her to lean down and soon slips Grandpa wife comb into her hair.

"There, you'reready" Carla softly smiled as she knew the comb was rather special for their strange family and she knew Mikasa would understand the honour of wearing it. 

But before Mikasa could give her thanks, Eren comes stumbling into the room. Rushing towards his sister and shoving his mother and brother out of the way making them share a worried look over what might happen now. 

"Not yet! An apple for serenity" Eren speaks as he shoves an apple into Mikasa mouth without warming, not seeing his mother or brother groan in despair in the background. 

"A pendant for balance" Eren says next as he places a yin-yang pendant under hersash and gave a happy nod as it stayed out of sight and showing he wasn't messing with her chose of clothing for today either. 

Mikasa throwing the apple towards Carla who easily caught it before eating it herself as she did skip breakfast this morning thanks to how busy today have been for them all. Armin hiding Connie behind his back in hopes Eren would forget about it and try not to put it on their sister. 

"Beads of jade for beauty. You must proudly show it" Eren grins proudly as he carefully clips the bright red beads around her neck, knowing it helped to bring out her dark eyes a little.  

"Now, you're ready" Armin smiled, giving a charming smile as it was time to send her on her way. 

"Thank you, Eren. I'm sure I'll be able to pass now" Mikasa whispered towards her older brother, patting his shoulder before walking towards the door where Carla stood waiting. 

Mikasa takes a deep breath before glancing to her smiling and supportive brothers once more and stepped out of the shop. Speed walking to catch up with the other maidens.

Ancestors

Hear my plea

Help me not to make a fool of me

And to not uproot my family tree

Keep my father standing tall

Armin grabbing the parasol from Carla who forgot to pass it over and didn't notice she was still holding it. Eren running with his friend as they hurried to catch up with Mikasa and the other maidens. 

Mikasa giving a small thankful nod as Armin passed the parasol over to her, patting her arm to held calm any nerves she may have been feeling. Eren giving her a quick hug while Armin steps back and sends a thumbs up towards Carla to show everything was going well once more. 

"Now add a cricket just for luck. And even you can't blow it" Eren whispers with a cheeky grin as he clips the cricket cage onto the back of her dress belt and soon steps back to let her carry on. 

Mikasa raises an eyebrow, gripping at her parasol and soon runs to catch up with the other maidens once again. 

Scarier than the undertaker

We are meeting our

matchmaker

Armin patting himself down as he noticed Connie was missing along with his cage. He looked Carla over as she hurried along with all the townspeople to go watch the chosen ladies to meet the matchmaker this week. Dread filling him as he turned to a smug looking Eren and quicken his pace to catch a glance of Mikasa and seeing the cricket cage on her back. 

Destiny

Guard our girls

And our future

as it fast unfurls

Please look kindly on

these cultured pearls

Each a perfect porcelain doll

The fathers, mothers and grandparents over the other four maidens all sang together in their prey towards their ancestors. Carla reaching to the front of the crowd thanks to the gap Eren and Armin made when they rushed to the front first.  

Please bring honor to us

Please bring honor to us

Please bring honor to us

Please bring honor to us

The four maidens all sang out loud as they all started to line up with Mikasa in the middle and acting as the centre of their line. All of their parasols being lifted and slowly opened. All family members holding their breaths and watching as the matchmaker had stepped out, clipboard in hand. 

Please bring honor to us all!

All Girls and Mulan arrive before the Matchmaker crouched down behind theirparasols.

Keeping silent and hiding themselves behind their opened parasols until they were called upon. 

"Mikasa Ackerman" The matchmaker called out, looking up from her clipboard and Mikasa made no movement to move or speak until she was given permission. 

Or, she was until Eren gave an echoing sneeze from behind her and sniffled a little as he forgot his own handkerchief. Armin running a hand down his face while Carla patted herself down for her handkerchief.  

"Bless you" Mikasa whispered out of habit. 

"Speaking without permission" The matchmaker frowned, giving a disproval look towards Mikasa she slowly stood up, placing her parasol down neatly. 

Mikasa grimace before stepping towards the matchmaker. Mikasa soon walks into the Matchmaker's building with the Matchmaker followingbehind and closing the door with a loud slam making the rest outside all flinch. 

"Who spit in her bean curd?" Armin grumbled back as he slapped the back of his friend head for sneezing.