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[Eren has no idea what's going on, but he's pretty used to that by now. He doesn't know which mystery cat Maruki is referring to, and he definitely didn't see one run out the side door; however, he takes a sip of tea, speaking into his mug:]
I tried to stop her.
I tried to stop her.
jesus I didn't realize this thread was so long lmao WRAPTTT
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abandonhumanity
2024-10-16 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
[Mercifully enough, Eren doesn't take a seat beside Akechi. He stands with his hands shoved into the pocket of his coat, his eyes cast out over the slope of the hill, the town below. He won't speak again until Akechi does. They may talk about idle things. They do on occasion. Or they may remain silent until it's time to trace their way back to the beginning of their route. Sometimes Eren is surprised that Akechi still shows up every morning...]
[ He could argue he was needlessly cruel, then but he has a feeling it'd be a losing fight. Eren knows what he did, after all. Jean keeps his eyes closed; there's no need to look right now. ]
If there's anything I can do to help with your memories, I will.
If you don't want to rest, we can do something else. Read a book or take a walk, or train. Whatever you want.
If there's anything I can do to help with your memories, I will.
If you don't want to rest, we can do something else. Read a book or take a walk, or train. Whatever you want.
I read that as "take a walk or take a train" and I was like somnius metro????
abandonhumanity
2024-10-16 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
[Eren's arms settle in heavier around Jean and squeeze. He hooks their ankles together, tangling their legs up close.]
There's no need to coddle me. [He has to say it. But...]
Whatever you want to do, I don't care. I want to be near you. That's all, Jean. [He won't ask for anything else. Jean can hate him the entire time he loves him if that's what it takes. Eren's earned that.
[He just wants to be near the ones he loves while he still can be.]
There's no need to coddle me. [He has to say it. But...]
Whatever you want to do, I don't care. I want to be near you. That's all, Jean. [He won't ask for anything else. Jean can hate him the entire time he loves him if that's what it takes. Eren's earned that.
[He just wants to be near the ones he loves while he still can be.]
[ Jean doesn't stop Eren from tangling their legs together, making sure to hook one calf over Eren's. Even like this, after everything, it feels just as right as it did the first time. Familiar, comforting. ]
I don't coddle you.
[ He did, a little, when Eren was younger here; not anymore, he's resolved. ]
Then I'll tell you about the stars, and the planets, I've been learning about.
[ And, if Eren has no objections, he'll do just that. He's sure he's heard some of it before, from Armin. But he talks about galaxies, nebulas, planets; how the light in the sky takes thousands of years to reach them. How some of the stars are already dead, and they won't know it for a long time.
He tells him everything he knows, until his voice drifts off, and they're left in silence, holding each other close. ]
I don't coddle you.
[ He did, a little, when Eren was younger here; not anymore, he's resolved. ]
Then I'll tell you about the stars, and the planets, I've been learning about.
[ And, if Eren has no objections, he'll do just that. He's sure he's heard some of it before, from Armin. But he talks about galaxies, nebulas, planets; how the light in the sky takes thousands of years to reach them. How some of the stars are already dead, and they won't know it for a long time.
He tells him everything he knows, until his voice drifts off, and they're left in silence, holding each other close. ]
Edited 2024-10-16 04:37 (UTC)
Is that so?
[The door is ajar.
Slight enough for a small animal to drag its body through. That's his first thought when he moves to investigate the corroborating story of this missing cat.
A cat that may not exist. Might. He kneels down to the doorframe, turning on the flashlight from his phone and eyeing the frame for any residual fur. No black hairs, no white ones - all would be easily spotted against the dark wooden frame.
No chance of the cat not shedding while squeezing through the door.
INTERESTING.
The flashlight goes off. He slams the door shut, and locks it with equal force.]
Eren, could you please relay the events that occured in the last twenty minutes? From beginning to end, no matter how minor the detail.
[Oh, he is sussy wussy in this naughty little ANTAG house. Korokke whines, and he throws a treat down at her. Shut up!!!]
Through text please, including a description of the cat in question.
[HIS EYES ARE ON MARUKI. DO NOT TOUCH YOUR PHONE. DO NOT TEXT EREN A STORY. ]
[The door is ajar.
Slight enough for a small animal to drag its body through. That's his first thought when he moves to investigate the corroborating story of this missing cat.
A cat that may not exist. Might. He kneels down to the doorframe, turning on the flashlight from his phone and eyeing the frame for any residual fur. No black hairs, no white ones - all would be easily spotted against the dark wooden frame.
No chance of the cat not shedding while squeezing through the door.
INTERESTING.
The flashlight goes off. He slams the door shut, and locks it with equal force.]
Eren, could you please relay the events that occured in the last twenty minutes? From beginning to end, no matter how minor the detail.
[Oh, he is sussy wussy in this naughty little ANTAG house. Korokke whines, and he throws a treat down at her. Shut up!!!]
Through text please, including a description of the cat in question.
[HIS EYES ARE ON MARUKI. DO NOT TOUCH YOUR PHONE. DO NOT TEXT EREN A STORY. ]
[A loooooooong sip of tea. Both hands on the mug.
[God. This is good tea.
[He lets out a sigh.]
I'm not typing all that.
[God. This is good tea.
[He lets out a sigh.]
I'm not typing all that.
Do you really want a beat by beat recounting of our conversation? She just ran through right before you walked in here, so most of that story wouldn't matter.
[ And then a mug of hojicha gets pushed into Akechi's hands too. ]
Sit. Relax. You're so wound up. She'll be back.
[ And then a mug of hojicha gets pushed into Akechi's hands too. ]
Sit. Relax. You're so wound up. She'll be back.
I'm not 'wound up.' This cat is quite the baffling mystery to me and it's odd, frankly, how no evidence of its life appears in this home. Isn't that strange?
[Oh, he takes the tea. It's whatever!!! He doesn't care!!
And heads over to take his place at his little kotatsu, no more treats coming out of his hand, but Korokke knows it's heater time. She waddles behind him. ]
But since it's outside, please let it stay there. While it might seem cruel, we can't take on every wayward creature that wanders by - human or otherwise. Of course, I'm sympathetic to any creature that must struggle. It's quite a sad necessity of life.
[NoT tO bE RuDe.]
But by all means, continue your conversation. Don't mind me.
[Oh, he takes the tea. It's whatever!!! He doesn't care!!
And heads over to take his place at his little kotatsu, no more treats coming out of his hand, but Korokke knows it's heater time. She waddles behind him. ]
But since it's outside, please let it stay there. While it might seem cruel, we can't take on every wayward creature that wanders by - human or otherwise. Of course, I'm sympathetic to any creature that must struggle. It's quite a sad necessity of life.
[NoT tO bE RuDe.]
But by all means, continue your conversation. Don't mind me.
[Eren casually gets up to join Akechi at the kotatsu.
[Can we talk about this tea?]
[Can we talk about this tea?]
Oh, good. I was about to ask if you wanted to try it out. I think you'll like it!
[ Happily trailing along behind Eren, tea in one hand, lil snackie bowl of senbei in the other.
Now there are three people at the kotatsu! Yay!!! ♥ ]
If it's too warm, just say so. I think Akechi-kun turns it up so high purposefully so no one else will use it.
[ Happily trailing along behind Eren, tea in one hand, lil snackie bowl of senbei in the other.
Now there are three people at the kotatsu! Yay!!! ♥ ]
If it's too warm, just say so. I think Akechi-kun turns it up so high purposefully so no one else will use it.
[Eren arrives. Then Maruki. He plasters a smile on his face as both take a seat.
OH OKAY.
Heat? Cranked up to the max. His legs? In the center, stretched out and splayed outwards to give everyone else little room to extend their own legs.
He's just so tall! He can't help it! Such a shame. ]
OH OKAY.
Heat? Cranked up to the max. His legs? In the center, stretched out and splayed outwards to give everyone else little room to extend their own legs.
He's just so tall! He can't help it! Such a shame. ]
Oh, I would never do such a thing. My intent is for the comfort of all parties who want to use it. Sometimes the heater itself has issues at lower settings - it's unfortunate.
[Get fucked. No one's allowed near it.]
If you can't handle it, you're welcome to leave at any point. I wouldn't stop you, though I would miss your company, of course.
[Get fucked. No one's allowed near it.]
If you can't handle it, you're welcome to leave at any point. I wouldn't stop you, though I would miss your company, of course.
No need for that.
[Eren merely lays his legs over Akechi's. He's just so tall!]
It's comfortable enough.
[Eren merely lays his legs over Akechi's. He's just so tall!]
It's comfortable enough.
[ What you two doin under the kotatsu? Leaving no room for Maruki, that's what. It's fine. He can sit criss cross applesauce with only his knees underneath. Oh, a cruel and unjust reality. Oh, an unloved, unwanted Maruki.
jk he's munching on senbei, watching Akechi become increasingly miserable, totally content. ]
Maybe I should wish for an even larger one. I didn't anticipate that we'd have so many guests over to use the kotatsu, but we could always have more! BB-san, and Aubrey, and Venat...
jk he's munching on senbei, watching Akechi become increasingly miserable, totally content. ]
Maybe I should wish for an even larger one. I didn't anticipate that we'd have so many guests over to use the kotatsu, but we could always have more! BB-san, and Aubrey, and Venat...
[Oh no he didn't.
Akechi doesn't flinch, move or otherwise show any discomfort at the fucking weight on his legs. No, he's fine. Doesn't give a shit at all. He's completely calm and at peace, as he grips the teacup tight in his palms.
So chill. Maybe he adjusts his legs, moving them upwards in a feigned display of stretching SO FAR. BIG BIG STRETCH. All to try to press Eren's knees up to the heater. Hopefully he doesn't get burned!!! That would be a shame!!!!]
Unnecessary - though you're welcome to get a second one for all the people you plan to invite over, Maruki-san. I never knew you to be this social. It's quite a surprise.
Akechi doesn't flinch, move or otherwise show any discomfort at the fucking weight on his legs. No, he's fine. Doesn't give a shit at all. He's completely calm and at peace, as he grips the teacup tight in his palms.
So chill. Maybe he adjusts his legs, moving them upwards in a feigned display of stretching SO FAR. BIG BIG STRETCH. All to try to press Eren's knees up to the heater. Hopefully he doesn't get burned!!! That would be a shame!!!!]
Unnecessary - though you're welcome to get a second one for all the people you plan to invite over, Maruki-san. I never knew you to be this social. It's quite a surprise.
[Boy, Eren is stronger than you by miles. He weighs those legs down on Akechi's, pressing the boy's knees back against the floor. His grip becomes a little tighter on his mug too, but he doesn't let anything show aside from a quick sideways glance.
[Then, to Maruki, flat:] I like it better without so many people here.
[Isn't that so important? How Eren likes things to be in someone else's house?
[Anyway.]
Aubrey would be fine.
[Then, to Maruki, flat:] I like it better without so many people here.
[Isn't that so important? How Eren likes things to be in someone else's house?
[Anyway.]
Aubrey would be fine.
[ Honestly? Yeah, Eren's opinion is more important than Akechi's.
Besides, Maruki is just bullshitting. He has no interest in any more people knowing about the machiya than those who already do. ]
We'll invite Aubrey next time. The four of us would fit nicely around this kotatsu. I'm sure you two would learn to share for her, if not for me.
Besides, Maruki is just bullshitting. He has no interest in any more people knowing about the machiya than those who already do. ]
We'll invite Aubrey next time. The four of us would fit nicely around this kotatsu. I'm sure you two would learn to share for her, if not for me.
[Oh boy! Someone said the secret phrase for infinite happiness it was that one. No sooner had he sat down, did he leap back to his feet with a big grin, and started to excited drag Even out of the house.]
I will take you to meet all my friends! Then they can be your friends too! I do not understand the frogs, but they have many things to say so it is good to listen, and the ducks are also very good but you must have bread for them or they will grow cross, and then I will show you the cats!
[And the “cats” because his animal identification skills still leave much to be desired.]
I will take you to meet all my friends! Then they can be your friends too! I do not understand the frogs, but they have many things to say so it is good to listen, and the ducks are also very good but you must have bread for them or they will grow cross, and then I will show you the cats!
[And the “cats” because his animal identification skills still leave much to be desired.]
[This is such a chill, nice, fun conversation they're having. Literally so nice.
Akechi isn't trying to lift his legs with all the force in his lanky shrimp body - not at all. Definitely isn't getting riled because nothing is happening and he's effectively trapped. Can't move away, up, or out. Can't kick him. Can't do shit.]
Oh, I share just fine. She would have a spot here - I'm always amenable to the needs of others, even if it's unexpected. Eren, on the other hand, seems incapable of not taking up someone's personal space. Would you like some counseling about that? I'm sure Maruki-san would make a special exception for you.
Akechi isn't trying to lift his legs with all the force in his lanky shrimp body - not at all. Definitely isn't getting riled because nothing is happening and he's effectively trapped. Can't move away, up, or out. Can't kick him. Can't do shit.]
Oh, I share just fine. She would have a spot here - I'm always amenable to the needs of others, even if it's unexpected. Eren, on the other hand, seems incapable of not taking up someone's personal space. Would you like some counseling about that? I'm sure Maruki-san would make a special exception for you.
[ Thorfinn isn't sure what he believes. He hasn't heard of anyone disappearing and coming back years later, so…in a way, that lends credence to what Maruki had said then and Eren says now.
But if he could choose to be here, why can't they all choose to leave?
Thorfinn doesn't entirely want to leave, but that's not really the point. He has to go home and finish what he started, even though the taste of revenge is no longer a good one. ]
There's a lot lots of people don't know.
[ He's a little defensive, but he doesn't seek out information the way some people do. He doesn't care about all of that. That's for smart people. He knows he's not all that smart, but it doesn't matter. He's a capable warrior, and what else would there ever be? ]
But I believe you. I guess. That you won't leave unless you want to. Tell me before you do.
[ He would never ask Eren to stay, even if he wants to. He can't go that far. But he can at least ask for a damn warning. ]
But if he could choose to be here, why can't they all choose to leave?
Thorfinn doesn't entirely want to leave, but that's not really the point. He has to go home and finish what he started, even though the taste of revenge is no longer a good one. ]
There's a lot lots of people don't know.
[ He's a little defensive, but he doesn't seek out information the way some people do. He doesn't care about all of that. That's for smart people. He knows he's not all that smart, but it doesn't matter. He's a capable warrior, and what else would there ever be? ]
But I believe you. I guess. That you won't leave unless you want to. Tell me before you do.
[ He would never ask Eren to stay, even if he wants to. He can't go that far. But he can at least ask for a damn warning. ]
lmk if u wanna handwave or thread a lil i'm okay with either hehe
abandonhumanity
2024-10-20 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
[Eren follows without issue. He really would do anything he could that Kanoa asked. He doesn't mind talking to frogs for a while if it makes him happy.]
Show me the way.
Show me the way.
Eh...[More tea for him.] I don't really do that anymore.
[It will all depend on so much. Whatever actions he ends up taking against those in charge, at this point, he'll guarantee that his loved ones are safe, but there's no guaranteeing that this reality will stay intact. He's not quite ready to pass that information along. He doesn't think Thorfinn would understand what he's trying to do. They made a promise to defeat Vaeros together, yes, and that can still be true, but there are very few that Eren has entrusted with deeper intentions. All that being said, there's no scenario in which Thorfinn wouldn't be informed that something would be about to happen.]
I will. [Voice quiet, steady. He pulls away enough to look at Thorfinn, arms still around him.]
For the time being...you don't have to worry about that.
I will. [Voice quiet, steady. He pulls away enough to look at Thorfinn, arms still around him.]
For the time being...you don't have to worry about that.
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