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I have friends. You're just not one of them.
I could say that's because I barely know you, but you've already pegged me as a misanthrope, right?
[The tone is close to condescending, but Eren isn't offended.]
I decided a while ago I didn't want to make any more. I'm dead and it's tiring.
I could say that's because I barely know you, but you've already pegged me as a misanthrope, right?
[The tone is close to condescending, but Eren isn't offended.]
I decided a while ago I didn't want to make any more. I'm dead and it's tiring.
What does skill have to do with anything? I just said I didn't want to.
’I decided a while ago I didn't want to make any more. I'm dead and it's tiring.’
[ flat parrots eren’s telepathic message back right at him— with a mental voice that is exactly like eren’s had been at that moment; same cadence and tone. ]
I mean, if you wanna say that you’re tired of making friends, then just say it with your chest. You’re DONE with friendship! You’ve hit your max quota, prospective applicants may exit stage left, do not pass go and do not collect 200.
Don’t blame it on being dead, though. That’s a silly thing to do!
Because as far as I know, right now your heart is beating and pumping blood into your brain and each of your limbs. You might be dead in your world, but you’re alive in this one, whether you like it or not.
[ and flat truly does wonder: does his dear teammate like it or not? ]
[ flat parrots eren’s telepathic message back right at him— with a mental voice that is exactly like eren’s had been at that moment; same cadence and tone. ]
I mean, if you wanna say that you’re tired of making friends, then just say it with your chest. You’re DONE with friendship! You’ve hit your max quota, prospective applicants may exit stage left, do not pass go and do not collect 200.
Don’t blame it on being dead, though. That’s a silly thing to do!
Because as far as I know, right now your heart is beating and pumping blood into your brain and each of your limbs. You might be dead in your world, but you’re alive in this one, whether you like it or not.
[ and flat truly does wonder: does his dear teammate like it or not? ]
[. . .]
Ha...
[Just that. Not quite a laugh, not quite not. It's a dry, bitter amusement.]
You're right about that too.
A lot of people probably take you for an idiot, don't they?
Ha...
[Just that. Not quite a laugh, not quite not. It's a dry, bitter amusement.]
You're right about that too.
A lot of people probably take you for an idiot, don't they?
[ When Dolph suggested karaoke -
Akechi hadn't been excited to go, no matter how commonplace the activity was among his peers. It's not like he went to those venues outside of rare promotional requirements. He's a performer and an actor, but he lacks the capacity to sing and doesn't like embaressing himself with shit he can't do.
But he isn't going to give up. It's a challenge to Eren and that makes it mandatory to see through.
Eren didn't feel the same. Akechi isn't disappointed by the outcome, no matter how anticlimactic it is. ]
Go on - take your opportunity to practice. A loss by default is still a loss.
Akechi hadn't been excited to go, no matter how commonplace the activity was among his peers. It's not like he went to those venues outside of rare promotional requirements. He's a performer and an actor, but he lacks the capacity to sing and doesn't like embaressing himself with shit he can't do.
But he isn't going to give up. It's a challenge to Eren and that makes it mandatory to see through.
Eren didn't feel the same. Akechi isn't disappointed by the outcome, no matter how anticlimactic it is. ]
Go on - take your opportunity to practice. A loss by default is still a loss.
[It's been over 4 centuries since he first arrived in Somnius- and the memories had faded like a dream, and now he was returned. He was not aware of it, however, his final fight in Teyvat- no- his final efforts to attain his precious heart was what wrenched him from his stronger shell, the act that caused his fall. He was damaged, hemorrhaging power, and lost in a slumber from his own malfunction.
Even when and old friend had finally found him and taken him home, he did not wake. He would require extensive repairs- but he was fortunate Eren had done so once before. Though he was different now. Any outward sign of his nature as a puppet had vanished, not a single crafted joint to be found. And it would stay that way until his chassis was opened, and the illusion of flesh was dispelled.
Eren would see what a true sorry state he was in, several long cables screwed tightly into his back, and the once pristine pale wood of the great Thunder Sakura had become riddled with marks- mementos from his many battles both ancient and new. Even some smaller segments replaced with cold metal. Not everything was a mark from battle though, several parts, including his chest, looked as though they had been clearly cut through- but those sections had long been put back together, and for the time being there didn't seem to be any worry of them opening. His interior was in a similar state, Eren would find everything had been rearranged- his power source had been changed from his fragment of divinity to the large cables on his back- and likewise most of his personal power was also sent to the torn cables.
It would be much trial and error, his working were no longer the clean work of master left by his mother, but it could be done, and Eren would no doubt keep trying until the puppet returned to him.
Kanoa, as he was once known, remained oblivious of his own repairs for some time, but slowly vague awareness of sensation in his limbs returned to him. Still, Eren righting his warped innards was only a small piece of what it would take to rouse him. The fragment of divinity that was once a blinding radiant light in his chassis, now flickered like a starving flame.
No, there would be no movement from the puppet until his "heart" was once more placed in his chest. Once more the power flowed through him in a rhythmic cadence, and his inner workings fell back into their routine motions.
Then finally, there were signs of his rousing. A twitch of his fingers, a furrow of his brow, damaged though he was-he'd wake properly in but a few moments.]
Even when and old friend had finally found him and taken him home, he did not wake. He would require extensive repairs- but he was fortunate Eren had done so once before. Though he was different now. Any outward sign of his nature as a puppet had vanished, not a single crafted joint to be found. And it would stay that way until his chassis was opened, and the illusion of flesh was dispelled.
Eren would see what a true sorry state he was in, several long cables screwed tightly into his back, and the once pristine pale wood of the great Thunder Sakura had become riddled with marks- mementos from his many battles both ancient and new. Even some smaller segments replaced with cold metal. Not everything was a mark from battle though, several parts, including his chest, looked as though they had been clearly cut through- but those sections had long been put back together, and for the time being there didn't seem to be any worry of them opening. His interior was in a similar state, Eren would find everything had been rearranged- his power source had been changed from his fragment of divinity to the large cables on his back- and likewise most of his personal power was also sent to the torn cables.
It would be much trial and error, his working were no longer the clean work of master left by his mother, but it could be done, and Eren would no doubt keep trying until the puppet returned to him.
Kanoa, as he was once known, remained oblivious of his own repairs for some time, but slowly vague awareness of sensation in his limbs returned to him. Still, Eren righting his warped innards was only a small piece of what it would take to rouse him. The fragment of divinity that was once a blinding radiant light in his chassis, now flickered like a starving flame.
No, there would be no movement from the puppet until his "heart" was once more placed in his chest. Once more the power flowed through him in a rhythmic cadence, and his inner workings fell back into their routine motions.
Then finally, there were signs of his rousing. A twitch of his fingers, a furrow of his brow, damaged though he was-he'd wake properly in but a few moments.]
Edited 2025-06-01 20:40 (UTC)
[So rarely do people actually return to this place. Eren gave into grief the moment he realized Kanoa was gone, certain they'd never meet again. The circumstances under which they do aren't ideal. Kanoa has changed. Eren has repaired him before, mended would-be wounds, both large and small. He recognizes every difference. It's impossible to tell how much time has passed, but Eren thinks it must have been endless...
[The "heart" is returned to its vessel, and the body begins to move and twitch. Eren sits up straighter where he's knelt by Kanoa's bed, reaching out to grip the boy's hand in his, squeezing tight.]
Kanoa...
[That dullness that weighs down Eren's voice is entirely absent; indeed, he sounds alive in his desperation, voice breaking on the boy's name.]
[The "heart" is returned to its vessel, and the body begins to move and twitch. Eren sits up straighter where he's knelt by Kanoa's bed, reaching out to grip the boy's hand in his, squeezing tight.]
Kanoa...
[That dullness that weighs down Eren's voice is entirely absent; indeed, he sounds alive in his desperation, voice breaking on the boy's name.]
[Like hell Eren Jaeger was going to stand up in front of a bunch of strangers and try to sing along to goblin and gelfling folk music. He stares at Akechi now the same way he stared at Dolph when he suggested it.]
It isn't a loss by default if you also refuse.
It isn't a loss by default if you also refuse.
I would have gone through with it if you hadn't. It's only a song, after all.
[ But! He! Quit! So!!! ]
It's a loss. My apologies - it seems you're already failing the challenge to be a graceful loser, but I'll allow you the opportunity to try again.
[ But! He! Quit! So!!! ]
It's a loss. My apologies - it seems you're already failing the challenge to be a graceful loser, but I'll allow you the opportunity to try again.
[Ultimately it was the voice that spurred him to pull himself together. Memories started to return to him as the flow of power within him was made right.
A battle. The Gnosis. Falling.
He was in danger. He had to keep fighting. That was the only conclusion he could make from the scattered memories. His eyes snapped open with urgency, and with a clean precision his younger self lacked, he summoned his great power to his hand. ]
[But in that moment, he felt a vague nostalgia twist in him, the one before him was familiar. Surely that meant he was an enemy? Or some buffoon of the harbingers? No matter, all it would take was one strike to be rid of him and flee-
But before he could let lose his strike, he froze. It was as though a small, long forgotten, voice screamed out in protest. Don't hurt him!
It was enough of a shock to him to give him pause to reassess the situation. The memories were centuries old, and barely took up a fraction of his lifespan, but they had not faded. No, he was built by the God of Eternity, and thus he was cursed to hold onto each memory, a divine vessel created to transcend the erosion of the mind that gods and ancients both suffered with great age.
That said, with great memory storage came great loading time, and it was taking him some time to place the human, but the hesitance to harm him remained.]
... I know you.
A battle. The Gnosis. Falling.
He was in danger. He had to keep fighting. That was the only conclusion he could make from the scattered memories. His eyes snapped open with urgency, and with a clean precision his younger self lacked, he summoned his great power to his hand. ]
[But in that moment, he felt a vague nostalgia twist in him, the one before him was familiar. Surely that meant he was an enemy? Or some buffoon of the harbingers? No matter, all it would take was one strike to be rid of him and flee-
But before he could let lose his strike, he froze. It was as though a small, long forgotten, voice screamed out in protest. Don't hurt him!
It was enough of a shock to him to give him pause to reassess the situation. The memories were centuries old, and barely took up a fraction of his lifespan, but they had not faded. No, he was built by the God of Eternity, and thus he was cursed to hold onto each memory, a divine vessel created to transcend the erosion of the mind that gods and ancients both suffered with great age.
That said, with great memory storage came great loading time, and it was taking him some time to place the human, but the hesitance to harm him remained.]
... I know you.
[Eren's heart breaks in an instant. Maybe it shows, maybe it doesn't. A strike is prepared, and he knows an attack when he sees one. He makes no motion to defend himself, only half confident it won't kill him, but Kanoa freezes, searches, lowers his proverbial weapon.
[Eren can't steel his features. He can't force his eyes to lose their glistening shine, and he can't speak coldly. Not now. Not with Kanoa. Not even this one.]
My name is Eren. I looked after you.
[Eren can't steel his features. He can't force his eyes to lose their glistening shine, and he can't speak coldly. Not now. Not with Kanoa. Not even this one.]
My name is Eren. I looked after you.
[Memories were indeed resurfacing. He remembered this room- this man's face. Things were coming back to him piece by piece. Regardless, he wasn't where he'd thought he was when he first woke, and he severely doubted anything in the immediate vicinity was capable of damaging him further, even in the sorry state he was in.
So the power was dissipated with a little shake of his hand, and he was quick to take up a smile. Integrating- or well, re-integrating seemed like the safest option currently. Especially in the face of someone that knew him well enough to repair him.]
Right, I remember you... you'll have to forgive me, it's been... a few hundred years since then. It's good to see you again old friend- though I suppose I'm the old one now aren't I?
[Gag him. Ugh.]
So the power was dissipated with a little shake of his hand, and he was quick to take up a smile. Integrating- or well, re-integrating seemed like the safest option currently. Especially in the face of someone that knew him well enough to repair him.]
Right, I remember you... you'll have to forgive me, it's been... a few hundred years since then. It's good to see you again old friend- though I suppose I'm the old one now aren't I?
[Gag him. Ugh.]
If it's a loss, then you lose also. That, or you can sing for me right now.
[Something...isn't right. If Eren had to guess, he'd say a lot of things probably aren't right. He doesn't believe Kanoa's sudden smile, that odd friendliness that's nothing like the little thing that used to hand Eren frogs and lament over lonely cats.]
Kanoa. You don't have to lie to me.
[He saw that attack, the look on his face. He never looked that way before.]
Kanoa. You don't have to lie to me.
[He saw that attack, the look on his face. He never looked that way before.]
[The name gives him pause again. Right- those here had named him. He vaguely remembered seeking one. Slowly but surely memories were flooding back. Kanoa's was an unfinished story, unlike the Kabukimono or Kunikuzushi, his story had not been finished.]
Right- that was the name I was given here. ["Kanoa" never had reason to shed his name, no change in his life worth throwing it away- he just never had the chance to live it out. Well, what's his was his.] It's nice to have it back.
But really, why would you say I'm lying? You didn't think I would keep my youthful ignorance forever, did you? [UGH come on memories, LOAD FASTER! Oh wait- he's got one... well several actually. Wow, he was embarrassing.] Do I need to go out and bring you some stray cats to prove I'm the same person?
Right- that was the name I was given here. ["Kanoa" never had reason to shed his name, no change in his life worth throwing it away- he just never had the chance to live it out. Well, what's his was his.] It's nice to have it back.
But really, why would you say I'm lying? You didn't think I would keep my youthful ignorance forever, did you? [UGH come on memories, LOAD FASTER! Oh wait- he's got one... well several actually. Wow, he was embarrassing.] Do I need to go out and bring you some stray cats to prove I'm the same person?
I know who I'm looking at.
[Eren's voice is firm, stern. He stares the boy down, exhausted as he is. He's been working for hours.
[He needs time. He needs trust. Fine. Eren will give him that. He'll try...
[He glances toward the bedroom door.]
You stay here. This room is yours.
[He's welcome. Eren isn't sure how much to insist.]
Return here whenever you want to.
[Eren's voice is firm, stern. He stares the boy down, exhausted as he is. He's been working for hours.
[He needs time. He needs trust. Fine. Eren will give him that. He'll try...
[He glances toward the bedroom door.]
You stay here. This room is yours.
[He's welcome. Eren isn't sure how much to insist.]
Return here whenever you want to.
Ah, thank you. I remember this room...
[He had a room here already he thought- no wait. He never had a specific room since he never actually slept, he would just put stuff in whatever room was open... which meant-
He idly makes his way to the closet and- yep. Full of swords and misshapen pots. He didn't even bother to hide his wince. These were terrible.
But he turned back to Eren after closing the door on yet another childhood embarrassment. People were going to be walking around with those abominations to smithing weren't they? Oh he hated this and it hasn't even been a full five minutes.]
Would you let me make you a cup of tea? Perhaps a meal? I know my repairs were no simple matter, and we should catch up. I do at the very least owe you an explanation for nearly taking your head there.
[He had a room here already he thought- no wait. He never had a specific room since he never actually slept, he would just put stuff in whatever room was open... which meant-
He idly makes his way to the closet and- yep. Full of swords and misshapen pots. He didn't even bother to hide his wince. These were terrible.
But he turned back to Eren after closing the door on yet another childhood embarrassment. People were going to be walking around with those abominations to smithing weren't they? Oh he hated this and it hasn't even been a full five minutes.]
Would you let me make you a cup of tea? Perhaps a meal? I know my repairs were no simple matter, and we should catch up. I do at the very least owe you an explanation for nearly taking your head there.
You don't.
When you woke up, you didn't recognize me. I would have tried to do the same thing.
[Eren pushes himself up from where he's been sitting next to the bed.]
There's tea in the kitchen. Come on.
When you woke up, you didn't recognize me. I would have tried to do the same thing.
[Eren pushes himself up from where he's been sitting next to the bed.]
There's tea in the kitchen. Come on.
actually it's a little more complicated than that, but I'll explain in a moment.
[The kitchen, like everything else in this place, had that uncanny familiar feeling. It was unsettling and bothersome, but tea was tea. He wasted no time moving around the kitchen like he owned the place. Tea, kettle, and a pair of cups. Easy enough.]
Are you hungry?
[The kitchen, like everything else in this place, had that uncanny familiar feeling. It was unsettling and bothersome, but tea was tea. He wasted no time moving around the kitchen like he owned the place. Tea, kettle, and a pair of cups. Easy enough.]
Are you hungry?
[It makes perfect sense. Akechi is clearly winning this argument. Eren hates that. He'd rather die than stop arguing.
[New strategy.]
This is odd. I've never seen you so intimidated before. Usually, you're happy to show off your abilities...
[New strategy.]
This is odd. I've never seen you so intimidated before. Usually, you're happy to show off your abilities...
[Hungry? He can't remember the last time he actually ate, but...no, he's still not hungry.
[He takes an apple from a basket on the counter.]
Don't worry about that. I want to talk to you.
[He sits down at the island and takes a bite.]
[He takes an apple from a basket on the counter.]
Don't worry about that. I want to talk to you.
[He sits down at the island and takes a bite.]
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