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["Don't worry about that" he says while stuffing his face on something insubstantial. Whatever. It's his feeble little pile of meat, he can do whatever he wants with it. Go photosynthesize for all he cares.
anyway, He'll just be focused on the tea for now. Of course he oversteeped his, nice and bitter, just how he liked it. Eren's he made just as bitter- for personal amusement really. Either he bluffed and said "oops, just a habit", or Eren tolerated it and he could play it off as being familiar with him. Win-win.]
Here we are. [He takes a seat.] So, I suppose I should start by letting you ask what you wish?
anyway, He'll just be focused on the tea for now. Of course he oversteeped his, nice and bitter, just how he liked it. Eren's he made just as bitter- for personal amusement really. Either he bluffed and said "oops, just a habit", or Eren tolerated it and he could play it off as being familiar with him. Win-win.]
Here we are. [He takes a seat.] So, I suppose I should start by letting you ask what you wish?
[Eren accepts the tea. It's damn bitter, but still better than what he grew up with. He doesn't complain.]
You were going to tell me why you almost took my head off. Apparently I guessed wrong.
You were going to tell me why you almost took my head off. Apparently I guessed wrong.
Ah, right. Well, to start off with, I should first explain that when I'm forcefully shut down, then come back on, it doesn't work for me the way it would for a human. As far as I'm aware, no time has passed between the two events. There's also very little time "waking up" as humans have. Either I'm off or I'm on, my mind is clear immediately before and after.
[He takes a sip of the tea. Ahhh, nice and bitter. Just like life.]
As you noticed by my condition, I was in the middle of a battle when I lost consciousness, so when I awoke, as far as I was aware, I was still in the midst of battle.
[All truths. He was vague, but he would see where Eren's questions would take the topic before he started really picking and choosing what he shared.]
[He takes a sip of the tea. Ahhh, nice and bitter. Just like life.]
As you noticed by my condition, I was in the middle of a battle when I lost consciousness, so when I awoke, as far as I was aware, I was still in the midst of battle.
[All truths. He was vague, but he would see where Eren's questions would take the topic before he started really picking and choosing what he shared.]
[Right... It makes sense. Eren nods.]
That's not all that different than startling a soldier awake. A lot of them don't realize they aren't battling in their sleep too.
[. . .]
War is Hell. I didn't want you to have to see it.
That's not all that different than startling a soldier awake. A lot of them don't realize they aren't battling in their sleep too.
[. . .]
War is Hell. I didn't want you to have to see it.
[There’s a snicker and almost a sneer, a hint of who he is truly beneath the smile- but just a hint.]
You can’t think I would live for five centuries and somehow avoid the calamity of war?
[another sip of his tea as he continues. Of course a human would think war is terrible. They’re weak and fragile things, filled with fear.]
Though, that’s something I admittedly leave for humans to sort out. [After he fans the flames of course, but he can leave out his little hobby of sowing chaos and unrest in Inazuma.] The end result will be inconsequential to me. Humans will forget about it in a century or so and move on, and it’s not as though I’m bound by their laws.
You can’t think I would live for five centuries and somehow avoid the calamity of war?
[another sip of his tea as he continues. Of course a human would think war is terrible. They’re weak and fragile things, filled with fear.]
Though, that’s something I admittedly leave for humans to sort out. [After he fans the flames of course, but he can leave out his little hobby of sowing chaos and unrest in Inazuma.] The end result will be inconsequential to me. Humans will forget about it in a century or so and move on, and it’s not as though I’m bound by their laws.
[Eren feels something cold and heavy settle in his gut. He might have known Kanoa was a god, but he's never talked like one before. He used to love humans more than anything, and now he talks about them as if they're "inconsequential". Eren's heard that before.]
You've changed. Lie all you want, but I see you.
Kanoa...
While you're here, just be. Drop the shitty mask.
You've changed. Lie all you want, but I see you.
Kanoa...
While you're here, just be. Drop the shitty mask.
I never claimed the contrary. Like I said, it's been four centuries since I was last here- I believe it would be more concerning if I didn't change in all that time.
[There's a wryness to his grin- a sharp edge tinged with amusement. So the human saw through him, that didn't mean he'd give him what he wanted. Of course had had to still play things safe for the sake of plausible deniability... but this was clearly turning into a sort of game to him.]
I think it's more a matter of just needing to get to know me again.
[There's a wryness to his grin- a sharp edge tinged with amusement. So the human saw through him, that didn't mean he'd give him what he wanted. Of course had had to still play things safe for the sake of plausible deniability... but this was clearly turning into a sort of game to him.]
I think it's more a matter of just needing to get to know me again.
You wouldn't even be going against me. What I really can't believe is that winning by default would satisfy you. It's hardly evidence of skill.
Oh well...
[Time for walkies. Walkies away. You comin'?]
Oh well...
[Time for walkies. Walkies away. You comin'?]
[It isn't a game to Eren. Kanoa's not someone he'd want to play them with. He nods his head, heavy.]
You're right about that. And I will.
It's not so easy. I get it.
[. . .
[There's no reason not to say it. He'd never deny it. Kanoa should know.]
I love you anyway. That won't change.
You're right about that. And I will.
It's not so easy. I get it.
[. . .
[There's no reason not to say it. He'd never deny it. Kanoa should know.]
I love you anyway. That won't change.
[ There's always a moment in their conversations that turns irritating. They hit it record time. Akechi follows along, if only to continue the 'discussion' by his side. ]
And it's hardly worth wasting my time for someone that won't play the game. I only afford the privilege of a challenge to those that match it. Anything else is simply dancing for the entertainment of no one.
And it's hardly worth wasting my time for someone that won't play the game. I only afford the privilege of a challenge to those that match it. Anything else is simply dancing for the entertainment of no one.
It's not a matter of entertainment.
[A glance over as they walk.]
It's a matter of pride.
[A glance over as they walk.]
It's a matter of pride.
There's no point. I haven't lost anything.
[He can do this all day. Feels just like old times, doesn't it...?]
If you can't lose without playing, then you can't win without playing either.
[He can do this all day. Feels just like old times, doesn't it...?]
If you can't lose without playing, then you can't win without playing either.
[Eren has to bite his lip. It's funny. He pictures them both laughing; shakes his head.]
Forget it. I'm disappointed...
[Without realizing it, they've started heading toward the portal back to Visium. Eren thinks of Starlight Cliff. He glances sideways at Akechi.]
I want to compete with you.
Forget it. I'm disappointed...
[Without realizing it, they've started heading toward the portal back to Visium. Eren thinks of Starlight Cliff. He glances sideways at Akechi.]
I want to compete with you.
[ And at that -
He isn't unhappy at the prospect. No, it's as entertaining as anything and their day has opened up with the lack of anything better to do. ]
Likewise. I can't say it's not on my mind often - so let's compete.
[ Doing something -
Perhaps a bit nostalgic. ]
With a race.
He isn't unhappy at the prospect. No, it's as entertaining as anything and their day has opened up with the lack of anything better to do. ]
Likewise. I can't say it's not on my mind often - so let's compete.
[ Doing something -
Perhaps a bit nostalgic. ]
With a race.
[Yeah... Eren nods, a flicker in his eye.]
When we pass through the portal, well run as high up the cliff as we can.
When we pass through the portal, well run as high up the cliff as we can.
[Through the portal they go. Eren nods. There's only one more glance shared between them, and then they're off. Here, Eren won't hold back. Akechi is better at it these days. Eren wants to see how good he's gotten. Once they reach the crystals at the base of the cliff, they'll have to start bouldering too, won't they?]
[It was all well and good right up until that last line. He resisted the desire to wrinkle his nose at the idea, but there was no hiding the uncertainty that crossed his face.
Well, if nothing else, Eren managed to wipe that shitty smirk off his face. So much for his little game.]
I would argue at the logic behind that given the time that's passed, but I suppose that would be more difficult for you given what comparatively little time has passed here... Still, I'm not the same person you knew before.
You may want to learn who I am now before making such bold proclamations.
Well, if nothing else, Eren managed to wipe that shitty smirk off his face. So much for his little game.]
I would argue at the logic behind that given the time that's passed, but I suppose that would be more difficult for you given what comparatively little time has passed here... Still, I'm not the same person you knew before.
You may want to learn who I am now before making such bold proclamations.
I get what you're saying...
Honestly, there's probably a lot you don't know about me too. [Or, at least, a lot of things he didn't have the ability to think critically about the last time Eren saw him.]
It doesn't matter, though.
I will get to know you again. That's because I love you.
Even if I end up hating you too, it can't change what's already happened. I'll love you forever now. [He says it as if it were a little sigh. Nothing to be done. He sips his tea again.] That's just the way it is.
Honestly, there's probably a lot you don't know about me too. [Or, at least, a lot of things he didn't have the ability to think critically about the last time Eren saw him.]
It doesn't matter, though.
I will get to know you again. That's because I love you.
Even if I end up hating you too, it can't change what's already happened. I'll love you forever now. [He says it as if it were a little sigh. Nothing to be done. He sips his tea again.] That's just the way it is.
Well, I suppose I can't fault you for that. [He absolutely can.] That's just the nature of humans isn't it?
I'll admit it's been many years since I last lived among them, I've nearly forgotten what it's like.
I'll admit it's been many years since I last lived among them, I've nearly forgotten what it's like.
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