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[abandonhumanity]

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[placation]

Goodness, no. Nothing like that. But I do want to find out more about that rumor...

None of the dreamers have them. I want to see if it's possible for us to get them for ourselves. Without joining that religion, of course!

[abandonhumanity]

I'm not going to let you start wearing robes and chanting around a magic rock.

[placation]

I'm not going to start wearing robes and chanting around a magic rock!!!

I'm strictly agnostic, thank you.

I just think it would be useful. And if they really do have the ability to view memories from other realities...

[abandonhumanity]

It is useful. I said that too.

I visited the crystal here too. The overgrowth hasn't stopped, but my pendant responds to it again.

[placation]

Oh? Fascinating...

I wonder if there would be any difference if one were to wish for the same thing at both crystals. That would tell us something about the power source... or sources, as the case may be.

[abandonhumanity]

Well...

If you promise not to join a cult, you could try Stellari's crystal, and I'll use the one in Somnius.

What should we ask for?

[placation]

You'd do that with me?

[abandonhumanity]

[...?]

I'd do almost anything with you.

You think it's a good idea, right? I figure if there's anyone I can trust to tell me about how the golden crystal works, it's you. I've used the one here a hundred times. It would be stupid to stop using it now.

[placation]

Almost?

I'm kidding, of course. It's just exciting! Getting to do an experiment together... Ah, this is a very nerdy thing for me to get worked up over, isn't it?

[abandonhumanity]

It's cute.

[Maruki really would get along with Armin. They both want to know everything. Maybe they're driven by the same force, whatever that may be...]

We should probably ask for something identical. But if our wishes are influenced by our cognition, the result will be different no matter what if we're only using our imaginations.

Right?

Then, we should ask for two copies of something we already have.

[placation]

[ If our wishes are influenced by our cognition– oh, Maruki could keel over, he's so pleased and proud. ]

Excellent point, Eren. It'll introduce a control element too. That's just good experiment design!

Hm...

I don't suppose you want another camera? Or two?

[abandonhumanity]

I'd really have no use for something like that...

[He already has way too much stuff. Who needs three cameras? Maybe if they were all different...

[That being said, he doesn't own much else to offer up.]

You could keep one. You'd probably learn how to use it faster than I did.

[Take photos with him, bestie?]

I'll just find someone to give the other one to.

[placation]

[ He's picking up what Eren is putting down, immediately. ]

We could try taking photos together sometime.

[abandonhumanity]

You'd do that with me?

[placation]

As a wise man once said, I'd do almost anything with you.

Of course. We did it once before, actually, although I only had my phone to use then... Do you remember that?

[abandonhumanity]

Yeah. I do. Your phone camera was a thousand times clearer than my Polaroid one though.

These cameras are pretty nice. Dolph showed me how to change some of the settings. It came with an instruction guide too, but it's pretty confusing.

[Now who's being the nerd?]

I figured I'd ask for a dark room too.

[They can probably develop photos up in that new fancy city or whatever, but...Eren really wants to do it himself.]

Also, I was wrong. I'd do anything with you. I can't really think of anything that I wouldn't.

[placation]

Is that so?

[abandonhumanity]

Yeah. That is.

[placation]

Well, good. I was just copying what you said for comedic effect, but I can't think of anything I wouldn't do with you either.

I'll come over to the farm tonight so I can take a look at your camera before I make my wish. I could stay over, if you want...?

[abandonhumanity]

I'd rather go to the windmill. If you want.

1/2

[placation]

Of course. We will.

Can I ask you something?

[placation]

Actually, I'll ask you tonight.

( > action )

[abandonhumanity]

[That apparent question hangs in Eren's mind for the rest of the day. It's only an idle thing, but curious. It's rare for him to cling so tightly to one little thing like that. He's still thinking about it when they make it up to the windmill loft. There's never any hesitation in crawling under blankets. The windmill is drafty and cold.

[They've only just laid down, but Eren's arms are already around Maruki's middle, Eren curled up on his side with his chin tucked over the man's shoulder. It's odd to remember how he used to hesitate to get close.]

What were you going to ask me?

[placation]

[ It takes only seconds for Maruki to be held entirely. He relaxes back against Eren, lays an arm over the ones wrapped around his waist, runs his fingers back and forth over Eren's forearm.

It takes a few seconds longer for him to remember, and then: ]

Oh, right! I was– [ He turns his head, immediately comes face to face with Eren tucked over his shoulder. A beat, and Maruki smiles, momentarily arrested. ] Hi. I was just wondering...

[ How to put this... ]

Is everything okay? With the farm, I mean. Don't get me wrong, I like having you at the machiya– I want that, I just... was curious.

[abandonhumanity]

[For whatever reason, his first instinct is to play dumb. He shakes that off pretty quick. Having at least one person that you can't lie to is freeing in its own way...]

I don't know. [He really doesn't. Everything seems fine, but...]

I've never felt right there.