[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?
[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.
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.]
["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?
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.]
[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.
[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.]
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.
[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.
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.
no subject
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?
no subject
[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.
no subject
[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.
no subject
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.
no subject
[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?
no subject
[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.]
no subject
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?
no subject
You were going to tell me why you almost took my head off. Apparently I guessed wrong.
no subject
[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.]
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
You've changed. Lie all you want, but I see you.
Kanoa...
While you're here, just be. Drop the shitty mask.
no subject
[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.
no subject
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.
Basically the same tag but in more words
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.
no subject
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.
1/2
2/2
I'll admit it's been many years since I last lived among them, I've nearly forgotten what it's like.
no subject
[Huh.]
You might be right about that. [Love. Hatred. He's never met another human who didn't feel both.
[All at once, he's tired.]
You still don't sleep, do you?