[ Maruki watches him, neck craned back and hand shielding his eyes, a wide smile over his face. It's almost meditative to witness. He can only imagine how calming it must feel to get to do.
He does indeed hold his hand out. Even strokes his other hand over Eren's feathers, down his back. It might be weird, but he likes animals, okay!! ]
Yes, I think that would be my preference too if I had animal transformation powers of mysterious origin. You're full of surprises, Eren-kun.
[ And then a quick glance around. ]
That's not... not an effect going on right now or anything, is it? Like the fish?
[Well, it seems about time to explain. Eren hops off of Maruki's hand and soars up into the sky again, just for a few more minutes before he has to change back. As he comes to land, he transforms back into the Eren Maruki met (stumbles a little on the landing - whatever). Not only is he fully clothed in his usual outfit (casual, long black coat - not his Scout attire), but he's apparently armed with some strange weapon, as well.
[He starts up conversation again, casual as anything (his mood has gone back to its usual disenchantment, as well).]
I drank the gold potion when I first got here. I could only transform into a wolf at first. I figured out how to change into the bird myself, later. [The crystal helped, but he doesn't know that.]
[ Okay, yes, theoretically he knew that was Eren, but seeing him transform back into the usual Eren still takes him off guard. He clutches his chest over his heart and then laughs, high and disbelieving. ]
Oh, that's what the potions do? I've been ignoring mine–
Eh...[Eren makes A Face.] Jean was being a huge asshole about his, so I wanted to take mine and see if I could use it to kick his ass.
[Husbandly love!]
Different color potions do different things, though. He took the red potion, which gives elemental powers. Gold potions give animal transformations. Blue potions give healing abilities.
[ The explanation of a potion taken purely out of competitive spite makes him laugh – a rare moment where Eren reminds him of any random Shujin student, young and reckless and so very endearing. ]
Thank you for letting me know. Guess it makes sense why mine is blue.
[ Not that he intends on drinking it. When he moves in with Akechi he will probably end up smashing it. It's Fine
He cocks his head to smile at Eren. ]
You can go back to being an animal, if you prefer. Or not! It's good to see you either way.
[Eren doesn't have to consider long; an appropriate pause, and then he nods. It's tempting to turn back into a wolf, but his energy is running low now, and he doesn't...hate the idea of talking to Maruki. Maybe it won't turn into a counseling session this time.]
[ It isn't Maruki's intention to try counseling him now – just as it wasn't over lunch, but at least they'd been in a safe, enclosed space then. Doing it out in the open, in a world where anything bizarre or dangerous could happen at the drop of a hat? With someone whose emotional state is as volatile as Eren's? Absolutely not.
He shrugs amicably as they wander off. ]
No, I've just been making myself go on walks to try to keep some sort of routine while I'm spinning my wheels. I was going to do one more loop and then head back to see if I can get some work done.
[ He inclines his head toward Eren and smiles, zero compunction to share about himself if he can be self-deprecating. ]
In other words, Eren-kun, you're a welcome distraction for a boring guy like me.
[ GOD THE TEMPTATION IS SO REAL. But no. Resist the urge to prod and analyze and advise. Have a normal conversation. Think of Akira. Actually maybe don't think of Akira or it's bound to get sad. ]
We have that in common then! And everything I would have done with my free time back in Tokyo doesn't exist here, so...
[ So walking. Through nature. Not something a perennial Indoor Guy has ever done for fun. He kind of hates it too. ]
Well, I'm not sure what kind of stuff you like, but...
I train throughout the day. Swords in the morning with my friend, Aubrey, and then later with my Captain and Jean and Mikasa most days. Once a week I clean my Commander and my Captain's place, then meditate. I do that sometimes on my own too, but I'm not very good at it.
In the afternoons, I deliver food. We're trying to make it a business, so I guess that'll take up more time soon too.
[The schedule isn't nearly full enough. He hates sitting around. He spent so many weeks just lying in one spot after he first learned the truth.
[Never mind that none of those things sound particularly like hobbies either.]
IT'S LITERALLY SO DIRE HE WANTS TO CRACK EREN'S BRAIN OPENP
[ That's okay, very little of what Maruki did counted as hobbies either!!! They're in the same boat and Maruki can see it clear as day. ]
Meditation? Really? That's great. Honestly, you sound like you've gotten a nice routine down!
[ Ah, but there is one part of that list that is starting to sting keenly. Maruki purses his lips, mentally weighing whether this might go down a dark path, but Eren did bring up training first.
He kicks a rock out of their path as they walk. ]
I'm staunchly pacifistic, but everything I'm hearing about this reality has made me begin to wonder if I wouldn't benefit from some training too.
Edited (everything's about realities with this bitch not worlds) 2024-05-12 10:18 (UTC)
You would. [Simple as that. One of Eren's hands comes to rest idly on one of the holsters on his hip.]
I've been here since December. The threats here are nowhere near as bad as titans, but they happen often. Just before you got here, we went through almost two weeks of hell. There were corrupted animals everywhere, blindly attacking.
I'm sure people died. I know gelflings and goblins did. [Interesting how he separates "people" and the locals. Hm. No concerning ideology displaying itself there, whatsoever.]
I did an awful lot of rescuing during that time.
[He looks at Maruki.] You should prepare, and you shouldn't waste any time doing it.
It would be difficult for him to explain all the reasons, global and personal, why this goes against every fiber of his being. Especially to someone like Eren who came from such a hellish reality. The worst things that happened to Maruki would make for a banner day to a lot of people here, and he's becoming all too aware of that.
He listens intently, nods along, but he's quiet for a while. When he finally speaks, his voice is very carefully measured, even more so than usual. ]
I'm sorry. I don't intend for you or anyone else to need to rescue me. I won't be that sort of burden to anyone.
[ A beat and then one corner of his mouth does quirk up. ]
Ah, well, I say that, but you saw firsthand that I called you for a harmless wolf encounter.
[ lmao. yes. The answer to that question is unequivocally yes.
BUT HE IS THE MENTALLY HEALTHY COUNSELOR HERE AND HE WILL SET A GOOD EXAMPLE ]
I'll call, Eren-kun. I just don't want you to worry about me! I have to toughen up sometime.
[ False. If the world is ugly enough to force you to need to toughen up, then you change the world, not yourself. But he may not have an option here. ]
[Eren stops when Maruki does, turning toward him.]
There's a girl here I really care about. She isn't from a world like mine. She didn't know how to fight - not in a way that really matters.
We trained every single day for months - hours, like war was on our doorstep.
I think she probably survived those two weeks because of that training, and a friend of hers too.
[He's worried that Aubrey thinks she failed, somehow. She didn't. She came back. No one had to explain to the people she cares about that she died in vain...]
We may not have the time to prepare newbies as well as they should be, but it's better than nothing. Do you even know how to hold a weapon?
[ The story lodges somewhere between his ribs. He has to fight the urge to ask who the girl is. He has to fight the urge to reject this reality outright. His rebellion doesn't fit here. He needs– ]
No, I don't. I never have.
[ Even the idea of holding a weapon is anathema to him.
Like war was on our doorstep. He would rather do anything, anything else. ]
Eren-kun. I appreciate the offer. And... I'm aware that I do need to take you up on it.
[ He almost asks for time to think on it, but no amount of time will make him want this any more, and Eren has already told him there's precious little to waste.
He swallows hard, buttons up his expression. ]
I apologize in advance for what an irritating pupil I'll probably be.
[ There is no good way to say this, so fuck it. Just say it. ]
You have a tremendous amount of strength, physical and mental. Counseling isn't easy, but you persevere and you do it well. It won't be the same for me with training. I don't have that sort of strength.
[ Maruki offers him a smile then, genuine despite its sadness. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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He does indeed hold his hand out. Even strokes his other hand over Eren's feathers, down his back. It might be weird, but he likes animals, okay!! ]
Yes, I think that would be my preference too if I had animal transformation powers of mysterious origin. You're full of surprises, Eren-kun.
[ And then a quick glance around. ]
That's not... not an effect going on right now or anything, is it? Like the fish?
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[He starts up conversation again, casual as anything (his mood has gone back to its usual disenchantment, as well).]
I drank the gold potion when I first got here. I could only transform into a wolf at first. I figured out how to change into the bird myself, later. [The crystal helped, but he doesn't know that.]
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[ Okay, yes, theoretically he knew that was Eren, but seeing him transform back into the usual Eren still takes him off guard. He clutches his chest over his heart and then laughs, high and disbelieving. ]
Oh, that's what the potions do? I've been ignoring mine–
[ Wait. ]
You drank yours right away?
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[Husbandly love!]
Different color potions do different things, though. He took the red potion, which gives elemental powers. Gold potions give animal transformations. Blue potions give healing abilities.
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Thank you for letting me know. Guess it makes sense why mine is blue.
[ Not that he intends on drinking it. When he moves in with Akechi he will probably end up smashing it. It's Fine
He cocks his head to smile at Eren. ]
You can go back to being an animal, if you prefer. Or not! It's good to see you either way.
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[He recalls that dream. He talked about his father so callously; when he first learned the news, he sprinted to Commander Erwin's bathroom to vomit.]
Ah. What did you say? Sorry.
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[ The lapse in attention doesn't escape his notice.
Maruki tucks his own hands into his pockets and jerks his head back toward the path he was taking before he got wolf'd. ]
Either way, will you walk with me?
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Are you headed somewhere in particular?
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He shrugs amicably as they wander off. ]
No, I've just been making myself go on walks to try to keep some sort of routine while I'm spinning my wheels. I was going to do one more loop and then head back to see if I can get some work done.
[ He inclines his head toward Eren and smiles, zero compunction to share about himself if he can be self-deprecating. ]
In other words, Eren-kun, you're a welcome distraction for a boring guy like me.
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[Still...]
I get it. I go crazy if I have to sit still too long. It took me forever to get used to having free time at all. I kind of hate it...
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We have that in common then! And everything I would have done with my free time back in Tokyo doesn't exist here, so...
[ So walking. Through nature. Not something a perennial Indoor Guy has ever done for fun. He kind of hates it too. ]
Mm. I'll eventually need new hobbies, I suppose.
maruki is like GOD THIS KID IS A FEAST
I train throughout the day. Swords in the morning with my friend, Aubrey, and then later with my Captain and Jean and Mikasa most days. Once a week I clean my Commander and my Captain's place, then meditate. I do that sometimes on my own too, but I'm not very good at it.
In the afternoons, I deliver food. We're trying to make it a business, so I guess that'll take up more time soon too.
[The schedule isn't nearly full enough. He hates sitting around. He spent so many weeks just lying in one spot after he first learned the truth.
[Never mind that none of those things sound particularly like hobbies either.]
IT'S LITERALLY SO DIRE HE WANTS TO CRACK EREN'S BRAIN OPENP
Meditation? Really? That's great. Honestly, you sound like you've gotten a nice routine down!
[ Ah, but there is one part of that list that is starting to sting keenly. Maruki purses his lips, mentally weighing whether this might go down a dark path, but Eren did bring up training first.
He kicks a rock out of their path as they walk. ]
I'm staunchly pacifistic, but everything I'm hearing about this reality has made me begin to wonder if I wouldn't benefit from some training too.
no subject
I've been here since December. The threats here are nowhere near as bad as titans, but they happen often. Just before you got here, we went through almost two weeks of hell. There were corrupted animals everywhere, blindly attacking.
I'm sure people died. I know gelflings and goblins did. [Interesting how he separates "people" and the locals. Hm. No concerning ideology displaying itself there, whatsoever.]
I did an awful lot of rescuing during that time.
[He looks at Maruki.] You should prepare, and you shouldn't waste any time doing it.
no subject
It would be difficult for him to explain all the reasons, global and personal, why this goes against every fiber of his being. Especially to someone like Eren who came from such a hellish reality. The worst things that happened to Maruki would make for a banner day to a lot of people here, and he's becoming all too aware of that.
He listens intently, nods along, but he's quiet for a while. When he finally speaks, his voice is very carefully measured, even more so than usual. ]
I'm sorry. I don't intend for you or anyone else to need to rescue me. I won't be that sort of burden to anyone.
[ A beat and then one corner of his mouth does quirk up. ]
Ah, well, I say that, but you saw firsthand that I called you for a harmless wolf encounter.
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Would you rather let yourself die than be a burden? That's pretty stupid, if you ask me.
You should call.
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[ lmao. yes. The answer to that question is unequivocally yes.
BUT HE IS THE MENTALLY HEALTHY COUNSELOR HERE AND HE WILL SET A GOOD EXAMPLE ]
I'll call, Eren-kun. I just don't want you to worry about me! I have to toughen up sometime.
[ False. If the world is ugly enough to force you to need to toughen up, then you change the world, not yourself. But he may not have an option here. ]
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[ Maruki will stop dead in his tracks at that, eyes wide. ]
Wait. What? No, y-you really don't have to do that. I'm starting from zero. Less than zero!
[ And you're a genocidal child soldier!!! ]
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[Eren stops when Maruki does, turning toward him.]
There's a girl here I really care about. She isn't from a world like mine. She didn't know how to fight - not in a way that really matters.
We trained every single day for months - hours, like war was on our doorstep.
I think she probably survived those two weeks because of that training, and a friend of hers too.
[He's worried that Aubrey thinks she failed, somehow. She didn't. She came back. No one had to explain to the people she cares about that she died in vain...]
We may not have the time to prepare newbies as well as they should be, but it's better than nothing. Do you even know how to hold a weapon?
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No, I don't. I never have.
[ Even the idea of holding a weapon is anathema to him.
Like war was on our doorstep. He would rather do anything, anything else. ]
Eren-kun. I appreciate the offer. And... I'm aware that I do need to take you up on it.
[ He almost asks for time to think on it, but no amount of time will make him want this any more, and Eren has already told him there's precious little to waste.
He swallows hard, buttons up his expression. ]
I apologize in advance for what an irritating pupil I'll probably be.
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I won't apologize for what a hard ass teacher I'll be, and I won't go easy on you either.
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[ He starts walking again, more than a little embarrassed that the focus has turned on him, the tips of his ears red. ]
Seriously, if after a few sessions you decide I'm a lost cause, I won't be offended!
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[ There is no good way to say this, so fuck it. Just say it. ]
You have a tremendous amount of strength, physical and mental. Counseling isn't easy, but you persevere and you do it well. It won't be the same for me with training. I don't have that sort of strength.
[ Maruki offers him a smile then, genuine despite its sadness. ]
I wouldn't want to disappoint you, that's all.
the first time I thought he was (whispering)
dhskdhjfkdbdks tiny mouse whisper: eren i am pathetic
we can wrap here if you'd like
absolutely perfect im feral i love them