[She’s deflecting a little with that comment, yeah. Felt stupid to clarify after he apologized so much. Maybe she’ll bring it up another time, but the air feels just a bit lighter, and Aubrey just wants to breathe.]
And hanging out, yeah? [Tries to make that sound casual. Eren remembers every word....] If you’re free.
[imagine using modern slang and not groking The Eren Jaeger Connotations]
Oh. [Pleasant surprise!] Uh, I’m… I can be around whenever, really. [Sunny-dependent. But he doesn’t need her to dote 24/7, and she always leaves a note....]
Yeah. [How...do friends meet up to hang out, again? Usually he already has something to do, and what...Aubrey and he do is sword training, which...he kind of threw a whole tantrum about in that shared dream.
[But—and maybe it’s wishful thinking, or projection or what have you—Eren sounds… almost excited? So Aubrey doesn’t waste a second.
[Their training spot has suffered some from the overgrowth (where hasn’t?) but somehow not as much as expected. Maybe the dream skewed Aubrey’s expectations a bit. In any case, she’s looking less disheveled than she has in a while, though she left her contacts in the dark.
[It’s just good to be out of the house, and for once it’s not an errand run. Well away from the confusion of town, too. And it’s not a training session, either, but she brought her swords—plural. Something to clear the spot.]
[After everything the Dreamers in this place just went through, Eren isn't going anywhere without his ODM, so Aubrey isn't the only one armed. His outfit otherwise is casual; straps and harness, but no jacket or cape - just a long, black coat. He nods in greeting as he approaches.]
We're-- [Not her Captain. Don't bark orders.] I want to look for something by the edge of the forest, maybe a little deeper.
[He turns, glancing off toward the forest in question.]
This side's not the Enchanted one, so we shouldn't have much to worry about, but we don't have to go too far.
[Eren salutes back. It's been hard to use that salute lately, but not with Aubrey. It doesn't mean to her what it means to him and to the Scouts, and that's why he can stomach it. It's a comfort...
[He stands at ease and then starts toward the edge of the forest.]
You know Mikasa. [More...or less. Aubrey knows of Mikasa, at least.] What have I told you about Armin Arlert?
[Eren nods. He takes a deep breath. He marches just a few paces ahead of her as they approach the edge of the forest, fists balled up on his sides. He's still smiling. He really means it.]
Growing up, Mikasa and Armin and I had this tree in our hometown. We spent all our time there as kids. [It all feels like an understatement. The longer he's away from that tree, the more important it feels. He's glad that that's where his head is buried.]
If I tried to tell you what Armin Arlert meant to me...I'd never be able to.
[Another deep breath. The exhale is shaky. Tears squeezes themselves from his eyes and roll down. He keeps walking. It's alright...because...]
I know he'll be here soon. That's why...
[He turns to Aubrey, green eyes bright and glistening. It's a very real smile - it really, really is - even as tears fall around it.]
I hung that ocean painting you did in his room.
[Eyes back on the path ahead.]
And we're going to find him a tree. Not just for Armin...for you, and me, and your friend Sunny, too. For anyone who needs one to return to...
[Like a soldier, a good friend in lockstep, Aubrey lets Eren take the lead. He doesn’t need to find words about Armin; his shaky breath, and his trek for his tree, say so much before he turns back.
[When he does, she’s briefly stunned. The last picture she gave someone… disappeared, somewhere. She tries not to think about it. Figured Eren just didn’t care for his gift, was being politely silent.
[There’s a familiar sting in her eyes. Aubrey wipes at it, and then he goes and mentions Sunny.
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[Is it… really that easy? They’ve both wanted the same thing, despite…?
[Aubrey’s done a lot to Eren. Wounded him. There’s that old gnaw, but she doesn’t want to waste time on it. He wants to help her.]
…Thanks, Eren. [She means it. Has to.] We’ll help each other… or, well. Try to.
That’s what friends do.
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[What if I told you you were both stupid.]Yeah. We will.
[He probably shouldn't push her to talk more about her current situation, though he wonders (worries, even)...]
I'll be checking up on you, then.
what if they / they met in the labyrinth and they were b / both stupid
[She’s deflecting a little with that comment, yeah. Felt stupid to clarify after he apologized so much. Maybe she’ll bring it up another time, but the air feels just a bit lighter, and Aubrey just wants to breathe.]
And hanging out, yeah? [Tries to make that sound casual. Eren remembers every word....] If you’re free.
[imagine using modern slang and not groking The Eren Jaeger Connotations]gag
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Oh. [Pleasant surprise!] Uh, I’m… I can be around whenever, really. [Sunny-dependent. But he doesn’t need her to dote 24/7, and she always leaves a note....]
Did… you want to meet later today? Somewhere?
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[Heh...]
Help me look for something.
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[Slight, perhaps, misinterpretation:] What’d you lose?
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I'm not looking for that, though.
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[ … ]
Is it… hard to find?
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[That tree didn't just belong to Eren.]
Just meet where we normally do in a few hours.
> action :3c
…All right. Meet you there.
[She has no idea what he’s talking about.]
[But—and maybe it’s wishful thinking, or projection or what have you—Eren sounds… almost excited? So Aubrey doesn’t waste a second.
[Their training spot has suffered some from the overgrowth (where hasn’t?) but somehow not as much as expected. Maybe the dream skewed Aubrey’s expectations a bit. In any case, she’s looking less disheveled than she has in a while, though she left her contacts in the dark.
[It’s just good to be out of the house, and for once it’s not an errand run. Well away from the confusion of town, too. And it’s not a training session, either, but she brought her swords—plural. Something to clear the spot.]
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We're-- [Not her Captain. Don't bark orders.] I want to look for something by the edge of the forest, maybe a little deeper.
[He turns, glancing off toward the forest in question.]
This side's not the Enchanted one, so we shouldn't have much to worry about, but we don't have to go too far.
[To Aubrey:]
Will you help me?
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[He’s not her Commander, but Aubrey listens alert as though he is. They’ve both brought weapons. And it’s good to just feel… awake.
[She nods. Then salutes—Eren’s, this time.] Of course I will.
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[He stands at ease and then starts toward the edge of the forest.]
You know Mikasa. [More...or less. Aubrey knows of Mikasa, at least.] What have I told you about Armin Arlert?
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[Of Mikasa, yes. They haven’t met. Aubrey still thinks she’s the neat freak in the spouses’ household.]
[As for the other…] I don’t recognize that name. [But she’s heard a few things.]
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He's the smartest person I know. No matter where we go, we'll find each other again. That's me and Armin's promise.
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[Oh, that’s…
[Aubrey smiles a bit, but it’s softer. Much softer.] It’s a good promise.
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Growing up, Mikasa and Armin and I had this tree in our hometown. We spent all our time there as kids. [It all feels like an understatement. The longer he's away from that tree, the more important it feels. He's glad that that's where his head is buried.]
If I tried to tell you what Armin Arlert meant to me...I'd never be able to.
[Another deep breath. The exhale is shaky. Tears squeezes themselves from his eyes and roll down. He keeps walking. It's alright...because...]
I know he'll be here soon. That's why...
[He turns to Aubrey, green eyes bright and glistening. It's a very real smile - it really, really is - even as tears fall around it.]
I hung that ocean painting you did in his room.
[Eyes back on the path ahead.]
And we're going to find him a tree. Not just for Armin...for you, and me, and your friend Sunny, too. For anyone who needs one to return to...
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[Like a soldier, a good friend in lockstep, Aubrey lets Eren take the lead. He doesn’t need to find words about Armin; his shaky breath, and his trek for his tree, say so much before he turns back.
[When he does, she’s briefly stunned. The last picture she gave someone… disappeared, somewhere. She tries not to think about it. Figured Eren just didn’t care for his gift, was being politely silent.
[There’s a familiar sting in her eyes. Aubrey wipes at it, and then he goes and mentions Sunny.
[She thinks about a different tree.]
That’s… r-really sweet....
[Quiet, voice tight. Would he appreciate that…?]
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So, put your heart into it. [He salutes as he marches.] Alright?
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[And so Eren keeps moving forward. Aubrey’s grateful for that.]
Ri– [Firmer,] Right. [She thumps her heart. It feels warm.]