rustyhonesty | [Seasons] Inbox; un: jean

[Mikasa returns all of those soft and sweet kisses. As if she'd let him overdo anything in any way in his current state.

She laughs a little when Maru arrives and gives a kiss to the puppy too.]

Yes, clearly. But also clearly here for your attention and cuddling time. Do you want anything? Something to eat? Something to drink? Anything else?

[ yes, cuddle pile on their bed or anywhere else is also always an option. ]

[Once Maru has gotten kisses from Mikasa he moves to also get them from Jean, who gladly provides. Also some in air belly rubs.]

Mm.... maybe we could watch a film while just relaxing on the bed or the couch? Something light and easy.

Edited (relaxing double) 2025-01-09 22:35 (UTC)

[Books were a good change in subject. Though admittedly, Jean's been reading more study material than anything else. But...]

I'm currently reading a book called Pride and Prejudice. Something about the setting and the character feels nice.

[A quick summary of the book that Shiranna is not writing here.]

[ Bertholdt listens to the story explanation so far with a curious expression. He smiles after a moment. ]

Elizabeth sounds like quite a character. I might have to read that myself.

I found a book series here - Tales of Temptation. It has a similar premise, in that the main character is trying to pick someone to marry, though he has the choice of many suitors.

[Well this wasn't what he was expecting, even if she warned him. Jean does greet Meowscarada as normal as he wnters.]

I guess you've been having a rough time.

[Probably an understatement. But Jean does find himself a good, clean spot to sit in.]

I'm not and neither was Mikasa. Besides, I wasn't sick last time either, remember?

[He obtained his poison immunity that day. This time they were either lucky or Shoto has really improved. Who knows! Jean wants to believe the second.]

You've improved.

Hey. Just come back from questing?

[She knew Jean was a Summer-aligned, but perhaps he'd just come back from exploring the Spring Segment? Either way, she gave him a wave when she spotted him around the Spring Guild. Magic practice had been draining, so she had taken the chance to sit down for a break.]

[Why does his chest pull tight?]

I'm really glad, if that's the case. [A little delay; then, awkward-]

I didn't exactly grow up cooking much.

[Clean-white vague. But why elaborate?]

[ Rather than making any arrangements, he just decides to stop by during business hours so that he can both check things out and get the customer weapon he bid on. He doesn't really want anything fancy. To be honest, he just wanted to check out the blacksmithing work of someone who was trained in another world. And seeing him put together something he picked out - well, what's better?

He doesn't really make weapons personally.

He steps into Volcanus and peeks around, letting out a - ]

Hello?

[He did say April, right? A fair-sized package arrives at his doorstep—

This time, he'll find:]

A bundle of hand-made, strawberry mochi,
A smaller basket of hand-painted eggs (which Shoto's heard attracts bunnies...?),
A modest, but scholarly-looking ensemble picked to "match" Hijikata's...
A glossy set of new brushes, and—

Sent from his cellphone, a link. Loading it plays a single song (Shoto's attempts on electric guitar in his own rendition of "Happy Birthday"), but he's lent it his best!

[Jean's message seemed harmless enough - "Hey Frieda. Can we meet behind the summer guild building? Let me know when it suits you." -, yet she couldn't help but feel a tinge of apprehension. Why didn't he state the purpose of the meeting? Of course, she could have asked in her confirmation message, but she wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps it was something he wanted to tell her in confidence... she only hoped that he hadn't somehow run afoul of Jade, because that'd put her right in the middle! But no - it was more likely that he wanted to speak with her about the dream they shared. It had been a painful experience for both of them, that much she was sure of.

When she arrives on the scene, wearing a long but light summer dress and wide-brimmed hat to deal with the Solarpeak heat, the guild grounds are quiet, with the swords in their stones making for a somewhat eerie backdrop in the shadow-casting afternoon sun. Jean is there - and so is Eren.

Her successor's presence has Frieda so alert that it shows in her expression and body language. Immediately, she worries. What if they found out about her experiments with Max? She stayed true to her word and didn't investigate any further into bringing their people to Ellipsa through deals or pacts, but she's sure that her ~~subjects~~ countrymen wouldn't approve of them probing into the nature of the titan curse either!]

Jean. Eren.

[She'll let them state their business before volunteering any information - after all, who knows if this isn't about something else altogether?]

[Jean should feel bad for 'ambushing' Frieda like this, but he doesn't. Not after what he learned during his dreamshare with Eren. The thought of his memories being messed with made him uncomfortable and wary of Frieda in general.

That, and he still felt uncomfortable about the dream he shared with her. But this was far more important than that. There was nothing he could do about Frieda being unable to break free from her predecessors, but he could get his memories back.

No matter what Frieda was hiding from him, he wanted to know the truth.]

I want to confirm something with you.

[That doesn't explain why Eren was there, but the next bit probably will.]

You manipulated my memories when we were in the reflection caves, didn't you?

[Jean believed what Eren said, which is why he worded it like he did, but he wanted to hear Frieda admit it.]

[ Eren practically radiates hostility at the best of times, and today it's worse. His often blank expression is drawn in to anger. He keeps his hands in his pockets. It's too easy for him to use violence. Not that this will stop him, but it gives him a little bit more pause before he starts grabbing or swinging.

Doesn't do anything to prevent a titan transformation, but Eren wouldn't do that here. There was a time he might have endangered the people around them without a second thought, but those days are over. He won't harm anyone that he doesn't have to, unless he really has no choice.

Jean just outright asks, which is fine with Eren. No point in beating around the bush about why they're here. ]

Tell him, Frieda.

[ It's only three words, but each one sounds like a threat. ]

[So this is what this is about... her brows furrow in confusion. "How did you find out?", she wants to say, but that question would only serve to highlight that she purposely covered the matter up - not that she can still hide or deny it at this point. Looking from one to the other, she calmingly extends her hands at her sides.]

...

It's true, but I didn't do it wantonly. What we saw in that cave caused Jean very serious distress.

[It's telling, perhaps, how she unconsciously addresses primarily Eren - if they press her on the matter (which she expects they will), he'll be the one she'll first share the truth with, assuming she gets a say.]

[Even if Jean knew it was true, hearing Frieda admit it makes him feel cold. To think someone could really manipulate his memories like that. And not just his but others's as well, save for the Ackerman.

It makes matters worse when it feels like Frieda is mostly talking to Eren, when Jean is the victim here.]

I don't recall giving you my consent for messing with my brains. Then again, it's not like your family ever asks permission, do they?

Who gives a shit? Living causes people distress.

[ She should know that, shouldn't she? They were all from the same place. ]

It's not up to you what other people get to remember. If something happened, Jean can decide for himself if he wants to know about it.

[ He glances at Jean. He has a point about the Reiss family just doing shit like this.

Eren has a hard time not just steamrolling right through this conversation. But then he wouldn't be any better, if he didn't let Jean make any decisions here. It's probably telling just how difficult that is for him, but all that shows on his face is anger. ]

[She slightly winces at Jean's words, but doesn't try to refute them - she can't. As soon as she saw that Eren accompanied him, she knew that it would be this way. None of her people have any tolerance left for having their memories and minds messed with, and she truly can't blame them for feeling that way, no matter how she (or the voice in her head) justifies it, but Eren especially can't tolerate it, and she has no doubt that he solidified that sentiment in Jean.

Once more, she looks back and forth between them. Jean's expression shows guardedness, controlled anger, and a sense of betrayal (which pains Frieda - even after the conference call, he was still supportive and willing to give her the benefit of the doubts, but it seems that her words and (in)actions in his nightmare and now this revelation made his goodwill run out). Eren looks like he'll simply pull the memory out of her by connecting their Founders if she continues hesitating.]

Let me first tell you what happened. Then, Jean, you can decide if you want the memory back.

[She half expects him (or else Eren) to refuse - they may not trust her enough to even think that she'll tell them the truth -, so she quickly follows up:]

I'll show Eren, too, to confirm my words.

[Eren, being the person he is, likely won't be half as affected by what played out in the ice cave as Jean was, so he may well declare the memory harmless and fit for return - and frankly, even if he felt otherwise, she's fairly sure that he'd still want Jean to get it back, putting the integrity of his friend's experiences over any suffering he may undergo as a result.]

[Jean had been very ready to give Frieda another chance, but now it felt like it was just thrown back into his face.

Eren is still like a volcano, ready to erupt any moment. Jean is pretty sure if he lost his temper, Eren would launch himself into action. So he stays as calm as he can. It's one of his specialities, right? Keeping his head cool in situations.]

No matter what it is you're hiding, I just want the memory back. You might as well stops stalling.

[He wouldn't regret getting the memory back, no matter how much distress it causes. Even the memories that caused him most pain were still a part of him.]

[ It takes an enormous amount of effort for Eren to stand still and listen. He manages it, barely, hands clenched into fists that he can't seem to uncurl. He still keeps his nails long on purpose, but he doesn't even notice that right now. He isn't thinking of being a titan, though it would probably always be on the table with him. ]

You heard him. But I'll take you up on your offer. Show me too, so I know you're not giving him some made up bullshit.

[ Can Eren actually discern if it's true or fabricated? Jury's out, but that won't stop him from making demands. ]

[Frieda exhales.]

Alright, then.

[She offers her hands, one to each - and the moment they take them, the memory she altered is restored to its true shape in Jean's mind, with Eren receiving it as one of those familiar intrusive flashbacks (perhaps along with some other fragments, be they of Frieda's or of their predecessors).

Reflection Jean, part of Kenny's squad and full of contempt for the Survey Corps, ecalating the increasing hostility by shooting at Jean with killing intent. Reflection Frieda, having forsaken her family and joined the Survey Corps after being cheated out of her succession by her oldest brother, attacking him in turn and dying. Jean, killing his reflection in self-defence. Frieda, failing to snap him out of his shock, eventually resorting to altering his memory.

Of course, as an inevitable side effect of the two Founders coming into contact, they find themselves in the Paths, with Frieda immediately pulled down to her knees by her chains.]

[Jean has been working on some fine details on a smaller sword. It's something he can leave for a while when he hears someone enter the forge.

He walks over to the entrance soon after Jayce calls out.]

Welcome to Volcanus. How can I help you?

[Jean really doesn't know what to expect when he takes her hand.

It's the familiar scene from the dreams that had bothered him for a long time. Yet it was different. The hostility didn't fade with words. Neither of the reflections retreated peacefully.

He can feel the gunshot that hits the safety pin's barrier, even if he only sees it this time. That kind of behavior was more what he'd expect from someone on the assasination squad. Reflection Frieda retaliates, even seems to have an upper hand for a moment, but then ends up dying that Jean's hands.

After that everything happens so fast. Jean seemed to move on instinct, using the speed and techniques he had learned from the two Ackerman. Then there's the sound of the ODM blade piercing a body - piercing the fake Jean's chest and killing him.

There's no blood. Not from a reflection. But it feels real enough for Jean to become shocked. Unresponsive, even, after a desperate scream.

Once the memory is back in full and Jean has 'watched' it again, he grabs his head with one of his hands. He doesn't repeat the ending, even if he feels sick. He doesn't register the weird scenery around them yet, or Frieda being chained down.

Honestly, if he hadn't already experienced the cruel nightmare of being the Beast titan, he might have broken down again. After that dream it was easier to stomach other horrors. It was still very, very unpleasant to see and remember happening. But he doesn't regret asking for the memory back.]

That made more sense than the falsified scenario did.

[Jean finally talks, confirming he remembers again. Then he blinks and looks around. Weren't they just at the Summer Guild?]

What the hell?

[He looks back at Frieda who is now chained.]

No seriously, what the hell?

[It's a good sign he can comment on the surroundings, even if he does still look unwell because of the memory. He can push through it, but he will still be affected by it.]

[ On Jean's birthday, he receives an ornately carved cane. Inside the cane is a rapier, finely crafted and well-balanced. It's apparent that Reiner spent a good deal of time on both sword and cane.

But it's absolutely a cane-sword. The "cane" part is undeniable.

With it is a note: ]

Happy birthday, Jean. You're getting up there in years, aren't you? ;)
- Reiner

[ Eren can almost understand Frieda's reasoning, once he sees the memory. It clearly affected Jean deeply. But like he said, that's just how life goes. Altering people's memories just makes him see red. Yes, he keeps memories from his friends until his death. It's a little hypocritical. But he doesn't change things, doesn't plant anything there. There are final conversations that he needs to have with them (selfishly, as usual). They just can't get in the way.

He's vaguely aware of this because he witnessed the one with Armin.

The others, ironically, he hasn't seen, because he kept them from himself. So he doesn't do anything to them that he hasn't done to himself, though that justification is as weak as any of his other justifications.

Stupidly, Eren isn't actually expecting to be catapulted back here. He'd slammed Jean and Mikasa out the last time it happened, but he'd had more control then (and less, in a way, but that wasn't really his fault). There's always something jarring about this. When he looks down at Frieda, though, it isn't with pity or compassion. He's still angry. ]

I should just leave you here.

[ He says that as if he even could. Maybe he could figure out how, given enough time. One day he'll leave Zeke in the Paths for countless ages. Today, his threat isn't really a threat, just an expression of anger.

More important is…Jean. Jean's confusion about this place. He doesn't look so hot, which is understandable. ]

This place is…it has to do with the Founding Titan.

[ That's not entirely accurate and he knows it, but he's vague on purpose.

He gauges Jean's reaction from there to see how much else he should say. He doesn't want to give away too much, but the existence of the Paths isn't really telling the future. It's always been there, after all, just most people never get to see it. ]

[Ignoring her own situation, Frieda watches Jean with concern, and when he manages to cope with the regained knowledge of what transpired, pale and shaken as he looks, she breathes a sigh of relief - though she does wonder what enables him to bear it more easily this time. What happened to you since that time?

As he registers the Paths around them and Eren gives him a rudimentary explanation - not without a jab at her, which she doesn't bat an eye at -, she pondes her options. Humiliating as it is to be chained up in front of her subjects (not that she generally thinks of them in such terms), she's finally back in the place where all Eldians are connected - the place where, according to Eren, the Founder Ymir still exists, much as she seems out of reach for them in Ellipsa. She supplements:]

This place is called the Paths. And that, over there, is the Coordinate.

[It's marvellous, really. Beautiful. If only she could understand its secrets, how it works, how to interact with it on a more strategic level... and perhaps, all she requires is time. An eternity. It won't be a problem if time is meaningless here, if she doesn't need to worry about a living being's usual basic needs. Without looking at Eren, she says:]

I'd like to see you try to leave me here.

[It may sound like a challenge, but she knows just as little as he does whether either of them can really strand the other here - however she doubts it, expecting the connection to break for them all as soon as she and Eren let go of each other's hands on the physical plane. How long can a hand claps last in the Paths?]

[Seasons] Inbox; un: jean

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Action; Spring Guild

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action; checking out the local smith + bid win.

Happy Birthday, Jean!

Post-Dreamshare Meeting

I'm assuming Frieda->Jean->Eren for order?

works for me!

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only five years later

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birthday gift

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