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[ he’s got a slight point. without setting arion down completely (but in the process), eren keeps his eyes on the boy. titan seems uneasy, hackles raised but having yet to make a sound. it’s when eren gets a better look at the boy’s face once he’s close enough that his hold around arion tightens drastically. with his legs on the ground by now, he quickly shuffles arion behind him and takes a few steps back.
the mystery boy might look normal, crying, lost and scared— but eren’s seen enough pictures of himself as a kid to feel ultimately alarmed. ]
How— [ never mind the questions. eren swallows, keeps his steps back and his body in front of arion’s, preferring to hold titan’s leash properly, ready at any moment to let him go if he had to. the only thing this fog has brought is trouble. ] Don’t listen to him, and if I tell you to run for it, run.
[ h-hey, hold on— can’t i stay here with you guys? the boy calls out, and staggers after them. ]
the mystery boy might look normal, crying, lost and scared— but eren’s seen enough pictures of himself as a kid to feel ultimately alarmed. ]
How— [ never mind the questions. eren swallows, keeps his steps back and his body in front of arion’s, preferring to hold titan’s leash properly, ready at any moment to let him go if he had to. the only thing this fog has brought is trouble. ] Don’t listen to him, and if I tell you to run for it, run.
[ h-hey, hold on— can’t i stay here with you guys? the boy calls out, and staggers after them. ]
Screw this—
[ damn it, li-na!!!!
eren thought he was losing it, until the change in trajectory makes him turn his head and bolt faster than he ever could. run for it run for it run for it, god damn those robot microphones. at first, eren’s ready to yell back to tell her stop, that he’ll lead it somewhere else, until— his attention goes straight to the pole.
he gets it, and sees where she’s going as well; with every blast of power his muscles could give him, he holds his breath and exerts into a sprint, finally sliding into the supposed safe zone and yelling one more time behind him: ]
Over here!!
[ damn it, li-na!!!!
eren thought he was losing it, until the change in trajectory makes him turn his head and bolt faster than he ever could. run for it run for it run for it, god damn those robot microphones. at first, eren’s ready to yell back to tell her stop, that he’ll lead it somewhere else, until— his attention goes straight to the pole.
he gets it, and sees where she’s going as well; with every blast of power his muscles could give him, he holds his breath and exerts into a sprint, finally sliding into the supposed safe zone and yelling one more time behind him: ]
Over here!!
[Arion looks between them, alarmed that Eren seems so suspicious and hostile to this boy. He squints at the small figure in the fog who looks... sort of familiar? Wait...]
He looks like... You?
[There's no doubt about it. From the unkept hair to the hard eyes both of them are sporting, it's hard not to see the resemblence. No wonder he's on edge. Arion's own unease is growing. He feels something else in the fog, something just as sinister and angry. He unconsciously takes a step back when the mini-Eren takes a step forward. ]
He looks like... You?
[There's no doubt about it. From the unkept hair to the hard eyes both of them are sporting, it's hard not to see the resemblence. No wonder he's on edge. Arion's own unease is growing. He feels something else in the fog, something just as sinister and angry. He unconsciously takes a step back when the mini-Eren takes a step forward. ]
[Luckily, this robot isn't particularly bright. Not sensing it's falling into a rather simple trap, it plows headfirst into the utility pole. With a forlorn whine of gears and motors, it crumples to the ground.]
Did we get it?
[Li-Na's voice is barely above a whisper, as she peers at the broken robot from what is hopefully a safe distance.
As if in reply to her question, the robot starts breaking apart.]
Did we get it?
[Li-Na's voice is barely above a whisper, as she peers at the broken robot from what is hopefully a safe distance.
As if in reply to her question, the robot starts breaking apart.]
[ eren goes silent, a hand to his mouth and looking down. he keeps his eyes to the mirrors every so often and his voice hushed to a whisper. they had to do something, and sitting around, running away could only get them so far. ]
I have memories of disarming bigger things— like rifles.
[ if annie could help him here, too . . . she’d be more of a lifesaver. he’s never actually tried to disarm things so big, but if he remembers all the movements, it couldn’t be so impossible. he turns the car lights on again, and switches them to blinking. ]
If you can distract him, I’ll get behind him. As long as I can lock, I’ll get him.
[ maybe they’ll have to stab him again. ]
I have memories of disarming bigger things— like rifles.
[ if annie could help him here, too . . . she’d be more of a lifesaver. he’s never actually tried to disarm things so big, but if he remembers all the movements, it couldn’t be so impossible. he turns the car lights on again, and switches them to blinking. ]
If you can distract him, I’ll get behind him. As long as I can lock, I’ll get him.
[ maybe they’ll have to stab him again. ]
[ the foggy resemblance of eren seems to just keep wibbling, sighing— but when he looks back up at them, eyes narrow into something stone cold. there’re no tears.
thanks, anyway, he says, a dangerous tone for a child, he steps back a few so the fog hides him, and just when the more adult eren opens his mouth for them to keep going, the fog’s illusions bring the boy back. this time, he’s charging for them, tears in his eyes and anger piercing with the scream he charges with, in his hand the long end of a broom stick, and tied to that end is a blade. thinking fast was the only way through, and eren wastes no time in fastening titan off his leash and shouting. ]
FASS!! [ as the dog rushes for the arm holding the weapon, eren shoves arion. ] Stay here! [ the fog boy yells— like an animal as titan tears through his arm and shakes with snarls, pinning him down so he doesn’t flee. the smaller eren’s anger has yet to disperse, it wasn’t only starting, and what’s worse: he doesn’t look afraid at all. he reaches for his pocket, drawing a smaller knife, and hammers it down hard to the closest part exposed. you bastards!! you animals!!!
eren’s expression drops into horror when titan shrieks, but doesn’t let go. he charges straight in for them, withought thought. ] Titan!! [ another yowl, another puncture, and he would’ve gotten another one had eren not tackled himself. literally. but the fog is strong, stronger than him; rolling and scuffling gets him with his back to the ground in moments, and the smaller boy straddling him, bloodied blade still in hand and driving it downwards. from the anger and hate he once felt in a memory, he was seeing it right before him. it was the strongest monster he’s ever seen.
never get up again!! the fog illusion roars through his tears, and eren grasps the arm that’s trying to stab him, fighting with it. there’s still the makeshift spear on the ground. one stab and that’s all this kid needed to disappear. ]
thanks, anyway, he says, a dangerous tone for a child, he steps back a few so the fog hides him, and just when the more adult eren opens his mouth for them to keep going, the fog’s illusions bring the boy back. this time, he’s charging for them, tears in his eyes and anger piercing with the scream he charges with, in his hand the long end of a broom stick, and tied to that end is a blade. thinking fast was the only way through, and eren wastes no time in fastening titan off his leash and shouting. ]
FASS!! [ as the dog rushes for the arm holding the weapon, eren shoves arion. ] Stay here! [ the fog boy yells— like an animal as titan tears through his arm and shakes with snarls, pinning him down so he doesn’t flee. the smaller eren’s anger has yet to disperse, it wasn’t only starting, and what’s worse: he doesn’t look afraid at all. he reaches for his pocket, drawing a smaller knife, and hammers it down hard to the closest part exposed. you bastards!! you animals!!!
eren’s expression drops into horror when titan shrieks, but doesn’t let go. he charges straight in for them, withought thought. ] Titan!! [ another yowl, another puncture, and he would’ve gotten another one had eren not tackled himself. literally. but the fog is strong, stronger than him; rolling and scuffling gets him with his back to the ground in moments, and the smaller boy straddling him, bloodied blade still in hand and driving it downwards. from the anger and hate he once felt in a memory, he was seeing it right before him. it was the strongest monster he’s ever seen.
never get up again!! the fog illusion roars through his tears, and eren grasps the arm that’s trying to stab him, fighting with it. there’s still the makeshift spear on the ground. one stab and that’s all this kid needed to disappear. ]
[ she was sick and passed away. if eren didn’t have enough red flags blaring in his head by now, this certainly took the flags and turned them into sirens. for now, the woman doesn’t hostile, but that doesn’t guarantee anything. with one hand close to his side and the other holding sakura, he stares grimly at the fog illusion. ]
She’s not real, Sakura.
She’s not real, Sakura.
[WELL THAT ISN'T TRAUMATIZING OR ANYTHING. Arion is rooted to the spot, fear overtaking him. He can't help but watch as Eren wrestles the smaller one. He watches in horror as the phantom mini-Eren ends up on top, poised to fatally wound the other.]
Stop it!! Get off him!
[He wasn't sure when those words left his throat, but it echoes a little in the cold, foggy air. Maybe... Maybe he can distract the mini-Eren long enough for the real one to turn the tables. He glances to his feet, is there anything he can throw to keep his attention?]
Stop it!! Get off him!
[He wasn't sure when those words left his throat, but it echoes a little in the cold, foggy air. Maybe... Maybe he can distract the mini-Eren long enough for the real one to turn the tables. He glances to his feet, is there anything he can throw to keep his attention?]
Rifles? [It's a questioning tone because of the way that Eren says it. Memories. An implication he remembers something from not here about the weapons but maybe now isn't the right time to ask. He nods though and sits up in the passenger seat, eyes narrowed as he focuses around the garage to ensure that the dog didn't follow.]
I can cause a distraction no problem. It's me he wants for some reason. Just be careful? If it looks like this is going to get worse, we retreat and come up with a new plan. Deal?
[They can stab him again, it's fine.]
I can cause a distraction no problem. It's me he wants for some reason. Just be careful? If it looks like this is going to get worse, we retreat and come up with a new plan. Deal?
[They can stab him again, it's fine.]
But...
[She's right there. And if Eren sees the figure too. How else to explain this? She's not sure. The figure of her mother approaches, a hand outstretched as if welcoming, or beckoning. Beckoning to Sakura as she steps forward more. Sakura still stopped from going to meet her with Eren holding her back, holding her to him. Still, the figure is silent, not saying a word but letting her actions try to speak for themselves.]
Then how....why....?
[She's right there. And if Eren sees the figure too. How else to explain this? She's not sure. The figure of her mother approaches, a hand outstretched as if welcoming, or beckoning. Beckoning to Sakura as she steps forward more. Sakura still stopped from going to meet her with Eren holding her back, holding her to him. Still, the figure is silent, not saying a word but letting her actions try to speak for themselves.]
Then how....why....?
[ prompto you get the world’s greatest leer. ]
You really think I’d be dumb enough to patrol unarmed? [ titan’s has his own powerful weapons on his command, not counting the concealed firearm and ammo he carries around on him at all times. a soldier needs to be prepared. ] If something happens, I was ready for it.
You really think I’d be dumb enough to patrol unarmed? [ titan’s has his own powerful weapons on his command, not counting the concealed firearm and ammo he carries around on him at all times. a soldier needs to be prepared. ] If something happens, I was ready for it.
Don’t get any closer.
[ eren’s edge of warning is dangerous towards the woman, like a sharpened dagger that could split paper just by looking at it. he’s not afraid to shoot if he has to— what’s necessary is what is. traumatic, it might very well be for sakura, but he’s rushing through plan a the best he can. ]
It’s this fog. [ he’ll have to get rid of her for the mist to roll away and leave them alone, but how he’ll do that . . . maybe stop giving it morale. ] —Close your eyes.
[ eren’s edge of warning is dangerous towards the woman, like a sharpened dagger that could split paper just by looking at it. he’s not afraid to shoot if he has to— what’s necessary is what is. traumatic, it might very well be for sakura, but he’s rushing through plan a the best he can. ]
It’s this fog. [ he’ll have to get rid of her for the mist to roll away and leave them alone, but how he’ll do that . . . maybe stop giving it morale. ] —Close your eyes.
[ after a minute, he holds a hand out to shake on the deal. ]
Just worry about the distraction.
[ and he’ll worry about his half of the bargain. count on it. eren trusts in what he could do more than he does other people sometimes. it’s a lot of weight to carry, and the latter is probably easier— but eren was never one to take the easy way out of things. once things are good to go, he’ll nod, and slip into position. thank god for these cars and hiding spaces. ]
Just worry about the distraction.
[ and he’ll worry about his half of the bargain. count on it. eren trusts in what he could do more than he does other people sometimes. it’s a lot of weight to carry, and the latter is probably easier— but eren was never one to take the easy way out of things. once things are good to go, he’ll nod, and slip into position. thank god for these cars and hiding spaces. ]
[ welcome to shingeki no trauma
at least— it’s titan’s front legs that are more hurt than anything, the torso receiving a puncture that gets his breathing to rattle, but just as fierce as the owner, he backs down very little when the rush of adrenaline keeps him going. with all the scuffling, he doesn’t know what to bite and struggles to breathe enough, only barking over them through skipped steps. this just looks like a terrible bundle of snarls and yelling. there’s the broom that’s close by, there’re rocks, but maybe the best bet is— ]
The broom!
[ whether it’s thrown or used or even given to eren, it’s what’s readily available. ]
at least— it’s titan’s front legs that are more hurt than anything, the torso receiving a puncture that gets his breathing to rattle, but just as fierce as the owner, he backs down very little when the rush of adrenaline keeps him going. with all the scuffling, he doesn’t know what to bite and struggles to breathe enough, only barking over them through skipped steps. this just looks like a terrible bundle of snarls and yelling. there’s the broom that’s close by, there’re rocks, but maybe the best bet is— ]
The broom!
[ whether it’s thrown or used or even given to eren, it’s what’s readily available. ]
[ eren’s shoulders are only a bit less tense when the robot begins breaking apart into the mist again. might’ve jumped some when it did, but now that he’s sure that they’re alright, he breathes, and glances over to li-na. ]
It was a good idea. [ compliments!! because he probably wouldn’t have done that on his own. shounen syndrome. ] You alright?
It was a good idea. [ compliments!! because he probably wouldn’t have done that on his own. shounen syndrome. ] You alright?
[ and this time, he hears them. perhaps not in the same intensity as matt does, but the fog surrounds his car at this point. he can’t see anything beyond the windows, not even lights, and looks alarmed when the murmurs get to him. he turns to matt, eyes wide but grave, and when he sees the emotion deep through him— ]
Yeah, I do. [ the best way around the fog is destroying the actual illusion, but— how do you destroy something that has no body? nothing to actually destroy or fight back against? these were whispers, and sounds. ] Matt— stay with me, alright? [ he grips a hand over his shoulder, and looks again through the windows. think.
he can turn the car on, he can attempt to drive, but what else? ]
We need to drown them out.
Yeah, I do. [ the best way around the fog is destroying the actual illusion, but— how do you destroy something that has no body? nothing to actually destroy or fight back against? these were whispers, and sounds. ] Matt— stay with me, alright? [ he grips a hand over his shoulder, and looks again through the windows. think.
he can turn the car on, he can attempt to drive, but what else? ]
We need to drown them out.
[ there’s just so much strength he can put into one arm without needing the other to keep the dog from leaving his grasp. paws and limbs weren’t like hands, and as close to the edge they are, titan tries to claw his way back up. biting his lip, eren looks all around him, hooking a foot into one of the rooted vines, but the rest was just too far away. he’s slipping—
but when he sees a hand offered to him, he takes it, with a firm vice grip that wouldn’t let go if jaeger didn’t. he tries his best to pull along with him, to keep from unloading all that weight onto one person, and once he’s got his torso up, it’s much easier to anchor and pull in the rest of his companion. they’re both huffing, eren especially. with one last look down into the hole, then back at jaeger, he offers a curt nod. ]
Thanks.
[ looks like that wasn’t the right direction . . . ]
but when he sees a hand offered to him, he takes it, with a firm vice grip that wouldn’t let go if jaeger didn’t. he tries his best to pull along with him, to keep from unloading all that weight onto one person, and once he’s got his torso up, it’s much easier to anchor and pull in the rest of his companion. they’re both huffing, eren especially. with one last look down into the hole, then back at jaeger, he offers a curt nod. ]
Thanks.
[ looks like that wasn’t the right direction . . . ]
[He shakes on the deal and leans back again, narrowing his eyes once more to peer through the dark.]
You got it. I'm ready when you are. [And even if he wasn't, what choice did they have? Eren's risking a lot for this and John's not happy that the dog's following him and endangering others. It's about time to take him down.]
You got it. I'm ready when you are. [And even if he wasn't, what choice did they have? Eren's risking a lot for this and John's not happy that the dog's following him and endangering others. It's about time to take him down.]
[Arion doesn't hesitate to grab the broom and rush over. He's running on fear and adrenaline. He doesn't know what he's doing, but he knows he has to do something. As soon as he's close enough, he swings the broom at the fog-Eren's head with the bristle end, before jabbing repeatedly in an attempt to drive him off the older one. It was like trying to get rid of the raccoons in the trash, if the raccoons were slightly more murderous.]
I said get off him!
[He hopes it's enough to at least give the real Eren time to get away and end this. Or grab his dog and run?]
I said get off him!
[He hopes it's enough to at least give the real Eren time to get away and end this. Or grab his dog and run?]
Close my eyes? Um, okay.....
[She's not trying to form any sort of plan, might not necessarily be following on Eren's potential thought process there, but she obeys anyway. Unsure if he's seeing if that might help any with the figure possibly disappearing or because there's something else he's about to do that he doesn't want her to see.
Not that her closing her eyes seems to make any difference. The figure doesn't stop or disappear. It was probably worth a try though?]
[She's not trying to form any sort of plan, might not necessarily be following on Eren's potential thought process there, but she obeys anyway. Unsure if he's seeing if that might help any with the figure possibly disappearing or because there's something else he's about to do that he doesn't want her to see.
Not that her closing her eyes seems to make any difference. The figure doesn't stop or disappear. It was probably worth a try though?]
[ taking risks are necessary for any sort of change. he filleted that religiously. without speaking up anymore, eren gives a silent, militarial (international) signal for “ok”, and let’s the car silently flicker its lights for attention. any minute now. ]
[ at least it’s easier to do this: take sakura and run. she’s small, tiny even, and perfect for him to scoop up and dash faster than he would have with her on the ground. he’d have to find somewhere to put her, he doubts the woman would stop if all the other fog monsters chased their targets. with one arm holding her pretty easily, his other keeps his gun in hand. he’s ready. ]
If you hear any loud noises, it’s fine.
If you hear any loud noises, it’s fine.
[ Matt can feel himself teetering on the edge of panic and tears. His emotions are too strong, the voices seem to cut through him with every word despite not knowing exactly what they mean by their accusations. The darker, crueler voice, the one actually in his head suggests that this is just like his real limitations. Eren is talking! he reminds himself. "We need to drown them out." They're in a car aren't they? ]
Radio!
Radio!
[Li-Na breathes a sigh of relief when the robot starts to disappear. It does not make sense to her... but so much about her life since coming to this city does not make sense to her anymore. As long as the robot is gone, she is not going to question how, at least not right at this moment.]
Yes, I am alright. And you? It did not hurt you?
[Cue the patented Li-Na Concern as she makes her way back to Eren.]
[ running would have to come in close second, there was something much more dire and that was getting rid of the fog child. the distraction was now, buffeted by the broom’s bristle and the whack of wood over his head. eren takes the opening to grab for the weapon, harshly bending the boy’s wrist to have him let go. eren quite possibly cuts himself, his hands, his palms in the process, because the fog illusion does still put up a startled fight, but he hardly feels the burns of open skin.
he just feels the massive rush of adrenaline that urges him to de the necessary. he doesn’t see a child. the fog isn’t him, it’s a monster, a threat— a threat that could’ve injured titan more than it did, could’ve killed him, himself and even arion. it can keep doing what it wanted as long as it kept lurking, only taking away what was important. he’s felt this before, in some way, and he reaction to it is simple. attack. no mercy in it. eren’s got the boy in a hanging arm lock, one that immediately chokes him into thrashing. eren’s not letting go, he’s only squeezing harder as he sits and asphyxiates.
little eren is a tough thing— he kicks, and punches, even attempts to bite before he squeaks out: fight. it’s nothing short of a gasp as he only turns purple, as eren turns red himself from holding his breath and pushing to snap him in two if he had to. if you don’t fight, you can’t— win-! fight! with everything it’s already caused, he had to. even after the young boy stops squirming, stops breathing, eren’s muscles still contract and constrict, until he’s completely sure— until the body in his arms slowly begins to dissipate, and fog begins to lessen.
he doesn’t feel a thing to have killed off a monster with his face, a child’s face— only that he’s capable. does it bother him? no. does the fact that it doesn’t bother him, bother him? no. eren’s . . . practical. ]
he just feels the massive rush of adrenaline that urges him to de the necessary. he doesn’t see a child. the fog isn’t him, it’s a monster, a threat— a threat that could’ve injured titan more than it did, could’ve killed him, himself and even arion. it can keep doing what it wanted as long as it kept lurking, only taking away what was important. he’s felt this before, in some way, and he reaction to it is simple. attack. no mercy in it. eren’s got the boy in a hanging arm lock, one that immediately chokes him into thrashing. eren’s not letting go, he’s only squeezing harder as he sits and asphyxiates.
little eren is a tough thing— he kicks, and punches, even attempts to bite before he squeaks out: fight. it’s nothing short of a gasp as he only turns purple, as eren turns red himself from holding his breath and pushing to snap him in two if he had to. if you don’t fight, you can’t— win-! fight! with everything it’s already caused, he had to. even after the young boy stops squirming, stops breathing, eren’s muscles still contract and constrict, until he’s completely sure— until the body in his arms slowly begins to dissipate, and fog begins to lessen.
he doesn’t feel a thing to have killed off a monster with his face, a child’s face— only that he’s capable. does it bother him? no. does the fact that it doesn’t bother him, bother him? no. eren’s . . . practical. ]
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