genessia | Chapter 1 | Intro

[Instead of laughing, Armin looks surprised, then thoughtful.]

I wouldn't have guessed, but... not that you say that, I can s-see you being good at it.

[She's used to that too, so seeming as he's a little distracted by the topic change, she's going to take that chance to reach for his hand again and start walking again.]

It's... not so bad. Some of them are naughty, but most of the kids are pretty nice.

[It's also sort of her way of... helping humanity to some degree. These children could live on and have a childhood.]

[Armin had recently experienced his own surge in protectiveness as they'd started getting children younger than him as Travelers. He'd realized that it was because he had never had much of a childhood, and part of why he had dedicated himself to defending humanity was so that other children could. That they wouldn't have to go through what he's experienced. So he understands.

Still, seeing it in Mikasa is... nice. A less dangerous world was slowly letting her care about more, engage with it in more ways than simply protecting Eren.

He gives her a small, slightly amused smile.] I bet the naughty ones don't stay naughty long, when you're around.

[And out of one of her rare moments -- most likely because this is Armin that she's talking to -- she does actually chuckle lightly to that sentiment, faint smile apparent on her lips.]

Of course not. It doesn't take much to make them behave. At least, not for me.

[Of course not. Mikasa was used to staring down titans - children had no chance at all.

But oh. Oh, was it good to hear that sound. It had always been rare - but then, they had never had much reason to laugh. Not in their childhoods.

It brings a nostalgic smile out of Armin in response as he leans his head on her shoulder again. His voice is quiet, and almost sad.]

I like it when you laugh.

[Titans had nothing on Mikasa. All she really needed to do with naughty children was stare at them and they'd back down. She has the most effective stare ever.]

Somehow I think that it'll happen more often here; Especially with everyone coming here.

Especially now that you're here with us.

[He closes his eyes and says nothing, just walking with her, head on her shoulder, a small smile on his face.]

[After a while, Mikasa had been so preoccupied with Armin that she didn't realize how close they were getting. Apartment building coming in sight, she squeeze his hand gently and pointed to it with her free hand.]

We're here. The apartment is going to be a little cramped though. With all the recent arrivals, we've got about... five people in a two bedroom apartment now.

[Armin looks at the apartment, then nestles even closer to Mikasa.]

As long as I'm with you and Eren, I don't mind.

[She led him inside, heading for the elevator -- yet another thing that Mikasa wasn't used to before coming here -- to make it to their apartment.]

I think getting a house would be in our best interest, but that'll take a while to save up for.

[And she's going to have to find another job or catch more bounties... but she's already started by the time Jean came.]

[Despite his relaxed appearance, Armin's eyes are sharp and alert, taking in everything. He doesn't even blink at the elevator - try a space station - and nods a little at her comment.]

That makes sense. I... I'll get a job, and help you pay for it.

[Though he's obviously in no kind of shape for that, emotionally - if he's already worrying about being a burden, he must be at least somewhat recovered.]

Well, you'll eventually want a job anyways. Eren gets by with bounties and other things like it, but I still say needs to get an actual job eventually. There's always rent to think about. The only thing I ask from you and everyone else is that I get some help covering rent.

[But knowing he's not in shape for that right now...]

For now though, it's fine. I don't expect much financially from any of you guys until later. It's going to take a while to adjust and the start up money will help for a while.

[Pulling out her wallet to show him her own red bills.]

That's what these are for.

B-bounties?! [Armin frowns. That... well, it sounded like Eren, but it didn't sound safe.]

All right. That makes sense. [He nods, pulling out the startup cash he'd been given and holding it out to her.] Well, here, you can at least take this for now.

[Once in the apartment, Armin lets out a sigh and lets go of Mikasa, finding a place to sit down.]

Edited 2015-02-08 08:17 (UTC)

Yeah, every Sunday paper, they have a few bounties listed in them for anyone who wants to take them on. There are dangers here, but they're not as dangerous as titans.

Although the paperboy tends to throw papers at people or through windows, so you might want to be aware of that. It hasn't happened to us yet, but it seems to be an ongoing thing.

[Since they were in the apartment now, she shook her head as she pushed the bills back to him.]

Keep them. You'll probably want something to have just in case for a while and I'm financially okay for the time being. If nothing else, I'll get some from Eren if I need them. He's been here as long as I have, after all.

[Going towards the bedroom, she knocked on the door.]

Eren? If you're here, I brought another pet home. You might be interested in this one, since you didn't like the last one.

[The last one being Jean... With that, she turned back and went back to Armin, taking a seat next to him.]

Make yourself at home. It's small, but it's sort of homey now.

[Armin bites his lip a moment, but hesitatingly withdraws the money.]

All right, well. L-let me know if you n-need it. I g-guess I don't know how m-much this is, but... I d-don't think I'll need a lot.

[Her comment about Jean brings a small smile to his face as he slips off his jacket, not realizing that doing so draws attention to several more of his burns and scars.]

I'll be okay. I want you to keep it.

[But her smile only remained for a short while because then she noticed his burns and scars. She didn't say anything at first, mostly because she was trying to figure out how to say something. For a moment that she'd opened her mouth to say something, nothing came out until...]

Armin... Just... what exactly have you gone through....?

[Her face gave off an pained expression, clearly worried about why he even had these. Had he been fighting for long periods of time...? Fighting titans were one thing, but this looked like much more than that...]

[Armin bears many burns and scars and injuries - made more visible because it looks like he'd been wearing his uniform for all of them, with little chance to repair it. There's the evidence of once-seared flesh on his left leg and the hollow of his right circle - his uniform somehow burned through in perfect circles. His left hand holds a deep scar across the palm and each finger, as if he'd been tightly clutching an open blade.

In skin that's gone absolutely white, sharp in contrast even with Armin's pale color, there's a handprint on the back of his neck, and a thumbprint on his cheek. A closer examination will also reveal his hair is slightly matted with blood, and there are fresh bruises on his throat as if he had been strangled.

That's far from all the scars he has, but the rest seem both older and smaller, or are better hidden for the moment - reduced to background noise. Mostly just smaller nicks and scratches. A couple small burns. Some are cleaner, though, cuts that are very precise and very deliberate - Mikasa will recognize those as ones that are meant to bring pain instead of serious injury.

Armin looks away, breathing going a little uneven. He doesn't say anything for a long moment.]

...There's w-way too much to a-answer everything r-right away. But right before I came h-here- [He hesitates, uncomfortable, not wanting to think about it. But this is Mikasa. He's safe with her. He can tell her anything, and delaying it won't make it any less painful.

He takes a deep breath.] Right b-before I came here, I was m-murdered.

[All of those scars and bruises... They were...There was so many. What the hell has this other world done to him? And she's been wondering about Genessia this entire time when he's definitely been fighting for a good amount of time. In fact, Mikasa almost missed fighting, as ironic as that sounded. This place was mostly harmless, with a few occasions that didn't fall into that category.

It was enough to make go silent while she couldn't help but to think that she'd failed to protect him. It was hard to protect someone what was in a different world, but damn it! There had to be something she could have done!]

M-Murdered?!

[Yeah, that's definitely made her shift from very worried and concerned to pissed off at whatever person or thing caused it to happen. It had to be a person, judging by those bruises on his neck.]

Who....? Who did it?

[Who does she need to hunt down?]

M-Mikasa... [His voice is small, and he looks near tears.] D-don't, p-please.

I-it's not your f-fault, and it's n-not theirs either. Someone was playing w-with our minds, but th-they're not here.

[A little calmer, he turns to her and takes her hands in his, looking earnestly into her eyes.] Please, j-just let it be. I'm here now, with you and Eren. I'm safe.

Edited 2015-02-09 20:07 (UTC)

[Being murdered is not a minor thing, but if that's the case than she can't exactly blame them. Even if that wasn't the case, it's not like she can do anything about it here. She let out a deep sigh, hanging her head a little. It's hard not to do something about it... She might not have been there, but she still feels like she's failed him...]

If you say so...

[He hates to see that look on her, like he hated hearing her bitter laugh. She is everything that's right with his world right now - she hasn't failed him in anything. Not ever.

He takes a deep breath. What he's about to say won't be easy - but just this once, he wants to be strong for her, even if just for a moment.]

Mikasa, I... I k-know I don't look good right now. A l-lot has happened to me since I've seen you. I've been c-cursed, attacked b-by a dragon, d-dueled with a mage, and gone mad. I've lost friends, as well as fought them, and I've b-believed myself to be someone else more times than I l-like to count.

[This is all said as steadily as he can manage, but all of a sudden his voice surges with strength and conviction. He wants her to understand, to see that there's wonder alongside the pain.]

But, M-Mikasa, you're only getting to see the bad side of things. And it's a lot, i-it's true, but I've seen and done a lot of amazing things as well.

I've made friends from countless realities, traveled in a dozen different worlds! We wanted to see the outside world, Mikasa, and I've seen more than I'd ever even imagined! Did you know there are places so advanced they can just leave the world behind and live out among the stars? I've been there! I've seen a place where all sorts of wonderful magical and mythical creatures are real - not just dangerous ones, like dragons, but gryphons and phoenixes too. I was even a merperson for a month - I had a tail, and lived my life under the ocean.

The ocean, Mikasa! I saw the ocean! I've seen more than one. I've learned so much too, about all different planets and cultures. I've learned about science, and how to do magic, even how to dance. More than that, I actually had... had a girlf-friend, for a time.

And the people I Traveled with - we did incredible things together. We helped people, Mikasa, and not just with little things. I've rescued and protected people myself, we've even saved whole planets or civilizations!

[He comes back down to earth - or at least to Genessia - talking more quietly again.] Please, I... I'm n-not okay, and I've been through a l-lot. But d-don't feel bad about it, because... it was w-worth it, Mikasa.

Especially now that I'm here with you again.

[And hearing all of that only makes her worry worse...]

T-The ocean...? You saw it?

[She hardly thinks the Bay really counts for much, but that was interesting to see to a point as well. And then...]

Woah wait! Back up!

You had a girlfriend?

[She's not saying that in a negative way at all. She's more surprised than anything. Not because she doesn't think he could get one if he wanted but, had he really grown that much? She can't help but want to ask more about it because as strange as such relationships are to her, despite how she feels about Eren, she's happy for him.. Really..]

That's great, Armin..

[At least she's calmed down now..]

I saw the ocean. With Eren, the first time - though Eren here doesn't seem to have any memory of it. But... [He gives her a small, slightly sad smile.] It wasn't the same without you there with us.

[At least his speech seemed to calm her down a little, so she doesn't seem as on edge. He's a little amused that, out of everything, him having a girlfriend was what stuck out to her. That was very her, though. His smile becomes soft and tender.]

I did. Her name was Sansa...

[And all of a sudden he takes in a shaky breath and lets out a choked sob as he realizes that, in all probability, he'll never see her again. Even if he did, she probably wouldn't even recognize him.]

That's... that's great, Armin. I'm glad you found somebody.

Can I ask what she was like?

...She had a lot of spirit. Even when something bad happened, she'd never give up or lose hope. Her brother was a king, so she was highborn - all manners and propriety - but she had a hard childhood, like us, and she never looked down on anyone.

She was smart, and kind, and really beautiful. And she was incredibly brave, even if she didn't think so.

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Chapter 1 | Intro | Video

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Chapter 1 | Intro | Video

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