Chapter 3 | Video

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin looks immensely better than he did the last time he appeared on the network. He's wearing clothes that are both cleaner and in better condition, and no longer has any visible injuries - but the biggest difference is in demeanor. He no longer seems lost and afraid, but is both more confident and happier, having spent the last weeks recovering and in the company of his closest friends.

Plus, he's gotten a job now with a company that's trying trying to help people - and so he has direction in his life again, even if just a little. More than that, he no longer has to feel he's a burden on Eren and Mikasa.

He smiles at the camera, only a little uncertainly.]

Hello. I guess I was rather upset when I arrived here a couple weeks ago - [A drastic understatement, but Armin doesn't want to draw attention to the condition he arrived in.] - so I never properly introduced myself.

I'm Armin Arlert. I'm from the same world as Eren and Mikasa, if anyone knows them. It's nice to meet everyone.

I also have a question. I now have a position as an administrative assistant at Schnee Company Welcome and Travel Services - but I come from a world without computers. Therefore, I'd like to try and learn to use a computer properly as quickly as possible - and w-while I could do it on my own, I'm sure it would go a lot faster if I had a teacher.

S-so if anyone would be able to teach me, I'd be very grateful. I'd compensate you somehow, of course! If you're interested, w-we can talk about what would be reasonable. Thank you.

Comments

video;

[shslprogrammer]

[Did someone mention computers? There is a reason Chihiro got the title he has.]

Y-You really never used a computer before. [Take a deep breath.] I'm pretty good with computers, so I could probably teach you a thing or two. Only if you want though.

video; teach Armin to be a master programmer pls

[neverfeltthatway]

That's right. [Technically, he's been on a computer twice, but it's not enough to really matter, so he doesn't correct the boy.

He smiles at the offer, more genuinely than the one in his intro.] Th-that would be great. If you're okay with it, I'd l-love to learn from you.

video;He will try his best to be a good teacher.

[shslprogrammer]

I'm fine with teaching, though I will admit I've never actually taught anyone before... S-So this will be a first for me.

[He isn't even sure how to start anyway.]

So just name a time and a place and I'll see what I can do. I'll even bring my trusty helper.

video; I realized that once he learned, Armin would actually be *really good* at this

[neverfeltthatway]

That's all right - I'm sure we can figure something out. [Almost anything would be better than trying to learn alone, with technology hundreds of years more advanced than he's used to.

A time and a place, hmm...] Umm. I don't actually h-have my own computer, except at work. So I guess maybe the library? Anywhere we could actually get access to a computer is fine with me. And m-maybe sometime this weekend, if that works for you?

video;

[shslprogrammer]

Then anywhere could be fine. I have an extra laptop that I have we could use anywhere, but the library will be fine.

[He does have an lot of laptop, which with various programs he;s been testing, but he has one he keeps for other things... He'll make sure to take that one.]

This weekend will be fine. I don't have anything to do as far as I am aware. Maybe at 3 in the afternoon maybe, or earlier?

[ video ]

[halffreckled]

Armin, it's good to see that you're doing a lot better--

[ he stops himself, blinks, then leans in to the camera ] You're working for the Schnee Company too?! So am I! I currently don't have to deal with a lot of...technology-type things. [ which he could probably manage if Armin ever gets it ]

I'm working for the HR department though! It's a lot of paperwork to go through as of right now... But maybe we could find someone to teach us both and learn together how to use a computer.

[ video ]

[neverfeltthatway]

Th-thanks.

Yeah, I was hired a couple weeks ago. [The interview a few scant days after he arrived. He knew Marco had applied - Weiss had asked him about Marco, though he doesn't really want Marco to know that - but he hadn't wanted to say anything in case he didn't get in.] S-sure! I'd like that...

[ video ]

[halffreckled]

Oh, you've been there a long time then. [ he nodded ] We'll have to find someone to teach us first, but learning together would probably help a lot.

[ video ]

[neverfeltthatway]

I had an interview about a week after I arrived, yeah.

[Not that he was in any kind of shape for it. But there's nothing Armin hates more than being a burden.]

I've actually found a teacher - but he seems kind of shy, and I don't want to impose too much before I get to know him... I'll ask him if he minds another student when we meet this weekend. But even if he does, I can teach you what I learned from him when I get back.

video, private

[frostheartedrose]

[Awww! Her cute little hamster is getting better! Yay!!]

You certainly are looking better than death warmed up, Armin. There should be a number of the displaced who can teach you about computers better than myself so don't even think about asking me.

video, private

[neverfeltthatway]

[He's not a hamster! And he's a soldier, he shouldn't be cute, either! He's totally a cute hamster, as you were.

He looks down, a little embarrassed.] Yeah, I... wasn't at my best when I arrived. [In fact, 'death warmed up' is a surprisingly accurate description of his condition at the time.]

Were there computers in the world you came from?

Re: video, private

[frostheartedrose]

There were though I tended to use them a bit more casually than they could be. I can do a little hacking and play card games. I had other matters to attend to so I had a team for computer duty. Keeping our species from getting discovered, keeping an eye on the human governments, keeping an eye on the crime bosses, that sort of thing.

video, private

[neverfeltthatway]

...Hacking?

[He's new to this, all right? But then the rest of what she says ends up being fascinating too - and more than a little sad.]

You... have to hide from humanity in your world?

[Video]

[lookprofessor]

[He could try and use the text function, but he will pass.]

Um...if you learn how to use a computer well, Armin, can you let me know how?

[There's a pause, and he sighs.] I'm better than I was, but only a little...

[Video]

[neverfeltthatway]

[He smiles a little more genuinely into the camera.] Of course, Luke. I'd be more than happy to.

Though it'll probably be some time before I'm ready to be any sort of teacher.

[Video]

[lookprofessor]

I'm getting a little better at typing.

[Luke blinks, glancing off the screen.] I'm not even sure where to start. It took me a long time to be able to do anything but just turn the video feed on...

[Video]

[neverfeltthatway]

It's taken me some getting used to as well. [Don't worry, Luke - you're not alone, and it's nothing to be ashamed of!] But I'll let you know as soon as I figure it out.

[Video]

[beautifulmidboss]

[Papa instinct go!]

I'm glad to see you are doing a little better... and I apologise I could not be of more assistance to you when you first arrived.

I am Vyers, the City Guardian of Attleton. I am not too well versed in computers, but if there is any other way I can help you, do contact moi.

[Video] Sorry I'm late!

[neverfeltthatway]

That's okay - my friends found me, so I'm all right.

[City Guardian? He's read about them, a little - always good to know who's in charge. He gives Vyers a salute right hand clenched over his heart, left behind his back - though he's not really a soldier, here, some habits are hard to break.]

It's very nice to meet you, Guardian Vyers. Thank you for your offer, I'll keep it in mind.

[Video] No worries - me too :)

[beautifulmidboss]

That is good. Have you been settling in well, then?

[Aw, how precious. Vyers poses at the salute. "Guardian Vyers", eh? He likes that.]

A pleasure. I am glad to see some people know how to treat moi with the proper respect~

[Video]

[neverfeltthatway]

Yes, thank you. I've obviously already found a job, and some more of our friends arrived, so we're looking for a bigger place.

...Some people don't treat you with respect?

[Video]

[goddessinthefog]

Hey, guess we're working in the same place now, then. Don't think I introduced myself, did I? It's Kurosawa, Sen.

[Totally innocent night-shift front desk attendant here.]

[Video]

[neverfeltthatway]

It's very nice to meet you, Ms. Kurosawa. You work the night shift at the front desk, right?

[Armin may have familiarized himself with all the employees, even if he hasn't gotten around to introducing himself yet. All in the job description, right?]

[Video]

[goddessinthefog]

That's right. Nice to meet you.

How're you finding the place so far?

[She, meanwhile, was quite good at striking up conversations with others, but introductions themselves often missed her.]

[Video]

[neverfeltthatway]

[He tilts his head slightly to the side in question.]

Do you mean the Schnee Company, or Genessia in general?