psl/meme catch-all (2025)

[pantheraliam]

muses

code

aot art•omori art•bsd art

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[abandonhumanity]

[Eren hates that question, perhaps the most common one ever asked. He looks her over, though it's not judgmental. He taps his knuckles idly on the surface of the table.]

You're banged up.

[57times]

[ She knows; she's sure he mentioned that once. The only reason she remembers that specifically is because she, too, loathes it. People rarely want the truth. But then, why would she bother to ask him at all?

Well, God forbid a woman have a hobby. ]

Work got a little more exciting than planned, that's all. I've had worse, don't let it keep you up.

[abandonhumanity]

[At this, there's just the smallest pull on his upper lip, a sneer trying to form on a frozen face.]

It wouldn't. Clearly, you handled yourself just fine.

[57times]

[ She'll take it. Favouring the right side as it's wont to do, the corner of Esther mouth tugs up in reply. ]

Glad to see you haven't changed.

[ Coffee sip. ]

You want anything? To eat, I mean.

[abandonhumanity]

[Eren has gotten far too used to the sensation of starving. He's rarely been in a position to reject food, so, of course, he won't. It feels strange to order - almost greedy when he's used to just taking whatever he's been handed.

[Esther asks, so it's easier to answer, nod. The menu is...overwhelming (what's a "grand slamwich"?]

Whatever you have. I'll just ask for that.

[57times]

[ Not that she needs one, but it's an excuse to order extra Esther won't turn down. So when a server wanders by, she gets their attention long enough to order the works, times two; pancakes, sausages, bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, coffee. So very American.

Once they're alone again, she goes to say something, when a thought comes to her, a polite interruption. ]

I actually have something for you.

[ A bag rummaging montage later has her taking out a simple A4 paper folder; it would look shady - spy adjacent, perhaps - if it wasn't for the fact it contains nothing untoward, except for three sheets of music paper, all hand written. She slides it across the table towards Eren. ]

Had in there a while - had to wait for this place to show up again.

[abandonhumanity]

[The folder does seem conspicuous until Eren opens it. He's far from expressive, but his brow does subtly pinch together as he examines the sheets. He's never played an instrument, nor has he ever known anyone who plays an instrument, so he's never seen sheet music up close. Still, something in him recognizes it enough...]

Music? [He looks up across the table.] I can't read it.

[57times]

I know, it's not quite how I meant to give it to you - that was supposed to be a kind of extra. However, since I didn't know when I'd next see you, I couldn't really lug my violin around on the off-chance.

[ And she knows he dislikes phones - perhaps that isn't the right word for it? - so recording herself playing it for him to listen to didn't seem like the best option either. She did just in case, but she didn't want to lead with the fact. ]

But still, I wanted you to have it. I wrote it for you.

[abandonhumanity]

['Dislike' is a fair enough word, but only in the sense that it overwhelms him, makes him feel unsteady. He ought to let her take it out and show him again sometime, but, as she points out now, these meetings are sporadic, few and far between.

[She wrote him a song. He holds the paper carefully in front of him, afraid to set it on the table, stain the pages. Eventually, he folds it up and tucks it into his coat, eyes cast down.

[He doesn't sound upset, but Eren never sounds much like anything; his voice is quiet.]

Why would you do something like that?

[57times]

[ Simply, easily; she assumed he'd say something like that. ]

Because I wanted to.

[abandonhumanity]

[It's perhaps the only answer Eren would accept. The notes are safe in his pocket, and he looks at Esther again. Food is set down between them - awkward. He waits for the interruption to end.]

If I show someone else, and ask them to play, it won't be the same.

[57times]

[ She thanks the server and pulls her plate closer, absolutely sugars the shit out of her coffee, gets to the creamer as Eren speaks again. ]

Most likely not, no; but I think you should anyway. It deserves to be heard, [ not without a smile, ] and it took me quite a while to perfect. It'd be a shame for it to stay on the page exclusively.

[abandonhumanity]

[Eren shakes his head, not an outright rejection, but an adjustment of expectation.]

I'll wait until you have your violin again. I don't want to hear it from anyone else.

[No matter how much or how little time passes, they always end up back here, there, or somewhere else somehow. The time will come. He'll make it if he has to.]

[57times]

[ And in turn, Esther looks as though that's the only outcome she'd really like, too. ]

I'll try and remember to keep him in my car when possible. [ With a laugh in her voice; ] At least I didn't opt to play the cello instead, I suppose.

[abandonhumanity]

A cello. Which one is that?

[57times]

[ She demonstrates the rough size with her hands. ]

The one that looks like a violin, but much larger - you sit down to play it, makes a gorgeous, rich sound.

[abandonhumanity]

That's right...

[If he ever knew, he must have forgotten.]

I've seen one before, I think. There was a play.

[57times]

[ The important thing about the play was that everyone reacted calmly and in a collected fashion. Thank God no one was blown up, maimed, or otherwise trampled to death. What a pleasant evening had by all. ]

Maybe next time this place will spawn next to a concert hall. I'd feel better about playing it for you on a stage rather than here.

[abandonhumanity]

That's interesting. You don't necessarily seem like the type to enjoy the spotlight.

[57times]

[ Pancake break. ]

I'm not typically, no. I love performing though. It feels different if I'm playing or singing. They're enjoying the skill I'm showcasing rather than me alone.

It's the only time I don't mind having eyes on me.

[abandonhumanity]

[Pancake break. He adds everything Esther does, and it's so sweet that it makes Eren's eyebrows raise, then his nose crinkle. He takes another bite anyway. Against all odds, he waits to speak until he's finished chewing.]

I don't know anything about performing like that. [He's always in the spotlight, though.] My talents aren't artistic.

[57times]

Who knows; maybe deep down inside you there's a master crocheter waiting to be unleashed on the nearest craft market.

[ There's a hint of a smile that she doesn't bother to hide at the nose-crinkling. ]

It's sort of disgusting, right..? But not entirely bad either? Where I'm from, they're nowhere near this sweet.

[abandonhumanity]

[The idea of Eren's hidden talent being crochet should be funny, but only in a bitter way. Eren can't laugh anymore. He lets the acknowledgement come, then pass, and he doesn't argue. All Esther knows about him is that he was a soldier, that he became one at a young age, that he's seen war. It was comforting that she didn't know his name, that first time they talked. He still clings to it.

[They'll talk about pancakes instead. They'll talk about things that don't matter at all.]

I used to eat these as a kid, but we just ate them plain. Butter, maybe.

Nothing like this...

[It is good though, as much as it is sickening. He takes another bite.]

[57times]

[ She pauses a moment, another bite extending it just a few seconds more. ]

I never got to eat them, not like this anyway. Traditionally they're much thinner where I'm from, and I'd be allowed those on a holiday named after them as a treat.

[ One of the first breakfasts she had with Magda was pancakes, American style. They'd been the best thing she'd ever tasted, and she'd cried the entire time until her plate was cleared. Probably kept going, she doesn't remember.

A sip of coffee follows that memory, chases it as she swallows it down. ]

[abandonhumanity]

[They can both essentially say the same, then. Eren wonders if it's for the same reasons. He makes a guess.]

You come from a starving place.