[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.]
[ 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. ]
[At this, his expression hardens slightly, but it's only a thoughtful look. A controlled diet? He supposes that might make sense, say she were in some sort of training before she became whatever assassin she is now...]
[ Quite unintentionally, her expression does something rather similar, and yet a lot more complicated. She considers fobbing him off, changing the subject, but that doesn't feel right with him.
At the very least, she's glad for the plate of food; gives her something to busy her hands with. Something else to look at. ]
[It takes a moment for the idea to fully process. Why would anyone want to keep someone under their control slender? Only to keep them weak, unable to fight back, maybe.
[Something else occurs to him, and then he's glaring, sharp. It's in Esther's direction, but it isn't for her.
[Men, who keep women like slaves to their whims.]
Bullshit.
[His fist is clutching his knife, top lip tugging up in a snarl. He makes a short sound, then turns his head away. He glares out the window, into the ever empty, never-ending parking lot.]
It isn't that way anymore, right? [Of course not. Here she is, but for how long?] Forget I asked.
Good. [It comes out too quick, too sharp; he still can't look at her.
[A beat passes, then another. He faces her again, but busies himself with eating. He finds he wants to know more, but, perhaps more oddly, doesn't want to ask.]
You seem capable.
[Does she look after herself now? Or is she under someone else's thumb?]
[ She notices that he can't look at her, and for a brief moment, she wonders why. Wonders what he's assuming, wonders how that assumptions shaping her in his head. But then he's speaking again, not as sharp as before, and it untwists the anxiety in her chest a fraction. ]
Both can be true. [ She shrugs, just the once. Resigned. ] At least the cage is bigger this time around. Can barely notice the bars most days.
[Eren doesn't look away because he can't stand to look at Esther. He looks away because he doesn't want her to see him, this betrayal of empathy, cracking his mask wide open - or...so it feels.
[In reality, his expression hasn't changed that much at all. He stares at her.]
[Understood without much trouble. People end up slaves to organizations all the time, Esther not being the only one in this room. He nods his head, two fingers idly tapping on the surface of the table.
[At once, the topic seems to shift. Eren doesn't explain the sudden departure, facing Esther and saying:]
You're the only person I ever end up seeing when I come here. Did you know that?
[ He doesn't explain, and she doesn't pursue for an explanation. She finishes another mouthful, chases it with another sip of coffee, but he has her attention throughout. ]
Really? I've seen a couple of others, though more rarely than I do you.
The last time I was here, there was this Latin teacher I've met a few times; similar vibe to you, albeit a little more...miserable than intense.
[To think someone could appear more miserable than Eren is genuinely laughable, though, of course, he doesn't laugh. Perhaps he hides it better than he thought.]
Have you seen anyone from your organization? From your reality at all?
[ It's because Eren's never had hummus and crackers eaten near him without consent. ]
No, never. [ She shakes her head. ] I'll count that as a win though. I spend enough time with people in my reality; it's rather refreshing meeting people from others.
[The answer becomes difficult. Sometimes it feels he's only here a few seconds, and sometimes it feels he's here for years. He wouldn't know how to explain if he tried. Part of him wonders if that's just how he'll feel forever now.
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pantheraliam) wrote2030-03-12 03:03 pm
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[ 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.
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[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.]
no subject
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. ]
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You come from a starving place.
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What was the reason?
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At the very least, she's glad for the plate of food; gives her something to busy her hands with. Something else to look at. ]
To keep me slender.
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[Something else occurs to him, and then he's glaring, sharp. It's in Esther's direction, but it isn't for her.
[Men, who keep women like slaves to their whims.]
Bullshit.
[His fist is clutching his knife, top lip tugging up in a snarl. He makes a short sound, then turns his head away. He glares out the window, into the ever empty, never-ending parking lot.]
It isn't that way anymore, right? [Of course not. Here she is, but for how long?] Forget I asked.
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She has another bite of food, and shakes her head. ]
No, not anymore. Hasn't been for a long time.
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[A beat passes, then another. He faces her again, but busies himself with eating. He finds he wants to know more, but, perhaps more oddly, doesn't want to ask.]
You seem capable.
[Does she look after herself now? Or is she under someone else's thumb?]
I can't imagine anyone keeping you in a cage.
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Both can be true. [ She shrugs, just the once. Resigned. ] At least the cage is bigger this time around. Can barely notice the bars most days.
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[In reality, his expression hasn't changed that much at all. He stares at her.]
Who keeps you now?
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[ Ezekiel is far too busy to ensure the bars are kept electrified. That's Magda's job. ]
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[At once, the topic seems to shift. Eren doesn't explain the sudden departure, facing Esther and saying:]
You're the only person I ever end up seeing when I come here. Did you know that?
:30:
Really? I've seen a couple of others, though more rarely than I do you.
The last time I was here, there was this Latin teacher I've met a few times; similar vibe to you, albeit a little more...miserable than intense.
[ Sip. ]
SCREAMS SO FUCKING LOUD
Have you seen anyone from your organization? From your reality at all?
:30shades:
No, never. [ She shakes her head. ] I'll count that as a win though. I spend enough time with people in my reality; it's rather refreshing meeting people from others.
STOP NOT THE HUMMUS
You're free from them here.
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[ Said with a glance cast around them, at their surroundings. This place. Eren. ]
Have you ever been here when I haven't been?
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Not for long.
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Do you stay long enough to eat something?
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[He settles for a simple:]
No. Once I see you aren't here, I just leave.
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[ Makes her wonder how many times they might have just missed one another. ]