[As Mari speaks, Armin's eyes do drift temporarily to Aubrey, lingering a moment when he realizes that the illusion has shifted. She looks just like one of the shadow puppets...

[At Mari's confession, he feels his stomach twist. Even so:]

I understand.

[It makes perfect sense, really. Eren can't be anything other than intense, and if she really thought Aubrey was a child - and, considering now that they are romantic - yes, it makes sense.

[Still, the image of his friend, ever reaching toward freedom, being slowly closed in on...Armin has to fight off a shudder.]

I can't say he'll be as gracious, but...You did what you felt you needed to. It's a misunderstanding we can work through.

[There's a pause, an impulse to defend Eren once again. But Armin doesn't actually believe in "good" or "bad" people, and he definitely doesn't believe that Eren fits either bill.

[God, he feels sick.]

Eren deserves his freedom. We shouldn't delay.