[She should have stayed facing away from Armin. God, she almost wants him to shut up, but Armin is so goddamn nice the anger-projection crumbles at the source.]

[And before Aubrey can so much as sputter his name, Eren. Eren, everywhere, just about— That free hand is staying over her mouth just a bit longer.

[You know what? Fuck department stores, actually. Fuck this store and every reflective surface in the entire world; she’d almost prefer the wall.]

Armin, I am so sorry—

[The hand curls into a fist, clenched tight by her neck. She can at least look at the guy when she breaks his heart. Rip off the bandaid, leave no room for doubt—]

“Tell Armin to stay away from me.”

[As Aubrey talks, the wall-screens directly behind Armin flash on, all creating one widescreen picture of Eren’s stormy gaze, locked on the viewer—which, from where Aubrey stands now, almost looks like Armin himself. Eren’s low voice booms from an unseen loudspeaker; there’s no escaping it.]

[Then, just as suddenly as the world came to life, it ends.]