rollcharisma | PSL / MEME CONTINUATION

[Maybe..."lesson" really wasn't the right word to use. Eren is being...civil with him. That, and Armin just blew up at him (which he maintains was deserved - might do again at some point). He doesn't want him to feel...lectured? But...]

"Lesson" might not have been a good word, but what I mean is, the universe showed us memories to...provoke a reaction and push us in a certain direction. It's all very...calculated, somehow.

Whatever's happening to you, it serves some purpose.

[He frowns in thought.]

It would be helpful if you could hear when your voice stops making sound. If we could figure out what words aren't coming through, I'm sure we'd find the answer.

Calculated? [The indignation, sudden as it is pointed, isn’t strictly aimed at Armin. Gotta go somewhere, though.] I’ve seen Eren with… [He hates the very name.] How is that calcu—

[Aubrey shakes her head quickly. Stop being unfair.] Maybe you guys can signal…? [There. Move.]

["Calculated" isn't a word that Eren wants to hear right now either. He doesn't like the implication that there is something pulling the strings for the express purpose of manipulating them - just watching them squirm, maybe. Then again, there'd have to be, wouldn't there? It feels like trying to decide whether or not God is real; though, what's been happening to them is realer than any God Eren's ever known.]

We'll hold up our hands.

[Armin, quite frankly, has no idea how he managed to set Aubrey (and possibly Eren, judging by his expression) off, but here he is.

[They'll focus on the signaling.]

That's a good idea. When your voice cuts out, we'll each raise one of our hands. Try to pay attention to what you're not able to say, okay?

[And they will indeed do just that.]

[Aubrey nods. It’s a good plan. She hates to lose Eren’s warm grip, though, even a little.]

Right. Sorry, it’s just— This world…it’s an escape, but it’s been cru— Wait, that?!

[Eren and Armin exchange another sharp look. Eren squeezes Aubrey's hand again.]

["Wait, that?!" There's some level of distinction there.]

You noticed something. What was different about the words you couldn't say? Anything?

Try again if you need to.

[Okay. This is still upsetting, but that’s information. There was a topic shift, there. They can work with this.]

You know, I think this world doesn’t like us talking bad about it. Or at least not me. [What’s that book they’re always talking about, with the big eye and the surveillance? Aubrey wasn’t even trying to trash-talk it, but now…] I don’t get it. It’ll put our memories on blast [oh, whatever, small word] but I can’t… say anything about it?

You guys try.

[Eren takes in a breath. His gaze is sharp, focused. Armin's made his way closer, and they're shoulder to shoulder now. He hasn't let go of Aubrey's hand.

[There are plenty of things that Eren isn't eager to share with Armin, but something bad is happening to Aubrey, and their mission is to figure out what that is and how to stop it. They're allies again. They're working toward the same goal. It's easier then breathing.]

Aubrey and I have shared memories more than once.

[He watches Aubrey as he says this.]

You can shape reality here if you try.

I think memories have a lot to do with that.

[It's less an attempt to start a new conversation, and more a test. His words aren't disappearing like hers, as far as he can tell...]

You could hear all of that?

Why would it silence her about that...? It's not as if it's a secret. We all saw what was on those screens...

And why just Aubrey?

I wouldn't guess that the universe itself was worried about being insulted.

[Glancing between both of them.]

You can manipulate reality at will here?

[Oh, Eren’s just… going for it. That’s surprising. The memories he’s shared, intentionally or otherwise, have been bittersweet at best. But she hears him loud and clear, and nods affirmatively.]

[Why just her, indeed....]

[To Armin:] We can. And… have. Not always intentionally. [She watches Eren with that last part. And, noticing that came through, tries for more:] Last time it started okay. But then it just… went haywire, and—

Okay. [More information. Looking between the two, now;] Context, it didn’t stay good, you could’ve figured that out from the phrasing… [And to Eren:] I still don’t know why. [She’s fine with that one being silenced. Maybe Eren (and hopefully not Armin, considering…) can read her lips for it.]

[Eren has been trying to read Aubrey's lips this entire time, though he has no skill for it. He does catch what he thinks is a "don't know why" though, and it makes his heart sink just slightly; with what? Regret? Embarrassment, maybe? Mix them both together and you've got shame.

[He thinks again about Aubrey's cold, "I love you." He squeezes her hand again. There's this deep, compulsive desire to be alone with her. He's only felt something like that for one other person.]

That's what I'm talking about.

[Glancing at Armin.]

Our minds can shape the world around us. Whether or not we're in control is another thing...

The last time things went badly, ["Don't know why,"] my mind went to a bad place.

[His eyes are back on Aubrey's; an apology.]

That's what happened.

[That sends a little chill down Armin's spine. It's no secret that Eren Jaeger's mind is a dangerous place, but...not always in such a literal sense. He can only wonder what actually happened in this scenario they're describing; he's not entirely sure that it's relevant, however.]

Not to be cynical, but it's difficult to believe that there isn't some sort of third party at play here; still...

Are you saying Aubrey's subconscious might be influencing what's happening? It's not impossible...

[A slightly wary look at Aubrey.]

Is there something you're worried about? Something you're trying to avoid...?

[Making Eren angry? That's Armin's first thought. He knows the feeling.]

[“Went to a bad place”… He could say that again. What preceded that, exactly? They thought they were on top of the world; Aubrey hasn’t considered it, but maybe it was a punishment? Yet the apology in Eren’s eyes suggests otherwise. Or at least that he blames himself....]

R-right. [A verbal response to Armin, about the third party, but her concerned stare lingers with Eren. It would have no matter what Armin said, just about; but Armin’s wariness keeps it there.

[Is this her fault…? There’s a chill down Aubrey’s spine, too, at that thought—like a sudden winter storm. Her gaze drops altogether.] Feels like there’s always something, lately… But right now, it’s just this.

[Although, not long ago…] That’s not fair— But, ah… [Steel yourself. Eren still has her hand.] Maybe it’s not so bad, in that case…

[Out of all the things they've had to deal with since coming here, this wouldn't even be close to the worst. Still, it's gotten deeply under Eren's skin. He doesn't like that Aubrey is being targeted. This world has him on edge (as if his own weren't good enough at that). That's why he won't let go.

[Frustration spikes in him.]

This isn't working.

We can't tell what it's trying to keep from us.

Edited 2023-10-09 02:08 (UTC)

Aubrey, if you had something to write with, would you be able to write down just what you're saying?

[Wait, “keep from us”? Does Eren think she’s lying? Every other thing, if not every single thing, has been completely, almost too, h—]

[Armin coming in clutch again, thank god.] Yeah, I. I can do that. [Looking up and around, scanning the signs…

[Stupid technology section, set up like no one writes anymore. It’s a considerable walk.] Stationery. [She lets go of one hand (or, if Eren won’t allow that, just nods) to point in the direction.] We’ll figure this out.

We have to. [It would’ve been quiet anyway.]

[Eren will allow her to drop one hand, for the sake of walking if nothing else, but he keeps a firm hold of the other, even as they start making their way toward the stationary.]

[Armin follows.]

This will be good. If we can figure out what words are being censored, maybe we can find a pattern. That has to be the first step, don't you think?

[There's a short pause for thought.]

Aubrey, to test this theory I have a bit...try talking about something that's a bit difficult, would you? While writing, I mean.

[“Censored”? She allows him the pause, but:]

It’s not censoring. It’s just— [Taking words and blanking them out, lest they be heard. …Aubrey trails off voluntarily, there.]

Anyway, I… guess I can do that. [Not looking forward to it, but… she doesn’t have to go for the most difficult thing. Surely.] Any… requests? [Half-sardonic, half-genuine. She’d rather not put all her worst thoughts on a reel to sift for just the right one.]

[Quietly, only to Aubrey, going so far as to lean in close to her ear when he speaks:]

Not the barracks.

[Armin catches it all the same. What exactly have these two been through since meeting...?]

Maybe you can start by talking about the memories we all witnessed. No surprises there...

[Eren: not the barracks. Armin: yeah, how about the barra— Oh, wait, he said memories they all witnessed. Can do.]

Okay. If you’re both okay with that…

[Eren, she means Eren. He didn’t seem phased at the time, but Aubrey wants to check all the same. Especially since she has to let go entirely now, to take a pen and notebook. He and Armin get to witness the wonders of plastic packaging.]

Makes sense to me.

[He can steel himself, in that case. The memories are fresh on everyone's minds, and he's already numbed himself to them. Armin's smart for that. It's the best case scenario, and they both know it.]

I'll be alright.

Go on, Aubrey. You can do this.

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