[Of course they’ll talk later. The world wouldn’t— well, when it’s not enforcing an internal censor, it won’t let them not talk. And that vague, dry bemusement becomes just a bit more focused when Eren talks like Aubrey can’t be alone for five minutes....]
[Whether by timing or will of the universe, Armin pipes up next, and the annoyance is stifled before it can really form.]
This world shouldn’t be dangerous. [In lieu of an answer. Who’s she insisting the “should” to, anyway?] Or at least, it’s— [A wary glance upward. There are no screens in sight, but stores like this always have security cameras somewhere.... And who knows if this ceiling will throw up an error, too.]
I guess it just is, most of the time. [Maybe there’s a pattern…?] It draws from our memories a lot. But not all the time....
[It's almost as if Eren can sense Aubrey's budding irritation, but maybe that's just an expectation, since he realizes he's doing something that will annoy her (which is fine - does it all the time). Still, perceived irritation from Aubrey brings about a more obvious irritation from Eren, and basically--]
[They're like an old married couple or something. When they're not pissing each other off, it's because they're busy staring into each other's eyes. Has Armin ever seen Eren like this with someone else?]
You said that, yeah. It could be pulling from our subconsciouses as well. We shouldn't rule that out...
Still, I don't think we're the only ones to blame.
[Armin certainly isn't. This is...definitely more a Them(TM) issue than anything else, or so it seems.]
There's no telling who might be pulling the strings. All we can do for now is try to pay attention - see what information we can gather through our experiences.
[From casual to not; from irritated to not. Different setting, same world, same them. In some way, at least.]
[At least Armin’s cool-headed as ever, even though it’s slightly troubling that Aubrey didn’t exactly remember saying that before. Or, they were definitely talking about memories, that’s how this started… ugh.]
Right. Actually, I’m glad this place has been better to you, Armin… [No sarcasm. It’s an idle curiosity, actually.] Have you met anyone here besides us? [With a glance to Eren, because they might be on the same page here:] I haven’t.
No, I haven't. In fact, I haven't...really done much of anything since the last time I saw you. It seems you two are living more experiences than me in general.
[Not a surprising interjection. Aubrey acknowledges that with a quick nod, but returning to Armin:] Well, kind of. It’s like that with us, too—but last time, Eren was thinking we could control it better. The world, that is. [Glancing to Eren for confirmation,] “Bending” it?
Edited (misread a tag, and somehow made 500 typos) 2023-10-09 22:40 (UTC)
[Weird time to give him a compliment, but Eren's tone doesn't exactly sound complimentary, so...Maybe Armin should take it as irritation instead. Like he's ever the one who gets to be naturally good at something anyway.]
I'll take that as a compliment. [So there.]
I might as well practice. If that's true, then...well, the implications are immeasurable. Having the ability to manipulate something at that scale - you'd basically be a--
[And we are just gonna go ahead and stop that train of thought right there. Eren's enough of a God already; the implications are terrifying is what they are. Eren might get so angry that he simply undoes reality. Oy vey...]
Well, it's a useful skill if it really does work. That's all.
[It’s weirdly nice to hear Eren and Armin’s little back-and-forth, again, especially since the stakes are a lot lower. Just three friends (well. for lack of a better term) having a normal, casual conversation about bending the world to their will.]
Oh, believe me, it works. [Aubrey tries to make that sound casual. It’s not like it’s gone terribly haywire about half the time.] Like— Actually, Armin, why don’t you try? [She’d offer to demonstrate, or even ask Eren to, but. Well. Hopefully Eren doesn’t mind the focus shift.] Somewhere nice you’d like to go, or an item you’d like to have…
[There's a strange anxiety to handing Armin the reigns - in some ways, anyway, if only because Eren isn't sure what he'll do with them. Ending up back in fake-Shiganshina right now wouldn't be something that, Eren hopes, either of them would want. In other ways, though, handing Armin the reigns only makes sense; it's what they've always done when something has defied explanation.
[Still...he can't help but wonder what might happen even if Armin chooses the most innocuous option he can...]
[Somewhere nice he'd like to go...? Home, maybe - but that definitely isn't an option with Eren here, after everything they just saw. If their subconscious has influence on this world, that would no doubt lead to disaster; that, or a memory in four dimensions. No thank you.
[Something he'd like to have? He can only think of his grandfather's book. Would that be just as dangerous as a trip home? Would either even be possible?
[He has to think simpler. Emotion shouldn't play into a trial run like this (unless...emotion is the key?).
[Maybe just...
[He holds both palms up, cupped like a bowl. He recalls the feeling of warm ocean water on his hands, filling them up. Even given everything, the ocean has never stopped being a source of wonder, and...oddly, somehow, comfort for Armin.
[An ocean of salty water so big that it never runs out. He closes his eyes. His hand doesn't quite fill, but...
[Drip, drip, drip...
[He opens his eyes, points them at the ceiling; there, a little gray raincloud, sending tiny droplets into his hands, onto his face, his shoulders. It hasn't gotten larger yet. It's not raining on Aubrey or Eren.
[Armin looks amazed.]
It's not...Wow, it's--
It's not quite what I was going for, but I...I did that?
[Maybe Eren is a little gun shy, but weather has not always been a very kind reality in this place. He feels cold just thinking about it. His eyes go to Aubrey to see if she's reflecting his concern.]
Careful, Armin. [His voice is low and cautious (which, for Eren, is saying a lot).]
[Armin’s thoughtful. Aubrey trusts him completely.
[Not that… she doesn’t trust Eren....]
[His cupped hands pique her interest. The drip, even moreso. For a moment she wonders why Armin would invoke a leaky roof, but when it starts to rain on him, Aubrey’s face actually lights up.]
[It’s hilarious! It’s fun! Armin’s so awed! Eren doesn’t seem to share, and his caution tempers Aubrey’s excitement a bit, but…]
You did! [There’s a laugh in her voice. Not unlike when she was singing with Eren, but it’s softer this time. Less aggressive.] What were you thinking of?
[Right, the ocean! They probably, Aubrey thinks, haven’t seen the ocea—actually let’s not summon the sea in the middle of a store. Maybe some other time.]
[When she follows Armin’s attention back to Eren, Aubrey’s… a little puzzled? Not too much; he’s no cackling party animal, she gets that. The caution isn’t unwarranted. But even though the rain picked up slightly, it’s really nothing concerning.]
It’s pretty fantastic, yeah. [In a sort of “yeah, not a big deal or anything” tone, but playful. Aubrey even ventures to give Eren an elbow nudge; he can be a bit more loose with his friend, right?] Want an umbrella? [Asking them both, really.]
[Eren doesn't acknowledge that he's been waiting for Aubrey to nudge him in some fashion ever since she let go of his hand. A lack of emergency leaves room for some bizarre insecurities, apparently. At the elbow nudge, he is appeased (though his expression doesn't change much - but does it ever?)]
[Despite Eren's rather reserved response, Armin is having a great time. This is a miracle of science - no, of something else? He's not sure. He doesn't even want to be sure! He can make rain. And if he can make rain, then...]
I can make it rain on you.
[Picture this: a tiny gray rain cloud, slowly (threateningly) drifting closer to Eren. Armin, smirking.]
[Sure enough, the cloud drifts, and rain starts drip-drip-dripping onto Eren's face. He looks offended, but it's all false; it's...almost teasing, even if it's hard to fully conjure up the sort of face he'd make if he were fifteen and Armin were playing this trick.]
You're a punk.
[Don't mind him simply willing this cloud back in Armin's direction - a battle of wills. But his blonde-haired, blue-eyed, best friend in the world is laughing as the rain splatters back on his face instead.]
[This is, ignoring the world’s obligate fuckery, the best not-shopping trip ever.]
[That’s a no for the umbrellas, then!] Okay, okay, [and Aubrey takes a notebook in anticipation, juuust in case,] let’s not escalate this. [Still smiling, though.] Oh, and watch your step. This floor gets slippery when wet.
[Which would be perfect for a very stupid race. Does she want to get them all arrested again, though…? For now, just the mental image has her face turning into a “>:)c”]
["Let’s not escalate this," says Aubrey. Eren finds that he’s in a rare mood. He feels the overwhelming impulse to pick her up and toss her over his shoulder just to see if she’d laugh. He doesn’t do that though. Instead, he locks his eyes on Armin.]
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2/2
[His friend's next words are...adequately concerning, though.]
I never thought of this world as dangerous before. I guess that was foolish of me.
You two have been through a lot, haven't you?
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[Of course they’ll talk later. The world wouldn’t— well, when it’s not enforcing an internal censor, it won’t let them not talk. And that vague, dry bemusement becomes just a bit more focused when Eren talks like Aubrey can’t be alone for five minutes....]
[Whether by timing or will of the universe, Armin pipes up next, and the annoyance is stifled before it can really form.]
This world shouldn’t be dangerous. [In lieu of an answer. Who’s she insisting the “should” to, anyway?] Or at least, it’s— [A wary glance upward. There are no screens in sight, but stores like this always have security cameras somewhere.... And who knows if this ceiling will throw up an error, too.]
I guess it just is, most of the time. [Maybe there’s a pattern…?] It draws from our memories a lot. But not all the time....
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You said that, yeah. It could be pulling from our subconsciouses as well. We shouldn't rule that out...
Still, I don't think we're the only ones to blame.
[Armin certainly isn't. This is...definitely more a Them(TM) issue than anything else, or so it seems.]
There's no telling who might be pulling the strings. All we can do for now is try to pay attention - see what information we can gather through our experiences.
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[From casual to not; from irritated to not. Different setting, same world, same them. In some way, at least.]
[At least Armin’s cool-headed as ever, even though it’s slightly troubling that Aubrey didn’t exactly remember saying that before. Or, they were definitely talking about memories, that’s how this started… ugh.]
Right. Actually, I’m glad this place has been better to you, Armin… [No sarcasm. It’s an idle curiosity, actually.] Have you met anyone here besides us? [With a glance to Eren, because they might be on the same page here:] I haven’t.
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[Girl, who asked?]
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No, I haven't. In fact, I haven't...really done much of anything since the last time I saw you. It seems you two are living more experiences than me in general.
Strange...
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[Not a surprising interjection. Aubrey acknowledges that with a quick nod, but returning to Armin:] Well, kind of. It’s like that with us, too—but last time, Eren was thinking we could control it better. The world, that is. [Glancing to Eren for confirmation,] “Bending” it?
1/2
For lack of a better term.
Like I said before, we can manipulate reality with enough effort. Bet you'd get the hang of that fast.
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I'll take that as a compliment. [So there.]
I might as well practice. If that's true, then...well, the implications are immeasurable. Having the ability to manipulate something at that scale - you'd basically be a--
[And we are just gonna go ahead and stop that train of thought right there. Eren's enough of a God already; the implications are terrifying is what they are. Eren might get so angry that he simply undoes reality. Oy vey...]
Well, it's a useful skill if it really does work. That's all.
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[It’s weirdly nice to hear Eren and Armin’s little back-and-forth, again, especially since the stakes are a lot lower. Just three friends (well. for lack of a better term) having a normal, casual conversation about bending the world to their will.]
Oh, believe me, it works. [Aubrey tries to make that sound casual. It’s not like it’s gone terribly haywire about half the time.] Like— Actually, Armin, why don’t you try? [She’d offer to demonstrate, or even ask Eren to, but. Well. Hopefully Eren doesn’t mind the focus shift.] Somewhere nice you’d like to go, or an item you’d like to have…
1/2
[Still...he can't help but wonder what might happen even if Armin chooses the most innocuous option he can...]
2/3 jk
[Something he'd like to have? He can only think of his grandfather's book. Would that be just as dangerous as a trip home? Would either even be possible?
[He has to think simpler. Emotion shouldn't play into a trial run like this (unless...emotion is the key?).
[Maybe just...
[He holds both palms up, cupped like a bowl. He recalls the feeling of warm ocean water on his hands, filling them up. Even given everything, the ocean has never stopped being a source of wonder, and...oddly, somehow, comfort for Armin.
[An ocean of salty water so big that it never runs out. He closes his eyes. His hand doesn't quite fill, but...
[Drip, drip, drip...
[He opens his eyes, points them at the ceiling; there, a little gray raincloud, sending tiny droplets into his hands, onto his face, his shoulders. It hasn't gotten larger yet. It's not raining on Aubrey or Eren.
[Armin looks amazed.]
It's not...Wow, it's--
It's not quite what I was going for, but I...I did that?
3/3
Careful, Armin. [His voice is low and cautious (which, for Eren, is saying a lot).]
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[Armin’s thoughtful. Aubrey trusts him completely.
[Not that… she doesn’t trust Eren....]
[His cupped hands pique her interest. The drip, even moreso. For a moment she wonders why Armin would invoke a leaky roof, but when it starts to rain on him, Aubrey’s face actually lights up.]
[It’s hilarious! It’s fun! Armin’s so awed! Eren doesn’t seem to share, and his caution tempers Aubrey’s excitement a bit, but…]
You did! [There’s a laugh in her voice. Not unlike when she was singing with Eren, but it’s softer this time. Less aggressive.] What were you thinking of?
1/2
2/3 jk again sorry
I was thinking of the ocean, actually - just my hands filling up - but this is wonderful too.
[He turns his attention toward Eren now, breathless smile still on his face.]
It's amazing, isn't it?
3/3
[In all seriousness, the way Armin looks now, as if they were nine years old again, going through his grandfather's book...
[It tugs sharply at Eren's heart. He maintains the usual dryness in his tone, but the words are undoubtedly well-meaning even so.]
See? I told you.
[That he'd pick it up fast, he means.]
no apologies I love it
[Right, the ocean! They probably, Aubrey thinks, haven’t seen the ocea—actually let’s not summon the sea in the middle of a store. Maybe some other time.]
[When she follows Armin’s attention back to Eren, Aubrey’s… a little puzzled? Not too much; he’s no cackling party animal, she gets that. The caution isn’t unwarranted. But even though the rain picked up slightly, it’s really nothing concerning.]
It’s pretty fantastic, yeah. [In a sort of “yeah, not a big deal or anything” tone, but playful. Aubrey even ventures to give Eren an elbow nudge; he can be a bit more loose with his friend, right?] Want an umbrella? [Asking them both, really.]
1/3
2/3 dumb boy content coming in 3, 2, 1...
I can make it rain on you.
[Picture this: a tiny gray rain cloud, slowly (threateningly) drifting closer to Eren. Armin, smirking.]
3/3
[Sure enough, the cloud drifts, and rain starts drip-drip-dripping onto Eren's face. He looks offended, but it's all false; it's...almost teasing, even if it's hard to fully conjure up the sort of face he'd make if he were fifteen and Armin were playing this trick.]
You're a punk.
[Don't mind him simply willing this cloud back in Armin's direction - a battle of wills. But his blonde-haired, blue-eyed, best friend in the world is laughing as the rain splatters back on his face instead.]
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[This is, ignoring the world’s obligate fuckery, the best not-shopping trip ever.]
[That’s a no for the umbrellas, then!] Okay, okay, [and Aubrey takes a notebook in anticipation, juuust in case,] let’s not escalate this. [Still smiling, though.] Oh, and watch your step. This floor gets slippery when wet.
[Which would be perfect for a very stupid race. Does she want to get them all arrested again, though…? For now, just the mental image has her face turning into a “>:)c”]
1/2
Combine our strengths. Punish Aubrey.
2/2
I’m sorry I have to do this.
[The cloud begins drifting toward her.]
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