Attack on Holidays

[hometown]

WHO: the Attack on Titan cast and their +1s
WHAT: holiday shenanigans
WHEN: around the Solstice
WHERE: an inn in Stormreach
WARNINGS: tba; please check subject lines



Sometime after a less than stellar conference call, Reiner sends an invitation to everyone from his world. "You're Invited to a Holiday Party," the store-bought invitation reads in swirling seasonally decorated letters. How very fancy!

The invitation specifies three things. Number one: it is a celebration of the holidays. Number two: it is a celebration of a year of a successful non-aggression pact. Number three: everyone is invited to bring a "plus one."

Surely, nothing will go wrong with this plan. Surely!

The party itself takes place at an inn in Stormreach, part of which has been reserved by Reiner. The inn is made of stone and wood, its aesthetic closely resembling buildings in Paradis. There are several spacious rooms available: places for eating, places for mingling, cozy corners for more private conversations, and access to the inn's bar.

• In one of those cozy spaces, one might find a lit candle known as a Candle of True Feelings. In its presence, people understand their feelings better and feel inspired to talk about them. How very curious!
  
  
• Of note: magic supersedes technology in Stormreach. One is far more likely to run across potions and crystals than gaming systems… But that hasn't stopped Reiner from setting up a gaming system in a corner, anyway.
  
  
• If one steps outside for a breath of (cold) fresh air, they'll find themselves close to the clock tower. Local legend claims that those who kiss on top of it are destined to never breakup. However, that legend has not been tested … yet.
  
  
• During the party, a table is filled with various gifts for the "+1s," created by those from Paradis and Marley. The gifts include knitted clothing (scarves, mittens, socks), chocolates, sweet baked goods, and fidget toys made of wood or stone. Feel free to partake, +1s!

Naturally, there is a wide assortment of food—some of which is best described as "ungodly spicy"—with a particular focus on potato-based foods. Also, peaches and pineapples, for Reasons™.

Have fun, and try not to break anything!


( ooc: this is a mingle! top-level, tag around, etc. put any warnings in subject lines, and if a thread heads toward smut, please take it to an inbox or something. ♥ )

Comments

[hometown]

[ All her friends… Reiner isn't sure if he counts among that number. Once, yes, but he was never sure how things stood here in Ellipsa. He supposes he'll never know for certain, but imagining he was one of Historia's friends is a nice thought.

Reiner doesn't know much of Historia's contributions back in Paradis, having been forced to flee before she ascended her throne. (Hell, he didn't even know she was Queen until fairly recently.) He could say a few things about Frieda's contributions, though. Maybe give a little advice about talking things through one-on-one before any more conference calls. But he's sure that "Max" person was taking advantage of her, and he doesn't want to beat the subject into the ground—much less at a party.

In any case, her next words thoroughly distract him from any 'big brother' lectures. ]

Titan armor substance…?

[ A question, to make sure he heard that right. Then he frowns, thinking. ]

… There aren't many of us who could use it. The Armored's holder receives it on inheritance. [ That covers him and Falco, or so he thinks. ] Eren's Titan can already do the things it would allow. That leaves your Titan and Bertholdt's.

[urtitan]

[Her smile fades a little at the mention of Eren's titan. How did he attain the armour ability? It shouldn't have come naturally with any of his titans... but then, perhaps he figured out a way to utilise the Warhammer's weapon creation ability in a similar manner, or else he may have attained some of the substance itself. A reserve of it was kept by Frieda's father, however the Reiss family's intent to never use the Founder for warfare left it unused. She can only assume that she received it now as a result of her changed conditions here in Ellipsa.

Her eyes search for Bertholdt, but he, seemingly having endured rather than enjoyed the get-together thus far, appears to have managed to find a hiding place for the time being.]

My Founding Titan is... not very battleworthy, right now.

[There's no way around admitting that. While Evangeline taught her the basics of self-defence, which she's been able to translate to her titan form, she's still a far cry from the combat prowess of the Warriors and Survey Corps members.]

I think the armour would help me. But if Bertholdt can put it to better use, I'll give it to him. Which titan does he hold?

[It's hard - all the more for her, whose sense of time is so distorted - to not think of her future and Reiner and (presumably) Bertholdt's past, of the devastation of Wall Maria wrought by them. Any boon she affords to Marley will only enable them further to hurt the people of the Walls. That aside, is it not more important to ensure her own survival? Armour mightn't help her beat Eren's father - not if the Attack Titan really is beyond the Founder's control as Eren said, which will only be compounded by her ancestor's vow limiting her options -, but perhaps it could enable her to hold until until support arrived - Kenny and his Anti-Personnel Control Squad, she hopes, just maybe--

But in the end, she owes the Warriors more than she can ever repay. They've been carrying the burden of the Eldian atonement alone in her and the Paradisians' place. If she can give any of them a valuabe boon, she wants to at least extend the offer. Should they decide that it's more valuable in her hands - for her to survive so they can capture her without resistance, for the timeline to be rewritten without Eren's war, if such a thing is indeed possible -, she'd be able to accept it with a lighter conscience.]

[hometown]

[ A year ago, Reiner's thoughts would have followed much the same path as Frieda's. He would have considered the tactical advantage of the armor substance as related to their home world. He would have weighed whether or not he could trust Frieda to survive and surrender quietly, were she to somehow alter her timeline.

Here and now, however, his thoughts remain focused on Ellipsa. He considers only what will be most advantageous moving forward.

It's a sign of where his priorities now lie. But is it a weakness or a strength? ]

Bertholdt holds the Colossal. [ There is an unmistakable note of pride in his voice as he says so. One made all the more apparent as he continues: ] He doesn't use it often, but he's incredible. He's had complete control from the moment he inherited it. It's like it was fated to be his.

[ Bertholdt might not like Reiner talking like that, whether due to embarrassment or something else. It's just him and Frieda right now, though, so Reiner speaks freely. ]

He knows his Titan's strengths and weaknesses better than anyone. I think you should talk to him about this. But, Frieda… [ His tone changes to something more serious. ] If your Titan isn't battle worthy, I can help you with that. The Armored can take a lot of damage. We can train without you holding back.

[urtitan]

[Reiner's fondness and pride for Bertholdt are palpable, and a gentle smile creeps back on Frieda's face. That's right... they've been together for a long time, haven't they? She recalls the faces of Reiner's Warrior Candidate peers, the children she saw in his memories. Bertholdt was right by his side in each scene that passed by like pages of a book being turned.

Hearing that the shy Warrior holds - and expertly wields - the largest of all titans does leave her impressed. Despite holding the Founder with all its insanity-inducing properties, she can't imagine what it's like to be in control of a body as tall as the Walls. She nods: She will speak with Bertholdt directly. She wants to do that, anyway. He, too, deserves praise, and an apology, and so much more than she won't be able to give to him (freedom, acceptance, peace), because in the end, they're still cursed to be Eldians.

Reiner's offer brightens her smile, though she hesitates to immediately accept it.]

That's kind of you, Reiner. Truly. I have to admit, it's hard for me. I... I wish I could avoid any fighting. But if I want to do right by Historia, and by you and Bertholdt and everyone else, and by the people here who've welcomed us and put their faith in us, I have to contribute. My Founder wasn't meant for battle, but here, any titan is an asset, right?

[Her expression strains a little, and he may be able to see the change in her eyes, the vow expressing itself with its vacant glow. It remains a constant struggle for her, but a year in Ellipsa has made a difference.]

I... I already fought! I defeated golems and yeti!

[She lets out a small, awkward laugh, simultaneously feeling like a pitiful civilian who'll never catch up to the other titan shifters, and an enormous hypocrite. How can she still claim to want peace if she continues on this path?]

[hometown]

[ The visible change in Frieda's eyes catches Reiner by surprise. He has seen that glow before, most prominently when they discussed his life in Marley. But he doesn't understand its full significance, nor the nature of the struggle within Frieda.

What he does understand is her hesitancy. He nods, giving her a reassuring smile. ]

Protecting people from those threats is important. I'm glad to hear that you've been out helping everyone.

You know how the Cart isn't meant for battle either, right? Its current holder has figured out how to protect herself and her loved ones despite that. [ He breathes out a little sigh. ] Honestly, she'd be a way better person to train you than me. But I can still help you out. I'm pretty good at defense.

[ It's not a lie; he just happens to take the hardest hits, too.

He suspects (or rather hopes) that turning the focus to defending rather than attacking might help convince Frieda. Because despite everything, he wants to help her protect herself. ]

[urtitan]

[The Cart Titan... another good friend, from the sounds of it. She feels a sense of solace, knowing that Reiner forged those strong bonds despite (or, perhaps, because of) all the hardship in his and the others' lives. Much as she condemned them all to an existence in near-slavery, she didn't take everything away from them.

She smiles warmly at his reframing. Protect instead of attack... it sounds nice, doesn't it? She can tell that he's being sincere, and she won't respond to his earnestness with dismissal, but she knows what a slippery slope that righteous justification is. We have to fight the monsters to protect Nightwake, most of them here would agree with that, wouldn't they? But how easily did it end up leading to other conclusions, back home? We have to eliminate truth-seekers for the security and stability of the Walls. We have to erase all traces of dissent for order and peace. We have to silence those who ask questions for the sake of the greater good.

She likewise exhales softly.]

I'll consider it. No, I... I'll take you up on your offer.

[She can't keep excusing and extricating herself, not when Reiner and the others have been fighting for so long already. She can only hope that she won't find an abyss staring back at her one day after she's been fighting for too long.]

[hometown]

[ Reiner smiles. Not the broad, friendly smile he has worn so much of the night, but something smaller and almost relieved. A sincere look that isn't practiced at all. ]

I'm glad to hear that. I think it'll be good for both of us.

[ If nothing else, it'll give them more opportunities to bond. ]

[urtitan]

[He's always so kind, much kinder than he needs to be to her. After all, what will his gain be in training her? He's freely offering his time and guidance, and she appreciates him for it. (Perhaps before long, she'll understand that he genuinely likes spending time with her as much as she likes spending time with him.)]

I'd best make sure I'll be ready when the new year arrives, then. And now... now I should speak with Bertholdt.

[This, too requires courage - who's to say that Berholdt is as forgiving as Reiner? -, but the fact that they're close friends and the calm manner in which Bertholdt spoke on the conference call give her confidence. She puts a hand on Reiner's shoulder - conscious to shut the metaphorical eye that would look at his memories - and gives it a gentle squeeze.]

Thank you again. For everything. I set some healing potions and cookies aside on the present table; those are for you.

[hometown]

[ Reiner nods gratefully. He knows he should be more interested in the healing potions, but honestly, it's the cookies that call to him. ]

Thank you, Frieda. [ Then: ] If Bertholdt needs to think it over, the best thing to do is let him take his time and think. He'll let you know once he's made a decision.

[ In other words: don't rush him. ]

[urtitan]

[She nods, still smiling - he really knows him like he knows himself, doesn't he? -, then gently lets go and heads back inside to look for Bertholdt.

She'll go easy on him - time is precious and even precarious here, but it's still a decision he'll need to weigh carefully. After all, the armour might change the outcome of several crucial situations across timelines, and his choice will determine the possibilities.]