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

[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.]