[Closed log] Not exactly a family dinner

[rustyhonesty]

WHO: The Attack on Titan cast
WHAT: Awkward dinner is awkward
WHEN: Sometime before May event
WHERE: A restaurant in Solarpeak
WARNINGS: will add if needed, but likely thoughts full of spoilers and basic attack on titan content warnings tbh.


It wasn't exactly something that was strictly necessary to do, but somehow all of them had decided to meet up for dinner. All of them in the same table at a randomly chosen diner in Nightwake. Knowing the various personalities, this was definitely going to be an interesting evening...

Comments

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean uses the first opportunity to say something to everyone in the table. Addressing "The future". He had no idea what the future would hold, but that was also how he and Mikasa wanted it to stay. They didn't want to know the details, as they had been away for so long it was becoming less and less likely they were ever going back and knowing the future wouldn't help in any way. Of course if some things came up naturally, that would be a different thing, but on a larger scale they didn't want to know any details.]

And another announcement...

- Oh and, I do have something else to say, too.

[Something not as serious and kind of doom and gloom is another announcement. Jean is very much red in the face, but also stupidly happy looking. He holds Mikasa's hand for this one.]

Mikasa and I are married. We got married in the previous world we were in. Me and Mikasa. So... yeah.

[He'll quiet down after that and just stick close to Mikasa, still smiling like a dork getting to announce something like that. He's happy. It shows.]


General

[It felt weird, seeing so many familiar faces again around the same table. All of them looked a bit different from before, except Historia who looked pretty much the same. Not to mention two of them were superior officers, which really didn't mean anything in a world like this, but at the same time kind of made Jean feel awkward. Historia was the Queen, but that didn't make him feel awkward at all, since she had been a friend longer than a queen.

It was also nice to see them again, though. Here, away from home. It made him believe that one day, he could drag a bunch of other people out of their world. Even those who already died. There had to be a way.

... but for now this was a rather "normal" dinner with these particular people.]

Outside

[Sometimes he just needs some fresh air to clear out his thoughts. Having so many people around was tiring. He was a social person, or he had become one during his time away from home, but this was ... a lot.

The fresh air felt nice and he leaned on the diner's wall and watched the sky above, just emptying his mind.]

announcements............

[wingbound]

[ Levi doesn't think the first announcement is necessary, considering everyone he'd spoken to agreed not to needlessly depress people who managed to get away with the knowledge of what happens, but he figures it might allow them feel calmer, having some semblance of control over it. Well, it doesn't hurt any, just in case someone was feeling bad about hiding things from them; now it's clear that it is their own wish. ]

[ The second one, well. ]

[ He knew, sort of. He knew Jean was married -- he noticed the ring first, then he confirmed it when they were working on a quest together -- and he did notice that he shared a house with Mikasa, but that wasn't necessarily proof of anything. Now, though, everything clicks into place. ]

[ It's just slight movement of his eye, but he looks at Jean... at Mikasa... at Eren. At Mikasa again. And then back to Jean. ]

Huh. Didn't see that coming.

[ And then he just looks straight ahead and takes a sip from his mug. ]

[ Yup, that's all he has to say, apparently. ]

[rustyhonesty]

[Wow. That was very straightforward answer. Just like Jean expected. It's not something that makes him overly happy, but at the same time he's not surprised. It's not Jean who Mikasa was always looking after and fretting over back home. Apparently not even in the future.

Oh well. That was there, this was here. Though he's not sure what to say to that so he just takes a sip of his own drink.

Yup. A perfectly not-awkward silence.]

announcements

[titanscience]

[Honestly, the open discussion about 'the future' feels like a weight lifted from Hange's shoulders. They were certainly not the type of person who wished to keep the truth from people, but at the same time not much good could come from telling others what happened. If it's the future then it hasn't happened yet, they are not those same people. Plus, while here, it doesn't even make a difference, right?

And that settles it, if somebody asks for information it will be given freely, but otherwise no good will come from bringing it up.]

[The second announcement however comes as much more of a surprise. They'd met Jean already and knew that Mikasa was here too somewhere, but nobody had said they were together.]

Ah...really...?

[It can't be helped. Hange looks at Jean.. Mikasa.. their hands together..

And then to Eren, to try and gauge if he knew, or he's happy, or if he's still being.. well, Eren about things, but at least with him sitting at the end it kind of looks as though Hange glances over the whole table to look for reactions from the whole group before turning back to the couple.]

Congratulations Jean, Mikasa! It's wonderful news! You make a cute couple!

[Seriously. When was the last time anybody was able to share good news? This is amazing! Much better than talking about that other stuff. Though it is also an acknowledgement that none of these kids they watched grow up are really kids any more...how bittersweet.]

Though since I'm just getting situated, you may be waiting a little longer for your congratulatory gift. Sorry!

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean notices Hange looking at Eren, but decides not to pay it too much attention. It's fine. It's what he should probably expect anyway.

Though he doesn't expect Hange to call them a cute couple which makes him blush once more, with probably more intensity than before. That caught him off guard!! How can they say things like that so boldly, geez!!]

Ah-- you don't need to get us anything. It's fine... really.

outside

[dreamsofwings]

[ There's no chance of Eren doing much of this in public, partially because he'll just fuck it up anyway and partially because it's Too Much to do with the watchful eyes of their former superiors. Eren still thinks of them that way. Maybe someday he'll consider them in a different light, but for now it is what it is. He's not on equal ground with anyone in his head because he doesn't know how to be.

He leans against the wall too, a few feet away. ]

She looks happy.

[ He could be less of a dick and say you look happy, but he's not always sure where he stands with Jean and this is safer. Probably. ]

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean never would expect Eren to say something like that to him, really. If he did it would feel way too awkward, in his opinion, so this works just fine.]

She is.

[That's said with confidence.]

I told you, didn't I. That I'd take care of her and I have.

anouncements

[meliorated]

( To say that Historia is surprised in an understatement. After all, it was common knowledge that Eren and Mikasa were especially close. The time away from home together must have given them the time to bond...

Historia knows what it's like to grow close to someone unexpectedly -- how wonderful and terrifying it can be. In the wake of how many tragic things have happened at home, how could she not be happy for them? Though, it feels a little sad, too. She remembers Ymir's last words to her... Perhaps, if things could be different, she'd be able to join them with similar news.

She claps her hands together then, offering a warm smile. )

Congratulations, you two. I'm so happy for you.

I'm only sorry that I missed it, but... it's not too late to celebrate, is it?

[rustyhonesty]

Thanks, Historia.

[Jean does smile at her, since it felt so genuine. And it was definitely different from some other reactions.]

Uh... I guess not? It's only been around half a year since we got married anyway.

open to anyone in this bar

[dreamsofwings]

Eren almost didn't roll up to this thing, because he knows what it will do in his head, spin him out into something unmanageable, something strange and distant and foreign. He already decided never to tell them most of it. He wants to tell them that they aren't alone behind their stupid fucking cage, but they don't need to know that he'll turn that cage into a weapon against the world, against them.

He's hurt them enough, in the past/future/whatever.

If he dies at 23 they can all deal with it then. He figures the clock will run out and that's that, but a lot can happen in three extra years. He's a lot better at keeping secrets than anyone guessed, anyway.

But he also promised Levi he'd do better, and probably avoiding everyone forever doesn't count. Hange will get on his ass. Mikasa won't understand. What a headache.

So he shows up and lets his head be a mess. If he seems weird or zoned out, that's because he is! Good luck, Eren. He sits at the end of the table, though, so if and when he can't take this attempt at normalcy any longer he can just bounce. Sorry to everyone else, but he will at least try to be a normal person, or whatever the Eren equivalent of that is.

Start a conversation with him here!

Or.

Jean starts talking about them being married and Eren can feel at least one set of eyes on him about it and he just stares at his hands. He's already heard this information, so it's not new to him. How does he feel about it? Who knows. Stop staring at him, Captain!

C- effort on being a normal person. It's not jealousy, it's just…complicated. This is probably a less good conversation starter, but you can try him on this. (He deserves to be uncomfortable, it's fine.)

OR.

A little bit after that, he orders something with alcohol in it and he does bounce, but only out to the patio with his drink. Hey Siri, how do you pretend you're fine when you're not? He's still sorting through that one.

[titanscience]

Time for a check-in with your friendly neighbourhood Hange-san. Eren silently removing himself from the group and heading out on to the patio does not go unnoticed, but Hange gives it several minutes before passing through the same set of doors.

The clink of a glass being set down is the only greeting, the former commander taking a seat while leaving enough space between them so that there is no encroachment on personal space, however it's still close enough to easily carry on a conversation.

"So you have a taste for alcohol, huh? Well i guess you're all adults now.." The speech inside is enough proof of that. "Coming out here to drink alone though, it kind of gives you a mysterious vibe, you know? It makes you look cool, I like it!"

Though that was unlikely the intention, right? The 'doing okay?' is left unsaid.

[dreamsofwings]

Eren isn't sure whether he expects someone to follow him or not. Mikasa, maybe, but maybe that's wishful thinking. In the past, she would always have followed him. But the past is the past (except when you're Eren and it's the present). And Mikasa now has lived years he doesn't understand. She doesn't need to run after him anymore. It's better that way. He's not sure how he feels about it.

Levi, if the captain thinks he needs watching, but aside from just being Eren, he hasn't done anything to warrant it. Levi probably sees too much of him as it is.

So…Hange. Of course it's Hange, who can never leave well enough alone about anything.

He's barely drinking his drink so far.

"Not really. I just needed to deal with…all of that," he answers, taking a sip of it almost defensively. They are all adults now. Eren will eventually tell Hange his age, the year that somehow slid into another that he shouldn't even have.

"At least they get to be happy." He doesn't emphasise they, but he might as well have. The rest of them…well, who knows. Eren doesn't know what happiness looks like and doesn't deserve it anyway. He can live with that.

[wingbound]

Considering that Eren did look ready to bounce for most of the evening, Levi isn't particularly surprised when he finally does. He lets him have some peace initially (perhaps lets Hange take the first shift, because depending how long this takes it might happen more than once) but eventually, when he realizes the brat still hasn't come back but also hasn't left and instead appears to be brooding just outside of the restaurant, he decides to check on him.

Which consists of him hobbling out to the patio, leaning against a table and staring out into the distance for a good while in silence before he makes any attempt at talking.

"You left pretty suddenly. Didn't shit your pants, did you?"

It... sure is a way to ask whether someone's okay, or still holding it together, but it can't be unexpected at this point. Look, he's just trying to reduce tension here.

[dreamsofwings]

Eren probably finished his drink by the time Levi gets to him, but it was only one. So this isn't Marley where Levi had to find a bunch of drunk kids, or even one drunk kid! Lucky you, captain.

Eren notices Levi when he first comes outside, though whether Levi is there to talk to him or because he got sick of everyone being loud or whatever, he's not sure. So he sits there staring out at the street and thinking whatever insane thing he's trying to sort out today.

He hears Levi talk to him, though. He's not that far out.

He raises an eyebrow at the question. "Not last I checked," he answers. Wow, it's almost a sense of humour! Neither of them has a great sense of humour in the end.

"It's just a lot at once."

Again, the inevitable fallout of his own actions in a sense. Faced with friends he loves so desperately he would kill the world for them, who do not know and cannot know. Is it easier or harder to know they have lives separate from him, after him? Hm.

[meliorated]

Even among all of the celebration, Eren leaving ultimately ends up catching Historia's eyes. She can't help but frown a little. Something's been very wrong, and she knows that it was something to do with whatever period of time she's missing between when she had left home, to when Eren is from. Perhaps she's can't read him as well as Eren's been able to read Historia, but she'd like to think that they've been friends long enough to know when something is wrong.

Was he upset about the news? ... No. That couldn't be it, could it? Eren was the kind of person who wanted the happiness for others. Then... what could it be?

Once she's certain that all eyes are off of her, she slips away herself, following Eren outside. Once she closes the distance between them, she'll speak - voice gentle and quiet, but loud enough for him to hear him clearly.

"Eren, are you alright?"

[dreamsofwings]

Eren makes whatever small talk he can manage, which is…enh, it's an effort, before he ends up out on the patio instead. He expects their former superiors to check on him eventually, like babysitters. Maybe that's not fair to think like that, but he's aware he's not trustworthy. Whether that kind of probation ever ends, he doesn't know. He doesn't mind it too much.

Historia, though, he wasn't really expecting, so he looks a little surprised at first when he turns to her.

Are you alright? she asks. He could laugh at that. How complicated the answer to that is.

He shrugs.

"Yeah," he says, which isn't entirely true. "It's just weird. All of this." He doesn't specify what he means, but there's a lot of different things, right? The time differences between all of them. Even Eren isn't from the furthest point in time, despite what he knows about it.

[titanscience]

Dinner

[The main event of the evening. Even the wide variety of food offered in this city is like something out of a dream. Or a memory, perhaps. It reminds Hange a little of Marley and all the different snacks their group got to try. Eventually ordering what are essentially meat kebabs from the menu, the server asks if it should be steak, chicken, shrimp, or a mixture of all three and umm hello?? 'All' is an option here?? There ends up being more than enough to go around if anybody wants a taste.

The meal progresses largely without incident, and people end up temporarily swapping seats here or there so that someone can better carry on a conversation while others may begin a new one, whether it is focused on the meals, the announcements, or anything else on their mind.]

Drinks

[Hange wasn't really intending to drink anything alcoholic, the water was fine, but then they saw something ordered by another patron that was so ridiculous they couldn't help but try it. And that's how they end up sitting by the little bar area, waiting eagerly as the server mixes up a very colourful rum-filled drink. Sit a while, if you wish!]

Outside

[Later on when the dinner has morphed into a more casual 'hanging out' and things are beginning to wrap up, Hange can be found outside enjoying the refreshing evening breeze. Sitting on top of the short wall surrounding the diner's property it allows them to get a better look around the district around them, or the night sky, or the weird yellow bug climbing up the bricks, who knows. But it is quieter, and the perfect placer if anybody wishes to escape the boisterous noise from inside, or have a conversation that does not include half a dozen other listeners.]

drinks,

[wingbound]

[ With everyone and their mother apparently deciding to go out onto the patio to get away from people (especially funny when two or three people would happen to do it at the same time), the bar had turned out to be the actual calm place around, which is probably why Levi had ended up there, as well. ]

[ Or he might be making the bartender prepare tea for him. It's anyone's guess. ]

[ He does give Hange's offensive full-spectrum drink a long look, though. ]

Don't drink that. It's probably poisonous.

[titanscience]

[Just for that a straw gets dipped into the drink, Hange looking him straight in the eyes while taking a long, drawn out sip that seems to go for as long as they can hold their breath.]

If it was poisonous, it wouldn't be so popular. It's kind of sweet! Try it.

[Live a little, Levi! Though he probably won't.]

Maybe he can make you a tea flavoured one. Then you'd be all over that.

[nodevils]

Hange-san! You're here too?!

[During one of those seat swaps, Gabi winds up next to Hange. She looks somewhere between shocked and perplexed that she's actually seeing Hange in the flesh, but the sight of them also seems to make her a little....excited? Happy? It's hard to tell.]

How're you....

["For the love of God, please don't make your third sentence to this person at this dinner about not talking about the dark awful future in front of everybody be asking them how they're alive," the voice in Gabi's head thankfully says in the middle of that sentence.]

-- doing!

[Nicely saved.]

[titanscience]

Ah, Gabi..?

[It shouldn't come as a surprise, that someone like her could also be here. For all they know, there could be a hundred different people here from Marley, or Paradis, or wherever else!

Also, the clue is in the context. Gabi knows who Hange is and is obviously not attempting to fight anyone here at the table, that means the relationship was amicable right? Meaning they are likely from a similar time period, or perhaps Gabi's memories extend further, like Levi's.]

[The urge to ask for specifics is there, but considering that they just sat through an announcement which was literally about not bringing up the dark and dismal future...]

I'm doing well! I suppose it's been a while since we have seen each other, huh?

[Hange holds up a skewer from the plate. Kebabs are a safe topic.]

It's shrimp! Was it common in- [Oh right-- how much are they meant to avoid when it comes to future talk exactly? Who's listening right now?] -your hometown?

[nodevils]

Dinner:

Okay, here's what I want you to do. I want you to get me some soup, a bowl, a straw and something to affix the bowl to the front of my person.

"Ma'am, if you would just let us get you a table, we would be glad to bring you all the soup you want with a spoon...."

[Gabi is currently speaking to one of the....truly unfortunate employees of this restaurant. In one hand, she has what appears to be a chicken wrap. In the other, she has a sub sandwich. She's apparently been busy with actions of a culinary variety since she arrived in Nightwake and is showing no signs of slowing down.]

Dammit, man, there's no time for that! There's an ice cream parlor I have to get to before it closes! We're wasting time as it is!

"W-we can make you some ice cream here....!"

[Gabi grumbles for a second.]

Do you have chocolate?

"Y...yes! Of course we do!"

Alright, that might work, then.

[A moment later, Gabi is looking at a menu. She looks up from it and leans over to the table next to her.]

Hey, do you know what a....Mini-stroney is....? [She looks up at who she's actually addressing and sees...someone she realizes she recognizes. Then two....three...]







Holy crap.

[By the time she realizes at least four people she recognizes (though it's not exactly mutual) are in this restaurant, her mouth is just kind of gaping open.]

Outside:

Uwaaaahhhhhhhhhhh.

[Well after dinner, Gabi is slumped against the wall of the restaurant, hands over her stomach. She barely seems to have her eyes open. She, uh, really enjoyed dinner, it would seem!]

I had too much'a'da soup...

[She looks...vaguely in your direction.]

Reiner, can you take me home....?

[Try not to to take that personally.]

outside,

[wingbound]

[ Too late. He took it personally. ]

[ He just gives her a half-hearted swat over the back of her head, though, like a sort of get it together, damn it without much real venom. ]

He's not here.

[nodevils]

Owpf---!

[Her head pitches forward, probably harder than it should've for how light his touch was. She rubs the back of her head anyway.]

Heeeey. Is that any way to treat a cute-as-a-button diplomat from another world like -- bwwuuuhhh.

[The diplomat lets out a very dignified sounding burp into her hands. But she's at least pulling herself back up. And without really thinking about it, she's trying to loop her arm around Levi's.]

Hwuuuuh. That ice cream parlor's definitely closed by now, too...

[rustyhonesty]

[...?

Jean looks at the girl who just walked up to the table and asked them a question before looking like she saw a ghost (kinda). Doesn't look familiar to him. There's no sign that he recognizes her at all in his expression.]

Something wrong?