seasonsrpg | closed catch-all

"Could be best- more so if they are well known for being ridden by power holders," A low hum, the sound somehow considering as he rolled the idea and other thoughts over while speaking. "Use that curiosity as you mentioned, and the inclination of them being used as mounts to our own advantage."

Overall? His tone more or less carried the sound that Reiner had some excellent points and ideas, and for that 76 was slowly standing straight, shoulders rolling a bit as he checked the strap of his pulse rifle.

Then was checking on the other bag he had with him, head turning as he looked Reiner over briefly, had tipping towards a clear area ahead of them.

"Sounds like a good time to break for lunch- brought enough to split, since it's more of a 'spread' than a solid meal," tone lighter, and there was something of an idea there to it. "Apples, cheese, and other things like that." A few things that could attract certain animals, and if luck was on their side?

A good bit of curiosity and seeking out food could bring the beasts above down and to them a touch easer/sooner.

Reiner nods, satisfied that 76 agrees with his assessment. Pleased, too, that 76's tone sounds approving. That feeling is a bit surprising; it isn't as though Reiner knows 76 well enough to crave the man's approval. Then again, approval has been rather lacking for Reiner of late. It's a nice change.

He smiles at the offer of lunch, still appreciative of any food at all after his time in Paradis. "Good plan," he agrees, joining 76 as they begin to walk toward that clear area. "I bet it'll grab their attention quicker, too."

Unknowingly giving voice to 76's own reasoning, their thoughts running parallel.

Edited (wrong word) 2023-08-08 00:26 (UTC)

"Hopefully- got a few whole apples since they travel better than sliced. Good collection of easy traveling fruit, honestly," and nuts. Some dried fruit mixed with sunflower seeds he'd managed to get hands on. What better sort of food to take along, and make your own trail mix? Also could make for good treats to appease any flying mounts that liked that sort of thing.

Was sort of trying to get himself used to not living off protein bars when he did have a much wider selection open to him. Made Turo a bit happier when he... treated himself better.

There was a soft, even if slightly rough sounding chuckle- "Don't have a blanket to roll out, so hopefully you don't mind sitting on the grass- unless you have something we can use." Acting like this was normal, still watching those shapes from the corner of an eye.

"Afraid not," Reiner says. "The grass will have to do for us."

For the first time, Reiner considers his lack of a coat or blanket. He's woefully ill-supplied to spend even the night away from the city. That ought to be fine in this situation; however, Reiner should know better. He knows how rapidly situations can worsen. He prepared for combat, but not simple survival. Why did he rely on them remaining close to the city, assuming they would return within the same day?

Granted, little can stop Reiner from getting somewhere he needs to go—not even a fifty-meter-tall wall. So he's sure they could make it back to the city if things went south. But still, it's arrogant to rely so heavily on his Titan's powers.

Reiner voices none of this, of course. Only a slight furrow between his brows hints at the thoughts churning in his mind, self-corrections and adjustments he needs to make. They settle on the grass, winged creatures swooping and playing a stone's throw away. Reiner tries not to watch them, not wanting to trigger any fight-or-flight instincts. Instead, he turns his attention back to 76.

"Do you mind if I ask what you were up to before this world summoned you here?" he asks, idly curious.

"Nothing wrong with sitting on the grass at least," easy enough.

76 had a habit of packing light -if packing at all- given the terribly habit of going with the barest minimum to be that much more difficult to track. Something that hung still, and there was only insistence that had him coming with the amount of food he had on this outing. Along with not wanting to trust any thing 'edible' that could have been come across in the wilds of the Spring segment.

Once seated, even if it wasn't a complete sit, 76 was pulling a well insulated sort of 'lunch box' from the bag he did have on him. Pulse rifle set to the side -within reach just in case- as he was pulled out those apples, various wrapped cheese and dried fruits and meats- and what looked like a few stacks of crackers, some pickles. A spread of food, as it were, easy to eat by plucking it up and putting it together with fingers.

A gesture that Reiner was welcome to pick whatever he might want from what was had as he pulled up the homemade 'trail mix' as well to be set out.

"Don't mind. I was traveling, following a lead. Probably finding some people who I'd have to knock heads together at the end of that trail, get some information," vague, but still saying a lot without saying too much.

"Thank you for the food," Reiner sincerely says as 76 spreads it out. He keeps half an eye on the winged creatures as 76 does so, avoiding staring directly at them, knowing that tends to activate prey instincts in horses. Instead, he keeps his head turned, watching the creatures from the corners of his eyes. Trying not to appear like a predator seated in their midst.

The spread of food looks delicious. Predictably, Reiner goes for the meat—he's still not used to just having meat here—making himself a few finger sandwiches with crackers and cheese. Taking his time to assemble ingredients instead of digging right in, his appreciation for the food evident in the care with which he handles it.

76's description is indeed vague. However, Reiner can't fault him for that. From the sound of it, information is a precious commodity where 76 is from. Besides, Reiner spent much of the past five years chasing his tail, trying to find leads. He wouldn't want to announce that intel in a casual conversation, either.

"Is it frustrating for you to get interrupted like this?" he asks, taking a bite of his food. "Getting brought to a different world mid-mission?"

"You're welcome- good habit to keep for outings like this." Bringing enough to easily share, even with large appetites that may be attached. "Never know what could happen, and having something on hand -other than hands- to keep energy up can turn tides," and he meant outside of the whole contact-to-recharge-abilities by 'other than hands' there. Was able to keep an eye on shadows at least, keeping track here and there that way.

76 reached for an apple, along with his knife, so he could start making slices out of one of the bigger apples. Created a sweet scent, and the one he had in hand was clearly crisp and juicy.

"Very, because there is nothing I can do here to make any sort of progress towards the mission. Hell, back home the world is on the edge of a second Crisis being started and I can see it given I'm tracking down those involved in that instigation," watching from the corner of an eye as those shadows moved closer. Looked like the apple trick might've gotten at least one of them interested in an enticing scent of apples. "World never got over the fear of Omnics after the Crisis in most places. That fear is easy to prey upon with both sides.

"All of it some asshole's want for conflict to 'better the world', and I'm trying to hunt down someone on that side of it." Carefully keeping the pieces of apple he sliced while speaking together, tone calm but that bit of growled gruffness was still there.

Damn mess.

Although Reiner doesn't know the "Crisis" to which 76 refers, his expression goes solemn, understanding in his eyes. Trying to avert a disaster, the fate of the world balanced on edge, tracking down those who could instigate it—it's all very familiar to Reiner. The circumstances are doubtless different, the stakes perhaps not quite the same. But the importance of the mission sounds painfully similar.

"I understand the feeling," Reiner says, noting the approaching winged creature even as he keeps his eyes on 76. From his peripheral vision, he sees another one, or maybe two. Looks like the food is working. "I was brought here mid-mission as well. It may sound dramatic, but: the fate of my world hangs on the outcome of that mission. This world's magic yanked me here in the middle of combat."

Specifically right after Reiner survived an attack that would've killed anyone else. He doesn't see a need to go into that, though. He has enough nightmares about it as it is.

Sometimes? Couldn't beat a good sweet apple when it came to some big old 'beast' meant to be ridden, so he supposed. Even while keeping his stead in one hand, his head tipped a little as 76 made motion of passing one of those apples to Reiner; clear intent he could use it to bate one closer to himself once it was time to approach the winged creatures. All the while only ever keeping that attention from the very corner of his vision, been around enough horses and timid creatures to know that little trick.

"I had just tangled with the ghost of a man I've been hunting down for near seven years- he'd retreated after getting one over on me, so I was bleeding when I arrived," said matter-of-fact as he popped a slice of apple into his mouth, as if that were an any other day occurrence. "I know how some missions can hang like that, I headed one when I was a much younger man," putting a stop to Anubis, capturing and confining the God AI.

He could understand that even if something sounded dramatic? Something like that could determine the fate of a world.

A seven year long hunt, huh? Reiner can relate to that, too. For him, the search hasn't lasted quite as long: five years, not seven. However, it's been seven years since Reiner became a Warrior. Seven years since he received his Titan, his lifespan cut short in exchange for its power.

For a young man whose clock will run out when he's twenty-three, even a five year hunt is far too long.

Reiner accepts the offered apple with a nod of understanding, then takes a bite to show the winged creatures how good it is. That, and to make sure they get a whiff of its scent. Then he lets his hand rest on his knee, apple in his palm, enticingly held just slightly outward.

"I hope they were able to patch you up quickly," he says, brows knitting slightly. "I showed up bleeding, too. It didn't last long; like I said earlier, I can heal from pretty much anything."

Unconsciously, he reaches up and rubs the side of his neck with his free hand. Touching the place where the blade penetrated.

"It still hurt," he adds with a slightly wry smile.

Just a waiting game, and one that 76 didn't at all mind playing as he popped a slice of apple into his mouth once he was done with the knife. Setting it down, but within reach as a precaution, while the other hand was conveniently holding those slices up and within sight.

"No. What this particular wound is makes it something I can't heal and no one from my world knows how to fix. Stitches that had been holding it closed popped pretty badly," even now he had that wound. Currently stitched and padded with bandaging so it was comfortable under his clothing. "So I skipped the offered medical assistance- but the man I currently live with and I ended up being assigned the same apartment, and he's been helping me with it."

No change, but it was being given the care he couldn't do by himself. Reason he at times could favor one side over the other if things were acting up with it.

"Shotgun to the small of my back, point blank. Something in the bullets makes it so my body can't heal it and any normal person would be long dead," spoken with a little shrug. Just something he was living with.

Reiner's brows furrow with concern; even the idea of living with such an injury is awful. He's had to suppress his healing in the past, letting his body remain injured to maintain his cover. But the thought of doing so long-term—of just living with an injury—sounds horrible.

"They can't do anything about it here?" he asks. "Even with this world's magic and stuff?"

Given all the other incredible things Reiner has seen so far, such a miracle doesn't seem unthinkable.

A decidedly horse-like snort sounds from nearby as a very large shadow falls across Reiner's body. He resists the urge to turn and look at the winged creature now filling his peripheral vision. It must be the size of a draft horse—and apparently, it has its sights set on Reiner's apple.

"No, unfortunately. Not even the doctor whose work the shit was based on could fix the issue." Ana had hoped she could, a big reason that she'd dragged him into that apartment Ziegler was staying in the first place. "Stuff is feeding off my energy, and the only reason it hasn't spread further yet is because my own healing is fighting it. Just... continues to try. Stuck with me at least, so it won't attach to other people."

He was honestly waiting to see if there was ever going to be a day it did start to spread; was only a matter of time, more than likely. The constant way it seemed to burn and ache all at once.

Jack caught sight of a pretty large rack of antler's when what he guessed to be a stag moved in behind him and lowered its head. All the better to sniff at the sweet scent of sliced apples once it had dared to move that much closer. Was actually a hell of a relief that this was working- even as one slice was taken, and the winged stag seemed to remain to chew rather than dart off.

Just had to stay calm and still a little longer, to ensure that them meaning no harm stuck so they could move on with the process that much easier.

"Damn. I'm sorry to hear that," Reiner said, keeping his eyes on 76 instead of letting them wander to the winged creatures.

Given their respective lines of sight, Reiner had a better view of the stag investigating 76's apple, while 76 had a better view of the draft horse investigating Reiner's. The stag was massive, way larger than any ordinary deer could be. Perfect for a winged creature they hoped would bear a full-grown rider.

"I hope they'll eventually find a fix for you. It sounds like hell to live with. In the meantime, I'm glad you have the extra help. That can't be an easy spot to tend to yourself."

As Reiner spoke, the draft horse lowered her head, ears flicking forward as she gazed at the apple, her huge head perhaps a foot from Reiner's. Slowly, moved her mouth closer to the treat.

"Serves as a reminder, at least."

That pain that he could feel, every burn and every deep ache caused by the unhealing injury was definitely one hell of a reminder that this was a stopover, of sorts. That his world was a reality that he did have to eventually get back to, because thins weren't finished. No matter the growing want to keep what he had; the thought always struck him when it came up, his want to... have this.

"It isn't easy, but Turo really does a good job. Made it a lot easier to live with," spoken softly as his eyes moved over the large horse. Reminded him of the few work-horses he had encountered when he was younger, the strength and size of them. Wings matched pretty well from what he could see, large enough to definitely carry. "Thankful for him, and try to take care of him as he needs it in turn."

Another piece of apple was taken after the first, and the stag seemed content to remain there. Kept watch from the corner of his eye, fingers moving the slices slowly, winged stag keeping calm. Okay, just a little bit and- well, when the apple was gone that snout was pressing against his palm, could feel the stag moving closer.

Food was definitely a good way to go.

Reiner smiled at the description of the bond between 76 and Turo; such mutual care was something he knew well. It made something within him ache, wishing his best friend were at his side. But Reiner was confident he wouldn't have to wait long before Bertholdt arrived. Now that Reiner was in this new world, it was just a matter of time.

His smile widened as the stag nosed 76's hand. As it did so, Reiner felt the apple lifted from his own hand, the draft horse happily crunching away. He allowed his eyes to drift to the side, catching a glimpse of a bay roan horse with a star on its forehead, one brown eye watching him.

Caught, Reiner let his smile remain. "Hello," he said, his voice gentle. "Aren't you beautiful?"

It was funny, really. Had been one hell of a first meeting, ending up assigned to the same apartment and... well. Had all started from Turo convincing him to stay, and so 76 had continued to stay to the point things turned into something more. Something that he had not seen coming until he was already in over his head, taking a home together.

Now this? Apparently he was going to have a new animate to introduce Turo to later as he felt he could move his other hand -knife rested against his thigh- and bring it up to run along side the stag's neck. A slow and steady sort of petting as that apple was soon gone, all the sliced pieces gone.

"Big fella." There were some colors he could catch in the light of that otherwise gray-ish brown coat of fur, and likely to match the colors of those wings. "Glad to see those apples were a good choice."

"They were," Reiner agrees, his eyes still on the winged horse at his side. The horse studies him momentarily, then noses at Reiner's hand and wrist. Thankfully, Reiner has spent enough time around horses to recognize the silent request, lifting his hand to gently stroke the bridge of its nose.

Looking down the horse's body, Reiner spots a massive set of wings, feathers the same color as the feathering on the horse's hooves. It makes him murmur again, "You're beautiful."

He doesn't take his eyes off the horse, far too enthralled to look away. But when he does speak again, it's evident that his words are intended for 76.

"I've never seen a stag that size." Or heard of one, for that matter.

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