[Open Log] to become stronger

[rustyhonesty]

WHO: Jean Kirstein & Closed + Open Prompts
WHAT: Training Arc begins and other ideas
WHEN: Mid-June onwards
WHERE: Nightwake City
WARNINGS: will add when needed.

EXTRA: Quick OTA prompts are under the cut. Other prompts will be in comments. Feel free to send me a PM to plot or poke me at plurk sasageyo o/


General Training
(Dayrise Colosseum)

[Occasionally during June, Jean can be found from the Dayrise colosseum. Mostly he's training general hand to hand combat skills (including testing a few different martial arts he's read on) or his fire magic. Unlike his previous anger filled training, he's rather calm this time and taking his time to take breaks in between training.

He also has his sword with him to practice swings with that whenever he hits a figurative wall in his normal training.]


Staring at horizons

[Jean is definitely not going to go the Segments on his own, but he does occasionally wander to the beginning of the Sunwaning bridge to look at the Segments from there. The Autumn and Summer Segments are both beautiful and it feels peaceful to just watch them from afar.

It's also a good place for him to just be on his own and think about things by himself. About death and about what he needs to do now. But he makes no move towards the Segments the whole time he's there and instead turning to go back to the city.]

Comments

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean stops when prompted. He didn't even realize he's doing what he said. Probably because of how familiar this feels, sparring with Reiner like old times. When he definitely was shorter than Reiner. It's weird being the taller one now... and realize he really is almost as tall as Bertholt.

So, maybe he should change the way he uses his body to match how he used to practice with Connie or someone shorter than him, but also while applying all the muscle Reiner has. Then again, Connie might be a bit too short to imagine. Maybe Armin? But with Reiner's muscles...? A ridiculously buff Armin...?

Jean can't help but look amused at the thought. Hold on, technicaly difficulties - he needs to wind back his thoughts from this.]

[hometown]

[ Reiner watches Jean's face, curious at the flicker of amusement. What could be going on in Jean's head? Whatever it is, it's comforting to see Jean looking amused in his presence. It makes that treacherous hope spark in Reiner's chest again, wishing for a way forward.

Without realizing it, his lips curve into a relaxed smile. ]

Maybe it'll be easier if you practice defense first. Dodging and deflecting are more natural than striking.

[ So says the Armored Titan, whose specialty is defense. But to Reiner, it's simply a fact.

He gestures for Jean to take up a ready stance again, adding as he does so, ]

You're not gonna beat me in strength, so don't let me get close. Use your reach.

[ Like his smile, Reiner doesn't realize how readily he's fallen back into an old role. The desire to help Jean is so deeply ingrained that Reiner does it automatically.

If Jean takes a ready stance, Reiner will resume their sparring, this time as the aggressor. ]

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean only realizes he was acting weird when Reiner talks again, snapping out of it. While it feels weird being in a good mood around Reiner, he doesn't completely lose the feeling as it helps him relax a little. Maybe not being as tense as a guitar string would help him spar better, too. So thanks, buff Armin mental image.

It's probably also because he wants this peaceful moment of familiarity to last for a while longer. That would make him as much as fool as Reiner, with layers of denial tossed on the surface. Wouldn't it be nice to just go back to these days? They can't. But they have the power to pretend. Jean was brutally honest person, but even he was able to put on a facade to live in a peaceful moment for a while.

This is what Marco would do, wouldn't he? Try to move on. Try to let go of the hate in this new situation. Find a solution that would require least amount of violence and pain. Maybe he would even learn to forgive, unlike Jean. Jean could never forgive.

Jean leaves his thoughts again and nods at Reiner's suggestion and gets easily into a defensive stance. At first he's not using his reach at all, but as they continue sparring he starts adapting to doing just that, keeping Reiner further away from himself. Using the reach he's gained to defend himself, a bit like what he's seen Bertholt do during training.

It was definitely working better. Reiner had been right. He kind of hates it when Reiner's right.

Jean's the one who calls the sparring to a pause next, mostly so they can take a break.]

I think I'm confident enough to try offense again.

[hometown]

[ It's apparent when Jean starts getting the hang of things, adjusting his movements to keep Reiner father away. Reiner smiles a little even as he continues throwing punches, pleased with Jean's progress. He shouldn't be surprised: Jean was always a quick learner when he applied himself, and he didn't graduate in the top ten by mere chance. Still, Reiner feels oddly proud.

He wants Jean to succeed. He wants Jean to be able to defend himself. He wants Jean to be safe.

Jean calls a halt. Reiner backs off, stealing a moment to wipe the sweat from his brow. It's been a few months since Reiner sparred like this. Ever since he and Bertolt left the Survey Corps, they've had to put their energies elsewhere: fleeing with Ymir, tracking down Zeke, fighting to save Annie, preparing for the inevitable clash in Shiganshina. Lately, they've conserved as much energy as possible, readying their bodies to transform into Titans at a moment's notice.

Suffice it to say that sparring takes a bit more effort than Reiner anticipated. However, it's the good kind of effort. The sort that will leave his muscles pleasantly sore, proof of a satisfying practice. ]

All right, [ Reiner agrees, shaking out his arms. ] Do you wanna get water first or jump straight in?

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean's been practicing almost everyday. He did have a cheat day every now and then, but he kept good care of his abilities when he could. So he's not as fatiqued as Reiner. Even after dying he had done some small practice punches and such, not knowing really how to relax.]

A water break sounds good, actually.

[He's been at it for a while, so taking a break is probably better than a good idea.

His stuff isn't too far from where they are. Along with a bag with the waterbottle he also has a sword there. Just in case he felt like sword training.]

[hometown]

[ It's likely no surprise that Reiner's things are also nearby, given their accidental proximity while practicing. Reiner scoops up his water bottle for a drink, then splashes a bit on his face. Why not? He's warm!

He notices the sword, eyeing it curiously. Definitely a different shape than the blades used with ODM gear. How much would that change fighting with it?

He indicates the sword with a jerk of his chin. ]

That's fancy.

[ Said as he lifts the hem of his shirt to wipe the water from his face. Modesty? Still never heard of it. ]

[rustyhonesty]

[Reiner's vocabulary sure is missing 'modesty' in it. Not that it really bothers Jean; he's seen Reiner's stupidly well sculpted abs numerous times before.

Jean drinks some water, too. He's not too warm, thanks to being aligned with Summer. Or that's what he figures it is. All the fire magic inside him bla bla something.

A quick glance at his sword and he nods.]

Thanks, made it myself.

[hometown]

[ Reiner's eyebrows rise, asking a reflexive, ]

Really?

[ It's rhetorical: Jean wouldn't make such a claim if it weren't true. Not about something like forging a sword. What would be the point?

Reiner lets his shirt hem fall, taking another sip of water as he looks at the sword more closely. ]

When did you learn to do that?

[rustyhonesty]

I don't remember if I said it, but I've been in two other worlds before this one. I decided to try blacksmithing in the second one, since I didn't have my maneuvear gear there with me.

[Which was weird, since he had on Empatheias and now here. But at least he had it now, again.]

[hometown]

[ Reiner blinks, startled but not as disbelieving as he might've been a few weeks ago. It makes sense, given how much older Jean appears. If what Reiner has learned is true, the first people from other worlds only began arriving here fairly recently. And unlike some of his other former comrades, Jean isn't from Reiner's future. So, it makes sense that Jean spent a few years … elsewhere. In other worlds.

Who is he kidding? None of this shit makes sense. Still, Reiner deals with it as best he can. ]

It looks badass.

[ It's about the highest compliment Reiner can pay since he doesn't know much about actual swords. Rifles are more familiar, even after five years away from home.

He takes another drink, shifting his gaze to the bed of soil where he was practicing. Deliberately not looking at Jean as he adds, ]

I can't help much with swords. But if you wanna keep practicing hand-to-hand, I can meet you here another day.

[ Not that they're done with today's practice yet. Still, Reiner makes the offer. ]

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean's usually not the type to lie anyway, so it's actually a good idea to believe him, usually. Even if the things he said sometimes sounded crazy, but it's not his fault crazy things happened to him, really.

He wasn't too sure how to take a complicated about the sword, so he doesn't, instead just nodding and focusing on rehydrating.

Honestly, he doesn't expect the offer to come, considering how rude and catty Jean was just earlier... but it's not a bad idea.]

That would be great, actually. I think I can definitely improve with your help.

[hometown]

That's the idea, right?

[ "Help me become stronger." Do what he can to keep Jean from dying again.

It goes against Reiner's mission, in spirit if not in letter. He's not supposed to be helping the people of Paradis. He's supposed to see them as devils. No more than monsters awaiting retribution for their sins.

But that ship sailed a long time ago. Reiner has tried to stop caring about his former friends; he can't.

So he ignores the conflict in his heart, staring across the training ground as he takes another drink. Willing himself to believe that things will work out. They must, somehow, even if Reiner can't see it yet.

Soon enough, he sets his bottle aside and glances at Jean again. ]

I'm ready to start again when you are.

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean nods before also putting away his water bottle. He hadn't actually expected Reiner to take his request completely seriously... but it makes him glad he did. Conflicted, but glad.]

Yeah, I'm ready.

[He definitely has new energy and determination to continue trying for a while longer, until they've both had enough and are ready to go their separate ways.]