[ It's a startling but welcome change of subject. If nothing else, it helps to center Reiner, his creeping fatigue receding as he shifts focus to his cousin. Gabi, who is the entire reason Reiner is trying so hard to make peace with his enemies. Gabi, who thinks that the people of Paradis want a non-aggression pact, too. Gabi, who made that bewildering plea, begging Reiner's past self to not break the Wall—a moment he still doesn't know how to address, even weeks after the fact. ]

Yeah. Yeah, she's wonderful.

[ He could leave it at that. Instead, he watches Hange poke at the starfish, allowing himself to consider how strange a creature it must be to them. He supposes they're both experiencing new things in this world, aren't they? ]

She was three years old when I left home. Fierce as anything, even back then. [ A small smile makes its way onto his lips, his voice warming. ] She acted like she could take on the whole world. Still does. Getting to know her here has been…

[ An opportunity cut short back home, Reiner's time expiring before Gabi hit fifteen. ]

… Priceless.