[Closed Log] Fireflies are stars that couldn't journey to the skies

[rustyhonesty]

WHO: The Shingeki Cast
WHAT: Firefly catching
WHEN: During November Event
WHERE: Solarpeak Beach
WARNINGS: inevitable talk of death, likely gore and other attack on titan basic content warnings, will add as needed.

Just Shingeki cast seeing appreciating fireflies and catching them in jars while bonding on various levels.

Comments

[rustyhonesty]

Live with the guilt. Yeah, Jean can relate to that. Not on the same level as Reiner, for sure, but vaguely.

"That reminds me that Reiner stopped me from making a mistake I'd probably have never properly recovered from, earlier this month."

He hasn't really told anyone but Mikasa about it. So only a few people knew (her and those involved). It still bothers him quite a bit. "I tried to kill two people that are very important to me, while I was possessed by something."

[sunspotted]

Marco tilts his head at the first statement, confusion crossing over his face. Then Jean mentions trying to kill someone and he looks startled.

"What - possessed? What happened?!" He asks, concern etched across his face.

[rustyhonesty]

"We were on a quest in the Summer Segment, Reiner and me. It was about finding some useful artifacts. Well, turns out those artifacts are possessed by ghosts that want to fulfill a wish they couldn't do when they were alive", Jean explains, drawing lines idly into the sand while he does.

"... the one possessing me wanted to avenge his death. But he knew that the person who killed him was dead, too. So he... looked through my memories and found out who I was with when I died. So he decided they would do."

Just his luck to be stuck with a lunatic ghost. A very annoying lunatic ghost at that.

"Even if it wasn't their fault."

[sunspotted]

Well, that's a frightening concept. He knows the segments are dangerous, but it's useful information to have if he ever goes out with someone on a quest. Marco shifts a bit closer, concern still clear on his face. He reaches out and rests a hand on Jean's shoulder.

"So the ghost was trying to make it back to them, and Reiner stopped you...?"

[rustyhonesty]

Jean shakes his head.

"I... he? ... a message was sent to the them, asking to meet at the Sunwaning bridge. Reiner had no clue what was going to happen, but naturally he followed since I was acting weird."

The message had been simple. Just asking for Mukuro and Hijikata to meet him there and that it was important. And they listened and came to meet their younger brother.

"So we met. I took my sword and launches myself at them without a warning. Reiner was able to hold me back. Somehow they got the artifact away from me and everything returned to normal."

[sunspotted]

He can see that it had been terrifying for Jean. And, he's sure, terrifying for those siblings of his as well. If Jean had sent a message like that to Marco? He wouldn't have questioned it, and wouldn't have suspected Jean at all.

He squeezes Jean's shoulder.

"I'm glad everyone was physically okay," he offers softly. "How are you doing?"

[rustyhonesty]

Jean raises his hand to put on top of Marco's. Mostly for his own comfort, but also as a gesture that he appreciates it.

"I mean, I know it's not my fault it happened. I do wonder if I need to work on my mental strength or something, but even then it could have happened, you know?"

It's not an actual answer to exactly how he's doing, but probably tells a lot about how much he's been thinking about it.

[sunspotted]

"I'm glad you realize that, at least. It's easy to blame yourself when things go wrong. Maybe you should start wearing gloves on expeditions? Just so you don't touch anything bad."

He's not sure that would have prevented it, but at least it would be a layer between it on another mission.

He brings up another subject idly. "I've been thinking about picking up one of those quests, actually, so it's good to know what kind of dangers are out there."

[rustyhonesty]

"Probably," Jean says with a slight shrug. He's not sure if that had helped, but at least it would be better than nothing. Besides, gloves might protect from other things.

Jean lets his hand back down, watching Marco as he says that, before looking back at the fireflies.

"I really don't need to say this, but make sure you never go alone. You can ask me to come with you anytime, but I'm sure the others would go, too."

[sunspotted]

Marco's smile widens. "I know. I'll be very careful. I'm going to try to pick something that seems easy and I definitely won't go alone, no matter how easy it seems."

Marco hesitates, and then says, "And if you ever want help too, you can ask me, okay? I know everyone is probably worried about me, but I was in the top ten for a reason."

And ultimately it wasn't a Titan that had done him in.

[rustyhonesty]

"I know. With a little more work on your gear, you might have beat me to my spot", Jean laughs, elbowing Marco's side gently.

Then he just beams at him. "I'd trust you to have my back any time."

[sunspotted]

"Only if you stopped working on your gear at the same time!" Marco laughs back, returning that elbow by reaching up and ruffling Jean's hair. Why's he so tall now! Spoilsport.

His heart is warmed by that faith, and Marco's smile literally can't get any wider. "You too, you know."

After a moment, he hums, and reaches up to cup out his hands. Some of the fireflies land in his open palms, and he gently deposits them into the jar.

"I think we should release the fireflies back here in a little bit... it seems wrong to keep them in here forever."

[rustyhonesty]

Jean feels more lighthearted, now. Happy to have his friend back. He pushes away the intrusive thoughts of 'but I died, am I really good enough to watch his back' for now. That wasn't a train of thought he wanted to hop on board to (he would later, when the train had gained more speed and the thoughts were even more potent).

He tilts his head. "The jars are supposed to be good environments for them to live in. Probably really spacious, even if it doesn't look like it."

[sunspotted]

"Well, yeah, but..." Marco frowns, closing the lid on the jar and lifting it up.

"It's still a jar, something that's trapping them. We know the walls protect us, but we still wanted to see what was beyond it, right?"

He glances to Jean.

"It just seems a little mean."

[rustyhonesty]

Jean huffs, shaking his head.

"That's a little unfair, using our experience to compare them to the fireflies", he says, amused. But he gets it.

"Yeah, we can come release them later."

wrappity?

[sunspotted]

Marco beams at Jean brightly, ignoring the unfair comment. He's allowed to be underhanded, sometimes.

"Good! And if any of them want to stay behind, I won't fuss, how about that," he promises Jean with a grin. For now, though, he's more than content to observe and gently catch fireflies to fill his own jar.

wrappity wrap!

[rustyhonesty]

Jean agrees with that, continuing to watch the fireflies, occasionally looking at Marco. It was nice to see him enjoy something like this, without the need to fight. Just hanging out with a friend, catching fireflies.

He's just glad his best friend could experience the same peace he has had in these worlds. All of them could.