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

Eren might have only showed up because he likes the beach, or someone might have nudged him gently (or not gently) into coming. Either way, he does show up. He's never seen fireflies, of course. He's seen weird glowing shit thanks to Folkmore, but the fireflies aren't exactly like that.

He holds a(n empty) jar in his hands, looking down at it as if he's unsure whether he should actually catch the insects in it. He's a little in awe of them, though whether that actually shows on his face or not is a toss up.

OR

Later, after he's managed to catch some fireflies in a jar by whatever means, catch him sitting on the shore, barefoot. He's close enough that the water comes up around his feet where he sits with his knees bent, arms resting on them. The jar of fireflies is a little ways behind him, safe from the water.

Sorry, was this social hour? He's bad at that. Bully him.

Jean may have seen fireflies at some point, but not this many at the same time. He's watching them fly against the evening skies, with a content look on his face. Really, he could just watch them and not do anything else and he'd be alright with that.

But apparently the jar they have would be convenient later, so he lifts it up after opening the lid. Nearby fireflies start curiously circle around it, as if considering him and the jar.

Later, once he's gathered all the fireflies that want to live in his jar, he's just sitting on the beach and continuing to watch the fireflies. Even if he doesn't approach anyone, he's definitely approachable to talk if anyone feels like it.

It's also significantly cooler around him, as he's using magic to control the temperature around him. Evening or not, Solarpeak was still a warm district and this is how he copes.

Even if Paradis had fireflies, that doesn't mean Levi has seen any before, especially from up close. Being surrounded by them, the little creatures brave enough to be touched without fuss, is something entirely new. They look like little stars that have landed on the ground, sharing their lights with humanity.

Regardless at which point in time Levi visits the beach -- maybe he's his normal self, or maybe he's a ratty looking child way too small for a ten year old -- he looks completely awestruck by the fireflies. His attempts to catch them might be a bit less careful if he's his younger self at the moment, but he still doesn't seem keen on hurting them, eyes wide with wonder. He might even manage a smile.

::

And sometime later, after having gathered up a jar of fireflies of his own, he can be found still staring up at the sky and the dancing little lights in amazement, while gently cradling the jar to his chest with both hands, as if it's something extremely fragile, and yet unspeakably precious.

Edited 2023-11-18 18:57 (UTC)

Galliard is very, very unsure about all this. It turns out there are a lot of people from his world here, but the majority of them are from Paradis, and from all different times. Non-aggression agreement or not, he's pretty sure that his presence won't be wanted or appreciated.

What's the point of (eventually) fighting on the same side if everyone is going to judge you for what side of the divide you were born on?

Completely ignoring that, until very recently, he himself bought into the whole 'you were born on the island and are therefore my sworn enemy' bullshit, Galliard had been ready to sit this out until Marco asked him to come along. He figures he owes Marco, after that whole dinner fiasco, and he has to admit, he is a little curious about the people Marco knows. He's spoken to Levi, and he doesn't seem so bad, especially for being one of the most terrifying ones. Maybe everyone is just willing to chill out around here.

Still, he's mostly keeping to the edges of the field, hands in his pockets and simply observing.

***

Once he eventually stops being a dork and starts catching fireflies, Galliard turns out to be fairly good at it. He's got quick reflexes like his titan, and after watching them for awhile, can predict where they're going to fly. If any of the kids are having trouble (and let's not even get into how weird it is that some of them are kids, what the absolute hell?), he'll approach and offer to show them a few tricks. He may even trade his jar, with all his captured fireflies, for an empty one if any of the kids ask.

Option A

A stocky, square-faced blond boy stares out at the fireflies, lips parted in silent wonder.

Reiner has never seen anything like this. Maybe other children have heard stories of dancing lights, insects that glow and flicker like stars—but not Reiner. His bedtime stories were tailored to stoke a righteous flame, not spark imagination. He looks out at the fireflies, an empty jar clutched in his hands, wondering why in the world he would want to trap them.

After a few minutes, Reiner settles cross-legged in the sand, the closed jar still held in his hands. He's clad in clothing unfamiliar to him but familiar to others: a hunter-green long-sleeved shirt, cargo pants, and combat boots. If that weren't enough to hint at his identity, the look he fixes on anyone who approaches may reveal it, the golden eyes beneath arched brows bright and intense even as a youth.

Option B

How Reiner ended up here again is anyone's guess. Maybe someone simply asked him to join. Maybe it was a combination of nudging by several people, teasing or dares or outright demands. Maybe he wanted to see the fireflies again through grown-up eyes, curious to know if they would hold the same fascination.

Truthfully, Reiner has no idea. Each possibility seems equally likely to him. Maybe someone will clue him in without him having to admit that he's … gotten confused. Again.

It's happening more often lately. Armin's arrival destabilized the ground beneath Reiner's feet; Marco's arrival effectively fractured it. Often, Reiner feels like he's clinging to a crumbling cliff by his fingertips. But he keeps hanging on. Keeps trying to pull himself up.

Stay.
Okay. As long as you do.

So, here Reiner is. Trying to act normal—whatever that means in this situation. He has a jar in his hands, but it remains closed; he's more interested in watching the fireflies dance than catching them.

Option C

At some point, it all becomes too much. Too many opposing feelings; too many conflicting memories. Reiner's sense of who/what he is slips away, his hands trembling as he stares blankly at the fireflies, unable to figure out which Reiner he's supposed to be.

And then, there is no Reiner. There is only a dog.

A pit bull, to be exact. Coat as blond as Reiner's hair, only splashed with white.

It's not the first time Reiner has transformed, but it's the first time he's done so in front of anyone from his world. But it feels easier like this. The storm in his head calms, simpler emotions and desires rising to the forefront.

Like sleep. Fuck, he'd love to get some restful sleep.

So Reiner turns in a circle in the sand, paws digging as he makes himself a good spot. Then he flops down with a huff, half-curled, his muzzle laid on his paws.

Edited 2023-11-19 03:03 (UTC)

It's a positively wondrous sight. It's just like something out of his grandfather's book! The fact that it's all near the ocean only makes it more profound. He's holding his jar, empty, to his chest, watching the fireflies dance with a bewildered smile on his face.

He doesn't pay much attention to who's nearby when he asks them:

"Have you ever seen anything like it?"

Gabi didn't have a look of wonder at the sight of all of the fireflies. She wasn't trying to catch a single firefly, or staring at a jar with adoration. No, nothing of the sort.

Gabi had a look of determination on her face. A look of determination behind a pair of athletic goggles. She didn't have one jar, she had six in what appeared to be an honest-to-god homemade bandolier wrapped around her chest. And she had a giant butterfly net in her hands. This wasn't a fun outing at the beach for Gabi. This was a battleground and she was determined to get victory by any means necessary. And victory meant....

....a large, but mostly arbitrary number of fireflies. But if she was this prepared, she was probably going to take it extremely serious---

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!"

Or, she was going to let out a battlecry and charge straight into a cloud of fireflies, swinging her net around with a giant grin plastered all over her face. Okay, maybe it wasn't that serious.

ota

ota

ota, specify if u want bb! or dad! levi ;>