[Open Log] You're no wiser now. Returning with your head bowed low

[rustyhonesty]

WHO: Jean Kirstein & Anyone
WHAT: Jean returns from his canon update and related things.
WHEN: February 29th onwards
WHERE: Research Center, possibly other places
WARNINGS: impalement injury, blood, talks: of fighting, killing, death, titans eating people, general gore and child soldier warning of basic AoT things

---

Jean appears back into Ellipsa as suddenly as he disappeared from it. This time, however, he wasn't home like he was when he blinked out of existence. Instead, he sees the familiar sights of the Research Center. He looks like he's been through a lot; he has a bandage wrapped around him, keeping the wound on his shoulder from bleeding, but also so that his arm won't move necessarily. His clothes are either dirty or slightly burned from something. They're even too small for him, considering he's back to his normal height and these are clothes from when he was 15.

It takes him a moment to understand what was going on. He didn't get a lot of memories, but it was a very intense time. Once he has his bearings, he sighs. That was something he's heard of happening before but had never experienced. Going back home and seeing memories he's missed.

"What the fuck was the point of that?" He complains. And wasn't this place's magic supposed to heal any injuries 'on arrival'? Great. Just amazing. He really needed more scars. Fucking Armored Titan (no offense, Reiner).

After finding a place to sit down, he finds his phone in his pocket. Somehow it had come back to him on arrival. Creepy, but convenient. He sends a text first to Mikasa and Marco, apologizing and telling them where he is (both of them, since they were both there when he disappeared). Then he sends texts to some of his other friends explaining he's back while he waits.

---

OOC: Any of his CR is welcome to assume Jean sent them a message and wildcard a meeting somewhere else or text back in the comments! Otherwise this is a very open to all post for anyone visiting the Center.

Comments

[rustyhonesty]

Sure, unless you somehow run into her first, like you have with the others.

[He didn't have a chance to introduce Hijikata to Marco, at least.]

We did lose a few people, though. Both Gabi and Galliard went home recently.

[mayoninofukucho]

[So far, he only met Marco in the Paths! Jean still has the chance to be the one to introduce them in the real world! But granted, it wouldn't be quite the same at this point. Hearing that a couple of people from Jean's homeworld disappeared gives Hijikata pause.]

I'm sorry to hear that. They... weren't in the Survey Corps, were they?

[He only met each of them once - Gabi when the Temple of Life first opened and they tackled the Gigaman Simulator together, and Gaillard in the Paths - however, he only caught his given name there, and the boy really hated being called Porco, so Hijikata isn't sure if he's thinking of the right person.]

[rustyhonesty]

No... but it doesn't matter. I want everyone from home to leave that place. No matter where they come from.

[He knows it's kind of an impossible dream, but he will keep striving towards it.]

Oh... another titan shifter arrived not too long ago. This time it's Annie. Don't go starting any trouble now, even if you saw her and Eren fight in my memory.

[mayoninofukucho]

[Jean seriously is too kind for his own good... but given what his homeworld is like, Hijikata understands. Regardless, hearing of Annie's arrival puts a long-suffering expression on his face.]

The Female Titan? The one that flattened Stohess?

[Look at that, he's slowly understanding the district mapping of the Walls! Or maybe he just remembered this one's name by chance.]

Reiner's her comrade-in-arms, right? He better be getting her up to speed on what's expected of titan shifters here! If she's on the same behaviour as him I guess I won't have any complaints.

[He says that as if he's the designated titan shifter overseer... but also he's holding up Reiner as a good example, sort of! More progress!]

[rustyhonesty]

[Congratulations, you have learned to map the world.]

I'm sure Reiner has informed her that we have a non-aggression pact going on. It was Reiner's idea, after all.

[He looks at Hijikata with an amused look, though.]

Besides, if you did attack her, she'd throw you into the next segment without even turning into a titan. She's small but very good at taking on bigger opponents than her. Much like Levi, now that I think about it...

[mayoninofukucho]

[For a moment, he looks like he bit into a lemon - why another one like Levi?! -, then sighs and nods.]

Got it. I'll leave her alone.

[With that promise given, he wants to distract Jean from the all-too-recent bad memories from home, and he only really knows one way to best do that:]

How about we go for a spar? VR or not, I'm up for either.

[rustyhonesty]

VR sounds good. At least I can go all out without hurting myself.

[He knows what Hijikata is on about, and he appreciates it.]

[mayoninofukucho]

Let's go, then!

[They both went through a whole bunch of emotions just now, what better way to restore a mental equilibrium than kicking some virtual monster ass? He'll invite Jean for some street food afterwards, too, and make sure he's feeling alright before he lets him go home.

Above all else, he's just deeply grateful that the multiverse gave him back to him.]