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Jean! Hello. Forgive me for not contacting you sooner, I've been lost in libraries. ( That's pretty much just their day to day. ) I trust you're settling in decently. Oh, wait. Did you drink your potion?

Commander Hange, it's more than all right.

[ He'll use the 'Commander' title just once out of respect, and then drop it. He's had his hands full with Eren, anyways. ]

We're doing fine for now, and yes, I did drink my potion. It was a red one and I can control little fires now.

Edited (ate a word) 2023-12-09 06:42 (UTC)

Are you going to the Commander's party?

I am, I'm helping them cook as well. You coming too?

I'm planning to. I need to get a gift for the captain, too.

Do you think Eren will go?

Erwin mentioned there's a shop he likes the tea and soap from, if you want to go together.

I think he will. He really admired the Captain at the age he's at...

Edited (tense) 2023-12-10 15:07 (UTC)

Let's go together. I owe him.

I'm going to watch him. I don't want him to ruin the evening. That means you can have fun.

Sure - what do you think is easier, going early, or closer to the party?

[ Mikasa... ]

Or, we can both watch him, and both have a little fun at the same time. There shouldn't be any reason for him to get into a fight, anyway.

[ He still might find one. ]

Edited 2023-12-10 15:11 (UTC)

I'd like to go earlier, to give us more time to find something good.

[ There's so much to unpack here, but ultimately: she feels responsible for Eren. ]

There doesn't always need to be a reason, but I want to be ready. Just in case. I'm not as strong as I used to be, so preparation is important.

Smart idea. We need some soap for the house too anyways. Want to go today?

I understand - but it doesn't have to just fall on your shoulders. I know you're used to taking care of him...

[ And she feels guilt for killing him, though he doesn't say it. So what he says next isn't just about the party. ]

It's okay to share that burden, you know.

Soap, and maybe some tea. I think he'd like that.

[ It's hard, sharing the duty - or honour - of being the one to take care of Eren, but... She can admit, now, with hindsight, maybe trying to carry that alone had done more harm than good.

It doesn't make it easier, though. ]

I know. I just didn't want to, before.

[ She guarded her relationship with Eren jealously, covetously. ]

Just nothing too fancy, or with 'coconut', according to ~~the commander~~ ~~Erwin?~~ Smith.

[ He doesn't know it's jealousy, precisely. He calls it a burden, but he doesn't truly think of it that way, either. As with everything involving Eren, It's Complicated. ]

Well, I appreciate you letting me help. It makes me happy.

Coconut... We'll find something.

[ It is a little strange, having Erwin Smith and Hange and Levi all here, but having to dance around titles. If Armin was here then there'd be too many commanders to deal with. She hasn't asked Levi what he'd prefer to be called - calling him just by name feels... Odd, still. ]

I'm not good at it. But I want you to be happy.

[ It is weird. He's used to calling Hange both 'Commander' and their name; Levi is habitually 'Captain'. Erwin was always "Commander Erwin", but calling him either of those separately feels wrong and he hasn't done it in four and a half years.

Her next words make him blush a little despite himself. ]

I'm glad we both want each other to be happy. And you're doing fine. No one should expect you to change overnight, yeah?

[ Mikasa has never been amazing with some level of authority - her earlier days of standing up for Eren proved that - but she's calmed down enough to respect the chain of command enough, where necessary. It depends on who is at risk and the cost.

She stares at her strange little device for a moment, head bowed over it before she replies. ]

I know. I'm doing my best.

[ Erwin, Hange and Levi might know what she does - Jean having been there - but she doesn't want to imagine what Eren might do if he finds out. She has to keep it close to her chest. ]

[ He already told her she was doing fine. Should he tell her he sees that she is? That feels like too much direct acknowledgement for one day, but he'd also tell her it all the time if she let him. ]

You are. I see you trying.

[ Ahhhhhh. ]

We can meet up at the cottage later? For getting soap and tea. Or meet in the square, whatever's easiest for you.

I can come and meet you. I was going to try and get some food anyway.

[ If Eren liked the cakes... Maybe Jean would too? She was already planning on getting the croissants, but maybe she should try a cake for him, as a “Thank You”. ]

Or I can wait for you at the bakery.

Bakery is good, I know where that is. I can pick up something to eat too.

Be there in 10?

Okay.

[ She decides to get Jean a cake, a little one with fresh fruit on top, because it's still exciting, and some chocolate inside. Stepping outside, she spends her time staring at the sky as she waits for him, the little slide of cake wrapped in some paper and held delicately in her hand, like it's some kind of bird. ]

[ Jean's finishes up at the library - he's still curious if there's anything he can find about the history of the place - and heads down to meet Mikasa. He's added to the clothes he usually wears - the familiar grey vest is back, and now there's a green jacket, similar to but not the same as his Scout uniform.

He raises a hand in greeting. ]

Hope you weren't waiting too long. [ Spotting the paper in her hand. ] Grabbed a treat already?

[ Mikasa is dressed simply; plain black trousers, a white shirt, her scarf. She's a little chilly, but she hasn't really had the forethought of "get some kind of jumper to wear" when she's focussed on other things.

Her expression relaxes when she sees Jean and she steps over, handing out the cake. ]

No, it's for you. I liked it when I came here before, so I got you one.

[ His gaze moves over her, as if checking to make sure she's not cold. He'd probably give her the jacket if she shivers, but so far, no need to.

He takes the cake with an expression of surprise, but it morphs into a pleased smile. ]

Oh, thanks. I haven't tried everything here yet.

[ The unspoken goal - one day he will. The cake is small enough and he's practical slash a mess enough that he just lifts it with his fingers, taking a bite and making a pleased noise. ]

There's chocolate in this!

[ They don't have that back in Paradis, and he's only ever tried it in Marley or from Niccolo. ]

It's okay. I thought you'd like to try one too.

[ Mikasa watches him, to make sure he really does like it, some of the awkwardness in her shoulders fading as he seems to enjoy it. ]

There are lots of different kinds in there. Some had berries, or chocolate, and one had lemon.

[ Compared to what they're used to having, this place is indulgent. Extravagant. ]

Maybe we should bring some for the captain.

[ It is extravagant, and Jean's still getting used to it. The couple of meals he's cooked have been simpler affair, enlivened mostly by the fact he can get meat pretty cheaply and just add it in to what he's making.

Jean might be a mess, but he still swallows what he's eaten before he speaks again. ]

That might not be a bad idea - I'll ask Erwin and Hange if they're planning on a cake.

[ And to see if 'not too fancy' applied to food, too. He's pretty sure Levi liked lemons...? He steals another bite of the cake. ]

This is probably sweet enough to hold me over, if you wanted to start walking.

Let's go.

[ She nods her head, starting to walk through towards the market before she responds to him. ]

I don't know if the captain would go if it was that obvious... But maybe he's happier here. He might like to celebrate.

[ Mikasa can't imagine something as simple as a birthday or winter party, but everyone seems so... Content here. ]

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would u like to thread soap browsing or wrap, i'm good with either!

let's go for it

action > now i'll have to open bpal /lighthearted

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