inbox | labyrinthum

[neighsaying]

INBOX (UN: OMNIDIRECTIONAL) text / audio / video / action This is Jean. Leave a message, and I'll reach back out when I'm available. [ Previously was thunderspear ] code credit

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[placation]

[ That's unexpected. Maruki knows more by a large margin, but none of it is his to tell. ]

It's true that Eren has a more nuanced understanding of the malleable nature of memory and reality than almost anyone else here. Things that I only know in theory, he lives every day. I've learned a lot from him because of that.

Before we were split off into war, while we were spontaneously becoming younger or altered versions of ourselves... Akechi and I had a strange shared incident. We gained the memories of leaving Somnius, albeit under different circumstances - but both of us remembered our time here even while we were back in our true reality. I was able to alter my own future, despite also having "no other path" I could have taken. And then we "returned."

I told Eren about it, of course - while those memories were still fresh in my mind, and I thought that they were real, I was surprised to see that he was still around. From his perspective, though, I never left. He was quick to tell me that it wasn't real. That when you leave, you forget, and you can't change your future. That it was simply a manipulation of my own mind.

Maybe he was right. Maybe not. It doesn't really matter, and we'll never know, in the end. I only know what felt real for me - and I can still remember everything that version of myself experienced. Whatever it is, it's not nothing.

Anyway... My point is, as he and I spoke about it, we made a deal that when we manage to find a way to leave this reality, we will only do so at the same time. We both promised not to leave the other first if we had any control over the situation at all.

That's a big "if," of course. Maybe we'll never have a choice.

But I know that Eren wouldn't have broken that promise. And I know, when it comes to you, Thorfinn, Aubrey, a few others... He wouldn't have left without saying goodbye. He has a history of ensuring that, after all.

Ah, that was a lot. I'm sorry. Don't feel like you need to respond...

jean knows a bit but i like to keep that 'eren is sliding through time' as grey for him & pan

[neighsaying]

[ Jean knows Eren lived his future because of the Labyrinth. Is that what Maruki means when he says Eren is living things Maruki has only theorized about?

Regardless, he takes in what Maruki says; about Eren making the promise to leave together no matter what. Eren does try to keep his promises no matter what - he gave Mikasa a future of peace even if it wasn't real. He doesn't know what happens in his own future.

He texts back after ten minutes. ]

I appreciate knowing that. Eren will keep his promises if he can, no matter what, for better or worse.

I won't think of him as having left on purpose, then. And I hope that he comes back, as painful as that might be for him.

[placation]

Of course. I'll keep that hope too.

I'll see you around the farm.

[neighsaying]

Please take care, Maruki. Eren would be upset if anything happened to you.

And... I would be upset, too.

[placation]

Thank you. I'll do my best.

[ Some reassurances typed – don't worry about me, I'm made of tough stuff, at this point I fear I'm indestructible – and deleted. It's good that people care, even though he'll continue to give every bit of himself away. ]