voice;

[schild]

So it's looking like more and more of us remember stuff like giants and titans and the 3DMGs and the Survey Corps... I was thinking maybe we should all get together and share what we know with each other? Maybe we can have a better idea of what this "world" was and why all our past lives had that in common. Who knows, we might learn something that can help us out now.

Obviously, we're all in a bit of a bind with how tough things are, but since Bertl and I can't really go outside... maybe you guys could come here? You guys can bring some snacks and stuff and we'll just talk about things. I mean, I know our memories can get kinda gruesome, but it'll help to share and know you're not alone, right?

Of course, uh, this means you guys are gonna have to see my face, so... let me know if you want me to show you now so you don't flip out in front of all of us, haha.

[ That's... a thing that happened, yeah. ]

So, whaddya say?

Comments

[betroth]

Please, don't worry about it. I've hardly known where to start! Um, besides going all the way back. [ Ways to lose entire days: exhibit A. ] You mentioned something about... your face?

[schild]

Ah, yeah. Last month, just before Halloween, my face got kind of... Well, it's kinda hard to explain.

[ Start at the beginning, Ryan. Well, maybe not the super beginning but. ]

You know how some of us could transform into titans?

[betroth]

I did hear about it. They're different from "normal" Titans?

[schild]

Right. They don't eat people or anything like that; instead they are people. Or were.

I was one of those. So I echoed back some of what I think I used to look like... as a titan. So my face looks pretty weird.

[betroth]

Then... it was echoed back with no knowledge of how to keep the transformation under control?

[schild]

Something like that? I know normally If I was turning into a titan, I'd be a lot taller, too. But no dice; I'm the same as ever. It's like I only echoed a part, but not the whole.

[betroth]

Only having pieces sounds incredibly difficult. But... I'm sure it can't be that way forever!

[ A short pause. ]

If you're sure it's alright, may I see?

[schild]

Hopefully, right?

[ Another pause. ]

You sure? I mean-- well, no, you'll end up seeing my face sooner or later, so... Just. Sorry in advance? If you freak out, that is.

[ He turns on video for a bit-- showing his nearly-armored face. The zig-zags running up from his mouth is most prominent, along with his glowing eyes... Yeah, no surprise for what he's turning into. ]

[betroth]

[ What does come is a clipped breath, as if she'd clamped down on a bigger reaction of some kind. Then very long pause over the line. ]

No, don't apologize. [ Rather than fright, it sounds almost like awe. ] I-I had no idea...

[schild]

Yeah, well... [ Ryan looks away, he's self-conscious but at least Chloe didn't outright scream or anything. ]

It's pretty out there, huh? It's kinda cool at first, but it just gets crazier and crazier when stuff like this starts to really happen.

[betroth]

[ On the contrary, she laughs a little bit to puncture the atmosphere. Almost like she's relieved. ]

You're human here. And you were human once before... right? If that's true, there must be a way to go back, eventually.

I think — I'm just happy to remember you!

[ Granted it wasn't much, but even a face was something, no matter what it looked like. ]

[schild]

I think so. I mean, I remember being human, so... hopefully there's a way to change back.

[ That actually manages to make him smile. God, Chloe, you're a real miracle worker. ]

You remember me? Nothing bad, right?

[betroth]

There must be, I'm sure of it!

[ NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS. ]

And no, it was just a glimpse... just now. I don't suppose you remember carrying anyone around? ...As a Titan, of course.

[schild]

Yeah! Definitely.

[ He hopes. ]

I do, actually. I remember carrying Bertholdt and Eren-- that is, the old Alan. I think we were being chased...

[betroth]

Oh! Hmm. I wonder if memories get more detailed with time, I don't remember a chase of any kind... but I can't be picky!

[ Because she is legitimately grateful to remember your big armory face. ]

[schild]

Well, I know I got one that cleared some stuff up from another memory... but they're all out of order, so it's hard to tell what's what.

[ You are the first and only, Chloe. Bless your heart. ]

Sometimes they're vague, other times I can even remember what I said, and to who. It's weird.

[betroth]

That's true, I've heard there's no particular rhyme or reason, just various triggers... or mirrors? Mirrors to things that have happened to us once. [ She laughs to dispel the notion. ] It sounds so silly.

[schild]

Right, it all sounds so... magical when you put it into words, huh? Something like a person's face or words, all of a sudden making you remember things from a so-called 'past-life.'

[ He chuckles, though it's not all there. ]

I wouldn't believe it if I didn't look like a monster because of this mess.

[betroth]

[ That does make her sober a little. ]

Not everything... ends up sounding so much like a fairy tale.

[ Or looking like one, in this case, though she refrains from saying so with no fear to lend substance to that thought. ]

I'm sorry. But this is just the start! We shouldn't give up on what's to come just yet, when there's so many of us.

[schild]

Unfortunately, yeah.

[ Ryan manages a smile, though. He's pretty good at putting on a good face. ]

But you're right! I've got hope. I know it can't stay all bad.