[closed] each day past

[betroth]

Who: Tallest Shingeki (toobig) & Shortest Shingeki (betroth)
When: Tuesday aftertoon, 12/03
Where: The park
What: Just a little meeting of colossal proportions.

[ It's a beautiful afternoon. She can see it right there, just outside the windowpane of the little coffeehouse she's taken up residence in. Since, oh, about 10am, clocking her in at a solid three hours of studying. It's a beautiful afternoon, clear, with no wind disturbing the trees in the park across the way — one that's far, far too tempting for Chloe to stay indoors while she's got the time. Well, sort of got the time. Finals are looming, but so is that tired out feeling in her eyes, and, well... was taking a break really going to harm anyone?

That was her brilliant bit of rationalization when she'd snapped her books shut and gathered up her belongings, tipping the waitress who'd been bringing her small coffees handsomely. And, after stowing her things in her truck, she'd marched right across the street and into the park.

Normally, it'd be a cold day, but in the sun, it was nice. Almost warm, even.

Not that she minds the cold at all, hands tucked into her cardigan pockets. It was doing wonders for chasing that sleepy feeling away, after all. So she's taken her time, just about hitting the center of the park when she notices a stuffed rabbit lying on the ground. Stopping short, she kneels curiously, her long skirt pooling at her ankles. It looked soft, clean, and well-made. Chloe reaches down to take it, wondering if its owner might still be nearby. ]

Oh, no. I bet someone misses you! Let's see, now...

[ Funny thing about kneeling, it destroys peripheral vision. ]

Comments

[toobig]

[Even if she'd been standing straight, Bertholdt may not have noticed her as he walks through the park. He hates leaving Ryan alone, especially now that he's lost his job and the blond is so... depressed about his face and his Echoes, but he also likes leaving the house on particularly sunny days. Something about all of this... Titan-ness makes him want to sit out in the sun when previously he barely left his apartment. He's even a little darker than usual because of it, his olive skin tanning up nicely. He he'd decided to go get them coffee from the cafe nearby and had walked through the park to get there. Even if it's cold and most of the leaves have fallen, it's pretty and nice out today.]

[He's looking up at the sky, hands shoved in the pockets of his jacket and wrapped up to his nose in his scarf to hide his peeling skin, when he trips over Chloe. Right over her. Like she's an upturned branch on the ground.]

[betroth]

[ She'd been just about to straighten herself out again, stuffed rabbit in hand, when something catches her in the side and causes her to go toppling right back over. In her surprise, she manages to puff out a gasp. Which is more like a squeak, let's be real. Luckily, she's swearing a thick sweater, so when she lands on the flats of her arms, it doesn't hurt. It does manage to disorient her though, and it takes her a minute to realize she's caught in...

...someone's legs?

Oh. Oh, oh dear, someone is currently lying face down on the pavement because of her. Worry mode: ENGAGE.

Hurrying to twist under the unfortunate stranger's knee, she rights herself as much as she can. ]

E-Excuse me, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to trip you, are you alright?

[toobig]

[Bertholdt falls much like a tree, wincing as his hands hit the pavements and he hopes this isn't going to be where his skin finally pops open. He has no idea what's happened, for a moment, before he realizes he's tripped over a person and his heart leaps as he starts to sweat, embarrassed and feeling awful. He slowly turns himself onto his back, freeing Christa from under his long legs and sits up.]

I-I'm so sorry, it was my fault...!

[Then he gets a good look at her. She has to be the tiniest person who isn't a child that Bertholdt's ever seen. Everything hurts, due to his thin, stretched skin pulling at his aching joints, but he tries to scramble to his feet and offer her a hand up. His hands, which are scraped up and bloody, are steaming and the wounds are closing and he lets her see before he realizes and his eyes widen.]

I...

[betroth]

[ She'd been too startled to immediately place the voice, but she recognizes his face in an instant, though she'd only seen it once. That, at least, had always been a strength of hers. Then it dawns on her as he goes to stand — he's tall. Really tall.

Possibly whole feet taller.

But for the moment, it's playing second fiddle to the owlish gaze she fixes on the sight of his hands steaming in the cold afternoon sun. Her heart's already racing in embarrassment, but there's another beat within it. One that came with a memory: healing. He was healing himself. Somehow, in one movement, she's managed to shuffle the rabbit plush to the crook of her elbow and reach out to take his hands into hers, very gently.

Granted, he probably could have closed both her hands in just one of his, but it doesn't stop her. ]

Bertholdt! ...Right, that's you? P-Please don't apologize, I never should have stopped in a walkway like that. Now you're hurt...

[toobig]

O-oh you're-- Chloe.

[He recognizes her from their video chat. Still steaming, his hands gri hers and he very easily lifts her back up onto her feet. He's skinny and weak, but she's so tiny she barely weighs anything.]

I'm so sorry, I'm so clumsy I-I didn't look where I was...

[betroth]

[ Once she's back on her feet, she realizes her line of sight still only tops out around his middle. Flustering a bit, she keeps his hand in hers, minding not to cause him anymore pain. She's used to exercising a light touch. ]

I—I should be saying that, I'm not hurt at all, but you... [ Her attention falls to the skin of his fingers. Though she's never seen it before, Chloe doesn't seem to mind the contact with the blood and steam. ] I'm sorry, it's my fault. Do you need anything?

[toobig]

[By now, the wounds stop steaming and his skin is smooth again-- if a little stretched and dry.]

I-it's fine, I'm fine... A-are you sure you're okay? I fell on you k-kind of...!

[betroth]

[ You will not outfuss her, Bertl. Though she does stare in wonder at his hands once the last of the scrapes closes up. At least until she thinks to flash a smile up at him, lifting her elbow to indicate the rabbit plush. ]

I'm alright! I — um, fell on this, actually. Thank you, for worrying so much... but I'm really fine.

[ She lets go of him, gingerly. ]

Was this from a pulse?

[toobig]

[He's going to try. Bertholdt pulls his hands back when she's standing, not wanting to creep her out or anything, before looking down at his palms.]

U-uhm, yes... My... er, the me from before... c-could heal himself...

[betroth]

[ THIS IS ONE WALL YOU WON'T GET PAST. ]

I-I think I just remembered something like that. All that steam and then...

[ Squaring her shoulders, she blinks away a sheepish look, instead looking grateful, as if she's taken his assurances to heart. ]

But nevermind that! This should be a time where I'm saying, "It's nice to finally meet you!" ...shouldn't it?

[toobig]

[HE HAS TO TRY]

Y-you're right... I'm still really sorry though. It's... nice to finally meet you too, Chloe.

U-uhm... If you want, we could get coffee or something, as an apology... And then we could uh, talk about the Echos?

[betroth]

Oh! Yes, that sounds perfect. I just came from... [ She twists a bit, pointing over her shoulder at the storefronts lining the street across from the park. There's a small coffeehouse with a red awning there, where she's spent many, many afternoons. ] — just over there, actually!

[ Turning back around, she looks up at him with a smile. Which was her way of saying, 'Apology accepted.' ]

Have you ever been?

[toobig]

Oh-- that's...

[Isn't that the same cafe he and Ryan went to, when they first met? COINCIDENCES. The next set of reincarnates are going to get triggered by coffee shops.]

Yeah, I like that place... It's nice.

[betroth]

Wonderful, I'm so glad! [ Rather than move ahead of him, however, she tip-toes to his side so they can walk together. It's a rather shy gesture, almost, but it'd be silly for one to lead when they both knew the destination. ] I hope you don't mind...

[ She glances up. Tucking some hair behind her ear, she clears her throat and projects her voice a little better. ]

...I haven't had very many echoes yet.

[toobig]

I don't mind at all.

[He holds the door open for her when they get there, like a gentleman.]

I've know about the Network since... maybe August? So I guess it's just a matter of time... Getting them, I mean...

[betroth]

[ Smiling in thanks at the gesture, she doesn't quite realize she's just walked into the establishment still carrying the stuffed toy. Instead she's looking for a table to get them settled at. ]

Time — really does tell in this case, doesn't it... though I've heard that's not always on our side, either.

[toobig]

I think so... that's a great way to put it.

[While Chloe gets them a table, Bertholdt takes out his wallet.]

I'll get us a coffee. What do you like?

[betroth]

Ah! I can't possibly let you treat!

[ DEPOSITS STUFFED RABBIT ON TABLE. HE CAN HOLD THEIR SEATS FOR THEM. ]

[toobig]

N-no, I insist. I'm the one who tripped over you, after all.

[WE GONNA PLAY THIS GAME CHRISTA??]

[betroth]

[ IT'S ON, BERTLY-BEAR ]

I was in the way! At least let me get you something to eat...

[toobig]

I... I really don't mind, Chloe, I'll pay...

[betroth]

You don't like sweet things?

[ HALFSIES OR BUST ]

[toobig]

I'm not really hungry... I just wanted to get us some coffee...