trainingwings | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Player Name: Allie
Are you new?: Yes, ahh!
Character Name: Erwin Smith
Character Fandom: Attack on Titan

[ action ]

[ Erwin has been searching the shops all afternoon. He's heard from others that occasionally personal belongings from home have been known to arrive in Luceti's stores, and while he has no material possession that is especially precious to him, he would very much like to have his maneuver gear returned to him, if possible. Even in a world without Titans (a reality he still has yet to fully wrap his mind around), to be without it makes him feel too vulnerable. As if--if there were a threat--he wouldn't be capable of protecting himself, or anyone else. The paranoia of living a soldier's life, he supposes.

And yet he wants, more than anything, to return to that life. The softness of this existence doesn't suit a man like him. Sorting through piles of clothes, sifting through shelves of gadgets he doesn't even know the names of, doesn't suit a man like him. His mouth is set in a grim line, his stance and movements--back straight, steps measured--strongly indicate 'military' even without his distinctive uniform jacket. Though he asks briefly for directions once or twice, he otherwise keeps to himself today unless spoken to directly. ]

[ voice ]

If anyone could take a moment to indulge my curiosity, it would be appreciated.

[ Polite, though not overly friendly. He has what he hopes to be a simple question. ]

Do these wings grow? Do you know of anyone who has successfully been able to use them for flight?

[ It's an interesting possibility, and Erwin is a man who utilizes what he is given to the fullest extent, if possible. It's a bit of a long shot, certainly, but he's banked on slimmer chances before. It's more of a curiosity than anything, anyway; he has little doubt that if he were to return to his home, there would be no wings on his back but the ones stitched into his jacket. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ despite the appearance of gray wings on his back (almost comical in proportion to his broad shoulders), it's impossible for Levi to mistake the tall, solidly built figure and blonde hair for anyone else. They've been here for nearly a week, and he's checked every day (multiple times a day, at that) for any sign of the maneuver gear in the shops - nothing yet, so far, much to his endless frustration.

Levi watches him for a moment, trying to reconcile the scene before him of Erwin so obviously (obvious to him, at least) out of his comfort zone in a place like this with the man he usually sees: controlled, calculating, commanding. It's a little strange, but there are things about this place that they'll both need time to adjust to. ]

It's not here yet, Erwin.

[ he calls it out flatly from the end of the isle, waiting for Erwin to turn to him before walking closer. His eyes scan over the rows of strange objects, most of which he's never even seen before and couldn't even guess at their function. ]

Wonder what the hell people use some of this shit for, anyway.

Edited 2014-01-06 02:12 (UTC)

[ He knows Levi's been looking. Even if he hasn't mentioned it, it's something he would do. Erwin is hardly surprised that they should meet here for the same purpose. ]

So I see.

[ A pace back from the shelves. He's looking at Levi now instead. ]

No doubt these items are as important to someone as our gear is to us.

[ Their mass of grappling hooks and metal canisters and single-edged blades would look as ridiculous to others as some of these things do to them, Erwin thinks idly. The world is far wider, it seems, than anyone had anticipated. ]

[ that earns a somewhat derisive snort, but he doesn't challenge the assertion. Some of the items present there are recognizable as weapons - swords, guns, axes, bows - Levi has mentally picked out a few that might be usable in the event that the maneuver gear never shows up. There's no titans in this place, and as a result strictly speaking not having the gear may not necessarily be a problem. But maneuver gear is what he knows and where much of his skill as a soldier lies, so it's difficult right now to imagine having to go without it indefinitely, even if the threat here is not so imminent. ]

I've been to the battle dome. It has a simulator that can imitate our world.

[ there's a pause as he glances back up at Erwin, folding his arms. ]

Though we'll probably be better off getting used to fighting whatever threat is here in the meantime.

[ There is no guarantee that they will ever receive their gear. It's a fact Erwin's kept in the back of his mind, certainly, but it hasn't been long enough yet that he's willing to stop looking. Levi clearly is of the same opinion. If they are lucky enough to find it, the battle dome will be useful for staying sharp--though Levi still shouldn't be doing anything too strenuous. He gives a curt nod to indicate his understanding. ]

I agree.

[ Erwin is reluctant to resign himself to anything, especially so soon, but he certainly recognizes the importance of adapting to new dangers. Staying alive is always such tricky business. ]

We'll choose alternative weapons soon enough, if ours don't arrive. [ A cursory glance at the shelves. Guns are familiar, of course, and he's sure they could find blades to dual-wield, if it came to that. ] What have you heard about threats here?

[ He's heard plenty, all rather grim. But thankfully not so grim as man-eating giants. ]

[ Blades would be preferable - it's what he uses most often, after all. But without the agility of the gear, it will require more training to get used to keeping his feet on the ground during battle. Guns are far more effective against people however, which is why the Military Police have absolutely abysmal maneuver gear capabilities compared to the Survey Corps. ]

Apparently we're all guinea pigs in some kind of creepy mass experiment. They're keeping us in a cage and attempting to keep people pliant by providing unlimited food and shelter and just about anything else they could want. [ That's something he has a hard time wrapping his head around. Even in the Survey Corps, certain resources were extremely limited, particularly food. To go from a world where starvation was an increasing threat to one where anything anyone could ever need to live literally appeared out of thin air was disorienting, to say the least. ]

From what I've heard, the 'experiments' range from harmless to people being kidnapped and returning later with permanent changes.

[ His eyes wander to a handgun, more advanced than what they had inside their own walls. Unlike some others, Levi had no grand ideas about seeing the outside world. He's been outside the walls, but its been years since the Survey Corps had been able to get even that far. There hadn't been much else to see from those few glimpses anyway. That the world could be much bigger than it appears is possible, but he never thinks about what it might be like, if there are other possibly other people out there. The survival of those who remained in the wall, finding a way to defeat the titans (or whatever the real threat is), are the things that he worries about.

He picks up the gun, the weight different in his hand, easily figures out how to check the clip - loaded. At least they don't make you hunt for ammunition. ]

And then there's the war.

Edited 2014-01-06 17:45 (UTC)

[ This isn't new information to him, but he listens raptly regardless. Erwin welcomes Levi's input on most matters; he often has an interesting (and sometimes necessary) perspective.

Coming from a world where thousands of people had been forced to march to their deaths in order to stay off starvation for the rest of the population, being provided with food, housing, clothing, and other necessities free of charge seems far too good to be true--because it is. Erwin can imagine how anyone coming from a situation similar to theirs could be swayed, lulled into a false sense of security by having all of their needs met.

For the two of them, they've simply been transferred from one cage to another. Their apparent kidnapping sits badly enough with him already, and this inhumane experimentation isn't something he'll turn a blind eye to. ]

The available information seems consistent, at least. I've heard very much the same story.

[ His gaze flickers to the gun in Levi's hand. ]

About the war, as well. Being forced to fight for our captors isn't very appealing, is it?

[ His eyes flick back to Erwin, narrowing slightly before he answers. ]

You say that like we aren't already fucking forced to fight back where we came from.

[ he slams the clip back into the gun as though to punctuate his words, notices a holster conveniently on the shelf where he'd found the firearm and takes that as well. ]

If you ask me, there's not much difference between here and there, except that this place attempts to fool people into thinking that it isn't just another version of hell, and-

[ His gaze moves to Erwin's right arm before he can stop himself, then looks away. ]

- it doesn't seem like the monsters we'd be fighting here will be trying to make goddamn meals out of us.

I see more significant differences.

[ He neglects to pick up a weapon for himself just yet. Instead, he watches Levi toy with the one in his hand. Erwin's expression is neutral. ]

I chose to become a soldier, and to join the Survey Corps. [ Though Levi did not, he reminds himself, and perhaps that is where he begins to draw his comparison. But Levi has changed since then. ] That is my war. Here, I am to be an unwilling participant in someone else's.

[ A brief shake of his head. ]

Not that comparisons hold any weight. We must take action regardless.

Hell is hell.

[ it's true; Levi hadn't chosen to be a soldier. Erwin himself had blackmailed him into it, shoved his face into the dirt and threatened to have him imprisoned for the rest of his life it he didn't join the Survey Corps. He hadn't had a choice to go to war.

Yet he'd fully embraced Erwin's fight - humanity's fight - as his own long ago. If they wanted to survive, they didn't have a choice but to fight. Which, he surmises, will be the case in their new cage.

He slides the handgun into the holster, and slings it over his shoulder. It could potentially belong to someone, but he doesn't care at this point. The maneuver gear hasn't arrived, and if they're going to be fighting, he doesn't want to be unprepared or unarmed. ]

The other option is to sit on our asses and let these creeps do whatever they want with us.

[ Despite his...initial reluctance, Levi has since proven his loyalty beyond a shadow of a doubt. Erwin had recognized it as a strong trait in him from the moment he agreed to join the military's most dangerous branch for the sake of his comrades. And now that loyalty belongs to the Corps. ]

We can't have that.

[ There the hint of a grim smile before his attention goes back to the shelf, looking for a suitable weapon for himself. While Luceti seems peaceful, it's clear enough that there are more sinister things hiding beneath the veneer of tranquility. He would be a fool to go unarmed any longer. ]

I have orders for you, Levi.

[ he's scanning the shelves again for a secondary weapon. Another gun would work, though he'd prefer blades. Perhaps if the gear never arrives, they could find someone skilled enough to recreate it or something similar.

But his gaze moves back to Erwin then, and Levi lifts his chin a little, indicating that Erwin has his full attention. ]

What is it?

See if it is possible to enlist directly.

[ He's walking, now, slow but even steps down the aisle. He expects Levi to follow. ]

I want to know everything we can about what constitutes the military here, as well as about the enemy we are supposed to fight for them.

[ Levi does follow, a full stride behind Erwin. It gives him the opportunity to study those wings - mottled gray, no feather completely white nor black. Exceptionally appropriate for Erwin Smith. Yet so far as he'd found out, the wings themselves were functionally useless. ]

Understood, Erwin.

[ He scans the shelves again as they walk, falling silent for several moments. ]

You should take something for now.

I intend to.

[ It's more difficult than one might expect to find a suitable weapon among other trinkets both strange and ordinary. Erwin keeps a sharp eye out, and finally spies something that could prove useful. He stops to reach for it.

What he's found is a knife, which he draws out of its leather sheath to inspect the blade: as long as his hand from wrist to fingertip, plain, but looks to be kept in good condition. After he sheathes it again he slides securely into his boot. ]

I'm sure I don't need to tell you not to be conspicuous.

If you were sure then you wouldn't have said it.

[ his tone is flat, but otherwise feels no real irritation or annoyance that Erwin wouldn't consider him to be the most inconspicuous of people. Still, he catches Erwin's drift: learn what you can, but don't give out any more information than necessary. There are still a lot of unknowns when it comes to this new place, and there's no way of knowing if any of it could potentially be connected to what is happening with the world that they know. The situation is still perilous - even more so, now, for various reasons. Being pulled away at such a critical time is frustrating for both of them. ]

[ The half-smile Levi gets is indication enough that what he's said is true. The captain does need a little reminding of certain things from time to time. ]

I trust your judgement, Levi.

[ But that is true as well. Levi is very smart, and he has been with Erwin long enough that he knows what Erwin would want him to do and what he wouldn't. ]

And I am glad to have you with me.

[ There is a large hand (the right one) clapping on Levi's shoulder. It's frustrating indeed. He would feel better knowing Levi was still at home. They have a more dire need of him there than Erwin does here. But there is nothing to be done about that at the moment, and for now he is grateful to have Levi's support. ]

[ Levi can't help but stare a moment longer at Erwin's hand. It's strange to know that he has memories Erwin clearly doesn't yet, even if it's just a few weeks apart. Still, it's just as well - it'll be far easier for Erwin to fight with both hands, after all.

His gaze shifts back up to Erwin's face. There's not really an appropriate response to that; he isn't glad to be there, and he's entirely certain that if he hadn't been, Erwin would have managed just fine on his own. Still, it's a small relief to have someone in a strange new world that he trusts - especially when it's the person he trusts the most. ]

...yeah. It's better than being here alone.

So it is.

[ It's not long before Erwin retracts his hand, but he didn't miss that way you looked at it, Levi. It's not as if this is the first time he's ever put his hand on your shoulder, so?? ]

For the moment, let's find something to eat.

[ He is very much done with scouring the shops for today, and food would do them both some good. ]

[ ...yeah he really should tell you about that, shouldn't he. Maybe. Maybe not. Not right now, in any case. Not unless Erwin asks.

Levi nods, then rolls his shoulders a bit, still not quite used to the extra...pieces, that had attached to him. He's not sure he'll ever be really used to them, they're too fucking weird. ]

Fine. I'll follow you.

[ which is in part because it's just easier to let Erwin do what he usually does and make the hard decisions - there's so many options for food here, and the concept that it's so free and abundant still makes him incredibly suspicious. ]

If your wings are growing, there's probably something wrong with you.

[ Well. That's a decisive an answer. ]

How unfortunate. I'd hoped they might prove at least slightly useful.

Nope. Damn things are completely useless. All they do is take up space.

I wouldn't recommend trying it, unless you really want to know what a broken arm feels like.

[ Oh goodness. Verging on too meta with that one, Misato. ]

Ah. That would be a 'no,' then.

[ He doesn't sound too disappointed. ]

Thank you for the warning, at least.

[...Too soon?]

I'm all for taking chances, but there's a difference between a crazy idea and just an uninformed one. Wouldn't want to see anyone get hurt, ya know.

[ Nahh, just too accurate. ]

I completely agree, which is why I thought it best to ask. The wings as they are now certainly wouldn't be capable of supporting anyone's full weight in flight.

Right...talk about a wasted opportunity. But I guess the Malnosso's "generosity" only goes so far.

You have certainly asked this question to the right person. [Never mind that the message is actually a general broadcast. Rock Lee is seeking his chance.]

I have been studying these wings and working hard to obtain 'true flight'! I have not had any results from my training yet... After all, it is difficult to safely try exercising the wings.

However, let me tell you of an incident which occurred last summer. The filial spirits which live in this land... for a brief time, they possessed a large number of the population. This caused our wings to grow to enormous sizes, capable of flying with ease! Once they left our bodies, the wings returned to the way they are now... but that gives me hope. I will find the secrets of flight!

[ ...Well. It seems he certainly had asked the right person. Or at least, the right person had heard. ]

Your training sounds quite admirable. [ It's lucky that he has experience in dealing with excitable people. ]

This wing growth was only a one-time occurrence, however. [ Just to clarify. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(no subject)

oh hey friend

oh heyyy

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

voice;

voice;

voice;

[voice] jean-mun but sans jean because why not

voice; ohh hello hello why not indeed

voice; greetings from a fellow strategist

voice; yesss strategy buddies

voice;

[Voice]

[Voice]