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[ the real question: is he or is he not in the splash zone.

it’s watched with great interest, from start to finish— eren nearly gets up (no he actually does get up) when the water appears to stare in awe. he doesn’t even blink, it’s amazing. you’re amazing. fight him, elliot’s a wizard. eren gives a short round of applause before he forgets (staring too hard, whoops), by now on his feet. it was even cooler up close! ]

Holy shit— [ !!!!! ] What does it feel like?

[You're safe this time. Elliot learned the hard way earlier to try to keep the spell landing a good distance away.

Elliot stands up straight again. He's beaming at the applause, even blushing a little. ]

Hehe, uh, it's a little hard to describe. Like I'm manipulating some kind of energy?

[ gathering his things back in his arms and fingers, eren gives elliot a very impressed glance up and down, like, look at how cool that staff is. juggling everything into one arm, he holds a hand out to him as he’s in between the lower steps of the building. ]

That’s amazing, you know.

[He'll take that hand and step closer to him.]

Thanks. I probably still have a lot of practice before I'd be considered good though...

[Elliot there's not exactly many wizards around to compare yourself to, calm down]

What about you? You got something from Retrospec too, right?

[ you know what he was going to say, right elliot. just by the smile on his face and the slight shake of his head. accept that you are great, or else he’ll have to show you his list! you do not want to see his list. it just got bigger, by the way.

but, there’s no way you can say no to that sort of constructive criticism. pulling the other’s hand with enough strength to force an extra step (not too hard, of course), he releases his grip to cushion elliot’s momentum and to slip his arm around his shoulders. hi. let’s walk. ]

Nothing huge, but. I can show you inside.

[ he does not want to lift his shirt up out here . . . ]

[The day he sees that list is the day he dies okay. Because he'd just die from all the compliments. But yeah sorry, the magic is going to get treated the same way his music done- with an absolute perfectionist attitude. Gotta make sure it's perfect so he doesn't get eaten!!

He'll get pulled into that extra step, smiling up at Eren when that arm gets slipped around his shoulders. He'll hold out his staff and concentrate for a moment, and in a flash of white light- the staff is reduced to a much smaller size- no bigger than a violin that's easy to tuck under his arms. There. Now Eren won't accidentally get smacked by the thing]

Inside? Haha, okay. Let's go.

[Heading inside now!]

[ ah . . . . that was cool. that was really cool. it sort of looks like a violin, too? as they make their way inside and to elliot’s room, eren will muse: ]

It really suits you. [ from the staff to the actual magic, like, look at it! ] Those uniforms were probably for magic school, huh? [ see?? it’s not the military!! once they’re inside, he’ll set the roses where he can see them, so he doesn’t forget (but he won’t forget), putting the plastic bag on the counter and spreading the ingredients out.

looks like something that has to do with fruit-! ]

Aha...

[Elliot will hesitate for a moment at that suggestion. He's tempted to go along with the lie, to pretend that yeah, he actually went to a magic school like in those books. It was a nice lie, it would make Eren happy. And maybe it would even make him happy to pretend otherwise. They're having such a nice time right now (and he's even making him something with fruit!! Elliot's favorite), why risk ruining it?

But...it would still be a lie. Elliot knew it wouldn't make it better in the long run. And he didn't lie to Eren. He didn't want to start now.]

A-Actually... [With great reluctance, he'll pull this out of his pocket to show Eren. It looks like a flip phone, but the size is closer to that of an iphone (though twice as thick as one of those).] This came with the staff, it helps with channeling spells.

[The words on the cover read very clearly: THORS MILITARY ACADEMY. Elliot will glance off to the side, not wanting to see Eren's reaction.]

[ sticking a container that looks very much like a gallon or so of vanilla ice cream (eren...........) in the freezer for later use, eren turns around, leaning himself back against the counter and taking the device in hand, curiosity growing. came with the staff, huh— he flips it backwards at first, inspecting it in his hand, then turning it. there’re words—

his vision goes straight to the word his brain was programmed to catch out of interest, but by the time military actually registers, the little shine in his eye snaps to an end. that’s exactly what it means, and his gaze goes straight to elliot, who isn’t looking at him.

time to abandon the fruit for a little bit to stride on over to him, setting the device onto the nearby table, a sigh somewhat apparent through the silence. he’s not happy for elliot, because he knows. he could only imagine what it felt like for him. it’d be like if he found out his past self was a doctor. they imagine the worst because of current feelings on the matter . . .

would elliot ever be the type to be happy with that? he can’t really imagine it. ]

You’re not like that, now.

[ it was still hard to imagine that they’re the same people. they weren’t. even if people were getting body modifications, including himself— would that change anything if they shared the same face, and the same name?

the emotions that came with the memories didn’t help to differentiate. ]

[Eren I don't think Elliot could eat a gallon of ice cream I'm just saying...

As for Elliot's feelings about the school's name...no, he wasn't happy. He didn't hate the military, but he didn't want to be part of it. He wasn't cut out for what it required, and the idea of fighting other people? It just...made him sick to think about. He knew it was hypocritical, that he could accept his family and Eren fighting others but not himself ... but that's what it was.

But at the same time, he had already suspected for awhile it was a military school, despite the reassurances from Eren. The uniforms, the fighting memories- it all pointed in that direction. This just...confirmed it. ]

I-I know.

[He'll look back up at Eren and offer him a smile- one of those where he wasn't actually happy but wanted to try to make things better. ]

It's fine. It's not like I'm going to that school now, right?

You’re studying music, now.

[ It’s said as an extra reminder, but it still doesn’t change what memories tugged with it. they weren’t just memories— there were feelings involved. it’s at these moments where eren would rather not think they’re the same people. so far, at least for him, there hasn’t been anything . . .

there has, now that he thinks back on it. being chained and beaten, wanting to kill people— that’s not something with smooth sails, but then again he doesn’t know even half of the story it painted. unconsciously, his hand goes to his chest, fingers prying for something just under his shirt with far away eyes. ducking his head, he pulls at the string around his neck and out slips a key, holding it out in a slight dangle for elliot to take.

he doesn’t say anything yet, though. he seems thoughtful. ]

Edited 2017-10-10 10:26 (UTC)

R-Right.

[He knows it's not that simple though. It wasn't like he was living his dream fully here- he hadn't even had the courage to declare a major yet. Plus those memories he's been getting of his classmates...there was fondness for them. An affection. He had no idea who they were but...there was a part of him that wanted to see them again.

But he doesn't voice any of that. Instead, he takes notice of Eren as he pulls out the key from underneath his shirt. It's such an old fashion key, like one you see in old movies. ]

Huh? You got a key?

[ if elliot wants to get a look at it himself, eren will place it in his hands as he pinches the rope, lets it down gently. it’s nothing fancy, nothing out of the ordinary, if not just really old as noticed. it might be a little harder for him to shake these thoughts off now in a blink, a little quieter than he had been. the bigger picture in what retrospec wanted to do . . .

a past life was in the past, but there was still curiosity to learn more, and perhaps a little worry behind doing so. elliot may not have voiced his thoughts, but it was highly probabl that eren was thinking the same. ]

Yeah. It’s just a key, though.

[ as far as he knew— believe him, he tried to do the cirque du soleil with it to no avail. but if there was one thing, it was an inner feeling of it being very important. ]

. . . I feel like I need it. You have that too, right?

[ having the feeling that something belonged to you and needing something were two different things, though. ]

[Once it's in his hands, he'll take a closer look at it, as if trying to figure out if there's something magical about it...but there's nothing as far as he can tell. He even taps it on the table a couple times. Yep, regular key sound]

Need it? I...guess? I mean, my stuff feels like it belongs to me, and I'll need them if something happens...

[He thinks over the key for a moment]

Have you taken it to a locksmith? They might be able to tell you something....at least what it's for.

[ it’s not like he’ll need a key if anything happens, unless keys are the rad new melee weapon, so to that, eren gives a slight shrug, dipping his head sideways as if to say it wasn’t exactly the same . . . feeling. there was that sense of belonging, but . . . he needed it. he had to hold onto it. so much that he’s traded his dog tags for it to hang around his neck instead of something so previously prized and prided from the air force.

weird. ]

You think they can tell the difference? From everything I remember— it’s pretty damn old.

[Well there are the keyblades- not that Elliot knows anything about them. But he'll offer the key back to him]

Better than we can. Knowing about keys is their job.

[ hmrm. he won’t object to people doing their jobs, and doing them well— he knows that he tries, an expecting the rest to do the same was pretty easy. agreeing, he’ll take the key back, giving it one more look to see if anything returned to him— before he’s pretty fruitless this time, putting it over his head and back under his shirt. ]

Uh— I got something else, too. [ his fingers drop to the edges of the fabric of his shirt. that doesn’t mean anything, but he’s waiting on elliot to go ahead. ] Don’t freak out, alright? I feel fine.

[ because even tifa wondered if it hurt or something . . . ]

[!!!

Okay trying not to look concerned when he says "don't freak out", but not doing too great. But you know, when someone says "don't freak out", it's usually a good for concern]

H-Huh? What is it?

[ remember when steve rogers turned into captain america? this is sort of how eren feels, except he was fairly toned and well built to start. he had a heavy diet and the daily exercise of a soldier, so his build was somewhat expected.

he choked on his toothpaste when he saw himself in the mirror in the morning. it was probably freaky, as small as it was. so, pulling his shirt half off, the reveal is obvious: he’s completely ripped. his calves and thighs were bulkier, more resistant as well, but he’sssss not about to show that. this was more than enough to prove a point. eight packs, rock hard and probably not a decimal of body fat on him. it’s pure physical conditioning.

his back is the same when he hunches over and turns a little. there’s so much more extra muscle toning everywhere he didn’t have that would’ve taken years to achieve naturally. ]

It’s almost ugly.

[ you know, almost like those gym obsessed whey drinkers ]

[Even if Eren had his hand on his shirt, Elliot hadn't expected him to pull up his shirt like that. But when he does? Elliot notices the difference instantly- he had just saw Eren without his shirt on earlier this week, so it was hard not to notice. Eren had been fit before, but this? ]

H-Holy...

[This was on a whole other level. Eren looked more like he'd been fighting and working out every day of his life constantly. Only his relatives with the toughest of regiments had anything close to this.

Elliot can't help but stare, stare for a long time.]

I w-wouldn't say it's ugly...! [If anything? It's really impressive. Sure, a little creepy to think they changed his body like this- but still impressive.] Did Retrospec really...?

[.....

Out of curiosity when he's done staring at Eren, he looks down at himself and lifts his own shirt to check. Noooope. Still the scrawny ab-less wonder. ]

Aw.

[He looks disappointed and drops his shirt]

Edited 2017-10-11 01:31 (UTC)

[ after it feels like enough, eren will lower his shirt right back down and shake it back into a natural, comfy fall of fabric. he’ll turn around, already contemplating and cocking his head sideways as words form— ]

It’s not the first time they change people’s bodies . . . [ And then he catches that hummed disappointment, with elliot looking under his own shirt. as serious as his expression had been about it, straight and thinking to the point, he finds himself . . . feeding this smile.

(it was almost cute) ] You wanna work out?

[ —even if a buff and ripped elliot didn’t seem all that. uh. ]

Eheh...I was just checking. [He gives a wistful sigh] A-And I do work out! I'm almost up to ten push-ups!

[....Yeah don't worry, buff and ripped Elliot is never gonna happen.

But right, focusing back on Eren now.]

Y-Yeah, I've heard of the body changes. But I thought it was more like hair color or cat ears... [Not abs] You were already really fit, so I wonder why...?

And you're sure you're okay?

[ ten push ups. he seems rather fond of this information, trying not to deviate as he opens and closes his mouth with a smile. stick to the topic, eren. curiosity comes after. ]

Guess they had a harsher training regime back then [ eren keeps his smile in place to avoid a dip in mood (then again, it’s hard with the image of elliot working out, he still wants to see it).

he doesn’t have complete proof that his past self was tied to military as of yet, but nothing really shook the idea off him anymore. annie looked . . . so young though, and he sounded the same way. really young, younger than he was now. after a short pause, eren shakes his head. ]

I feel— great, actually. [ he weaves his arms inside and out briefly; he felt agile, he felt prepped. he even felt a little explosive. ] Like I can do triple of what I used to. [ these can’t just be for show, either. ] Training this morning was a breeze . . .

[A harsher training regime...? Well he supposes that makes sense. Eren said his memories felt like they were way in the past- so they'd be without modern warfare tech right? Of course the soldiers would have to work harder...]

Haha, really? Triple? Then you must be really strong now!

[He sounds a bit in awe. Eren's just so cool to him okay]

[ man elliot, he can practically . . . feel you beaming from over here. at least focus has shifted, with eren still smiling with near sheepishness (but feeling good about it), as he turns back to the counter to get the fruit ready— frozen fruit! from peaches, to wild berries, and everything else that had that delicious tangy taste. time to prepare it to simmer, and while it's boiling, well!

there was a side of him that wanted to impress— he loved seeing elliot that way. ]

Wanna test it out?

[ it could be fun, too. ]

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