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[fiddlestick]

Elliot Craig

[MUFFLED VIOLIN MUSIC IN THE DISTANCE]

VOICE | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION

Links: Fairweather Clan | House Mochi | Class VII | Old Inbox | Giant⚡Robot

Comments

[maskreant]

[ So... He meant to circle back to Elliot, but he was enjoying a normal life for a couple of days before, but he's ready this time. It would be odd to talk about the series of events happening in the living room or kitchen where their roommates may walk in. Despite that, he still has to confirm some things with Elliot, even if his time as Ren is becoming more of a feverish dream.

When he knows his friend is in his room, he knocks on the door. ]

Hey, it's me.

[fiddlestick]

[ Elliot had almost forgotten about that conversation with the anonymous Alpha. When he never got a private message from them, he assumed that they decided not to bother or lost interest. It happens on the internet often, so he didn't give it too much thought.

So it's not at all on his mind when he answers his door, giving his roommate one of his usual friendly smiles. ]

Oh hey Akira. What's up?

👏👏👏

[usurpers]

[ it is a beautiful day to be celebrated! it is a day on eren’s mental calendar that can never be chicken scratched off the list of important dates, today was the day he held elliot’s hand and confessed without actually having to say a single word.

but everything eren had planned was not going through today. the beautiful pair of engagement bands are still cursed into the form of frosting covered miniature donuts (they are not actually donuts, but boy do they look like them). eren feared this day! because today was the day that would start his anxiety countdown, the day he’d have to sit on his hands and tell himself no everytime thoughts wandered to going through with it.

because that had been the plan!! this wasn’t the plan!! he prepared himself for the plan and that’s definitely not what he wanted! god it’ll never be perfect anymore 😩

so here they are, taking a moment to rest from the rush of pixelated life, of saving the world from a crusty old bitch out to murder everyone, and focusing back into the life he wanted to protect. the everyday life. the life that would stay when all of this was over.

but right now, eren is perpetually red in the ears, the tell tale sign that something is amiss since the start of this date (god he’s not prepared for this, the night will be torture and he knows it). after taking elliot out to eat somewhere nice (if pixels don’t work, there’s always the big bang burger hah that’s romantic goddddddd), they’re driving, well, eren’s driving them through a very familiar straight.

vroom vroom?

(everything is normal and eren’s FINE HE’S PERFECTLY FINE) ]

[fiddlestick]

[Meanwhile Elliot is in good spirits, not having set such high expectations or plans for the night. Still being stuck in this pixelated world was annoying, but at least he could be here with Eren on their anniversary. That was the important part, he'd just make due with the rest.

Though it also helped that his Rieveldt violin hadn't turned pixely like his other instruments. It was sitting safely in its brown case in the backseat, ready to be pulled out at some point. Good old trusty violin. No wonder his past self loved it so.

Still, despite his own good mood, it's easy to notice Eren seems a little off. So gently as they ride along:]

Are you alright? You seem...distracted.

OCTOBER FIRST LIKE THE WIND and my thumb slipped the first time

[usurpers]

[ so, if the last week and a half of september wasn’t just weird for these two, it’d be more lies. a big fat lie stuffed with lies. other than getting turned into a murder suspect, eren was that way on their anniversary, and after that— hmm, maybe akira wanted so much help with things or this or that, or just getting into “deep conversations” , that elliot couldn’t leave house mochi whenever they had dates. it’s fine!! it’s fine, eren could come over.

and still be sort of weirdly, weirdly quiet. he doesn’t want to end up alone with elliot because during another time when pressed he probably gave him another awkward nerd pearl: something along the lines of being drift compatible. this is embarrassing. he even had to use the “i’m getting sick” card to rectify his behavior but what good does that do? elliot’s a healer. eren can’t actually get sick anymore, anyway.

maybe it’s stress. look at him. poor guy.

until everything is back to normal, until eren runs to fix things and put the finishing touch on the rings. until he doesn’t even text elliot when he arrives at mochi unannounced this night. his heart is rushing through beats like a machine gun, he’s using maneuver gear instead of a car because he’d get there so much faster, but— he’s doing this!!! he’s making this happen!!! today is a special, special day and eren made timing work out just right, thank the lord. it’s october 1st. eren got his first kiss, from his first and probably only love, on october 1st.

he’s knocking on the door, he’s throwing pebbles at the window, he’s—

oh he’s hanging on the window. hi, open the window. ]

[fiddlestick]

[ Well if it's been a weird week and a half, it's even weirder for Elliot who doesn't know what's going. Eren had acted strange during the anniversary, and then it was impossible not to notice the distance and quiet. In fact, it seemed impossible to get any time alone with Eren.

Elliot does his best to be patient, because he knows Eren's stressed about the murder thing, but the whole situation causes him a lot of worry. Was Eren unhappy with him? Was he pushing him away again? What was wrong?

Lucky for Eren, Elliot is spending his first night back in the normal world getting reacquainted with his piano. It felt really nice to have a piano that made proper piano sounds again instead of 8-bit music.

When he hears tapping on the window, he'll stop and look. Surprise is clear on his face, before he shortly opens his window.]

Eren? What are you doing here?

mid-october

[invocate]

[Li-Na doesn't give herself time to think before she texts Elliot. Just... give him the important information and seek forgiveness later.]

Elliot, you need to go to that house that appeared on the edge of town. Eren and I got in a fight and I kicked him really hard. I don't know how badly I hurt him.

[fiddlestick]

[Normally Elliot would try to be more understanding, but hey infections man. they get to you]

You did WHAT?

1:46AM WILL PROBABLY GET NSFW FAST

[usurpers]

You awake?

OH BOY

[fiddlestick]

Yeah, I am.
Something wrong?

[usurpers]

Just so you know, James is going to stay in my guest room for a while. He doesn’t have a place to stay.

[fiddlestick]

Oh no, poor James. What happened?

[motiv8]

[At some point after getting smacked by Eren, when Rean actually has a chance to settle down:]

Um, hey. Hope this message doesn't reach you too late?

But I may have accidentally wound up telling Eren what happened with the bats before you could and I'm sorry

[He is the guiltiest puppy.]

[fiddlestick]

[ELLIOT'S RESPONSE COMES LATE.

TOO LATE.]

Yeah...I already heard.

It's okay, you didn't know.

12/14; Midday

[jurai]

Hey maestro

I got one of those things you told me about. A ticket from Retrospec or something

[fiddlestick]

Oh wow really?
What's it say?

12/14 to 15 LETS MAKE THIS WORK

[usurpers]

Does anyone else know where James is staying other than you?

[fiddlestick]

I mentioned it to my roommates when we were talking about the murder investigation.

Why?

[usurpers]

[ in this late-night text, elliot gets!! a picture of a gallon of his saved healato, and— transformers playing on the big screen. it is a weekday. it may not be more than midnight. ]

The only better thing here would be you instead of your snack.

[fiddlestick]

Awwww, that's sweet.

Having a movie night?

during event part 2, crow's memory meltdown

[motiv8]

This is probably a weird question but have you ever known the past memories to kind of

I don't know

Bleed over into normal memories?

[There's a brief pause between that series of messages and the next, hurriedly sent:]

Not me, by the way

I'm fine

[fiddlestick]

Is this about Crow?

[action, backdated to late Jan]

[blessmefather]

[ Matt hates to drop in on Elliot at a late hour but as he stumbles and grunts at the stabbing pain in his side he reminds himself that Ell would insist he should. The way to the house where Elliot and his friends live is short but dizzying. The wall of fire hasn't spread smoke across the city but to his nose the air still stinks of ash. He regrets a couple jumps along the way but brushes it off and finds a place behind the bushes along the side of the neighbor's front yard. After prying off his mask, he digs in his pocket for his phone, panting and wiping sweat off his face, pressing the button in the corner with Elliot's number programmed in. ]

S-Sorry if you're sleeping. Are your roommates in?

[ He could guess by listening for signs but he doesn't trust his judgement while he's crouched behind some shrubbery trying to diagnose whatever damage is under the suit. ]

[fiddlestick]

[Lucky for Matt, Elliot was still up. So he's pretty quick to answer his phone]

Uncle Matt? N-No don't worry, I'm awake.

[But that question? It's a rather odd one. Especially since Uncle Matt doesn't sound in such good a shape. Another worrying thing, considering his magic has been on the fritz these past couple days.]

T-They're out right now. Is something wrong?

hola

[brushy]

[ ahmi’s been working her hardest with elliot since he found and came to her, and by now she’s managed the perfect batch of activities for him.

If memories play a part in any mental strain, he’s free to tell her. any worries would be spoken through and struggles gently touched upon before digging into core problems at a comfortable pace. as for the physical, there’s massage, there’s aromatherapy, there’s most definitely reiki due to elliot’s magic, acupressure— boy she flips him from top to bottom with relaxing therapies that he should walk out a different young man, the way he was intended!

bringing something back from her desk, she shows him a bowl.

ahmi uses the instrument to carefully and delicately make a swirl over the rim of the tibetan bowl, and from it comes a soothing, soft (it gets louder the more you swirl) hum that could vibrate one’s heart. it’s a beautiful sound to the musically inclined, she bets, if she already finds it beautiful. she wants him to have one of hers. ]

Do you like it?

[ while they wait for the friend. she wouldn’t want him to wait outside alone. ]

[fiddlestick]

[Ahmi's methods were pretty different than a typical therapist. Elliot had been a little nervous about trying them out, but he figured a woman so spiritual and into alternative medicines probably wouldn't immediately jumped the worst conclusion if he accidentally shared a memory. It turned out that had been right, and not only that but not long after he started being a patient? She got the app herself- how lucky was that?

While he's been pretty nervous at some of the activities, they have had an effect on making him relax a little more, and deal better with that anxiety. By the end of sessions, he doesn't seem like he's about to scream at the drop of a pin.

He was checking his phone to see if Rean was on his way, when she brings over the instrument. It's actually not one he's seen before, so he immediately looks interested.]

Oh wow! Yeah that's cool! What is it?

bueno (you have not seen the last of me)

[usurpers]

[ it’s already apparent, and the good thing about eren is that when he makes a choice, a promise, he sticks to it. something’s different, that much is very clear, and what might be cloudy for some (probably not for elliot). he remains quieter than what he once was, but this time, not because he’s actively hiding something or straying.

his silence is a product of careful evaluation of what he does and thinks. there’s still plenty confusion that one day or two (or several) would not fix completely, but if there was something that was unbreakable— it was eren’s willpower to do something when he felt the need to. you’ll never stop him from getting there. he’s doing his best to fix himself and his presence is closer, most definitely.

eren has taken them to a tea house, mostly because it was the quietest place he came across. there’s at most one other person in there, and to find an isolated corner with warm lighting was easy. it was comfortable to sit, and once they’re settled, eren’s arms set stretched out with his palms up, wanting to hold his hands. ]

I miss you.

[fiddlestick]

[Eren's pretty quiet for the past while, though Elliot hadn't pushed him about it. He knew Eren had been processing, sorting out his thoughts. He trusted Eren to keep to the promises he made that night. Because that was Eren, after all.

Finally when the designated night came, Elliot made sure he was ready. The conversation wasn't going to be easy, the things Eren might share would probably get really dark- but he wanted to be there for Eren. If he speaks about this stuff, maybe it'll help him sort them out.

So as he sits down, there's no hesistation in reaching out his own hands and resting them on top of Eren's.]

I've miss you too.

You ready for this?

2/14; Night

[jurai]

[Okay. He's mostly got the situation with Rean under control. I mean granted Rean's passed out on his couch and he's now sporting a new bruise on his neck BUT WHATEVER.

IT'S FINE.

...No it's not.]

Elliot


Is now a good time

Do you have smoochy plans with Eren right now

2/14; Night

[fiddlestick]

[Elliot meanwhile is on eren's couch, feeling a great deal of shame for getting possessed like he did. Eren's probably off cooking dinner or something.]

No, no smoochy plans. I mean, I'm at at his place, but...not really into doing that tonight.

What's up?

3/8; 5:48am

[motiv8]

[After getting left on read, Rean's night is restless at best. He makes attempts to sleep, but his mind won't let him, and instead he tosses and turns. The few times he does manage to drift off, he finds himself waking up suddenly from nightmares not long later.

He can't let things go on like this.

He gives up the ghost on sleep, sitting up and grabbing his phone. Nothing from Crow, as he knew there wouldn't be – he's been checking all night, hoping against hope. And he could try to reach out to him again, but... no. There's someone else he needs to talk with first.

It's early, so he really doesn't expect that Elliot will be awake to respond. But it's fine, he has time. He absolutely doesn't have the mental capacity for classes today.]

Hey, Elliot. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you after everything that happened... it's been rough, and I wanted some time to work through things by myself. I asked Eren to let you know I wasn't angry with you, and hopefully that message made its way over, but regardless, you should hear it from me.

I'm not angry with you for what happened, or for not telling me. Had we been in one another's shoes, I can easily imagine myself doing the same. It's not exactly an easy subject to bring up.

Truth be told, I have some things I should have brought up some time ago myself. Not strictly about you, but at least involving the three of us.

Do you have time today to meet up? I'd like to talk about things and apologize in person.

[fiddlestick]

[Lucky for Rean, guess who else hasn't had a good night of sleep thanks to a certain bird friend. It's been a night of tossing and turning and not getting more than an hour at a time.

So when he gets the message? He's there to read it. There's a bit of typing, as he tries to think of what to say to the message. But nothing sounds good, and he ends up deleting, so...]

Wanna grab breakfast as McDonalds?

[usurpers]

EREN JAEGER has invited you to GIANT⚡️ROBOT!

after press x to raina

[motiv8]

Sooo. Sorry to unload family drama on you, but

She took everything last month even worse than I did. She told me she dropped all her classes, and apart from one time I took her out for dinner I'm not sure she's even left the apartment

And trying to talk sense into her just sent her into her usual "you don't know anything don't waste your time on me" spiel. And then she stopped answering me.

Tried calling home, they have a mailing address but it's a PO box, so not helpful.

[fiddlestick]

Oh no, it's okay!

And...wow, that's..really...

[a brief pause]

Please don't take this the wrong way. But as someone who has a little sister who likes locking herself in her room?

Your sister's kinda a jerk.

[usurpers]

Do you trust me around Molly?

[ HE’S STARTING TO GET VAGUE

BUT CONSTANT

HINTS FROM CROW ]

[fiddlestick]

[He gets this message and just


Slowly closes his eyes.


He hates this baby project so much and it's not even his]

What do you mean by trust?

walkies!

[motiv8]

[Whenever Elliot finally manages to collect the effort to drag himself over to the bus stop to meet up, Rean will be waiting on his phone, cheerfully scrolling through something or other. He pops up his head before Elliot will even get the chance to say hello, because ah, sensing powers, and smiles, raising his free hand in a wave.]

Hey!

[fiddlestick]

[No sneaking up on Rean! Not that Elliot was trying. Even if he's not excited about walking, he is going to remain true to his word and show up on time. It's not like he's DREADING even, it was time spent with Rean and he always enjoyed that]

Hey Rean! [He waves back and approaches] All ready to go?

heck if i know when

[tarotcards]

[ souji returns. he's back in his body pillow sheet that has yosuke on the back and this cat on the front while he's also wearing these things as well. well, it's been a while since he did anything weird and crazy so here he is, sitting at the kitchen table. ]

The usual order, my friend.

[ have fun, rean ]