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video; un: reiner

[ The video opens on a young man in his late teens. Tall, blond hair, gold eyes, solid build—good looking, carrying himself with an air of confidence. ]

Wow, this technology is something else. Weird to think that I don't have to write a bunch of letters.

[ He smiles, easy and genuine, matching his voice. ]

I'm Reiner Braun. I'm looking for a few friends of mine, and it seems like this is the easiest way to get the word out.

One of them is a tall guy—taller than me—with dark hair and green eyes. He probably looks nervous, like he wants to be anywhere but here. The other is a shorter girl, blond hair and blue eyes, who looks like she could kick your ass. She can, too, so maybe don't test her patience.

[ He pauses for a second. ]

I guess I'm also looking for anyone else who recognizes me. Better to get any reunions out of the way now, right?

Anyway, if you see anyone matching those descriptions, I'd appreciate it if you let me know. Or if you just wanna chat. I'm pretty new here, and it'd be nice to meet some friendly faces.

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[ Iggy's story is familiar. Not because Reiner knows anything about where she's from but because it closely mirrors his own. People hated because of their ancestors' actions, weapons at best and filthy devils at worst. Confined within walls, their lives and experiences limited to what makes it past the gates.

What did Iggy's people do in the past? Did they terrorize the world? Rule it for millennia using man-eating monsters as weapons? Somehow, Reiner doubts it. ]

… Yeah. That sounds really familiar. [ Unconsciously, he raises a hand, rubbing his left bicep where his Warrior armband ought to sit. ] Other people are terrified of us. They have good reason to be, considering the past. But…

[ He trails off uncertainly, the idea of voicing any degree of discontent clashing wildly with his fanatical upbringing, making him squirm inside.

Thankfully, they reach the ramen shop a moment later, and Reiner is promptly distracted by the sights and sounds. ]

Some people with power rely on that fear to keep control- over humans and omnics alike. I won't disagree that the fear isn't without good reason where I'm from... but I think there's a difference between being controlled with no choice or sense of self, and awakened with a sense of individualism and freedom.

[It was a sentiment she could finish, because she felt like more shared it- more so amongst her fellow Omnics of the London Underworld. Not wanting to continue and let the fear being spread amongst them by those power hungry even of their own.

Things could get better.

Her head lifted once they reached the place, humming as she moved forwards to lift aside on of the cloth banners hanging low over the door.]

Here we are! Can sit at the bar and watch them make the ramen, I can see a few seats open from here. [Wasn't a meal rush time just yet.] Can even ask for a menu to look over.

There are a few choices when it comes to what you want in the bowl with whatever soup and noodle-type you pick.

[ Keeping power by ruling through fear. That, too, is familiar. Reiner knows it well, doesn't he? He's one of his nation's greatest weapons; he's one of those who cause that fear.

As soon as Iggy pushes aside the cloth, Reiner's eyes widen, taking in the shop and its customers. Some things are familiar: the sight of hungry people enjoying food is pretty universal. Other things are strange: he's never seen chopsticks before, and he spends a solid five seconds staring at someone using them, wondering how they work. ]

Wow, [ he finally says, smiling down at Iggy. ] Thanks for this, Iggy.

[ Even if he doesn't end up enjoying the food, he's certainly enjoying the experience!

He makes his way to the bar she indicated, then orders the miso pork ramen that she recommended. Might as well start there. ]

Glad to help, really. [She was; added up on the list of reasons why it was good to keep up with these places while she explored. Better to point people in directions of things to try and help ease their own arrival experience.

That, and she really did enjoy being able to walk around so freely. May as well take advantage of it.

Iggy followed in after, waving a little at someone who saw them. Just friendly.

Sitting down she knew she could order some mineral oil for herself; food grade, but it was safe enough for her consumption even then. Never hurt, knowing they had some for their knives.]

My treat too, by the way. Don't have to worry about paying for it.

Are you sure?

[ Asked as he settles in, tearing his eyes from the strange sights to look at Iggy again. She's friendly, generous. Certainly one of the nicest people (individuals?) he's met so far. A breath of fresh air, in a way; his reunions with people from his world have been emotionally fraught at best. ]

I noticed that you have a … cat? [ Definitely a question there, even as he smiles. The black void was strange enough on its own. Add to that the fact that Reiner witnessed Jean transform into a cat, and he really doesn't know what the hell the creature was. ] You could put those coins toward giving it a treat.

Very sure! The allowance I'm still getting still is a lot more than I need to survive, and I like being thrifty when it comes to clothing- patching together my own style.[Just a little gesture to her clothing.] So I got plenty to spare to treat you.

[The light of her mohawk headpiece flickered with the warmth of Iggy's laugh-]

Yeah- Miss Janie Jones is what they called a 'void cat' around here! Reason she's so black she looks like a hole in reality. She eats light. [Which was weird? Very weird? But also it wasn't hard to supply that at all.] Janie has been nice company, given I live alone otherwise. I think she'd appreciate the thought of yours.

A cat that eats light. [ Reiner shakes his head, mystified and amused, smiling in response to Iggy's laugh. ] This place really is something else. Thanks, Iggy; I appreciate it.

[ He hesitates, then asks, ]

Miss Janie Jones. She's not, ah. A person who turns into a cat, is she? I saw someone do that—or at least, I'm pretty sure that's what I saw. It was a tense situation.

[ Jean definitely couldn't do that before; Reiner is certain of it. ]

Right? That's a new one for me, too- but I don't have to worry about getting food she doesn't like at least. [Taking it all in stride, and making her way as it was.] You're welcome, and hey- anytime. Better to stick together with all of this, I think.

[Iggy hummed a little-]

She's not, no. Just a cat-even if a strange sort of cat, but that does sound like one of the abilities that comes with the whole seasonal magic thing. There are animals for each season, that sort of thing.

Edited 2023-07-03 17:41 (UTC)

[ Reiner nods, accepting that explanation, incredible as it is. Animals for each season. Presumably, that means he, too, could turn into an animal. To anyone else, the idea would probably be somewhat less miraculous than turning into a fifteen-meter-tall armored giant. But to Reiner, who has possessed that power for nearly half his life, the idea of transforming into an animal is … something else. ]

Was there anything like this where you're from? Magic and everything?

No, but a lot of high-tech science exists. Hover cars, hard-light— things like that? It can seem like magic, especially the hard-light and all of the technology surrounding that.

[Which honestly made all of the magic just that much more interesting to her.~~Picture an omnic turning into a bear.~~ Fingers drummed lightly on the counter where they were seated-]

Apparently given I'm Spring? I can heal people through magic here.

[ Hover cars and hard light? Reiner is unfamiliar with those things, of course, but he tries to visualize them anyway. A hovering car is easy enough. "Hard light" gives him some trouble. To him, it seems to go against the very concept of light.

He's distracted from asking more when Iggy mentions healing people with magic. His eyes widen a bit, genuinely impressed. ]

That's incredible. I had no idea these powers could do stuff like that. [ He gestures to himself. ] I'm Autumn. From what I've gathered, most of what I have to look forward to is mental. "Controlled insomnia" and stuff.

[It was still exciting, no matter where her worries and other thoughts went to- this magic stuff was really cool. To think she could heal people? Do anything more than what she'd always known? Hell of a concept.

Easy to keep that energy and smile there in her voice.]

Right? I can also make plants and stuff grow or bloom faster, and purify air and... liquids? If I'm remembering the stuff I read right. That's all just basic, can get better and stronger in it! [She could do a lot of stuff to help people here.] It's not bad- more so if you have to stay awake for some reason. There's earth manipulation with the more elemental stuff, yeah?

[ The more Iggy speaks of her Spring powers, the more impressed Reiner grows. Five years on that backwater island made him appreciate things like food and fresh water more than ever. Purifying air would even be helpful back in his hometown, where smog sometimes hangs above the houses. ]

That all sounds amazing, Iggy, [ he says, meaning it. As for his own powers: ] Yeah, Autumn has earth creation and manipulation. Those'll come in handy if I ever take up gardening.

[ He says it half-jokingly. He spent two years working on a farm, so he's not ignorant. But honestly, when will someone like him have time to garden?

He glances up as someone approaches them behind the counter, carrying a bowl and what might be mineral oil. Looks like their food is arriving. ]

Not a bad hobby to pick up if you've got the time! I hear stuff from home gardens can taste the best, especially for those who like to cook their own food. I imagine little herb gardens are neat, too. [If she actually ate food? Iggy felt she'd enjoy that herself.

... Maybe she could pick it up as a hobby for any friends made here? Little bundled gifts of whatever she could grow in a windowsill garden, or something like that. She'd look into it later.

Ah, food (and oil!) had arrived, hands and arms moving off the bar so her small bowl of mineral oil could be set in front of her easily. A Thank you! to their server, and her head tipped-

That bowl of ramen was nicely packed, and no skimping on the broth either.]

Looks like a petty good first meal. Eat up, and hopefully enjoy.

[ For a moment, Reiner simply gazes at his meal, appreciation plain on his face. It looks like it'll taste incredible. Moreover, the fact that this kind of food is so readily available impresses Reiner. He spent so many years eating rations—first the scant scraps given to Paradis' civilians, then larger portions provided to the military. Even after reuniting with other Warriors from his homeland, he's still eating rations; they're just from a different military.

So this meal? It looks… ]

This is amazing.

[ Quiet words, spoken from the heart.

Reiner has no idea how to use chopsticks, nor does he want to try when he really wants to eat. So he takes up the provided fork, spins it in the noodles, and brings them to his mouth.

Please excuse the blissful sound that escapes him. The food tastes good. ]

[The laugh was soft, warm, and just- a simple sort of joy could be heard there. Happy for him—]

I'm glad that I guessed right with something you might like.

[All the better to remember, and come back to. A reasonable price that it could be a place to come back to as often as he liked, and there was jut so much food for servings if he had a big appetite. Seemed like the best bet.

Iggy picked up her bowl, and for the first time her 'mouth' opened so she could take a 'sip' of the mineral oil within. Pleasant enough for a pleased sigh of a sound. Easy to make do with what she could 'consume' in a place like this that just wouldn't have any sort of knowledge to cater to Omnics.

Easy way to enjoy some meal with someone, too.]

[ Reiner makes a sound of affirmation, curious but careful not to stare as Iggy digs in herself. But truthfully, even that can't distract him from the food; it's so good. Reiner eats with gusto, savoring it as much as he can. Still eating rather quickly, although whether that's a consequence of his life's circumstances or just being a hungry teenager is hard to say.

In either case, he's quick to finish and happy to chat with Iggy again, seeming to settle in more now that he has something in his belly. Their conversation is warm and friendly, matching the atmosphere of the place.

And when second helpings arrive, Reiner takes a stab at learning how to use chopsticks. He'll need some more practice—but hopefully, he'll improve by the time he and Iggy meet for lunch again. ]

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video; un: reiner

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