text; un: reiner

[hometown]

I've got a question for anyone willing to answer.

Would you say you come from a generally peaceful world or a violent one?

Comments

text; un: ogreslayer

[likeiron]

Violent, more often than not.

Why are you asking?

[hometown]

I come from a violent world as well. It's violent enough that it's hard to imagine it ever being anything else. But that's not the norm for everyone.

[likeiron]

Lucky them, I guess. This place isn't the worst, not unless you go looking for trouble or some weird magic shit happens.

What made your world so violent - war? Monsters? All of the above?

[hometown]

All of the above, sometimes combined. There are regular wars, and then there are wars using man-eating beings as weapons. You can guess which causes the most damage.

What about you?

[likeiron]

Well doesn't that sound delightful.

About the same, honestly. If we're not fighting each other, we're fighting monsters that want to kill us and take our shit. It's peaceful for a little while... sometimes. But not often. I've been fighting since I was a kid.

[hometown]

Likewise. I started training when I was 5 and formally joined my current unit when I was 10. That's a little earlier than most; it's an elite unit. But it's not that unusual in my world.

[likeiron]

Is it mandatory to become a child soldier? It was a little different for me - I got kidnapped by some shady fucks who made me and a bunch of other kids fight each other, then I eventually got out and decided to join up with the army when I was older.

[hometown]

I'm sorry you were forced into that.

[ He's sincere, although text may not convey it. ]

Military service doesn't begin that young for most people in my world. I volunteered for it.

[ Logically, Reiner knows that a five-year-old can't make that decision alone. Yet he still maintains that belief: he made his own choices. ]

The majority of people start serving when they're in their teens. But it depends on whether or not the country is at war. Sometimes, it depends on how well that war is going.

Is that the case where you're from? Or do armies only take people who are older?

[likeiron]

If it makes you feel any better, I ended up getting a big happy family from the whole thing. So. Could be worse?

And yeah, I've fought alongside teenagers and younger before. They're usually farmer boys though, not anyone with real training. Just more bodies to throw at the enemies.

[hometown]

They must be desperate if they use kids with no training.

[likeiron]

You take what you can get, and a bunch of farmers and kids make excellent fodder.

At least, that's how plenty if nobles see it. In an ideal world no one would have to fight, especially not kids, but that's just not how shit works.

The plus side, I wouldn't be a renowned hero without a war or three happening so... nice?

[hometown]

I guess you've gotta find a silver lining somewhere. Does that title come with perks back in your world?

[likeiron]

'Ogreslayer' sure does. I get free drinks at every tavern and people want me to do shit for them all the time. Could be worse.

[hometown]

[ That makes this person's username suddenly make sense. But: ]

This might be a silly question to you, but I've gotta ask: what's an "ogre"?

[likeiron]

Big ugly humanoid monsters. They're about 200ft tall and basically indestructible unless you can get em in the eyes.

You can imagine how difficult that might be. Unless you're me.

[hometown]

[ Oh. That's a little too familiar for comfort. Reiner nearly says so—he even starts typing out the words—but then he deletes them, nothing but the "…" of typing betraying him.

He doesn't know how many people in this world know about a Titan's sole vulnerability. And he's not looking to paint a target on the back of his neck. (Or the back of Eren's neck, for that matter.) ]

Yeah, I can imagine. Just getting close enough must be a challenge.

[likeiron]

( It's not like she'd punch you, Reiner. Not unless you're eating people or stomping on them. )

I climbed my way to its head. Nearly got squished on the way, but the other lunatic with me watched my back.

[hometown]

That takes real courage. No wonder you get free drinks.

[likeiron]

( A shame he can't hear her laughing. )

A lot of people would call it stupidity, but thanks. You have anything like that back home?

[hometown]

Sort of. Those man-eating beings I mentioned don't usually get that big, though. They're called Titans, and they typically cap out around 15 meters.

I should mention there are a few people who can turn into Titans. Intelligent ones, not man-eaters. Two of us are here so far. So if you see a 15-meter-tall blond or brunet humanoid, don't attack us immediately, all right?

[likeiron]

So long as they're not stomping on and eating people, I don't give a shit what they do.

Good to know though.