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[He likes the idea of flowers more than the idea of weapons, really, but Marco is probably right in assuming that the others would favor the latter. It's just what they're used to.]

I wonder if a combination of both could be interesting...

[Getting a bit artsy here.]

Ooh, it could be. You could also pin corsages or something so people don't necessarily have to hold them if you're combining them.

Given we all were given flower charms when we arrived too... that would give you a lot of ideas to work with.

You're right, it would.

Forgive me for going a bit poetic on you, but something about the juxtaposition between weapons and flowers just seems...somewhat profound, somehow. Don't you think?

[He feels a bit embarrassed saying so, but he trusts Marco. Maybe Armin was meant to be an artist all along with a mind like that. He wouldn't necessarily say so, though. He doesn't feel he's quite earned that yet.]

No need for forgiveness, I agree. I'm not much of an eye for art, but I think it suits many of our friends. We fight because we must, of course. Seeing people like Jean and Mikasa, when they're happy at home... it makes it clear that we weren't always meant for such things, though.

I don't think any of us were meant for what we were put through, no.

If you ask me, people are meant to dream and laugh - tell stories, break bread, coexist.

At least, in an idealistic world, it would be that way. We just weren't given much opportunity to consider it back home. That's all.

Do you ever think about it? What you would have done if you hadn't joined the Scouts? Or rather - what you would have done in that idealistic world, where we didn't have to fight.

You know, I've been asked that question a couple of times now, actually...

Back when I was still a kid, I probably did think about that sort of stuff. But it's been so long now, that I really hadn't in a long time...

After I got here though, suddenly I had time for hobbies and interests - a job that wasn't being a soldier. It was strange...It still is.

That's why I picked up photography in the first place. I needed at least one thing I could do that would just be mine, you know? Something simple. Something that doesn't hurt anyone.

[ Marco reads over the text with a fond but sad expression. He supposes that makes sense, not thinking about a mythical ideal future, but it's still heartbreaking to some degree to hear about. ]

Then I suppose we'll just have to keep encouraging that photography interest!

I know it sounds quaint, but I think it's a good thing, here, that we get a chance to dream of better possibilities. I realize I'm just repeating myself a bit but - well, it's nice.

There were things I didn't realize were so bad, back home, that I'm starting to realize now, I suppose.

[Marco gets an image of a sketch. It's the two-handed sword they have talked about.]

I got the materials. Do you want to come to the forge to work on it?

[ !!! The reason he's been having Jean help him brush up on his swordsmanship. ]

Yes! Although... I don't know much about forging. But I'll keep you company!

That's fine, company is appreciated - it gets kinda lonely when you word. You can comment on the design and such, too.

And it's not like ODM repair, where a second set of eyes can catch a mistake.

Mm, I'll come over right now then! Do you want me to grab anything on the way?

Surprise me with something to drink?

Gonna get you the worst drink.

[ But, Marco gets dressed - lightly, since he knows the forge involves heat, putting on a pair of khaki pants and a short-sleeved button-up, and then stops off at an Ellipsabucks on the way there.

He gets a sweet coffee drink for himself - everyone can blame Galliard for getting him introduced to the stuff - but for Jean, he opts to get him a big 'green' iced tea that has a flavor - dragonfruit - added and some kind of jelly (passionfruit). He laughs when he realizes the jelly looks like frog eggs.

So when he arrives and greets Jean, he grins meanly. ]

I got you a frog egg tea.

[Jean stares at him. Then at the drink. It does look like frog eggs. Especially with the otherwise green drink.]

I'm not sure if I should take that seriously or not. It could be either.

[Considering all the madness Ellipsa had to offer.]

Jean, if I was going to feed you frog eggs, would I tell you I was going to do it?

[ He just holds Jean's gaze for a moment before laughing and holding out the drink again. ]

It's something called passionfruit jelly! And green tea with dragonfruit, which I've tried.

Fair point.

[Jean agrees with a grin before taking the drink. He gives it a taste test.]

Mmh... this is really refreshing. Just what I needed, honestly.

[ Marco takes a sip of his own drink - it's a pumpkin spice iced mocha, and yes, it has extra syrup - and grins. ]

Good! I figured you're more of a tea than coffee person. And honestly, tea doesn't seem to go wrong with fruit.

[ He steps into the forge a little. ]

This is gonna be like the two handed sword you were having me practice with, yeah?

[Jean looks amused.]

Don't tell Captain Levi, but I've actually become more of a coffee person. But I like both drinks a lot, so this works well.

[Generally, Jean isn't very picky about things, unless they included a lot of mayo (looking at you, Hijikata).]

Yeah, I made a point to make it as similar as possible, since you're starting to get used to the practice one. Of course, it's going to be sturdier and better quality.

Ooh, now we're keeping secrets from Captain Levi.

[ But he's teasing all the same. He comes as close as he dares - he's not a Summer, after all, although his Autumn powers are starting to become easier to control, and activate faster to his call now. ]

Mmm. Have you thought of a design for it then, or are you still winging it?

I've had a few ideas, but I wanted to have your input on it.

[He gestures to the papers on a table, further away from the forge fire.]

You don't need to have ideas right away. The finer details can be made later on.

[ Marco wanders over to the table, looking through the papers. They seem to be various styles for the crossguard, grip, and pommel of the sword, some of which may dictate the eventual width of it.

He spends his time looking over them as he works, before he picks a fairly simple design. ]

Mmm, this one? I think this is the one I like the best out of these sketches.

I know what you mean. It's not as though nothing bad ever happens here, but it's so tame in comparison. I think any one of us would be crazy to want to leave.

Still, it's hard to believe that it's all real. Honestly, it keeps me awake at night sometimes.

If I'm honest with you, Marco, the idea of having to go back home one day...Well, the longer I'm here, the scarier that gets.

[Maybe not something he'd admit to anyone, but he trusts Marco to keep it between them.]

It feels like a dream, sometimes. Then it's hard not to wonder when you'll wake up, and how cruel it will feel to have dreamed of a place like this at all.

[ He's been there, Armin. The other boy is also right; Marco won't mention this to anyone else. ]

When I first arrived here... I knew I wouldn't be able to go back. I was already dead. But I thought, surely my friends that are here will go back eventually. I told Jean I was proud of what he'd done in the Survey Corps.

The more I learn about what happens in our future though, and the more I learn here... I don't want any of you to return, selfishly. It sounds cruel and painful, more than I ever thought it would be. I suppose that's cowardly of me to admit but it's the truth.

Other things, too. Did you know in most other worlds, they don't let people become soldiers until they are at least eighteen?

I didn't even make it to eighteen, Armin.

[Marco's words are a knife in Armin's gut "I didn't even make it to eighteen". And there they were, twelve years old, learning how to slay monsters - dying in training, even, for some of them.]

Out of all the worlds I've learned about, ours might be the cruelest.

[He considers not continuing after that, but...]

The way things are now...back home, I mean...

It's more terrible than you could possibly imagine, Marco. It's more terrible than any of us could.

[With Eren at the helm. Armin feels sick.]

I honestly don't talk about this with anyone. I can't bear too. All these months, I've tried to forget as best I can, to enjoy my time here, but it's impossible.

I haven't been sleeping. Not really. Even here, it feels like all I'm doing is surviving because I have no choice.

[Once the honesty starts, it doesn't stop, apparently. Armin forces himself to bite his tongue.]

I'm sorry. That's a lot to spring on you without warning.

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text; un: jean | before brainblast arc

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