ONE | VIDEO.

[soldiarity]

[ The screen illuminates what is either a normal-sized man or a decently large teenage boy, his expression serious, brows knit low over his blue eyes. They are a bit shadowed in a way usually indicative of poor sleep, though he otherwise looks very healthy, if not a bit sun-ravaged if the red stripes of skin across his nose and forehead are any indication. ]

Hi.

[ He blinks, then lifts an arm to wave a little uncomfortably to the camera. He's very clearly unused to this kind of thing, and has to keep redirecting himself to look at the place where the camera is. ]

Listen, sorry if I ask any stupid questions, I'm still working this thing out. My name's Reiner, I know a bunch of you already, I think -- if I have it right about how this works. I still need more practice. [ Which draws out a sheepish but affable grin from him briefly, and an accompanying hand gesture that indicates that's part of what he's doing right now. ] So, I've been sort of curious about... ah. Motivation, I guess is what you'd call it. What's inspiring you? Everyone has something, like a person or a goal. What do you do, if it's not here?

You don't have to say it if it's personal or anything, I'm just wondering. It seems like it'd be harder.

[ He pauses, as if trying to remember if there was anything else -- then he snaps his fingers. ]

Oh yeah, one more thing. If a guy like this shows up-- [ He holds a hastily done drawing up. ] And if anyone runs into him before I do, can you make sure he doesn't dehydrate and pass out like an idiot?

Thanks. I'm done now.

Comments

video.

[isaytheeneigh]

Does dehydration affect you that much?

[... It seems like a good question.]

[soldiarity]

More quickly, if you sweat a lot.

video.

[darkspider]

It isn't here. That's all that matters.

[That's to the first question.]

Why aren't you sleeping?

[soldiarity]

What do you do about that?

[ He pauses, and shrugs. ]

Don't worry about it.

[lyingheart]

It generally helps when people have a name to attach to a face.

[soldiarity]

Ah, shit... all that and I still messed it up. Well, he'll be pretty hard to miss if he does turn up. That should help.

[darkspider]

[While Kaine had no way of knowing if her text post belonged to her, seeing her here responding to this means she got out all right.

Well, confirmation.]

Good. You're alive.

[Not "you know this guy" or anything like that. Screw that.]

permavid

[demonspawn]

It's not like I can just give up, roll over, and die. So.

[soldiarity]

I wouldn't recommend it, no. What do you do instead, though? How'd you decide?

video.

[youbastard]

[Ellie offers him her best attempt at comforting smile because wow this guy is awkward.]

You could try finding something new. Or just keep focusing on the hope that you'll go back home sometime and then you can return to that goal.

[soldiarity]

[ He smiles back a little tensely, though it's somehow warm regardless. ]

Yeah, you're right. There's enough going on to keep someone pretty busy here in the meantime if they needed that. [ He pauses. ] Do you think that'll happen? We'll go back?

[Video]

[bullysandwicher]

Well, Shin-senpai would be it, but he isn't here. For now, wanting to return is my motivation.

Also, that's a really crappy drawing. [ aka, No1 has no idea who that is supposed to be ]

[soldiarity]

That sounds like a pain in the ass. It's hard, huh? That importance doesn't just go away because you're in a different place.

[ A pause, then: ]

Well, I'm not really an artist. I did my best.

[Video]

[5thchild]

There is someone I live for. Everything I do, it's for him.

[soldiarity]

[ He's quiet for a moment before responding. ]

Who is he?

video

[real_archer]

[Artemis tilts her head to one side to get a better look at the picture.]

Is he... melting?

[soldiarity]

Jeez, is it really that bad? [ He sounds more amused than offended. ] It's sweat. You know, because it's really hot.

oops, video

[hackitude]

Cute drawing! Question: is your friend really sweaty, or are you just taking artistic license?

[soldiarity]

[ With a faint smirk: ]

Not all the time he's not, but -- if he's nervous and hot at the same time, I thought it'd be more recognizable like this.

video | well i had to

[corviform]

[ Gil's in his own apartment back in Maurtia Falls. There's not much to be seen except white painted pantries and steam rising from a corner, the sound of hot water bubbling in a pot. ]

Who is that?

[ If he didn't know any better, he would say that drawing... looked like... ]

well of COURSE

[soldiarity]

[ He blinks. Huh, that is a bit uncanny, isn't it...? Reiner rubs the back of his neck with his hand. ]

My best friend, Bertholdt. It's not very good, I know.

video

[khajidont]

Hey, you figured it out! Nice!

[Well done, Reiner. You didn't break the thing.]

But you might want to give us a verbal description of your friend? No offense, but I don't think drawing is your true calling.

[soldiarity]

Yeah, mostly thanks to you. I still appreciate the help, I doubt I'd have figured out all this on my own.

[ He exhales a mild chuckle. ]

Nah, I guess not. Uh, he's got dark hair and he's taller than me by a couple inches -- skinnier, though. His name is Bertholdt, if that helps.

audio.

[notdaredevil]

I was a lawyer. Still am. The law is the law, and I swore to uphold it. Even here.

[soldiarity]

Not every place upholds the same kind of laws. [ He pauses. ] You believe in it that much?

text :

[alofts]

Reiner.

[ It's a text message but the name Levi blinks in the space marked sender like some terrible portent. ]

What about Annie? Does Annie get dehydrated easily?

[soldiarity]

[ Hnnnnngh. Hngh. He just stares at the message for a long time before slowly typing out a response. ]

Anyone could with heat like that. How am I supposed to know, she's not my girlfriend.

video.

[andallbite]

—Reiner?

[ Speaking of people who are new to using these things... It's far too obvious Eren is, if the way he's holding his own device at a poor angle is anything to go by—but if nothing else, he looks pretty pleased to see Reiner once he manages to recognize who it is on the other end. ]

A drawing like that's the best you can do?

[ He's joking, mostly. But still, that doodle bro.... ]

[soldiarity]

[ Oh. Hi Eren. Reiner stares in mild surprise, though he manages to keep it brief. ]

Hey, Eren. It's great to see you! [ His smile is delayed, but quite natural once it's there. ] Come on... you don't think it looks just like him?