VOICE.

[barebacking]

An odd question, I am sure, but I wonder...

I thought of the ghosts and the waters, and the idea that death could be just around the corner. That is that those of us that are just about to slip into that darkness may one day wake up to be choking on our own blood.

Forgive me for such a ... unfortunate image, but my point is ... how many of you have someone who you are close to? How many can say that you have met someone who makes your life worth it all, even if death may be so close? Even if this may all just be a dream?

This need not be romantic, I suppose, but friendship as well.

After all, sometimes it is friendship that can save a life, too, right?

Comments

[strategisch]

I'm glad, Lieutenant Yaha.

May I ask, normally, what troops do you order?

[barebacking]

Of course, you may.

I command those assigned to the district known as the District of Precious Light. We are all under the title of Knights of the Seal. I command ... those that many would call monsters, as well. But they are not. They merely wish to live in our world and their habitats, for lack of a better term, were being taken over by humanity.

Naturally, they lashed out, but I was able to convince them that time would be better spent working with us to better the world for everyone than watching us all die and leave nothing to no one.

[strategisch]

Humanity... Taking over monsters?

[The thought seems to take him by surprise.]

But you say that they're sentient, if you're able to reason with them.

[barebacking]

Yes, I was able to reason with them.

But that is only because I knew the language of monsters. [ His shoulders shrug and he wonders if it is felt in the pause before he speaks again. ] There are few that learned human speech, but some did not.

[strategisch]

...You call them monsters, but did they really pose a threat to humanity? From a distance, they simply sound different.

[barebacking]

I call them monsters because that is what humans call them. I am certain there are those that call me a monster because I also am not human.

And you are right, Armin. They are different. They only wanted their land to remain their own. Or at the very least, let them hunt in the same area. But people see them and attack... this happened enough years that when these creatures saw humans, they would attack first rather than be taken. And so they are thought of as the aggressors rather than what they are. Sad really...

[strategisch]

You aren't human?

[That question comes first, before anything else.]

[barebacking]

[ For a moment, just a moment, Yaha feels bad about twisting the truth of the situation that he has painted. To make himself sound more sympathetic.

But the moment passes easily enough. ]

No, I am not human. Does that frighten you?

[strategisch]

...It makes me curious. From first impressions you seem perfectly sensible and harmless. Your world's definition of a monster seems much different than mine own, so I'm not as ready to judge you.

What are you, if you aren't a human?

[barebacking]

Thank you kindly.

I am an elf. Do you have elves or know of that word in your world?

[strategisch]

No. I've never heard that word before.

[barebacking]

I see.

Well, what it is, what I am... I look for all intensive purposes as a human, but my ears are pointed. This may seem like such a little thing, but in my world, it was quite a large difference. Not to mention the abilities I have over humans... magic, for one. All creatures in my world can use magic, but elves were especially good at it.

[strategisch]

I don't know what "magic" is supposed to entail, but pointed ears? If that is all that's different about you, and you're somehow mistreated for it, someone is being ridiculous.

[barebacking]

I certainly thought so, too.

It's nice to know I was not wrong in my thoughts. How funny that must sound, a lieutenant talking on how they worry about something so ... trivial.

[strategisch]

Well, it must be something significant if it troubles you so much. Even if it doesn't make sense...

[There just aren't enough people left in the world for anyone to afford to be racist where he's from.]

[barebacking]

Your world sounds sweet if you do not understand.

[strategisch]

I wouldn't call it sweet. We have other troubles to contend with.

[barebacking]

Oh?

Do you wish to talk about them?

[strategisch]

...I don't see why not. It's been odd, living life without speaking of or worrying about Titans every day.

[barebacking]

Titans?

Are they like ogres? Or are they more like cyclops?

Though... cyclops were manufactured by the Empire so there are no more of them. But they were quite large, as I am assuming Titans are from their name. Dwarfed dragons...

[strategisch]

I don't know what those are. [Although he has recently met a dragon!] Titans are humanoid creatures that can vary greatly in size, anywhere from 3 meters to 15 meters tall, but I'd say around 8 is the norm. They're completely mindless beasts, incapable of communication or even animalistic empathy... Their only goal in existing is eating humans.

This in itself wouldn't be problematic if it weren't for their incomprehensible numbers and near-invincible regenerative capabilities. Cannon shot can only slow a Titan, even if their heads are blown off. The way they are killed, what I was trained in, is very specific and very dangerous. And so, humanity's recovery is very slow.

[barebacking]

How odd. They sound like a mixture of ogres and cyclops... at least, in height. To think they come so different, that is strange. Especially with their capabilities.

It does sound like the recovery would be very slow, and you say that you are part of the scouting? My... yes, I was right to call you a knight.

[strategisch]

"Scouting" is a slight misnomer... There are three branches of the military where I am from. The Military Police govern the people and hold the kings peace, the Wall Garrison guard the walls and the people from Titan invasion, and the Scouting Legion go into Titan territory to try and reclaim land for humanity.

It's not as though we're going in blind, but some would say it's just as dangerous.

[barebacking]

And you do this because it is your duty? Because you wish to do this for humanity? I believe that is quite marvelous. It is nice to know that the ways of the knights are in other worlds, even though the situations are different.

What I mean is that it is nice to know that there are always going to be good men in every world that will do what is right, even if it may be dangerous.

[strategisch]

...Ever since I was a child, I've wanted to see the outside world. Beyond the walls, where humanity has not tread for a hundred years. The deserts of endless firey sand, the lights that dance in the northern sky, the vast ocean... I want to see it all, with my friends at my side. That is where it began.