middaeg | Aguril catchall

[Just wait. People also died in training...Their instructor cut the ropes to test reaction times. But Mikasa doesn't mention that, because what happened with the others? Well, she couldn't be sure.

So she shrugs. Thinking of her answer for a bit.

Because those that didn't join at all. They were considered a coward. It was funny in a way, those that joined were considered crazy if they wanted to fight the titans. It seemed like the only approved reason for joining the military was to gain one of those coveted top ten spots, a chance to move further within the walls. The garrison, fixing and watching the walls was an acceptable compromise. Joining the scouts had been considered suicide.

Drop-outs. Well, it was better to have not met the standards than not tried at all.

But none of that answered what happened with them.]

...I guess they'd just keep scraping by. Like I did before I joined. We only got food if there was spare. And before that, when there was more people... The govement ordered anyone old enough to serve to go outside the walls to deal with the food shortage.

[That's finished with a sigh. Her eyes sliding shut. Yeah, she'd been able to detach from the horror of reclamation effort all those months ago but... It was bad. She'd known it had been. But talking to all these people really made it apparant. They'd just sent a quartar of million people out to die.]

[ Everything about her world is hard to imagine, and even if kids are used as part of the labor force here, it's not the same as intentionally putting them at risk during training, and it's not sending them off to a likely death.

But he also wasn't the one that had to live in this world either, and as he asks his questions he starts to notice her reactions. It's not like Mikasa is telling him outright she doesn't want to talk about this subject, but the way she sighs and closes her eyes makes him feel like maybe this isn't something she wants to be reminded deeply of.

He's not sure he would want to be if he was her.

So he sighs himself as he looks around, trying to think of how to change the topic. ]

Mm, but the food situation here isn't that bad, and even if there are things that need fighting there are lots of adults to do it...

[ He trails off and pauses for a moment, taking another look around at the smattering of workers that are visible from where they are now. Not all of them are children. In fact, it's safe to say that there's a pretty wide range of ages working out here. Still, it doesn't sit well with him. ]

So why are so may kids running around working?

[If he was to press, her reason for not talking was that she simply didn't know. That her thoughts of the possibilities were probably worse than what actually happened to these kids.

But the mention of the native kids makes her look at them. Though the mention of the food does get a gruff noise from her.]

It's not that bad in this part of the city... [Those poor slum people, but technically they weren't in the city were they?]

They probably just need the money. [It's a blunt, simple answer. But normally simple was right.]

[ Sougo hums in acknowledgement at her correction. It's a decent point, and one that his world does still contend with as well. After all, even if not everyone is in dire straits the world over, it doesn't mean it's a perfect place for all.

Like the kids, apparently, who are already having to earn their living at a bizarrely you age. ]

I guess... Do you think they don't have anyone to take care of them?

[ He was "lucky" in that he had his uncle when his parents passed away, but even if he hadn't he'd expect some organization to take the kids under their protection, feed them, provide for them... Not to force them to work. ]

[That's something the fae couldn't answer, even after looking over at the kids. Eyes roaming over them. Taking in the stare of their clothes, the dirty faces. It gets a small hum, if they had parents then those holey clothes would have gotten some form of repair right? Unless they didn't even have thread.]

Maybe, maybe their families are just poor. [But that was a lot of destitute families for there to be so many children.

But before they have much time to think about it. There was a loud slam of a door opening and shutting, a man. A well-dressed man, who stood out so much next to the barefooted children with their torn clothes. Was storming out and over. The effect was immediate, the children pausing their play, all turning they're heads to look at the man. Some dodging back and keeping their distance as he marched over.

Whatever he said was too quiet for the mirrorbound to hear, but it made some of the children take another step back, and the fae to take a step forward. Her wings almost hitting the witch as they started to unfurl.]

[ The situation must be pretty dire if their family isn't able to watch after these children, clothe them in anything that isn't full of holes, and can't send them off to school. It's not impossible though, and Sougo nods thoughtfully in response before the well-dressed man steps out.

Everything seems to happen quickly from there, and it's only by luck that Sougo sees the wings move in the corner of his eye to quickly move back, then step around them while he puts a friendly looking smile on his face.

He doesn't know what happened just now, but he doesn't like it any more than Mikasa does. Still, the fae's mood changed fast in that instant and Sougo's going to try to play damage control while he assesses this situation.

It's why he calls out to the man, even giving a little wave to get his attention. ]

Hello!

[ The friendliness that Sougo is displaying doesn't look like it's about to be returned by the man, who already doesn't look like he's in the best mood. ]

[Those wings.. The fae wasn't the biggest thing around here. But she was a lot bigger than most fae. Not that she was doing much at the moment, standing there. Watching... Looming. Working out if she needed to act or her instincts were setting off a false alarm.

The man. He hardly looked at the mirrorbound, giving them a small sneer as he moved. Paying them no mind as he got closer to the children. Asking what they were doing, almost quietly. That dangerous calm tone that said he already knew. Raising his voice when one of the children attempted to speak up. Asking who pays for their meals and shelter.]

[ Yes, this is certainly not sitting well for Sougo at all, and the muscles in his neck tighten even as he keeps a natural looking friendly smile on his face. He's pretty comfortable sliding himself between the man and at least several of the children, coming into his personal space.

He can't threaten the kids if Sougo is too busy taking up his time. ]

Hi there! I'm not sure if you heard me!

[ Sougo looks pleasant enough, but the man does not look happy about this situation at all. ]

[Bless Sougo. Because Mikasa wasn't managing anything remotely resembling a smile. One was hard for her at the best of times and she really wasn't trying at the moment. If anything, she was purposefully scowling.

Not that it mattered. Because the man's face remained twisted in a snarl as he looked at the mirrorbound. The lines on his face deepening as he look at both their faces. When they don't shift, he waves a dismissive hand at them. Then after a whole two seconds of them clearly not moving. He's tutting under is breath as he takes just one step closer.]

If you're looking for work, you can clear off. I have enough layabouts as it is. Off with you.

[And they're getting another wave of the hand as the children wilt and slowly drifted back to the factory. The fae moving to join them, or attempting to. She's just checking they okay.

Only for the owner to turn again.]

[ With Mikasa moving to check on the children, Sougo is fast to try to distract the owner. He's a pretty competent liar, and excellent at omitting the full truth, so it's a small matter for him to grab the owner's wrist and try to spin the man back around to face him.

It's actually an easier matter than it looks like it should be for Sougo, and considering how rude he's being it's amazing he still looks so friendly as the disgruntled man sputters in his face. ]

Ah, actually I wasn't looking for work! It's just I've never been to this area before, so I'm trying to figure my way around. You seem like you know your way around here well, so I thought you might be able to help me!

[ He's rambling right now, but he's doing it to distract this man so Mikasa has more than enough time to check and see if the kids are okay. He's already decided he's not likely to get a lot from the man himself if he asks about his treatment of the children considering his contemptuous response to a total stranger. ]

[Sneaky sneaky... Except Mikasa was legit just walking over to them. Kneeling to get a better look once she was close enough, some pausing, eyeing the fae. Were they in trouble with her? They just didn't know.

But Sougo was somehow managing to keep the guy's attention. Partly because this dude was just that angry, inhaling a sharp breath. Scowling as his face reddened with irritation as he puffed up. Like Sougo should already know. How dare he ask. He didn't respond at first, giving a splutter as he spat. Bringing a hand up to POINT!! At Sougo's chest.]

Do I look like I have the time for that? Look- [He waved a hand behind him, at the children. Some of which, the braver ones or the ones too upset to be afraid edged their way closer to the fae.] at what I have to deal with. Why should I wast my time with you?

[And yet, here he was. Yelling at Sougo while a fae...absconded with one of his workers. A small boy who'd been sniffling, the fae had originally just hugged him. But then didn't let go. Then there's that loud, droning buzz as her wings kick into gear and she's flitting up onto an overhang.

That got the man's attention. As he pun around, ]

You lot! Get inside, and you, what are you doing?

[The fae kept her back to him, hiding that she was hug-carring one of his workers in front of her.]

[ Having been facing towards the children to witness the whole events, Sougo sees Mikasa abduct the child, but does a pretty good job of keeping that fact off of his face. He doesn't really know what his fae friend plans to do with the kid after she spirits him away, but he knows at least the kid is in better hands than with this man.

He doesn't really like leaving the kids with this tyrant either, but he's not sure there's much he can do at this exact moment. He will be back to investigate the situation later, however. Yelling at the children is bad enough, but he's absolutely not going to stand back if he sees anything else go on.

For now he smacks the man just a little too hard on the shoulder in a "friendly" gesture, and laughs easily. ]

They were probably just surprised because I was making a scene, right?

[ He uses his free hand to wave at the kids. ]

There's nothing going on though, you guys don't have to loiter around.

[ And he keeps his hand on the man's shoulder, fingers curled around it in a little too tight a grip to be comfortable as the children scurry off, waiting for the last of them to get inside before he finally lets go, stepping back quickly from the already fuming man. ]

Since you're so busy I won't waste any more of your time!

[ He's got to figure out where Mikasa will be heading with that boy in tow. ]

[That made multiple people. Because despite it being her own actions, Mikasa would not know what to do with the child either. But in the moment, taking the sniffling boy and protecting him, hiding him away just felt right. Children shouldn't be afraid. Not like she had been all those years ago. She wouldn't let them suffer like she had.

The other children though. They looked at Sougo like he had two heads. Not quite catching on, but a few scurried off before the man's ire could return to them. The others quickly following.

The man, well he was so red he might of exploded. Muttering but unable to get his words out to voice his irritation. Though there was the normal displeasure, the complaint of them taking over the Haven. Wrenching himself away from Sougo like he'd been scalded, the nerve.

But hey, Mikasa had made her escape. New son in tow, cradled in her arms as she quickly scurried away and out of the courtyard of the factory. Unnoticed by the owner who was too busy storming away, herding his charges back in. The missing boy...probably wouldn't be noticed for a bit. Not with so many heads to count.

She didn't get far. Her own puzzlement over the kidnapping making her still on a side road less than five minutes away. Only one wall between them and the building the owner had entered. The boy still held in her arms and clinging to her neck. Apparently, the strange fae was preferable to going back. ]

[ Five minutes is more than enough time for Sougo to process the information he'd gleaned from that small, unpleasant interaction with the man as he jogs away from the factory.

The children looked like they were probably a mix of Monsters and Witches, and the man seemed to have little favoring of one over the other, so that likely wasn't the issue here. They didn't look very well off, however, and Sougo wondered if their parents knew how they were being treated.

If they were still around at all.

It was a sad thought, but hadn't he just recently established that he and Mikasa shared that particular boat. It wasn't too uncommon of a sad personal history, and he couldn't imagine most parents would allow their kids to work for a man like that knowingly.

Something deeply wrong is going on at that factory though, and Sougo isn't certain it's just the one either, though he doesn't know what to do about it, or how well known it is to the natives of this world.

His pondering about all of this is brought up short as he finally stumbles across Mikasa and her new ward by the side of the road. His jogging slows to a walk as he comes closer. ]

Is he okay?

[Mikasa was still just holding the boy. Staring at the top of his head, giving a little bump in her arms, that is what you did with small children right? That's what she'd seen mothers do with their babies.

Her gaze shifted from the boy to Sougo. Giving him a hesitant blink, unsure. The boy didn't seem hurt exactly. Just scared and what been crying, that and the fact the boy was still clinging to her made it hard to say he was fine. But after a few seconds she looked back to the boy.]

I don't know... [Then back to Sougo.] I'm not sure what to do with him.

[and with that comment, the boy's shoulders hitched. Tightening his grasp on the fae.]

[ Sougo isn't sure either. He's always been around people either older than him or his own age, so he's no expert on child care himself. It seems like she's doing find holding the kid, and the way he's grabbing onto her seems to indicate he feels protected by her.

But they can't really abduct the child for good. He doesn't want to take him back to the warehouse the other kids had to run back in, though he's also worried what happens if the man notices he's missing.

Hopefully the lack of care the man seemed to show for the kids extends to not being able to recognize if one is gone. ]

We should probably find out if he has family to get back to, right?

[She'd helped at Historia's orphanage. That was the extent of her knowledge of childcare really. Doing chores while the kids shied away from her. They'd been fine jumping and pulling the others' hair but had stayed away from her for some reason.

Mikasa hadn't grown up with other kids around to know how to handle younger kids. She was just holding this one, letting him hang on.]

Yeah... [And she dipped her head slightly, chin brushing the boy's hair as she tried to look at his face. Try was the keyword, if Mikasa's neck hadn't been covered in that hardened chitin he might have been strangling her with how hard he was clinging. Then she looked back to Sougo, help, please...]

[ They're just two young adults with no real child rearing skills, suddenly responsible for this child that one of them stole. There is absolutely nothing that could go wrong in this situation right now.

Sougo will give it his best though, moving to crouch down in front of Mikasa, and place a hand very lightly on top of the boy's head. ]

Hey, you don't have to worry about anything. You're back on the ground and safe now.

Aguril catchall

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