Canon Update & Catch-All

[overworker]

Who: Towa Herschel and YOU
When: January 4th, and throughout the month
Where: Mirror House, Aefenglom and Dorchacht
What: Towa's canon update takes place and she tries her best to move forward following.
Warnings: Major spoilers from Trail of Cold Steel 3 up to and including the ending especially for the first prompt, but they may come up in the latter two as well. Mentions of death and generally dark themes of betrayal, political unrest, and supernatural disaster.

I. Mirror House

[Towa had not returned to the Mirror House in quite some time, but for some reason, today she felt she simply had to go. All other plans were put off that morning so that she could return not only to the house, but to the specific mirror that she knows is her own.

Hesitantly, her fingers grace the surface of the mirror.

Months pass in her mind, but in reality, it only takes a few minutes for the mirror to impart the knowledge to her in vivid detail. Her eyes widen, a far-away glazed look in them. And when it all sinks in, the strength in her legs gives way and she drops to the floor before the mirror.

A pained wail comes out of her mouth; tears staining her cheeks. For a few moments she truly allows herself to feel the full impact of her sorrows. Of course-- she allows herself this under the impression that there's no one to see her break. But it's not as though she has the proper presence of mind to be entirely sure that that's truly the case.]

II. Aefenglom

[If it weren't for the puffy look in her eyes, one might not think anything was different than normal. She goes to a local cafe to eat-- but at one point, accidentally drops her cup; trying to pick up the pieces and cutting her hand in the process.

Or you may find her missing her step off of a curb, or tripping for not stepping high enough.

Whatever scene you find her in, it's clear that her mind is elsewhere and she's allowing it to get the better of her.]

Oh-- I'm so sorry, I can't believe I'm so clumsy...

[She's fine. Or probably will be.]

III. Dorchacht

[With the heavy weight on her mind of everything happening, Towa's ultimate goal is to stay busy. Stay strong. If not for herself, then for the sake of the others who would rely on her. That's the best thing she can do for herself right now. Not let them down.

One thing she wanted to do was verify the changes in Dorchacht. While she was skeptical that so much could have happened in such a short time when they'd struggled to make even the smallest of impacts, she would like to believe the good news. It would be nice if there was something good to celebrate.

There are others who've likely had the same idea. Seeing a face that she might recognize as one of Aefenglom's mirrorbound, she smiles weakly in greeting.]

I guess I'm not the only one who wanted to see how things were going.

IV. Wildcard

[Anything else, discussed or otherwise!]

Comments

[overworker]

[Towa had been so focused on trying to clean up her own mess that she hadn't recognized Eren until he'd swooped in to assist her.

Familiar with his love for sharp things, having heard as much from Elliot during the raging snow storm last month that trapped them all inside for a while, she thinks at first that maybe that was his intent from the start. Not that the glass is hers to give him though. It only takes a bit of shaking to get her to drop the piece.

But when he hands her a napkin, she blinks and looks at it for a moment before she realizes why. Her hand-- there's a definite stinging pain to it, but one that had been easy enough to ignore when she was trying to focus on the clean up. She hadn't realized it was as bad as it was. Quickly, she presses the napkin to the cut, wincing a bit.]

Th-thank you... [She feels bad for making him do the work. Hopefully he'll at least be able to keep the pieces that were clean. She intended to pay for the cup anyway.]

[usurpers]

[ ummm if eren is taking the cup and putting it in his poncho pocket, blood and all (look at him go), that means he’s paying for it. a goldfinch harpy waitress comes along to take over the mess, fussing it’s fine! it’s fine, dears! until eren finishes scooping up the remains and offers a few coins to her that should cover the glass. and a new cup of coffee.

the harpy chirps once she’s soaked up the mess left splattered, bowing her head with thanks and ushering the extra change back to the register. in the mean time, eren. tries not to look at the witch’s hand, even though when his tongue flicks, it just goes in. that direction. frequency rises in it, but eren— breathes, with a hand on her back and talons brushing her arm, he gestures for her to rise. ]

She’s bringing another one to you. [ he says as he watches the harpy fix up a new one behind the counter. ] Sit back until then. You look like hell.

[overworker]

[The will she'd normally have to fight that just isn't with her today. Her mouth opens to say something, but before she can find her voice it's already been done so all she can do is close it again. At least she can be glad that the waitress doesn't seem upset at all over the loss of the cup.

With his guidance, she stands, only to heed his advice and return to her chair.

The harsh reality is that he's completely right. Whether she can see it or not, she knows he's right. Because she can feel it inside of herself.]

Thank you.

[She knows she sounds like a broken record, but it bears repeating. That, and it takes her a few moments to come up with something a bit more intelligent.]

I've... had better days, yeah. I... feel like hell.

[Gehenna might as well soon swallow her and her entire country up-- if not the whole continent. It seems appropriate, in a sad way.]

[usurpers]

[ eren isn’t in much place to pry— but he could round up facts he already had and commiserate, in a way. as soon as she sits, he slips into the seat opposite of her and— there’s the waitress, leaving the new cup, full, and with little cookies as a side dish. ]

Elliot, too. [ she. probably already knew that. ] The month hasn’t even started and feels long already.

[ but— that’s just how things are sometimes, and no amount of dwelling would change or help it. still— it’s a superhuman ability to get past those bumps with ease. sometimes people just have their days, eren included. he hasn’t even felt the bulk of reality setting on him. part of his return home, and what it would become from now on, felt like a dream at his door that couldn’t take form yet. a lot to take in at once.

she might remember the scarf she’d let him borrow that day, what’s carefully folding and slid across the table to her. the package is still in his lap, and the gifted scarf around his neck. ]

I didn’t have the chance to give it back to you before— or thank you for this.

[ he pinches his scarf between talons, to gesture. ]

[overworker]

[Towa thanks her, taking one of the cookies to idly nibble on instead of going straight to the tea. The sweet taste is a small comfort that doesn't quite measure up to everything going on, but is taken anyway.]

What we witnessed was a little different... we were in different places when things really started to get bad, but-- yeah.

[She nods her head, agreeing. Although the information came quickly, it covered a large span of time and left her feeling much older as a result.]

--oh! That's not necessary. It wasn't much but, I had hoped you'd like it.

[It looks good on him, she thinks. And if it keeps him a little bit warmer as well, then that's even better.]

[usurpers]

[ tell him about it his hair grew out from four years in .5 seconds and 40+ years of depression was rough. ]

It is on my watch. [ necessary thank yous, he means. he’ll give them out as he so pleases, and will be rather bullheaded about it otherwise. now, the actual packaging. that’s what’s being taken now, from his lap, and placed in the middle of the table. ]

This is your’s now, too.

[overworker]

[Well she can't argue with that. If it were her, she'd be exactly the same way about ensuring she properly thanked him so. Towa won't deny him that. But the package-- It brings the closest thing to a real smile she's managed since she'd learned the fate of her world. It was unexpected (but then, she never expects anything in return), but that just makes it all the sweeter.]

Aww... that's... thank you! That's very sweet.

[usurpers]

[ he moves his head, that could either be confused for a nod or a gesture for her to continue. inside the box, when unraveled, would be gloves— fireproof and probably made for an oven, or at least work that required close proximity with fire power. they’re lined with his scales, where stress and vulnerable points are concerned. ]

It’s nothing compared to what you keep giving me.

[ stop being sweet yourself!!!!!!! ]

[overworker]

[Towa very carefully unwraps the box and picks the gloves out gently into her hands. She turns them in her hands with a smile, without a doubt recognizing the effort that went into them as well as the protection that comes from his scales. It's a valuable, as well as a very thoughtful-- and useful gift.]

Not at all-- I love them. Thank you very much! I'll take very good care of them.

[No, that's not how this works Eren-- now that you've given her a gift, the cycle just continues with renewed vigor!!! Friendship!!!!!]