Hange Zoe (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
titanscience) wrote2023-05-06 02:34 pm
titanscience) wrote2023-05-06 02:34 pm
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un: hange
It's Hange! Leave a message!
Voice | Video | Text | ErenMail | Action
un: hange
It's Hange! Leave a message!
[ It's the next morning after their long talk at the bar -- not quite early morning, considering Levi had to stop elsewhere first. ]
[ But it's still early enough to be a nuisance -- who sleeps, anyway? -- when he's doing that telltale knock-tap pattern on Hange's door again. ]
[ But it's still early enough to be a nuisance -- who sleeps, anyway? -- when he's doing that telltale knock-tap pattern on Hange's door again. ]
[Jokes on you mister, you think Hange is sleeping when they are going to kickstart operation: titan fireballs later that day? It doesn't take long for the door to open, and Hange already knows who it is.]
I wasn't expecting you until later..
[Hange steps aside, giving him room to enter the apartment.]
I wasn't expecting you until later..
[Hange steps aside, giving him room to enter the apartment.]
[ Of course they're up. Hange may not be quite as terrible of an insomniac as Levi is, but they've pulled enough all-nighters together after losing Erwin that he should have learned to expect this. ]
[ He stands there for a moment, hand still in the air as he contemplates all this, then he hastily limps inside, staring at the carpet. Then he stops, turns, and looks Hange in the face with... some sort of emotion in his eye. Urgency? Relief? Jitters? ]
...You can stay.
[ No context, no lead-up. Hopefully they can make an educated guess which exact part of yesterday's conversation he's choosing to continue here. ]
[ He stands there for a moment, hand still in the air as he contemplates all this, then he hastily limps inside, staring at the carpet. Then he stops, turns, and looks Hange in the face with... some sort of emotion in his eye. Urgency? Relief? Jitters? ]
...You can stay.
[ No context, no lead-up. Hopefully they can make an educated guess which exact part of yesterday's conversation he's choosing to continue here. ]
[Hange closes the door and follows behind him, mentioning something about the weather being in their favour today, but comes to a stop once he turns to face them.]
Stay? Stay where?
[Unfortunately in this case a little more context is needed.]
Stay? Stay where?
[Unfortunately in this case a little more context is needed.]
[ He frowns, trying to will them to read his mind for a few moments, but finally accepts that he'll have to talk after all. So much for interpretation. ]
Here. You don't have to be sent back. [ He pauses, as if considering his next words. ] I spoke to the asshole who brought us here. You'll have a choice... You can stay. Live out your life.
[ The "speaking" may have involved some thinly veiled threats, but he just had to be sure his agenda was considered. ]
[ Don't say he never does anything for you, four-eyes. ]
Here. You don't have to be sent back. [ He pauses, as if considering his next words. ] I spoke to the asshole who brought us here. You'll have a choice... You can stay. Live out your life.
[ The "speaking" may have involved some thinly veiled threats, but he just had to be sure his agenda was considered. ]
[ Don't say he never does anything for you, four-eyes. ]
Huh?
[Were they hearing that right? Levi went to talk to that guy, and said they could just... stay? As in.. this world? Not this apartment, which is what Hange thought he was weirdly referring to at first.]
Levi, what do you mean I can stay. Just... stay? Can't everybody do that, until this world is saved?
[The distance is closed between them now ands Hange is waiting, waiting for him to explain it better because it almost sounds like he is saying they can just stay and choose not to go back to the nothingness that awaits.]
[Were they hearing that right? Levi went to talk to that guy, and said they could just... stay? As in.. this world? Not this apartment, which is what Hange thought he was weirdly referring to at first.]
Levi, what do you mean I can stay. Just... stay? Can't everybody do that, until this world is saved?
[The distance is closed between them now ands Hange is waiting, waiting for him to explain it better because it almost sounds like he is saying they can just stay and choose not to go back to the nothingness that awaits.]
[ That is, indeed, what he's saying. ]
Yeah. I'm talking about after.
[ Which, technically, everyone will probably have that choice, too, but with the way their welcome was worded, it certainly sounded like they would be sent back upon the completion of their mission. ]
Once this world is sorted out, you can choose to stay.
[ Please don't make him repeat the same thing in a slightly different way again! He's saying it as plainly as can be, isn't he? He went and bullied the president, as one does, and he'll let them stay here, or whatever. ]
Yeah. I'm talking about after.
[ Which, technically, everyone will probably have that choice, too, but with the way their welcome was worded, it certainly sounded like they would be sent back upon the completion of their mission. ]
Once this world is sorted out, you can choose to stay.
[ Please don't make him repeat the same thing in a slightly different way again! He's saying it as plainly as can be, isn't he? He went and bullied the president, as one does, and he'll let them stay here, or whatever. ]
[Woah woah okay, first things first:]
How did you get him to agree to that?
[Because it didn't sound as though that was on the cards before, at least during the little stint in the welcome hall.]
[But this opens up so much possibility. Hange had been counting on their life being over once this world was safe, and that was fine. They were blessed with a second chance after all, to do a little more 'living' before their time was up. But now.. with this news..
They could life a life here. It's a lot to think about, too much to think about in this singular moment, but it is a statement filled to the brim with a very different promise of hope, of freedom.]
[Who'd have thought you could simply walk up to the guy and ask to not die? Plus or minus a few steps. It's been a long time since Hange's looked so bright and cheerful, like they're staring down a new type of Abherrent for the first time. This feeling of being overjoyed cannot be contained, and no downpour is needed for what comes next.]
Levi! You're the best! Have I told you that recently?
[A couple steps forward and Hange is throwing both arms around him in a hug, he probably realises what is coming before it happens, but unlike outside this one is tight and inescapable, almost pulling him up off the ground. You're just going to have to deal with it, shorty.]
How did you get him to agree to that?
[Because it didn't sound as though that was on the cards before, at least during the little stint in the welcome hall.]
[But this opens up so much possibility. Hange had been counting on their life being over once this world was safe, and that was fine. They were blessed with a second chance after all, to do a little more 'living' before their time was up. But now.. with this news..
They could life a life here. It's a lot to think about, too much to think about in this singular moment, but it is a statement filled to the brim with a very different promise of hope, of freedom.]
[Who'd have thought you could simply walk up to the guy and ask to not die? Plus or minus a few steps. It's been a long time since Hange's looked so bright and cheerful, like they're staring down a new type of Abherrent for the first time. This feeling of being overjoyed cannot be contained, and no downpour is needed for what comes next.]
Levi! You're the best! Have I told you that recently?
[A couple steps forward and Hange is throwing both arms around him in a hug, he probably realises what is coming before it happens, but unlike outside this one is tight and inescapable, almost pulling him up off the ground. You're just going to have to deal with it, shorty.]
[ It would be all too easy to claim credit for it, but he's not that kind of person. ]
He didn't actually need convincing. [ In fact, he'd acted surprised by Levi's conclusion, even if he'd merely gone off the man's words. But the leader had merely been trying to calm down the people coming from their own worlds that they were not stolen away from their lives indefinitely, he supposes. Statistically, a lot of them might prefer home to this. Their world is... an outlier. ] Probably just didn't occur to him.
[ Not that Levi wasn't ready to convince him if that hadn't been the case. He'd been pretty rude about it to begin with; pulling a knife out and threatening to sabotage their world saving efforts would have been par for course. But. Well. Good thing it didn't come to that, probably. It's not like he has magic. ]
Tsk--
[ Too late, his feet are leaving the ground. He grumbles and squirms a little but ultimately accepts the bearish hug, tension gradually easing out of him. ]
[ He thinks how he felt in that plane, after they'd turned away from each other for the last time. His good hand briefly lands on Hange's back, his fist pressing against their shirt. ]
[ It's just for a moment, but he returns it. ]
...
[ Of course, he can't let them get any ideas about that, so a moment later, he's using that same hand to try to pull them back by the ponytail. Which definitely needs a wash. Ugh. ]
Oi, that's enough. Let me breathe.
He didn't actually need convincing. [ In fact, he'd acted surprised by Levi's conclusion, even if he'd merely gone off the man's words. But the leader had merely been trying to calm down the people coming from their own worlds that they were not stolen away from their lives indefinitely, he supposes. Statistically, a lot of them might prefer home to this. Their world is... an outlier. ] Probably just didn't occur to him.
[ Not that Levi wasn't ready to convince him if that hadn't been the case. He'd been pretty rude about it to begin with; pulling a knife out and threatening to sabotage their world saving efforts would have been par for course. But. Well. Good thing it didn't come to that, probably. It's not like he has magic. ]
Tsk--
[ Too late, his feet are leaving the ground. He grumbles and squirms a little but ultimately accepts the bearish hug, tension gradually easing out of him. ]
[ He thinks how he felt in that plane, after they'd turned away from each other for the last time. His good hand briefly lands on Hange's back, his fist pressing against their shirt. ]
[ It's just for a moment, but he returns it. ]
...
[ Of course, he can't let them get any ideas about that, so a moment later, he's using that same hand to try to pull them back by the ponytail. Which definitely needs a wash. Ugh. ]
Oi, that's enough. Let me breathe.
It didn't occur to him that what, people had lives that sucked worse than his?
[Before even bringing shitty other worlds into the conversation, they already know their 'magic' or whatever it is rouses people from the dead, right? Why would anyone wish to return?]
Did he give specifics? Did he say yes because you asked about me? Is it for anyone who doesn't have a future elsewhere?
[Because it sounds as though he didn't put up much of a fight and the conversation went fairly smoothly. Perhaps they are okay with more that one person staying? Hange can't help but think of Eren again in that moment. After all, hadn't they promised to help him try and find a different future? One where he didn't have to go back and see the things he did?]
[The tug at their ponytail signals the end of this touching moment and they let go easy enough, making sure Levi's firmly on the ground and not going to lose balance on the weaker leg before taking a step bac, however the smile never leaves.]
I wonder how it works? I never really thought about it before as I wasn't expecting to stay, but do we age here like normal? I guess I should start putting aside money for rent instead of spending it all in the department store....?
[Before even bringing shitty other worlds into the conversation, they already know their 'magic' or whatever it is rouses people from the dead, right? Why would anyone wish to return?]
Did he give specifics? Did he say yes because you asked about me? Is it for anyone who doesn't have a future elsewhere?
[Because it sounds as though he didn't put up much of a fight and the conversation went fairly smoothly. Perhaps they are okay with more that one person staying? Hange can't help but think of Eren again in that moment. After all, hadn't they promised to help him try and find a different future? One where he didn't have to go back and see the things he did?]
[The tug at their ponytail signals the end of this touching moment and they let go easy enough, making sure Levi's firmly on the ground and not going to lose balance on the weaker leg before taking a step bac, however the smile never leaves.]
I wonder how it works? I never really thought about it before as I wasn't expecting to stay, but do we age here like normal? I guess I should start putting aside money for rent instead of spending it all in the department store....?
Yeah, that.
[ Maybe because statistically, most people here aren't dead. But yes, he did also think of Eren, too. It just hadn't turned into a final push to actively do something about it until Hange crashed into his life again. ]
No specifics, and I don't know if I had anything to do with it. But he said it'll be an option for anyone who wants to stay.
[ He winces a little internally when he realizes that Hange takes care to set him right before letting go, but he's grateful for it at the same time. ]
[ Maybe because statistically, most people here aren't dead. But yes, he did also think of Eren, too. It just hadn't turned into a final push to actively do something about it until Hange crashed into his life again. ]
No specifics, and I don't know if I had anything to do with it. But he said it'll be an option for anyone who wants to stay.
[ He winces a little internally when he realizes that Hange takes care to set him right before letting go, but he's grateful for it at the same time. ]
[ And then they're rattling off questions that he has no answers to, except that last one, because what the fuck, and honestly that deserves another ponytail tug as he stares blankly into their eyes like he's had enough of their shit. ]
You've got to be shitting me, four-eyes. You're supposed to pay rent regardless of how long you intend to stay.
[ Were they planning to mooch off of him until the battle for the realm concluded, is that it? They totally were, weren't they? ]
[ Tug, tug. ]
You've got to be shitting me, four-eyes. You're supposed to pay rent regardless of how long you intend to stay.
[ Were they planning to mooch off of him until the battle for the realm concluded, is that it? They totally were, weren't they? ]
[ Tug, tug. ]
[everything was going well, Hange's thinking out loud about a dozen little things that occur to them, but a rather rough tug to the hair snaps them out of it]
What-?
[ow ow ow! Hange is grasping at their head, trying to detach Levi's fingers from their poor abused head.]
Of course I'm going to pay rent! I only meant that I don't have to pay any yet, and I hadn't put anything aside because I honestly wasn't sure how long I would be here?
[So will you PLEASE let go now??]
Oi, Levi! That's enough, you're messing up my hair!
[like hange ever cared about that lol]
What-?
[ow ow ow! Hange is grasping at their head, trying to detach Levi's fingers from their poor abused head.]
Of course I'm going to pay rent! I only meant that I don't have to pay any yet, and I hadn't put anything aside because I honestly wasn't sure how long I would be here?
[So will you PLEASE let go now??]
Oi, Levi! That's enough, you're messing up my hair!
[like hange ever cared about that lol]
Hey. I wanted to let you know I'll be going out on a quest for a while. I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I'll keep Mikasa updated (she's staying home with our pets).
Normally I wouldn't inform about going out on quests, but it's going to be a longer one so I wanted to give a heads up.
Normally I wouldn't inform about going out on quests, but it's going to be a longer one so I wanted to give a heads up.
Thanks for letting me know, Jean. Where are you going?
Don't do anything I wouldn't do!
Don't do anything I wouldn't do!
[Shouldn't that be "don't also do something I would" especially if he runs into "interesting" monsters...]
The Winter Segment. Not my first choice of travel location, but it was assigned by the guild for our team.
The Winter Segment. Not my first choice of travel location, but it was assigned by the guild for our team.
[ Nope. They get another tug just for the hell of it before Levi finally releases them. ]
Oh? Is that what you call this bird's nest?
[ The previous moment has been too soft so he must heap on a double serving of rudeness now just to set the balance right. ]
[ And also ignore all further mentions of them thinking they were going to go home to die, because that's not the case anymore and so they'd better start sorting out their finances. ]
Oh? Is that what you call this bird's nest?
[ The previous moment has been too soft so he must heap on a double serving of rudeness now just to set the balance right. ]
[ And also ignore all further mentions of them thinking they were going to go home to die, because that's not the case anymore and so they'd better start sorting out their finances. ]
Hey! You know how hard it is to pull off this look? You have to get the 'i tried my best to style it' and the 'but i'm too busy for this shit'- ratio just right, you know?
[Actually it's nothing so definitive, but if Levi wants to be all ornery WELL two can play at that game.]
I was Commander of the Scouts, you know! You really think I'd leech and not pay rent?
[Actually it's nothing so definitive, but if Levi wants to be all ornery WELL two can play at that game.]
I was Commander of the Scouts, you know! You really think I'd leech and not pay rent?
I see, well good luck on your mission! I want to hear about it when you return.
Thanks. I'll make sure to report if I see something interesting.
[Spoilers: he doesn't even report back to them. How rude.]
[Spoilers: he doesn't even report back to them. How rude.]
And what's that ratio, 1:100?
[ Are you sure you want to try out-ornering him, Hange? (Lbr they probably could...) ]
Sure. It's not like you can write it off as an expense anymore.
[ SAYS THE GUY WHO WAS WRITING TEA OFF AS A MILITARY EXPENSE FOR YEARS... ]
[ Are you sure you want to try out-ornering him, Hange? (Lbr they probably could...) ]
Sure. It's not like you can write it off as an expense anymore.
[ SAYS THE GUY WHO WAS WRITING TEA OFF AS A MILITARY EXPENSE FOR YEARS... ]
It's 1 to 64.5 actually, leave the mathematics to me Levi.
[YOU WERE SAYING...]
And you have to go back to paying for tea out of pocket, I guess we're both having to make necessary sacrifices here aren't we.
[Besides Hange doesn't even need to pay rent yet! This conversation doesn't even matter for another month or so. It's fiiiiine. But back to the topic that does matter in the present:]
Are you going to tell Eren? He doesn't want to go back, you know.
[YOU WERE SAYING...]
And you have to go back to paying for tea out of pocket, I guess we're both having to make necessary sacrifices here aren't we.
[Besides Hange doesn't even need to pay rent yet! This conversation doesn't even matter for another month or so. It's fiiiiine. But back to the topic that does matter in the present:]
Are you going to tell Eren? He doesn't want to go back, you know.
You think I'm too stupid for numbers?
[ ALL STOPS ARE PULLED ]
[ except, uh, he actually has to share some exciting news right there ]
...have you seen how cheap tea is here?
[ HE CAN BUY SO MUCH TEA NOW. He's slowly filling Eren's entire kitchen with tea. Who needs plates or pans or kitchen appliances when every cabinet could be stocked with different flavor tea boxes instead? Nothing to see here folks. ]
[ Speaking of Eren, though... yeah. The thought did cross his mind. Even back when he was talking to Olwen, though Hange lamenting about not enough time to properly explore this place was what ultimately pushed him to action in the first place. ]
I should do that, huh. We're all meeting later today, right?
[ He'll just do it then. Maybe he came here intending to nap before the designated disaster time, who can really tell? ]
[ ALL STOPS ARE PULLED ]
[ except, uh, he actually has to share some exciting news right there ]
...have you seen how cheap tea is here?
[ HE CAN BUY SO MUCH TEA NOW. He's slowly filling Eren's entire kitchen with tea. Who needs plates or pans or kitchen appliances when every cabinet could be stocked with different flavor tea boxes instead? Nothing to see here folks. ]
[ Speaking of Eren, though... yeah. The thought did cross his mind. Even back when he was talking to Olwen, though Hange lamenting about not enough time to properly explore this place was what ultimately pushed him to action in the first place. ]
I should do that, huh. We're all meeting later today, right?
[ He'll just do it then. Maybe he came here intending to nap before the designated disaster time, who can really tell? ]
[ After receiving a troubling text from Jean, Levi is soon at Hange's door again. He did consider sending them a note via Eren mail (what is texting when you can make your subordinates run around with shitty little written messages?) but he has some... reservations that he wants to be there for to deal in person. ]
Jean fucked up. [ He announces as soon as the door opens. Good morning to you too, Hange. ] Thought you'll want to know.
Jean fucked up. [ He announces as soon as the door opens. Good morning to you too, Hange. ] Thought you'll want to know.
[ Sometimes silence says more than a thousand words :) ]
[ Or maybe since the conversation is actually going somewhere now, Hange drops the bickering for a little bit in favor of slumping back down on the sofa.]
Oh, is that where all your money is going? Though I suppose we are in another world, so there's probably a variety of teas that taste differently to the ones you're used to. I've seen plants here that don't exist in Paradis, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the same could be said for tea.
[That doesn't even take into account all the natives from other worlds that are also here. That means there is a whole universe of teas to discover!]
Mmm, we're still meeting later this morning, so we can do it then! I'm certain he'll be happy to hear it, even if he doesn't show it.
[Guess he's still going through a phase.. but whether that is a 'im exposed to constant horrors and time has no meaning' phase or 'normal male adolescence' phase who knows...]
[ Or maybe since the conversation is actually going somewhere now, Hange drops the bickering for a little bit in favor of slumping back down on the sofa.]
Oh, is that where all your money is going? Though I suppose we are in another world, so there's probably a variety of teas that taste differently to the ones you're used to. I've seen plants here that don't exist in Paradis, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the same could be said for tea.
[That doesn't even take into account all the natives from other worlds that are also here. That means there is a whole universe of teas to discover!]
Mmm, we're still meeting later this morning, so we can do it then! I'm certain he'll be happy to hear it, even if he doesn't show it.
[Guess he's still going through a phase.. but whether that is a 'im exposed to constant horrors and time has no meaning' phase or 'normal male adolescence' phase who knows...]
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