[IC] [AoT 1x1] - 'Grim Tales'

[Jeep Wrangler]

Grant moved at the name. It wasn't something a great friend would be, but a name he definitely remembered. "A good soldier. A good comrade...a semi-good friend. We talked to one another, trained together...why?" He looked away slightly. His facial expression was of sleep deprived, and sorrow when the 4201 Deaths came to mind again. He hated this world, and it hated him back.

[RainbowFactory]

"Nothing, nothing. Just someone I know," she said, sitting on the floor with her legs crossed, and the beer bottle in the middle of her legs. Hope didn't want to explain to him how she was the one that convinced the Corps to let her go back the walls; she was the one that managed to make Hope want to go into training at all. The look in Hope's face made it a bit obvious that she was hiding something from Grant, but with Grant's face showing the lack of sleep he's had, it quickly changed to a slightly happy expression. "We should really rest now..."

[Jeep Wrangler]

Grant looked up slightly. He was restless, yes...but it could be worth the shot. He thought about what she had said, and why she was bringing up Caroline like that. Surely she did know her, but for the coincidences of the two being linked seemed odd...Grant returned a few gazes to his nearly empty bottle, then back to the woman within his homestead. A sigh couldn't help but seep from his lips as he rubbed two long fingers and a thumb against his forehead. He looked up again, a question in mind. "Wait....We?"

[RainbowFactory]

Hope didn't get to hear a single part of Grant's sentence, already passed out on the floor. She was still in her sitting position, with her legs crossed and her bottle in the middle of her legs, but her head was drooping and her eyes were closed shut. Most of Hope's hair covered her face, so Grant couldn't easily tell if Hope was sleeping just by looking at her. The one thing that made it obvious that Hope was sleeping was the the quiet snoring she was making that could only be heard if the room was silent. She looked peaceful, but it wouldn't be a good idea to try shaking her awake. Her hands were still twitching, so Hope could still sense her surroundings...

[Jeep Wrangler]

The two had been asleep on the floor for some time. We say, the two, when really it was just Hope. It was the restlessness of anger within his soul and heart that had kept Grant awake for ever-so long. It was one of the two factors, maybe three, that had effected his Human physical features. Those being, the fact he didn't feel the need to sleep, the other being the fact he didn't actually need to eat. Well, he did need to eat, but the fact that he would usually indulge so much as a Titan there would really be no need to eat. The same effect of being full made him seem to skip a lot of meals, and that was noted down from the very start. He drank a lot, and a lot, with little effect. Drinking never filled him up, as the hunger stayed at an all-time-low. It was more of a pleasure-pass time. Meanwhile, in this current day and age, he would sit there, watching Hope snore minuscule noises from her nostrils. He didn't smile, nor did he plot. He just stared as she slept away. Before he could even recognise, the time had gotten to more than 12 hours, the sunlight reappearing once again. Grant watched as it glistened through the window, shining on both him and the new accompanist who slept in mere silence.

[RainbowFactory]

Hope had a very realistic dream, similar to a flashback, when she slept on the floor. It was in another viewpoint where she could see both herself and the Grim Titan at the edge of the forest, staring each other down. Hope watched as her dream self slowly walked to the titan's snout, doing the same action as she did before, putting her hand on his snout. Then the dream shifted. A dark look in the Grim Titan's eyes while he opened his mouth wide...
Seconds later Hope snapped out of her dream, nearly falling backwards onto the floor, and knocking over the bottle she had. She quickly balanced herself and the bottle out by using her hands, breathing heavily and staring down at the floor. Hope looked up, remembering Grant was still there with her, and found him staring out the window. Bright sunlight was shining through the glass and onto the two shifters, with Hope shielding her eyes with one of her hands. She clicked her teeth together a few times while her stomach growled, then looked at Grant.

[Jeep Wrangler]

Grant looked upwards. She was awake. There was a shining light on both of them that felt particularly warm, even in this cold and desolate time of year. The next thing that happened was beyond Grant's control. Even his mind questioned his own actions as he forced himself out a half-grin, looking towards the awoken Hope. A chuckle came out; only a slight one to be perfectly honest. He was laughing. After a short, quiet moment to himself of giggling away in his deep tone, he looked up once again. He hadn't slept, as obvious as it was, though it didn't really seem to shift him. Grant's lack of sleep and eating was highly adaptive from the Grim Titan form, and proved to be rather useful. "Someone slept a while...rather a long time...I'd have thought that I would have started sleeping before you'd wake up..." Another grin flashed out. Peculiar, of course.

[RainbowFactory]

Hope looked at Grant up and down with squinted eyes. She had this feeling that he was going to shift at any moment and eat her, his laughter making her slightly suspicious. Hope quickly shook that thought away then rubbed her belly. Even though she ate food at the forest and even titans when she shifts, she was still hungry. Most of that energy goes to her fire powers: keeping her warm and letting her have a fiery protection around her titan body.
"Food..." Hope muttered under her breath, then turned on her heels towards the door. Her gums were starting to hurt due to her titan teeth, and the monster side of her was demanding food. Hope started to rub her temples with both of her hands, trying her best to calm the pain. Hope guessed that Grant had the 'better' side of the titan abilities: less food and sleep, but had a higher chance of shifting.

[Jeep Wrangler]

Grant looked as she began to rumble away. So Hope had the worst effects...quite saddening, yet maybe not compatible to compare with his own. Grant's shifting wasn't always based upon injury, like Hope's, but it could be triggered simply by certain feelings and motives. To be honest, it wasn't always like that. For instance, when Hope came inside, he felt the anger, but nothing changed. There's always the thought of not wanting to change inside his old home. That being said, he brought himself to his feet and made his way to a counter-top. Grant's fingers grabbed a key, as his arm tossed it over to the retreating Hope. As it pinged off Hope's shoulder, landing at her rugged boots, he spoke up. "Door around the back of the room. Go on there, you'll find about a Month or Three's supply of rations. Eat ehat you feel you need, even if it is all of it." As he gave her the opportunity, he was now lifting a monstrous plaque. It wasn't rusty, rather polished and new, which contrasted with his broken village. He walked past Hope, knowing she'd be curious to what he was doing after her snack.

[RainbowFactory]

Hope stayed facing the door holding her stomach until she felt an object bounce off of her shoulder, and onto the floor beside her boot. She listened carefully to the instructions, and when Grant walked past her she bent down to get the key. Hope went to the back of the room to the door he talked about, inserting the key into the keyhole. She slowly opened the door, looking at the large amount of food that was stored there. The last time I saw this much food was at the walls. Are you serious?! Hope thought, then quickly started to wolf down the food. It didn't take her long to eat everything, ripping off the packages and using her teeth to chew it down.
After Hope ate the food she cleaned her face using her sleeves, then looked back to where she stood before. Of course she decided to go to where Grant was going to, then go on a quick horse ride afterwards.

[Jeep Wrangler]

He was outside, hammer on one side of one foot and a group of rusty, salvaged nails on the other. There were already embodiments of some kind dug into the plaque, but it didn't come fully into view to be able to be identified. He was aware of Hope's arrival, and it didn't stop him one bit. He felt kind of uncomfortable as a thought of what happened earlier the other day seemed like it hadn't happened at all. Strange as it was, he continued to work. Grant lifted the thing on his own. He could've asked hope for help and it would've been both appreciated and helpful, yet he preferred to show he knew what he was doing. In fairness, something as important as this wasn't something that was going to go to land in the hands of those who hadn't witnessed or experienced what he did. Whilst holding a bottom corner in place, he picked up a nail and hammer with his free hand, staggering to hold it up as he did so. Eventually, he found a comfortable holding point, and stabbed the nail in slightly with his free hand, beginning to hammer it in with the same once it was in. It dug deep and became secure, allowing Grant to comfortably start nailing in the for corners. Soon enough, after a long ten minutes, the plaque was complete. From up close, as well as afar, it looked glorious amongst the near destruction of the town of Mydleton. There were cold linings on the outskirt's border of the decoration. Though it was quite dusty and dirty in places from where it had been forged and kept over nights, it was still rather shiny, the brass structure holding in ever-so nicely. Grant grinned a smile of achievement. Finally, he had fulfilled something he was so proud of. He could sense that Hope was about to say something, asking about what it was before she had the chance to fully study it, but Grant simply raised a hand to silence any incoming speech as he stood back, watching it. He lowered his head, and his hands clasped together at their lowest point. It looked like he was showing respect. In fact he was showing respect...for what he had just put up was a memorial plaque...more than just that, it was littered with names of those familiar to him and to the crude world around them. Names like: Sergeant Vera Tynko, Lance Corporal Sinatra Oakmont, Nemo Nantura, Chris Oakmont, Ashla Tynko, Loia Tynko, Sarah Christa, even Angelo was on there...There were tonnes of names, more than anyone could comprehend. All hand-embedded in, carved by Grant himself. Names after names. Birthplaces, death-dates. Times and battles. It was all organised. As for he was paying respects to the very thing he and Yuri had planned this entire time. A plaque, bearing each and every small name of every soldier and friend who died alongside the two in Battle...this was the Memorial of Human Heroes.

[RainbowFactory]

Hope squinted her eyes at the plaque when he was finished, taking her time to read through all the names that were put onto it. A few she actually recognized, not knowing them in real life, but heard or talked about them from conversations in the walls. Hope heard them the most from Caroline, even though it was rare for her to talk about her past, just stuff about the present. If Hope ever asked Caroline something related to her training days or earlier Garrison years, she wouldn't stop talking about the topic until most of it was explained. Caroline managed to memorize most of the important names, almost all being currently dead.
When Hope went back through all the explanations Caroline said to her, the palms of her hands starting to get clammy, making her form tight fists. She could easily imagine being in Caroline's point of view, watching her friends die in front of her or hearing it from other members that they passed away. Caroline always said at the end: "They didn't deserve to die." That very quote led up to the day Hope shifted when those people died and didn't deserve it. Her squad members, the Scouting soldiers, the innocent bystanders. The life-changing event started flashing back to her. Now Hope was shaking violently next to Grant, staring at the ground with her hair covering her face, and her hands still closed tightly. She said repeatedly in a low tone, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry."

[Jeep Wrangler]

Grant's eyes opened and his head lifted at the constant whine of apology and sorrow that came from the fellow to his right. He didn't smile at her suffering, because there were more than 100 times as many names as he recognised extremely well than Hope did. He frowned slightly, and pushed Hope's head upwards with two fingers and a thumb, then angling her stressed face towards himself. Compared to most, there wasn't much difference in height than there was to others, but it was still quite a bit. He looked at her directly, a serious look within his expression. He slowly began to share his wisdom. "Hope..." He sighed slightly, his hand still under her chin to make sure she'd be focusing. "As far as I am concerned, people are destined to die. They die, you'll die....I'll die...everyone dies. But the cause of death isn't known. You may of been responsible for the deaths on here, but think for one minute. On that board is 421 Names...this Plaque is roughly 4 Metres in width and 2 in height...these are names I myself know of. You cannot blame yourself for other's fate, like I have. It will tear you apart...like...like Asartha's did. I've known a lot more people than you, Hope, and for someone as fragile as you might be, you are somewhat lucky to have gotten the least of it. I know it is hard to understand, and no man, woman nor child should have to deal with losing a close one...but forgive yourself and move on. If you can't forgive yourself....just move on anyway. There are names on here I'll never forgive myself for..." Grant started to point to names, naming their death. "Captain Tora Tulithia, Western Siege. She died because I couldn't save her from falling into a Titan's mouth. And here...Privates Greg Hasling, Stephan Burmuda and Cavan Mulin, all part of failed attempt to retrieve them from Yupian after it fell. And here, Murdoch Ludwig, he died during my shift, and was my mentor for the Eastern Conference Meetings when I became a spokesman and soldier for the Eastern Division. And here, Johanna Lawson, my own Brother-in-law, in the final battle of the western siege, where so little survived your training became mandatory. And...and.... He stammered slightly, nearly losing his non-crying state. I thought about him...How you miss him. You two were like friends, more than friends from what I could tell. His execution...You were there, three seats to my right. You looked mortified....You looked scared....all I can beg..." The grip loosened slightly, as his own eyes began to dribble moistly. "All I can beg of you is to forgive me...for framing Nira...please...it's my only favour...You didn't deserve it and I did it...I'm sorry...okay....okay? Please, Hope forgive me..."

[RainbowFactory]

Tears started to stream down Hope's face when Grant made her look into his eyes, the crying making it difficult for her to breath. She couldn't hold back the tears from the horrible events slowly flashing back to her while she listened to Grant. The fights and deaths during her training years; the people she scout with that she couldn't save; the terrified faces of the bystanders when she first shifted. When he finished talking Hope immediately buried her face in Grant's shirt, crying and screaming at the same time. She couldn't help herself.
Hope had a tight grip on his shirt as she screamed into his chest, then the screaming slowly died down when she thought back to what he asked. She was choking on her words from all the crying and screaming, but she managed to get the three words out: "I-I forgive y-you." The grip on his shirt was gone, but now Hope's arms were wrapped around him, tears still in her eyes. It was going to be hard for her to move on, the symbol on her cape and being left outside the walls reminding her about what she has done, but being with Grant... The thoughts felt like they were slipping away when he talked to her.

[Jeep Wrangler]

Grant was taken by little surprise by her actions, seeing as he might've put the whole conversation so grimly. It revealed a whole different side of the flaming beast, of course. She was in tears, sobbing her eyes out from every word, making wheezing noises with every breath she took. It reminded him of how Annella had reacted, once they made it to Yahkell during the Western Siege, except with less drinking and emotional breakdowns. Obviously Yuri had reacted well to that situation, being the person to comfort his person of interest, whereas Grant was almost quite alienated to the whole situation. It all seemed too much at first, him only standing there as she gripped his shirt and practically screamed into him, yet when she screamed out the words of forgiveness she wrapped her arms directly around him to maintain the grip to him. This surprised him, of course, as he stood there rather awkwardly, Hope practically crying into himself. It was then at that point where he found his arms slowly moving around her, making her grip even stronger. He had no clue what to do, but it seemed to most likely comfort her...at least in his head.

[RainbowFactory]

When Grant wrapped his arms around Hope she slowly calmed down, but still had tears running down her cheeks. After a few minutes of being in each others arms she settled down, quickly pulled away from him using a small bit of titan strength to get away faster, and stood facing the opposite direction with her arms crossed. She was back to her stubborn ways, but at least Hope wasn't screaming like before.
After a moment of silence Hope pulled her cape hood over her head then staggered away, whistling loudly after taking some steps. Once she was a few meters away a horse galloped over, slowing down beside Hope. She pulled herself onto it's back then rode away towards the forest in a hurry.

[Jeep Wrangler]

Grant watched as she quickly ran off, reaching for her horse and bounding off into the great distance. She wasn't heading for the Walls, but the nearby forest. Well...Nearby is a word that isn't perfect for this use. It is closer than the Walls, but not within walking distance. Hiking perhaps, but not a simple stroll. He watched as she slowly shrunk into the distance, his hand clenched into a tight fist whilst his other lay hanging loose. Hope disappeared into a tiny speck over the Horizon, leaving Grant alone once again. She hadn't announced her departure, and just left. Stubborn movement, she remained her old self. And by Old, he referred to to the time when he was hunting her down, using Nira as bait. In that instant, he felt slight awkwardness as he stood there. The wind whistled ever-so gently, yet squeaked as it slipped through the cracks of each and every other building. This was it. Back to the normal life. She wasn't going to come back anytime soon, he predicted. It was a drastic change, one Hope was bound to do. Now it was that time again. He turned around slowly, heading for the door. As he closed it, he muttered to himself. Three words, he muttered. Grant closed the door behind him, shutting the coldness outside once again.

[RainbowFactory]

Hope was almost to the forest when she saw a titan not far from the trees, standing casually with its head down like a statue. She decided to get closer, hoping it will entertain her for the time being. After a few horse steps towards it, the titan turning its head sharply towards her. Her horse quickly stopped on its tracks then started backing away while the titan slowly started to turn its body towards them. The forest trees are in my gear range, so I can easily escape. No big deal! she thought confidently, keeping one of her hands on a prepared sword and the other on the horse reins.
Wait a second... Didn't I run out of gas a long time ago? Hope remembered, and a split second later the titan launched itself towards her, sending the girl and her horse flying into the forest when it landed not far from them. Hope crashed through a building window when she was launched, with her horse getting thrown against a moss covered wall. The titan screeched at her direction then ran away flailing its arms when it couldn't track Hope down again.
Pieces of glass and wood were stuck in Hope's skin. It made her bleed quickly, but the blood disintegrated just as fast. The small pieces fell out while Hope healed herself, but the sword Hope was holding before was piecing through her right shoulder, deep enough that the end was partly visible from the other side. A large piece of wood was also stuck in her left thigh, most likely ended up there when she first hit the window. If Grant was there she could've asked him to do take the stuff out, but he wasn't. She made a few attempts of taking the wood and blade out using her free hand but she couldn't reach the sword handle, the blade kept cutting her hand, and the broken wood kept tearing at her skin when she tried to grab at it.
Hope had the option of cutting her shoulder off to get the blade out, but healing an entire body part in human form makes her extremely worn out. She could also use her cape to rip the wood out, but that would cost tearing her most prized personal possession. Hope didn't want to pick any of the choices, so she did the first other option that came to mind: call Grant for help.
I bet he's gonna give me some lecture to be aware of the different titans or some shit like that, Hope thought to herself, then opened her mouth as wide as she possibly could in her human form. A loud, ear-piecing screech came out of her mouth that could be heard throughout the entire area. It was different from her shifting scream, that being deeper to get less attention, so Grant should know the difference.

[Jeep Wrangler]

Grant was now onto yet another bottle, reading from a small novel simply labelled Medical Advancements Within the Wall. He didn't know why he was so intrigued by the idea of medicine and assistance towards others in a much lesser state. He was deep into a chapter about the first dissection of a Human body, performed in the underground city of Yupian, to his surprise. It was performed by a man named Huey Emmarch, a famous doctor known for treating the unfortunate below the cave's roofing. He was in an old pub performing it in front of those training for their medical licensing. It was quite surprising knowing that it had only happened fifty years ago, before any of his own self existed. Really interesting, if he had to add any comments. It was at that point when something caught his attention, drawing his attention away from the hundreds of words sitting before himself. A shriek. It took a short while for him to figure out where it must've came from. And at that moment, he sighed deeply, slamming his book shut and swigging from his bottle more. "You fucking idiot..." He mumbled, making his way outside...

[RainbowFactory]

After a few minutes of the terrifying screech, Hope's voice died off. She coughed a few times then dropped onto her left, uninjured arm. Her left thigh was still pierced by the piece of wood, but it was more towards the middle so laying down wouldn't affect her. Hope tried to keep still in a straight line until Grant 'came to the rescue', if he comes for her anyway. My titan scream was too loud and too recognizable for him to ignore, so he must be coming any minute now, she thought to herself, then closed her eyes and passed out.