[On the 25th of December, Erwin will find a package on his doorstep addressed to him. It's long and rectangular; inside is a custom-made sword from the local forge. There is also a package containing fruit, arranged in an aesthetically pleasing manner, and a bag of high quality medium roast coffee.]
Commander Erwin,
I hope this is alright. I got everyone swords for Christmas because I figure they might be useful one day. I won't use mine recklessly - promise. Yours is custom made to fit your measurements. There's fruit and coffee too.
[The response is prompt--Erwin is up early today.]
Thank you very much, Eren. Will I be seeing you later today for Levi's birthday?
A wise man once told me that the truth, however ugly it might be, is better than beautiful lies. I'm sorry our own truths are the way they are, but I would rather know them than live in ignorance. It takes a strong, brave man to face his destiny with his head held high; it takes an even stronger, braver one to try and change what he doesn't like about his future.
If you need any help in your journey, all you have to do is ask.
[Don't misinterpret, Eren: this isn't forgiveness. This is Erwin getting his way and feeling generous afterwards, once he's been convinced their new world isn't under any immediate threat. This is also him understanding that, from Eren's perspective, none of the ugly stuff has happened yet, and being empathetic enough to not punish the kid for something he hasn't done. He would not be nearly so pleasant if Eren wasn't trying to be better here.]
[But there's no need to dump all that on the kid's shoulders. Eren has enough going on, and for now, Erwin is going to back Levi's play of getting Eren engaged and a part of their new world, and watch to see if those feral instincts towards freedom kick in again.]
Certainly. I can use all the help I can get. I warn you, it won't be glamorous. There's a small mountain of potatoes here that need to be peeled.
[It's an easy thing to misinterpret when the alternative should be outright hatred. The fact that he's being given any grace at all is difficult to process. But he's grateful for it. He's always respected Commander Erwin.]
That's okay. I wouldn't expect glamorous. Leave it to me.
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13thcommander) wrote2027-11-09 11:35 am
Gift Delivery
I hope this is alright. I got everyone swords for Christmas because I figure they might be useful one day. I won't use mine recklessly - promise. Yours is custom made to fit your measurements. There's fruit and coffee too.
I'm sorry for everything.
Thank you for telling me the truth.
- Eren
no subject
Thank you very much, Eren. Will I be seeing you later today for Levi's birthday?
A wise man once told me that the truth, however ugly it might be, is better than beautiful lies. I'm sorry our own truths are the way they are, but I would rather know them than live in ignorance. It takes a strong, brave man to face his destiny with his head held high; it takes an even stronger, braver one to try and change what he doesn't like about his future.
If you need any help in your journey, all you have to do is ask.
--Erwin
no subject
[To know what he's done - the unthinkable, unfathomable weight of what he's done - and to still feel as though he's been forgiven...
[It's almost too much - every day, every day, it's almost too much.]
Thank you, sir.
I'll be there.
[...]
I heard Jean is helping set up. I'd like to also if you don't mind.
no subject
[But there's no need to dump all that on the kid's shoulders. Eren has enough going on, and for now, Erwin is going to back Levi's play of getting Eren engaged and a part of their new world, and watch to see if those feral instincts towards freedom kick in again.]
Certainly. I can use all the help I can get. I warn you, it won't be glamorous. There's a small mountain of potatoes here that need to be peeled.
no subject
That's okay. I wouldn't expect glamorous. Leave it to me.