tail no qualm

CAPTAIN LEVI •RP/ASK BLOG •AU/CROSSOVER WELCOME •SEMI-SELECTIVE

[the-adamant]

Oi. Oi oi. Oi oi oi.

Brows are knit, keen concentration evident by the subtle turn of the raven’s head to a lifted angle towards his left.  A small hum is emitted through slow exhale, hunched shoulders now squared as his spine straightens from lax curve. The man’s hand quietly lifts then is quickly smacked against the side of his neck. Levi promptly removes it after a pause to check for anything within his palm.  No marks? How terribly strange.  Could’ve sworn he had heard something...“Well, I’ll be fucked if it’s mosquito season already,” he states aloud, just within earshot of the man standing behind him. 

“Wonder where the hell we keep the pesticide…”

[foxengrin]

Interesting, to see how the boy reacts and responds. It’s different to back then, he forgets how long it’s been– venom and sharpness in tone aside, Levi almost comes off well-worded, must be the company he keeps nowadays. The body language that comes with it, too, that was also a sight– his bitterness isn’t subtle. Kenny can imagine what must be going through his mind, though he pays him no consideration whatsoever outside of his own thoughts. No, he’s far too busy waiting for it to set in– it didn’t matter just how scummy the man was or had been, there’s something there, the traditional Ackerman gratitude. Soon enough, it shows, and the man smirks lightly. Neither of them were spared being tied to that thread. 

“Attaboy.” 

“So y’haven’t forgotten everything, after all. Good to know.” As if he would. With that confirmation, the old man calms a little, his tone not as boisterous as some kind of half-hearted reward. He supposes he’ll bide his time for now, games weren’t any fun lacking energy. “Need a seat? Go right ahead. You ain’t that old, though.” 

[the-adamant]

Apart from accumulated wrinkles and what the raven perceives may be a receding hairline underneath the hat compensated for in a grown beard, not much has changed from the notorious character with acquired nickname consisting of danger and perhaps the catchphrase headline printed of in the morning press. Kenny’s facial expressions and wild gestures were not any less apparent than what Levi remembers of them.  Still can’t find it in himself to control his damn face. Same man, all right.  Kenny. “Just” Kenny. 

Levi appreciates the minute shift in disposition and stance Kenny brings to the exchange, however still very much remains reticent and taciturn with expressions of his own. “Don’t flatter yourself,” the military man gestures with a lax roll of the wrist to point towards the general direction of street shops and quieter social gathering places.  “Take your pick.”

[foxengrin]

Nothing’s said for a good moment, the man simply taking a moment to stare the other down, a curious rise in his brow. He recalls a kid, far smaller, less talkative. Though he doesn’t see much point in fighting titans, he’s proud of what the boy’s become but he’s too proud himself to admit such a thing. It seemed nothing was too big or powerful to stand in his way, as it should be and for that Kenny quietly takes due credit. Though, that may soon change.

Mostly, he’s only interested in one thing. He’s disappointed with Levi’s poor reaction. Somehow, he’d expected more. He’s almost offended when Levi puts more focus into his sleeve than the conversation at hand– though he understands why, he doesn’t show it, appearing tactless.

“Eh? But there’s tons to catch up on.” 

“What, the great Captain Shortstack too important nowadays to hang around with an ‘ol family friend? You forgotten who taught you those skills of yours?”

[the-adamant]

"Damn hilarious. I was also taught to never get myself into unnecessary business... "I'm not here to listen to you screw around with me with that shit stain of an excuse," he lashes with tensed reply, jaw angled to prevent he may speak with grit teeth. His chest rises as he straightens the curve of his spine-- rubber soles of scuffed leather boots grind upon the horizontal flat of accumulated dust as he then decides to face Kenny at parallel. The meeting is nothing short of bitter for Levi, memories he's scrapped and laid to rest in unidentifiable ashes suddenly reverting in form as threaded ties  and time spans of his young life thus tightly strung around the cavity of his chest.   He is not a man of articulating organization or questioning applicable truths through the conjuring of words-- he has far too many questions droning about every available corner of his conscience to even begin bothering where to start.   His clenched fists suddenly reminds him of how he had once been saved from thin wrists and staggered balance from horrible fatigue.   One sigh passes through exhausted lips.

"...If you really plan on flapping your gums at me for any longer, I'm going to need a seat." 

[foxengrin]

the-adamant started following you

[foxengrin]

“Well, well, well– look who decided ta show.”

“Looks like you’ve grown a couple inches, I almost didn’t recognise you.” A complete joke made obvious by the rise in the old man’s voice– he hasn’t forgotten that face since he’d seen it last. It’s strange to see him like this, a sight he’d never imagined; he knew Levi as a fighter, not a soldier. With an upward tilt of his chin, he watches the boy, questioning what had run through his mind after all these years. Something can’t be right. “D’you really think that cape’s gonna help you fight the baddies?”

[the-adamant]

Brows should furrow at the word choice that rolls off the tongue of the old man, and be it the appeal of taunting or Kenny's inability to establish any lick of humor to whatever attempt at conversation, Levi cannot bring himself to assume.   Rather here he stands, posture attentive enough to provide his focus to the other, though lingering hesitation with his own unanswered questions position the raven to not face Kenny at full front.  

"...Look; I don't have the time to listen to whatever crap commentary you've saved for me over the past couple of decades," Levi states, and his gaze drops to fixing the fold of his blazer sleeves.   "If you've got nothing important on you, I've other places I can be at."

[fujoshigoblin]

Fostering Family

[fujoshigoblin]

Once Levi left them, Eren immediately turned to his social worker and whispered hoarsely, “Are you going to leave soon?”

"As soon as the paperwork is signed," Petra confirms. She must sense his hesitation, as she follows up with, "I can try to stay a little longer."

Shaking his head, Eren listens for Levi’s return, only replying when he is satisfied that the foster parent isn’t yet on his way back to the living room.

"I’m okay."

Petra looks at him with disbelief in her eyes, but says nothing as they hear Levi return. 

"Thanks," Eren murmurs, accepting the juice with both hands and taking a long sip. His eyes dart away from the grownups as Petra begins the finalization speech. It always made him nervous, these last steps to seal the deal of fostering. Irrational though it is, Eren feared that at the last moment he would be rejected and returned on the spot, forced to go through displacement and replacement all over again. As Eren’s eyes roam nervously about the room, he spies his new guardian looking at him and gesturing to join him on the couch.

Suddenly, Eren is overcome with shyness. He is used to an abundance of enthusiasm, an overkill of jubilation that invariably makes him squeamish and angry, eager to bolt and put up defenses. Levi’s quiet acceptance and inclusion was completely new territory for the boy. 

Silently, Eren slowly makes his way around the room, a roundabout path to the couch where he pauses, feigns contemplation before sidling up on the cushion next to Levi - just at arms length. 

Petra looked over at him. “Eren, do you have any questions for Levi?”

What a loaded question that was; Eren’s brain reeled with dozens upon dozens of inquiries. Eren knew it was time to ask the hard-hitting questions weighing on his mind.

"Do you have any pets?" Eren asked after taking a long sip of juice. "Or a pool?" He suddenly beamed, showing off his latest missing tooth. "Can we go to Disneyland?"

[the-adamant]

By the time he is halfway through the packet, Levi's cup is empty and placed on the tray at the furthest left of the coffee table. Pen in one hand and documentation in the other, Petra guides him through, sounding very much like a recorded, online tutorial from perhaps her countless times reciting it all. He is patient and nods at appropriate times, humming at others when she prods for clarification.   "Date this here-- for health insurance policies and options we'll be mailing in by the end of this month." "Right, right." "You and I already discussed tax forms; go ahead and skip those pages." "Sure, then."   "And... well, that looks like that's it!"  

Levi leans back against couch cushions at the all-clear and quietly takes a deep breath to release an exhale of relief.  Eren is prompted for questions he may have, and the raven quirks a brow, entertained by the sudden brightness of genuinely curious eyes and high-end anticipation. Perhaps he is finally allowing himself to unwind in the presence of a new guardian-- if this not be the case, perhaps Eren is extremely affected by the sugar content of orange juice. 

His lips are pressed firm and formed thin to not blatantly point out the child’s enthusiasm-- the brunet may perhaps be type to retract into his shell if any bout of ‘weakness’ be displayed, and Levi only hopes he can naturally lure out Eren’s true nature by allowing his own pace for adaptation. “No pool, but the beach is not a far drive from here. We can visit Disneyland when the time comes,” he provides concisely. “As for pets, I’ve thought about getting one,” he admits, arms folded over his chest. “Though I’m not sure what type. Perhaps you can help me decide on something, Eren.”

[sterngazes-blog]

To him, it’s become a grim routine—with every adventure came peril. An expedition without losses was an outright impossibility and he knew it, but he still found himself disappointed with each name ticked off the list, the dwindling numbers the branch now house. Perhaps it was because things were different this time, he’d had the intent to save more of them. People hurl abuse and criticisms and stare with the intensity of midday sunlight, yet he simply looks onward towards the man at front. Soon enough, he’d be the one leading this parade of shame. But he doesn’t mind, he’s decided that awaits him, now, and he is certain the situation will improve.

For now, it is the same as it ever was. He arrives in the night with the grace and collectedness that is renown among his men, though his heart is ever so heavy and his mind overflows with distant concern, his anger had long simmered where no one could reach him. The man’s features harden at the sight of the nearby sheets and he barely says a word. If called upon, he would speak to them, otherwise he would keep all farewells to himself.

In all his attentiveness, he glances to the side to catch a familiar figure in the glow of fire and moonlight. The man stands alone, he hasn’t said a word for quite some time. Heavy footsteps move over to accompany the other, the blond now standing beside him. It was his first ceremony, most likely one of many to come, but neither had expected a blow so hard to the man. He believes it is the right thing to do. He may no longer have those voices speaking to him, but there is a new one now. He can only hope it means something.

“…it’s always a difficult time, these moments.” He still stares ahead, almost as if speaking to the air and nearby embers, nothing more. After a moment’s pause, he finally glances toward Levi, his expression somewhat empty. He hopes he is not misunderstood. “The fact you made the choice to show after all, I think that would have been greatly appreciated.”

[the-adamant]

He is snapped out of dreary reverie of damp streets and humid aura enveloped by veiled daylight and streetlamp flames. From his left approaches a pair of footsteps he now effectively distinguishes from others—another significant tick he partakes in to identify individuals or strangers at all times.   However tonight Erwin comes forth with an oddly weightier tread—minutely slower and with heels that scrape once or twice more than usual.   In brief, bitter mindset, Levi wonders how a man who has participated in such a ritual countless times before still holds within him the capacity to exhibit mourning and a bothered conscience. Levi finds himself more than adequately exhausted and grim in one time to feel he's rightfully earned this uniform patch of the insanely suicidal and recklessly hopeless lot.

He is conflicted on what to do after this all should end. He wishes to rest for the remainder of the evening, yet he will not have the company of a pair at his sides. Levi yearns for comfort in listening to bantering chatter in the background of processed thoughts, however for tonight and perhaps many nights to come, he will have no such luxury. 

A beat lapses; Levi merely turns his head away from the blond and his commentary at a minute angle to watch as ceremony coordinators file up front. “Didn’t have a chance to say goodbye earlier.”

[the-adamant]

sterngazes

He blinks once in afternoon sunlight as it beams from behind heavyset clouds above him. He blinks again to find only the illuminated moon and is smacked across the face by a stench far too reminiscent of the underground and the very driving reason he stands upon the surface today.

Levi has paid nearly no attention whatsoever to his surroundings in the past five hours. He cares not for the mud of past torrential downpour that dries to crust upon his cloak and leather boots. --Not for the acrid stench of civilization's air as he re-enters through the outermost gate to hundreds of pairs of eyes as they peer with horror, pity, and disdain. --Not for the stares he himself receives upon scattered word of mouth of his performance outside.

Slate-grey irises run down the view of cremation altars built in alignment in forming a single row; parallel to it, mismatched lengths of white sheets that envelope those lost and silenced forevermore. Death is a jealous thing, Levi surmises, never respected, coveted, or thought of in awe by a species of living things who've only interest in survival. Death leaves terrible wounds and voids of the mind in attempt to receive attention; this, he has understood from so early on.  That he should receive two of such wounds and a pair of thoughts to puncture through his conscience in one day, he was not prepared for.  That he should no longer hear the voices of his two most-coveted people-- those he thoughtfully entitled as his family to protect and eternally share his time with, Levi was not prepared for. 

[caterstrophe]

He’s not nearly as abrasive as her own commander, though he’s equally as stoic, it seems, which leads her to believe that there’s a lot she isn’t seeing. That sort of attitude isn’t exactly uncommon where she’s from, partially because memories are fleeting and partially because emotions to a high caliber can only be afforded a quarter of the time. She shrugs regardless, crossing her arms and settling into an attitude a little less defensive.

“You can call me Cater! I’m from Class Zero, which means I’m the best cadet around.” A true statement, definitely, but there’s an underlying implication that she is the best herself. Ever the egotistical child she is and it shows in the streamlined way her shoulders rise and set, pride and arrogance scripted into every exaggerated motion she makes. “And you are? I need a name, or I’m gonna have to call you Captain Grumps for the rest of your life.” Not like she wouldn’t do that anyway.

[the-adamant]

Something of the vernacular utilized by this one in particular does not rest easily within his chest-- not even the ‘very best’ of troopers around claim audacity enough to commit to a title of being on top in front of officials within ranks. As it is understood that the very best of fighters are actually humbled by the experiences they have. Yet, how oddly nostalgic her liveliness is. She vaguely reminds the military man of someone he hesitates placing finger on just yet.

“Cater,” the raven repeats for confirmation, and he nods his head towards this fireball of personified pride.  “Seeing as I’ve no interest in listening to you talk any more than you need? “I’m Captain Levi. Scouting Legion.” 

[the-adamant]

bossard

Levi exhales deeply as he is handed pages; an acute gaze brushes over documentation leafed through by worn and calloused fingers. As expected of the bunch of bastards assuming it be so easy for others to pump reports at the rate they demand.

"...That's fine," the man murmurs-- takes the beige papers and smooths them over once before they are clasped in a firm hold. "As for Auruo?"

"He has been dismissed from supervision duties on field this afternoon, sir. You may expect him soon... Is this regarding mission recruitment?" "Keen of you. Yeah; just round two." "Yes, sir."

The man nods and taps the wooden counter with an unoccupied hand to signal his goodbye before treading down a tiled hallway towards his office, door closed quietly behind him as he takes to sitting behind his desk. His ink-dipped, wax-stamped, and cursive-scrawled request letters are dropped into a makeshift 'to-do' pile to the top left of his work space arrangement. 

[rohavens-deactivated20200122]

               “….Why would I lie about my age?” it makes sense, considering he looks much too troubled as to accept the fact that he had been just adopted by the mangaka. It wouldn’t hurt to say his age, it would be less of a headache, honestly. 

                    “I’m twenty years old, how does that sound?”

[the-adamant]

Every passing recruitment period is filled faces of perpetual youth and naive doggedness masked by churning generations of taller and more mature-looking teens; in turn does the captain feel only he and a select few others age significantly in circadian time along with crawling seasons and years to tread by...  Only 20? Clearly, he must partake in a diet Levi has never heard of.

“...Look, kid, you’re a good decade off from my own age. That doesn’t qualify me anything near being ‘adopted’ by the likes of you. “Now are we wrapping this up, or?”

[magnoliiales-deactivated2015060]

                   Disappointment is evident for but a brief                               moment before a simple word reaches the hollows of her                                ears. ‘Incoming’. She whips her head forward to observe                               just in time to spot to spot the obstruction in her path. Her                               eyes widen in surprise and she gasps ( as there is hardly                               time to make a sound, she must act! ). 

                              She acts quickly. Her wire is released and grappled quickly to                               a tree to the right. She is quickly pulled in that direction in just                               enough time to avoid the tree trunk. She lands on the side of                               the tree, but quickly hooks her line elsewhere and pushes off                               of it. It does take her some time to regain the momentum                               she had, but she has regained her focus once more. 

                                                               “         Thanks.”

[the-adamant]

Expressions so conspicuously paint every passing thought upon her face; he does not recall ever catching bouts of calm from the redhead's energetic spontaneity and vivacious tenacity unparalleled. Levi does not worry for her capabilities in maneuvering away from potential impact, however her attention span...

"Hell of a wonder how you haven't gotten bugs caught in your teeth yet from all the talking you do," he states within earshot, and scuffed heels dig into the bark of the branch he takes perch upon.

"Be careful."

Wires retract as he crouches comfortably with bent knees, and he peers at the horizontal flat of land used by base for simulation training.

[caterstrophe]

“I don’t care that much. Was just making an observation.” A lot of it is haughty confidence, knowing the best and expecting as much from the world’s entire wingspan. The other part, curiosity, expectations set aside for the sheer sake of prying. “You don’t look very old. How did you get so high up so fast?” Not that age is a reason for discrimination or anything. Not like she’d care if it was regardless. 

[the-adamant]

Levi does not believe mere observation should hold within its description such heavy implication. Though she owns perhaps more naivete than ill will; therefore the response is cast from his focus, and instead replaced with the question at hand.  “I tend to get that a lot,” he replies, and his gaze drops to the remnant sheen of his leather military boots. “I’m older than you’ve presumed, number one.  “Two, I suggest you introduce yourself to me before continuing this prying.”

[magnoliiales-deactivated2015060]

the-adamant has liked this for a starter

                Emerald hues sparkled with pride as a                          grin spread across her features. Her voice was orotund and                          she was practically glowing with excitement. 

                                             "Did you see what I just did?!                                        That was pretty cool, huh, big bro?“ 

[the-adamant]

“--Mm?” For what reason she seeks his approval for achievements or deliberated phrases, the raven understands very little-- regardless, he chimes with monotonous indifference and in turn fans the flame of their ongoing game of familial banter with his own curveball of subtle nescience. 

Levi’s head turns to face the girl just after his grappling gear extends to hook into branches, and silver irises catch in his peripheral the proximity of free area around her. He nods towards the obstruction of a tree trunk just in her path.  “Incoming.”

[rohavens-deactivated20200122]

                  “I don’t think such. Actually, I’m better off stayng here rather than letting you by yourself…” the ‘SON’ at the end of his sentence goes unspoken, the way his brows raise and fingers remove few strands of hair from his forehead are just enough to convey it. 

Had he known it felt so good to be the one to joke every now and then, he should have tried it once – twice, even – before. It could serve at some point in his manga.

[the-adamant]

He quickly comes to terms with himself and concludes without hesitation that he is in dire need of a cup of tea riiight about now. “Do me a favor and tell me how old you are right here and now. Be honest.”

[caterstrophe]

“You’re a captain? I guess they just pick anyone these days.” That came out with an edge more sharper than intended but it’s clear by her expression that she’s shocked.And truth be told, she shouldn’t be, child weapon that she is, little terror that she can be, she of all people should understand the consequences of judgments based on appearances alone. 

[the-adamant]

The man holds no such interest in arguing with the likes of a child, own facade mellowed to exhibiting no reaction for such naive commentary when his occupation demands of him all the energy he can provide.  Though how incredibly peculiar is the approached presence; he does not remember the likes of such a loudmouth lacking filter at base.  “Is that an objection you’d like to waste my time with?”

[rohavens-deactivated20200122]

levi is around his late twenties and, considering he lived forever ago, he could be rohan’s ancestor, yet here i am adopting him.

[the-adamant]

/looks for a copy of a restraining order

[rohavens-deactivated20200122]

                 It takes him no longer than few seconds, eyes scanning the other man’s features in concentration. “Is TWELVE too much?”

[the-adamant]

Levi earnestly considers this alien of a man to be from outside the walls entirely. Under no circumstances or in any event has he ever met someone with such obscure regard.  “You’d be best off thinking about leaving.”