“Haa, haa, haa,” recognizing where I am I quickly collect myself. Why am I dreaming about the past lately? Realizing the state I’m in, I need to wash off. Off to the side Armin is sprawled out causing a light smile to appear upon my face. At least he’s sleeping well. Rising to my feet a sudden weakness comes to me along with the growl of my stomach. Looking over towards the jar the picture of those eyes once more flashes into existence.
Making my way outside I sit on the ground, since... then, I still have been incapable of accomplishing such things. The raw power, the actions that appear unconscious, it refuses... whatever this ability is. “What could have happened had we not gone.” Moving my focus from the sky I stand again noting how parched I am, time to find a well. Looking around for some container I find a small pot.
Taking my time searching areas nearby, I soon found myself following the sounds of people. Making it to where the sound was originating from the sight before me is too peaceful. I guess everyone gets water in the morning. Seeing no reason not to, I wait my turn to get water. With no issues arising filling the small pot was simple, with the water I my way back home.
A bit of melancholy washes over me at the resignation I had seen, the looks of those people were filled with acceptance and sadness. There was no fight left in them, not having gone too far it’s a quick trip ending with my thoughts being broken. Slowly opening the door, I squeeze in; Armin is still sleeping and has somehow gotten into an even weirder posture.
Setting down the water I finally get a good look at what's in the jar. It appeared to be pepper like however I have never seen peppers that looked like these. Could they be from another Kingdom? Which Kingdom would be trading in this time? Did the war end? Stop thinking so much, it's not like it matters anyways. Deciding to wake Armin I’m soon standing over him staring, should I kick him gently. Unsure how to approach this I stand there, if someone saw this what would they think, me standing over him with only the specks of light that breach the roof.
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“Armin, Armin, wake up, the day has begun its time to eat.” Gently nudging him with my foot he slowly starts moving. Helping him up I lead him over to a chair. Sitting down myself I wait as he fully wakes up. ‘What is this?’ Noticing the jar on the table Armin appeared confused. “Some food I found.” ‘Really!’ Getting used to his enthusiasm I remain stoic, “yes, how else would it be here.” Seemingly embarrassed but still excited, ‘but how and where!’
“Just eat and drink already, we have a long day ahead of us.” With that he stopped, and we began eating. The peppers weren’t bad, but they likely would have been better with other things. When we were done eating the jar was nearly completely empty, the water being completely finished. “What?” With Armin looking at me I couldn’t help but ask, ‘you said we have a lot to do?’ Realizing my mistake I quickly tell him how we’ll be looking for good pieces of wood, roofing, and anything else that may be used.
With a whole day ahead of us we left, searching the rubble and broken-down places nearby. We ran into a couple like us, looking for anything of use. This place is just the broken-down outdated part that was never torn down. Not many even are in this area all things considered, it's mostly those gangs as far as I can tell. By the end of the day, we only found two pieces of wood that would be useable, roofing, however we found a lot that could be used. I did find this book however; it was easy to make a wood writing tool. As for ink, it may not be the best quality, but the charcoal I mixed with some water has been working fine. Closing the book, I should get some sleep.
/After Sleep/
That was a day, guards came in mass grabbing anybody that they found. Unfortunately including both Armin and me, I suppose they were tired of so many in their words, ‘waste of space that could be used as fodder.’ Where were we taken you ask, well a training ground. It seems the war hadn’t ended, though I have bigger issues to worry about other than peppers. For one I now see those robed individuals occasionally enter the commander's tent. Every time they appear it feels as if a monster has come. A piece of me feels ready while every other part quivers.
Armin seems happy even as pushed in training he was just happy to have food and housing. We stayed in a barracks that was made to hold as many people as possible. Unlike Armin I’ve been trying to find out everything I can, so far, I have only found out that the war is at a standstill.