[ voice / action ]

[corps]

VOICE

[ He would write, but Erwin's handwriting at the moment verges on illegible. That's what happens, unfortunately, when one is forced to begin using their non-dominant hand. So speaking it is. It seems, as much as he might have tried to keep a low profile since his return for the sake of recovering some strength, Erwin simply can't help voicing his thoughts--even on his birthday. Not that he's going to mention that, of course. The journal entry, which he makes around mid-afternoon, begins with him clearing his throat before he begins to talk. ]

I believe that with winter quickly approaching, we could all benefit from having a warm space to continue to grow food over the colder months. A communal greenhouse would be the most logical option.

[ After some discussion between them, this had been mentioned by Levi previously when the two of them were in Luceti before, but he thinks they are likely in need of it now more than ever. ]

As someone who hails from a world with resources similar to those available to us here, I think this is entirely possible. Creating several smaller structures would likely work best, as they would be able to retain heat better than a larger building. There are a number of ways to generate heat: using the sun to warm stone or troughs of water, using compost, or even a stove of some sort, but those are only a few possibilities. I am interested to hear suggestions from others as well. Do you think that this would be a worthwhile project, and if so what do you believe to be the best method? I know there are many of you here with skills unique to your worlds. Perhaps you have an answer that someone else may not.

Location would also be a determining factor. I've scouted some potential areas, but that should be a group decision as well.


ACTION

[ Erwin can be found outside for most of the morning and early afternoon, out looking at potential places to put these greenhouses that he'll later mention on the journal. He'll be looking around the village in general, spending quite a bit of time by the stables--heat from the animals and the manure they produce could be useful--and around buildings furthest away from encroaching trees. He'll have to monitor which spots get the most sun over the course of the next few days. Those who knew him previously in the village but haven't yet seen him again will note that these days he wears a long coat (though still emblazoned with the Survey Corps emblem) rather than the short jacket he'd previously preferred, and no longer bothers with the trademark harness that enables the use of the 3DMG. The most significant change by far, however, is the distinct lack of his right arm, completely missing just below the shoulder. He'd tied the empty right sleeve of his coat off today in a neat knot, keeping it out of his way.

The later part of the day he spends at home, which has recently become Building One, with his roommates--effectively the only two people in residence who are actually aware that he turned thirty-eight today. ]

Comments

[reviling]

All right.

[he'd seen and heard Erwin's message earlier, and so isn't too surprised about this outing, nor does he need to ask what it is for. Truthfully, he's inwardly pleased that Erwin remembered that Levi had begun to arrange something like this in the past, and that he wants to actually see it happen.

Levi prepares the cups for tea, and steps back so Erwin can pour the water over it. He brings them to the table, along with a plate for when it has finished steeping - always careful to never let it be too long.]

When do you want to leave?

[corps]

[ Of course he wants to see it happen; it had been a good idea then, and Levi had been his inspiration for it now. ]

Around nine. We'll be observing until mid-afternoon, so we can see how the light falls through the part of the day when the sun is typically brightest.

[ Tea prepared, he rejoins Levi at the table, settling back into his chair as they wait for their tea to steep. ]

Do you have any suggestions yourself, Levi?

[reviling]

Understood.

[Levi shifts, settling into his seat a little more - not quite a slouch, per se, but a little more...comfortable. His foot rests just against Erwin's knee, the way he has it crossed now, and he doesn't bother to move it.]

Nothing specifically at the moment.

fair warning: current snk spoilers in this thread

[corps]

[ It's that small, casual touch that gives Erwin pause. He'd had a rather unsettling talk with Ginia earlier which had stirred feelings he's been trying to keep in check since he arrived here. Since then has been yearning to speak with Levi, who has always been the one to reassure him when he needed it. He needs it now as he never has before. He's felt lost before, certainly, and he's had doubts--but not so lost as this, and he has never experienced such uncertainty about the future he seeks. It had begun in the quiet darkness of he cell he'd been kept in, where he'd had ample time to consider his actions and his motives for taking them. Facing his own death, there are two roads before him. Though he has paved one road himself, he doesn't have the power to choose which he will take. Now he doesn't know whether or not he should have laid that path at all.

And yet, it may not matter anyway. At the moment, the other road is just as likely. ]

Levi, I...

[ He looks at their cups, and then up across the table to Levi himself. ]

I am not sure if I made the right choice, recently.

[ The graveness of his expression and voice are enough to indicate that he means at home rather than any choice he's made here. ]

[reviling]

[Levi meets Erwin's look evenly - calm, patient. He's quiet for a moment, letting the heaviness settle between them; Erwin has never expressed this kind of self doubt in front of him after a decision has been made and the consequences set in motion, not once.

Finally, he sits up a little more, reaching across the table to remove the tea that has steeped long enough from their cups. His movements are unhurried, but precise.]

Which choice is that?

[Levi settles back into his chair, pulling his own cup closer.]

[corps]

[ Though Levi is collected as usual, Erwin knows he must be surprised. He never speaks so candidly about his own misgivings, even to Levi. He takes his mug in hand, letting it warm hid skin while he waits for the tea to cool enough to drink. ]

Implementing this coup in the first place.

[ Before Levi can challenge him, he continues quickly. ]

I know that the current government is corrupt. I know it better than most. But there is no telling whether removing them will actually better enable mankind's survival. It may even mean that fewer people will live.

[ His fingers tighten around his mug. ]

I am concerned that I may have made this decision selfishly, thinking more of the wellbeing of myself and my friends than humanity as a whole.