[ She's probably repeating a saying someone has told them but honestly, it has been a long time and he doesn't always remember everything. Jean does believe in the right to bitch about whatever you want, though. He certainly is more than happy to tell people how he feels about things. ]
I'm not surprised there are people like that here too. [ There are people like that everywhere, no matter how safe and peaceful a place looks. ]
Well, it can't be as bad as it is back home. [ Living outside the walls, that is. ] They probably aren't ... hated by the rest of the world.
It doesn't seem to be. [That had been one of the first things she'd commented on. That everyone was so different but still lived so close.] I've learnt a few things, but because witches need bonds... [She shrugs. If Jean wandered around he might notice the richer places had less monsters. There was a divide, but not as large as they'd seen back home.]
From what I've worked out that family was capturing monsters for parts to make potions with or to sell.
[STILL PRETTY WEIRD TO HER that there was places offering to buy scales and stuff.]
Some real bastards, huh? Why is it always the wealthy ones ...
[ That's how it was back home, too. The wealthiest and most influential keeping everyone else in the dark about the truth of the world even if it meant millions would die. Then again, he almost joined them, with how he almost chose a life of comfort within the interior. ]
Is there a big market for monster parts? Especially ... the being you're transforming into. [ He doesn't know what she's transforming into, exactly. It looks like a kind of insect. He's definitely hoping she isn't in any danger of being kidnapped and harvested for parts. ]
They did get executed as soon as they were caught... [Mikasa wasn't too keen on death. But also it was kind of amazing how swiftly it'd been decided and that they weren't given any chances to wiggle free of their punishment.
But then Jean says those few words and that sure is a wince. For a moment she's still, then she swallows and stops hesitating.]
...I'm not sure. I was told that I can sell any scales I grow and...[She doesn't scratch at her neck. The chitin covered that too much for scratches.] Someone offered me money for a lump of shell that broke off. And I've not seen many other fae...
[She doesn't look at him. Doesn't say anything else. Because it really wasn't something she'd wanted to think about. Being a 'rarity' here and back home. Something worth money and not a person.]
[ He definitely can't leave now that he's hearing this. Yes, he has things he needs to return to, but from what he's gathering, time will stall until it's his turn to leave. Those things they need to settle will still be there when they get back. If anything happens to Mikasa here, though, does Mikasa disappear forever? And even if she doesn't, the thought of her being sold as some kind of product on the black market is one he cannot accept on principle. ]
Nothing will happen to you. You're the strongest person I know. [ And he'll be here to protect her -- Or, at least, try to. Jean knows that between them both, she probably still is the stronger one despite her reduced size.
Being the perceptive sort, he does pick up on her discomfort regarding the topic, so he decides to shift it. There's no sense getting upset about possibilities that may not even be true. They have enough problems already. ] Are you all settled in?
I didn't say it would... [If something like that did happen, she had no intention of letting it. She wasn't worried there, it just left a bitter taste that she couldn't shake off. Different place, same stuff. Even if this place was more together in some ways, there were noticeable little divides.
Still, the topic change gets a small shrug, a chirp from the back of her throat.]
I've been less settled. The first few weeks were annoying, I only arrived with the clothes on my back in the middle of winter. But... [She hesitates for a moment.] It was easier than when Wall Maria fell. [Back when they'd been refugees in Wall Rose, and there'd been the famines and the general struggles of being a small child in a disaster. At least here she'd been able to find work, and had a roof over her head within a day.]
I can imagine... [ He was born in Trost, so he barely felt the impact when Shiganshina was breached, but he definitely heard about how bad it was. The calamity came to his town years after, anyway. He doubts any disaster in this peaceful land can match up to what they've all been through. ]
[The mission to reclaim Wall Maria had horrified the few people Mikasa had mentioned it to. Along with the famines when she'd asked if it was really okay for them to be giving her so much food for nothing.
By that standard, even Jean's relatively peaceful life would probably get horror from these people.]
Yes. They weren't organised this time, but normally they have houses ready for people to move into...The one I'm in was abandoned. [The infection got in one area or something else happened and the owners left en mass. And because it's Jean. She'll tell him about the other thing she's heard.] I've been told they're so willing to give us things because it makes us cause less trouble.
[ There's definitely a reason it was abandoned. Some kind of unrest? Or maybe it's that virus that he's heard about. ]
Well, that's one of the better ways to deal with civil conflict. [ The alternative would be to capture and dispose of anyone who's thinking of creating some dissent, so it's good that this is how they deal with things. ]
Why did the previous owners abandon your house? Do you live in a dangerous area?
Some mentioned that the Coven probably feel bad that we were brought here. That's why they pay for houses and give us the watches. [Because most of the watches were used by the mirrorbound. In short, Mikasa had been told it was all a bribe. Keep them sweet. That every non-monster mirrorbound was a witch was a boon to them.
She shakes her head at the question though.]
I'm not sure. From what I've worked out the previous residents were paid to leave from most of the area, but the house I'm in had been empty for a while.
[If Jean looked. He'd still find dust. Especially in the spare rooms and closets. The areas that were used had been cleaned but...]
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for Mikasa
[ She's probably repeating a saying someone has told them but honestly, it has been a long time and he doesn't always remember everything. Jean does believe in the right to bitch about whatever you want, though. He certainly is more than happy to tell people how he feels about things. ]
I'm not surprised there are people like that here too. [ There are people like that everywhere, no matter how safe and peaceful a place looks. ]
Well, it can't be as bad as it is back home. [ Living outside the walls, that is. ] They probably aren't ... hated by the rest of the world.
[ LIKE ELDIANS ARE............ ]
no subject
From what I've worked out that family was capturing monsters for parts to make potions with or to sell.
[STILL PRETTY WEIRD TO HER that there was places offering to buy scales and stuff.]
no subject
[ That's how it was back home, too. The wealthiest and most influential keeping everyone else in the dark about the truth of the world even if it meant millions would die. Then again, he almost joined them, with how he almost chose a life of comfort within the interior. ]
Is there a big market for monster parts? Especially ... the being you're transforming into. [ He doesn't know what she's transforming into, exactly. It looks like a kind of insect. He's definitely hoping she isn't in any danger of being kidnapped and harvested for parts. ]
no subject
But then Jean says those few words and that sure is a wince. For a moment she's still, then she swallows and stops hesitating.]
...I'm not sure. I was told that I can sell any scales I grow and...[She doesn't scratch at her neck. The chitin covered that too much for scratches.] Someone offered me money for a lump of shell that broke off. And I've not seen many other fae...
[She doesn't look at him. Doesn't say anything else. Because it really wasn't something she'd wanted to think about. Being a 'rarity' here and back home. Something worth money and not a person.]
no subject
Nothing will happen to you. You're the strongest person I know. [ And he'll be here to protect her -- Or, at least, try to. Jean knows that between them both, she probably still is the stronger one despite her reduced size.
Being the perceptive sort, he does pick up on her discomfort regarding the topic, so he decides to shift it. There's no sense getting upset about possibilities that may not even be true. They have enough problems already. ] Are you all settled in?
[ A place to stay, food to eat and all that ... ]
no subject
Still, the topic change gets a small shrug, a chirp from the back of her throat.]
I've been less settled. The first few weeks were annoying, I only arrived with the clothes on my back in the middle of winter. But... [She hesitates for a moment.] It was easier than when Wall Maria fell. [Back when they'd been refugees in Wall Rose, and there'd been the famines and the general struggles of being a small child in a disaster. At least here she'd been able to find work, and had a roof over her head within a day.]
no subject
Do you have a place to stay and everything?
no subject
By that standard, even Jean's relatively peaceful life would probably get horror from these people.]
Yes. They weren't organised this time, but normally they have houses ready for people to move into...The one I'm in was abandoned. [The infection got in one area or something else happened and the owners left en mass. And because it's Jean. She'll tell him about the other thing she's heard.] I've been told they're so willing to give us things because it makes us cause less trouble.
no subject
Well, that's one of the better ways to deal with civil conflict. [ The alternative would be to capture and dispose of anyone who's thinking of creating some dissent, so it's good that this is how they deal with things. ]
Why did the previous owners abandon your house? Do you live in a dangerous area?
no subject
She shakes her head at the question though.]
I'm not sure. From what I've worked out the previous residents were paid to leave from most of the area, but the house I'm in had been empty for a while.
[If Jean looked. He'd still find dust. Especially in the spare rooms and closets. The areas that were used had been cleaned but...]