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Who: Historia (

headheldhigh), Bertolt (

bertall), Armin (

schachmeister), Eren (

greatrage), Sasha (

lordofthefries), Jean (

notvaljean)
Where: The 104th's camp outside Celadon!
When: June 6th
Summary: Historia's hiding a secret! Like... half the characters in this series, apparently. Anyway she's done with hiding so she's gotta fess up to everyone.
Rating: G??? PG??? Nothing's gunna happen but Shit Pasts are a thing for these kids and she might get into hers here and that involves some pretty upsetting subjects like child abuse.
Log:

[Historia... felt a little ashamed that it's taken so long for her to do this. She'd promised Ymir that she'd reclaim her true name when Ymir revealed her own secret, and sure, she'd told her. But her friends here... they still called her Krista. She was lying again... but she'd been having so much fun, even as overwhelming as certain recent events were, and she just kept pushing it back, even though it was something important. But she can't keep shrugging aside that promise, so she sends out a message; late in the afternoon, when she hopes most of them are in, around, or starting to return to camp.]

When everyone is back, I need to talk to you all about something I should have mentioned when I first arrived.

[And then... she waits for them to trickle in, her vulpix in her lap and Ymir the Larvitar by her side, doing their bests to be the comforting presences she needs right now.

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Is everything okay? I'm waiting for Marcel, but we're not that far out right now.

_{[Once Marcel is rested up, they'll be ready to move again - he's been working on his balance and staying on his Arcanine's back when he starts to run faster than their horses from home. It's... a lot harder than he thought it'd be.]}

Everything's okay, yes. It's just... something I promised I'd stop hiding. I should've talked about this the day I arrived...

It's nothing bad, is it?

_{[Come on Marcel, stop playing in the water it's time to go.]}

... It's not information I'm supposed to tell anyone. I've had to keep it a secret, since before I joined the training corps.

But we're not behind the walls anymore. I... I don't have to hide it anymore.

_{[Shit. It's got to be big if that's the case.]}

I'm on my way.

_{[Tucking his gear into his pocket, Bertolt grabs onto Marcel's collar to haul himself up onto his back and once he's situated properly, changes his grip to his mane and nudges him forward. Come on buddy, let's get those feet going!

For once, Bertolt is glad that Arcanine are known for being fast - it doesn't take him long to get back to camp (especially, as he discovered, if he flattens himself down to hide his face in Marcel's neck to shield his face), and he's positive that Marcel is heard before they're even seen. It takes a few tugs to his fur to get him to slow down and stop, and when he skids to a halt Bertolt doesn't hesitate to jump off - or, well, more accurately, stumble off. He's good, he's good!

It's a bumpy ride, okay?]}

S-Sorry, h-he's-- G-Give me a minute.

_{[He just. Sort of. Needs to sit down. Right here on the ground next to Krista sounds good.]}

[Historia moves to get up when Bertolt stumbles off of Marcel, but when she sees he's clearly not hurt, just winded, she sits back down, the vulpix a bit surprised at the flurry of movement but settling back in her lap quickly enough. It's good, it helps break the tension a bit, but... only a bit. When Historia laughs, there's a sort of heaviness to it.]

Of course. Take all the time you need.

[Even when this is supposed to be focusing on her, she worries about the others first....]

_{[As soon as Bertolt sits down, his Arcanine is quick to pad up next to him and slowly stretch forward and flop down to the ground with a heavy sigh, his head turning to settle in his trainer's lap. One hand automatically moves to rub at Marcel's ears, but Bertolt doesn't focus on him entirely.

After he catches his breath, Bertolt glances up at her and forces a small, sheepish smile.]}

You'll have to let me take you for a ride on him sometime. He's... really fast.

_{[Fast enough that Bertolt might have to get a different riding harness just for running.]}

...Is everything really okay, though? You look tired.

I bet riding a dog is a lot different than riding a horse.

[A lot more warmer, that's for sure. And probably more comfortable with all that fur... but no. She's letting herself get distracted like this. They'll have plenty of time to talk about dog-riding later...]

I'm okay, honest. This has just... been on my mind for a while. [No point in drawing it out any longer...] Bertolt... does the name "Reiss" mean anything to you?

[He was from a village out in the area that was overrun when Wall Maria fell, right? So far from teh interior, she's not sure how far that name would carry...]

_{[His brows furrow, trying to recall the name. Reiss... Her tone makes it seem like it's something important, but it isn't ringing any bells. Reiss, Reiss, Reiss...

Still nothing.]}

Not exactly, no. ...I feel like I might've heard something like it while we were in Trost, but...

_{[No, that was Reeves. That is dumb.]}

S-Sorry, it's still not coming to me.

[Honestly? That brings a little relief there, and it makes her shoulders slump just a bit. The last thing she wants from the reveal of her true name is to be treated any differently by the people who actually matter to her.]

It's the last name of a powerful lord in the interior. One of the most powerful men behind the walls, I guess.

And... it's my true last name, as well.

_{[Really, if anything Bertolt might get more protective. He doesn't want to think about what Marley would do if they ever got their hands on her.

Devil spawn or not, Bertolt views her as one of his friends and part of his... odd, ragtag family he put together inside of the walls. He doesn't want anything bad to happen to her if he can do something to prevent it.]}

...How powerful are we talking?

_{[And if she's really someone like that, then...]}

W-Wait, if you're from that sort of a family, why join the military? You could've been living in comfort for the rest of your life, right?

I'm not sure. But he was powerful enough to own a lot of land, that much I know.

[Powerful enough that he could casually allow men to kill an unarmed woman begging for mercy without flinching. She hadn't dared to look into just how powerful her father was, too afraid that if those men had found out she'd been snooping, they would've come back to finish the job. But he was rich enough to spoil her mother, so he had to have been one of the most powerful men in the interior.

And his other question... god. She'd been too young, too naive at the time to realize it, but it's all clicked into place since then]

I never lived a royal's life. I grew up as a worker on a farm owned by the Reiss family. A... family my mother wasn't a part of.

[It hadn't bothered her, back then. But now... admitting you're an unwanted bastard of a noble is kind of tough.]

That's... wow.

_{[Bertolt's own family had been lucky enough to own what they did. Even their homes couldn't really be considered theirs, could they? Only their other possessions and the clothes on their backs... Marley could throw them all out on the streets if they really felt like it.

Bertolt frowns a little, his lips pursed as he thinks. A noble family wouldn't go there, right? They always acted like they were too good to associate with people from lesser upbringings, let alone working-girls.

But he also knew that higher ranked families like that would also have pre-arranged marriages. They could afford to be picky like that, and he's read it in so many novels about castles and kingdoms that wed their children to a neighboring one for peace and other reasons.]}

Did she work on the same farm? Maybe... your dad met her and he fell in love with her, but because she wasn't from a family like that his own family wouldn't allow him to marry her?

[There's another pause, because the memory of her mother's death flashes before her eyes again. How that man had his knife to her mother's throat, how he asked Lord Reiss if Historia and her mother were related to him at all. How her father said no, and just watched as the man murdered her mother.]

I... I don't think that was the case.

...Oh.

_{[One could always be hopeful, but that wasn't the case this time.

Krista was a bastard child, and it wasn't in pleasant circumstances. Bertolt frowns to himself as he threads his fingers through the tuft of hair between Marcel's ears, thinking.

And then, pulling one hand from Marcel, Bertolt lifts his arm up and his expression softens.]}

C'mere.

[It's funny, how this seems almost completely reversed from the last time they talked like this. She'd been the one to try to get him to open up, getting him to cheer up after all the chaos of that weekend... and now it's the other way around.

This is the first time she's ever talked about her past like this. Ymir had made some guesses, and Historia hadn't tried to deny them, but they weren't as detailed as what she was telling Bertolt now. So, unsurprisingly, she's left a bit shaken, and also unsurprisingly, she takes Bertolt up on that offer. She needed the comfort now, and while she doesn't full-on hug him, she'll lean into his side, gaze dropped to the ground.]

I-I'm sorry.... you didn't need to know all that, I should've just told you my name and that was it...

_{[It's either a sign, or the gods of this world laughing at them from the heavens. Bertolt isn't sure which, but either way, it can't be a bad thing. They're on their own here.

Even though he had been offering, Bertolt still flinches when she flops against his side. And then, without thinking twice, Bertolt slowly curls his arm around her shoulders and pulls her in the rest of the way in an awkward side-hug. It's really hard with the size differences, okay? But he's trying his best.]}

Don't.

_{[That came out pretty weird and Bertolt's nose wrinkles in disgust at himself as he quickly shakes his head.]}

I mean... Don't apologize, okay? Apologizing like that makes it sound like you did something wrong, a-and you didn't.

_{[He's never been very good at comforting people like Reiner (and Marcel, especially), but he grew up with both of them. He had always did his best to look out for Reiner and watch how Marcel behaved as a brother. They weren't blood family, but at the same time they were. They grew up together, shed blood, sweat and tears together, and they were all warriors.

Krista wasn't a warrior, but she was a soldier. One of the many soldiers that Bertolt bled, sweat and cried with. They were his soldier-family, even if he was loathe to admit it sometimes.]}

I-It doesn't matter if you're Krista Lenz or Krista Reiss. Nothing'll change how I see you, okay? And I'm... I'm glad you told me.

[Bertolt may think he's not very good at comforting others, but Historia would disagree. Even if he's not doing much, he's big and kind and one of the sweeter boys of the 104th. It gives him a comforting sort of presence, and now, when Historia needs that sort of solid warmth... he's there. And she's extremely thankful for it.]

Historia.

[Even with the mix of conflict and worry (did she really do the right thing here, telling him about her past like that???) on her face, she does manage to look the tiniest bit sheepish. She'd gotten so swept up in the emotions surrounding her upbringing that she forgot to tell him her real first name. Dummy....]

It... it really means a lot, to hear you say that. Thank you, Bertolt.

[She's been living behind the mask of Krista for so long that she's not sure who Historia really is. But here she already has someone willing to support Historia. That.... helps untangle a bit of that mess inside of her, definitely.]

_{[Reiner was the pro at being the rock of emotional support. All Bertolt can do is try to live up to the legacy he built within the 104th while he can.

Plus, well, it's her. Even Bertolt isn't immune to her charms. She's cute, and seeing her happy leaves him with a nice, warm feeling in his chest.]}

It's the least I could do after everything you've done. You've... always been there for us when we've needed a pick-me-up or some sort of support.

_{[She really is a goddess.]}

I just... did what everyone else should do too. If we don't look out for each other, take care of each other... we'll all fall apart before we can make any progress in our mission.

[Sure part of the reason she does it is that it fills that void inside of her that craves any sort of attention. But she does care about her teammates. Her friends. It's more than just her own selfishness that drives her to make sure everyone is okay.]

Besides, I have to thank all of you somehow. When I was growing up, I never really had any friends. The other children hated me, really. But then I joined the 104th... [She thinks of her grandparents, who only ever gave her directions on her chores. Her mother, wishing that she'd never been born, wishing that she'd killed Historia when she had the chance. Her father, who let her mother die, who nearly let her die... and then she thinks of Ymir. Sasha. Bertolt and Reiner. All the others, and their fallen friends. She thinks of now of their little ragtag group of kids trying to find their place in this new world together.] I feel like I actually belong somewhere now. And I want to make sure things always stay like this.

I, uh... I was never that good at making friends.

_{[Bertolt looks down at Marcel, his head tilting a bit as he thinks back to his childhood. His rough, unforgiving childhood that no child should've had to go through. He wanted to make his family proud, to be a good son, and to give them the opportunity to live their lives like real human beings.

It was too cruel, though.

The hardships they endured as they went through training... It wasn't too far off from what they had been put through in the 104th, but the Marleyans didn't give a damn about them. Even Shadis and the others were capable of compassion at times, though it was incredibly rare.]}

I've known Reiner since I was... Five? Six? B-But we've been together ever since, a-and then there was Marcel and Porco, but Porco wasn't the easiest kid to get along with. _{[And then there was Annie, but Bertolt couldn't mention her - for all Bertolt knew, she told the girls a different origin story.]}

You were certainly better than I was. I didn't have any friends until I joined the training corps.

[Before then, her only experiences with other children involved them throwing rocks at her. Even if she'd tried being friendly, there was only so much she could do before it finally sunk in that the others didn't want anything to do with her.]

Porco? Who's that?

[She'd ask about Marcel too, but... the way Bertolt says the name sometimes, even if he's just talking about his arcanine... she knows something bad must've happened to him at some point.]

It's their loss. You're ours now, and they're not getting another chance to befriend you.

_{[Bertolt knows what it's like to have things thrown in his direction, and he could sympathize with that. The Marleyans were a nasty bunch, and Bertolt was glad to be away from them.]}

But, uh... Porco was one of the kids I grew up with. He could get really intense about things and it was a little scary.

[Armin was quite near to camp when he got Krista's message, which had him deciding not to reply, but instead pick up the pace a little so he could get there just a bit quicker. The message is ambiguous enough that it has him frowning. What exactly could Krista be talking about? Considering what she had already told him when she had just arrived, it makes him wonder if there is something even bigger going on than Ymir being a titan.

When he makes it back to camp, it's easy enough to spot Krista, and he head towards her.]

Hey, I got your message. Is everything all right? It sounded rather serious.

[In some ways, it is bigger than what Ymir had been hiding. For those that have heard of her her true last name... yeah, it's a huge thing. She's not sure if the others will get it, but... Armin's smart. He knows a lot that all of them don't. Would he have heard anything about the Reiss family...?]

It's... as long as we're here, and if we don't remember anything about being here like Bertolt said... nobody can get hurt just by knowing this.

[But it's still a bit nerve-wracking. She still has nightmares about that night sometimes, watching that man slice her mother's throat... the feeling of his hand gripping her head, preparing to do the same to her...

Maybe the memories sparked a knot of anxiety in her, or maybe her pokemon are just that connected to her already. Either way, the vulpix in her lap sits up, making a worried noise and licking the bottom of her chin.]

I... I've been lying to you. To everyone. Even Ymir, up until right before I was brought here.

[Nobody can get hurt by knowing this? That does sound like it would be a major deal, though Armin can't imagine anything Krista might know what would put them in that amount of danger. Or at least nothing that would top the reveal of Ymir being a titan.

Better sit down for this.

Armin sinks down onto the ground near Krista, his legs loosely folded underneath him.]

What do you mean, lying to us? What sort of thing could hurt us just by knowing about it?

The identity of my father.

[Even Historia isn't aware of just how powerful Rod Reiss really is, but she knows enough. To have a large position of power in the interior means that he towers over everyone else outside of Sina, he might as well be on par with a king...]

I was supposed to keep it a secret. I even had to change my name, so that nobody will ever know of my connection to him.

Your father?

[Armin's brows fly up, then furrow, trying to make sense of what she is saying.]

I'm not sure I understand. Why does your father's identity need to be kept a secret?

Because my father is a powerful noble... and my mother isn't.

[It's... easier to admit it this time around, having already talked to Bertolt about this. Not by much, but... she doesn't have to practically force it out.]

My real name isn't "Krista Lenz". It's Historia Reiss.

[Ah, so it is that sort of story. Krista-- no, Historia was an illegitimate child. The result of a noble's inability to restrain themselves.

Armin remembers how, from time to time, the newspapers would fill with the news of an illegitimate noble child trying to claim the right to an estate or title. It always seemed to send the newspapers into a flurry of gossip, filling the pages with nonsensical non-news, while important things went unreported.]

I have to say I'm a little surprised, but I guess that sort of story isn't unusual in our world. You hear about it from time to time.

[He's be a lot more surprised if he knew just who the Reiss family is!]

I'll be back in about twenty minutes
if Blitz doesn't get enough exercise he'll keep us all awake all night

is everything okay?

[Jean knows Krista can take care of herself if she needs to, but if he should hustle Blitz along a little, he's willing to.]

I understand. Ymir's been getting antsier now that I've let her battle a few times, so I might need to do the same too.

Everything's fine, yes. There are just some things I... didn't tell all of you when I first arrived. That I really should have.

if you want, she can battle Blitz when I get back
the type difference means that he won't be able to do much damage to her

[About fifteen minutes later, Blitz comes crashing through the bushes, all full of piss and vinegar. He heard you needed someone to fight, madam? Jean arrives a few moments later, breathing hard.]

Blitz, don't you dare, not unless she wants to fight you!

[It says a lot about how lost in her own thoughts Historia was that she just jumps when Blitz comes crashing back into the campsite. Her pokemon jump too, and Ymir, ever the impulsive idiot, growls and stomps over to him. You wanna go buddy???

But before she actually attacks, Historia scoops the larvitar up in her arms, keeping ahold of her even as she squirms.]

H-Hey, calm down, even just for a little while...!

[Important matters, after all!!]

[Blitz crackles and spits several curses in Pokemon language, but listens to Jean and rolls reluctantly back over to him.]

Good Pokemon.

[Jean gives him a treat to enforce this good listening behavior, and shrugs at Krista.]

Sorry, you know how he is. Did you want to let them scuffle a little?

Maybe in a little bit? I'd love for them to get some energy out, but if we have to keep an eye on them, it might... get distracting.

[Kind of awkward to have a serious conversation with two hotheaded pokemon beating the crap out of each other in the background, yeah?]

Don't worry, I can manage it.

[Jean crouches down in front of Blitz, turning the Electrode's entire body around until they're face to face.]

Okay, now listen. Ymir is still a baby, so you need to play gently with her, you got it? No beating up on baby Pokemon, you know the rules.

[Blitz nods--yes, yes, he knows, no picking on babies!--and then rolls out of Jean's grip, turning to face Ymir. He rolls towards her and gives her a very gentle, hardly-more-than-static-electricity shock on the foot. Take that, beast!]

They'll be fine.

[The most offended growl comes from Ymir at the word "baby". You jerk, she's been training!! She's not a baby anymore, damnit!!

Fortunately Historia still has a hold on the Larvitar, so she won't be charging at Jean anytime soon. Or Blitz, even if that cheap shot just makes her struggle more.]

I think that's just going to make her fight even harder....

[Well. As long as she can heal her up just fine, she won't protest. Maybe they'll get a nice calm night around camp later on, if they tire each other out like this.]

What I have to tell you... um, I don't think it would mean much to you since not many of us grew up or were ever nearby the interior. But it's something I've had to keep secret for a long time now, so it's... new to me.

Blitz will pull his punches, she'll be fine.

[Jean is thinking the same thing: maybe if the two of them wear each other out, the camp will be nice and quiet tonight. At least if they're playing, he can listen to whatever Krista wants to tell him without interruption.]

Okay.

[This sounds pretty weird, but Jean will roll with it.]

So what's the secret?

[Sasha's back in Celadon, digging through the displays in the department store for the fiftieth time this week, looking for goodies such as rare berries and stuff she can use to make the ones in her berry pods grow faster. She's deep in a conversation with a shopkeeper when Krista's message comes through. It's a text, something Sasha isn't too fond of because it requires reading and her typing still isn't so hot in her responses, but she still gives it the ol' college try.]

im in celadon right now but i can be back in a little while? is everything o k? is it about me not making my bed before i left?

I could never be mad at you for that!! I mean... I bunked next to Ymir for most of our training. A bit of a messy tent is nothing.

It's just... something I"ve been keeping from everyone. Something I shouldn't have to hide anymore.

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