Lyrics from Starset - Carnivore
All my life they let me know
How far I would not go
But inside the beast still grows
Chewing through the ropes
Jean Kirschtein had been anything but excited to not be able to move across the country to go to University but instead was stuck only two and a half hours away from his hometown. The boy had hoped to leave to a different state for years before he even knew what he wanted to do with his life but opted to stay closer to his parents and attend a University more fit to his needs than to his dreams. At least he got to study whatever he wanted and was even able to get his own small apartment which meant he wasn't forced to stay at the University's dorms. He also felt lucky to have some of the people he knew as well as his best friend close enough to visit them if he felt like it. This had been another reason, probably even one of the main ones, for his decision. The people he came to care for mattered more to him than some silly idea he had come up with as a kid when he still thought leaving everything behind would make him happy. No matter how he looked at it, even though a lot had changed since his past, he always ended up being the same person. Influenced by his former experiences and new surroundings, yes, but essentially still the same guy. It was somewhat funny to him to see everything around change but see the people staying the same when it came down to it. For a while he had considered joining the military but soon gave up on that idea. While the military nowadays gave him a lot of options he decided that settling down into a different branch would benefit him more while also giving him the opportunity to still help others. In general Jean could say he was happy and content with his life. He was alive and as far as he knew wasn't ill and most of all there was nothing endangering his life and spending time with his friends was nothing being overshadowed by death anymore. So he did what he thought to be the best option and enjoyed his first days at University strolling through town and the campus, trying to memorize where certain places were.
About three weeks after the semester had started he spotted a familiar face among the students currently flocking out of their lectures. His own classes had just ended for today and his mind already was busy with planning his remaining day and what he'd be doing, so he only caught someone he seemed to recognise out of the corner of his eyes. However something made him turn around and attempt to spot whoever it was he just saw. At first he couldn't make out anyone particular but just when someone accidentally hit his shoulder and yelled at him for standing in the middle of the hallway, he could make out the blonde hair of a tall person just down the hall. There was no way he could have mistaken that person. That huge body would stand out anywhere and it was kind of hard to forget that face.
„Reiner?", he shouted after the guy and broke into a sprint to catch up with him. It took him a bit to fight through the people in his way without running them over while also not losing sight of the blond.
„Reiner, wait!", he shouted again shortly after he was in hearing distance, this time getting his attention. Seeing the tall man turn around in confusion, his eyebrows furrowed, he waved at him in hopes of making the boy see him. A smile spread across his face the closer he got to who he assumed to be Reiner. When Jean got close enough he could see the other's face light up slightly, a smile tugging at his lips as well. He could not truly believe it. Running into someone like Reiner in a place like his University by pure coincidence. It happened before. The first time he recognised someone other than Marco he was confused about whether or not he might be mistaken. This time he felt rather confident. „Wow.", he grinned, slightly out of breath. „So, it's really you?" The question was the first thing that came to his mind when he came to a halt. The boy looked the part, that much was clear. Buff and tall, a mix of seriousness and friendliness on his face, while also giving off this intimidating aura. He wore light jeans with a belt around his hips as well as a dark tank top. The jacket he wore over it had the University's logo on it and some letters he couldn't make out but assumed to be his name on the back.
„Kirschtein. I haven't seen you in what? A few centuries?" Now that he heard the slightly gruff voice there was no mistaking it. Jean had to chuckle at Reiner's choice of words. To everyone else it might seem like nothing but an exaggerated phrase but it might as well have been centuries as a matter of fact. Judging by the lack of evidence in any history books this world seemed to be slightly different to what they were used to. He wouldn't complain, though. „Who knows. Man, I didn't think I'd ever see you again and now you're just here.", he answered, sounding astonished. It was one thing to meet old friends you just lost touch with but an entire different story if you lost contact with them because technically you all should be dead. Somehow it always left a weird feeling in his stomach but he didn't mind. After all it usually felt better to have someone else to talk to after all those years. „How have you been? Damn, there's so much to talk about!" If he was reading Reiner's expression right then he seemed to be glad right now as well. The blond had a bag slung over his shoulder that he now decided to rummage through, obviously looking for something. „You're right. There's way too much for just now and I'm supposed to be training now, anyway. Let me give you my number and just meet up."; he explained and scribbled something of a piece of paper he just had torn from a pad and proceeded to hand it to him. „I got to tell Bertholdt about that. Can't wait to do that. I think he mentioned you in a conversation recently." Jean stuffed the paper into his pocket before looking up at the taller once again. „Bertholdt? So you mean he's here as wall? Damn, that's amazing!" It felt right to have Reiner and Bertholdt knowing each other. It simply seemed fitting for them. He had found Marco again as well so he figured it was only fair if everyone else got to meet the ones they were closest too themselves. „Of course! Call me, okay? Don't forget it! I really have to go now but I'll find you if you don't make sure to contact us!" Seconds after he made a sound between laughing and wincing – because Reiner seemed like he still would be able to take him out within a few moves – and saying his goodbyes he faced the man's back as he was walking down the halls again. He should make sure to meet up with them soon.