cat's cradle
you've been dreaming of a certain type of world.
Soma wonders if it is a natural trait for New-types to be so nosy (he'll think this again when he meets Alisa for the first time, so he theorizes by then that it probably is). It is not just because she's a New-Type anymore that Soma hears other people talking about her. Outside of his own unit, Tsubaki is proud of how quickly she is taking up her training and learning about being a God Eater -more like pushing herself into an early grave, Soma thinks wearily. Both the Director -Soma feels the momentary angry growing inside of him at the thought of his father- and Old Man Sakaki seem interested in learning more about how her special abilities can be of use for them, but in two every different ways. Everyone is already friendly with the New-Type girl as she can always be found talking to someone within the Den's lobby whenever she has a break. She's already craving her space within the Den, but what will happen when she's gone?
"Soma! Soma! Did you hear the news?" Blue eyes flick up from his spot on the couch to see a young red-haired man calling his name. Eric der Volgelweid isn't very close to Soma (whoever is?) but he isn't one to be bothered by the older man constantly giving everyone the cold shoulder, thus Soma can tolerate him a bit more than other people. As such, Soma doesn't make any notion towards answering his question and Eric keeps talking.
"We'll be training the New-Type today. Isn't that exciting?" Eric talks gleefully in his general direction, as he continues to go on about training the new generation, the heroics of being a God Eater, and whatever other fancy delusions he creates for himself.
Soma gets up from the couch because Lindow clearly hadn't told him that this was going to be part of today's mission, though he isn't very sure where the Corporal is, he is sure that he can find either him or Sakuya rather quickly. Eric is left forgotten, watches his senior take the elevator to the upper parts of the Den but when it comes down, his younger comrade comes out - bright-eyed and a lot less nervous than he was at this point within his own training.
"This will be good," Eric whispers to himself rather excitedly.
"Don't just stand there, fight!"
Everything happens so quickly -seeing those two, Eric introducing himself, the attack- that you don't have time to react as the hooded man slashes at the Ogretail that attacked no, killed Eric. Both of them are dead and lying on the ground in front of you. Your hands are clammy, as you grip in your God Arc a bit harder. There is a rock stuck in your throat and your eyes are burning for a moment. This wasn't your first time seeing a dead Aragami or seeing a dead human for that matter, but Eric had just been so nice in that brief moment. Unconsciously, your right hand finds its way clenched tightly near your chest when the hooded man begins to speak - hard and cold, like a true veteran God Eater.
"Well there you go, welcome to this godforsaken work place," he is looking at the scene before turning to you and you see a young man -definitely older than you, but younger than Lindow and Sakuya- with tan skin and blond hair. He tells you his name is Soma, someone that you have heard of from other God Eaters -stay away, he's dangerous- but someone you thought would be much older from his years of experience.
"Don't waste your time remembering it, neither of us will be here long," he starts going on about questioning you about what you thought being a God Eater was going to be. Whatever fear and anger, you might have felt is replaced with indignation over his rather callous speech as Eric's warm body only lays a few feet away from the two of you. He turns his back to you and you grip your God Arc harder than before, suddenly remembering something from a long time ago.
Darling, sweetheart...you have to make the most out of live. Promise me, no? Wouldn't have been better if you died instead of her?
"...the time for mourning has come and gone. We've got a mission," You puff your cheeks slightly because as quickly as he was reprimanding you, he was moving into the mission and giving you pointers. But, it was the same as all the other God Eaters told you - stay away from me.
You don't know if it is your own past coming to haunt you or that the smell of rotting flesh is starting to reach your nostrils, but you take one small step towards him and voice your thoughts.
"I'm sorry, but during my last couple of training sessions I've been taught that working together keeps the team alive. I won't be staying away from you, even if you do have some sort of death wish...sir."
You try using the change of command in your favor, especially since you don't know his personality very well outside of his little tirade. He stays quiet before marching forward without ever replying to your own outburst. You look at Eric's body one more time and bow your head before following Soma onto the battlefield.
The mission is over as quick as it started and somehow the both of you manage to stay alive, but Soma doesn't direct a single word towards you after the mission, though you give him a small thank you before going to meet up with Kota. The older man is left with the larger task of filling out the mission report and while he doesn't answer any of Lindow's questions outside of Eric's death, the Corporal is pleasantly surprised to see the next day at the end of a certain report in neat and almost cursive-like handwriting.
I, Soma Schicksal approve of the New-Type 00-1's transfer.
but, what are you doing to achieve your perfect happiness?