Chapter 24 – Reiner (Arc 5)

In the end, when Reiner had reached the mines, it turns out that they had had a Quaken that wasn't quite suited to mine work, and as such was in line to be shipped back to its homeland. But before the man could finish his next sentence, Reiner cut in, asking if he could see it first. The Miner standing somewhat shocked and confused, decided that he should let the boy through; he was military after all, defending the homeland and all that.

As Reiner walked into the brazier lit underground cavern, the flickering light cascading over the rough walls, he knew that he had made the right decision about his dragon. There she was. A Titan Wing Catastrophic Quaken.

As his eyes absorbed every drop of the dragon's hazel and emerald hide, he turned to the chief of the northern mountain mines,

"Hey, why in Thor's name is she unsuited to work? Look at the size of her! She'd be able to do the work of at least 20 Gronckles alone!"

The smaller man ran his hand over his coal covered beard, his small eyes looking near glassed over, simply putting it that "My boy, I know that you've learnt all about dragons in that school of yours," Pointing to the insignia on his shoulder before pointing to the dragons "So why don't you tell me?" He finished with a downward glance.

Eyes now scouring over the dragon, hunting for flaws, searching for imperfections, looking for any reason that she couldn't work. His brain now jarring in frustration, he muttered quietly to himself

"No damn it, I don't…"

Not expecting the shorter to hear him, he was surprised when the Miner ordered him to look at her eyes and then. Then he understood.

He'd seen a lot of dragons through his time. Some friendly and approachable, some threatened and scared. And it was with all of these memories in his head that he finally saw why he couldn't let her be kept here. He'd seen that specific gaze before. It didn't belong here, it was trapped. His mind now seeing rather than looking, the small erratic twitches in her wings as she craved to spread them in the sky, eyes agitated as they looked for the world beyond the rock walls around her.

Turning once more to the man, he made an offer: If he could bring the dragon to ease and bond with her, the miner let him buy her the next moment. Seeing no issue with the deal before him, and not thinking of himself as a scrooge, he deftly put out a palm, immediately regretting it as he felt the boy's jubilation through his iron grip.

He watched the soldier slide down into the pitted area in which the Quaken was being stabled for now, noting how the boy's eyes did not fade of excitement when he turned around throwing a thumbs up at the man. His eyebrows raising as he softly scoffed at the boy's confidence; Yes, he thought, she'll like him.

As Reiner softly approached the towering Titan Wing, he saw it turn its gaze onto him, yellow orbs locked onto his blue. Reiner couldn't feel any hostility there, Huh, he thought to himself, good start, before quickly returning to his situation. He softly spoke to the dragon introducing himself,

"Hey! I'm Reiner, Solider extraordinaire of the 104th" letting himself humble brag for a moment before asking "And how are you this day?" Shit. He thought, as the Dragon's eyes hadn't shifted an inch. Deciding to make a bit of conversation (And possibly do something stupid) He mentioned to the behemoth in front of him "You looked a bit wound up so I wondered if you'd like to go outside?"

As the words left his lips, the once stoic cold eyes lit up with excitement. Whilst Reiner smiled at the development, once he felt the ground beneath his feet shift, his smile remained but a small voice in his head let out a small worried curse. And evidently, a much warranted one as well, given the at mere moments after the offer, the giant, now looking like a yippy pup jumped up from where it stood before plummeting back down. Seeing this all moments before it happened, he braced for the impact as he saw the grass coloured hide flick into the air before it's colossal feet hit the solid rock again.

Laughing as he lifted himself from his stance, he turned to see the old man now lying deftly on his back, staring at him with irritation that he had just become a human play toy, but also warmth as he saw the life returning to the dragon. Reiner turned to see the Quaken now part it's jaws in its attempt at a smile as well, deciding that there was no time rather than now, he raised his hand softly to the dragon's snout, looking the other direction out of common respect, just like he'd been taught.

As he felt the rough hide make contact with his palm, his eyes broke into satisfaction and happiness as they saw the old man's smile as well, and he knew he imagined it, but it almost felt as if Bertholdt was looking at him, smiling as well. Returning his eyes back to the dragon, it's dazzling green and brown hide resonating with his heart, his memories of that small limbering town, he warmly asked,

"Can I call you Terra?"

In response to her new title, Terra let out a deep rumble of satisfaction, slowly letting her eyelids close before re opening them.

As Terra sat eating the leftover stone from their creaking mine carts, Reiner was placing silver coin upon coin until he had paid well enough for the dragon. Jutting his larger hand out when the old man had raised his hand as a signal that that was all he needed to get by with the dragon, the old man instead opted to softly pat the soldier's hand, much to Reiner's confusion.

"Thank you for helping her. I know that she would've been alright back on the island, but I have a feeling that she'll be able to be great with you. Take care of her for me, for all of us who have grown to be fond of her here in the mine, even if she could be a hell to try and work with." The Miner spoke with the utmost sincerity, Reiner's fist flying to his chest as he saluted in respect of the man who in return simply dipped his head slightly in gratitude.

Reiner had taken the river path back down the mountain, given that, whilst longer, was the only road that he could fit his new partner on down the mountain, and given that he hadn't quite figured out how he'd ride her yet, this was their only option. As he observed the dragon at his side, he made a mental note to ask that Artlet kid, to try and dig up a saddle design for Quakens from the old libraries, and he didn't care if he had to make it himself over the forge, he'd ride his dragon one day. Eyes now darting up to the dragon's back and seeing that apparition once more, now knowing it to be just his mind, but still connected to it, he put his hand on Terra's flank, feeling the tactile spike beneath his palm and the burning presence on his skin once more. "Thank you Bert. I won't forget you." Walking down that path, his comrade to his left and the river to his right, he felt in his mind a warmth as he had proved his belief that he had held to on faith for years.

He didn't need his armour around him; quickly glancing at the lumbering giant next to him, thoughts spinning back to the 104th squadron. Not when he had allies like these instead.