Chapter Text
It was the kind of day that Nihilistic Bastards would never even think to appreciate until it was far too late to do so; To truly soak in the way the breeze softly whipped your face that one picture-perfect, balmy afternoon is an appanage many are not afforded in life.
The heavens are painted something Angelic, in a pure palette of whites and blues, a constantly changing panorama as the Air Currents swirl and continuously push nature's paintbrush beyond the constraints of the canvas.
Sun high in the cloud-dotted sky, the Tree on That Hill overlooks the busy cityscape like a beacon as it long has, since before many of its buildings and inhabitants were even a concept; The ancient tree stood as a living witness to when this land told a different story. Under its ever-present Visage, people hurry about their afternoon errands before the sun dips below the horizon, encircling the hill on the city streets below.
Pressing the Crosswalk button, Eren stands among a small group of these people, presently waiting to cross to the other side of the busy Main street. Upon meeting the opposite sidewalk lining Trost, he can see that towering, winding tree much better now as it oversees his Northbound trek to his destination.
5 summers ago, Eren fondly remembers taking this same route for the first time with his two friends to catch a movie together at Cinema Capital. Throughout their years of friendship in High School the 3 friends repeated the process often, enjoying lengthy after-discussions during the walk home about the films they'd seen and the things they'd been up to, ultimately growing closer through the tribulations of life and analyzing media as the setting sun drew out their shadows on the pavement.
After graduation, the time the Trio had to spend together inevitably dwindled as the three became young adults and the world got bigger. Armin hit the books and dedicated himself to pursuing his eventual dream of becoming a Librarian, all while managing a part-time job at a Comic book shop where he commonly participates in Tabletop game nights when he's not knee-deep in schoolwork.
Mikasa pursued education at a local Cosmetology school, wielding skilled hands and sharp instruments she'd first grown familiar with through experimenting with style in her teens. After completing her required 1000 hours and gaining her license, she has been job hopping, trying to find a workplace that is a good fit for her as she builds up her portfolio.
Eren surprised everyone by following in the footsteps of his father, and his father's father too; Throwing himself into the medical field in EMT and eventually Paramedic training, he packed up his things right after his graduation party to go to Technical School 3 hours away from home for 2 years, ready to make a difference in more ways than one. It was a noble cause to dedicate himself to, and a tidy, timely excuse for him to postpone facing what he'd left back at home. He filled his days with odd jobs, clinical rotations or ride-alongs while studying the makeup of his own being.
Now, just a couple short months after his 20th birthday, Eren has finally returned to his home town after completing his Certification Exam, eager to get licensed and employed within his state. It's one, major box checked in his young adult life, but he still has many things on his list, things he needs and wants to do, not to mention things he must confront.
First of which, is the task at hand. He's come to the block of his destination now, a part of the neighborhood he isn't too acquainted with, and the tree is closer than ever before him, impending over the row of businesses like an omen. Eren hopes it's a good one, at least for today.
Although the changes are less obvious now at its wise age, compared to how Eren shot up above most of his friends out of nowhere Junior year, or the angle of his jaw suddenly resembled his father's so much in the mirror one day, this tree has grown along with him through the years. Every year, the roots and branches stretch and curl further into the Earth and Sky, solidifying this storyline above and below.
It's when Eren is pondering how everything is always in a state of perpetual change as he's gazing up, the size of something microscopic underneath that great Tree, he meets the end of his journey at last. A quaint, charming salon tucked between taller buildings greets him at the end of the Boulevard. "Carly's Cuts" is adorned in curly cursive on the sign that decorates the ruddy building. It's a newer business that popped up sometime after Eren left home.
The door jingles when he lets himself in, alerting the Young Woman at the nearest workstation to his presence.
"Hey." She gives him a casual grin and a tilt of her chin, comb in her hand as she grapples with a head of hair in front of her. "Do you have an appointment with us today?
"Yeah, for 5:30 PM. I think we talked on the phone the other day? Name's Eren." He shifts on his feet near the entrance, suddenly unsure what to do with his damn legs. They've grown so much these past few years, take up so much space they didn't before, as he's become more lanky like the Tree looming over the roof.
"That rings a bell. My other employee will be right out to take care of you, if that's okay. You'll be at the station nearest to the window, so you can go ahead and sit there." She gives him another easy smile. She's got a full head of nearly waist length, wavy light red hair to handle herself, and honey-colored pools of twinkling, clever eyes that tell Eren she's got more up her sleeve than he will ever know. He will never guess how she ended up running a Salon here in her young age.
Eren makes his way to the hair station at the far end of the room, near a huge Bay Window decorated with plants, and takes his seat. Here he can fully take in his surroundings for a moment. The salon itself is cozy, pastel pink walls lined with a variety of art and photography scattered about showcasing Carly's portfolio. There's pop music playing from somewhere that isn't exactly to Eren's taste, and a tall water feature that greets you beside the front desk, acting to bifurcate the space.
Eren has started turning his attention to the station in front of him and the variety of tools on display: Sharp, shiny metals within a Forest Green and Leather hairdresser belt set aside on the counter, when he hears a hallway door open and his inspection of the environment is promptly ended by the approach of the person that will be cutting his hair.
"Hi, I'm so sorry for the wait, what can I do for you-"
He recognizes her voice before he even looks up and makes eye contact with her in the mirror.
"Mikasa?!"