[centre][color=Silver][h1][u]Grant Hyral[/u][/h1][/color]
[sub][@LordVoldemort][/sub]
[color=Gold][sub]Wall Rose: Trost District[/sub][/color]
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[color=Gray]	It felt strange, almost alienated to Grant that he had finally made it to where he was before. But a farm boy before with an Uncle as an idol, this almost impossible leap from the lowest to what seemed to him like his highest point in life. It was astonishing to himself, as to anyone else it should be. On the insides, his mind would race around as if he were still thirteen, riding on horseback to his amusement and feelings of accomplishment. But here was only the beginning of course, there was still a military branch to select in the upcoming days, and Grant was already set on following in the dangerous footsteps of his Uncle. He wasn't overly eager nor was he blind to the dangers that lurked outside the walls, but if he was going to do his part as a soldier, he might as well do it the only way Mateo knew how to...Jump into the areas that needed to be leapt into, without question, without word and without fear.

	Grant was eager to reunite himself after the three years they'd been apart with his idol and fellow family member. It was quite painful being in such a way. Around both Mateo and the now-gone Luca, he used to be jovial and expressive about all his feelings with little fear in his mind. Then Shiganshina happened, Luca died shortly after and Grant became involved in Olivia's life. Olivia had been the greatest influence to confidence he had in life, especially after the trauma of Shiganshina and the separation of his Uncle shortly after. However, as she grew more used to the customs of the Cadets, Grant had established his distance and regretted it from the start. He would talk to Jade occasionally, as ever since his reveal to her about his past deed for her the two had been on well terms. Gabriel and Grant had mixed well together at first, but when he started to talk to Tanner more, once again he fell victim to the distance. Either way, that didn't seem to matter. These people would likely distance themselves from him the first chance they got, and Grant was okay if they were going to do it, even if he wished it wouldn't happen.

	The thoughts of distance crossed his mind for a moment, especially when thinking of Mateo once more. It reminded him of someone else to look up to. Mateo was never a talkative person when it came to backstories, but Grant had his fair collection of ones he'd heard from. The one that crossed his mind thus far was Johan...[/color]
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[color=Silver][b]"But Jutt, why is it that you two are separated now? I used to love it when Uncle Johan would visit us regularly..."[/b][/color][color=Gray] The curious Grant trotted beside the rickety carriage that Luca slept within. The two had only just made their rounds to the East, and still had far too much of a way to go for the end to be in sight. Either way, these were the times were talking was valued amongst the two, allowing them to create life lessons and understand the morals of one another. Luca spoke more gibberish than the other two, but that was just his character.

	Mateo smiled back at Grant, for once. Usually he was dismissive of Johan Hyral, but this time he seemed to be in a cheerful mood to share the words he had about his elder brother. Maybe he was more comfortable because Grant's father wasn't holding an empty bottle of whatever alcoholic substances he kept hidden pointed right towards him. The relief of finally being away from the abuse that was Thomas. Grant had felt more connected to Johan at a young age that he even considered his surname to be Hyral, despite being a Julius through-and-through like Mateo. Being more of a step-brother for Mateo, he was a wise and loose figure, guiding the two throughout their mistakes on the farm. But when Johan would visit, Mateo would be serving in the Corps most years. And when Mateo visited, Johan was never there.
[/color]
[color=Aqua][b]"Swifty, I can tell you now...We never really got on. I made some mistakes, granted, and had to take some time off of my military life to live with you lot. We still love each other, of course."[/b][/color][color=Gray] Mateo chuckled, seeming to keep a casual complexion despite the memories of that dreaded day flooding into his mind left, right and centre. [/color][color=Aqua][b]"Sometimes we don't see eye-to-eye, but seeing as he's my superior I'm determined to follow him to death."[/b][/color]

[color=Gray]	The methods of charisma that Mateo presented stunned Grant, constantly. He seemed to be so casual, making such a big deal seem smaller. At the time, of course, Grant knew not of the deadly mission Mateo had gone on, one that had cost him his allies, his reputation, his friends...And nearly his brother. Either way, it wisened up the man, and made him the hidden potential of an elite soldier, locked behind the prison bars of dishonourable discharge. Grant would ask his Uncle if he would ever meet his prized senior once more, and Mateo would always answer in the same way: [i]No man can predict if you will, but one can make it so they do. That's your job to figure out.[/i] With that in mind, the two would trot onwards. Grant and Mateo were too close for the future to be kind to them. If Mateo knew that Grant had a future in the Military, he wouldn't of been as much of a friend to him as he was an Uncle. Their connection shone brighter than the accommodations Mateo had locked away in a locket. The inspiration that he showered onto his aspiring nephew made it a deadly weapon, as well as a dangerous tool. It was up to Grant to decide how his advice and wisdom would affect his life, whether he served as a soldier or a civilian. One thing was certain, however. If Grant and Johan were to meet once more, there would not be any family reunions, but hard-cased bitterness and sweetened discipline to ensure that Grant would not compromise the strict leading methods Captain Hyral now used since Mateo and Marissa had compromised their old mission...[/color]

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	[color=Gray]Grant listened in to the memory sharing that Tanner and Gabriel had blessed him with. He placed his hands upon his hips, not tangling it with the straps of the gear he wore. He'd just finished cleaning seven cannons, understanding the fact that the Cadets were an excuse for labour in times like these, but who could blame them? The Garrison life inside the walls were not as exciting as some might expect, but they did have their dangers and high responsibilities.

	A smile whipped upon the face of Grant once more, striking itself a harsh place on his face from his usual frowned expressions. The stories of him being unable to pass the same ODM location for several months was excruciatingly painful to watch and be in the position of. The grin didn't fade away quickly; in fact a chuckle and giggle leaked from his lips like a river bursting its banks. Words zipped across his mind of how he could react, how he could argue back with other embarrassing stories about the two. The issue he had was that thinking of some were harder than he thought, but he definitely had a few he didn't want to leak just in case any private barriers may have been burst. It was more personal barriers, than any shared ones. Yet, before he had the chance to whip up his witty remark, Tanner had pardoned for privacy, leaving Grant to watch them trudge away.[/color]

[color=Silver][b]"I guess I'm lifting your boxes then? Want me to make you some dinner too? How about a warm drink?"[/b][/color] [color=gray]The thick grin remained on his smug smile, as for the first time in a while Grant began to bring his humour back into the big picture. Life seemed too good to be true right now, but that was all he needed to feel somewhat happy with life. He wanted to make amends with his broken social life still; the times were tough to exclude himself from most conversations. He was ready, though. He was prepared to put himself back out there, making friends and possibly developing whatever significant partnerships that those his age were already running into. That was a matter of choice and time, and with the way people viewed him as an acquaintance made him feel less obliged to take part in that area of relationships.

	Grant's fingers wrapped a tight grip around the handles of rations and general weapon parts as the trench-lines within his fingertips were starting to show once more. The boxes weren't too heavy, but the wooden frame wasn't the most comfortable to hold and carry around from time to time. From there, he took it over to whatever soldiers requested the batches.

	Some of the Stationary Guardsmen were friendly with him, thanking him for his assistance with a calm and welcoming grin, others were rather spiteful about the time it may have taken for him. Grant's responses were calm, and a smile remained onto his face for the temporary happiness he was experiencing. This day felt like no other. The breath-taking view atop of the walls were enough to catch his attraction. His mind buzzed of the possible angles and ways in which he could draw the spectacular atmosphere circulating his perimeter. A grin flashed onto his face once more as he placed his hands on his hips, staring out into the open horizon, forgetting the city destroyed ahead of him. Life again seemed blissful. Life again seemed enjoyable. Life again seemed worthwhile. Life again see-

	A flash of light cracked his vision, flashing his eyes and concussing his brain into a spiral of silence. The feeling of heat blast against his face, his arms raised up towards face to cover himself from the wind, smoke and heat rushing into his front. He tried to fix his feet down to keep a stable position. And as the wind and heat passed for only what seemed like, the sight he saw felt like an eternity.
He looked outwards, worry struck his emotions as he felt like he was face to face with a behemoth of no comparison. And before he could see it make any move, himself and many other soldiers turned, and began to charge off of the wall. Grant's feet went behind one another, allowing him to quickly stride in the direction opposing the danger. As he leapt off, his gear was quick to act, as his reflexes kicked in,
granting him the opportunity to hook into the wall. In doing so, the impact of what could have been the behemoth he barely saw against the wall shook the foundations of what he clambered onto. The small safety was almost intercepted, when he heard a familiar call.

	A call of retreating. Of course, it was Gabriel. A trusted leader, one that Grant sought to work well alongside, found himself calling for the order of regrouping. Gathering their surroundings would be more than advisable, but they needed to be on call to attack.
And that left Grant in a difficult position. As Gabriel leaped from his position, Grant was quick to pursue. Grant's ability with his ODM gear was of a high standard. Though not the best, it was definitely something to contend with, however by the time he realised where they were recruiting to, sudden panic filled his head.

	Stumbling on his landing, he only just managed to keep his balance at the angle of landing, quickly approaching Gabriel with as much speed as he could. He saw how far back they were, in a non-advisable space. He turned to his friend, getting closer to make sure he didn't raise any concern from the other arriving cadets and soldiers.[/color]

[color=Silver][b]"Gabriel...Should we not...Should we not regroup closer towards the walls? We can't stray too far from the battlefield?
We're a bit too far out, and I imagine the Stationary Guard are going to start focusing whatever they can on looking at whatever condition the Wall is in...We can't let another Shiganshina happen, right?"[/b][/color] [color=Gray]His tone was almost desperate, but calm in the way he spoke. He didn't want to bring discouragement to the apparent leader, but something had to be said, even if it was just in private.[/color]