[After a very interesting way of meeting the others once again, including his boss and a bunch of strangers from other worlds, Maes goes to contact the one person he didn't see but knows is here.]
Lieutenant Hawkeye, I just ran into Fullmetal and your boss. And the Führer. What is going on around here?
[As much as he hates to admit it, he can almost understand Ed and Roy's reactions. There's another one that has him questioning a lot of things still.]
Can we start with why Führer King Bradley addressed me as Brigadier General?
[Is she even surprised that Wrath was being Wrath and that Roy avoided the whole "you died and then got promoted two ranks over me" conversation? She shouldn't be. Considering.]
I know that my opinion of the Führer is less than it was before certain things came to light, but the last I checked he was still head of the country. Is there something else I should know about, Hawkeye?
This isn't really a conversation to have over the crystals, sir. [Or with her.] Let's just say we found out some information that you haven't been privy to yet.
I'm sure Colonel Mustang would have eventually gotten around to it.
[And yet, life as military personnel of Amestris hasn't really sunk in half the time. It's okay. Maes has that same problem. Must be from having Wrath as your boss.]
I can understand the sensitivity of the topic, Lieutenant. [The problem is getting his dumb friend to actually talk. Instead of standing around like a half-frozen statue.]
Getting more than two words out of Roy at a time was like pulling teeth. Perhaps, if you'd be so inclined, you can meet me somewhere and at least give me a very basic rundown in complete sentences.
[He commits the information to memory and starts to head in that general direction.]
I'd rather not talk about this in public either honestly. I'll be there shortly, but promise me that your dog is still better behaved than our mutual friend.
[What kind of question is that? Although, she knows the comment is aimed more at the Colonel than her dog.
In the meanwhile, she's going to make some tea. It's only polite for guests and she doesn't have anything alcoholic in the place. That can come later.]
Well, with you as his mistress, I've no doubt that's the case.
[And he's not going to say what he thinks the other dog in their acquaintance could use. That's crass and Hughes is a gentleman. Sometimes.
Finding her house doesn't take long, not even with him stopping to get something alcoholic to share. Because he'll be damned if he's having this conversation with anyone and remaining sober. Really hope Riza likes bourbon.]
[She's not really paying attention to the time, trying instead to work out what she's going to say. This wasn't a conversation anyone could prepare for. Then again, when did anyone ever have a conversation with a dead man except on this stupid island?
Hayate lets her know someone's outside a moment before the knock comes at the door. She doesn't leave either of them waiting for long.
There had been some time to prepare herself to see him again, but there's still a good deal of shock she can't quite hide.]
[His tone, while friendly and as open as he normally is, is still tinged with a bit of doubt, considering the conversations he had with the others he knows from home. As it is, he hands her over the bottle without ceremony and tries not to get too personal as he looks around her apartment.]
Sorry. I'm sure this must be awkward for you. Roy and Ed certainly thought that seeing me was odd enough.
It's unexpected, but that doesn't make it bad. And, you know how the Colonel and Edward are.
[She takes the bottle without a word and waves him further in.
For a place she's lived in for over a year now there's not much to look at. It's enough for her and Hayate though. And speaking of the little Shiba Inu, he definitely looks older than Maes might recall. Riza heads to the kitchen to grab a couple of glasses while Hayate makes his presence known.
Rude and loud? Yes, I do know that. Still doesn't make it easy when they're behaving strangely, even for them.
[Considering the type of person he knows her to be, the spartan appearance of her home isn't that surprising. However, he's pleased to see her dog, bending down and offering the familiar but not animal his hand to sniff. When he's deemed acceptable with a lick and a tailwag, Maes smiles and pets Hayate, scratching his ears as well.]
That'd be fine.
[Small talk is fine and good, but this isn't really a small talk sort of conversation.]
[Right to the point isn't he? She's not surprised he worked that out, though. Coming back to the front room with the glasses and bottle, she takes a seat before pouring a drink and handing it to him.]
That's a bit tricky. Time between here and home isn't exactly equal. Most of us have been here on the island for over a year now, and we're not all from the same point in time at home.
[Riza's not quite the drinker he and the Colonel are. She takes a sip from her glass while trying to figure out the math between memories in one world and another.]
[Yes, well, Maes isn't expecting the Lieutenant to keep up with him while he tries to not mourn his own death. She'd probably do well to not attempt it.]
Combined with a year here, no wonder it seemed as if Roy had seen a ghost.
[He had. Literally.]
I suppose that clears up a few things. Now, tell me about the Führer. He's never been one of my favorite people, but there's something more going on and I need to know what it is. He seemed fine yesterday, aside from addressing me two ranks above what I know is my current one.
[Although, if he died in the line of duty, a promotion like that would have been standard. And a slap in the face to both himself and Roy, considering all the work they both did for Amestris.]
[Considering how well that went the last time it happened.]
There's a lot you need to be made aware of, all things considered. The Führer and his son are both homunculi. They were a part of the group responsible for everything happening at home, and a similar tragedy here.
Envy? Is that the name of the buxomly woman who stabbed me in the shoulder?
[Because that shit hurt, okay? In fact, a day later, it still pulls when he moves his right shoulder too much.
When he hears her next statement, he freezes and searches her face. Riza is a sensible woman, not taken to flights of fancy or exaggeration. No, she says what she means and she never tells half the truth. That's why he'd come to her in the first place.
He holds out his glass for a refill.]
Homunculi, huh? I always thought they were old wives' tales. I mean, I've never been into Alchemy, but you can't be around Alchemists without hearing some stories...
[She may have already reached for the bottle when he asks for clarification on Envy. The ice in his glass will be going to waste this round as Riza's emotions end up nearly freezing the alcohol. It takes concentration to keep it in check.]
No, that would have been Lust. Envy was the shapeshifter.
[She can't bring herself to complete the thought of - the one who killed you.]
There were of seven of them: Lust, Envy, Wrath, Pride, Sloth, Gluttony, and Greed. Three are here in Empatheias: Wrath, Pride, and Greed, but Greed isn't a problem.
[She won't go into the fact that he's not even their Greed. One confusing set of details at a time.]
Alchemists like to talk or theorize about all sorts of things no one would expect. This was certainly a shock for everyone.
[He may have caught on, but for the wrong reasons. Not that she'll mind. Lust and her own reactions to that whole discussion are still a sore spot for her.]
I'd say he's the most dangerous. Pride. [She won't be fooled or call him Selim ever again.] Don't let his looks fool you, he's apparently the oldest of them.
[As for Eleanor...] Mrs. Bradley is innocent in all of this. A victim as much as the rest of us; although, she's trying to reform or reclaim what she can of her child.
[Look, if she wants him to get stuff, she needs to tell him things. In order.
As it is, that second glass of bourbon is quickly down once again, leaving a slight buzz behind in its wake as he tries to digest everything Riza is telling him.]
So, the kid's older than Bradley? Shit. And you think that Mrs. Bradley's wasting her time with... Pride, I take it.
[Dammit, woman. This is why he's here talking to you! He needs answers.]
Perhaps. Every time I'd seen the two of them together, he seemed pretty taken with her as his mom. And she's a good, kind woman from all reports. She doesn't deserve what you're telling me her family is.
Though, them being homunculi makes a lot about Lust make sense. Her fingernails literally grew like ten inches to stab me.
[There are things (okay one very large thing that is more like ignoring the elephant in the room) that they just do NOT talk about.]
When I first arrived here I didn't know as much as I do now. [And she's not going to lay the blame for that on anyone] The fuhrer set me up as an unwitting hostage and apparent babysitter for Selim.
[The temperature in the room drops again enough that Hayate nuzzles at her leg. Riza leans down to pet him.]
He's an exceptional actor.
They all have some ability to watch for. Bradley can pretty much see any move an opponent is going to make before they make it. Pride [she has to pause for a moment taking an actual drink from the glass in her hand] Pride can send out shadows that can see and hear what's going on around him. They aren't just shadows, though they're physically real.
[He notices the temperature drop, but doesn't comment on it. Instead, he makes sure his heavy uniform jacket sits a bit better on his long arms as she pets her dog.
Now, though, he regrets draining his glass quite so eagerly.]
Shadows that are real? What the hell? And the others, do you know what they do as well?
[This is the voice of experience, Maes. Listen to her.]
As for the others...I'm not sure about Sloth. Greed can turn his skin into something akin to a diamond - carbon based and impossible to harm. And Gluttony could eat anything, as in there seemed to be no limit size wise or amount.
[He doesn't need the verbal confirmation to know that she has personal experience with this phenomenon. As such, he doesn't reply. Instead, he frowns and nods at her to continue. He'll take mental notes as they go along.]
Gluttony... He sounds...slightly terrifying, if I'm honest. Are they all so aptly named then?
He was. In a way, they all are. They were all parts that their Father purged from himself, each a vice he removed to make himself more godlike. He didn't do a very good job.
Their father? Is he someone that we know or...another person entirely? [He takes off his glasses to rub at his eyes. There's a headache coming and he knows it.]
Start at the beginning, Riza. I'm going to need all of the information you can spare, not just in bits and pieces.
We're going to have to go back into ancient history then.
About 400 years ago, [she did say ancient history] an alchemical transmutation destroyed Xerxes. There were two survivors - one who came to Amestris and one who went to Xing, both teaching different forms of alchemy to the people they found. The Philosopher from the East not only brought alchemy to Amestris but decided to do so, because he wanted to be god.
This is the Father of the homunculi and the one responsible for turning our country into a giant alchemy array.
[That last bit he had already figured out, just not the whole who and why. Over the next several minutes she ends up explain almost everything that happened - does she really need to go into just how far his death pushed the Colonel or all the detail of the Promise Day?
Once done, she's going to refill both their glasses again.]
[It's been some time since that incident happened, and things had been kind of busy for him. But because it's been a while, it only felt right for Shizuo to check in on Riza. So beep beep beep.]
Hey Riza...it's Shizuo. Just wanted to see how things are with you and how Hayate is doing.
That's good. Mochi's recovered as well, though I guess if there's one good thing, she's a lot more careful these days. [Less running off and tackling strangers and actually sticking close and holding back.]
I uh. Dunno if you'd really want this, but I got a gift I'd like to drop off for both you and Hayate. Nothing much, but I do feel like I owe Hayate at least something. [Since well. It was horrible, but there could have been two fatalities.]
Yeah, I know, but...Hayate saved Mochi's life. [At...the cost of his so there is still that somber tone.] Plus I think she wants to see him again to give her own thanks.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[Voice] (Backdated to the 5th)
Lieutenant Hawkeye, I just ran into Fullmetal and your boss. And the Führer. What is going on around here?
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Where would you like me to start, sir?
[Better to find out what he knows first. And skip any specific topics.]
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Can we start with why Führer King Bradley addressed me as Brigadier General?
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I wouldn't give anything Fuhrer Bradley says too much attention. He's proven himself less than... reliable.
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I know that my opinion of the Führer is less than it was before certain things came to light, but the last I checked he was still head of the country. Is there something else I should know about, Hawkeye?
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This isn't really a conversation to have over the crystals, sir. [Or with her.] Let's just say we found out some information that you haven't been privy to yet.
I'm sure Colonel Mustang would have eventually gotten around to it.
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I can understand the sensitivity of the topic, Lieutenant. [The problem is getting his dumb friend to actually talk. Instead of standing around like a half-frozen statue.]
Getting more than two words out of Roy at a time was like pulling teeth. Perhaps, if you'd be so inclined, you can meet me somewhere and at least give me a very basic rundown in complete sentences.
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Fine. It will probably be better not to do this in public given some of the information.
[And to cut down on the potential damage to some innocent shopkeeper's place. She sends him both an address and visual of where she's staying.]
I'm sure Hayate will be happy to see you as well.
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I'd rather not talk about this in public either honestly. I'll be there shortly, but promise me that your dog is still better behaved than our mutual friend.
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[What kind of question is that? Although, she knows the comment is aimed more at the Colonel than her dog.
In the meanwhile, she's going to make some tea. It's only polite for guests and she doesn't have anything alcoholic in the place. That can come later.]
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[And he's not going to say what he thinks the other dog in their acquaintance could use. That's crass and Hughes is a gentleman. Sometimes.
Finding her house doesn't take long, not even with him stopping to get something alcoholic to share. Because he'll be damned if he's having this conversation with anyone and remaining sober. Really hope Riza likes bourbon.]
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Hayate lets her know someone's outside a moment before the knock comes at the door. She doesn't leave either of them waiting for long.
There had been some time to prepare herself to see him again, but there's still a good deal of shock she can't quite hide.]
It's good to see you again, sir.
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[His tone, while friendly and as open as he normally is, is still tinged with a bit of doubt, considering the conversations he had with the others he knows from home. As it is, he hands her over the bottle without ceremony and tries not to get too personal as he looks around her apartment.]
Sorry. I'm sure this must be awkward for you. Roy and Ed certainly thought that seeing me was odd enough.
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[She takes the bottle without a word and waves him further in.
For a place she's lived in for over a year now there's not much to look at. It's enough for her and Hayate though. And speaking of the little Shiba Inu, he definitely looks older than Maes might recall. Riza heads to the kitchen to grab a couple of glasses while Hayate makes his presence known.
That's one test down.]
Would you like ice?
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[Considering the type of person he knows her to be, the spartan appearance of her home isn't that surprising. However, he's pleased to see her dog, bending down and offering the familiar but not animal his hand to sniff. When he's deemed acceptable with a lick and a tailwag, Maes smiles and pets Hayate, scratching his ears as well.]
That'd be fine.
[Small talk is fine and good, but this isn't really a small talk sort of conversation.]
How long has it been since I died for all of you?
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That's a bit tricky. Time between here and home isn't exactly equal. Most of us have been here on the island for over a year now, and we're not all from the same point in time at home.
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He takes the drink and drains it, feeling that it's only going to be the first of many in this conversation.]
Fine. Let's start with you and Roy. How long?
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At home, it's been about six months.
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Combined with a year here, no wonder it seemed as if Roy had seen a ghost.
[He had. Literally.]
I suppose that clears up a few things. Now, tell me about the Führer. He's never been one of my favorite people, but there's something more going on and I need to know what it is. He seemed fine yesterday, aside from addressing me two ranks above what I know is my current one.
[Although, if he died in the line of duty, a promotion like that would have been standard. And a slap in the face to both himself and Roy, considering all the work they both did for Amestris.]
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[Considering how well that went the last time it happened.]
There's a lot you need to be made aware of, all things considered. The Führer and his son are both homunculi. They were a part of the group responsible for everything happening at home, and a similar tragedy here.
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[Because that shit hurt, okay? In fact, a day later, it still pulls when he moves his right shoulder too much.
When he hears her next statement, he freezes and searches her face. Riza is a sensible woman, not taken to flights of fancy or exaggeration. No, she says what she means and she never tells half the truth. That's why he'd come to her in the first place.
He holds out his glass for a refill.]
Homunculi, huh? I always thought they were old wives' tales. I mean, I've never been into Alchemy, but you can't be around Alchemists without hearing some stories...
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No, that would have been Lust. Envy was the shapeshifter.
[She can't bring herself to complete the thought of - the one who killed you.]
There were of seven of them: Lust, Envy, Wrath, Pride, Sloth, Gluttony, and Greed. Three are here in Empatheias: Wrath, Pride, and Greed, but Greed isn't a problem.
[She won't go into the fact that he's not even their Greed. One confusing set of details at a time.]
Alchemists like to talk or theorize about all sorts of things no one would expect. This was certainly a shock for everyone.
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Lust, eh? That seems pretty accurate. I can see how she'd appeal to other men. [But Maes is super married for life.]
Since this Greed isn't a problem, I'm going to say that the others are the Führer and his son. But, really, Selim too? What about his wife?
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I'd say he's the most dangerous. Pride. [She won't be fooled or call him Selim ever again.] Don't let his looks fool you, he's apparently the oldest of them.
[As for Eleanor...] Mrs. Bradley is innocent in all of this. A victim as much as the rest of us; although, she's trying to reform or reclaim what she can of her child.
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As it is, that second glass of bourbon is quickly down once again, leaving a slight buzz behind in its wake as he tries to digest everything Riza is telling him.]
So, the kid's older than Bradley? Shit. And you think that Mrs. Bradley's wasting her time with... Pride, I take it.
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Who knows. Maybe she can get through to him, or drag something out beyond the arrogance. I have to credit for trying.
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Perhaps. Every time I'd seen the two of them together, he seemed pretty taken with her as his mom. And she's a good, kind woman from all reports. She doesn't deserve what you're telling me her family is.
Though, them being homunculi makes a lot about Lust make sense. Her fingernails literally grew like ten inches to stab me.
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When I first arrived here I didn't know as much as I do now. [And she's not going to lay the blame for that on anyone] The fuhrer set me up as an unwitting hostage and apparent babysitter for Selim.
[The temperature in the room drops again enough that Hayate nuzzles at her leg. Riza leans down to pet him.]
He's an exceptional actor.
They all have some ability to watch for. Bradley can pretty much see any move an opponent is going to make before they make it. Pride [she has to pause for a moment taking an actual drink from the glass in her hand] Pride can send out shadows that can see and hear what's going on around him. They aren't just shadows, though they're physically real.
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Now, though, he regrets draining his glass quite so eagerly.]
Shadows that are real? What the hell? And the others, do you know what they do as well?
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[This is the voice of experience, Maes. Listen to her.]
As for the others...I'm not sure about Sloth. Greed can turn his skin into something akin to a diamond - carbon based and impossible to harm. And Gluttony could eat anything, as in there seemed to be no limit size wise or amount.
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Gluttony... He sounds...slightly terrifying, if I'm honest. Are they all so aptly named then?
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Start at the beginning, Riza. I'm going to need all of the information you can spare, not just in bits and pieces.
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About 400 years ago, [she did say ancient history] an alchemical transmutation destroyed Xerxes. There were two survivors - one who came to Amestris and one who went to Xing, both teaching different forms of alchemy to the people they found. The Philosopher from the East not only brought alchemy to Amestris but decided to do so, because he wanted to be god.
This is the Father of the homunculi and the one responsible for turning our country into a giant alchemy array.
[That last bit he had already figured out, just not the whole who and why. Over the next several minutes she ends up explain almost everything that happened - does she really need to go into just how far his death pushed the Colonel or all the detail of the Promise Day?
Once done, she's going to refill both their glasses again.]
12/25
[ voice ]
Hey Riza...it's Shizuo. Just wanted to see how things are with you and how Hayate is doing.
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Hello again, Shizuo. We're both fine. It's almost as if nothing ever happened.
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I uh. Dunno if you'd really want this, but I got a gift I'd like to drop off for both you and Hayate. Nothing much, but I do feel like I owe Hayate at least something. [Since well. It was horrible, but there could have been two fatalities.]
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You know you don't owe either of us anything - you weren't to blame. [She hopes he knows that.] But I don't think Hayate would mind.
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Why don't the two of you come over then? We'd be happy to see you.
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Um...when you said come over, you mean at your place or...meet somewhere else?
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[No need to freighten her.]
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