Edward Elric

[She nods and leads the way to the backyard. Edward and Riza might notice that a corner of the backyard is now full of freshly planted daisies.]

I want the meeting place to be back here, but we can't go having whoever decides to walk around the backyard falling into it. [She's gesturing to the lawn.] And, I can't have those daisies dying.

I figure we can have tunnels connecting other houses so that we don't catch the attention of unwanted eyes through masses of warriors showing up at my place of residence once a week. [That's right, she can't call it her house quite yet.]

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The tunnels will work well, but we'll need to devise a way that an entrance from inside the house to the tunnel isn't easy to find.

[Hawkeye can talk about tunnels. Talking about tunnels doesn't require the discussion of what Armstrong seems to really want to discuss, and that's good.]

We wouldn't want newcomers to stumble upon the entrance.

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That won't be a problem. I can make it look like there isn't an entrance at all. You might want to put something on the wall there so you don't forget where it is.

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[This is Major Olivier Mira Armstrong, she doesn't need to be reminded where things are!]

Would you like to work from the basement then?

Edited Date: 2011-09-05 01:18 am (UTC)

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[Oh great. The basement, where nobody will hear them attempting to get away.]

I suppose if that is where the tunnels are going to lead to that would be the only logical choice, General.

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[... shit.]

It would make sense.

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[Olivier led them back into the house and down into the basement, taking them to the wall that would face the backyard if they weren't underground.]

I suppose we should stand back.

[She doesn't bother locking the basement door. She knows if Ed was going to try and escape locks wouldn't stop him.]

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[Riza takes a step back, Hayate on her heels. As Olivier does the same, she shoots the woman a questioning look. Really? Did you really need to suggest that we stand back? I've worked with an alchemist for fifteen years, I know when to stay out of the way thank you..

Hayate whimpers, starting to sense the tension in the air.]

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[good idea.

Ed stands in front of the wall for a moment in thought as he worked out the details of the transmutation in his head. he takes a deep breath, claps his hands together and presses them to the wall. electric blue light spreads outward from his hands, crackling as it dances across the surface.

mere seconds later Ed pulls away, but it doesn't look he actually did anything. The wall looks exactly the same, showing no signs of being tampered with. he cracks his knuckles, pushes against it and then the wall moves backwards and to the side revealing a small tunnel wide enough for at least six people to walk side by side. the ceiling is just as high and accommodating as the basement, but the tunnel itself only extends a few yards.

he allows himself a small smile.]

Not too bad.

Edited Date: 2011-09-05 04:14 am (UTC)

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[Olivier grins and grabs a nearby flashlight. Edward had relaxed considerably during his transmutation, and she was sure Riza would follow as long as she thought the kid was in danger, so she shoved Edward into the passage and pulled the door closed, pleased with herself when Riza jumped in.

Before he can get his bearings, Olivier has one of his hands, just so that he can't transmute a way out. She turns on the flashlight.]

So, this seems like a cozy place for our little chat about your trauma.

Edited Date: 2011-09-05 04:23 am (UTC)

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[Riza glares in the darkness of the newly formed tunnel. It was dark, but her eyes adjusted quickly. Years of working in a dark tower alone granted her at least that skill.

But it did not grant her skill in interrogations, and she knew what that was coming. So, because it seemed like a good idea, she walked up to Armstrong, standing just a meter or so away, and tried to make herself look just a teensy bit more intimidating ~~though really she's not feeling intimidating at all because she knows what's coming and that there is literally no way to avoid it. That won't stop her from trying!~~]

Leave Edward alone.

[Please? ;-; ]

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[Ed wasn't expecting that at all. He figured he might hear something along the lines of "good job" or "nice work". Getting shoved into the passage he just made? Nope. Did not expect that. Probably should have. No, he definitely should have, but it was too late for that. Oliver had closed the door and grabbed his hand before he could steady himself. He wouldn't have tried to get away, it would have been pointless, but this ensured that he wouldn't be able to. Showed him that he was not the one in control right now.

The color drained from his face as his eyes flicked upwards to meet hers. He really didn't want to talk about this. Not yet. Not here. Ed knew he couldn't hide it forever and he didn't want to either, but this was not the way he wanted Oliver to find out about what happened.

He swallowed hard when Riza spoke up. Why... why was she still defending him?]

No, Lieutenant. It's fine. Really.

Edited Date: 2011-09-06 03:19 am (UTC)

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[She loosens her grip on his hand, she can tell from his voice and the look in his eyes that he isn't going to fight. She gives Riza a hard look.]

Does this have something to do with the event?

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It is not fine, Edward.

[It is in fact anything but fine. Had Edward made the decision to tell of his own accord, that would be fine--even if Riza wouldn't agree with the idea. She levels her gaze with Olivier, frowning. But she knows that lying will do them no good here, and she quickly averts her gaze. That wasn't quite an answer, but the action itself spoke loud enough.]

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[he looks down, wincing slightly at the tone of her voice.

Ed nods silently. yes, Olivier, it most certainly does.]

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[With his nod she releases him from her grip. She knew Edward could be violent, but she also knew he wasn't one to go killing people.]

You can't let what happened do this to you, Fullmetal. You're stronger than that.

So are you, Hawkeye. Didn't we just have a conversation about this? Mayfield is trying to push people apart with these things.

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[Yes. And had she not turned right around and told you that this was much easier said than done, Armstrong? Of course she knew Edward was not the sort to stand around and stare while someone attacked and killed someone he knew. That knowledge didn't remove her memory of the event in the least, and she still couldn't look Ed in the eye.

Speaking of which, she couldn't quite meet Armstrong's gaze either. A small part of her wanted to ask Armstrong if she would be acting completely nonplussed if a child whom she had watched grow for the last six years had stood by and watched her being killed, but that would only stand to make her sound far too maternal, and would it not do much prove her point.]

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[he lets his hand fall back down to his side]

... It's not... this isn't something I can just forget, General.

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I'm not saying to forget it, Fullmetal. We shouldn't forget what this town does to us, but we do have to move past it to triumph over it.

[She looks between Edward and Riza, trying to catch any glances that pass between them.]

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[Don't bother straining your eyes, Armstrong. Hawkeye has suddenly become very interested in her shoes. Or maybe it's interested in Hayate, who is laying on top of her feet. Either way, she's intently focused on something other than Edward.

But Hayate is making all of the glances. He huffs loudly, whining. Because really this is not fun, Lady General and Ed and Mommy. You are all being way too serious! As such, he trots over to Armstrong and presses his face into her leg as if to say cut it out, you are making everyone else sad and that's not fun. Pet me instead!]

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[Ed shakes his head, leaning back against the dirt wall and staring at his shoes]

It's not that easy.

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[She sighs.]

So, what was it?

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[Riza winces at Hayate's attempt to diffuse the situation, though silently praising him for his efforts. As much as she'd give nearly anything to ease the discomfort of this situation, Hawkeye had made her decision. She would not reveal Edward's presence. That was a decision that only he could make, and him alone.]

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[he's hesitant to say anything. the thought of it all still makes his stomach writhe. his fists clench by his sides as he struggles to find his voice.]

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