Report 039 - [Video]

[arrayed_back]

[Riza is sitting at the kitchen table, looking a little down, though she's hiding it.]

Must we continue breaking the peace with mindless violence?

[Yes, she's looking at you, Kotarou and Killua.  Looking.  At.  You.

And then a cat jumps up on the table in front of the feed. She frowns and picks him up, depositing him back onto the floor.]

Comments

[Offline]

[general_mustang]

[Her post is see-through as far as he's concerned and he shuts off the PCD after checking through it, letting out a soft sigh and moving behind her, hands finding the back of her chair to look over her head at the cat. The cat which he does not call to by name.]

Some people are calling it 'letting off steam'.

[He smiled, leaning forward a little to reach out and rub the cat's head, not looking at her yet.]

[Offline]

[arrayed_back]

It's silly.

[She waits patiently as he acts, not forcing him to face her or anything. Maes is his best friend, not hers. She'll be the strong one of the two.]

[Offline]

[general_mustang]

Mn, It is.

[He sighed, turning his head gently to press a kiss to her cheek, hands moving over her shoulders and dropping to curl around her.]

How's the cat?

[Offline]

[arrayed_back]

[She smiled slightly at his affection, a hand coming to rest on his own.]

I don't know. I don't understand cats.

[Offline]

[general_mustang]

[There's a smile at the hand on his, and another sigh.]

It's more a Hughes thing.

[Offline]

[arrayed_back]

[...Hughes. Riza's eyes fall closed as her hand grips Roy's a little tighter. It hurts that he's gone, one of their dearest friends, a man who was there for them both at the very beginning, grins and photographs at the ready to welcome them..

A man who won't be back home when they return.

She takes a deep breath to calm herself.]

He didn't really tell us how to take care of this one.

[Offline]

[general_mustang]

[He felt her hand tighten in his and couldn't help but wrap his arms tighter around her, pulling her back against the chair and against his shoulders, face against hers.]

It'll be hard.

[Offline]

[arrayed_back]

Hm.

[She stayed there for a moment, sort of staring at the cat, but then remembered what Maes had done for her when Roy disappeared. Gently unwrapping Roy's arms from her, she stood up and made her way to the cabinet with the alcohol. She pulled out the brandy and a couple of scotch glasses and brought them back to the table, pouring them each a shot.]

He did this for me after you had left.

[Offline]

[general_mustang]

[He let her pull away from him, frowning slightly - until it became apparent what she was up to. He couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, moving to sit down opposite her.]

You got drunk with Hughes?

[Offline]

[arrayed_back]

[Sigh.]

Not quite.

[She pulls her glass closer to her, staring down into the amber liquid, face still serious. She wanted to do this correctly, like she and Maes had done.]

[Offline]

[general_mustang]

[He's still frowning at you Riza.]

You just did shots?

[That stare drops down to the glass, swirling the brandy in it for a few moments.]

Maybe it would be better to eat the pie...

[Offline]

[arrayed_back]

[Listening to him angers Riza. Is he not taking this seriously? Sighing, Riza quickly drinks the brandy, wincing at the strong taste, and sets down the glass a little more roughly than intended.]

[Offline]

[general_mustang]

[The sigh forces his eyebrow to arch but the way her glass meets the table is all he needs to verify that she's annoyed. He lets out a sigh, just staring at the glass before downing it and setting the glass down again gently, staring at the table between them.]

I'm sorry.

[Offline]

[arrayed_back]

...It's all right.

[The taste of the alcohol is still fresh on her tongue, a bitter reminder of so much more than just the drink itself.]

I'm just frustrated.

[Offline]

[general_mustang]

[His eyes lift to look up at her, trying his best to offer a smile. It's difficult when all he can think of is Hughes' absence, and it wavers briefly until he gives up, shoulders slumping.]

More proof we should live each day to the fullest, hmn?

[Offline]

[arrayed_back]

[She looks up to see those shoulders slump and is saddened even more. Without a word, she stood up and walked behind him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, head resting lightly on his shoulder.]