"As you know, this means war."

[light__of__day]

Only one thought had gone through Riza's mind when Ed had returned to the Nexus in a state of pure, cold, rage. She carried out with that thought without a word, and had retreated to her room to quickly change; then out came a heavy box from the back of her closet shelf, and the gun within was loaded for the first time since she couldn't remember

Comments

[superman_dead]

Edward hmms quietly, focusing on the ceiling again.

After a pause, he finally speaks up, voice quiet. "I can't feel him. Haven't been able to since I ended up in London. So I can't even know if we're too late or not."

[light__of__day]

She stared at him, silent for a moment, then walked over, stopping in front of him. "We're not," Riza said, her tone firm. "Because we both know any other answer is unacceptable. We're not too late, and there's no room to entertain any other thoughts or doubts."

[superman_dead]

Edward flicks his gaze in her direction, and manages a weak smile after a second. "Yeah. I know. It's doubtful we're too late anyway. We have a few days yet. They want Fullmetal to show up, it'd be stupid to kill their bait prematurely."

[light__of__day]

Riza's gaze didn't falter; her tone was almost stern. "We will get him back. Safe and sound," she repeated, trying to kill whatever damped out that earlier fire.

[superman_dead]

That fire is still there; it's muted, and backbuilding behind closed eyes. The waiting has sent it into a retreat, has given time for thoughts to prey on rawer emotions underneath that. "We'd better," he says quietly, and under that is the promise that if they don't, it'll be more than just the terrorists that kidnapped Al that will suffer.

[light__of__day]

She didn't need to hear the unspoken promise to know it was there. She already knew the stakes; if they'd missed their window, if they didn't get him back alive, she doubted there would be anything any of them could do to keep Edward from self-destructing.

That was one reason she was so adamant about believing he was all right, that they would succeed. It had a domino effect.

Silent now, she turned away and resumed keeping watch.

[superman_dead]

Edward watches her a moment longer, then closes his eyes, trying to quiet his mind and the fears that were preying there.

Cold.

Remain cold.

[light__of__day]

It wasn't quite a full two hours before an elderly man, hobbling along on a cane and hunched over under robes native to the region passed by the safehouse, and leaned on the wall by the door under the awning, just a feeble old man resting out of the heat of the day

[superman_dead]

Edward isn't smirking when that cane raps against Riza's head, really. He's getting to his feet though, and folding his arms across his chest as he leans back against the table.

Oh no, not smirking at all.

When Graman finally addresses him, he nods curtly, now finally smirking. "Reports of my death were greatly exaggerated. I've just been trapped in another world, although you could say it was comparable to hell, so maybe those reports weren't so exaggerated. What've you got?"

[light__of__day]

Graman frowned a bit at that, then turned his attention to the files as he set them on the table

[superman_dead]

Edward groans. "Liore again? I wonder how long until they stop blaming me for their own stupidity?"

He's quiet as Graman talks, and doesn't react past a faint snerk at the 'stupid people doing stupid things again' part, until Graman mentions Mustang being involved. "... well, not sure what he can do from up North in the cold, but if he's got something, then he'd better contact us with it."

He sits down, thinking. "He was last up near Youswell, but you said they operate out of Central. If they're really as stupid as Al said they were, then it's possible they took him right back to Central. That seems... really stupid, of a special variety, though. So maybe not."

He shakes his head. "Anyway it goes, I can't see them taking him anywhere near Liore. If they thought he was me, and they blame me for their problems, which they probably do, given they were after me in the first place, they wouldn't want me near that place anymore. That, and I doubt they'd want to attract military attention to their city again."

[light__of__day]

Riza felt a knot form in her chest when her grandfather brought up calling her former commander, but pushed it aside, pouring all her attention into what was being discussed.

...wait, what?

"Central," Riza said suddenly. "He's somewhere in Central. Possibly either in a highly populated neighborhood, or somewhere in range of one."

[superman_dead]

Edward looks up at her quickly, then glanced at Graman briefly before looking back to her. "A highly populated neighborhood? How do you figure?"

[light__of__day]

"You said it yourself. They blame you for Liore, for what the military did. They're probably assuming a large military response to their actions. Reports have indicated they've got activity in Central, right?" Riza said, speaking quickly, a brisk, animated note to her voice as she stepped closer, almost on the balls of her feet. "They wouldn't want to lead a possible military fallout onto their own city or their own people, but if I were going for a revenge shot, what better than two-fer?"

[superman_dead]

Edward stares a second, then blinks, this information slowly sinking in. "Either prevent the military from doing anything at all, or force them- or me- to chance our own civilians in the fight."

The scowl that had been ever-present in his expression since he first saw the headlines about his brother darkened. "Unfortunately for them, they're overestimating my give-a-damn."

[light__of__day]

The old General watched the two of them, silent.

"There's a current map of Central in there," he said, then raised his finger, giving them each a warning look. "My influence only extends so far. Child, you're listed as AWOL," he said, glancing to Riza then looking to Ed. "You're missing in action, but as a State Alchemist heavily affiliated with Mustang, they'd undoubtedly have questions for you. You're going into the military's heartland, even if the Parliment is the ones holding the reins of power these days. You're going to need to travel discreetly, and remain in complete control over when and where you blow your covers, if you do choose to do so."

The stern look disappeared, replaced by the jovial, grandfatherly sort of indulging smile that made those who met him dismiss the strategic and manipulative mind behind the old face. "Now, I believe I recall a request for weaponry?"