Back in East City, Amestris...
While superman_dead took kryptonite_al home for a reunion, and to make arrangements to help ruthless_path when he arrives in the Nexus, Roy and Riza both stayed behind in Amestris for a week longer on their own business. Roy has loose ends to tie up and personal business to see to before he leaves for the Nexus, and Riza wanted time to visit with her grandparents and check with the Havoc on her world.
Prior to any travel, both of them took refuge in Lieutenant General Graman's house in the East City, with Riza listed as AWOL and unable to freely move about in public without precautions, and Roy also abandoning his own post, and rested up, preparing for long drives ahead.
As much as Riza tried to stay out of his way, there were moments it couldn't be helped... especially not since she was to be driving him around once again in a day or so's time.
::By the way, Riza? You've had a puppy at your heels pretty much non stop... Even though he's a good four years old, he's still a puppy. <3::
::In the kitchen, frying some bacon for a BLT, not really knowing what else he's in the mood for...::
::Trotting right behind Riza, tail wagging a bit::
::can't really leave the house for anything; so she's been holed up reading for the most part, or at least, appearing like she's reading, still with that distant, detached disinterest that's been wearing on her the last several months; smelling the bacon but there's servants and her grandparents, the odds aren't high that its' Roy::
::Bacon means there's a good chance he'll get table scraps, TY Grandpa Graman!::
::carrying the teapot in, paying just enough attention to keep from walking into walls, rather not there for the most part, only realizing he's in the kitchen after she puts the teapot down, expression utterly blank for a few seconds as her brain switches back on::
::Looking over to her as she puts the teapot down...:: ... Hello, Riza. ::Slight nod to her::
... >_> ... ::looking down, side to side a bit, floundering, that blankness gone, now it's just... ow ;_;:: ... hello... ... sorry... I... I was just... ::gesturing to the teapot and backing up, clasping her hands tight::
... you don't need to apologise, Riza.
::Head down... empty water bowl... picking it up in his teeth, padding over to Riza with it, whining once::
... ::just... frozen, has no idea what to say, and everything she -wants- to say ... isn't anything he'd want to hear; it's that sick feeling of not ever once wanting things to be the way they are yet not able to see where different choices could have honestly been made at the time:: ...
... ::looks at Hayate... crouching, picking up the dish, hand shaking, stepping over to the sink::
... ::Watching her:: ... You don't need to walk on eggshells quite so much, you know...
... ... ... ::looks at him, her expression raw; it was never supposed to be like this, she'd never meant for any of this to happen like this, and more than anything else she misses her -friend- and.. there's no right to even that:: ... wh-what would you have me say? ::shaky attempt at a smile for a brief moment, just say the word and she'll never bother you again, if you want her to speak of nothing but the weather, she'll do that, just... the last thing she wants is to do anything to hurt him more::
... Just "Hello" would be nice. ::Tending to the bacon::
... ::closes her eyes, hanging her head a moment, deep breath:: ... ... ... ::desperately reaching for a lighter mood, he gave a tiny bit, she's grabbing for it for all its worth, one corner of her mouth twisting into a tentative, uncertain smile, her tone a little lighter, awkward but lighter, making an unsure joke along the same vein as 'say goodnight gracie':: Just hello?
... ::Sets the spatula down, chuckles quietly:: Was that a joke I heard, just now?
... a really bad one. ::shaky, soft sorta-chuckle, eyes wet, smile trembling as she bites her lip, watching him::
::Closing his eye, chuckles again:: Your humor is as dry as ever.
... When it comes around; I suppose it always has been. ... ... how ... is everything settled as you'd like it...?
As well as it will ever be, I suppose. ::Nods slightly, picking his spatula back up::
... ... I don't mean to walk on eggshells. ... I just don't quite trust myself to not say a million and one things I shouldn't.
... ::Nods slightly:: I suppose I can understand that.
... ::turns away again, filling Hayate's water dish and setting it down:: ... ... ::staying crouched, eyes closed, trying to hide the fact she's shaking like a leaf, and trying to work up the nerve to say something:: ... ... d- do you ... do you hate me?
::Oh boy, water!!!:: ::diving right into the bowl, tends not to drink too much when Riza's unsteady like this, prefers to keep her company...::
... I don't know. It would be very easy to. ::Shakes his head::
... ::exhales a shaky breath, eyes still closed, remaining crouched:: ... fair enough. It -is- rather easy some days.
Do you hate you?
... ::the mun's blinking a bit at how /much/ sometimes...:: ... ::low, dry chuckle, pushing herself to her feet, eyes still closed, forcing a smile, opening her eyes but keeping then downcast:: Doesn't everyone have days like that sometimes?
... ::Sighs:: Idiot. You should know better than that... ::And so should you, dummy.::
... ::tiny shrug:: it's common ground we can agree on, if nothing else?
I suppose there is that...
::we can both agree to hate me; works for me:: ... .... want me to cut a tomato for you?
::That's not what I meant and you know it... okay, maybe you don't. Sigh... not that I know what you meant. Double-sigh. I used to be able to read you...:: Sure. Thanks.
::nobody can usually, for whatever it's worth; silently getting out the cutting board and a knife and the tomato, slicing with care and caution, hand a bit shaky::
... ::Glancing at her out of the corner of his eye::
::arranging the slices on a plate and turning back to the fridge, getting out some lettuce and prepping it for him::
Thank you for the assistance. ::Finishing the bacon:: Is it all right if I give Hayate a piece?
::the mun doesn't know how readable it is, but she still cares about him as much as she ever did, in the way she's so easily doing little tasks to help:: It's fine. Grandfather's spoiled him anyway.
::That much is readable... which makes the whole "I can't be with you" or whatever it was from the post-rescue scene all the more painful... Mun's a bit too tired to look right now. XD:: You're going to unspoil him, right? ::Laying out the cooked bacon, draining off the grease::
... Eventually, I'm sure. I suppose.
"Eventually" means "When I get him home, and we're settled in." Right?
Yeah. It would be easier rather than trying to retrain him while expecting him to adjust to a new place.
Good.
... You're welcome to come visit him, if you'd like. I'm sure he'd not mind the chance to see you.
I may just do that, sometime. ::He's trying to keep talking here, but he's also having a hard time with topics, and not showing the hurt...::
::pretty much in the same boat; and the mun wonders if maybe he'd not feel better if he just vented all of that at her::
::would pretty much buckle under the weight of guilt if he did. XD All that time up north didn't exactly blind him to -everything-... just his own self-worth::
::she already is, or rather, has:: ... ::there's not much to keep her in the kitchen now:: ... ::really, really, really wanting to say something, but...:: ... ::looking at him, watching him::
::Just giving Hayate the bacon, crouched and scratching him behind the ears:: He's missed you. ::"I've missed you."::
... I know. ... I dare say he's missed you too. ... the way it all was.
::Nods slightly:: Those were good times.
... ::deep, shaky breath:: ... There's a lot of things... but if I had to pick just one thing I missed most of all, above everything else... I miss my best friend.
... ::Looks down, scratching Hayate's head:: I miss mine too. But it hurts too, seeing her again.
... I know. ... Sh- she... she'll stay away if... that would help, b- because the last thing she wants to do is hurt you any more than she already has. ::voice thick, cracking; eyes wet, spilling over::
How about you give me time to find out what I'm going to do now?
::nods, exhales, her breath shaky, sniffles:: Of course. ... J- just... just do whatever you need to do to be happy again. That's all I ask. I... I *never*... meant to hurt you, I'm sorry.
Stop apologising. ::tone a little harsh... >_> Mun's poking him::
::goes silent, biting her lip, eyes closed, taking a step backward, said too much, stayed too long::
... Just give me time. ::Shaking his head, drawing his hand back... returning to making his sandwich quickly::
::Cocks his head... looks at Riza... bounds after her quickly::
Of course... ::taking another step back; doesn't want more tea or anything else, turning, retreating from the kitchen kinda aimlessly at first and then to the guest room where she's staying::
Prior to any travel, both of them took refuge in Lieutenant General Graman's house in the East City, with Riza listed as AWOL and unable to freely move about in public without precautions, and Roy also abandoning his own post, and rested up, preparing for long drives ahead.
As much as Riza tried to stay out of his way, there were moments it couldn't be helped... especially not since she was to be driving him around once again in a day or so's time.
::By the way, Riza? You've had a puppy at your heels pretty much non stop... Even though he's a good four years old, he's still a puppy. <3::
::In the kitchen, frying some bacon for a BLT, not really knowing what else he's in the mood for...::
::Trotting right behind Riza, tail wagging a bit::
::can't really leave the house for anything; so she's been holed up reading for the most part, or at least, appearing like she's reading, still with that distant, detached disinterest that's been wearing on her the last several months; smelling the bacon but there's servants and her grandparents, the odds aren't high that its' Roy::
::Bacon means there's a good chance he'll get table scraps, TY Grandpa Graman!::
::carrying the teapot in, paying just enough attention to keep from walking into walls, rather not there for the most part, only realizing he's in the kitchen after she puts the teapot down, expression utterly blank for a few seconds as her brain switches back on::
::Looking over to her as she puts the teapot down...:: ... Hello, Riza. ::Slight nod to her::
... >_> ... ::looking down, side to side a bit, floundering, that blankness gone, now it's just... ow ;_;:: ... hello... ... sorry... I... I was just... ::gesturing to the teapot and backing up, clasping her hands tight::
... you don't need to apologise, Riza.
::Head down... empty water bowl... picking it up in his teeth, padding over to Riza with it, whining once::
... ::just... frozen, has no idea what to say, and everything she -wants- to say ... isn't anything he'd want to hear; it's that sick feeling of not ever once wanting things to be the way they are yet not able to see where different choices could have honestly been made at the time:: ...
... ::looks at Hayate... crouching, picking up the dish, hand shaking, stepping over to the sink::
... ::Watching her:: ... You don't need to walk on eggshells quite so much, you know...
... ... ... ::looks at him, her expression raw; it was never supposed to be like this, she'd never meant for any of this to happen like this, and more than anything else she misses her -friend- and.. there's no right to even that:: ... wh-what would you have me say? ::shaky attempt at a smile for a brief moment, just say the word and she'll never bother you again, if you want her to speak of nothing but the weather, she'll do that, just... the last thing she wants is to do anything to hurt him more::
... Just "Hello" would be nice. ::Tending to the bacon::
... ::closes her eyes, hanging her head a moment, deep breath:: ... ... ... ::desperately reaching for a lighter mood, he gave a tiny bit, she's grabbing for it for all its worth, one corner of her mouth twisting into a tentative, uncertain smile, her tone a little lighter, awkward but lighter, making an unsure joke along the same vein as 'say goodnight gracie':: Just hello?
... ::Sets the spatula down, chuckles quietly:: Was that a joke I heard, just now?
... a really bad one. ::shaky, soft sorta-chuckle, eyes wet, smile trembling as she bites her lip, watching him::
::Closing his eye, chuckles again:: Your humor is as dry as ever.
... When it comes around; I suppose it always has been. ... ... how ... is everything settled as you'd like it...?
As well as it will ever be, I suppose. ::Nods slightly, picking his spatula back up::
... ... I don't mean to walk on eggshells. ... I just don't quite trust myself to not say a million and one things I shouldn't.
... ::Nods slightly:: I suppose I can understand that.
... ::turns away again, filling Hayate's water dish and setting it down:: ... ... ::staying crouched, eyes closed, trying to hide the fact she's shaking like a leaf, and trying to work up the nerve to say something:: ... ... d- do you ... do you hate me?
::Oh boy, water!!!:: ::diving right into the bowl, tends not to drink too much when Riza's unsteady like this, prefers to keep her company...::
... I don't know. It would be very easy to. ::Shakes his head::
... ::exhales a shaky breath, eyes still closed, remaining crouched:: ... fair enough. It -is- rather easy some days.
Do you hate you?
... ::the mun's blinking a bit at how /much/ sometimes...:: ... ::low, dry chuckle, pushing herself to her feet, eyes still closed, forcing a smile, opening her eyes but keeping then downcast:: Doesn't everyone have days like that sometimes?
... ::Sighs:: Idiot. You should know better than that... ::And so should you, dummy.::
... ::tiny shrug:: it's common ground we can agree on, if nothing else?
I suppose there is that...
::we can both agree to hate me; works for me:: ... .... want me to cut a tomato for you?
::That's not what I meant and you know it... okay, maybe you don't. Sigh... not that I know what you meant. Double-sigh. I used to be able to read you...:: Sure. Thanks.
::nobody can usually, for whatever it's worth; silently getting out the cutting board and a knife and the tomato, slicing with care and caution, hand a bit shaky::
... ::Glancing at her out of the corner of his eye::
::arranging the slices on a plate and turning back to the fridge, getting out some lettuce and prepping it for him::
Thank you for the assistance. ::Finishing the bacon:: Is it all right if I give Hayate a piece?
::the mun doesn't know how readable it is, but she still cares about him as much as she ever did, in the way she's so easily doing little tasks to help:: It's fine. Grandfather's spoiled him anyway.
::That much is readable... which makes the whole "I can't be with you" or whatever it was from the post-rescue scene all the more painful... Mun's a bit too tired to look right now. XD:: You're going to unspoil him, right? ::Laying out the cooked bacon, draining off the grease::
... Eventually, I'm sure. I suppose.
"Eventually" means "When I get him home, and we're settled in." Right?
Yeah. It would be easier rather than trying to retrain him while expecting him to adjust to a new place.
Good.
... You're welcome to come visit him, if you'd like. I'm sure he'd not mind the chance to see you.
I may just do that, sometime. ::He's trying to keep talking here, but he's also having a hard time with topics, and not showing the hurt...::
::pretty much in the same boat; and the mun wonders if maybe he'd not feel better if he just vented all of that at her::
::would pretty much buckle under the weight of guilt if he did. XD All that time up north didn't exactly blind him to -everything-... just his own self-worth::
::she already is, or rather, has:: ... ::there's not much to keep her in the kitchen now:: ... ::really, really, really wanting to say something, but...:: ... ::looking at him, watching him::
::Just giving Hayate the bacon, crouched and scratching him behind the ears:: He's missed you. ::"I've missed you."::
... I know. ... I dare say he's missed you too. ... the way it all was.
::Nods slightly:: Those were good times.
... ::deep, shaky breath:: ... There's a lot of things... but if I had to pick just one thing I missed most of all, above everything else... I miss my best friend.
... ::Looks down, scratching Hayate's head:: I miss mine too. But it hurts too, seeing her again.
... I know. ... Sh- she... she'll stay away if... that would help, b- because the last thing she wants to do is hurt you any more than she already has. ::voice thick, cracking; eyes wet, spilling over::
How about you give me time to find out what I'm going to do now?
::nods, exhales, her breath shaky, sniffles:: Of course. ... J- just... just do whatever you need to do to be happy again. That's all I ask. I... I *never*... meant to hurt you, I'm sorry.
Stop apologising. ::tone a little harsh... >_> Mun's poking him::
::goes silent, biting her lip, eyes closed, taking a step backward, said too much, stayed too long::
... Just give me time. ::Shaking his head, drawing his hand back... returning to making his sandwich quickly::
::Cocks his head... looks at Riza... bounds after her quickly::
Of course... ::taking another step back; doesn't want more tea or anything else, turning, retreating from the kitchen kinda aimlessly at first and then to the guest room where she's staying::