hughes 001 † hunting for information
Who: Hughes & Mustang
Where: Goldenrod? Yes, Goldenrod.
When: Day after the train incident; so Nov 24th, some time during the afternoonish
Summary: Hughes learned some stuff about his future from Kimblee, and he wants a bit more information
Rating: PG? PG-13 at most
Log: ( Possible FMA spoilers behind cut~? )
Where: Goldenrod? Yes, Goldenrod.
When: Day after the train incident; so Nov 24th, some time during the afternoonish
Summary: Hughes learned some stuff about his future from Kimblee, and he wants a bit more information
Rating: PG? PG-13 at most
Log: ( Possible FMA spoilers behind cut~? )
And now, thanks to Hughes, he'd had to catch an early train back to Goldenrod City, foregoing two of the three free nights he had earned back in Saffron. And, of course, there was also factored into that Roy's surprise when he learned that Hughes had arrived in Goldenrod City, not Mahogany Town like Winry, Archer, and Kimblee had.
But, at any rate, here he was. He didn't look in the best of shape, but he made it. And it was a chance to see his old best friend in person again -- it had been about two years, give or take a few months, since he'd had that pleasure (not counting Envy shapeshifting into him).]
Good to see you in person again, Hughes. But was this really so urgent that I had to get an early train back here from Saffron to talk to you?
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Maes, old man, he thought to himself, you're slipping. ]
Sorry about that... Tell you what, I'll pay for a train ride back, and a night in Saffron, hmm?
[ A slightly hesitation. He should ask now. Just get it over with. But part of him really doesn't want to know. And part of him really doesn't want to make his best friend relive whatever it was like. Finally, he sighs, and glances over toward the train tracks. ]
Kimblee said there was some sort of plot. Didn't know it'd be that advanced, though.
[ Okay, so it wasn't exactly what he'd wanted to talk about. But it was as close to the topic as he could get for now.
And it really is good to see you, old friend. Even if Maes definitely just saw you maybe a month ago. ]
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[He stops talking to let Hughes finish...]
Yeah, that was one hell of a plan they concocted, all right. It might have even worked if the trainers on board had either less backbone or weaker Pokémon. Still, some of the grunts managed to claim some booty, from the sound of it.
You won't mind keeping an eye out for the stolen Pokémon, will you?
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[ Maes takes a deep breath, and frowns. Might as well get straight to the point, then. ]
Say, Roy. You mentioned before that time passes differently here than back at Amestris, correct?
... I heard a similar theory from Kimblee. Except... he claims that we come from different timelines, as well.
[ Then there's that matter of the whole alternate Amestris thing that Archer guy had mentioned. But, one thing at a time.
He's watching you carefully, for some sort of reaction, deciding how to continue approaching this topic. ]
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...Yes, that's true. That's the case with the Elric brothers -- they're both from different points in time.
[Which is why he uses the Elrics as an example, rather than himself -- even though he's further along than anybody else from Amestris here right now.]
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Therefore, the logical conclusion would be, that everything is true.
Maes wasn't disillusioned into thinking that he'd live forever. If anything, he knew that working for the state military would probably cut a few years off his expected lifespan. But, he'd always thought that being in charge of the the Investigations Division was much safer than, say, actually having to go out and fight.
But the thought of leaving his family so soon -- he could only assume that it would be within the next few years, as it didn't look as though Roy had aged all that much since he last remembers -- was jarring. And others here have mentioned that he'd been here before. The pure fact that he didn't remember that time must mean that memories of this place didn't carry over back home.
So, the safe conclusion to come to, would be that there'd be no way to stop this death from happening. Not that it was going to keep Maes from doing everything within his power to return home as soon as possible, and test out that theory.
He offers Roy a tired smile. There was no need to push the matter further and press for details. But there are a few things he needs to make sure of, first, to get peace of mind. ]
The point of time you're from... you're doing well?
[ You've been promoted to Brigadier General from what he hears, Roy. That must mean that things aren't going too horribly. Then again, he hears that he's also been promoted to said rank. And Maes was fairly certain that no matter what happened in the future, he was nowhere near as ambitious to actually push for that title, himself.
A pause. And then, he steels himself for the next question. He needs to know. ]
And my family? Gracia and Elicia. They're happy?
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...You know, don't you?
[Roy is perceptive -- too perceptive, perhaps. Surely Hughes was prepared for the possibility that he'd figure out what he was getting at.]
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Still, Maes is glad to hear that everyone is doing well. ]
Kimblee told me.
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He was never one for mercy, that's for sure.
...That was almost two years ago for me back home. A lot's happened, but everything turns out...
[He pauses. He can't say happily necessarily, because they did have to make sacrifices along the way. And not just Hughes -- many good men were lost, like Buccaneer and one of Ling's bodyguards.]
...turns out the best we could manage in the end. Amestris is safe now, and Ishval is being rebuilt.
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[ But it's good to hear that things are looking up in the end. ]
Sounds like you've managed to reach your goals.
[ He doesn't have to say it out loud in words, but the look Maes gives Roy is screaming "I'm really sorry I wasn't there to help more." ]
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[That causes Roy's gaze to divert itself. That kind of look isn't something he wants to see from him.]
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This must be why normally, people don't get to know how their life ends up. ]
I see...
[ It takes him a moment, but Maes manages to relatively collect himself. There's really no point feeling guilty and sad over something that hadn't even happened yet, that he'd had very little control over. He was certain, however it happened -- and he wasn't about to ask Roy that, simply because that would be a douche thing to do -- he'd done his best.
Finally, he laughs, trying to lighten the situation. He'd never really been the type of guy who'd find himself in depressing situations for very long. ]
You haven't tried any funny business with Gracia in the past two years, right? I mean, I know she's beautiful, and the most amazing woman in the world, and all...
[ It was almost becoming some sort of defense mechanism, talking about his family. That was the one thing that, without fail, always made him feel better.
... Not that it seemed to have the same effect on everyone else. ]
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Just what the hell do you take me for? You really think I'd abandon my honor?
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I'll bet you didn't even get any girls in those two years... you're too much of a workaholic, Roy. Now that you're Brigadier General and all, you should take some time off. And meet a nice woman.
The world is so much better when you've got a wife and a child~
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[To be fair, the only reason why Roy isn't married is the military's rule against fraternization.]
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But what if you're not taking care of your business as well as you should? I'm just looking out for your best interest!
[ And hopefully the whole death thing is forgotten for now. ]
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