Derp Tales (aka. In which Galatea tries to provide counceling for the stubborn)

[ignite_the_sky]

Who: Roy Mustang (ignite_the_sky) and Galatea visionblessing
When: A day. Sometime after the Broadcast mind event.
Where: Galatea's shiny new office/room in the Patrol HQ
Format: Paragraph (feel free to change cos I'm not picky)
What: Galatea's getting her first counseling visit! Too bad it has to come in the form of someone who's kept himself carefully tucked away behind

Comments

[visionblessing]

The fortunate upside for Roy in this scenario was that at least Galatea wouldn't be able to tell if he didn't meet her gaze-- at least, not that she would ever let on

[ignite_the_sky]

The voice that came from behind the closed door made him wince inwardly. He'd rather hoped she'd have been busy, but evidently that didn't seem to be the case. At least this way, he didn't have to slink out so soon while trying to avoid his Lieutenant; she was the reason he hadn't worn his uniform, after all -it made it too difficult to blend in and he didn't want her catching him. She couldn't find out about this. His pride wouldn't be able to handle it.

There was a moment's hesitation before he opened the door and entered, head down, eyes fixed on the floor as he closed it again behind him, leaning heavily against it. He kept his voice low, unsure of how to proceed or where to even begin. How was he supposed to start? What did he say? Was there something he was supposed to do?

"Y-You're Galatea, correct?"

This was it. He couldn't run away now.

[visionblessing]

The voice was familiar, although she had yet to place precisely where from. His movements were of interest - the lean against the door, the seemingly agitated twist of his voice. Her head tilted slight, just slightly as she considered. He seemed nervous, or at least hesitant, of being here. Slowly Galatea leaned forward, and indicated the chair on the opposite side of the desk. There were a couple more situated in the corner, all overstuffed and extremely comfortable (at Galatea's insistence - for the well being of her clients, of course.) "That is correct, yes. Would you care to sit, or prefer to stand?"

For once, all trace of teasing and mockery was out of her voice. Admittedly, she had taken on the position with motivations that were not entirely altruistic, but now that the task was at hand, she would fulfill it. Anatole was to be her new home for a while, and it's people were thus her wards. "How might I assist?"

[ignite_the_sky]

"Actually, I'd almost rather curl up in a corner or set myself on fire," he mumbled as his gaze flitted everywhere but to the woman herself. This was harder than he'd thought it would be.

Forcing himself to calm down -she wasn't going to sacrifice him for anything and she wasn't a homunculus- he took a deep breath and raised his head slightly. Before he told her anything at all, there was one question he needed to know the answer to... because if she turned out to be too close after all, he was as good as gone. "How well do you know Riza Hawkeye?"

[visionblessing]

Lacking in sight, but certainly sharp of hearing, Galatea had to be mindful not to allow herself a smirk of amusement at the comment. "I can understand your hesitation," came her evenly delivered response, "but with some good fortune, speaking with me should prove a rather less agonising experience." As she waiting for him to come to a decision, she expertly reached for the bottle of chilled water kept on hand and poured two glasses, sliding one over the desk to Roy.

"Riza Hawkeye?" A note of surprise, muted as it was. She considered for a moment, trying to place the name. It took a moment before it came to her. "In passing, at best. We have spoken only once, and it was a brief encounter." Remembering Riza brought to mind where she had first heard this voice as well, and she smiled a little to herself. A familiar fellow, indeed.

[ignite_the_sky]

She knew of her, but didn't know her.

Those words were what ultimately caused him to make up his mind to stay. He pushed himself away from the door and slowly made his way across the room to settle in one of the chairs, not quite relaxed, but not as nervous as he was a few moments ago. "...and how are you with figuring things out if the other honestly doesn't know what to make of it? Though, fair warning, the majority of it is personal."

He probably should have sent her a message through the Forge before dropping in on her to ascertain whether or not she'd be able to be of help at all.

[visionblessing]

Ah. It seemed that was the correct status to hold, then. Relaxing into her chair, Galatea crossed one leg over the other and sipped her water.

She took a moment to think. Rushing was evidently not her way. "That would depend on the situation, I imagine. If you are comfortable with relaying to me as much as you can, then I will make what assessments I can. It would be foolish for me to claim to know the mind of another, but perhaps I can at least prove a sounding board for your own thoughts. Asking and answering questions may also provide some assistance; at the very least the effort could attain you some clarity."

Her smile was just slightly apologetic. "No guarantees, it seems, but I will do whatever I can. Telling you otherwise would be nothing short of misleading."

Have a TL;DR, Galatea.

[ignite_the_sky]

He leaned forward in the chair and rested his elbows on the edge of the desk, chin in one hand, the index finger of the other tracing along the rim of the glass she had offered him. She couldn't magically fix things, but he hadn't expected her to be capable of that. All he wanted was to know why those dreams and the arguments that followed had put him so on edge

lololol

[visionblessing]

As he started to talk, Galatea listened attentively. It seemed she was in for rather a tale, and the best she could offer for the moment, was a careful ear and thoughtful nodding as she mulled over his words, mentally turned them over for analysis

Re: lololol

[ignite_the_sky]

An alternate version of himself.

An alternate version of himself who'd had the audacity to say those words to Riza, and who -if he were still present- apparently stood a good chance of stealing her away from him if the fact that she'd said that she might have loved him was any indication. It sounded pathetic when she phrased it like she did, but it was the truth. So did that mean he hated himself or something to that effect?

This was why he avoided emotional situations. He knew he had a tendency to overreact when it came to those close to him, but this didn't feel like he was overreacting. It just made him angry.

"Yeah. He told her he loved her and that she was beautiful... I can't blame him for that because she is...not that I've ever actually told her that, but still..."

[visionblessing]

With a quiet exhale, Galatea leaned back. "Why are you angry that he told her that?"

There was a multitude of possibilities. Perhaps it was the idea of Riza being lead on and then disappointed, or maybe anger misdirected at his other self and intended for Riza, instead, for developing such an attachment, or the idea that any man not himself (in the present sense) might have her affections. Certainly Galatea had her suspicions, but she was uncertain of how Roy might react, or what... incorrect assumptions she might be making. Better to allow conclusions to be drawn gradually, than flinging possibilities in his face with little basis.

Despite herself, she found herself vaguely annoyed that she didn't have any cake to help her get through this potentially arduous process.

[ignite_the_sky]

That was a good question. Why was he angry?

"...I don't know. I'm not really mad at her, because she deserves to be happy, but..." But what? Why did she have to choose him? Why did those three words have to come into the picture? Why had they been said at all? Was it true? Was it just to make her feel wanted? Had she misheard it? Had it been misunderstood? Did she actually feel anything for him or was it something else entirely?

But... why did she have to be drawn to him and not him? Those words held the power to take her away from him, to tear down everything the two of them had, to rob him of the only sure, constant thing in his life

[visionblessing]

On some level, Galatea was amused. This seemed rather more whimsical, in some senses, than the type of conversations she had expected she might be having. Based on the level of his distress, however, the matter was perhaps not so easily dismissed as mere whimsy.

Her head tilted. "The reason for her happiness. Does that mean that you want to be the individual that she has romantic feelings for, as well?" It could simply be possessiveness, on his part, of course. He might not have romantic investment in her, although an emotional dependence was still entirely possible. Probably, even, based on what he had said.

For a brief moment, Galatea was relieved that her position in the church and as a member of the Organisation has spared her this manner of aggravation. Life was tumultuous enough without such aspects being added in past one's control.

[ignite_the_sky]

The question caught him off-guard. Was that what he wanted? No, it couldn't be. How many women had he dated in the past? How many other girls did he have vying for his attention? He could have any girl he wanted!

...except his Lieutenant.

But that was wrong, wasn't it? She was his subordinate, his best friend and practically family. She was nothing like the girls he dated. She kept to herself, she wasn't flashy or very bubbly in personality, she always had to point out his faults and flaws, she spoke her mind even when it wasn't really asked for.

She had a mind to speak of. She was intelligent, capable, and understanding. She was quick to let him know when there was a flaw in his reasoning. She supported him despite his obvious faults. She was attractive, both inside and out. And even though he had a tendency to chase after the flighty, giggly type, she remained his ideal.

He'd told her she was unattainable because nobody bothered to try when they'd be shot right back down, but in truth, that was why he hadn't tried -because

[visionblessing]

"Not inherently," Galatea replied, running one gloved hand over the other to straighten the fabric. The action was distraction enough to afford herself a few moments to consider. "It would be dependent on context and motivation, as with so many things." Her smile was neutral - if anything, just slightly apologetic. "The answer may not be easy to determine, and it is only you who can know such a thing

[ignite_the_sky]

"She and I... it wouldn't really change much. We'd still get along the same as we do now, we'd still communicate without words, and we'd still have our differences. The only thing that would change is that I'd have been able to say it instead of worrying about whether or not she'd believe me..."

It was hard for him to believe he'd just told her that, but there it was. He couldn't even say that it made him feel better to get it off his chest, because it didn't -it just made him feel inadequate because he couldn't tell her without worrying that she'd think he wasn't serious. She'd seen the women he dated, she knew his reputation, she knew him.

He averted his gaze, unsure of if she could see him or not, but not wanting to take any chances. "How do you tell someone something like that and expect them to believe you when they know that not only have you pretty much been with everybody and their sister, but you change girls like most people change socks?"