➤ 2nd Transmutation [backdated to after milkfield event]

[unexculpable]

A. » Action「1652 Albright Lane/Around Town ☼ Midday 」

[When Ed went outside, there was a postcard waiting for him on the doorstep. He stood in the doorway with a frown and stooped down to pick it up. Who would be sending him a postcard? He flipped it over and froze. His mouth went dry, his eyes widened, and his stomach started tying itself in

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[snipingmissy]

[This was one of the rare moments that she wished a meteor would fall from the sky, or something might spontaneously burst into flames, or a tree could fall down--something to create an immediate distraction.

So she steadies herself, and clears her throat to get Armstrong's attention. She could tell without more than a cursory glance that Edward would crack under the pressure of Armstrong's direct interrogation, but experience told her that she could hold out.]

I'm no fool, General. Just because I know it rationally...does not keep me from hoping.

[She could feel the shame burning in her cheeks. It was incredibly foolish for a subordinate to want so desperately for their superior officer to be here, especially for one as practiced as she, but that didn't change how wished that the flash of blue light she'd seen was Mustang.]

It probably did not help things when I appeared in the clearing and asked if Edward were the Colonel first.

[And that would be the first official lie of the evening, but she says it with such a straight face that not even Hayate reacts--Hayate, who can usually pick up on any hint of veiled anxiety in her voice. Even she had to admit that that was pretty convincing. Provided, of course, that Edward could play along.]

[unexculpable]

[He stared at Hawkeye for a moment, confusion written all over his face. Lieutenant, you have made things a million times more difficult for him. There were times when he could lie well enough, but usually his form of lying was just... lying by omission. He was way too honest for his own good.

He couldn't just smile and nod. He wasn't that kind of person. And this was Olivier! She wasn't stupid. Far from it. Even if he wanted to he wouldn't be able to lie to her. No matter how convincing it was, Olivier would not give this up.

He quickly looked away, dropping his eyes to the ground once more staying completely silent. He would neither agree nor disagree with Hawkeye's statement.]

[flowers_suck]

[She sighs and shakes her head. Fixing her best look of concern across her face.]

Was it really that bad, what ever it was that happened, Edward? [She puts her arm around him and pulls him close to her side, he might notice her grip rivals even that of her brother.] C'mon, let's get you a nice hot cup of coffee to help you get over the trauma. Then, I have an idea that'll really test out your alchemy. It might help the Lieutenant keep her distance from Lust, too. [It's only then that she looks at Hawkeye, smirking at her over her shoulder.]

Well, what do you say, Fullmetal?[Did you just feel her grip your arm a bit tighter Ed, because she did.]

That comment is below the belt about 50-million different ways, just fyi

[snipingmissy]

[I may have to kill you was typically the first thought that would cross her mind at Armstrong's thinly veiled attempt to behave like she actually gave a crap wanted to help Edward out. Few things disgusted her more, but she was a little bit too caught up in thinking of a way to get them out of this situation. She knew Edward wouldn't be able to lie. He had also made it abundantly clear that he was unable to at least play along with whatever story she could come up with.

Also, yes. It was that bad, Armstrong, because even with Hawkeye's ability to both tell a good lie and keep a straight face, she can't manage to keep the color from draining from her face. It was taking every ounce of self control to not allow any other sign of panic show in her expression.

Somehow, she has a feeling that when Armstrong finds out what really happened, she is probably going to wish she had never known.

And yes, she is so dumbfounded by Armstrong's comment that she can't trust herself to even open her mouth.]

scream. Olivier you are horrible. BRB PANICKING FOREVER.

[unexculpable]

[If she thought that look of concern fooled him, she was very wrong. He knew damn well that Olivier was not here to comfort him. She wasn't going to take him by the hand and sit him down and tell him everything would be ok. To be honest, he would be even more terrified if that had been the case, but the arm she wrapped him was unsettling either way. And yes, he definitely noticed how strong her grip was, not only did it rival Major Armstrong's, but it was downright forceful.

He swallowed hard, face paling as he giving Hawkeye the most apologetic look he could muster. This shouldn't have involved her at all, but she was here and Ed couldn't play along with her fabricated story. He might have unintentionally screwed them both over.]

S-sure.

Don't Panic, she can sense that!

[flowers_suck]

[She doesn't miss how pale both of them had grown and wonders how bad it really was. For a moment, she considers letting them tell her in their own time, but realizes how soft that would make her, and she couldn't be soft, especially not in a place like this. So she leads Edward away, keeping her grip on his all the same so that he can't wriggle away, because if he does, she knows Riza wouldn't hesitate to put a stop to this interrogation.]

Once we get to my house, I'll tell you my plan first. I think it will relive some of our worries.

Sense away, Olivier. Also, totally tagging mostly as Hayate.

[snipingmissy]

[Hayate huffed at being left where he was sitting. He'd have stayed mad with the Lady General for taking Ed away when he noticed that Mommy looked upset, and so did Ed. And the Lady General looked a lot happier than everyone else.

Riza snapped to get Hayate's attention, her frown deepening. Every single instinct she had was telling her to get out of this situation before it could get any worse, but she couldn't leave Edward to handle General Armstrong alone. So begrudgingly, she followed, still attempting to think of a way out of this situation.] Hayate, come.

[unexculpable]

[They walked back to Olivier's house in relative silence. Ed, for one, didn't say a word the entire way there, trying to ignore the firm grip on his shoulders. Lieutenant Hawkeye was following them as well and Black Hayate kept running back and forth between her and Ed, trotting along beside both of them for various intervals in an attempt to make them feel a bit better.

As soon as they reached the house, they were all ushered inside without a moment's hesitation and led to the living room. Olivier took her arm off his shoulders. She wouldn't have to worry about him trying to escape now. Not that he was going to in the first place. All three of them took a seat and Ed shifted uncomfortably in the tense quiet that followed.]

clocking in soon...godmodding is ok

[flowers_suck]

Olivier waited until they were seated, and then eyed them wearily.

Fullmetal, why don't we test your alchemy first. I was thinking...apparently we can't tunnel out, but we can tunnel. So, I thought we should make an underground training and meeting place that fam connect to important houses. Just to keep away print eyes.

FFFF sorry I didn't even think you had posted Aly -_-;;;; I would've tagged during the day

[snipingmissy]

[Hawkeye stood and watched. She was currently just an accessory in the room, it felt, but she wouldn't leave Edward. Her nerves were not being eased by the small voice in the back of her mind that reminded her how powerful alchemists could be--even ones who had committed themselves to doing good.]

[unexculpable]

[and finally he speaks]

... That's not a bad idea. Wouldn't be that difficult either.

[flowers_suck]

[She nods and leads the way to the backyard. Edward and Riza might notice that a corner of the backyard is now full of freshly planted daisies.]

I want the meeting place to be back here, but we can't go having whoever decides to walk around the backyard falling into it. [She's gesturing to the lawn.] And, I can't have those daisies dying.

I figure we can have tunnels connecting other houses so that we don't catch the attention of unwanted eyes through masses of warriors showing up at my place of residence once a week. [That's right, she can't call it her house quite yet.]

[snipingmissy]

The tunnels will work well, but we'll need to devise a way that an entrance from inside the house to the tunnel isn't easy to find.

[Hawkeye can talk about tunnels. Talking about tunnels doesn't require the discussion of what Armstrong seems to really want to discuss, and that's good.]

We wouldn't want newcomers to stumble upon the entrance.

[unexculpable]

That won't be a problem. I can make it look like there isn't an entrance at all. You might want to put something on the wall there so you don't forget where it is.

[flowers_suck]

[This is Major Olivier Mira Armstrong, she doesn't need to be reminded where things are!]

Would you like to work from the basement then?

[snipingmissy]

[Oh great. The basement, where nobody will hear them attempting to get away.]

I suppose if that is where the tunnels are going to lead to that would be the only logical choice, General.