[action] 1 // with ash in your mouth

[gunpowderreason]

[There is a woman wandering around the Entrance, attempting quite valiantly to stay upright. One hand is pressed tight against a wound at her throat, fresh but no longer bleeding; considering the amount of blood coating her skin, her clothes, and even the loose, long strands of blonde hair trailing down her back, this is probably for the best. A

Comments

[gunpowderreason]

[She heaves a deep sigh at the definite no, rubbing her temple with her free hand.]

The Gate...I suppose he went through. I had hoped he would--

[well, end up here? She wasn't sure, but whatever happened, he had better still be alive.]

[best_papa_evar]

Wait, wait, what?

[He looks at Edward with a brow raised. WHAT IS THIS ALCHEMY BULL-HOCKEY?]

This is alchemy, right? Why would he be involved in that?

[I MISSED SO MUCH SHIT.]

[gunpowderreason]

[MORE FROWNING. She mostly addresses Edward, since he would (or should, according to her timeline) know most about what she is about to explain.]

After you [TINY PAUSE] left, we ran into the doctor who was responsible for the creation of King Bradley. In order for the Colonel to have be the fifth sacrifice they needed, they tried to force him to open the gate. Thus...[gingerly she peels her hand away from her throat, the dried blood pulling in places. Here and there, blood oozes through, but mostly the wound has been healed together enough to keep her alive.] Wrath and Pride arrived after he refused...pinned him into a circle and forced him to--

[she clears her throat, and doesn't finish.]

[best_papa_evar]

[Hughes grows quiet. He knows faintly of what the Lieutenant was talking about. He may not have known alchemy all that well, but he's not completely blind about it.

A fear realized: the military was full of corruption. When he'd gone to call for help, that became blindingly obvious. But now, to know that the Fuhrer was deeper into this mess, that he wasn't normal...

And more of these 'sin' names, not to mention. Wrath, Envy, Pride, Lust...

Despite his inner workings, Hughes was far more concerned for Roy-what did it mean, to be forced through The Gate?]

Is that the last thing you remember, Lieutenant?

[gunpowderreason]

[a steady gaze at Edward.]

It is possible because it happened--the same as [that gaze cuts to Hughes for the briefest moment, somewhat wary] the three of us ending up in this location together.

[back to Hughes. She's trying to stand straight but the result is ineffective. She's simply lost too much blood.]

They opened the gate and forced him through. I must have blacked out. [there a very, very slight edge of guilt coloring her words, but she keeps her expression neutral. She and her body had failed at a pivotal moment, and it wasn't the first time.] I had the oddest hallucination, and then I was here.

[best_papa_evar]

[Hughes folded his arms.]

That sounds about right. Everyone sees that music box before coming here, whether it's in a hallucination or right in front of them. At least, that's what I've been piecing together so far. I can't say if it's just those two scenarios...

[He rubbed the back of his head, tired. This was all crazy.]

I'm sure there's a lot I... missed out on. Right now, we have to get ourselves together-there's not an obvious way to get back yet, though I'm sure there's gotta' be some way nonetheless.

[There's a quiet pause. Damn, this situation was worrisome...]

If Roy appears, then we'll know. He's the type to look for his chess pieces first thing something like this happens. No matter how illogical it all is.

[gunpowderreason]

The music-- [she doesn't understand, but she decides not to ask. Priorities. Those questions would come later.] I will continue to look for him.

[she eyes both Edward and Hughes again, flexing her fingers, and finally looking Hughes in the eye.] Brigadier General... [what to even say? She's short on breath and probably short on time to stay upright, so she goes, as usual, for the direct.] Please explain.

/SUP

[best_papa_evar]

[Hughes indeed softens in expression at her-after all, how do you even begin to try and explain... coming back from something that is impossible to come back from? However, the distant but growing sound of armored footsteps turns his head.]

Alphonse...!

[and he looks back at Riza, shoulders sagging in defeat]

I'll explain whatever I can soon...

[I really don't want to talk about something like that with the boys here.]

[gunpowderreason]

[She nods at Hughes, satisfied for now. The important thing was that he, like the rest of them, was here. For now they were all together, and she would do what she could to protect them.]

[Her fingertips turn white as she presses her hand tighter to her throat. She'd have to give in soon. But for now, she offers up a very rare thing--a legitimate, if a little pained, smile.]

Alphonse. It's good to see you.