Worth Your Weight In Gold

by **Gavin Etheridge** Tue Nov 22, 2011 7:29 pm

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... on the mainland. Right now in Gavin's closed office, the young king was deep in thought and very frustrated; it was the most vexing of times.Generally speaking, the affairs of the mainland were not Carraig's concern; since the tiny island of rocky peaks took its claim of neutrality a few centuries ago and stopped providing mercenary service to the other countries, their wars were no longer the problems of the Creig. Their military was still one of the strongest, most thoroughly trained and fiercest in the world, even if they didn't get involved. But right now, somehow, they had been involved. And that did not set well with the king.

A terrorist group attacked Amestria. Amestria followed them into Drachma and got their asses handed to them by said frozen nation. It was the first time in a very, very long time that the proud country had lost, and by this, Gavin was slightly impressed, but beating an enemy that is already weak and attacking out of revenge and fighting blindly isn't exactly a glorious victory. More surprising was that Amestria was somehow still breathing and hadn't collapsed in on itself, but Carriag was not so dissimilar to it in that fashion; over the centuries they had nearly been crushed a few times, taken as a territory and invated, and still they they fought on to keep their home. So there was something to admire in their determination and fighting spirit, but the problems between a warmongering nation and its neighbors still were not Carraig's problems. Their neutrality was forever and unwavering; even lending the sniper to aid Lord Dietrich had been under the table and she had been told to wear the markers of a Cretan specialist. Nothing to link back to Carraig and imply that they were involved in any way, shape or form.

His sniper, as he'd been informed, had died in service to the Cretan lord. It was unfortunate, but she had died a good death and the return of her body, quietly, from Creta had allowed her to be buried with honours from her King. She was the only one of his soldiers he had sent overseas, however; this one.... THIS one, came as a complete surprise to him. And there were some surprises Gavin did not like. General Tsukino had also sounded less than pleased when her phonecall was put through to Gavin, informing the young king that she'd found something of his. Toss. His best and most thoroughly trained pilot had been found in Drachma, was attacking Amestrian airships, had caused her ship to crash, and had been fighting for RIOTE.

This information had to stay quiet and could NOT be allowed to make it to the news or there would be an international outcry. As it stood, Reila Tsukino held all the cards in her favour; blackmail could cost him millions, and Amestria needed money badly. But he couldn't allow her to execute Toss as a war criminal. Carraig still needed that pilot; he alone could help the country get into space and leave the troubles of this world behind. So much rested on the damn pilot. Carraig's future and safety all depended on what Toss knew and had already told to the Amestrian General. While he was slightly sure Amestria wouldn't care about going into space right now, seeing as how they could hardly afford bread and a pot to piss in, Gavin would still prefer to keep the country's secrets their own and outsiders OUT of it.

He'd been thinking hard about this all day and weighing the options carefully. He'd been inspecting their budget and military spending very, very carefully. As far as money went, Carraig was sitting pretty; business was booming on all fronts, and they had more money than the other mainland nations, not including what they wouldn't admit to on paper or the foreign bank accounts they carefully tended for clients. To say the least, Carraig was loaded. Still, Gavin hated spending their money; that's what investors were for, dammit.

Still... You have to spend money to make money... And right now Toss is still far too important an investment to me to let him go and start over from the ground up. There's no way I'll ever find another pilot half as good as he is who can endure so much at once... But WHY was he flying for RIOTE? Gavin's mind was a dark whirlpool of thoughts, calm on the surface and deadly beneath. Slowly, Gavin reached for his phoneline, one that was created just to feed from his speech aid to the other person without having to use a third party service. The line buzzed, going right to Reila's line on the number he'd been given. He waited.

"General Tsukino," the mechanical voice said slowly, the Amestrian speaker's programmed voice heavily enunciating each word. "I have had time to think things over, and would like to know your terms for reclaiming my pilot. What is your asking price?" Gavin inwardly sighed, glaring at his checkbook. Damn Toss had better be worth it.

by **Reila Tsukino** Tue Dec 13, 2011 8:25 pm

Reila sat in silence, listening to her own breathing and wondering why it was the case... She thought back to that time when Dai returned to them after Creta invaded...and so many lives were lost. She recalled the look on Mura's face that jived deep scars across her chest... That was the last time she saw him before he collapsed and didn't wake up. His body was missing now. Gone. Just like that. Amestris was suffering and suffering, facing defeat, pain, and the careful balance of Briggs at the border of Drachma. Right now...even right now they could be attacked and wholefully defeated. Her tachi was never more than a hair's breath away from her, the cool sheath licking at the bare skin of her left thigh. Wearing nothing but jean shorts and a link pink tank top, she drowned in her own long, red hair that spilled all the way down to her ankles. Naturally red...like blood. Across from the ice queen was a cage housing an unconscious devil with red eyes and white hair. He wasn't human, but the longer she stared at his bleeding form, she wondered also why it was the case...

Her cellphone ran, loud, reverberating in the silence of the prison. She stared at it blankly for just a moment, already knowing who it was. No, it was better this way. He didn't belong here. He could live... It was a mistake. That dejected look in those red orbs, glinting like a whipped animal only knowing the feral wilderness. He could go back to Carraig and peace...he had a way out. Reila...Fort Briggs, Amestris didn't. But with the release of the homunculus, Reila could obtain wealth--wealth that would then become a means to save Amestris from rotting. First, they had to rebuild the cities... A giant transmutation circle would cost: hire workers, paint, time. She knew she could pull it off, but no without the money. Fort Briggs had a back up supply, but there was no way that they could continue paying for food on top of rebuilding. Already people were starving and as she sat here waiting to be attacked again, could do nothing. It hurt--it drove her crazy. Reila Tsukino answered the phone.

"This is her."

"I have had time to think things over, and would like to know your terms for reclaiming my pilot. What is your asking price?" She had to admit she would never get used to taking a computerized voice seriously. It sounded like a joke. Even so, she felt everything she had been hiding from herself spill out into the receiver.

"I...I don't want to harm Carraig with this situation," she blurted out, trying to hide the feeling in her voice, "but Amestris will fall without monetary assistance. With this exchange, I hope to revive my country. I will ask that all of Amestris' debt to your country by wiped clean with the addition of three million. Is that acceptable?" She took a deep breath, laying eyes softly on the white-haired man in a heap. She had to probably clean him up before giving him back... Having a giant icicle lodged through is abdomen wasn't exactly fair treatment. However, it was the only way to keep a devil like him in an unconscious stasis. She sighed. It really was a difficult situation... Still, Shula Brighton was smart with her suggestion. However much Reila had wanted to kill him...it was better to have spared him, for many reasons...

"I will make the arrangements, General. Your debts will be erased, and I will have the three million transfered to you." There was a long pause with what sounded like dramatic typing. Reila blinked, nearly surprised that this compromise was working so well. "In addition, all Amestrian citizens who hold debt with our banks and companies will also be absolved, as an act of good faith."

She could have cried. "Th-thank you so much, King Gavin... I highly appreciate your generosity. When would you like to retrieve him?"

by Guest Wed Dec 14, 2011 8:45 pm

Of course this would happen! The things she did for the person who she hated the most, Toss. He just had to go and get himself caught this time, probably for some foolish reason. Luckily, when she hit his face, he was too busy to realizes that she placed a tracker on his coat. One thing after another this man did, yet she kept bailing him out of life or death situations.

“Dammit Toss, Fort Briggs?!” She mumbles under her breath as she straightens up her suit jacket and skirt. After all, she couldn’t draw THAT much attention to herself. The beautiful woman stares out of the window, watching the bits of snow fall to the ground. The neat thing about snowflakes is no matter how beautiful they are, every single one of them is different.

The car ride there was long, or at least it felt longer than it really was. Her mind was racing back and forth as she sat in the back seat. Her fingers quickly tap the side of the arm rest where the window trigger things are located. One would assume this was nerves, but in reality she was just anxious. How in the world was she going to drag his sorry behind back to Drachma with her, let alone from Fort Briggs.

----------------------------

It was time. The car comes to a halt before a massive gate and the driver quickly exits to the passenger side and opens the door. Vanity slowly steps out of the car and pulls her jacket snug against her chest, as she releases a long exhale of breath into the chilly air.

“Excuse me, Sir” Vanity batted her eyes at the helpless guard that was too busy drooling at her feet. “I’m looking for someone, would you mind escorting me to the hospital wing?” Her fingers lightly graze the edges of his lips as she stares deeply into his eyes. Just then the man opens the gate and all hell was about to break loose....

by **Gavin Etheridge** Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:28 pm

"I will make the arrangements, General. Your debts will be erased, and I will have the three million transfered to you. In addition, all Amestrian citizens who hold debt with our banks and companies will also be absolved, as an act of good faith."

Oh, those words HURT, even if he had no voice of his own to speak them with. They were his own, and carefully chosen and weighed. he knew getting Toss back would cost him, and the price was worth it as that pilot was their solution and salvation. But Carraig's military and technology exports were the country's main source of income, as well as the accounts they held to people and companies all over the world who invested and bought from them. People who bought computer systems and had payment plans. Companies who hired them to design security systems and encrypted program codes that not even God himself could hack. Robotic arms used in cutting-edge hospitals that could make cuts finer and more precise than any human could pray for. Pharmaceuticals that everyone needed. Science in all its applications were Carraig's bread and butter now that the way of the sword had passed them, and to say that those Amestrian accounts were wiped clean since the country was nigh bankrupt.... OH that wasn't a nice feeling. His finance administrators would be screaming for days and drinking to mourn the losses. But it is for the greater good... And until their country is functioning again, it does no good to bill them as their money will become nearly worthless at this rate.

"Th-thank you so much, King Gavin... I highly appreciate your generosity. When would you like to retrieve him?" At least the Amestrian General seemed to appreciate the generous act. But Toss had a LOT of explaining to do. Gavin typed on his aid, aready opening his planner to have his appointments for the next few days changed entirely. The financial officers needed to rework everything and wire the money, and his higher-ranking soldiers needed to be alerted to be extra vigilant in this. If anyone found out the transaction, it could mean big trouble for them the world over, especially after the discussion with Dietrich and the other leaders proposing an embargo. Seeing Carraig trading so much moeny for a single person.... He didn't really want to think of that right now.

"My guards and I will leave immediately for Amestris. Our plane will be small and unmarked, and will arrive with two escort planes who will speak to your tower in Briggs. The money will be transferred to you within the hour, and we will see you soon, General." Gavin paused a moment before ending the call, sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose, his hazel eyes dark with heavy thoughts. But what on earth were you doing flying for Drachma and RIOTE? If you are working as a double agent, surely they are missing you by now... Drachma was a strong enemy and had crushed Amestris without trying; Carraig was to this day home to some of the world's greatest and most thoroughly-trained warriors. But they didn't hold that many in numbers, even though every man in the country was his soldier and more than a fourth of their women. Their weapons and training made them ferocious, and their natural pride and battle-readiness was bred into them. Gavin stood, any traces of the carefree-king lost somewhere on his desk as he pushed a button to call Artemis to his side and a runner to prepare the planes.

Within seconds, a young man silently appeared in his doorway. Gavin's hands began to move rapidly. "We go to Amestria now.Two escort planes. Carraig silent, High Alert. Tell F-I-A-C-H-R-A be ready, Drachma maybe attack." The messenger bowed wordlessly and left the room, diligently assembling the escorts and having a private message sent to Fiachra. Gavin didn't want to create a public panic, but he didn't want Drachma to attack and have everyone be off-guard. Fiachra was the best of his land-forces and would alert the best of his forces. He knew how to keep things quiet. A note was quickly scribbled, Gavin's orders direct and unquestionable and passed to his accounts offices through another runner, the King now leaving his office to head for his plane. Sorcha would be safe here in the palace, especially with the country's guards on maximum security. Gavin waited in the plane for Artemis, the young king unsmiling as the three planes quietly took off in the late afternoon sky.

---------------FORT BRIGGS---------------

Their security cleared, the three planes landed at Briggs as the sun sank into deep pools of blood and gold at the base of the mountains. The great fortress was legendary, wedged into the mountains and standing against the world all on its own, only connected to Amestris because it wanted to be. A giant fuck-you to anyone who thought they could take them on. Gavin rather liked that attitude, and wasn't intimidated by the giant gates of Briggs in the slightest, but was somewhat impressed by them. Guards were left at the planes, two large, silent and armed guards accompanying Gavin and Artemis inside of the fortress. The young king made no smile, nor small talk nor hint that the cold nipped at the nape of his neck, his hair pulled back into a small ponytail. His hands moved to sign for Artemis to interpret.

"I here see General T-S-U-K-I-N-O. Please escort me now."

by **Reila Tsukino** Sat Dec 24, 2011 2:11 am

He...he was coming now!? Reila scrambled to her feet and nearly ran out of the prison area, shouting orders at the guards. "Get a doctor in here!" She knew homunculi and how quickly they healed, but this one didn't seem to heal as quickly as someone like Xan. Therefore, they had to start cleaning him up pronto. The white-haired devil seemed to actually heal somewhat slower than the normal homunculi did. She figured that it had something to do with the glittery scales over his skin. That's right, Reila Tsukino was raised by one of the damned monsters: Lust. She knew. She also knew that they could die very easily. She recalled many years ago when all those sins were in one room... Lust, Envy, Pride... about to go to Drachma. Way back when...before she had even been in the military. Wow. But she didn't have time to reminisce right now; she had to use what she knew to make this homunculus presentable to Gavin. If he had a gaping hole in the middle of him it wouldn't exactly...be appealing. Though she was sure that he would understand him sporting a few injuries seeing as he had crashed right into her...

Reila let out a huff of breath, meeting the doctor halfway and then turned back around to lead him to the cell. She witnessed as his hair was washed and his minor scratches were swabbed and cleaned. Soon enough, he looked in tiptop shape save for the giant icicle penetrating his center. That was where she came in. Stepping up, she touched the icicle and watched it begin to drop towards him. Quickly, she refroze it into tiny pieces of ice that were brushed off him. They blow dried his hair and any other parts of him that had become wet from the icicle melting. The doctor stitched up the gap that was shrinking each ten-minute interval. She helped him wrap bandages around him and then carry him out of the prison area and towards the hospital wing where he was laid out on a bed. Hoping that he wouldn't wake up before Gavin got there, Reila stood close by with her hand on her tachi. That was when the sound cracked over the radio, causing Reila to smile. "General, King Gavin has arrived." Fixing her hair, she gave a gratuitous nod at the doctor. Golden eyes turned serious, she moved away from the homunculi's bed and to the door. "Show him in, politely. Remember he is not our enemy; he is nearly out ally."

She reached the hallway with a stream of red hair flowing behind her. "It is an honor to finally make your acquaintance I am Reila Tsukino. I would like to thank you again for your generosity." She bowed graciously, however, her eyes never left him.

by Guest Sat Dec 24, 2011 9:56 am

"IYADA!" Kneeling over in the fetal position, the girl shook horribly as a group of big men with big guns walked up to her, brandishing their weapons. She slowly looked up at them, before suddenly snapping her head back down in between her legs in order to hide away from them. She knew that she was in Fort Briggs, and she knew that she was here for some reason, she just couldn't quite remember exactly why. Wait, wait, wait. It was coming back to her now!

--NOT LONG PREVIOUS--

She'd been exploring through North City, it seemed. After her trip to South City, Akiha had traveled up to North City--she'd been given a clue that Tossu might be somewhere around here. For some reason, she'd decided to follow that lead (completely forgetting that she was supposed to be meeting with Shu-ra). And so, she'd found herself in North City, and started to look around. Her few hours of clues-seeking had lead her to believing that Tossu was, for some reason, in Fort Briggs. Being the youthful Kunoichi that she was, Akiha broke her way into Briggs--finding guards that had already been dispatched for some strange reason. Actually, she smelled the scent of Vanity, and felt immediately displeased. Out of the other Seven of her brothers and sisters, Vanity felt the most unnatural. Strangely enough, she could also smell Pride within the shadows of this place. Vanity and Pride; two sins that were inextricably interlinked. After she had found out that she was a Homunculus, she had done some more research. Finding out that there were only the seven originals, she had learned of the connection between Pride and Vanity, or Vaingloria. Biting down on her bottom lip, she had started to explore further within the walls of Briggs, unsure as to what would occur next. The next thing she knew, something collided with the side of her head, and she'd fallen down unconscious.

--NOW--

Guns. They have guns... Slowly raising her gaze to meet them, Akiha felt her entire body shaking with fear. She had dealt with men with guns before; that was no problem to this young woman. What her problem was was in fact the fact that these guns were really big, and that scared her a little. That's why she was in the fetal position, protecting herself from the possibility of attack. You're pathetic. Opening her eyes, she suddenly snapped her head back up again, staring into the eyes of the next to look down at her with wild abandon. Pushing up off the ground, she immediately lunged for the first man, planting a fist into his chest and knocking him to the side; diving over and placing her palm onto the cold ground and pushing off, kicking the second one down. His finger pulled the trigger, sending a short burst of automatic fire into the air; Akiha ignored it and suddenly broke off into a run. Her nose was raised into the sky, she was now sniffing for the scent of Greed. In such a cold place, it was easier than usual; the fact that there were very few entities within this place made it healthier to smell within. "Move, move, move!" Her feet pounded on the ground, and she suddenly screeched to a stop.

"It is an honor to finally make your acquaintance I am Reila Tsukino. I would like to thank you again for your generosity." She stopped suddenly, and slowly stepped out into the hallway. Long red locks adorned the back of a hauntingly beautiful woman. Giving up all hope of stealth, Akiha only watched with incredulous eyes. She saw nothing else, she saw nobody else. She'd only heard that one statement. "I am Reila Tsukino." Reila... she'd only heard stories of this woman. She was supposed... she was supposed to be dead! That's what her father had told her... That's why Haru-Haru and Miss Tsukino were made into the Empresses in her place, because she was dead. She'd died in a crash... This made her head hurt. But... that was her. They'd shown pictures of the red-haired youth, and spoken to her about the stories. She looked almost exactly how she would've grown up to be... THUNK. About three metres away from Reila and Gavin was a girl curled up into a formal bowing position. Because of the speed at which she'd gone into this position, she'd hit her head against the hard floor with a lot of force. Tears brimmed at the edges of her eyes, and when she spoke, one could hear that she was about to cry from the pain. "M-miss Tsu-Tsukino?" The silver-haired youth tried to keep the pain from forcing tears out; she couldn't even look up. "I know I shouldn't be in here... b-but my name is Akiha Akihiro, and I'm one of the retainers... to the Aerugese Royal Family... pleasedon'tkillme... S-since you're supposed to be dead, I'll treat you as such and won't tell anyone what I know... I only came here... to see Tossu..." She shivered in fear, not sure what would happen next. Would she be killed? Spared? Told to leave in disgrace? Or would she finally meet that white-haired man that piqued her interest so?

Pathetic. I don't know why I even bother with you.

by Guest Sun Dec 25, 2011 5:09 pm

Artemis walked along with Gavin. She looked very un-bodyguard like in a jacket and tight shorts. Though she had done up the jacket to keep the warmth in. She tried not to look bored as they walked into briggs. She knew how much money Gavin was paying for Toss and she couldn't help but feel angered. The money was going to affect the nation hard. All for a pilot...A pilot she could of easily broken out herself. A pilot that could most likely be replaced.

She had her beloved rifle on her back pistols on her hips and a combat knife in her boot. She had her weapons on clear display as a warning. Her sharp red hair was tied back in a braid her short messy fringe around her face. She blinked as they met Reila. Red hair and gold eyes. Wow... it was almost like a mirror. Her eyes flicked over to the cowering woman. What mess was Gavin dragging them into? Over a pilot of all things?

by **Gavin Etheridge** Sat Dec 31, 2011 12:24 am

The chilly halls of Briggs were wide and cold-feeling, the sounds of Gavin's footsteps and those of his entourage echoing lightly off the high ceiling. The inside felt just as strong and cold as the outside, and were this a visit under more firnedly circumstances, Gavin wouldn't mind a proper tour of the grand fortress that had such a long and illustrious history to it. Hazel eyes glanced around casually as they were escorted to the hospital wing. When he was younger he would have been far too excited to be here and would have wanted to explore and learn about the place and the people who ran it, poor Axel going out of his mind to keep up with the young prince.

Artemis was more than pissy about the whole affair, and she'd made her feelings known to the king on the way there. At length. In great detail. And even though the argument had been entirely silent, it was heated and only quelled by the fact that Gavin had chosen this path and that was that. All for a pilot whom Gavin felt was irreplaceable and one of Carraig's greatest assets. Finally they stopped, Reila awaiting outside of the room at its door, her smile much more pleasant than Gavin had expected. So this was the General who held so much responsibility for such a large nation. He stopped before her at a polite distance as she bowed, her eyes never leaving his. Gavin bowed his head slightly in return to her, a faint smile moving to the corner of his mouth.

"It is an honor to finally make your acquaintance I am Reila Tsukino. I would like to thank you again for your generosity." As Reila rose again, he extended his hand to shake hers firmly before reaching slowly into his coat to take out his speech aid. Fingers whisked quickly over the keys, figuring he would speak aloud rather than have Arty continue to translate.

"Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice." Gavin glanced through the door and saw a bed in the room. Toss was in the hospital wing? His stomach knotted. She said he'd crashed into her... Gavin could only wonder how badly he was hurt. I'll check his injuries on the way home and have Artemis radio in for a doctor. This was an odd meeting, though, in that there was also a woman on her knees on the floor near Reila who seemed rather upset. Fingers tapped at the keyboard deftly. "Should we wait to discuss things further?" This meeting was supposed to be private and openly discussing retrieving his pilot in front of people who weren't the General or her staff might be a massive risk. Gavin stood quietly, glancing at Akiha and then looking back to Reila.

by **Reila Tsukino** Sat Dec 31, 2011 5:00 am

Handshake. Wow. Reila was beyond words at the description of this man. She...she almost wanted to thank him for just being in his presence. Instead of outwardly showing that weakness, however, she opted for telepathically telling him so. Thank you for the honor of meeting such a man as you, Gavin!! Okay that was childish and stupid, but at least she got it out of her system... When their hands let go, suddenly that firm connection was broken, leaving her feeling empty and somewhat nervous. What if this exchange put Carraig and Amestris on rocky terms? No...no she was doing him a favor, right? They...they were both doing each other favors, right? She could seriously only hope. That corner smile coming from the man was giving her tenacious threads of hope, holding her strong to that optimism that never really seemed to leave her hanging.

When Gavin reached into his coat, she would have normally jolted to the ready, but she found herself way too trusting of him. This was an ordeal. If he was going to pull out a gun and shoot her in Fort Briggs, he'd be so damn fucked she could laugh right now. Plus, she was bullet proof. (She had to keep reminding herself that). "Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice."

"Thank you for coming on short notice," computerized voice, sir. She felt sweat gather under her bangs. It was...weird...talking to...yeah...

THUNK!

...

Da fuck? Reila spun around instantaneously, golden eyes wide and her hand on her tachi. It was half way out before the girl she didn't recognize spoke. ...HOW THE--?!

"M-miss Tsu-Tsukino? I know I shouldn't be in here... b-but my name is Akiha Akihiro, and I'm one of the retainers... to the Aerugese Royal Family... pleasedon'tkillme... S-since you're supposed to be dead, I'll treat you as such and won't tell anyone what I know... I only came here... to see Tossu..."

--HELL DID SHE GET INTO FORT BRIGGS UNDETECTED?! Reila typically would have rushed into finding this out, but with Gavin standing right there and--

"Should we wait to discuss things further?" SHIT. Making Gavin wait would be like gouging out her own heart and handing it to politics on a sil--no, gold platter. She took a deep breath. Quick, strong, direct decisions were her trademark. Think later; act now.

"I am very much alive." Aerugese Royal Family + Tsukino = loyalty. She was on the floor because she was bowing. Reila was found out. Tossu? What was Tossu? She'd figure that out later. "I'll let you see Tossu if you explain in detail how you got in here undetected. It is a breach of the unstable peace between Amestris and Aerugo. As a Tsukino..." Keep it vague just in case... "I order you to sit up, and stand by as you are, there, until we emerge." Did...that work? Her heart was racing, she swore she had totally just run out of adrenaline; she could feel it running through her veins. So cold...but she was sweating. Alright! She turned to Gavin with a warm smile and no trace of a lie because she was telling the truth!

"I don't know her, but she can wait. I assure you that this is of the utmost importance to me. I hoped to return him in the most peaceful way possible... Follow me." She led him into the room and to the bed that was for the most part pristine save for the fact that the white-haired devil was bleeding all over the damn place. She sighed. Best bring it up now instead of later... "I know he's a homunculus, but your secret is safe with me. That's also why I can assure you that he'll live despite..." She didn't need to finish that sentence. "In fact, I have met many of them. I can definitely say that I've never seen such a talented pilot." She paused, thinking. How the hell were they going to get him there? She stared blankly at the girl that accompanied Gavin and nodded to her before looking back at the bed. She couldn't just ask how would you like to take him? It was like asking how one wanted their steak for crying out loud... "Can I offer any assistance with getting him to your ship?"

by Guest Sat Dec 31, 2011 5:05 pm

Just as the gates open to reveal the icy palace to Vanity, three planes lowered on the other side. Her eyes glare as the planes lower, knowing very well that this meant ‘King’ Gavin was here. This is going to get sticky, a lot more complicated than she had hoped.

The homunculus was lost in a thought on how to reach Toss without being noticed by all of Fort Briggs. Relia was clearly inside, along with Gavin, and now there was...Sloth? Vanity raises her nose into the air and picks out the girls scent out of all and then it hit her. Sloth was trying to get back Greed as well. Her eyes shut out of rage and she folds her arms. “Well hun, I’m not sure what you’re up too, but he’s mine.” Another scent was lingering in the air, and it was one she was very fond of. Pride. “Finally.” She mumbles to herself as she stares at a couple of frozen twigs on the ground. She was on rather good terms with Pride, and she knew he could lead her to Toss, but would he?

One of the security guards on the outside of the building came up to her and asked if she needed anything. Vanity turns and blows the young man a kiss. The toxic kiss plants itself right on his lips, and the poor man falls over into the snow. The young girl steps over his paralyzed body and waves for the driver on her car to do something with the mans body.

It wouldn’t be that much longer.

(I can't really do much until you all either come out or Pride jumps in and escorts Vanity.)

by Guest Sun Jan 01, 2012 9:39 am

"I am very much alive." Head bowed. Head bowed. Head bowed. Keep that damn head down. She bit her lip softly, trying not to let her pain cloud her judgement, or her respect for this woman that stood before her. No matter how much she knew, to be in the presence of a member of the Tsukino Royal Family--even a dead one--was a true honor for this young lady, who had been raised to serve the Tsukino. Even if... no, no. There was no need to dwell on what was to come. "I'll let you see Tossu if you explain in detail how you got in here undetected. It is a breach of the unstable peace between Amestris and Aerugo." She blinked, and finally raised her head. She had been addressed, it was her sworn duty to reply to any request for information that this woman made. "I-I..." Her body shook rapidly, and her head was fluttering in the middle of her chest from the nervousness. "Th-there was a side entrance... it was heavily g-guarded..." She shuddered, remembering the scene. "B-but everyone was dead... They smelled of my sister... V-vanity..." Vanity. Even speaking that name caused Sloth to roar in terror inside of her. Apparently, they weren't very well acquainted. "I-I'm Sloth... I won't deny it..." She shook her head softly. "A-and I'm not here on behalf of the Aerugese. I-I'm not even meant to be here... B-but I heard that Tossu was being kept here! This is a mission just for me, for Akiha Akihiro, and nobody else!"

She nodded fervently. As a Tsukino... I order you to sit up, and stand by as you are, there, until we emerge." Ah! "YES MA'AM!" Suddenly, Akiha sat up. Unfortunately, she sat up quickly, and proceeded to fall backwards, landing on her back, smashing the back of her head on the ground and grimacing. "Itatatatataaaaaa...." Rubbing the back of her head, Akiha slowly sat up, whining softly from the pain that she was experiencing. One eye closed, and she softly bit her lip. "I don't know her, but she can wait. I assure you that this is of the utmost importance to me. I hoped to return him in the most peaceful way possible... Follow me." Return him? Wait... return who?! She had to see... but she was told to wait... but she wanted to see... but she had to waaaaait... AHHH THIS WAS SO INFURIATING!!!! Suddenly standing up straight, the girl strode up behind Reila and Gavin, peering over the shoulder of the woman who was about.... ten centimetres taller. Stepping up on her tip-toes, the girl quietly peered over Reila's shoulder, peeking in at the person... who.. was on.... "TOSSU!" She didn't care about being noticed now. She felt tears brimming the edges of her eyes.

It-it was T-Tossu... On the bed... c-covered in blood... blood everywhere.... Blood, your favorite liquid. She shook her head, ignoring the voice in her head with reckless abandon. It was Tossu... Tossu was there, right in front of her. "Why is he... on the bed... like that..." She bit her lip, tears falling down her cheeks now. She couldn't... wouldn't... step past Rei-Rei and go into the room... Shaking her head, Akiha slowly backed away, no longer thinking coherently. The scent of Vanity assailed her nostrils, but she had no reason to think about that. "T-Toss...ssu..." All she could think about... was the man soaking in his own blood...

by Guest Sun Jan 01, 2012 2:22 pm

Artemis stood close to Gavin. Hands on her rifle in precaution. She couldn't trust this place. Not after its history. She watched as Reila babbled on. Homunculus? What where they? Artemis had never had any interest in the word of alchemy. " Excuse me Miss Tokidney?" She said calmly. Not wanting to insult her by speaking out of turn. " I'm not a alchemist? What is a Homocoolass?" Her golden eyes filled with confusion. " Is Tass one? Why are they special?"

She Realised that she may of over stepped her boundaries and stopped looking to her feet. She gently sighed to Gavin.

Sorry...I've spoken out of turn....But you have much to explain when we are home....

She gently took the handles of the hospital bed ready to push it towards the ship. She looked down to the man in the bed. He looked rough. She gently grasp the metal bars tighter ready top push when. "TOSSU!" In a blink of an eye her rifle was pulled from her shoulder and brought up sharply. Already aimed at the girls forehead. The girl was babbling over the mans body. Artemis grabbed Gavin’s wrist in a slick movement pulling him behind her and behind the bed as well. The girl had some attachment to Toss. Hopefully if it turned violent she wouldn’t harm Gavin if he was sheltered behind it. Aiming the rifle up and flicking the laser aiming dot so it sat happily in-between the girls eyes, the whole movement had taken her less then two minuets to perform, she spoke calmly and clearly. “ Who are you and what has brought you here?” Her questions she had asked Reila would have to wait for now. Right now she had to make sure this girl was not a threat. Any threat to her king she would take down and hopefully, her gut sickened at the taught, it would be permanent….

by **Gavin Etheridge** Mon Jan 02, 2012 8:39 pm

"I don't know her, but she can wait. I assure you that this is of the utmost importance to me. I hoped to return him in the most peaceful way possible... Follow me." Gavin nodded, glancing at the woman on her knees indifferently. She was on her knees bowing to General Tsukino, and seemed increibly obedient to her, though the level of surprise and that Reila didn't know the woman she was commanding was rather peculiar.Still, it was of no consequence at the moment; Reila said the girl would wait, and if she had been a threat Gavin was certain that the General would have had her removed from the area.

Gavin followed Reila in quietly, his steps echoing off the walls. The hospital wing was quet and the room seemed rather orderly, but it struck him as strange at how quiet it was. Toss could be quite chatty when he felt like it. Reila did say he crashed into her ship, so he may simply be sedated and recovering... As for the Fallacy, we'll have to see where its remains are to know if we should retrieve it and fix it or have a new one built. Gavin was expecting Toss to be a bit banged up; crashes usually left people hurting, and even though Toss was their best and had survived all the toughest training Gavin could throw at him, destroying your whole plane would hurt like a bitch. But as he approached Toss' bed and saw the bloodied mess, Gavin's breath caught. A gasp moved into his throat and would have called out the young pilot's name had he been able to produce sound.

QUickly Gavin moved to Toss' side, looking at the damage. He was bleeding everywhere. There were bandages and stitches, but he looked... The King's hand reached out, gently falling upon Toss' browline and smoothing the hair back in a small act of genuine caring. His daughter loved pestering the pilot and playing with him, and desinging new programs for him to try out as though they were only video games. In this condition would his pilot even live? Toss was a lucky young man in that until now he'd been able to walk away from anything, but this much damage? Hazel eyes hardened, looking to Reila for an explanation. He was her prisoner and in her care, and per fair treatment his wounds should have been tended! ""I know he's a homunculus, but your secret is safe with me. That's also why I can assure you that he'll live despite... In fact, I have met many of them. I can definitely say that I've never seen such a talented pilot."

The King tried not to glare slightly and swallow how honestly he was concerned, but Reila was suggesting that in his present state Toss would be just fine? He straightened up, typing qiuckly on his aid. Hoh-mun-ku-lus? Was that some Amestrian phrase he wasn't aware of yet? Some code for the kind of pilot he was, or the kind of determined young man and unbreakable spirit that he was? He blinked as Artemis spoke up, asking the very things he'd been wondering himself. Ah, Artemis. She really was indisposable. What would I do without you? Arty turned to him quickly, signing.

Sorry...I've spoken out of turn....But you have much to explain when we are home....

Gavin blinked, then nodded, placing his aid down to reply to her hurriedly. "You may speak openly. You are my voice. I don't know what she called him, but we will talk at home.

"TOSSU!" The girl whom Reila said could wait was in the room with them, and looked horrified to see Toss. She knew him? Tossu was Toss? His eyes narrowed slightly, Artemis' hand suddenly jerking him behind her and on the other side of the bed and her fun trained on Akiha's head in less than a heartbeat and without hesitation. Fingers flew across the tiny keyboard.

"General, assistance with Toss is needed, but he needs a doctor immediately." His eyes watched Akiha with great suspicion, typing quickly as the automated voice droned out each word. What he wouldn't give to have this machine emote what he was thinking or feeling. This girl who knew his pilot also had white hair and pale skin... they might have been related? Toss did mention a sister before. And she couldn't have been more than a few years older than his own daughter, making the idea of Artemis having to kill her seem wholly unappealing. "Young lady, back away and explain yourself please." He glanced to Reila, also wanting an explaination from her as well, but at the moment the girl who'd snuck in seemed to be a more pressing concern, as was getting a doctor for his pilot.

by **Reila Tsukino** Tue Jan 03, 2012 4:22 am

"Th-there was a side entrance... it was heavily g-guarded...B-but everyone was dead... They smelled of my sister... V-vanity...I-I'm Sloth... I won't deny it...A-and I'm not here on behalf of the Aerugese. I-I'm not even meant to be here... B-but I heard that Tossu was being kept here! This is a mission just for me, for Akiha Akihiro, and nobody else!"

...

Reila froze where she was, turning her eyes slightly to focus down on the girl with stark white hair who had fallen over backwards like a clutz. Wut. The side entrance she was speaking of had to be sector 57-2. Reila entered into her mental map and noted the men that had been on duty--all dead now. Glancing at her watch, she noted that it was just around the time when shifts were changing. There would be less people now than there was normally because of the precise time it was. But no, she sensed this wasn't planned out. There was no way the information could have been leaked. That girl groveling on the floor from Aerugo, here on her own terms, was Sloth, a homunculus. She had sneaked in following the shadow of Vanity, another homunculus that had sneaked in. Was she getting this right? One of the leaders of RIOTE was...was in her Fort!? Reila sucked in a shaky breath and slowly pulled out her iPhone. Speed dialing Dai, she immediately began speaking before he even had a chance to say 'hello.' "Dai, Vanity is in Briggs. We have two break ins, both from homunculi. Sloth is the other, but I'll handle her. I'm with Gavin right now and giving Greed back... Take care of Vanity. FIND HER. Also, replace the deceased guards, have their bodies collected. Do NOT sound the alarms; do it by the silent channel." She hung up. The silent channel was an alert that was sent as a text message to all soldiers of Fort Briggs. Everyone would be informed...unless they were in the shower or something stupid. But all her subordinates were very much aware of this 'channel', frequently checking their phones just in case...especially now after the war. The language she had used was beautiful...even as she listened to herself speaking it. They were both nerds, she and Dai, and had carefully memorized the Elven language as written by J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings. Filling in the spaces where words didn't exist (like cellphone), they mastered the language together as a hobby and for military reasons so as to not be overheard. And because of the complexity of the words they invented along with Tolkien's genius, it was practically untranslatable.

"I'm not a alchemist? What is a Homocoolass?" The girl she had previously nodded to suddenly began speaking, asking her speculating questions that Reila had not at all expected. She didn't know what a homunculus was, but surely... She looked to Gavin for confirmation who looked mildly confused by the terminology. It...it was like asking what a human was. Did they not know Amestris' history at all!? Ohshitohshitohshit. Too much was happening all at once... She was at a loss as to how to answer. Uhm, well, it's just a human with a philosopher's stone in them that makes them immortal, eheh heh heh... Oh, and there are 8 of them to match the sins of humanity. What fun. She briefly noticed that the girl and Gavin were suddenly using some weird hand-language. Sign language or something? She could spell out her name! Danny had taught her that...a long time ago. Btw he was a homunculus too. God, was she like a freaking homunculus magnet or something? She blamed Danny. That's right...I was raised by one, a homunculus... Thinking that way, hurt, but she knew there were people like Xan out there. Though he drifted in and out of her life... She didn't know what to expect with him. Flighty...murderous things, homunculi were. In her experience at least. Fuck, Vanity was in Briggs... Okay, okay so, so much was happening so she just had to flow with it. Just go with it, Reila.

"General, assistance with Toss is needed, but he needs a doctor immediately," Gavin's machine droned out blankly. Reila could sense the emotion, almost filled in the exclamations in his voice for him. This guy...really cared about the white devil on the bed. She frowned.

"He doesn't need--"

"TOSSU!" Oh no. Wonderful. Just what she needed. Wtf was a Tossu? Someone fill in the blanks!!

“Who are you and what has brought you here?” Gun pointed by the chick. Ugh.

"Waitwaitwait!" Reila stepped in front of the gun's line and held up her hands chest-level.

"Why is he... on the bed... like that..." The bed? He? Oh shit. Was that 'Tossu'? That...was his name? She cursed to herself. Well, she had definitely just promised the girl she could meet with him. Oh cr--

"Young lady, back away and explain yourself please." Even Gavin now? Well, Akiha was backing up now at least even if she couldn't understand Amestrian. And...and was she crying? Reila blinked and shot Gavin a completely bewildered look. No, she had no idea what was going on either. What was with her prisoner?! Jesus chrrrrist.

"Pause everything. ...The Fuhrer before Hild Schwarz was Father. Father made Homunculi that were named after the sins of humanity. Sloth, Lust, Pride, and so on. Homunculi are humans infused with Philosopher's Stones made from human lives. They are typically pure evil, but some can't help what they are... I won't be the judge here, but because of the Stones inside of them, they are immortal. They can't die. That's why...this one here won't die. He'll be healed in probably a day. I can show you." She reached over to a table and picked up a typical syringe filled with nothing. "Try and inject this through his skin. See what happens." She turned to the doorway where Akiha stood in distress. ...just what--what was wrong with her? "Akiha, what is your mission?" To ensure that Gavin safely retrieved this Tossu guy, she had to make sure that Akiha's mission wasn't to do the same...

by Dai Tue Jan 03, 2012 5:34 am

Well as it turns out, Dai was in the shower. Water spraying around him, the sound of his phone vibrating underneath his towel caused him to perk his head up. Turning off the water, the soft-eyed redhead stepped out into chilled air, picking up the towel quickly and wrapping it around his waist. The phone was raised to his ear without a single second to spare, clicking the "Answer" button with the tip of his thumb. He opened his mouth to say "hello" to Reila, and was suddenly barraged with words. "Dai, Vanity is in Briggs. Welp, there went the towel, now sprawling around his legs and revealing everything to the cold air. She was speaking in Elven tongues, a language that they had both learned and developed together; a code for when times were tough and people didn't need to hear what they were discussing. Also, it was good for sending loving messages. Kuhuhu. "We have two break ins, both from homunculi. Sloth is the other, but I'll handle her. I'm with Gavin right now and giving Greed back... Take care of Vanity. FIND HER." "Got it." He replied back, the Elven words leaving his tongue as naturally as Amestrian itself. "Also, replace the deceased guards, have their bodies collected. Do NOT sound the alarms; do it by the silent channel." With that, the phone died without any chance for Daigoro to speak back. Typical. Sighing softly, he picked up his pants off of the ground. First things first, changing clothes.

A minute later, and he was off, walking straight for the armory which he called his own. He was going after a homunculus, so he needed proper tools to capture this one. "Alright, alright..." Multi-tasking, Daigoro sifted through weapons and tools with one hand, while tapping on his phone with the other. A simple message, encoded and written in short-hand. R P L C E G R D S F R N T D R A N D B C K D R. D E D 2 C L C T. N O A L R M S. Message sent to a group text, the man finally pulled it out. A long-staff, one with a specialized head. It was a weapon that he'd developed for capturing those that were superhuman; Chimerae chiefly, but it would work well enough with a Homunculus. Biting his bottom lip, the man turned towards the door. The tranquilizer within the head would knock down a damn T-Rex in a minute or two; he was certain that it was enough for this situation. As suddenly as he'd entered the room, he was off. His footsteps echoed through the area, and he had to wonder why the goddamn leader of DRACHMA was here at Briggs... then again, after the shambles that had occurred recently, he'd have to wonder what took her so long. Shaking his head, he continued to run down these hallways, entering a couple of rooms and gathering the remaining members of his now-disbanded Alchemist Elites.

Finally gathering them all, the six of them stood in the Cafeteria, Dai in front of them as they rapidly got their gear on. "Alright. We're doing this quickly. There's a Homunculus here, and we're going to get her. We're going to get her alive. And we're going to make sure she gets brought to Reila. Understood?" Nods of approval came from the men, and Dai started to lead them off, away from the Cafeteria. He'd find her. He'd make sure of it...

by Guest Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:04 am

"Who are you and what has brought you here?" Gun. Gun. Gun gun gun gun gun gungungungungungungungungungungungun! Her heart had just started fluttering in her chest. The girl... the big-boobie girl had just pointed a gun at her! Without realizing it, Akiha felt herself slowly backing away with widened eyes, breathing heavily from the very fear of having a firearm pointed at her. "Young lady, back away and explain yourself please." A computerized voice? If she wasn't so scared, she'd be poring over it with wonderment. She backed away further, and immediately went onto her knees. "Wh-where do I being?" Amestrian flowed out from her lips--obviously not her first language, but enough to be understood, to be heard. "Tossu.. nggh... Toss..." She blinked. How could she explain this, when she hardly knew anything about what she was explaining?! "I-I..." "Pause everything. ...The Fuhrer before Hild Schwarz was Father. Father made Homunculi that were named after the sins of humanity. Sloth, Lust, Pride, and so on. Homunculi are humans infused with Philosopher's Stones made from human lives. They are typically pure evil, but some can't help what they are... I won't be the judge here, but because of the Stones inside of them, they are immortal. They can't die. That's why...this one here won't die. He'll be healed in probably a day. I can show you." She nodded hurriedly.

"Th-that's all that I know about us. I couldn't tell you much more except for the fact that I'm Sloth." She proffered a weak smile to the trio, shaking her head and laughing softly. "Akiha, what is your mission?" M-mission? What mission? "I..." Right now, the poor girl was overwhelmed. She had come here expressly to see Tossu, and had been rudely interrupted by the dead Princess Tsukino, a boobie-girl with a gun, and a man with a computerized voice! Anyone elss would think that she was on some sort of drug! Gods above! Anyways. "My mission..." Yes, Akiha, focus on that. "W-well, nothing official. I'm not meant to be here..." As suddenly as she'd said that, her hands were on the ground and her head was bowed slightly. "I'd only come here to see Toss. That was it. I-I don't even know what I was going to do once I got in here..." She laughed dryly, shaking her head again. "B-but... if you really want me to leave, I'll go. I have no reason to be here, and I'm supposed to be your enemy... Though... I still sense Vanity. And that worries me... I want to stay here and protect Toss from her... since he doesn't like her..." She shook her head again, a couple of tears falling onto the ground from the shock that she'd experienced. Just then. SHE WAS DELICATE, GEEZ.

She then slowly looked up once more, focusing on Gavin and Artemis this time. She kept eye contact with them for a second, before lowering herself into a formal bow. "You have my gravest and deepest apologies for my conduct. I should not have intruded on such a private session, but it is difficult for me to gauge the others around those who smell familiar. If I may, Toss was one of the first people to treat me with something remotely similar to respect and humanity; so I cannot, for mine own honor, break that." Next, she turned to Reila, her words switching effortlessly to Aerugese, the youthful Kunoichi speaking in a tongue as ancient as the Royal Family itself. "And to you, my ghost of an Empress, I wish to extend my most gracious thanks for not attempting to kill me. Unfortunately, I have already experienced my own death once; it was certainly unpleasant. I have been told that we Homunculi are meant to be the embodiment of lethal and cardinal sins, but I cannot be like that, for it is against everything I have been raised to know. I also wish to apologize, and if you do not wish me here, I shall take my leave." Formal words over, the young lady sat up again, quietly looking at the trio with large, inquisitive blue eyes.

by Guest Tue Jan 03, 2012 11:21 am

Oh her poor driver and all the junk he had to put up with. He sat outside, against the sleek black car and began smoking a back of cigarettes. His eyes staring at Vanity as she walks straight into Fort Briggs.

Sector 57-2

For being a huge massive Fort, there weren't too many guards around. Could it just of been sheer dumb luck that she happened to enter this side and not he main entrance? Guess one wouldn't really know, but it didn't bother Vanity. The hall was empty as a trail of guards were left behind unconscious but not dead. It wouldn't be wise to kill the innocent victims inside of Briggs. After all, the only real reason why she was here was for Greed.

"Tch, of course she's still here." Vanity mumbles to herself as she picks up the scent of her sister, Sloth. Her long, extraordinary locks fall down her back as she walks the narrow hallway towards the stairs. She didn't really need a map to find Greed, her sister did that job for her. Out of the corner of her eyes, Vanity spots a couple of guards switching shifts near the doorway to the stairs. Her body presses up against the wall, it was cold and bare just like the rest of Briggs. Her hand reaches down into her pocketbook and fiddles around until she pulls out a pocket mirror. She uses the reflection to peer across the corner and wait for the guard to leave. "3, 2, 1.." She says to herself before sprinting down the hall to the stairs.

Was she thinking the most rationally, probably not, but she knew she needed Greed. Her soul was empty and bare, but whenever Toss was around she felt as if there was a purpose to this madness. Today was the day, she was going to get him back it she had to fight with every tooth and nail her body produced.

She slowly begins to walk up the stairs, taking each step as light and quietly as possible. The scent of Sloth was growing and now she could even smell Greed. His was delicious, she wanted more. However it wasn't strong, because of his weaken state.
When she reaches the next level, the beautiful homunculus darts down the hallway and spots a small sign that says "Cafeteria" and could hear voices speaking inside. She comes to a stop and inches closer towards the door, but does not become visible.

"Alright. We're doing this quickly. There's a Homunculus here, and we're going to get her. We're going to get her alive. And we're going to make sure she gets brought to Reila. Understood?" Of course they found out, probably from that blabber mouth sister of hers. Alena takes one more deep breath and gets down on her hands and knees to crawl underneath the glass window. Luckily for her, she was a small girl and fit nicely between the floor and the glass window pane on the cafeteria door. Once she made it past that small obstacle, she pulled out a tube of lipstick from her purse and rolled it across to the other side of the door where she just was, and it rolled to the starting point of a different hallway. If she could throw off her trail by a couple of seconds, that would be well worth it.

As this point in the game of catch and mouse, Vanity was now in a dead sprint for another door. Time wasn't on her side, but she was and could manipulate the best of those if the situation arises.

(That was a fun post to write out. ^^)

by Guest Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:51 pm

(FFF so much going on this is epic XD)

The girl back down. Staring down the girl over the rifles barrel she kept a steady hold on the trigger. Soon though she ended up staring into Reila's gold eyes. Slowly lowering trhe gun to safely sit at her side. Ready to raise again if need be but no way that it could accidentally fire.

"Pause everything. ...The Fuhrer before Hild Schwarz was Father. Father made Homunculi that were named after the sins of humanity. Sloth, Lust, Pride, and so on. Homunculi are humans infused with Philosopher's Stones made from human lives. They are typically pure evil, but some can't help what they are... I won't be the judge here, but because of the Stones inside of them, they are immortal. They can't die. That's why...this one here won't die. He'll be healed in probably a day. I can show you." This...was unnatural. Immortal....made from people's souls.....She look to Gavin eyes wide. She wasn't a religious person but Toss was the result of people dieing.

Gavin....I don't like the sound of this.....

She signed to Gavin knowing it was best to keep this between them.

I know you want him to come back with us....but I think it would be best we speak carefully with him after he awakens....make sure he will not turn on us.....

She was sure Toss was trust worthy. But It was never silly to step on the side of caution. Giving Toss a final look over she turned to Reila. Grasping the bed again. "I'll take him and Gavin back to our ship....I offer my assistance to help stop your intruder if Gavin allows it." Her offer was sincere but also out of the fact if she and Gavin left now with Toss for Briggs to be attacked. It would make Creig look bad. Reila had kindly handed over there pilot with not fuss. Especially seeing he had been caught flying to there enemy. And now someone was attacking with retrieving Toss as there goal. No she offered her skill to Reila out of good will. If Gavin allowed it...or if Reila accepted would be there call.

by **Gavin Etheridge** Wed Jan 04, 2012 2:00 am

The white-haired girl backed away, genuinely afraid of having her brains blown out, and for good reason; Carraig's guards were still the best in the world, and the guards to the royal family were trained to not fail. Artemis' could shoot to kill blindfolded, and had proved that before. But as Akiha backed down, Gavin was able to get a better look at her and see her bright blue eyes; a stark contrast to the red eyes of Toss. No... they werne't siblings. But there was still something there. Some connection. She moved away further and down onto her knees, and Artemis slowly lowered her gun. Okay, that was better. More talking and less shooting, which Gavin actually did prefer quite a lot.

"Pause everything. ...The Fuhrer before Hild Schwarz was Father. Father made Homunculi that were named after the sins of humanity. Sloth, Lust, Pride, and so on. Homunculi are humans infused with Philosopher's Stones made from human lives. They are typically pure evil, but some can't help what they are... I won't be the judge here, but because of the Stones inside of them, they are immortal. They can't die. That's why...this one here won't die. He'll be healed in probably a day. I can show you." Gavin nodded slowly, taking the information from Reila in as history books met urban legend. There was something about education that no matter how thorough it was, some things were simply omitted. Now, Gavin knew Carraig's history quite well, and could easily tell you all of the countries Carraig had fought against to keep their home as well as all the countries they'd sold their mercenary services to in order to get a paycheck and survive. He knew enough general history about most other countries in the world to get by, but mostly his education pertained to who ruled those countries when and what wars they waged. Really, the information had little variation other than date and leader, every peaceful pause just an elipses to hold the pen of time's place while it prepared to write out the next war.

But the more recent Amestrian history, the most recent Fuhrer and her brother whom destroyed their own country from within and the Fuhrer who had preceded them? Gavin knew what he watched in the news and what was brought to his desk. He'd heard rumours that Amestris used unnatural methods to gain and maintain their power, but even their history from a hundred years ago was perceived as just a fish story to help keep up the appearance of being so powerful, or the whining responces to that power from defeated nations. History is written by the winner, so why shouldn't thier enemies say Amestris cheated in order to win? Gavin looked down to Toss, still looking worried, his hand reaching out to squeeze the pilot's shoulder. I certainly hope she's right, Toss. But as to you not being human... You and I need to have a talk. Gavin looked back to Reila, who was offering him an empty syringe and suggesting he try to pierce Toss' skin with it. Hm. Well, Gavin was a man who believed what he could witness and understand. The girl on the floor spoke up again. ""Th-that's all that I know about us. I couldn't tell you much more except for the fact that I'm Sloth."

Gavin looked to Artemis, who seemed more than uneasy about this information. Immortality was a wish of many, but something everyone knew was unnatural and would never be granted by God. "Gavin....I don't like the sound of this..... I know you want him to come back with us....but I think it would be best we speak carefully with him after he awakens....make sure he will not turn on us....." He nodded, understanding why she was concerned. If Toss was something other than what they'd thought he was and had been caught flying for international enemies, it wasn't a far cry to wonder where his loyalties lay. But he wasn't going to write Toss off, not until he'd given him a chance to give him a good explanation about a good lot of things. Gavin was known for investing quite a lot of time and effort into people, and in turn, they gave their everything for him. Bonds were made, trust was given. And it would take monumental forces to make him give up on one of his own. His hands moved in reply to Arty.

I will speak with Toss, I promise. But I cannot leave him here on suspicion alone. He will return with us to Carraig and be watched tonight. Tomorrow we will talk." He sighed. Oh, this was just getting more and more complicated, now wasn't it? Slowly Gavin reached for the needle Reila offered and moved to pirck Toss' shoulder. It was nowhere vital, the area thick with the flesh of his deltoid, and would have only been a tiny prick if large, shimmering scales didn't materialize as a natural shield against the invading metal needle. Silvery white, like his hair, like a pearl dragon. Curioser and curioser... He looked back to the girl who had identified herself as Sloth as she began to speak again.

"You have my gravest and deepest apologies for my conduct. I should not have intruded on such a private session, but it is difficult for me to gauge the others around those who smell familiar. If I may, Toss was one of the first people to treat me with something remotely similar to respect and humanity; so I cannot, for mine own honor, break that." Loyalty and honour were tings Gavin could understand and were the priniciples Carraig functioned on. Toss knew her and was kind to her, and so she was concerned and somewhat loyal to him. Bright blue eyes looked up, shining wet with tears and looking still somewhere between ashamed, concerned and afraid. Slowly, Gavin reached for his speech aid again and began to type.

"You may approach, young lady. If you are truly concerned with him, then help escort him safely to my ship." Gavin held upone hand graceuflly, offering to let the homunculus rise and come the side of the bed with Gavin. He watched her movements carefully. Surely if she were there to kill him she would have attempted so by now and been less afraid of Artemis killing her.

"I'll take him and Gavin back to our ship....I offer my assistance to help stop your intruder if Gavin allows it." Artemis sounded very concerned. Intruder? He knew that this Sloth was an intruder, but she seemed to be no threat; if she were, Reila would have taken action long before now, and the girl certainly seemed more shy and repentant than anything. So who else... Gavin's heart skipped a beat. He had come with the anticipation that Drachma and RIOTE might attack their country, but.... He typed hurriedly, his eyes hardening and trying to hide all traces of alarm knotting in his stomach.

"General, is RIOTE or Drachma aware of Toss being here or our transaction?" Of all the important questions he could think of, that was pretty high up there. He looked to Artemis for confimation of their safety or danger, and then to the door of the room, suddenly wondering that if Drachma knew that they were here that they would surely see them taking off back to Carraig. The chances of being attacked nearly tripled. "We left Carraig on silent alert anticipating attack from either. Is it possible that they know we are here, General? I need to know in order to alert my Generals further."

by **Reila Tsukino** Wed Jan 04, 2012 3:18 am

"I'd only come here to see Toss. That was it. I-I don't even know what I was going to do once I got in here...B-but... if you really want me to leave, I'll go. I have no reason to be here, and I'm supposed to be your enemy... Though... I still sense Vanity. And that worries me... I want to stay here and protect Toss from her... since he doesn't like her..." It was a good thing she had asked, for that was surely new information. Sloth, here, was only interested in seeing Toss. Of course, Sloth was the sin of absolute laziness so Akiha hadn't thought that far yet. Reila smiled kindly to herself. However, the careless girl had also just revealed something else. Coming from the Aerugese military, she admitted openly now that they were supposed to be enemies. Although that could easily be naivete in play, Reila was convinced that the stance of the Aerugese throne was now laying at her feet for her to scrutinize. Enemies, huh...? What did that make her? Still, it was true that Amestris' last encounter with Aerugo hadn't been pretty: South City was occupied and then South City was regained... She had guessed that they were probably at an impasse by now. Even with this stalemate, did that make them that much of enemies? Somewhere in her origin, that stung like a bitch.

"You don't have to go, Akiha." Reila said simply with a knowing smile. Oh yes, she knew the feral attitude of homunculi when they didn't get what they wanted. She did also know very well of the attributes that came along with the sin of Sloth, automatically making this allegation nix in light of all the other sins. In short, Akiha could be trusted even more so than Xanthus Icarus. The tears from crystal blue eyes only served to further implicate that fact. She went on to politely apologize to Gavin and the chick, flipping a switch from naive to full-blown business. Reila was impressed, but not in the least surprised.

"And to you, my ghost of an Empress..." ...the hell? Uhm, I'm not a ghost? "...I wish to extend my most gracious thanks for not attempting to kill me." No problem. "Unfortunately, I have already experienced my own death once; it was certainly unpleasant. I have been told that we Homunculi are meant to be the embodiment of lethal and cardinal sins, but I cannot be like that, for it is against everything I have been raised to know." Yeah, Reila had been right. She knew it, but didn't even take the chance to pat herself on the back since the groveling homunculi was continuing... "I also wish to apologize, and if you do not wish me here, I shall take my leave."

"You already said that," Reila replied blankly, thinking about something else entirely. If Vanity liked Tossu/Toss (?), then she would come here to retrieve him. He was clearly Reila's enemy therefore he had been on RIOTE's side. That information Gavin must have already deducted from the fact that he was now here prisoner. It made sense that Vanity wanted to come and take him back. But the white devil didn't like Vanity? They why was he working for her? Reila tapped her chin in deep thought. It didn't make sense. He must have owed her something or it might have possibly been the camaraderie between homunculi. It was beyond her.

More weirdo hand signals were happening and then: "You may approach, young lady. If you are truly concerned with him, then help escort him safely to my ship." The King hath spoken. Reila nodded, and motioned to her to obey just in case she was still being viewed as Aerugese royalty. God, she hoped that secret didn't leak out ANYWHERE. She could hardly trust the mouth of this Aerugese militant that already seemed to spout out secrets on the fly.

"I'll take him and Gavin back to our ship....I offer my assistance to help stop your intruder if Gavin allows it." How was she planning on doing both? The help would obviously come first before going back to the ship... Reila nearly face-palmed. Your boobs are too big to efficiently assist anyway. How could she even see the gun in her hands!?

"General, is RIOTE or Drachma aware of Toss being here or our transaction?" Reila snapped to attention, pupils widening to see all that Gavin was as he asked a question that nearly burned her alive at the stake despite being the queen of a tundra fortress. She answered quickly, covering her tracks.

"You saw how his skin turned into scales? I can hardly give a worthy reply. How Vanity discovered that 'Toss' is here is not something I can deduct. However, I can assure you that it was not through our end. Also, it appears that Vanity is acting on her own and not through RIOTE. Though it remains indeterminable whether or not the terrorist organization is involved behind the scenes."

by Toss Ivanova Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:32 am

A touch--a tickle of hair unstuck from the sweat that glued the white strands to his forehead--roused the slumber from within the homunculus. It was tenderness--love--a forgotten feeling when immersed in the hardships of the world beyond the womb. He didn't move, couldn't move as fibers of consciousness simmered to the forefront of his ravaged mind. Underneath was soft, but everything felt wet, tight, restricted as if not enough air could pass between his partially open lips. Dry they felt, thirsty, in need. Muffled voices happened somewhere near him, but nothing he could make out. Instead, images came back to him in a swirl of unwanted flames and a countdown that seemed to mark the end of his life. Starting from ten, The Fallacy faced utter defeat at the hands of the Amestrian military and a golden-eyed demon that could freeze flames with her stare. The monster feared the human. "GET BACK," his own voice yelled through his mind, air falling out of his lungs and into the night air whose edges were frozen to the bitter end. So cold, and yet the surface of his left hand was searing like boiling water bursting out--beckoning him to return to the breathing world before--before it was too late. Too late? Greed was a part of him--no longer a cage to bash apart or escape; the gravely voice was gone, leaving him empty to the silence of subconscious. "Heh...out with a bang huh?" Yeah fucking right. The smooth red paint his sister had chosen to match his eyes, the cockpit that still held her voice...“I know. It’s okay…we’ll get through this… No matter what.” was gone.

"We didn't get through it, Shove," he murmured out loud, voice slurring in all sorts of crazy ways. It wasn't until he said it that he realized he had gained control over his body's motor functions. His hands twitched and felt the sheets under him. Pain ebbed slowly at first, licking at the greedy insides of his mind, clinging to the torn fabric of memories. No, let me wallow in despair longer. All he had wanted...WANTED had been The Fallacy--had been his sister to open her eyes. He wanted so much, collected junk, scavenged further for the very seams of new technology, but that...that was just the surface. What he really wanted he never obtained. All he had achieved in his plight for Vanity was a spike of ice jabbed through his middle and the destruction of any hope he had left.

Fuck he had cried. Damn right he cried. In front of a girl? It was damn near insulting, but... Losing his ship was like losing his soul. Where...was he now? No, he didn't want to wonder that. To wonder that would be to return back to the place that was just painful to live in. He wanted to stay here--desired to forget about the fact that his wings were clipped. The scars on his back that would never heal away was horrid proof that even now his wings were literally gone. Oh god...Savvy? His bird. Was Savvy okay? He couldn't exactly recall the last time he had seen him... And if he was in captivity now... Savvy may be waiting with no idea. GODDAMMIT. Toss sucked in a deep breath and squeezed his eyes shut. Ughsomuchpain... Something pressed his shoulder, shooting jolts of shock through his entire being.

"Toss... I hope you will be fine to travel. We need to hurry home." ...Gavin? That electronic voice sounded multitudes through the abyss of the unconsciousness that threatened to drag him back into the welcoming world of ignorance, but-- Red cracked open slightly, assailed by overwhelming globs of color that moved and light that stung beyond measure. He sucked in another sharp breath, his grip tightening on the sheets. Already his head was spiraling out of control, but he finished the task of opening his eyes completely. While white bangs obscured parts of the picture, slowly his pupils dilated enough to see that Gavin indeed was hovering over him. Wh--what? His eyes darted down to himself wearing only a pair of black cotton pants and a shit ton of bandages gushing with blood that continued to run and be replaced. The instant he had opened his eyes, the wound began to slowly recede, closing itself further and further with each minute that scraped by. However, it was slower than usual, offsetting Toss' expectations by a lot. Despite that, he sat up, ignoring that his he listed to the side in pain. He WANTED to fucking respond. So he would fucking respond.

"I'm fine. Let's go." Wait. Where were they. He unfocused from Gavin and squinted at the room. Boobface, Pink-haired chick, hospital shit, WAITWHAT. That Aerugese girl--Sloth? He blinked. How much did he miss?

by Dai Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:26 am

Whispers; that's all they ever were. Voices within the air from the thoughts of the disembodied. He'd never "heard" them before, but he'd always felt them. Speaking to him, trying to contact those outside of their small red home. The souls of a Philosopher's Stone. As the men ran ahead--loud footsteps pounding down the hallway marked by the red lipstick, Dai could only stop and look in the other direction; red eyes narrowed in worry. Gah... "Sorry, boys. This one's on me." Smiling grimly, he followed the hallway with quiet footsteps. Each step he took was preceded by another whisper; Vanity was basically leading him to her. Foolish woman. He took it slow, noting the distance through sound. No, not sound. Just what he felt. He lowered his gaze slightly, and slowed his pace a small amount; tapping the staff onto the ground and biting his lip. She was getting further away now, and quickly. Gah. He didn't want to have to run. Don't make him run. PLEASE. Nope, too late. Sighing softly, the man suddenly pushed off with one of his shoes, biting his lip and breaking off into a quick jog. He was a short-distance sprinter; most certainly not someone who could last long distances at speed. For that, he needed to practice caution so he didn't lose energy too quickly. Where are you... Aha! So, she was heading towards the infirmary; but taking a rather long and convoluted route. At least, not the shortcuts he was used to.

Turning sharply, the man rushed down a corridor that went perpendicular to Vanity's path, before turning down to rush through several passages; some only just wide enough to get him through at speed. He was passing her, now. He could feel that. He moved faster, harder, and then burst out into the corridor, skidding to a stop around the corner from where Reila, Toss, Gavin, Akiha and Artemis were situated. Narrowing his gaze, he stood there and watched. Watching, waiting. Carefully, he held the staff out to the side, clicking it onto the ground with a smirk on his face. A slight spark, and he chuckled. Waiting... waiting... waiting... aha. A feminine figure came around the corner before him, and the redheaded Alchemist raised the staff into the air, pointing it at her. "Yo... girl." He clucked his tongue, and watched her through red eyes. "What is the leader of O Great Drachma doing here, in Fort Briggs of all places? You'd best not be here to assassinate anybody; I'd hate to have to get... dangerous." He chuckled softly, spinning the staff around with nimble fingers; scraping noises being made as the metallic staff came into contact with his automail. Eyes narrowed, Daigoro prepared himself for the possibility of assault. That... would most certainly be the pinnacle of today. And to think just ten minutes ago... he was in the shower. "Kuhu..." Stepping backwards slightly, the man took up a secondary stance. Now, he was ready for anything.

by Guest Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:21 am

"You don't have to go, Akiha." That alone stopped the tears at the edges of her eyes from flowing further. Looking slowly upwards, Akiha stared into those golden orbs with... with... why was she so beautifuuuuuuuuuul? Raising a hand, she wiped a few tears off of her cheek. "You may approach, young lady. If you are truly concerned with him, then help escort him safely to my ship." Ah! She looked up at Gavin with incredulous eyes? Really? He'd really let her see Tossu?! No... don't cry again... her eyes slowly raised themselves up to Reila's once more; a brush of a hand across her own face, and she slowly got to her feet. The black material on her hips bounced, rustling noises made with her motions. Her shoes clattered on the ground, and she stared at Reila for a little longer, musing over the beauty of this woman that she stood in awe of. "General, is RIOTE or Drachma aware of Toss being here or our transaction?" Ah? She looked back at Gavin, and then at Reila once more. "You saw how his skin turned into scales? I can hardly give a worthy reply. How Vanity discovered that 'Toss' is here is not something I can deduct. However, I can assure you that it was not through our end. Also, it appears that Vanity is acting on her own and not through RIOTE. Though it remains indeterminable whether or not the terrorist organization is involved behind the scenes."

https://youtu.be/FB7QS8v9EEo

"Ah..." The slightly-meek Homunculus tried to get the words out. Vanity... she knew that Vanity liked Tossu. Or at least, it seemed that way. So maybe Vanity wanted Tossu all for herself? She heard a male voice from the background; "...assassinate anybody; I'd hate to have to get... dangerous." Ignoring this however, her eyes were now locked on one thing, and one thing only. "To...ssu..." She was tearing up again. Don't... don't hug him. He was getting up, he was getting up and he was right there and he was there and she would be able to walk over and speak to the man who had shown her the greatest kindness... Slowly walking forwards, Akiha could feel her cheeks growing wetter by each passing second. "It's... it's you..." She bit her lip and swallowed. "I'm fine. Let's go." That voice. That kind voice. That man who had shown her kindness, smiled at her, helped her when she had been cheated; he was that who was in front of her right now. Biting her bottom lip, she stumbled now, approaching the Greedy one. He was healing; if slowly. That... that was all she needed. Ignoring those behind her, she stumbled once more, her body softly colliding with his, the girl making a soft 'ah' noise. She wasn't heavy; nor was she forceful. Instead, all she did was stand there, leaning against him, tears dripping down her cheeks. "So tired..." She closed her eyes, listening to his heart beat, not caring if he was angry. He was there. He was there. Was this... was it... what... Raistlin had... for... Haru... Haru...? Was it... "Anata wa dare ka o aishiteimasu ka, Tossu?"

by Guest Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:58 pm

Let's be real here. Vanity never had the speed to out run anyone, especially in a building she knew absolutely NOTHING about. Her mind was racing as she slowly slips down the hallway, following the scent of her fellow siblings. A few men were racing down the hallway she attempted to fool them all with, but one was after her. His speed plus his weight was like a massive elephant stampeding down the hall next to her. Her eyes gave a slight roll of annoyance and she slowed down to a nice, relaxing walk. It wouldn't be that long until she ran into whoever it was that was after her.

"Fine. We'll play this game." The girl says to herself as she stares at the pocket mirror and applies a coating of lipstick from the tube in her purse. If she was going to be caught, she better look good. The girl rubs both of her lips together and fixes parts of her hair that didn't really need fixing. She took a moment and looks her body up and down a few times in a window reflection.

The corner was just ahead.

Everything she desired was just around that corner, and being the intelligent being that she was, she knew that the loud, obnoxious elephant man was going to be blocking her path. Now, if she wanted to fight dirty, all she would have to do is blow a kiss of poison into the air, and she would get what she craved. But, she was the leader of Drachma and that could cause something far worse than the mess she's already in.

"1, 2, 3.." She said as she walks around the corner with both hands above her head.

"Yo... girl." the man said to her. Really? 'Yo?' she couldn't help but laugh at this in her mind, but he was holding some staff thingy at her. Again, really? Her eyes narrowed out of confusion and she smiles slightly at the redheaded man. "What is the leader of O Great Drachma doing here, in Fort Briggs of all places? You'd best not be here to assassinate anybody; I'd hate to have to get... dangerous." Ha! Dangerous? A fire crotch man getting dangerous? Please! Now a woman would be a different story, and she knew where that redheaded woman would be, behind those doors over there.

"Well, Sir or whomever you are, if you must know I don't intend to assassinate anyone today. Actually, I'm only here for one thing, and to be frank, I don't like briggs. It's rather dull, boring, unattractive, and the list could go on... but I'll spare you." Her voice was snippy and rude, because she was tired of playing games. Especially to a man that wouldn't listen to a word she was actually saying. His mind was convinced and it would be not point to sweet talk this fellow. "I want Toss. The homunculus that is being stored behind those doors." Alena points to the large doors behind the man. "Now, I'm not going to cause any problems here. Just let me walk through those doors, and I won't lay a hand on ANYONE except for Greed. You have my word as the Drachma leader." Her body swayed as she allowed her hair to flip behind her back to show off her collar bone.

by Guest Fri Jan 06, 2012 3:18 pm

Toss was awake. His eyes searching the room in a sleepy haze. Confused but still with enough sense not to panic. And recognition for those around him. Artemis nodded towards him as she headed to the door to listen out to the commotion outside. "Good to have you back Tommy..." She said as she looked him up and down. Unsure if he could protect Gavin if she was unable to. "General....Is there another way to the ship?" She asked pressing her ear to the door.

"What is the leader of O Great Drachma doing here, in Fort Briggs of all places? You'd best not be here to assassinate anybody; I'd hate to have to get... dangerous." He breath caught in her throat. The leader of drachma was outside the door. Her stomach flip flopped several times as she gripped her gun. Did she have a army with her? Her eyes slid shut as she tried to calm her quaking. She was alone to protect Gavin and more then anything did she wish she had Fiachra by her side. His glowing confidence was always infectious.

She turned on Reila. "The leader of Drachma is outside this door. And I hear she too is one of these immortal things... If there’s another way to the ship please escort Gavin there and prepare to leave. I can not let her get her hands on our investment or harm my king." She bowed slightly her voice breaking a little. "Please...protect him." She un-shouldered her rifle and headed to the door. "I will follow shortly!"

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