Enter the Cowgirl

[Guest]

Heat! It felt amazing. The way the sun beat over her patches of exposed skin. The feeding of vitamin D into her sun-kissed skin, brightening her deep gold hair. Her red eyes aglow with excitement as usual. Her right hand on the holster of Black Beauty while the other toyed with a toothpick in her mouth. Smooth skin, soft seemed to be shining beneath that glowing yellow orb. Hours upon hours, desert upon miles. She loved the desert, the sand scratching at her skin and scraping as she kicked up more. A soft sort of jingle coming from the shifting of her spurs. Her white clothes looking a bit beige now as the sand caught in crevices.

The scent of heat filled the air, tasted upon her tongue as the pieces of rock seemed to float. What was she doing all the way out here? Guiding a horse? She was camping. Like the good old days, Amity found herself near a fire she'd created with a blanket on the ground. With a sigh of content, she would fall backwards, the sand stirring and replacing. "Nothin' like the sun and sand, aye, Mustang?" She'd speak in her odd foreign tongue. Well it was Amestrian, but she was speaking in an odd slurred manner.

Staring up at the clouds above, she would gaze on the forms, grinning to herself. Her body simply lying upon the ground, unarmed really other than a single pistol and a small bag of goodies. Jerky and a container for water the few essentials she needed. Her horse would lay down, looking curious at its owner before dozing off in the heat. She had enough water for a few hours, but not for a whole day as she would, herself drift to sleep.

[Xan]

In the desert, typically one can find endless peace amongst the equally endless sands; the sun silently warming everything in its gaze, the sands silently accepting the warmth with nary a sound. The creatures, what few there are, make absolutely no sound as they go about their daily lives and there is no overly leafy plant-life to make rustling sounds in the heated wind. Truly, the desert can be silent and peaceful like no place else on the planet. However, this simply means that when a loud sound does manage to pierce the veil of silence, it does not merely make a hole in the quiet. It destroys it. Thus the constant choppy sound of spinning helicopter blades was highly audible amongst the usual silence of the desert.

The sleek black chopper roared through the skies of the Great Desert, piloted by one who had just recently learned control over the craft, yet flew as though he had been born and raised in the air. The symbol of the Black Company was present on either side of the aircraft, and its pilot could be recognized as the Lord Captain of said organization. Well, he could be recognized as such by those who knew both his rank and his face, which was a rare person indeed.

Xanthus Icarus was in rare form today, simply enjoying himself and the fact that he could apparently pilot virtually any known craft, including the Black Company's state of the art helos. Ah, there were just certain things that he was going to miss in the future. The Lord Captain was dressed rather simply and casually for his trip to the Great Desert. Crisp white shirt, black pants with a belt, black combat-boots, and a black jacket that was at the moment flung carelessly to one side. Also, a silver Ouroborous necklace was dangling around his neck, his newest acquisition. So dressed, he was piloting a helicopter in the desert. Ah, just another day in the life.

Speaking of life, which was one thing Xanthus had not expected to find anywhere nearby, Xanthus spotted someone lying down on the sands beneath him. Wondering about who would possibly be napping in the desert, he expertly began to descend the craft with the idea of landing it somewhere nearby.

[Guest]

The wind above would whip up wildly. Amity waking with a start as she had to grab her hat and hold it to her head. The clothes she wore flapping wildly and her hair twisting and flailing wildly. The golden locks behind her as she sat up to look at the descending craft. So much wind destroying her fire with little effort and blowing the sticks every which way. Well, that sucked, she'd complain about it later. her hands rested in the fabric of her clothes, her eyes watching the magnificent beast fly down towards her, stopping a good distance away. Out of curiosity, Amity would pursue. Her body getting up with a lunge almost and looping into the reigns of her horse's saddle.

Guiding it slowly, she would approach the gigantic beast of metal. Some symbol upon the side. "Wow wee, now if that ain't a ride!" She'd say in an upbeat tune. Her eyes aglow as she was amused. Laughing softly, she would tug her horse closer, it's feet hitting the sand softly and tail flicking behind. A glorious animal of brown color with black mane. He would whinnie, almost as if scared, but led by Amity, with his nose tucked close to her body. He would seem less scared, less bewildered while she hugged his nose and stroked it. Those wild eyes claimed upon the horse.

[Xan]

Having landed the craft expertly, Xanthus picked up his jacket and slung it over his shoulders, though he did not put his arms through the sleeves. So covered, he walked to the door he assumed would be facing toward the person he saw lying down and opened it. What the opening of the door revealed was a woman. A woman who had a horse trailing along in her wake. A woman with a horse trailing along in her wake...in the middle of the Great Desert. And she was dressed in the style of...a movie that Xanthus had once seen a rather long time ago. A burning amusement was set in her eyes that somehow Xanthus sure he had seen somewhere before even though he had never met the woman. At least, he did not think he had ever met her.

Stepping down from the craft onto the sands, Xanthus patted the side of the copter as though it were more a giant flying canine rather than a large flying chunk of metal. A cold fire of amusement was lighting up his eyes in the same fashion as the woman facing him right at the moment.

"You like? She's something of a present from my boss. Most people just get raises. But not me! I get a promotion and a helo. But where are my manners? My name is Xanthus. And who are you, my friend who likes to nap in the burning sands?"

Xanthus flashed his (very) pearly whites in a friendly sort of grin that was rarely seen on his face. He was apparently in a very good mood today. Meh, helicopters tended to have that affect though.

[Guest]

Amity would ogle the helo with amused eyes. "Yep, she's a beut alright!" Amity would state clearly as ran her right hand to block some wind from whipping her hair too wildly. A soft smirk on her lips while she would stare it from front to back. It seemed she hadn't even taken notice to Xan. After a few minutes of gazing, the western girl would turn her attention to Xan. A tan man with white hair. He looked rather odd to what Amity had seen. Ten again, she had only met a choice area of people. He seemed to be one of the races she hadn't met yet. Pearly whites that stole her heart as he smiled and smacked the side of his vehicle.

Amity would nod again, grinning while rubbing her hand upon the muzzle of her horse, soothing it. "I reckon one introduction be deserving of another. The name is Amity Silver. Formerly known as Quick Silver. Pleasure to meet'cha, bucko." Her voice slathered in that odd accent of hers. It was a rare one, but then again she was of a dying breed. "Thank ye for wakin' me from m'nap tho'. I much apre'ciate it. Woulda been sleepin who knows how long. Not good in the desert, y'know?" She would continue, rather talkative efore approaching him more, her horse following and her bag rocking against her waist with each sashay of her hips. "Wha' brings a city slicker like you to these parts anywho?" Her voice was feminine, higher pitched but not so that it was a screech. A ladylike one but it seemed almost destroyed by such an accent, or so she had been told once.

[Xan]

Xanthus nodded as the woman who had introduced herself as Amity Silver thanked him for waking her up from her nap. He then found himself shaking his head almost imperceptibly, thinking to himself about the folly of napping in the desert. Then again, some people were known to do very strange things in the silent sands of the Great Desert. The strange images conjured by that thought were crushed in an instant as Xanthus recovered enough of himself from his momentary lapse in concentration to speak.

"Yep, it is a rather bad move to fall asleep here. Unless of course, you aren't alone. As to what brings me here...I was simply taking my new toy for a test run to Xing and back when I saw something very bright lying down on the sands."

The gesture that Xanthus made in Amity's general direction indicating that she was the bright something lying down on the sands was rather unnecessary, but he made the gesture anyway before continuing to speak.

"My turn to ask you the same question: What brings a beauty like yourself out to the middle of the Great Desert?"

Though he did not say it, Xanthus was rather intrigued by Amity's accent. He had never heard someone talk like that at all and he had to admit that he actually kind of liked it. Exactly where had this girl come from anyway?

[Guest]

The man was a flatterer and though Amity usually trailed away from them, something about his appearance was rather attractive. He was unique, like her uncle always told her she was. Letting her hands let go of her horse, it would let out a soft neigh and nudge her, biting at her jacket like a warning. Though, Amity saw nothing on him as dangerous. Pinching her hat's rim, she would slide it along the stiff cloth before nodding her head. "Ain't no blame there." She would nod. "If I had a ho'se half that beaut' I would show it off too. Course I got ol' Mustang here." She would nod to her horse and laugh softly. "Tho' he ain't as good as he once been. Ol' friends."

The horse would knicker before nudging its nose at the woman's hat, knocking it off. A surprised look on her face. She would blink, her blonde hair in a rave while the wind blew and she half dived to catch it. Shooting a glare at the horse, her body shifted, standing up and dusting herself off.

"I came around these parts fo' ol' times' sake. M'uncle used to bring me 'round here all the time. Especially when I was a greenhorn. Taught me ever'thing I ever known. Bless his soul. Ain't no cowboys around them parts no more." She continued as she sighed. A sadness in her eyes. She adored her uncle and it showed. As a hand moved to rest upon the butt of her gun. "That an' I love the heat an' the sand. Feels nice to be a lil' roughed up b'nature. Don'cha think?" She'd smile at him, a soft chuckle coming from her mouth as she slipped her hat back on.

[Xan]

Xanthus smiled light again as Amity's horse gave her the same animal to master warning as the vast majority of dogs gave their owners when he was nearby. For some unfathomable reason, it appeared that animals simply did not enjoy his company overmuch. Then again, being in essence a demi-human probably tended to have that effect. As the beast of burden knocked Amity's hat clear off of her head, Xanthus stifled a laugh with some effort, only barely succeeding in the end with some difficulty. He shot the horse an amused look which was not returned before focusing again on this interesting woman in front of him.

He noted that from the way the sadness crept into her eyes as she talked about him, her uncle must have been rather special to her. As for the word 'greenhorn,' Xanthus had very little idea about what that meant, though to just by the way she had used it, it probably meant when she was a little girl. The thought reminded Xanthus of his own childhood spent in Ishval. Ah, when he was still an alchemist. Hell, when he had been still human.

"Yeah, the desert is a good place to be. Just come out here, enjoy nature's tough love, learn valuable lessons. I was born amongst the sands, so I know precisely what you mean."

Shaking his head a bit at the memories that entered into his head, Xanthus turned for a moment to stare into the sandy beyond with a thoughtful air about himself. This thoughtful air was however quickly replaced as Xanthus realized that he was not in fact in the environment for meditative thinking, nor was this remotely the time for such things. Turning back to Amity with another smile, Xanthus patted his helicopter again, this time a little harder, causing a rather loud sound.

"Fancy checking out the inside of this glorious winged beast?"

As though done with a sleight of hand, the door on their side began to open, by itself though it seemed and at Xan's command. Soundlessly the door opened to reveal the inside of the helo, which was rather more spacious than it more than likely appeared from the outside. Ever the show-off, Xanthus made a bowing gesture for Amity to step inside, if she so chose.

[Guest]

Her eyes were on the beast again. Such a glorious thing. Large, looked spacious, making its print upon the sands of this wild desert. It certainly knew how to show itself. The ground and metal parts there in her face for her to see. her horse still uncomfortable with the company, not like she'd know anyways. Her horse didn't like anyone after all. The only two he had fancied was herself and her Uncle, one of which long since dead. Seemed she was indeed almost extinct in brand. Gently stroking Mustang's nose as she would listen intently.

The man was a looker for sure, seemed he had plenty of time in the desert. It made her happy to know there was another person who enjoyed the desert as much as her. The sand felt good in her boots and clothing. It felt like a dress made of nature under her outer clothes. A bit of a storm whipping up. Amity would notice, hearing the winds howl and stiffening, turning her head to look in the distance. A chuckle from her lips while she would return her red eyes to him again. A bright smile on her lips, toothpick sticking out. "Fancy now's a time as ever." She would state while the man opened the hatch.

Catching his eyes, she would grin ducking in, leading her horse by his reigns. Of course she expected her horse to come. It was her best friend and she never went anywhere without him. Whistling a jaunty tune, she would make her way inside, looking around amazed. Her mouth wide open as the toothpick would fall. "Whoooaaaa Neelliieee..." She would state in that accent, her eyes full of awe. The helo was bigger than her home. Seemed she would search out of curiosity, peaking over a seat and looking back to the entrance. "You don' happen t'have one of 'em indoor water holes?" She'd ask in a teasing manner, looking back with a goofy grin. yes, she had asked if the vehicle came with a swimming pool. Though it was as usual, hard to understand.

[Xan]

Xanthus turned his head as Amity did the same, noting as she did that a desert storm was inbound and approaching rapidly. Being born amidst the dunes did in fact have its advantages it seemed, even if he simply left said dunes at earliest convenience and moved to Amestris. Ah, but how the time had flown by afterwards. And speaking of time, it was being said by Amity that 'now's a time as ever.'

'Truer words were never before spoken.' Xanthus thought to himself as he and Amity locked eyes for one moment, and he noticed for the first time that her eyes were in fact red, almost the same color as his own dark crimson eyes. Whoever she was, this one was definitely different from the other girls that Xan had met in his years. And that was, as it turned out, a good thing.

A rather self-satisfied smirk managed to appear on Xan's lips as Amity stepped inside of the helo and was promptly amazed. He stepped in after her and gave her horse a friendly pat on the head as he walked passed it, not even stopping to check its response. He simply had to hope that it was please and not angered by the contact. As Amity graced him with what was probably a rhetorical question, Xanthus cocked his head to one side and fixed her with a goofy grin of his own, gesturing towards the north and west.

"Afraid not, however there is one installed in my home in Central, if that counts. However, you'll find that I have everything else aboard this craft, including a generous amount of water if you're feeling thirsty."

Luckily for Xanthus, he had accurately guessed that the words 'indoor water hole' was Amity's way of asking about a swimming pool. Briefly Xanthus' mind wandered to what Amity would look like in a swimming suit, but he forced his mind back to reality after a moment. That would just have to wait.

[Guest]

The man answered her playful question and she would nod. Wow must be nice to have a large place. Then again, she preferred a simple life. She had lived without a swimming pool before, she could now. Besides rivers and lakes were more fun. Her eyes gazed upon him while he spoke, still admiring the way he spoke and looked. Something about him was different than most the people she met. An idea in her head she would assume. What she called a magic user was what she thought he was. Though she was right in a way, she was also far off. She didn't really care enough to ask. After all, he was nice enough to show her around his lovely vehicle.

Her horse seemed to accept the pat, not really responding positively or negatively. More of just huffing out a breath to acknowledge it was pat. A knicker and a neigh as it twitched its ear before laying down. Amity would stand up straight, fixing her lengthy blonde hair before turning to the tan man again. A bright look on her face as usual. "Seems you got a good life. Takin' it easy." She would say in a non offensive way. Amity preferred things to be difficult, that's why she did them. The adrenaline was an addictive feeling. A rush that made her simply love it all.

Vaguely recalling the mention of water she would nod. The feeling of dry lips reminded in her head. "Yeah. Y'know what. I am hankerin' for a drink. Hope y'don' mind?" She would ask politely as she dipped her hat to him. A sign of respect equal to bowing. An odd maneuver not often seen, but taught to her by her uncle of course. This man was good company. She liked him. After all, he seemed fun enough. Her body would move towards his, the whole five feet and seven inches as she would look at him with kind eyes. "Where was it, y'said?" Wanting reassurance before she made a fool of herself.

[Xan]

Xanthus shrugged at Amity's notion that his life was easy. Was it a good life? If one was willing to accept a sacrifice or two along the way, then yes, it was in fact a damn good life to live, the life of Xanthus Icarus. Was it particularly easy? Again, sacrifices had to be made; for all his appearances of having everything that a man could want even though he seemed to do virtually whatever he wanted all day...things were not quite that simple if one looked a little bit deeper in. However, these were things that were probably not appropriately discussed with pretty women found in the desert not five minutes hence, and so Xanthus kept quiet and let Amity think that he had the good life.

"Nah, I don't mind at all."

The Ishvallan was rather intrigued by Amity's manners and her politeness. She, unlike the vast majority of people that Xanthus had met in the past two years, seemed to be quite sane. She was asking for water like a civilized person, unlike some people who'd be insinuating that they would do strange things unless they got water. Icarus suppressed a shudder as Amity reminded him for the third time that he had a guest to attend to. He pointed towards the back of the copter, which held something that looked suspiciously like a large refrigerator unit filled with water, amongst other things.

"By all means, help yourself. It was stocked with enough water for at least ten people by mistake, so there is more than enough."

With that, Xanthus walked over to Amity's horse and looked at it for a moment, staring right into its large, horsey eyes for a good few seconds. It was almost as though they were having a surprise staring contest. After a few moments, Xanthus finally looked up at Amity and said: "This is a nice horse. What's his name again? Mustang?" Call him silly, but Xanthus was enjoying talking to a normal person for a change and he was rather fond of the idea of keeping the conversation rolling for a while.

[Guest]

Amity would nod as he pointed out the water at the back. She appreciated the boring conversation. It was relaxing to be around someone she wasn't working for or killing. A nice change of pace. Slowly she'd turn heel and picot, her hips sashaying slightly while she uided her body to the back of the vehicle. A smooth grip on the fridge and a swift yank and it was open. the contents naked for her to see. It seemed she'd hum a song as she pulled out a canteen and would shut the door, backing up before turning to see the man having a staring contest with her horse. She'd laugh softly. It was kind of cute.

Mustang would snort and knicker once again, turning his head from Xan as if saying whatever. That brown horse not caring either way at the time while its mistress slowly approached. Amity gave a bright grin as she nodded her head. "Yup. That be his name alright. Named him when I was just a greenhorn." She'd coo, resting a hand on the black mane brfore pulling it back and uncapping the water container.

Her lips were parted as there was an unspoken rule not to place your mouth on someone else's canteen. So keeping it an inch from her mouth she would let the water drizzle out, some pouring down her chin and onto her chest, staining her clothes to a bit of a darker gray. Seemed she didn't care, draining the container until she had her fill, which wasn't very long. She would soon drop her arm back in front of her and cap the drink, letting it rest at her side while she wiped her lips. One hand held it out after a second, offering it back to the man while she licked her hip. "Thank you, sir. It was mighty nice of you to help us out."

[Xan]

There was that strange word again: greenhorn. Again, it probably meant something along the lines of 'little kid,' judging by the way that Amity was using it in their conversation. The horse turned away from Xanthus, apparently not amused by playing 'staredown' with him. Tsk. Xanthus had been winning anyway, so the horse was probably just jealous. Giving the horse another swift pat on the head, Xan turned back to Amity, just in time to see her water-falling from his canteen and getting a decent amount of water on the front of her shirt. This elicited an eyebrow raise from Xanthus, who promptly lowered it and averted his eyes away from the shirt as Amity offered him the canteen with her thanks. He drank a swig from it, a swig not being very much at all, before placing it back into the refrigeration unit.

"My pleasure, Amity. Good to find some normal company for a change, even if it was napping in the desert."

Turning before Amity had a chance to properly respond, Xanthus walked to the 'cockpit' area of the craft and gestured for Amity to follow if she wanted. He figured that she had never seen a craft like this one, so he might as well take advantage of the fact. Ah, typical Xanthus Icarus.

"Ever flown around in a helicopter like this one before?"

A mischievous sparkle lit itself in Xanthus' dark crimson eyes for a fraction of a second as he asked Amity this question, and another smile that was not quite his full grin managed to creep onto his Ishvallan features.

[Guest]

Amity would watch with amused eyes as the man took the canteen and seemed to fight her horse for a good view. It wasn't working, seemed the pony didn't take the least amount of interest in the man before them. His mane would twitch with the breezy air and left the three in silence. Amity tugged at her wet top lightly. It was uncomfortable, but she would deal with it. Her body shifting as the man pointed to the cockpit ad began to walk. Amity didn't hesitate. She would follow eagerly. Her hand ruffling the horse's hair.

She would sigh as she walked in and took a look around. A low whistle fell from her mouth as she would look around. "Never been in one of these before. Quite the sight." She would say as she gazed at the controls, buttons, flashing lights and all. Her hands resting at her sides. She would smile brightly.

[Xan]

Xanthus Icarus glided over to the pilot's seat and gestured for Amity to have a seat beside him in the co-pilot's seat. There were a white towel draped over it that was rather obviously unused, which she could use if she felt so inclined for whatever reason. Sliding his hands over the controls, Xanthus felt himself begin to think about the proper and improper ways to command a helicopter to do his bidding, a store of knowledge untaught to him and gained rather quickly during Amestris' last great battle with Creta. A smirk worked its way onto Xanthus lips as his hands expertly began to practically glide over the buttons and flashing lights, prepping the chopper for operation.

The door closed behind the horse, sealing it and the rather more human occupants inside. With a growing measure of sound, the helicopter began to come online, its many control-lights beginning to flash and several switches beginning to be flipped by Icarus' deft hands.

"I don't suppose that you'll mind a quick ride?"

Xanthus turned and gave his guest a wink before turning his attention back to the controls. After pressing what appeared to be a series of buttons, Icarus' hands finally seemed to relax as the blades above him began to spin, rather slowly at first but with increasing speed.

[Guest]

The man graced into a seat and left Amity standing in the small 'room' of a cockpit. Flashing lights all over and so much was overwhelming almost. She would blink and stare with wide eyes before pulling a small smile upon her lips ad laughing softly. "Whoa now, this seems far mo complicated then riding a ho'se." She would state in her look of awe, yet pure pleasure. The man grabbed some controls and his fingers moved smoothly like mechanics. Amity had no idea how these things worked, but she wouldn't mind all too much, the door was shut anyways.

Her hands would dust off her shorts before she hopped in the seat. leaning in to grab the towel a moment before leaning back and wiping her top dry, A smile of contentness upon her face, a proud look almost. Much better, she thought as she would straighten it before looking at the man's wink. That confused her. The wink? Why was he winking? Really it made her lost. A slow blink before she smiled and laughed.

"Not like I have much of a choice, now do I?" She would state in a jolly tune before chuckling softly. Her body would shift and she fell into her seat again. Her eyes set forward and thoughtful.

[Xan]

The blades above them and outside the craft were approaching the velocity needed to achieve flight, and it could be seen if one knew what to look for and felt even if one did not have the slightest clue what to be feeling for. There were vibrations running the entire length of the craft as it came alive with power and began to ascend, rather slowly at first but going more quickly into the air as mere seconds passed. A dense cloud of sand was being kicked up around the flying beast, but neither it nor its pilot seemed to care in the least. Or rather, the beast could not care and the pilot simply did not. The blades reached flying speeds and Icarus caused the craft to achieve flight, controlling it as an expert as he maneuvered it to do his evil flying bidding.

It was at this point that Xanthus would look over to Amity who was sitting next to him and would say with a grand smile lighting his facial features: "Nope, I'd imagine that you do not have much of a choice at this point." Chuckling, caused the helicopter to assume a hovering position, remaining in the same location in the air and barely moving at all. Still facing his copter-guest, Xanthus found himself curious and asked her a question. "I forget if I've asked this already, but have you ever flown before? Like ridden in an airplane or something?" The Ishvallan leaned on an armrest, his hands leaving the controls to favor the chair with an iron grip. Excellent addition, that autopilot, excellent indeed.

[Guest]

Such a loud sound would chop through the air. Annoying and repetitive, it was coarse against her ears. It was grinding angrily, the noise that would normally hurt her ears. Yet they were stuffed up until they popped in the helicopter. yawning a bit to make sure her ears were cleared, she would find her sight set on the area ahead. So odd, she'd never flown before. Her excitement showing as she looked outside at the slowly shrinking world outside. How everything so large slowly shrank to a size no bigger than an ant. her heart raced and suddenly she felt light headed. Was that excitement? She sure thought so. Yet it was dizzy in her head like the world was spinning.

"Whoa! Y'can't lead your ho'se if your hands ain't on th'reigns!" She would declare in that voice of hers, slang smothered speech while she gave him a crazy look to the unheld steering wheel. "Get back on the saddle, city slicker. I ain't in the mood for dying today." Oh silly Amity knew nothing of autopilot. From her eyes he was trying to look cool. His hand on an arm rest her eyes full of a look that measured this man's sanity. Who was insane enough to try and kill someone within ten minutes of meeting them? Seemed he was. Her breathing stuttered a bit before she nodded. "Yeh. First time on one of these.. flying beasts." She'd state while her eyes continued to show panic.

[Xan]

Amity's reaction gained something rather unexpected from Xanthus. He started to chuckle, then after something suspiciously sounding like a small snort he began to laugh. At first it was a small laugh, but then it got rather larger until it was closer to a chortle. He could not help himself; the look of panic that was clear in Amity's eyes was something that he had not been expecting, though he supposed that he honestly should have seen it coming. Honestly he had not expected that she had ever been inside of a flying helicopter before, and so he should have known that the concept of 'autopilot' would soar straight over her head. To her, it probably seemed as though he were simply letting the helicopter fly itself and she probably thought that it doing so would lead her to an early grave. Ah, but it was so refreshing to actually have company that didn't assume that it was immortal or invulnerable in some way, form, or fashion.

To alleviate her panic, Xanthus' hands flew back to the 'reins' and he turned the autopilot off, regaining control of the helicopter and beginning to fly it manually. At this point his laughter had also abated and he was now reduced back to rather sporadic chuckles every now and then again. When a few moments had passed in this way, Xanthus spoke again to Amity, his voice apologetic, or at least attempting to be so through the chuckles.

"Sorry Amity, I should have figured that you did not know about the autopilot. Here, I'll explain in a summary: when I hit a certain series of switches, the helicopter can fly itself, though I typically only use that feature for hovering. Ah...it's like telling your horse to do something until you tell it to stop, then letting go of the reins. Get it?"

And now, Xanthus faced the front window, looking out into the infinite sands of the great desert. Ah, they were truly in the middle of 'nowhere' it seemed. And yet, at least it was sand they were surrounded by and not ice. Being surrounded by ice day in and day out...made one appreciate being surrounded by sand every now and then again.

[Guest]

Laughter. It filled the air and vibrated it deeply. The surrounding sound filling the woman's ears and mind. Why was he laughing? Utter confusion pulled upon her face. What was so funny? She couldn't comprehend. Her mouth slightly agape and almost innocent from loss of her train of thought. "Aye.. autopilot? This thing, guides itself?" Disbelief smothered her voice as she would shift. Her mind was boggled, surprised. Utterly shocked and way above her head in the fathom-ing department.

Pulling her hand through her hair, she would kick her feet up on a blank space of console. Her lengthy legs showing and leading up to those black shorts. The fingers pushed through her blonde tresses, making a slight shine of the sun hitting it through the window on the helo. Her lips curved softly before she went to speak again. "Man, these new whoozamawhatchits are crazy. The stuff you cityslickers invent."

Her voice droned a bit as she would tap her foot upon the ankle of her other leg. Her hat falling back, but catching by the string wrapped around her chin. The curve of her silken locks stuck behind it, almost caught in a sort of bind. Her red eyes set ahead before she leaned it back and sighed. She was so far behind times. It became a hindrance in some situations. It was an irritating thought but she had dealt with it so long. It seemed the horse had fallen asleep and now, Amity was simply relaxed as the man drove it. Unsure of what to talk about, she would home an older tune.

[Xan]

His chuckling having run its course, Xanthus simply began to focus on piloting the helicopter. For the moment he was going around in rather large circles, but after a while he would have to land. Either that, or he would have to be on his way to wherever it was that he was supposed to be going. At Amity's second comment Xanthus opened his mouth to respond, and promptly thought better of it. He had been about to say something rather sarcastic. but thought better of it. He instead simply turned his head back towards his guest, and both of his eyebrows rose at once.

"So, were you heading to any particular country? Or was this just a camping trip that would have brought you back to Amestris. And if you don't mind me asking, what is that song you're humming?"

Xanthus asked because the song felt familiar, yet distantly so, as though he had heard it a long time ago. Assuming that it had one, the name of the tune was unable to be placed. However, Icarus was rather sure that he had heard something like it before. Then, remembering how him not giving the desert sky roads his full attention bothered Amity, Xanthus turned his head back to the desert. No matter how pretty his guest was, it would do no good to be staring at them while he was trying to pilot a helo.

[Guest]

Amity would blink and look at him. He was with his eyes off the sky again, however she was calmer this time. Of course her body tensed. She was still uncomfortable with this oddest of the vehicles she'd seen. She hadn't even rode in a car before. With soft cast eyes, she would twitch her lips and laugh softly. Her eyes dipping a bit as she would try and recall the title of the song. What was it? It'd been so long.

"Hm? Oh I was out campin'. I like the comfort, I'm a wanderer after all. M'work keeps me from staying one place longer than a few days." She'd sigh a bit, eyes in thought. "Then I saddle m'ho'se and head on out. Th'stars are m'guides and th'ground is m'bed." She'd speak smoothly though rigid with that accent still. Those red eyes staring at the man's face while she tried to place the name of the song.

After a couple minutes she'd shake her head. Having given up, her lips showed a smile. "Can' remember th'title, my apologies. M'mother used to sing it to me, I found the tune a bit on th'catchy side." A brief shrug as their eyes cut off and he turned his attention back to flying. Rather odd silence filled the room. Was she upset? No.. she just, was in thought. Grasping at straws as now it bugged her memory.

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