Re: Tired is a lifestyle {open to the briggs team}

by Guest Sun Jul 18, 2010 1:21 am

"I think I will be alright...I think.."Even though Ilona said this, she was not okay. So many thoughts came to mind and eventually she summed it up into one conclusion but darned not even thought it out. Oh my god who am I supposed to him? No! And just before we got married too! Oh why me....She thought. Inside it was quite chaotic but outside she remained as calm as ever. Ilona noted to herself that she must go to North City and ran to the nearest pharmancy. She highly doubted that infirmiry would have what she needed at the moment....
"Don't worry about me, I'll be okay.."She said after she regained her posture, walking just abit ahead of Murazar. Lots of thoughts buzzed through her head; half of them trying to reassure and calm herself down. The other half were denials..I can't be can I? No I can't be...Please god I can't be...

by **Murazar Dauthi** Sun Jul 18, 2010 1:36 am

Murazar raised a eyebrow and sighed before quickly catching up to her, her walked next to her prepared to catch her if she fell. She looked calm, but now she was being hasty. Something she hadn't done earlier at all, and her response didn't match anything with recklessness. So this had to have mean't she was sick of some sort, but was just enduring it. He decided to continue the caring part of him a bit further to see where this stood. " Well then, lets detour to the infirmiry. At least grab a handful of painkillers or something to stave whatever symptoms of whatever you have off. "

His voice was a combination of both caring and analyzing, it was almost as if he was testing her with honesty just to see her response. Yet again to him everything right now was a game, a test, plus he was somewhat concerned the strength of the fortress would fall if a alchemist went down. The second in command at that, the morale would fall of the soldiers. Which would make it harder for him to survive if a battle came.

by Guest Sun Jul 18, 2010 1:45 am

"If you insist. I guess there's no point in arguing."It took her awhile to think staright. If she choose to continue like this it would endanger herself. But then again it could be something else; maybe her body was adjusting to the cold, rather violently, or it could be something else ther than that. But she knew it would be too good to be true. First she had to make a stop at North City after the tour..Is it even a tour now? And if her fears are confirmed, she's going to have to make a call, no use hiding it.
If she and Karyu got married and got it over with later, Ilona would not mind this situation; in fact she would be happy about and tell everyone she saw about trhe "good news". But no, she and Karyu are not married but engaged...Since they were kids and probably won't marry for awhile. Give or take ten years maybe and this..this thing isn't helping anything. You are going to get a beating when you show up, she thought to herself, though she did not know whom she was directing the threat to...

by **Murazar Dauthi** Sun Jul 18, 2010 1:54 am

Murazar nodded to her and lead the way while still walking beside her, he took a different turn up ahead that would lead straight down to the infirmiry. After all it had to be close to the mechanics area in case they had accidents. Such as a piece of machinery falling while they were under it. He spoke aloud as if wondering what to say, " I guess since we'll be around each other for awhile we'd best know something about each other. Its alright if you don't want to tell me anything, just let me know if you dont want to talk about certain subjects if at all."

It beat saying nothing, plus he might learn something about her that would prove useful in the future. It was a dice roll since she'd learn about him. Most of it was directly useless, but indirectly could easily create a dossier on him. So far no one had a very accurate dossier on him, the government had records but nothing human. No human information, not that they probably cared anyway.

by Guest Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:00 am

"Sure.."Ilona did not want to tell anyone. Not until her fears are confirmed. Plus, Ilona had this feeling that he was always watching her, wanting extra information out of her. No wonder he's Head of Intel. Sorry buddy, you're not going to get any information out of me.
She caught sight of the infirmiry and walked in slowly, not wanting to look hasty as she already is. Ilona caught one of the staff, and thank god she was female, and asked for a glass of water.
"Oh..And if you have an "tests" can you bring one or three over?"She whispered, making sure that only the person she was talking to would hear. The attendant said they had tests just in case and would bring them over. Ilona sighed with relief as she quickly drank down the water. The water cleansed her thoughts and now she could think staright. Now she waited for what she asked for...

by **Murazar Dauthi** Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:11 am

Murazar followed her in and gave her some space to talk to the lady, he had no idea what was going on. Nor for once did he care, his concerns were the past not the present. After all hyperfocusing could only work on one thing at a time and the past was it. He spoke to her as if proposing a deal, " How about this, I ask a question and you ask a question. Depending on how honest the other answers sets the honesty for the other persons answer. At any time either of us can stop or change the question. Sound fair enough of a trade, that way we both gain advantages over the other in terms of information. You can ask first if you want."

He stood clasping his hands in front of him, it was a deal not to be shook on. Something that remained between them, after all she was being wary around him. Which mean't she was not going to easily give up any information to him, so he decided to make it a fair trade with her having the initial advantage. It was the best opportunity for either of them, he didn't overlly need information however she and anyone else in the compound did. He was the unpredictable variable. He could just as easily let their defenses down just to see what would happen if they didn't know anything about him to predict on.

by Guest Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:17 am

"What are you on about. If you wanted to know me, do it like some any other normal person.."She said, brushing off his deal. Though it did not sound so bad and was quite interesting. At least he wasn't going to stalk her for information..
"But since you said so nicely I might as well...You can ask first as I don't have any questions for you.."Or maybe she did have one; why are you doing this for?
Then Ilona caught the attendant approach and discreetly took the tests from her. And she was given a whole box. Ilona was delighted that she did not have to walk to North City but it meant she'll probably spend all night in tbe bathroom should the result but positive....
None the less it was going to be a full night and she will probably stay up....And maybe take the day off and sleep...

by **Murazar Dauthi** Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:28 am

He kept his expressions to a neutral nothing, if he was a "normal" person he wouldn't be a mercenary. He'd be some farmer down south or east digging holes in the ground for the rest of his life. Normalcy was overrated to him, he replied easily to the first statement before asking his question. Now slightly curious about the box, but not overally." Well being a alchemist mercenary hired at briggs as the intelligence chief isn't exactly normal. Anyway, why did you learn alchemy?" Direct and something useful.

Hopefully she didn't waste her questions on things as frivolous as asking him minor details, or answers questions without accuracy or honesty. If either occured he'd give just as equal a response as part of the deal, he wondered if she'd leave now that she had whatever was inside that box and go to her room which was fairly far in distance.

by Guest Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:36 am

"My father was a State Alchemist so it was only natural for me to learn. Though my..instructors changed when I was only nine."She said whilst she hid the box inside the folds of her jacket, noting to herself to use them should she ever go back to her dorm. Ilona sat down on the nearest chair, wanting to have a little rest before moving on. She did not want anyone see her collapse. Now that she was 2nd in command of Briggs, weakness is not alone. Yeah...Survival of the fittist...
"My question; how did you get here?"She asked. Ilona was not particulary interested in Murazar but he seemed interested in her and it seemed this was the only way to get to know her, so she might as well ask a question too...
Ilona rested her hands on her stomach, hoping that there was no signs of life within, besides her stomach...

by **Murazar Dauthi** Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:42 am

The answers was half-way sufficient, he could do some research on her father since being a blind state alchemist was almost completely by itself in description it wasn't hard to work up from there. He replied to her casually, " I was hired for my expertise due to prior experiences and reccomendations from central." He had done enough wetwork assignments for central in their own city that he was somewhat known in the military as a excellant assassin, not just a mercenary. Although it was generally only known in the intelligence core, it wasn't exactly information spread around easily.

He asked another question right after his answer, " Were you born blind or did you become blind due to something happening?" He tried to word it the least callously as he could. This question almost seemed to be jumped from a completely different area as the last. He was aiming for something he had yet to figure out himself. So far it was just instinct.

by Guest Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:48 am

"If I was born blind I wouldn't be here."She simply said. Ilona did not like devulging any information onto that incident but since she made a deal with him and because it happened so long ago, Ilona did not really mind telling him what he wanted to know.
"I moved to Central when I was nine due to my father's work. One alchemist in particular was jealous of my father, raided our home and killed my parents. The bastard slashed my eyes before I killed him myself."Ilona said, her voice almost...murderous. She could not forget what she felt at the time; the terror of seeing her parents murdered right infront of her, the seething pain of her eyes, then the rage that consumed her. And she was only nine. A little girl who was capable of killing.
Ilona let her sunglasses slip abit, showing the scar across her eyes where the alchemist had left her. The scar has healed but it still showed, as if someone drawn a clean line across her eyes..

by **Murazar Dauthi** Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:59 am

Murazar continued to analyze, there wasn't much he could comfort her on since the event had taken place so long ago, she had avenged her parents murder, and had years to overcome it. It beat him knowing his father had died and he could have done something if he was there, and that he left his mother behind and didn't know what had happened to her in the past years. He almost felt like remembering the past instead he shook it off and replied, " It would ignorant of me to say i'm sorry since I was neither there nor could have been there at that time to do anything about it. If I could have I would have stopped that alchemist. I guess I could say i'm just glad you at least avenged their deaths."

He paused before pointing out calmly, " You forgot to ask a question of me, unless of course your not really interested about me." He stuck the last part of it in to see if she even cared if to get any information about him. He wondered whether she would eventually or quickly just jump right down into his past or his personality.

by Guest Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:06 am

"It's alright...Oh can ask any question about me but I have none for you. I guess I'm just not that interested."She said with a slight chuckle. Ilona then felt another wave of sickness rush to her throat but managed to avert the worst by covering her mouth and swallowing it. Obvioulsy she's not in the best of health now. How long has it been?!
"I guess I have to go now seeing as I could collapse any minute."Ilona said. She gave Murazar a slight wave of goodbye and walked to her dorm, her cane making a thud sound on the ground until it was out of Murazar's hearing distance. The sooner she solves this mess the better. Ilona wondered how Karyu would react to the news should her fears be confirmed. Either way, he would probably come to Briggs himself, though she did not want him to but did not want to go back to Central either...What to do what to do...

[Topic Exit]

by Guest Mon Jul 19, 2010 10:16 am

"Seems like you had quite a bit of interest in our new 2nd in command." Houka said walking up towards Murazar. She hadn't been eavesdropping merely walking towards them when she overheard the conversation. "Still, its your job to get information and knowing more about her will probabaly help Briggs in the future." She looked at him and stared out into the distance. "Though by the looks of it your probing wasn't causing the problem." Houka had seen many things on her journey and recognised the few faint signs from Ilona as she had walked past her. She looked at him.

"So what do you think of her then?" she asked curiously. She didn't like men and she wasn't fond of mercenaries, but as the head of intelligence she valued Murazar's opinion on people. "Will she be a good asset to us at Briggs?" Houka cared about Briggs and everyone in it so she basically wanted to know whether this blind 2nd in command would help those in Briggs survive or would she hinder their chances.

by **Murazar Dauthi** Tue Jul 20, 2010 11:44 pm

Murazar blinked in slight surprise at houka entering the scene, that and she actually spoke to him. From what he had heard she hated men or disliked them greatly, probably bad past experience at a young age. That was just a haphazard possibility that seemed most likely. He looked over at her before replying once the blind alchemist was most definitely out of earshot." To answer your question sincerely, i'll say this. She's both a asset and a hinderance, from what I see in this single brief encounter she has yet to earn trust and respect around here which hinders her being a leader. She needs to step back and think a moment before saying potentially ignorant or foolish words. She also needs to be more cautious, she spoke too much and yet too little to me and i'm not exactly the a person anyone here will ever trust."

He paused before saying to houka further, " Thats the improvements that need made, on the better side. She is most likely an excellant alchemist, more than likely a human weapon type specifically. If I fought her it would end in a draw or we'd both die unless one of us retreated. To top it off she can do things that our troops do, which means that she could lead by example which creates a very strong bond of trust. Now lastly..." He paused before speaking the conclusion of his two very opposite analysis'.

" I trust her only as far as the fuhrers arm reachs. She is a state alchemist, in other words she doesn't have to follow the Generals orders if someone higher or equally powerful commands her. Until I know further information that is reliable, i'd simply say she is to be watched and we need to see if she puts briggs before central." He put a hand to his head and massaged the temples slightly, his bandages were smaller yet very tight around him. The painkillers were just wearing off and even they weren't that strong. He'd have to ignore it.

He spoke again, this time not as if making a casual report. This time it was halfway casual, " So why you of all people, want to ask me of my 'opinion' ." Opinion was stressed slightly, as if the word analysis would have been a better choice." After all, i'm a mercenary. I can't ever be trusted by anyone for all time." He kept his voice and tone calm and polite, as always. If just a tad curiousness thrown in. The deep sadness of never being trusted never had surfaced yet, nor would he let it. He loved being a mercenary, but also hated it. In the end making sure people knew he couldn't be trusted might save their lives in the end, even if they hated him for a betrayal they would live.

by Guest Wed Jul 21, 2010 7:27 am

"Simply put your the head of intelligence around here so you can usually find out some useful information." she responded with a shrug. "You could be lying to me of course, afterall like you said you are a mercenary and as such your loyalty goes to the highest bidder right?" Without letting him answer she continued. "So you could be being paid to tell anyone who asks something like that, but I don't think you are. Your opinion seems about right in my mind though I will treat it with the distrust your job brings." She chuckled looking in the direction Ilona had walked off in.

"It will be difficult for the troops to trust a blind leader. Afterall, they will wonder how she can assess a situation and make judgements without sight. From what I've seen though it doesn't seem to hinder her too much." she said quietly though with a sense of mirth in her voice. "But, even more so it will be difficult for them to trust someone who they barely know who is suddenly second only to the Major General herself. Also, state alchemists as you say are subject to other commands other then Major General Reila's." She sighed deeply. "Things are only going to get tougher around here, especially after south city." she looked back at Mura. "Unless there is anything else you need i'm going to head back to my room."

by **Murazar Dauthi** Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:15 pm

He looked over once at her while she spoke, which in the end was generally what he had already said. He simply spoke again, somewhat curious that this was the first time she had spoken to him." Well since you just spoke aloud everything I already said, i'm guessing your either memorizing it or copying me. I'll, for the moment go with the former rather than the latter. Any other questions for me? Or is this a social call?"

He looked over at her, his alcoholism was starting to kick itself in since the pain relievers were wearing off. His stance was starting to fade from steady, to starting to just slightly sway. The pain was going from a pinprick to blinding in pain very fast. He put a hand to his head as a headache started to form before just starting to stagger off slightly towards the bar before waiting any longer. If houka wanted to come she could, if she didn't she didn't have to. He didn't mind someone nagging or boasting or just being contemptful around him so long as he got that drink in his hand and could drink it.

by Guest Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:22 pm

"Heading to the bar?" she asked rhetorically stating the obvious. "Mind if I join you?" She had been thinking of heading to her room, but the bar seemed a pretty cool place to go. She thought about what he had said. "Memorising and making sure I understood what you were saying." she stated calmly. She was not going to get annoyed from such a simple thing. Afterall, it could of seemed like she was mimicking him.

"I assume you heard about the promotions in Briggs? My own included." She was a Captain now and Reila was a Major General. Both were impressive ranks especially for Houka who had only just started. They soon arrived at the bar. "Seems everyone is moving up in the world. Ilona in both rank and direction." she joked meaning how she had moved from central to Briggs. She walked up to the bartender and glanced over at Mura. "What you drinking? I'll buy the first round."

by **Murazar Dauthi** Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:54 pm

Murazar let her follow him, he merely made a 'come on' motion with his hand as he staggered down there. He replied concisely to her statement, keeping politeness and calm in his voice as he usually did. " Me too, Captain like you and Dai are. Why I would need a rank, I have no idea still. Apparently either the Major General thinks I do, or its some kind of joke."

To him his rank meant nothing, the increase in his pay was welcome. Then again he had asked for it and recieved it due to his services. As soon as they hit the bar he took himself atop a stool and ordered a whole bottle of wisky whiskey, a stronger brand at that. He set down the cash before houka could pay before simply saying to her, " I'm a mercenary, but i'm still a gentleman. I insist on paying, if not yours mine at least." After all he was raised in that old-fashioned sense, although she'd either be proudful and refuse. Or she'd take advantage of him paying, he doubted very much she'd just agree due to any sense of respect or niceness. Either that or it was his cynical side talking in his head again.

by Guest Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:13 am

She looked at him for a moment. A man with a bit of chivalry. She had expected him to be tight with money being a mercenary, but it seemed that he was nicer then she thought. "Well if your buying then i'll have a vodka and coke then." she replied with a cheeky smily. "Though i'll only make you pay for the first round. Don't want to take advantage of ya." The bartender looked at Mura quizzically to see if he would indeed be paying for Houka's drink.

"Seems everyone is captain or higher now. If this keeps up we'll be higher rank wise then Central." she said in reference to his promotion. The thought of the out-of the way base being higher ranked then central made her chuckle. Afterall, central was military HQ. "All we need is to get all of us to Major General's or something and Major General Reila to fuhrer then we will rule Amestris." This was a joke of course. THere was no way the entire of Briggs was going to be Major General's and have a fuhrer as well.

by **Murazar Dauthi** Thu Jul 22, 2010 8:15 pm

Murazar nodded, he was surprised that she did neither of what he expected. He decided she was one of the few decent people he had met in his life. Which was somewhat warming to his frozen steel heart. He grinned to her in reply to her statement, the situation was calling for somewhat a more casual pace. Which means he would be just a tad more casual.

" Well my ranks just for show despite me actually being capable of using it. Now if we can just get you, reila, and dai up those ranks we could at least control central which means controlling everything. Reila is to me would positively get to central. Me i'd rather avoid being in command of anything more than I should at all costs." His statement at the end almost made him sound unambitious, except when you remembered his status as a mercenary. If he decided to stay in the military as a contracted mercenary. He would not get retirement benefits, and his pay would stop increasing at some point because the types of jobs he would be able to do would stop.

by Guest Fri Jul 23, 2010 7:48 am

"Reila would certainly be an interesting replacement for the Fuhrer if it happened." she said mulling the idea over in her mind as she sipped her drink. "Ruling central would also be interesting. Afterall, we'd get more money, which means I could take my alchemy to the next level." She chuckled at the idea and then looked at him. "Have you ever considered quitting being a mercenary and joining the army full time? The benefits would probabaly outweigh what you'd get in your current job." It was just a suggestion. SHe never really understood why someone who was clearly a gifted military mind would not use that potential to its fullest. "It would make you easier to trust as well and you'd be able to make friends." She wondered if he would take this offensively.

"No offense meant of course. Ya path is your own. It was just a suggestion." she said hurridly before taking another sip of her drink. Damn, they had used the expensive vodka in this. Same alcohol content, but it had something in it that gave it an extra kick.

by **Murazar Dauthi** Fri Jul 23, 2010 3:26 pm

Murazar looked over at her and blinked before laughing in surprise, she was trying to convince him to join the army full time? Apparently she had never been a successful mercenary. He leaned over slightly to speak with a grin on his face, the grin was unexpected for most people. He replied easily, " In my career I make three to four times what someone of my rank in the military would. The bonuses everyone gets for hazard pay. I get twice or three times that. Since I don't plan on retiring this is the perfect way to live, even if I did retire i'd be far better off in terms of money than a General if they retired without extra work."

He chuckled slightly before taking another shot of whiskey out of the bottle and refilling it. He replied to her last statement with a bit of sadness, just a touch of it before it vanished. Even now he was going to control his emotions." Well, I never became a mercenary to have friends. To me, I dont expect to live for another ten to twenty years. I'll be rotting on some ground filled with lead or blasted apart by alchemy. Who knows, but hey who cares either? If I die, more people will rejoice and be happy from my death than those who will shed tears and I hope no one sheds tears for a demon like me."

Instead of drinking from the glass he took a swig from the bottle, then drained the glass before refilling it. He was by now halfway transparent in his mood, obviously he was in depression and constantly in it. It was kind of amazing to see how he really felt underneath that frozen exterior he threw up, and pass his steel heart layed a heart that was being held back from living life with joy.

by Guest Fri Jul 23, 2010 4:31 pm

She shook her head sadly. "If you only care for money perhaps it is good that you don't have friends." she said with a deep sigh. "But....I don't think thats true. I think deep down you want people to trust and who trust you...you want friends. I don't know much about your past, but whether you like it or not the Major General treats you not just as a subordinate, but as a friend." She finished her drink, but did not order another yet. She was growing to think of him as a friend as well, but did not say so yet. She wanted to keep her persona up. It helped her as much as her skill.

"Whether you like it or not there will be people who cry over your death. You are a great soldier and although money might turn you to another side...I don't think you'd be so quick to jump ship...I think what you value most about the mercenary life is the freedom." She rose to her feet and stretched before sitting down again flicking an ice cube up with her hand and catching it in her glass. The movement was helping her think. "The thing is...on my journies all I wanted was to become a state alchemist and use the money for myself...but then I found Briggs and here I found friends. She took another deep breath before continuing with her speech, though she wouldn't refer to it as such. She would prefer it to just be a heart to heart talk. Afterall, they were both opening up to eachother and hopefully were both helping eachother. He was helping her anyway, even if he didn't mean to. "With their help, though they did not know, I realised becoming a dog of the military was not worth the money nor was it what I wanted. Reila, Daigoro and even yourself, whether you like it or not, you are all my friends and that value...is above money to me." She ordered another mixer this time rum and coke. She was fond of mixers and had mixed pretty much every alcohol you can name with coke, lemonade and other bases. She wasn't fond of the heavier drinks too except for when mixed. It also reduced the smell of alcohol on her breath. "Though what you decide to do is none of my buisness. If you want to remain untrustworthy and not gain the friendship of others you could so easily gain...along with the true respect of many others...in exchange for money...." She took a deep breath before downing her drink and rising to her feet. She picked up an ice cube and spoke quietly.

".....then that is your choice." Once she had finished she popped some ice into her mouth and headed towards the door not expecting him to stop her, but secretly hoping he would. She felt she understood him more now and that perhaps men were not as bad as she thought. Slowly, but surely Briggs was healing the scars of her past and carving her a better future her parents would be proud of. She was grateful for every moment she was given here. There was always something happening here and every bit of it made her stronger and better.

by **Murazar Dauthi** Fri Jul 23, 2010 5:03 pm

Murazar quietly cursed as she began to walk out with her drink, not because he had to pay more which he fumbled the money out and grabbed his drink to go after her. His thoughts were consumed with why she actually cared and understood him, even in the tiniest bit. It was as if he craved that as much as fighting battles. He didn't know what else to do, but to go after her. I mean sure he could stay, but thats giving up right? He wasn't the type to give up without a very good reason.

He blinked as he headed out after her, she didn't take her drink with her. Maybe the alcohol was hitting him faster than normal, he didn't care. He needed to at least come to some kind of conclusion with houka about trust. He instinctually felt like he owed her something, due to his code of honor. She actually considered him a friend despite what he had said, he felt as if he ought to back that up at least a bit.

" Wow, wait up a second." He ran a bit to catch up to her before slowing down to match her pace. He paused as if not knowing for once what to say, then he spoke. His voice not quite that same calm and in control as it usually was. What she said previously and his system being hit with a large amount of alcohol was taking a toll on his control." Alright sure, we can be friends. However, the only thing that makes that word 'friend' true. Is if we know something important about the other, something that would rarely if ever be shared. If you want for some reason I can't comprehend to be my friend i'll be yours, but first my issues with trusting people have to be resolved between us."

Essentially he had just told her the only way for him to even have friends is if he and the other knew something about each other that wasn't casually shared. Something secret that would remain very secret for a long time. Something that required forced trust, until the 'friends' were trusting of each other for the forced trust to grow into a regular sort of trust. She was the first person that would be a real friend to him, Icarus in his books was broken and shattered from that forever. It would be exceedingly hard for Icarus to regain his trust. If ever. He hoped Houka wouldn't betray that.

by Sponsored content