Eating My Soul (Iris, Open)

[Murazar Dauthi]

Murazar was dressed in faded snow camo-fatigues. The version that was worn at least a year back before the military was partially redone over to create new camo of course. He had no rank on his fatigues, nor any indication that he was indeed working with or for the Amestrian military other than the obvious fact that no one but the military currently wore those fatigues. They were sterilized of anything. He stared at his food while sitting at his table. A long table that could hold well over fifty people, but no one sat close to him. Not even at the other end of the table. His eyes spoke of death and destruction floating past his vision. Battles of old.

His body was stiff from not dropping his guard rather than the cold that was being fought off with heaters. He was well-known in briggs by any who had been there through battles or had stay long in Briggs. He was even infamous in the south and central in some extent. Screaming of the numerous souls he had taken from peoples lives pounded at his head like a mortar and his head the wall. He shook his head slightly to stir himself from an old memory that flashed before his eyes like he went back in time. It ended with him blacking out. Like he had many a time.

He looked around discreetly and frowned that no one dared sit with a monster of Briggs. Or so that was what he thought he was. Was it because they thought him a Colonel and Head of Intelligence that caused such barriers formed? Or was it his reputation for terror and violence? True that there were few people as it were in the entire cafeteria, so it was understandable to that effect. Not that it bothered him either way. Loneliness was his armor from pain now. He was a haunted man, even the souls screamed it in his ears. The apparitions of the past, his or not were his few companions.

He toyed with his food before just setting his fork aside while ignoring a particularly awful screeching sound from one of his more violent souls. Was this what Homonculi felt? If so he would never desire their position. Living forever was just a bore, even though they would all eventually die of course. Nothing lived forever. Immortal did not mean invulnerable. He wondered where his brother Xan was now that the Black Company had crumbled with the economy and he had made out with near nothing except hidden accounts with more money than he would ever need.

[Iris]

Iris seemed a bit peppy today. Maybe a bit over eager. Her pink eyes taking in the sight of every food. Oh how it all looked amazing in the salad bar. Her eyes wandered to the sweets and then narrowed. Curse them. Curse them to Hell those tempting deadly treats. How she longed for just the simplest of tastes but the recoil would make her body short of shut down and so.. she had to watch her way when it came to those deadly deserts. However, her eyes would not move from them, a stand off for a few minutes. Maybe a taste of pudding could be enough to- NO! Damn you sugar! She swore loudly before turning her head rather sharply back to the salad bar.

Now the leafy greens, reds and oranges looked unappetizing and the thought of cake was making her stomach grumble. Most unfortunate and with hesitant hand, she scooped another leaf onto her plate and decided a dabble of some dressing would have to sate her sweet tooth instead. It of course wouldn't be good enough to make her content, but it would be sweet enough to kill the hunger pains for now. Now.. where to sit?

Turning away from the bar she got her salad from, she found her eyes watching for any sort f spot to be. All the tables were taken and that was no fun. She didn't want people seeing her stabbing herself with a pen. It showed her weakness. She didn't like seeming weak. After all, she was strong enough on her own, but keeping alive was necessary so, taking her insulin was a needed evil. She'd curse her body more later.

A man sat by himself in the shadows of the cafeteria. A distant and rather angry look on his face. Well, if he was in his own world, he wouldn't notice. Excellent. Then he might be quiet and let her draw. She knew who he was and he didn't seem like much of a talker from what she'd heard, so maybe a mutual silence could make both parties happy. So, with that decided, she idled up and sat her butt in a chair. Her back was to the rest of the cafeteria and Her body catty-corner to him. She didn't bother making eye contact, after all, he probably didn't wish to speak to her anyways.

After ten minutes of panic and rummaging through her purse, she pulled out a small silver pen, which she tried to indiscreetly stab into her body, before her eyes became fixated on the food. Her stomach grumbled loudly enough to make her blush. Oh, she was starving. How humiliating. A brief glance to check and make sure he wasn't watching and as far as she could tell, she was good. Her eyes lit up and she grabbed her fork and then-

"So how are you, Colonel Dauthi? I hope you don't mind if I sit here." Why the hell did she say that? Her manners had slipped from her mouth. Well, it wasn't like she minded, really, she just didn't want him mad.

[Murazar Dauthi]

Murazar noticed from his peripheral vision a young lady come over. Her pink hair made him perk up in attention just enough to notice it was not Reila, but that other girl with the same last name. Obviously related not just from name but from hair and such as well he pretended to not directly notice her as he contemplated eating his food or not. She sat took a spot where she was practically hiding from everyone compared to him seeing everyone. The souls in his mind scream for her to kill him. They always did that though. As if his death would release them, pah!

As soon as she stabbed herself with insulin he raised and eyebrow inbetween her obvious takes at trying to make sure he wasn’t looking. As soon as she spoke he looked into her eyes dropping the discreet looking. He frowned lightly as if disappointed before speaking in a dead tired tone,”Drop the formality please. I am doing as well as I ever do these days Colonel Tsukino. How fares the Head of Defense with her Diabetes?” His tone was quiet, tired and almost sounding depressed whilst still sounding interested in her. An oddity of a man, but a well-deserved oddity at that.

To him he already knew, after all. He was the Head of Intelligence, what information could he not get his hands on? Plus while he demanded informality in addressing him, he usually used formality to address others. Mixed signals to say the least. He watched her warily, like a predator all to similar to a homonculi. After all he was related to one, knew many others on a personal level and was highly similar to a few of them in his own way. He still however did not smile, nor make any other expression other than his initial disappointment. He didn’t particularly find himself wanting of more “Friends”.

Murazar sighed in his own mind which consumed him usually. The loneliness was avert for at least a few minutes before this woman tired of his presence and left. He had little to do today that was on a high priority list. Just the usual signature and brief at the end of the day, which was getting tiresome after two years. His job being the only job in Briggs that had not had a new person in its position aside from Reila ruling.

[Iris]

”Drop the formality please. I am doing as well as I ever do these days Colonel Tsukino. How fares the Head of Defense with her Diabetes?” She tensed. He knew. Well damn. Her pink eyes moved to his own eyes a moment, wondering why he sounded so depressed. Maybe it was just another one of those things where she didn't need to know. Though if things went over well, maybe she would learn in a natural way. Nevertheless she had forgotten he was an intelligence member and therefore knew everything... EVERYTHING. Her eyes widened a bit at the thought. She wondered what his face was like reading her profile. Certainly he was not some sort of pervert, right? The kind that laughed as he read and made lewd jokes to his friends and OH GOD ALL HER MEDICAL RECORDS He could--

She cut off her own thoughts. She was just being silly, right? After giving a nervous smile, she swallowed a bite of leaf she'd been chewing on for minutes. Mmm.. tasted like rubber. He wanted to be called Murazar, then? She could oblige. As if to tease him, she spoke softly, "Please, call me Iris." Her eyes flickered with amusement, before she stabbed a dried piece of spinach. A scowl on her face as she examined it. Cakkkkeeeee... Maybe if she pretended... Taking a bite, it wasn't long after that she grimaced and made a face. Disgusting. Needed more dressing.

Half gagging on the weak and old piece of salad, she reached for the nearest drink, which happened to be his. Not caring what it was, she took three long sips, before placing it back down and swallow the less bitter taste. After blinking a few times, she gave him a uncertain smile, apologetic without apologizing. "Uh... Well. I guess I'm okay. It's a curse. Why do they have the dessert bar closest to the tables? Really! It's unfair." For a moment she pouted and then she spoke once more. "And.. sorry about your drink. I promise I'm not sick.. yet. Not right now, at least. If you're still not okay I'll just buy you a new one."

Her shoulders shrugged and she stared at her plate. Maybe she should just give up on this suddenly distasteful salad. NO! She had to eat SOMETHING or else she'd pass out, but man.. did she want a hamburger, right then. For a second as she daydreamed, she was drooling. It didn't take long before she wiped her mouth and simply stabbed a cherry tomato. It oozed plant-like blood and she could almost hear it cry while she popped it into her mouth. Leathery tomatoes.. ewwwww... She couldn't help but grimace as she chewed up the half-frozen sweet fruit-vegetable.

[Murazar Dauthi]

The badly concealed horrified expression on her face as she seemed to recall how he knew of her Diabetes made him smirk for half a second before it dropped back down as if it was just a shadow of his humor. He held a gloved hand out, the gears whirring silently and the slight and un noticeable vibrations reminded him yet again that he had lost his hands for knowledge. He felt like he paid a higher price than Odin did in legends long past. What was he a guinea pig for the automail mechanics these days?

He nodded like a sage as he replied to her almost the same as before although with a slight curiosity threatening his voice.”Iris then, although I doubt theres a pink colored Iris flower. So you must be one of a kind in that matter.” Almost a joke, as if he was either a snake or a turtle. He was either in his shell or curled up under leaves. He smirked again, it lasted longer as he saw her scowl. Was the snake brushing aside the leaves to strike or was the turtle poking its head out? You could never tell which way with him.

After she took a few swigs of his drink he grinned and rolled his eyes at her defensive remark, he shook his head lightly as it settled on a very small smile. His eyes however never seemed to match his smile, like a snake was staring her down with a grin on its face. It was more menacing than friendly. He replied calmly, his tone near deadpan.”Depends if your going to die since theres a fourth of Whiskey in that drink.” There was no way to tell if he was serious or not. Considering his earlier depressed nature and his normal serious exterior, it was very believable.

He shook his head lightly at her destroying the vegetables she had taken he pointed at them, his hands never once shaking like a normal humans would. The obviousness of the automail hand rumors would be far too evident as being true despite the gloves. He raised and eyebrow and looked at her and the food weirdly before asking curiously.”Why get vegetables and fruit you dont like when there are other kinds and you can personally order from the cook whatever they have?”

[Iris]

”Iris then, although I doubt theres a pink colored Iris flower. So you must be one of a kind in that matter.” While chewing on her tomato she snorted and turned up her nose. A compliment?! Rejected! Though her cheeks still burnt a bit red. Nope! She wouldn't have it. Though his smile was agreeably a bit creepy. His voice seemed to threaten her and yet Iris wasn't scared. This man didn't frighten her a bit, oddly enough. Well, that was half a lie. The fat he probably knew what color her bra was at the moment was a bit.. gritting on her nerves. She went to take another bite of the poorly made salad and then-

”Depends if your going to die since theres a fourth of Whiskey in that drink.” Her eyes got really big and her whole body lurched to the side away from him. That was not cool, at all! Half debating on forcing herself to throw up, she glared at him. "So mean, you'd let me drink that?!" Her eyes were desperate, angry and teared up, all at once. Maybe from trying to vomit, maybe for other reasons, but her eyes spoke an anger that she suppressed. Okay so she wasn't in the right to be mad at him. However it didn't stop her from pouting and turning her head away from him.

”Why get vegetables and fruit you dont like when there are other kinds and you can personally order from the cook whatever they have?” Well because, reasons. That was why, however, she found herself talking, as if she were mad at him. Oddly enough, she wasn't, she was just playing mad. Her head tipped up in the air and she continued to chew then swallow, before staring with depression at the gross palette before her. Twitch. Her left eye spasmed and she heaved a heavy sigh.

"Because. I really want CAKE. Too bad the cake is a lie, the cake will make me die." Her cheeks puffed out. Her eyes closed before she heaved another sigh. Stupid cake. How dare it tempt her. As if having a battle, her eyes turned to glower at the sweets. A stare down, a battle of wits with that dessert. Feel lucky, cake. If I could eat you, you'd be dead! HA! Her attention came back to Murazar and her lips pulled into a full and bright smile. She couldn't help but laugh as if it were all just some fun joke. Oddly enough, Iris felt happy and are free despite her depressing counterpart. "I'll get you back for that. Don't think I'll forget!" She teased with a playful wink and then she pushed her gross veggies out of her face.

[Murazar Dauthi]

He smiled a bit, even though it still seemed depressing. As if it was just out of politeness from a man who didn’t seem to care two-whits about politeness at the moment. He had to admit, this was more like dealing with a really cute overgrown child who should probably not be fighting in a war. Thankfully there didn’t seem to be a war anytime soon and he was unlikely to be fighting alongside her at any point in the future at all. Intelligence division guys were either the last to fight or the first to go in with the toughest. After all first hand intel was just that important, but losing all his guys was not.

He started laughing after she barely finished her sentence when she almost freaked out. His laugh sounded a bit rough, as if he was a heavy smoker before he cleared his throat and finished laughing with a small secret smile on his face before speaking in a calm but slightly amused tone,” Oh no, if you did i’m sure i’d add more than just a fourth in just for you.” He pulled out a flask from his pocket before taking a swig of it, he savored the taste before swallowing it and capping his flask before returning it to its proper place. Well, alcohol always seemed to be the only friend that never left him.

He shook his head lightly before holding his hand out, his middle finger poised against his thumb before speaking.” Well, I could also immolate the cake so it doesn’t bother you and distract you. Or do you want the cake to continue to tempt you.” He kept a serious smile on his face. As if he would really explode a cake for that simple of a reason, as if he wanted an excuse to blow something apart. Which may very well be true, the souls screaming in his mind were demanding he redirect it and blow his head apart. As hilarious as the mental image was in his head, it did nothing to sooth those souls agony.

He shook his head once more before speaking again, calm yet friendly. The sort of friendly a predator gave to a prey in order to lure them into a trap. ” So long as you do it before I die, you may very well get that chance. No guarantees.” It was almost a joke to talk of his death once more. As if the morbid humor of it was something so natural it was a part of his very personality. He smirked as if half serious.

[Iris]

"Oh no, if you did i’m sure i’d add more than just a fourth in just for you." Her mature reaction? She stuck her tongue out at him. First he laughed at her, then he said something so-- rude?! Oh it made her fall into a huffy rather fast. She got over it though as he swallowed something from a flask. Whiskey, she assumed. Her lip twisting into a frown. She couldn't drink. He was just RUBBING it in her face, wasn't he? So mean! Not much later, his fingers were in a snapping placement and she wondered.. what was he going to blow up?

"Well, I could also immolate the cake so it doesn’t bother you and distract you. Or do you want the cake to continue to tempt you.” He said with a straight face. Was he serious? Did it matter? Iris simply gave a gentle smile and leaned forward. Her hands resting under her chin. A playful grin on her lips. "You'd do that for me~? My hero~?" She teased him, grinning to show she was only joking. She had no ill mentalities with the man. Though, she had noticed that when he lifted his hand everyone in the room froze and stared. Well.. note taken. Don't fuck with Murazar. She already knew that and yet, here she was laughing as if she'd known him forever.

” So long as you do it before I die, you may very well get that chance. No guarantees.” She had no real comment to that, but a daring and mischievous glint shone in her eyes. "Is that an offer?" She'd finally change it to a challenge. Her voice lilted with enthusiasm. She liked this guy. As depressing as he was, he seemed to take jokes relatively well.. How odd, she felt rather social to one of the more dangerous members of the Briggs team. If they were comparing elements as well.. he had her by a string. Paper first explosions.. not going to work.

"So, since you obviously gathered intelligence on me, tell me about me." She decided that would be his revenge. Her eyes curved to close. "Did you check my bra size? I bet you did!" Her voice was rushed and quiet, not to mention in another language. Of course she was joking, she gave a soft laugh and looked down a bit. "A-ah sorry.. may crossed the line there." Her head pulled back up and her shoulders gave a shrug. A sheepish smile. Why had she even said such a thing? Mentally she face-planted, but the embarrassment was equal to her gagging herself in attempts not to. Of course he might get mad at her for that one, but inwardly, it was worth it.

"On a more serious note. You look really down." She stated. Her eyes full of worry if only for a second. If this man didn't like her conversation, then he'd take himself elsewhere. That's how SHE saw it, anyways. It looked like he could use some cheering up and whether or not she was succeeding... she couldn't be sure.

[Murazar Dauthi]

He laughed for a second as she stuck her tongue out at him. She was at the least an amusing lady...Or child rather, he couldn’t put up with immaturity too much anymore. So with her he figured he’d let it amuse him while there was still something amusing left in the world. He glanced at her tongue and spoke in his normal calm way in a reply.” Now, if I catch your tongue. I just may bite it and hold it from you.” He kept a straight face for a moment before grinning.

The smile. The leaning forward with a teasing tone. She really was enjoying this. He chuckled lightly and leaned forward so his eyes were close enough to tell that they were automail in nature. Not even real ones anymore. Ones that required no blinking and the only reason he did it was out of habit. He noticed that all motion in the room stopped when his hand was positioned as if to blow the place apart. Everything froze, as if Reila had strolled in a used her ice alchemy. Or time had stopped. Once it dropped everything returned to the way it was a few seconds afterward. He gave her a charming smile that didn’t seem to reach his eyes.” I’m not much of a hero. Just really good at blowing stuff up.”

He grinned widely, his eyes saying the dare again just from eye contact. When she changed it to a challenge he changed his mind, she was just a bit more devious than childish. Which was fine with him. He chuckled lightly, held his arms away from him as if proclaiming something grandiose.”One free shot, and I better die. I give that to most people who cant beat me. After that though, if i’m alive its over. “ It was a challenge, and yet how it was spoken was a fact. If he didn’t die instantly he’d destroy everyone in the place possibly. It was mean’t jokingly of course, but with his normal intensity you could never tell that often.

He laughed as she went from aggressive and harsh to embarrassed and apologetic. He waved a finger in front of her before speaking in his normal demeanor. He replied back in her own language as if he had been born and raised there. The same as he spoke in Amestrian as if he was born and raised in Amestris. It was strange to hear such native accents from him. ” Now why would I do something like that? I just have access to all your records in Amestris. I check up on everyone. Boss lady requires it. Now if you forgot your bra size, I can always go and double check the medical records...” He said the last part with a straight face, which was his normal depressed or maniacal one depending on how you looked at him. He could tell she didn’t give her words a second thought or even one thought apparently before they were out and about. Goofy kid.

He nodded simply to her words and paused a moment as if deciding on something. He finally decided to go with a simple answer. He said it as if it wasn’t a big deal and it wasn’t her problem. Or at least he was trying to convey that.”When you kill enough people, lose enough people you care or dont even care about. When you lose your eyes and hands from arrogance and pride. When your one of the three last originals of the Boss lady’s team, including her in those numbers and you think of all the other teams members who are either dead, missing, prisoners in a different country, turned into monsters worse or the same as myself or so fucked up in the head that you still realize you’re more fucked up than they are. It tears you apart everyday. On top of my own abilities side-effects, i’m possibly the most psychotic, sociopathic, apathetic, destructive and downright insane person in briggs. Other than Ayden Derocha. He’s more artistic than me though.” The fact was, he was probably the most batshit insane person in the place. Even Ayden was fucked up from what he had done, he was just that way. Which in Murazar’s eyes mean’t he was sane since Ayden could rationalize his own behavior.

[Iris]

”Now, if I catch your tongue. I just may bite it and hold it from you.” Her face turned scarlet at his words. A deep red for a second that faded quickly as she looked away. The thought of him grabbing her tongue was too much to keep a straight face and though her lips were pursed, it was mainly because she was trying to hide her blush. Her pink irises a bit dilated while she tried to control that shy impulse. Damn hormones had rushed from her head to her toe and made her almost shiver. A tingling sensation that slivered down her spine and sat in her stomach. She knew he didn't mean it in that sort of way but hey she was still young. She could have an imagination!

As her moment of embarrassment passed, she was glad he couldn't read her mind. How humiliating that would have been. His face was close, eyes staring into her soul and making her shiver again, this time from almost fright. He seemed almost inhuman. ”I’m not much of a hero. Just really good at blowing stuff up.” She knew better than to doubt that, but those eyes. She narrowed her own, the initial shock settling and curiosity raising its head instead. A charming smile she wondered if he was serious or not. This man felt so.. lonely though who was she to judge? He probably wasn't enjoying their conversation near as much as she was. It made her feel so.. selfish. An unsettling feeling of guilt later and she would reflect on his next words.

He mentioned of her getting one shot but then the place would be gone. Maybe he was a bit of a pyromaniac, but he was in Briggs. Her eyes were a fire of curiosity and intrigue; tracking the man's movements as he dropped his hand away. Just how much was he hiding away? Who was he really and what had happened to make him the way he was? Her eyes narrowed a bit more and she could barely find the ability to breathe when her Aerugese was brought up. Well shit.. he knew that language.

Her first reaction was to turn pale in fear he was going to hurt her, her second reaction was to feel an eye twitch. She had something further to say on that. However, he was still talking. Her eyes dipped as she heard the tale he spoke and for a moment she was quiet. As if she would leave, vanish and say nothing more. He was hurting deeply and it was something she could never understand. The poor man had been through some intense pain and suffering. His hands were automail and his eyes. She wondered how it felt to be a cyborg but knew such things were better left unsaid.

A long few minutes passed in silence and all that she managed was an "Oh." A pitiful sound that wasn't sympathy or empathy or infact anything more than she didn't know what to say to him. The worst she had was leaning she was adopted and that the parents that had loved each other were getting divorced. The pain he felt had to be so much more and the loneliness unbearable. She hesitantly tapped his arm as if trying to convey something before she stood up and huffed at him. "Are you saying my breasts are so tiny you'd have to look up the size?! How rude!" She shouted in Aerugese at him in fake anger. "I should get you in trouble for that!" Of course her eyes spoke she was joking.

Would he get mad now? She wondered about it. It was possible, that now he would be upset for her not taking him seriously. However, she knew the depth of the conversation, but she didn't wish to reach into something that was not in her right of knowing. Her lips curled into a gentle smile. "But, buy me a diet soda and I'll forgive you." Having him think on the negatives was a bad idea. Maybe if she got his mind off the topic he could enjoy life a bit. If not, oh well. She tried. If it wasn't enough for her to reach out a hand and try to make a friend, well, then it wasn't worth the effort. Yet she'd do it all again anyways. He seemed like a fun guy... minus all the 'All my friends are dead' thing. He could do without that. It was a part of him though. It was obvious she wasn't trying to get him in trouble anyways, otherwise she wouldn't have spoken in Aerugese.


(didn't see you posted! So sorrryy! D= )

[Murazar Dauthi]

He chuckled lightly as he leaned forward into her embarrassed and shy face. He winked with a charming smile as she blushed and tried everything to stop her lewd thoughts from surfacing in her mind. He stuck his tongue out almost in retaliation before sucking it back in and teasing her, ”Careful, if you think of anything too fun you might just have to grab me to go. Or else I’ll make you feel guilty all the time for not doing so.” That was probably as flirty as it got while still being clean, which was what he wanted. His eyes spoke seriousness while his voice told laughter. He mean’t his words to the letter, but he delivered it with humor.

He watched her curiosity, her wonder and the obviousness that she was trying to answer the many questions he raised constantly. He was a living mystery to most, her one of them. To many he was an open book, but those had dwindled to nothing but a few. People loved mystery, so he hid behind it like a cloak. In effect and to continue the practice he smiled his charming smile while his eyes threatened no afterlife for her. Once he had brought up his dark morbid tale and left off many details she almost seemed apt to run away in fear. Too many did that already, he was either going to make more fear or less, his future hinged on that among many other things.

Once the silence passed when she spoke one word he raised an eyebrow that bespoke a loss for words. As she tapped his arm he twitched lightly and withheld his reaction. He almost blew her arm off; he was confused for a moment before watching as she puffed fake anger at him. He smile and replied with a gesture toward her. His smile disarming, ” Oh no, I love the size of your breasts. They’re perfect, although I doubt you could get me in trouble little princess.” Her attitude screamed some high class brat at the moment, although he mean’t it as a joke it could very well be true with the princess part. He joked back, or rather his seriousness was delivered in a witty way.

He smiled his charming smile that seemed truer than fake before seemingly pulling a diet soda from no-where. Or rather he had picked one out for himself and he had stashed it away. Diet sodas mixed pretty well with alcohol ya’know.”Here you go, little princess. Does this buy my forgiveness?” He held it out to her, the can still cold and unopened. His charming smile seemingly mysterious without arrogance at the same time, as if he knew everything and no one else knew anything.

[Iris]

The man's smile was something that threw her off her guard. His voice simply making her shiver a bit. She was unsure how to respond. Eyes wide at his offer. What had he meant? Was it ambiguous? She didn't quite understand the words he said and yet that wink and how close he seemed to get to her. Her face reddened and her breathing stopped. Why did she suddenly feel so overheated? Taking a shaky outwards breath she tried to exhale all the odd blushing and regained control over her flailing emotions. The way her mind had been racing slowed to a something she could understand. The moment passed and she could control herself once again. Her emotions under her thumb, she could finally think.

Those eyes were captivating. Even as they said such cruelly kind words. So he HAD looked. Not that she could blame him, she'd half forced him by talking about them like some attention whore. She blushed deeper and her reaction was not analyzed by herself. Princess? She was both flattered and insulted. Did he think she was so snooty as to call her princess? Or did he think something else? Her body felt like it was going through constant whiplash. Hot, cold, hot, cold. The temperature of her body fluctuated wildly. Yet she couldn't take her eyes off of the man and the train wreck that he was causing on her brain.

Again that charming smile was flashed and Iris almost melted. Her eyes closed and she took a heavy breath. No. There was no way she'd swoon over some guy she knew for a few minutes. Curse her hormones. Opening her eyes, he was still there. Then, there was a soda before her, offered. Such a suave question asked and she was taken aback. This man was nothing like she had expected. He had a scary aspect about him, but at the same time, he was quite the charmer. Iris wasn't one to fall for the whims of men, so she'd fight it. Her hand reached for the drink. As her hand brushed against his, she wondered what was so.. off about them. They felt human.. but something wasn't right about them. This man had been through Hell and Iris could tell that, but he was also strong enough to pull through alive.

"I'm not little you know! I'm almost as tall as you!" She shouted a bit. Well, a few inches shorter but not that much!

She was strong too, she believed. However, half of her past was still a mystery. Popping open the lid of the soda, it let out a hiss. The sound oddly pleasing to her ears while she nursed it against her lips. Oh the heaven it was, the diet soda. That sort of overly bitter-sweet taste. She could barely remember the taste of pure sugar anymore, but the idea of something more pure made her almost envious. How unfair that the rest of the world had pure stuff and yet she was stuck with things that were even further processed. How she wanted a hamburger right then. It almost made her drool. Finding her attention slipping, she turned her attention back to the man.

A sweet smile, so happy that he had given to her a gift of something that wouldn't kill her. So, obviously he wasn't a bad guy. A bit crazy and little off in predictability, but obviously, a nice guy. After placing the soda on the table, she looked up at him with a devilish grin. "I don't know, should I forgive you?" Her voice trilled a bit, still playing with him. "After all, you hurt my feelings SO much!" This time she winked. Oh good lord, Iris, what are you doing? Her face held a slight pink still, but lighter than her eyes as she simply laughed at the thought. "Just kidding! Of course this makes it up." She shrugged her shoulders and then found herself sitting in her chair, relaxed.

Slowly she sighed and smiled softly at him. "Fun day planned ahead?" She asked softly. She was still a bit lost on the whole princess shtick. She'd never heard someone call her that before and for then, it left her a bit lost and confused. Absentmindedly, she sipped another swallow of the diet soda, before offering it to him. He HAD bought it after all.

[Murazar Dauthi]

He laughed as she yelled out that they were almost the same height, he raised an eyebrow and his hand laid back on the table before he smiled that melting smile again.” I do believe I’m taller than you, unless your suddenly wear heels and unless this is going to turn around and become a date. I doubt you’d get the chance to compare height then.” He had lost his own mind and the direction he was going. He decided to just get lost in the conversation and let it go where his body wanted it to go. Honestly his body just wanted some temporary companionship, but he doubted she was that easily charmed.

He watched her as she faded into her own little world; something encompassing that soda can for sure. He had money on diabetes…Huh; he just noticed the souls in his head had dampened quite a lot. It felt relaxing. Or at least more relaxing than a hundred people screaming for your death and torture in your mind while reliving terrible flashbacks that might not even be your own.

As she teased him he smiled that same smile and spoke in his own voice that seemed like silk now, ”Great, guess next time I’ll have to find you something better than diet soda. I wouldn’t want to be not forgiven for some other misstep of mine.” He winked lightly; his charming self seemed to contrast with his dangerous vibe. It was like a trap that many predators used in the wild. Then again he wasn’t lying either, so was it true or false?

He raised an eyebrow as he sipped out of his flask and stashed it away again. He paused a moment before responding. As if her question was something purely weird and off-putting. He leaned forward, his face almost touching hers with a purely serious expression before he leaned past her, so that he was next to her ear and with a charming smile whispered,”I have nothing planned other than doing work I’ve already completed. If you want, we could always do something fun together.” His breath hot in her ear and the faint scent of cologne that did not seem to be present before getting this close was making itself known. He leaned back so he was looking into her eyes with his charming mysterious smile. Whatever he mean’t he obviously mean’t it by whatever she wished to be fun, whether naughty or nice.

[Iris]

His reactions left her so flustered. His suave overcoming her every action with one of his own. The height debate was over for now, but the mention of a date.. she was a little taken aback from that. She hadn't expected that sort of response, but she was slowly getting to expect the unexpec-

"A-Ah." His face was soon way too close; a mere few centimeters away from her. She could smell cologne as his breath lingered on her ear. Every muscle in her body reacted the same way; they tensed. Her whole being stiffened and she felt her face redden darker than before. A soft and unintended squeak escaped her lips. Even her brain lapsed for a moment as the voice like honey slid over her eardrums. Nothing was working right and she had a complete mental hiccup. ”I have nothing planned other than doing work I’ve already completed. If you want, we could always do something fun together.” It was almost as if he was implying something, but she didn't completely understand what he meant. Was this all some sort of trick he was doing? She was reminded of a Fox almost, little tricksters they were and clever to the non existent 't'.

She wasn't sure how to respond. The biggest question being what did he consider fun? As his face pulled back, those eyes smiled mysteriously into her soul, as if seeing it. Of course that made her feel nearly naked in front of him and made her redder. Her own face pulled back a bit, a brighter shade of red. Oh how conflicted. Her heart raced and her head pounded angrily. Where was her mind even at that she was blushing so hard? What made it so damn difficult to defeat this man? Lost in his eyes, she cleared her throat and tried to push away the romanticism (As difficult as it was for her). Her hand pressed shyly to her lips, trying restrain any other little mishaps of the squeaky kind. He certainly knew how to make her a bit light headed though, which was completely frustrating. Nevertheless, it was also addicting. Why had she thought he was going to kiss her? She blamed something but she didn't even know what that something was.

As her hand fell from her lips, she was finally capable of forming words. "Well, what do you consider fun?" She'd ask with her eyes suddenly showing a bit of a timid glaze. It wasn't that she was afraid of what he did for fun as it was that she was going to melt because this man was throwing her through hoops and she didn't know where she was going. Tiny leaps of faith she supposed. Her daring wildness glimmered as well mingling with the sheepishness to give that normal unique glow. Suddenly her confidence returned starting with her brain reconnecting with the rest of her. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were TRYING to ask me out." Her fluent Aerugese slipped from her lips with ease.

She felt a bit jittery, anticipating what he might do next. How she loved the fact this man was a wild card. Surprises around every corner! As long as that surprise wasn't a knife for the throat or something similar, she found it all invigorating. Her eyelashes batted a bit, but she was back in control again. It would take a little adapting to the clever charms, but she was pretty sure she could at least hold her own.

Placing her grip back on the soda, since he had resisted it and drank from his flask, she drained a few more swallows, but her nervousness still sat there in a tiny twitch of her hand. What had her anxious? She was afraid she'd pass out and that was a no go. She'd been around a lot of men and not yet had any been so hard to figure out. Then again, this man was a lot more complicated than the trainees in central. In fact, Iris, herself was more of a man than some of them. That was saying something. After she replaced the can on the table, her finger tapped her lip. For once the view of her own alchemy circle in sight. The teal nails with crimson paint upon the pointer finger only. With almost a challenge in her voice, she smirked at him. "If that's the case you must REALLY want to compare heights." Whatever did she mean by that? That was for him to decipher, but either way she was enjoying herself. Her lips couldn't help but pull into a soft smile. A sort of 'shooting the breeze' tone to her voice.

[Murazar Dauthi]

As her face reddened he felt better about charming her with relative ease. She was still keeping her head just a bit. That cute little squeak set the mood for him automatically, at least being involved with her. In some sort of way would take his mind off of everything else, she seemed sweet and was very cute. Which was good enough for him to at least begin a relationship. Her cute little acknowledgement made it obvious she probably had never had a boyfriend or had gotten even this close to another man’s face. At least romantically in any manner.

Her face reddened as he seemingly stared into her very soul, she looked so conflicted. As if she wanted him to kiss her right then and there and hold her close and tight. She also looked as if she was confused as to why she was feeling the way she was. As she barely restrained himself and he continued to observe her with his mysterious, confident and intense smile he thought of her and what to do now that he had already went along with whatever he was feeling at the moment. What to do?

As she spoke he paused a moment as if thinking as she started to gather herself back up and made her second statement. He pushed his face so that he was a mere centimeter away from her face as he spoke in a hush whisper as if he had a romantic lovely secret to tell her. ”I do believe I’m asking for a date, although I do believe you’re asking for a kiss. If you want something, you better take it before it’s too late…” His eyes weren’t begging or even asking for a kiss, he was daring her to kiss him. As if she didn’t have bother the confidence and desire for it. As if he was providing a one-time opportunity as if death was just around the corner.

He didn’t even raise his eyebrows in surprise, nor make a challenging comment with a flirtatious flair in it. He simply spoke as if it was a mere fact. ” Any height you want to compare I’ve already surpassed and have no wish of going further. Alchemy, Business, Military, Combat or even knowledge of the unusual or unknown.” A look came over him, as if he was in another world and time all on his own. His eyes glazed over and the smile vanished. Then after a few seconds he jolted slightly and came too. His eyes refocused on her and then the charming smile appeared slowly and with a hint of mysteriousness. He spoke again, this time charmingly so.” Unless the kind of heights we’re going to compare is the knowledge of the bedroom and what to do in it. I don’t believe you’ve got a chance.” He seemed as if yet again challenging her although in a way she didn’t have a chance to beat him on and as if it was her only shot. Which was obviously enough the true to the mark one.

[Iris]

This man somehow had Iris captivated. His voice slipped past her defenses and she was left staring at the man with wide eyes. His face had come closer. From a few centimeters to only one with lips nearly touching. Those eyes that somehow stole into her very being without a stop anywhere else. A hint of challenge in his voice. It was almost overwhelming. Iris brought her eyes to simply stare into his, the pink irises simply dancing in the moment as her face turned bright red. He was DARING her to kiss him. To venture into an unknown land which made her wonder what exactly what going through that dangerous mind of his. Her lips twitched and both her face and ears were burning on fire. Iris was simply ablaze as she fought the urge to take that challenge. Curiosity tugged at her rather vigorously and she tensed as if she was about to before she caught herself. She wasn't going to lose a game.

Her eyes closed a second and she tried to regain control, but even without seeing him, she could feel him. His breath lingering on her lips, calling to her and-. What was he going on about? As her eyes reopened, she found them immersed in a world of temporary pain. Her heart cringed and she wondered if she could take back the comment. She hadn't meant to hurt him when she was tempting him into a little fun. It seemed her plan had backfired but as she went to apologize, he jolted back as if someone stabbed him with a fork. Iris checked her hands. No forks there, just tightly clenched fingers on a table. So it obviously wasn't her, but that charming smile was back and oh- damn him.

Again he weaved words masterfully to provide a problem with Iris' thinking capabilities. Her face red again as she looked at him with blushing eyes. ” Unless the kind of heights we’re going to compare is the knowledge of the bedroom and what to do in it. I don’t believe you’ve got a chance.” Her face was pure scarlet at his words. Bedroom.. was that implying what she thought it was implying? Well, though it was kind of sort of true, it still made her flustered. She couldn't stand a chance? Such a cruel thing to say nonetheless. Her pink eyes were caught in his odd ones again. What was it again about his eyes that made them mechanical? The only logical explanation was automail but then- what did she know was rumors and true?

It seemed she still lost that battle as she attempted composing words to take her next shot, but all of them were only compromising to her. She could say so many things but wouldn't they cross they line? As well most of the weren't true. Her body remained tense and for a second her eyes narrowed. How did her even know she was inexperienced- or was it he just thought that highly of himself. Deciding just to go with the flow, she shifted her position and did something uncommon for most people. Her lips pressed swiftly to his cheek, a somewhat gentle manner that spoke nothing of what she wanted (seeing as she had no idea) and she pulled her head back with a giggle. That took care of the earlier challenge.. technically.

"So.. what you're saying is I can't hold a candle to your.. prowess in bed?" Her lip curved into a smirk as she sat back in her seat nonchalantly, acting as if his actions didn't bother her in the least. It wasn't exactly something she'd want other people hearing and understanding, so she simply spoke part of the sentence in Aerugese. This switching languages thing, was kind of fun. "Well... I doubt you have any proof of that." For a second her tongue stuck out again; being somewhat childish again, but with only the silliest of intentions before she sucked it back in. Her face still tinted red while she tried to cool herself. She hadn't lost herself yet, which was good, but she was certain not much longer and this man would have her melting. She felt.. so shy and the fact she'd kissed him, if only on the cheek, made her feel so... She couldn't explain it. It wasn't a regretted choice exactly but it made her wonder if she seemed like a whore. Mentally she stabbed herself. Why was she going crazy? Her eyes lifted to his and she awaited for his next move in this odd little game.

[Murazar Dauthi]

She looked exceptionally cute as her face burned with embarrassment. She seemed so conflicted as if she wanted to do it, she wanted to win too. She however had thoughts that if she did so, would it make her less of something good and more of something bad? He could remedy that, and then again he could remedy most things with words or firepower. He however was not going to let her get a read on him. Would she enter the land of the unknown? Or was she too afraid to enter somewhere she couldn’t see from afar?

He never noticed when her eyes closed and anything else during that small span of time when he wasn’t in this world. Once he had returned and began smiling again she had suddenly been jerked back into his own masterful spoken and emotional realm where no one reigned, but he was one of the best. He wasn’t lying once when he spoke or made an action upon her. So far he was using her words against her with increasing unpredictability. Well if you could call making her feel increasingly romantic with him whilst making sure every emotion she already felt increased and removed the others. It was tactical and emotional in his head. His heart was secondary to his brain.

She continued to stare into his eyes while being completely unable to react to his words whatsoever. His bright blue eyes seemingly shimmered for a moment as he held his face close to hers. Then she narrowed her eyes and he moved onto his next procession of thoughts and moves to play. With her he’d always be ahead until she could surprise him. Few could, and most of those few were dead or allies. She finally kissed him, albeit on the cheek. After she nearly jolted back with some cute giggles he leaned back into his chair once again. Relaxed, not surprised whatsoever. As if he had expected that was going to be her response, as if he expected her to take the safe middle road in-between the extremes.

He spoke his reply, concise and with his normal charming smile backing it up.”Playing it safe, not much of a risk-taker are you?” A small blow in some ways, a quick quiet maneuver in others and an illusion to something else. Possibly. He awaited her next words, his own prepared in advance. Now she thought the play on par with him, playing his own tactics against him. It wouldn’t work, because of a few simple reasons. Prime among them, she wasn’t him. He spoke with his natural charm and strangeness.

” Considering your too embarrassed to say it aloud so anyone could understand. I do believe so, unless you care to prove me wrong that is. Nothing wrong with admitting you can’t.” He smiled his more infuriating smile before leaning forward in a casual yet drawing way, like a magnet. He spoke once more, this time hushed and further in his charm. He leaned just enough forward to barely brush her lips before pulling back just enough in a way as if to draw her with him. His lips barely brushed hers as if taunting her for not taking it all the way. What would she do now? He took no safe roads; there were none that would make you content or even happy in this life. Risk made your life.

” That is, unless you want to take this somewhere more…private?” A dare, a charm and a challenge. Would she take it or not? Or was she going to play the safe road once more? No risks no gain. Her tongue stuck out once more before she seemingly regretted that action. He made a small biting motion when she stuck it out to remind her. He wanted to see her take what she wanted with the risk that it could all backfire and he wasn’t actually offering anything and only playing her. Was he really playing her? Or was it all true and heartfelt? She’d have to make a choice that she couldn’t take a safe route. She’d have to risk it all on intuition and feeling.

[Iris]

This man. Would be. The end of her. Her heartbeat raced as he continued to hold her by a thread. Ah why was life so cruel? Here this man was, toying with her and each word had her trapped more and more. This was a game of cat and mouse. Unfortunately it seemed that cat was too good a player for the mouse. Reverse psychology did tricks on people. The way he leaned in, just barely brushing his lips on hers. Oh the game was over. Her heart jumped into her throat and inwardly she swooned. As he pulled back, she found herself almost hypnotized by him. Her face followed, so easily lured into this possible trap. His words so alluring.. charms were working, she would hate herself in the morning, but so what?

Her body tensed and she listened to him further his winning logic. Of course, he was right. She WAS too shy to say such a thing. She wasn't a risk taker. That was true. Iris was more of the one to follow orders, but something about this situation irritated her. She wasn't going to just take these insults. Red remained on her face, deep crimson red as she stared more into the blue eyes, not breaking contact. She had choices and they were so various she didn't know which one to jump for. Either way it ended in some sort of drastic change or her walking away, but she couldn't bring herself to leave.

The biting motion deterred her a bit, her head pulling back. So he was going to play like that? So much challenge, his charisma was oddly superb and her next action was simply her smirking a bit. Somewhere more private... huh. Definitely a tempting thought. Wait- tempting? She wasn't considering the offer, was she? Her eyes closed away from his and she couldn't help but release a soft laugh. "Oh my, asking such a thing, already? So we're just skipping the movie and dinner, then?" Her words were smooth and yet as usual a bit playful.

Her face leaned in towards his more, this time leaving only an eyelash's length between them. Her eyes narrowed slightly, almost speaking something cruel as she again began speaking. "I'm not fond of public displays of affection, but-" She paused to wink. "I'm not going to let you get away with teasing me either~." Of course her next action was possibly dangerous as well. In all good sport, she gently bit down on his lower lip, not hard but enough to make herself known. If he was going to tease her, she'd tease back. That was only fair and she wasn't going to kiss him... at least not yet.. After all, it seemed to be his game all along.

[Murazar Dauthi]

He had her like a siren had caught Odysseus’s men in the ocean. Now he just needed to see if she dove right or left when shots were fired down the road. Regardless he didn’t want it to be this easy, while he had her he wanted to see just how far she would go down this road of excitement and fun. He could tell just by her face that her heartbeat was racing all this time and it wasn’t going to stop anytime soon. Or at least too soon. Now if she could keep playing the game.

He was counting on her not taking his slights and insults to her without a fine retribution. Which in his books was the way he was hoping she would dive. At least she wasn’t quite as boring as he initially thought she was. As she smirked at his slight biting he decided to move on to the next challenge and see if she took it. Was this worth it? Was it worth it for him? Could she tell it wasn’t deception and moved forward or was she moving forward out of challenge or was it the will to not back down? He hoped he guessed right. He usually did, but the times he didn’t make up for the times he did.

As she laughed lightly and began to play back he smiled with his alluring mystic side and his charm. He spoke again as he leaned forward and kept himself forward.” I do believe we’ve had dinner. The movie is just waiting in the wings. I do believe multi-tasking should come easy to you. If you think you’re up to it.” As she leaned in forward as well. His heart rate stayed the same, as if her trying to copy his moves weren’t going to quite work on him.

As she spoke he was beginning to predict what path she had chosen. As she gently bit on his lip his heart jumped just for a second. After she let go he gently bit her bottom lip in return, he held her gaze for a moment before standing and hopping over the table to her side in one smooth motion before holding a hand out to her. He spoke his charming way, ” My room or yours little girl?” He gave her yet another left or right choice. Familiar or Unknown? He was testing her while remaining true to them both and how they felt.

[Iris]

” My room or yours little girl?” Internally Iris fumed. She wasn't little! She was a young adult, old enough to live on her own. She'd gone through training and soon she would be the head of defense! She wasn't little at all. Yet he pursued into calling her that. Oh how it grit at her nerves. She could handle her own against a lot of Fort Briggs, maybe not him, but a lot of the officers! Oh how Iris disliked being seen as weak, when she was far stronger than even she knew at time. Much of her past a mystery and the fact she'd lived through it showing the strength she had. She was the beacon of health... normally. Yet the way he moved seemed to smooth over his words as if it were nothing.

Aa.. arrogant.. cocky.. most women hated that, but she found a sort of allure to it. He had bit her lip in return.. oh bittersweet revenge. Such a cruel move that made her relinquish the slightest of a moan. Damn her hormones and the pleasant rush that flew down her spine. Temptation laid before her as he moved to stand by her instead of just sitting there. She couldn't recall why she was doing it anymore, this game of hers. It'd come from playful prattle to 'chicken'. She had a feeling he would win in the end.. there was only a point that Iris could reach before she hit a level of cowardice.

Silently her finger twitched and she rubbed the fingers together. The small silver ring on her right hand, something odd no one noticed.. Iris wasn't one to take things that far and so as he had asked that question she was truly conflicted. Should she tempt her morals and see just how far she could go before things had to stop or did she stop now and avoid the sliver of want and need that clung to her body. Most people would laugh if they knew what she thought, but it was fine by her. Those pink eyes showed only the deepest of blushing in her soul. Multi-tasking... A movie.. It was so.. tempting.

Trying new things was always fun, but she was terrified at the same time. Such emotions she couldn't understand filled her to the brim until she finally decided to just see where the road led her. The dainty fingers of her right hand slid into his. "We can try your place." She spoke with a grin. She was about to say a goofy reason why, but she decided against that. It sounded far too perverted to state and she was a chastise person. Some levels were fine, but that was pushing the limit. Even if it were the simple fact she wouldn't HAVE to clean up. Naturally she would if she had managed to make a mess, not meaning in a certain way, but as in she was nosy and might poke her head where it didn't belong.

Oh Iris, her curiosity was boundless. Suddenly the shyness was dying down and all that was left was intrigue. She never had a chance to look around at how other people had their place, but hers was such a mess right now. Her artwork, frames by frames and pencils cluttering her desk with books askew on the floor. Yeah, she had wanted to start tidying it and she promised herself she would, but of course, that was two weeks ago and she still hadn't made a dent. Oh the sadness of her poor, dark and drab room.

Suddenly a thought occurred and she would speak with utmost curiosity. "But wait- Won't you get in trouble for having a girl in your room?" She could have sworn there was some kind of rule against that. Her concern was genuine and her face showing a bit worry. Maybe she was chickening out a little or maybe she really just didn't want him in trouble. ORR more likely, it was the sub-conscious decision of both. A little fear for him and a little for her, either way she stayed with him. Her left hand smoothly running through her bangs to get some out of her eyes.

[Murazar Dauthi]

When she moaned he couldn’t help but put his charming smile to work yet again. He wondered if she knew he was the master of this game and no matter what way she went he won. The only difference was if she won what she was wanting as well. That depended on if she could be brave and move past her cowardice. He faced it all the time, it was a non-stop activity. He could lose not only his soldiers but those of other countries and civilians all the time.

Was he really being arrogant or cocky? Or was that just a move because he knew that’s how she would respond? Was he really that way or just inputting the right phrases that he in his own personality was going to say at some point anyway? Who knew anymore? Only those as good as him in reading people. He noticed the slight twitch and as se rubbed her fingers together he simply kept it in his mind. As if it didn’t change a thing about how he thought of her. It really didn’t.

As her hands slid into his own he held her hand in his gloved one. Oh what he would give to feel the softness of her hand with his own. It was just another minutiae push in his mind of how fucked up he was. Just another reminder of his failures in life that he never noticed before recently. He winked with his charming smile and led her gently and subtly alongside him. He kept his eyes on her with him just using his peripheral vision to guide them. It almost seemed like he was just automatically in tune with the fortress itself as he moved and guided them to his room. ” Very well, feeling adventurous finally I see.” He spoke in his captivating manner while keeping it a bit on the original unmentioned subject they so far had only hinted on.

As she asked her little question in route he laughed with his infuriating smile,” I won’t, I’m a mercenary that doesn’t abide by those rules. Since I’m an anomaly in the rules, they don’t apply to you either.” He noticed her hand running through her hair and he spoke with his smile as they neared his room. ” You have gorgeous hair and you don’t need to smooth it out, sweetheart.” The last was teasingly delivered in a manner that mean’t it was no lie however he mean’t it.

Once they had arrived in his room and he did his cool hand print signature thing on the wall they walked in. Since his last little explosion him and dai’s room turned into a suite that was joined. So technically befitting their ranks and positions they had their private areas and most of the décor was fairly rustic and matched more him than dai. Dai had most of his pictures and stuff in his private bedroom.

Murazar had his team pictures and the battlefield ones all over the room. Various pieces and odds and ends were framed as well with no further explanations on them other than the object itself.

Everything however had its place and was perfectly orderly, neat and clean. It looked like if you ran a finger over everything you wouldn’t find a speck of water, dirt or dust. Other than how he never smiled in a picture and seemed continuously more grim in the more recent photos he looked alright. The main TV of course was huge and brand new Hi Def. There was a library of books and movies all organized by genre, sub-genre and then alphabetically.

His bed room was in a soft black and blue setting with a large and very comfortable bed, the super clean bathroom followed of course and his closest was perfectly organized as well with various clothes of all different kinds. The only oddity was the automail check up equipment and tool bench. You’d think it was for Dai until you realized it was mostly minor detail maintenance and check-up stuff. Then you realize he does have automail parts.

He motioned around with his free hand and his smile.”Welcome to my humble abode. Feel free to poke around like I know you want to. “ He caught her eye before smiling and putting his face almost touching hers and his hand left hers for a moment while both of his hands went behind her neck and sensually rubbed her ever so gently as he spoke for those few seconds,” Just remember that I’m putting a movie on the tv inside the bedroom.” He bit her lip again and then as he let go and pulled away slowly altogether he winked and disappeared into his bedroom with a movie already missing from the shelf.

He was already putting the movie into his tv and setting it to the proper channel before letting it run to the main menu as he sat on the edge of his bed and kicked his boots off onto the floor and took his top off and untucked his t-shirt. He set his top on a doorknob to his closet before hopping on top of the covers as he waited for her.

[Iris]

His hand was her guide. Each stride leading her closer to their destination. His body was taking her by the hand, slowly leading her into the unknown. A world untraveled that she could see. A soft wink, that killer smile. ARRRGGHH.. She just wanted to disappear, except she kind of didn't. This whole situation was completely trivial. Why was she going into the world of this man's. This really put her out of place, struck a good deal at the balance and from agreeing such, she was in the palm of his hands. Aaa.. damn the cursed world. The way it tricked her into situations like this. It may be fun, but who knew how long it would last. Little flings weren't really in the nature of Iris and perhaps that was what she feared most. Maybe she was terrified this would all end terribly and she would be once again a laughingstock.

This man was interesting; charming though irritating. How was it he could so easily manipulate her? Even though unintentional, he had charmed her enough to get her alone. Behind closed doors, who knew what could happen. Indeed, she WAS feeling adventurous. At said statement she looked at him with soft cast eyes. Was it so easy to tell? She hid her giggle well and stared straight ahead, occasional glances to the man with her hand in his. Gently her hand twitched and fingers tensed more, letting them lace with his. Why was that so... comfortable? Was she just lonely? It couldn't be that, because Iris had plenty of chances to go out with some guy, but for various reasons, she always said no. This man was somehow different.

The walk was silent, her eyes away from his, shying only glimpses of his smiling face. Was he excited because he had someone like her or because he had someone in general. Paranoia sank in and it made her wonder if he did this often and whether or not this was a major mistake. Live in the moment.. that was the more exciting way of life, was it not? Iris looked off into the corridor, the artwork on the walls, the same floor tiles that filled her mind. It looked the same everywhere until they reached the room. Indeed, this man's room was about five times larger than hers, though with the mess in her room, it looked about eight times bigger. Huge, spacious and actually clean. Oh how ashamed of her own room, she felt.

Not a spec of dirt littered the area. The bed was made, the floor spotless. The hell- Why couldn't Iris have this magic?! The magic of cleaning rooms. She could recall doing so, but it seemed as if by a darker magic the more she cleaned, the dirtier the room got. It was actually ridiculous. She couldn't understand why it happened, she just knew it did. Her eyes were filled with so much.. expensive stuff. Iris was bad with her money.. usually discarding most of it for art supplies. Yeah.. new pencils, markers, pens and books all cost her a good sum and she had an addiction for it. She couldn't stop buying them, but at least she used them all.

"I won’t, I’m a mercenary that doesn’t abide by those rules. Since I’m an anomaly in the rules, they don’t apply to you either." Oh my. For some reason that made her blush a touch. Whatever the reason, she nodded and proceeded to slide off her scarf that she normally had draped on her shoulders. She had gorgeous hair? -Sweetheart? Now she felt her heart racing. This was almost like a scene from some of the corniest movies she'd seen. The ones where she sat and ate popcorn while her sister sobbed relentlessly on how sweet and how she wished for a man like that. Iris knew those were only temporary things, come the sequel they were never with each other they'd broken up or SOMETHING had happened and they were in love with someone else. It was a never ending cycle.

However, in some stories it worked out well for both parties. Iris didn't want some soap opera, she wanted something simple, something sweet and yet exciting. Was it something he could offer? So far the taste was more than enough to lure him in his room. Had he been dangerous, she could have been killed, but this man was not a threat, it seemed they mutually were interested in some way. Even if that attraction was basic, she'd seek to pursue it. It was only through chance some of the more exciting events happened. There was nothing wrong with having fun as long as she didn't overstep her morals.

”Welcome to my humble abode. Feel free to poke around like I know you want to." Oh how true that was. How so.. very.. true. Although the idea of possibly ruining something was a bit of a downer on her curiosity so maybe just a little-

His hands moved onto her neck. Shivers rolled down her spine and she couldn't help but gasp softly at the sensation. Such a pleasantry flowing in her body as his hands rubbed and then his mouth was near hers, biting her lip.. "Augnnn.." She let out a slightly squeakish moan, trying to keep it down to no avail. Oh how sensual the moment was, the way he moved, grinned. His touch. Her face was red again and it felt as if she were melting. The wonderful feeling as her whole body suddenly felt weak. She wanted more than just that.. she felt so greedy for it, but.. her heart was hammering excitably. He winked at her, leaving her in a daze.

A movie-? Oh right. He vanished into the bedroom and Iris couldn't help but peak around. Making sure not to touch anything, she simply examined, to sate her ravenous hunger. That damn curiosity of hers would get her in trouble. Though she WAS permitted to look, this time. That lessened her crime. So much stuff.. even a kit for automail.. well that explained quite a bit. Iris counted her lucky stars she still had all her limbs attached. It had to be so unfair to need metal substitutes. Her lips frowned, but finding her interest relatively sated, she gained her courage to walk into the bedroom. Another incredibly neat room, that got on her nerves. How was it she couldn't keep a single room neat, but he could keep this goddamn mansion organized? Internal table flip.

She found him lounging in the bed and for a moment she froze and she wondered when she should tell him. Her hands moved and she stripped her jacket, letting her top show, the white camisole she wore beneath clung tight onto her body. The pink eyes looking around shyly to catch the movie screen playing some movie she didn't recognize. Maybe it was still in the ads, that was a possibility. As she too kicked off her boots, she'd pull herself on the bed. Nervousness almost tangible while she stuttered a few words. "I-I know I agreed to this b-but."

Swallowing nervously, Iris found herself instinctively straddling his waist. "I-I've never done this kind of thing before and I-I uhm.." Gah words! Damn you words for not working. Her face was bright red while she stared down at him. Come on, word it well. Her face grimaced and she flinched a bit. "I-I'm not ready to go.. a-all the way.." Why was this so embarrassing? She must have expected him to laugh at her. Dig the grave deeper. Maybe he'll kick you out, maybe this didn't happen now. If that were the case.. it was for the better. "I-I'm kinda.." A hand brushed through her hair again then it rested on her face. "Gah.." My face is so red... The ring still there, trying to relay for her, but she had to spit it out herself. "I kind of want to save t-that kind of thing.. f-for my fu-future husband..." There! She said it. A weight was lifted off of her chest and she could breathe again.

Now what would he react to that? This woman leaning over him with a bright red face, trying to control the reddened colors by covering them. Okay.. control.. back to control. Her eyes opened and looked at him in a dare to see how he'd react. It took nearly everything in her to speak such a truth. Now there she was, wondering what would happen next.

[Murazar Dauthi]

He watched her reactions without comment, keeping them in his mind. He still wondered why he did this. Who was she to even keep his lonely soul company even for a time before she tired of him? That’s what he saw in his mind, her leaving him. All the women he had for any time had done so. Everyone left him, not just women. People vanished and died. What did he have left other than his tradecraft and power? What was there left in this dystopian world? Sometimes he was tempted to destroy it so they could start anew because he saw nothing but the worst in humanity all the time.

He wondered how long this relationship would last beyond tonight. He hoped it would continue somehow and some way, but why her? Was it her personality which was so like Reilas before war corrupted her? No she had enough differences that wasn’t it. Was it she was a look-a-like? No she had talked to him first not the other way around. It was a puzzle to work out later.

He noticed how she purely melted when he did what he did, her moan and to him obvious desire plucked at him. He wanted to take it all the way right then and there, but that was no fun for his mind or her at all. This was much more fun by leaps and bounds. He realized he loved making her feel this way. He wanted more of course, but was that out of some desperate grasp while falling off a cliff? Or was it genuinely romantic? He couldn’t discern.

When she froze in the doorway like a deer in the headlights he knew something was coming next. Something he didn’t figure out quite yet. He listened as she spoke in alternating languages and total embarrassment nothing like before with the jittery nervousness. As she finally finished as his eyes searched her with more kindness than she would have ever pegged him for. Let alone most people would have pegged him for he put both his strong arms around her and pulled her close to him. His hands around her waist and back as he looked into her eyes. He spoke softly,” That’s fine sweet lady. I don’t want to force you into anything you don’t want to do.”

His touch was sensual under her camisole, he pulled her clean on top of him as he fell backwards on the bed and he whispered to her as his arms snaked back to go back behind her head and rubbed her neck sensually once more,”However, I think we can go to the boundaries of that realm. I wouldn’t want to disappoint you. “ Then in the moment he kissed her slowly and continuously. He wanted intimacy he finally decided and this was the way to achieve it. Maybe he noticed something special about her he couldn’t figure out because he was looking in the wrong direction.


He did have some sort of feeling for this woman, but he couldn’t figure out what it was. Was it love, like or simply attraction? He was just happy she would feel his hands and see them as real with the synthetic skin over them. He just wished it was a two way street on feeling. He closed his eyes as this time he kissed for real, with his more romantic side coming out. As he let slowly out of the kiss, he whispered lightly in her ear. ”Not bad for your first boyfriend, eh?’

[Iris]

Arms trapped her. Strong arms that enraptured her in affection. Kindness she wasn't so familiar with and soon Iris felt herself melting all over again. She was falling in a both metaphorical and literal way. Her heart hammering heavily while he hugged her close. So odd, the way he felt so comfortable in his arms. Safe and warm.. Her eyes closed for a moment as he pulled her completely on top of him. A situation Iris was very unfamiliar with. Her eyes falling to look at him while a sweet sentiment was spoken in his charming tone. How did she get here? What were the chances fate would lock her life with this man's if even for a time. Though her face was comparable to a rose, he was still being nice. Not cruel to bully her morals with some logic and her inner introvert made a sort of excited hop.

How it felt to be accepted for who or what you are was far more satisfying when it happened. Her heart was aflutter with the winds of his words. Oh Gods, she could feel his hands trace up her rarely traversed back. She'd never realized how truly sensitive she felt at the touch of another's hand. His fingers led to her neck again as he spoke such sweet words. He was intoxicating. A drug to her with those movements. Obviously, he was more experienced than her, simply by the way she could catch herself shuddering and gasping at his touch. Or was it that she was just so sensitive from lack of experience? Either way, she tried to bite back the moan that made her knees shake. Her whole body surrounded by utter pleasure.

Such a touch so simple that had her weakened even then. That wasn't the end though. As his fingers left her hair on end, the lips pressed to hers. The moan escaped her lips with his kiss. All other control slipping away while her lips moved on his. An extension of her soul temporarily touched by his. Her heart lept in her throat and not even a hesitation was there as she kissed him back. Such a thing as a kiss.. was incomparable to all the sweetest things in the world. He held her there, captive by both his heart and his body.

Her brain was no longer working. As if there were a short in the wiring, a sort of electrical charge jolted around it and kept her from fully thinking. It was so- romantic, the corny stuff you saw in old movies and yet she was eating up. Perhaps she was one of those idiot girls.. The ones so easily moved by sweet words and a kiss and yet, she didn't regret it. One he'd pulled away, she was instantly wanting more. Heart pounding so hard, she could even hear it in her head. With eyes pulling to look at him while he whispered onto her ear words that made her unintentionally shiver.

"B-Boyfriend?" She stammered like an idiot. Her eyes in a widened daze. She wasn't upset just more intrigue. Her face reddened further while she feigned being mad at him. "Wh-what makes you th-think you're my first boyfriend?!" Her head turned up before she peaked at him from the corner of her eyes then paused to think about what she said. "W-When did we start dating?!" She stammered again in surprise more than displeasure. Her big pink eyes blinking twice then thrice as she took him in with a red blush. Her hands rested at either side of his head, leaving her above him still, pink locks a bit of a tunnel for her. It was a question that didn't need an answer, but she felt as if she should still mess with him a little bit. It was simply in Iris' nature to be playful. Besides, it made things more.. interesting.

[Murazar Dauthi]

As she shuddered, moaned, and groaned at his touch he knew she had never been satisfied quite like this. No one, not even herself had done so. He felt fantastic as he just let himself fall into the kiss and his movements. He wondered if she would try to copy him as she had before. He wouldn’t mind, but he wasn’t expecting anything. Their bodies holding the other tight and softly with a gentle sweetness that made it all the better. He was of course a fairly decent expert to a point. He however had never encountered a woman who was the same as him and perhaps never would. So he decided to go with those that he could make sure enjoyed it without guilt.

As she nearly dove back into it he knew he had her, even on those bullcrap romantic movies that people watched it happened. This however was real life, not some scripted scene that felt false. This was fully charged with emotions and euphoric feelings! This was what he loved; his brain always for some reason would never fall all the way into it. As if he held back in his own mind from his own enjoyment.

His statement surprised her completely as she stammered the words out, not in a bad way though. Then her next statements made him smile charmingly as he waited for her third question to be spoken. That meant he spoke right so he kept on going, he whispered to her.” When we had dinner I believe, plus you wouldn’t want to just give all this up after once only would you? I know we’re enjoying this together and i’m quite picky about who I want to be.” He paused as he got closer and before he kissed her once again with as much passion as before and his arms went back to her back.

”Intimate with.” He loved her playful nature; while it was playful it was still real and emotional. Not false backdrops on the stage or a scripted line or two. He was enjoying their little conversations whenever they popped up. He liked the feeling of her hands and hair on his face, the smell of her hair and neck especially made him content to just kiss her. He however as always was a bit greedy and he never wanted to half-ass anything. So he’d go as far as he could without making her feel guilty in a bad way.

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