FMA: The Real World (Part Four)

[amouri]

Barry chuckled.
"Well...He might seem a real ass-hole, but he can be a great fellow when he feels up to it."
He looked up in surprise as she grabbed his hand.
"...Sure. I also need to get the rest of that drasted heap of metal up here before the kids start fiddling.

He smiled warmly at her and squeezed her hand slightly.
It was kind of weird being paid the slightest bit of attention to...And by a woman nonetheless!
Most of the time he was just invisible, no-one really paying attention to him.
As he got up, he hesitated for a split second, before leaning forward and giving her a quick peck on the cheek.
He drew back before she could react, grinning mischievously.
"Come on." He merely said, starting towards the door-way.

He stopped in surprise as the kid made himself noticed.
He smiled weakly, and then answered the kid's question.
"Nothing...It just reminded me of something. Afterall, its a cool armour amirite?"

[velinda]

*Clause and Hikari*

Clause shook her head. "I'll try. But don't expect too much. After all... if my temperement raises, I resort to how I used to be until Ed came along... By the way, where is he?" Hikari shook her head. "I don't know. I'd like to know as well." The both of them ate silently until the female would speak again.

*Roze*

Roze smiled at Kimblee. "I'm sure that'd off-set it. By a lot." She followed him into the store before responding. "I don't know... but I guess I can try it... Can you show me on the way back?" She followed him through the isles before he picked out a fashionably pretty ring, but, "Isn't that a bit clishe?" she teased him. "I love it, Kimblee. I want that to be our wedding ring... Let's try them on though, to see if they'll fit... and how they look on our fingers." Her eyes were sparkling, but she stayed calm, unlike some other woman who'd jump and talk like an exited little school girl at this moment...

[Zolf J Kimblee]

Sarai

She blushed deeply when Barry kissed her cheek, placing her palm over his cheek with a small smile. She followed him down the stairs.

She noticed for the first time his disheveled, unruly hair. It made her smile. He was cute, she thought.

"Isn't there anyone in this house strong enough to help you with this armor?" she asked, "I might be able to carry smaller pieces for you."

Riza

She sat next to Jean, occasionally glancing to the two girls she'd seated at the table. Perhaps she should have had them sit with her and Jean, rather than isolating them by themselves.

"You girls can join us out here in the sun if you'd rather." she offered.

Kimblee

"Yeah, I guess it is sort of cliche," he said with a sheepish grin. "We could try others if you'd like."

The salesman pulled the rings out and handed them to Zolf. He slid the rings on her left hand, ring finger and held it under the lights, turning her hand slightly to make the diamond facets sparkle. "Good diamond," he observed, "No shadows or visible flaws I can see."

He slipped the mans ring on his own hand and held it next to hers. "It's beautiful on you, that's for sure." he said, looking at her.

[velinda]

Clause and Hikari*

Both of the girls looked over at Riza, smiling. They seemed to have such a similar mindset, although Clause seemed like she'd be the louder, more outspoken one, since Riza had talked with Hikari on a few past occasions, and found how shy Hikari could be. They sat over at the table that Riza was at, and said, "So... what made you want to join the military?" Hikari asked. She wanted to know if they had similar reasons for joining. Clause had looked over at Hikari before smiling at Riza. "Yeah.. tell us!" While Hikari's voice was soft and quiet, Clause's seemed to be quite a bit louder.

*Roze*

Roze shook her head at Kimblee's statement. "Maybe... but I love it." She hugged him after they saw how their rings matched up. "How long before the rest happens? I don't know how long Riza thinks we're going to take, since we were in such a hurry..." She pulled back from her hug and smiled at the man who more than just a few people shunned.

[amouri]

Barry smiled weakly, as he once again surveyed the armour.
"Nyah, Scar might be able to." He sighed, gazing at the ceiling.
"But we aren't on the best of terms. Grumpy git, approach him with the slightest thing and you risk getting chucked outta the window."
He whistled quietly between his teeth, picking up the other arm, and handing it to her.
"I'll have to take the legs off this thing...There's no way I can carry both legs and the back piece and the head."

[Zolf J Kimblee]

Sarai

With the metal arm in her hands, she trailed back up the stairs after Barry. Even the arm was heavy for the single piece of armor it was!

To make conversation, she asked, "Has Scar actually thrown anyone out the window?"

Riza

"Hmmm..." she replied, "Actually I didn't want to join the military. I wanted to go to art school, but my parents wouldn't have it. I come from a military family tradition and since I have no brother, it was expected I would join the military."

Kimblee

He smiled and returned her embrace, sighing at the light fragrance in her hair. He picked up her ring hand and kissed it, then looked to the eager salesman, "We'll take 'em." he said, smiling.

He decided it would be a good time to establish a credit line so he applied for a store card and didn't grumble at the interest rate, except in his own mind. This was no time to be a cheapskate. He'd just pay them off in a couple months anyhow.

After the rings were paid for, he slipped the diamond engagement ring back on her finger, leaving the wedding bands for the ceremony. "Shortest engagement in history." he said with a grin.

"Let's go get you a nice dress." he said as they left the store. "Guess I should get some kind of suit too." he added, scratching his head in embarrassment.

There was a mens' suit store on the way, so they stopped in there first. After browsing a bit, feeling like a fish out of water, a white suit caught his eye. A creepy manequin was wearing it. It had a red tie and hat with a red hatband. He popped it on his head and turned to Roze with a smile. "Hey, how's this look on me?"

[hehe...the manga suit x3 ]

[amouri]

Barry, having taken the two legs off the suit of armour, had followed her up the stairs, slightly red in the face with the effort it took.
"Yeah, in fact, Kimblee had a go a few years ago." He cackled.
"He's got some serious issues. And the worst is, he's intimidating enough to get away with it."

[velinda]

((Do Roze later... maybe tonight.))

IC:

Clause & Hikari-

Clause and Hikari shook their heads. "Did you actually wish to join the military... That's why I was looking for someone to talk to about being a State Alchemist, like I told the two men over there." Hikari stated, nodding her head to the two male soldiers. "I don't think you should be forced into such a thing! I know I could never stand for that!" With that, Clause went back into her food, while Hikari watched the female soldier. "I'm suprised you stayed. And I've heard that you're a good soldier. It takes real courage to turn something you hate into something you're good at, instead of going half-heartedly..." Clause stopped eating and stared at Hikari. How would she be able to say such a thing? Especially at her age, saying it as if she knew what she was saying. Clause shook her head. "How would you know such a thing?" This time, Hikari smiled sadly at Clause, whose face remained insistant. "Because... of something that happened to me long ago..." "What?" Clause pressed. "My parents... died... When I was young..." she said simply, before turning to her plate. Clause gasped, dropping her fork that she was holding onto the grass, before turning to face Liza for comfort for the girl.

[silverviper2134]

Arden dragged her friend to the woods, and pointed into a small ditch. "See" she said, pointing at the decompossing corpse in the ditch. Her dog was jumping up and down, barking at the dead body. "Niki bit into his forehead a couple days ago....I pushed him into the ditch" Arden said with a giggle.

[velinda]

Roze giggled at his selection- not that it was bad or anything, it was just that she didn't know what to think about Kimblee wearing a suit. "The colour suits you just fine." she smiled sincerely to him. "I guess I could use a pink dress, huh? Since we're going with our colours and all." she giggled again. "So where to now, Kimblee?"

[Zolf J Kimblee]

Riza

She sat and listened to the two young girls talk back and forth. The older one, Hikari seemed like such a sad, wizened girl for her age. She placed a comforting hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "I'm sorry... it must be very hard for you. Especially being thrown into a strange world full of stranger people."

"But you're right... use the experience to grow wiser and stronger." she added with a warm smile.

She explained to them that she had no regrets about staying with the military. Mustang and his subordinates, her included, had given her camaraderie she'd not found anywhere else. She learned deep loyalty, strength and discipline, she explained, things she wouldn't ever change for all the world.

Kimblee

After changing back to his casuals, he purchased the suit and the next stop was a ladies' dress shop.

"So..you wanna wear pink?" he asked, "Do you want all pink, or something white with pink trim? You just name it honey." He leaned forward and gave her a small kiss on the lips and picked up her ringed hand, kissing the palm of it softly before taking it in his own hand as they strolled together toward the formal dress shop for ladies.

[velinda]

Clause & Hikari

Clause smiled gratefully at the female, trying to cheer Hikari up, and the other female smiled at Riza. "Yeah... I know... Which is what I had been doing... But now, the research they died for... is obsolete as long as I stay in this world..." She looked at the array on the back on her right hand, and clenched her fist. Her arm was trembling, and tears threatened to spill out. However, before they could, Riza distracted her with her speech, and she nodded. "It always helps... to have those that believe in you..." Clause reached for another piece of silverware, leaving the two worldly females to talk. She felt out of place there, even though Hikari couldn't have been much older than her...

Roze-

Roze smiled at Kimblee. "I think... that the pink should be all-encompassing." She felt him kiss her lips, and closed her eyes, giving a kiss back for the brief time he kissed her. She felt him kiss her ring finger, and blushed, and nodded. "After all... don't you think pink suits me better...?" she asked the man, "Just like red suits you?"

[Zolf J Kimblee]

After some more talk with the young girls, she got to her feet and took all the disposable plates and utensils. She threw them out and went to the kitchen. She rummaged around through the cupboards and fridge, but there was nothing to be found in the way of treats or other sweets.

She opened the crisper and found a couple peaches. Food sure went fast in this house. It looked as though she'd have to have a talk with Dante and Scar. She heaved a deep sigh and returned to the porch. She handed the fruit to the girls.

"Will you girls excuse me for a moment? I have to discuss household issues with Dante."

She walked into the living room, blinking as Barry and Sarai carried pieces of armor upstairs. "Dante," she began, "I think we need to talk about making new arrangements in this household. There are simply too many people and too few of them pulling their own weight. I say if people will not contribute around here, that they will not eat."

[Zolf J Kimblee]

Sarai

She laughed as Barry conveyed the tales of Scar being a household bouncer. "I wish I'd been here to see that," she said as her laughter died down, "Kimblee crashing through a glass window! Sounds like Scar would have made a good bouncer in my families tavern back home."

Kimblee

He was a bit intimidated walking into the formal shop. He felt like a fish out of water wandering around all that lace and satin. Finding a suitable wedding dress in pink would be impossible, but there were several brides maids dresses that were pretty.

Then he saw one that really caught his eye. "Oh wow.." was all he could say. He turned and looked at Roze, imagining her in it. "Oh....wow." he repeated as he saw the visual in his mind.

[Check yer IM Roze, I put pictures there. xD]

[amouri]

Barry chuckled.
"Yup. I even think he went to the hospital after that...Or as that another time? Hm. Seeing as I hadn't arrived yet when it happened, I've just heard the stories of whats been going on."
With a heave he managed to get the two legs onto the bed, now lying alongside the front plate, the helmet and one of the arms.
The back of the armour was all that was left. And then of course the other arm.
His hand brushed against Sarai's fingers gently as he took the heavy metal arm from her.
"So you're family had a tavern, eh? I'm curious...Was...is drinking allowed if one is ishbalan?"

[velinda]

*Clause and Hikari*

Clause nodded and waited for the officer, while Hikari stared at the rune on the back of her hand. She simply shook her head and smiled sadly, and looked up upon the female's return. They both graciously accepted the fruit, and started eating the fruit. Clause was too busy eating the fruit to notice that Hikari had followed the female, interested in what she had to say to that bitch of a female. However, the phrase was not one she wanted to hear. "I-i got some money that you can use..." she said, pulling out a rather thick stack of assorted dollar bills, mostly higher-end notes, the highest being 50, and the most common being 20's and tens. If asked where she got the money, she'd blush deeply and stutter-whisper, "I-i'd rather... not talk about it..." Clause walked into the house afterwords, and saw the armour. Her rather tomboyish side took over, passing by Riza and Hikari altogether. "Hey! Is that real armour? Or is that that plastic-like stuff? And where'd you get it?" she asked the two heaving it around, rather exitedly.

*Roze*

Roze smiled at Kimblee, looking like a fish really out of water. She smiled at him reassuringly as she walked through, acting like she wasn't nervous at all- which was the complete opposite of the truth. She looked at the dress that caught Kimblee's eye, and gasped along with him. She didn't know what to say to him, but nodded instead, and finally managed to whisper, "I-it's perfect, Kimblee... But... it's expensive! Are you sure you want something this expensive?" she asked him. Truth be told, she was hoping he'd say yes- but so she could buy it herself and suprise the man. "This is less expensive, and is just as beautiful, and more than enough for someone like me..." she said, moving to another gown.

(Second picture one, Kimblee, for reference.)

[Zolf J Kimblee]

Sarai

"Well.." she said, "actually I'm not sure." she looked up at him, realizing how preposterous that answer might sound. "We were Ishballan only by blood, not by religion. I think moderate drinking is allowed, except by priests. I'm not sure."

She glanced up at the little girl who'd followed them up the stairs. "Hi there...who are you?" she asked with a kind smile.

Riza

She laughed lightly and placed her hand on her shoulder to reassure her. "Oh! No, no, no!" she said, "I mean the adults around here. The older ones mostly. How old are you anyways?"

Kimblee

He was glad Roze liked the dress as much as she did. He really wanted it for her. He could establish credit here too if he wanted.

"Well.." he said, "If you like this other one better."

"And what do you mean by 'a person like you'? You're just as good as anyone else in this world..probably better than most."

[not sure what you meant by the ooc remark. Did she like the first gown, but thinks it's too expensive? ]

[amouri]

Barry nodded. "I see. My brother ended up marrying an Ishbalan fugitive, she had to give up most of her ways to avoid detection I heard. That's good though," He added hurriedly. "Means that one isn't bound by one's blood or skin colour, its nice to have a choice. Not that I ever actually...Made one...Durr."
He chuckled nervously. Religion had never been his favourite topic.

[velinda]

OoC: You'll see. She's setting him up. And the comment meant that the second picture you showed me is the one she's now showing Zolf.

Clause-

Clause looked at the female who spoke to her, and smiled. "The name's Clause. I'm from Linter, where Majihal used to reside... until..." she stopped herself, before she got too carried away on that thought. "Anyway, I find armour quite interesting. How much death do you think it's seen?" Not exactly the words one might expect from one wearing a white dress, now is it?

Roze-

Roze shook her head. "It's fine, really. Let's get this one." she said, pointing to the cleaner, less extravagent one. "And I meant for one of my... upbringing." she said quietly, so nobody else could hear. Even though it was vague, it may cause a few eyebrows to raise if anyone heard it, and she figured Kimblee would know what she was saying.

Hikari-

"Fifteen." she responded simply. She was a year too young to work... so how did she get the money? She would not respond to any question of the like, not yet... and maybe not ever. "I don't need much for myself, so the rest I don't think I'll use I can give to the household." She smiled at Riza. "So those that maybe can't get a job won't have to be kicked off the street." She looked down to her feet, and continued, "And when is curfew? (sp?)"

[amouri]

Barry couldn't help stifling a laugh at the girl's words.
"So you like armour eh? I can tell you right away, this armour probably hasn't seen too much action the last few centuries. It might not have the stiff limbs and joints of an unused armour, but it certainly doesn't have the scrapes of a worn one either, let alone any dry blood."