[FIN]Kimblee & Co. play Secret Squirrel

[Zolf J Kimblee]

[Still internetless over here...hopefully this weekend I'll have a new network card and maybe a power supply. I'm thinking my power supply fried my NIC. I get little shocks when I touch the case anywhere near the power supply. So either I have a grounding problem with it, or else the capacitor or something else inside it is shot. *sigh*]

Zolf shrugged indifferently at Barry's brooding comment. "Okay, fine by me...stay in that metal body if you want. I had a plan...you know...involving getting you your body back? But...oh well...guess you're not interested."

he turned his back as he heard Frank come back on the line. Casual dress? Well he said casual dress, but he didn't imply that he had to wear a dress. So as far as he was concerned, he was dressing in jeans and a tank top. And Havoc was gonna be off the hook as well.

"Don't worry, sir." he replied with a touch of sarcasm, "I'm not gonna run around telling people I'm the Crimson Alchemist. That's just our little secret. I'll even wear gloves to cover my tats."

Granted, he'd look pretty stupid walking around in a tank and jeans with gloves on, but he'd just wear his fingerless leather gloves. It would be a site less stupid than parading around in drag. Without waiting to be dismissed, he hung up on the Colonel, hoping it irritated him. Maybe he'd bring it up when he finally saw him face to face...and then he'd have a perfect excuse to provoke and argument....and punch him for the whole sordid dress affair.

He chuckled at looked over at Havoc, "No more dresses, my good friend. We are off the hook! Casual dress, no uniforms. Just don't be saluting each other in public places. First name basis, okay?"

"Here's the plan," he continued, "we need to infiltrate Cornello's followers...and his opposition. Frank doesn't need to know anything about Envy...not yet, so we just go along with it for now. I have to meet with...someone...and try to access records. You and Hawkeye...I dunno...go get a pulse on the streets. Eyes and ears. If you ask questions, be discreet and vague."

He really kind of wanted Barry to tag along with him, but he imagined the guy would prefer to go with Hawkeye. "Barry, you can go along to make sure Hawkeye is protected...and Havoc too." he chuckled at Havoc as he opened his suitcase and got a change of mens clothing. "Now, if you'll excuse me...I've got to change." he whistled cheerfully and went into the bathroom. He then opened the door and poked his head out with a grin. "Dismissed, soldias!!" he closed the door and chuckled, resuming his whistling.

[Pet dog on a leash? <3 Now that sounds like the Frank Archer we all know and love...or love to hate. XD]

[rizahawkeye]

HAwkeye snapped to a salute.
"YEs, sir!" she said, though she questioned why she needed a body guard... but orders were orders and all she could do was go through with them.

[Zolf J Kimblee]

He quickly threw on his clothes, getting stuck in his pant leg and hopping to keep from falling on his ass. He growled in irritation as he bumped his head on the towel rack, and cursed under his breath as it came off the wall, hitting the floor with a clatter. "Damn faulty workmanship.." he muttered and left it be where it was.

He fastened his hair back in a ponytail and gave his reflection a killer grin as he pulled his gloves on. He left the bathroom, looking smug and pleased with himself. He grabbed his service pistol and fastened the safety and pushed it down into his boot. He decided it looked far less conspicuous if he wore the pants over the boots and not tucked in. He walked to the door, opened it and turned back to wave to the others, "Remember, first name basis." he turned to Hawkeye, "and NO saluting, right?"

He closed the door and strode, hands tucked into his pockets, down the stairs, whistling and feeling cocky. He stood outside under the arid sunshine and glanced about before going up the street. He passed a small cart with an old woman selling flowers. He pulled out a bit of change and got a single white daisy after arguing that he didn't want a dozen...and no, he wanted the white daisy, not the yellow or pink ones she tried to foist on him.

After walking several blocks, he came within sight of the huge church or temple, of Leto that was part of the town square. Talk about making religion the center of your whole life! He raised an eyebrow at the people hawking goods there...fruits, breads...all manner of 'offerings'. How tacky, he thought, for some reason reminded of a similar incident in an ancient book he'd been required to read as part of his alchemy training. Presumably, 400 years or so ago, the world was torn in two from a mysterious incident, causing the downfall of an ancient religion as a result. In the old book he'd studied parts of, alchemy was a religious power granted only to prophets or Gods...one of whom raged through a temple much like this one, turning over money tables where business was being done...exactly like it was here. Some guy...a Nazarene alchemist who healed people and turned water into wine did this. (Not to mention performing the forbidden alchemy of human transmutation! No wonder they killed him!) He was an alchemist, right? he thought smugly, And wouldn't it be fun to tip over a few of these tacky merchants' tables shouting, 'Don't turn the house of my father into a place of merchandise!' Of course, he'd just blow the stuff up...and the people too. That seemed far more effective than simply tossing a few tables over. But...not politically very smart either. And Frank had said to blend in and not draw attention to himself. Too bad..

He took a seat on a bench near a fountain and waited. He wondered if Sheska would remember him much. He kind of didn't want her getting the drop on him, catching him unawares. He wanted to see her first, so he could assess how he would approach the situation.

[rizahawkeye]

"Yes... of course. " Riza answered obediently.

Sheska wandered, looking around. She wore her usual, casual outfit, as she had been instructed to do.
"I wonder where he is..." she wondered to herself as she made her way to the Central part of the city.

[Zolf J Kimblee]

A slow grin grew on his face as he spotted her. As conventionally plain and ordinary as she was, she stood out like a sore thumb. She was the only one wandering around helplessly, looking a bit lost. Absolutely adorable, he thought. He decided to just watcher he a bit more, clearly enjoying her awkward charm. If she didn't notice him in a minute or so, he'd call out to her. He nervously twirled the daisy between his fingers, unaware that he was nearly mutilating the poor thing.

[rizahawkeye]

Sheska sighed.
"I hope I didn't miss him... Mr. Archer will be so angry with me..." she thought, tears slightly welling up in her brown eyes.
The crowd was filling her view as she adjusted her glasses in her usual, mousy fashion.

[amouri]

(Oh, btw, Rose wants to join. I say yes, what about you guyz?))

Barry glanced nervously away from Riza.
As Kimblee spoke into the phone again, something suddenly triggered in his mind.
The quiet remark Kimblee had given him, though he had been too engrossed in gazing at Hawkeye to register it.
He slowly turned his head, staring at Kimblee with fevered confusion.
His plan-but how could he be able to-what?!
He made a barely heard swallowing sound, as he digested this information.
...He meant getting my body back?! Smooth Barry, smooth. You just had to snap back, didn't you, you short-tempered bastard? Furious thoughts whirled in his head.
He felt like quickly yelling back at Kimblee, he wanted to frantically explain that he had heard wrong, but Kimblee was still in conversation with his boss.
But the nagging doubt still tormented him.
He doubted it would be possible for Kimblee to perform such a feat as that, seeing as many had tried and failed before him, often with fatal consequences.
And even with the help of a philosophers stone, he had a suspicion that it took more than mere skill and a fifth element.

He listened to what Kimblee then said as he hung up, eyes burning with excitement as he heard what Kimblee then said.
There was only a minor hitch to it though.
He got to his feet, glancing at the knives lying by the bed.
"Er-If I have to protect them, won't I need..."
His voice trailed away as Kimblee sped out of the room, the door closing behind him.
"...To be armed. Guh."
He turned to Havoc and shrugged sheepishly.
"I dunno. If its ok with you I could use them," He said, jerking his head towards the cleavers.
"But I understand if you feel safer with them left behind. Not that its any problem for me, I can easily kill a man with my bare hands if I wanted to."

[rizahawkeye]

((I say Yes! ))

Riza just looked on to her companions.
"If you can kill with your bare hands, I think that would be preferred... we don't need your identity spreading like wild-fire." she said in a suggestion.

[Zolf J Kimblee]

He squinted his eyes as he saw a glimmer of sunlight reflect off her face. Was she crying? Well...she was frowning that's for sure, and...yes, she was crying. He could see her lower lip trembling. What a cad! he thought to himself. Here she was, disoriented and lost and he'd been enjoying himself at her expense. Without thinking, he clenched his fist and the stem of the daisy snapped. He stood to his feet, unaware of the poor flower in his hand. It was the poor flower getting ready to burst into tears that bothered him for the moment.

"Um...hey! Miss Sheska?....um...over here!" he called out to her, several meters away. He waved over to her, feeling lame for stammering.

[rizahawkeye]

Sheska wiped her eyes and she nearly cried with happiness.
"Mr. Kimblee!" She said, relief flooding through her, "I-I had thought I missed you!"
She smiled, not noticing her stammering... probably because she did herself so often.

[Zolf J Kimblee]

"Oh, hey now...it's not all that bad." he answered, a bit shyly. He held out the flower, which was now broken and bent over. "Here's something to cheer you up." he went on, then noticed it was broken. He blushed in embarrassment and snapped it at the broken part, There was only two inches of stem left. "Well....anyhow...the best parts still intact...aheh.." he laughed and scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

[rizahawkeye]

Sheska took the flower and blushed deeply.
"Wh-what's this for?" she asked, looking confused but deeply flattered.
No one gave her things... unless it was extra pictures of Elysia from Lt. Colonel Hughes.

[amouri]

Barry sniggered sheepishly.
"Ah...well, I guess that means you know who I really am then."
It didn't help that she now knew that he was Barry the Chopper, the fullfledged murderer. Didn't helo in the slightest.

[rizahawkeye]

Riza nodded.
"I figured it out on the train..." She stated truthfully, "But all that besides...we still have orders to carry out..."

[Zolf J Kimblee]

He honestly wasn't prepared for that one. What would he tell her? The truth? Out of the question!

"Oh...well I...um...just thought it was a nice day for giving a flower to someone?" he answered lamely. What a dope! he thought to himself. Real smooth going...

"So," he asked, to fill in the awkward silence, "how's ol' pasty faced Archer treating you? Working you to the bone fetching his tea?" he chuckled.

[rizahawkeye]

"W-well... it's not that bad... though he says that I have to work on my posture..." she admitted, somewhat shamefully, "But otherwise, it's not too bad... though I miss Lt. Colonel Hughes..."
She looked at the flower, sticking it into her hair.
"But thank you..." she said, "People don't usually give me flowers... actually... they never have..."

[Zolf J Kimblee]

He smiled when she put the flower in her hair. A loose strand covered the petals and he brushed it away shyly, then withdrew his hands, clasping them (until his nails dug into his flesh, from nervousness).

"Hmph...sounds like something Frank would do. Snobby blue-blood." he remarked. He suddenly found his mind a blank about the mission. His stomach rumbled and he chuckled nervously. Saved by hunger! he thought.

"Say...I'm starved half to death. Have you eaten lunch yet?" Smooth, he thought with satisfaction. A grumbling stomach to cover for him. Maybe she wouldn't feel she was being asked out on a 'date'

[rizahawkeye]

"No... I only had some tea..." Sheska said, smiling up at him, "But I'd love to get something to eat... I'm kind of hungry myself..."

[Zolf J Kimblee]

Perfect! If only he knew where to take her. He had no idea what was good around here and what wasn't. He didn't want to take her somewhere where the food was gross.

"Well, you just lead the way. I'm just a stranger in town you could say." he said with a grin. "Just take me somewhere I can get a thick, juicy steak and lots of french fries on the side."

"Oh...read any good books lately?" he asked and winked, sporting a playful grin.

[that's it for me tonight. gonna go play some Guild Wars. Where is Havoc?]

[velinda]

((Sorry for not posting yet. I'll get on sometime later tonight and post...))