Easier said then done (open)

[discorantentity]

Rhiane listened to Hikari and thought about it, keeping two people alive was difficult but even as she seemed now she was capable of it. Besides what the girl was talking about intrigued her, they had information she wanted for her own reasons. “Justice is blind, it is what the person desires it to be. I do what I do for survival and money, What did they do to you, for me they abandoned me and left me for dead.” She spoke as she was clearly uncomfortable at the fact Hikari saw her like this, she was a monster and she would always be one no matter what she wished. “At least your still human, you've never been anybodies test subject and slave.” She spoke as she sighed, she knew that she had gone against orders but it couldn't be helped. She wanted to fight Roy when they were in a field where neither had the advantage, both were at their peak.

[velinda]

Hikari shook her head. "You're... wrong... I have been... a test subject... although not a slave... Remember what I did... to you're wound...? How do you think.... that was created? In one shot?" Hikari shook her head. "They did nothing... to me... The ones I want to bring to justice... are the deaths of my parents..." Hikari glanced down at the ground once more, tears filling her eyes as they always seemed to when she talked about her parents. "Human...? What is... human? Humanity... is something each... Has their own opinion about..."

[discorantentity]

Rhiane stopped and thought about what Hikari said, she didn't even know her name either. Still she was a victim as well but she manged to kill her tormentor, but whoever did this to Hikari must have left a deep scar mentally. “I know how it is to be a victim, I wish things had of been different for me. Do you think I'm a monster, because I despise myself for how I look. I hate myself, but I know there is nothing I can do. I may not be able to help you get justice, but I could try if something is within my power...” She found herself sympathizing with her more now, and it would lead to issues with herself and with Dante. Her other side might use Hikari for her abilities, but she wouldn't hurt her and let her die. “I failed in my assignment, I'm an assassin by training and trade now. What is your name, I never got it.” She seemed to want to let her go but what would she say to Roy, would he think of her as an enemy even if he knew that there was still some part of her that was good. “What do you want to do?” Wall all she could say after, she really could use the aid despite the conflicting goals.

[velinda]

Hikari shook her head. "The only time you become a monster is when you truly believe you are one. If you keep yourself pure in your mind, then you are pure..." she shook her head. "You do not need to help with my revenge- only help me find out how much the military actually knew about this. Because the military may have been involved." She felt sorry for the female not being able to complete her job, and replied, "Hikari." She looked up to the female, noting the change of concern in her voice. "You can help me... by letting me research... about the roots of alchemy... And about... the Alchemist's stone..."

[discorantentity]

Rhiane thought on this matter and despite everything at least this part of her could only see what she once was, and it hurt more than anything else to know society would reject her. The help that was asked for was something she could do, but she would have to track down the people who knew more as she was not a scientist. ”I can get what the military knew probably, though any records would be classified so I'll have to liberate them. Hikari I may be kind but please remember what I do, I kill without regret or remorse. She paused and tried to remain as objective as possible, she still was herself and she could hear in her mind her other self chuckling. To her this Rhiane was actually getting it finally, how to handle matters like this and what her role was. 'Why do you care so much to help her, your still too soft but I accept this resolution. I will talk to Dante, but if she betrays us I will kill the girl.' Closing her eyes and smiling Rhiane finally spoke again, though she knew what this meant and feared the result. If my employer allows your second request, any who becomes an obstacle I will not hesitate to kill them. That is the help I will offer, protection and a meeting with someone who can enable it.” She said as she motioned for Hikari to follow her to where Dante waited. Dante would have to accept that things went awry, this place was not the best place for her to fight in. ”I'll take you to her, please come with me. She didn't say anything else, and her eyes at the moment were not the kind side, they had the look of the side that was all business.

[velinda]

Hikari listened to the girl, and nodded. "I under stand... but please... just don't... take too many lives... or any more than needed." However, as she thought about it, the female changed her ways again, and was back to the business side she saw for only moments back in the fight with Roy. She shivered, and wondered what he was doing, if he was worrying about her- and trying to get her rescued. The only problem was that might put her at risk, trying to save her, and might jepordize her research. Right now, she didn't know if she wanted to go back or not... Even as she thought this, she remained silent and followed the female to her employer...

[OoC: Should Dante post now?}

[sweetanimefreak]

Roy lay against the wall and thought about what he could do....The women was so fast...he couldn't overtake her....But he can't betray Hikari....The flame Alchemist walked down the floor again......

[discorantentity]

Though she had no idea Roy was following she took a few extra turns on the way, but still she hoped that the soaked flame alchemist could realize that if he followed he was defenseless.”Tch... Very well, I'll delegate action based upon threat levels. We're almost there.” Came the response as she made her way to the study, an asset was worth more than two corpses. Even Dante should see the logic in this decision that left one problem at large. Knocking she announced herself, and then opened the door looking annoyed. “I was unable to dispose of Colonel Mustang, but I did cripple his ability until he can dry off. I also have someone who has a request, I do owe her for dealing with my wound. She is very gifted, and we both agreed to ensure her safety.” She delivered a swift and to the point report and then stepped aside, so Hikari could deal with her business. She remained quiet after that, and waited for that to conclude so that she could get out of this place and collect her last payment before this new job took over everything.

[velinda]

Hikari nodded gratefully to the female, and followed her into the room, and found herself looking at the room, before her eyes came in contact with another female's. She shivered at the sight of her, and briefly wondered what she was thinking, but shook off that thought. "I wish... to research the Philosopher's Stone... So I may accomplish a goal I have promised my parents..." the small girl said to the intimidating woman. She knew that she didn't give much of an image- Hikari was small, young, and right now looked frightened and shy. She didn't know what else to say to the female, not knowing what the female was going to expect from her. She waited nervously for the female's response, and her rune on her hand started to glow red unintentionly, but it was a soft glow, but Hikari tried to cover it up as a natural reaction to trying to hide the rune for as long as she could remember...

[dante]

Dante raised her cup to her lips and took a small sip, her eyes resting on the door. Although she understood that eliminating intruders was hardly an easy task, she had been waiting for her new servant for some time now, and her patience was starting to wear thin. If the girl could not handle it, she would have to reconsider accepting her service; she was short on manpower, but she was nowhere near desperate enough to rely on incompetent fools.

Hearing a knock on the door, she smiled icily and lowered her cup. "It's open."

Her smile faded when she saw how annoyed Rhiane looked, and she quickly deduced that something had gone awry. She had suspected as much, but it still aggravated her. What she did not expect, however, was to see a young woman accompanying her minion. Her eyes narrowed for a moment when she beheld her, but she quickly regained her composure and put on her usual apathetic expression.

"Trouble, I presume? At any rate, I'm glad that you've returned. I was beginning to think you'd been defeated," she hummed, then glanced at Hikari. "And I see you've brought a friend with you."

She widened her eyes in surprise at the mention of Colonel Mustang. It was no secret that he was meddling in her affairs, but she had not expected to find him wandering around in one of her most important facilities. "Colonel Mustang is here? Did he say what -- never mind, it isn't important. I doubt he would be in any shape to explore the facility after a battle..."

Then she turned her attention to Hikari and looked at her expectantly. She did not look like much of an asset, but she trusted Rhiane's judgment. "You wish to research the Philosopher's Stone?" she repeated coldly, quirking a brow slightly when she caught sight of the glowing rune on her hand. She was interested in what it was, but said nothing. "I all ready have more than enough men assigned to that. But since my dear Rhiane seems to have so much faith in you, I'll give you a chance."

She paused, then looked up at her. "Demonstrate your abilities. Should you impress me, we'll talk further; if not, I'm afraid you'll find yourself in a rather... undesirable position."

[velinda]

Hikari nodded gratefully at the woman in front of her, for she had the view that someone like her shouldn't be crossed, and she'd be dead if it weren't for her seeing some use in her. When the female asked for her to show her worth, she nodded again, somewhat nervously, and spoke with a slight shake in her voice, "I-i am more used to healing, b-but..." She exhaled, and closed her eyes.

The rune on her hand stopped glowing red, and a bright blue, almost white, light came from her back, and kept getting brighter, but never bright enough to blind anyone. She placed her right hand on top of her left, and slammed her hand onto the cement ground. In front of her, a pillar of ice ripped through the cement ground and into the ceiling, the pieces that broke off from the ceiling freezing and shattering once they hit the ground. She exhaled again, and took in several deep breaths, as if that display took some energy from her. However, she wasn't done yet.

Even as the runic light from her back died down, the rune on her hand started to glow red again, and she touched the ice with her finger, and steam immediately rose up from it, and her finger went through the ice like how a knife goes through butter. She did this until she poked through on the other side, her finger surrounded by ice, her tip barely poking out. She pulled her finger back as the rune on her hand died down in colour.

Feeling the woman would like some explanation as to what this was, Hikari took a breath and said, "What I do... is called Runology. My parents studied it until an accident in what they were studying lead to their deaths. The reason I may seem tired after doing something like this is because the Law of Equivilent Exchange is followed through an exchange in "Runological Force" as my parents called it, and it's tied directly to your life force. Which means that if I use this enough, I could end up killing myself... and that is why I need the Philosopher's Stone... if at all possible..." She wondered how the lady would react, but she had nothing to lose, or at least nothing more than she already would have lost...

[discorantentity]

"It was quite convenient he used fire, that made it easier for me to disable his abilities."Rhiane watched the conversation with interest, Dante seemed quite interested in this and despite appearances gave her some credit. She broke the cold exterior with a light smile of thanks, and then recomposed herself. Once Hikari got into more details about her parents she realized that she was going to be looking into a matter that they would keep deeply buried, if they were involved. "You asked me to find out what the military had to do with their deaths, before we arrived. Now I see why, where did they work out of." She seemed more and more curious now as to what exactly happened, as well as to not let Hikari die without achieving her goal. She dozed off for a second, and when she opened her eyes she yawned and kept listening. She knew that she had to be the one to guard her, so that she would keep her word. "I brought her here, so if anything happens I know it'll look bad on me. I may be speaking out of place, but could you allow me to protect her... Though she did ask to keep the casualties to a minimum. She asked nervously, like she felt she was asking too much now. Though somebody who didn't care about how she looked was actually refreshing, and she could always pick up cash on the side in case of travel.

[dante]

Resting her cheek against her knuckles, she watched the girl with clear disinterest as she waited for her demonstration to begin. Despite the reassurances of her latest servant, she had a feeling that this girl would fall well below her expectations. She all ready had enough alchemists pursuing the Stone, and the last thing she needed was a foolish child meddling in her affairs. Even though her runes intrigued her, she knew this girl would be more trouble than she was worth. Nevertheless, she would give her a chance, just as she had promised.

When the lights began to shine on her hands, she quirked a brow curiously. To her knowledge Hikari did not appear to be using transmutation circles, and she sincerely doubted that she had seen the Gate. Remembering the markings on her hands, she deduced that they were no doubt responsible for the feat. "Interesting..."

Once the show was finished, she listened carefully to her explanation, wearing that apathetic expression of hers the whole time. Instead of responding immediately, she mulled over what she had set, her piercing violet eyes never leaving Hikari. As time passed they seemed to take on an incredibly malevolent presence, as if they were trying to rip her soul from her body and pull it to the bowels of Hell. There was something rotten on her depraved mind, but just what it was known only to her.

Sighing, she closed her eyes. "Over the past few centuries I have encountered many imitations of alchemy. A few showed potential, but most of them were concocted by hacks looking for a quick profit. That being said, if you had given me your explanation first, I would have certainly turned you away."

She paused again, then opened her eyes and rested them on Hikari. "Your talents are... acceptable. As of now you have my permission to search for the Philosopher's Stone, but I still request that you provide me with material on this "Runology" of yours. It shows promise, but if I discover it's nothing but another cheap knockoff, you'll pay dearly for wasting my time. Am I understood?"

Before she could get a response, she heard Rhiane request to protect the girl. She cast her a mildly confused glance, her lips curving into a doubtful frown. "You wish to guard her? Interesting...." she hummed, then turned back to Hikari and looked her over. "Mmm... As long as you remember that my assignments take priority, I don't see a problem."

[velinda]

Hikari listened to the female. "If this is indeed a cheap knock-off, like you say, then I do not wish to live anymore, for the sole reason I live anymore is to carry on their research. Runology was only known to my parents, me, and a few members of the military, the higher-ups, but I'm not sure they told the Fuhrer, since they, like you, didn't know if this was just another knock-off and worth his time." She looked down to her feet. "The only surviving documents on Runology are what I have studied and salvaged from our house before the Military burnt it down in the name of terrosism happening in that house. I don't know if you'd have heard about it or not..." She looked back to the other female, and gave her a thanking smile. "And I've been told that I should tell you anything I find on the stone. They researched this inside their own home, much like Tucker-san did, before he was declared deceased... My parents actually looked into what he was doing somewhat, as a means to see if they could further their own studies..." She looked up again, at the female. "Thank you... for letting me study this... And... if you find a way to make, or find, one... I'd like to know. Then I could give you reports on how my parent's Runology could be connected to the Stone, if it is at all..." Her eyes also had said that Hikari may not be saying exactly everything about something she said. What she had left out was that she wasn't sure if just anyone could use Runology or not, but if she had said that... this female might not be so accepting to her idea, and she might be killed. Hikari gave a quick smile and glance at Rhaine. "Arigato..." she whispered to her.

[discorantentity]

<color=green>”Of course your assignments take priority, my obligation to you is of greater precedent. I do work for you, and I know my obligations. Thank you, I won't let anything happen to her.”</color> She replied as she leaned against the wall, wiping down the cylinders of her chamber with a cloth. She also planned what she would do now with her last jobs pay, since it would be best to save it for future expenses as she would be around another.. The request for Hikari to provide Dante with information was fair, and she was curious herself to where the search would take her. Letting them continue she pulled out a note that had been given, regarding the job that she had finished. Opening the package she found her payment, so she started to make sure she had the promised amount. She was a little tired from everything, and she just wanted to get out of here and back into the open air. "Your welcome, and I'll get those documents back."

[sweetanimefreak]

Roy walked down the floor...he heard a few voices in the distance......
( Sry..but i dont know what else i could write..XD...)

[dante]

Regarding the young woman with her usual blank expression, she listened to her carefully, raising a brow slightly when she mentioned that several officers in the military knew about her parents and their science. Although the comment seemed harmless enough, it actually put her in a potentially dangerous position. If Bradley had in fact heard about it, the fact that he decided not to bring it to her attention was a bad sign. It was entirely possible that the information never even reached him, but she was certainly going to check.

"Your home was burned by the military?" she inquired evenly, her face unchanging. "Shameful, but hardly surprising. Those with power will do anything to maintain it, and needless to say a new form of alchemy would threaten the status quo. Still, I would like what documents you do have."

She soon began losing interest in Hikari when she started talking about Tucker. Glancing over at the mirror on the right side of her desk, she twirled a strand of ebony hair around her finger, noting how soft it was. Even though she would have preferred to take over Izumi, Lyra was still quite a catch. Unfortunately, she doubted she would be able to remain in her current vessel for long: if she wanted to seduce Edward, she would probably have to jump into that mechanic girl. Blondes never really appealed to her, but there was no denying that Edward cared for her. More importantly, she had a large bust and a nice rear end, which was all teenage boys really cared about.

Breaking from her thoughts, she turned her attention back to Hikari. "Should this Runology of yours prove worthwhile, my dear, you'll learn secrets about the Philosopher's Stone that most alchemists would kill for." She paused for a moment, then chuckled suspiciously. "Of course, whether or not you can handle them is another matter..."

She gave Rhiane a curt nod in response, pleased to see that she had her priorities in order. "Unless you girls have any other questions, you're dismissed. I'm a busy woman, as I'm sure you're aware...."

[velinda]

Hikari nodded to the female, and then said, "I need to get them from my current residence, however... I hope that doesn't impede you in any way..." she told the scary-looking female. When she spoke of the military burning her house, she nodded. "Something I knew before you said it.. from personal experience..." She then looked to Rhaine, and once again thanked her. "Thank you for going after the documents they may have taken..." she said to her. "And I'll get what I have for you right away..." she said, looking to Rhaine, and took her leave, as the female had dismissed her and Rhaine. As they left, she said, in a whisper mainly to herself, "What have I done...?" And as soon as they were about at the point where the fight had taken place, she started to cry and sink to her knees. It seemed every emotion she tried to keep hidden in that room had suddenly leaked out...

[discorantentity]

"I'll await your orders, until then I take my leave." Rhiane said to Dante as she left with Hikari and looked to her with a wearied look, she was finally getting out of here. If he was still here she would see to it he got out, and then she would continue their fight later. Catching what she said under her breath, Rhiane sighed and thought of just what could transpire. "You took a chance, now to see the outcome. I'm just glad that for once somebody normal looking can see past my appearance, but still I look like a freak... Your welcome, I'm surprised she put that much faith in me." She said when she heard someone up ahead and realized that she at a disadvantage in case it was an enemy. Placing herself between their destination and Hikari she watched carefully and listened, her tail twitching at the thought it might be him. I won't kill who it is, after all only a fool would wander around down here." She said smiling as if she didn't mind having to escort another out too, then again she didn;t also want to fight as she wasn't in the mood for one thinking about her pay.

[velinda]

Hikari glanced to the female, and nodded. "Thank you... very much..." she said to her, wiping her eyes. "Dammit, girl... you've managed to stay alive this long... Keep it together..." she said, giving herself some sort of pep talk. However, she heard a noise, and Rhaine must've noticed it to, for she moved inbetween her and the noise. "Thank you..." she said simply, and knew that the female would get the idea of what for. She quickly checked off how much Runology she used, and figured she'd be safe with using some more. Nothing too big, like what happened in Dante's view, but enough that it might make a difference. She had to get some rest soon, to recharge. Or at least relax. It'd take longer, but she could still stay focused.