The Circus Comes to Town

[amouri]

Barry would've smiled at how easily Zolf catched on.
His next remark would however have caused quite a frown.
He really doesn't know what he's dealing with eh? If he keeps it up he'll scare that little thing off in no time.
He sighed slightly. Though of course, he seems to have received his part of nastiness, I guess he can't help but be rough. And who am I the one to be talking anyhow? I'm probably the worst messed up in this group.

Though of course, everyone was more or less...special in a way.
Envy, Bido, Kimblee, they had all somehow been the one to stick out of the crowd, maybe that was why they felt somehow forced to work together.
Envy could easily have ditched them ages ago, but he must have had some better reason for keeping them around.

With nothing better to do, he consented to sending longing glances to Hawkeye, as they made their way towards the Nest.

[velinda]

Roze followed the men out of the bar, and sighed. "Kimblee..." she said quietly, not really knowing what to say to his remark. "That might be funny to others... but I don't really find it funny right now..." But then her face brightened a little, and she said teasingly, "Though I do find that name suitable for you, especially after what happened in the bar." She turned to Barry, and gave him a smile. "I think you're a diamond, too..." she had said after falling back so she could whisper without Kimblee hearing. Then she quickly walked back up to the man and listened to him talking to the female Soldier, Hawkeye. She didn't say anything, but she waited for them to do whatever they needed to do. She still didn't know that Envy was partly responsible for Cornero's death, and that he was "Cornero" after he had somehow come back without an injured arm... but that was behind them, wasn't it?

[amouri]

Barry glanced at Roze, and ducked his head in embarrassment at her words.
"Daaaw, you're making me blush missus." He said teasingly.

He glanced back at Hawkeye again, and walked briskly to catch up, walking beside her.

[Zolf J Kimblee]

The huge armored man startled her as he approached, but she regained her composure, straightening out the lapel of her uniform to appear non-ruffled.

"And how are you Barry?" she asked, trying to make polite conversation. He made her a tad uneasy with his obvious liking of her, but it would be to her own credit and the military if she were courteous and friendly.

He really didn't seem to be a bad sort, not the sort of person who'd mercilessly slashed women to pieces. That unsettled her a bit. She wasn't sure how she felt about being the object of affection to such a man. Underneath though..he seemed like such a softy. She pushed the musings aside as counterproductive time-wasting. She was no psychiatrist and no philosopher. But she cast a tentatively curious glance at him all the same.

Zolf

Well, you're blowing it old boy. he chided himself silently, 'She'll run for the hills if you don't stop acting like a 16-year-old doofus!'

"Um..listen Roze," he began awkwardly, "I'm really sorry about bein such a chode back there..and, well.." he trailed off. "Ah, dangit..I'm such a moron."

He saw a wild flower poking out of the grass on the roadside and quickly stooped in mid-stride to pick it. He handed it to her with a slight blush and goofy grin. It was probably a common weed or something, but it was pretty and the same wine color as her hair with a bright yellow center.

[velinda]

Roze smiled at Kimblee. "The apology from the self-professed moron has been accepted." she teased him. She learned to be more forgiving; she had the Elric brothers to thank for that. She noticed the military female being uncomfortable, so she walked over to her. She didn't say anything, because she didn't know how to ask what she wanted to ask without making it feel uncomfortable for them both... But maybe moreso to her... Then again, she could ask Kimblee. Then she decided. "Kimblee-sama... can I speak to you a little ways from the group...?"

[amouri]

Barry perked up noticeably as she spoke.
"Oh, fine thanks. Couldn't have been better." He chortled sheepishly, then growing silent.
He really didn't know what he was doing...He could sense her stiff alertness even though she was obviously a master of concealing her emotions.
Was he really that bad? Probably.
Most of his approaches to her had been impulsive and foolish...and when not they had been awkward.
Maybe he just had to think it over...then again, he had had way too much time on his hands to think.

Slightly puzzled, and still trying to un-meddle his twisted emotions, he walked on in silence, not trying to start a conversation.
After all, what had he to say?

[Zolf J Kimblee]

He chuckled at her and handed her the flower (or weed, whichever the case may be). He poked his tongue out at her playfully. "That's it, just rub it in for all it's worth." He smiled. Well, she was teasing him back, so that was a good sign.

"Sure thing, lamb." he replied, wondering what she had to say that required a level of privacy. Either way, he didn't mind being alone with her. If he hadn't been such a doofus he might try to steal a quick kiss from her, but thought it better to not push his luck. He thanked himself mentally for not drinking anymore than he already had.

They walked and stood by themselves under a nice shade tree and he looked at her in curiosity, wondering what she'd want.

Riza

Poor Barry, she thought, not only was he pretty much a social outcast, he was apparently very lonely as well. Perhaps being deprived of a body had taught him something. Maybe it had made him think a bit on depriving others of theirs.

She walked briskly to catch up with him and began a somewhat uneasy and awkward conversation. "You know Barry... you have several spots on your back that could use some polish. I know you can't reach them... perhaps..you'd like me to help you?"

She turned her head away to smile. Why was it she suddenly noticed how cute the metal ears were? Or were they horns? Either way..cute. And the furry toga. He certainly knew how to work well with what he had at any rate.

[masterwarlord]

Envy didn’t really see much point in conversing further. He imagined Greed would probably head the battle plan when it all came down to the wire due to him being more charismatic, so discussing it wouldn’t really matter. ”I’ll be around for whenever your chimeras come back. Just don’t send ‘em out again, alright? I’m off to talk with some of my own. . .”people”.”.

Figuring he’d probably kept his own little group waiting too long, he went out to look for his “second-in-command” Kimblee, the main reason he was allowing all the others to tag along with him. It seemed he’d gone off to somewhere or other (Probably getting drunk), though, so he simply went for the next step down in the chain of command, Barry. ”I’m gonna be stuck here awhile waiting for Greed’s buddies to come back from some shit, but you and Kimblee are free to head on to Central to get your body back if you wanna, seeing you’re so eager. No reason for you two to be bound down to this rusty old shack with me. Just make sure I can find you when I get there.”.

[Dorochet [Bido]]

Bido silently followed the group back to the Nest as the chimera was absorbed in his own thoughts. Once they were back at the Nest Bido went to Vulch. He needed a friends advice on what to do.

[amouri]

Barry's head jerked up again as she spoke.
The crimson orbs of his eyes widened in happiness at her words.
"Sure thing Missy! I could appreciate the help." He wished he could have smiled...wished that he could have given her the best sign he could of his affection.

He was promptly surprised as Envy appeared, and even more so when he spoke directly to him.
"Er...Yeah...Sure." He glanced quickly at Kimblee. "Zolf? You mind us heading there early?"
He knew there wasn't anything holding Kimblee here anyway, and from what he'd heard, the alchemist wasn't all to eager to meet this 'Greed' guy again.
He looked at Envy again. "Well...Thanks." He said grudgingly. If it hadn't been for him, the chance of getting his body back would probably never have arisen.

[velinda]

Roze followed the man, figuring he'd know a more private spot than some others would. When they reached the spot, she looked at him in the eyes. "Kimble... I know you like me... but how much do you, really? And why do you like me...? Please, be truthful... After all, to me, this is an important matter... for me, at least."After he had a chance to respond, she'd continue, "And... can you tell me more about the Elric brothers...?" She wanted to know what he knew about them, why they acted the way they did. She knew some of the story, but not enough in her mind...

[syradarkangelle]

Siran watched Envy,as he went to Barry. She was leaned against a wall,picking her nails with a dagger. Her hands were twitching a little,she had not murdered anyone in a long time well since Lior in the alley.

" How much longer,are you going to have to wait,I am trying to avoid very little contact with Kimblee,in fear that i will spew something idiotic out of my mouth."she said,she didn't care if Envy snapped at her. She had met some of her idols,and she in a way hoped that they would survive their war they were about to head into.

((OOC: I have writer's block sorry))

[aspiredeathe]

Jean stood on the same spot for a good couple of minutes before he realized that people were either blatantly ignoring him or just hadn't noticed.
Still, he'd given notice of his presence, they couldn't complain.
With that in mind, he headed towards the phone, quite amazed that it was still in one piece, what with how trashed the rest of the place was.

A moment to recall the phone number and the Lieutenant was dialling away, glancing over his shoulder at the men in discussion as the ring tone went over.
When the tell tale click was heard, he unconsciously stood to attention.
"Good day, this is 2nd Lieutenant Jean Havoc calling for Colonel Frank Archer." He kept his voice low, cig hanging in between his lips.

[masterwarlord]

What’s this? Somebody was actually THANKING Envy for something? Didn’t see that every day, considering how many reasons he’d given everybody to hate him. While he didn’t really have much choice over most of his prior actions and was essentially just going along with Dante’s wishes for self preservation, he still could’ve easily been more merciful and done some things under her nose if he’d wanted to.”Errr. . .Uhhh. . .You’re. . .Welcome? Eheh. All you’ve gotta do is ask. I’d rather hear your ideas then have you backstab me for thinking I wouldn’t listen to them. G’luck with your body and what not.”.

With that, Envy took his leave to go back into the bar and get drunk to pass the time, but before he could get high Saren approached him. ”Sorry, but we’re gonna be stuck here awhile to wait for some of Greed’s pals. Some good news for you though, seeing Kimblee is gonna go on ahead of us, so you won’t have to deal with him. Anyway, I understand perfectly if you don’t wanna sit here and rot for god knows how long. I’m the only one who has to do the honors. More then used to it. Just check back every once in a while, alright?”.

[Dorochet [Bido]]

After the train had arrived the village next to Dulpith, the 3 chimera's (plus babies) had gone through quite some walk to reach Dulpith again. But now they were finally back and heading for the Nest.

As they neared the Nest Dorochette arched an eyebrow as he caught quite some suspicious and very confusing sents.

"What is it?" Loa, who was still holding Ariana, asked as he noticed the frown of the canine chimera.

"There's visit at the Nest. I don't quite smell problems but it aren't regulars eithers." The dog chimera stated as he rested his hand on the handle of his katana.

After that the small group had turned yet another corner they got quite a stunning sight. The Devils Nest indeed had quite a bunch of rather unusual visitors.

((Aka Martel, Dorochette, Loa, Ariana and Rico finally back at the Nest.))

[syradarkangelle]

She let a small smile cross her lips,as she said," I do not mind waiting,there is nothing that makes me want to jump up and down I already ate. I just have that little girl inside me that wants to run and hide,that comes out every now and then. I know all of us well not survive this,but if I die with the knowledge that Bradley has fallen too,my parents will have finally been avenged."

She then asked in a joking manner,trying to change the subject,""so how high is your alcohol tolerance?

[Zolf J Kimblee]

After a brief yet intimate conversation with Roze about the nature of his intentions toward her, he focused on her other questions.

"The Elrics?" he asked, wondering about her interest in them, "I only seen 'em on a couple occasions. Don't know much about them, really. I had a brief run-in with them at South HQ, but that's about it. Sorry, lamb."

He noticed that she seemed to pointedly avoid accepting his flower, so he casually tossed it back in the grass. It was probably just a weed. He'd wait till she wasn't so pissed at him and get her a real flower. Or maybe a dozen!

He excused himself to go talk to Barry.

"Well, I was kinda plannin on it anyhow," he answered. "So, get any useful information while I was gone?"

Riza

She listened with mild curiosity at the exchange between the strange group, wishing that Jean would hurry up with his call. She felt out of place with this strange, motley crew. Havoc was the only one she felt really comfortable with. Him, and oddly enough, Barry. Who would have thought?

Everyone else, she was too unfamiliar with to feel comfortable and Kimblee simply annoyed her with his constant puerile pot shots and humor at everyone else's expense.

She quietly went to the large vehicle and rummaged around for anything to serve as a buffing cloth and oil. All she found was motor oil, so she sighed and returned with a couple clean mechanics rags.

[Filling in as Archer since he seems to be MIA]

He was relieved that the group had dispersed, leaving him in silence. Miss Sheska had mysteriously disappeared without being excused and he found that a tad irritating. He would give her a stern reprimand when she returned.

The ringing phone interrupted his silence and he picked it up with a sigh of irritation, "Colonel Frank Archer, what do you want?" he said in a testy voice.

[velinda]

Roze glanced at the weed that he had thrown away, making a mental note to pick it up later. After all, it wasn't that bad, and she had been too focused on his responses to notice it. His response to the Elrics wasn't what she was wanting to hear, but she didn't say anything. After all, if he didn't know anything, he couldn't tell her anything. After the man left, she picked up the flower that he had thrown. It reminded her of Zolf, and a lot of the crew that she was with- It seemed to be simply a weed at first glance, but it could be considered a beautiful flower if looked at the right way.

She put the flower into her hair, putting at the point on the skull in which it just began to slope backwards, and on the left side. She walked back towards the group, a few paces behind Kimblee, and walked towards Riza. "Umm... I don't know what to do... so do you mind me trying to make small talk with you...? After all, you're the only other girl here, besides that weird Alchemist woman... and she kinda scares me..." She seemed to be shy, but that was only because she was talking to a military lady about making small talk, and she was from a place that the military had shown aggression towards- more than once. In Lior, and in Ishval. She didn't know if the woman would just ignore her, shoo her away, or in some kind of off-chance miracle, actually respond to her without hostility.

[Zolf J Kimblee]

Riza

She smiled at the girl warmly. She felt a bit relieved that she wasn't alone in feeling awkward and out of place, "Of course Roze," he answered, "Providing you don't mind doing so while I polish Barrys armor." she added. "I wish I had some all-purpose oil..or metal polish would be better." she commented as she began to buff the blood stains away.

"You know Barry, this toga could sure use a good washing." she teased. There were flecks of blood on it, but it had obviously seen hard times between cleanings. She took some of the furry trim between her fingers, "What kind of fur is this anyhow?" she asked curiously.

The part of his helmet that served as either ears or horns were quite shiny and didn't need polishing, but she bit back a smile and found she couldn't resist buffing them as well. He's adorable! she found herself thinking, almost against her will and better judgement.

[amouri]

(*w* daaw Riza thinks Barry's cute!)

Barry looked up as Zolf returned, Roze coming a few minutes after.
"Great. Even though I'm still not too happy about going back to the lab," He said with a sigh. "And as I said, I'm absolutely sure that that was not the location of my body when I was still there, but then again, someone might've moved it back."
He shrugged.
"Nah, Envy's letting us off the hook for now. We're free to go. I haven't got any other info than that."

He was mildly distracted as he realized that Riza had returned, and was rubbing the dirt of his armour.
He had to restrain himself from craning his head to get to look at her the same time, but instead just merely sat, listening.

((Hm...Lets just say Barry's sitting cross-legged. He's so big anyway that Riza probably doesn't have to bend down to reach his back xD))

He chuckled, holding both of his knees as support.
"It probably could. To be honest, it' probably never been washed. I never really had the time to think about things like that."
He glanced back at her question.
"I'm not sure, but taking the overall use-until-there's-nothing-left idea that the scientists at the lab were so fond of, I'd say it's from some chimera, or just a test animal. My helmet's the same, they apparently just took a skull from a chimera which had died, and used alchemy to attach it to the metal which had been sculpted also with alchemy before-hand."
He knew this little fact because he had been told so, not long after having been bound.

He heard her shift slightly, and couldn't help chuckling slightly as she began to rub his ears.
"Remind me that I gotta return the favor of a back-rub some day." He sniggered, craning his head backwards.