At the furhers lodge...

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

The restaurant was located in the finer district of central, not far from the central library. It was called "The Furhers Lodge" and was one of the finest places around. Hoenheim had signed up for a blind date and was currently thirty minutes early. The red velvet carpet and ropes didn't phase him at all. "Your name sir?" the host held his chin aloft in a manner that said 'As If...' and waited forHoenheim to address him. "Bombastus, Theaphratus Bombastus. For 9:30..."
The Host looked from him to the sheet and said "very well. come with me please.'' and had taken him to a table in the corner out of the direct light, and away from the bustle of Central Executives.
He sat at the table, which had a candle on one side and a bottle of wine on the other. When he had gotten there there was a single piece of decorated paper that read, "Mr. Bombastus". he had sat down and had only been waiting about ten minutes.

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

Maria obsessed over herself for the past few hours. It had been a while since she had "dated" and she wanted to make a good first impression. Butterflies filled her systems as she waited patiently in the car, pulling up to "The Furhers Lodge". There had been fine talk about how wonderful the restaurant was, but she still felt a bit self conscious about dining in such an asthetic setting. She was a simple girl, a plain person--or so she personally thought.

"Ok..Calm down, Maria..All will be well. It's just a date. Go out there and be yourself," she repeated to herself quietly. The car pulled up to the restaurant and she tentatively walked closer to the doors. She walked inside, slightly overwhelmed by the looks of everything. Maria idled near the door, gazing around the room in hopes of finding her "blind date".

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

Hoenheim had just come back from the bathroom for the second time, making sure that he looked his best. After all, a man in his four hundred and fifties had very little chance in the dating world if he didn't look good. As he sat down he was aware of almost every single female eye turned toward the door, every one of them reeked with jealousy and envy.There in the door stood the most beautiful person he had laid eyes on, even trish would have been hard pressed to compete with the good looks of the new comer.
Hoenheim had been debating on looking at the name on the card across from his seat, thinking it rude he had set the notion aside. that was twenty minutes ago, but now he slid his hand over the card and turned it to face him. pressed into the fine paper was the name "Ross, Maria." Hoenheim thought that the young lady looked like a maria, but that she was probably way out of his league. there were many beautiful things around him to look at, including a beautiful chandelier about thirty feet above him, but here he was, unable to look away from her unimaginable beauty...

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

A hostess of the restaurant had asked Maria if she was searching for someone. Maria's cheeks burned, a bit startled by the approach.

"Oh...I...uh..." She looked around once again and tried to maintain her composure. "A Bombastus?" The hostess gave a smile and lead her towards the table

"Your other party has arrived already." Maria saw the man from afar, her heart skipping a few beats. Her eyes fell to her black, evening dress. Nothing was out of place. With a deep breath, she glided over, making her way towards him. She then stopped a foot in front of him, giving a kind, yet nervous smile.

"Are you my date for tonight? I'm Maria Ross," her voice was low, barely audible out of nerves.

"Um...are you

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

Hoenheim was on his feet by the time the young lady came to his table. as she spoke he was drawn into her voice, like trying to wake from a very deep sleep. When Maria asked "and you are?" hoenheim absentmindedly said "the luckiest man on earth..." then shook his head and blushed, scratching the back of his head he laughed, maybe a little too loudly. then in a softer tone, he said with a respectful bow "Miss, my name is Theaphratus Bombastus Hoenehim, you may address me as you wish, I am forever at your service."
stepping around the table he pulled the chair out for her...

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

It was all too much for her. She had never met such a handsome gentleman before. It made her a bit bubbly. From the depths of her rule-orientated soul, she gave a small giggle. Maria bowed her head, "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Hoenheim." She sat down quietly, keeping a small smile on her face. While he sat back down, she tried not to stir much for fear of her necklace or bracelet making too much noise.
"So, before we begin... I suppose I should just tell you that..I'm no good at these sort of things," she admitted. "And if at some point, I bore you...please, tell me so I don't make a fool of myself." She chuckled before folding her hands in her lap, her body rigid. "Please, tell me about yourself," she spoke in a smooth tone, very sincere and full of interest in her date.

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

Hoenheim realized that he was gaping at her and shut his mouth with a snap.
he sat down opposite her and as she spoke he was almost lost again in her sultry voice. when she had finished he chuckled, "its seems, Miss Ross, that you have stolen my speech i was going to give you, but as a gentleman I will forgive you. tell you about me?" this seemed like such a waste of precious time, talking about himself. he wanted to learn everything about this incredible creature before him, but a gentleman never refuses a ladies request. "I am a quiet, educated man. i have two children who's mother passed away a few years ago. My children have since gone out into the world, following a dream of theirs...
I lived in Rissembul, for a number of years prior to coming to central, as a father and research assistant to an auto mail engineer. i left on an assignment of... monumental proportions and when i returned, my house had burned down. i discovered my wife's grave and that my children had run off, after a particularly particularly awful accident that resulted in one of them being deformed. I have yet to learn how though, at the time my return they had left already."

when he had finished talking he realized he might have said to much or offended the young miss Ross, and added "I'm sorry, i babble when I a m nervous."

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

Maria sat silently when he spoke. His voice was rich and and full of sincerity, which she found mesmerizing. She was so absorbed in his words but was snapped out of reverie when he apologized.
"Oh, it's not a problem. You've been through quite a bit. And Im glad you were open with me. However, I can't believe that an educated, experienced and....attractive gentleman would be nervous with me around," she blushed and wrung her hands in her lap.

She couldn't believe how lucky she was to even be a mile within his radiance. She felt her entire body burn up, so she took a slight sip of water that had been left out.

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

Hoenheim notice that she seemed both thirsty and possibly peckish. "Waiter, wine please." he said clapping his hands (((OoC: KABOOOM that would be so funny, but seriously, no.))) to get the nearest waiters attention. "now that you are familiar with my past, may i inquire as to which heaven you fell from?"

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

Maria nearly spit out her water. She set the glass down gently, pressing a cloth against her lips. A dizziness fell over her as she coughed quietly into the cloth.

"Oh my goodness...I'm so sorry. That was incredibly..." it took a moment for her to recover. "I'm from Amestris. My parents still live there, my brother is...." the cloth lowered from her face. "he's buried there..." she didn't want to be too morbid so she tried to think of something else to talk about. "It's a lovely town..."

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

"so i have heard. My deepest condolences for your loss... Are you by chance a military woman? your manners are exquisite and-" at that moment they were interrupted. the waiter was there with the wine and poured her a glass, then Hoenheim. "there you are sir, are you ready to order?"
Hoenheim looked somewhat peeved at being interrupted from complementing his date. "I have heard wonderful thinks about the soups you have here, how about some Pasta Vasuel. And you Maria?" here he paused, saying her name gave him a wonderful feeling. it was like a kiss, but for his ears.

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

Maria's spine shivered upon hearing her name in such a manner. She felt like a pile of chalk in the hands of an alchemist. "Oh...I'm fine with whatever you recommend," she replied quietly. Of course, she was talking to both the waiter and her date. She waited for the them to order and for the waiter to leave before answering Hoenheim's previous question.

"Oh, yes I'm a Second Lieutenant...it's an interesting career..." She gazed at the wine glass a moment before turning her attention back to the man. Maria squirmed a bit in her seat. "And as you can imagine, I don't get out much--if it hasn't been obvious up to this point," a giggle escaped her lips once again.

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

"I can understand that, your being a young lady and interested in educating yourself as best you can. You should be proud, Second Lieutenant... that's an officers position, am I correct?" Hoenhiem watched the way the light played through Marias hair, and off of her skin. "If the truth be told, i am a social misfit myself, but i think you have the potential to be great at whatever you wish to be..."

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

Maria's smile faded for a moment. "Right...Well...it's a bit more complicated than that. I don't particularly have any REAL skills like the other officers. And it's not like I'm an alchemist or anything useful like that...But I do my best I suppose, though I often wonder if that's good enough..." After a pause, she shook her head and smiled again. "Ah, I'm sorry, no more melancholy. Please forgive my rude behavior...So..uh..what else do you do or are you interested in? If you don't mind my asking, dear." She froze a moment when she said "dear".

The atmosphere Hoenheim brought with him was housing and put Maria at ease, despite her flustered mind. She took the time to breathe easy, and waited patiently for his responses.

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

Hoenhiem saw she was flustered and politely looked away so she could collect herself, not that it bothered him. when she was gathered and calm he returned his attention to her beautiful eyes and said "do you know what calcium carbonate is? its chalk. you can get it for almost free. but without it most alchemists would only be infantry units. You have raised yourself to the level you are at because of hard work and standards you hold dear. please, for my sake, don't belittle yourself..." it was pleading and genuine, there was nothing harsh about his voice.

after a moment he spoke, " I am somewhat of an alchemist, nothing great, but it works. that is actually what i was studying in Rissembul, the effect of alchemy on the metals in auto mail. I also love to read, and i write poetry."

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

"Ah a man of the arts. I find that incredibly attractive," she was swooning like a school girl, hand up to her cheeks and everything. "I find alchemy interesting. I also love to read and write as well...Sadly, I only find time to write reports nowadays. Especially about these children who seem to find themselves in trouble almost everyday...oh those Elric boys.." she sighed as if they were her own children. "Though I have to admit...they make my life more adventurous. I just worry I suppose..." she looked up at him, tilting her head to the side and giving a sweet smile.

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

that caught Hoenhiem by supprise. "Not Edward Elric or Alphonse Elric?"
Hoenhiem had been looking for his sons for a while now. almost... six years now...
"they are my sons. oh my, how are they?" at that point the food arrived and the waiter accidentally knocked over the bottle of wine into Marias lap.

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

Maria stood up and grabbed the bottle before it fell off the table. "oh...oh no" although her dress was black the wine still stained it on the white accent points. "Are you ok? Oh no worries about this, I'll clean it up" she turned to the waiter. Maria grabbed a napkin and began to press the stains. It would be difficult to get out but she knew she could with time. Maria glanced at Hoenheim with her cheeks as red as the wine on her dress.

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

hoenheim went over to the other side of the table and said " May I?" he clapped his hands together and touched the wet spot with one finger. in a flash the stains were gone and the dress was now dry. "are you okay?"

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

Maria blushed a bit and smiled "I'm perfectly fine. Thank you for helping with my dress." Out of impulse, she leaned in close and kissed his left jaw gently. Maria retracted quickly, hoping her actions didn't ruin anything. ,"Oh...I'm sorry if that was too forward..." she handed the waiter the bottle while sitting back down and fanning herself. "This has certainly turned into something interesting..." she thought to herself. First impressions were important, but she felt as if she didn't need to worry as much around him.