At the furhers lodge...

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

Hoenheim Sat down in his seat, laughing to himself. "thank you Maria, i am grateful for that," he said, rubbing his cheek. " I believe you were teling me more about your job, what exactly do you do?" Hoenheim was blushing now, and he searched extensively for an excuse, but found none. looking around he took a bite of his soup and returned his entire attention to the angel in front of him...

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

Maria wasn't sure what to say. Most of the work she did consisted of filing reports. "Well...I do a lot of reporting and I only monitor certain nearby towns, my hometown being one of them. I'm occassionally an escort. I've been escorting the Elric boys, though it can be quite difficult to keep up with their locations. They've been doing well, I suppose...getting into trouble. But then again, boys will be boys. I can't help but worry sometimes, though..." She felt a sense of guilt, but did her best not to show it.
Maria ate some soup and glanced down at the table. "But my line of work is pretty standard as far as the military goes. I often wish I had any alchemic abilities. I hear that's where all the real important tasks are. My partner, Denny Bloch, thinks that our work is best done here. Which I suppose I can understand. It's good work, and I'm happy to be part of it." She melted when their gazes met once again.

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

Hoenheim listened to her as she spoke. when there eyes met a chill went down his spine. just at that moment he stood politely up as music started playing and went to stand by Maria. "Miss Ross, I would be honored if you would dance with me... please?" his voice was a solemn bass as he spoke, and again he felt a shiver when he said her name...

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

Dancing was one of Maria's guilty pleasures, though she rarely did so in a public setting. She stared at him for a moment, contemplating the idea. He didn't seem like the type to critically judge her on her dancing skills. With a wide smile, she got up and took his hands in hers.

"I'd like nothing more than to dance with you, Sir," she paused a moment. Sir? It seemed too formal and reminded her of work. "I mean, Hoenheim..." she giggled, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

Hoenheim took her hand and from there on for hours and hours the grief vanished. It was replaced by a feeling that he thought would never exist for him again, Love. He knew that from that moment, for ever onward he wished to never leave her side. He knew at times she would need to go and do her job and that was fine, and any personal time she wanted would never be deprived from her. All she would ever have to do was say his name and he would be there.
when the music took a break for a few minutes, he pulled her aside and in a low voice he said "Thank you for this most wonderful evening, Maria. it is late and if you would rather not stay out I can take you home." after a beat Hoenheim realized what he had just said and stuttered, "I mean to your house, b-but not like i would come in... unless you wanted me to... i mean... um..."
Hoenheim stood aghast at himself. he had taken a magical night and reduced it to shambles... he was turning redder by the minute.

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

As they danced, Maria felt the anxieties of her world melt away. She had never felt this way around a man--and she's seen a few in life. From the moment she was with him, there was security and sincerity. Clearly he was something special because of his hold on her. When they finished their dance, she gave a satisfied sigh. Hoenheim's response for the evening didn't catch on at first. It took her a moment to realize what he meant. Her face flashed red. "Oh! Well...Indeed, it's late. If you'd like to come over I wouldn't mind at all," she wanted to be respectful and responsible. Maria leaned against him and kissed his cheek "Thank you for such an amazing evening." she smiled brightly at him.

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

Hoenheim smiled and turned to the nearest waiter. "Check please." he turned his attention back to the young lady in front of him and was suddenly gripped by fear. he hadn't wooed a lady in almost fourteen years, could he still... We'll cross that bridge when we get there... he thought. Hoenheim wondered for a moment on the driving situation. "did you drive because i have a very comfortable convertible waiting for you..." as he spoke he held his elbow out for her to take, lest she trip on something.

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

"Actually,I had someone drive me here but I think I'll let him take the rest of the night off. I'd love to drive with you." Maria blushed and gave another warm smile. She knew nothing serious would happen but the thought made her bubble a bit. She took his arm and walked gracefully beside him. It was surprising to her but she figured his elegance and poise was rubbing off on her. She enjoyed his company. Not only was he a gentleman but he had a good heart from what she could gather so far. Maria decided that only time would tell what would become of their relationship.

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

the check came and Hoenheim paid for it. Going to the coat checker, he claimed his cloak and and hat, and Miss Rosses as well. He returned to the table and held out his hand for her. When they got outside the convertible was idling in front to of the red carpet. The concierge came up and wished them a good evening, "and the tank is full, we topped it off for you, on the house of course... good evening to the both of you." hoenheim opened the door for Maria with a small flourish, and a laugh. his convertible was in peak condition, and it was an antique, it was worth over five hundred thousand cens...(((i hope i spelled that right. i don't know if thats as much as i think it is. i am trying to say about $120,000 )))."i am sorry, but compared to you... this is just an old hunk of metal... ha ha ha..." hoenheim got in and started to drive, marveling at the light blanket of snow that was coming down now... "this has been a wonderful night and it pains me to think it is at a close, lets take a detour shall we? what would you say to Bradly park, it is probably blanketed in snow by now..."

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

Maria marveled at the vehicle. She knew such a beautiful car was pricey and she had a love for antiques. She got in the passenger's seat carefully so that she didn't scratch anything. A wave of red came over her when Hoenheim compared to his car; it made her smile. There was a brief moment of silence while Maria stared outside, watching the snowflakes dance around the icy air. Maria loved the snow, though she didn't particularly enjoy the winter season for personal reasons. The sight gave her a sense of ease while she sat in the warm car.

When Hoenheim asked if she would like to go to the park she quickly turned to him with a wide grin.
"Oh that would be fantastic! I mean..." she looked at her lap, blushing. "I mean...if you don't mind walking around in the snow with me..." Then again, he had offered so she didn't think there was much to worry about. She didn't want the evening to end with him, but she knew that there would be plenty of other opportunities for interaction if he so allowed.

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

Hoenheim was glad. he could tell that she enjoyed his company, and that she was also getting comfortable with him. "You know miss Ross... I dont bite... usually. You can relax, I wont tell anyone." hoenheim pulled to the curb next to the park and got out. he went to the other side and opened her door and held out his hand. "i want to show you something... if thats okay." as soon as they started walking the snow got a little heavier, blowing tiny drifts onto the path. "okay wait here..." he said as they got to the bottom of a hill. hoenheim climbed the hill as best he could finally reaching the summit after a couple minutes. standing up he brushed off the snow and closed his eyes. he was picturing a moment from about forty five minutes ago.
slowly he opened his eye, then bent low and touched the ground jumping away and sliding down the hill as he did so. there was a brief flash and some arcing electricity, and by the time hoenheim reached the bottom, there was a twelve foot tall statue of maria in the dress she was wearing now. she was twirling under an invisible hand. it was probably the most beautiful statue in the entirety of amestris, and it was made of ice, crystal clear and shining in the lights of the city. "in case your wondering... that is a statue of the moment i wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. forgive me... this is a little forward, but i am not used to wanting things. i dont have much other than my house and that car. But when I find something that catches my eye, something that changes my soul forever... i cant let it go without knowing if it feels the same about me. We just met its true, but will you marry me?" this was probably the stupidest thing hoenheim had ever done. she was probly going to freak out on him and shoot him with the glok handgun in her purse. but he still needed to know...

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

Maria gazed at the statue with a glitter in her eye. No one had done something so grand for her. She was also able to witness alchemy on a grand scale. It warmed her heart to see Hoenheim do this for her. When he had proposed to her, She thought he was joking. "Oh, Sir Hoenheim, you shouldn't joke like that; it will be bad for my ego. But... I really feel a connection to you. I've only known you for an evening but I do care deeply. And, who knows, if this all works out then..." she paused, stepping forward with Hoenheim a few feet behind her. She muttered, "Maybe...I'll be with you. Maybe you'll be my special someone." The thought made her heart jump but she knew not to rush into anything. A cool sigh escaped her lips as she smiled up at the statue. "You even got the dress accents right. Quite the alchemist, I am very impressed." she spun on her heels to face him once more. "Thank you very much for this. It's the nicest thing anyone has ever shown me."Maria cocked her head to the side with a warm smile crossing her lips.

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

Marias answer made all the souls in Hoenheims body surge with joy. "finally he'll be happy again..." they said. hoenheim laughed a little bit and scratched the back of his head... " i suppose that was a bit hasty, i don't feel strong emotions like this often enough to have a grip on myself... i apologize for embarrassing you. but maybe i will phrase the question this way... If you ever need anything, please feel free to call on me. my heart now belongs to you..." hoenheim was blushing so hard now he looked like a philosophers stone.

[Maria Ross [Aura]]

It pained her a bit to hear him say such things. She didn't want to be a burden on him "Please...you don't have to make promises like that. I am not worth the trouble though I appreciate your the gesture. I extend the same to you though I can't really do much" she chuckled as she wrapped her arms tightly around him. "You make me smile." she kissed his cheek gently, resting her head against his shoulder. He was a warm presence to Maria.

[Hoenheim Of Light [Zohi]]

Hoenheim stood there watching the snow fall in great swirls to the ground. he put his arms aroun Maria's shoulders and kissed the top of her head... he had missed so much time with trish... he wouldn't make that mistake twice... "maria... I do a lot of traveling, for the good of Amestris... sometimes even out of the country, but i will always come back to you... so long as you want me here." Hoenheim could spend the rest of his life in her arms...