futurology | MASS TEXT; USERNAME: HAWKEYE

[In the end, she opts for the efficiency of a brief written message. (The message functionality of the jewelry still amazes her from time to time, but she's becoming increasingly fond of how fast it makes communication with others.)]

My name is Riza Hawkeye. I'm a military officer from the nation of Amestris. [Vague credentials, for anyone that really needs them.] There are a lot of us here gathered from different places and times, with different skills and areas of knowledge. I've spoken with a few others and we've agreed it would be beneficial for all of us to have a database of skills to pull from, both for this mission and otherwise.

[Most likely 'otherwise'; she can't be the only one suspicious of ALASTAIR after what happened in Anwick.]

If you're willing to provide a brief listing of the skills you possess, magical [because that's a thing that exists, apparently??] or otherwise, it would be greatly appreciated. If you're uncomfortable using the communications device I'm also happy to meet with you in person.

[And if you're not willing that's cool too. Everyone's got their secrets.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There's a small murmur of surprise as Anna walks straight past her, Riza's head twisting to peer at the retreating back. Well, nothing to be gained from simply standing around; her own feet pick back up again, spinning around so she can follow behind the young girl.]

Where are we going?

To a place where nobody can see.

[ It's not too far away that Anna stops, raising her head to glance around them as if scoping for the presences of other people. There are none, so she looks to Risa instead. ]

I'm ready. [ 'Are you?' ]

[Highly suspicious. But if it's a secret the girl wants kept well-guarded, then there's no better choice than a deserted street. At the very least, she can understand that. Riza doesn't bother with a verbal reply, electing instead for a simple nod and a wave of her hand. She's always preferred words over action and this young lady doesn't seem the talkative type either.

'Go ahead.']

[ She could make a large fire, or she could make something small. She could summon her sword, her wings, or she could make butterflies...

Red fire glows in her upright palms, and butterflies made of flames fly out of the fire, dancing in the air. ]

[She expects—she doesn't know entirely what she expects but it isn't this: flame bursting forth from nowhere and forming into elegant butterflies, all without even the simple snap of fingers, as she's become so accustomed to.

Her eyes are the size of saucers and there's fear clear on her face, though perhaps not for the reasons Anna might assume. (Though, there's a small detached part of her amused by the thought of the colonel trying to replicate this, his sober military uniform set against a backdrop of glowing red butterflies.)]

How do you do that?

[Her voice is carefully neutral, but due to years of learned control rather than any uncaring.]

[ Even after Anna's hands stop glowing, the butterflies continue to weave circles around the area, but they're -- careful to stay a distance away from Riza, as if they or their controller know. It's with a smile on her lips that she watches them flutter, as she thinks about a man who once did the same. ]

With my flames. [ It's simply said, because there's no other way to explain it. ] I like butterflies, but my flames can protect too.

[Unconsciously, she's grateful for the distance. It's been years since she's had to deal with the brunt of her father's madness, but she still remembers with vivid clarity the intense flames burning in his eyes and the volume of her voice.

She schools her voice back more, trying desperately to understand this girl's secrets.]

You simply—create them? You don't need to wave your hands or use other materials to make them?

[How absolutely strange. Almost like alchemy, yet at the same time not like alchemy at all.]

[ Anna tilts her head light at that question. The natural instinct that comes with her fire is to burn, to move and burn, to fight. But no, it's not needed, she can summon her flames as well when standing still and when moving. ]

I don't need to. ...But if I want to, I can. [ A beat, as she looks straight to Riza again. ] I won't hurt you.

[That last statement Riza wholly believes. She can't sense any sort of wrath or murderous intent drifting off this girl, and from a logical standpoint there's really nothing to be gained from torturing or killing her. If anything, now that she's had some moments to watch the butterflies drift and the fire flicker in the palm of Anna's hand, she finds herself more curious than anything else.

In response, her voice shifts accordingly.]

Have you always been able to do this?

[ She shakes her head, as some of the butterflies dim and disappear when they fly too far--the people here are of wary of magic already, and it won't help. ]

No. [ At first it seems like that's all she'll say, or want to say, but Anna continues after a brief pause: ] ...It's because I became the Red King.

[If Anna were a different person, and all this show was for a completely different reason, Riza would perhaps remark that female leaders ought to be called queens and not kings. But there's a solemnity to Anna's voice she doesn't want to disrupt, and anyway, she guesses this more to this title than mere leadership.]

You're very young to hold such a title.

[No ridicule, only neutrality, though there's an unspoken question lying behind the statement.]

Mm.

[ The answer, the single-worded Anna gives, is quiet. She doesn't know much about the other kings, or how some of them became kings. Mikoto had been far older than she is, the same for Reisi. ]

I wanted to, so I could protect everyone.

[ She was weak back then as a recently awoken king, but Anna's taken the time and is starting to settle into her powers. Having seen firsthand what it did to Mikoto, it is not a burden she wished on anyone else. ]

So, I will protect everyone here too.

[ ...and over in some other universe, people rp from a series called Q. ]

[More than anything else, that simple reason is enough for Riza. Why wouldn't it be, when it so neatly sums up every major decision she's made in her life, from joining the military to following the colonel's every step?

There is someone I have to protect.

The very words she'd spoken to Winry all those years ago. She almost smiles at the memory, rising up to form softly in her head. Almost. Instead, she keeps her face neutral as she gives Anna a small bow (though there's a softening at the corner of her eyes that suggests silent approval of Anna's words).]

That's an admirable use of your power. Thank you very much for showing to me.

[ Admirable... It's the first time time she's hearing this from a stranger-- it's the first time she's telling this about her powers to a stranger. A light red tinges her cheeks as she smiles to Riza's words. If she's being praised, then she's on the right route for certain. ]

Mm. ...Riza, do you want to see more?

MASS TEXT; USERNAME: HAWKEYE

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject