explosivecombat | 004. [Text/Action for Goldenrod City]

[ACTION]

[Three days gone, with no explanation.

Kimblee had awakened strangely on Tuesday, feeling as though he hadn't slept much at all, and throughout the day he'd been unable to shake it - it's the same sort of feeling he gets when when he's been overstimulated, maybe, or spent time on a particularly difficult assignment. He would have chalked that up to a simple failure at restful sleep - he's not immune, and it happens - but then he'd checked the Gear for the time and date.

Three days gone. No memories from those three days whatsoever.

That. Doesn't. Happen.

He'd spent most of the day more wary than usual; he doesn't like this any, nor does he like the fact that there's nothing he can do about it. Even the normal solace he finds in sound isn't coming to him; he usually finds the music in Johto to be a nice constant, but now it's just grating on him - hell, he can't even be sure that anyone else is hearing it at all, and that's no use to him whatsoever.

Bluntly put, he's been feeling disoriented, Johto makes next to no damn sense as it is, and this entire thing is leaving him just a bit irritable and not wanting to stay in one place for very long. So! Today he's out wandering around Goldenrod; he doesn't seem too terribly bothered by the snow, though the heavy coat he has on over his suit and the long, pale scarf he has wrapped around his neck and shoved into his collar is definitely helping, as are the gloves he usually wears. He's determined to find something to clear his head; after a while, he finds himself in front of a building that's both stupidly loud and gaudily done-up. He kind of tilts his head at it for a moment; the place is pretty much an exercise in sensory overstimulation, isn't it.

It's perfect.

He pauses for a moment before entering; the music playing softly through the streets is the same as it always was. He doesn't want to ask if anyone else is hearing it; that's just asking for trouble. However, there are ways to get some sort of response without asking directly. He pulls out his Gear briefly, sending out a quick message via Text before entering that...casino. Game Corner. Thing.]

[TEXT]

Has anyone been able to locate the source of the incessant stream of music, or is that another of those mysteries that we're encouraged to not think too much about?

[OOC: Action-wise, you're more than welcome to catch him outside the building itself...otherwise, he fully intends to spend the next good while wanting to kill a slot machine in the face, so he won't exactly be hard to meet up with if he's seen.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Of course not. I was just lucky enough to be passing by. If you want to bet yourself into the poorhouse, by all means be my guest.

Care to tell me what this is really about, then, or are you going to make me guess?

I just like seeing you unsure. It's a nice change of pace.

[...well! That...

...that...

...okay, that actually seems to please him. What the hell, Mustang, don't phrase things in a way that he approves of; that's unfair and ridiculously counterproductive toward fueling his dislike.]

Savor it while you can, then; I don't intend to make a practice of it.

Oh, we'll see about that.

[...hm.

Kimblee doesn't doubt the issue on the train has something to do with this, because that was unpleasant on many levels, but at the same time, Roy had definitely emerged victorious there. If anything, it would verify that Kimblee isn't a threat in terms of sheer force just yet; there would be anger, yes, but this level of tension wouldn't be warranted.

But something else changed around that time, didn't it?]

I take it you've spoken to your friend since he's arrived; I doubt that Maes Hughes would go so long here without contacting you.

...Oh, yes. And he told me a funny thing. A certain somebody let slip to him that his life would come to an end shortly after he returns home.

[Mhmm, there we go.]

"Let slip"? If that's what he told you, then he's being far gentler than he needed to be.

Really, Mustang, I saw no reason to not tell him.

[Roy didn't comment on the first part. If he couldn't detect the sarcasm, then he didn't care. If he did and decided to pretend he didn't, he'd just get annoyed.]

Tell me, are you familiar with the tale of Pandora's Box?

[It's good that you decided to spare yourself the annoyance, then.]

Rather. Your point?

Actually, I should clarify, since there are two versions of the tale. The last thing in the box, the one that Pandora kept in there...what do you know it as?

Hope. She released the evils of mankind; only hope remained.

That's one version. In the other one, that last concept was foreboding. Humans could never have handled foreboding, and so she managed to keep it locked away.

Consider your point understood, and believe me, it's a quaint one; however, such concepts really only apply in myths and legends.

Tell me, Mustang - did you really believe that Lt. Colonel Hughes would remain blissfully unaware during his time here, until...I don't know, such a time that this world decided to allow him to return home? There are some here that would be willing to use this information against him, should he meddle in their business - it's jarring enough information to cause him to hesitate at an inopportune time, or to harm him mentally or emotionally, should such a need arise for these individuals. Should I assume you would prefer him to be unprepared for such an event? And what about afterwards - when it became obvious that literally everyone that came here from Amestris is aware of his ultimate fate, and yet no one saw fit to tell him?

Say what you will about my methods; assume what you will about my intentions. I don't have to answer for either. However, as far as I'm concerned, I've done Maes Hughes a favor.

[Roy doesn't have a response for all that. Not yet, anyway. All he can do is clench his teeth in frustration.]

I don't understand how you can justify wanting to lie to him through omission - were you in his situation, wouldn't you want to know? Or would you really prefer that everyone lie to your face in order to keep you happy?

Assuming he would never find out is almost childishly naive, Mustang; the fact of the matter is it's his life, and everyone here knew the outcome but the man himself. The fact that you don't acknowledge how hideous that is, choosing instead to hide behind childish hopes and ideals based on how things should be, is a perfect example of why I say you've learned nothing.

I've never put much stock in your opinion, Kimblee, and this time is no exception.

[Though that's not entirely true. There's a bit of bravado behind that statement.]

That said, I've had enough of this. Go and have fun losing your shirt.

[With that, he turns on his heel and walks away. He won't be going too far from the Game Corner, though; he wants to be ready in case anything bad happens.]

[Kimblee tips his head a bit as Roy leaves, though he doesn't say anything to stop him; he simply watches him go before entering the Game Corner. He hadn't missed that display of aggression, even though it had remained verbal as opposed to shifting into a physical altercation; he'll keep it in mind for later.

For now, he has slot machines to...most likely frustrate himself with for a couple of hours, if he's going to be blunt; if he has any plans to instigate something there, it won't be tonight.]

004. [Text/Action for Goldenrod City]

[Action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]