01 | March 15 | Video

[incinerare]

[Forgive him for doing this a little late, but he's been busy adjusting to his new surroundings as well as learning about the responsibilities the other Roy had undertaken while he'd been here. He could see how they came about to a degree, and he'd likely be agreeable to possibly continuing them if he was asked to. He'd cross that bridge when he got there, however.

The man currently on the feed might actually look familiar to some, though there's one glaring difference between him and his previous counterpart. That being the obvious lack of an eye patch.]

Good afternoon, Death City. Roy Mustang. I've been made aware that this isn't the first time that someone bearing my name has been here.

[The idea of an alternate universe is still something like out of a novel. If he didn't already have physical proof of other more outrageous things happening here, he'd still be somewhat hard-pressed to believe it.]

Unfortunately, I am not the same man who was here previously. From what I've heard about him, he was apparently from a different timeline.

However, while I have no memory of this place, or the people who once knew this man... I am willing to help this city in the same manner as my counterpart did, if those in charge here are all right with that.

Comments

{ video: private }

[incinerare]

[There's a slight suggestion of sheepish embarrassment at the statement and the question. The man had a valid point.]

I thought I'd at least let the fact be known I was willing to be of help. Even if I do need to work on getting used to this place still. You can continue to help me with that can't you?

{ video: private }

[comradery]

Yeah! Of course, I can, but— [He cuts off. Did he really need to lecture Roy on watching his own health first already? Really? Ugh. Roy, why are you like this? This is so typical.

Hughes sighs.] Just take it easy, all right? I mean, I have nothing against you wanting to help out or whatever, but it's not wise to go in without adjusting to this place first... [Okay, so that is a pretty weak excuse to use a second time, and he cannot think of any other valid reasons, but Hughes is trying not to outright say, "Take care of yourself first, damnit!"]

{ video: private }

[incinerare]

I'll take my time, and I won't be starting anything serious just yet. At the very least, not until I've finished getting adjusted to this place and how things work here.

{ video: private }

[comradery]

[Oho. You had better, Roy. Otherwise, be prepared to get scolded about this for the millionth time.]

Okay, if you say so. Let me know if you need help with anything, though, okay? I mean...it's pretty convenient now compared to back home, so...don't feel like you have to hold back. [Not that any amount of encouragement typically guarantees any action on Roy's part, but Hughes figures it is worth a try anyway. Better to say it than to regret never saying it, right?]

{ video: private }

[incinerare]

Can we talk about something Six told me earlier? He said you were a weapon and I could possibly partner up with you. I have a feeling the word partner has a different meaning here than what I'm used to, am I right?

{ video: private }

[comradery]

Ah, partnering. It's kind of like...erm. [Hughes pauses, a pensive look written across his face.]

Well, it's basically the same idea as teaming up to fight together. More specifically, there's a focus on soul resonance, though. Soul resonance is supposed to be something like...how well you get along with each other mixed in with how well you understand the other person's...existence, so to speak. The better you get each other and trust each other, the better you resonate, and in turn, the more effective you'll be against the enemy. And, as far as us partnering goes...

[He pauses again, not knowing how to speak about his concerns over the communicator. Though he and Roy are best friends and that would typically imply that they would resonate well together, any unsettled feelings or concerns they had could ruin things, and Hughes definitely knows that he has his own share of unsettled feelings he has not discussed with Roy yet.]

Well, we could do it, but... I think it may be better if we discuss that in person. I don't think it's necessarily such a simple thing in our situation... Maybe you could come by my place after I get back from work? We could talk about it over dinner or something.

{ video: private }

[incinerare]

[He listened quietly to the explanation and gave a silent nod of acknowledgement.]

I can do that. I'll see you tonight then.

{ video: private } > action

[comradery]

All right. I'll see you then.


[After he finishes closing Hikan Cafe for the day, he heads to the mall to grabs some groceries before returning home. It is early evening by the time he knocks on Roy's door with a grocery sack in one hand.]

action;

[incinerare]

[After a moment he opened the door, noting Hughes and the sack he's holding.]

Hello. Give me a moment and be right with you, Hughes.

[He leaves the door open and heads to turn out the light he had been reading by.]

[comradery]

[Hughes glances in and notes the location.]

You been burying your nose into reading again? [He chuckles.]

[incinerare]

[Roy headed back toward the door after turning the light out, quiet amusement in the answer to Hughes' question.]

For the most part, yes. At least I know how things in my apartment work now.

[Well, in theory anyway. Cause, yes, he's read every single manual he's managed to get his hands on.]

[comradery]

Well, that's always a start. [Hughes chuckles again and turns, waiting for Roy to return.] No more mystery about the microwave or fridge for you, eh? I suppose I won't be able to tease you about it anymore.

[You know, in typical Hughes fashion.]

[incinerare]

Well, I know how to operate the microwave and other appliances now at least. How exactly they do what they do is still something of a mystery to me. [Roy rejoined Hughes at the door with an amused look.] Shall we head across to your place?

[comradery]

Hehe. Well, if you plan on eating with me, yeah. [Hughes moves to unlock the door to his apartment and opens it to allow Roy in first. He gestures at the entrance and smirks, amusement gleaming in his eye.] Ladies first.

[incinerare]

By all means, head on in. I'll be right behind you. [He returned the amused gaze and the smirk with one of his own, from where he stood beside the open door.]

[comradery]

[Hughes laughs heartily and reaches over to muss up Roy's hair with his free hand before entering the apartment first.]

You don't ever miss a beat, do you?

[incinerare]

[Laughs quietly along with the man, and follows him inside.]

So what have you decided to fix for dinner?

[comradery]

Pasta with meat sauce, if you don't mind. I considered goulash, but you need a lot of prep time for that, which I don't really have on a normal basis.

[incinerare]

That sounds fine to me. Do you need any help, or should I just stay out of the way?

[He said the last bit with quiet good humor and a small smile.]

[comradery]

Well, it doesn't require that much work, so I don't know if your help would be needed. [Still, it would be awkward to make Roy just sit there while he did everything, so maybe...] Maybe you could boil the water and cook the noodles for us?

[Hughes sets the bag down on the counter and pulls out a one pound bag of spaghetti, a can of tomato sauce, and a pound of uncooked ground beef.]

[incinerare]

Sure, I can do that. Which cabinet has the pots and pans? [He could just rifle the cabinets and find out, but it's easier to just ask first.]

[comradery]

Top right set. The one you'll want is probably on the left side.

[Hughes turns and gets a shallow skillet from the left set of cupboards, setting it down on the left side of the stove.]

You won't burn them, right? I can't remember the last time you cooked. [Joking of course, though obviously the flame alchemist will burn everything, right?]

[incinerare]

[Roy gave a small nod of acknowledgment and headed for the specified cabinets, opening the left side to fetch out the pot he needed. A quiet bit of humor in his response to the question.] I won't, or at least I'll try not to.

[comradery]

[Hughes gives Roy a Look before laughing.] Well, at least you're trying not to. Though I'm glad you can't just cheat and use alchemy since you'd definitely burn something that way.

[He turns on the burner and waits a bit for the skillet to heat up.]