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borealis-strange · 3 years

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Chapter 6 “The witch market”

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Summary:

Franco and Regina finally arrive in the glorious Palladium city, also known as the "Phoenix city" for being reborn from the ashes.

They explore the entire city, seeing everything new it has to offer. The new buildings and the witch market.

After a long day of walking, Franco meets an old friend...

Notes:

I'm thinking of doing some drawings and add them to the story. What do you guys think?

Tag-list: @freesiafields @bambirexwrites @whitequeen-ofwillowgreen @vaeya @sirenlovesqueen @moreofthatqueen @eileen-crys

If someone wants to be added or removed from the tag-list, just tell me :}

We decided to leave Gold Pine right after breakfast, rather, Franco decided that. He said something about him wanting to spend more time at Paladium. I didn't blame him, he surely wanted to see how much the city had changed since his departure.

We went to the big red brick station. The place was packed with people, which surprised me. I understood that this station was only about 15 years old, plus it only had trains that led to Paladium. In a way, it reminded me of the entrance to The Shelter, mostly because of the busy people who kept pushing you.

We bought the cheapest ticket we could get, which was only a few copper coins, and we set off on our journey.

The train turned out better than I expected; even though the seats were so close to each other that they stifled a bit, but that was the least of it. At least we had managed to sit together.

The train ride was uneventful, without much to see.

I hadn't been on a train in years, four to be exact, and that's when I left The Shelter. I was only 14 years old and I remember how scared I was traveling all over the Empire on my own. How small and lost I was not knowing where to go. Now all that has changed, I am very grateful that I now had Franco to accompany me.

I turned to see him. His gaze was still lost in the window and I could see how Franco's hands were trembling slightly.

— All good? — Asked.

Franco turned to see me with some nervousness and took his hands to control them.

— Yes… all good — Was the only thing he said before looking out the window again.

__________________

After just over two hours of travel, we finally reached the huge and glorious Palladium city. I had heard some calling it Phoenix City for having survived its destruction and rising from the ashes.

We crossed the city on the train and I was amazed by its large stone buildings where pointed arches were used, roofs with steep slopes and elegant carvings such as lace and latticework. Even though there were still several buildings under construction, the city looked fantastic. ///

I watched as the buildings stopped going by so fast as the train slowed down little by little. Finally it stopped completely. We grab our things before getting off next to the sea of people.

The station was packed with people, which surprised me even more. There were still not too many roads, that I know you could only go to Gold Pine and the Tree city, but maybe they had already built more railways.

We made our way through the people as best we could, until we found the exit.

Right at the exit was a statue of a Netherite knight, as if he was protecting everyone who came to the city. I could see that it had a few flowers at the base. Franco approached the statue and looked at it for a moment before continuing on his way.

As I left the station, the sun dazzled me slightly, presenting the great city to me. Franco stayed a few seconds admiring the city and I did the same. It was simply beautiful, like none I had ever seen before.

I turned to see Franco for a second, he had crystalline eyes, it seemed that he was going to cry at any moment.

— Are you alright — I asked

— Yes ... it's just that ... the last time I saw the Paladium city was when it was destroyed —Franco replied in a whisper — I never believed they were going to rebuild it as beautiful as it once was —

— Was Paladium the same as now? — I asked.

— No… it's quite different… actually — Franco replied, as if he still couldn't believe we were here. — It's ... much better ... than I expected —

I smiled a little. I couldn't imagine how many thoughts should be going through his head, the only thing I could decipher was some relief. Franco started walking and I followed him.

— And where do you want to go? — Asked.

— I don't know — Franco confessed as he shrugged. — Somewhere ... would be fine —

This… would be interesting. Neither of us had come to the new city. Franco could guide us a bit but who knows how much the city has changed in 30 years.

The first thing we did was look for a hostel to stay in. To be able to leave the backpacks and not have to carry them around the city.

After doing that, Franco guided me through different streets of the city showing me different places, or rather where they were thirty years ago. He showed me where the old knight academy should be, where he did much of his training. He told me that there came knights from all over the Empire since it was the best Academy. It was unfortunate that they did not rebuild it. We couldn't figure out what they were doing now in that place

He also took me where the old castle of the King of Farfania was, now they seemed to be building a great cathedral. Franco told me that he served his former queen for a time. He said that the castle was a beautiful and elegant place, where he had met some of his friends.

Franco showed me an old theater, which according to him had been rebuilt as it was. I had never been a big fan of the theater, and Franco apparently neither, but even so he remembered a few plays. Franco confessed that he came to come a couple of times for a girl that he liked. He couldn't tell me what happened to that relationship.

We come to an area with different houses. Franco told me that this is the street where he grew up. He told me how he used to be a bit of a messy and rebellious kid, who used to get in trouble with everyone. Until, he decided to join the royal guard when he was only 16 years old. He said it was difficult, that no one had confidence in him but he still managed to have great rank and recognition.

We ended up arriving at a large park, full of large trees and people walking and playing. Most striking was the large statue of a Netherite knight in the center.

Franco walked automatically to the large statue, and I followed him.

It was at least 10 meters tall, made of iron that had deteriorated over time. The knight had a heroic pose, raising his sword into the air. The base was made of marble and had a plaque with a dedication. I leaned a little closer to see what it was saying.

“To the 19 Netherite knights who sacrificed their lives for others. We will never forget such a heroic act. Rest in peace and may glory always be with you "

Below were the 19 names, of which I did not recognize any.

—The Netherite knights — I said in a whisper.

Franco came silently to my side and began to analyze the names. I felt like my heart skipped a beat, he had met each one of them.

— One is missing — I heard Franco say, I assumed he said it to himself because of the low voice that he said.

— The King of Farfania — I completed

Franco seemed to laugh when I said that.

— Yes — He said sadly — He used to have a statue, right in this place. He destroyed it himself —

— Why? — I asked as if Franco had the answer.

— He said that statue did not represent him and that they would make a real one when he saved the Empire — Franco said in a low voice.

— He was really crazy — I commented.

Franco looked at me with sad eyes before looking back from him to the statue.

We stayed a few more minutes appreciating the great stature. Franco moved a little closer to the plate and seemed to say a few words. Maybe some prayer or thanks for the fallen knights or… apologize for not being able to save them.

I don't know if I should tell them something, it would be rude of me not to.

“Thank you for his heroic act. For having saved thousands of people and giving people hope" I said while touching the plate. I wish I had flowers to leave them.

When Franco finished, he gestured to me that it was time to go.

We continued walking in the big city but this time Franco did not tell me about the old buildings or their history. He just walked around like I wasn't with him. Although, this time it seemed that Franco knew where he wanted to go. I ran a little to catch up

— And where will we go? — I asked excitedly when I got to his side.

— Now that I think about it ... I would like to see if The Witch Market still exists — Franco replied with a small smile.

— The what? — I asked.

— Don't tell me you haven’t heard about it! The best market of all, where there are only things of the best quality — Franco said proudly.

I couldn't help but laugh a little at Franco's excitement. To be honest, he had never seen him like this.

____________________

We didn't have to walk too far to get to the market,

The market was inside a one-story tall building. It had a large entrance with doors made of metal. On the sides were large colorful stained glass windows. The crystals were not only the windows but also represented figures of different creatures, day and night, in addition to various plants, more than just windows, they seemed a work of art

Franco stopped for a moment before entering the market and I appreciated it for a moment.

— It seemed that this if they wanted to leave - Franco said with a big smile.

— Are we coming to buy something in particular? — Asked.

— To get you a shield — Franco replied happily — You've been without one for too long. —

— Pfff — I exclaimed with a gesture with my hands — Why do I need a shield? I know how to fight — I said nonchalantly.

— You may know how to fight but you do not know how to defend yourself. This is the new part of your training: coordinating between defense and attack. And it is more difficult than it sounds. Believe me — Franco explained with a smile.

How difficult could it be? I defend myself with one arm and attack with the other. And voila, I know how to defend myself.

— Why don't you explore a bit? — Franco told me. — We still need food, plus you will surely find something you like. See you at the entrance in an hour —

Franco patted me on the back before losing himself in the crowd. The atmosphere was energetic inside the market, with all the people mobilizing and the vendors shouting.

I entered with some nervousness, to tell the truth, I had never been to a market, mostly because my uncle would not let me leave the castle. I couldn't be nervous, I had defeated a golem! This should be easier.

Even though the market was not as crowded as I expected, I still had to dodge people, mostly those who were watching the stalls.

All the stalls were quite different from each other, apart from selling food, they also sold clothes, books, plants, anything you could imagine, you could get it here.

I went over to one of the candy stalls, where everything smelled delicious. It sold everything, caramel cookies, milk balls, golden licorice and more sweets that I could not decipher what they were, I suppose they were traditional from other species.

Then I went to a goblin's stand, where he had all kinds of plants, both decorative and for making potions. It was also filled with flowers of all colors and sizes, all of which gave off a sweet scent. There were even plants that I had never seen, like some kind of algae but in different colors and seemed to move slightly. The seller explained to me that he had obtained it from the depths of The coast of Silence and he explained that some people used it as a method of transportation, he did not want to give me a demonstration because of how dangerous the plant could be.

I saw a stall where they sold clothes, which took me by surprise but I still decided to go closer. They sold clothes made of different types of fabric that did not fit well together, but had a certain charm. They were mostly dresses.

There was a stall where a wizard sold wands. I would have tried them if it hadn't been that I had no magic. The wizard told me that he carved the wands himself, taking care of every detail. They were really pretty, plus apparently they all had a unique engraving.

I approached another of the stalls. One where they sold fresh fruit of all kinds; apples, watermelons, pears, plums, peaches, everything. They looked pretty good, unlike the other stalls.

— Wow — exclaimed the woman who attended the stall — I haven't seen enchanted armor in years. Why do you need armor like that? —

— Oh. It is for when I enter the Royal Guard — I said with pride.

— The royal guard? — Said the surprised woman. — That thing dissolved years ago—

That was not true! I think… Franco used to tell me how he did his service in Tree City and Paladium, and that it was usual for knights to be in big cities but… so far he hadn't seen any.

— Dissolved? — I asked confused.

— Why do you think there are no longer knights in the cities? Well… it was not completely dissolved, the few remaining knights do their service on the walls. It is rare to see someone doing his service in cities or towns — The woman said while she attended to another person.

— Why did it dissolve? — I asked.

— Have you lived under a stone all this time? — Said the woman contemptuously — The fall of Farfania! Unfortunately, several knights died to protect civilians. Especially the Netherite knights, the poor people went to face the king of Farfania alone and well ... you can imagine what happened. Some say that the Netherite knight killed the others because he wanted to be the only one “worthy” of that rank —

That was… much worse than I had imagined.

— After that a huge collective fear arose. — The woman continued — During the following years people lived scared that the king of Farfania would return, so many people decided to retire from the royal guard, although it seems that it is already recovering. Also ... come closer girl — she indicated — There are rumors that the Netherite Knight has returned — she said in a low voice just for me to hear her.

— Seriously? — I was puzzled. That was impossible but… just like my uncle had said, they left him alive.

— Like I said girl, they are just rumors. There have been several robberies of powerful objects throughout the empire and since the kings have not said anything about it, people create their own theories —

— What… things have they stolen? — I asked.

— Everything, books, armor, a lot of building materials, red stone, there are even people who say they have kidnapped fairies. Total chaos —

My mind returned when we went to the Poppy Garden. The fairies had mentioned a wither skeleton. Was he ... the Netherite knight?

— And how are people so sure that he is the Netherite knight? —

— It's hard to forget those white eyes and shadowy appearance — The woman replied.

It was the Wither skeleton. Or at least someone who could easily be mistaken for the knight. Oh Gods, I had messed with some copycat! I hoped that the fairies and Vandal had nothing to do with the knight, but something in me told me that this was not true.

— Are you going to buy fruit or not? — 0The woman took me out of my thoughts.

At the end I brought a few apples and peaches, before I left, not without earning the dissatisfied look of another customer.

I left the market thinking about what the woman had told me. They were just rumors but the rumors have some truth. And if wither skeleton wasn't the Netherite knight, he must be some madman who wanted to replicate his footsteps. The truth did not know which was worse. I should tell Franco about this, mostly because of Vandal. The boy must have something on his hands but Franco had told me to leave him alone. I had to find some way to convince him to seek out and confront Vandal.

After a few minutes, Franco arrived, carrying a gleaming shield.

— I found this and at a very good price — Franco said with emotion — Wouldn't you like to try it? —

I left my worries behind and agreed.

__________________

Franco ended up guiding me back to the knight's park. I didn't know if it was such a good idea to practice there, but when I saw that it was now practically empty, I ended up accepting.

We looked for a space where there were not too many trees and I started with a little warm-up.

Franco sat on one of the benches with some difficulty and from there he began to give me instructions.

I tried my best to imitate everything he said to me. I knew the terms and positions perfectly, but apparently Franco did not find it appropriate.

— You're not doing it right! — Franco yelled at me. I stopped immediately to turn to see him — Your posture is not adequate —

— It would be easier if I didn't have imaginary enemies — I reproached him.

— Do you want real enemies? — Franco said as he got up from the bench with difficulty — I will be your opponent -

Franco stood in front of me, and looked at me challengingly and with a smug smile.

— Seriously? I thought you couldn't fight — I said amused.

— Of course I can! —Franco exclaimed — I'm a little rusty but it won't be a problem against a rookie —

— Okay — I said between a laugh — But you don't even have a sword —

— I suppose that with my cane it will be enough — Franco said with a smile — It will only be to explain the fundamentals and that you understand better. No need to get aggressive —

I had to suppress a laugh.

—We'll start slow — Franco said as he got into position to start. I imitated him.

Franco told me to follow his movements like a mirror; Franco did them slowly and calmly. Most of the exercises were straightforward, as Franco said it was mostly for coordination. Franco told me that later he would teach me more complicated things but that this was a good start.

I was surprised by how easily Franco managed to move. The only thing was that he seemed not to want to put much support on his left foot.

I don't know how long we were training. Although I would have liked a "real fight", it would be interesting, especially with Franco. I had to be patient, I suppose there will be a chance at another time.

— With that you will have enough for today — Franco told me as he gave me a small bow.

I returned the bow and put my sword away.

— And how did I do it? — I asked excitedly.

— Good — Franco said with a small smile — You are doing quite well — He said, giving me a few pats on the back.

______________

After a long day of walking around the city, all Franco wanted to do was rest. His leg was killing him with pain, he hoped that the next day the pain would subside, he didn't want to have to tell Regina that they couldn't travel. Although it wouldn't be so bad now that he thought about it, he could explore other areas of the city that they hadn't visited that day.

He sat on his bed, ready to go to sleep, when a strange breeze filled the room. Franco managed to see a shadow crawl across the ground to form a peculiar figure.

— You are very difficult to find, you know? — Said a voice behind him.— And I have to say ... The years have not been good to you —

That voice, that voice so deep it could make anyone's hair stand on end. That voice, that belonged to a Wither skeleton.

— What do you want!? — Franco yelled, turning behind him.

Rich was still the same as thirty years ago. The same white eyes, the same red coat, and the same gloomy appearance. Although he had to say that he looked too…. worn out somehow.

The skeleton put a finger over his mouth.

— If I were you, I would not speak so loud — Rich spoke calmly. — We don't want to wake people up —

Franco looked at him suspiciously.

— What do you want? — Franco repeated in a low voice.

— I can't visit an old friend? — Said the skeleton mockingly as he began to walk around the room — Being in these directions I remembered the old days. You remember that day? The last time we saw each other. —

— Of course I remember — Franco lamented.

The skeleton approached the window and slightly opened the curtain. He observed all the people passing by on the street, no one noticed his presence. After a few seconds, the skeleton spoke again.

— They kings rebuilt a part of the Empire, when will they do the same with the rest? — He commented without turning to see Franco

— They won't unless…— Franco broke off quickly.

— Unless, we destroy the Empire. Franco, you are finally understanding what I came for — Said the skeleton with a malicious smile and finally looking back at Franco.

— I will not return to that cause! — Franco yelled furious as he got up from the bed.

— Why? If you let me into the Empire in the first place. — The skeleton approached Franco defiantly — You supported the cause with your heart and sword. It's a matter of time until you get back to it. Also, haven't you seen what we've created? When we destroyed Farfania, people advanced, created new things that were previously believed to be just dreams —

— Stop it! Don't ever mention anything about that again! —

— Don't scream. Or do you want the girl to find out about your betrayal of the empire? —

Franco looked away from him. When he turned around, Rich was already gone.

For years he had tried to get away from that black stain in his past, but somehow it always came back. And worst of all, Rich had survived, something he thought impossible, but when you're a skeleton, you really can't die, right?

#queen fic #queen fanfiction #fem queen #fem! queen #between faith and the sword #my fic #roger taylor #magic au #fantasy au

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liberty-flight · 6 years

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Breathing Onto Embers

@the-flame-and-hawks-eye guess who’s your secret santa?

Shay did you like the clue I left in your inbox? lmao

I noticed you like turning Riza into an egg.

This is only the first chapter. I have a few other planned out. Still no solid plot but more snippets of moments from this AU.

So enjoy egg!Riza. Oh and young!royai in the beginning.

Premise of this AU for everyone else: Everyone has a “alternate” form that’s a mythical creature. Riza is a phoenix, Roy is a dragon. Others are not relevant atm.

“I have a question.”

Riza pauses her reading, interested immediately in what the question may be. He sounds hesitant and it makes her curious.

The peaceful afternoon studying across the table in the library had been slow and comfortable. She had just gotten up to bring them a snack when he had spoken.

It was the first time either of them had talked in over twenty minutes, each of then engrossed in their own reading.

Roy had been her father’s apprentice for years now, and she thought of him more as her friend more than her father’s student. Most of the time.

“A question for me, I’m assuming,” she responds dryly, a smile edging onto her face.

“You assume correctly,” Roy is quick to reply, amused smile softening his hesitance.

Riza raises her eyebrows in question as the silence stretches.

Roy fidgets in his chair before looking down at the book opened in front of him, fingers running along a paragraph she’s not at an angle to read.

“I’ve been reading about phoenixes…”

She isn’t surprised to hear that, she has been reading up on his form as well, however she’s curious to hear the question that has apparently arisen from his reading.

“I’m not sure if it’s a personal question is all,” Roy prefaces the question, giving her an apologetic shrug as their eye meet. “Or if you’d know the answer.”

She doesn’t reply, waiting to hear what the question is. She tries to think of the most intrusive question she can imagine but can only think of grooming habits which, while not exactly a matter for the general public, wouldn’t be out of place between friends….She thinks. It depends, Riza guesses.

She feels nervous despite herself, bracing for any awkward questions or answers.

“How does being reborn work?” Roy asks, eyebrows coming together in earnest confusion. “There isn’t much about it the books I’ve been reading, but it’s what phoenixes are most known for. It seems…strange.”

Riza feels her tense anticipation melt away in an instant. Of course that was what he wanted to know.

“I don’t know much, it doesn’t happen often,” Riza admits, watching as Roy’s confusion deepens.

“Really?”

She hums, nodding her head and retaking her seat across from him.

“Really. It’s actually pretty rare,” she shrugs, “I don’t really know any other phoenixes, but I think so.”

“This book says ‘reborn from the ashes’,” Roy says, eyeing the book in front of him. Riza looks and sees an illustration of a red bird emerging from a glowing golden egg, wings spread in triumph.

It brings a small smile to her face.

“I do know that’s not right,” she says, reaching over to point at the picture.

“What?”

“When it happens the person won’t be fully grown. They just hatched, so they’re chicks.”

“You turn into a baby?” Roy asks, incredulous and nearly sounding concerned.

“No,” she corrects, amused by the way Roy’s eyes narrow in suspicion and thought. “I said ‘chick’, they’re alternate form is young. The human form stays the same age, except healed of injuries. You can’t turn back into a human until you grow up enough in your bird form, but I think it doesn’t take as long as actually growing up.”

“I would hope so,” Roy mutters, looking back at the book again. “So…the ‘ash’ part…?”

“Egg, not ashes,” Riza replies. “But there is probably ash left over from when you turn into an egg, and ashes and other flammable and warm things are good nests. Maybe that’s what it means.”

“Why is it rare? Besides the trouble it is to be an egg again.”

“Because it’s really dangerous. If someone tries to do that they’re probably going to die, because of how risky it is you could die anyways from just trying. It’s putting out your Fire, and that’s usually deadly.”

Roy knew enough about a phoenix’s fire to understand that. It was the reason Riza didn’t like rain very much. In young phoenixes even rain could be dangerous if they were out in their bird forms. And if Riza was any indication even in their human forms it could make them susceptible to illness.

If it went out then the phoenix died.

“Usually?”

“Always. Except when trying to be reborn. Then our Fire is put out, it’s why it’s so deadly. All that’s left is our Spark.”

“Never heard of it,” Roy admits.

“I guess if our Fire is like breathing then our Spark is like our heartbeat,” Riza said slowly, testing the comparison. “I don’t know how to explain it. The Spark is the Fire’s beginning, there can be a spark and no fire, but not the other way around.”

“Like an ember.”

“Yes, like that. Once it dies…we can’t come back. No matter what.”

There was a moment of silence as Roy digested the heavy statement.

He was lost in thought, contemplating the illustration in front of him, until Riza spoke again.

“Why would that be a personal question?”

“It’s death?” Roy says, unsure. He was embarrassed now. “Some people don’t like to talk about it, or it’s rude. And it’s also a…health thing, I guess. I don’t know, I wanted to be safe.”

It’s sweet, Riza thinks. And a little funny.

“I think molting is a bit more personal,” she reasons.

Roy flushes at the mention of it but tries to keep his expression blank.

He didn’t care what Riza said, her feathers were pretty and to see stray bright plumes around the house was nothing compared to the patches of scales he was prone to leave behind. His scales were gross like that, in his opinion.

“Most people will never have to try to go through being reborn,” Riza says, bringing his out of his thoughts of embarrassing scales. “If you have to try then something already went badly. Bad enough that the risk is worth it.”

Riza bites at her thumb nail, eyes focused somewhere in the middle distance as she falls silent. Roy wonders what she’s thinking, almost asks but decides that the hint of sadness in the lines of her expression are enough of a warning to steer clear of the subject.

“Well, thanks for explaining, Riza.”

She smiles in response, and Roy returns it.

It was a mistake.

A stupid one.

And the mistakes of a commanding officer too often got soldiers killed.

She had warned him, that was the worst part.

It wasn’t as if he’d ignored her, wasn’t as if he hadn’t taken what she’d said into account. He had, Roy wasn’t so impressed with his own strategic genius as to ignore others when they spoke, especially not his lieutenant. She was his right hand for a reason, he trusted her to take command in the event that he couldn’t.

He had taken her concerns into consideration, had decided to move forward anyways.

He didn’t care that an official review of his orders had found him blameless. He didn’t care what anyone said.

He had made the wrong call and someone had gotten hurt.

It was always a risk, they were soldiers and soldiers got hurt. Soldiers died following orders from their superiors. Dying in your uniform wasn’t an unrealistic thing for them to expect, Roy knew that.

It didn’t matter though, none of it mattered.

He’d fucked up. To make it worse he should be the one in the hospital, he should’ve been the one bleeding to death, the one with a wound on his heart.

“This would have happened anyways, sir,” Havoc stated, interrupting his thoughts.

“Maybe,” he agreed, taking in the smell of cigarette smoke.

Entertaining his morbid thoughts outside of the hospital’s main building Roy is too tired to be surprised that Havoc had found him here. He’s even less surprised that the second lieutenant would use his vice as an excuse to stay.

“Can’t smoke inside,” the man had explained, flipping open his lighter.

It didn’t explain why he had chosen this side of the building to smoke at, but Roy didn’t have the energy to snap at him for it.

It had been over a week since the mission gone awry, over a week since she’d been admitted into the hospital.

Today they were expecting her to wake, they had stabilized her enough to try to coax her into a life saving procedure.

It was in the nature of the Phoenix to be reborn in the face of death, but it was a balancing act that required careful monitoring.

Most of all they had to stabilize her first. Death was so much faster than even fire, even with her nature it had been close. Too close.

The second bullet compounded with the infection proved to much, had she been anyone else….anything else, she might have already been dead.

She might still be dead, he quickly amended, hating himself.

“No wonder they kicked you out, you’re smoking too.”

Once again snapped from his thoughts Roy glared at his subordinate. He couldn’t deny the trail of ashy smoke escaping his mouth and nose, it burned his sinuses and the back of his throat felt raw. His eyes stung from the smoke, now that he’d taken notice of it.

He hadn’t noticed.

His smoke was different than a cigarette’s. It smelled (and tasted) strongly of sulfur, and was harder to ignore than a cigarette’s milder scent.

Roy was still angry. At himself, at the criminals, at the hospital for asking him to ‘please calm yourself.’

That was his subordinate they were taking care of, his lieutenant. She was his-!

“Colonel.”

More firm this time, even Havoc was losing patience with him. Doubtless the other man was tense and agitated as well, this situation was easy on none of them.

“If you calm down, they’ll let you back in,” Havoc noted dryly, Roy even thought he could detect an underlining hint of impatience.

He probably wanted to be inside, but had decided to follow his wayward temperamental Colonel outside instead.

Admittedly it was what she would want. They both knew that.

“What’s going on in there?” He asked instead of replying.

“Same thing. Waiting,” Havoc took a moment to take a drag, the end of his cigarette glowing bright, “…they called in next of kin.”

“The General,” Roy clarified.

“Rebecca,” Havoc corrected, “but she called him, yeah.”

Right, Grumman wasn’t on Riza’s official records as next of kin even if he should be. He realizes he never asked when Riza had put down Catalina. Had it been when she was deployed to Ishval? At that point in her life she would have had no one else…

“They’ll most likely be here soon,” Havoc continued, “and wonder where Hawkeye’s commanding officer disappeared to,” he finished pointedly.

Roy clenched his teeth, tasting ash and feeling too long teeth try to fit themselves into his mouth.

“Fine,” he spat, turning to march back inside.

He ignored Havoc extinguishing his cigarette behind him.

Maybe he had been outside longer than he’d realized. Catalina and Grumman were both already there. In a turn of what he expected the general was in civilian dress and Catalina was in uniform.

He was his civvies as well, but it was still a surprise.

“Mustang,” Grumman sounded tired when he greeted him but not angry.

Roy nodded in acknowledgement, turning to face Catalina. He braced himself.

From the moment he’d entered the room he had felt her glare, a chilling dagger aimed at the side of his head.

They’d had a strange tolerance that sometimes warmed to friendliness with each other, but sometimes it regressed to outright hostility. Riza had claimed that they were too headstrong to get along without problems.

Havoc had, more accurately in Roy’s opinion, said that they were too competitive and protective of Riza (and her attention) to get along.

She said nothing, dark blue eyes glaring holes into him until she looked away without a word.

He almost said something, but couldn’t find the words. He was too angry, too worried, to think of what to say. If he tried he doesn’t doubt he’d start an argument and the last thing they needed was a scene in the hospital.

He might not have liked Catalina all the time, but he did like what she did for his subordinate. As long as he’d known Riza she’d never had a friend like Catalina, one that could almost be a sister. Family that was outwardly protective and loving, fierce in her affection, was something Riza had never had. Roy appreciated that more than anything.

Even now he and Grumman were put to shame in the presence of Catalina, their quiet muted affections for Riza seemed terribly halfhearted in comparison.

Grumman who was not even listed as kin, Mustang who had put her in the hospital in the first place. Both of them superior officers who kept Riza at an arm’s length unless in the most private of venues.

Roy spared a moment for another mental kick to himself for his stupidity and thoughtlessness.

The thought was reinforced in the next moments.

“Rebecca Catalina?”

Every head snapped up to stare at the nurse who had approached them.

The woman in question sprang to her feet in response.

The nurse spoke to Catalina in hushed tones, Roy couldn’t make out the words. His heart was pounding against his ribs, the anxiety was painful.

Rebecca turned to address them, tense but not distraught. Roy felt himself relax an iota at the sight.

“She’s awake and Riza agreed to try,” a moment of hesitation before continuing, quieter and more anxious, “…they figure the infection might get worse at this rate, so this could be the best time. She’s as strong as she’s going to get.”

“Can we see her?” The question left his mouth the moment Catalina had stopped speaking.

The nod he received in response was all the permission he needed.

#fmasecretsanta2017 #fma #the-flame-and-hawks-eye #royai #creature au #my writing

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theperfectladiesman · 7 years

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Saiyuki meme part 2

34) What character do you think is least like yourself?

~Probably Ukoku. I’m not a psychopath or sociopath looking to snuff out life and light. And he’s super cunning and manipulative.

35) What is a shipping you’re not on board with? (Be respectful!)

~I pretty much ship nearly everything under the sun for the most part. Or can at least understand or respect a ship. I ship I wouldn’t really be on board with though would be Li Touten x Nataku. Or Dokugakuji’s mom x Doku/Gojyo. Just not my thing.

36 ) Which Saiyuki character do you think could easily adjust to modern times?

~I’d say nearly all the main cast. I think they’ve all been through so much & they’ve learned to get really good with adapting and rolling with the punches. But if I had to narrow it down, perhaps Goku. Followed closely by Gojyo. They seem the most easy going & quickly accepting & adaptable. Likewise, I think Kougaiji would be one of the ones who would struggle the most perhaps.

37) What is your favorite quote?

~There’s A LOT of good ones. Seeing as I have the opposite of a photographic memory... I can’t remember what my fav would be. A really good, memorable one though is where Kou overcame Ukoku’s mind control & gave him the whole speech where he wont be controlled again & his friends helped him to the light. Idk, something to that effect. Maybe I’ll come back to this question later after I find the exact lines.

38) Do you binge read the entire series or read selected chapters?

~Usually when I binge read or binge watch, it’s from start to finish on the entire series. If I just want to research something or remember a specific thing, it’s selected chapters.

39) Are you more a fan of Gensomaden Saiyuki or Saiyuki Reload/Gunlock?

~With the anime, Gensomaden. With the manga, its definitely Reload.

40) Your favorite character became a mythical beast. What would they be?

~This.... is a tough one. If I wanted to take the easy option, I’d say it would be Kougaiji and he’d totally be a dragon. Or if I wanted to be funny, saying Gojyo being a kappa. I could see Hakkai being the male form of a Dryad. But I think my favorite is Sanzo... and the only thing I can think of to liken him to is the Phoenix. Sanzo’s “like the sun” and Phoenix is a sun bird. Phoenix’s rise from the ashes and Sanzo got burned by Kou’s fire and still rose to his feet.

41) If you HAD to choose a character to die, who would it be?

~Well, this doesn’t say -MAIN- character. I wish I could say Ukoku... that would spare everyone so much misery... but I like the psycho bastard. So...Gyokumen Koushu. Then maybe Kou would get his mom back & he could team up with Sanzo!

42) Would you rather: Have all characters die or Have only one survive

~The question is.... would it be like Goku? Have them forget & then be reunited with the reincarnations? On one hand, it would be nice to have one survive to carry on the memory of everyone who died. But....I feel like there’s something incredibly unfair & cruel about having only one survive... so I guess I’d rather them all die.

43) If [character] got into a fight with [character] who would win?

~Lol its hard to do these ones when I’m just answering them myself.

44) What does Gojyo’s marking look like to you?

~I answered this one already, basically, a tribal flame

45) If Sanzo became a demon, what kind of marking do you think he’d have?

~I kinda wanna say something like the youkai Suika. Something small & round on his forehead in place of the chakra. Or it would probably be somewhere more discrete like his back or upper arm, a red color instead of black...idk the shape/design.

46) If [character] died, what do you think they’d be reborn as?

~I think Zakuro would love to be reborn in the golden age (Elizabethanera) cuz that’s when theatre, music, poetry & literature flourished. Perhaps Kougaiji/Hazel in the Victorian age and Ukoku in the Edwardian era... I know that’s not what the questions asking, but it is interesting to think diff era’s you’d put them in.

47) After the journey, what do you think [character] will be doing?

~Hmm... I’ll just stick with Gojyo for this one. Assuming he’s still alive after the journey. I think he’d stick with Hakkai. (grudingly)Helping out around the shop if Hakkai worked/owned a shop. I could see Gojyo maybe being a bar tender or an escort/host... or whatever those equivalents are in the Saiyuki era, or just keeps raking in money with his gambling while being domestic with Hakkai.

48) If [character] had a tumblr, what would they reblog?

~This one’s a fun question. I think if Gojyo had a tumblr, the majority would reflect the 3 things he likes most- women, booze, and smokes. Probably sprinkle in some selfies of himself being all sexy, cheesy pick up lines and puns, maybe some crude jokes, more scantily clad women, and gambling tips. Then there’s probably some stuff he’d reblog for the sake of Sanzo,Hakkai, and Goku if they had tumblr as well. Monkey posts to tease Goku, life hacks for Hakkai, & random stuff that would piss off Sanzo. Probably jokes about cranky old men or something.

49) What is your favorite animated scene?

~umm.... idk... all of Gaiden?

50) [Character]; Boxers, briefs, or commando?

~I feel like Gojyo would have an occasion for all three. Briefs when he’s planning to get with a lady or impress. Boxers when he’s lounging with the boys. And sometimes commando, mainly when sleeping if he has his own room.

51) What 3 or more tropes fits your favorite character?

~ummm.... running gag, ship tease, and funny moments. (gojyo)

52) What are 3 tropes that describe [character]?

~fiery redhead, the alcoholic, and jerk with a heart of gold (gojyo)

53) If Saiyuki got a 4th series, what would it be called?

~Well now that there is a 4th season coming out... Saiyuki Reload Blast XD (now we just need an Ibun OVA!!!)

54) If your favorite character could control an element, what would it be?

~Fav charater’s always been between Sanzo and Kougaiji... though recently I often wonder if it’s not Hazel now. I think Lightning suits Sanzo. Fire for Kou. And Ice for Hazel. Earth for Goku & Hakkai. Wind for Yaone.

55) Was there a character you used to love but no longer do?

~I dont think so actually. I think everyone I love I still do and everyone I hate I still do.

56) What has been the saddest moment for you in the series?

~Yakumo’s death. Yakumo’s whole chapter arc. And the end of Gaiden.

57) What is your favorite anime/manga genre?

~Psychological thriller/horror (but I also like romance & action & drama)

58) Name 5 other characters you like along with your fav Saiyuki character.

~Spike Spiegel, Axel, Seto Kaiba, Zelos Wilder, Alvin Svent, and Snow Villiers

59) Do you prefer subbed or dubbed anime?

~Dubbed. But most of the time subbed is 100 x’s better... obviously.

60) Did you watch the anime first or read the manga?

~Gensomaden anime came first.

61) Do you seek out spoilers or avoid at all cost?

~I avoid them at all cost, most of the time. Unless it’s something I’m not planning to watch or read.

62) Do you write fan fics or draw fan art? If so, link!

~I do, on both accounts. I don’t have any Saiyuki fanfics though. If anyone really want links, I’ll send them privately in IM’s. My Saiyuki fanart can all be found on my blog. Other fan art of diff fandoms is on DA. I only have a couple of completed fanfics on fanfiction.net... most of my work isn’t finished so that’s not really worth linking, I wouldn’t think.

63) What was the most pointless filler in the anime?

~I can’t really think of anything... maybe the sauna one where Goku thinks Sanzo turns into a demon. Or the kitty one. Don’t get me wrong, I loved both those episodes... but in regards to the plot, they don’t contribute a thing.

64) How do you describe Saiyuki to a friend who has never heard of it?

~Four guys travel west to stop the resurrection of a demon lord. Um... there’s lots of humor and action. It’s amazing. It’s.... kinda gay without actually being gay.

65) If you RP what is your favorite thing to Roleplay?

~answered this one~

66) What is your favorite Saiyuki Opening or Ending for the animes?

~The opening for Gaiden is very gorgeous, perhaps that one <3

67) What’s something you think would improve the series?

~HAVING MORE MANGA TRANSLATED AND PUBLISHED HERE IN AMERICA! And bring back some minor characters, that’d be cool to see.

68) Who, in your opinion, has the most tragic backstory?

~Geez... that’s like comparing a life time of stomach issues to someone who has a life time of mental illness... both are equally tragic. If I HAD to pick.... Yakumo.... I’m just gonna go with Yakumo. Technically, it’s not really a backstory but what’s he was presently doing. Having such a kind, soft heart... wanting nothing more but to save, shelter, and raise youkai kids... and choosing to kill them when they go berserk, perhaps with the whole mentality of ‘kill a few to save the whole’. It’s so tragic. Other than that, I can’t choose 1 over the other for tragic back stories cuz everyone has it equally bad in some way.

I guess I can say the tie would be between Gojyo, Sanzo, Hakkai, Goku, Dokugakuji, Hazel, and Nataku.

69) Who would be best at pleasing their lover?

~It kinda depends on what said lover wants most our of their partner and if it’s true love or a fling. If they both knew what they were doing, Goku & Kou would be very thorough, patient, and thoughtful lovers. Gojyo would be best at bringing the skill/pleasure in a pure sexual aspect. Hakkai’s difficult to pin down. He’d be gentle with the same qualities I listed for Gok/Kou.... but he’d have this wall up at the same time. Sanzo... just probably wouldn’t be the best, if he got intimate at all to begin with. Hazel’s so... antagonistic. I’ll just go with Gojyo or Dokugakuji.

70) What do you think Saiyuki would be like if Kougaiji and co were the main protagonists? Do you think you’d still enjoy it?

~A lot less humor and more dark because it would be more from the “villains” POV. Kou’s kinda angsty. I don’t think Saiyuki would be as well recieved and loved from Kougaiji’s & co’s pov... and there’s several characters we might have missed out on.... but I think it’s something I would still really enjoy. If its written by Kazuya Minekura, she’d make it amazing regardless.

71) What minor character had a significant impact on the plot?

~I think that would have to be Hazel Grouse.

72) On a scale from 1 - 10, 1 being not much and 10 being too much, how much does Saiyuki Gaiden hurt you?

~TEN

73) What character is still a mystery to you?

~Perhaps Koumyou or Ukoku (maybe even Yaone in the sense that we kinda know next to nothing about her... that I can recall). But with Koumyou especially, both of them are just so complex & different than I am that they’re difficult for me to understand.

74) What is the funniest moment in the series?

~It really says something about how much a perv I really am if the very first scene that pops into my mind after thinking about what my fav moment could be is.... Gojyo & Goku wrestling & arguing on the bed and that lady walks in & thinks they’re doing, or about to do, something naughty. Oddly, I Really like the scene where Gojyo mimics Sanzo too.

75) Who is your favorite minor character?

~Hazel or Banri or Zenon ...... Yakumo & Zakuro are p great too

76) Which character has had the most growth?

~I think that would have to be Goku

77) Which character needs more development?

~hmmmm........Lirin maybe?

#Saiyuki meme #part 2 #good lord this was long & took forever #but I wanted to do it for myself just for the hell of it & it was fun #when Im up all night with stomach issues & too tired to do anything else this was kinda a blessing

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