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Post by ricky adams on Jul 4, 2012 1:40:27 GMT -5
It was a nice day, perfect for being out and about. It wasn't too cold, it wasn't too hot, the sun was shining, there wasn't a cloud in the sky and there was a good refreshing breeze blowing. A young man happily walked the streets of Central, a smile on his face and his scarf around his neck. This time, it was a simple red one, which contrasted nicely with his black hair, which hung to his lower back, in a tight ponytail.
Sunlight glinted off his silver framed glasses and he raised a hand to shield his green eyes from the brightness, peering around as he heard ...something. It was a little girl, sobbing for ....some reason. He headed off in that direction and watched her for a moment. It took no time at all for him to realize what was wrong. Her cat was stuck on top of a roof. Smiling, Ricky went over to help. Without a word, he tapped her shoulder and motioned for her to move out of the way.
He then clapped his hands firmly together and pressed them to the ground, raising himself up on a platform he reached up and plucked the kitten from the rooftop, then slid down the side of his platform. He handed the cat to the little girl, patting her head before clapping his hands together once more. He pressed them against his creation and it melted easily into the ground once more, leaving only the tell-tale marks of alchemy behind.
Ricky left the girl and her cat behind, walking on silently and looking around at all there was to see. His silver pocket watch was of course, in the pocket of his jeans, he felt its weight and its power. Someone else, a woman clucking her tongue and shaking her head caught his attention. He wandered over and stood in front of her. Apparently her laundry pole had broken and she couldn't hang her washing out to dry. Smiling, Ricky took hold of it and with some alchemy, he repaired it. The metal fused together again, this time taking on an elegant look with musical notes and pianos decorating it. Smiling, Ricky gave a small nod and went on his way.
He wasn't going anywhere with a clear destination, he was just taking a walk.
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Post by gideon on Jul 4, 2012 2:45:38 GMT -5
Gideon idly walked behind the man, making little effort to disguise his presence. His white suit made him stand out sorely. Hiding in plain sight, really. A stubble grew across his face, slightly distorting his features. He wasn't too recognizable, but if someone knew to look for him, they would find him. He casually watched the kid doing his rounds. He smiled slightly as the boy helped a small child with a feline problem. Nothing was said. He just worked. Occasional gestures. Good alchemy. Littl-
Where the fuck was the circle. Gideon blinked, mildly confused, then followed after the alchemist. No way in hell did that happen. If it did, though? The implications... The boy had no tattoos on his hands. He didn't draw a circle. He just skipped a few steps. The Mercenary watched as the boy repeated his actions on a little old woman's laundry line. Just the clap, then the transmutation. No circles. A grin slowly split Gideon's face.
His head lit up with the possibilities this kid represented. A failed human transmutation of /some/ sort. Something big. He'd heard rumors, naturally. He hadn't paid them much mind until this point. He started reviewing info he had. The history he'd heard. Others with similar talents. A small, small number. And to get that kind of effect? Practiced. Talented....
How to fight him? Isolate the target. Keep hands occupied. Grapple, perhaps. Destroy the muscles. Blades? Shoot from concealment. Distract. Disorient. Body blows into ear strikes, disruption of equilibrium. Arm blows, disrupt the muscles.... Follow. Find place of rest. Stealth elimination. Do not allow target to begin transmutations. Possibilities and capabilities potentially devastating.
End prognosis? Evaluate further. The kid might be alright. Maybe worth leaving alive. Who could tell? He seemed alright, but, hell, so did Gideon, occasionally. He pulled the hat off his head as he approached from behind, clearing his throat.
"So, kid. What was it like?"
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Post by ricky adams on Jul 4, 2012 2:59:50 GMT -5
Ricky looked back over his shoulder, seeing some guy in white following him. He gave him a little wave and a friendly smile then kept on walking, helping those where he could and just making everyone's day just a little bit brighter. He glanced back again, the guy was still following him! It made him a little bit nervous, but....there was no need to cause a scene by freaking out, so he just kept moving.
He'd glance back every now and again to see the man was still after him! Who was this guy? Did he want to sell him something? He didn't look like a salesman. Boldly, Ricky turned and made a small shooing motion with his hand, trying to tell the man to leave. He was creepy!
He tilted his head to one side, confused by the guy. What was what like? What he drunk? He didn't smell drunk and he seemed pretty steady on his feet. Maybe he wanted to know what it was like being a State Alchemist! Maybe that was it! Ricky stood for a moment and then, withdrew a notebook from his pocket, a pen in the spirals, which he poked out. He held up a finger, to tell the man to 'wait' and then, began to write. You mean being a State Alchemist? he slowly shuffled forward, the paper extended from his hand. He couldn't help it, this guy just reeked of bad intentions.
As soon as the man had taken the paper, Ricky wrote some more, I should probably go to the base pretty soon. I have meet with Brigadier General Mustang. He's expecting me. Maybe dropping a powerful name would make this creepy guy think twice about attacking him. Maybe. Of course, Ricky was sure that Mustang didn't even know his name, let alone wanting to meet him. Oh well. Ricky would say he was the man's cousin if it helped get him out of trouble.
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Post by gideon on Jul 4, 2012 3:17:32 GMT -5
The kid was creeped out. He could tell. Simply read body language. Though, a strange man in white showing up in an alley and asking questions would probably put Gideon on edge as well. He smiled politely, relaxing somewhat, assuming a more open, friendly posture as he continued to approach the kid. Then the gestures started. Clearly the kid was incapable of talking.
Gideon's cold, brilliant blue eyes looked the kid up and down. No sign of trauma was evident on the throat. Muscles were developed, yet atrophied across the face. He'd seen similar before, actually. Similar enough, at least. Mute, but hadn't always been that way. The lack of scarring could really mean a small number of things. One was readily apparent.
He shook his head at the first note, then read over the second one. The Flame Alchemist, huh? Right. This kid was going to meet him. Gid apparent, then looked the kid in the eyes.
"What was it like when you gazed into the abyss? When you lost your voice?"
He stood steady, watching the kid, braced for a reaction. First meetings were a great time to put someone off balance. To get them unsteady. Set them up for future mistakes. For now, Gideon wanted little more than answers. Some idle conversation. Answers that might come in handy in the future. But, if it went south... If the boy reacted badly. If he grew violent... Well, ideally he'd be enough off his game to make a few mistakes. Not many were needed, really. Just a small one. Chinks in the armor
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Post by ricky adams on Jul 4, 2012 3:37:25 GMT -5
What was the abyss like? .....Why did this guy want to know? Would he use it for his own personal gain? Ricky frowned, tugging nervously at his scarf. Slowly, he nodded and then wrote Okay, I'll tell you. and then clapped his hands together and created two stone stools from the ground, offering one to the man and sitting down on his own.
First of all, my name is Ricky. And the abyss it was ..... well first there was this door....it was huge! Like ....sixty feet tall and so wide! There were all these markings on it. The door opened and I was sucked inside. All this knowledge just .....flowed into my head....all at once! It was almost too much. These hands or....tentacles held me in place...kept my eyes open. Everything just rushed at me! Right into my head. It was like learning several lifetime's worth of knowledge in only a few seconds and then I was in this huge empty, room. And this figure....just a figure. All in white. It just ....sat there. It didn't have a face.....and it didn't have anybody parts except a head, arms and legs. It spoke to me in this clear voice....told me I'd better get everything I wanted to say out. Anyway....when I woke up my...my throat felt like it was on fire! And there was this ....thing on the floor.......it wasn't human. I don't know what it was. he handed off the page to the man and stared down at his hands, then wrote again I became a State Alchemist in hopes to cover some of the medical bills with the money and fund a trip to try and heal myself. They have an interesting view on my condition. I'm Ricky Adams, The Silent Alchemist. he handed off that page as well and then glanced to the man.
I helped you out sir. I told you what you want to know. Now, will you tell me why you want to know? he asked, staring the man in the face. And what's your name? he added.
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Post by gideon on Jul 6, 2012 23:58:06 GMT -5
Gideon nodded politely, as he took the seat. He looked around at the surrounding area as the kid wrote. He hadn't counted on this. He'd wait patiently, though. Best to let the kid do his own thing. Get comfortable. Tell his story. Gideon was eternally interested in others, for some reason or another, and tended to be a little nicer to the damaged goods. This kid clearly was one. Hesitations in the writing style. He caught a quick pause, before the second note began, was finished, and handed over.
The Silent Alchemist. Of course he was.
"I'm a researcher. Ex-State. I, uh, wasn't too big on the whole Ishval thing, so... I kind of skipped out when I had the chance. I'm a deserter, you see. Went into hiding." Gideon frowned as he spoke, looking over at passing people. "I've missed a lot of things in my life. I have no family. Very few friends. Most of my unit is dead. The... Chance to escape was a result of a fairly violent incident. An Alchemist... Saved me. Spared me, I guess. I don't think he survived the war, either. I wanted to pay my respects to one of the last... Good men I've met in a while."
Gideon paused, at that point, looking down, slouching over somewhat. He seemed lost in thought, as if struggling to make the story come out. He nodded and looked back up slightly, staring at his hands.
"I... Got into alchemy a little because of him. It's kept me going most of these years. I make tools, fix things. Little, simple stuff. Keeps food on the table, y'know?" the older man sighed. "I figure now's a good time to repay the guy, though. The Alchemist that helped me. I wanted a good way to pay my respects, but I can't do that unless I figure out who he was. And, well, near as I can tell... The Central Library would be the best way to do that. The First Branch holds records of State Alchemists, I've heard. Well, I tried to figure out how to get in, but, well, I can't, because I'm not important enough. You could though!"
A small amount of excitement filters onto Gideons face. He smiles. "You're a State Alchemist. And while my savior was in too long ago for you to know him, you can help me! You could help me get in, so I could have a look at Alchemists from then and I could figure out who he is!"
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