A Hawk's Talons [Riza]

[ashur grey]

Ashur stalked down the road, his movements precise and orderly reflecting his personality. He was on his way to Central Command in hopes of catching Mustang while he was at his office or if he was not there to catch one of his close subordinates so as to arrange a meeting. If there was anyone who could help resolve the turmoil within him, surely the man who saved the country could right? So he moved with purpose, the air about him hinting at just how dangerous of a person he was if he wished to be. Needless to say, people on busy street parted around him like rapids parting around a bolder.


Soon enough Ashur arrived at his destination, Central Command. Even two years after the incident Ashur still could not shake the feeling he got from looking at the building. Everything he had believed in had turned out to be a lie. . . He had been forced to break one oath in order to keep another and while he would do it again in a heartbeat it still did not make it any easier to bear. . .


Closing his eyes, Ashur slowly inhaled clearing his mind and readying himself for whatever would come. For all he knew people still harbored hate for him due to him serving the Furher so closely and in reality he could not blame them. Releasing a sign and opening his eyes the bending light alchemist moved up the stairs and into the building. He made his way through the various corridors and rooms without a single problem, after all this had been his home for a long time. . . longer than his childhood home.


Soon enough he was there at Mustang's office door, the heavy wood portal closed at the moment. It almost felt as if the door were telling him to leave, go away. . . that he was not worthy of being here. Ashur signed once again, hesitating only for a split second before rapping his knuckles on the door quickly. Two heartbeats later a reply came, a woman calling out the words for him to come in.


Upon entering the office however, there was no sign of Mustang, but only of someone equally recognizable. Captain Riza Hawkeye. . . for all intents she was Mustang's right hand and another major player in the reclaiming of Amestris. Ashur's face remained neutral, betraying nothing, a slightly distant look in his eyes. He was a little frustrated that Mustang was not here, but he supposed Riza would be the best person to arrange a meeting with him. . .



OOC: Modding of Riza approved by Britt in MSN

[riza hawkeye]

The work they'd been assigned for the day had been quick, and the blonde sharpshooter was thankful. Shortly afterwards, she'd kicked Mustang out of his office and sent him home, noticing the exhaustion after plenty of days of endless work. He'd been putting in more effort than she'd ever seen from him. As thankful as she was, it was taking a visible toll on the man and he was long overdue for a break. Besides, she'd noticed his office could use a bit of organizing, which she was happy to do for her superior. So long as he did his work, she didn't mind maintaining the order behind the scenes.

Little to the room was in disarray aside from the desk. She pulled his chair back and out of the way and hung her own military jacket on the back before starting with the bottom drawers, slowly stacking the old papers to be sorted away elsewhere. She read the date and little else, not caring to read what else there was. As far as she was concerned, he'd tell her if anything of importance appeared to him and that was all she needed. Every so often, she found herself in this same position of clearing out the old for the new.

As she heard a knock on the door, she was a bit puzzled at first. Wasn't it known already that he was gone for the day? Maybe he didn't make a big deal of it and just slipped out... She called out for the visitor to enter, not really caring about the specifics. Tapping the bottom of a stack of papers on the deck, causing them to fall into an alignment, she looked up at the visitor. She recognized him vaguely, silently trying to piece together the familiar aspects of her memory. Although little fell together, she laid the stack of papers among the other piles on the disorderly desk.

"Can I help you? The Brigadier General has left for the day." Riza continued diligently with her self-assigned job as she patiently waited for the man to speak. Maybe his voice would be successful in triggering some part of her memory, though unless he attacked or even posed any sort of threat, she wasn't worried. "Depending on your reason for visiting, I might be able to help myself." Taking a smaller stack, she tucked them into a drawer before closing it, finished with that one. Now she paused in her work, deciding to wait for the young figure to leave before she dug herself deeper into the papers.

[ashur grey]

It had been quite awhile since he had last seen Hawkeye, even then he had only seen glimpses of her whenever he came to see the Furher for new orders or to give his report. He knew all about how she had been used to blackmail Mustang into keeping quiet and to make him stay out of certain affairs.


Of course, he had not seen anything really wrong with it, to him it was just a way to bring in an unruly officer who had dreams of ruling. How wrong he had been. . . Snapping out of the thought, Ashur gave a faint smile, even such a minor display of emotion never reaching his eyes. Walking a few steps closer, the man spoke explaining the situation to the captain.


"I should not have came unannounced I suppose, just that I wanted to speak to him before a meeting I had tomorrow if possible, but I suppose he is a very busy person. I was only wishing to talk with him about a matter, it is somewhat important. If I could leave a message or set up an appointment maybe, the name is Ashur Grey."


If she had been unsure of who he was before, she knew now. The name Ashur Grey which had once been an equally hated, feared and respected name was now just a hated name to most in the military. He was now often seen as a stain on the military's past. Yes there had been others who served the Furher and stayed on his side even on the Promised Day, but few had worked so closely to the Furher as him; this is what made Ashur the target of so much disdain from many military personnel.



OOC: Sorry it's not longer.

[riza hawkeye]

"He gets unannounced visitors rather often. I suppose he just likes the surprise of not knowing who'll come in next." Riza herself would never understand that aspect, especially since it managed to put herself a bit on edge. Like now, for instance. She hated when people just showed up, always preferring a bit of notice in advance. His movement closer hadn't even gone unnoticed. Riza just didn't like the air about this man, friend or foe.

"He was rather exhausted when he left, so I'm not sure whether he'll be in at all tomorrow. What is this "matter"? There is very little of his work that I don't know as well as he does, Colonel Grey." The realization had hit and she felt very edgy now. The Fuhrer's lapdog, as she had known him. Riza understood very clearly why the man's presence bothered her so much. If she had anything to say about it, he'd never have a meeting with Mustang. Unfortunately, that wasn't how her job worked.

Rather stone-faced now, she couldn't wait for the man to just leave. She even regretted mentioning she could probably help him. "If it's urgent and I can't help you, I can tell him when you'd like to meet tomorrow. He'd want to know the topic, though, I assure you." Riza had worked by the Brigadier General's side long enough to know how his mind functioned, but she really didn't know whether or not Roy would've cared what it was. Business was business and he probably would've just showed up for the meeting.

Riza wanted to know, though, what was so important to require a meeting now, years later. Ashur Grey was one of those names their little "rebellion" hadn't cared about killing, and she wouldn't be surprised if he was aware of that. Now, though, he was on their turf for something and she was going to find out before he left. No Bradley pet was going to get past her, that much was certain.

[ashur grey]

The change in the Captain's demeanor did not go unnoticed by Ashur, he knew what it meant. . . after all, he had seen that change whenever he came in contact with most soldiers. It was something he had gotten used to rather fast, but he was always annoyed just slightly when it happened. People often forgot that he did fight against the Furher on The Promised Day, but then again he understood that one day did not make up for all the days before.


That was not to say he regretted following orders up to that point, quite the opposite. He was proud that he stuck to his oath until he knew without a doubt what was happening and even then had considered to continue with his oath the Furher. Some might have, and had called him stupid or blind; in Ashur's mind though he saw it as honorable and loyal.


Turning his thoughts back to the matter at hand Ashur let out a slow breath from his nose, his eyes closing for a moment before opening once again. He did not really enjoy disclosing what he considered a personal moment of weakness, but it seemed to him that there was no other way he would get his meeting with Mustang.


"I need to ask him his opinion on a matter, what I do after depends on his answer. If you can't allow me to see him with my description of the events then I suppose I'll have to drop in on him some other way."


Ashur gave a leveled stare after he spoke, it was obvious he was avoiding her questions and in his mind it was perfectly acceptable. First off he did not wish his weak moment to be known widely, after all it was better to be feared than pitied if he had to choose and secondly it was not like she was his commanding officer, if he chose to keep his reasons his own then he would. . .



OOC: Hope that's enough of a red flag for what you wanted to do. Also sorry it took so long to post.

[riza hawkeye]

Her emotions were starting to peak to an unpleasant level. The way he continuously dodged her questions were irritating to a point where she desired to simply resort to violence. Too bad it wasn’t that easy in the matter of ‘allies’. With another aversion to her demand, Riza was easily fed up. She circled around Mustang’s desk and towards the door. While it may have looked like she was hoping to show the way out, it was quite the opposite. Riza Hawkeye didn’t plan to let this man leave without answers. Real answers.

Considering the man before her was an alchemist, she wouldn’t have been surprised if he tried any ridiculous means of escape. She was used to those actions after her time spent around them. However, she was prepared if he did attempt anything to just shoot him. Hawkeye had little fear of the higher-ups, especially nowadays. Taking a bit of an offensive stance, much closer to him now than she had been only moments ago, Riza’s hand curved around her body as she grasped her dual pistols, holstered on her back just under her jacket.

”I will ask you once more, and once more only. I require a descriptive answer as to why you must meet with Brigadier General Mustang or you will not be leaving this room in one piece, sir. Given your history, a simple meeting with my superior will require accurate information to ensure his safety.” While her expression itself hadn’t changed, she remained rather tense and prepared for action. She wasn’t new to the affairs of the military and she took great pride in studying up on her comrades. Despite not being an alchemist herself, she had trained with the best for the worst.

Standing firm at the door, Riza’s breathing was slow and steady. Deeply inhaling, she relaxed her shoulders, hands firm on her guns. ”I am merely doing my job, Colonel. Don’t take it personally.” Except, deep down she somewhat wished he would take it personally. She hated to think people like him existed. Loyal until there was a power struggle, really. If you were going to dedicate your life to following someone, it should be done without hesitation and never waiver. Unfortunately, Grey’s documentation definitely supported that he was a powerful asset, but he also switched alliances at the drop of a pin. Riza didn’t trust him as far as she could throw him.

[ashur grey]

For a moment Ashur gave just the briefest glare, one of the first emotions to truly reach his face and then it was gone, like morning dew being dispelled by sunlight. He remained silent for a moment before giving slightly amused grunt.


"Everyone takes it personally Captain. . . That's why soldiers look at me with such hatred now, even though I was just doing my job. Still how can I expect anyone to understand my actions if I do not try to understand them. . . Have it your way then."


Ashur took a breath and briefly considered allowing the woman to shoot him. After all it was one of the options he had been considering for quite some time anyways. . . would it not have been easier for himself as well as the other military to be rid of the mangy dog that still stayed in the house, even though its master was dead?


"I will admit that I would not call myself a friend of Mustang, in fact I was one of his enemies for the longest time if only because he was against the Furher. Personally I think he is a skilled alchemist, a honest man and overall good officer. He has stepped into his new shoes rather well and is a beacon to many other troops.

I on the other hand, have had some. . . difficulties. I lack a real purpose Captain. You and Mustang both know your purpose and have already fulfilled part of it. Where as I have broken one of the oaths in order to uphold another and I am looked down on!"

That was when Ashur realized his voice had gradually risen to shouting and his fist was clenched. Quickly he loosened it and pushed the emotion away from his mind as if it were a deadly snake. It was rare for him to slip so badly, but it was a sore subject. Slowly his normally perfect posture slouched and he lowered himself slightly to half sit, half lean on Mustang's desk behind him. For a moment he was silent, his hand covering his eyes and then slowly sliding down, his eyes flickering towards the Captain once revealed.


"Captain. . . have you ever been so lost you'd swear you had awakened in another reality, have you ever woke up in the morning only to wish you had not, have you ever tasted the sweet metallic tinge of metal from a gun you put in your mouth? These are things I face nearly everyday. . . So do not bother looking down on me or even threatening me Captain. Yes you could shoot me right here and now, but I have been dead since I broke my oath."


Ashur's eyes had a glassed over look, some soldiers had looked that way after what they did in Ishval. To someone so dedicated to his duty, that act of treason had been his Ishval. . . With a whisper the man muttered the true reason he was there.


"If Mustang who is almost my opposite can not look past my history, if he can not find purpose for me. . . then what point is there fighting what the other soldiers want from me. . . what point is there in putting off my death any longer."






OOC: Sorry it took so long.

[riza hawkeye]

Ah, so she’d hit the nail on the head. It was just a flash, but she noted his change in expression while smothering a smirk. Knowing she was right about the situation was like a child receiving a cookie. Perfect. Even if this didn’t go any further, that had been a treat in itself. As far as it concerned him, though, she had but batted an eye at the matter. She wasn’t the only one that had her expressions under lock and key.

For some reason, she couldn’t stand how he seemed to talk too much when it mattered least. They both knew more than a great number of the other officers, that wasn’t a secret given who they had worked alongside. She understood what and why things were the way they were and Riza didn’t need the extra description. While a small part of her wanted to rant about all this, smack him, and start from scratch period, she simply stated ”Thank you”.

So, he really did choose to unravel. As he continued from beginning to end, Riza’s grip on her guns went slack until she finally pulled her arms to her sides. Not tense, like a salute, but just barely resting at her sides. It was reassuring to know they wouldn’t be needed today. However, the story he told wasn’t exactly about fairies and princesses, but rather much more endearing. She had asked, though, and she was glad she was starting to get her answers.

She wondered if she had jumped the gun, though, when his voice grew louder. Maybe those guns would’ve been better to have in hand, but she found herself safe as he took himself back down a few notches. Everything about a person’s feelings were shown in the smallest gestures. Even if he hadn’t raised his voice, the tense and untensed hand was enough. He’d come across a nerve and she was lucky he had plenty of self control.

Riza still didn’t speak, though. She even found herself feeling a sense of irritation as he acted so casual around his desk, but he had not been noted as the type of person to creep on private information and let it go. Now was still not the time. Folding her arms, she remained in her place by the doors, completely stoic. Except the things he had been saying were taking their own effect on her and she didn’t quite like it. Still, she waited for the end.

When it came, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. So he’s thinking Roy is the person to approach about this… It was almost odd, really. Her carefree partner could make or break so many people that it was almost amusing. ”Well, let me just say that your actions are merely the victim of perspective. Unfortunately, more disagreed with them than agreed. That’s not the point, though.” Opening her eyes, she just watched him for another moment. She saw herself, back when she was fighting in Ishval. There were many differences, but that look was almost like seeing herself again. The man before her really had been through hell.

”Sir, I can honestly say I’ve been there. I don’t talk about it because it’s a past I’d rather not relive, but you’re right to seek out purpose. It’s the start to a new future.” With this, though, she wasn’t hung up on Ishval. No, she was back to the days of her father and the days when she knew nothing but obedience to a man who had lost himself ages ago. The first step was finding a reason to live. ”I do not look down on you, Grey. I’ve also never shot a fellow officer with intent to kill if they hadn’t committed something equivalent to murder, disregarding Ishval.” The things the former Fuhrer and his cronies had resulted in too many deaths, friends or not. Ashur had known when to draw the line in obedience, though, and it made all the difference now.

Taking a couple steps towards him, she unfolded her arms and clasped her hands behind her back. She herself wasn’t in the position to guide this man to his new future. No, Ashur had clearly reserved that moment for a meeting with Mustang, but she knew exactly what would happen. ”Colonel Grey, you’re in luck. Mustang has an opening tomorrow morning, if you’d still like to meet with him. Be prepared to get to work, though. If you don’t have a purpose, you’ve found the man that’ll give you one.” Here, the hint of smile peeked through. She had no regrets in pressing him to give her an actual response.

[ashur grey]

Ashur remained where he was, half leaning on the desk going over the words he had said to the Captain. In part he was cursing himself for not just letting her shoot him, after all he was not exactly the type to suffer such a blow to his pride. At the same time though it had been a small relief to get it in the open. More than anything Ashur just hated feeling like a child whining of his sorrows.


"Tomorrow morning? Yes. . . that will be fine."


The words were faint and Ashur was staring at the floor, his mind spinning with the information of the meeting. The words in truth were honestly meant more for himself than to confirm the meeting, but served that purpose as well. The following morning his fate would be decided. . . he would finally be done with the endless drifting; one way or another the torment he felt would finally come to an end.


It was then that Ashur registered the rest of what she had said, that he had found the one man who would give him one. How long ago had he thought that same thing about the Furher? A man to give him a purpose. . . Ashur could only take solace in the fact that Mustang would not put him in the same situation. . . that he would not have to choose between oaths. It was at that point that Ashur move from his relaxed, leaning position to that of a proper standing stance. He looked at her, her arms clasped behind her back and the slight hint of a smile on her face.


"I am not a man who apologizes regularly Captain, but for what it is worth. . . I am sorry."


They were definitely hard words for Ashur to speak. He did not apologize to people often and even when he did it was never for following his orders. This was the first time he would apologize for such a thing. . . and if Mustang lived up to his legend then it would be the last time as well. . .