taking a walk /open

[remis]

xx

General Remis De'Vir smiled as gentle winds blew across his face and hair. The sun erased all the shadows in sight- not even the wispy clouds in the blue sky seemed to cause the glorious light to dim. It was days like these that the General enjoyed so much; when the sky was so clear that all of his past sins seemed to be burned away in the awesome radiance. He was carefree- even happy for once. Pure, actual happiness. The Sword of God knew he would have to relish this day; somewhere in the distant was a storm, and it would be coming for Central. Today, however, it did not need to be worried about.

Remis looked around the bustling city for just a moment. He usually walked off and got himself lost, though when one lived in Central, it was always pretty easy to find your way back home. On the other side of the road was a row of shops- a bakery, a tailor, and even a doctor. There were a few stands on the side of the road selling whatever miscellaneous items they could. On Remis' side of the street were a few food places. The sudden rumble in his stomach signaled that he might want to visit one soon.

Despite his hunger, the general, clad in Xingese clothing and armed with his two swords, couldn't draw himself away from this beautiful part of central. A few people were walking by on either side of the road, and cars passed every few seconds. The beautiful music made by the urban lifestyle relaxed him so much. The man took a deep breath and closed his eyes. If only every day could be like this.

[moka akashiya]

~~

Moka smiled as she walked down the concrete path, she felt the earth below her, continuing it's flow, the dragon's pulse. Moka's eyes grew blank as she spaced out, remembering her study of the dragon's pulse. Her dress fluttered around her small frame and subcouinsisly she pulled her jacket tighter around her shoulders. The wind pulled and played with her knee-length hair and pulled her dress to her curves. She had a package of papers clutched to her chest and was headed to deliver them at her house.

She regained her sense and snapped out of her day-dreaming just in time to smell the lovely food cooking. Moka was a voracious girl and she could eat forever if she had the time. No one knew where all the fat from the food went, some said it went all went to her chest. She stopped, setting the papers in between her armpit. "Do you have any rolls?" she asked in a sweet, silky voice. The baker nodded and led Moka inside the little shop. Moka came out minutes later eating two rolls happily with five more hidden in her cloth covered basket.

She continued down the walk and started to space out again thinking about alchemy and alkestry, her father, her mother, her beloved sister Akua and the other not-so-beloved sisters. Her face was blank as she munched on the rolls and she downed three of them. Right as she was starting a fourth she tripped on a bump in the side walk. Since she was spacced out the sudden sensation of falling came as a shock to her. Moka squeeked as she fell into a man and knocked them both onto the ground.

"Oh dear! I am so so so sorry!" Moka yipped as she got off of him. She reached down to help him up.

[remis]

xx

He heard the footsteps walking aimlessly toward him. Remis knew that there was someone heading right in his direction without even looking. His fighter's sixth sense never turned off, and it had never failed him before. The general was ready for whoever it was- his smile turned into a neutral line across his face. Eyes still closed, he let his hand touch one of his swords. Of course somebody had to ruin today. They will pay for that. The sweet sensation of battle, of blood flying in every direction, of death being so close that he breathed it in... He remembered it all, all the faces of the Ishvalens. They screamed, they cried, and he had shown no mercy. The assassin would feel the pain of a thousand deaths for rekindling those memories.

The general was ready to strike before he opened his eyes. Out of the corner of his vision, he saw pink. A vibrant, stringy pink that surrounded a cute outfit. Remis knew that outfit, and realized his assassin only existed in his head. It was just another state alchemist. Moka Akashiya. The Lightning Alchemist. Ditzy, unfocused, and possibly the kindest dog-of-the-military in existence. Truth-seer.

[/color] Remis remembered her intelligence profile nearly exactly. He had memorized all of the state alchemists working in central- including the ones "under the radar." In light of recent events, there was a slight chance of alchemists trying to take over Amestris. As leader of Special Operations and Intelligence, Remis needed to be prepared for such a thing. However, he grinned in the moment before she hit him. Also, 23 and sexual. This should be fun.

The general released his grip, closed his eyes, and let himself be knocked down. He may or may not have attempted to cop a feel on his way to the cement. His body made a stuffy echo as it hit the concrete sidewalk, but the moment of pain would surely be worth it. Remis lied there for just a moment, letting the young girl get up before him. "Ow..." Remis opened his eyes, faking an expression of pain rather well. The feigned expression turned into another fake face- a weak smile. "Well today must be my lucky day. A lovely young lady decided to fall over on me. Cant' say I mind that much." General De'Vir stood up and shook his long red hair back into place. He made sure to let his Xingese robe show his bare, toned chest. Was his facial scar showing? Yep. This would be good.[/blockquote]

[moka akashiya]

"Oh dear! Oh gosh! I am so clumsy some times!" She laughed, rather guiltily, "Are you hurt? I'm sorry, uh, thanks for breaking my fall..." She trailed off as she, once again, spaced out. The wind blew again and pulled her dress up, bringing her back to the real world. Geez! The wind sure is funny this week, coming off and on all week! Moka flattened down her dress and once again looked at the man. Oh dear, it's General De'Vir, I just fell on him... gosh... clutz! Her mind snapped back to the present instead of worrying about her clutziness. The general was speaking, Moka should listen. "Well today must be my lucky day. A lovely young lady decided to fall over on me. Cant' say I mind that much."

"Oh General! I'm sorry!" She laughed and blushed, Lucky day? Lovely? Oooooo, he definitely knows how to make someone happy! Her green eyes peered at him and she cocked her head thoughtfully, he reminded her of something... but... what was it? Her eyes grew wide and she clapped her hands over her mouth. "My papers! Oh dear, I need those!" She begins frantically looking around for them. She sees the bundle of papers flying away in the wind and runs into the street to grab them. Her dress flying about her as she runs she grabs the papers flying around and ties them back into a bundle.

"Oh, good, there all here..." She smiles in relief and walks bakc to Remis De'Vir. Moka smiles and waves the paper in the air, "Sorry I couldn't let these get away, I researched them long and hard and I need them... She trails of and cocks her head studying him, "My, but you don't care about that!" She shook her head and silently thought, My, isn't he handsome...

[remis]

[Try and write all of your character's actions in past tense. Also, avoid taking too many actions in one post- whatever amount of time you fill, the other person has to fill, and then extend. Also, your signature is spelled wrong. Hope I'm not being too critical, sorry if I am! ]

xx

The general was pleased with himself as he saw his "magic" working over the young girl. She moved around, almost letting the wind show the vast majority of her rather nice legs to Remis. Moka had apologized profusely to the man, and Remis could only guess that this was her way of saying "sorry" through her actions. The general had to admit, she was a pretty cute girl. Her childlike demeanor would never do for a relationship; at least, it would never do for him. General De'Vir didn't have any quarrels about a little bit of fun, though...

As the young woman finished collecting her papers, Remis let out a purposefully soft laugh to show his amusement. In a way, he was laughing seriously- both at her unintended sexual ways and her lack of understanding in the situation. Of course I care about your research, girl. I probably know what is in those papers as well.

[/color] Remis' identity as the Head of Military Intelligence was kept under maximum security, though his position as Brigadier General was not. Moka probably only knew him as another military commander, ruling central with the kind, loving fist of the new government. "Of course I care, Lightning Alchemist! Though I have no desire to perform alchemy myself, I do find it to be very interesting!"

He smiled once more, gesturing his right hand in such a way it signaled her to go on. Midway through the gesture though, Remis suddenly stopped and opened his eyes rather wide. "But lets not talk in this nasty wind! We wouldn't want those pretty lingerie you have on to be shown again, now would we?" He winked. "Why don't we catch a bite inside? My treat." [/blockquote]

[moka akashiya]

[It's fine, but, I had to wrap up the stuff with the paper. Anyways, past tense? That's usually my reason for role playing, because I suck at writing so I did it to get better... Anyways... again... Siggy fixed, thanks. PS: On a side note when I said Moka was childish I meant more like a child would be oblivious to someone liking them, you know innocent? But, the child could still like somebody.]

Moka glanced at him more closely, he was in thought again. But, something about his comment on the alchemy bothered her. Why would he care about what I have my papers on? Does he know what the papers are about? She smiled, attempting to feign pleasure to hide her worry. No, he couldn't possibly know! I was careful to not let anyone know what I was doing... Well, whatever, what's done is done... Moka pulled one of the papers out, "You mean these? Why would you care about these, unless... Oh dear, I've been found out! I was collecting information for a new type of chocolate cake, maybe sometime you'd like to try it?" She laughed and showed him the documents, they were all just recipes for cakes, most of them having to do with chocolate. Every alchemist has a code for their stuff, this is mine... But, it's not like there is anything I need to be worried about... nothing too discriminating... I think... I hope...

"Alchemy is much more then interesting," She laid a hand on his chest, "For instance, I could kill you through the decomposition of your body, using the compounds in your body, or I could heal you through the same process. And to think, I don't even have to do anything but clap my hands!" Moka smiled and took her hand away. She was innocent, Moka hadn't even thought of the statement as a threat, just conversation... right?

"Oh food! I'd love to! But, I do eat an awful lot, I can pay if you'd like?" Moka blushed and smiled. She seemed to be doing an awful lot of that lately.

[remis]

Remis could only laugh once more as he put his hand over his mouth. Her personality profile didn't suggest she would be capable of making threats to a superior officer, though he supposed anything was possible. It amused him that she thought she could trick a general so easily. Not only did General De'Vir know that every alchemist had their own way of encrypting their research for safety reasons, but he also knew most of the ways that Amestrian state alchemists encoded their work. Most disguised their work in the form of a cooking recipe or pointless rambles, and Remis guessed that Moka's style was not terribly different. However, he didn't care so much about her work that he would try to decipher her pages. Moka was most likely not a traitor to the state- she was too innocent for that. "Haha! You are right, Alchemy does have a lot of power. I was forced to fight a Drachman alchemist once, and he did not use a transmutation circle either. He certainly did prove to be a formidable opponent!

Remis wasn't scared of alchemists as opponents. Though some of them did have formidable combat skills, there weren't many people, alchemists or not, who could even touch the general in a fight. He knew that he was fast- very fast. Briggs swordmanship was some of the best in world; it was meant to kill, no exceptions. Remis wondered if he could bring himself to kill a fellow Amestrian if they threatened his life... Yes, he could. The pain of guilt rushed through him again for just a moment.

"So tell me about this new cake of yours! I'd certainly like to try it sometime. A beautiful young woman like yourself certainly knows how to cook. We'll talk about it over lunch. And I'll pay, I insist." Remis smiled and gestured her toward the cafe on their right. He began walking, looking to make sure Moka was following him.

[moka akashiya]

She hopped along next to him, in Moka's opinion there was almost nothing better then food, except maybe family and friends... But, she'd have to figure that out later. "The cake? Oh well, I was so proud of myself I did make some last night, it's in the fridge at my home. I had a piece last night!" She giggled briefly and walked with him to the cafe.

"Now, if you don't mind me asking, why are you out and about? Do you have your day off today?" She asked the General as they sat down at a table. She glanced around the cute little cafe. It was small, probably a family owned business. It's the kind of place Moka liked the best, She loved to see the family all together, doing what they loved. She looked sad for a second as she reminincsed about her family, mother is dead, father is dead, sisters, they'll be dead if they aren't careful. I wish we could have been a cute little business like this...

Moka smiled at him and grabbed the napkin off the table, and arranged it nicely on her lap. "General, do you have any family?" She asked, her eyes still on the napkin. Moka was curious, he always seemed so serious to her, not the type to have a family, but, anything could happen. Besides, I suppose you'd have to be serious, especially at work... Which... Now that I think about it was the only time that I've really seen him...

[remis]

The homely air of the cafe was a pleasant thing to experience. The general didn't know anything about the place, truth be told. If he had to take a guess, however, he would say that there was no reason to be suspicious of the people working this shop. It bugged Remis that no matter what he did, he always had to evaluate the likelihood of being watched in an area. Despite his abilities to root out spies and arrange extremely useful intelligence circles, the general knew that he could never really be safe. He always had to make sure that when he spoke, it was something everyone could hear- and more importantly, something that was impossible to use against him.

"If my subordinates need my attention, then they'll know how to find me. Or I'll be back within a week. Military life is so boring, you know." Remis told the lie rather plainly. He was out and about to look for any suspicious activity- this sector of Central had been the residential area of some recently captured spies. No doubt, their connections to their home country were still in the area. Seeing as Remis looked like foreigner, it was doubtful anyone would suspect him of spying on other spies for the state of Amestris. Besides, field work was always a great way to get out from his stuffy desk.

The general didn't realize he was sitting at a table until he finished his sentence. Remis took note to be more aware of his surroundings just as the young lady asked him another question. "And family? No, I was an orphan." The general found the odd question about family, especially phrased in that manner, to be more than enough to provoke his curious nature. Moka had some kind of a motivation behind her alchemy- a reason she was trying to keep it hidden from the general. "What about you? I'm sure you have some family. How are they?"

[moka akashiya]

No family, an orphan!? He's kind of like me... I'm an orphan too, except at least I have my sisters... Moka frowned, "An orphan? I'm sorry..." She looked down, uncertain of how to console him. The shook her head, He doesn't need consoling, he's a grown man, not a child. Moka looked up and thought over his question. In reality it was a simple question, but, Moka wasn't actually sure how her family was.

"Well enough I suppose... My sisters are all state alchemists, I think Kahlua is in Xing, she's doing some research or something, to be frank, I think she's jealous that I know Alkestry so she's trying to one up me..." Moka blushed, "I guess that's a little mean, we just aren't on the best of terms... Akua, I know she's safe at least, she visited me recently." Moka smiled and fiddled with her necklace, "I'm sorry, I suppose it must be boring to hear about a family you've never met. Just be glad you haven't met Kahlua, she's a bit of a user, that's why we don't get along... Although, I think you'd like Kokoa or Akua. Oh there I go again about my family..."

Moka giggled and forced herself to stop babbling and fiddling with her choker necklace. She thought about what he said of the military. "Military life... Boring? I guess so, there hasn't been much for me to do at least. I wish I could be of a little more help I don't much care for the fighting, but, I like helping and healing those who I can."

[remis]

Remis listened to Moka's ramblings. She didn't know it, but he already knew about her family history and how they were all state alchemists. He also knew how the young woman had attempted to revive her dead mother, thus causing her to lose her ability to see. Her father, though he had been apparently estranged for most of her life, had made an illegal philosopher's stone in order to help his daughter. It was always interesting to hear about someone's family from their own perspective, though. They always seemed to excuse the faults in their own family. People were oh-so-very interesting."Helping and healing! Very admirable for an alchemist!"

Remis silently applauded her youthful innocence. If that girl only knew the real reason state alchemists were even given the rank of major in the military anymore... They weren't there for research, for forwarding humankind's capacity... They were weapons. The most elite killers in all of Amestris. They were an integral part of the military that kept Drachma, Xing, and other countries at bay. "So what does a young lady do for her research? State Alchemists do have their yearly examinations at all."

Now it was time to cross-reference her response to her family motivations... Lets see if Moka Akashiya could be trusted...

[moka akashiya]

"Admirable? Hardly, I'm just trying to make up for the deaths us alchemists cause." She scoffed, Moka hardly ever said these things out loud and when she did it was usually to her dog or cat, two 'people' who would never betray her. Her face turned a nice and bright red, "I, uh, I didn't mean anything against the military or anything... Sorry..."

"My yearly alchemy exams?" She laughed and put her head in her hands. "Thank you for reminding me, I completely forgot. At least I have some research done..." She started playing with her Rosario again, something she did when nervous. "I'd like to expand my knowledge of healing techniques and perfect my alchemy and alkestry combination further. I've been drawing out some transmutation circles that I think would help with the combination of the Dragon's Pulse and the energy created from moving tectonic plates. This would, hopefully, generate more power for alchemists, because there would be two sources of power. The way the circles are drawn are only slightly different and I remember on the promised day... umm... I suppose this isn't too interesting and it's not really something I should say in public..." She laughed and kept playing with the necklace.

"Do you have any tests you have to go through to remain the rank you are General?" Moka smiled an leaned forward, curious as to what his answer would be.

[remis]

The general found a small sense of respect for the young girl as she spoke so humbly of her works. Remis had learned to always assume state alchemists were intelligent individuals, so it didn't really surprise him when the seemingly ditzy pink-haired girl went on about modified transmutations circles and increased power harnesses. She really did know her stuff. For a moment there, the general had almost thought that she had became a state alchemist by pure chance (or desperation). He nodded along in intent curiosity. Remis truly did enjoy it when alchemists went on about their work- they were such a pillar to the society; most of them didn't even have a clue.

As she finished, Remis chuckled at her comments about the killings and generals having to take tests. This girl really was cute! He would never try and "get" with her, however. The general almost saw her as a kitten, toying with her multiple playthings until she did something amusing. "I appreciate your humility. And no, Generals do not have to take tests to keep their rank. It's assumed we've acquired enough experience to not forget it."

There it was again. Ishval. Screams. Death. Remis kept his pleased face on, but his mind was starting to sink into ruins. He could feel the darkness creeping in- the heat of the desert scorching his very skin as his blade cut through the bodies like butter. Yes, he had earned his experience there. He had learned what it meant to take a life- what it meant to leave no chances of ever redeeming one's self. General De'Vir would never lose those memories. Never.

[moka akashiya]

Moka listened to him and blushed again, I didn't think so, but, there was always a chance. She didn't want to be ignorant and she wanted to learn so she asked dumb question. Although, she usually didn't think they were dumb until after the fact. "I guess it makes sense, although, sort of. I understand the experience thing, but, how is that different at least you have a weapon in between you and the person, in my case I am the weapon..." Her voice flattened out and she leaned back in her chair while still playing with the Rosario.

"Wait, I'm going back to something you said but, you are an orphan? Your parents are dead? You have no family? Truly I am sorry." Her face was depressed but, there was a reason she was asking, "Is that why you joined the military? To protect others? Or did you do it for having the honor of killing people?" She said the second question a little more rudely then intended, "Or as others say, for the honor of protecting our country... Now this wasn't what she meant to ask, she meant to ask a simple question why did you join the army, but, she didn't mean to spew out the rest of the questions. Moka was bitter, the military hadn't taken her mother or father, it had taken her sisters though, all of them. And even if she didn't get along with them, she still loved them.

"I'm sorry, I usually don't do that... Don't answer if you don't want to I just hate it, I hate thinking about the families I could be destroying. But I stay at it to protect our families." She said softly and quietly.

[remis]

The erratic nature of the girl drew Remis back to reality. She kept on him about the topic of the military; Moka was nearly insulting the general and his motives. Remis wasn't one to take offense at words, but he certainly did make a note in the back of his head about the potential lack of loyalty that Moka exhibited. Being in the military was tough- it was a burden on the soul. Remis didn't really understand why she was even in the State Alchemy program, but who was he to question her motives? She still didn't fit the profile of a traitor, so Remis wasn't going to start "questioning" her just yet...

"Sometimes, having a weapon is worse than being one! You're more independent when your strength comes from your body, and not your items." Remis still feigned a cheerful demeanor about the whole ordeal. His smile trickled with all the sweetness of a bee hive, poised with just as many potential stings. It seemed Moka wanted to do the stinging today, however. Remis would have to answer the next few questions carefully.

"I never knew my parents. They left me at Fort Briggs before I was even supposedly a year old." He remarked. "I was raised there, and the reason I joined the military is because, well, my family at Briggs' forced me!" Remis laughed at the last lie he told. It was partially true- all of Briggs ordered him to join the military or to get out, but he was already hellbent on being a state dog by the time he was 12. "I soon learned that the reason one joins the military is to protect others. I figured any other cause is unjust, y'know?" His lighthearted demeanor should have scared Moka, should have made her cringe if she had really known was atrocities Remis had committed. General De'Vir was a cutthroat and a liar; he would never stop being either of them.

[moka akashiya]

"I understand. I am sorry. It's rude of me to take things and shove them in your face." She faked a smile, but, on the inside she was just worried to death about her sisters, especialy Kokoa, Why did she join too!? Kokoa... She's even younger then me... Moka sighed, "I should know better then to be rude like that." Moka felt mean, even if the General was being nice about it, Moka was raised polite, to be nice, but, just the thought of her sisters in the military, risking their lives, it scared her.

"I do love my country, I really do. I just wish sometimes we weren't as military focused, but then, that would hinder the safety of our people." She smiled weakly, Wow, way to go Moka, just ask about his reasons as if he is a traitor. HE'S A GENERAL! He could report you to the military for 'suspicious' behavior... She stopped playing with the rosario and slid her hands down to rest in her lap.

"I don't think I could apologize enough, so I'll stop for now. You have your reasons, I have probably the same kinds of reasons." Moka lifted a hand and twisted one strand of hair while thinking over what she had said and what he had said. "I'll give you a reason for my questions, but, I suppose it doesn't cut me any slack." She laughed lightly, the General was being too nice to her, If I were in his shoes I would have either started crying or hit them with something... Moka corssed her arms, "I'm just bitter, my sisters are all risking their lives for the lives of others. It makes sense, if you have the power to protect use it, I just... I just wish that they didn't use it, we may have our problems but, I love them."

"There, now, what do you want to talk about? I feel like I've been leading the whole time." She smiled, a real smile this time. Moka hoped General De'Vir would forgive her for her rudeness. This was something she was raised to never do, and yet, she went ahead and did it anyways.

[remis]

As Moka fumbled over her words, Remis could only ponder what was going through her head as she kept digging herself a hole. It was obviously apparent to him that she was not a traitor, though she wasn't exactly very good at expressing her loyalty either. Oh well, she was a state alchemist- not a diplomat. Here she was, babbling about her family and her angsty life. In a way, the general was annoyed with her- she was complaining? Bah, kids. Remis still smiled though, and took the last question as an opportunity to leave. "I appreciate your inquisitive nature, Lightning, but I need to get going. I forgot that I actually did have a meeting to attend to today."

The swordsman stood up, pushed his hair out of his face, and smiled once more. "In fact, it started fifteen minutes ago."

[moka akashiya]

Moka looked at him skeptically. A meeting? It sounds more like an excuse, but, I'll leave it be... I do have some shopping to do. She got up and straightened her dress.

"I have to go as well, I have to pick up some groceries and such, nice finally talking to and meeting you General De'Vir. And, you can call me Moka. Enjoy your... meeting, I guess?" Moka was somewhat relieved, it was weird for her to be around him, she wasn't sure whether to be formal or not and she felt restrained, like she could not behave in her normal fashion. She smiled and pushed in her chair. Moka started for the door and waved as she left, then wind pulled at her dress so she tightened her jacket and headed away.