Party time and more [Action]

[idkmybffalfred]

[In a ballroom at Central City.]

The auction was done and a hefty pile of wealth had been gathered to help pay for the reconstruction of Amestris in the wake of the devastating undead invasion. All that was left at this point was the after party, and EVERYONE has been invited. The majority of the party has moved to a huge ballroom, complete with an in house orchestra, several tables of light snacks and drinks, a large dancing area, tables around the edges of the room, and servants with trays of drinks making sure no one goes long without a glass. Brag about your newest acquisition, seeth with jealousy at the guy who bid more on the piece you wanted, enjoy fine food and drinks from across the empire, get drunk, dance, have fun. Mr. Wayne is footing the bill tonight.

[Elsewhere, later that evening...]


A dark figure edges close to the tall wall surrounding the manor belonging to the mysterious man known only as The Major. It produces a grappling hook from under its cloak, and is perched atop the wall in short order to get a better look at what it has to contend with here.

Comments

[king_of_flames]

I've just set him on good behavior tonight, that's all.

[Well, he's rolling with it.]

[queen_sacrifice]

I was unaware he could be set as such.

[king_of_flames]

All it takes is some proper motivation and a sense of what's important.

[queen_sacrifice]

I thought the sense department was where you had the most trouble in.

[king_of_flames]

Hey, it's never steered me wrong on the battlefield. Though I guess that's pretty apparent as it is.

[queen_sacrifice]

I'm going to need a refill within a minute or two.

[king_of_flames]

So soon? Are you that thirsty?

[queen_sacrifice]

No, but if orders are to smile and look as though I'm enjoying myself, I'll need a lot of aid.

[king_of_flames]

Well, if you think you need the aid that much, far be it from me to stop you from seeking it...up to a point. Drinking too much isn't something we want here, either.

[queen_sacrifice]

You don't need to play the role of a legal guardian. I know my limits.

[king_of_flames]

Still, it's always good to have someone to put some trust in for this kind of thing. There's just something about the feeling of knowing someone else is watching your back.

[queen_sacrifice]

You may watch my back in battle, but do you think you've earned the right to do so here?

[king_of_flames]

Well, who better to do so here than me?

[queen_sacrifice]

[ Busying herself by looking over the guests around them. ]

Surely there is someone familiar here..

[king_of_flames]

...Most likely. But how many of them would be willing to bump me out of the equation?

[queen_sacrifice]

If I bat my eyelashes just right..

[king_of_flames]

You think that'd work on someone who knows you?

[A bit of teasing here.]

[queen_sacrifice]

It might. I bet it would work on you.

[king_of_flames]

Maybe. But maybe not. Who's to say?

[queen_sacrifice]

I could experiment.. but past analysis has proven the odds in my favor, so I see little need to.

[king_of_flames]

You think I've changed that little in ten years, huh?

[queen_sacrifice]

Yes.

[ At least she's honest. ]

Men don't just change over time. They change because of events that happen to them.

[king_of_flames]

...Well...don't forget. There was one such event.

[All of Roy's joviality evaporated. In its place was solemnity. Ishval has clearly left its mark on him.]

[queen_sacrifice]

And what changes occurred in you with such an event?

[king_of_flames]

...

[Roy doesn't answer. Not immediately. But the expression on his face indicates that this isn't an easy time of his life to revisit.]

This isn't the place for a thorough discussion of that experience. For now, let's say that I lost my naivete and replaced it with motivation.