for tonight we see the water the night we only fear; (CLOSED)

[queen_sacrifice]

WHO; Cornelia li Britannia, Roy Mustang, possibly others.
WHAT; Birthday celebrations + conversations via Destiny Crystals
WHEN; January 13th because Kattu actually forgot her own character's birthday
WHERE; Military quarters in Darobeth. To be more precise, Cornelia's quarters
WARNINGS; None

A birthday was the celebration of life, but for someone like Cornelia li Britannia, it just signified another year of accomplishments and military success. For as long as she can think back (an action she hardly engages in for it leaves her with nothing but bitterness in her mind), her life hasn't been her own for years. This was the path she chose - a path to protect her baby sister, her half-siblings, and her cousins. While it was a daunting road to travel, it was one she did with little complaint, for as long as the aforementioned were content and safe, then she herself can find solace in her actions.

So it mattered little to her that she spent another year on the field of battle.

Unfortunately for her, the day was called to her attention by a glimmer of hope discarded many years ago. A stupid man from her childhood who insisted upon foolish parties. Thankfully for her, there was no one close by to invite, but she did still held the obligation of answering the call of Roy Mustang. All she can do is pray to some deity for patience to endure.

Comments

[king_of_flames]

On the other hand, Colonel Mustang himself was looking forward to this. One might question whether he had a masochistic streak within him, but he had his reasons. Though he never said anything about it, he missed the days when they were both teenagers -- and courting each other willingly, not out of obligation. He knew those days were gone, but if he could inch his way back into his fiancée's heart, give her a life beyond work, he felt they could make this succeed.

And as 5:30 rolled around, a trio of knocks could be heard to the door of Cornelia's quarters. Roy was as punctual as always. In his right hand he carried a bag of ingredients, though what they were it was impossible to tell just yet.

[queen_sacrifice]

If only she had a vague idea of his hope, she might find some pleasure in teasing him about it. It only takes her as much time to get up and approach the door before it opens to greet him, arms folding naturally over her chest. Looking him over, she gives a quiet sigh.

"Is this really going to be necessary?" Naturally she digs her heels in and refuses to move. It's the way she is.

[king_of_flames]

"Oh, come on, this sort of thing only happens once a year." Roy smiles. "Besides, it's my cooking or more gruel -- unless you want to pay for something nicer."

[queen_sacrifice]

"I wish it would just be ignored." With a sigh, she pushes open the door to allow him in at the same time she turns on her heels. Stepping away, she waves a hand over her shoulder as she walks, continuing to talk. "How did you even find out about it? Sneaking conversations with Euphemia? Stealing glances at documentation for higher-ups?"

All spoken in a matter of jest, but she's at least lightening up. The idea of decent food strikes her interest and maybe Mustang can spoil her with something just this once. If she plans to outdo him, then it's best to wait to see what he has in store.

"Are you asking me to ask you out on a date? An initiative to not take initiative! I didn't think you had it in you, Mustang."

[king_of_flames]

Roy stepped in, letting out a laugh. He couldn't help it.

"Not quite, on either count. My memory's good enough to remember your birthday from when we were both kids." Roy walked over to the kitchenette, pulled out a pan, and set it on the stove top. "And I'd never dream of getting a woman to ask me out. I wouldn't be able to look Madam Christmas in the eye if I were to do that. I'm just saying that this is an opportunity for a good, free dinner."

[queen_sacrifice]

"You remember that far back?" It isn't a shot at his memory as it is more of a subtle reminder that a life like that was discarded long ago. The little girl who wished to be a knight was killed at a certain battle and the hardened blade that was Cornelia li Britannia was forged right after. "That's entertaining really."

Even if she wants to pay him little attention (the less she gives, the more he tries to seek it out), she's unable to stop her gaze from traveling between the stove and his hands.

"So your pride would be shot if anyone were attempt that sort of thing with you?" It sounds almost as though she's musing it over. "How quaint."

[king_of_flames]

"I have to in order to make sure what I learned doesn't go to waste." Roy is referring to his education, especially his study of alchemy, when he says this. As he speaks, he removes the items from his bag, starting with a stick of butter and two medallions of filet mignon.

"And not quite, no. Just if I got someone to ask me. If they took the initiative of their own volition, there's no problem."

With that, Roy ignites the burner under the pan and dumps the stick of butter in. He then pulls out containers of chopped garlic and crushed black pepper, and begins to rub them into the steaks.

[queen_sacrifice]

"Hn." A noise of discontent at his words, but acknowledgment all the same. Of course he remembers what he learned - he displays it in combat well enough, save for when he's bold enough to get himself in a stupid situation. Then again, that's more ignorance than boldness, she would think. "I see."

With all interest lost in their conversation, she doesn't bother to even humor him with much of a reply, choosing instead to move in front of a window. Drawing the curtains in, she frowns, focusing on the task at hand.

[king_of_flames]

"Looking for privacy?" Roy joked as he finished seasoning the meat. By this time, the butter had melted in the pan, so Roy carefully lowered the meat in.

[queen_sacrifice]

"Not even in your dreams." Cornelia finds her counter to his joke quite humorous as she gives a light laugh. "No, not until there's a ring on my finger and the world is at peace."

[king_of_flames]

Roy stared for a second, before bursting out laughing as he turned the steaks over. "Sorry, but that's not what I meant to imply. Trust me, I'm not ready for that kind of thing, either, for much the same reasons."

After waiting for a bit longer, he pulled the steaks out of the pan, the frying done, and pulled out some more ingredients...wait, is that a bottle of brandy?

[queen_sacrifice]

"As if anyone would believe that."

Sorry Mustang, but she hears plenty of rumors. Even if he insists otherwise, it still makes for great teasing material. Essentially though he had been correct in his assumption - privacy is something she desires and she won't allow anyone else to see or hear a thing the two say.

"What do you plan to do with that?" Keen eyesight notices the one strange thing. "Well?"

[king_of_flames]

"Believe me or not, but I'm going to stick by it. As for the brandy..." Roy trails off and lets his actions do the talking. He takes the pan off the burner and adds some brandy to it, then sets the bottle down and raises his left hand.

Snap.

The contents of the pan catch fire. The alcohol burns off in a matter of seconds, and the flames die. Roy then adds a few more ingredients and gets to mixing.

[queen_sacrifice]

Cornelia flinches.

It's a subtle action in which she quickly recovers from without showing a trace of the fear there was before, but it's enough to the trained eye to notice. Cornelia is the type of person who's impossible to startle and even if she should expect nothing less from this man, it still was enough to snap her out of her senses briefly.

Maybe she was growing to trust him a bit too easily as she shifts the weight of her body more on the left side as if she intends to strike with her right. A reaction invoked in her from a war she should already forget.

[king_of_flames]

When Cornelia moved, Roy looked up. A confused frown appeared on his face, but then comprehension dawned, and he softened his expression.

"It's okay. It's flambé. Just part of the cooking process."

[queen_sacrifice]

"Ah, is it?"

While she's upset he was able to notice, she tries to draw as little attention to it as possible by neglecting to draw attention to it.

"I wasn't paying much attention to it."

[king_of_flames]

"That's a shame. Flambé is best appreciated when one watches the cooking process. But anyway, lighting the brandy on fire causes some chemical changes in the sauce I'm making. You'll see what I mean when you get the chance to taste it...which will be in a couple of minutes now, since I'm done."

With that, Roy carefully takes the pan and pours the sauce over the steaks on both plates, then carries the pan over to the sink to wash when they're done with dinner. He quickly sets the table for the two of them, then puts the meals down on the table.

Once that's done, Roy pulls out a bottle of red wine and pours two glasses, and then takes his seat. Before eating, though, he raises his glass. "To another year?"

[queen_sacrifice]

Nope, not going to admit she was and that's why she was taken by surprise. Allowing Mustang to feel a twinge of frustration with the neglect to his abilities isn't all that cruel, but something to keep him wanting. It wasn't as though her charm could do all of that on it's own.

While he occupies his time with prepping the meal, Cornelia busies herself with watching him. An easy compromise and it allows her to study her subject without much notice.

"Another year of what?" The question takes her by surprise enough to ask for clarification, the woman lifting her own to mimic him. "Good war efforts?"

[king_of_flames]

Watching Roy cook would have yielded an interesting sight. Roy was putting for all of his focus into the job before him, something not usually shown off the battlefield. He was devoted to making this meal delicious.

When Cornelia asked her question, though, he just smiled and replied. "Oh, I was thinking just...life. Good health. You've said yourself we're not in the safest profession, after all."

[queen_sacrifice]

"I don't need that sort of thing." Cornelia can take care of herself, thank you very much. "I suppose we can wish it for you at least."

[king_of_flames]

"Not if it's just for me." Roy withdrew his glass for the moment. "I'm sure there's something you'd be willing to make a toast to."

[queen_sacrifice]

"Is there? The future is unpredictable, so what point is there in toasting for anything?"

[king_of_flames]

"Hope, plain and simple. We both have our own hopes, dreams, and goals -- I know that because we're both human."

That gave Roy an idea. "How about a toast to our goals?"

[queen_sacrifice]

"To our goals.." She's not going to comment on hopes and dreams. Generals really shouldn't focus on that kind of thing. "Fine, that will do."

[king_of_flames]

"All right, then. To our goals." Roy once again raised his glass.

[queen_sacrifice]

"To our goals."

Clink!

Now that he's left her speechless, she'll take a sip from her glass, trying to remain calm.

[king_of_flames]

Roy likewise takes a sip from his own glass, then cuts into his steak. After cutting off a piece, he sticks his fork into it and lifts it into his mouth. It tasted as delicious as always.

[queen_sacrifice]

Well, she's going to try to hide how much she's enjoying this meal, but there are some things she's not trained well to do. Keeping her emotions to herself is one of them as she's rather expressive, so instead she'll enjoy herself.

[king_of_flames]

Roy doesn't even need to ask how the meal was, for he could read Cornelia's satisfaction quite well from her face. He watched her for all of about two seconds and found himself smiling, then busied himself with his own meal.