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 Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:36 pm
For the last year or so Warrick had spent much of his time shut up in an office doing all different sorts of paperwork. He wasn't sure that he could say it had been a nice change from being stationed somewhere where there was actually a battle to be lost or won. It should have been calming, but Warrick was always unsettled by remaining so still. He felt like he constantly had to be doing something that made him feel as if he were on the move. Was returning 'home' really supposed to be a reward?
Well, at least he had something to do now. It was the day before graduation day. Not for Warrick, of course, but for some fresh young soldiers who had completed their transition from civilian to solider and were now ready to become a real part of the entity that was the military. Where Warrick had come to doubt this establishment in ways, he still wanted to believe he was right for being a part of it. He wanted to believe it could, and WOULD be used for good. And so he had graciously accepted the opportunity to speak at the commencement ceremony about to take place the next day.
Another plus in this situation happened to be the fact that Warrick was guaranteed the sight of a familiar face. One that he even called a friend. As he entered the building that had served as a military training facility and school for years upon years a great sense of nostalgia hit him suddenly. Or perhaps he was feeling the impact from the pair of arms that had been thrown about his neck and the body slamming into his own. Fiona was hanging off of him for a moment before she let go and straightened up, smiling devilishly up at him.
"I'm sorry, Lt. Col. Rhodes. Was your trip a pleasant one?" she asked. "It only took me twenty minutes," Warrick admitted. Yes, he had been close. He didn't live far away. But he hadn't come back here for some reason until he was invited. "Glad to hear it... You never visit me, old man," she chided. "I'm the same age as you... How was your trip?" he asked. "Took me only half the hour and you know it, War. God, the memories! And just think my little brother is going to be a real soldier! Isn't that exciting?" she exclaimed.
Warrick had sort of drifted off, letting his eyes wander the halls. But he looked back at her after a moment, "Sorry... Yes, it's fantastic," he said. Fiona smirked, "Daydreaming?" she questioned. "No... I feel out of place... Still. I always did here," he said. Fiona smiled lightly, "Shall we wander?" she asked. Warrick nodded and began to follow her down the vast, nearly empty hall.
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:30 am
Ace had done some serious thinking after he had parted ways with the lt. colonel. He thought a lot about what the older man had told him about having the ability to change his path and give himself a future that he could be proud of. Because, of course, even though he had been a criminal for many years... that life was not a life that he could exactly be proud of, was it? As much as he loved to cause the military trouble.
Not only that, but he came to realize that he could have the opportunity to see the man who he had become so close to in such a short amount of time. For some reason he felt that he wanted to have this opportunity. Besides, what did he have to lose? His pride maybe. However, he didn't have anything else holding him back or tying him down. All he could do was move forward and create a new path for himself if he didn't want to continue on the one that he was currently on.
So this was what he did. Ace enlisted in the military against all of his beliefs and judgments. Not only was he on his way to becoming a military dog, but he was well on his way to becoming a state alchemist. Ace was a strange young man. He still had his grudges against the military, and yet here he was. However, he always had his reasons. Perhaps it had to do with what Warrick said. Perhaps it had to do with Warrick himself.
Ace was sitting in a stairwell off of the hallway in which Warrick and Fiona were making their way down. He was dressed in a pair of grey slacks, some new looking loafers, and a lighter grey button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He had on some black suspenders, but they were hanging uselessly from his pants and his shirt was left untucked and unbuttoned. Under this was a white wife-beater. And of course, the young man's hat was in place on his head.
He had a book on alchemy propped open on his lap and he was flipping through it. It was likely that Ace had read this before, judging by the way he was going through it.
"The Golden Alchemist, huh?" Came a voice from behind him. Ace turned his head around to see a young woman coming down the stairs carrying a stack of books. She was quite pretty with black hair that was cut into a short a-line and straight across bangs. Her skin was pale, but not in a sickly way. Her eyes were a very pale shade of blue. She was small and dressed in a military uniform. Ace recognized her. She worked in the library here in Central.
"It's appropriate. I can't say I wasn't hoping for a cooler nickname." Ace confessed, shrugging a little bit. The young woman smiled lightly, shifting the weight in her arms. "Can I see it?" She asked curiously. Ace quirked a brow. "See what?" He asked. "The watch." She responded. For a moment the young man looked confused, but then he seemed to realize what she was talking about. "Oh! Uh.... yeah." Ace shifted a little bit and fished the pocket watch out from the pocket of his slacks. He held it out to her.
The young woman's eyes looked it over in a fascinated way. "It's nice." She commented. Ace shrugged and pocketed the thing again. "I guess so." He responded, obviously not quite as impressed as she seemed to be.
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:57 am
"Out of the way, what are you guys a couple of damn gargoyles?" A young man had come galloping down the stairs and stopped just before running over Ace. He was average in height, a little on the taller side of average though, and of average build as well. But his hair was a vibrant honey color and his eyes were shockingly blue. He was considered by everyone to be incredibly handsome, and he was definitely one of the students with some of the highest marks in all of his classes. Ace probably knew him because he was a very social kid.
"I've got places to be, come on!" he protested, then proceeded to jump mostly over Ace and land in the hallway. He winced lightly, but grinned as he straightened up. "Aha!" he said. "Impressively stupid, Adam," Fiona said, slowing down a bit. Adam turned his head toward her, "Sissy! I was coming to meet you," he said excitedly, then his eyes widened a little. He cleared his throat, "Good afternoon, Lt. Col.," he said added as soon as he noticed Warrick at his sister's side.
Warrick did his best not to look amused, "Good afternoon, Adam," he said. "It's Private Branyon now, with all due respect, Sir," he said. Warrick nodded, "I apologize. It is good to see you... Looking... Tall," Warrick said awkwardly. Adam smiled triumphantly, "I grew," he stated the obvious. "... Yes," Warrick agreed. There was a short, awkward pause, then Fiona cut in again, "Adam, it's been a while. Would you care to give the Colonel a tour?" she asked. "Didn't you want to do that?" Adam inquired. Fiona scowled, then blushed lightly, "What exactly do you mean?" she asked. "Nothin'... You just went together," he said. "WE DID NOT," Fiona snapped. "I meant to school together!" Adam said defensively.
Warrick had sort of just been standing back and watching. And then he had started to zone out a little. "War, are you daydreaming again?" Fiona tapped his shoulder. Warrick turned back toward her, "What? No... I mean... No," he said. Adam snickered, "A few head injuries too many?" he asked. His sister hurried over and smacked him on the head. He scowled, but straightened up. "Sorry, Lt. Col. I forgot my manners," he said. "That's alright. I seem to forget mine often enough... Actually, I'd like to look around on my own if you two don't mind catching up without me," he added.
Fiona and Adam gave him the exact same look, but then Fiona nodded, "Sure... Lets have dinner together though, okay?" she suggested. Warrick smiled, though his mouth was hidden. "I eat alone,... But I would enjoy keeping you company," he said, then added, "I will see you later," and turned to head back down the hall. Fiona watched him for a moment, then looked back at her brother, "You should remember your rank," she chided. "You should remember yours... Or are you two finally sucking face in public?" he inquired. Fiona's eyes narrowed and she smacked him again, "Show me to your room and I may forgive that," she hissed. "Deal," Adam said, then headed back up the stairs. "Don't mind the gargoyles, follow me," he said. Fiona wandered over to the stairs and began to climb them. She briefly glanced at Ace as she passed, thinking he looked shockingly familiar, but she had to hurry to follow her brother.
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 1:41 am
Having been taken completely off guard by the young blond man who came charging down the stairs, the young woman who was balancing the stack of books in her arms uttered a surprised noise and stumbled out of the way. She backed up against the railing, catching her balance and managing not to drop the load that she was carrying. Ace's reaction was less surprised, but he closed the book that he happened to be reading and ducked just enough so that Adam didn't hit him when he jumped right over him. The new state alchemist found himself frowning in a rather irritated manner.
"I can think of a few places I'd like to put my foot in a way that would injure you." The teenager muttered, shaking his head. It was likely Adam would not have heard this. Of course, he recognized the other young man. He was sociable and well-known, and assuming that he was like this all of the time, it was likely that Ace wouldn't soon forget him or his name.
Ace turned his head to look over his shoulder again at the young woman who still looked rather startled. "Did you have a heart attack, or are you okay to get back to work?" He asked, smiling a little bit in a slightly amused way. He was amused mostly because of how startled she looked. "Oh... uhm! I'm fine." She said, situating the books in her arms again so that she had a better hold on them. "I really should get back to work though. Will I see you at the library anymore now that your tests are over?" She asked. Ace shrugged. "Maybe you will. Who knows what the military has in store for me! I might be a busy guy." He said, though his tone was a teasing one.
The young woman smiled again. "See you later, Ace." She said, moving down the stairs and down the hall. Ace's eyes followed her, and it was then that he noticed that the guy who had almost trampled him was talking to... Lt. Branyon? He recognized her right away, and he also realized that they were talking to someone else right before the siblings headed up the stairs.
Ace caught Fiona's gaze, and for a moment he wondered if she recognized him at all. Suddenly he was on his feet, stuffing the book he was reading into a bag he had with him, slinging it over his shoulder. He hurried into the hallway. The young woman he had been speaking with had been walking rather briskly so as she passed the lt. colonel, she slowed briefly. "Good morning, Lt. Colonel!" She said. "I would salute, but my hands are currently preoccupied." Having said this, she quickly hurried past him, almost jogging down the hall now, still balancing her books. It was obvious she had work to do.
Ace stood frozen by the stairway for a moment or so, but then he took off down the hall, running until he caught up with Warrick. Once he had, he grabbed the back of the older man's shirt to stop him. However, when he had done this... he didn't know what to say at all. He just kind of stood there, catching his breath since he had run all the way down the hall. "Hi." He said finally, that being all he could currently think of.
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 1:57 am
As the sound of the siblings bickering trailed off up the stairs and into another hallway altogether, Warrick was already halfway down the hall they had once been in. His mind was wandering. He wasn't so much thinking about the speech he was supposed to be giving the next day, but more about the time he had spent here himself. Generally a lonely time like the rest of his life. Of course there were a few friends. Fiona, mostly. Some other boys she knew were nice enough to him, many were curious. Not every memory was a sad one and he was thankful for that.
He turned his attention to the young woman with her books who had greeted him and nodded, "Afternoon," he said. He wanted to offer her some help but she was already off on her way again. It was funny how fast people around here seemed to move. Everyone in the city always had somewhere to be and something to do. Perhaps this was one reason Warrick always felt so out of place, especially in a crowd. He wasn't quite as fast as everyone else when it came down to it in a general way. Warrick tended to take his time unless a situation called for quick action.
And speaking of quick action, he was suddenly very surprised to feel a tug on the back of his shirt. He stopped immediately, and when he turned he did not expect to find Ace there. Maybe Fiona, maybe even Adam, or anyone else BUT Ace. And yet, Ace was the person he found. The surprised was clear on his face, as most of his emotions were. And even after the short 'Hi' he was speechless for a moment or two. If Ace didn't know what to say, well, Warrick certainly didn't either. Ace had the advantage here as well because he knew Warrick was in the military and may have expected to see him sometime because of this, whereas Warrick never really thought he would see Ace again. Ever.
"Hi," Warrick finally returned the greeting. Of course questions came to mind, but he didn't ask any of them yet. And for a short moment he felt and odd sort of panic, wondering if Ace wasn't supposed to be here. But as good as Ace seemed to be at getting in and out of trouble, he doubted the young man could get in here without proper clearance. So what was there to worry about? Nothing, he supposed. Not yet anyway. "Umm," so Warrick hadn't gotten less awkward. No surprise there. "How... How are you?" he wasn't sure that was what he had wanted to ask, though it was something he HAD been wondering. At least it was a polite question.
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 1:53 pm
Ace continued to hang onto Warrick's shirt, even though the older man had quite obviously stopped. However, when he turned around to face him better, the teenager did finally release the material of the lt. colonel's clothing. He continued to stare, his mouth slightly open as if he wanted to say something though he wasn't sure what the right thing would be.
Of course, Ace had WANTED to see Warrick again, though he hadn't been counting on feeling slightly awkward about the meeting. So he had found the friend he had had for a brief amount of time and now he didn't know what to do or what to say. When it came down to it, this was kind of a weird situation. It had been so unlikely that these two people would cross paths again because of the very different lives that they led. However, here they were, face to face again. Though it had taken Ace a complete turn around to see the older man again.
The young state alchemist shifted the pack on his shoulder a little bit and then he managed to compose himself so that he didn't appear as awkward. He shrugged his shoulders casually in response to the question, though he smiled in that slightly mischievous way that he often did. "I feel like that might be a double sided question. If you are really asking if I am staying out of trouble... then, yes. I am." Ace joked, still smiling a little bit. "Other than that, I can't complain really. How about you? Staying out of trouble, lt. colonel?"
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:18 pm
Warrick hadn't really meant for the question to be taken like it was. But he had felt like he had probably wanted to say something else. Maybe another question... Of course the one he had asked was still most definitely one that had been on his mind. But it was more a wonder about how Ace was doing in general. His eyes flicked to his shoulder for a moment. His last memories of Ace weren't exactly the most pleasant ones... Well, that wasn't true. Ace he remembered quite pleasantly. It was the situation that was unpleasant to think about. He still felt somehow responsible.
But Ace looked good. He looked very good! And it was nice to hear that he was keeping out of trouble lately. He might have commented on this if he hadn't been suddenly asked a question himself. For some reason the way he was asked it, combined with the question itself, rendered Warrick entirely speechless. He even found his face reddening slightly for some reason. What was that about? And after all of this confusing overreaction, he finally actually thought about the question itself and wondered if he even knew how to answer it. Had he been keeping out of trouble? It seemed like a relative question, or even a matter of opinion.
He cleared his throat lightly, "Umm... Yes. I have. Been keeping out of trouble, I mean," he said. It seemed true. He had been shutting himself up and living alone in solitude with only paperwork to keep him company for the most part. That seemed like a pretty trouble free life. Of course he didn't add this part. Ace didn't need to know all of that... He could probably have guessed it anyway. It wasn't hard to figure out even after only knowing Warrick for a short period of time that he was something of a loner. He probably wouldn't speak to anyone if they didn't insist on speaking to him first. He was secretly glad they did.
"You're here," he hadn't meant to say it. He just sort of had. It was obvious that he was here, Ace knew that better than anyone. It was just such a shock. But as strange and twisted up as it made Warrick feel inside, it was a welcome surprise. There was nothing to worry about, was there? Despite his nerves, Warrick had already figured out that Ace wouldn't be here if he wasn't supposed to be. "Sorry, I meant... Something else..." Warrick trailed off, shifting his eyes to the side briefly.
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:45 pm
Ace couldn't help but to laugh in response to Warrick's sudden awkwardness having come face to face with each other once again. The young man really did look well. He looked as if he had been well off for a little while at least. He didn't look unhealthy or dirty. He definitely didn't look as if he had been sleeping out on the streets like he used to. And being that he was here, the teenager wondered if Warrick could guess that he joined the people he claimed to despise so much.
Over the year that the two of them had been apart, Ace seemed to have grown a little. He wasn't really any taller at all, but his face was slightly more mature. It was a little thinner, less round. But other than that, he definitely didn't look much different at all.
And of course, there would always be a scar on his shoulder from the bullet, but Warrick wouldn't be able to see that currently since he was wearing a shirt. However, he DID notice as the older man's eyes flickered toward his shoulder. But Ace didn't bother to say anything about it. The injury was healed, and even though it would leave a mark, the event was in the past.
So Ace wanted to focus on what was happening here and now. Here and now he was standing in the hallway with Warrick. Reaching up, the young alchemist patted the lt. colonel lightly on the shoulder, that small still in place on his mouth. "No worries. I AM here." He said, retracting his hand. "I guess you're wondering why though..." Ace trailed off, reaching in to the pocket of his slacks so that he could pull out that signature pocket watch. He held it up for Warrick to see. "I'm a dog now, too." He said, grinning sheepishly.
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 3:07 pm
Lt. Col. Rhodes' eyes shifted to the hand that patted his shoulder lightly. After a moment they returned to Ace's face. He did look a bit more like a young man now. Warrick wondered if he looked older. He had been getting more rest lately, it was possible he had started to look younger instead. Or at least more his age. But he wasn't about to ask if Ace thought he looked any different. Why would that matter anyway?
Perhaps he should have congratulated Ace at hearing the news. Or even looked proud or something similar. But instead his brow furrowed and he looked confused and mildly troubled. It was just like Warrick not to be able to control his real emotions. His expression always conveyed them exactly as they were. And most of the time they were more than readable. He eyed the watch as it was displayed to him with the expression that fit exactly the way he felt about it.
What was there to say? He moved his eyes back up to Ace's. He really didn't want to be rude at all. But what was this about? He took a moment, then forced a smile. It was easy to tell when an expression was dishonest on an honest man's face. "You should be very proud," he said in an oddly flat tone. On one hand he believed this was a true statement, but on the other it didn't seem like the right thing to say.
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 3:37 pm
For some reason Ace thought that Warrick would more... proud somehow. And even though the older man SAID that he must have been proud of himself, the look in his eyes almost made it seem as if HE wasn't proud. He had a feeling that Warrick was more disappointed than anything else. However, the teenager had no idea why. He also had no idea why he was feeling so eager to please the lt. colonel when everything he had ever done in his life had been for himself.
What exactly had he been hoping for? Had he been hoping for Warrick to be thrilled about his sudden turn around? Had he expected him to be happy about the change he had made? Come to think of it, Ace had no idea what he had been expecting. But he certainly hadn't been expecting a mild form of disappointment.
Ace's smile faded, his eyes still locked onto the older man's, which was reflecting the emotions he happened to be feeling. For a moment or two, the young alchemist just stood there, holding out the pocket watch for Warrick to look at. Eventually he moved again, shifting so that he could hide the thing in his pocket once more. Suddenly Ace felt ashamed for becoming part of the thing he hated the most.
So why had he done it? Maybe he thought he would be able to make a difference. Maybe... this was the only way he could keep himself from a life of crime and actually making an honest living. Maybe... he just wanted to see Warrick again. All of these things were possible.
"Well, it doesn't really matter what I think." Ace said finally, averting his gaze from Warrick's mostly covered face. "I'm glad I saw you again. I... missed you. Maybe I'll see you later." He said, somehow feeling slightly offended now. Having said this, he moved past Warrick so that he could head for the exit now.
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:05 pm
It was very easy for Warrick to tell that he had offended Ace. It was an awful feeling, especially when he had wanted so badly not to. But the thoughts he had suddenly been forced to think were not thoughts he felt he could approve of. Ace had called himself a dog. So was that really what he thought of himself now? Was that how he still felt about the military? And if so, why join?
And now Ace was offended. And now he was walking away. Warrick normally would have let him go. It was in his nature not to bother people and to let them leave him if this was what they wished to do. But offending people never sat well with him, which was why he kept his face hidden. And offending Ace seemed to bother him just a bit more. They were friends, weren't they? He didn't like watching a friend walk away offended.
So he found himself going after him. Ace had only made it a little way down the hall by the time Warrick reached him, and he firmly but gently grabbed Ace by the arm. "Ace," he said. And then what was he going to say? He supposed the truth would suffice. After all, it was what he was accustomed to speaking. He did best when he spoke the truth.
"I'm sorry," he said first, because he was, and then went on, "I was just wondering... How anything could be important enough to make you forget what you stood for. I could be wrong... Maybe you've changed your mind... But if you haven't it is sad to see you giving up," he released Ace's arm. "It doesn't matter whether I agree with you or not, or whether anyone else does either, as long as you only do what feels right to you. There's never a good reason to give up what you believe in. And don't... Don't call yourself a dog. If this is what you want call yourself a soldier. And if it's not... Cut and run while you can," he said seriously. At some point there was no turning back.
Warrick didn't want to see Ace become something he despised. Warrick knew a lot about not liking, even hating yourself. It wasn't something anyone else should go through, especially a smart kid like Ace. He could still make himself another life. One that he could be entirely happy with. If he had joined up because he felt like he had no other options, this wasn't the right path for him. Warrick couldn't imagine any other reason Ace would put himself in this position. Unless something had changed his mind... Which Warrick found unlikely.
"Anyway,... That's just... What I was thinking... You know, I will see you later actually. I have to go find... Where I sleep. So I can put my stuff there," he said. Awkward once again. At least things were back to normal there. "Right, later," he said, frowning a little and turning away from Ace. He wondered his crazy or pushy he had made himself seem. He had never really been good at keeping friends. He was either too honest or not honest enough for their tastes. After all, he wasn't just going to show anyone his face. Not being able to see it bothered some people just as much as seeing it did. As he wandered back down the hallway he wondered also why he could never seem to do anything right when it came to personal relationships.
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:39 pm
Of course Ace hadn't gotten very far from Warrick when the older man decided to follow him and grab hold of his arm so that he couldn't go any further. Ace stopped, though he didn't turn around right away. He stared toward where the exit was, just several feet away.
He wished he knew why he was being so unreasonably upset by the older man's reaction. Warrick was the only person that he was even remotely close to. Of course, they hadn't known each other for very long, and they hadn't seen each other in practically a year... but Ace felt like he wanted Warrick to approve. The young alchemist hadn't had a family or anyone for so long and maybe he just... wanted someone. He wanted someone to care and he wanted someone to be proud and encouraging.
Maybe that was why he was so upset. Ace really liked Warrick despite everything he had stood for. Of course, he still did and would always have grudges against the military, but the older man's words a year ago had got him thinking. He really did want to have a goal in life. Being a petty criminal wasn't getting him anywhere but in trouble. Maybe he even looked up to Warrick in a way. The young man thought that the lt. colonel was a respectable person. Perhaps Ace needed that in his life.
And then Warrick was walking away. It took a minute before the teenager turned around, his eyes on the older man's back. For a moment or so he just stood there, but then he pulled the bag off of his shoulder and began to rummage through it. He pulled out some form of writing utensil and a small note pad he had been using to study for his tests which were over. Quickly he scrawled something on it and ripped the paper out. Shoving the note pad and the pen back into his bag, he hurried after Warrick again.
Really, this all seemed to be turning into a game of chase. Grabbing onto the older man's arm, he guided his hand closer to him so that he could place the paper into it. "This is where I'm staying. Don't be a stranger, huh?" He smiled a bit.
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:11 pm
It really had become like some sort of ridiculous game of chase. Warrick wasn't really expecting Ace to catch up with him again, but he wasn't expecting him not to at this point either. So it wasn't a surprise but it wasn't expected when he felt the pull on his arm. And he did stop in response to it, turning slightly to look back. When the paper slid into his hand he lightly closed his fingers to grasp it.
He looked it over for a moment, taking in what was written there. Of course it would be Ace's dorm information, most likely. After all, where else was a young soldier to stay? He glanced back up at Ace, his brow furrowing slightly once more a the young man's smile. It always look mischievous, if not devious. But it had come not to be unsettling. It had come to be an expression that he recognized as one of Ace's own. And so his expression eased. "I won't be," he promised. Warrick kept his promises.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~
And so later that night Warrick intended to keep his promise. He had sat through dinner with Fiona and Adam and had not eaten. This had given rise to more rumors in the form of whispers, almost all containing the word 'vampire'. But Warrick didn't mind. This was who he had become through his own actions, he reasoned. And it was better people thought of him as possibly being a monster than saw only a monster immediately when they looked at him.
Anyway, now he was done with all of that. He had even eaten a little bit himself, in private of course, and ended up sitting in his room for a while. He sat alone, staring at the piece of paper Ace had given him. Why was it such a big deal to go visit a friend? Well, for one thing, Warrick had little experience with friendship. All he had to go on was Fiona, who he had worked with for a long time. If they hadn't worked together he most likely would not have made the effort to keep the relationship going. But it was going now... In a way. Though this seemed different.
He got up and paced to his door, but stopped there. He felt nervous. It made no sense. And then other thoughts crept into his mind. Was it right for him to go on a personal visit to a lower ranking officers bedroom at night? He scowled. It wasn't like Ace was female or anything. And they WERE friends... But was that right considering the fact that Ace was no longer a civilian? Could they be friends when Warrick was his Lt. Col.? Well, he wasn't in his Battalion or anything... Or was he? He scowled again. That was silly, military men could be friends. He was just so certain someone would find a way to make a problem out of it. And then he sighed. He was the one making a problem out of it now... And he had promised.
Warrick exited his room and began to head down the hallway. He was not in uniform any longer. He was wearing a pair of black slacks and some nice but worn black shoes. He had black suspenders on but they were hanging down at his sides, and he had an off-white shirt buttoned up almost all of the way, though the top button was left undone. The sleeves were rolled up to just above his elbows. And of course he had a scarf on, a black one in fact. Ace didn't wear a lot of color aside from his uniform. He reached up to brush some dark hair away from his face as he hurried in the direction of wherever Ace had written down.
When he reached the appropriate hall he slowed his pace considerably. He still felt odd. Like he shouldn't be here but it was where he wanted to be. He felt like he was sneaking around, though so far he hadn't had to hide where he was going at all. Warrick was so used to following orders doing something else just didn't feel right. Sure, Ace had asked him to come... Hadn't he? Was that what he had meant? Well, either way, they weren't orders. He wanted to be here. He took a few more long strides and paused at the right door. Then he waited for a few more minutes before raising a hand and knocking.
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 2:08 am
For most of the rest of the day, Ace had spent it more or less avoiding higher ranking officers who were requesting to see him personally. Since he was now a state alchemist, he knew that there would be more tasks and missions for him compared to the normal military officer. Even if he was a low ranked soldier himself.
So... he was a soldier now. ACE was a soldier. It was strange for him to think about. He had spent so much time and energy hating the military and all of the officers, and now he was one of them. He was one of those people that he had spent most of his life despising. The young man couldn't exactly bring himself to justify why he had taken this turn and decided to join. All of the reasons he had didn't really seem good enough to betray everything that he had stood for in the past. What Warrick said was getting him thinking again. He couldn't exactly figure out why he was taking everything the older man said to heart.
Currently Ace was in the dorm that he had been staying while he had been studying and training. He was sitting at a small writing desk, however he was slumped over it, his arms crossed over some papers and a book that was laying open. An oil lamp was burning low nearby. However, when he heard the sudden knock, the teenager shot up. He looked around, muttering in a kind of groggy way. So he had been sleeping... for the most part.
It didn't take Ace very long to figure out that someone was knocking on the door. Getting to his feet, he stumbled over to answer it. When he pulled it open, the young man squinted at Warrick for a moment or so. He was still dressed in the slacks he had on earlier, however he was only wearing a wife-beater. He wore no shoes or socks, and his hat was hanging on the back of the chair he had been sitting in.
"Oh." Was Ace's initial reaction to seeing the lt. colonel standing there. To be perfectly honest, he hadn't been expecting to see him so soon... if at all. Well, the man had promised.... and he knew that Warrick didn't lie. However, he still hadn't expected to see him again so soon. Ace managed a smile. It wasn't a forced one in the least, and it definitely wasn't his mischievous one. It was a genuine smile, if not a little sleepy. Like he was happy to see the older man.
"You're pretty unpredictable. If I knew I was going to have company I would have made myself look descent." Ace joked, moving out of the doorway so that Warrick could come in if he wanted to do so.
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 2:27 am
Warrick wasn't sure if Ace's initial reaction should be counted as a good one, but it could have been worse, right? And he nodded a silent greeting in response. He wasn't really sure exactly what he was doing here. Then again, if he hadn't come now, he probably wouldn't. After speaking tomorrow it was likely he had been intending to head straight home to continue whatever other lonely work he had to do. So it was now or never, right?
When Ace stepped aside, retreating back into his room a bit, Warrick remained just exactly where he was. He lingered in the doorway for a moment or two, then stepped inside as well. He considered closing the door, but decided there was really no need for privacy and it was up to Ace to shut his room up or leave it open as he pleased. He glanced around briefly. Nostalgia hit him hard again, memories flooding into his head and drowing the present for a few moments time. He had once had a room like this.
When he returned his attention to Ace he addressed his statement. "Well, I didn't get dressed up myself. Of course, I hardly own anything aside from my uniform," he said. Maybe that was a bit of an overshare. It sure made him seem like a sad case, didn't it? But there he went again, being honest. He really wasn't even joking, though it may have come off that way. He let his eyes wander the room for a few moments again. This time it was less a nostalgic thing than a real observation of the space. He wondered if it would tell him anything about Ace. After all, what did he know about him?
"I wouldn't call myself unpredictable," he added. He didn't believe he was. He followed orders and always did what he thought was right. Of course, this didn't warrant being predictable... But he still felt like he was. If someone knew him well enough they could calculate his actions before he even acted them. Then again, who knew Warrick well enough? He partially didn't let anyone, and partially found that without even trying he tended to push people away. He would go as far as saying he repulsed them. Scars or no scars. "But I suppose it was you calling me that, so my opinion hardly matters. Are you excited to start your new life?" he questioned, curious.
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