installing | ♨ 1 Apple Pie + Seventeen Apples and Cinnamon

♨ 1 Apple Pie + Seventeen Apples and Cinnamon | Voice+Action ♨

[Voice]
Hello? I'd like to personally speak with all the friends and "guardians" of Elicia Hughes. It's very important, and I would rather speak in person. Meet me on the bridge passed houses thirty one and thirty three.

Everyone else? What are your favorite dinner recipes? I need to spice up my cooking, and sometimes cookbooks just won't do it.

[Action]
[And those who will come to meet her shall see her standing in the middle of the bridge looking over the side. She's not alone, though. Not too far off will be one alchemist around to make sure everything is okay.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[By now Winry as her arms crossed under her chest. It's getting late, and... well so far it hasn't been too bad.]

And who are you?

I am Loki.

[He offers Winry an elegant bow.]

You asked for Elicia's friends, so I have come.

Loki, huh? So you're one of the reasons why I have to do this.

[Elegance isn't something she's extremely impressed with nowadays. Not after Kimblee.]

[Well, he'd suspected that was coming. Still, his mouth sets in a grim line.]

I assure you, lady, that I have done my utmost to remain peaceful here. I did not go looking to be shot.

And most certainly not in your backyard. I'd been warned I might be targeted, but enough time had elapsed that I thought the person in question had wisely thought better of it, since in the past he wasn't a complete fool. That was my mistake, and for that I apologize.

Edited 2012-10-14 18:32 (UTC)

Don't give me excuses and try to blame it on someone else. It's both your mistake and his, and I don't want any of you near her if that is going to happen again.

[Loki remains calm, eyebrows raising slightly.]

'twould be foolish of me indeed, to make promises upon how anyone else might act, as I am in control of no one but myself.

I gladly give you my word that no harm shall come to Elicia by my hand or through my actions. My word as my life.

No, to be around her you must promise more than that. Either you keep her out of that feud of yours, or you don't visit her at all. Even if you won't hurt her there has to be more. She has to be safe from anybody else, or anything she might see. She's a young girl, sir, and my responsibility. If you can't handle that then you shouldn't bring danger to her.

[Loki opens one hand in a gesture of futility, frustration showing on his face.]

What would you have of me, lady? I have no feud. I bear no grudges here.

I have spoken now with he who shot me, and he shall not do so again. What more is there I can do? I have every reason to wish to preserve the peaceful state here for Elicia's sake, and Ikki's, because of all who live here I will gladly spill my own blood to achieve their protection.

So I beg of you, tell me what more I might do, aside from living in peace, offering cooperation, and standing ready to act as a shield, for surely I have missed it.

[This is more than he intended to say, but heartfelt because of it. He is frustrated by so much about the situation.]

Edited (Okay now that sentence makes sense. ) 2012-10-14 21:28 (UTC)

[The blond's hands fly to her hips. This girl is frustrated too, and she's not intimidated by the man before her.]

See, you didn't tell me that before. What you told me is that you wouldn't harm her, and nothing about protecting her from anyone else. All I want is for her to be safe, and keep her childhood for as long as she can. This place will do that enough without people doing it for her. So what I need is a promise that that incident, and anything like it, won't happen again. And if there is a time you think it will? Then stay away. For her sake.

[The problem is, Loki is very, very bad at this. He's bad at caring about people, bad at expressing it, bad at being anything but the conniving villain. This is unfamiliar territory.

He rubs his forehead with one hand, voice going quiet for a moment.]

I already did.

[He already did his best to protect her. And will hopefully do better, should there be a next time. He is nothing, if not creative.

His voice sharpens again as he continues on.]

You have my word on that as well. Clint Barton shan't be using me for target practice again.

[Winry frowns. This man is making excuses. "He attacked me. He targeted me. He wasn't a fool before-" Bull crap. This man is just as responsible for putting Elicia in that situation as the shooter was.]

This isn't just about what he did, sir. This is about any future confrontation that may happen with anyone. It may seem like I'm giving you a hard time about this, but I have to. With her mother and father not around I have to make sure she's safe, and anyone who might want to be around her is safe.

[He makes a frustrated sigh.]

No, no, I do not think you are... giving me a hard time at all. I understand that Elicia's safety is of the utmost importance. In this, it is to me as well, I assure you.

In good conscience, I can promise you that I shall seek no conflicts, and should any arise I shall do my best to avoid being anywhere near the children. Violence is in no one's true interest in this situation.

[His lips compress in a thin line.]

This seems the sort of place in which the unexpected happens, which I like not at all. [He snorts.] Which is perhaps why my presence is not entirely a bane.

Edited (Argh I totally misread what she said so sorry about the edit. ) 2012-10-14 22:59 (UTC)

Thank you for understanding.

[Her posture relaxes, and she looks over the bridge railing to look at the sky's reflection on the water. If the whole night is going to be like this, it'll be an exhausting one.]

My thanks to you as well.

[He bows.]

Have you need of anything else?

No, I think that's it.

Then good evening to you.

[He vanishes.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only