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[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.

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[...Damn, really? So that weird guy is a killer? She puts a hand to her chin, thinking.]

I'm sorry for your loss. He was very adamant about still being able to see Elicia in the future. What is your opinion of him?
[She knows it'll be a low opinion because of the death of Clint's friend, however Winry feels she needs to know more about Loki.]

[That's not what he'd expected at all and he's taken aback for a moment, before just nodding.]

I'm not exactly an impartial judge. He brainwashed me, made me attack my own people, fight against my best friend. He sent an army out against a civilian population.

[And he could leave it there but...]

But he hasn't done anything here. And much as I hate to say anything in his defence, I don't think he'd hurt the kid. He was so angry about what I did, and it wasn't on his own behalf.

[Her eyes widen a bit at the story, but by the end they narrow and she wears a frown.] That... is weird. Really weird.

[What kind of behavior is that for someone who brainwashes people? Honestly maybe Clint isn't the most reliable source of information because of his bias, but she's heard from the grapevine that he was associated with Tony at one point. And even if she tends to loathe Tony at some points she knows she can trust Elicia with him. And... well she's known proper men (Kimblee) to be psychopaths before, so maybe this shouldn't be a surprise.]

Believe me I'm struggling to come to terms with it myself. The last thing I remember before waking here is my best friend knocking me out after I attacked her.

I'll have to keep what you said in mind. But... if something like this happens again I'm going to want all of you to stay away from her. Everyone included in this... feud, thing you guys have. You, Tony, Loki- everybody.

It won't happen again. Not by my hand, I promise. I'm sorry she got dragged into this.

Tony didn't know. It's on my head, and mine alone. I genuinely believe he would have stopped me if he had any idea.

Honestly, the first time I ever spoke to him was after arriving here.

[And he'd seen the look in Tony's eyes when he'd spoken about the kid. Hell do what he can to make sure that isn't taken away from him.]

I don't care if he did or didn't. Tony brags about being a superhero, and if he really is... and Loki is who you say he is... Then at any time that Loki guy could decide to be not so nice and start something. You people have just been warned, all right? She's been through enough without any outside help.

I'd hate to pull her away from her "friends," but since her parents aren't around anymore I have to do what I can to keep her safe.

Understood ma'am. That's perfectly understandable.

[No kid should be brought into the kind of life where violence was a common thing.]

[Her expression softens, and she's visibly (a little) relieved.]

Thanks for coming out to talk to me tonight. You'll still apologize to her, won't you?

[That went better than he could ever have hoped and he can feel a little of the tension bleed out of him.]

I don't see how I could have done any different.

I... if that's acceptable to you. I didn't want to assume.

[She puffs up, almost comically, as she responds.]

Are you kidding me? If it wasn't passed her bedtime I'd march you over there right now!

[That is enough to make an expression of pure surprise, shock even, cross Clint's face. Of everything she could have said, inviting him to be around her charge was not anything he'd been expecting.]

I... okay. I'll make sure I do that then. Soon.

Good. She deserves an apology. Just don't go shooting things around my house, okay?

She does deserve one from me.

I won't even come armed, I promise.

[Where Loki pitched a fit this guy is just... all apologies and cooperation. She likes this.]

Thank you.

I am truly sorry.

Thank you for giving me the time to speak to you and apologise.

[She would've been well within her rights to... do whatever the hell she wanted in retaliation.]

Well you're not off the hook until Elicia says so, all right?

[Clint gives a small smile and a nod.]

Of course. I understand.

Then that will be all for tonight, Mr. Barton.

Of course. Thank you for your time and have a good night.

[He'll head off now not entirely sure what just happened but it's better than he'd hoped for.]

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