[ part of her thinks maybe she should have taken the out. that maybe, just maybe, by agreeing to this they're taking that step over a line that can't be crossed back into again.
but then she reminds herself that she is smiling, that the slight nerves in her gut isn't something to run from. this okay. ]
[ and what is she supposed to do with that spike of tension in her chest? he says tonight and she's feeling foolish, childish. is it nerves? excitement? worry?
since when did she become this person? good lord. ]
I can see if I have time.
[ a joke. which she then, immediately, regrets sending. ]
what roy hadn't thought about was the fact that he should probably have set up a meeting point other than their room. they share one, and have shared one since they arrived at the circle, and all boundaries have essentially been erased, at this point. so there really is no way for either of them to get ready for this date without violating each other's privacy.
so, really, it's with great professional lying diplomacy that roy talks his way into hughes' room to change into something that isn't the stupid outfit he was given upon waking up here. (magic isn't supposed to be real, and yet, here he is, a stupid wizard.)
at any rate, roy is dressed relatively normally, and is now outside his own door, wondering whether or not he should, you know. knock.
this is so stupid. ]
Riza?
[ he's about 5 minutes (purposefully) late, because he is nothing but consistent, and roy taps on the door lightly. ]
[ riza doesn't think about that very specific fact until she's already partially through getting ready. it's a double-thought, the first being where is roy turning into the realization of why he hasn't. come back yet. the shared room, the lack of boundaries, the fact that she'd been expecting him to come back even though he'd already mentioned picking her up at a different time. it all felt a little on its side, like it wasn't quite how things were supposed to go. riza's eyes scanned the other side of the room, where roy had already begun to collect things from the town, items and books and general mess spread across every surface.
and following that was a sudden, small, nearly imperceptible thought of is this even a good idea before riza pushed it immediately away, taking effort to pull her attention back to getting ready. back to ignoring that little bit of insecurity and pushing on.
the light tapping at the door just happens to come at the right time, all things considered. she's just finished fussing over her own, relatively normal looking outfit, unsure if she should be worrying more or less about how she looks. it's come out in very small, minute kinds of fidgeting. but the knock pulls her out of all of that, and after another moment and opening the door, she sees roy. standing there. looking...nervous. ]
[ indeed, he is nervous. and when he sees her, roy can tell that she's also nervous. and, for half a moment, roy almost considers calling the entire thing off, because she's obviously nervous, and probably uncomfortable, and this entire thing is a ridiculously stupid idea . . .
but then she speaks, and her comment earns a laugh, and roy steps aside to allow her room to come out of the room properly, reaching out to close the door behind her. he almost reaches for her hand, or her arm, or something (mostly because that's what you should do, isn't it?), before roy decides to try something positively remarkable and, instead, just. be himself. ]
I did.
[ admittedly, as he inclines his head back down the hall, indicating they should head on out. seeing as they're already running a little late, mostly due to his own inability to tell time despite having a watch on his person at all times. ]
But you also said you had potential other things to do, so double-checking whether or not you were actually there seemed like a good thing to say at the time.
[ in retrospect: he was just nervous. MOVING ON. as he shifts the conversation (slightly) from his stupid question to a slightly joking banter, instead. ]
I wasn't lying when I said you probably could find something more exciting to do with your evening.
[ she is absolutely nervous, and she knows that no amount of trying to hide as much would work in front of roy. he had always been able to read her to well for her to even try, so she doesn't. she just...lets herself be nervous, in the same way he seems to be, and then the moment he laughs riza feels it start to fade away.
because whether or not this is a date, roy still makes her feel comfortable. they spend enough time together, of their own accord, that the less she thinks about what they are doing the more she's able to simply breathe. as he inclines his head, riza nods in agreement, waiting a beat for them both to start walking in step. ]
That's true. [ she tilts her head a bit as they walk, as if considering the idea she could possibly - in any capacity - want to be anywhere but here. ] But I've also been meaning to see what the tavern crowd looked like. Especially if there were any individuals to watch out for. [ riza glances back to him then, giving him a small smile. ]
[ he won't accept his victory yet, given they haven't gotten there, but her point about collecting information is a good one. especially considering there doesn't seem to be much strife, in this world.
but, he shrugs easily, advancing toward the door to step into the street properly. ]
I was told there's live music; whether or not it's any good is something that seems to vary on who shows up for the night. [ god help them. ] So, at any rate, we'll be suitably entertained -- either by talent, or someone who needed to go home four hours and seven drinks ago.
[ she huffs something like a laugh at that, shaking her head as she follows him to the door. ]
Suitable entertainment is all we can really hope for, at this point.
[ and then there is a moment - where they are both out on the street and are heading in the direction of the tavern that riza realizes what is going on. that this isn't just a dinner, or the two of them walking down the street. that they are standing side by side, and that this is much more.
riza hesitates, for half a moment, before sliding her hand into the crook of roy's elbow. casually, fluidly, as they walk, and she keeps her eyes ahead. normal. easy. ]
[ the hand on his arm doesn't go unnoticed, but he also doesn't call attention to it. instead, roy keeps talking, though his tone grows progressively more exasperated as he does. ]
We may need it.
[ because, as they walk, there is definitely a crowd of people heading in the same direction that look as if they're the proposed entertainment. bards, and the like, who are about four drinks deep and ready to sing to the best of their ability. ]
What's the rate of currency, here, again? Gold? [ roy remains useless. ] I'll bet a piece of whatever it is that the young man in the purple hat gets kicked out before the night is through.
[ her attention does fall to the others wandering in the same direction. she's never really been a crowd person, so it doesn't exactly excite her that they're about to enter a crowded bar, but at the same time her curiosity is piqued. ]
Gold. [ riza answers, still looking over the four bards settling into their spots. with her hand on roy's arm, she lets him lead her to wherever it is they're going to find seats, making a thoughtful noise. ]
I'll take that bet. [ and then, when she looks back to him it's with a small smile. ] The blue vest will be kicked out first. For starting a fight on the purple hat's behalf.
the challenge causes him to look again, at the crowd, but the (admittedly also drunk) person in the blue vest is no more or less intoxicated than the rest of them. and they don't appear to be particularly connected.
but the challenge is set, and it's too late for him to change his guess now, so, after a moment of careful analysis where he doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary, roy steps aside to allow riza her pick of whatever seat she would like, to say: ]
Deal.
[ roy mustang is going to lose this bet. he's already made his peace with the loss of his gold coin. and once he's settled in his own seat (at a table in the corner of the place, to avoid some of the chaos, and allow for a proper view of the entirety of the room, because old habits die hard or not at all): ]
Out of curiosity, why the one in the blue vest?
[ he may as well know why he's going to lose before he loses. ]
[ she could see his curiosity pique as he looked over, suddenly uncertain of his own assessment. needing to know what he missed. riza feels her smile linger as she settles into the chair.
they're far enough in the corner to be unbothered, and she couldn't have picked a better spot if she tried. especially knowing, now, that there is an investment in entertainment.
at his question, she shrugs, leaning back a bit in her seat to glance over to the group as they begin to tune their instruments, almost ready to begin playing. ]
Look at the table closest to the purple hat. And look at the figure at its 6. [ her eyes move to the bar, then, looking for an attendant even as she continues. ] Then see how many times the blue vest looks at him. It's just a guess but. [ a shrug.
seeing things like this, always, is what has gotten her as far as she is. it really is an unfair game to roy, though the fact it's people, and close up, makes it more balanced. he can read people much better, but she notices details. like the tightening of a grip around a lute's neck, or a forced smile. ]
[ he leans slightly to his right, his shoulder resting against hers as he peers where she's looking. and, sure enough, roy sees the details she does, his eyes scanning the band quickly. and once he spots them, roy sighs (perhaps a little overdramatically), and shifts to pull a coin purse out of his pocket, withdrawing one gold coin, and sliding it to riza. ]
I'll just pay it now.
[ grumble, grumble. ]
I should know better than to challenge you at anything.
[ she leans a bit into him when he bumps into her shoulder, waiting for him to see it before she moves. while her smile does grow, it is almost imperceptible, her hand casually reaching across the table to slide the gold coin the rest of the way, pocketing it easily. ]
And yet you still do. [ chiding, of course. playful. ] Do you need me to pay for the drinks, or...?
[ how much money is he prepared to lose at bets tonight, anyway? ]
[ he almost sounds indignant, at the thought. he can buy dinner, thank you very much. but his eyes are still on the individual in the purple vest, because the moment riza turns out to be wrong, you can bet roy is demanding that gold coin back.
it's the principal of the thing.
and, to prove it: ]
I'm not planning on making another stupid bet in the next handful of hours.
[ he does sound indignant, but riza simply smiles at him, knowing that he's not looking at her. that his eyes are on the individual just to make sure what she said was right.
at this point, riza doesn't even care if she is right (though she is). this moment, this exact moment, is enough.
so she leans in a little closer to him, as if she's watching alongside, before her eyes flick over. ]
Probably a good idea. { her smile grows, just a bit, before she moves to stand. ] What do you want? We might have to get it from the bar.
[ she leans over to look at what he's looking at, even though riza knows full well what he is looking at, and roy sighs as she straightens to stand, to go get something from the bar.
defeated before he even started. the nerve. ]
Whatever you'd like.
[ easily enough, before he
slightly petulantly
places a few more pieces of money on the table, to slide toward her because he's paying for it, dammit. ]
I doubt anything in a bar can be bad once you've had a few drinks, so maybe start with that, and we'll forget the food soon enough.
[ and she will let him slide the pieces over, waiting for just a moment longer to make sure he's done before picking them up herself. ]
We are going to get food later, even if it means the rations I have up in the room. [ as much as she wants to deal with a blackout roy mustang, not tonight.
it doesn't take her long once she does make it to the bar, gathering two drinks - ciders, actually - before heading back to the table. the room seems to be filling, though, as she has to weave through something of a crowd before making it back to the table and sliding back in next to him. ]
[ by the time riza makes her way back over, roy has relaxed into watching the rest of the room. and, so when riza slides back in next to him, he has to adjust a bit so she can sit against him properly, as he reaches over to pick up the cider.
smooth. very smooth. ]
Interesting?
[ as he takes a drink, watching the people move through the room. ]
There's a woman who looks like a cat. Not sure if that's normal or not, around here, but I'm thinking it is, given no one's shocked at her ears.
[ as always, there is something to say about the easy way she slides right up against him, properly. that especially now, in the atmosphere of the tavern, something about the physical contact feels more right.
she shakes her head. ] No one seems shocked over anything here. Horns and tails are common, and these... [ she reaches up to flick at the back of her own ears, long and...well. not awkward, necessarily, but they feel a bit as much on her. ]
[ he glances over at her ears, but only for a moment -- before roy takes a sip of his drink. it's not the worst beer in the world, but definitely not the best... all the same: ]
I think I'm one of the few who escaped without being altered.
[ just a normal human wizard, that's roy. ]
They even gave me free pajamas to wear.
[ which he is not wearing because wtf are wizard robes?? no. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
( text )
but then she reminds herself that she is smiling, that the slight nerves in her gut isn't something to run from. this okay. ]
I have nothing against loud and crowded bars.
( text )
still, it's not like anything has really changed. has it?
but before roy can change his mind, he sends another text.]
Good.
Tonight, then?
( text )
since when did she become this person? good lord. ]
I can see if I have time.
[ a joke. which she then, immediately, regrets sending. ]
Tonight sounds good.
What time?
( text )
Whatever else you have planned is probably more exciting.
[ they both know she has literally nothing planned, please. and then, roy sends another: ]
I'm not sure, actually.
It's been busier later in the evening.
Prime spying opportunity seems to be around 2000.
Or we could go earlier.
[ do normal people eat dinner at 8:00 PM roy has no idea.
riza is the one who tells him to eat.
this is hopeless. ]
Let's try for that.
We can walk over together.
( text )
[ they're both the worst, so it works out. 8 pm sounds like the right time to be going to a bar????
when was the last time she went out anyway. ]
Sounds like a great idea to me.
I will see you at 2000.
( offline )
what roy hadn't thought about was the fact that he should probably have set up a meeting point other than their room. they share one, and have shared one since they arrived at the circle, and all boundaries have essentially been erased, at this point. so there really is no way for either of them to get ready for this date without violating each other's privacy.
so, really, it's with great professional
lyingdiplomacy that roy talks his way into hughes' room to change into something that isn't the stupid outfit he was given upon waking up here. (magic isn't supposed to be real, and yet, here he is, a stupid wizard.)at any rate, roy is dressed relatively normally, and is now outside his own door, wondering whether or not he should, you know. knock.
this is so stupid. ]
Riza?
[ he's about 5 minutes (purposefully) late, because he is nothing but consistent, and roy taps on the door lightly. ]
Are you there?
( offline )
and following that was a sudden, small, nearly imperceptible thought of is this even a good idea before riza pushed it immediately away, taking effort to pull her attention back to getting ready. back to ignoring that little bit of insecurity and pushing on.
the light tapping at the door just happens to come at the right time, all things considered. she's just finished fussing over her own, relatively normal looking outfit, unsure if she should be worrying more or less about how she looks. it's come out in very small, minute kinds of fidgeting. but the knock pulls her out of all of that, and after another moment and opening the door, she sees roy. standing there. looking...nervous. ]
Shouldn't I be? You did say 2000, sir.
( offline )
but then she speaks, and her comment earns a laugh, and roy steps aside to allow her room to come out of the room properly, reaching out to close the door behind her. he almost reaches for her hand, or her arm, or something (mostly because that's what you should do, isn't it?), before roy decides to try something positively remarkable and, instead, just. be himself. ]
I did.
[ admittedly, as he inclines his head back down the hall, indicating they should head on out. seeing as they're already running a little late, mostly due to his own inability to tell time despite having a watch on his person at all times. ]
But you also said you had potential other things to do, so double-checking whether or not you were actually there seemed like a good thing to say at the time.
[ in retrospect: he was just nervous. MOVING ON. as he shifts the conversation (slightly) from his stupid question to a slightly joking banter, instead. ]
I wasn't lying when I said you probably could find something more exciting to do with your evening.
( offline )
because whether or not this is a date, roy still makes her feel comfortable. they spend enough time together, of their own accord, that the less she thinks about what they are doing the more she's able to simply breathe. as he inclines his head, riza nods in agreement, waiting a beat for them both to start walking in step. ]
That's true. [ she tilts her head a bit as they walk, as if considering the idea she could possibly - in any capacity - want to be anywhere but here. ] But I've also been meaning to see what the tavern crowd looked like. Especially if there were any individuals to watch out for. [ riza glances back to him then, giving him a small smile. ]
You picked the right spot.
( offline )
[ he won't accept his victory yet, given they haven't gotten there, but her point about collecting information is a good one. especially considering there doesn't seem to be much strife, in this world.
but, he shrugs easily, advancing toward the door to step into the street properly. ]
I was told there's live music; whether or not it's any good is something that seems to vary on who shows up for the night. [ god help them. ] So, at any rate, we'll be suitably entertained -- either by talent, or someone who needed to go home four hours and seven drinks ago.
( offline )
Suitable entertainment is all we can really hope for, at this point.
[ and then there is a moment - where they are both out on the street and are heading in the direction of the tavern that riza realizes what is going on. that this isn't just a dinner, or the two of them walking down the street. that they are standing side by side, and that this is much more.
riza hesitates, for half a moment, before sliding her hand into the crook of roy's elbow. casually, fluidly, as they walk, and she keeps her eyes ahead. normal. easy. ]
The beer isn't bad, so I've been told.
( offline )
We may need it.
[ because, as they walk, there is definitely a crowd of people heading in the same direction that look as if they're the proposed entertainment. bards, and the like, who are about four drinks deep and ready to sing to the best of their ability. ]
What's the rate of currency, here, again? Gold? [ roy remains useless. ] I'll bet a piece of whatever it is that the young man in the purple hat gets kicked out before the night is through.
( offline )
Gold. [ riza answers, still looking over the four bards settling into their spots. with her hand on roy's arm, she lets him lead her to wherever it is they're going to find seats, making a thoughtful noise. ]
I'll take that bet. [ and then, when she looks back to him it's with a small smile. ] The blue vest will be kicked out first. For starting a fight on the purple hat's behalf.
( offline )
the challenge causes him to look again, at the crowd, but the (admittedly also drunk) person in the blue vest is no more or less intoxicated than the rest of them. and they don't appear to be particularly connected.
but the challenge is set, and it's too late for him to change his guess now, so, after a moment of careful analysis where he doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary, roy steps aside to allow riza her pick of whatever seat she would like, to say: ]
Deal.
[ roy mustang is going to lose this bet. he's already made his peace with the loss of his gold coin. and once he's settled in his own seat (at a table in the corner of the place, to avoid some of the chaos, and allow for a proper view of the entirety of the room, because old habits die hard or not at all): ]
Out of curiosity, why the one in the blue vest?
[ he may as well know why he's going to lose before he loses. ]
( offline )
they're far enough in the corner to be unbothered, and she couldn't have picked a better spot if she tried. especially knowing, now, that there is an investment in entertainment.
at his question, she shrugs, leaning back a bit in her seat to glance over to the group as they begin to tune their instruments, almost ready to begin playing. ]
Look at the table closest to the purple hat. And look at the figure at its 6. [ her eyes move to the bar, then, looking for an attendant even as she continues. ] Then see how many times the blue vest looks at him. It's just a guess but. [ a shrug.
seeing things like this, always, is what has gotten her as far as she is. it really is an unfair game to roy, though the fact it's people, and close up, makes it more balanced. he can read people much better, but she notices details. like the tightening of a grip around a lute's neck, or a forced smile. ]
( offline )
I'll just pay it now.
[ grumble, grumble. ]
I should know better than to challenge you at anything.
( offline )
And yet you still do. [ chiding, of course. playful. ] Do you need me to pay for the drinks, or...?
[ how much money is he prepared to lose at bets tonight, anyway? ]
( offline )
[ he almost sounds indignant, at the thought. he can buy dinner, thank you very much. but his eyes are still on the individual in the purple vest, because the moment riza turns out to be wrong, you can bet roy is demanding that gold coin back.
it's the principal of the thing.
and, to prove it: ]
I'm not planning on making another stupid bet in the next handful of hours.
( offline )
[ he does sound indignant, but riza simply smiles at him, knowing that he's not looking at her. that his eyes are on the individual just to make sure what she said was right.
at this point, riza doesn't even care if she is right (though she is). this moment, this exact moment, is enough.
so she leans in a little closer to him, as if she's watching alongside, before her eyes flick over. ]
Probably a good idea. { her smile grows, just a bit, before she moves to stand. ] What do you want? We might have to get it from the bar.
( offline )
defeated before he even started. the nerve. ]
Whatever you'd like.
[ easily enough, before he
slightly petulantly
places a few more pieces of money on the table, to slide toward her because he's paying for it, dammit. ]
I doubt anything in a bar can be bad once you've had a few drinks, so maybe start with that, and we'll forget the food soon enough.
[ sound policy, from future fuhrer roy mustang. ]
( offline )
We are going to get food later, even if it means the rations I have up in the room. [ as much as she wants to deal with a blackout roy mustang, not tonight.
it doesn't take her long once she does make it to the bar, gathering two drinks - ciders, actually - before heading back to the table. the room seems to be filling, though, as she has to weave through something of a crowd before making it back to the table and sliding back in next to him. ]
Anything interesting happen?
( offline )
smooth. very smooth. ]
Interesting?
[ as he takes a drink, watching the people move through the room. ]
There's a woman who looks like a cat. Not sure if that's normal or not, around here, but I'm thinking it is, given no one's shocked at her ears.
( offline )
she shakes her head. ] No one seems shocked over anything here. Horns and tails are common, and these... [ she reaches up to flick at the back of her own ears, long and...well. not awkward, necessarily, but they feel a bit as much on her. ]
( offline )
I think I'm one of the few who escaped without being altered.
[ just a normal human wizard, that's roy. ]
They even gave me free pajamas to wear.
[ which he is not wearing because wtf are wizard robes?? no. ]
( offline )
[ she laughs a little around the words, looking him over for another moment or two before shrugging and drinking from her mug. ]
Not sure you would have pulled off horns and a tail well anyway.
( offline )
( offline )
( offline )