Title Goes Here

[canhasfuhrer]

Action - 5725 Cunningham Lane - Morning - for Riza Hawkeye

[How long has it been? A month? A month and a half? Far too long since the Valentines debacle, which makes it far too long since he's had a normal conversation with his subordinate. To call the air between them 'tense' would be an understatement. It's not the same kind of tense as with Olivier - they're certainly not in danger of killing each other anytime soon - but they hardly seem like the same duo they were previously.]

[Sure, things are still professional between them. After all, they're nothing if not professionals. But that underlying warmth, the banter, the familiarity - it's vanished away, leaving only an awkwardness that Roy Mustang refuses to bear one minute further. He's a Colonel. He's the future Fuhrer of Amestris]

[And he will not let his life be dictated by awkwardness and inaction. Not when there's something he can do. Unfortunately, with the way they've been avoiding each other, that something is to wake up ungodly early, grab a chair, and sit himself in it blocking the exit to their bedroom.]

[Let the waiting game begin]

Action - Evening - Grocery Store - Open

[Mustang's out and about doing some grocery shopping! Not that he really cares, he's just throwing TV dinners into a basket without a care in the world. Funny though - that massive bandage wasn't on his right hand yesterday. Once his cart is properly stacked, he nods at it happily]

That should do for another week.

Comments

[canhasfuhrer]

Nothing quite so fanciful. It's actually a science from my home - called Alchemy.

[answerer_sword]

An alchemist, huh? I suppose you can call it more "scientific" than other types of magic.

[She wonders if he is a normal alchemist working with elements, or one of those Atlas alchemists working with the structure of the world.]

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Bazett Fraga McRemitz, an Enforcer of the Mages' Association. At present, my mission is to aid any magi who might require it. If you ever need any help or shelter, you can contact me at 1130 Taylor Road.

[canhasfuhrer]

[Magic? He's never considered it anything of the sort - only a science. Still, alchemic power can be frightening enough to seem magical, so he'll hardly pick a fight over it. On the contrary - this conversation is beginning to pique his interest]

I'm certainly not one to turn down a helping hand - but I'm not familiar with the Mages' Association. Would you mind telling me a bit more about it?

[answerer_sword]

It is the largest gathering as well as government of magi. In my world, magi usually live in Association-affiliated areas so they have better access to materials and funding. Most members of the Association are dedicated to research, but Enforcers are different. They are the ones who seal magi who have been deemed persons of interest, or have violated the laws. They also deal with things that may endanger the world at large. My original mission was to fight against one of those things. However, in this town, such things do not exist. However, I still consider it my duty to keep an eye on magical activity here.

[Usually, her concern would be magi who exposed themselves, but magic in Mayfield seemed to be a thing of public knowledge, so her target had shifted to magi who would endanger innocents.]

As long as you do not harm innocent people, I do not believe I will interfer with your activities.

[canhasfuhrer]

[He listens intently, absorbing and processing this new information. So, a government of magi - and those who can enforce such a wide group of likely powerful people must be themselves even stronger than the rest. Good to know!]

Well, it's nice to know there's someone keeping an eye on things. Though I have to ask - death is impermanent in this place. How do you intend to enforce the rules if someone does cross a line?

[answerer_sword]

It would depend on the severity of the infraction. If they can be reasoned with, then I would prefer the less violent solution. Most of the time, intoxicated or simply reckless magi can be restrained. It is the actively malicious ones that present the most trouble, and even then, I would only interfere if I caught them in the act. But if I did catch them, I would probably kill them to stop them from committing whatever crime they intended upon, and then make it clear to them after their resurrection that I could easily kill them again if they ever attempted anything.

[canhasfuhrer]

[He listens and nods, but there's an obvious hole in the plan]

It makes sense, but you don't worry about them using their resurrection as a second chance to circumvent you? If there's only yourself enforcing these laws, how difficult would it be to simply hide what their doing from you? Can you detect it somehow?

[answerer_sword]

...Regrettably, no. And I tend to shy away from magecraft that creates too much of a breach of privacy. I just apprehend them if I catch them.

[canhasfuhrer]

Hmm. In that case, I'd be happy to help you keep watch with a second set of eyes. Of course, I only know what would be obvious offenses, but everything helps. Right?

[answerer_sword]

Do you have any experience with law enforcement? I do not wish to drag innocent people into this.

[canhasfuhrer]

In a sense. I'm military. Colonel Roy Mustang, at your service.

[answerer_sword]

[She nods.]

I will speak to my superior about this then. I will tell you her decision when I see you next.

[canhasfuhrer]

Excellent! I'm at 5725 Cunningham Lane, if you ever need my assistance.

[answerer_sword]

I will keep that in mind. Thank you, Colonel Mustang.

[canhasfuhrer]

You're quite welcome, Miss Bazette.

[answerer_sword]

Is there anything else that you would like to discuss?

[canhasfuhrer]

Actually, I'd like to hear about your Association in more detail sometime - but right now I think I'd better finish this shopping. Another time, then?

[answerer_sword]

Another time.

[With that, she rolls her cart to another aisle.]