It all comes down to this. For what feels like hours we've been playing and it all falls down to the grand finale.
Amount of tags received:
Maes- 4 Riza-2 Gracia-7 Roy-47 Me-47
It shames me to think I was really keeping count, but I was fired up. I was eager to end this. It was the final countdown to victory. This battle would be won by none other than me. The Colonel would perish.
"Who's it?" Gracia shouts from far off. She isn't my main objective. I'd already pinned her three times. I always kept a promise at revenge.
"Roy?" Maes rings out, scrambling at a noise that gave away his closeness. I don't really care for him at the moment.
"No, no," Riza denies from the opposite side of the room. "It's Misaki."
A pair of voices chuckle and I recognize them to belong to the Hughes.
"Did you get her, Riza?" they shout, irritating me with their idle chit chat, like they were waving a pack of steak in front of my face and expecting me to not bite.
"No!" she replies.
"Well it wasn't us either!" they admit.
"Come on. I'm the only one here who's been catching her."
There!
It was behind me, to the right, approximately seven feet away. But I had to think this through. This could be a trap. He could be waiting for me. The devil was crafty, I hated to admit.
"Oh right! You guys make this boring! Stop going for each other like a married couple!"
Freaking Maes.
"WE ARE NOT A GOD DAMN COUPLE!" I scream and curse myself for my idiotic pride. I'd given away my position and Roy was already on the move, chuckling and cackling his way to safety. Angrily I take off, hot on his trail, or so I thought.
Accidentally, for the second time, I tag someone I wasn't aiming for.
"Oops! Looks like you got me, now I'm just going to have to avoid you and Roy for a while until you learn to include everyone!"
Furiously, I glare at Maes, giggling like a school girl, demanding that he go off and target only the Colonel. In reply, he leaps around me, tossing a childishly dirty face, and takes off in search of Riza or his beloved. I crumble to my knees, cursing whoever invented the idea of misdirection. From beside me, a figure crouches and notes my defeated fit with a humored chuckle.
I really wish looks could kill.
"Shut-up," I hiss, getting up.
"You almost had me, Bubbles," he teases, laying down to gaze up at me, breathing heavily.
"Misaki," I correct. The sight of him being tired, at least, it sort of makes me feel a little better about the whole thing. My body was in far better shape than his. Where he wasted away his stamina, I felt fit as a fiddle. That alone could serve enough to say, I was far better than him.
"Where does that put us?" he asks, closing his eyes. "We tied up? The two of us?"
I didn't like how he pairs us up as a "we". I'm still fuming about Maes' earlier outburst. Roy's nonchalant speech only peeves me off more.
"A bit old aren't you? To be playing something like this?" he says, flashing a sneer. I narrow my eyes, huffing irritably.
"You made sure to continue it," I point out. He laughs, saying that he guessed that was fair enough. I'm debating whether or not to take off when Roy insists I hang around for a bit. "And why would I do that?" I grumble. He shrugs.
"Hughes isn't going to come for us for a while. They'll never catch the Lieutenant. So we're pretty much stuck here until they decide we're worth bringing back."
He's right, I'm sure, but it still doesn't mean that I'm happy with the idea of lingering around this close to him. The rain had finally ceased yet I could make out the remaining flecks of water in his hair. His eyes had closed in bliss, exhausted from running around recklessly. The sun streamed in through the roof and fell across his face which was more relaxed, probably from the fact his much hated weather had changed for the better. From afar, the Hughes were squealing and running energetically and I imagined Riza coping with the childishness. Probably hidden somewhere with thoughts of wanting to go home and do something more productive.
"How is your shoulder holding up?"
I've just now realized I haven't moved. With a sigh, I find myself sitting back down next to him, drawing my knees to my chest. "Fine," I respond, gruffly. He peels open his eyes to take in my closeness, smiling, then puts his arm across his gaze to block out the sun's powerful rays. "What?" I ask bitterly, unable to stop from noting his content expression.
"Nothing," he says, continuing to smile. I drop it, exhaling heatedly through my nose and shutting my own eyes. What a weirdo.
We stay like that for a while, me sitting, he lying motionless, relaxing under the heated blanket of summer. With the 'garden' surrounding us on all sides, I could almost forget we were in Central City. Maes and Gracia were fooling around, keeping the atmosphere light and cheery. Living creatures tweet and chirp, flying around in search of cool places to nest. From high above, I can hear the softest cries of the wind. It's lulling. I'm tempted to fall asleep.
"Do you miss it?"
I look at the Colonel questioningly. He blinks up at me, serious.
"Miss what?" I ask.
Gracia screams in delight. Maes shouts comments too romantic for me to recite.
"You know," Roy answers and I swallow. He's asking whether I miss the palace. Life beyond the city. It'd almost slipped my mind what he knew about me. To him I was simply a survivor from Aerugo, a witness from one of the bloodiest events in history. Of course he'd want to hear something related to the incident.
"No," I say bluntly. "I don't."
He says nothing and we go back to being quiet. Maes has other plans, though. In the middle of our break, he bursts into our space, a bored expression in place. Once he sees how the two of us are beside each other, he immediately lights up and I shoot a warning glare. The man is too daft to get the message.
"Lookie here~~"
Roy jerks to a seated position, reaching out to his friend, smacking him upside the head. The hit must have been harder than it looked because Maes was suddenly on the ground, laughing up at an irritated Colonel. Behind me, two others appear, taking seats at my sides. Gracia is gasping yet maintaining her beaming face. Riza, showing absolutely no signs of ever running around in the first place, eyes the Colonel and Maes with a hidden impatience. The woman. I would never understand how she manages to stay sane.
"Everything ok?" I ask Gracia. She nods tiredly.
"Yes, just a bit…out of it…" she breathes and Riza bobs her head agreeably. "We're not quite as…young anymore…"
Well that's complete nonsense. How old was she? Twenty?
"I highly doubt that," I say, smiling. A chain reaction then takes place. Maes recovers from Roy's blow, rolling up to a seated posture. He grins at Roy. Roy whips his head away in irritation. Riza rolls her eyes at his behavior. Gracia giggles at the sniper's attitude. I beam at Gracia's chipper mood. It seems as though everyone has a part to play in influencing each other's spirits. It's nice being a part of the connection. Today, omitting the Colonel Bastard's irksome personality, was a relatively fun day. Only, seeing as how everyone was out of it, what would happen next?
Maes, ever the mind reader, snaps to his feet and takes off without an explanation. Looking confusingly at Riza, she shrugs. Roy trains his gaze on me and it's like a furnace.
"Don't you have better things to do rather than harass me with your eyes?" I ask in a dark voice. Gracia tenses next to me, biting her lip. Riza listens intently. Roy tosses a crude expression, opening his mouth to say something, but surprises me by letting out a huge, insulting gag of a laugh. Then he avoids my heating glare. Rude much?
When Maes returns, he's holding a bundle of champagne glasses and a bottle of what appeared to be alcohol. It's almost intimidating how real the bottle looks. I'm in the middle of constructing a flimsy lie to avoid having my throat exposed to such a poison when Roy assures me it's only sparkling grape juice. I'd never heard of such a thing but didn't dare to reveal this to him, so I toss an ungrateful scowl. He smiles slyly before answering Maes with a grunt of refusal in assisting him. Gracia claps her hands together excitedly, leaning against me. The weight is practically non-existent and I brighten at her comfortableness to be next to me. On the other end, Riza passes the occasional glimpse, secretly smiling at Gracia and I's sudden closeness. I wonder if this is what it would be like, having a sister.
"Don't be shy~~" Maes goes into song, passing along the glasses and making sure to smack Roy playfully before handing him his. "Let's enjoy our time together!" With an unpleased glare, Roy scoots his way towards me and away from the flailing limbs of our dear provider who was undergoing a complete mental breakdown. Grimacing, I flash a warning to him, not wanting to move from where I was, since I was actually quite comfortable chilling with Gracia. He takes the message with an unwavering expression, stopping only a few feet away in front of me at an angle to ensure his usual peeping. When Riza shifts beside me, I see that her hand has lifted from her holstered gun (which again, I failed to notice for a while) and I know that's the only reason the Colonel hadn't squished his way into my space. The gesture is sweet, I guess, but a bit frightening. It had its pros and cons, being acquainted with a sniper.
Liquid splashes into my cup and I yelp in alarm. Either I was really horrible at being aware of my surroundings, or Maes was some ridiculous assassin when we weren't looking at him twenty four seven.
Inside, bubbles float to the top and I find myself looking nervously at Roy, who of course, caught onto my fears. He raises his glass mockingly into the air, raising a brow smugly. Abruptly I snap away, startling Gracia. She pulls away, leaving me longing for her contact once more, blinking curiously at me. Fumbling for composure, I slosh back the drink, wincing at its unexpected kick. Maes crows in approval.
"And the games begin!~~"
Roy smirks, sipping properly at his own, preparing for an insulting comment. Ignoring him, I gaze at Maes quizzically. "I beg your pardon?" I hoarsely ask, clearing my stinging throat. Some non-alcoholic beverage. It still had quite a kick, fizzing its way up and down my body. I couldn't imagine how an actual drink would feel going down my throat.
"Drinking match!" he yells energetically, refilling my glass which I unconsciously stuck out. I watch the contents dribble, swishing it with fascination. "One to drink the most within the next five minutes, wins!"
"W-Wait," I say, at first in argument to my early dive into the first glass. I realize just how absurd my reason for speaking out was, rubbing at my temple and watching the ground sway slightly. Such a stupid game to be playing with what could be called virgin-juice. "Why would we have a contest with grape juice?"
Riza makes a noise between a curse and a command, snatching away my drink. Stunned, I eye her questionably, tilting my head to ease the movement going around me.
"What?" I ask and Riza passes a strong, disapproving leer at Maes.
"What are you doing, giving her alcohol?" she demands, pouring out the fizzing liquid in nearby grass. That's right, she didn't hear my lame excuse of a lie concerning my age. She was the only one who was aware of my true youth.
Wait. I thought…
I look at Roy accusingly. He doesn't even hide his mischievous grin.
"You son of a bitch," I mutter, already going fuzzy. First time drinking and I'm already getting hammered? Was that the right term? Buzzed? I didn't even know. I felt gross.
Maes and Gracia exchange lost expressions and Riza explodes, unleashing her wrath in severe parental form.
"Not only is she under aged, but haven't you noticed she isn't in the best of conditions to deal with anything that risks straining her stomach?" she scolds, growing colder with every thundering syllable. "It's fine that you took her out, but this is completely ridiculous!"
Maes extend his palms out pleadingly. "She's twenty-three, I thought. That's perfectly legal! And besides, she seems to be fine-"
"What?" Riza hisses, now facing me. I cringe under her mighty glare. "You told them you were twenty-three?"
I wasn't a particular fan of being yelled at, so I weakly answer an innocent squeak. "What?"
Riza groans with frustration, turning back to cast her searing gaze through Maes and Gracia. Gracia, who was now on the border of passing out from the explosion of questions pounding in her brain, was watching me helplessly. I bit back a wave of guilt, cowering under Riza's sudden rage. It wasn't that big of a deal. Just one glass. It's impossible to get over the top drunk from such a small portion, right?
"You two actually bought this?" she goes off again, pointing at me. "Does she look twenty-three to you?"
They sheepishly shake their heads no. Meanwhile Roy, fighting his own personal war of laughter, let out a dangerous snort and Riza was swiveling towards him.
"And you, sir," she hisses, dropping the temperature. "You knew she was lying, isn't that right? Thought you could cast a harmless, childish prank like this? Getting a minor drunk for the heck of it?" she shakes her head disgustingly. "Act your age, sir, not your IQ."
Maes, who had sneaked his own sip of his drink during Riza's lecture, spit out in surprise, falling victim to his relentless humor. Gracia hiccups with soft giggles, trying not to draw the Lieutenant's attention. I feel the corners of my mouth start to quiver amusingly. Roy has his jaw down to his knees and his cheeks are going tomato red.
"L-Lieutenant," he says, aware of everyone enjoying the scene. He settles his attention on me, noting my straining composure with a burning hatred. I didn't really mind at the moment. "That's-"
"I'd appreciate it if you could actually use that brain of yours for more useful matters, sir," she continues. It's hit after hit after hit from here. Maintaining her professional tone only seems to make it worse for the Colonel. The added "sir" at the end acts as a hard punch to his dignity. It's nice to see him squirm under humiliation rather than myself.
"Wait," Gracia whispers from behind me, seeking only my response. "If you aren't twenty-three, then how old are you?"
I'm happy she doesn't seem too terribly upset about my fib, but I'm also not too keen on revealing my true age. However, the girl did deserve some information to go off on. I suppose.
"What's today?" I ask timidly, hoping I could at least add another year to my youth.
"It's somewhere around July," she answers and I sigh with disappointment. Riza is still going off on a pride crunching spree, ignoring each attempt by Roy to speak. The episode distracts Maes enough to make this somewhat of a private conversation. If Riza already knew, it wouldn't kill to tell Gracia.
"Uh," I start smartly, scratching at my jaw. "I'm…nineteen…"
"I'm sorry," Gracia says politely, smiling. "I couldn't quite hear you. It sounded like you said you were nineteen."
"I…I did," I mutter, flushing.
Gracia goes pale, blinking at me.
"Wh-WHAT?!" she exclaims and I jump at her outburst. "N-NINETEEN?!"
Maes, drawn now to his wife, goes wide with shock. "She's nineteen?!" he repeats as I cover my face in embarrassment. What was so surprising about me being nineteen? Didn't they think I was sixteen? So I was a few more years above their expectations, so what?
Even Roy looks completely baffled. But he had been the one who figured I'd been lying right off the bat!
"What are you so surprised about?" Riza asks sharply, picking up on my confusion.
"I thought she was…" he trails off, muffled by the sounds of Maes running up to me and peering into my face. I jolt back in defense, watching Gracia with a questioning look, but she too is regarding my features with intense intrigue.
"Wh-What are you two doing?" I ask, crawling back for more room. The two shake in disbelief.
"No way. You can't be nineteen…" Maes murmurs and I feel my veins throb.
"Wait just a minute," I point out, raising my voice, "Didn't you two think I was sixteen?"
Gracia nods, biting her bottom lip in thought. "Yes, but well… I mean nineteen is completely different…"
"I had you two convinced I was twenty-three!" I yell with slight irritation. It was one thing convincing them of such a weak lie, but another to catch them off guard with an age settling between their guess and my fib. For goodness sake!
"...twenty-five or something!"
I turn to face Roy, unsure I had heard him correctly. T-Twenty five?
"Eh?" I address, glancing between Riza and him for signs of a joke. "Seriously? You thought I was…older than what I claimed?"
"It's a common mistake," he snaps defensively. "Most girls choose to settle for a younger age. I simply thought you were another one of those girls."
Ok, that really, really pisses me off.
"One of those girls? You compared me to 'one of those girls'?! Are you freaking serious? Do you hear how much an ass you are?"
Riza groans in exhaustion, closing her eyes.
"She does have a point," Maes supports, nodding like it were obvious.
"It's not my fa-" Roy starts but I cut him off.
"How the hell could you have mistaken me for being twenty-five?"
"Like I sa-"
"Did you not figure I was maybe avoiding the alcohol in the train car because I was under aged? I mean why were you making such a big deal to treat me to having a hard drink when I made it obvious that I did not care for one? Also, the Hughes thought I was sixteen, so you'd think that you'd have a bit more sense than to note me as being older."
"H-"
"How much of a moron could you be?"
"Hey…" Roy says quietly, brow twitching. "Why…Why is it when I talk, you or the Lieutenant always seem to interrupt me?"
Riza and I look at one another before answering in unison:
"Because you're an idiot, sir."
I didn't tag in the "sir" part, but I may as well have.
"Umm…" Gracia starts up again, calling back for me. "Are you…feeling alright?"
"Huh?" I eye her confusingly, checking myself for any standing out wounds. Did I look pale? Was I feeling queasy? No…
"This was your first time drinking right?" she asks worriedly. "You drank awfully fast…"
Maes clasps me on the back, laughing. "Yeah. That could prove why we were so shocked, seeing you down that glass like it was nothing!"
"Th-That's right," Roy perks up, thinking this to be his chance at reclaiming his pride. "Easy mis-"
"Shut-up," I say without looking at him. He grumbles inaudibly, earning more complaints from the wise and wonderful Lieutenant.
I guess when I reflect on it, I was feeling rather funny. My throat tickles and my fingers are a little shaky. But there was nothing concerning about that, probably.
"I'm all good," I reassure Gracia. Then I turn to Maes, peeling away from his touch. "It really wasn't that strong though. I don't see why it's such a big deal."
"No, this stuff is pretty powerful," Maes says, jogging over to pick up the bottle. Gracia nods agreeably. "Even Roy over there can't chug a glass in one go like you just did."
"Really…?" I reply, temporarily giddy at the thought of out besting him. Then again, I was besting him at something so stupid like drinking, so I dismiss the thought repulsively.
"If it's really your first time," Maes continues, implying something I didn't really approve of, "Then you should be getting at least a buzz right now."
Ah, so it was called a buzz. Glad to hear that I was right about that. I guess.
"I was a little dizzy at first, but I'm fine now," I say, randomly thinking that if Roy thought I was older, that would explain his immature, sexual comments. Thank goodness. Perhaps it was over now.
"Interesting…" Maes says to himself, humming.
"I'm glad that nothing went wrong," Gracia says, relieved. She seems to be stressing over the fact of allowing a minor to drink an apparently hard-core beverage. Personally, I didn't think it was something anyone should freak out over, this much.
"What's the harm anyways?" I hear Roy shouting at Riza, tossing his arms around dramatically. "She's fine. You heard her, yourself."
"Yes," Riza sighs, clearly fed up with him as we all were. "But she could just be saying that."
"I'm not," I say, finding I had to defend my new found sturdiness against alcohol consumption.
"The girl is a warrior," Roy says in a way to sound like a compliment. One that I don't take too kindly.
"Keep your attempts at flattery to yourself, Colonel," I spit. He throws his hands up in exasperation.
"I'm only complimenting-"
"Hey Misaki," Maes interrupts, driving Roy to rant on about his lack of respect. "Let's perform an experiment~~"
Gracia suddenly looks weary, flickering between stopping him from speaking now or wait and listen.
"Ex-Experiment?" I ask, blankly. He nods, pouring another glass full of the drink and handing it to me.
"Let's see how much you can take!"
Gracia swipes it away, speaking on the same level as Riza. "No."
Honestly, I couldn't care less now that we were in the thick of things.
"Gracia dear," he pleads, making for the glass and missing. "But aren't you curious to see how much this girl can take? Perhaps she's some sort of hero sent to us to help deal with the crimes in Central!"
"Honey," she coos, ruffling his hair lovingly. "I love you, but that's perhaps the dumbest thing you've ever said."
"Oh, ho," Roy mumbles. "I beg to differ."
"Yes, yes," I say with a hiccup. "Because everything you say is already tainted with stupidity."
"You-"
"Gracia, honestly I don't see how having another one would hurt," I try coaxing, listening to the flood of curses the Colonel was unleashing. "Oh, I'm sorry," I say, glancing back at him. "Were you saying something?"
"I-"
"No, no," Gracia insists, holding the drink closer. "It's probably best if we kept your drinking experience to a minimum, and you've maxed out."
"Why do I even bother?" Roy fumes which everyone makes sure to ignore.
"I see..." I reply, feigning disappointment. Sure I didn't want anything to do with getting wasted and such now, but what about later in the near future? I'd have to wait a whole nother' year! Besides... I was a bit curious as to how much I could take…
With a scorching glare and some inexplainable telepathic powers, Riza pops me on the forehead. "H-Hey?" I stammer, rubbing the aching spot.
"No alcohol. Period," she commands. I nod quickly, very aware of how easily she could access her gun. She could be a very convincing lady when she wanted to be. One chat with Riza and drinking was completely out of the ring.
"Yes. Listen to your elders," Roy adds.
I take the nearest item, which happens to be an apple, and chunk it at his head. I may not have a lot of strength, but I still had a killer arm and amazing accuracy. So suck on that, Colonel Bastard.
Riza makes sure to it that Roy doesn't start an all-out war with me. Lucky for him. Meanwhile, Maes starts to put away the alcohol in a noticeable slump. After avoiding the wrath of Riza, Roy barks at his friend, demanding to know why he was taking away the goods.
"We're not going to leave out Misaki," he says and Gracia nods. Even Riza gives a single head bob in approval. Roy, however, did not think this to be a reasonable excuse. Much to my displeasure, I agree with him.
"What, it's not like she's going to care," he complains. I roll my eyes.
"Go on, give the toddler his drink. I don't mind," I say, cocking my head sweetly at his steaming expression. "Hurry before he starts bitching again."
For some weird reason, when the curse words falls out and I look at Gracia's innocent face, I feel really, really guilty and terrible. So much to a point that I apologize to her. And I don't understand why. Was I going soft?
"Give them back to me, Lieutenant. That's an order."
Riza is holding a pair of the Colonel's gloves that he apparently had pulled out after my insult. His hand is extended out, waiting for her to obey, which she doesn't and my admiration for her increases. Rather than heel, she'd tame her own master when need may be. Now that's a Lieutenant.
"I'll give them back when you calm down, sir," she says.
"You'll give them back now," he snaps, making a grab for them and missing terribly.
"You heard her, Colonel," I say snidely, placing my chin in my palm. "When you finish your little tantrum, you'll get your gloves back."
I smirk at his murderous scowl, easily evading the apple I had thrown before. "Your throwing skills are a bit lacking. Are you only ever useful when you're dry and with your accessories?"
"Ok!" Gracia says loudly, straining for calamity. "How about we play a game?"
"Another one?" Riza asks, clearly done for the day and maybe for life. Gracia shrugs, looking at her husband for help. He takes in her call for help with grave seriousness, pouting his lips in concentration.
"The only games interested in involve beating up that loudmouth of a girl over there," Roy scoffs and I laugh tauntingly.
"Oh, good one. I'm really feeling that burn." For good measure, I rub my arm in mock pain, enjoying the clenching of his jaw. "S'matter? You want Riza to give you your gloves? Have you learned your lesson to not play with fire?"
"You have no hope of making allies with that hideous mouth of yours…" Roy struggles to speak, breathing heavily. "I'm just going to have to burn off that tongue…"
"Colonel…" Riza warns and Roy eyes her incredulously.
"Are you serious?" he rants, gesturing towards me sitting with chin held high. "You get onto me about this but not her?"
"You're at a higher ranking. This sort of behavior is completely unacceptable for someone of your status," she answers sternly.
"Pretty sad that your Lieutenant has to remind you," I add, wiping away the dirt from the apple which wasn't too terribly bruised. "Do you have any sense of responsibility?" I take a bite, savoring the sourness.
"Shut it, Bubbles."
Literally, I spit pieces of apple at him, frowning at his disgusted reaction.
"Let's take a lesson, again, shall we?" I hiss. "My name? Misaki. Mi-Sa-Ki. Let's say it together now, class. Miiii saaaaa kiiii. Get it right, mule."
Roy laughs bitterly, backing down for my victory. Gracia, interested by the recent topic pulls on my sleeve gently.
"I've been meaning to ask you back on the train," she says, deprived of her earlier hysteria. "Why does he call you Bubbles?"
The world seems to go completely still and I begin to sweat uncontrollably. I can't even bear to bring myself to check up on his expression because I have a good idea of how he's taking her question. Luckily, Maes is still in the thick of brainstorming party games to do in the abandoned building, and Riza already had her guesses as to what happened that day. But this was Gracia and I really didn't wa-
"Oh! That's a story to tell," Roy says, recovering from his fit. Was this his ammunition? Was this his way of ruining my pride and dignity?
"Aha!" I exclaim, tugging Gracia to face me and only me. "But it's stupid. And long, oh so terribly long. Not to mention boring."
"Oh, Bubbles-"
"Misaki."
"-I must disagree with you. This is a wonderful story. It's absolutely 'splashing'."
"Don't you mean smashing?" Riza asks and I shoot her an unappreciative expression.
"Sure," Roy replies, sneering at my enraged self. Damn you…
"Oh," Gracia says timidly, realizing the quarrel she had just provoked. "Actually, it's fine… Never mind." She laughs weakly and Maes thumps his fist against his palm.
"Let's get to know Misaki a little better," Maes says, completely oblivious to the tension going on. Roy, feeling his moment at humiliating me disappearing, tries desperately to redirect his friend's attention to the matter at hand, but he's too caught up with his idea and I'm safe. For now.
He flashes a look that says 'I'll get you next time.'
"Misaki," Maes addresses, coming up to sit directly in front of me. "Would you mind if we ask you some questions?"
A problem is solved and another comes forward, that sounds about right. I really didn't like the idea of sharing information from my side, no matter how wonderful some of these people may be.
"You are entitled to ask us questions too," he adds hopefully, watching me fidget under his request. "And…And you don't have to answer everything. Only what makes you comfortable."
Better. I suppose with the freedom to decline answering sensitive subjects, a round of Q and A may not be too horrific. I would need to be careful about my responses though.
"How about depending on how private your answer may be, we'll each answer a question on the same level of intensity or lower," Riza continues, pocketing the Colonel's gloves which he clearly saw.
"L-Lieutenant…"
"Oh, and since there's more of us, she should be obligated more turns," Gracia suggests with a rewarding smile from me. "Only, of course, if you don't mind…"
Well, when Gracia puts it like that…Could it really hurt? What did I have to lose anyways?
"Sounds good to me," I say reluctantly. The Hughes grin appreciatively and Riza hints interest. Roy, finally past his glove scenario, feigns boredom, but something like relief glints in his eyes and I'm noticing how much he's been wanting to learn about me. Supposedly, in their shoes, I was a bit mysterious.
But did that mean the Colonel had to ask me things too?
"All right," I say, suddenly nervous. "How exactly does this work?"
Maes settles comfortably on the ground, glancing between everyone. "How about we'll alternate. Riza than you, me than you, Gracia than you, and finally… Roy. That is, only if you're ok with him bugging you."
"That's fine," I say. Maes did say I could ignore questions. Why not just completely blow off the Colonel's attempt of asking stupid things?
"Ok," Maes says, grinning. "Now if Riza could kindly start us off?"