I love Rory...xDD
Again, the cliché disclaimer, although effectively needed...I-DO-NOT-OWWWWN!!!
Not that hard to believe, right?
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Stryke was sent flying backwards and rolled to a stop against the far wall.
Rory padded over to her, licking her cheek, his tail wagging rapidly.
She swatted gently at Rory's muzzle, forcing herself to her feet.
In front of her stood two blond haired teens and a towering suit of armor.
The two teens were almost the same height, but one was a girl and the other a boy.
The boy had slung a red cloak over his right shoulder, a suitcase accompanying it as well.
He was wearing a black long sleeved shirt and black pants and brown boots.
Stryke didn't fail to notice the flash of silver chain that hung down from his pocket.
Blond hair framed a strong , young face, his golden eyes sharp and intelligent. His hair was set in a braid, about shoulder length.
The other teen looked about the same age. She was wearing a dark blue shirt that cut off at the elbows, and a brown jacket tied around her waist. Her pants were brown and casual that lay overtop worn black boots.
Her hair was more of a dirty blonde than the other's, and was also set in a straight ponytail that fell to her mid-back. Long strands of bangs had been left to freely frame her face.
Blue-grey eyes were looking at Stryke quizzically, and the girl's head was tilted slightly.
The other was a large forbidding suit of armor, that was taller than the other two.
Stryke scratched the back of her head, not sure what to do.
Rory shoved his nose against her hand, demanding attention.
Stryke petted the dog absentmindedly, not positive about her next move. Fight? Maybe. But the armor guy looked tough…
Suddenly Mustang rounded the corner, slamming into the back of the suit of armor, as Stryke had done, only not in front.
He stumbled back a bit, regaining his balance quickly.
"What is the meaning of this?!" He demanded angrily.
The boy shrugged, grinning. "Dunno, Mustang. What? Can't keep your own hallway in order?"
Stryke could see Mustang visibly clenching his jaw in annoyance.
"No. I'm talking about the girl over there. She's supposed to be in custody. But now she's free with a mutt in my hallway!"
"Hey! We didn't do it, Mustang. She just ran into Al," the teen exclaimed, jerking his thumb towards the suit of armor.
Stryke watched as their bickering ensued, then realized what was happening. Seizing the moment she whirled around and took off.
Something caught the back of her shirt and she tripped and fell flat on her face.
Mustang and the teen had realized what she was doing, and both had went to catch her.
Stryke groaned in pain, the breath having been knocked out of her lungs.
"Watch her, Fullmetal . I need to see what that mutt did to my office…"
Rory growled low in his throat as Mustang passed by him, but stayed close to Stryke.
Mustang quickly went into his office to straighten up.
About ten minutes later he was beckoning the two teens and the armor into his office, Stryke having been forced to tag along and Rory confined to the hallway.
"Fullmetal , I guess it actually was about time for you to check in. But who's that?" Mustang said, pointing to the other blonde teen.
"That's our friend Kaieri. She stalked us to the train station and by the time we realized it we were on the train…" He said with a sigh.
Mustang raised an eyebrow.
"Ah…Kaieri, would you mind stepping outside with the other young lady while I talk in private to Edward and Alphonse?"
The dirty blonde, or Kaieri, nodded quickly then left the office, Stryke tailing her.
The door shut with a snap behind them.
"So…why are you here?" Kaieri asked hesitantly.
Stryke shrugged. "I got caught trying to steal Mustang's pocket watch…"
"Oh…well, um…I'm Kaieri. Kaieri Rommel."
Stryke blinked, not used to outgoingness from strangers. "Yes…I'm Afey Stryke…but just call me Stryke…"
"So…Stryke…I'm guessing you live around here somewhere?" Kaieri asked, shuffling around a bit.
Stryke raised an eyebrow then rolled her eyes. Typical blonde. "Yes…what a coincidence."
"What got you into this mess anyways?" Kaieri asked , her voice a bit more harsh than before.
Uh-oh…she noticed the eye roll , Stryke thought.
"Well, Mustang's watch is a nice prize to sell to the dirty little merchants that run around in the slums of Central."
Kaieri raised an eyebrow.
"Ah…okay…"
A small meow game from Kaieri's direction.
Investigating, Stryke saw a small long haired calico kitten perched on Kaieri's shoulder. Stryke glanced around the hallway. No windows…how was she to supposed to escape? …RORY!!
Stryke gave a low whistle and the mutt came bounding up the hallway, tackling Stryke to the ground.
Stryke pushed him off then quickly got to her feet.
Rory barked excitedly, hoping that Stryke would bring out his favorite toy ; a miniature stuffed giraffe that he loved to death.
Sure enough, Stryke brought out the toy, kneeling down eye level with the dog.
"Hey Rory," she said in a sweet tone. "Wanna play? I've got your Tom-Tom here! Wanna play? Hmm? Ready? Go get it, Rory!"
Stryke held the toy above Rory's head but then pointed to the kitten on Kaieri's shoulder. Rory wagged his tail, his tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth in anticipation.
Stryke threw Tom-Tom in Kaieri's direction.
Surprisingly quick, Kaieri dodged the giraffe, but the kitten wasn't so lucky.
With an angry hiss the kitten leaped off Kaieri's shoulder , landing gracefully on its feet.
Suddenly Rory forgot about Tom-Tom and went for the kitten.
The kitten's back arched and it hopped sideways a few times before shooting off down the hallway.
" Arden!" Kaieri shouted.
Stryke grinned. "Go Rory , go!"
Kaieri glared at Stryke before sprinting after the kitten and dog.
Stryke ran after, knowing her escape was in the bag with her accident prone dog.
Awesome.