acatalepsy_rpg | ᴏᴏ3 ( ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ ) | ʙᴏʏ, ɪɴᴛᴇʀʀᴜᴘᴛᴇᴅ.

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ᴏᴏ3 ( ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ ) | ʙᴏʏ, ɪɴᴛᴇʀʀᴜᴘᴛᴇᴅ.

[ roy is seated in a secluded area of the temple that many may recognize as maes and barabas’ office. he has a notebook in front of him that a great deal of stuff seems to be written in, but roy himself doesn’t have a pen in hand. those paying careful attention may recognize that the writing in the notebook is, indeed, roy’s handwriting, but it’s certainly not legible.

anyway. roy looks a bit tired, but in relatively good spirits, despite what he suffered on the horologium. he’s been relatively quiet, since coming back to the temple -- focused on recovering, catching up with his closer circle of friends and family, and preparing himself for what he had to do next, which is, incidentally, address the circle.

And so, roy clears his throat. ]

We have a handful of new arrivals . . . welcome to the Circle. To those who don’t know me, my name is Brigadier General Roy Mustang. Roy is sufficient.

[ some people like using the titles, and some people don’t. It doesn’t really make a difference to him -- but that being said, roy certainly does speak in an authoritative tone, for as tired as he looks. some things don’t change. ]

I wanted to bring your attention to what we’ve experienced as a group in the past. A world jump is likely coming soon, and the more prepared we are, the higher likelihood we have to avoid another Akvos, or another version of the Horologium. To that extent --

[There’s not really a noise to announce Maes’s arrival. Just one minute there is empty space behind Roy and the next it’s being occupied by a man in glasses.]

Roy! There you are, I --

[He notices that Roy is speaking to the watch or The Circle and leans in over his friend’s shoulder. Personal space and Maes apparently aren’t acquainted, at least where Roy is concerned.]

Oh, hey, you’re talking to everyone else. Perfect. Let me borrow this for a second.

[Maes plucks up the watch. Roy is no longer visible, but you can definitely hear a “hey, give me that!” protest from the side. ]

Hi everyone. Technically I’m a Brigadier General, but feel free to just refer to me as Maes Hughes. I’m sure Roy already started in on the welcoming address, but I have some important information too -- concerning everyone really. I managed to get some details out of Astoria about our next world. After the past few times, well, one of the biggest issues we’ve had is not knowing a lot about where we’re going and how to prepare. Now I know there are mixed feelings about her, but the last time I asked her for information about a world it did prove to be accurate...so I think we can at least trust this much.

[As he speaks on trusting Astoria, he does glance in the direction Roy was. It’s pretty clear Maes has his own skepticism about the woman that has grown substantially from his months of being here. Now isn’t the time to dwell on that though. He clears his throat.]]

I didn’t get a name, but she called it a city, with taverns and everything. It’s populated by various types of people...different species and magic will be present. It sounded like we’d be going to a place with a lot of avenues to pursue. Astoria seems to want us to help the people there...though she couldn’t really give me specifics as to how. It sounds like it won’t be just fighting though, not this time.

[Maes pauses. Is he done? He knows that wasn’t very helpful and, especially for the new folks, it might not mean a lot. He looks like he’s about to give the watch back to Roy, but quickly pulls it back. Oh, right, the other things.]

If that doesn’t mean much to you, don’t worry. This room that Roy and I are in happens to be a library of sorts that Barb and I have been working on to keep all of the information from different people and worlds. We made it with the idea that those of you who are new might want to come read up on previous places. We’d appreciate any information you may have to add in the future.

All that I ask if that you please don’t touch the picture I’ve pinned to the wall of my precious daughter Elysia!

[The picture in question seems to magically appear in Maes’s hand, though it’s hard to tell if that was slight of hand or his teleporting again. The picture shows a girl, no older than three with twin pigtails sticking on top of her head. She sits proudly on a small tricycle, beaming at the camera. His voice changes from serious to a more gushing tone. Has he...has he forgotten the point of this?]

I know she’s just too cute~ But you’re free to look all you want I know she cheers ---

All right, enough, give me that --

[ and the watch is soon wrested out of maes’ hands, to show a very exasperated roy, frustrated (but clearly not enough to be actually upset, given he allowed maes to prattle on for that long). ]

The point of this is to offer ourselves as resources to the newer members, and to continue supporting one another to the best of our ability. Sharing with one another puts us on an even-playing field, and I intend to continue asking that of you, regardless of what happens on other worlds. Many of us have survived good worlds, and bad. Successes, and failures. This is our opportunity to attempt to plan for what comes next, because we likely have little time before our next jump.

[ and, after roy says that, he turns to maes, exasperated: ]

Do you always need to be the center of attention, or do you have an actual medical condition that forces you to --

[ and then the feed ends. ]

(OOC: If you are interested in looking at what we have in the office and want to read or, even better, contribute. Check it out here! Also, feel free to threadjack in this post! )

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[Somehow, even with the warning, he'd startled her. He just can't catch a break it seems, but such is the nature of teleporting. He grins sheepishly.]

Sorry about that. If it helps, I've had worse reactions.

[Having a knife pulled on you multiple times leaves you with a healthy appreciation for your teammates reflexes. He's learned to teleport out of stabbing distance.

Of course, he's not the only one with surprises today. Ruby hugs him and that's not what he was expecting at all. It's not like he'd known the girl very long, but maybe she was that kind of person. The kind to open her heart (and in this case her arms) to anyone. He'd already thought of her as a good person, a girl who had probably seen more than she let on but who was also still so young. This confirmed it in so many ways, but it was just nice. After a moment of hesitation, not quite knowing how to respond, he gently puts a hand on her head and one arm over her shoulder.

She seems like she could use a hug too.]

I honestly think Roy kept more of an eye out for her...but you're welcome all the same. Like I said, we look out for each other around here. That included your sister, but you now too.

[He smiles slightly, recalling words Roy had spoken a long time ago about using what little strength they had to protect the one's they loved.]

I can believe that.

[There's a soft sigh when he returns the hug. She wasn't as worried about herself at the moment, she still didn't know exactly where to put this on the scale of weird and dangerous things that had happened in her life. But Maes, Yang and everyone else who had been here longer than her had been through some rough times. She could tell that and just thought this is the best way she could support them now.

...Though she had to admit that now that she was getting a hug it was something she had needed too.

There's a giggle when he says that.]

I mean if you want you can always pass this hug along to it's rightful owner. Just let Roy know that it's from Yang's sister.

But it's for you too, for being honest about what happened. You looked like you needed one.

[She pulls back a hint of a smile on her face.]

We'll all watch out for each other now.

Heh. Roy isn't much for signs of affection like that, but I'll see what I can do for you.

[Two hugs in so short a time period might not be what Roy would like, but sometimes it's not a question of what someone likes. Maes could always lean on the 'passing it along' bit. What could Roy really say then?

The real question in his mind was Ruby that perceptive or was he that obvious about how hard the past few weeks had been.]

I think so, though I probably wouldn't have admitted to it so easily.

I have a teammate who can be like that. She has gotten a lot better for it recently, so I have to give her points there.

Well take it or leave it. He's at least got my thanks for it, too.

[It might have been a little from one column and a little from another. Ruby knew what it was like to put her own pain on hold for the sake of the team, she couldn't be sure but Maes seemed to be the same type. She also had moved in with her sister who hadn't been on the top of her game. The signs were there for her.]

Maybe. It kind of gets pushed to the side when your trying to be strong for everyone else.

It's hard to admit when you need help. I'm just as guilty of that sometimes, but I think I'm finally starting to realize that if I'm going to accomplish certain goals, I'm going to have to rely on others.

[There's a moment where he almost slips and mentions his death and desire to find a new way to live, but decides that isn't the kind of topic he wants to broach right now. His conversation with Shiro and the others before him had helped him come to terms and Maes knew he was in a better space mentally than he was before. The ship had been terrible, but perhaps some good had come out of it.]

That also means I can't keep pushing problems to the side. They're only going to pile up that way and then when I'm really needed it might fall on top of me.

[That part HAD happened on the ship, but luckily he'd had good friends to see him through it.]

My advice? Don't push problems aside just because you think it might be easier for other people. In the short term it might be, but in the long term it's only going to get harder for everyone.

[Ruby considers what Maes is saying and gives a solemn little nod. She had been holding a lot in herself while trying to stay strong for her team back at home. She was doing the same now that he shown up with Yang in a rough spot. She was just as guilty for all this.

It didn't make it any less tough a pill to swallow though. Her chest felt a bit tight thought it over, she was still dreading filling Yang in on the gaps between their memories. She knew how well learning them had gone the actual time around.]

Yeah, you're right. It's just sometimes hard to find the right time to do that.

...Or take your own advice.

[She'll just let out a little frustrated sigh as she sits down on the end of her bed.]

[Maes watches Ruby for a moment, considering his options here. The hug was helpful, but he has a feeling they might need to have a bit of a longer conversation now. He grabs a nearby chair, spinning it around to sit in it backwards.]

The right time, huh?

[He rests his arms on the back of the chair. He may regret doing this, but they'd already made a promise of honesty and support. Why not see where that goes?]

Roy can take care of responding to the people on the Network for a bit and I have nothing else going on. Let's try this out. It may seem strange...but I've actually found that talking to some of the people here in the Circle, who don't know me from back home, can be easier to confide in than some of my closest friends that are here. So, why don't we each share one problem that's bothering us? There might not be solutions, but maybe we'll both feel a little better then.

What do you say? Want to try?

[Ruby blinks and stares for a moment. She didn't know why she was so surprised at the offer, they had been talking about being open and honest. She just hadn't had someone she thought she could lay her problems out on the table for. At least not one that wasn't her one of her own friends.

She plays with the thought for a moment. Letting her feet kick idly against one another.]

...Yeah, That is a little weird. But okay, let's give it a shot.

[She purses her lips briefly considering what to say.]

I guess the biggest and most awkward thing first. I don't really know how this works but I guess I'm from the future? At least compared to Yang. Her last memory of home happened like months ago compared to mine.

[Jeez. She felt a little ridiculous trying to put this into words. She kind of laughs as she sorts her thoughts out.]

So I know a bunch of things that she doesn't know at the moment and she wasn't really thrilled to find out about them the first time around. I wasn't able to talk to her through some of them the first time around and now I have no idea how to approach all of this the second time around without our friends. But she's got all this stuff from here going and I can't not approach her about it because that will just cause more problems.

[She's just going to take a moment to take a breath. Her voice is starting to shake a little. She isn't even being specific but it's a lot to cover.]

I just have no idea how to do this.

[He wouldn't have thought it would work so well either, but here he is six months later willing to share his own darker secrets with Ruby just to help her feel better. Maes had felt that when he'd spoken with Shiro about it, having someone who understood without having the baggage behind that understanding was...well it was nice.

He listens intently as Ruby lays out one of her problems and immediately nods. He lets her finish talking though before adding his two cents to it. He wants Ruby to be able to sort through her thoughts first anyway. She definitely seems shaken and he debates getting up to sit next to her instead. He decides to give her a moment instead.]

Yeah, that can be difficult. Roy and I are actually in a similar situation. Roy is from...well at least two years in the future from my point of view. The same thing has happened with some others that have come from our home that are no longer at the Temple.

[He debates telling her WHY he always seems to be behind, but he'll cross one bridge at a time. He wants to focus on the time difference first.]

A lot of it is going to depend on how Yang usually reacts to things. Does she like everything out at once or would she prefer to be eased into the idea? You could always just tell her you are from the future and then see what questions she asks about it.

I can't really speak from how you can handle things, but I can tell you how I felt when some of the others had to tell me about what I'd missed out on. Not all of it was easy to hear and it's taken me a long time to come to terms with some of it...but the people I cared about were here for me and having time to process it on my own helped too.

Two years?

[Ruby sounds absolutely baffled by that. Her and Yang were definitely separated by a few months but anything over a year just seemed absurd. She let that sit for a moment before she continued. It was actually fairly comforting to know the time difference was a not something limited to her.

She instead decides to focus on the problem with Yang.]

I tried that a little... We caught both caught on quick to the fact that something didn't add up. I know when she's from and well she knows what I'm doing at the moment but I haven't filled in the gaps yet.

I knew something had happened here and she wasn't herself. I tried to ask her about that and she clammed up on me. Now I at least know a bit more but I don't want to make things worse for her if I tell her what I know. I know she doesn't take it well when we hit that point.

[She lets her chin hang softly as she mulls his words over then looks back up in his direction.]

Maybe being here for her is all I can do for now... Until she's ready to hear what I have to say.

[He shrugs a bit helplessly. As far as Roy's told him that's how long it's been since he died. Of course he doesn't want to put it that way for Ruby just yet, he's waiting to see if he needs or wants to put that out there right now. Ruby already seems worried enough about the conversation she has to have with Yang. It's hard to imagine she would have to tell Yang anything that serious, since Ruby hadn't mentioned it.

Then again Yang might have to have that conversation with Ruby after what happened on the ship. But that's Yang's business to tell, not his own. He nods.]

Sometimes that can mean more than you realize. It will probably be better for you both if you let things come out on their own as opposed to forcing the issue. You both seem like smart young women with good intentions...I think you'll both know when you're ready to talk about it in more detail. That patience is what's going to probably be the difficult thing though.

[She chews on that thought briefly.]

I think you're right there. I just... Worried about what will happen when I tell her. There were people that we traveled with that were keeping secrets from us. When the truth came out it made things kind of rough for the everyone. I just don't want her to think I'm keeping her in the dark like they had been.

[She looks up at the ceiling in thought for a bit.]

Being patient I can do but I just don't want waiting to be any worse. Should I tell her I have things to tell her but put a rain-check on it? Is that something you can even do?

Edited 2019-04-14 23:19 (UTC)

She already knows you're from a few months ahead of her right?

[He thinks for a moment, rubbing at his chin.] This is going to sound weird, but we're dealing with mixed up timelines so work with me for a moment. Tell her...that you want to share some things with her that a version of her didn't take very well, that you want her to be ready to hear them. Let the decision be hers to make and I would probably emphasize to her that you DO plan on sharing this information, you just want to make sure she's in the right emotional and mental space to handle it. I think the key here is making sure SHE gets to choose when she gets the information, that will help avoid the 'you're hiding something from me just like they were' problem.

[He taps his hand against the chair.]

Did that even make sense?

Yeah, we have that set in stone. ...She actually helped me get that part sorted out.

[She watches him stroke his chin in thought. She can't help but wonder if she would be able to come up with better ideas if she had stubble to rub.

His idea is a more than a little complicated for her and she feels the gears grinding just to keep up it. She gives herself a little time to try and figure it before she answers.]

I'm not sure? I think so?

[Maybe repeating this in her own words is the best way to do it.]

So... I don't treat it like I know how she's going to be upset, just that it could happen. Kind of like a fresh start or a do over on the whole thing? Then I give her the option to hear what I have to say when she's ready. If she's ever ready?

[Ruby didn't want to think that she Yang might never be ready, but she had been acting strangely since Ruby had arrived.]

Is that close to what you were saying?

Right, the decision to hear it needs to be hers to make, but you have to hold up your end and tell her when she wants to hear it.

[He thinks about it a moment later.]

Of course, that could just make her want to hear it more. Kind of like when someone tells you not to look at something and you can't help but want to look at it now. The more you warn her, the more enticing it's probably going to be...even if there's a part of her that knows she doesn't need it right now.

[After all, it's not like they can do much about things in their own worlds from here. The frustrating thing about being from the 'past' is there is no way of really knowing if these decisions are "inevitable" or not.]

If it goes wrong...if she takes it poorly. It might not hurt to send her my way. Like I said...I'm two years from Roy's past. I have a feeling I can relate to what Yang's going through. You're her sister though, and it seems like you guys have a pretty good bond, it might not take a third party.

Right... Well I'm not sure that'll be an issue. I haven't really been in a situation where I've had to keep something secret from her. Except for like one of my friends being a robot, or when I took the last cookie from the cookie jar. ...I'm pretty sure she knew about that last one though.

[She mulls over the next bit there.]

So keep talking about it to a minimum, okay. I think I can do that. She hasn't really been much for talking about what's been going on here anyways. ...Which is another thing entirely now that I know about that Horologium...

[She let's out a frustrated sigh. Everything was just so darn complicated.

She flops down on the bed.]

Maybe. I mean we do. We just aren't on the same page right now. If things don't work out I'll let you know.

[He nods. The Temple and being involved with the Circle has a tendency to make things complicated on their own without adding in issues of different points in time. Any other time he might press on the robot thing, but he’s just been here too long for that to even ping his interest so much any more.]

I’m sorry it’s been tough talking with her. All of us had different encounters and experiences while we were on board the ship which were all varying degrees of awful. Your sister might have gone through it worse than most.

[He really hopes Yang will tell her. Ruby should know.]

Keep me posted, definitely. I want to help if I can. I hope at least maybe talking it through has helped some.

[He pauses, watching Ruby sprawl on the bed]

Is there anything else?

Yeah... I know she's hurting and it hurts to know I can't just make it better. ...But at the very least I feel like I showed up at the right time to do what I can. Having some family around can't hurt, right?

[There is a pause. Okay, maybe Raven wouldn't be the best person to have around in this situation.]

I will, I promise.

[She gave her feet a little kick as they still dangled off the edge of the bed.]

I got a chance to at least get this much off my chest and sort my thoughts sorted out. Thank you for that.

[Then she props herself up on her elbows to look at him.]

That was my one thing. Isn't it your turn?

So it is.

[He'd suggested this whole thing, but it's definitely different when you're the one in the hot seat. Of course, there's the usual things that bother him and then there are the more recent things.

He knows what he said earlier, but at the same time it's a little different for a grown man to be putting his problems on a teenager. He knows Edward wouldn't appreciate that kind of thinking though. So what to focus on? The goal isn't to solve, per say, but to talk, right? He decides to go with something that he's already mentioned anyway.]

Two years is a really long time and I don't think Roy realizes just how much he's actually changed...I worry sometimes that maybe we don't connect or understand each other the way we used to.

[He tilts back in his chair, angling his gaze up towards the ceiling.]

Hmm...actually no...that's not really putting it right either. It's not like Roy and I have always seen eye to eye, but I've usually understood what he's thinking or feeling. Now? Well a lot of stuff has happened to both of us and I'm not sure how to talk to him about certain things any more.

[Ruby could relate to the awkwardness of actually talking about her problems, maybe not for the same reasons and Maes but it was still true. She had been shouldering her issues and trying to look on the bright side before she got here. Letting them out was just different for her.

If there was one thing she was good at though, it was listening. So when he talks she sits back up and makes the effort to look and actually pay attention.]

Has this caused any friction between the two of you? Since you've gotten here?

[She tilts her and ponders over the issue for a little.]

My team got split up for the better part of a year. When we got finally reunited we were all a little different from what had got us going our separate ways and the time between. There were some rough patches, it can take a little time to get things back on track after so much time apart.

Maybe try starting from the ground up? Go out and maybe try to talk or do things that are familiar with the both of you? Starting with the simple stuff might help you pick up on how you or him have changed. Or if that doesn't work there's always team building exercises?

I wouldn't call it friction, that makes it sound like we're fighting.

[He rubs at the back of his head, it's hard to put into words. It's a tangle and mess of subtle changes and differences. The kind of thing you wouldn't notice if you were growing and changing along someone, but when you're gone for two years or more it's so obvious.]

We can talk to each other about our experiences...but at the same time there's only so much you can convey without having been there to experience it yourself. I just...I worry about him. About what he's been through and how it's changed him.

[He chuckles.]

Team building, huh? We're not exactly in the military academy any more. He'd probably dismiss the idea.

[She plays around with her bangs a bit as she mulls this over. Maes' issue was certainly a bit of a pickle.]

Maybe you just being around like you are now is a good thing. Having someone around from without all that baggage or changes those two years brought could be refreshing on it's own. Just a little reminder of how things were for you guys in the past.

[She gives playful shrug.]

Maybe? But it doesn't hurt to give it a shot. Weiss would always preach practice makes perfect to us, maybe she was onto something. Plus trust falls are fun.

[Well that might work if his very presence wasn't a constant reminder of what had occurred for Roy two years ago. In this case he was the baggage.]

I guess continuing to try is better than just accepting things as they are. I'll see what I can do. I think some of what happened on the ship served as a reminder for him, but I don't know. He probably wants to put it all behind him.

I think you're on the right track there. Trying is way better than giving up in my opinion. Just keep doing your best.

If the ship was as rough with him as I'm guess it was with my sister. He probably needs a friend like you around to help him get through it. He might just not realize it yet.

Probably. He's not as good about talking about what's really bothering him. I can sometimes get it out of him, but he's got a bad habit of bottling it away.

[Unless of course he spoke about it with Riza. It was about a 50/50 chance of that, since Roy had this ridiculous notion about protecting her from things that she was going to wind up in anyway. Hawkeye could probably suss out more of Roy's problems these days than even he could.]

I'll let you know how it goes moving forward.

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ᴏᴏ3 ( ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ ) | ʙᴏʏ, ɪɴᴛᴇʀʀᴜᴘᴛᴇᴅ.

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