Trickster's Choice

MCA 10: Wednesday Evening

2008-07-03T02:02:34Z

Aly was counteracting the exposure to coldness (okay, mild coldness) and ice bergs with hot chocolate. Hot chocolate and a cuddly blanket and two purring cats snuggling close.

All while she watched an episode of three of MI-5. Spy shows were so much fun, and they always had very good looking men on them.

[OOC: For Arashi. Also, shut up, Spooks is totally the real name of the show therefore MI-5 is the meta because AMC FAILS]

MCA #10: Well Past Noon

2008-06-23T21:37:58Z

Aly carried a cup of coffee, well-altered with cream and sugar, into the dimly lit bedroom, grinning as she realised that Roy was still completely asleep. She'd ~~manhandled~~ very gently convinced him to get out of the station and to bed after Hades had been disposed of last night, and he'd been sleeping heavily ever since.

But it was getting on midday, and Aly was more than ready to get dressed and leave the apartment which involved waking Roy up and making sure the injuries he'd had last night didn't need the clinic's attention.

She sat on the side of the bed, holding the coffee carefully close to allow the aroma to reach him. "Wake up, sleepyhead," she teased lightly, her other hand very lightly running down the bridge of his nose. "Rise and shine, the early bird gets the worm, and all the other cliches..." She paused. "Even if you've missed all the shining and worms."

Coming up from the Causeway - Late Sunday Evening

2008-06-09T01:58:28Z

The tropical night was velvety black as soon as the Causeway dropped them off back on Fandom. It was almost like being back in the Copper Isles, Aly thought for a moment. There'd been a trip to a friend's home, a funeral, and several conversations. Somehow it had gone off without anyone needing to hit anyone else. Quite a change from other visits to friends' worlds.

Aly glanced over at Deadpool, Arashi's words echoing in her head, and finally broke the silence between them. "You okay?" Broke the silence banally, but at least it was broken for the moment.

Along the Left Bank - Paris - Saturday Evening

2008-05-31T21:32:42Z

Aly wasn't sure why they were in Paris, but apparently Roy had been doing research on the internet and had decided that as long as they were in France, they needed to go to Paris. So a quick change into something more suitable for a city and a not too long car ride, and they were in the midst of a busy, beautiful city.

They walked along the Seine, intent on seeing some of the famous architecture before finding a restaurant for dinner. "This was a good idea," Aly murmured to Roy, glancing at the fountain and cafes to their right and large buildings across the river with the Louvre in the distance. "Was it what you expected?"

Small Cove on the Beach - Tuesday Evening

2008-05-28T22:07:12Z

Aly lay back on her towel, using her book to shade her eyes from the sun. The showers had stopped for a few moments, and she couldn't help but make her way out to the beach, wanting to watch and listen to the waves at least until the rain started up again.

Saint-Malo - Monday

2008-05-26T16:23:34Z

They'd been to Mont St Michel on Saturday, but Aly had heard of another old walled city she wanted to investigate while Fandom was still hanging out off the French coast. The outskirts and modern city of Saint-Malo didn't interest her so much, but as they walked through the gates of the walled city, she smiled, starting to almost feel at home.

"It's a bit like Pirate's Swoop," she said quietly to the man walking next to her. "The architecture and the old pirate history and everything. Just need some cliffs, and we'd be in Tortall." She grinned. "If you forget the cars and cell phones and things."

[OOC: for the one walking with her]

MCA 10: Sunday Morning

2008-05-18T14:01:33Z

Aly had woken up fairly early as usual, goaded by not only habit but also by curiosity to see if her the little pony in her room had turned back into a real boy. So to speak.

She hadn't been about to have hooves, even weetiny ones, in her bed, so Aly crawled out of bed, noticing the lack of cats milling about first as she pulled on her robe and wondered if she should grab her camera to capture a cat and pony cuddle pile. Camera in hand, she headed out to the living room and was almost disappointed when she saw Roy back in human form with Dee and Ow curled up in the small of his back and behind his neck respectively.

Ow looked up at her with big eyes and a lazy 'mrr-itt' as Aly set the camera down and perched on the edge of the couch, careful not to jostle either kitten as she drew a teasing finger down the line of Roy's shoulder just to stop at the blanket.

[OOC: For the sleeping non-pony]

MCA 7: Very, very Early Friday Morning

2008-05-09T11:21:29Z

Roy slept.

A respectful silence reigned over the gathered crowd. So many people were gathered to say a last goodbye to a soldier most of them had never known. Roy glanced up at the stage, it was cast in the shadow of the giant statue behind it. Roy craned his neck, trying to see who it was from, but the face was shrouded by clouds and now someone was speaking.

He glanced back at the stage where Mengsk stood now, his back straight and he had the air of a ruler. A winner. No one had won, especially not Kerrigan and his cheeks itched but Roy made no move to wipe the tears away. The words made no sense as if his hearing was blurred instead of his vision.

"I consider myself god's guardian angel." Mengsk's words suddenly became clearly, but they weren't his and Roy's gaze shot up. Even from this distance he could meet the man's eyes. "I consider it my duty to rid this world of the devils, the alchemists who killed thousands." As Roy watched him, Mengsk's face morphed and he changed, just like that homunculi Ed had told him about.

Roy couldn't move, couldn't do anything as now Pride stood on the stage, drawing his sword and everyone was looking at Roy. Their gazes were accusing and he caught faces in the crowd. People he'd known, people he'd killed. He cried out, a white hot pain pierced his shoulder and he'd been distracted. Pride was in front of him, his blade having run him through and Roy was stuck again. Stuck in the basement of the Fuhrer's mansion, the world around him burning and he couldn't move.

"I'll rid the world of scum like you," Pride growled and he turned away, leaving the blade stuck inside Roy.

Pride was covered in shadows now, but he'd drawn another sword and the people he faced were clearly visible; Hughes, Ed, Marcoh, Kerrigan, Selim Bradley. Roy struggled, his hands reaching to draw the sword out, but the instant he touched it, it burned his hand and Roy cried out in pain. He struggled as the shadow cut through each and all of them. Their bodies fell down into the fire and soon there was no one but him and the murderer.

"You're pathetic." It wasn't Pride's voice anymore, but it was familiar and Roy stilled. "You swore you would protect them. You'd wash the blood from these hands by trying to keep them safe. They died for you. Because of you."

The man turned towards him, it wasn't Pride now and Roy looked up at the familiar figure. The left side of his face was covered in scars, but his eye wasn't missing. It slowly opened, revealing nothing but white and instead of the pupil, the sign of the homunculi, a red ouroboros.

"Join them now!"

There was a sharp pain and Roy stared into his own eyes. A killer's eyes, the ones he saw in the mirror after Ishbal. He hardly felt the sword that was stuck in his stomach. This was how it should be and he felt life leaving him as he crashed to the floor.

Roy	Roy's eye shot open and he stared up at the ceiling as he tried to catch his breath. He glanced at Aly, making sure she was still sleeping before he carefully sat up. He wasn't going to sleep again tonight and he'd just get restless if he stayed in bed.
Aly	Aly couldn't exactly miss the person next to her having a nightmare, and she reached over to touch his hand before opening her eyes slowly. "What is it?" she murmured, instantly awake and worried.
Roy	He tensed for a second at the touch and he should have known she'd be awake. "It's alright," he whispered, gently squeezing her hand. "Go back to sleep."
Aly	She sat up, hearing the tension in his voice. "Sure it is," she murmured, sliding closer to him, her other hand reaching to rub up his back and over the back of his neck.
Roy	He stayed rigid under her touch, his fingers tightening around hers. "You're humouring me," he accused, his voice catching despite his efforts not to.
Aly	"Yes," Aly said softly, leaning in to kiss his cheek. He was sweating still from the nightmare and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and repeated, "what is it?"
Roy	His breath quickened or maybe it'd never slowed down. His free hand covered one of her arms, but he didn't make her break the embrace yet. "It was just a bad dream."
Aly	"Another one?" she asked, her hand stroking over his shoulder again and again. "Want to tell me about it?"
Roy	He shivered as he didn't allow himself to relax. "Not particularly."
Aly	Aly nodded. "Okay," she said easily, worried but not upset. She started to stand up, pulling him with her.
Roy	He was frowning, but he followed anyway. "That's not the way for you to go back to sleep," he pointed out.
Aly	"I'm on vacation," she replied, tugging him into the bathroom and reaching to turn on the shower.
Roy	"That's the shower," he said, apparently being very observant in the middle of the night. He pulled back a little to reach for the light switch as he lacked that nifty night sight Aly had.
Aly	"Yes," Aly agreed, making sure the water wasn't too hot before she stepped under it, pulling him with her. "You're all sweaty." And the hot water would help relax him though she wasn't planning on saying that part.
Roy	"Are you saying I stink?" he tried to joke and he hoped she didn't notice how unsteady his hand was as he pulled the shower curtain shut behind him.
Aly	She did notice, she couldn't help noticing, but she didn't comment, just wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed against him under the spray of hot water.
Roy	He stilled for a second and his arms went around her, some of the rigidness disappearing as her touch got under the defenses he'd been trying to pull up. He buried his face against the crook of her neck, letting the water wash away the lingering tensions from his body.
Aly	Aly stayed quiet, her hands stroking up the tense muscles of his back and neck. She let the water do its work washing away the terror of the dream and just concentrated on holding him, reassuring him, letting him know silently she was there until he was ready to talk to her.
Roy	It was a long moment before his arms around her relaxed. His hands gently stroked up her back instead of her just holding on to her and he pressed a kiss to the nearest skin.
Aly	"Going to be okay?" she murmured, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
Roy	Roy drew in a breath and nodded slowly, it wasn't like there were other options either way.
Aly	She stayed quiet for a moment, letting the water wash over them. "Tell me what happened yesterday?" she murmured, having a slight clue this particular nightmare had to do with Kerrigan.
Roy	He didn't answer right away, he lightly stroked her back, more to distract himself than anything else. "It was a show. Mengsk used it to prove just how good a leader he is."
Aly	Aly nodded slowly, still staying close and keeping the body contact. "So not worth anything at all then?"
Roy	"No." His voice was rough and his fingers dug into her back. He really was tired of politicians using his friends' funerals to promote their own image.
Aly	Her hands stroked down his back, rubbing into the tight muscles. "I'm sorry, Roy," she murmured, hearing too much pain in his voice and wishing she could do something to make it better.
Roy	He nodded slowly, not moving away from her. "He left her there to die."
Aly	Aly's jaw tightened, and memories of teasingly tormenting Kerrigan flooded her mind. "Gods damn him," she murmured, her voice harsh.
Roy	He could echo that sentiment, minus the gods part. "Liberty got me a tape of her final communication. She was requesting an evacuation as their position was being overrun and he just left." There was definitely anger in his voice now, his body tensing again.
Aly	She tilted an eyebrow even as her hands started smoothing down the muscles of his back again, trying to keep him relaxed. "Know how to get back there? I have some ideas on how to deal with him."
Roy	"Burn him to ashes," he replied, his voice cold and he had the scars to prove that he wasn't above extracting this kind of revenge.
Aly	Aly looked up at him, her hand reaching up to brush over the scars lightly. "Maybe something that's not quite so obvious? I'm not letting you go and not come back."
Roy	He shivered at the touch and his fingers tangled in her hair as he leaned his forehead against hers. "I don't know how to fly a spaceship anyway."
Aly	"Getting someone to fly the spaceship is the least of our worries," she said, eyes fastening on his. "Don't you go without me. Not even for paybacks."
Roy	He let out a breath and she almost sounded like Hawkeye. "It's not my fight."
Aly	"Promise me," she said, holding his gaze and not trusting that brush-off in the slightest.
Roy	He reached up to touch her cheek. "I promise."
Aly	Aly nodded, holding him close again. "Good," she murmured.
Roy	He nuzzled her shoulder, falling silent again.
Aly	"Want to get out?" she asked, aware the hot water tank was probably going to give out at some point.
Roy	"Alright," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple before he started to pull back.
Aly	Aly let her hand slide down his back before she turned to shut off the water. "Want something to eat?" she asked softly, wondering when the last time he'd eaten was. And that plus the whiskey couldn't have really led to nice dreams.
Roy	"I'm not hungry," he said softly, reaching out to skim his hand down her back.
Aly	She tilted an eyebrow at him. "Have you eaten in the last twenty-four hours?"
Roy	"Some," he said with a nod, meaning his breakfast before they had left count.
Aly	She eyed him and shook her head. "Come on," she murmured, wrapping the towel around her and heading out to the kitchen.
Roy	"I don't think you were listening to the part where I said I wasn't hungry," he frowned, snatching up a towel of his own and he quickly rubbed himself dry before he went after her.
Aly	"Probably," she agreed, shooting him a glance over her shoulder. "But not the part where you haven't eaten since you left here."
Roy	Roy frowned. "Is Kerrigan haunting us and feeding you information?"
Aly	"More like I know you," Aly said. "And you had to think too hard to make your answer fit my question."
Roy	Roy sighed. "Fine," he grumbled as he tied the towel around his waist before plopping on one of the kitchen's chairs.
Aly	She pulled his fridge open, making a face at the contents before grabbing some bread and eggs. "You are allowed to put clothes on, you know."
Roy	He tilted his head as he watched her. "So are you."
Aly	Aly grinned at him. "I'm cooking now."
Roy	"In a towel," he felt the need to point out. "I approve."
Aly	"So what about the lack of clothes then?" she teased, starting to make scrambled eggs and toast.
Roy	Roy watched her, his eyes darkening and he seemed to think this was the better subject. "I approve," he murmured, getting back to his feet and moving behind her.
Aly	She chuckled, glancing back over her shoulder at him. "Going to try something, General Mustang?"
Roy	"It crossed my mind," he admitted, tracing a droplet that had fallen down her shoulder. There wasn't any mischief or planning in his eyes like there usually was when he was teasing her however. He looked thoughtful and when he stepped into her, he seemed content to just hold on to her.
Aly	Aly leaned back into him, her hands still busy with the eggs. "You don't have to," she murmured. "This is fine."
Roy	He bend his head to nuzzle the nape of her neck and seeking comfort there. "It was like Hughes' funeral," he said softly. "One big show for the dictator to prove how benevolent he is while he's the one who ran her into the ground. They're all the same and we follow them like dogs while they turn us into human weapons, incapable of being anything but what they turned us in to. Until we bite them back and even then, we're still just that. Hardly human."
Aly	At that, she spun around to face him. "You're not," she said, lips tight though the hand that reached up to cup his cheek was still gentle. "Neither you or Kerrigan. If that's all there was, would you have cared about her so much? Would she have cared about her students and River and you?"
Roy	He wasn't sure why that made him smile just a little and he reached up to touch her lips. "I pissed you off," he realised.
Aly	"Yes," Aly admitted. "You want them - all of them - to win? Keep thinking about yourself as worthless."
Roy	"I don't find myself worthless," he argued. "I have my uses."
Aly	"Worthless for anything other than a human weapon," she clarified, rolling her eyes slightly at him.
Roy	He stiffened and pulled back from her. "You killed people, haven't you? Don't you take comfort in knowing that you did it for the right reasons? That you had to for the greater good?"
Aly	She shook her head, letting her hand rest on his chest. "You're more than that," she said softly, not mad now. "Kerrigan's more than that."
Roy	His breath caught and his eyes softened as he shifted slightly, putting more weight against her hand. "I'm trying," he whispered.
Aly	"You don't have to try," she said. "You just are."
Roy	He held her eyes for a long moment and then finally shifted closer, leaning his forehead against hers.
Aly	"It's been a long week," she murmured, her arms slipping around his waist.
Roy	"Yeah," he agreed, his arms sliding around her and he gently nuzzled her temple. "My Aly," he whispered.
Aly	She smiled at the term of endearment, turning her head to press a kiss to his jawline. "Yes," she agreed very softly.
Roy	His eyes closed and he just held on to her for a moment, letting go of the images of his dream.
Aly	She could feel him start to relax again and leaned against him, giving him the comfort that he seemed to be wanting.
Roy	"I love you," he whispered, his lips brushing her ear as he spoke.
Aly	"For arguing with you and telling you you're wrong?" Aly asked, a note of amusement in her voice.
Roy	He snorted, but didn't pull back and he just hummed in agreement as it was less sappy than the answer that came to mind.
Aly	She chuckled and kissed his cheek. "Let me finish feeding you, Mustang."
Roy	"Are you saying I'm skinny?" he asked, his voice lighter now.
Aly	"I'm saying you need to feed yourself," she said wryly.
Roy	His hand came up to cup her cheek and he kissed the corner of her mouth. "I'll be alright," he promised her quietly.
Aly	Aly covered his hand with hers. "I know," she murmured. "You don't have a choice in it."
Roy	He laughed this time and cupped her face in both his hands. "Will you make sure that I am?"
Aly	"Damn straight," she teased.
Roy	Roy leaned in and kissed her softly, not trying to deepen it. "How's that food coming along?"
Aly	Aly rolled her eyes at his demand then kissed him back. "Make it yourself then," she teased, turning back to finish hers.

[OOC: NFI, NFB, preplayed with the awesome light_a_spark]

MCA 10 then 7: Late Thursday Evening

2008-05-09T03:57:58Z

Aly paced impatiently across the room, the kittens bouncing at her heels even as they picked up on her mood. There was no point in being impatient. She didn't even know if they would make it back tonight, but she was too worried to sit down and relax and too tired of working on paperwork to try to distract herself more.

She knew that if he got back to his apartment, Spot would immediately let her know. Darkings were useful things, but that didn't stop Aly from pacing out of her apartment and over to his for a moment just to check before she headed back to hers, slamming the door behind her.

Roy	It was late when Roy finally left the station. He didn't usually drink when he was there, but then he wasn't on duty today and there was the hint of whiskey on his breath. His step was certain however, not betraying him and really, he rarely ever got completely drunk. It was just enough to wash away the foul taste the funeral ceremony had left and to try to forget the desperation in Kerrigan's voice. Bastard. He shut the door behind him and stood for minutes in the middle of his dark apartment, not sure which way to go.
Aly	The darking alert system worked perfectly, and Aly considered a career as a stalker for just a moment as she slipped across the hallway to pad quietly into Roy's apartment. She saw him standing in the middle of the room and he looked almost lost there, alone in the dark. "Hey, you," she murmured as she moved towards him.
Roy	He'd heard the door open and either he was used to her not knocking or his reactions were very slow right now. "I thought you'd be sleeping by now," he said, not turning around.
Aly	"I was working on something," she lied, hesitating a moment then moving around him to look up, reaching for his hand.
Roy	"And you forgot you left the glue here?" he asked, his fingers curling around hers. He was grateful for the dark until he remembered that she could see him just fine.
Aly	"Exactly," she said, reaching up to touch his cheek with her other hand, her eyes searching his face. "I need to glue the glitter on. Was starting to think you wouldn't be back tonight."
Roy	"We got back a little while ago," he admitted and he closed his eyes as he tilted his head into the touch.
Aly	No point in asking if he was okay, Aly knew. He obviously wasn't, and he'd obviously had been somewhere with whiskey. Her fingers stroked up over his cheekbone and brushed his hair back off his face. "Want to be alone?"
Roy	"Yes," he whispered and he wondered if it was entirely pathetic that he'd missed her touch when he hadn't even been gone a day. "No."
Aly	She leaned up to kiss him softly. "I'm sorry about Kerrigan."
Roy	His eyes opened and he nodded slowly, the voices from the tape ringing in his ears and maybe he should have that last glass of whiskey. He quickly leaned down, seeking for a longer kiss to drawn everything out with.
Aly	Her hand wrapped around the back of his neck, keeping him close as she gave him a long kiss, letting him have whatever solace he could draw from it.
Roy	His breath caught and he turned into her, his other arm sliding around her as he pulled her close against him. She tasted like whiskey, but that was probably him and his kiss was urgent, demanding more.
Aly	It was probably a bad idea, but they could talk in the morning, and Aly reached up to slide his eyepatch off his head as she pressed against him.
Roy	He stilled when she took it off and it felt good to be without the press of the headband. He nuzzled her cheek and brushed his lips over hers in a silent request.
Aly	She just barely nodded and took a step back towards his bedroom, tugging him with her, her hands already working at the buttons of his shirt. Talking would be fine later.

[OOC: Preplayed with the excellent light_a_spark. NFI and all that]

Tuesday Late Evening: MCA 10

2008-05-06T22:34:46Z

Aly was realising that it really would have just been easier to go back to the Copper Isles for this break rather than try to stay in Fandom and catch up on paperwork and things here. Or she was realising this after about 48 hours of sustained work that had her thinking that if she ever wanted to be able to see straight again, she needed to stop reading the really, really bad handwriting one of her aides had developed.

Which was why she had a cup of tea and was curled up on the couch contemplating the fact that she really needed to get out of the apartment tomorrow.

[OOC: For one]

Secluded Cove of the Beach: Wednesday Late Afternoon

2008-04-30T22:02:52Z

Aly was laying on a blanket she'd spread out on the sand and eyeing the picnic basket next to her hungrily. It had been a long, long weekend and what felt like an endless semester, and she didn't much mind the chance to laze on the sand with a codebook and the sound of the waves while she waited for her date.

Office Hours: Thursday

2008-04-10T21:21:04Z

Being female again was nice. Really, there was nothing about being a guy that Aly missed. Especially not the loss of coordination. Which was why she found herself in her office flipping darts at the dart board.

[OOC: Mmm, office hours, up late due to workiness]

A Beach in the Bahamas - Monday Morning

2008-04-07T20:12:24Z

Aly was positively blissful. There was a warm and beautiful ocean not thirty feet away from her, and she was basking in the sun on the warm sand. Sure they had to catch a plane in the evening and get back to the island still today, but for the next eight hours or so, she was still in layabout's paradise.

She rolled to the side, glancing over at Roy who was engrossed in a book. "Your nose is getting red," she teased "You'll be a lobster soon enough."

Office Hours: Thursday

2008-04-03T16:03:10Z

Aly leaned back in her chair and stared at the ceiling, her hands quickly unlocking a succession of locks she had on the desk in front of her. Easy, yes, but it never did to fall out of practice.

The door was open, and a cup of coffee stood steaming beyond the locks. Possibly a reward.

MCA #10, Sunday Evening

2008-03-30T21:19:57Z

"So can I convince you go to pick up Chinese food?" Aly asked Roy, looking hopeful. Dee's ears perked up from her position curled up on Roy's lap. "See? Even Dee thinks this is a good idea." She made a face. "No chocolate though."

[For Roy and one other]

Thursday: Office Hours

2008-03-27T16:33:42Z

Aly was in her office reading a novel. A spy novel. Because she was a masochist sometimes.

Monday Evening: MCA Apt 10

2008-03-24T16:30:26Z

It had been far too long since chess had been played, and Aly was bound and determined to remedy that. She'd spent the vast majority of last week working herself out from under the mountain of reports that had gotten backlogged during the week of the angels, and now, finally, she'd emerged enough to really, really want to play chess. It had nothing to do with submerging other thoughts she might have about what had or hadn't happened in the past few weeks.

So she arranged for dinner (and by arranged, she meant called for pizza) and started setting up her chess set in the middle of the living room floor, warning the cats sternly about what would happen if they knocked pieces over. The chances of them actually listening were low.

Obituary Notice in The London Times, August 25, 1985

2008-03-16T18:35:12Z

It is only fitting, perhaps, that a woman who confounded so many rose from a mysterious background herself. Claiming to be born during the Great War, she joined the SIS in the first push of the war effort. Frustrated by the typing and filing thought proper for a young woman at the time, she moved into SOE as soon as the branch was established. Her talent for languages and undercover work became obvious, and she spent much of the war in occupied territory, first in France and then in Germany after D-Day. Quite soon after the peace, she was removed from duty to open a space for a male and sent home to England. Apparently she did not accept this change of status well.

Sometime during the war, Mustang married a Colonel with the Royal Lincolnshire, and afterwards they settled by the sea in the south of England where Mustang gave birth to twins - Elysia and Charles. When her children were still very young, Mustang was called back to SIS - MI6 - as the Cold War became more intense, and her wartime commanders needed more experienced operatives. Many of her missions remain classified to this day, but the one that brought this still-young woman to the attention of the government was her involvement in the demasking of what has come to be known as the Cambridge Spies ring.

For the next several decades, she worked in MI6, retiring in 1980 as director of operations and always terrifying her subordinates with what one referred to as a "gaze that always knew when you were lying. Always." She is remembered as the grande dame of MI6, responsible for the increased success of British intelligence and this newspaper is advised that her codename throughout her time seems to have been M.

Survived by her husband of fifty years, two children, and four grandchildren, Aly Mustang's son Charles remembers his mother this way: "she was never happier than when she had a secret to keep, and even to her children, she was full of them. She never told us where her family was, just that I was named for her father, and as the mood struck her, she told us stories about how she'd come from a land with Kings and Queens and magic, and how her mother was the first knight. Other times she told us that she was from the States and had been to school in Virginia. No matter what the truth is - and I'm sure I'll never know - just like few will ever know the truth behind what she did during the war and at MI6 - she loved her family then her country, and would do anything to keep both safe."

Letters from a War

2008-03-16T16:15:24Z

5, February 1940
Somewhere in France

Roy,

I'm safe, stop worrying. This letter goes back to London with a downed pilot. Take him out for a drink, will you?

15, April 1940
Location Withheld

Finally I get a moment to sit down and actually write you. Don't be worried about me, boyo, everything's under control. And I haven't seen you in four months, I get to call you whatever I want. You know I can't talk about what I've been doing, but this might be the most interesting work since I was sixteen. You seem in another world to me. I remember Pirate's Swoop better than I remember London sometimes. Someone told me not to think about my boyfriend, that it would get me killed. I think he was just trying to be a jackass and scare off the girl, but I've been doing this longer than he has, and I think about you as much as I can.

This is a crap love letter, isn't it? I tell you I can't remember you, call you names you hate, and talk about getting killed. Seriously, I should start over.

But I don't know if I'll have time, and it's too long before I'll be able to write another letter to be safely delivered. How goes training? Have you made it back to our flat recently? I miss it. Maybe when I get sent home, you'll have leave for a few days? Do they let you keep playing the engaged card or should we make good on that for the sake of the army one day? For my sake too. I've been thinking I'd like that. It's a new world. Our third. You hold me together and maybe we should make that official.

You know what I'm going to say here. I love you.
Aly

Normandy, June 9 1944

Dear Aly,

It's the first time since we sat foot in Normandy that I've had the chance to take a break. We were supposed to have taken Caen by now, but the city still lies out of our reach. Nothing seems to be going according to plan, but wars so rarely do. It is different from Ishbal in so many ways and yet the same. We've made very little progress and Berlin seems very far away, but there's no turning back. There isn't an hour that goes by where I don't wish that I could use my alchemy. Things would be so much simpler.

I think I should warn you. I haven't slept for more than a few hours and I'm not making much sense right now. I should try to sleep again, but they promised that if we wrote letters now, they would be sent back to Britain soon. And who knows when the next time will be that I will get to write you?

I miss you. It's only been three days since D-Day, but it feels like forever. Of course, it's been a lot longer since that since I last saw you and I don't even know if you'll get this letter. I keep hoping that you're nowhere near here, that you're safe and far away from the mess that we're making. Be safe. I love you.

Yours always,
Roy

Germany, July 3rd, 1944

Roy,

Just under a month to get your letter. The mail service is improving now that you all have joined us on the continent. Nice of you to come to the party, hmm? I kid, you know, I kid. I'm just relieved to know you're alive - or to know that you were alive, and I know you know how much that delay pains me. It's too real to know how many different ways you could have died between then and now, and between now and when you receive this letter.

Gods, do you think it's possible to not think about death and war? Do you think we'll remember how to talk to each other about the normal parts of life? I remember how your skin smells. I remember that cologne you used to wear when I first met you. The new kind just isn't the same. I know, I told you I couldn't tell the difference, but...spy?

Tell me about your men? Tell me how they're doing in this war. You see, I know you. I know you'll talk about them more than yourself. I've heard about your division, your company. Those I report to know to bring me as much information about that as possible now. One day I'll tell you how I convinced them. It's a funny story, but perhaps unsuitable to paper - even coded.

I think things are going to go on longer than we'd wish. Everything I see says there's more fighting to be done, and, as you know by now, I'm sure, it won't be a summer's walk to Berlin. I love you. I have an idea how to see you, so keep your eye out for me. You're my everything now, and I miss the days when I was your eyes. I still am, I suppose. In a very vague sense since I have a feeling what I'm doing now will filter down to your advance. But it's fighting by your side that I miss.

I love you. Remember to dodge.
Aly

France, 14 August 1944

Aly,

It feels like we're finally starting to gain ground. We'd left the hedges behind us and I will assure you that no one is sorry to see the last of them. You want to know about my men? Most of them are young, far too young. I know you wouldn't agree, not if you see their ages, but it's the look they have about them. A look that doesn't last for very long, not if they mean to survive.

I don't want to start writing to you about death, I'd much prefer it if you didn't either. I dreamt about you the other day. We were sailing and there wasn't land to be seen anywhere. You were telling me things, silly things that I don't remember now. I just wanted to hold you, run my fingers through your hair until your eyes closed and you relaxed against me. I don't know why I didn't. It's been so long that I'm worried my dreams won't even remember.

Since I haven't seen you yet, I'm hoping that you're alright. I couldn't quite believe when I received your letter the other day. I didn't really expect an answer. Will you laugh at me if I tell you that it gives me something to keep going? I'd much rather have you fighting here beside me, but I don't think I could handle losing you here. Losing you anywhere. I know, I just said that I wouldn't write about this and I already broke that promise. It's hard not to. Stay safe.

Love,
Roy

PS: I'm holding you to that story.

Germany, 5, October 1944

Roy,

I've known you for nine and a half years. That's been on my mind recently, and I couldn't tell you why. It seems so long - even considering so much of the past four or so we've been apart. Your Ed's twenty-six now. Maybe he has a family of his own. And Lianna - she's sixteen. I don't know how that's possible. I thank the gods every day they're not here.

Your letter got wet in transit, but it was readable, and I've read it more times than I should admit since I received it three days ago. You say that I shouldn't laugh at you, but I think you forget who you're writing to, boyo. I'll laugh at you until I can't anymore, and I don't want to know what happens then.

I was sailing the day before I received your letter. I would tell you why, but you'd just worry and the censor would cut it out. I didn't think I remembered how. But it's there behind the look in my eyes that's the same look in every soldier I see. The look they get to survive. Don't let me look at you with those eyes.

I miss you. I love you.

Aly

Bastogne, 22 December 1944

You know how much you hate the cold? It doesn't come anywhere near to what I'm feeling now. None of us are equipped for this and I can't feel my fingers as I'm writing this. We're stuck. Stuck with nothing but snow and Germans around us. I know this letter isn't going to get anywhere soon and I'm almost expecting that if it does, it will be accompanied by another one.

I had only just received yours when they sent us here. I think I may have gone crazy without a word from you, sitting here wondering. Not that I don't do that now. There's entirely too much time here to think while you're stuck in a hole you dug yourself, freezing your ass off and waiting for them to come out and bomb your ass.

Morale is low and dropping every day. As are our supplies and ammunition. Winter just seems to stretch on forever, but then one day feels like eternity here and my shoulder is constantly aching. I don't care how much of this they censor out. It's hard to care about anything here. We have games to keep warm, just summing up things that we miss like fireplaces and steak and mashed potatoes. I fail at it, I always end up coming back to thinking of you. It's not a bad thought, not at all. I can imagine how we'd celebrate Christmas, the look in your eyes when we set up the tree. I never thought I would miss celebration a religious day. I do now. Just not as much as I miss you.

I love you. I think I always have. Know that you are in my thoughts.

Yours,
Roy

Letter to Baron Charles Kawalsky, Pirate's Swoop, Tortall

2008-03-16T05:29:45Z

June 6, 1941

Da,

~~I got married today. For the second time, I got married, and you weren't there. I guess...~~

You know what? That's crap. What the fuck were you thinking?

Don't blink?

You fucking tell me 'don't blink.' You tell me don't blink, and now I'm sitting here in the thrice-damned past, knowing I had the handle to save myself. To save the people who came back with me. Roy and Bridge and Seely and Dale and Cimorene and who knows how many others that I haven't found or landed somewhere else. You realise all this has done is make me know over and over, know that I was the one who could have stopped this. Why the hell would you do that to me?

No, I know why you did. I just wasn't smart enough to figure it out. I'm sorry.

All that time, I thought I was so smart, keeping such a big secret from you and mother while you were at Fandom, and all the while, all my life, you were keeping a bigger one from me.

If you get this, know that I'm well, know that I'm as happy as one can be in the middle of a war. You all trained me well, and I'm still putting those skills to work. You'll see the date.

Tell Lianna - I don't know what to say. I never meant to leave her with you forever, but I know you and Mother and Alan and Thom will raise her to be a wonderful woman. I wish I could be there to see it. Tell her I love her. Tell her I loved her father.

I love you. Tell Mother and Alan and Thom and Dove and all the uncles and aunts the same.
Spygirl

[OOC: Never delivered due to date and all that good stuff]

London 1936 - Saturday Evening, Hotel Room of 'Alice Cooper'

2008-03-15T23:43:17Z

Aly sat on the bed in her hotel room - mainly because there wasn't anywhere else to sit - and studied the identity papers she'd 'picked up' over the course of the day. The forgery needed to be able to pull these off wasn't going to be too bad as long as she could get her hands on some of the right paper and ink. Which she'd need to talk Roy or one of the students into purchasing since she really would rather her face not get known around those parts.

She leaned over to the nightstand for a pad of paper and a pen. Time to start practicing calligraphy. She wrinkled her nose at the heavy writing on the official papers. They had to make it more difficult, didn't they.

[OOC: Because I've already spammed the city post a lot today. For anyone in that city and time if they so desire]

Office Hours: Wednesday

2008-03-05T13:54:00Z

Fandom was starting to push it. What with the shoe rebellion and an evening spent in song and dance numbers with the kittens and now screaming giraffes falling from the sky, Aly was just about ready to go back to Mexico.

She sat in her office with a large cup of coffee, still half-expecting to burst into song each time she opened her mouth.

So far, it was good. So far. She wasn't going to quite relax yet.

[OOC: Door's open! I'm going to be afk for a few hours in late morning due to interview but will be around after!]

Office Hours - Thursday

2008-02-21T16:53:23Z

Aly had a dartboard. And darts of course.

A rhythmic series of thuds could be heard from outside the office. Then a pause. And the exact same rhythm over and over and over.

Her door was open, and there was a strong suggestion of boredom coming from within.

An Ice Rink Somewhere in the D.C. Area - Saturday Evening

2008-02-09T23:07:19Z

Aly smirked as she glanced over at Roy, pulling him along with her through the parking lot. "No peeking now. It's a surprise and it's going to stay that way." She paused. "At least until you get inside. I don't think you're allowed to keep your eyes closed inside."

Not that she had a clue if he could skate. Or even if he wasn't going to fall over at the thought. But it was going to be fun for her. Even more fun if skating was an issue really.

MCA #10: Wednesday Evening

2008-02-07T03:09:51Z

Aly...wasn't sure what she was feeling as she mulled over the conversations from earlier today and yesterday. She had both cats in her lap though. And a mug of hot chocolate as she watched out the window thoughtfully. It seemed like the type of day that should be snowing. Too bad it was far too warm.

[OOC: Open, yo]