--Formalities. [Roy]

[Riza Hawkeye]

-- Her hand paused a moment mid-unlock, and she thought on his words for a split second. There was really no hidden motive to the invitation. At least not one he wanted to reveal right now.
'Or maybe he really just wants to get coffee...' she thought, tilting her head to the side at the thought. Well if that was the case... she was pleasantly suprised.
She still didn't fully believe it... but she'd stick to it for now until proven wrong.

Riza allowed herself to smile completely, and she unlocked the gate to get into the apartment building, looking back at him. The smile he gave back made her mind restart for a second...
"Well... yes. Of course you can, sir. That sounds... fine."
In all the years they'd known each other, they hadn't really gone on any "good friend" outings. Sometimes they'd talk, back when he was studying with her father, but even then they kept a certain distance, one that was eventually filled with him being her superior. Being of higher rank was an excuse... but without it, now as civilians... well, what was the excuse? Why, after all these years, couldn't they go get coffee as good friends?

The words "good friends" kept echoing in her head, but she pushed them away.
"Did you want to go know or meet later, or... what? If you want to wait a second I can put these away really quick, feed Hayate and we can go now. Or later. Either or is up to you, sir."

[roy]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0px,true][atrb=style, background-image: url(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h99/houndoomXdelta/de.png); width: 500px; -moz-border-radius: 20px 20px 20px 20px; border-radius: 20px 20px 20px 20px; border: 1px dashed #000000] I will not die, I will survive ♙tags: Hawkeye ♙lyrics: Time of Dying by Three Days Grace; I will not die, I'll wait here for you The hesitation she gave before answering made Roy wonder further if he'd crossed any sort of line with her. Generally, the sort of thing wouldnt bother him, but crossing a line with Riza Hawkeye could wind up getting a man shot at, and that was the last thing he wanted at this time. It occurred to him that the reason of her hesitation may have been seeded in his choice of words. He'd almost always ever spoken to her as a comrade rather than a friend. Was that what had thrown her off for a moment? "Well...yes. Of course you can, sir. That sounds...fine." a silent breath of what could be called relief escaped his lips. After such a long time he'd managed to distinguish the line between being a soldier and being a civilian with a clearer cut than ever before. At last he found he was speaking to her - and having effectively just asked her out for coffee - as a civilian. As friends. Good friends, actually. "Did you want to go now or meet later, or...what? If you want to wait a second I can put these away really quick, feed Hayate and we can go now. Or later. Either-or, its up to you, sir." Roy blinked and stole a glance at his watch, checking the time. He blinked in surprise. 17:45? If I'm going...to ask her to dinner, I should do so within the next half-hour... he thought. Looking back at her, he said, "If...we go now we could get some tea before it gets to the point where it could keep us awake tonight." He deliberately avoided mentioning the possibility of doing anything more later, and to save it for when he thought he would have the greatest chance of success with asking her out for dinner. That would come towards the end of the drink, if things were going well. "I dont mind helping...." he said, stepping through the door as it was held open for him. "It would make it easier on you..." he suggested. I feel alive when you're beside me. ♙notes: -- ; credit to gREY of OTE

[Riza Hawkeye]

-- She noticed him look at his watch bit didn't bother to ask what time it was. To be honest she really didn't care about the time, and trusted his judgment. There would be work tomorrow, so caffeine now was probably a good idea. Besides, as time passed she became more and more excited about the outing. She rarely "went out" places, except when Rebecca visited. Unless she was grabbing a quick lunch with one of the guys during break or something. To sit and talk with Mustang...about whatever the heck he wanted to talk about, would be fun, perhaps.

Even now she was suspicious as to his motive. Roy Mustang didn't do anything without a motive. Not always selfish, though, and she wasn't accusing him of that, she'd just gone through everything in her head and couldn't pull up a good reason.
'Innocent until proven guilty' she thought, with a small smile to herself.

"Sounds good to me. If you want to help, feel free" she said, climbing the stairs to her apartment room and unlocking the door. Upon entering, she used her elbow to flick on the lights, then set the groceries down on the counter, getting right to work at putting them away. It didn't take long at all for her to finish, and in less than two minutes she was giving Black Hayate his food. She stood and stretched, grabbing her shoulder bag again and nodding to the door.
"You lead the way, sir."

[roy]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0px,true][atrb=style, background-image: url(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h99/houndoomXdelta/de.png); width: 500px; -moz-border-radius: 20px 20px 20px 20px; border-radius: 20px 20px 20px 20px; border: 1px dashed #000000] I will not die, I will survive ♙tags: Hawkeye ♙lyrics: Time of Dying by Three Days Grace; I will not die, I'll wait here for you Roy followed her up the stairs silently, and then through the door that led to her apartment. He placed the bag on the counter and stepped back, waiting for her do whatever she deemed necessary with her groceries and Black Hayate. He stood next to the door, and shifted his hat in his fingers. She hadnt given him any sort of permission or go-ahead to help her out around the house, so he minded his own business and stayed out of the way, adjusting the band around the middle section of his hat. He looked up occasionally and watched her as she busied about, quickly taking care of her minor chores before she walked over to him, taking her shoulder bag with her as she nodded back towards her door. "You lead the way, sir." Smiling somewhat and nodding, he stepped through the door after her, holding it open for her. They walked down the stairs and out the main door, where he held the door aside and gestured to her to walk out before him. Taking up a spot beside her afterwards, he continued walking, pointing slightly just past the corner of the next block they were approaching. "Its that one just there. I figure we could get something light." he said to start... he added silently to himself. If everything went as he had planned, she would be joining him for dinner later this evening. I feel alive when you're beside me. ♙notes: -- ; credit to gREY of OTE

[Riza Hawkeye]

-- After everything was done and she was ready to go, she'd realized she'd done everything without his help. In a way she felt bad, but Riza was no staller. Plus, it had been awhile since she'd been out for coffee with someone.
That had to be the extra boost that made her finish everything she needed so quickly.
Hayate walked beside her for a few steps as she headed for the door, and she stopped, taking a moment to pat his head.
"I'll be back, be a good boy, all right?" she said with a fond smile. Saying Hayate was the only male she was affectionate with on a daily basis was a very true fact. While she had her guy friends, the guys she worked with, she wasn't the huggy type, the type to put her arm around their shoulders or snuggle close to them. No, that was more a Rebecca thing... and to be honest, Riza had her moment where she wondered if she should be more like her.

But Riza hadn't grown up with a lot of affection, so it was no huge surprise or anything.
She nodded as Mustang held the door for her, and followed him as he led her out of the apartment complex and down the street. They didn't say anything to each other, but it wasn't an awkward silence. It was pleasant, as if nothing particularly needed to be said. It was so nice to be that comfortable with someone, not needing to say something all the time or constantly entertain.

She nodded at the cafe he pointed out.
"Sounds great, something light would be really nice."
In her head, Riza was already planning dinner. She would probably make pasta or something... it was a pasta sort of day. Pasta, curl up on the couch with Hayate and read a book.
"I like this one, I usually take Rebecca here when she visits."
If her friend had seen this now, she'd make some comment about how they were going on some kind of a date. A comment to which Riza would roll her eyes. Rebecca was convinced they were lovers of some sort, or needed to be.
'A silly thought...' she said, trying to shake them away. This was to be a nice outing, she didn't need Rebecca's opinions nagging at her the whole time.

[roy]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0px,true][atrb=style, background-image: url(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h99/houndoomXdelta/de.png); width: 500px; -moz-border-radius: 20px 20px 20px 20px; border-radius: 20px 20px 20px 20px; border: 1px dashed #000000] I will not die, I will survive ♙tags: Hawkeye ♙lyrics: Time of Dying by Three Days Grace; I will not die, I'll wait here for you "Sounds great, something light would be really nice. I like this one, I usually take Rebecca here when she visits." Roy nodded slightly and silently gestured to a table on the small patio outside the actual cafe before walking over to it and pulling a chair out for her before himself. What sort of gentleman would he be if he sat without offering the woman with him a seat? "I havent spoken to Rebecca in a while.." he said, looking down slightly at Riza to meet her gaze. "How is she doing? Well, I hope?" it was polite to ask, even if it wasnt the utmost priority on his mind at the moment. Before they were both fully situated, a waiter came over. "Good evening ma'am, sir." he said, nodding to both of them in turn. "What can I get for you tonight?" Roy looked at the waiter before pointedly at Riza. "Ladies first." he said with a small smile in Riza's direction. He had to admit that he sort of liked the fact that despite the fact it was only a small cafe that served pastries and light drinks, they waited on their customers. It was a nice atmosphere. I feel alive when you're beside me. ♙notes: -- ; credit to gREY of OTE

[Riza Hawkeye]

-- When pointed to the table, Riza nodded a bit before sitting down. Always a gentleman, Mustang was. Even if he was a ladies man, and many (even her, depending on the occasion) frowned down upon, no one could deny that he treated one well. Even if he was superior to them. He always took care of Riza, anyways. He was a caring leader. It was what would make him a great fuhrer one day...

It took an effort to keep from rolling her eyes when he asked about Rebecca. As much as she loved her, their last conversation at this very cafe was already haunting her. Probably because the general subject was sitting right in front of her.
Before she could answer, the waitor came up to her, and she replied,
"Um... a vanilla coffee. Cream and extra sugar."
That was average for her. If she was feeling especially good she'd get a chai tea or something, but she was planning on reading for a bit that evening.

"She's as sure of herself as ever"said Riza when the waitress was gone, unable to keep from smiling a bit, "She's in town, actually, for a bit. Last I heard she was going on an outing with Havoc."
That part made her genuinely smile. It was like a win for her, and she took it with silent pride.
"But she's certainly doing well, as well as always."

[roy]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0px,true][atrb=style, background-image: url(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h99/houndoomXdelta/de.png); width: 500px; -moz-border-radius: 20px 20px 20px 20px; border-radius: 20px 20px 20px 20px; border: 1px dashed #000000] I will not die, I will survive ♙tags: Hawkeye ♙lyrics: Time of Dying by Three Days Grace; I will not die, I'll wait here for you After Riza placed her order with the waitress, the young woman turned to Roy to take his. "Cappuccino for me, please..." Roy said, giving the girl a small nod before he left, leaving Riza and Roy by themselves on the patio. "She's as sure of herself as ever. She's in town, actually, for a bit. Last I heard she was going on an outing with Havoc." Roy blinked and let the slightest expression of surprise - indicated by a mere eyebrow raise - cross his face. So, Havoc had found somebody else after everything, huh? That was good. If Havoc was miserable then his performance would sink, and that would affect him - the commanding officer. However, he didnt let his mind maintain the official set for too long, for he spoke once Riza had finished giving him an update on Rebecca. "Maybe Havoc's luck with women is changing..." he said, a slight joking note in his voice. It was no hidden fact that Jean Havoc had been hopelessly single for the longest time - almost uninterrupted too, given the occasional woman once every four months. It had even gotten to the point where his own comrades - Breda, Furey, and Falman - were placing bets on his rate of success, and they all usually wound up betting against him. "Its good to hear that she's doing well. If I understand correctly she's trying to get a transfer to Central, no...?" he inquired politely. "If she gets the transfer, she'll probably find more to do with her time rather than just work..." he said, quite positive that Central had much more to do than East City. The waitress returned with their drinks, and set them down in front of their respective patrons. "Thank you..." Roy said with a small nod, placing his hands around the warm mug and pulling it towards him. He would let it cool for a minute or so before stating to drink it. I feel alive when you're beside me. ♙notes: -- ; credit to gREY of OTE

[Riza Hawkeye]

-- Riza would only smirk about his comment about Havoc. While she felt a little bad doing so, it was true: he hadn't had the best luck, but with Rebecca around and seemingly very interested, it was looking ready to change for the better. And both were good people in their own ways, so Riza was convinced it would be a good experience for both parties. She felt like she'd done a good deed by encouraging their getting to know one another. And soon, they'd be going on a coffee date.

The thought struck her. It was almost like... no. It wasn't at all. Their outing was a date disguised as an outing. She and Mustang were currently just on an outing, nothing more. As much as she knew Rebecca would scoff and gloat when she found out... if she found out.
It dawned on her that she really didn't have to tell her friend about this.

"She feels she's doing nothing important up there" replied Riza, stirring some extra creamer into her coffee and stirring it, "And if she does get the transfer and she and Havoc get along... well. We'll see what unfolds. But I have high hopes. I like to see her happy."
While Riza wasn't "all about relationships" like most women her age, she wouldn't deny her friend's happiness. And she knew this was a good thing, because she actually gave a crap this time.
She hesitated a moment, realizing how bad she was at conversation, and cleared her throat, contuning to stir, looking into her cup.
"Is there still a lot of paperwork to be done?" she blurted, her mind instantly jumping to work, "I was thinking of going in a bit early, we have a few deadlines to meet in the next week I believe..."

[roy]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0px,true][atrb=style, background-image: url(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h99/houndoomXdelta/de.png); width: 500px; -moz-border-radius: 20px 20px 20px 20px; border-radius: 20px 20px 20px 20px; border: 1px dashed #000000] I will not die, I will survive ♙tags: Hawkeye ♙lyrics: Time of Dying by Three Days Grace; I will not die, I'll wait here for you Roy listened as Riza updated him on Rebecca. So she felt like she was doing nothing important, huh? Roy sipped his drink some in consideration of Riza's words. He knew Fuhrer - General, then - Grumman hadnt thought that. He'd mentioned anything the officers under his command had done that were noteworthy, and more often than not Rebecca was in a group of about four soldiers that were mentioned nearly every time in conversation when Roy asked how things were going. She liked to see her friend happy, eh? Well, that much was completely natural. It gave Roy a sense of pleasure whenever he saw his few, close friends happy. From a work perspective, their happiness proved to be a boost in their performance - which benefited him. However, he yet again had to shake himself to get his mind off that sort of focus. He was having coffee with Riza - something he couldnt say he had done too much in the past, if at all. Roy was pulled out of his thoughts by her voice, quick and to-the-point, clearly talking about work. Sighing slightly as she seemed to be unable to help herself from bringing the subject up, he gave the tiniest smile, hidden from her view by the angle of his face down at his coffee cup. In a way, although he would never admit it, he found it somewhat endearing. "Easy, Riza..." he said, refraining from calling her 'Lieutenant' as he normally did. To be honest, calling her by her first name was different for him. "Everything is under control, and timed in a way that lets me get things done when they need to be so. You dont need to worry about that." He took another sip of his coffee. "Besides...you're not at work now. If you worry about it too much it will take away from what's around you outside of Headquarters." I feel alive when you're beside me. ♙notes: -- ; credit to gREY of OTE