[Hey, i hope you got my text... i think we can call Thursdays my late nights until school starts >.>]

I looked over at him, not at all amuzsed at his remark.
"So is all Im saying noise? Jeezus, am I getting though to ANYBODY around here?!" I yelled out as we got onto the street. A few people stared for a moment, but paid no mind.
"Hes an ass, he took everything away from us after what we did, its not OUR fault he cant control her." I stomped off.
"Lets split up. I think we ,may have better success. Meet me back at the hotel at 5pm. We'll rondevu there for dinner."

((*Stabs phone* No no text, I was starting to get worried though, XDD Glad to see that you're alright. On that note: I'ma keel mai phone!))


Edward stood there, ow...he'd meant to calm her down...a little at least, and maybe make her smile...he shrugged and nodded.
"Alright, I'll see you then." He waved and walked off in the opposite direction that Shiba went, looks like he was on his own till 5. He sighed....Stupid Roy....why'd he have to go and make Shiba blow up like that...he was going to have to have a serious talk with the Lieutenant about her husband...boyfreind...whatever-the-hell-he was....later.

[graawwtrrr!!! freakin phone!!! its my only way to contact you! im sorry, we left my house late and we had to stop at the grocery store and i needed a shower>.>]

I waved to him walking off and not really looking around. If Kiri wanted to be found, she knew where to find us. I was getting less hope in finding her and starting my own life. I did have that 700$ and something money in my back pack... but something told me it wouldn't be enough. After Ed left the military, we would have to provide on our own... my nights at the bar painting and getting tips would be my only income until I had found a steady job, in only god knows what... I sighed, wlaking along, kicking a rock, knowing Kiri was probably ion the next city by now.

((No problem XDD *glomps*))

"AHCHOO!!!!"
"Bless you." Said the kindly gentelman that sat in the front.
"Thank you." Kiri sat huddled in the back of the old man's truck as it bounced along. She felt immensly better than before, not having to deal with that Mustang man. She'd started walking a long time ago, and luckily had been found by the nice driver of the truck, he hadn't asked her any questions, instead put her in the back, and gave her a change of his grandson't clothes. Well, that's what he'd called them anyway. She smiled and tugged the apple cap down farther onto her head.
"Where are we going?" She asked over the roar of the engine.
"I'm heading back home, a little place called Risembool, sound familliar?" Kiri shook her head.
"Ah, didn't think so, it's not very well known, but it's nice enough of a town." Kiri nodded and settled in...it was going to be a long drive.

[are we panning to Risembool now, as Al and Winry? Or you want me to ffwd to 5 PM since I KNOW Shiba and Ed arent going to find her...?]

I plopped down on a nearby bench and rubbed my temples. I had been looking for about 3 hours and I was hot... I wanted a bath, or a pool or something. The heat in central always seemed hotter than the rest of the cities Ive visited...maybe the buildings, or the soil? I couldnt figure it out... but why did I care? I just wanted to find this selfish brat and go home. It was getting to a point where I was getting mad at Kiri for leaving because she didnt even give us a chance to talk to her and she up and left only thinking of herself. Made me sick to my stomach.

((You can fast forward to 5, like I said it's going to be a long drive from Central to Risembool, but we'll get to Al and Winry soon XDD Oh by the by, I sent your letter today, GOMENNN!!! I really, really didn't mean for it to be THIS late, but I did make up for it by enclosing a picture of moi, XDD I look so stupid though XDD))

Edward ended up right back at the Central office building by the time that he was through.
"Crap.." He muttered.
"Nothing..." And it was getting late. He sighed and looked up, it was almost five.
"Well, that settles it." He was heading back, he wasn't going to find anything out in the dark, and he was sure Shiba was in a fouler mood than ever...fun times, fun times. He only hoped that dinner would make her feel better.

[Oh ok, i didnt know if u wanted to pan to them for a while or what XD You...said you were going to enclose photos anyway, and I would send them all back to you of course. No worries though, your bday gift only has a MILE high pile of dust on it >.>]

I went into the hotel room and looked around, hoping Kiri has slipped in somehow, or Ed would be back. But no... I sighed and peeled off my sweaty clothing and got into the warm bath. I wanted a relaxing bath for a while since Roy was too cheap to put us in a hotel with a pool or hot spring...arrogant jerk. I leaned back, the bubbles surrounding me and the scent of lavendar filling the room, I left the door ajar as I daydreamed with my eyes shut.

((>.< GOMMMEEENNNN!!!!! *glomps* HOW CANS YOUS FORGIVES MEEEEESSS!!!!???))

Edward walked along, his hands in his pockets thinking.
Well....Kiri certainly wasn't in the city....she had to be farther out than a couple of miles by now...and only God knows how many more if she'd found transportation....and with her innocent 12 year old face, that wasn't going to be hard...
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
Then there was Shiba...he wondered what had gotten her all riled up in the first place, in the Colonel's office...he'd...make polite conversation..but he was going to ask.

In the room, he noticed the door was open, and the light was on in the bathroom, so he slipped over beside the door, and knocked.
"Hey." He said.
"I'm back."

[XD I can think of something....*bath* XDDD]

I let out a relaxed sigh as all I heard out the closed window was the singing birds. the water was nice, and bath was exactly what I need to forget everything... Kiri, Roy and Ed for the time being.
I almost jumped out of my skin, splashing a bit, hearing the knock and I looked back.
"O-oh hey." I said with a cracked voice back, not seeing his face, only a shoulder.
I decided not to ask if he had found her I figured he didnt. I let out a sigh and relaxed my head once again on the back of the tub.

((.....(o////o) *dies* XDDD That's for your B-DAY!! XDDD LOL))

"How are you feeling?" He asked quietly.
"You...you seemed kind of mad the last time I saw you....you alright now?" ...what? His idea of polite conversation was the former question of 'how are you feeling' after that he was perfectly within his rights to ask about her mental health.

[Risa and Kane would be best saved for my birthday since theyre still... unencountered...]

I was suprized he wanted to talk to me through the door, but why was i not at the same time. It was EDWARD we were talking about here. He wasnt in the pedigree department for manners, I suppose.
"Fine....just frustrated. And a bit angry too, I guess." I only wished he would see the way I was feeling, or maybe would express to me that he understood how I was feeling about the whole situation.

((XDDD Alright then, nekkid Ed, and Risa and Kane XDD LOL))

He nodded.
"I can see that...." He sighed.
"So I guess we can assume the bug isn't in the city..." He rubbed his temple.
"Wish we could just leave it to Roy...you know? His idea in the first place."

[¬.¬ why do I get a feeling that that isnt actually going to happen? It seems too good to be true..]

I lifted my hand from under the water and slammed it on the side of the tub, making a loud thumping sound.
"HOW MAY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU, STOP CALLING HER THAT!?" I yelled.
"And leaving it to Roy means we dont get our nice start in life, and you get to stay tied to his lovely leash," I whipped back. my mood still lingered... and he didnt seem to be helping or trying to help at all.
"Why do I ever have dreams or high hopes? They get torn away from me anyway..." i mumbled, lowering my head.

((Oh noes, I've totally got it written down, Nekkid Ed in a bathtub XDD Gonna have to put it up under Freinds and Family though XDD can't have the public seeing the bubbly Elric XDD))

Edward jerked and peered around the corner just a moment his face pale.
"As you command." He said with his hands in the air.
"Leaving it to Roy means it won't get done." He rolled back around against the wall and sighed.
"That's.....something I've yet to find the answer for."

[Mine are ALL Private on Flickr...]

"That would be his problem, wouldnt it? Its his pet that escaped... he should be the one to find her, but if we dont find her first, we lose everything we risked our lives, and hers for... the start of our lives. Doesnt...that mean anything to you? Sometimes I think you dont wanna be with me, yah know? Like I nag you too much or something..." I said, keeping the back of my head to the door.
"Im just.,...tired of chasing a dream that I seem to never be able to catch... love...happiness and a loving home...is all I ever wished for after my parents died..."

((XDD I don't ever think to put anything into categories, unless it's specifically for you. Gomen last one 'Night!))

Ed looked away.
"I know all that..." Still....He sighed heavily...the day weighing on his mind, and then Shiba's frustrations wern't helping.
"I'm....going to go get some air." He said after a moment.
"I'll be outside the hotel..just come get me whenever you want to go eat...I'll buy tonight." With that he turned and walked out.
Thinking about it now....Edward blamed Roy for everything...all this? His fault.

[I was getting somee people stealing imaged of my cats and putting them on lol cats and some of my art. nighty.]

"Fine go. As usual.." I muttered, plunking my head under water.
He always avoids the situation...my confrontations.. I brought my had back up and gasped for air.
"What does he know? He had a mother most of his young life..." i said, standing up quickly and gripping up the towel as I pulled the plug with my toe.
I looked to the paper bag I had on the floor and sighed, and finally... giving in and dressing.

After about 20 minutes, I stepped outside... totally not like myself. No glasses. Lipstick and eyeliner. A bit of blush and mascara, a long, red, strapless gown that matched my lipstick. My hair was up in a folded wave (like Riza's in the series) I shyly looked to him, still in his usual street clothing.

((Hidey ho e'verbody!))

Edward heard her step out from behind him, but as he got up from the curb to greet her...he got a shock, and stood there for a few moments just staring. He'd never seen Shiba so....so....'dolled up' wasn't really what he'd called this..but it was pretty close.
"Wow.." He said softly..
"You...you look nice." Suddenly he felt a little underdressed.

[Hello Mr Garrison... *i think* XD wassup! sorry im late i needed a shower... needed to get the toys r us off >.>]

I blushed, scraping a red heel from the ground and clicked it.
"Yeah well... I figured since you seem not attracted to the real me, youd like to be with this one..." I blushed, looking down at the matching red purse in my hand. This was so awkward.
"Lead the way..." I said softly.
[ill prolly draw her in this outfit.]

((0.o Whut? S'okay ^.^))

Ow..
"That's not fair.." Edward pouted.
"Nowadays there's time for little else other than kowtowing to Mustang." But with a sigh, he held out his hand and headed off...there was a nice little resturant down the street that he'd thought they try tonight...wasn't much but it seemed nice.

[I cant think of where "hidey ho everybody" came from... Simpsons? "Hello dr Nick.."]

I tched and looked away, not angry or anything, i looked to the twilight in the evening sky and how it was a shade of pink.
"Life's not fair, and if I cant get you to love the real me...then..." I looked at my painted red nails.
"...id change my whole look to keep you happy and attracted to me..." I sighed.
"No time? So, you dont wanna go to dinner?" I took his hand mine and let him lead the way, clacking in my heels. A few stares as we walked along; it was odd to see someone so dressed up in a town like this.

((From meee!!! :excited: Whut? Whut is this 'Dr. Nick' that you speak of. XDD))

Ed looked at her and sighed.
"But I DO love the real you, have I ever indicated otherwise?" He started to speak...but she sped up.
"WAH!" He cried being drug along behind Shiba as she 'click-clacked' along the streets.
((Waaahhhhh!!! Mai brainz iz ded))

[You, no ever see Simpsons? I dont watch it too much, but I know about Dr. Nick. He comes in all excited "Hello everybody!" and his associates are always like, down or bored and they say bak all at once "hello dr nick.." Oh well... i got ur letter todayXDDD]

I looked back at him as he seemed to trail behind.
"Sometimes I wonder, the way you act around me..." I stopped and looked at him.
"Why am I leading you? Youre the man, be one! Lead me!" I pressed, looking to him.
[stabs short posts]

((I watch a little of it, but I haven't seen an episode in AGES T^T Kind of miss it. XDD Well? How bad do I look?))

"Touche." He said under his breath.
"Touche." He smiled looking at her and sighed, shrugging.
"No clue, you tell me." He chuckled and stopped, looking over.
"Doesn't matter, we're here." He pointed across the street to the little resturant and smiled.
"Looks cozy don't it?"

[I didnt get to read the letter yet, but the picture is cute! Youre the one in the middle?]

I looked to where his finger pointed and nodded.
"It does look cozy... I..." I loked down at myself.
"I think Im overdressed for this place..." I blushed, looking to him.
"Well, lead the way." I said, my voice a bit shaky, feeling shy from all the stares I was getting on the street.