ossifragant | 010 Things Acquired [text; action]

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010 Things Acquired [text; action]

It's been a few months, but I'm back in Goldenrod. I'd say I'm glad to be back, but apparently the ground shaking had to go and happen again not long after I got off the train. I don't have much experience with earthquakes, but we've had a few in a row. That can't exactly be a good sign.

Anyone know what the hell is going on? Is this going to be happening all the time now? At least they're not causing any damage, though the crystal I grabbed back in May makes me think that this is some kind of omen of things to come.

In any event, there are a few of you I wouldn't mind speaking with now that I've returned. I think you all know who you are but I'll be in contact at some point regardless.

Let's hope we've seen the last of this crap until then, yeah?

Action for Goldenrod City
[After he fires off the message, Greed spends the rest of the day getting reacquainted with the city. He's never been the sort to stay put for very long, so making the decision to roost in Goldenrod is, well, a little unusual. But he supposes it's not so different than when he decided to return to Dublith.

The locals don't seem too bothered by the tremor, but maybe that's because Greed isn't going around asking each individual person what they think about the current strange occurrence. He spends some time pestering a few people about it just the same, though everyone is going just as clueless as him.

Late in the afternoon, Greed can be found with a horde of Pumpkaboo following behind him and jabbering like the world's most irritating birds.

Once in a while they'll break rank to all shout "BOO!" at once at an unsuspecting passerby.

.....he's so sorry.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Like what?

[...Well, Naki just looks like something really awesome occurred to him.]

You'll have to teach me! I want to learn as much about it as I can!

[Naki, you are like an excited child. He's not sure this is a good thing.]

Yeah, sure. I don't mind. Just take it easy; you don't want to make yourself sick.

I'll be fine! Nothing's made me sick so far!

[Somehow. Despite his first actual meal here consisting entirely of cake. He's discovered candy of all sorts and a wide variety of pastries since then, but it's apparently never occurred to him to eat a substantial meal. Someone save this man from himself, he's going to go into diabetic shock.]

[......

That... Is kind of an odd thing to say.]

Can I ask you something a little personal?

I can't guarantee that I'll answer it, but sure, why not?

You weren't human before coming here, were you?

[Look, when you talk about never drinking before compounded with "nothing's made me sick so far" that raises a few flags. Especially for someone like Greed.]

[Naki freezes, eyes going wide. He opens and closes his mouth a few times like he's trying to come up with something to say.

The last time he was outed as not being human, he was thrown in a cell without food and experimented on for a long time.]

I...

[That's about the only word he manages before Naki does the only logical thing. He bolts.

Are you going to chase after him, Greed?]

[Considering this is Greed and his being not human is seen to him as no big deal at all, and the other non-humans he knows about are horses, that reaction is more confusing than anything else.

....But it also answers the question so he goes after him.]

Hey, hold up! I'm not going to hurt you!

[Naki is actually surprisingly quick. He doesn't trip over himself, but it's also obvious that he doesn't know the city very well. He eventually winds up in an alley without an escape and backs up until his back is hitting the wall. He looks absolutely terrified, but considering how talkative Naki usually is, the silence is probably a bit odd.

His thoughts are all over the place, but the overwhelming one is I have to get away, which is something he can't do now.

So now what?]

[Well, now Greed is really annoyed with himself for scaring the hell out of someone who obviously doesn't like having certain things called to his attention.

Unfortunately, Naki is much quicker than Greed so it actually takes him a while of looking around before he finally notices Naki in the alleyway. He stands in a way that makes it clear he's trying not to pick a fight, and is keeping his distance.]

I don't know what that reaction was for back there, but it's okay. I'm not going to do anything to you. I promise.

I'm told I'm not very subtle about things like this, so I'm going to be blunt with you: I'm not human. I'm a homunculus. This? [He holds up his left hand, showing off the oruboros.] This isn't a tattoo. Call it a birthmark. It's a species trait.

.....I should apologize for scaring the hell out of you. That wasn't my intention.

[Naki is shaking when Greed starts speaking, but as Greed finally finishes, Naki looks more curious than scared.]

...What is a homunculus? I've never heard of it.

[It doesn't sound familiar at all to him, but he's also never attended school or read very many books. It's easier to talk about this than it is to talk about what he is.]

An artificially created person.

I was made with alchemy.

[...and because Naki is more than likely not from Amestris:]

It's a type of science from my world. You take raw materials and can create things with it. If someone is gifted enough, they can even create false people.

[It's not the most honest explanation of homunculi, but he's not exactly willing to give up the whole resurrected dead story to a stranger.]

Whoa, so you're like... a robot!?

[...That's not the same at all, Naki.]

You were created instead of born? That's crazy, holy shit. So are you like, better than a human? Stronger, faster, smarter, all that jazz?

[That blank look says he has no idea what a robot is.]

"Better" is all relative.

I was stronger and faster, it's true. I didn't need to eat or sleep, but you can't exactly call that living I don't think.

I'd like to call what happened to me a birth of sorts, though.

[...well that certainly made him look distant as hell just now.]

Anyway, it's none of my business what you are. I'm not going to make a habit of outing you.

Huh? Why not? Being stronger and faster and not having to eat and sleep and shit, that's all great! It sounds like you were better than a human, so why would you say that's not living?

[He tips his head a bit, curious.]

I uh... yeah, I'd... I'm not human, alright? You're right about that. I don't really want to get into what I am, but... I was hunted by humans. So um... I'd really appreciate it if you didn't say shit about me not being human.

I don't want to get into it.

[That conversation could only end up depressing.]

I won't say a word to anyone about you.

[That's said forcefully. It's a promise, one he intends to keep.]

Let's forget this happened. I'll buy you a beer.

Edited 2014-10-07 03:03 (UTC)

...Okay.

[And just like that, Naki goes instantly passive. He still seems a little on edge but he doesn't seem scared anymore.]

Are we going to do that now?

[...he's really sorry.]

Sure. I know a good place. Come on before someone thinks I'm trying to mug you.

Alright. Lead the way then, yeah?

[Luckily, despite not having been in the city for a few months, Greed still knows his way around reasonably well. He doesn't get turned around and they end up at a classy looking bar.

It doesn't have the Devil's Nest's atmosphere, but nothing will.

Normally, Greed would just sit at the bar, but he figures it's best to take a booth. In part because he isn't sure what to expect from Naki, though he's hopeful this isn't about to be a disaster.]

One drink at a time. I can make a few suggestions for you if you'd like.

[Greed knows his stuff! The perks of owning a bar.]

[Naki glances around, curious about the atmosphere and looking a bit too eager for this, but at least he doesn't stick out too badly. Despite his... everything, Naki is well-dressed.]

Yeah? What do you suggest, then?

[...He's probably better dressed than Greed, to be honest.]

One of the beers on this menu. Or if you want something sweet, on this one.

[He points out the ones he prefers. It's pretty obvious Greed isn't a fan of sweet drinks, but he'll try and recommend ones he thinks are good anyway.]

Well, I do like sweet things, but maybe beer would be better...? What do you suggest for the first time?

....Well I've always liked the taste of alcohol even before it did anything, but for you I'd go with something a little sweet. It's a bit of a bitter flavor.

I've never really had anything bitter before, so yeah, that might be a better bet...

[He seems satisfied with that idea and he'll happily place his order.]

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