[Audio]

[hands4healing]

[Winry doesn't sound like herself, if you know her. She sounds...angry.]

My name is Winry Rockbell. I have been infected with the Flare. My healing power isn't working against it. I need to get to the quarantined area.

[There's a crashing sound. Like a wrench cracking against a piece of metal.]

If you're not immune, don't come near me.

[private to Edward Elric]

You'd better take care of Zoey for me.

Comments

[Video] I didn't want to crash into the thread with Meadhros so heeere

[equinamity]

[Riza, when turning on the video, looks tired. Anxious. Harried, maybe.]

Are you still at home, Winry?

I'd like to see you myself. I'm in Heropa and outside of the quarantine. [She hesitates, before adding:] Immune. I was exposed early on, but I've not developed symptoms.

[Video]

[hands4healing]

I'm here.

[Her voice is gutteral. Not Winry's usual voice at all.]

[Video] --> [Action with your tag?]

[equinamity]

[Hawkeye pauses before responding.]

I'm not far. I'll be there shortly. Zoey can stay with Boba and I for now.

[Action forever]

[hands4healing]

Thank you, Riza.

[She manages enough control to say that.]

She's locked in Ed's room for now. I'm afraid we might hurt each other.

[equinamity]

[She doesn't knock when she gets to the house; she comes in--the invitation is implied.]

Winry?

[It's clear Riza has been around, struggling with the various stages of illness and violence amongst victims of the Flare.]

It's Riza.

[hands4healing]

[Winry has settled in her bedroom with the door closed for the moment. Holding her communicator in her hand. Listening and watching how people are talking to Ed. Riza at least has been sympathetic.

From Ed's bedroom, Zoey lets out a staccato bark. It makes Winry flinch and sets her nerves on edge. She wants that noise to stop.]

[equinamity]

[She hears Zoey, and turns to the door she presumes is Edward's room. Of course she's sympathized with Edward--for one thing, she's not exactly in a different position. She is on the other side of the wall from someone with whom she's very close--it's not unreasonable to think that, of the many who have scolded Ed for his reckless behavior, that she would agree but sympathize.

As she cracks open Ed's door, Zoey sniffs her curiously, almost uncertain. Riza, for her part, crouches and offers a hand to the dog.] Zoey. Let's go back and stay with Boba for a little while. We'll go outside first, and then I'm going to check on Winry--then I'll take you to play with Boba. That will be fun, won't it?

[It's not that common for people to know that she talks to her dog--and, when possible, other people's dogs--like children. She quickly attaches Zoey to the leash that actually belongs to Boba, and guides the dog quickly through the house to outside. She'll tie the leash on the rail of the steps before coming back in to talk with Winry.]

Maedhros will be coming to get you?

[hands4healing]

Yes. And someone whose name is 'the Flash' was talking to me earlier. If Maedhros doesn't come, he will.

[Winry leans against the bedroom door, listening to Riza through it. She doesn't want to open the door. Already, her eyes are red and there are pustules opening on her bare skin. She knows how she must look, and she knows the rage inside her is difficult to contain, even for someone who's trying to help.]

Thank you for taking Zoey. If. [She pauses.] If something happens to me and Ed can't take care of her, Al set up something with the shelter for her to be rehomed.

[You're the only person she can tell that to, Riza.

...her fingers tap on the communicator. She's still furious at Major General Armstrong and Mr. Mustang.]

[equinamity]

[The sniper approaches the door and places a hand on the knob, hesitating.]

I'll take care of her.

[There's no question of that--Zoey and Boba get along, after all, and she wouldn't return the dog to the shelter.]

Winry...

[She doesn't turn the handle; instead, her fingers tighten and she swallows. Winry is still awake, alert, oriented--aware. And with that awareness, she wonders and imagines that if Winry has considered what she would want to happen for Zoey...

One would think Winry's considered what she would want to happen to her.

But she hesitates. Riza may be a hardened soldier, but asking someone if they'd want to be killed if they get the point they're cannibalizing others is a bit much, even for her.]

[hands4healing]

[Winry's staring at her communicator.]

I wish I could see Mr. Kimblee one more time.

[Her voice has lowered and roughened again, though what Riza's said seems to seep through.]

Thank you, Riza. I worry about her. And Ed.

And you. You're going to be all right?

[equinamity]

I'll be fine.

[It takes her a few more moments before she can bring herself to say:]

Winry. You know the course of the Flare. If there's no cure found, no treatment...some victims need to be stopped. Not by the disease itself, but...

[There are very, very few people who she would even consider broaching this topic with. It's a testament to her trust of the young mechanic that she can even think about it.]

I will do whatever I can to help you.

[hands4healing]

[Winry turns toward the door, frowning. Is Riza offering...?]

Riza...no. There has to be someone else.

[She can only imagine the guilt Riza might feel.]

this is painful to write ;_;

[equinamity]

That isn't what I asked you.

[Guilt--of course. But she knows too that here in Heropa death is not permanent. That the nanites will bring people back, physically no worse for wear.

And though she might feel guilt for the necessary action, she also imagines that Winry might feel even more, a young girl whose aim is to heal--to end up attacking strangers in the street with no ability to stop herself...]

huuuuuuugs

[hands4healing]

[The anger rises again, though for a different reason.]

Not you, Riza! Major General Armstrong - Kang - anyone but you or Ed. [She's growling.]

/snugs

[equinamity]

[Riza doesn't want to have this argument with her...regardless, her grip on the handle tightens further and she swallows.]

That's the last face you'd want to see?

[ D: ]

[hands4healing]

If I'm that far gone, I doubt I'll know. But I don't want you doing it!

;______; also I wasn't planning this to happen it just...seemed appropriate that she'd offer...

[equinamity]

Okay, okay.

[She releases the doorknob and lets out a slow breath to steasy her own nerves. It isn't like her to end up so rattled--and she doesn't particularly feel like now is the time .]

However else I can help you, Winry.

And Ed. I told him I would check on you. Any....unsettling...details I will do my best to gloss over.

*pats* It does seem like something she'd do.

[hands4healing]

[Winry sighs, relaxing against the door again.]

Take care of Zoey. And if something happens...Ed...will be kind of...crazy. Keep him safe.

[She growls again.] I don't trust anyone else to do that. [Certainly not Mr. Mustang nor Major General Armstrong. Perhaps Mr. Castle, but he doesn't know Ed as well.]

/sigh

[equinamity]

[Riza lets out a sigh of her own, closing her eyes.]

I'll take care of Zoey, and of Ed, Winry.

[She pauses.]

Maedhros is coming, I know--and where is he taking you?

:D

[hands4healing]

Thank you.

[Winry lets her head fall back against the door.]

I don't know. He didn't tell me where he's taking me. Somewhere safe.

[For everyone.]

[equinamity]

[She can hear the thump of Winry's head against the door, and closes her eyes.]

Wherever it is he takes you, I'd like to come and check on you myself.

[hands4healing]

[Winry sighs. She doesn't want anyone to be put through watching her go crazy and become violent, but Riza might feel better if she does check up.]

I'll ask him to let you know.

[...]

I don't know how long I'll be...myself.

[equinamity]

How long you'll be yourself is irrelevant.

A friend wouldn't allow you to go through this entirely alone. Ed can't be here; I can. And even when you aren't yourself, know that I can defend myself just fine. That shouldn't be a concern.

[And darn if she doesn't sound convincing: she would likely allow herself some harm before truly defending herself from Winry regardless of the girl's state. That isn't a detail she's likely to share, though. The mechanic needs to believe that she wouldn't be such a danger that Riza would avoid her. Sugarcoating that truth is a lie, but one she's more than willing to tell.]

[hands4healing]

[Winry turns as Riza speaks, listening closely. It sounds like something Ed would say, really, and that more than anything keeps her attention.]

I don't want it to be a concern, Riza. Not for you nor anyone.

[Or even Zoey.]