First Detonation; Video

[extirpations]

[The video feed comes alive to show Kimblee sitting comfortably and smiling at the camera, impeccably dressed in his white suit and hat. There's no hesitation the suggest he's unused to the technology, having thoroughly experimented with the communicator before trying to broadcast. First impression are important and it simply wouldn't do to appear backwards when presenting himself to his fellow imPorts.]

I must admit, this is all rather unexpected to say the least. I had thought the world was done with me.

[He stops and shakes his head reprovingly, as if just remembering that he's got an audience. There's a brief glimpse of the circular array tattooed on his right palm as he tugs off his hat and inclines his head at the camera in a mock-bow.]

Ah, where are my manners? Being as it seems standard to introduce oneself upon arrival, permit me. My name is Solf J Kimblee, although I much prefer simply Kimblee if it's all the same.

I'm honestly not sure about this hero business I was told about but I am happy to be of assistance however I am able. Military service is at least not entirely unfamiliar to me so I suppose that may be of use. Otherwise I am a fairly accomplished alchemist if I do say so myself and would be happy to make my skills available to those who might have use of them.

[He goes to finish then stops, as if he's just remembered something.]

Before I take my leave, I do have one small request - could anyone recommend me a dry-cleaner? I know it seems a trivial matter but it can be quite troublesome finding a reliable service. Being as I've been assigned to work at a local men's outfitters it would be inappropriate of me to look less than my best.

I thank you all for you attention.

Comments

[No video response posted to Kimblee.]

[hands4healing]

[What is he doing here?!?]

video;

[braided_icarus]

[Oh. Oh he knows that face. Those arrays. That voice.

....shit.]

So they dragged you along? Of all the people possible to pull in from Amestris?

[Yeah. No. Ed does not approve. At all. Not after Kimblee was holding Winry hostage. And nearly got him killed at the mines. Not that he's told any of the others about that. Especially Winry. Anyone could tell Ed is less than thrilled with this development. And for good reason.]

I assume you already know the basics. I've no intention of really helping you out here anyway. You can figure it out yourself.

[darwinatrix]

Ah. Bradley's little dog seems to have broken free of his leash.

permavid

[glassbox]

Alchemist, huh. Y'friends with Armstrong then?

1/?

[incendere]

(I know that voice.)

[incendere]

(RUMMAGING THROUGH THESE PILES OF PAPER TO FIND THAT GUIDE GOD WHERE IS IT)

[incendere]

(Ah there it is! Now....I hope this is just a dream or something because THIS IS GOING TO REALLY SUCK IF IT'S NOT)

[incendere]

(IT CAN'T BE)

[incendere]

(Ugh.

UGH

OF ALL THE ALTERNATE UNIVERSES IN ALL THE WORLD, HE HAD TO STUMBLE INTO THIS ONE)

[incendere]

(All right, breathe. He's just another person you'll have to keep an eye on.)

Done

[incendere]

(But Kimblee didn't need to know all of that. When Roy finally turns on the guide, it's as if the previous six comments never existed.)

Well, well. It's been a while, Crimson.

text

[lyingheart]

What exactly is a dry-cleaner?

[extirpations]

You wound me Major General.

[Poor choice of phrase really - if really she wanted to she wouldn't use words to do so.]

Surely there's no need for us to be hostile? I have no personal quarrel with you and, as you yourself alluded to, any allegiances we may have had in Amestris have little relevance here.

[darwinatrix]

Technically, no. But I've got some bones to pick with Bradley, and you're his flunky.

I won't waste my time looking for you, but don't cross my path.

likewise permavid

[extirpations]

Do you mean the Major General? I'm afraid 'friends' might be too strong a word. Former comrades-in-arms perhaps.

Might I assume you are also acquainted with her then?

[extirpations]

[Really? Someone who doesn't know what a dry cleaners is? At least he's fairly confident they have to exist in the city. There is no way he's washing his suit himself.]

A service for cleaning clothes. They're preferable when the fabric is delicate or you have some particularly difficult stains to remove.

I find it odd you've never heard of such a thing.

[extirpations]

Technically speaking, I was a loyal citizen of Amestris and you were a rebel seeking to seize power. But we shouldn't let the past control us. As I said, I see no reason for us to disagree here and now.

Tell me though, are you here alone or are some of your men from Briggs present as well?

[darwinatrix]

I hate semantic bullshit.

I'll let you wonder about that.

[extirpations]

[Well there's a voice he hasn't heard in years. At least not with his own ears. There's actually a flicker of surprise before Kimblee's back to smiling again, though it has an edge to it now.

He might have been aware of events happening after Pride gave him a front row seat to the final battle but he still remembers the Flame Alchemist best as he was in Ishval. Weak-willed and filled with self-pity. It's difficult not to let that colour his expectations.]

Flame. Indeed it has. You look well. Better than I might have expected to be honest.

[Not at all like Mustang had after Pride was done with him and wasn't that interesting? But considering they're actually able to have this conversation it's not as shocking as it might be.]

How have you been? It's Colonel now, correct?

[extirpations]

Direct as always. Well, I'm sure I'll find out sooner or later.

Do let me know if you need anything Major-General. I'd be happy to offer my services should you have call for them.

[extirpations]

That's rather harsh. I honestly don't see why you're so bitter. I have no personal grudge against you Fullmetal Alchemist. Any disputes we had in the past were purely professional and have no relevance to our current circumstances.

[It's a rather odd coincidence that Edward was the last person he'd seen before his soul departed the world into which he'd been born and the first he's really spoken with in this new world. The symmetry is appreciable as is the fact this new world has chosen them both for some greater purpose.]

I'm choosing to see this as a second chance. A fresh start. You can't even permit me that much?

[braided_icarus]

You'll forgive me if I'm not sure I really see you as the 'hero' type, Kimblee.

[Yeah. More he's anticipating Kimblee doing the exact opposite and going Unsettled. If not full on against all this entirely. Given his own experience with the alchemist and what he's heard about him prior to that.]

A second chance? See, you may call what happened back home 'professional disputes' all you like. But what you did to Winry? I'm not sure I'd trust you.

[Trust has to be earned. And Kimblee has really done anything but help him to earn it. But Ed isn't trying to give away too much so soon as to what he recalls himself.]

[extirpations]

I'm not so arrogant as to claim otherwise. And yet here I am. This world has some use for me it would seem.

[He has no intention of pretending he plans to play hero though, especially not to someone who wouldn't believe it for a second. What he will choose remains to be seen. He has nowhere near enough information yet to determine which path will best suit his values.]

I do beg your pardon but I never laid a finger on Miss Winry.

[He didn't even (openly) threaten her. Just left it for Ed to fill in himself.]

Unless you are referring to the unfortunate incident when she was abducted by Scar.... In which case I admit I was at fault. I should have been keeping a far closer eye on her at the time.

[More to prevent her getting away from him in the first place than anything else but it is the truth. He made a mistake, he can admit that much.]

However you misunderstand. I'm not asking that you trust me. Just that you reserve your condemnation till it's deserved. It doesn't seem too much to ask to me.

[braided_icarus]

Or the Porter actually has no control over who it might bring in. So your theory on Heropa needing you might not necessarily be accurate.

[But of course, assuming Kimblee has already had the basics explained, there's really nothing new that Ed is telling him here. Ed gives a shrug before glaring, his eyes narrowing slightly.]

Of course I'm talking about Briggs and the mines! Winry was never supposed to be there in the first place! If you had just told her to stay with the Major General none of that would have happened!

[But then. She was never supposed to come up to Briggs in the first place. So he does blame Kimblee there, sending her up knowing she is playing the part of a hostage and outright saying so. There weren't open outright threats perhaps, but Kimblee implied enough.]

What, you don't think you deserve me being pissed at you after everything that happened up North?

[....Yeah. Slim chance there.]

[extirpations]

[Ed's theory regarding the Porter gets no more than a shrug in reply. It's hardly the first time others have disagreed with his views on the matter.]

You were hardly any more able to convince her to stay behind at Briggs when we went in search of Scar than I was.

[Kimblee smiles again and waves the argument aside.]

No, but as the adult and the one in charge of the operation, as well as the one responsible for Miss Rockbell's presence at Briggs to start with, I should take responsibility. You are correct, I should have insisted she stay at the fort. I was too easily swayed by her dedication to her job. It's a trait I find most admirable and I let that influence my decision. Should you get the chance, please do pass along my sincerest apologies for letting that Ishvalan anywhere near her.

[That's not going to happen unless Edward returns to Amestris admittedly - it seems highly unlikely that Miss Rockbell would be in this city as well - but he's really just needling Ed at this point.]

You can be as angry as you like, I wouldn't try and take that from you. [Ed does angry so well after all.] But I have yet to do anything you might find objectionable here and no reason to come into conflict with you. We can at least tolerate each other.