[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

[Voice, Private]

[braided_icarus]

[Yeah, Ed's likely gathered that, for why some of them are only talking to him with the audio rather than video. Especially Winry.]

Right. Thanks, Lieutenant. I appreciate it. Really. I'd be there for her if I could, but having you and Mae helping her is the next best thing at least.

[But she's right. If Ed did hear about Winry worsening under the virus, it'd only make him more terrified, more prone to wanting to bust out of the quarantine to get to her and do something. Even now, the vague images in his mind of that occurring may or may not be worse than the reality from what Newt has told him on the symptoms.]

[Voice, Private]

[equinamity]

Mm. I think she would rather you stay safe. I'm sure she won't hold it against you.

[She pauses. Even she doesn't want to think of what happens to people as they become sicker with the Flare.

Anyway let's talk about something else. Anything else. Because as she makes her way to Winry's residence, she'd like to think of anything but what she's expecting to see. It's not that she hasn't seen plenty of it already, as she has--it's that she's about to see it in the face of a friend. So! Let's talk about something else.]

You know, I've told Winry countless times she can call me Riza. You can do the same, if you'd prefer.

[Voice, Private]

[braided_icarus]

And I'd figure the same if it were me out there infected and she was back here in quarantine. I get it.

[But. Yeah. How about we avoid that topic and train of thought, he's been avoiding thinking on that with Winry ever since the moment he caught this post.]

Ah, I guess it's just habit? But I can try, if you prefer.

[Voice, Private]

[equinamity]

I know it is--but I've always imagined you weren't quite comfortable with the title.

[Pity you can't see her expression, seeing as she almost looks like she might laugh.]

After all, Colonel Mustang has always been "Colonel Bastard" in your book--out of either respect or your better judgment I never recieved such a nickname. At least, not to my face.

[Don't worry she's absolutely not angry--her tone is light, amused. It's uncanny how quickly she can switch from the serious topic to this.]

[Voice, Private]

[braided_icarus]

Titles and status are just part of the military. I knew what I was signing up for going in years back.

But well. Yeah. I guess I do give a few people nicknames. Like Donkey Kong, Lion King or the Idiot Prince too....

[Come to think of it. It's probably usually the women that get off the nickname treatment. Probably for good reason.]