[Forward dated to April 6th]

[burningbothends]

[The latest post on the network is a video: a man, late 20s, with a pretty face and a charming smile which he’s directing full-force at the camera. The image is shoulders-up only, though the camera is a little bit away and tilted, as though he has the communicator propped up at an angle. The face itself may be quite familiar to some.]

Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Roy Mustang. I understand that some of you may be already be acquainted with me from a previous stay. Unfortunately, I don’t seem to recall anything from my time here. I’ve been told it’s a common enough phenomenon, despite how absurd it sounds.

[He gives the camera a somewhat rueful smile.]

But I certainly don’t want to burn any bridges. So if there any beautiful women out there who knew me before, please, don’t be a stranger. I’d love to get to know you all over again. Going through my old belongings I came across a couple of names in particular—Elizabeth and Jacqueline. Such charming names, I’d love to be able to put them to faces.

My employer at Il Fiammeggiante Ragazzo bar in Heropa has been kind enough to allow me to offer an incentive for stopping in to say hello. For the next week, through Saturday, the first drink is on the house for any imPorts who drop by. I hope I'll be seeing a few of you there, whether you're a lovely lady or not.

[And then he leans forward to cut the feed. He'll be doing replies mostly in video, and for the observant among you, you may notice that his eyes aren't quite tracking the camera at all times.

For those of you who decide to take Roy up on his offer, there is a log here]

Comments

[VIDEO]

[fullmetalbrat]

[The disapproval is practically dripping in Ed's tone. This is probably nothing new for Roy.]

They put you in a bar? And you're actually going along with it?!

[burningbothends]

[Excuse you Fullmetal, his mom is a bartender. Among other things.]

Bartending is a noble profession, Edward. You'd know that if you were old enough to drink.

[fullmetalbrat]

That sounds like something adults tell themselves to feel better about getting drunk.

[burningbothends]

The harsh wisdom of youth, hm?

video

[dendarii]

... A bar, really? I admit I'm surprised.

[burningbothends]

[Roy's grin widens a little when he hears Miles's voice. Don't think he missed that post earlier.]

Really? You're the second one to say so.

[dendarii]

It is a bit of a change. They at least tried to put me near the military when they assigned me.

[burningbothends]

It's not much of a stretch to put a soldier in a bar.

[darwinatrix]

Die in a fire.

[burningbothends]

No thanks. Ah, but apparently "Il Fiammggente Ragazzo" translates to "The Flaming Boy". The job assigner has a sense of humor.

[darwinatrix]

Fine. Set the place on fire. Stay inside it.

Don't worry, you'll come back.

[burningbothends]

You seem like you're in a poor mood, Major General.

video

[keep_nothing]

[ Not that he can see her smile on the vid feed, but her smile is apparent in her voice. ]

My, but you're confident.

[burningbothends]

I prefer to think of it as adaptable, Miss...?

[keep_nothing]

[ She laughs brightly. ] That's one word for it.

I'm Cordelia.

[burningbothends]

Miss Cordelia. [He gives a brief nod.] Army Colonel Roy Mustang, it's a pleasure.

voice

[failureisntachoice]

Your old crap was still around? Did they hand that back to you when you arrived or were you scrounging in the garbage for it?

[burningbothends]

An acquaintance was keeping it trust for me.

[failureisntachoice]

Left behind girlfriend? Guessing they weren't a scorned one or your things would've been up in flames.

[video]

[protects_the_small]

I confess, I can't quite see the sense in offering something for free, considering the amount of people this reaches.

[burningbothends]

One drink usually leads to another, I believe is the idea.

[protects_the_small]

[Can you make a guess at how many hours this girl has spent in a bar?]

Can't say I've found that to be the case, but then spirits always did give me a nasty headache.

So it's possible to come back here and forget everything from before?

[THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN. AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE]

[overemotionally]

[Hello, who is this fine specimen?]

Not interested in getting to know any guys around here?

Same thing happened to me, coming here and finding out I'd been here before but don't remember any of it. Apparently, usually people do remember being here before.

[burningbothends]

There seem to be plenty at my job.

No running theories as to why one happens over the other...?

[overemotionally]

Not willing to branch out?

Nah, not that I know of, anyway.

Name's Jim Kirk.