maskormenace | Date 1 (Video)

(At first, there's nothing except sound: ambient city noises that are, oddly, muffled by someone loudly fiddling with the communicator.)

If this is someone's idea of a joke, then it's poorly crafted... (Some more fiddling. After a few minutes of increasingly frustrated button smashing:) I don't have time for these games! (Then, with a loud smack to the device and some more harsh fussing, the video comes on, revealing one Colonel Roy Mustang! He's looking down at the video with a raised eyebrow. Finally satisfied, he sighs.)

Well, this place certainly has an interesting way of asking for help. While I can't say I enjoy the situation, I suppose I might as well introduce myself. The name is Colonel Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist.

(He pauses here, his gaze drifting to his left in thought. If there's a concerned look on his face, it only lasts for a flicker of a moment before he looks back at the communicator.)

I've heard an interesting story since I've arrived here. Apparently, a few women have recently disappeared. Elizabeth and her sisters, Kate and Jaqueline, were out with their friends, Brenda and Felicity, when they suddenly felt ill. According to eyewitnesses, they all seemed to black out at the same time, but when the authorities arrived, they were nowhere to be found. Despite the crowd that had gathered, no one seems to know how it happened. Rumors have spread amongst some of the people in the neighborhood, saying that it was the work of some magician, or even the wrath of God. While I can't say I agree with such statements, it certainly poses an interesting question: if people were around to see the incident, but no one can identify how, why, or where they disappeared to, then what exactly happened?

That being said, people have a tendency of over exaggerating details. If anything, I'm sure the women in question are simply on a vacation somewhere. Though, if anyone hears any more about them, I'd appreciate if you informed me. I'd hate to confuse the facts too much.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Where'd you hear about this?

[It seems good to ask, in part because she wants to look into it herself. To claim he's merely confused means that other people should look into it.]

I simply heard about it while I was attempting to find my way around. It seems to be quite a popular topic amongst some of the residents here.

It's better not to assume people are exaggerating something when talking about that at length.

While it's true rumors of that sort have some truth behind them, the fact that all of the information is contradicting makes it difficult to actually pursue. Especially considering how widespread it's become. That being said, people here certainly seem to be interested in those who have disappeared or appeared suddenly.

Why wouldn't they be? Some of those disappeared could be imPorts like ourselves, or they could be someone in danger. We're all confused over this scenario, disbelieving about the validity or even veracity of it. Wouldn't we be looking for some nugget of information?

The fact that that they seem so excited to see imPorts like ourselves means they're enthusiastic about our arrivals as well. If that's the case, then it would seem that the residents here are used to situations such as these. In addition, if disappearances are a common occurrence here, then it's also possible that the authorities don't feel the need to look into them as thoroughly as they might were it not a constant event. That being said, you certainly make a good point. Despite how much they want our help, they make it difficult for us to receive information about them.

If they aren't looking into them thoroughly, it gives us an idea about what's going on. If the presentation here is that things aren't that bad as they could be, then is that the result of lies?

In a situation such as this, anything is possible. Though they may not give the impression that things aren't that bad, that doesn't necessarily mean that that's the case. However, seeing as I've just arrived, it would be too early for me to make a conclusion such as that. We'll just have to wait and see.

I'd like to hear your thoughts later on. I admit I think you seem hasty in some of your judgments, but at least you're willing to keep an open mind about it all.

Considering what's happened, I have no choice but to remain open minded. (He pauses, because this is still a little bit too much to handle.) That's right. I'm afraid I didn't catch your name, miss...?

[Open-minded is about all she can ask for, and that was her goal with this conversation.]

Kate Bishop.

Date 1 (Video)

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