[Riza is standing in a bedroom, or what was once a bedroom. It's obviously been damaged by the fire, light flooding into it from the giant hole in the roof, or what used to be the roof if it hadn't fallen in, bits scattered on the bed and floor. Every step Riza takes makes a small cloud of ash rise up just slightly.

It's so quiet and still, utterly lifeless.

She moves to the door of the closet, slowly and carefully turning the knob and opening it, but the hinges have melted and welded into immovable parts. The door then separates from the frame, weakened by the fires, and falls out of her grasp, making more debris fly up. She moves away before it gets in her face.

In that moment, one can see that light floods into the closet, as well; the roof was not spared for that particular spot, either. When Riza looks into the closet, her back to the PCD, her shoulders slump in obvious disappointment.]

No...

[She reaches in and pulls out a tattered and dirty dress, cradling it in her arms. As she turns around, the sadness is evident on her face, and she falls to her knees, not caring about anything on the ground or around her.

Her wedding dress is ruined.

She sits there for a few seconds, just looking down at the garment, until something seems to finally click in and she pulls it, and her knees, to her chest, burying her face into the fabric as her shoulders shake with that first sob that lets loose the floodgates.

The PCD records this for a moment longer and then shuts off.]

[Another post comes over the network, accompanied by the sound of rain. It's almost peaceful, if you like such weather, but soon a voice (Riza's, if you know her) speaks.

Her words probably ruin the calm atmosphere, though she is calm despite everything.]

I've found a body in the Southeast quadrant. I recognize him, but unfortunately I haven't learned his name.

[A pause.]

I'm afraid if anyone has noticed a young man missing, this is probably him. I won't show his face publicly, but if you want to see it for confirmation, I will do so privately. I will also need help moving his body as the rain has caused his body to deteriorate somewhat, though I have covered him up as best as I can. But be warned, the sight is...pretty gruesome if you are not used to such things.

[She pauses again, but speaks softly this time, as if that will soften the blow about to come.]

I believe he is a part of the Glee club.


[ooc: The dead person is, of course, Blaine. So have fun freaking out!]

[The feed is turned on to show Riza, which isn't anything out of the ordinary, of course.

Except that she is wearing a tight, black shirt.

Good morning cleavage.]

So, it's morning and mornings tend to be horrible, but it's Friday and that has to count for something, right? Right. But that's not the point here.

I have an announcement to make.

[DRAMATIC PAUSE.

And then Riza grins.]

My boobs are amazing today! And yeah, whatever, some of you won't care, but really. Today is a good boob day. They're just so...so...perky! You don't get that on just any day.

[Yep, studying that cleavage now. Damn, she's hot. She thinks so today, anyway.]

But yes, carry on. Go back to your regularly scheduled lives. And I hope all you ladies have good boob days, too.

[Riza turns on her PCD to make an announcement...

...only to be interrupted right away by three dogs all vying for her attention.  At the same time.  Black Hayate and Dakota manage to get on either side of her on the couch while Sirius (in dog form) pants happily in front of her.  This would be okay if they were sitting still, but as luck would have it, they weren't.  Soon enough they're trying to walk all over her and howling in happiness, though Riza really looks anything but happy, so what is causing this behavior?]

Boys, down.

[No response.]

Boys, down!  Now!

[She snaps her fingers and points forcefully off-screen.  Slowly, Hayate and Dakota follow her orders, but Sirius, while intimidated, only lays down in front of her.  And cooperates.]

...Don't even think of giving me a face.  I'm still mad at you.

[Riza finally has a moment to breathe.]

Oh my God...

( [Private//Unhackable to Alphonse] )

[Riza's PCD has a funny tendency to turn on by itself recently.  But this time, she's not drowning her woes in empty bottles or pretending to be fine when she's obviously not.  No, this time the scene is playing out in the park and she throws a stick, both of her dogs racing to retrieve it.  She waits for them, smiling as she watches the animals bump into each other and playfully fight over the stick.

Black Hayate comes out victorious, however, and proudly trots back, dropping the stick at Riza's feet.  She bends down and gives him a quick scratch on the head.]

Good boy, Hayate!

[Of course that makes Dakota jealous.  A little ways off, he barks, as if trying to get some of that attention, even at his distance.]

Dakoooota~

[Hearing Riza sing-song his name, the white fuzzball howls back at her, the noise pretty similar to how she had spoken.  Riza smiles more and picks up the stick, and tosses it again.]

Go get it!

[Immediately, Dakota snatches up the stick in his mouth, but Hayate is on his heels and jumps on top of him, making an all-too-literal dog pile.  Letting the stick fall from his mouth, Dakota decides wrestling with his buddy is much more interesting and proceeds to fight both gravity and the black dog, trying to come out on top.

While all this is going on, Riza watches attentively.

And starts to laugh.]

[This month just keeps getting better and better.  Riza had hated to leave Negi during such a horrible time, but this new city suddenly emerging in the Wastes demands her attention.  She's made her way to the top of one section of the Great Wall, separating the Safezone from the Wastes, and has her rifle slung across her back, the barrel of the weapon visible over her shoulder.  Her hair is pulled back in a hasty ponytail, as well; obviously her appearance at such a time comes second.

But it's still evident that she means serious business.]

People of Adstringendum, there is indeed a city in the Wastelands.  I can see it right now.  I don't know too much about it, but if you do approach it, please do so with caution.  We don't know what kind of tricks the Animus are up to this week.

As for anyone in the new city, we mean you no harm.

[Okay, mostly not.  There are some residents that just do not care, but she doesn't want to frighten anyone.]

If any of you can even see this message, please respond and inform me of your situation.  The more information we have of each other, the easier it should become to work together and figure this out.

Thank you for your cooperation.

[She ends the feed.]

[The Meeting Hall is relatively quiet - there are still leftover decorations from the wedding, a month before. From offscreen, but across the room, two familiar figures enter the scene. They were also here a month before. Actually, things don’t seem so different.

Holding Riza close against him with one hand around her waist, the other leads her into a twirl - it’s playful, and when he tugs her back in, it’s to hold her close and press their foreheads together.

If they’re talking, and it’s clear they are - you won’t hear it. After a while they break apart, Roy laughing and Riza smiling, only to clear up the mess on the table behind them.

It’s Roy who approaches the PCD first, a huge grin on his face, and a handful of decorations. His eyebrow arches when he spots the PCD, and instantly his face presses into a pout.]

Riza...

[She walks toward him, some decorations in her own hands.]

Hm?

[A sigh, and a nod toward the PCD, reaching out to take it with a pout. The feed stops a moment later.]


[ooc:  I'm feeling like hell right now, so replies will probably be slow.  Sorry in advance!]