Fullmetal Alchemist: Golden Age

"It would be better for you, for all of us, if you did not question us, sir."

"All right, all right. Business is business, although you kids must have some strange kind of business if you're pursuing it in a bar. Whatever happened to respecting your seniors, huh?" Mo Sheng grumbled. "Anyway, the offer still stands, but you're better off going to another place - preferably one with a friendlier atmosphere - if you want a drink. Don't blame me if you end up with A Tankard of Moose Urine."

edited 17th Jun '12 6:29:56 AM by Pyrite

Faleria felt the pressure working against her. She started to breathe heavily and sweat. "Get a hold of yourself Faleria, get a hold of yourself." the girl mumbled as she stood up tall, breathing out. Alright, she had business here and since Roderick kind of compromised that, she had to think of some way to work around it.

"I'm not old but... " she had to regain focus and she had to fulfill the objective. Okay, the young state alchemist began to reorganize her thoughts and she ended up with absolutely... nothing.

"Uh..." she looked to the side.

Wow, she was pathetic!

Shi Nu grimaced as he saw the treatment of the old man and made his way to the bar, stumbling slightly. In his inebriated state, it seemed like a great idea.

If there was anything he'd learned when he was back in Xing, it was to always respect your elders. So, he ordered a drink from the bartender, and turned to the old man, bowing his head in greeting. "I'm Shi Nu Fan."

edited 17th Jun '12 3:31:41 PM by Serendipital

Saren had been observing this scene unfold, amused, that is until a now drunken Shi made his way to the counter and the two state alchemists. "This can't be good" he said to himself. Lucidly he stood up.

"Wait here" He said to the clown, and he made his way to the counter staying beside Shi, just in case. He bowed down his head too and said "And I'm Saren Demmer, nice to meet you"

"Ah, finally. Some youngsters with a healthy sense of respect... Wait, are you drunk?" The old man's brow furrowed momentarily - and just as quickly, reverted to his original facade. "Lightweight. Clearly, you haven't had Xingese medicinal wine in a long while. I tell you, a glass of the stronger stuff can put down a horse, and some quacks use it for everything! Fevers? Medicinal wine. Colds? Medicinal wine. Hangovers? Medicinal wine."

Mo Sheng rolled up his sleeves. "I think we need to purge the stuff out of his system - too much toxin buildup in his liver. Might get a little messy, though, if you know what I mean. You officers should get out of the way if you don't want your uniforms to get stained by honourable Xingese puke."

edited 18th Jun '12 6:58:40 AM by Pyrite

Shi Nu grimaced, quickly saying, "No thank you; it's not that bad, really." The slight slur in his words probably didn't help his case, brought on from a sudden wave of sleepiness.

The young man's refusal made Mo Sheng burst out in a torrent of fluent Xingese, unfamiliar to most Amestrian ears. "<You'll take that treatment if you know what's good for you, young man - especially if you're going to be in any condition to participate in anything that comes after the drinking! I hear the Amestrians have some particularly bawdy drinking songs that aren't fit for polite company, and I don't think you'd want to miss any of them... or why would you be here in the first place?>"

He shot Shi Nu a meaningful glare, and hoped he'd get the hint.

edited 18th Jun '12 7:09:56 AM by Pyrite

Shi Nu was shocked out of his sleepy state from the man's yelling, leaning further and further away with each sentence. "<O-of course,>" he replied instinctively in the same language. "<I don't want to miss them.>" He didn't quite understand the hidden meaning, but he could at least realize it was important.

He slid off of his stool, fog clouding over his mind as the shock of the speech faded away.

edited 20th Jun '12 6:24:33 PM by Serendipital

Saren sighs, and gently tugs Shi in the collar of his shirt.

"we should go back to the table" He said to the drunken Shi, then turning to the Xingese old man "I hope we meet again, sir" And finally to the State alchemists, in a friendly tone "Whatever business you have here, I hope you don't want trouble". He finally moved back to the table motioning Shi towards it in the way.

edited 20th Jun '12 5:57:28 PM by Sanojutsu

"Oh, take your time, I'm not going anywhere. Although I hear this bar has quite the floor show planned for later, if that clown in the corner is any indication."

Shi Nu protested with a whine, but followed Saren back to the table. Spotting Lok, he stated, "Clowns are funny." and flopped into his chair.

"Shi, Lok, did any of you know that man?" Saren said with curiosity

Lok spoke in a whisper to make sure he wasn't overheard but kept his same smiling expression.

"Who, the old Xingese man over there? Yes I know him, from here and the old country somewhat. He's Old Man Mo Sheng, and from what I remember it used to be that he was the Chief Royal Physician to the Emperor, for...well several generations at the least. I have no idea what he happens to be doing here in Amestris."

In fact, it troubled the clown greatly that such a loyal servant to the Emperor was here rather than at court as his typical duties should probably demand, especially with a war going on.

Yet another sign that the Will of Heaven may be deserting the Emperor, and worse yet the Xingese people as a whole. I suppose the old man is here for similar reasons to myself. Desperately seeking answers as to what has become of our country and hoping that there may yet be some explanation for us all to cling to.Though I am also a proud citizen of Amestris, of course.

Shi Nu nodded at Lok's explanation, muttering, "Same. Was a kid. Didn't see him much." He wondered just why that man was in Amestris, especially with the two countries being so unfriendly with each other. Whatever it was, it probably didn't bode well. Those State Alchemists didn't seem like good news, either.

"is that so?" Saren said after hearing the two men. The name seemed familiar... but he couldn't remember from where, probably a newspaper.

"that reminds me... wait here" Saren said and made a beeline for Mo Sheng

"You forgot to give us the wine, sir" said Saren, then pulling out his cheap leather wallet "money is not a problem if we need to pay"