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[failureisntachoice]

[ An automated voice speaks because someone hasn't bothered to set up a proper voicemail. The only part in her voice is her name. ] You have reached Agent Texas. Leave a message at the tone.

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[failureisntachoice]

[ She folds her arms over her chest as she regards him. ]

Honest opinion over what?

[use_everything]

[And he has the floor.]

I know Cordelia's mind almost as my own, but I am still learning with you.

[He clears his throat.] There is an opportunity for me to begin relations with a man of some quality. I wanted to be sure that such an action would not cause harm or offense.

[failureisntachoice]

[ There's a flare of jealously over the link that she immediately tempers. Instinctual and not at all deserved given how they're still working out their own arrangement.

Still there's tension in her figure as she watches him. ] Can I ask who it is?

[use_everything]

[He straightens at that sensation, alert, cautious.]

Colonel Roy Mustang. You'd worked with him in the rescue.

[failureisntachoice]

Yeah, I remember him. [ A beat then, ] With the fire magic, right?

[use_everything]

[He's not going to defend it as science. HE REALLY CAN'T. He also really doesn't... actually remember much with the barbecuing.]

Indeed. That would be the one.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She's frowning as she considers this, keeping the link tightly shut. Whatever's going through her mind she's maintaining guard over it.

She finally says, ] It's your choice. I don't know him beyond that to give any real opinion on the man.

[use_everything]

It is.

[He wasn't good at reading people to begin with... if there was nuance on her face, it was elusive to him. All he had to go on was when Cordelia approached him about Tex herself as what she might be feeling.]

But it is not decided, nor does it need to progress.

[failureisntachoice]

[ That catches her by surprise and she stares for a moment. Did she really have that much influence in this? She frowns as she glances away. ]

I'm not going to tell you what to do, Aral. Are you sure he's trustworthy?

[use_everything]

That one thing I am quite certain of. Both his word and deed have held integrity.

[failureisntachoice]

You're not certain of anything else about him?

[use_everything]

Not quite what I had meant.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She sighs and runs a hand through her hair. ] Then walk me through this. Because if you trust him, I want to know more.

[use_everything]

I believe that fair. [He considers and then, gauging the waters, not so much of the subject but how she feels about him at the moment...]

Shall we sit, first?

[failureisntachoice]

[ She studies him for a moment before nodding and motioning for him to join her at the dining table. ]

Yeah, we should. [ Because she's getting the feeling this is going to be a longer conversation than anticipated. ]

[use_everything]

[He takes his seat on the far side of the table, hands folding... and then unfolding and set flat.]

What first struck me was both his loyalty to his men, and the loyalty he had in return. It tells me a great deal about him as a leader and as a person.

.. You've much the same of that protective ferociousness. [Or really, they wouldn't be having this conversation.] As does Cordelia.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She keeps her own arms folded against her chest as she leans back in her seat and watches him. ]

What 'men' of his are here for you to gauge that from? The kids that have been running around him?

[use_everything]

[There's not much giving ground in that stance. Still, he pushes on.]

As well as a general and intelligence officer. The network there does have variety. Though his instincts are particularly strong for the children.

[failureisntachoice]

Haven't met either of them, just the kids. And the last I heard of them in regards to Roy, they were the ones taking care of him.

[use_everything]

He has recovered his vision...

[failureisntachoice]

Yeah, I noticed. I still found it odd he expected a couple of kids to take care of him through the entire recovery. I'm glad Cordelia was there to help.

[use_everything]

I cannot speak to that, honestly, nor guess fairly.

Though I am as well. Cordelia has a way with the more stubborn types. Mostly, she does not put up with it.

[failureisntachoice]

Yeah, it's why I get along with her so well.

[ There's a small pause as she considers her next words. Then, ] Would you be fine with properly introducing us? So I at least know who he is?

[use_everything]

[Aral being Aral, had been taking the whole line of questioning as doubt upon his own judgement, rather than Roy's character (Miles gets it from somewhere)... so while the connection may be held closed by Tex, the brightening on Aral's face at this request gives him almost a boyish cast.]

Should you wish, I would be honored.

[failureisntachoice]

[ The expression causes her own to soften. Slightly. Everything is entirely a judgement over Roy's character, but if Aral is trusting him this much, she may as well see what he's getting into. ]

I do. [ And a hint of worry seeps into her voice at her next question, ] Is this going to change anything for us?