automailed | [Action / Voice]

['Sup, Luceti, guess who's back? So missions totally suck, but at least he wasn't on the ocean this time. It was still snowy and wet and miserable in general, but hey, he can't complain too much. It beats being experimented on.

Still, it's not like it was a particularly troublesome or dangerous mission, so he'll be tromping and looking rather cranky to House 23.

And it only gets worse from there! Because Winry is still sick (of course), and someone will surely be kind enough to tell him that Al's been kidnapped. Again. And there's going to be a draft now, and he's not on it, even though the enemies are being captured instead of killed, and goddammit this week sucks.

In other words, it's not long before he's out and about again, slightly more aggressive in his stance and occasionally punching trees, because there's very little else he can do right now. He will pop by to visit the friends or acquaintances of his that are drafted, though (or at least get close enough to where they live to look like he's thinking about checking on them).

...Well, there's at least one thing he can do to distract himself, so he'll try the journal later that night.]

[Voice]

...Hey, got a question. What kind of a gift can you get a girl without giving them the wrong idea or something?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Perhaps you should have been more specific in your request, then.

...but whatever you choose, don't do any baking.

[HUFF HUFF]

There's nothing wrong with my cooking!

I suppose it wasn't terrible, just a little short on flavor.

[Not that he could do much better, but Edward doesn't need to know that.]

Hey, shut up! This isn't about-

[...Wait, he doesn't want Roy talking about that stuff again...]

...Tch. Just forget it, I don't need your opinion!

Fullmetal, you're the one that knows her best. Just get her whatever you think she would like. All that really matters is that you were the one to give it to her and that you thought enough of her to give her something.

[...Mustang, was that an ounce of sincerity? At this rate you really will kill him from the shock.]

I always figured girls were way more complicated than that.

[But it's undeniably true- as evidenced by those times he brought earrings back for Winry when he'd broken his automail and her ire was instantly dissolved.]

They are complicated.

[Oh wow. He never thought he'd be having this conversation with Ed. It's... kind of weird and strangely frightening.]

Unfortunately, they're complicated in that they're fairly simple, but there isn't an instruction manual to consult to know how to keep them happy. It's purely a trial and error process.

...W-well. [Okay, let's just... steer this away from his lackluster love life, if it's even possible. Bad enough he and Hughes are gossiping about it.] Good thing I'm not looking to understand them, then! It's just a birthday present, sheesh.

Why didn't you say that before? Birthdays are easy: candy or cash, depending on the individual, and since money isn't relevant...

[...Candy... hrngh. It just sounds so overly simple...]

...Birthdays here are stupid. If you want something, you can just get it at one of the shops! Doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of gifts?

Pretty much. That's why it's all about the fact that you gave it, because that's the only thing you can't get at a shop.

[Sure, he might enjoy trolling the kid, and imparting horrible 'wisdom' to him, and playing the ladies' man, but he wouldn't have girls who weren't paid informants fawning over him at home if he were entirely shallow.]

I could probably make something. It's not like it isn't easy, and it would at least look good. [Hmm, hmm. He's not great with hands-on stuff without alchemy, but if it's something she'd like, she won't mind, right?]

Out of curiosity, who is this for?

It's for Winry. Remember, my mechanic?

...

Good luck, Fullmetal.

[You'll need it.]

[...Such inspiring confidence, colonel.]

I thought you liked Winry.

I never said that I didn't. She's a nice girl.

It's just that the ones you know best are generally the ones that pose the most difficulty. If you choose something that could have been a gift from just about anyone, they'll see it as you not paying attention. If it's something that you put a lot of thought and effort into, to the point of it acutally having some sort of meaning, they'll wonder what you want.

[...Sob, you just made his life that much more difficult. IT'S LIKE YOU LOVE DOING IT, COLONEL.]

...Dammit... I don't want to admit that you're right, but...

[Oh, he does, Ed, he does. See what happens when he doesn't have a babysitter to keep him in line?]

...but I'm right.

[.....8| Asshole superior.]

Okay, fine, so maybe you are. So what would you do then, without being a pervert about it?

[It's what he's here for!]

Opt for a middle ground. Something she could use that shows you put some thought into it, but nothing that requires too much thought.

The problem is thinking of anything, though! Whatever I come up with still doesn't seem right!

[ooc: Ed's icons are about to expire, so if you wanna continue, please go here!]