pokebox | LOCKED TO viliorate

I'd rather not have to drag you home if I can help it.

[He reaches out and places his hand on Kimbley's arm.]

It doesn't matter whether you can or not. I know this has been difficult, but we're stronger now, Kimbley.

You don't need to carry me home. I'm not planning on getting wasted.

[He doesn't pull away from the touch, but it's clear Kimbley doesn't know what to do with it.]

That's right. We're stronger than any human here. We're practically invincible.

[No you're not.]

I wouldn't go that far but yes, we're much stronger than any human. The changes haven't always been for the best, but we've worked through it. There's no reason to worry about it.

I'm not worried about anything.

[But then Kimbley was the one hit with a ludicrous amount of physical changes. His ego never did recover.]

I still want to go back, you know. No one would recognize me now. And I can still do damage, even without my alchemy.

There's no point in going back.

[Archer pulls back, folding his arms again. His posture is perfectly straight and he shuts his eyes as he starts the well-rehearsed speech he's been giving for years.]

There would be nothing left for us back in Amestris. We were in the middle of a military operation when we arrived here; the Fuhrer would not take our leaving lightly. We have been missing from Amestris for ten years now. If we're not presumed dead already then we're at least considered missing and showing up unexpectedly will not do us any favors. I imagine Bradley is no longer the Fuhrer and with a new leader, all my power over him is gone. That's assuming, of course, that I could find any proof of Bradley's true identity; my office belongs to someone else and everything I owned there has been removed. My house is most likely demolished by now since I'm most likely considered dead and I have no next of kin. Even if by some miracle I was able to find proof that Bradley was Pride, it would do us no good. It wouldn't give me my position back in the military and I would be incapable of protecting you. Even if I was accepted back into the military with a much lower rank, there's nothing I could do for you.

[He doesn't mention the changes because they're both aware of how Kimbley would be treated. Perhaps things have changed in ten years and chimeras are accepted as a normal part of society, but Archer doubts it. Unless there were other chimeras he never knew of, all of Greed's chimeras are dead. Most people have probably never seen a chimera, much less one made to look mostly human. Tucker couldn't even do it.]

There's no point in returning to Amestris. Our home is here now. This is the place we will conquer.

[Despite how even his tone is and how calm he sounds, Archer's rigid posture and position might be enough of a hint that he's not quite come to terms with what he's saying. The Amestrian military uniform neatly folded and placed in the bottom of his dresser is probably a bigger clue. He never wears it anymore but he hasn't gotten rid of it either.]

[He's heard it all before, many, many times.

Kimbley looks away, at his hands, and is silent for a long time. Neither of them are human anymore, but Kimbley is the one who would never be able to go outside, isn't he? There's no way to hide what he is. He doesn't even know what the hell he is.]

This place will never be my home.

[But it is the place he wants to conquer. He needs a place for himself, somewhere he can actually feel safe and not be gripped with paranoia every time he leaves the apartment.]

I'll follow you wherever you go, but this isn't my home.

[Archer's eyes snap open at that and he immediately glares. It isn't anger at Kimbley that's causing it, but Kimbley's words hit too close to home.

That's just it, that's the problem - home. Archer has never experienced homesickness and the first time he does he's a whole world away with no way to return. He can acknowledge that a lot of what happened in Amestris wasn't good for him and shaped him in ways that have made him abnormal, but it's still home. No matter how long he spends here that won't change. Kimbley feels it too, obviously.

Had Kimbley said this ten years ago Archer would have lashed out at him. He would have yelled and directed his anger at Kimbley. He would have attempted to convince Kimbley that Amestris wasn't worth being their home, not after what happened to Kimbley back there. But he's a different person than he was ten years ago.

Instead he closes his eyes again, folds his hands, and breathes. It doesn't release the tension in his posture, but nothing can really help with that. He counts backwards from one hundred a few times until he's finally calm enough to keep himself from taking his anger out on his best friend.

It's amazing what time and too many outbursts can do.]

...We're going to make it our home. Once it's ours, nothing will compare.

[He doesn't know what he can do, or if there's anything he can do. Keep on living, maybe. Or "living," since he's no longer alive, technically speaking. It's not like he has a problem hunting, far from it. He enjoys it. He's enjoyed it for years. He'll take, and take, and take and it'll never be enough.

It's easy enough to do here.

Maybe it wouldn't be in Amestris. Who knows what the state of the country is now. It's pointless to be homesick for a place both of them would find foreign, but it's still home.]

Yeah. That's right. We'll make it ours. Just you and me.

[He slides down on the couch, laying on his side, tail twitching slightly. Even with all the time he's spent getting used to it, he's still not as good at hiding his emotions as he used to be.

Kimbley just hopes Archer isn't about to say anything about it.]

[He notices the tail twitching and like always, he takes note of it. Sometimes he'll call Kimbley out on it, but most of the time he's content to try to broach the subject gently. It rarely works, but he hasn't stopped trying.]

This is very difficult. We've had to give up our old way of life and we were forced to adapt to what this place gave us. It hasn't been ideal.

[While Kimbley gained most of the unnatural physical transformations, all Archer gained was power. He had never been very good at physical fighting and had never seen a need for it while working a desk job. He had wanted to be a commander, not a soldier. Everything has changed here. He's by no means a skilled fighter, but he doesn't need to be. He was lucky enough to gain two power unique to vampires: the ability to hypnotize humans and the ability to turn into fog. He's also been granted much greater reflexes and speed, though considering what little he had in those aspects to begin with, any change would be better.

He's gained so much from these transformations and the only loss he's suffered is the beating of his heart. It's almost funny how similar he's become to the Homunculi he sought to control back home.]

No matter what happens, no matter how much we're ridiculed or put down, we will not surrender. We will continue on our path and we will take this town. I will not do it by force. If there's one thing I've learned over the years it's that hatred and fear will not get you as far as adoration and loyalty. I will take over once I've gained enough power and support. It shouldn't be difficult; I can appeal to both sides. I'm not human, but I appear human enough for even those idiots to support me. What leadership we have now is weak. We cannot prosper under these conditions.

Everything will change once I have control.

Nothing about this is ideal.

[His body doesn't feel unnatural anymore, but that's not a good thing. It'd probably be better if he still felt disgusting with what he's become, but the truth is that he doesn't.

Kimbley watches Archer, carefully and quietly.

It's somewhat amazing how quickly they went from strangers to being completely dependent on each other in hindsight.

But winning the hearts of the people, really? Kimbley won't complain, but he does laugh again, like he can't believe what he's hearing. Sure, he'll go along with it. But only because humans who trust them are easier to lure away somewhere secluded.]

You've had my loyalty for years. How are you going to get the loyalty of these people?

That's the easy part. We were raised in a country ruled by an individual, a country that followed one person's ideas until the end of their life. Most of our Fuhrers took the throne at an older age; Bradley was one of the youngest in recent history. So while we had rulers who led the country in whatever way they desired, they stuck around for only ten to twenty years, rarely longer.

This place is entirely different, Kimbley. They are not led by the most powerful. They are not led by someone who gained that position by making friends in high places within the military. The government here is entirely separate from military power. All you have to do is gain the public's favor and there's nothing that can stop you. Of course, earning respect among the people is fairly difficult, but I figure there's an easy way to do it.

[He stands, turning to face Kimbley and holding his hands out. He looks manic, but there's something charged in the expression, the sort of confidence and eagerness he hasn't displayed properly in years.]

Those like us, the people who were brought here, who have been forced to deal with these changes! We're much more powerful than humans - they fear us! Those that treat us like animals will soon learn the error of their ways, but what better way to start than to gain the support of the most powerful group? Should things turn bad - which they shouldn't, of course - I will have the support of the most powerful people in the city!

Of course, gaining the support of the "monsters" may alienate some humans, but they're unimportant. And should something happen to them, well no one will miss them. We aren't the only ones who need to feed, after all.

[That confidence, that confidence he hasn't seen in so long he had begun to forget what it looked like, is refreshing. He feels energized in a way he hasn't in years, not since the first time he and Archer had hunted together.]

You think you can do it?

[It's mostly rhetorical; Kimbley has always had confidence in Archer.]

We're better than the humans in this city. It shouldn't be too hard to gain support from others like us. That's an important part. Getting others just like us. There's no sense ruling when divided, huh? And when you take over, I'll be right there by your side. Getting the humans to like you can't be that hard. Bribe them, lie to them, it doesn't matter. You'll get them on our side.

[There are plenty of ways this could go horribly wrong, but Kimbley can't actually think of them right now. He's excited by this prospect, by taking over this city that's mocked them for all these years.]

When we need an enemy or two disposed of there's no better place to do it than right here.

Exactly. The difficult part is swaying the rest of us. Once I have that done, nothing will stand in our way.

[He folds his arms, still smirking.]

I'm glad to hear you'll continue supporting me. I wouldn't want to do this without you.

[He stands, his hands sliding into his pockets.]

I'll always support you. You know that. All we've done is survive since we arrived here. We're going to change that, you and me.

[It's fairly simple why: when Archer's confident, Kimbley's confident. They'll do this, because when they work as a team, they can do anything.]

Of course we are. We'll change this city to suit our needs.

[It's good that Kimbley's just as confident as he is!]

If anyone tries to get in our way, I can be pretty convincing. You know how I can get.

[He motions with his hand-- clawed and dangerous. He might not have his alchemy anymore, but he has plenty of new tricks up his sleeve now. Being able to freeze a man in place makes certain things easier, and it's not the only thing he can do, either.]

When we go out tonight, we'll scope things out.

Of course I know.

[Archer's smirk widens and he clasps his hands behind his back.]

Excellent. I look forward to it.

[His hands fall to his side.]

Well then. I look forward to tonight.

[And if you think he's not going to approach Archer as soon as the sun goes down... well, Archer probably knows better by now. Kimbley's dressed rather nicely, for him, but he also hasn't bothered with a shirt for years. Ever since the spikes grew it.]

This'll be fun.

[Archer is dressed nicely as well, as he always is. He prefers wearing clothes with high collars - he's always preferred it but it also hides the twin marks on his neck. His teeth can be hidden when he keeps his mouth shut, though there's no way to hide the red eyes or the pointed ears. He could grow his hair out, but he's adamantly refused to do that, of course.]

Are you ready to go then?

[Kimbley nods, watching Archer carefully.]

Of course I'm ready.

Come on, it's not that far.

[He waves for Archer to follow him, since he's the one picking out the spot. Really, it's possible this is a bad idea. Drinking might make him sick-- he hasn't done it in so long that Kimbley doesn't really remember.

But if nothing else, he's content walking in the dark, much more so than he is during the day.]

[Archer follows, keeping close to Kimbley. There's no reason to be worried about being attacked; they can handle themselves easily against any humans and they shouldn't have trouble with any other monsters.]

So where are you taking me, hmm?

Nowhere too special, you know.

[But he's calm, obviously he doesn't think they're at any risk of being attacked. And they're not, because they've been here an extremely long time now. A large part of the population at least recognizes them as 'locals' now, even if they aren't human.

The bar is on the sleazier side of things, but it's not unpleasant, and nearly all of the patrons are like them. Those that aren't are probably not far away from obvious changes.

He picks a booth in the back, away from most of the lights.]

It's not too terrible, is it?

No, it's not.

[It's a little seedy for his tastes, but Archer's taste is still as high-class as ever. He also rarely sets foot in bars, so there's also that to take into consideration.]

What are you going to get?

[He looks around them, obviously curious about the place and the people in it. They're mostly monsters or probably will become monsters. That's always a good sign.]

Gin. Haven't had the stuff in years.

You?

[Kimbley looks completely relaxed, but Archer knows him well enough to know that it's a front. Especially now, after all these years, he never relaxes. This is just one of those things to make him look a little less threatening.

Not that he looks intimidating with the huge puffy mane, but let's not bring that up because Kimbley's ego couldn't take it.]

I'm not sure. I haven't had anything in a long time.

[Oh he certainly won't bring that up. He's fully aware that Kimbley isn't relaxed, but neither is he. Archer is more obvious about it though, sitting perfectly straight as usual.]

LOCKED TO viliorate

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