strictdiscipline | FUTURO

[She graces that answer with a quiet nod before speaking up again.]

You'll have my support whenever you need it.

Thank you Lieutenant.

I didn't have many friends while I was working in the military. Working with you has been a positive experience.

[It's a little embarrassing to admit but that's how he felt all this time.]

[That's—actually somewhat surprising to her. Though on second though, she can see where his seriousness might be off-putting to some.]

Military hours aren't exactly the best to make friends with. [Assuming he also put in a lot of long hours like she did.] And people are always wary of people of higher rank than they are.

[ That's pretty much what happened yeah. Riza's got the right idea. Julius didn't get the opportunity to speak with others because he had to deal with work over seas often. He missed out the on socializing aspect of it all.]

Yes, that's true. I was wary of my own superiors sometimes. Did you ever feel that way yourself?

[Eh, he's not missing much anyway, if her own experiences are anything to go by. Nothing but a bunch of guys getting drunk and doing subsequent drunk men things.

(Unless that's his jam, of course.)

His question's met with a soft smile and faint laughter.]

Not particularly. But I also knew my commanding officer before I joined the military. [Quieter:] He was the reason I joined, actually.

[ Oh, no of course not. Julius wouldn't even find that kind of socializing activity fun. Maybe it's best if he avoids that all together. ]

So that's why. You're very dedicated to your duties Lieutenant. It must be a joy to work under someone you admire.

[Sure, it's hard but everything would seem worth it in the end.]

[Actually—]

He's a lazy womanizer who never finishes his paperwork before it's due and spends far too much time socializing on the phone with his various ladyfriends during work hours and on work phone lines.

[But the prim tone of her voice disappears completely quick enough, replaced with something warmer and far stronger. There might have been a seed of truth in her earlier words but whatever's coming next is the heart of her feelings about Roy Mustang.]

He's a good man though, someone who really cares about those underneath him. He'd give his life for us, even if we didn't ask.

[Which she can't fully approve of - he's far more important than any of them, after all.]

I'm honored to serve him—though I don't know if he'll take me back now that I've been gone so long.

It'll be fine Lieutenant. None of this is your fault. You won't be held responsible for it. I'm certain of that.

[She'll probably have to work overtime though? That part can't be avoided. Rest in pieces Riza.]

Your leading commander should be able to understand. I realize that it's not my place to comment on this, but does he really procrastinate on his work? It's not a habit I'd encourage.

[No...............anything but overtime. Hasn't she already dedicated enough of her evenings and weekends for the next two lifetimes?

(Cue a single tear. But not really.)]

He does. All the time. He'd be up to neck in deadlines if I didn't constantly remind him.

[She's glad someone shares her disapproval over this.]

[So Riza's basically Roy's babysitter. Okay, he's got it. As respectable as Roy is it must really suck to hold his hand through everything. ]

You illustrate your point quite vividly. He'll have to shape up sooner or later.

[Sooner for the best? What kind of leading commander procrastinates like it's no ones business? It's something Julius disapproves of because he's always so orderly. ]

[It really does suck, she can confirm this.]

I'm surprised he's been promoted as often as he has with his work attitude.

[Except not really because he's actually an incredibly bright man, not that anyone can tell from the immediate outside.]

That said, I'm not sure there's anyone out there who really enjoys paperwork. Unless all your subordinates did?

Of course not. [He chuckles softly. There's a fond tone in his voice as he recalls his subordinates along with their behaviors.]

Romeo was always the social type of guy. He would never stop talking and disliked it when I gave him work in abundance. Paperwork's always tedious, Lieutenant.

It's something that must be finished even if you despise it.

[Paperwork's just as important as fighting in the military.]

[So dedicated....her admiration of Julius shoots up another tiny notch.]

Have you always been this disciplined, Captain?

[Riza you give him too much credit. Julius is good at maintaining his duties but he fails at everything else that includes socializing. #idonthavemanyfriends.jpg He answers her as honestly as he can.]

I believe so, yes. When I was young I was adopted into a military family. I owed a lot to them and I didn't want to take anything lightly.

[It was his own way of showing them that he wasn't just there to be a burden. He just really wanted to pull his own weight around. At that though he smiles even though Riza probably can't see it from where she is.]

We have similar views on our duties even though we're from different worlds all together Lieutenant.

[He's very appreciative of Riza's company and her support. She's a highly respectful soldier.]

Edited (dear god im not awake enough) 2016-03-19 13:03 (UTC)

[—This is new information he hasn't shared before, a tidbit that has Riza pausing rather than replying straightaway. She never would've guessed that he'd been raised by anything but his own (biological) family, but family matters are one topic she's always made it her business not to pry into, not after most those around her had been subject to less-than-happy childhoods.

But Julius seems accepting enough of his circumstances, enough so that she opts to comment on it rather than leave well enough alone.]

Your adopted family must have been very lucky to have a child like you.

[Yeah, he's accepted his past for what it was even if he wasn't entirely happy with it. It's not something he would have had power over anyways. It's fine if Riza comments on it further.]

That wasn't necessarily the case. My surrogate mother had high standards and I figured that I didn't do enough to please her.

Lieutenant do you have a family back home?

[He realizes that he's asking something personal but she doesn't have to answer it.]

[There's silence on the other end as Riza digests the question - simple enough to answer in theory and harder to answer in practice. It's not a topic she's shared with very many people, but Julius is someone she trusts. He deserves a genuine answer.]

My mother died when I was young, and my father died shortly before I enlisted in the military. They were both estranged from their families so I never knew any of my relatives growing up.

[It had been a lonely childhood, to say the least.]

[Julius feels some sympathy for Riza because a sad childhood isn't something you'd want to discuss on a normal day. This information's private and he's not going to go around sharing it with everyone. On another note, their topic of conversation has gotten pretty serious. He's silent for a moment letting himself absorb that fact.]

I'm truly sorry to hear that Lieutenant.

[He can't help but frown.]

[—Ah, there she goes again, taking something that ought to be happy and spinning it towards the serious and sombre instead. Riza forces a smile and redirects her voice so that it's higher, happier.]

It's alright, sir. I consider many of my coworkers now to be my family. We've worked together for so long that it feels like we're one cohesive unit.

I couldn't ask for a better team.

I suppose what matters is that you have a place to return to. [Even if it's not her blood family there are people who will welcome Riza with open arms. That makes Julius ease up and smile in turn.]

I'm glad you're content with your military coworkers back at home. There's still work to be done. Shall I contact you later?

[I don't want to stretch val's inbox.]

[My inbox is always available to be stretched!! but okok let's wrap things up.]

Of course. I'll see you later, sir.

[Except then later ends up being like a month because ALASTAIR sucks, whoops.]

FUTURO | IC INBOX

tyyyyy

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wait, aren't you technically on hiatus too.....

it's over in a few days...hiatus tagging woohoo

yeeeeah!

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good morning val... dies in your inbox

??? revives you

becomes a zombie

rip nami

this thread is never going to end unless you spank me send help

SDFLKJSDF we can start wrapping up then

okok save me from neverending threads...!

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