While it looks Roy knows what he’s doing regarding fighting- the truth is, he really doesn’t know what he’s doing. Roy has experience with fighting as a human, his life had been surrounded by the military as long as he could remember. Plus, his flame alchemy was almost always his number one defense, unless his ignition gloves were wet- then he was useless. Thankfully he still has his flame alchemy here, which he uses whenever he needs to- like that time Beck attacked him, the raptors surrounded him, and when the Typhoon raided(though that didn’t last long, he was thrown into the star pool). He was going to spar Bastilleprisoner all the way back, but some complications came up that made them unable to actually go through with it.

Roy could only wonder why Bastille thought this was a good time for a spar. They’re stuck inside the observatory, unsure if they can get out and they’re slowly running out of food. If it were up to Roy, he would have asked about the spar after this whole situation passes by. But as soon as he heard those words escape Bastilleprisoner’s mouth, he knew that Bastille must not care if they’re locked in or not. Thankfully the observatory is more lit with candles and lanterns, so the bobcat began to make his way over to the Astral Seraph.

"What a nice time for a spar Bastille, in the middle of a lockdown." The male commented as his gaze landed on the feline, eyes gleaming with determination as he accepted the challenge. Without another word, the bobcat would attempt to pounce at him, making the first move.

[ retro to lockdown !! ]

Roy couldn't possibly imagine what Suiteheart is currently going through. While Roy considered her and Margaery to be one of his closest friends, he knew the confusion and anger he felt regarding Margaery's disappearance was nothing compared to her. She lost her wife for a second time, after she so firmly believed Margaery wouldn't leave again- a promise that wasn't meant to be broken. Suiteheart and Margaery were practically like the perfect couple- the chemistry the two have with each other is incredible- they've stuck with each other for a thousand years or more, through the thick and thin. Roy hated seeing how miserable and distraught Suiteheart had been when Margaery died in childbirth, and now, he felt more anger to see her in an even worse condition. When Margaery temporarily died, most likely it was out of her control. Margaery most likely didn't decide to kick the bucket, no it definitely didn't seem like her choice- as she came padding right back after a few days. Roy might never know how exactly she came back to life, but her life with her clan, wife, and children weren't over. But her disappearing, leaving behind a note explaining she left with her father, is far different. Margaery must have known what she was doing when she wrote that note, and left it with her necklace and pendant as she padded off with her father. She must have known people were going to be hurt by this, in ways others can't even imagine. To Roy, Suiteheart is probably in a far worse state than the first time Margaery left them, as this time around, the Cosmic General abandoned them.

When Margaery originally died, Roy tried to reach out to Suiteheart. He wanted to be there for her, in the same exact way she had been to him with Maes. Despite the efforts he set forth, Suiteheart didn't open her doors to him. Roy didn't want Suiteheart to shut him out again, not this time around. Roy knows she must feel even worse than the first time, and that she shouldn't be left alone to mourn. She made sure Roy wasn't alone when Maes died, she went out of her way to make sure he was okay. If he didn't check up on her, then it wouldn't be fair. She deserves the same support, and he's going to make sure she gets it. As after all, that's what alchemists believe in- equivalent exchange. Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost.

Roy found himself padding up to Suiteheart's and Margaery's room, a sigh escaping his lips as his eyes landed on the door. The door was left ajar, and the scent of Suiteheart invaded his nostrils, the scent getting stronger as he reached the room. He's going to check up on her, give her the support and company that she needs, whether she wants it or not. With a flick of his ear, Roy reached forward to push the ajar door open. "Suiteheart," The Flame Alchemist's commanding voice left his maw, "I'm coming in." The Flame Alchemist was leaving no room for an argument, padding right in once the door opened enough.

As he padded into the room, his blue gaze landed on the feline, ears pinning back to his skull. "I want to check up on you," He explained as that commanding, militaristic tone dissolved into concern and worry.

[ @Suiteheart ]

[ @CASS ★ @ONISION. @Beverly E. Atkins. @VERSAILLESPALACE ]

This was just great, isn't it? Somehow the observatory is left in a power outage, and along that, everyone is locked inside! Roy wasn't sure how the observatory managed to get into a lockdown, he hoped it can get fixed relatively soon. There were so many dangers and risks that came with them being stuck inside- such as shortage of food, medicine, and most importantly no way to get out. Roy wasn't claustrophobic, and it was just by the Flame Alchemist's luck that he had his flame alchemy. Once orders were handed out to all the groups, Roy used his small flame like a candle, weaving his way through the dark building to be lead to his room.

Roy had candles stashed in a drawer. They were old fashioned candlesticks, but they would work perfectly for his group to pad around and search for more candles. Without another thought, once he was in his room- he ripped the drawer open, and pulled out four candlesticks. Without another sound, the male padded out of his room, using his flame as a source of light to lead him back to the grand circle.

Once the bobcat re-entered the grand circle, the male placed the four candle sticks down on the ground. With a snap of his claws, the male used his flame alchemy to light each candle, emitting more light to the area. "Versaillespalace! Cass! Onision! Beverley!" The Lunar Lieutenant called out with a booming, commanding voice, ears flattening to his skull. "Come over to me and grab one of these candlesticks! We need to search the rooms in the observatory for more candles- I know others have some in their rooms. We need all the candles we can get our hands on, we need to get the observatory lit up with light as much as we can. Also, don't feel bad about taking the candles- people can replace them later on if they wish."

Thankfully, Roy didn't have to wait as long as he expected. Before the bobcat knew it, three Snowbounders were making their way over to him. From the three Snowbounders that gathered, Roy recognized Atbash- who Roy spoke with before at their border and over in Ascendants. Speaking of Atbash, the Flame Alchemist looked over at her first, with a nod of greeting. "Hello Atbash," Roy began to speak directly to her, gaze locked momentarily, "I apologize for the late visit." For a moment the male fell silent, ears pricking up when Atbash questioned what gifts were inside the basket. "Inside the basket are books, journals, herbs, and candies." He answered the question with a flick of his ear, before the next Snowbounder grabbed his attention.

Roy hasn't exactly had a bad experience with gift baskets from allies. While he wasn't a fan of Tanglewood in the slightest, their members that visited them had overall been quite pleasant. They were certainly far better than their immature leader, that's for sure. Roy wasn't aware of what happened between the Typhoon and Snowbound, but perhaps he'll know soon. Roy couldn't help it but raise an invisible eyebrow at the bird's sneer, thrown off by the question. What's the catch? I can't help it but wonder if this bird is aware that I am an ally, He thought to himself for a moment, quickly thinking of what to say in return. For a moment, his eyes narrowed as the Flame Alchemist opened his mouth to speak. "What an interesting inquiry for you to ask me," He said with a slight frown, feeling as if he wasn't being trusted, "In case you did not hear me the first time, I will repeat myself to you." Roy already stated why he's at their border. If he had anything else he had to say regarding his visit, he wouldn't have forgotten to include it.

"I am Roy Mustang, an ambassador from your ally, the Ascendants," He began to repeat himself to Cry, "I'm here for a visit, and I have gifts for you and the rest of your clan." This time, Roy decided to be a little more specific, if that helped at all. "There is no catch." And with that, Roy tore his gaze away from Cry and onto Izuku- who already seemed far more welcoming, especially with that grin and all.

While Roy appreciated the offer for hot chocolate, the male shook his head. "Thank you for the offer, but I have to decline." Roy didn't really drink hot chocolate- back at home in Amestris he'd rather drink coffee over hot chocolate. Hot chocolate doesn't give you that caffeine like coffee, which was why Roy mainly avoided it. And now, he hasn't had a brew of coffee in months after arriving in Ascendants.

"How has Snowbound been recently?" He questioned them, wishing to get caught up with their ally. Roy knew it's been a long time since he visited, he was expecting to hear a lot.

It was fairly known to most Ascendants members that Roy didn't come to trust them so easily. While it's been months and months since he arrived here, there are people who(in his mind) are still working to earn his trust. Some are making progress, while others aren't, but without a doubt there is a small amount of people that earned it a few months back. Margaery just happened to be one of those people- somehow he just clicked with her and Suiteheart. The uncertainty he held when he originally met the two quickly began to change and develop into a close, loyal friendship. If Riza wasn't here with him, Roy would definitely believe that he was the closest with them. Without a doubt, Margaery is one of his best friends- and he would never change it. The vampire made this life far easier for him to go through, as after Maes's death and Riza's disappearance, Roy was all alone. Margaery and Suiteheart were there for him in one of his darkest moments, and who knows if he'd be okay now if they weren't there with him.

When Margaery 'died', it left Roy in distress and anger. It caused him anger beyond belief- as in his eyes, her death wasn't fair. She created life, she gave birth to beautiful cubs that would love her and Suiteheart, and in the miracle of birth- they lost her. He felt so useless in the situation- there was nothing he could have done to prevent her death. It angered him to this day that she lost her life for something she was so excited and looking forward to, it made him feel like it was almost a punishment. Like how Maes died when attempting human transmutation- which is essentially playing god in attempts to make a person through alchemy. Human transmutation always fails, and never once will there be a successful transmutation. Margaery and Suiteheart on the other hand, successfully created life in a natural way, and yet they were still punished. While Margaery returned(which is still hard for him to wrap around his head), these feelings never truly left him.

Roy thought that Margaery wasn't going to leave- that being legitimately leaving or dying- again. She was one of his close friends, and she was reunited with her wife- who she even saved during the time of Suiteheart's own peril. He could see the bond between the two grow stronger as Suiteheart returned as a vampire- just like Margaery. Finally, they'd be able to spend their lives together forever and ever, without having to worry about aging and death.

But unfortunately, it seemed like Roy was misguided.

When Roy stepped into the room, his eyes quickly scanned the scene before him. As his blue optics scanned the room, they quickly landed onto Suiteheart, who was clearly in an amount of distress. The male noticed she was reading a note, and nearby her happened to be Margaery's necklace. From what Roy could tell, it seems like the note is giving Suiteheart anguish and despair. Without another thought, the melanistic bobcat quickly made his way over to his friend, his eyes catching the note just in time. The male quickly scanned the note, reading it over and over as his ears slowly flattened to his cranium.

Margaery is gone.

As Suiteheart pulled the note close to her chest, Roy felt rage begin to run through his veins. Roy wasn't pleased with the note, not one bit. He was upset that Margaery left, after she already died on them. It had been a surprise and relief when she came home, but now it's different. She left on her own accord, with her father- and who knows if she'll ever return. He also hated seeing the amount of suffering this is already putting Suiteheart through- it pained him to see her like this. Roy knew he was distressed about Margaery's disappearance, but he knew his own anguish and confusion was nothing compared to Suiteheart. Suiteheart is Margaery's lover, wife, and some would even say soulmate. The two loved each other dearly, and without a doubt this note was not expected. The two of them had a promise, which is now broken into pieces.

Eyes blinking slowly, the melanistic bobcat sat down beside Suiteheart. In hopes to comfort his best friend, the male would attempt to rub his head into her white fur. "Suiteheart, I'm so sorry," The Flame Alchemist spoke, eyes closing shut, "Remember I'm here for you, you don't have to go through this alone." Roy hoped Suiteheart would take that hint, that his door is always open. Suiteheart was there for him in his darkest moments, and he wants to be there for her in return.

A lot of times, it was generally a hit or miss if Roy got a full night of sleep. Most of the time, Roy would find himself waking in the middle of the night, stay up for an hour or so, and then finally fall back asleep until morning. Sometimes, Roy wakes up from nightmares- like dreams of Hughes second death, or going through the gate again with even worse outcomes. When he isn't woken by a dream, or if he doesn't remember what he saw in the morning, he considers those to be better nights. Unfortunately, the melanistic bobcat found himself awake, laying still on his bed. He's still having dreams about Maes death, despite the weeks that passed by. It's not that easy to forget your best friend's second death.

With a sigh, the male jumped off of his bed, deciding to take his tired paws out into the night. Usually padding around helped him ease his mind, even if it takes him up to an hour or more. He'd rather walk around to get those thoughts off of his mind than stare at the ceiling in his room, unable to control the regrets and memories.

Usually, the night was uneventful. During these walks, Roy has been used to padding through an almost perfectly quiet night sky. The only noises he could hear were from nature itself, but tonight was a different story. The Flame Alchemist came to a pause, ears pricking up at the sounds of thrashing, and splashing. From what he could hear, someone decided to take a little swim- in the starpool, despite how late it was. He couldn't hear any signs of a fight, or of another individual with them. Whoever that was, they have to be alone, and why would they take a swim so late into the night?

With a sigh escaping his lips, Roy found himself padding towards the starpool- padding in the opposite direction of his ideal path. Roy hadn't even been planning to go near the starpool, whoever was making this much noise better be worth checking on. When the bobcat finally made his way over, his ears pricked up at Suiteheart's voice. For a moment, his head quickly snapped towards her, her scent finally invading his nostrils. While his nostrils picked up Suiteheart's scent, another scent was pulled in too- Carolina. Suiteheart looked perfectly dry, and when he noticed she was addressing the freelancer, his gaze slowly landed on the black serval.

She's soaking wet, she must have been the one to dive into the starpool. Roy almost spoke up to question her reasoning for jumping in the starpool, but then his gaze slowly fixated on the helmet she was cradling. Roy could see her smiling, she seemed quite pleased to have that helmet in her hands- or well, paws. That must be why she dove into the starpool, to retrieve that. The helmet looked a bit familiar- it looked a lot like the one Washington wore. Just the colors were different, but it still looked pretty weird to him. Noticing she was practically coughing up water, the male frowned slightly. "You almost drowned yourself for that?" He said with a flick of his ear, blue tired eyes blinking slowly.