(Canon is Fullmetal Alchemist)

[roy_mustang]

Hardly a creative username, but I guess there's no particular need to be; the population here is still rather sparse. Getting a name doesn't do you much good if there's nobody to play with though, does it?

Comments

[roy_mustang]

You're having trouble controlling the angry, vengeful masses, aren't you? A monetary system to put a little order into the bartering will go a long way towards organizing the people towards more abstract, varied goals. The barter system works well for small groups for small periods, but it makes it difficult for an enterprise to form, for any goal that would take time and investment to get off of the ground, based only on people remembering their dues and promises. If you want to move beyond struggling to survive and to look into civilization, collectable capital and the ability to promise something beyond your abilities is essential. A leader who can't give his collective group more than he could personally give every individual is useless.

[saintedsinner]

-=Now there's a laugh.=-

So that's where Mandrake went wrong! All he needed to do was to make some money?

[roy_mustang]

They'd need to be able to substantiate it. As I said, you're in a unique position to be capable of offering favors and goods worth trading on the market, enough to implement the system. With that, organizing a team to act on a more abstract campaign becomes possible.

[saintedsinner]

That is, if I had the desire to take over the world. I don't.

[roy_mustang]

But you do want to save it. Leadership isn't all egotism, Fullmetal.

[saintedsinner]

I just want to be able to live in peace without everyone going bonkers around me.

[roy_mustang]

You of all people should know you have to make your desires come true, not believe and wait for fate to pay you for your suffering and perseverance.

[saintedsinner]

That's what I've been working on.

[roy_mustang]

If I were there though, I guess since it means so much to one of my dear subordinated, I'd have to see to fixing that mess of a world. Don't count on getting away with being a spoiled child forever, though.

[saintedsinner]

I'm not asking for a favor. You were complaining about not being anywhere...

[roy_mustang]

Really? Well, if you're not saying you need me there, it certainly doesn't sound like something that could compete with an easy retirement like this...

[saintedsinner]

Retirement? What are you talking about?

[roy_mustang]

Well, technically I am still a corporal, but...

[saintedsinner]

Corporal? You've been demoted?

[roy_mustang]

I'd expect you not to notice certain details, but your brother never mentioned it, either?

[saintedsinner]

No. I doubt he would know, either. So what happened?

[roy_mustang]

I don't think he ever remembered me, but even Miss Rockbell kept in touch to some degree, so I'm sure he knew of me...

[saintedsinner]

Why wouldn't he remember you?

[roy_mustang]

Do you expect me to understand the finer points of the result of your transmutation? The girl from Liore stated that he should have been gone completely...

[saintedsinner]

I haven't gone anywhere. It's the Pro...

Oh. I see. You're from Al's side. Sometime in the future, I suppose.

[roy_mustang]

It seems parts of your memory were lost in that, too...

Still. So long as the two of you are still each other, you'll probably be able to find happiness.

[saintedsinner]

There was never any doubt about that.

[roy_mustang]

Most people didn't believe you'd meet again.

[saintedsinner]

That's because they're idiots.

[roy_mustang]

So, tell me something. Are you ever planning to return? Or is it enough to have your brother back at your side, wherever you are?