#( m; || maria ross ) -- .COURAGE & COMPASSION

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{ ℳ. } silence speaks volumes || Accepting ;; @must-hate-dogs​ { .ℛ. }

           [ She couldn’t help noticing: with his collar unbuttoned, there’s a comedically distinct tan line on Breda’s neck, marking the height of his uniform. Or maybe it’s thanks to all those dress shirts he’s had to wear lately. Between Mustang’s recent outposts, and the swath of legal proceedings, the lieutenant’s been working on his optics with a more formal approach. 

         That, or it could be all of the brunch dates they’ve been partaking in. Much like today’s excursion, Breda vies for vests and button ups in his off-hours. Upon first meeting him, Maria wouldn’t have guessed that he’d had much of a style; to say he dresses smart would be an understatement. ( Although personally, Maria thinks Red’s arms look best with the jackets off. ) 

           She must have been thinking too loudly, though, because he glances up from his newsprint. It’s part of his routine: a newspaper from the street corner, tucked under his arm, only unfolded once their drink orders are placed. And since he usually knows his order needless of menu, Maria will scour her options while he takes inventory of his city. Usually sparks great conversations. 

            But instead of scanning the headlines, Maria meets his gaze in playful quiet. His tan line tempts her peripherals. As does his unbuttoned collar. And when he arches a brow in confusion, she narrows her eyes with a tease: ]

       ❝ You makin’ eyes at me, soldier? ❞

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{ ℳ. } five word prompts || NOT Accepting ;; @beckywiththegoodaim​ { .ℛ. }

    ❝ ... Uh-oh. ❞

            [ Those are never good words to hear from the passenger seat of a car that just stalled out. The woman isn’t quiet in her frustration- Catalina had jumped out front to get a peek under the hood, followed by some swift exasperation. Unbuckling, Ross leaned out the side of the vehicle. Not that she’d be much help on the auto-mechanic side of things.

                Luckily, they hadn’t gotten too far out of town. Unfortunately, town must be a good three mile walk, in the sweltering summer heat. ]

      ❝ Can you fix it? ❞

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{ ℳ. } buffy starters || NOT Accepting ;; @theburiedbookworm​ { .ℛ. }

            [ Geez, Sheska looks rough, today. And not just rough for Sheska, but particularly forlorn. Holding onto the file she’d been ready to check out at the front desk, Maria doesn’t even get the chance to ask before the librarian is already bemoaning whatever situation she’s referring to. ]

       ❝ Yeesh, that doesn’t sound good. What happened, Sheska? ❞

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{ ℳ. } five word prompts || NOT Accepting ;; @must-hate-dogs​ { .ℛ. }

             [ Well, well, well, isn’t THIS an interesting turn of events. How many times have she and Red played a rousing game of chess together? Too many to count. Maria’s wins were far and few between- and at least two of them, she knew he’d let her have 'em. But tonight, he hasn’t stopped to boast nor quip. No crass remarks to be named, not even a smart reply to her teases. And it all comes down to one move- the one they can both see. Her gaze flickers up, not just for reassurance, but curious as to how he’s handling his little situation.

                When he speaks, he doesn’t even look up. Maria smirks ear to ear. ]

      ❝ Check, and mate. You lose, soldier. ❞

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• { ℳ.ℛ. }  •  – @sgtbrosh​​ ( cont’d from x )

                [ She’d even paused mid-step to let him walk in front of her, for easier access to the back of his head. Although other than that, Maria’s trying not to let her mood get the best of their shift. Sergeant Brosh has an annoyingly accurate eye for people: how they’re feeling, what they’re up to, why they’re acting the way that they are. He’s a social butterfly, he’s a gossip... and he looks out for his own; she knows he’s only trying to cheer her up. In his own way.

                But that doesn’t mean his prepubescent sense of humor is going to warrant a laugh. With a sigh, Maria merely rubs her temple to assuage her headache: the one pulsing behind her eyes, as well as the one standing next to her. ] 

          ❝ Very clever, Sergeant Brosh. ❞

                [ Alright, so maybe her tone comes out a little dryer than she’d intended, and harsher than he’d deserved. Following a short, awkward pause, she clears her throat and tries again: ]

            ❝ ... Almost as clever as the one about the pirate, who wanted to know how                  much it’d cost to get his ears pierced. ❞

  [ And under her breath, turning away from the man, half hoping that he wouldn’t hear her: ]

               ❝ About a buck an ear... ❞

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{ ℳ. } tell me more || Accepting { .ℛ. }

       ❝ Lieutenant Colonel Hughes, I know that’s you !!!

                   ... Hiking, cooking, and shopping. In that order. And,                     I enjoy a good mystery novel, every now and again. ❞

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{ ℳ. } tell me more || Accepting ;; @wyrdify​ { .ℛ. }

        ❝ What makes me happy... let’s see, I always feel more           cheerful when it’s sunny out, especially if I can spend the            day outdoors. Taking walks, picnics, ooh, coffee on the           veranda... ha, the simple things ! 

                              -- Wait, you’re not asking so Hughes can                                set me up on another DATE, are you ?! ❞