Just Outside HQ

Carry sat next to an old tree just outside of HQ, eating lunch. As she fed pieces of her corned beef sandwich to Canifis, the scaly wolf/snake chimera that was accompanying her today, she ignored the strange looks people gave her companion. Canifis was also use to the behavior of others and rested his head on his master's foot, greedily gulping down any pieces of offered food.

Carry had her mind on nothing but her research...as well as her upcoming State Alchemist Assessment. She wanted to present her findings on humane animal transmutation which she hoped would eventually open the doors to Medical Alchemy. But she was also tempted to follow the example of many of her colleagues and take a Battle Assessment, in the hopes of showing off the combat capabilities of her creatively constructed companions and perhaps be able to prove that she could be of use on the battlefield as well as in the research lab. But since she was out of practice and desperately needed a sparring partner...someone without an aversion to her chimeras.

Dante walked just outside the HQ with Kiara on his shoulder. She hadn't been with him in a while. Of course she was only with him just cause he had a sack of apples from the market. "Kiara, your a carnivore remember? You shouldn't even like apples."

Kira's ears twitched. So? I'm starving and you still owe me.

"Man, sometimes being your owner isn't the best thing." He said smiling.

I never said you owned me! Kira said jumping off his shoulder.

"Whatever Kira, just like all cats, you so full of yourself." He said stopping when his eyes fell upon a figure. Not only was the figure military, as he could tell, but she was accompanied by a chimera. "Look Kira, a chimera." He said smiling. "Looks like a nice one too." He started to walk over to them.

So? You've seen chimera before. Heck I'm one, just because you can hear me you think your special. she said following him.

Dante waved at the girl. "Hello there!"

Carry looked up from her sandwich and raised an smiled a bit. "Hi. I haven't seen you around here...I'm Carry. Is that a chimera?"

Canifis perked his ears up in interest and sniffed Dante's shoe passively. He gave a soft hiss before returning his gaze to his master's sandwich. He hadn't hunted in what felt like months...Carry would have to feed him something substantial soon before he got too hungry, she noted.

(I couldn't find a description of Kira?)

(Yeah, I need to update my profile. XD Kiara is a black cat with a green left eye and blue right eye. )

"Nice to meet ya Carry, names Dante. And yes, this little thing is a chimera." He said smiling and motioning toward Kira.

Little!? Kira hissed.

Dante sighed. "Her names Kira. Who's this fella?" He said kneeling and pointing at Canifis. "Your a pretty cool chimera."

Oh brother. Kiara said licking her paw.

Carry chuckled and absently ran her hands over Canifis's scaly head. "This is Canifis...best keep little Kira away from him...he's hungry. Kira is pretty cute, though, if she doesn't mind me saying so."

Canifis perked his ears up at his name and then glanced at Kira, his forked tongue flicking in and out rapidly. Small and tasty, he hissed.

"So you live in Central or just passing by? If you have some time, I have a request...from the looks of your sword, you are decent combat-wise, but you don't have a military uniform."

Little!? Seriously! Kira said studying Canifis.Watch it buddy. she hissed.

Dante shrugged. "Kira usually can take care of herself, so I'm not that worried. Canifis is one good looking chimera." He folded his arms across his chest. "Yeah, I have a uniform but I don't like wearing it. Makes some people uneasy around me. I actually live in the south. I come here usually to see someone." He grabs the hilt of his sword. "Just one of many weapons I carry with me. Now....you said you had a request?"

Carry nodded and stood from the bench. "I am a State Alchemist even though I am not in uniform and my assessment is coming up. I wish to conduct a Battle Assessment in addition to presenting my research to guarantee that I get my license renewed and perhaps show the damn Colonel that I deserve some more research funds...only problem is I'm a bit out of practice combat-wise and I need a touch up with my skills."

She looked at Kira then Canifis and smiled. "I use my chimeras in combat...all four of them at the same time usually. I need someone that can stand up to the five of us and still prove a challenge."

Canifis glared at Kira and flicked his tongue again. And if things go my way, I have you for lunch. So you better be tough...and chewy.

"I see. So you want me to help you warm up in a combat situation." He said. "My assessment was last week, so i know what your up against. I can help you in a battle assessment, as a state alchemist it is kinda my duty." He sighed. "I would be glad to help you."

Kira's claws started to become sharp and grow. Your going to be missing your head if you piss me off.

Carry grinned wildly and held out her hand for him to shake. "Tomorrow at the training grounds, then? And don't underestimate me!" Canifis gave Dante a meaningful stare before glaring at Kira once more.

Don't get too cocky, furrball. You won't be having to deal with only me.

Dante smiled and took her hand, shaking it strongly. "Tomorrow it is. And I never underestimate an opponent." He looked at Canifis. "Don't underestimate Kira, she kinda lived in the wild for a while so she can protect herself." He smiled.

Kira hissed. I'll kill all of you. And if I don't, he will.

Carry tilted her head a bit. "Huh? You can understand chimeras too? It took me a couple of years to build my mind links with the four I have, but now we work great in battle together."

Canifis half glared at Dante and flicked his tongue again. You smell of crackling death. I want to taste your blood.

"Its kinda an acquired skill. Kira was able to talk to me at first, she kinda taught me." Dante said with a wave of his hand. He looked at Canifis. "Well, you'll have a hard time getting it."

Kira just hissed again. You obviously don't know this guys history

Carry glared at Canifis and gave him a soft kick with her automail leg. "Don't be so rude! I know you're hungry and I'll feed you when we get home, but this guy is doing me a favor!" Canifis hissed before glaring at Kira and Dante and lowering his head at Carry submissively.

"Sorry, he's not usually like this...he's usually kind of mellow. Must be getting ready to shed."

I shed last week, dummy. Canifis hissed, but this time without malice.

Dante gave a slight wave. "Its alright, I've encountered enough chimera to get used to multiple attitudes. Canifis, what do you particularly enjoy? I could bring you something tomorrow." He said smiling.

Better poison it. Kira said coldly.

"Kira, enough."

Meat. I like deer, but there are none here...not that Carry lets me hunt any. Canifis scowled at his master and Carry just scowled back. I like rabbits too, but Carry says they are too cute to eat. I like corned beef and chicken too.

"I could fetch some deer. I live down south and there are plenty of them down there." He smiled. "Its Kira's hunting ground.

Hey! Don't give him my prey!

"Kira, you could share." Dante said.

Canifis hissed at Kira. You do not have to give it to me! I will take it from you along with your life!

Carry lightly kicked Canifis again and scowled. "That's enough, save it for the battlefield. I'll feed you when we get home, Canifis. Tomorrow, then?"

Its your life. Kira growled.

Dante nodded. "Tomorrow. I'll see you then." He gave a wave to canifis. "You too."

Carry spent the rest of the afternoon finalizing her research papers and then went home for the night. She discussed her plans with her other chimera and when she went to bed, she hoped for the best.

((hehe you don't get to see her interact with them until we battle))

((Interesting. Heh heh. ))

Dante spent the night in the soldiers quarters of the HQ, thinking over what to do. He couldn't use Zero, that would kill someone. Slyde was able to be dulled, so his sword was usable. Godai was also able. Kiara he knew would hold her own after her shift into battle. He lie on the bunk, letting sleep finally overcome him.

Carry waited at Training Field 6 in the late morning with her four chimeras. Darius yawned and rested his head on his paws while Shora sniffed the ground. Canifis dozed off in the sun, digesting his small meal from last night and Kyu was happily yipping at some butterflies.

Dante gave a sigh as he approached training field 6, Kira, walking by his side. He saw 5 figures in the training field. 4 chimera, one female. He gave a slight wave and called out. "Hey there!" Before stopping a few feet away.

Carry looked up and grinned before waving back. "Hi!"
Kyu saw them both and started prancing over to them. Hi! My name is Kyu! Canifis said you could understand us and that Kira looked tasty! But I don't think she looks tasty! I think she looks pretty!

Dante smiled and nodded. "Pleasure to meet you Kyu, and yes I can understand you."

Kiara tilted her head. umm, thanks.

Carry chuckled and scratched Kyu's ear. "Sorry, he's still a bit young and impulsive, but powerful all the same. So, any ground rules?" (Right at this point my dog fell off the chair and onto the floor)

Kyu started jumping around again, trying to get at Kira's tail.