that-idiot-colonel started following you
“Y-yes sir,” she said with a note of shame and defeat. “I know better now.”
The harshness of the desert stretch had taken her at that time, and stolen her defenses. Her water supply had run dry nearing the end of her journey, and that’s when they got her. By the time she had reached for an arrow to fight back, it was too late.
“Those Ishvallan rebels… it was frightening to see fellow human beings be so… hostile and blood thirsty… But I suppose what with war on its way that’s only going to get worse…”
She was getting ahead of herself again, and the panging ache in her shoulder brought her attention back to the task at hand. Sighing heavily, she turned towards the door. “No sir, you’re right. It needs to be taken care of properly so I can perform my duties to you at my best.”
Truth be told, she was experiencing much anticipation at the prospect of touring the city with Mustang.
Mustang eyed Tao-li before turning and walking out the office door, not waiting to see if she followed. He knew she would and he didn’t want to give her a chance to change her mind again. She’d agreed, but reluctantly. And her reasoning…well. She certainly seemed dedicated to work. He wondered if that was a partly due to her upbringing in Xing.
“You know not everything has to be about work right?” he asked her. “You don’t need some other motive to take care of yourself. There’s no reason for you to suffer when you don’t have to.”
Mustang stopped and grabbed the keys to the office car before leading Tao-li to the garage and climbing into the driver’s seat. The first few minutes of the drive passed in silence until Mustang asked her about the thing she’d said earlier that had been tossing back in forth in his mind since she’d brought it up. “Were they really frightening? The Ishvallans I mean. I’ve never been in a situation like that myself before.”
The question remained lingering in Tao-Li's head as she hurried after Mustang. Surely there was more work to be done for the day, but it was imminent that he was right: Not everything had to be about work. She had no friends since arriving in Amestris from Xing, so she felt it wise to take advantage of a little side trip.
"Yes sir," she said firmly. Her childish actions were beginning to reveal themselves to her, and one way or another Mustang would make sure she was taken care of, so resistance was indeed futile. "You're right. I need to be in tip top shape to perform my duties well."
As Mustang maneuvered the car through the streets, Tao-Li remained as silent as he, twiddling her thumbs nervously. Mustang spoke again shortly after, causing her to start ever so slightly.
"You could say that..." she mumbled in response, thinking of the correct words to use. "But it wasn't their appearance that was frightening. I know they're humans just like you and me, but they had a... subhuman savageness about them. They were desperate... and probably just as scared as I was."
