Amestris's Writer

Donovan V. Redwood is a born Armestrian of Ishvalan descend—a man whose own body is a clash of opposing cultures: Dark skin, white hair, but ocean-blue eyes. A journalist for The Daily Central, he's defined by his words, travels the nation in search of stories—the real ones, the breathtaking ones—, eager to meet everyone everywhere he goes. But behind his smiles, hides the pain: Donovan knows how to pretend. [Independent role-playing blog for a FMA's Original Character. Everyone's welcome to say hello!]

[aneira-hailey-blog]

Donovan, you're thinking again.

[aneira-hailey-blog]

“I see…” Aneira was quiet for a moment while she pondered this as well. For a while now she was meaning to speak to his mother about certain topics and this was one of them. Not knowing anything about this sort of thing, Aneira learned as time went on that not everything was bright and happy within mixed families, even if they were strong together. She thought she could shoulder everything when it came to the both of them, due to her stubborn nature, however endless concerns kept coming with every little doubt Donovan had. None of this would deter her of course. Any knowledge she could gain from his mother’s experiences would be invaluable to her.

“To be honest, I’ve been meaning to talk to her for some time. Not necessarily about this, but it might have come up in the conversation one way or another. There’s so much I want to learn about your parents relationship if I’m to be with you.” She shifted a little, moving a bit closer to him and took his other hand so he could not go into his nervous habits.

“So, what did she say…?”

[writerofamestris]

"She said she never regretted marrying dad. Never." He spoke in a little voice that betrayed how unsure he felt, his gaze vacillating between holding Aneira's eyes or staring at nothing specific, past her shoulders, past reality. In his head, he replayed Evelyn's confessions and questioned the truth behind her words. Had she said all she said just to make him feel better? "But…”

He curled his fingers around hers, drawing strength from her presence. Like his parents when he was younger, Aneira became a trusty support—a pillar that gave him the security needed to keep trying, in spite of what he believed his flaws. Right now, swimming in doubts, he needed her more than anything. “She hoped their children wouldn't be... of obvious mixed heritage. Thought that if push came to shove between both nations, it would be better if their children belonged somewhere, at least visually, and weren't so obviously caught in between."

A fleeting smile, bittersweet and real, transformed his face. Then, in that instant, Donovan exuded a rawness he rarely showed, a tangible vulnerability: He was, for a second, the writer that hoped endlessly, with all his heart, but thought himself miserable, at best. However, when he spoke again, there was a gentleness to his voice, unlike before. A happiness. “But she said she was happy when she saw me, too… That she couldn't help it, the euphoria at seeing something of her in me… I was all my father, otherwise, so she loved my eyes.”

[the-serpents-daughter]

Long Time No See

[the-serpents-daughter]

“Oh fuck you.” Kit glared at Don trying to look and be angry at him. But it quickly disappeared as she burst out laughing, what was with all of the horrible puns or whatever the hell they were? “Dorkcus.” She continued to laugh, reaching over to punch him lightly in the arm.

Don sure had a way with words, in this case he was trying to make a point that he did find out about her and Roy being together. Of course not saying how he found out, the brat. Honestly though, he didn’t need to be such a dork about it and say it all weird. He probably did it to tease her and make her laugh. It felt as if he was picking on her like an older brother would, it felt kind of nice to be honest. Means she could tease the hell of him back for it, and whenever she wanted really.

“I quite like stories.” She snickered, finally calming down after laughing so hard. “I figured you had gone off for work and getting a scoop from somewhere.” He was a reporter and all, so he’d most likely travel all around for the scoop. Kit raised an eyebrow curiously before starting to grin once hearing the news, so they finally moved in together. “Glad you two finally decided on you moving in, hopefully everything is going well. I doubt Koto really glares at you and doesn’t seem to like you.” She sighed, praying Bear would grow out of it. “It does sound really wonderful, I’m really happy for the pair of you.” She smiled, reaching over to roughly ruffle Don’s hair.

[writerofamestris]

"Language, Miss Harris," he teased, eyes alight with mirth and mischief as she toyed with his hair. "Language! After all, a lady such as you, talking like that? Preposterous!" He pulled back and winked, before his teasing demeanor turned serious, and he observed her with something gentle and full of pride. He was happy for her--really happy for her--and he hoped she knew. "Laughing, on the other... That really suits you best."

There was so much he admired in Kit, especially her way of dancing around his questions, ignoring them with graceful ease. Just like Charlotte, he thought, the comparison coming naturally once more. Like Kit just did, his little sister had a way of ignoring his questions, while making dozens of her own. Donovan smiled, shaking his head in fond amusement.

"I'm doing great," he said. "Right now, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else, but... I believe you've ignored my question. Come on, tell me, are the rumors I've heard just rumors, or...?"

[aneira-hailey-blog]

Donovan, you're thinking again.

[aneira-hailey-blog]

Aneira took a spot near him, smoothing out her clothing before sitting. It was a habit she always had from when she was younger that she was never really conscious of. Afterward, she folded her hands on her lap and gazed at him. Should she ask what was spoken about? An hour of sitting and pondering worried her, considering what his thoughts could travel to and if he stuck on those thoughts for too long he may start to believe it.

“I do have to worry because I love you,” she said in a gentle voice. “Regardless of what you’re thinking, I do like to be of use to you as a patient shoulder to lean on. I do wonder what was said… only because you’ve been sitting for so long.”

Ever since she met him, Donovan was a rather strange source of comfort for her and no matter how long she thought about it she could never understand how or why. Perhaps it was how patient he was with her, how innocent his devotion was, and how he just needed a friend to begin with. It wasn’t pity that made her become his friend, but the fact that she never felt threatened and easily spoke what was on her mind and could depend on a great answer in return. The closer they became, however, what he considered ugly shown clear upon the surface of his doubts, the charming mask he wore to fool others slowly melting away. Aneira prided in the fact that she knew him best and reminded him of how wonderful he was. It always saddened her when he slipped back into the bad train of thought.

“I promise I won’t be mad at you… whatever it is,” she added, reaching to play with his fingers with a bright smile. “It must be something important you’re thinking about if you’ve spent so much time on it.”

[writerofamestris]

"It wasn't that important," he said, and knew it a lie the moment the words slipped past his lips, accompanied by an easy smile that never reached his eyes. What he discussed with his mother amounted to one of his biggest fear, the memory of her lovely voice--full of guilt and pride--still eating at his heart. "Actually, it was, but..."

He wasn't sure he wanted to talk about it with her, the woman he loved. More often than not, Donovan lacked conviction, his insecurities adding invisible scars to his body. The hesitation came naturally, then, followed by a prolonged pause, one finger daring to toy with his tie. At his worst, old habits came back with a vengeance. 

"I..." He wasn't sure: not yet, not now. He wasn't sure, but he knew Aneira deserved his honesty. "I asked her if she ever questioned her judgement in marrying my father, because their children wouldn't be Amestrian."

[aneira-hailey-blog]

Donovan, you're thinking again.

As Donovan sat in his usual chair, in his usual position, with his usual facial expression which only occurred when Aneira noticed him lost in thought. He often was, but this situation was quite different and as she looked at the clock it became much more puzzling. Around this time, Donovan was often plugging away at his desk finishing up some sort of assignment for work. She often watched him as he slouched over his mess of papers, memorizing each little thing he did and making note of any quirks she noticed as he went along. However, Donovan seemed to be thinking again and his thoughts were the wrong kind, at least to Aneira’s liking.

Aneira walked up to him and he didn’t stir, which he normally did if she entered a room, so she gently tapped his shoulder to gain his attention. If it would snap him out of his ugly thoughts, she would tap him all day, even though that would get very annoying, very fast. He was getting much better at keeping his thoughts in line, or perhaps she was getting better at stealing his attention. Either way, she wanted his attention now.

“Donovan,” she said in a gentle voice, “you’ve been sitting there for almost an hour and you haven’t moved. Is anything the matter?”

[writerofamestris]

He found himself startled by her touch, blinking in surprise at how close she stood, her voice a whisper against his ear. How far gone was he into his mind, that he didn't notice?

"Hi," he said, softly, turning to fully face her. For a moment, he looked at her, trapped by her beauty, always touched by her grace and her elegance and, more importantly, the love that shone so clearly in her eyes. "Nothing, love, just..." A smile curved his lips and he shook his head. There was nothing to doubt, he knew, but his fears insisted otherwise. "Pondering some things I spoke with my mother."

Aneira calmed him, captured his attention. Her presence alone was magnetic, distracting the writer from his uglier thoughts. But they were still there, of course, quietly waiting to attack and weak havoc upon his heart. He was too afraid to let her know. "You don't have to worry."

[writerofamestris]

Curiouser and Curiouser

[loyalcanine-archive-blog]

 “I said in town.” He laughs at his statement, “Unless your mother lives in town.” He pokes fun at the journalist. Dolcetto kept in step with the journalist easily, but still had questions to ask about what exactly he needed.

“Dublith does have its fair share of stories.” Dolcetto nods at Donovan’s comment. To be honest, it has more stories then it can tell. Including his story, which he is debating on telling or not.

 ”I’m Dolcetto or Dol. Whichever you prefer.”

[writerofamestris]

"Nice to meet you, then, Dolcetto," he said, glancing at the man with a friendly smile. Although he couldn't explain why, he had no doubts about it: This stranger had a story to tell--one of a kind, perhaps; one not meant to be written, maybe.

"So..." However, there was no starting that conversation yet. Instead, Donovan decided to start at the beginning, under the ruse of small-talk. Slowly, friendliness could make any tongue go loose. "How long have you been living here, in Dublith?"

[the-serpents-daughter]

Long Time No See

[the-serpents-daughter]

Kit couldn’t help but burst out laughing as Don’s cheeks turned a bright shade of red. She forgot how easily he got flustered, “No worries. I figured you got super busy and didn’t have time to do that, let alone think. What were you doing anyway? Or is it all hush, hush?” She smirked.

Bear wagged his tail more as Don looked down at him, moving in to lick his hand and not caring he got his automail hand instead. It was still apart of Don, it smelt like him so. “Arooo~” He shifted from one front leg to the other and still smiling up at him. Once Don was eye level he gave him a big kiss on his cheek. “Bark, Bark!” He wagged his tail more as he seemed to wiggle happily.

“We still go for walks now and again with Aneira and Koto. We let these two run around to burn off more energy while we sit and chat about different things. He does… also his lady friend is expecting, little shit escaped to find her and well… you know.” She waved her hand slightly to the side, “So I got him fixed so no more puppies. Also been meaning to get him fixed for awhile anyway.” 

“Yeah pretty damn good, why?” Kit blinked at him confused. “Wait…What did you hear?” She wasn’t sure what kind of news he had heard, and or where he got his information from, but he seemed quite happy about it. Not to mention congratulating her for it. She wrinkled her nose slightly as he tapped it, moving her hand to rub her nose after. “Don’t leave me hanging, tell me what you heard so I know what the hell you talking about.” She had a feeling what it was, but she rather not jump to conclusions.

[writerofamestris]

"I don't know," he teased, playing the innocent card. "You tell me, Kit. Are sparks flying between you and a certain State Alchemist, or is that just his alchemy?"

His words were ridiculous at best, but he liked toying with her, acting like the older brother that trusted her and her choices, but still feared for the well-being of her heart. After all, Charlotte was still too young for such actions, but Kit wasn't, and she reminded him so much of his little sister--an older version, as strong and beautiful as he hoped his little princess would one day become.

He pulled back a step, his smile softening as he turned serious. "And about my being busy... A story  here, another there. I spent most my time working, and the rest getting used to living with Aneira. It's a strange experience, you know? Strange, but lovely. Sharing an apartment with the person you love. Having a place to really call home..."

[writerofamestris]

Curiouser and Curiouser

[loyalcanine-archive-blog]

The quickness of the man’s answer led Dolcetto to believe he was holding something back, but he didn’t question it. It didn’t seem like he was done talking yet either.

“Oh, no it’s fine.” He shook Donovan’s hand and continued to listen. The Daily Central? This was an odd place for him to be then. What would a reporter be covering here? It’s not like there was anything interesting happening. Then again, Dolcetto hadn’t been out at all this week. So, it’s not like he would know anyhow.

“I wouldn’t mind at all.” He nods, smiling slightly at the embarrassment of the reporter. “There’s actually a little café about two blocks away. Serves the best muffins you’ll ever have.”

[writerofamestris]

"Best muffins I'll ever have? Sounds good! But I'll warn you: My mother's are the best I've ever had, so they'll face a tough judge." As they started down the sidewalk, he spoke in a friendly tone, trying to erase the awkwardness his embarrassment created.

"I should explain I'm not covering a story, per-see. The thing is, every now and then I search for them myself. I know every part of Amestris has a story to tell. That includes Dublith, and every other little town..." Trailing off, he offered a smile. If Donovan's hunch was correct, this man was a story worth knowing, himself. "May I start by asking your name, sir...?"

[the-serpents-daughter]

Long Time No See

[the-serpents-daughter]

Bear plopped down on his bum and leaned toward’s Don, taking in a good sniff as he hasn’t seen him for so long. He thought he recognized his scent! Was mummy’s friend and Koto’s mummy’s close friend, he also smelt like papers. “Arf~” He wagged his tail up at Don as his mouth hung open, making it look like he was smiling.

“Goofy dog.” Kit laughed, jogging over and patted Bear’s head once close enough. “He is quite the big boy, yeah.” She chuckled, smiling up at Don. “Been far too damn long you know, you are a writer and an’t write letters?” She teased,  reaching over to ruffle his hair gently. “Pretty good actually, things have been going quite well for me, and I suppose Bear too? He did meet a doggy friend-er-love?” She shrugged not really sure which one to use, “What about yourself?”

[writerofamestris]

"Letters, of course!" He blushed, the embarrassment radiating from his reddening cheeks in waves. "I should've thought of that! I'm really sorry, Kit. Last few months have been so crazy... Rarely seen anyone, besides my family."

He glanced at Bear again, imagining the dog playing with others like him--with Koto--and his smile softened. "That true, Bear?" Donovan lowered himself to the dog's level, running his fingers along his back. He was rather fond of this dog, that looked like he could place his scent.  "Got yourself a lady friend and all?" After a bit, he straightened and dusted his pants.

"So... Pretty good, you said? I mean, I heard something very interesting the other day," he teased, before tapping her nose. "Honestly, Kit, I really hope you're as happy as you look. You deserve it."

[writerofamestris]

Curiouser and Curiouser | @writerofamestris

[loyalcanine-archive-blog]

It was midday and the sun blazed down on Dolcetto’s exposed shoulders. He usually wasn’t one for tank-tops, but on a day like this an exception was made. There had been almost no edible - actual - food in the Devil’s Nest today. Mostly bar food. Which made Dol’s stomach churn just thinking about it. He picked up a few mangoes and handed the market lady his cenz.

He wipes the sweat from his bro and continued on. He stopped slowly, feeling someones eyes on him. His eyes followed the crowds faces and landed on a dark skinned male. Dolcetto would have looked away but the blue eyes drew him in even more. Dol looked over at the male with an amused look. He pointed at himself as if to ask if he was looking at him or not.

“Do you need something?

[writerofamestris]

"Nothing, sir," Donovan said, toying with a curl that escaped his hat. The lie was quick, slipping smoothly past his lips as he fought to understand what was it about this man that held his curiosity. 

"My apologies. I'm Donovan Redwood, of The Daily Central..." Still trying to tame his embarrassment at being caught staring, he offered his hand in greeting. "I'm... covering a story here, and I was wondering if perhaps..." He couldn't stop thinking long enough to make sense of his own words, saying whatever came to mind first. "Would you mind me asking you a few questions? Just general information, about Dublith. We could do it over lunch, if you want? I'll pay, of course."

[the-serpents-daughter]

Long Time No See

Kit tossed Bear one of his larger toy balls and grinned as she watched him dash after it. Was a bit hard not to throw it up really high and far, he did get fixed a few days ago and the last thing she wanted was for him to hurt himself. Least his ‘cone of shame’ finally got to come off today, but she was still going to keep an eye on him anyway. 

“Good boy, Bear! Bring it back.” She leaned forward slightly to pat her legs to get him to come over. He came back, but went past her towards someone else. “Bear? Hey! You went past me, dumbass.” She rolled her eyes and turned around and soon blinked at who he went over too.

“Don…? Don is that you?! Damn it has been forever seen I last saw you! Surprised Bear remembers you.”

[writerofamestris]

Donovan recognized her from afar, a smile quickly curving his lips at the sight of her. Kit was a friend; one he rarely saw, yes, but a friend nonetheless.

He hurried towards her, then, happy to see her after so long, when the dog--Bear, was it?--ran his way, a blurry flash of energy and affection.

Startled, the writer blinked. "Easy there, boy," he said, petting the dog's head, before he gently ran his fingers through his soft fur. Bear no longer was the little puppy he met so long ago, that was for sure. "You're all grown up, aren't you?" Tearing his gaze from the dog, he looked at Kit and winked. "Hey there, Harris. Long time no see, indeed. How are you?"

[writerofamestris]

Curiouser and Curiouser

The sun burned bright and high in Dublith, but Donovan paid it no mind. Momentarily forgetting about the story he was here to cover, the newswriter allowed his curiosity to be stolen by someone else, another story--rather ridiculous and impossible--brewing inside his head. There was, after all, something absolutely strange about the man across the street. He couldn't quite place it, though. Was it the way he stood, with such awareness in his guarded gaze? To be honest, it reminded Donovan of a d—

No, he thought. That’s ridiculous.

Glancing down at his notepad, he sighed. Quietly, he reread over his draft, but the questions nagged at him, curiosity slowly spreading across his body—an itch that covered each inch of him. However hard he tried, he couldn't seem to scratch it away. But he really reminds me of... Soon, he found his gaze drifting back to the stranger, full of questions and in search of answers.

And he was caught staring.

[writerofamestris]

[Hello everyone!

I hope everyone's doing good! I'm done with classes, for the semester. So you might see me around now. =)]

[madisen]

[aseaofquotes]

Isabel Allende, Island Beneath the Sea

[writerofamestris]

But in the end, she never swallowed the world, he wasn't crushed by reality. An exit was found, away from each other, if near--surprisingly. They both hated Central, what it stood for, but reached salvation amidst its corrupted streets. Just never in each other's arms. Never, never, never...

Strangers, now only knowing their names, their shared memories--they walk past each other: She glares and he sighs; she swallows the anger and he lives crushed by guilt.

[wallflower-musings]

[my-teen-quote]

[aseaofquotes]

[aseaofquotes]

Janet Fitch, Paint It Black