A Dog in Death City. [TIMELINE, Soul Campaign]
A Dog in Death City;
Timeline of Mustang-Relevant Events
10th of July
✖ Arrival at Death City. Roy left the premises after the briefing, and went pretty much headlong into the sandstorm - he's seen Ishval, and didn't think too much of it. In spite of the warnings, he saw no need to stay put, and decided to meet 'rescue' forces midway to the gym rather than sit around and wait for somebody to pick him up.
✖ Made initial contact with Germany and China while mustering up the will to get his ass to the gym.
✖ Met Kurapika on his way back to the gym; they talked while they took a break, and he also managed to get a hold of Alphonse. He also met Yoko, Dojima and Allen for the first time over the network.
✖ Arrived at the gym in one piece, and in less than ten minutes to boot. Had a word with Germany, got supplies, prepared to move out. Also got poked by Allen Walker in person! Went back to his network post, and had a word with Badou, Lenalee and the first Fullmetal.
✖ Met the team and moved out to start rescue operations. Encountered Prussia and England in the aftermath of their encounter with a Kishin Egg. Rendezvous with China's team, then they headed for the clinic together.
✖ Saw Winry Rockbell for the first time in person. ...Talk about exciting first day.
11th of July
✖ Attempted to pass out to get some proper rest. Wasn't quite successful. XD
12th of July
✖ Second day spent resting up; the sandstorm was already over, but the piles of... well, sand, make the thought of travel seem unappealing.
✖ Roy started taking an interest in the network at this point. Spotted England's entry on what happened to him and Prussia. Responded accordingly! He also spotted Allen's entry and poked it. Got a hang of the communicator pretty quickly, after that, hence:
✖ His second post on the network. No filters yet; hasn't learned how to do it.
✖ A conversation with Ling serves as another rude reminder that he's rather different from the usual Full Metal Alchemist people in town. Thankfully a conversation with Dojima serves as a nice distraction. They agree to meet in the evening, for a drink. ...Had a, uh sparkly encounter with Major Armstrong, too.
✖ Rested for the afternoon, familiarized himself with the network. Went out with Dojima, talked without talking. Shared without sharing. It ends on a safe note; they agree to make it a regular practice.
13th of July
✖ Met up with Dojima for a second time - Roy's starting to think that this man might be worth calling a friend, in this strange place.
14th of July
✖ Second day without a blasted sandstorm to make things difficult. Decided to acquaint himself with Death City (attended training for the first time, lent a hand where he could, confirmed that he was a Meister), and with the features of the PDA at his disposal. The network's a fascinating place... good for getting information.
Met up with Dojima again, in the evening - Roy's starting to think that this man might be worth calling a friend, in this strange place.
15th of July
✖ Noticed the strange fog; decided against going out, an instinct that proved to be correct after he read some incriminating posts and conversations between other people on the network. Monitored the world through a split screen from the safety of his own quarters. It was good, for example, to see that Prussia was pretty active in spite of having one of his limbs hacked off and replaced with metal. XD
✖ Had a conversation with the first Zack Fair to enter Death City, and the first Spain to enter Death City as well.
✖ Brought himself up to speed through Naoto's post on pertinent information. Privately resolved, at that point, to monitor all events and conversations on the network, in as much as he could.
✖ Souji's post pretty much filled in the blanks with the situation. Definitely staying out of the fog now. His conversation with the boy also confirmed the need to find a Weapon for himself, and soon.
✖ ...Oddly, that evening, as he and Dojima drink, he finds himself thinking of a very interesting possibility.
16th of July
✖ Kicked around on the network after waking up; spotted Teddie and his offer to make Fog glasses, which he decided to avail of. Volunteered to help Germany out since training's been canceled anyhow, and ended up getting tossed with a duty that he didn't particularly like. Also: Prussia's post makes him consider visiting the guy, because it's obvious that he isn't all right, in spite of what he says.
✖ Heads out of his room after breakfast - glasses or no, he wants to check the Fog out for himself. he ends up running into England, whom he accompanies en-route to visiting Prussia (everything fell into place, it seemed~). he meets Spain for the first time at their destination, and they go to see Prussia together (also here!). He later leaves the countries to talk, and ends up speaking to Winry Rockbell, for a while. ...Not the person he wanted to deal with, really. The differences between him and the rest of the FMA lot become even more evident than they already were to begin with.
✖ Following that, he heads back to his own room for lunch, some trolling on the network, and some thinking. Interestingly, spotting Dojima's post on the network sort of resonates with what he had thought about the other evening. No promises yet, though. He has to be sure.
✖ Makes a post of his own, later in the afternoon. He arranges a meeting with Armstrong
✖ And it's good to know that in spite of the differences, Alex Louis Armstrong is still Alex Louis Armstrong.
17th of July
✖ The strangeness of the Fog has Roy on edge and very much indoors, as much as he can afford to be given what he's been asked to do (monitor Winry Rockbell's clinic, make sure that other people stay indoors).
✖ The Good: Teddie finished his glasses which Roy ends up needing sooner than he thought he would, Aerith shows up and proves to be very pleasant, and Vincent Valentine comes around, as well. His future associate, Raidou Kuzunoha, also appears.
✖ The Interesting: It appears as though Dojima's daughter has arrived.
✖ The Bad: China's post raises a good point about a potential food shortage should the Fog keep up, more than a few people end up getting lost in the Fog based on their cries for assistance on the network, and still others seem to be seeing things. Or hearing things. Or feeling things that they're not supposed to.
✖ The Ugly: the Fog is starting to get to him, Miss Rockbell has gone missing, new people keep arriving in spite of the crisis at hand and it seems as though there are... strange creatures posting on the network, wearing the faces of other people.
✖ It's at this point that Roy wonders if he'll ever run into a Shadow of himself - the others haven't been spared. For the first time since he came to Death City, maybe he's afraid.
18th of July
✖ It's clear that the situation's gotten completely out of control, with everyone's Shadows coming out of nowhere. He attempts to deal with a few of them ( Vincent's and Allen's)...
✖ ... Before his own Shadow appears.
✖ Aerith helps Roy get back on his feet, and surprisingly? Dojima helps him put an end to things. He helps the man, as well. Is it a beginning? A possibility? Who knows.
✖ After burying his and Dojima's Shadows, it back to the not-so-regular run of things to see what he can do.
19th of July
✖ Keeping tabs on the situation from a safe place, as much as he can. The Shadows appear to have stopped, though, which is a good thing. He decides to apply himself to helping out where he can, and speaking with some of the newcomers ( the first Ezio, Neku and Altair, although he never does get the man's name...)
✖ Seems like his new friend from Inaba is quite the family man. Odd coincidences, really.
✖ Shibusen finally steps into the picture, with Death the Kidd name-dropping Tohru Adachi. Looks like the war's beginning to rear its ugly head.
✖ Time for another post, just to see who's still up and ready to fight. It's also his excuse to check up on some of the people he's come to care about just a little more than he'll admit. Take Allen, for example, and England, and Prussia. Then there's that small matter of asking his allies in the troop - Ling, China, Winry, Armstrong and Alphonse - on how they view Shibusen, and what ought to be done next. Or sometime in the future.
✖ ...It's also time to come out with that whole partnership thing that he's been considering or the past few days, and thankfully? Dojima agrees.
✖ Sid's and Germany's posts snags Roy's attention, and Roy puts himself and Dojima up for assignment in the battle to come.
20th of July
✖ Countdown to the Adachi fight begins! There's training in the morning, where Roy tries his new Weapon out, and is appropriated by Germany!
✖ He's off to be a soldier for the people for China after training, and spends the rest of the afternoon relaxing and trolling the network a little and also seeing something impossible, because
✖ Evening is devoted to moving in with Dojima, and meeting the family.
21th of July
✖ The day before the Big Day. After training in the morning, Roy does, for the first time, what he ends up doing from here until whenever: reading through every single post and every unfiltered conversation on the network. He's been meaning to start for some time now, but... well. Things have been pretty crazy.
✖ Caught a tip from Alphonse and Badou about Kanda and Heine, and made sure to drop a line on Souji's post to the rest of the Investigation Team and their partners. He's part of their group now, it seems. It's also obvious to him that his partner views Souji as more than just a nephew.
✖ ...It's good to know that Winry is now all right enough to post, at least.
22th of July
✖ The Adachi Battle.
✖ Prior to Adachi's entrance, Roy and Dojima have an interesting conversation.
✖ The battle comes, and Adachi is defeated. Roy also helps prevent Kanda and Heine's attempt to attack Adachi in the Kishin Chamber, as planned.
23rd of July
✖ ...It's a quiet day, following Adachi's sealing. Shibusen is left to rebuild, and Roy occupies himself with resting up. Dojima has been quiet since the end of it all. Roy isn't surprised.
✖ Shibusen announces a party to celebrate the end of the battle. In light of some casualties (Greece and Shang, notably) and everything that has come to pass beyond that point, it's hard to see the celebration as something entirely positive.
✖ Since his partner's not up to talking and he's not entirely sure what to say either, it's time to check up on more people on the network. See also: England/a>.
24th of July
✖ Day Two, and Dojima's finally come out of their room. That would be an improvement, except now he's gone out of the apartment. Roy doesn't need to ask him in order to know where his Weapon has gone.
25th of July
✖ Day Two, and Dojima's finally come out of their room. That would be an improvement, except now he's gone out of the apartment. Roy doesn't need to ask him in order to know where his Weapon has gone.
✖ People on the network seem a little better now, in spite of the fact that there are posts on funerals and the like. Prussia is certainly back in black, which is refreshing.
26th of July
✖ Day Three, and no Ryotaro Dojima in sight. It is at this point that Roy decides to venture down to where he thinks Dojima will be, in order to confirm. Suffice to say, he's right. ...He doesn't know how to feel about that.
✖ Thankfully, there's more to see on the network beyond the usual today. Aerith is distressingly cute, even when she's sick. ;;
27th of July
✖ Day Four. Dojima's back in the apartment, and as quiet as ever. Roy's not going to push him just yet; he isn't ready.
28th of July
✖ NOW he's ready. Time to make sure that one's partner is all right.
✖ It appears as though somebody up there has decided that Roy's day isn't nearly as interesting enough yet. Edward Elric has arrived in Death City again, but it isn't the same Fullmetal that he encountered before. The differences between their worlds become painfully obvious again, although this time it hurts more for Ed and the rest of the cast than it does for Roy.
✖ Beyond that, though, there's little beyond the usual usual network trolling - oh, wait. Then again, maybe not.
29th of July
✖ It's the day before the party, and outside of network trolling ( hi again, England), Roy spends this one training, hovering over the partner, and preparing. Looks like he'll be attending the thing after all...
30th of July
✖ Not a lot of things can stop network trolling. Even quiet partners and party preparations.
✖ On the night of the party, Roy gets to know Yoko a little better, has another moment with his partner which ends in family bonding with Nanako, runs into Fullmetal in person, finally manages to speak to Alphonse face to face and hangs out with England.
31st of July
✖ The party's over, but things aren't quite back to the usual, it seems. Jonathan Crane has started gassing people, as made obvious in some network posts.
✖ Beyond that, a Greed very different from the one he read reports about has shown up in Death City. The responses of the others are telling. As such, Roy takes matters into his own hands and asks for some answers. His post reminds the whole group that they haven't actually sat down and talked about exactly how different their versions of their world are. Hence, for the first time since Roy's arrival, everyone assembles for a serious talk.
✖ The meeting is 'productive', but it makes Roy feel the gap between him and the other people who are both the people he knows yet not the people he knows all the more keenly. That, of course, pushes him all the more to continue what he's doing: monitoring the world through the network, talking to whoever seems to need it or whoever proves to be interesting, learning what he can.
1st of August
✖ Information's not difficult to come by at all, on the network - neither are interesting conversations. Crane's fear gas attacks continue.
2nd of August
✖ The number of Crane's victims are steadily increasing, as are the new arrivals.
3rd of August
✖ Serial fear gasser aside, there are some other pressing things to attend to. Shibusen, for one, is making itself more visible again. There are also classes to attend.
✖ Strange questions, and paternal moments in the classroom.
4th of August
✖ In spite of the measures people have been taking, Crane keeps hitting people with that gas. ...Best time for the house to need to restock on goods, really. Still: it's good bonding time for the Dojima Family! Because we all know Roy's totally Dojima's wife.
✖ The network has some posts of interest in the evening, beyond the usual: Allen Walker and an interesting question, and Germany rolling in to provide the world with some semblance of order again. Roy has decided to start helping out with the training too.
5th of August
✖ Crane's still lurking about, but that can't keep people down, it seems... Shibusen, for one, has started expanding Death City to accommodate more new soldiers for the cause. The countries also decide to throw together a patrol circuit against Crane, which Roy volunteers to join together with Dojima.
✖ Roy puts up a post of his own, of course, as bid for visibility and to greet the newbies. There are, however, other reasons for the post. For one, Fullmetal has been quiet, which naturally concerns Roy enough to contact him, and since he's sure he won't get a straight answer, he asks Alphonse about Fullmetal as well.
✖ Seeing Ed the way he was and listening to what Alphonse didn't directly say brings back an age-old frustration, an ache he can't quite get rid of. Fair enough that he's here - he's got nothing left anyway. But why does BREW insist on dragging people who have things that they need to do into the mix? Why can't he do anything about it?
✖ On lighter news, though... visibility pays off, in the long run: one of the newcomers, Lightning Farron, has an exchange with Minato that fascinates him. Talking to her, as well, yields some interesting results.
✖ Some of his other contacts have come crawling out of the wood work again, as well. Vincent has decided to fight, Prussia is showing off his amazing art skills, and Ling cut his hair and his emo over Greed.
✖ It is at this point that Roy decides to start drawing up plans - big plans, the sort that he didn't think he'd ever go into again. It'll take a while, but with all the information he's managed to gather, it's sure to be worth it in the long run. ...Or maybe this is a means to distract himself from his own thoughts, and the strangeness of being a place where even those that are familiar to him are strangers.
✖ The sudden silence between him and Dojima isn't helping either. That he and Nanako are getting along better is a small blessing.
6th of August
✖ That slimy bastard Crane has decided to show his face over the network, and there are entries to hit up, as per usual. Badou and his inquiry on a Dave that Roy might have spoken to before and Zack Fair's return to Death City.
✖ Beginner's Class is up for grabs, but Roy doesn't feel the need to turn up this time.
7th of August
✖ Shibusen abolishes the contract system, a move that pique's Roy's interest. ...It won't stop him from drawing up his plans, though. This is also the first day that he skips out on assisting in Germany's training sessions; there are more pressing matters to attend to now.
✖ And it's time to put his money where his mouth is, and start on a list that might just lead to some answers. Vincent gets to learn about why Roy is doing this from the man himself, and Roy gets China's and Armstrong's opinions on the contract abolishing. He also pokes Light about going to a class, and bond a little with Souji. More importantly, his his conversation with Fullmetal takes an unexpected and pleasant turn, aaand Roy gets suckered into a date with Aerith.
✖ Intermediate Classs is definitely more of Roy's thing now, and going apparently pays off: he gets to talk with Lightning again (yay, she listened to him!). Light becomes one of the first people whom he expresses his plans to. Odd how it ends up being her and not Dojima.
✖ In as much as he'd rather not do it since he's helpless in a grocery store, Roy volunteers to run and get some items that he and Nanako weren't able to get at the supermarket. He ends up running into Yosuke.
✖ Later in the afternoon, the network yields an interesting post from Raidou Kuzunoha - it's this post that solidifies Roy's resolve to partner up with the boy detective. Armstrong is also kicking around with his sparkles, as expected. XD
8th of August
✖ Roy is a man of his word - hence, even if he doesn't wanna, he meets with Aerith and takes her out.
✖ Still, the day isn't completely made of derp! A referral from Vincent leads him to Tseng, and there are people to assist or check up on the network, like Mihashi, Vanille, Spain and Lightning. There's business to do, as well, like attempting to wrangle some information out of Shibusen.
✖ A new arrival - Oruha - also ends up catching Roy's attention.
9th of August
✖ Shibusen has remedial classes for the new newbies, but Roy has business at the Kuzunoha Detective Agency. The one meeting he has - with Tseng - is incredibly productive.
✖ There is network trolling to be had, as well!
10th of August
✖ Shibusen unveils BREW, and Roy is there, of course, to see it for himself. He has a run-in with Fullmetal, and a serious word with Armstrong.
✖ Zack, Roy realizes through his latest conversation with him, is more exuberant than a happy puppy, and Dave is a smoker like himself.
✖ It seems as though the patrols have paid off: Crane is finally abducted.
11th of August
✖ Roy's started up a new personal ritual: exercise through military drills. ...Souji ends up walking in on him. Bonding ensues, and awkward conversation - about Roy, about Dojima, about Roy and Dojima - kicks in. The Dojima part reminds Roy of the fact that these days? His partner's been quiet again. And they haven't been talking all that much.
✖ Following that little encounter, there's network trolling to be done, which includes greeting more newbies and checking up on friends.
✖ Later in the afternoon, he drops in on Aerith and Zack's cart assembling! It's a nice way to spend his day - a good diversion, for the things he's been occupying his thoughts with.
12th of August
✖ Apparently, because things have been going so well, the world's decided to give Roy a day where things start falling apart. For one, Winry contacts him in private about training with Stein, something Roy really doesn't approve of. For another, Laura Kinney reports on Armstrong's disappearance. Last, and worst of the lot: Dojima has finally broken the radio silence between them, and in the worst possible way.
✖ Conversations leave Roy in no mood to deal with people, but the network beckons. Ran Fan posts for the first time, his associate Raidou officially opens the Kuzunoha Detective Agency, Rise has her usual announcements for the newbies, little Eve needs to find her way to her sister, Howard Link and Cross Marian - associates of Allen's - appear, Hiruko asks about lists, Machi is out for some info, Lenalee has apparently put the stair theory to the test, Prussia and England thank everyone for their help with Crane and Zack appears to be raring for a drink.
✖ Of all the posts from newbies, however, it is Sasuke's that is the most interesting, because epic trolling occurs everywhere. Roy participates in the Obligatory Ritual of Calling Fullmetal Short, once not just once, but twice (and oddly, ends up insulting Allen as well - although, he smooths THAT one over quickly!), and with Miss Rockbell's support, to boot. It must be added that Al DID try to stop him, with little success! Still: it wasn't ALL shits and giggles - he talked shop with Sasuke at the end of it anyway.
✖ After a day like that, knocking back a few drinks at the bar is necessary for one's sanity. Roy gets to know Oruha, Yoko, Lightning and Zack a little better, and distract himself from the stray thought that maybe it would have been nice to go out drinking with Dojima again, the way they used to.
13th of August
✖ There's been a huge influx of newcomers, which has prompted Germany to remind everyone about the training sessions. Now that he's sorted some things out, Roy's volunteering to train people again. Germany calls him on his recent absence from the field, but allows him to work back into his good graces yet again anyway.
✖ So it's back to the training field! Roy's handling the children this time, and has two interesting sparring sessions: one with Naruto, and one with Kaworu and Sasuke.
✖ A helpful post from Naoto Shirogane's end outlines everything anyone ever has to know about Jonathan Crane. Angela Leon's attempt at eating the PDA makes her and Mifune's presence in the city known - Crona and Ragnarok turn up as well. Winry opens up her new clinic. Liz Thompson - one of Death the Kid's two guns - announces the coming of the Carnival.
✖ Of course, since everyone's out to greet the newcomers and there's a need to update his list, Roy fires off a post of his own - he also informs the FMA cast of their responsibility to Laura, in Armstrong's absence. On the filtered end of things: Winry isn't having such a hot time under Stein, and Roy nearly asks Ed to help him out before he can stop himself.
✖ ... Hoheinheim has turned up, although he isn't the Alchemist of Light that Roy's heard about. There's a familiar face in the flood of newbie posts, too: Ezio, although he doesn't remember a thing. Ling's joint post with Ran Fan confirms Roy's suspicions regarding the nature of their relationship. He and Vincent exchange info again, and some weird kid jumps off a building.
14th of August
✖ In an attempt at Manry Partner Bonding, Roy and Dojima spend their morning at their apartment, trying to renovate their room. Since Dojima forgets to turn off his PDA, though, the whole world finds out about it, and takes it the wrong way. Totally.
✖ Still, Roy's one to take advantage of any situation to check up on people and troll them too. He arranges a drink out with England, a meet-up with the recently returned Kyouya Hibari, flirts/trolls Squalo massively, nags Fullmetal about his father (while trolling him), and speaks with Greed for the first time.
✖ After a gloriously trolltastic morning, Roy meets with Hibari as planned in his office at the Agency; he catches about carnival allowances over the network once he's settled again. The day ends with a surprise: Dojima asking him out on a not-date.
15th of August
✖ Roy has a peculiar run-in with his partner first thing in the morning. Peculiar, and cute, and maybe a little sad.
✖ The first of the critical disappearances begins. Oruha sings.
✖ Briefly, Roy wonders if anyone he knows is going to end up in this pageant. No time to think on it, though - he's got Dojima and Nanako to attend to.
16th of August
✖ Roy has a peculiar run-in with his partner first thing in the morning. Peculiar, and cute, and maybe a little sad.
✖ The flier on the pageant proves that there ARE people he knows in the contest, and Roy votes for them accordingly. It's all about support, yo!
✖ His afternoon is spent trolling the network ( Where he runs into Teddie, who has apparently returned to Death City, and making fun of Ed for being such a kid, and nothing another disappearance through Saralegui). His night, on the other hand is given over to England - it's been a while since they've met up!
17th of August
✖ It could have been an average day, except en-route to his office, Roy spots Riza Hawkeye in the crowd of newcomers. It takes all that he has to post this. Winry ends up confirming things for him.
✖ Trolling the network, in the hopes of a diversion. Helping Aya out, poking Kazu, and welcoming Naomi.
✖ There is no better diversion, however, than spending the last day of the Nocturne Bazaar with Dojima and Nanako. When Dojima leaves them to reconnect with some of his friends in Death City, Roy tries to perk Nanako up by winning her the stuffed toy of her choice at the shooting range. ...He ends up getting something entirely different, but she loves him for it anyway.
18th and 19th of August
✖ Diversions, though, are temporary, and it isn't long before Roy goes back to thinking. Considering. Wishing that Riza Hawkeye wasn't in Death City at all.
✖ The network offers little in terms of entries of interest, outside of Prussia strutting his stuff and Canada presenting his new restaurant.
✖ The afterglow of the carnival quickly disappears, when Dojima, Roy and Nanako discover that Souji and Yosuke have both been sent home.
20th of August
✖ Things in Death City are a lot more interesting this time around. Spirit announces a mission, which completely changes after an incriminating SOS. Death the Kid confirms, of course, Germany makes the usual arrangements, Maka calls for another get-together and everyone else on the network responds accordingly.
✖ Roy spends some time with the family, cocks an eyebrow at Greed's latest escapade, fools Naruto into thinking that his partner turns into a replacement for his eye, tracks Naoto's post for the Investigation Team and their associates along with Laura's post about the mission, replies to Light's query about the mission (and talks sisters/surrogate daughters too), negotiates with Link and trolls Yoko and America. It's easy to keep his mind off of things and focus on his business...
✖ ...Until Riza Hawkeye finally breaks their stalemate over the network. It takes him some time before he finally works up the courage to respond, and they eventually meet in person in his office.
✖ Suffice to say, his discussion with Hawkeye colors his dealings with other people in the evening, over the network. See also: his talk with Vincent, and his chat with Kaworu.
21st of August
✖ The first thing he does before moving out for training is post, of course, because there are a lot of things that demand his attention. About the only thing that goes right is his success in roping in somebody to watch over Nanako for him. Everything else goes horribly wrong. Roy and Dojima's conversation nearly undoes them; Roy's conversation with Riza is just as terrible. He even gets into an argument with Allen, of all people. Those three encounters are enough to drain him of whatever strength he had left at that point; the concern of other parties barely manages to reach him. ...At least his talk with Fullmetal is refreshingly normal. Generally.
✖ Roy drags himself to training because his pride demands it. Lightning comes around because she's a good friend, and Roy manages to train just one person - Sandry - before obediently going home, as Light told him to.
✖ ...Before turning in for real, though, Roy makes sure to troll the network a little ( his conversation with Gaara proves to be fruitful) and respond to Spirit's post on the mission.
22nd of August
✖ Operation Norad. Dojima surprises Roy by approaching him and apologizing before the mission proper. As such, they're both 'stable' during the mission itself.
✖ Suffice to say, the mission's a great success. It was difficult, it was draining, but they pul through.
23rd of August
✖ Because he's a crazy and obsessive workaholic, Roy had every intention of signing in and immediately checking up on everyone once he was back in Death City - the frog attack had clearly done some serious damage to the place and to the people, and he wanted to make sure he was on top of things. He wasn't expecting to pass out, though. Thank god for Nanako. XD
✖ Still, Roy's up like, laaate into the evening, and the first thing he does, of course, is scroll back and check every single entry. Hawkeye's old message to him catches his eye - it becomes the first thing he pings, in spite of himself. The conversation's stilted, as per usual, but he does end up telling Riza about his plans again. They agree to meet the next day, in the afternoon.
✖ He takes note, quietly, of some of the posts that went up while he was out cold: Death the Kid's and Raidou's, in particular. He also helps some newbies out again ( like Botan), check up on some not-so-newbies ( Ezio) and stumbles on that old backlogged entry that basically outed Ed getting injured. He fires off a message to Fullmetal about it and gears up to visit him in the clinic.
24th of August
✖ Roy and Fullmetal have their first real talk in person in a while.
✖ Roy throws up a post to the network as soon as he's home, both as a general apology for passing out, and to do a proper role call. ...Lightning's lack of a response is most suspicious.
✖ And then Maes Hughes Happened. Everyone has their reactions, of course, including Roy.
✖ Riza goes to Roy's office as planned, and ends up seeing her Colonel have a total breakdown.
✖ Cue Roy hiding out in his office for the rest of the day and well into the evening, trying very hard to be normal (i.e. his exchange with Oruha).
25th of August
✖ Roy comes back home in an hour so late it's too fucking early on purpose. Dojima intercepts.
✖ The rest of the day is an attempt to hide away in his room and get some sleep, which doesn't really work out beyond a few stolen hours of rest here and there. Since he obviously fails at that, Roy falls back on the one thing that's left to him: trolling the network. All of his exchanges (with Sasuke, Faye, Madoka, Rock Lee, Edgeworth, Sakura, Washington and Alphonse), though, are strictly through text. There's no chance in hell that he's risking anybody seeing or hearing him in the state he's in.
✖ Hughes is just the way Roy remembers him being. It's horrible.
✖ On other news: a post from Fang confirms his suspicions about Light.
Timeline is continued in the comments below, by day.
Timeline of Mustang-Relevant Events
10th of July
✖ Arrival at Death City. Roy left the premises after the briefing, and went pretty much headlong into the sandstorm - he's seen Ishval, and didn't think too much of it. In spite of the warnings, he saw no need to stay put, and decided to meet 'rescue' forces midway to the gym rather than sit around and wait for somebody to pick him up.
✖ Made initial contact with Germany and China while mustering up the will to get his ass to the gym.
✖ Met Kurapika on his way back to the gym; they talked while they took a break, and he also managed to get a hold of Alphonse. He also met Yoko, Dojima and Allen for the first time over the network.
✖ Arrived at the gym in one piece, and in less than ten minutes to boot. Had a word with Germany, got supplies, prepared to move out. Also got poked by Allen Walker in person! Went back to his network post, and had a word with Badou, Lenalee and the first Fullmetal.
✖ Met the team and moved out to start rescue operations. Encountered Prussia and England in the aftermath of their encounter with a Kishin Egg. Rendezvous with China's team, then they headed for the clinic together.
✖ Saw Winry Rockbell for the first time in person. ...Talk about exciting first day.
11th of July
✖ Attempted to pass out to get some proper rest. Wasn't quite successful. XD
12th of July
✖ Second day spent resting up; the sandstorm was already over, but the piles of... well, sand, make the thought of travel seem unappealing.
✖ Roy started taking an interest in the network at this point. Spotted England's entry on what happened to him and Prussia. Responded accordingly! He also spotted Allen's entry and poked it. Got a hang of the communicator pretty quickly, after that, hence:
✖ His second post on the network. No filters yet; hasn't learned how to do it.
✖ A conversation with Ling serves as another rude reminder that he's rather different from the usual Full Metal Alchemist people in town. Thankfully a conversation with Dojima serves as a nice distraction. They agree to meet in the evening, for a drink. ...Had a, uh sparkly encounter with Major Armstrong, too.
✖ Rested for the afternoon, familiarized himself with the network. Went out with Dojima, talked without talking. Shared without sharing. It ends on a safe note; they agree to make it a regular practice.
13th of July
✖ Met up with Dojima for a second time - Roy's starting to think that this man might be worth calling a friend, in this strange place.
14th of July
✖ Second day without a blasted sandstorm to make things difficult. Decided to acquaint himself with Death City (attended training for the first time, lent a hand where he could, confirmed that he was a Meister), and with the features of the PDA at his disposal. The network's a fascinating place... good for getting information.
Met up with Dojima again, in the evening - Roy's starting to think that this man might be worth calling a friend, in this strange place.
15th of July
✖ Noticed the strange fog; decided against going out, an instinct that proved to be correct after he read some incriminating posts and conversations between other people on the network. Monitored the world through a split screen from the safety of his own quarters. It was good, for example, to see that Prussia was pretty active in spite of having one of his limbs hacked off and replaced with metal. XD
✖ Had a conversation with the first Zack Fair to enter Death City, and the first Spain to enter Death City as well.
✖ Brought himself up to speed through Naoto's post on pertinent information. Privately resolved, at that point, to monitor all events and conversations on the network, in as much as he could.
✖ Souji's post pretty much filled in the blanks with the situation. Definitely staying out of the fog now. His conversation with the boy also confirmed the need to find a Weapon for himself, and soon.
✖ ...Oddly, that evening, as he and Dojima drink, he finds himself thinking of a very interesting possibility.
16th of July
✖ Kicked around on the network after waking up; spotted Teddie and his offer to make Fog glasses, which he decided to avail of. Volunteered to help Germany out since training's been canceled anyhow, and ended up getting tossed with a duty that he didn't particularly like. Also: Prussia's post makes him consider visiting the guy, because it's obvious that he isn't all right, in spite of what he says.
✖ Heads out of his room after breakfast - glasses or no, he wants to check the Fog out for himself. he ends up running into England, whom he accompanies en-route to visiting Prussia (everything fell into place, it seemed~). he meets Spain for the first time at their destination, and they go to see Prussia together (also here!). He later leaves the countries to talk, and ends up speaking to Winry Rockbell, for a while. ...Not the person he wanted to deal with, really. The differences between him and the rest of the FMA lot become even more evident than they already were to begin with.
✖ Following that, he heads back to his own room for lunch, some trolling on the network, and some thinking. Interestingly, spotting Dojima's post on the network sort of resonates with what he had thought about the other evening. No promises yet, though. He has to be sure.
✖ Makes a post of his own, later in the afternoon. He arranges a meeting with Armstrong
✖ And it's good to know that in spite of the differences, Alex Louis Armstrong is still Alex Louis Armstrong.
17th of July
✖ The strangeness of the Fog has Roy on edge and very much indoors, as much as he can afford to be given what he's been asked to do (monitor Winry Rockbell's clinic, make sure that other people stay indoors).
✖ The Good: Teddie finished his glasses which Roy ends up needing sooner than he thought he would, Aerith shows up and proves to be very pleasant, and Vincent Valentine comes around, as well. His future associate, Raidou Kuzunoha, also appears.
✖ The Interesting: It appears as though Dojima's daughter has arrived.
✖ The Bad: China's post raises a good point about a potential food shortage should the Fog keep up, more than a few people end up getting lost in the Fog based on their cries for assistance on the network, and still others seem to be seeing things. Or hearing things. Or feeling things that they're not supposed to.
✖ The Ugly: the Fog is starting to get to him, Miss Rockbell has gone missing, new people keep arriving in spite of the crisis at hand and it seems as though there are... strange creatures posting on the network, wearing the faces of other people.
✖ It's at this point that Roy wonders if he'll ever run into a Shadow of himself - the others haven't been spared. For the first time since he came to Death City, maybe he's afraid.
18th of July
✖ It's clear that the situation's gotten completely out of control, with everyone's Shadows coming out of nowhere. He attempts to deal with a few of them ( Vincent's and Allen's)...
✖ ... Before his own Shadow appears.
✖ Aerith helps Roy get back on his feet, and surprisingly? Dojima helps him put an end to things. He helps the man, as well. Is it a beginning? A possibility? Who knows.
✖ After burying his and Dojima's Shadows, it back to the not-so-regular run of things to see what he can do.
19th of July
✖ Keeping tabs on the situation from a safe place, as much as he can. The Shadows appear to have stopped, though, which is a good thing. He decides to apply himself to helping out where he can, and speaking with some of the newcomers ( the first Ezio, Neku and Altair, although he never does get the man's name...)
✖ Seems like his new friend from Inaba is quite the family man. Odd coincidences, really.
✖ Shibusen finally steps into the picture, with Death the Kidd name-dropping Tohru Adachi. Looks like the war's beginning to rear its ugly head.
✖ Time for another post, just to see who's still up and ready to fight. It's also his excuse to check up on some of the people he's come to care about just a little more than he'll admit. Take Allen, for example, and England, and Prussia. Then there's that small matter of asking his allies in the troop - Ling, China, Winry, Armstrong and Alphonse - on how they view Shibusen, and what ought to be done next. Or sometime in the future.
✖ ...It's also time to come out with that whole partnership thing that he's been considering or the past few days, and thankfully? Dojima agrees.
✖ Sid's and Germany's posts snags Roy's attention, and Roy puts himself and Dojima up for assignment in the battle to come.
20th of July
✖ Countdown to the Adachi fight begins! There's training in the morning, where Roy tries his new Weapon out, and is appropriated by Germany!
✖ He's off to be a soldier for the people for China after training, and spends the rest of the afternoon relaxing and trolling the network a little and also seeing something impossible, because
✖ Evening is devoted to moving in with Dojima, and meeting the family.
21th of July
✖ The day before the Big Day. After training in the morning, Roy does, for the first time, what he ends up doing from here until whenever: reading through every single post and every unfiltered conversation on the network. He's been meaning to start for some time now, but... well. Things have been pretty crazy.
✖ Caught a tip from Alphonse and Badou about Kanda and Heine, and made sure to drop a line on Souji's post to the rest of the Investigation Team and their partners. He's part of their group now, it seems. It's also obvious to him that his partner views Souji as more than just a nephew.
✖ ...It's good to know that Winry is now all right enough to post, at least.
22th of July
✖ The Adachi Battle.
✖ Prior to Adachi's entrance, Roy and Dojima have an interesting conversation.
✖ The battle comes, and Adachi is defeated. Roy also helps prevent Kanda and Heine's attempt to attack Adachi in the Kishin Chamber, as planned.
23rd of July
✖ ...It's a quiet day, following Adachi's sealing. Shibusen is left to rebuild, and Roy occupies himself with resting up. Dojima has been quiet since the end of it all. Roy isn't surprised.
✖ Shibusen announces a party to celebrate the end of the battle. In light of some casualties (Greece and Shang, notably) and everything that has come to pass beyond that point, it's hard to see the celebration as something entirely positive.
✖ Since his partner's not up to talking and he's not entirely sure what to say either, it's time to check up on more people on the network. See also: England/a>.
24th of July
✖ Day Two, and Dojima's finally come out of their room. That would be an improvement, except now he's gone out of the apartment. Roy doesn't need to ask him in order to know where his Weapon has gone.
25th of July
✖ Day Two, and Dojima's finally come out of their room. That would be an improvement, except now he's gone out of the apartment. Roy doesn't need to ask him in order to know where his Weapon has gone.
✖ People on the network seem a little better now, in spite of the fact that there are posts on funerals and the like. Prussia is certainly back in black, which is refreshing.
26th of July
✖ Day Three, and no Ryotaro Dojima in sight. It is at this point that Roy decides to venture down to where he thinks Dojima will be, in order to confirm. Suffice to say, he's right. ...He doesn't know how to feel about that.
✖ Thankfully, there's more to see on the network beyond the usual today. Aerith is distressingly cute, even when she's sick. ;;
27th of July
✖ Day Four. Dojima's back in the apartment, and as quiet as ever. Roy's not going to push him just yet; he isn't ready.
28th of July
✖ NOW he's ready. Time to make sure that one's partner is all right.
✖ It appears as though somebody up there has decided that Roy's day isn't nearly as interesting enough yet. Edward Elric has arrived in Death City again, but it isn't the same Fullmetal that he encountered before. The differences between their worlds become painfully obvious again, although this time it hurts more for Ed and the rest of the cast than it does for Roy.
✖ Beyond that, though, there's little beyond the usual usual network trolling - oh, wait. Then again, maybe not.
29th of July
✖ It's the day before the party, and outside of network trolling ( hi again, England), Roy spends this one training, hovering over the partner, and preparing. Looks like he'll be attending the thing after all...
30th of July
✖ Not a lot of things can stop network trolling. Even quiet partners and party preparations.
✖ On the night of the party, Roy gets to know Yoko a little better, has another moment with his partner which ends in family bonding with Nanako, runs into Fullmetal in person, finally manages to speak to Alphonse face to face and hangs out with England.
31st of July
✖ The party's over, but things aren't quite back to the usual, it seems. Jonathan Crane has started gassing people, as made obvious in some network posts.
✖ Beyond that, a Greed very different from the one he read reports about has shown up in Death City. The responses of the others are telling. As such, Roy takes matters into his own hands and asks for some answers. His post reminds the whole group that they haven't actually sat down and talked about exactly how different their versions of their world are. Hence, for the first time since Roy's arrival, everyone assembles for a serious talk.
✖ The meeting is 'productive', but it makes Roy feel the gap between him and the other people who are both the people he knows yet not the people he knows all the more keenly. That, of course, pushes him all the more to continue what he's doing: monitoring the world through the network, talking to whoever seems to need it or whoever proves to be interesting, learning what he can.
1st of August
✖ Information's not difficult to come by at all, on the network - neither are interesting conversations. Crane's fear gas attacks continue.
2nd of August
✖ The number of Crane's victims are steadily increasing, as are the new arrivals.
3rd of August
✖ Serial fear gasser aside, there are some other pressing things to attend to. Shibusen, for one, is making itself more visible again. There are also classes to attend.
✖ Strange questions, and paternal moments in the classroom.
4th of August
✖ In spite of the measures people have been taking, Crane keeps hitting people with that gas. ...Best time for the house to need to restock on goods, really. Still: it's good bonding time for the Dojima Family! Because we all know Roy's totally Dojima's wife.
✖ The network has some posts of interest in the evening, beyond the usual: Allen Walker and an interesting question, and Germany rolling in to provide the world with some semblance of order again. Roy has decided to start helping out with the training too.
5th of August
✖ Crane's still lurking about, but that can't keep people down, it seems... Shibusen, for one, has started expanding Death City to accommodate more new soldiers for the cause. The countries also decide to throw together a patrol circuit against Crane, which Roy volunteers to join together with Dojima.
✖ Roy puts up a post of his own, of course, as bid for visibility and to greet the newbies. There are, however, other reasons for the post. For one, Fullmetal has been quiet, which naturally concerns Roy enough to contact him, and since he's sure he won't get a straight answer, he asks Alphonse about Fullmetal as well.
✖ Seeing Ed the way he was and listening to what Alphonse didn't directly say brings back an age-old frustration, an ache he can't quite get rid of. Fair enough that he's here - he's got nothing left anyway. But why does BREW insist on dragging people who have things that they need to do into the mix? Why can't he do anything about it?
✖ On lighter news, though... visibility pays off, in the long run: one of the newcomers, Lightning Farron, has an exchange with Minato that fascinates him. Talking to her, as well, yields some interesting results.
✖ Some of his other contacts have come crawling out of the wood work again, as well. Vincent has decided to fight, Prussia is showing off his amazing art skills, and Ling cut his hair and his emo over Greed.
✖ It is at this point that Roy decides to start drawing up plans - big plans, the sort that he didn't think he'd ever go into again. It'll take a while, but with all the information he's managed to gather, it's sure to be worth it in the long run. ...Or maybe this is a means to distract himself from his own thoughts, and the strangeness of being a place where even those that are familiar to him are strangers.
✖ The sudden silence between him and Dojima isn't helping either. That he and Nanako are getting along better is a small blessing.
6th of August
✖ That slimy bastard Crane has decided to show his face over the network, and there are entries to hit up, as per usual. Badou and his inquiry on a Dave that Roy might have spoken to before and Zack Fair's return to Death City.
✖ Beginner's Class is up for grabs, but Roy doesn't feel the need to turn up this time.
7th of August
✖ Shibusen abolishes the contract system, a move that pique's Roy's interest. ...It won't stop him from drawing up his plans, though. This is also the first day that he skips out on assisting in Germany's training sessions; there are more pressing matters to attend to now.
✖ And it's time to put his money where his mouth is, and start on a list that might just lead to some answers. Vincent gets to learn about why Roy is doing this from the man himself, and Roy gets China's and Armstrong's opinions on the contract abolishing. He also pokes Light about going to a class, and bond a little with Souji. More importantly, his his conversation with Fullmetal takes an unexpected and pleasant turn, aaand Roy gets suckered into a date with Aerith.
✖ Intermediate Classs is definitely more of Roy's thing now, and going apparently pays off: he gets to talk with Lightning again (yay, she listened to him!). Light becomes one of the first people whom he expresses his plans to. Odd how it ends up being her and not Dojima.
✖ In as much as he'd rather not do it since he's helpless in a grocery store, Roy volunteers to run and get some items that he and Nanako weren't able to get at the supermarket. He ends up running into Yosuke.
✖ Later in the afternoon, the network yields an interesting post from Raidou Kuzunoha - it's this post that solidifies Roy's resolve to partner up with the boy detective. Armstrong is also kicking around with his sparkles, as expected. XD
8th of August
✖ Roy is a man of his word - hence, even if he doesn't wanna, he meets with Aerith and takes her out.
✖ Still, the day isn't completely made of derp! A referral from Vincent leads him to Tseng, and there are people to assist or check up on the network, like Mihashi, Vanille, Spain and Lightning. There's business to do, as well, like attempting to wrangle some information out of Shibusen.
✖ A new arrival - Oruha - also ends up catching Roy's attention.
9th of August
✖ Shibusen has remedial classes for the new newbies, but Roy has business at the Kuzunoha Detective Agency. The one meeting he has - with Tseng - is incredibly productive.
✖ There is network trolling to be had, as well!
10th of August
✖ Shibusen unveils BREW, and Roy is there, of course, to see it for himself. He has a run-in with Fullmetal, and a serious word with Armstrong.
✖ Zack, Roy realizes through his latest conversation with him, is more exuberant than a happy puppy, and Dave is a smoker like himself.
✖ It seems as though the patrols have paid off: Crane is finally abducted.
11th of August
✖ Roy's started up a new personal ritual: exercise through military drills. ...Souji ends up walking in on him. Bonding ensues, and awkward conversation - about Roy, about Dojima, about Roy and Dojima - kicks in. The Dojima part reminds Roy of the fact that these days? His partner's been quiet again. And they haven't been talking all that much.
✖ Following that little encounter, there's network trolling to be done, which includes greeting more newbies and checking up on friends.
✖ Later in the afternoon, he drops in on Aerith and Zack's cart assembling! It's a nice way to spend his day - a good diversion, for the things he's been occupying his thoughts with.
12th of August
✖ Apparently, because things have been going so well, the world's decided to give Roy a day where things start falling apart. For one, Winry contacts him in private about training with Stein, something Roy really doesn't approve of. For another, Laura Kinney reports on Armstrong's disappearance. Last, and worst of the lot: Dojima has finally broken the radio silence between them, and in the worst possible way.
✖ Conversations leave Roy in no mood to deal with people, but the network beckons. Ran Fan posts for the first time, his associate Raidou officially opens the Kuzunoha Detective Agency, Rise has her usual announcements for the newbies, little Eve needs to find her way to her sister, Howard Link and Cross Marian - associates of Allen's - appear, Hiruko asks about lists, Machi is out for some info, Lenalee has apparently put the stair theory to the test, Prussia and England thank everyone for their help with Crane and Zack appears to be raring for a drink.
✖ Of all the posts from newbies, however, it is Sasuke's that is the most interesting, because epic trolling occurs everywhere. Roy participates in the Obligatory Ritual of Calling Fullmetal Short, once not just once, but twice (and oddly, ends up insulting Allen as well - although, he smooths THAT one over quickly!), and with Miss Rockbell's support, to boot. It must be added that Al DID try to stop him, with little success! Still: it wasn't ALL shits and giggles - he talked shop with Sasuke at the end of it anyway.
✖ After a day like that, knocking back a few drinks at the bar is necessary for one's sanity. Roy gets to know Oruha, Yoko, Lightning and Zack a little better, and distract himself from the stray thought that maybe it would have been nice to go out drinking with Dojima again, the way they used to.
13th of August
✖ There's been a huge influx of newcomers, which has prompted Germany to remind everyone about the training sessions. Now that he's sorted some things out, Roy's volunteering to train people again. Germany calls him on his recent absence from the field, but allows him to work back into his good graces yet again anyway.
✖ So it's back to the training field! Roy's handling the children this time, and has two interesting sparring sessions: one with Naruto, and one with Kaworu and Sasuke.
✖ A helpful post from Naoto Shirogane's end outlines everything anyone ever has to know about Jonathan Crane. Angela Leon's attempt at eating the PDA makes her and Mifune's presence in the city known - Crona and Ragnarok turn up as well. Winry opens up her new clinic. Liz Thompson - one of Death the Kid's two guns - announces the coming of the Carnival.
✖ Of course, since everyone's out to greet the newcomers and there's a need to update his list, Roy fires off a post of his own - he also informs the FMA cast of their responsibility to Laura, in Armstrong's absence. On the filtered end of things: Winry isn't having such a hot time under Stein, and Roy nearly asks Ed to help him out before he can stop himself.
✖ ... Hoheinheim has turned up, although he isn't the Alchemist of Light that Roy's heard about. There's a familiar face in the flood of newbie posts, too: Ezio, although he doesn't remember a thing. Ling's joint post with Ran Fan confirms Roy's suspicions regarding the nature of their relationship. He and Vincent exchange info again, and some weird kid jumps off a building.
14th of August
✖ In an attempt at Manry Partner Bonding, Roy and Dojima spend their morning at their apartment, trying to renovate their room. Since Dojima forgets to turn off his PDA, though, the whole world finds out about it, and takes it the wrong way. Totally.
✖ Still, Roy's one to take advantage of any situation to check up on people and troll them too. He arranges a drink out with England, a meet-up with the recently returned Kyouya Hibari, flirts/trolls Squalo massively, nags Fullmetal about his father (while trolling him), and speaks with Greed for the first time.
✖ After a gloriously trolltastic morning, Roy meets with Hibari as planned in his office at the Agency; he catches about carnival allowances over the network once he's settled again. The day ends with a surprise: Dojima asking him out on a not-date.
15th of August
✖ Roy has a peculiar run-in with his partner first thing in the morning. Peculiar, and cute, and maybe a little sad.
✖ The first of the critical disappearances begins. Oruha sings.
✖ Briefly, Roy wonders if anyone he knows is going to end up in this pageant. No time to think on it, though - he's got Dojima and Nanako to attend to.
16th of August
✖ Roy has a peculiar run-in with his partner first thing in the morning. Peculiar, and cute, and maybe a little sad.
✖ The flier on the pageant proves that there ARE people he knows in the contest, and Roy votes for them accordingly. It's all about support, yo!
✖ His afternoon is spent trolling the network ( Where he runs into Teddie, who has apparently returned to Death City, and making fun of Ed for being such a kid, and nothing another disappearance through Saralegui). His night, on the other hand is given over to England - it's been a while since they've met up!
17th of August
✖ It could have been an average day, except en-route to his office, Roy spots Riza Hawkeye in the crowd of newcomers. It takes all that he has to post this. Winry ends up confirming things for him.
✖ Trolling the network, in the hopes of a diversion. Helping Aya out, poking Kazu, and welcoming Naomi.
✖ There is no better diversion, however, than spending the last day of the Nocturne Bazaar with Dojima and Nanako. When Dojima leaves them to reconnect with some of his friends in Death City, Roy tries to perk Nanako up by winning her the stuffed toy of her choice at the shooting range. ...He ends up getting something entirely different, but she loves him for it anyway.
18th and 19th of August
✖ Diversions, though, are temporary, and it isn't long before Roy goes back to thinking. Considering. Wishing that Riza Hawkeye wasn't in Death City at all.
✖ The network offers little in terms of entries of interest, outside of Prussia strutting his stuff and Canada presenting his new restaurant.
✖ The afterglow of the carnival quickly disappears, when Dojima, Roy and Nanako discover that Souji and Yosuke have both been sent home.
20th of August
✖ Things in Death City are a lot more interesting this time around. Spirit announces a mission, which completely changes after an incriminating SOS. Death the Kid confirms, of course, Germany makes the usual arrangements, Maka calls for another get-together and everyone else on the network responds accordingly.
✖ Roy spends some time with the family, cocks an eyebrow at Greed's latest escapade, fools Naruto into thinking that his partner turns into a replacement for his eye, tracks Naoto's post for the Investigation Team and their associates along with Laura's post about the mission, replies to Light's query about the mission (and talks sisters/surrogate daughters too), negotiates with Link and trolls Yoko and America. It's easy to keep his mind off of things and focus on his business...
✖ ...Until Riza Hawkeye finally breaks their stalemate over the network. It takes him some time before he finally works up the courage to respond, and they eventually meet in person in his office.
✖ Suffice to say, his discussion with Hawkeye colors his dealings with other people in the evening, over the network. See also: his talk with Vincent, and his chat with Kaworu.
21st of August
✖ The first thing he does before moving out for training is post, of course, because there are a lot of things that demand his attention. About the only thing that goes right is his success in roping in somebody to watch over Nanako for him. Everything else goes horribly wrong. Roy and Dojima's conversation nearly undoes them; Roy's conversation with Riza is just as terrible. He even gets into an argument with Allen, of all people. Those three encounters are enough to drain him of whatever strength he had left at that point; the concern of other parties barely manages to reach him. ...At least his talk with Fullmetal is refreshingly normal. Generally.
✖ Roy drags himself to training because his pride demands it. Lightning comes around because she's a good friend, and Roy manages to train just one person - Sandry - before obediently going home, as Light told him to.
✖ ...Before turning in for real, though, Roy makes sure to troll the network a little ( his conversation with Gaara proves to be fruitful) and respond to Spirit's post on the mission.
22nd of August
✖ Operation Norad. Dojima surprises Roy by approaching him and apologizing before the mission proper. As such, they're both 'stable' during the mission itself.
✖ Suffice to say, the mission's a great success. It was difficult, it was draining, but they pul through.
23rd of August
✖ Because he's a crazy and obsessive workaholic, Roy had every intention of signing in and immediately checking up on everyone once he was back in Death City - the frog attack had clearly done some serious damage to the place and to the people, and he wanted to make sure he was on top of things. He wasn't expecting to pass out, though. Thank god for Nanako. XD
✖ Still, Roy's up like, laaate into the evening, and the first thing he does, of course, is scroll back and check every single entry. Hawkeye's old message to him catches his eye - it becomes the first thing he pings, in spite of himself. The conversation's stilted, as per usual, but he does end up telling Riza about his plans again. They agree to meet the next day, in the afternoon.
✖ He takes note, quietly, of some of the posts that went up while he was out cold: Death the Kid's and Raidou's, in particular. He also helps some newbies out again ( like Botan), check up on some not-so-newbies ( Ezio) and stumbles on that old backlogged entry that basically outed Ed getting injured. He fires off a message to Fullmetal about it and gears up to visit him in the clinic.
24th of August
✖ Roy and Fullmetal have their first real talk in person in a while.
✖ Roy throws up a post to the network as soon as he's home, both as a general apology for passing out, and to do a proper role call. ...Lightning's lack of a response is most suspicious.
✖ And then Maes Hughes Happened. Everyone has their reactions, of course, including Roy.
✖ Riza goes to Roy's office as planned, and ends up seeing her Colonel have a total breakdown.
✖ Cue Roy hiding out in his office for the rest of the day and well into the evening, trying very hard to be normal (i.e. his exchange with Oruha).
25th of August
✖ Roy comes back home in an hour so late it's too fucking early on purpose. Dojima intercepts.
✖ The rest of the day is an attempt to hide away in his room and get some sleep, which doesn't really work out beyond a few stolen hours of rest here and there. Since he obviously fails at that, Roy falls back on the one thing that's left to him: trolling the network. All of his exchanges (with Sasuke, Faye, Madoka, Rock Lee, Edgeworth, Sakura, Washington and Alphonse), though, are strictly through text. There's no chance in hell that he's risking anybody seeing or hearing him in the state he's in.
✖ Hughes is just the way Roy remembers him being. It's horrible.
✖ On other news: a post from Fang confirms his suspicions about Light.
Timeline is continued in the comments below, by day.