This wasn't to say that Riza hadn't found a place for herself. She had. Painstakingly. There were enough equivalencies when she looked hard enough that ultimately she could blend in amongst the strangers. But as she had presented herself to register for the country's military, she had been pulled aside by the recruiter.
I know you don't belong here. His words hadn't overtly been a threat, but the malicious twist of his lips and the way he'd cornered her suggested it was. He pressed into her space as he spoke, smelling like smoke and nicotine on his breath: I can keep your secret, if you help us.
So she agreed.
Riza Hawkeye wasn't a coward, but she was practical. Being ousted as a stranger from another world didn't suit her need to fly below the radar, and she hadn't imagined that what she was agreeing to could be any worse than what she had already endured in her home.
Which was why, all things being equal, the gold wedding band and simple engagement ring that now were expected on her left hand at all times had been such a surprise. It wasn't the man himself--Roland was nice enough. Polite. Genial. Ambitious. Thus far he'd tried to win her over and she'd avoided his affections. She remained at arms length, uncomfortable sharing such close quarters with a freshly minted husband she hardly knew.
Unlocking the door, she balanced the groceries in one arm as she maneuvered her way inside. Hearing no milling around inside was a relief, suggesting that she might still have time alone before Roland got in. Before returning to the bag she'd carried in she locked the door behind her--a habit she hadn't been able to shake. She began to unload the things she'd bought as an orange tabby cat weaved through her ankles, purring ferociously.
"Hello to you too," Riza murmured quietly as she scratched the cat's head. "Will you sit and enjoy the quiet with me for a bit after I've unloaded the groceries?"
no subject
This wasn't to say that Riza hadn't found a place for herself. She had. Painstakingly. There were enough equivalencies when she looked hard enough that ultimately she could blend in amongst the strangers. But as she had presented herself to register for the country's military, she had been pulled aside by the recruiter.
I know you don't belong here. His words hadn't overtly been a threat, but the malicious twist of his lips and the way he'd cornered her suggested it was. He pressed into her space as he spoke, smelling like smoke and nicotine on his breath: I can keep your secret, if you help us.
So she agreed.
Riza Hawkeye wasn't a coward, but she was practical. Being ousted as a stranger from another world didn't suit her need to fly below the radar, and she hadn't imagined that what she was agreeing to could be any worse than what she had already endured in her home.
Which was why, all things being equal, the gold wedding band and simple engagement ring that now were expected on her left hand at all times had been such a surprise. It wasn't the man himself--Roland was nice enough. Polite. Genial. Ambitious. Thus far he'd tried to win her over and she'd avoided his affections. She remained at arms length, uncomfortable sharing such close quarters with a freshly minted husband she hardly knew.
Unlocking the door, she balanced the groceries in one arm as she maneuvered her way inside. Hearing no milling around inside was a relief, suggesting that she might still have time alone before Roland got in. Before returning to the bag she'd carried in she locked the door behind her--a habit she hadn't been able to shake. She began to unload the things she'd bought as an orange tabby cat weaved through her ankles, purring ferociously.
"Hello to you too," Riza murmured quietly as she scratched the cat's head. "Will you sit and enjoy the quiet with me for a bit after I've unloaded the groceries?"