turns the corner going to opposite way. Though, he hasn't had time to wash out the dye from his hair.

spots him through a haze of a headache, and immediately gives a mumbled greeting. Then realizes, oh, right, she's not supposed to recognize

him.

recognizes him as the guy he fought the other day, but then remembers he's "Ludwig-Gilbert" and doesn't know him. He raises

an eyebrow and asks if he knows him.

shakes her head. "N-no." Crap, voice a little high. "Ha, sorry, uh, sir, thought you were someone else." There, that was a better "man"--

voice.

keeps staring at her. That voice sounded familiar.... "Oh, yeah. I, uh, get that a lot..." Well, crap, he realized he hadn't done anything

to change his voice from Gilbert to Ludwig-Gilbert. Shit.

laughs nervously, kinda like she had all last night. "Ha... I'm sure seeing that you're part of the military."

then realizes, crap, he's not in any sort of uniform. aklsdjf

now positive he met him last night at the ball--of course, he met a lot of people last night. Except...he's sure that the person he's

thinking of was a girl. And he's a guy. Trying to figure it out, he laughs and asks how he enjoyed the ball last night.

pales a bit, and laughs again, this time a little more like a man. She waves her hand as if passing aside the subject. "It was enjoyable,

though I heard about some trouble going on around the punch bowl and piano." Because she had watched him afterwards, or, Roderich that is.

raises an eyebrow, acting innocent. "Oh? Is that so? I heard there was an importer, as well." Of course, he's not saying *he* was the

impostor. He looks him up and down, trying to remember who he was. Well, he could always ask, right?

raises an eyebrow. "Really? I guess you're asking for those sort of things at a masquerade. No one can see the entire face,

while the eyes are still shaded."

narrows her eyes, now that she thinks about it... his eyes are red, aren't they? It reminds her of someone. Who was it, again?

nods. "Yeah, but still. I heard it was *Gilbert Beilschmidt*. Impersonating *me*. Can you believe it?"

...Of course, he *is* Gilbert Beilschmidt. Suddenly, he doesn't care who he was at the ball, he could get into a lot of trouble

here. He could get Ludwig into a lot of trouble. He tries to excuse himself. He needs to get back to work, after all....

shakes her head. "No, I can't - wait, *Gilbert.*" She reaches out to grab his hand. Hadn't Roderich mentioned him before?

quick, and easily able to avoid his grabbing hands. "Sorry, sir. I really must be going." He turns and tries to walk away.

steps in his way. "No, sir, I just have a question. Seeing that you're a military officer, would you happen to know any information about a-

recent break-in that happened here?"

tries to hide his panic and tries to act as much like Ludwig as he can. Deep breaths. Eaaaasy. Don't give yourself away.

He raises an eyebrow. "A recent break-in?"

nods. "Yeah. There was gas, exchange of fire. Over a quarrel about guns."

suddenly reminded as to WHY he was going to get revenge on Roderidch. But he shakes his head, trying to be as emotionless as

possible, but it's *hard*. "Oh? Is that right?"

smiles. "Yes. It involved my superior, is all, so I was concerned. Apparently Edelstein was able to take care of it by himself, though. --

Wasn't too hard of an ordeal. So I suppose there's no need for your involvement as of now."

pauses, staring at him. "...You're Rod--Mr. Edelstein's....he's your superior?" ...He's vaguely

aware that he didn't make very much sense just then...but...if he works for Roderich...he could maybe use his help...

nods, hoping she was onto something. "Yes sir. I'm copilot Elias Hervrry." Of course, she hadn't made an appearance as that at the ball, --

but that was beside the point.

doesn't remember talking to him at the ball, but doesn't really care at this point. He takes a step closer,

obviously interested. "Copilot, huh? I bet you know *all* about Rod--Mr. Edelstein."

now a little weirded out by the decrease in personal space. "I suppose, but that's not really something I can share."

him a grin. It's not a smile of a military man, but a customary Gilbert, sky pirate smirk. "But surely there's *something* you can tell me?"

raises a creeped-out eyebrow. "Er... sorry sir, but I'm not at liberties to discuss my boss's affairs." She takes a step back.

takes a step forward, again, the grin never leaving his face. "Sure, sure~ But I'm sure there is *something* you can tell me. You know,

something he cares *deeply* about. Something he would *hate* to loose."

leans back, away from Gilbert. "Excuse me, *sir*, but I think this goes beyond any *military needs*."

he recognizes her now.... His grin only widens and his red eyes shine. "Oh, but *miss*. I think we established...

I'm not an *honest* military man...now am I?"

a feeling of dread and a little bit of fear wash over her and sink in her chest, which is, unfortunately, female as much

as she's able to hide it. "E-excuse me, are you trying to *imply* something?" She asks, still trying to keep up the guise.

grabs her arm so she won't run off, like before. "I think you heard me, miss. So, tell me. Do you work for Mr. Davis...or Mr. Edelstein?"

glares daggers, feeling her heat beat speed up. "Get your hands *off* of me, *sir*," she threatens, hoping to avoid the question.

only tightens his grip on her arm. "*Answer* my question, miss."

narrows her eyes. "I work for *Mr. Edelstein* as his *copilot*, now let. me. go." Fuck, this was *not* going to end well.

looks her over once more before shaking his head. "No. I don't think I will" He smirks.

jerks her arm, trying to get out of his vice-like grip. "If you even *think* about trying anything I will chop your balls off before--

you're even able to blink." She didn't trust men, for obvious reasons.

also assumes that Gilbert hasn't gotten any in a while. C:

only brings her closer, giving her a grin. "You do *anything* to me, and I'll tell *Mr. Edelstein* that you're really a girl." He wasn't

even sure if that would work, but hey, there had to be a reason she was crossdressing, right?

her stomach turn to ice, but her heart is still pounding. "What do you even *want*, hm?"

smirks. "I want *revenge* on Roderich. And *your* going to help me."

glares. "And how's that? Because I was under the impression I'd be fired with both options, here."

snorts. "You won't be fired. Unless you *tell* Roderich you're helping me~ And--should you get fired, you can always

work with me~" Think about it. Roderich's most trusted adviser...working for *him*.

hoping for the first, at this point. "So, *Officer Beilschmidt*, is there somewhere you'd like to go, other than out in the middle of public

like this?" Because she'd really rather not be seen like this by, say, Roderich, or anyone who works for him.

snorts at the *officer*, but isn't going to tell her he's a pirate if she can't figure it out herself. He nods. "Sure~"

And starts to lead her somewhere else.

gets that he's a pirate, thank you very much. :I

it's obvious, but hey, people are stupid.