Title - Tangled Web
Author-
cornerofmadnessDisclaimer - not mine. All rights belong to Ms Arakawa
Rating Pg-13
genre action/adventure
Characters/Pairing Roy/Riza, Ed/Win, Al/OC
Timeline/Spoilers future fic and contains spoilers right up to the very end
Word Count 45,437
Warningviolence but no more than the manga,
Summary Father and Bradley were defeated but not everyone has gone quietly into that good night. Someone thinks Ed and Al were responsible for the death of General Raven and is out for revenge.
Chapter Three
Why are we here?” Ed stomped his feet on the train station’s wooden deck. He glanced around at his environs, obviously unhappy that most everyone was inside and warm except for his brother, Mustang and him. “Can’t we wait inside?” He scowled. “I feel like we’ve had this conversation before.”
“What? Got a hot date?” Roy smirked, fussing with his scarf. He flicked a piece of lint off the alternating pattern in blue and green. It almost looked like diamonds and snowflakes to Al.
“Him? Hardly.” Al snorted, eyeing his brother and Ed glared right back. “I, on the other hand, do.”
“Yes, it’s unusual to see Al without that girl attached to him,” Ed groused, rolling his eyes.
“Don’t be such a jackass,” Al shot back.
“Edward, just wrap yourself around Miss Rockbell and do everyone a favor.” Roy waved dismissively at Ed and Al nearly swallowed his tongue trying not to laugh at the expression on his brother’s face.
“How do I do that, stuck here freezing my ass off?” Ed stomped his feet again.
“General Mustang.” Armstrong’s voice boomed across the station. The big man strode toward them, arms spread wide. “Alphonse, Edward, how are you this fine morning?”
“We’re good,” Al said quickly before Ed could start a new rant. “A little puzzled as to why we’re here.”
“I haven’t told them yet,” Mustang said. “Guess I better before Ed explodes or Al abandons me.”
“That’ll probably happen even if you do tell us,” Ed said, glancing askance at his brother. “Especially Al.”
Al wondered how Roy had resisted setting Ed on fire all these years. He could be miserable when he got self-righteous and assured he was right and the other person was an idiot. “Shut up.”
“Here’s the train.” Armstrong pointed down the track.
“Someone coming in on that train wanted to see you two,” Roy said, blowing a plume of frosting breath skywards. “So Ed, sweeten up. Al, cool off. She’ll wait.”
“Not hard to do standing here,” Al grumbled, thinking about meeting with Snowdrop. He wondered what she had planned for the afternoon. She was as mysterious as Roy usually was about plans. Al spun his cane, distractedly, following his brother’s example and moved behind Armstrong to use him as a windbreak.
“Ah to be young and in love,” Armstrong gushed, patting Al’s back as he moved.
“Am I the only one frightened by that image?” Ed muttered as the train pulled up.
“No.” Al nudged his brother with his cane. “Did you give any thought as to what I said about Winry?”
Ed nodded, his expression softening. “We’re going to the movies this afternoon. Winry’s wanted to see They Came From the Desert even if it’s supposed to be scary.”
“That’s the best kind to take a date to, Fullmetal,” Roy said, not looking back at them.
“Ears like a cat,” Ed grumbled. “It’s about scorpions that got into some kind of rare desert plant that made them grow to the size of houses, as if that could happen,” he snorted.
“I agree, a movie is a good date.” Al grinned. “My date’s a mystery, which makes it more alluring.”
“Al, you’re coming along nicely. Always knew you’d be a quick study,” Roy said with obvious pleasure.
Ed snatched Al’s cane, stepped out from behind Armstrong and poked Mustang in the kidneys, hard. The older alchemist grunted.
“Mind your own business and don’t pervert my brother.”
“I think he’s doing fine without any help from me,” Roy said, rubbing his back.
Ed poked him again. “He absorbed your luridness by osmosis.”
“Edward Elric, the general is a well-known romantic. Your brother could pick a worse role model,” Armstrong said.
“Bite your tongue. The only way this could get worse is if Al listened to General Shit.” Ed poked Roy a third time but the man kept ignoring him. “I take it back. The worst thing would be if Al’s girl was related to Mustang.”
“Edward!” Al snatched his cane back as Roy snickered. Al thumped Ed on the ribs with the skull handle.
“Ow, that hurt.” Ed batted at the cane with his metal hand.
“Then quit transmuting the handle into scary things,” Al said. “And she’s never mentioned having any male relatives. You can relax.”
“Hey, Boss! Chief!” A happy voice boomed. “Armstrong! Hey, is that you, Al?”
They glanced toward one train car. Parked in the entrance to it was a wheelchair. Havoc waved at them. Ed led the way over as the porter mulled out loud how to get Havoc down.
Mustang gestured to Armstrong who went up the stairs and lifted Havoc right out of his chair.
“Whoa! Gently, I’m not a sack of potatoes,” Havoc said, slapping the man’s beefy arm.
“Sacks of potatoes would complain less,” Mustang muscled the chair down the steps. “I see you still have that damned goat thing on your face,” he added as Armstrong put Havoc back down.
Havoc stroked his goatee then wagged a hand at Mustang. “You can’t tell me what to do any more, Boss. The women love it.”
“This I’d like to see,” Mustang smirked.
“Oh, you’d be surprised.” Havoc shivered. “Damn, it’s cold out here.”
“That’s rather the point of the Icicle Festival.” Roy laughed. “We’ll take you to Breda’s.”
“Do I get to see your new place?” Havoc rubbed his gloved hands on his thighs. “I heard they gave you a fantastic house.”
“Sure, we can do that. The brothers haven’t seen it yet, either.”
“We’ll have to get rides back to town if we go out there,” Al fretted, peeling back his glove’s cuff so he could see his watch.
“Don’t want to miss the date.” Ed rolled his eyes.
Al scowled. “You have one, too.”
“Lucky kids,” Havoc sniffed, digging in his pockets as Armstrong rolled him to the van.
“No smoking in the van,” Roy said, freezing Havoc as he slid a pack out.
“You never minded before,” Havoc protested, a horrified expression on his face.
“Riza is laying down the law.” Ed snickered. “Winry told me all about her yelling your head off for coming home smelling like booze and cigarettes.”
Roy speared Ed with a hot look. “Shut up.”
“Heard Hawkeye was retiring,” Havoc said, giving his cigarettes a mournful look. “Can’t believe it.”
“She’s going to work private security for the President,” Armstrong said. “My sister will keep her very busy.”
“And Riza working for Olivia does have pleasant ramifications,” Roy said, opening the van door.
“Don’t mention the details!” Ed stabbed a finger at Roy as Havoc swung himself into the vehicle with practiced ease.
“Sounds like a dare.” Roy smirked.
Al prodded Roy with his cane. “For all our sanities, don’t.”
Roy laughed as they piled into the van. He slid behind the wheel and took off.
“Shit!” Havoc cried as Roy careened around a corner. “Now I see why Hawkeye always insisted I drive. You’re insane.”
“Thank you!” Ed held onto the door handle. “I keep saying that but no one takes away his keys.”
“I can put you both out at this corner,” Roy replied and they settled down into comfortable small talk until Roy headed down a road leading to the outskirts of town. The van skittered up the hill to the large estate at the top.
Havoc looked out the window, taking in the new Mustang residence, and whistled. “This is impressive, Boss.”
“President Armstrong definitely wanted me to make a statement with this place,” Roy agreed, pushing the seat way back before getting out. Ed yelped. “Oh, as if there’s a chance I rammed those little legs of yours.”
“Who are you calling so short he’d fit right under the seat?”
“Ed, not so loud in the car.” Al reached around Ed, opening the passenger door. He tried to nudge Ed out. While Armstrong helped Havoc out of the car and to the house, Al stared at the mansion. Even Ed quieted, his mouth gaping ever so slightly as he took in the massive building.
A square tower rose up from the center of the home and behind it on a slightly lower level, facing the rear of the house, was a widow’s walk. Multiple steep gables danced around the tower, each proudly sporting spirals and oriel windows. What captured the imagination the most was the highly ornate and painted woodwork decorating the whole façade in royal blue and frosty white trim.
“Needs a gargoyle,” Ed proclaimed.
“It has a few,” Roy replied and Ed’s eyes lit up “It needs no more, but if you do embellish, keep it sane.”
“Do you realize who you’re talking to?” Al rolled his eyes and his brother nudged him hard.
“My mistake.” Roy laughed, climbing up on the porch to unlock the front door. He paused, hearing something inside. “Riza? You home? I brought a bunch of undesirables home and, oh, Armstrong.”
Al’s eyebrows climbed. “Have I moved down a peg?”
“You are an Elric. Certain members of your family do tend to pull you down a little.”
Go to hell,” Ed said, pushing into the lobby. He wandered around it, head back, taking in the ceiling, painted with a variety of people doing things in wooded park scenes. “This is amazing.”
“Thank you, Edward,” Riza said, coming out of one of the rooms. “Sometimes I feel like this can’t be real.”
“You grew up in a big old house,” Roy reminded her.
“The key word is old. Make yourself at home, boys. Roy can show you around,” Riza smiled at Havoc. “Good to see you again, Jean. How was your trip?”
“A little tiring,” he admitted begrudgingly. “But I wanted to see you and this place before I headed to Breda’s.”
“I can show you around down here, Jean. Can we get anything for anyone? Something to eat?” Riza asked.
“You cook?” Havoc seemed surprised.
“Naturally. Roy’s better, though. I think I remember a few of those awful deportment and hostessing classes I had to take as a girl.” Riza scowled.
“All of my sisters were required to take those,” Armstrong offered up. “Olivia failed.”
“Big surprise. She probably ate an instructor,” Roy replied and Ed snickered.
“Flame!” Armstrong reprimanded but his mustache twitched as the man fought not to smile. “That was just a rumor.”
“I believe the rumor,” Ed said, showing all his teeth in a wide grin.
“Well, she did say she eats red shrimps like you,” Al reminded him, flinching as Ed whipped around, arm cocked.
Ed punched his shoulder twice. “Two for flinching.”
“Brotherly love, so sweet,” Riza said sardonically then chivvied them toward the stairs to begin their tour. Al caught her wrist, appropriating her over Roy for their guide.
“So, how do I get myself a place like this?” Havoc tugged on leather gloves before gripping his wheels. Neither Roy nor Armstrong insulted him by offering to push him now that he was out of the snow and ice.
“Be unlucky enough to be a national hero,” Roy replied and Havoc laughed.
“Let’s show you around and Armstrong will take you to Breda’s,” Riza said.
“Do I get to come back and see that famous wine cellar I heard came with this place?” Havoc grinned.
Roy scowled. “Aren’t you a beer man?”
“I make exceptions.”
“Fear not, Havoc. Flame is planning a large celebration for the end of the festival,” Armstrong assured him.
“I’ll even have guest rooms made up for those who can’t totter their way home.” Roy laughed.
Havoc rubbed his hands together. “Now we’re talking.”
XXX
Al stretched languidly. The sheets puddled around his sweating body as he rolled onto his side. “I didn’t think this is what you had planned for the afternoon, Snowdrop.”
She circled a finger over his nipple. “I didn’t. This was spontaneous. The real date has yet to really begin.”
“Mmm, so what were we supposed to be doing?” Al kissed her breast.
Snow slapped his rump. “Let’s shower up and you’ll see.”
Al hadn’t wanted to go back out into the cold. He would have been content to spend the day in bed with Snowdrop and tell Ed later that yes, he had gotten his exercise for the day. Snow had other ideas as she herded him toward the conservancy on the west side of town. The heat of the place washed over them as they stepped inside.
“This is unexpected,” Al said, wondering how much work went into maintaining such a variety of plants year round.
“I’ve wanted to see their new winter exhibit. There are supposed to be a lot of sculptures. And they’re redoing the desert room to celebrate a new time of understanding with the Ishbalans,” Snowdrop said, locking her arm with his.
“This should be nice.”
They strolled through a herbarium, packed with wintry statues. The spicy scents made Al want to linger. The desert room was as sparse as he imagined, the bright Ishbalan pottery taking the edges off the foreboding cacti. The room bore ropes barring entry to sections as the staff worked on improving it. Al didn’t see it as much compensation for the poor Ishbalans having been hunted and harried for years but it was a start.
Snowdrop found a crystalline snowflake sculpture in the Xingese room that Al thought she might walk off with if he took his eyes off her; she was that enraptured with it. For his part, he found the tiny trees, some of them hundreds of years old, fascinating. A few looked like a forest in a dish. He wondered if he could learn to do something like that without alchemy. The Xingese room had a second part, rich with tiny, bright flowers and a pond filled with lotuses, decorative glass balls by some artist Al didn’t know, and beautiful fish.
“I love the goldfish.” Snowdrop sighed, leaning over the bridge railing as she gazed into the pond. “I’d love to have my own little pond like this some day.”
“I can see the appeal…my cats will love it.” He grinned and Snowdrop nudged him.
“You’re naughty.”
Al stole a kiss. “Isn’t that what you like about me?”
“Among many things. Come on, the dense foliage in the next room is always stunning.” Snowdrop pulled him along. “We can come back and linger by the fish.”
Al acquiesced gladly. Snowdrop was right; the riot of blossoms against the green foliage in the next room was beautiful. A bench pushed out against the overwhelming greenery, situated across from a giant head with a wide open, fanged mouth. Al sat down and Snow rested her head against his shoulder. “That is so strange,” he said, nodding to the statue.
“It’s by a local artist. He passed away recently, sadly. I know the person handling his estate. It’s full of his artwork.” Snow tapped the skull handle on Al’s cane. “This makes me think of Edward or should I say Edward’s alchemy reminds me of Mr. Justice’s art?”
Al snorted. “Ed would love that thing. He’d put it in his front yard.”
“Technically, he could. Mr. Justice’s work is for sale. I thought, as a way to show Ed there’re no hard feelings, I could arrange to go out to the Justice estate for a look around,” Snow said.
“Edward would love it,” Al agreed, fearing just how inspired Ed might get finding a kindred spirit, even if the man had passed on. “There is a flaw in your plan.”
“Oh?”
“Winry likes you. She might not once you point out to Ed there is a market for his art.” Al grinned, tapping Snowdrop’s nose.
She giggled. “It’s a risk worth taking. So, after this room is the sunken gardens with carnivorous pitcher plants?”
Al blinked. “Really? I’ve never heard of plants that are carnivorous.”
Snowdrop nodded. “Oh yes, they’re not much to look at, though.”
“Just don’t tell Ed they exist.”
“I can just see it now.” Snowdrop spread her hands, laughing. “Pitcher plants lining the walkway and Mr. Justice’s statues in the yard, Edward’s house will be the talk of several towns.”
Al squeezed her tight. “That is what I’m trying to prevent.”
“Let it happen,” Snow replied reasonably.
“Do you want to see Winry turn into a murderer?” Al grinned.
Snow shook her head. “Poor girl. At least I fell for the relatively sane Elric brother.”
“Only relatively.”
“Sane enough for me at any rate,” she replied.
Al rested his head against hers. “I can live with that.”
Chapter Four
“Snow would like us to all go out together,” Al announced at the dinner table.
Ed’s eyes rolled. His ‘why’ barely got halfway out of his mouth before Winry kicked him.
“Edward,” Gracia chided, her eyes narrowing. “Don’t be so hostile. It’s unpleasant.”
“Ooo, Mommy yelled.” Elicia looked almost appreciative to have a lightning rod for her mother’s mild temper.
Ed glanced down at his gravy-flooded meatloaf. “Sorry.”
“As I was saying,” Al continued, shooting his brother a look that said ‘die,’ “Snow and I went to the conservatory today and there is an artist you’re going to love, Ed. Unfortunately, he just passed away and one of Snow’s relatives will be selling his estate. It’s not up for sale yet but she thought you might like a first look at some of his statues.”
“Where in the world would I put a statue?” Ed attacked his meatloaf like it was his enemy.
“If Elicia wasn’t at the table, I’d tell you where,” Al shot back.
“Boys, this is getting old,” Gracia said, her tone even more Mom-like than her last interjection.
“Sorry,” Al said and his brother echoed him more quietly.
“I’d like to see the house, Al. I’ve been training so hard lately, I’d kill for a chance to think of something other than automail,” Winry said, spooning up her gravy-laced mashed potatoes.
“Really? I never thought I’d hear you say that.” Ed leaned forward, eyes popping. “You’re such an automail junkie.”
“Even I have my limits.” Winry shrugged, not rising to the bait. “Of course, there’s all the festival fun but something else to do would be nice.”
“Okay, sure. I guess I have to know what sort of statues Snow thinks I’d like.” Ed held up a hand before Al could get upset. “Because I don’t even know that myself. I’m not into art.”
“That’s not true, Edward. I’ve seen your alchemy. You love to put little um…embellishments on things,” Gracia said, a hint of blush on her cheeks.
“Embellished. I’ll have to remember that instead of calling it creepy little grotesqueries.” Winry laughed.
“Hey! I’m feeling seriously underappreciated here.” Ed’s sulking took his chin to the table. “I take pride in my work.”
“So long as there aren’t flame-breathing dragon knuckles on your hand, I’m happy,” Winry assured him.
He rolled his eyes, mumbling, “You never gave that a chance.”
“Just think, Winry, you’re choosing this. I’m stuck by blood. If you were sensible, you’d run,” Al groaned.
“If women were sensible, Al, Riza wouldn’t be getting married to that self-aggrandizing idiot.” Ed flushed the moment the words left his mouth. “That came out all wrong.”
“I should hope so.” Winry stabbed a fork at him. “I’m beginning to think I’m the least sensible woman in the world.”
“Get used to it.” Gracia patted Winry’s shoulder. “I was married to Maes. Occasionally I’d sit there and think to myself, ‘I married this man!’”
“Staggers the sensibilities.” Winry sighed, shaking her head. “Snow is lucky. Al is mostly sane.”
“Mostly sane?” Al cocked up an eyebrow. “You know, that’s exactly what Snow said to me today.”
“What’s that make me?” Ed grumbled.
“It speaks for itself.” Gracia went over and patted his cheek. “Help us clear the table, please.”
Ed pouted but helped. “When did Snowdrop want to see this place?”
“I’ll ask her. Probably in the next day or two.” Al shrugged. “There’s a phone at her place. I’ll give her a call. Thanks, Ed.”
“You got me curious now and if I’m just sitting around doing nothing, the bastard might find something for me to keep my busy.” The face Ed made suggested he wanted nothing of Mustang’s plans.
“Keep annoying everyone and we’ll be sure to suggest it to him.” Al grinned.
“The more I suffer, the more I take you with me.” Ed smiled sweetly.
Winry looked at Gracia and sighed. “We’re not going to survive the Ice Festival.”
Gracia laughed. “It’s not looking likely.”
XXX
Snowdrop relaxed at the corner table in her mother’s new bar. Belle had been put back to work bartending but Snow was still working her cover as the owner of a small clothing shop, having come back to restock from her sister’s Central shop. Her misgivings about her assignment still ate her but she saw no way out.
“Snow.”
Her head snapped up, hearing that familiar timbre. A huge smile broke out over her face, seeing Roy standing there in his snazzy suit. Did her brother ever dress down? He had gotten all the good-looking traits in the family. No wonder he excelled at this when she didn’t manage to do her first assignment right.
Roy swung into the chair opposite her. “What do you think of the new place?”
“Looks like the Madam is doing well,” Snow replied. She glanced about at the large L-shaped bar with its sparkling brass rail and the plethora of liquor bottles behind it. There were two full rooms of tables and one with a pool table and other games. It looked nice under its veil of cigarette smoke. “Less scary than the last one.”
He chuckled. “True. So, do you want to tell me what’s wrong?”
Snow grimaced. Her brother always could read her too well. “Why would something be wrong? Did Madam Christmas say something?”
“Should she?” Roy leaned back in his chair, an inscrutable expression on his face.
“Don’t give me that shitty look, Roy,” she huffed, glancing around the bar. She wished it was emptier, not wanting a public rile with Roy.
“Snowdrop, language,” he scolded. “I have to hear that sort of talk from Edward all day.”
“Ed?” Snow’s eyes widened. Her brother wasn’t supposed to be working with Fullmetal any more. If he was, oh, this would be so bad. “The Fullmetal Alchemist? I thought the president announced he was working with her brother to help root out the remaining Bradley supporters.”
“Our duties intersect and Edward loves to torment me, mouthy little bastard.”
“I’ve heard you whine about him before many times.”
He snorted indelicately. “If you knew Edward, you’d know it wasn’t whining, just a statement of fact.”
Snow hoped her face showed nothing. “I know you, brother. You whine.”
He made a lemony face then changed the subject. “Do you have plans for the Ice Festival? I’ve talked it over with Christmas, you can come to my big party, the official wedding announcement. You can bring a date but you don’t have to.” He grimaced then hurriedly added, “I know you don’t-”
“You know nothing,” she snapped then regretted it. She could hardly tell him she was dating Alphonse. Her head was spinning from Roy’s announcement that he was still in contact with Ed, hence her slip up. Snowdrop didn’t like where this could be headed. Now that she had just let escape the idea she might be seeing someone, Roy would push. He’d want to know, to meet the guy. She knew he thought that after the things her stepfather had done to her, the things that man invited his friends to do, that she didn’t want to be with men. For the most part, Roy was right.
“Oh?”
“It’s just starting. I don’t want to jinx it. If it goes good, you’ll get to meet him,” Snowdrop said, figuring that would be fair enough. She’d just tell Roy it hadn’t worked out. “So what’s he like, the Fullmetal Alchemist?”
“Take that yappiest terrier you’ve ever met, give it a worse attitude then stretch it into a human, that’s Edward.”
Snow laughed, realizing it was a perfect analogy. “How evil.”
“You have no idea. This grin he gets…” Roy shook his head.
“As bad as yours?” Snow quirked up her eyebrows.
“Ouch.” Roy put a hand over his heart. “As much as I’d love to sit and talk, I need to get home. I promised Riza I wouldn’t abandon her with the decorating for the big dinner. She will shoot me if I don’t show soon.”
“Literally.” Snow nodded. Walking with her brother outside, she gave him a hug and a kiss. “Bye, Roy boy. You come back soon,” she said for the benefit of any passers-by.
“My pleasure, Miss Winthrop.” He tipped his hat to her. Snow didn’t watch after him, darting back inside to go talk to her mother about her fears.
XXX
“Ed, where are we going?” Al limped after his brother.
“Trying to find 1415 Climax Street to drop this off for General Jerk.” Ed shook a large envelope. “I told you and Winry you didn’t have to come with me.”
“It’s no problem. We were going to stop at that late night tea house Snowdrop was talking about anyhow.” Winry craned her head around. “This isn’t a part of Central I’ve ever been in,” she added with the reticence of a country girl lost in the inner urban knot.
“There are worse slums,” Ed assured her. “You’ll be safe with us.”
“Hey, look down there.” Al pointed to a shadowy corner where a couple was embracing. The girl went inside quickly as if afraid of being spotted. “That looked like Snow.”
Ed shrugged. “What would she be doing here?”
“Al, it’s awfully dark. It’s probably just someone who looks like her.” Winry patted Al’s arm with a gaily-colored gloved hand.
“But that is the bastard!” Ed growled. “Damn, him, he could have brought his own envelope down here instead of sending me out to freeze my testic….um.” Ed looked at Winry, flushing.
“He probably considered that event a gift to the world, you being sterilized.”
“Al!” Ed and Winry chorused. She slapped Al and he snickered.
“Who’s that?” Winry nodded to a heavy-set woman who had come out of the bar and hugged Roy.
“I’ve seen her before,” Ed said, picking up his pace.
“It’s always good to see you around, Roy boy,” the woman cooed loudly enough for them to hear. “You don’t keep us waiting so long next time.”
“I won’t, Madam Christmas,” Mustang promised her.
“Madam?” Winry hissed to Ed. “Do you think it’s a brothel?”
“Hope so. That way I can tell Hawkeye and she’ll shoot the bastard.”
“Ed” Al cried, a little louder than he meant to.
Roy whipped around. “Fullmetal, what are you doing here?”
“Doing your work, you dick.” Ed shook the envelope. “If you were going to be down here, why didn’t you do this yourself?”
“Maybe I had a very good reason and I’m busy so I’ll see you later.” Roy rounded a corner.
“Busy in a brothel?” Ed asked.
Roy laughed, unlocking his car. “You have the wrong end of the stick, Fullmetal, and you have about two blocks to go. You might want to hurry and get out of the cold.”
“Drop dead,” Ed called to Roy’s back as the man got into his car.
“He really brings out the worst in you,” Winry said, giving Ed a sour look.
The alchemist just huffed, stalking down the sidewalk. Al lingered, looking back at the door to the maybe-brothel. Not hearing the tapping of his brother’s cane, Ed looked back. “That wasn’t Snowdrop, Al.”
Al didn’t look convinced as he joined his companions. “You’re probably right.”
Ed picked up the pace, eager to get out of the cold. The bells tinkled over the door as he went into the shop. An old Xingese man looked up from the counter.
“I didn’t think you’d make it here before I closed for the evening, Edward Elric.” The old man’s voice carried a singsong accent.
Ed’s eyes narrowed, suspicion gleaming in them. His palms itched - both of them, though he never could explain how the missing one could feel things. “You know who I am?”
“I’d have to be a fool not to with how often you’re in the newspaper and on military posters.” The old man waved his hand. “Besides, Mustang told me you’d be coming. And you must be his brother, Alphonse. Mustang said you’d be accompanying him.”
“If Roy’s telling random people I’m always with you, Ed, that’s a sign I need a life outside of you,” Al moaned.
“As if you don’t already do, Mr. I Can’t Go Ten Minutes Without My Girlfriend.” Ed snorted.
“Mustang also warned me you would be bickering.” The old man grinned. “However, he didn’t mention you, Miss. It’s always a pleasure to have a pretty young lady in my shop. I’m Mr. Wu.”
Winry blushed. “Thank you.”
“Yeah, yeah, here.” Ed slapped the envelope on the counter. “Now is there anything else? Because if Mustang could have just used the mail for this, I’m killing him!”
Mr. Wu chuckled. “I have something to give you in return. Wait here.” He disappeared into the room behind the counter.
“Behave yourself, brother,” Al chided. “You’re going to give us a bad reputation all over town.”
“Yes, Edward.” Winry nudged him as Mr. Wu returned with a box with small holes around the top.
“I was to give this to you, Fullmetal, but since it’s meant for your brother, I’ll surrender it to you.” Wu passed the box to Alphonse.
Al opened it, curiosity lighting up his gold eyes. A huge smile broke out over his face as he lifted out a delicate-looking, beige kitten with a mask, ears and stockings in a purplish grey.
“What the hell? Why would Mustang want to get you a cat? Is he out to make me insane?” Ed grumbled loudly.
“Doubt he has to try hard.” Winry rubbed her forehead.
“He said your brother loves cats. I’m one of the few who can sell these outside of Xing. They were the favored breed of cat of an Emperor two hundred years ago. They still have royal favor. My stock is varied in their point coloration but Mustang liked this little one. He said she was feisty enough to withstand the Elrics. All I ask is for you to keep me updated on how my little girl adapts to her new home and if possible, bring her back here for breeding.”
“I’m a good letter writer. I’ll tell you all about her,” Al rubbed his cheek along the kitten’s slender back. “Does she have a name?”
“Xiu.”
“I love it. I’ll have to thank the general in person,” Al bubbled. “And thank you, sir. I’ll take excellent care of her.”
“Mustang assured me of that already. Enjoy her.”
“Ed.” Winry shot him a quizzical look. “Are you okay? It’s not like you to be so quiet.”
“Just planning all the ways I’m going to kill Mustang.” A huge grin spread out over Ed’s face.
“Just try not to desecrate his corpse too much,” Al said wryly, cuddling his kitten.
“Anything more, Mr. Wu?” Ed asked.
“No, I can call you a cab if you like.”
“Please do,” Ed replied, cheering himself with his vivid, dark imagination.
XXX
“Madam, I think there is a problem,” Snow said as soon as her mother finished saying goodbye to Roy.
“You getting too close to your mark?” Chris said offhandedly, her voice low as she beckoned Snow to follow, which she did on shaky legs. It was rare that she ever saw her mother angry. “Or is it the fact neither of you can make much progress with these boys?”
“I made progress tonight and none of it good.” Snow sat down at her mother’s desk.
“What happened?”
“You know I spoke to Roy earlier. He still knows a whole lot about the brothers. I think they’re still working for him. I know he says Ed is working for Armstrong but I think he’s still working for Roy. I know my brother.”
Chris tapped a finger against her lip. “This isn’t good. We need to do a better recon of this. I need to know more about our client and I’ll haul Roy boy in here and sit him down for a long talk.”
“Mom, I don’t want to do this any more. I was wrong and Roy was right. I’m not made for this work.” Snow rubbed a hand over her mouth. She hated saying it. She wanted to be good at it. “I’m sorry. I wanted to be a better help to you.”
Chris reached across the desk, putting her hand over Snow’s. “I should have known better. Roy was very adamant about you not being sent out to do this kind of job. Resolute or not, your brother is not always right. Roy thinks too much with his heart.”
“He was right about this.” Snow refused to let her mother see her cry. “I don’t think this job is a good one, not at all. Something feels very wrong.”
Snow wished her mother would have offered up words of comfort but there was no solace to be had in Chris Mustang’s grim visage.
X X X
“Miss Raven, you should go to bed.”
Evelyn glanced up at her major domo. The man’s ebony queue snaked over his shoulder as he scowled at her. “I need to find something useful in these files. They’re just too thin. I thought Madam Christmas’ networks were supposed to be the best.”
“They are. It could there is nothing to find. They are just boys, after all,” Yu said.
Evelyn slammed a fist down on her desk. “They were at Briggs when my father disappeared. He was a very talented general! Who else in that forsaken dumping ground for military losers but two alchemists could have accomplished making him disappear?”
It was hard to tell from Yu’s impassive face if he was convinced or not. What did it matter? He was, at the end of the day, a mere servant who had a good in with the right people. His feelings didn’t matter to her. She sighed. “Maybe you’re right. I just wanted to find out what happened to my father.”
“Understandable, mistress,” Yu inclined his head. “If there’s nothing more, I’ll take my leave for the night.”
She waved him off then watched him go, knowing Yu was wrong. Those damnable alchemists had to have something to do with her father’s disappearance. Evelyn was going to make them pay.
onto chapter
chapter five & six