[fic] honooko: Variations: Roy and Thomas II
Entry: Variations Arc
Title: Roy and Thomas II
Author: honooko
Rating: PG
Warning: None
Summary: In this world, he was given a second Second Name.
Thomas, not unsurprisingly, aced the written portion of the exam. He also blew through the interview; Mustang was on the panel, and he noted that it was almost as if Thomas had sat the interview before. He wasn’t nervous or overly-boastful. Instead, he was calm and steady, showing a self-confidence that impressed the other judges.
And when it came time for the final portion, Tom declared his intention to take the practical demonstration. Mustang fought against this decision; he felt it couldn’t possibly do Tom’s incredible mind proper justice. The Military, he argued, would have no idea what you can do.
Tom’s expression darkened, and he softly replied, “That’s the idea.”
Nevertheless, the demonstration was enough. One applicant had built an enormous stone bridge, but he collapsed at the base in exhaustion. Tom frowned, and knelt at the ground, listening. Mustang noticed.
“Thomas?”
“Shhh...” the boy answered, hushing. He looked up after a moment.
“It’s coming down,” he said simply, pointing at the bridge. Mustang opened his mouth, but before a word left his lips, the huge stone structure rumbled, and collapsed. A large wave of dust and debris roared towards the judges, who were scrambling with arrays.
Tom merely clapped his hands, and transfigured the tent they were standing under to act as a protective bowl. The judges were impressed, but Mustang guessed it was merely Tom’s desire to stay clean that prompted the act. The boy was bizarrely fastidious.
Tom stepped forward once the dust settled. He eyed the remains of the bridge, and clapped. Blue lightening danced across the rock, and it instantly raised itself into the very same structure, as unsound as when it had been originally raised. But then, Tom subtly altered the design. He sharpened it and cleaned the lines, then added supporting arches. All of these changes occurred in a single heartbeat.
It was a unanimous pass. Mustang noticed that only two judges had even made note of the delicate patterns artistically carved into the stone. All in all, the demonstration had shown that not only did Tom have considerable intelligence and skill, but his precision and control was impeccable.
Mustang had the honor of presenting the boy with his watch and title.
“Thomas Elric. The Fuhrer has chosen your second name. From this day forth, you shall be... the Aurous Alchemist.”
Tom blinked.
“The... what?”
“Aurous. Of or relating to gold. I believe it’s in reference to your hair and eyes.” Mustang said, smirking. Tom scowled at him.
“I know what it means, shithead. It’s just not... what I was expecting.” He paused, running his fingers over the watch face almost reverently.
“You don’t like it?”
“No,” he said quickly. “It’s not that. I... like it.”
“You seem less than thrilled,” Mustang commented blandly.
Tom didn’t answer at first. He stared at the watch, and, curiously, at the inside of the lid. Then the corner of his mouth quirked in a small, amused smile.
“I’m just not used to beginnings.”
Title: Roy and Thomas II
Author: honooko
Rating: PG
Warning: None
Summary: In this world, he was given a second Second Name.
Thomas, not unsurprisingly, aced the written portion of the exam. He also blew through the interview; Mustang was on the panel, and he noted that it was almost as if Thomas had sat the interview before. He wasn’t nervous or overly-boastful. Instead, he was calm and steady, showing a self-confidence that impressed the other judges.
And when it came time for the final portion, Tom declared his intention to take the practical demonstration. Mustang fought against this decision; he felt it couldn’t possibly do Tom’s incredible mind proper justice. The Military, he argued, would have no idea what you can do.
Tom’s expression darkened, and he softly replied, “That’s the idea.”
Nevertheless, the demonstration was enough. One applicant had built an enormous stone bridge, but he collapsed at the base in exhaustion. Tom frowned, and knelt at the ground, listening. Mustang noticed.
“Thomas?”
“Shhh...” the boy answered, hushing. He looked up after a moment.
“It’s coming down,” he said simply, pointing at the bridge. Mustang opened his mouth, but before a word left his lips, the huge stone structure rumbled, and collapsed. A large wave of dust and debris roared towards the judges, who were scrambling with arrays.
Tom merely clapped his hands, and transfigured the tent they were standing under to act as a protective bowl. The judges were impressed, but Mustang guessed it was merely Tom’s desire to stay clean that prompted the act. The boy was bizarrely fastidious.
Tom stepped forward once the dust settled. He eyed the remains of the bridge, and clapped. Blue lightening danced across the rock, and it instantly raised itself into the very same structure, as unsound as when it had been originally raised. But then, Tom subtly altered the design. He sharpened it and cleaned the lines, then added supporting arches. All of these changes occurred in a single heartbeat.
It was a unanimous pass. Mustang noticed that only two judges had even made note of the delicate patterns artistically carved into the stone. All in all, the demonstration had shown that not only did Tom have considerable intelligence and skill, but his precision and control was impeccable.
Mustang had the honor of presenting the boy with his watch and title.
“Thomas Elric. The Fuhrer has chosen your second name. From this day forth, you shall be... the Aurous Alchemist.”
Tom blinked.
“The... what?”
“Aurous. Of or relating to gold. I believe it’s in reference to your hair and eyes.” Mustang said, smirking. Tom scowled at him.
“I know what it means, shithead. It’s just not... what I was expecting.” He paused, running his fingers over the watch face almost reverently.
“You don’t like it?”
“No,” he said quickly. “It’s not that. I... like it.”
“You seem less than thrilled,” Mustang commented blandly.
Tom didn’t answer at first. He stared at the watch, and, curiously, at the inside of the lid. Then the corner of his mouth quirked in a small, amused smile.
“I’m just not used to beginnings.”