Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist, or its characters and I don't own The Hunger Games
Ed decided he hated satin. The texture. The Feel. The way it was suffocating him. But mostly the way it reminded him he wasn't at home. He wasn't in the small apartment he shared with Al, with his father, that bastard. He couldn't run across the hall to the Rockbells, the family adjacent to them, and take pleasure in their company. He couldn't have his early morning squabble with Winry… No. And he probably would never know that happiness again.
What chance did he have? One boy in a sea of children who were out for his blood, who wanted to see the light leave his eyes and the warmth of his skin go with it. Despite himself, Ed softly chucked stifling most of the sound in the rich blanket that covered his petit frame. If Al had heard him talking like that he would probably have knocked some sense into him, then just pout. His little brother was the only one who could guilt trip him by just pouting. Suddenly an enormous torrent of relief swept over Ed as he took comfort in the fact that if nothing else, Al had not been chosen. It's not that he wouldn't have volunteered for his brother, Al almost did himself, but Ed still couldn't help but feel relieved. Al and Winry were safe, and that's all that mattered. If Winry had been chosen he couldn't even have volunteered for her. Not only that, but only one came of the arena…
Not liking where that thought was headed Ed stormed out of his room into the bath. Capital people sure were lucky bastards; even their showers reflected a higher class than Ed could ever hope of being. He briefly wondered whether his dad, the rich government official, bathed in places like this. But no. He hated his father, why the hell should he care what the old man did, even if it was something as remedial as shower.
After his bath, Ed wandered about his district floor. He entertained the thought that this floor had been constructed after District 3, his home, but quickly dismissed the belief. The Capital wouldn't go that far to ensure the comfort of the tributes.
"Hello Edward…" Ed twisted around to face the girl who had addressed him. Creamy brown skin that reminded him of chocolate, big eyes that somehow were tinted purple and long brown hair that poured from her head like a waterfall. Then, most peculiarly, long pink bangs. He wondered where she managed to get dye…
"Hello Rose. How are you doing?"
"Very well, thank you Edward…" It was a pleasant conversation, on that reflected how little the two knew each other. But it was still continued, Ed assumed it was out of desire to get an ally, or maybe to say they got to know the person they would kill in a couple weeks. Perhaps it was out of craving to talk to someone who had not been marred by the Capital's culture and influence by speech, appearance and conscience. Or maybe… she was just being friendly.
"Have you bathed Edward? The Capital is so different from home… All us factory workers get is a bucket and some cold water."
Edward may not have had the best conditions but thanks to Hohenheim, himself, his brother and the Rockbells got a decent place to live, to sleep and to bathe. They needn't work at the factory that produced electrical goods for the Capital. "Yeah I've bathed… 'ts okay…"
"Have you spoken to any of our mentors yet? On the train ride I got to speak to Mr. Armstrong, and he offered to teach me. But there are plenty of others to talk to."
Edward pondered that for a moment. He knew there were a multitude of victors to choose from in District 3. He took a moment to feel gratitude that at least he wasn't in District 12. Where there were only about 1-2 victors… and he was pretty sure one of them was dead. However, from what he had heard, the only living victor from District 12 was also a master alchemist, a flame alchemist… His name was… Soy Mustard?
Ed's thoughts quickly fluttered back to the task at hand. "Hey Rose… Are there any alchemists?" Alchemy was Ed's passion, his talent and his major strength. It was also a dead art, so tributes that could use it were usually paid special attention to.
"Sorry Edward… I really can't say. Maybe if you came to breakfast with us you could find out…?"
"Uh… Yea, I'll be there" Rose half jogged half skipped away, leaving a very confused Ed in the dust. Is she actually concerned that I didn't eat dinner last night? Ed didn't really know Rose other than that she was in his grade at school and was one of the friendliest people he had heard of. He also registered the fact that he was unsure if she would survive the arena. He shook off the thought, he couldn't worry about other tributes, they were just obstacles. …right?
Ed sped down the hall, attempting to locate the dining room. He finally found a large wooden table (mahogany?) in the center of an open room with a lovely outlook of the Capital.
"Wood… cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, and extractives… in a basic sense…" Ed frequently quizzed himself on compounds when he was nervous or sometimes he recited the Periodic Table of Elements.
"Nice Runt. Couldn't have said it better myself… actually that's a lie, I probably could…"
Ed gasped and looked up at a woman, presumably in her mid-thirties, with black hair strung up in braids and made into a ponytail. She had a pale complexion and her eyes were a dark blue, almost black. She was holding a glass of white wine. She was pretty.
"Thanks… What are you doing here? I thought breakfast doesn't start till 9:00." Ed did his best to ignore the runt comment. He didn't know who this lady was and it could be bad if he exploded at the wrong type of person.
"Couldn't sleep kid, but don't worry your little blonde head about it."
"Sorry old lady, but I wasn't worrying I was just trying to get some time to myself. And I'm not little dammit…" There went his chance at surviving. Winry was right, why couldn't he just be polite!?
The lady took a step closer to him, picked him up by the collar of his neck and tossed him into the wall, hard.
"Call me old again runt, I dare you." Her voice was dangerously venomous.
Ed just stared at her. This lady had just picked him up with one hand and handed him his ass on a silver platter.
"Are you an alchemist?"
"Yes brat, what of it?"
"And you're a victor?"
"Your slow ya know that?"
Ed smirked; this was exactly what he needed. "I'm the boy tribute for District 3 this year. Edward Elric"
"Ha. I almost thought you were the girl. Why do you have so much goddamn hair?"
Ed twitched, "That's not the point. I can do alchemy too and I'm pretty damn good at it."
The lady sighed, "Look kid, sorry but I don't take on mentorship."
Ed's grin wilted. "B-But please!"
"Sorry kid, I just don't"
The tribute's stare locked onto her's, "Look lady, my little brother is depending on me getting out of this shit alive. He needs me, I can't afford to lose! He's the only family I have left! I honestly don't give a shit whether you want to teach me. You will be my mentor; I won't stand for anything less than the best."
She stared at the brash young man. Then, unexpectedly, she laughed. Not a full out guffaw, but more than a chuckle. She grinned at Ed. "Fine kid, if you're gonna whine so much about it I'll accept. I mean, how 'm I supposed to say no to that face?!"
Ed's intense mask cracked, showing the immense gratefulness inside. "Thank you! I-"
"Wait. I have but one condition. You answer this question and I'll be your mentor. If not, good luck with the games runt. 'All is one, one is all'. What does it mean? She raised her right arm in a gesture of goodbye, her back turned to the adolescent.
Ed started at her in a sort of trance before snapping out of his daze. "Wait. Can't I have a clue? And I don't even know your name!"
She turned to him and her lips twitched upwards. "Death and its Izumi Curtis, but you can call me Teacher."
