It was the usual protocol. Riza knew what would books and manuscripts her father wanted his apprentice to read. She left the materials neatly on the kitchen table, making sure the stew she'd been making wasn't burning. She prepared the room the man would be staying in, making sure all the linens and blankets were clean. Though she didn't feel such actions were necessary, he wouldn't be staying too long. Most didn't.
Roy Mustang had the oddest expression on his face when she opened the heavy cedar door of the Hawkeye Manor. As the others he assumed he would be greeted by her father, but he looked more excited than confused. She briefly told him an explanation of her identity, and gave him the instructions she had practiced as if she had memorize a script: His room was the second door to the left, his reading materials were on the kitchen table, and his studying would begin the following morning, and dinner would be ready in an half hour. He quietly acknowledged all of her words and temporarily excuse himself to complete his task of unpacking.
She returned to the kitchen, watching over the browning liquid until it was ready. She felt his presence behind her, and she told him he was more he was more than welcome to sit in the living while she finished dinner, but then he asked her a question:
'But who will help you finish dinner?'
The blonde was shocked by his questions. The other apprentices had never offer to assist with dinner, her own father didn't. She told him it was fine, but the young man was persistent. Finally giving in, she had him chopped the potatoes and onions. It was odd having someone else in the kitchen with her. Riza didn't mind doing this by herself, in fact she preferred it, but this Roy Mustang was going to make such task difficult she could see.
Once their meal was completed the two sat down and ate. He began asking her questions, and to Riza surprise, she answered them. He seemed interested in what she had to say and what she thought. How odd. What did he want? No one else had taken interest in her so why was he? His motivates were murky to Riza, but could it possible he was in fact polite? And didn't see her as space that occupied the house? Impossible. Right?
She laid in bed that night, thinking the day's events over. Mister Mustang, she decided to call him was interesting to say the least. No. That wasn't the word she wanted to use..different? Yes. She couldn't really describe him, but differentseemed to be accurate. There was something about Roy she couldn't grasp, but perhaps he would use this outstanding quality to his advantage. Maybe he could impress her father…..
Riza Hawkeye didn't know much, but could see one thing perfectly: Mister Mustang would be with the Hawkeye's for a while. She'll have to wash more linen for his bed.
Is this the end of a moment
or just a beautiful unfolding?