Edward's POV:
The land almost seemed foreign to me yet I spent a good amount of my time here in Central and truly I've kind of missed it. I'm not really supposed to be here but it was on my way to New Optain so I couldn't help myself but to stop by. Coming back here brought on many thoughts and emotions, like the worry for my little brother Alphonse. I wonder where he is and if he is okay right now, it's been awhile since I've actually thought about things like this since I've been enveloped in my studies. But really what am I going to do here, sight seeing? I've been dismissed and most likely forgotten so why am I here, I'd only be a disturbance barging into the State building. Maybe I need to rethink this... but I'm already here so maybe I should at least say hi but... that'd be intruding so... ARGH I CAN'T DECIDE!
"Edward is that you!" it's Riza I hear call my name and so I turn around to greet her and with a gentle smile I say "Hey!" walking up to her. She says "Since when were you here you need to come up to see everyone again, you and your brother are missed dearly!" Letting out a nervous chuckle I say "Well I actually just arrived, and as nice as it would be to see everyone I'd hate to intrude." She shows a determined expression saying "You won't be intruding so come on!" I'm suddenly jerked by Riza who is pulling me beside her as we run for central command. Well it looks like I'll be seeing some of my good friends today, definitely not what I expected but this should be good anyways.
The whole way to the command center Riza was trying to get me to talk about my travels, asking me so many questions while dragging me in the process. Soon enough we got there and on the way to the elevator Maria shows up and decides to tag along so she could talk to me since it has been awhile and to catch up on things. Apparently Roy got his eye sight back that's great and another thing is Grumman, some guy from East, is now the Fuher. I didn't expect that but I guess he must be good since I haven't heard of any war going on around the area, how bad could he be? Since there wasn't much going on here I was pretty much forced to tell about my travels but I guess I didn't mind all that much, at times they were pretty exciting and fun. For the amount of time being in the elevator and going to who knows where I ranted on about seeing some really good friends along the way and the different places I visited. I was surprised at how 'interested' they both seemed but I guess it could be somewhat interesting to them, they are girls so they must like gossip anyways but what do I know?
"You know I think it'd be great if Roy sees you I mean lately he's been so caught up in work ever since he was ranked up to the second in charge. Seeing a good friend may give him a good chance to loosen up a bit." Riza says patting me on the shoulder as we reach a door, which I guess is probably is Roy's. It's been months since I've seen him, I wonder if he's changed they sure made it seem like he has. But what difference could I make to him I am just a subordinate to him who he seemed to like to tease about my height and treat me like a minor. I let out a huff at the memories but push that aside hesitantly knocking on the door waiting for some sort of answer. "Come in." It's been forever since I've heard his voice causing a tug at my heart strings but it's really nothing. Gulping I open the door peaking in before slowly walking in with Riza and Maria behind me. "Hey General you'll never guess who I found out in town." Riza says with tease in her tone and a grin plastered on her face. Roy looks up from his paper work and once our eyes meet for a split second there is a look of shock in his eyes. In a flash it's replaced with a smirk and he says "Didn't expect to see you here Fullmetal, what brings you here to Central?" I reply casually "I was just passing through since it was on my way." I kinda wanted to say I was glad to see him but that's just to embarrassing to say and to him that's like gloating to him.
It's silent between the bunch of us as we all just stand there not sure of what to say since really I have nothing to say and these two girls dragged me here by force. Did I really need to come here I feel like I'm out of place and intruding besides I'm sure he has plenty of work he wants to get done, me coming here is just a distraction. "Hey I got an idea, we should all go to lunch!" Maria starts with the same plastic smile from before, "We'll just grab the others then we can be on our way, in the mean time you guys can just sit back, relax, and catch up with each other." Without another word the two girls dash out of the room and I swear I thought I hear giggling, that's just great they're planning something and it's kind of creeping me out now. So now it's just Roy and I in the office, what am I supposed to say or do I'm not good in these types of situations. "So how has your travels been, any progress in your studies?" Roy says, it's obvious he just wants to start a a conversation to avoid being uncomfortable. I reply "Okay I guess I mean I've been concentrating on alkahestry and I've been finding a lot of the same stuff but... I've also been looking into possibilities of getting my alchemy back, but really I haven't found much on that." There is a look of interest in Roy's expression as he is listening, when I'm done talking Roy says "Hm I don't know much of that but if you ever need any help you can come straight here I'd gladly help you get into some research." With a small smile I say "Thanks," looking down at my feet, I should really be thankful for being friends with people like him.
After awhile Maria sticks her head through the door and says "We're ready to go whenever you guys are." Shrugging I head for the door with Roy right before me, I wonder where we're going out to eat? Right outside the door everyone is waiting for us, it's been so long I just can't believe it. After a moment of just standing there and talking a little we all start walking towards the exit. I hate the silence, it makes me think and then comes the memories. I can't keep them out of my mind when I can't distract myself. Darkness...the cold and the pure pain and helplessness I felt that night. I couldn't free myself from the complete stranger but he couldn't be a complete stranger if he knew my weaknesses and such. He knew just how to defeat me and keep me captive until he was done using me. Now anytime I'm alone or even if I'm just not occupied the memories flash back through my mind...it-it scares me. The only reason I want to get my alchemy ability back is so I can protect myself better and possibly beat that man, but I highly doubt that will happen. Besides revenge will do me no good and truly in the end will just leave me with guilt and more pain.
We ended up going to this pub not to far from the command center and Roy pretty much rented out the whole restaurant himself, figures he's probably got plenty of money in his pocket now. It's actually quite a nice pub for... you know for a pub. It's two stories high with a balcony looking out on Central. We all sat at this large table in the middle of the second floor of the pub, no clue why the second floor and not the first but whatever. I ended up between Maria and Falman at the table. The funny thing is the main reason we're all going out to eat is because I randomly showed up and yet I'm the one who is staying silent, or at least so far.
"So you still don't have a girlfriend Havoc, I'm not surprised you act like such a ladies man yet you don't show it!" Breda jokes, most of them are pretty drunk right now and as the 'kid' in the group I can't drink alcohol until I'm older. The men of the group are cracking jokes while the girls are off in their own worlds gossiping with one another is what it looked like. Well this sure sucks for me they're having a dandy time while I'm just sitting here listening to their drunken conversation. "Hey I wonder if we're ever gonna catch that serial killer out there in the West!" I'm pretty sure that was Havoc that said that. I clench my fist under the table intensively staring down at them as the memories invade my mind. Why can't it all just disappear!