Of Flowers and Fragrances
-- Fullmetal Alchemist is copyrighted property of Arakawa Hiromu, et al.
"How are you feeling today, Colonel?"
"Not shipshape, but I can hold a conversation or two. Who are those flowers from?"
"Ms Gracia and Elysia. They apologize that they can't come today, but they promise to drop by tomorrow."
"I haven't seen Elysia for ages, it seems. And yet there was a time when I saw her more times than I cared to count."
"Hm."
"Aren't you going to say it?"
"Say what?"
"That her father would have been terribly proud of her if he could see her today."
"We all know he would. Why bother articulating a fact that is so well-realized?"
"That is so you, First Lieutenant."
"The others send you their best wishes. They will come visit you this evening."
"Okay, stop."
"Stop what, sir?"
"Stop trying to arrange those flowers. Just tuck them into the vase - there."
"But they would look cluttered and stick out every which way."
"I know, but you have no talent or skill in flower-arranging, and watching you twist and tug at the poor things is somewhat painful. Sit down."
"As you wish, sir. Although I must express my objection that you wouldn't let me finish with the flowers."
"Objection noted. By the way, why aren't you in uniform? I thought you were coming straight from the headquarters."
"Today happens to be my day off. I went with Ms Gracia to buy these flowers, and I could hardly do that in my uniform. So I put on civilian clothes."
"That's too bad. The prussian blue of our uniforms suits your eyes."
"Really, Colonel."
"I'm serious. Especially when your hair is not in the way. Like this..."
"I must remind you that the doctor told you not to move much at this point, due to your bandages and plaster cast."
"All right, all right. What time is it? They serve lunch very late in this place. Patients would starve to death first before they recover."
"I'm sure your lunch will arrive soon."
"Care to feed me? You said yourself I can't move much yet."
"Is that an order?"
"No, a simple request. By the way, you smell very nice."
"Thank you."
"Lavender? You don't usually wear perfumes. And I thought women use perfumes to make a statement of their personality, or something like that."
"Just how well do you know women, sir?"
"Not that well. Speaking of perfumes, I'm thinking perhaps I could buy you one someday?"
"Sir, your injuries seem to have addled your brain."
"Well, let's just hope they'll come in with my lunch soon. Then I won't have to plague you with my boredom."
"I hope so, too, Colonel."