Hi! I'm TheFullmetalRaven, but you can just call FMR.
This is my first story, and I originally had a nice and awkward intro for it but I messed up and now all my Author's Notes from here to chapter 7 are all gone. I'm super ticked and sad about it, but at least I didn't lose anything of the story I had put up.
Checking my profile for a link to my DA page for some artly things for this fic is a thing that's possible, so go ahead and do so if you feel like it.
Without much else to say on my screw up, here's
Unexpected Circumstances
Chapter 1
First Day – Part 1
Transfer
He walks through the hallways, each step clacks over the white tile floor, a few green tiles here and there, in a pattern. The footsteps ahead of him are his guide; the ones behind him, the step in time with his, and they catch up. He looks to his right – towards the steps that have caught to him – to see a broad set face (at least, broader than his own), with bright, round, golden eyes, a tinge of green lightening them, and short, light, fair, golden hair- fairer than his own – fair skin and a bright smile.
"Are you excited, brother?" The young, broad-faced youth asked.
"Like I told you at home, Al; yes." He smiles, softening his eyes. Alphonse, you're always excited for everything. I hope this time... I hope things go right – for your sake.
He scratches his head, running a tanned, but fair, skinned hand over his head and the length of his long, shoulder length, golden, braided hair. Piercing amber eyes stare ahead, framed by middle-parted, chin length bangs, with a single strand defying gravity at the divide. They glance towards Alphonse, then to their guide; he regards the halls they walk in; everything is background noise to him.
"Edward, Alphonse." A tall, broad-shouldered man called.
"Yeah, dad?" Alphonse sounded as he and Edward enter their father's study.
"Whaddaya want Hohenheim?"
The fatherly, pony-tailed blond glanced at his eldest son with hurt eyes, but quickly sighed and gathered a professional air around him.
"You two are moving schools." He worded closing his eyes and removing his glasses to wipe them.
"What?" Both sons asked with mild shock.
He replaced his glasses,"Considering the school's lack of funding and competent staff, and Edward's fights" – the eldest son grumbled – "I find it in your best interest to move you to this new school. I'm sorry I didn't inform you before I made this decision final. You two will probably be sore about this, and I won't blame you for being cross with me."
"Well... I'm not mad. Not really Dad. It's just a little disappointing, though..."
"Where the hell are you movin' us to, anyway?"
Edward was coarser with his words, but Hohenheim didn't sense much disappointment. He completely avoided telling his feelings and Hohenheim recognized his apathy.
"What's the catch?"
"What do you mean Edward?"
"There's more you're not saying. Spit it out."
Al watched the exchange with apprehension and contemplation.
"Very perceptive as always Edward. Yes, there is more. This school happens to be close to my work, in East City, so you'll be able to get a hold of me quicker." Edward's fist tightened. "And that means the school get a great deal of help from the university – you'll have a wealth of knowledge at your disposal." Edward and Alphonse perked up at that, though Edward kept his tight face.
It was early morning – the sun barely peaked over the mountains and birds chirped their morning whistles. Alphonse awoke before his older brother, and watched Edward's sleeping form.
At least brother rested well last night. Al smiled briefly before hurrying to get ready so that once he woke up Edward, he wouldn't be in the way.
"Ed. Ed, wake up." Edward continued to snooze despite Al's attempts to wake him. "Brother, wake up. We have school today," he warned gently shaking Ed's shoulder.
Ed awoke with a yawn and tightened eyes.
"Damn it. We have school don't we." He said with tired irritation.
"Yep. Are you excited brother?"
" – Another yawn – Yeah. I guess. It'll be weird though. A new school; beginning of the semester, too."
"I don't know. Something feels... different. A good different."
"Yeah sure. Just make sure your palpable optimism doesn't get mixed into my eggs." Ed smirked.
Their whole exchange happening all through Ed getting ready. Didn't take long, since he takes night showers.
The two descended the stairs into the hallway and made their way towards the kitchen where their father happened to be.
"Dad? I thought you woulda left by now."
"Good morning, boys. Well, Al, since your school is so close to my work, I feel I can afford to drop you boys off now. Althought, there will be some days where I must leave early and you two'll have to carpool with Pinako's granddaughter."
"Wait, Winry? She goes there?" Ed tried to fathom.
"Why yes. I thought she told you when you and her were choosing school's to go to."
"Guess I forgot – A year and a half ago is a while back, plus we don't really talk about school stuff much."
"You mean she talks, you ignore, and when she asks about you, you avoid the subject." Al countered.
"Tch- oh, shut it Al!"
"Ha ha ha. Isn't it great though? We at least know a friendly face, huh, Ed?" Al smiled.
"Finish up your food quickly, and we'll set out." Hohenheim said with warm eyes and a small smile.
"Yeah, yeah. Keep your pants on." Ed mocked.
Tires squealed to a gentle stop. The two gold boys exited the car and Alphonse bid a good day to his father whilst Edward said nothing, preferring to face his back towards the car and his eyes glancing boredly to the right.
"Very well. Have a good day boys. They've instructed me to tell you to wait in the front office after school officially begins for the day. They'll tell you what needs to be done after that. Well... I'm off," He said after smiling one last bit and drove off.
Al turned around and he and Ed looked at the name of the school: East City Academy High School.
"ECAHS, huh? Sounds goofy," Ed mumbled.
"Oh, come on Ed. Let's look around."
"Fine, fine."
There were many teenagers gathering in the school's courtyard. Friends greeting after the semester break caused a cacophony of chatter. With the other students wrapped up in their own cliques, the brothers went mostly unnoticed as they proceeded towards the front office.
The office was filled with many students asking questions and greeting the staff. Ed and Al decided to wait to the side of the room. Ten minutes rolled by and the warning bell rang. Student left at a comfortable pace, heading to their homeroom classes. Ed and Al walked up to the woman manning the front desk, "Um, excuse me, but we're new here and the principal told our father to tell us to wait here so that someone could tell us where to go..." Alphonse shakily stated.
"Oh, of course. I'll let the principal know you're here." She smiled, briskly paging the principal. A brief moment passed and before both boys looked to see an elderly, bespectacled, moustachioed man enter the room with a smile.
"Good morning," he greeted.
"Ah- good morning," Ed and Al reciprocated.
"And who might you boys be?"
He doesn't seem too bad... seems a little strict but also kinda grandfatherly in a way. Ed noted.
"Um, I'm Edward Elric and this is my younger brother, Alphonse Elric."
"Ah, Van Hohenheim's children, yes" – Ed's jaw clenched and his fist tightened – "A pleasure to meet you both, you may call me Mr. or Principal Grumman. Please, step into my office."
The three stepped past the front desk towards Grumman's office. Closing the door and leisurely strolling over to his desk, Grumman sat down and motioned for the Elrics to do the same.
"We don't get many transfers mid-year, so the counselors were able to quickly program your schedules. Here you are" – He handed them each a slip of paper – "These are your classes for this semester. However, if you have any reservations about them, please come see your counselor – their name should be listed somewhere at the top of the program card."
"Do either of you have any questions?"
Both boys shook their heads.
"Very well. I'd like to officially welcome the both of you to East City Academy. I hope you'll enjoy your time here."
"I'll ask my assistant to escort you to your classes," He stated as he paged his subordinate.
A young woman came through the door a minute later. It was the woman from the front desk. She had long black hair with dark, red-pink, chin-length, bangs parted in the middle so as to frame her light skinned, slender face. Soft, purple eyes fell upon the two boys and she smiled to all in the room.
"Boys, this is Rose Thomas. Rose, would you be a dear ad escort these young men to their morning class?"
"Yes, of course, sir. – gesturing to Ed and Al – Please follow me."
As Ed finished recounting the events that led up to the current point in time, he was brought out of his thoughts when Al addressed him.
"Brother, this is my homeroom class. I'll be seeing you later, okay?"
"O-oh, yeah. Let's meet near the office during break okay? See ya in a bit." Edward smiled.
"All right, brother. See ya then."
With that, Alphonse strode into his classroom with a smile, and Ed and Rose headed for Edward's class.
"So... tell me about this place..." Ed requested, sticking his hands in his pockets.
Rose smiled graciously.
"It's a very prestigious school. The staff is kindly... they really do care for the welfare of the students. We have a variety of clubs if you find one that piques your interest. The students are friendly as well. I'm sure you'll make friends soon enough." At that Ed rolled his eyes, but Rose hadn't noticed.
"Well, here you are."
They were paused in front of a classroom door.
"Have a nice day, and welcome to ECAHS." She smiled and left to return to the front office.
Edward braced himself, brought his right hand to the door's handle, turned it slowly, opened the door, and walked in.
