"Damn it. You'd think with this being the best school in Amestris they'd at least have someplace quiet to study." Edward grumbled angrily to himself. He'd ventured into the school's library earlier only to find that it had been filled with chattering students which made it impossible for him to concentrate. So instead, he stalked through the halls with his arms full of alchemic textbooks, attempting to find somewhere quiet to read his carefully chosen collection. "Seriously, if they're not going to study they should just go home." He carefully pushed open the door to one of the schools music rooms, not holding out much hope.
Instead of the quiet sanctuary that he had been hoping for, Ed received a face full of rose petals and the sight of a group of male students sat in the center of the room, posing as if they had been waiting for him. "Welcome." They greeted him with a well-rehearsed unison.
"It's a guy." One of them pointed out with a raised eyebrow.
"Men are valuable patrons too, so stifle it." Another answered under his breath.
"Welcome to the Central High School Host Club." A blonde student carrying a clip board greeted him with a brief, professional smile. "My name is Riza Hawkeye and I'm the manager here. What's your type?"
"My…type?" Ed stuttered, staring at the girl with a bewildered expression. "We have the cool type, Heymans Breda. The strong and silent type, Vato Falman. There's also out resident megane Kain Fury." As she listed the names, each of the members waved and flashed him a grin.
Ed shook his head furiously, but before he could speak a black haired student leaned into him, winking provocatively. "Or maybe, I'm more your type. I'm Roy Mustang, and I'm the King around here."
"Sorry, I didn't even mean to come in. I was just-" Ed backed up desperately, a bright blush on his face. He was so distracted by the advances of the host clubs 'king' that he didn't hear the student approaching from behind him.
"Yo, sorry I'm late, I-" The approaching students' apology was cut off as Ed fell into him, unable to stop himself due to the books which weighed down his arms. Ed crashed into the student, his automail knee proving without a doubt that steel was stronger than bone.
"Havoc!" Roy called out, dashing to his side as the blond screamed in agony.
"I'm sorry!" Ed spluttered, abandoning his books on the floor and helping the man to his feet.
"I can't walk on it." Havoc hissed through gritted teeth. "I think it's broken."
"Come on." Roy scooped him up. "I'll take him to the infirmary." He nodded swiftly before heading out of the room, leaving Ed staring after him. Large hands clamped down onto Ed's shoulders and he found Breda and Falman stood on either side of him, glaring with a deadly intensity.
"I'm so sorry!" Edward winced, "I didn't mean to! I didn't know he was there and-"
He was cut off as Riza looked up from her clipboard to meet his gaze. "There is a high probability that you have cost us the use of one of our most active hosts whilst he heals. Therefore, to prevent any loss of income to this club, you will act in his place."
"Excuse me..?" Ed blinked in confusion.
Riza smirked cruelly as she declared; "As of today. You'll be a host."
That night, Ed sat across from his younger brother in the kitchen of their dingy little flat, shoveling dinner into his mouth as he spoke. "So now, they've roped me into being a host too. I mean, can you imagine it? Me? A dammed host?"
Al chuckled as he reached for his drink. "I think it'll be a good experience for you."
Ed paused his eating and pouted for a moment. "I guess it is equivalent, I mean… I did take out one of their hosts so it's only fair that I pay them back."
"I think it sound great. Do you think I could join too?" Al beamed excitedly.
"Seriously?" Ed spluttered. "You don't have to do that Al. It's not fair that you would have to suffer too."
"It wouldn't be suffering brother." Al rolled his eyes. "Besides, we help each other through everything, right? It might make it easier for you if I'm there."
"But-" Ed started, intent on pointing out that the pact they made to stand by each other while they were on a quest to retrieve their bodies didn't exactly apply in a high school situation, but he was cut off by Al's sheer stubbornness before he had a chance to.
"I'm joining too and that's that." He nodded, snatching away Ed's empty plate and heading to the sink to wash the dishes.
"Fine." Ed leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "I suppose it will be easier if you're there with me..."
"And someone needs to be there to stop you from exploding." Al remarked, only just dodging the glass which was launched at his head.
"So what's the bad news?" Roy asked with an arched eyebrow.
"Havoc's leg is broken in two places. It's take a great deal of time for him to fully recover. He'll be able to work during that time of course, just in a reduced capacity."
Roy sighed dismally at the news. "And the good news?"
"I've enlisted Edward Elric as his replacement."
"Who is this Elric kid anyway? Is he even a student?" When he had arrived at the music room, the boy in question has been dressed in leather trousers and a tacky red jumper, a far cry from the mandated school uniform.
"He's one of the scholarship students." Riza opened up her laptop to search through the school files. "Edward Elric, first year student. And there's also his brother Alphonse, who should be in middle school. They're not in standard classes though, they've both been placed on the third year course. They're prodigies." Riza informed him with a sharp nod. "Top of class 3C, you'll be seeing them both when alchemy classes begin next week."
"Interesting." Roy mused.
"He has the potential to be a great host. Especially with those golden eyes of his. It's very exotic."
"Ah, I remember a time when you thought I was exotic." Roy sighed.
"Half xingese isn't quite as exotic as an unidentifiable race I'm afraid." Riza stifled a giggle at the look on Roy's face which followed his damaged pride.
"Regardless…" Roy quickly recovered his serious demeanor, looking down at the chess set next to him and reaching out to pick up the knight. "This could be interesting."