It had been a typical Thursday morning. Riza had woken up to the persistent high pitch staccato beep of her alarm clock and she curled from within the darkness of her sheets. She had poked the tip of her head out and stared at the bright red numbers glowing vibrant red.
6:15 am.
She sighed, running her slender, pale fingers through her tousled blonde hair and felt Hayate lick her bare toes, sticking up in a row out of her sheets. She giggled quietly and shushed Hayate to stop as she turned her alarm off. He continued to nip playfully at her feet until she retreated clumsily from the bed.
"Alright, alright," She commented coolly, smirking inwardly, "I'm up."
She peeled off her white tank and underwear before she dowsed herself into a flush of hot water and immediately began combing through her wet hair. She graced the mass of risen flesh and scar tissue that bucked up just above her shoulder blade. Her eyes watched the drain and the tiny hurricane that whined around it's silver rim. She could still feel the engravings of her father's handiwork but she could also feel the placed Roy had burned for her.
It wasn't every morning she did this but this particularly, on the rarities of such occasions had thanked god no one knew the key she held to such a terribly beautiful alchemy. A smiled graced her lips just as she finished rinsing herself.
The morning paper was in front of her apartment door and she swiped it up casually before making her way back inside. Hayate scampered softly at her feet as she poured herself a cup of coffee. Her eyes remained fixated upon the topic of discussion that was circulating around Central: "Scar At Large!"
She sipped as she sat at the nook of her kitchen, glancing every now and then at the window. The sun was just above the horizon, however the sparkles of light peeking through was cultivated between the buildings of the city. She could see Headquarters and immediately checked her watch.
7:37 am.
She stared back out of the window before she finished her cup of coffee and resumed to carry on as usual. She quickly fed and watered Hayate and before she left, she watched him for a moment before deciding to take her with him.
"You've got an interview coming up?" Havoc asked. He tucked the cigarette he held in hand now behind his ear and watched the Colonel as he wrote down a few notes of his own.
"Apparently so, regarding the incident with Scar." Roy replied with little interest. He looked up at Havoc who loomed at his desk. He was holding a few papers and was flipping through them quickly.
"Chief, could you just signature these? I need to returned to Archives as soon as possible."
Roy nodded taking the papers and began scribbling when they heard the door open. Both men glanced back and saw the Lieutenant peep in. She nodded routinely before letting herself in and behind her followed Hayate. Roy's face lit up momentarily as he quickly finished signing Havoc's papers.
"Thanks. I'll be back." Havoc waved absently before disappearing.
Roy watched the Lieutenant as she set her stuff down at her desk and allowed Hayate to doddle among her feet. He hadn't seen Hayate for some time and noted how large he had grown. The black and white fur was glossy and thick, coating Hayate beautifully. The pup sagged now, wagging his tail lethargically and looking wide eyed expectantly at the Colonel, as he crawled on the floor and peeked behind his desk. Roy's eyes quirked enthusiastically as he egged the small dog on until Hayate lifted his body on all four and barked.
Riza glanced down and saw Hayate sneaking up towards the Colonel's desk. She averted her eyes to her superior, to where he should've been sitting, however, she saw a tuff of glossy black hair poking from the bottom corner of his desk. The colonel moved stupidly, thrusting him out and grabbed Hayate.
"Sir, you shouldn't get him started. He'll make noise." She commented quietly with a little humor in her voice. Roy nodded now standing next to her and held Hayate.
"He's grown quiet a bit already," He mused as he watched her approach the door.
"Yes," She sighed putting her thick coat on the rack and made her way toward Roy once more. He watched her as she walked and suddenly remembered something unusual of the day. Oh, he thought, that's right.
"Yes?" She inquired, noticing his inquisitive façade. He put Hayate down and crossed his arms. He wore that shit-eating grin before sharing his thoughts.
"Your birthday is in two days, isn't it?"
"Yes. Why is that amusing, sir?" She said playfully. She allowed her lips to curl into a smirk as she watched Roy approach his desk again.
"Well," He said thoughtfully, tracing his chin with his gloved fingers, " you haven't said much about it. Are you doing anything special?" He chatted before he was handed some papers. Falman just entered the room, interrupting the conversation but he did so quietly. He smiled at the Lieutenant and handed her a letter.
"Hm?" Her jovial, playful face turned questionably when given the letter. It was a small letter, it was crinkled and seemed to hold fragile contents. She was just about to open it when Falman chimed in as well.
"Yes, I was wondering just the same Lieutenant. Surely you've something planned for your birthday?" He asked sincerely.
"I actually haven't planned any such arrangements. Perhaps a quiet evening alone."
"On your birthday? Nonsense." Roy said. "You should at least have company given to such a special day. I could organize a party"-
"Drivel," She laughed, "I don't think that's necessary. My birthday hasn't meant anything special in twenty four years, it shouldn't mean very much now."
Roy scowled at such a comment. He always made sure that Riza was on his mind on these types of occasions. He sent her flowers last year and bracelet. It didn't happen often that her birthday fell on a weekend. This called for such festivities. Although the conversation was dour by such her sad comment, Havoc entered the threshold just then with both Fuery and Breda. They chatted noisily before greeting the Lieutenant and returning to their seats.
"Hey," Roy piped in with opportunity, "guys, what do you say we put together a little gathering for the Lieutenant? She is turning twenty-five on Saturday, a celebration is in store, is it not?"
"Oh? Congratulations! We should definitely throw you a party, Lieutenant, for the everything you do around here." Fuery adjusted his glasses and smiled warmly at Riza. She smiled in return as she flipped the letter over and opening the back.
"That sounds fantastic." Falman agreed.
Riza laughed quietly as she opened the letter but something fell out onto the floor. She stared at it for long seconds and recognized it from anywhere. It was brass pair of bifocals with mahogany rims. The glasses were cracked and dusty. She felt her heart throb suddenly as she bent to pick it up.
Roy noticed her odd behavior as she held the glasses. Were they a gift? Who would send something like that to the Lieutenant? However, she acted very oddly cradling them. Her eyes looked frightened. He rested his chin over his hands.
"Did someone send you something inappropriate, Lieutenant?"
"I…I'm not sure but," She trailed off as she pulled out the crinkled note inside. Hayate snuggled closer to her legs and licked soothingly sensing her sudden mood swing.
It wasn't often that something frightened Riza. Even with the most extreme of situations, something as result of something stupid Roy had gotten them into, the Lieutenant remained cool, calm and collected.
I know your secret.
- N
Ps. I salvaged your father's glasses among other things.
She gasped suddenly, dropping both the letter and glasses. Falman retreated to her soundly picking up her things as the Colonel rose from his seat as well. He swallowed the stagnant air as his Lieutenant was regaining her composure. He took the letter and read it over. He eyed the Lieutenant seriously before studying the glasses. They were definitely his teacher's…
