Vivienne Eden hails from the icy North City, where she grew up, and lives contently with her father Harry. In hopes of providing her father with the essentials that he needs to survive, Vivienne spent the majority of her life studying the art of Alchemy, with the aspiration of becoming a State Alchemist in the near future. The time has come for her to depart North City, all that she has ever known, so that she may participate in the State Alchemy exam. Aware of the hardships that await her in due time.
*I've edited this a little. If you're reading for a second time, you may come across some slightly different dialogue and add-ins. But none of it drastically conflicts with the original storyline, so it's not much to worry about. Enjoy!
One More Soul to the Call
00:
Departure
It wasn't until the obnoxious blaring of a whistling train sprinted past the window that I'd realized I had fallen asleep. I came to slowly, fluttering open my eyes and steadily lifting my head from the table, Yawning, I looked over to the window and watched the shadow of the coursing train move past the closed curtains, and then observed the area around me, regaining recollection of where I was.
'Oh yeah… that's right.' I thought to myself, pressing my palms against the coffee table for support as I stood to my feet. After gaining my composure, I grabbed the dangling locket hanging from my throat and placed it back under my shirt. I had been out running errands for Dad today, and had fallen asleep in the restaurant that I had went to for lunch. Ahhh, he's probably worried sick about me. I had to be asleep for a good 3 hours or so. It was already dawn from what the clock hanging on the wall read.
"Uhmm, excuse me Mrs. Madison?" I asked, approaching the counter. She was busy wiping it down with a rag. Looking up at me, the brown-eyed waitress smiled warmly.
"Hey there Vivienne, dear. Oh, sorry about not waking you. You just seemed so worn down, I didn't want to bother you." she said in her thick country accent. I shook my head, beginning to step into a pace.
"Oh, no, that's okay," I insisted, "I just think Dad might be worried about me since I've been out for awhile."
"Ahh, I see. Oh, by the by, good luck on the State Alchemy Exam! You're headed out tomorrow morning, right?" Mrs. Madison asked. I chuckled and scratched the back of my head.
"Thanks! Yep, I'm all packed and ready to head out to Central."
"You aren't nervous?" She questioned curiously.
"Of course," I replied truthfully, "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. After all, there are going to be multiple other Alchemists there who are probably a whole lot more talented, and a whole lot more experienced than I am."
I crossed my arms ambitiously, bringing my pacing to a halt.
"But I dunno, even so, I'm confident that I'll pass. You can count on it."
Mrs. Madision laughed, ringing out the worn, dingy rag into the sink. The countertop was spotless.
"There isn't any doubt in my mind that you'll own those exams. You'll do great, you don't have any choice but to!"
I smiled widely and let out a few amused chuckles.
"Ahah! Isn't that the truth? Thanks for the extra boost, Mrs. Madison!"
"Anytime, dear."
Just then, I face-palmed, remembering what I had meant to ask in the first place.
"Arghh, before I forget, may I use the phone?"
"Why, sure you can." Mrs. Madison replied, her smile broadening. As did mine.
"Thank you." I responded, bowing. She nodded. With that, I walked to the front of the joint where the entrance was, picked up the phone, and dialed home. After a few dial tones, I heard Dad's jovial voice greet me. My face immediately brightened.
"Hey Dad, it's me… Yeah, sorry I didn't call sooner. I fell asleep at the Burger Joint. You know, the one near the train station? Yeah. So I'm fine… Yep- Oh! I forgot to get that thing you asked for…. Mmkay. Sorry about that….. Alright, I'll be back in a few…. -chuckle- Love you too, Dad. Bye."
While I put down the phone, I felt that weird paranoid sensation that someone was watching me. I peered around, and soon came eye to eye with a strange elderly man sitting at a booth in a far corner of the restaurant. He wore a long brown coat and had grungy grey facial hair. His skin was worn and aged, and on his head sat a cheap grey hat. And I just know there has to be a bald spot under there somewhere.
Feeling extremely uncomfortable and creeped, I shrugged my arms up at him. He shook his head at me, and my eyebrow twitched. Yeah, I'm totally outta here.
I said my goodbyes to Mrs. Madison as I stormed my way out the door. Immediately, I was once again greeted by the familiar glacial Northern breeze, snowflakes sprinkling about. I shoved my hands into my pockets and huffed.
"To hell with this ridiculous sub-zero climate." I muttered to myself. In my entire life of living in North City, I swear I've rarely ever seen the Sun. As a little girl, it took me awhile to realize that the Sun even existed. It's always so icy here.
A few moments after I had fled from the Burger Joint, I heard the door open again. And the next thing you know, none other than the potential pedophile that I'd encountered not even 5 minutes ago was trailing after me. Ugh, just great, I really didn't feel like dealing with any idiot perverts today. I accelerated my pace, and began to weave my way through the crowds of people.
"Vivienne! I need to speak with you." he called. I stopped in my tracks, bewildered. This guy really is a creeper. How the hell does he know my name?
"My name is Douglas Patrick. I'm a detective." he introduced. I glanced around at him through squinted eyes. I was becoming quite skeptical of this man.
"A detective. Really? Well, nice chatting with you." Was my response, laced with sarcasm. I turned on my heel and began storming off again.
"Hold on!"
Quite the persistent old freak, he is. I rolled my eyes, decelerating my pace.
"There's someone who wants to meet you. Just let me have an hour. No- half an hour of your time."
I sighed, turning to face him again.
"I'm sorry, but I really don't have anymore hours or half-hours to spare. Besides, my Daddy always told me not. To talk. To strangers." I nodded my head at him with each pause.
"This is very important. It's about your birth."
"I'm already fully aware of the reproduction cycle, thank you. I'm not interested." Once again, I continued on my way, aware of the creep's footsteps desperately trailing behind me.
'I need to find a way to lose this guy. I really don't wanna have to knock him out.' I thought, irritated. A vein pulsed violently atop my forehead.
Just up ahead, there was a public bathroom. I made my way over to it. When I still felt the undercover rapist's presence behind me, I snapped, and whipped around to face him.
"Are you still following me? Do I have to scream?" I yelled. The peculiar old man automatically threw up his palms in defense.
"Ah, sorry! I'll wait here." he replied.
My brow twitched again at that remark. At that, I willingly made my way into the diseased public restroom, eager to abscond from his presence. I sighed in relief when the door closed behind me.
It was just another one of those typical restrooms with multiple unsanitary stalls. The usual. I walked over to the sink and ran the water, which was surprisingly crystal clear. I cupped my hands and let the refreshing liquid fill my palms, then I splashed it onto my face. The coolness temporarily relieved me of my frustrated state.
"Nice going smart one. Now you're trapped, that creep is waiting for you outside." I said to myself.
"If I weren't so nice he'd be breathing through a tube by now."
Looking up at the mirror, I was stunned as I was met by a strange glowing red symbol that hadn't been there prior to my arrival. It eerily seemed to float among the mirror's surface.
A strange, eerie language of writing was subscribed onto the circle's edges, and an unsettling illustration of an eye sat upon its apex. Various other undecipherable symbols and lettering lie within the circle. It was unlike any alchemical image that I'd seen before. Yet... in an unnerving way, it seemed familiar.
"A transmutation circle? …. No, this isn't alchemy…. Where have I seen this before?" I thought deep and hard, but I couldn't seem to remember where I've seen this outlandish image. And pondering about it was giving me a ridiculous headache. I closed my eyes and pressed my palm to my forehead, trying to soothe the twinge that filled it. When the pain faded, I opened my eyes and reverted my attention to the mirror- but the symbol had vanished.
I sighed deeply.
"Ergh, my head is screwing with me again. Guess it wasn't really there… Maybe the side effects of my medication is starting to settle." I said to myself, cupping my forehead into my palm once more.
But… why did it seem so familiar? And why did it give me such an odd, dark feeling?
'Whatever, just forget about it Vivienne. You need to get home, and this counterfeit detective off your back.' At that thought I shook it off and began to focus on my escape.
After observing the monstrosity of a bathroom, my eyes were happily met by a window just my size. I fist-pumped in my discovery of the escape route, once again met by an impression of relief.
I gladly jogged over to it, unbolted it, and pushed it wide open, then leaping outward and landing onto the snow-coated ground. I ended up in an alleyway that was just as medically unpleasant as the bathroom was, and was able to make my way home from there.
Our home was a simple, but cozy little 2-story house in the heart of North City. I've lived here since I was little, this is the home that I'd grown up in. Smiling to myself as pleasant memories came back to me, I fished my key out of my coat pocket and unlocked the door.
"Daaad!" I called through the house, closing and locking the front door behind me. "I'm home!"
I heard footsteps echo as I took off my coat and hung it on one of the hooks on the rack near the door. The house smelt of freshly cooked spaghetti and garlic bread. I practically melted from the delectable scent.
"Welcome home, Viv." my Dad said as he emerged from around the corner with his arms outstretched toward me. He still looked exactly the same after all of these years. His silky black hair, now becoming grey-tinged, just brushed his shoulders. His wise caramel eyes were lively and youthful, and distinctive laugh lines coursed around his mouth. Dad didn't have any facial hair. He repeatedly shaved it off, always commenting on how it made him feel like some sort of animal at the Zoo, in which I laughed at him each time he expressed his thoughts on the matter. I happily flew into his embrace. I love my father dearly. If he weren't here, I'd be nothing.
We stood there in hug-position for what seemed like hours, I taking in his familiar herbal scent, until he laughed awkwardly and broke the embrace.
"Sorry. It kind of just hit me that this is your last day back home for awhile." he said. I frowned and crossed my arms.
"Daaad. Stop acting all sad! This is a good thing! If I become a State Alchemist, then all of the problems that we've been dealing with for years will be solved! You do realize how much they get paid, right?" He laughed a little and pet my head.
"Yes, I understand. It's just…. I'm just still not completely comfortable with my only daughter being put in harm's way. And just for wealth? It just doesn't seem worth it if something were to happen to you."
"Ah, come on! Have more faith in your daughter! I can handle anything that comes at me and you know it. How else would I have been able to deal with my... condition for this long and still be sane?" I reasoned confidently. He laughed again.
"You're right. You're a strong, talented girl. I see you going far in life. But for now, let's eat dinner. I'm starving!" He changed the subject, knowing that I was mindset on this and that there was no way that he was going to talk me out of it. This'd be a great thing for both of us. Dad'll get his finances straight. And I'll be doing what I've always loved, helping people in need.
"You're telling me! Let's eat!" I exclaimed happily, prancing into the kitchen and stacking my plate with a crapload of the saucy noodles, and stuffing a huge piece of garlic bread into my mouth, for there had been no more room left on my plate. What? A girl's gotta eat!
When Dad and I had gotten to the table with our plates, I looked at him and said,
"Ya know, I'm surprised that you didn't burn the house down while cooking all of this." I said with a cocky smirk on my face. I was always the lead chef of the house, seeing that Dad was always pretty uncoordinated in the kitchen. He chuckled at himself.
"Same here, kid."
And with that we delightfully gorged ourselves, enjoying each other's company as we always did and trying to make the best of it, seeing as this was the last dinner we'd have with each other for a long time.
That night, I was free of my hallucinogenic nightmares. I sat up in my bed, looking out at the celestial twinkling of the night sky. Our cat, Milly, sat at my side, nuzzling into me and mewing occasionally as I grazed my fingertips across her velvety black fur. Her curious emerald eyes wondered about inquisitively at the various nocturnal creatures that periodically swooped past my window. I thought about everything as I listened to the owls converse. My childhood, my disorder, my years of Alchemy training, my Martial Arts teacher, the kind people of North City, and my father. So many memories lie in this city: My home.
I wonder… if anything will change at all without me around. How is everyone going to react when I board that train tomorrow…. And how am I myself going to feel? What new adventures and discoveries will my new life as a State Alchemist bring me? What kinds of new people I meet there? And…. What difficult hardships and duties will await me in the near future? Everything is going to change drastically. Soon, I'll just be another Dog of the State through the eyes of many of the citizens of Amestris. I knew that many of the inhabitants of the city felt this way, but most of them supported me nonetheless. I appreciate this. And though, unlike many of the soldiers of the Military, I will not sell my soul to them.
I know for a fact that none of this is going to be a walk in the park. And I also know for a fact that I am going to pass this exam. This is my calling. I don't see myself anywhere else in life right now rather than being a State Alchemist. With every duty, …..I'll be putting my life on the line. So be it. I won't allow myself to die. Besides, if I did, then…. Who would look out for my father?
After awhile of thinking like this, a familiar canopy of weariness came over me, making my eyelids feel heavy. I was defenseless against my exhaustion, and fell prey into one of the most peaceful sleeps that I'd had in quite some time.
Brrring! Brrring! Brrrrrriinggg!
This was supposedly the sound of my alarm clock ringing. Except, this isn't what I hear. In my head, it translates into:
Hey, you! Idiot! Can you hear me ringing? I'm your alarm clock! I specialize in annoying the hell out of you every morning! Are you annoyed yet? Get your ass out of bed, or I'll just keep taunting you!
Alarm clocks are evil. They should all be destroyed.
…. And destroy was exactly what I did to that alarm clock that has psychologically insulted me every single morning for years. A fair payback, I'd say.
Anyway~ today is the day. The day that I head out to Central. I almost couldn't believe this day had finally come. I'm excited, although quite nervous as well. After disposing of the remains of the alarm clock that I'd massacred instinctivly, I went back upstairs and performed my everyday morning routine, which usually took about 40 minutes.
By the time I'd gotten ready, I'd realized that Dad had cooked breakfast for me! The smell of slightly burnt pancakes and bacon filled the air, though the aroma was still quite delectable. I rushed down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Dad was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee, looking out the window like he always did. I smirked.
"Well well, it seems you've succeeded in not destroying the kitchen twice in a row! What an accomplishment, I'm so proud of you! Maybe I won't have to worry too much about you starving to death anymore." I said with my hands on my hips. He turned to look at me, chuckling.
"Is a simple 'Good morning Dad, thanks for risking your life to cook breakfast' too much to ask? Give your old man some credit." he said. I smiled widely.
"Thank you for cooking breakfast, Dad!" I exclaimed, once again rushing into the kitchen and grabbing the plate of food that was waiting for me.
"You're welcome, kiddo. Hurry up and eat, your train should be here in about an hour." he added.
After I ate, we headed out to the train station. It was a long walk from the house to the station. Yeah, my Dad was quite the modest one. He didn't own a car. Sure, he could drive if he wanted to, but he found that automobiles were unneccesary.
"Why drive when you can walk," he'd say, "My body may not be the same as it was 10 years ago, but I still have two strong legs that I'm not afraid to use."
He felt that his legs would surely weaken quicker if he didn't keep in shape, and he often expressed that he was lucky to still have them. So when he needed to go out, he either walked or rode his bike.
He never took anything for granted.
I held my suitcase tightly, anxious to be on my way. Dad proudly walked beside me. I could tell that he was still uncertain, but he still supports me all the way. I think I should thank him for that before I board the train. Speaking of that, there was someone else that I needed to thank.
"Dad, before we go any further, can we go to Master Jann Lee's house? I need to thank him for training me." I asked him. My Dad looked down at me.
"Sure thing."
Jann Lee, an elderly Xingese man who lives here in North City, is the one who trained me in Martial Arts. Everything I know about combat, I learned from him.
When we reached his home, I knocked on his door and waited for him to answer. Dad still stood in the road, wanting to let me speak to my Master privately. His door opened, and he emerged, his long black grey-tinted hair swaying slightly when it was met by the chilly breeze. His intellectual eyes met mine, his demeanor was non-expectant and curious.
"Hello, my pupil. What brings you to my home?" He asked. I smiled and bowed to him.
"Hello Master. I just came to once again say thank you for training me. I'm departing for Central today and wanted to come say goodbye." I explained.
"Well then, I wish you good luck on your travels, young one. Do not forget the things that I have taught you."
"Of course, Master. I will not shame you. Take care of yourself."
"You as well, my pupil. May the Maker guide you." And with that he smiled and closed his door. I made my way back to Dad. Master was never the sociable one. He mostly preferred to keep to himself. He drank tea and meditated in his spare time, when he wasn't training me.
"Alrighty then! Let's get going."
When we got to the train station I gave the woman at the entrance my ticket and was shocked to see that it was jam-packed with people! It had to be half the town!
Suddenly, Dad walked up ahead of me and yelled,
"Everyone! We're here!"
Just then, everyone in the crowd turned around to face me, and then scurried over, surrounding my Dad and I. I recognized every face in the crowd. These were the faces of people that I'd helped over the years.
"W-what's going on?" I asked, confused as to why everyone was here waiting for me.
"We came to wish you luck on your exam!" said a little boy named Christopher, clinging onto the hem of his mother's dress.
"And to thank you for everything you've done for us while you were here." added in an elderly woman named Helen.
"Wow, um… I don't know what to say…" I was in awe. All of these people… they took the time out of their lives just to come and see me out?
"We're all going to miss you very much!" called out a girl from farther back into the crowd.
"Thank you for saving my cat!"
"And for pulling me out of the way of that truck! Turns out the idiot was drunk."
"Thanks for helping me find my sister!"
"And don't forget how you helped us patch up our ceiling after the damage that snowstorm caused!"
"Oh yeah, I remember that! She helped us fix our roof, too!"
And soon the entire crowd of the citizens of North City were all thanking me at once. It was overwhelming, and almost had me a little teary-eyed. I smiled widely, shouting out 'You're welcome!'s and 'Anytime!'s with each of their remarks.
"We can't thank you enough, Vivienne." said a boy named Frankie that I used to work with at the convenience store. I laughed.
"Thanks everyone, really. I really appreciate the fact that you all took the time out of your lives just to come and thank me before I left. You guys are great. And-" I turned to face my Dad.
"Thank you so much for everything you've done for me, Dad. Thanks for supporting me. Without your encouragement, I probably wouldn't have been able to do all of this. So, thanks. I love you!" I said to him, giving him one last big hug. Multiple 'Awwws' sounded from the crowd, causing me to flush and let go of my father.
"Of course, Vivienne. I love you too. Have a safe journey, and own that exam!" he exclaimed happily, pumping his fist into the air. The citizens around me cheered delightedly. I was starting to feel a little embarrassed. This was extremely cheesy!
"Heh, don't worry about that. You know I will." I replied, scratching the back of my head.
Just then, we heard a train pulling into the station, whistling away.
"The train bound to Central will depart in five minutes." The voice of a woman announced over an intercom. I smiled and looked back to everyone.
"Well, I'd better go. See ya, and thanks again everyone!" I waved to everyone as I ran towards the train. They all yelled their goodbyes as I ran. When I'd boarded the train and took a seat, I opened the window and yelled,
"DAD! I PROMISE EVERYTHING WILL BE BETTER FOR YOU VERY SOON! TAKE CARE!"
He simply waved in response, along with the other citizens. I smiled and sat down in my seat, smiling at everyone as they continued to say their goodbyes. And then, just as the train, began to take off, I remembered something. Quickly, I leaned out of the window and shouted,
"AND DAD! IF A WEIRD OLD PERVERT WITH A CHEAP GREY HAT AND A LONG BROWN COAT SHOWS UP AT THE DOOR, PLEASE DO NOT ANSWER IT!"
I heard him laugh.
"SURE THING! GOODBYE!" he yelled back at me.
I stayed there, looking back at Dad and the city-folk until them, and the entire town of North City had dropped under the horizon line. Sitting back in my seat, I watched as the scenery went by.
'It's weird…' I thought to myself. 'North City is all that I have ever known…. I wonder what It'll be like, out here in the big wide world. It's so unfamiliar to me.'
I took my locket from under my shirt and gripped it in my hand. Dad had given this to me when I was 5 years old.
From here, there is no place to go but forward.
Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed.
Any constructive criticism is welcome! Anything that can help me become a better writer is greatly appreciated.
The events of this story are actually going to be inspired by Silent Hill 3. Though it's not exactly a crossover.
Fullmetal Alchemist © Hiromu Arakawa
Silent Hill © Konami & Keiichiro Toyama