Installment 1: The Fall
It was a warm night in Central City, around nine-thirty. A gentle spring breeze wafted through the buildings and stirring the leaves on trees in the park pleasantly. It was a Thursday night in mid-spring, so it was a perfect night for a night out. There were couples here and there, one pair going to the theater, another going to a restaurant, so on and so forth. Groups of friends paraded down the streets, exhibiting various levels of intoxication.
The breeze was a bit harsher on top of a building eight stories tall. A lone figure walked to the edge of the building and gazed at the street far below. The oversized jacket flapped crazily in the breeze, and locks of hair flew into the figure's face. There was a woman opening a window in a building directly across the street. She paused to watch the figure, curiously.
There was a car parked directly beneath the figure. A small, emotionless smile worked its way across the figure's face. That would be perfect. The figure took one step forward...
"Thanks for a wonderful night," a brunette woman said as she stepped out of the car. "I'll see you around."
Roy Mustang nodded in reply, wearing half a smile. He waited until the woman was safely inside her apartment building, and then sighed heavily. He had had a very long day at work, filling out mountain after mountain of paperwork under Riza Hawkeye's careful watch. Well, that was what he got for slacking off... not that he wouldn't let work pile up again. There were other things he preferred doing. Signing papers all day long wasn't his idea of fun, so to speak. And, of course, there was that lecture about not doodling on important documents...
"No! Someone, help!" a woman shrieked piercingly.
Roy flinched as something large and heavy struck the roof of his car. A pale, skinny forearm and hand dangled in front of the windshield, followed by a trickle of red blood. Alarmed, he all but leapt out of his car to see what had hit it.
He blanched when he saw the figure of a teenage girl, lying motionless on the car roof.
"Rumors say you witnessed a suicide attempt last night," Riza chattered the next morning. Roy glanced up and chuckled dryly.
"I don't know if I'd call someone jumping onto my car 'witnessing a suicide' although my car will need to have the dent fixed," he replied.
"The girl obviously jumped from that roof with the intent of ending her life. You just had the good luck to park right underneath her and break her fall," the blond woman smiled a small smile.
"I don't believe in things like luck," he snorted. Of course not, why would he? He was a reporter. Fortune and luck didn't exactly go hand-in-hand with his job.
"I got the copy of the headline!" Kain Fuery exclaimed, bursting into the office they all shared and waving a newspaper around. Everyone usually did their work from home and stopped by to hand in an article, but there were occasions where everyone working under Roy gathered in the tiny office. Today was one of those days, because they would be putting out a new issue of their magazine that Sunday. Jean Havoc was asleep at his corner of the work table, the remnants of his cigarette still smoldering in the ashtray.
"What's it say?" Heymans Breda inquired around a mouthful of a Big Mac.
"At approximately nine-thirty last night, there was a suicide attempt on the corner of Main Street and Parkington Avenue. Eyewitnesses report to seeing a young girl, around seventeen, leap from the top of an apartment building. Luckily for her, there was a parked car right beneath her. The car broke her fall and she is now in Central City Hospital. The girl's identity has been confirmed. Sharlen Hawkeye, a junior at North City High School, has been hospitalized with minor injuries-" Kain read aloud before Riza snatched the paper out of his hands.
"Hawkeye... is she related to you?" Breda inquired, turning towards Riza.
"I'm leaving," Riza said suddenly, tossing the paper onto Roy's desk and storming out of the office. "I'll be back later."
"Hey, Hawkeye!" Roy called after her. "What the hell was that about?" he asked, following her down the hall of the publishing company.
"If you want an explanation, you better come along," she huffed, pulling on her jacket.
"So start explaining," he demanded when they were strapped down in Riza's Jeep.
"She's my cousin, my dad's brother's kid. She stayed with my father and me for a few years while her parents were in the hospital. They had been in an accident with a bullet train and were hospitalized with severe injuries. Even though they recovered, they weren't allowed to leave. They died there, and Sharlen lived with us for three years, until her mother's sister took custody of her. We became close friends, though she was far younger than me, only four at the time of the accident, but after her parents died she became more withdrawn. This is the first I've even heard of her since," Riza said monotonously. "You will not mention this to anyone."
"C'mon, Hawkeye, I know better than that," Roy scoffed, pulling out his iPhone to check the time, a way to avoid eye contact. For some reason or another, he felt guilty about asking and making her explain what sounded like a painful experience. Sure, they had practically grown up together, but there were some lines one just shouldn't cross.
They barreled down the highway towards the heart of the teeming metropolis and capital of the country. He couldn't help noticing the firm set to her jaw and the whiteness of her knuckles on the steering wheel.
"Wait, her name is Sharlen? That's bizarre," he muttered partially to himself.
"She changed it after her parent's death. It used to be Charlene, but she changed the spelling and pronunciation," Riza replied curtly.
"Oh," he replied, tilting his head to gaze out the window at the passing scenery. Absently, he wondered why he even bothered to come along. It wasn't his problem... oh yeah; he had been the one who called 911. After all, she had landed on his car. He felt a bit responsible. And he wanted to see if she was okay. An eight-story drop wouldn't just leave bumps and bruises.
"I'm here to see Sharlen Hawkeye," Riza said to the woman running the reception desk.
"Are you friend or family?" she asked, clearly more interested in Roy. She smiled and winked at him. He just glanced at her in response.
"I'm her cousin," the blond woman replied tartly.
"Room 217," the receptionist sighed, picking up the phone as it rang.
"Well, look who's here," Roy said smugly. He watched as the person walking down the hall flinched, grimaced, swore under his breath and pulled out his headphones.
"God damn it," the blond teen replied. "It's bad enough I see you at work. Now you're harassing me outside work too?"
"Nice to see you too, Edward. How's Alphonse?" Roy chattered, signaling to Riza that he'd catch up with her later.
"He woke up," Edward replied, looking awkwardly at his beat up Converse. "Good thing too, they were thinking of cutting it off today."
"That's good. You're not gonna get in trouble for missing school?" Roy asked, eyeing Edward's casually worn Central Academy uniform. The tie was loosened and the top two or three buttons undone. He could barely make out the edge of a tattoo he knew covered the blond's entire right arm.
"I got called out to the principal's office. You really think I'd cut class to see my brother?" Edward rolled his eyes.
"Yes," Roy replied.
"So what are you doing here? I doubt you're meeting a woman."
"Not exactly. I came with Hawkeye," he replied.
"Oh yeah, I saw that on the news. You saved some suicidal brat's life. Congrats, you've won the affection of millions of people country-wide," Edward drawled. "I've gotta go. Fifth period will be starting soon and I can't afford to miss that class today."
"Have fun!" Roy teased, knowing full well that Edward hated his fifth period music class and today was a big test that made up seventy percent of his grade. He had started a part-time job at the magazine on a recommendation from his English teacher, and Roy had to admit that he liked having someone to pick on other than his workmates, who were no longer any fun to tease. Well, except that one time Kain found that stray dog and Breda had a meltdown... he sauntered down the hall to the elevator, half muttering a song he heard on the radio that morning.
"My chick bad, something 'bout good, my chick do things your chick wish she could..." he mumbled as he stepped out and continued to the room the receptionist mentioned.
"What the hell'd you do that for?" a feminine voice cried.
"Because you did something completely stupid, you idiot!" Riza's voice replied fiercely.
"You didn't have to hit me!"
"Uh... should I wait in the car?" Roy asked meekly, sticking his head inside the door.
"No, come in," Riza replied.
Roy walked into the room slowly, afraid he'd be hit as well though he had done nothing wrong. He saw Riza, dressed in her usual jeans and T-shirt, standing next to a hospital bed. Sitting in the bed and cradling one cheek was a girl probably half Riza's size. A thick white bandage wound around her head, making her dark red hair stand out sharply in the blindingly white room.
"Sharlen, you ought to thank this man for saving your life," Riza said firmly.
"Why?"
"Because he saved your life, that's why! Why would you even do something like that?" Riza cried, her voice shooting through two octaves.
"None of your business," Sharlen replied sourly, turning her head away and moving her hand from her cheek to her neck. Roy thought he saw a small scar.
"I see you're as obstinate as ever..." Riza sighed.
"I don't want to thank him. He ruined my death. If anything I should hate him," Sharlen whispered loud enough to be heard.
"I'm going to see when you can be released," Riza huffed, walking out of the room briskly.
Roy stood there awkwardly. He wished his phone would ring so he wouldn't have to stay there with that strange girl. She kept glancing at him and back out the window, looking utterly displeased.
"Why?"
"What?" Roy asked, unsure if he was being addressed or not.
"Why did you bother saving me?" Sharlen clarified, looking at him out of the corner of her eye.
"Because people were watching and I have a reputation to uphold," he replied stiffly.
Sharlen laughed dryly. "You actually care what people think about you?"
"You ask that like you're asking why I'm wearing a pink unicorn mascot outfit," Roy said in a similar tone.
"People will only let you down. They use you, betray you, blame you, step on you... most of all, they lie to you. I hate people. They're always so damn nosy, meddling in affairs they should leave alone," she snorted. "Like you, Mister Reporter. You should've left me alone."
"And let you die?"
"Yes."
"You're strange," Roy mused.
"I've met stranger. I once knew a girl who ate couch cushions like they were Skittles. She was featured on a TV show once."
"Are you really Hawkeye's cousin?"
"Yes. Why does that matter? Are you her boyfriend?"
"In my dreams, maybe. We're just friends," Roy replied.
"Humph, that's what they all say."
"It said in the papers that you attend North City High. Why are you in Central?" Roy inquired, feeling like he was interviewing the girl. Maybe he could use it in an article or something and get pumped up from lowly reporter to editor. He really wanted to be editor-in-chief, but that would take a while. First, he'd have to get rid of the current editor-in-chief, King Bradley...
"Why should I tell you? What business is it of yours?" she asked, looking at him straight. "You didn't even know I existed until last night."
"Were you transferring schools?" he continued. "Central has quite a few good high schools. Central Academy is among the top five best schools in the country."
Sharlen paused and her gaze fell to her bandaged hands.
"Yes, to the Central Academy culinary program. One thing led to another and that's all I can tell you," she answered. "Maybe... if we get to know one another better, I'll tell you more. You don't seem as detestable as the other people I've had the displeasure of meeting."
"That's good to know," Roy felt himself smile. He thought he saw traces of one on Sharlen. They went away when he heard the door open.
"You'll be out of here within a week. You're healing faster than expected, and you're welcome to live with me," Riza said as she swept into the room. "Sharlen."
"Yes. Thank you, but... since I'm still alive... I'll only stay until I get settled in my dorm at Central Academy," Sharlen replied stiffly.
"I'm gonna go see how Alphonse is doing..." Roy muttered to Riza as he stood and walked towards the door.
"Right," Riza nodded. "I stopped by earlier and he looks much better. He'll be glad to see you."
"Alphonse... oh, that boy from the train crash. I remember reading about that. It was an article you worked on, cousin," Sharlen chattered when Roy had vanished down the hall.
"Would you like to meet him? I can arrange that..."
"It's fine. We'll be attending the same school soon. He goes to Central Academy, right? With his brother the genius... I forget his name. That was some freak accident, wasn't it? I heard the brother escaped with only some mangled limbs, while Alphonse went into a coma."
"Yes, Edward did have less damage," Riza confirmed.
"How would you arrange a meeting? Did you interview Edward and become best buds?" she asked sarcastically.
"Edward works for us part-time. If you want the details, you'll have to ask him. Just don't mention his height," Riza grinned. "I have to get back to work. Our new issue comes out this weekend so we're on a major time crunch right now. I'll drop by when I have more time."
"Pfft, you'll be here tomorrow. Just watch. I know you, cousin," Sharlen smirked. "You're not like the other despicable people in this world. You actually give a damn about me."
"That's reassuring," Riza laughed.
"Y'know... tall, dark, and nosy doesn't seem too bad. Maybe I'll thank him, if he comes again," Sharlen sighed, settling back on the pile of pillows.
"A midget with a braid told me you finally woke up," Roy said smugly.
"Mustang!" Alphonse, a young teen with sand-colored hair exclaimed. "I thought you'd drop by."
"You're looking a lot better. The last time I saw you... well, you were unconscious. Did they give a damage report yet?" Roy asked, taking the empty seat near the boy's bed.
"All the external injuries have healed. They're still waiting for the X-rays of my ribs but the doctor said they're healing nicely. No mental damage, at least, none I'm aware of. I have almost all my memories," Alphonse replied with a kind smile.
"Almost all?" Roy repeated.
"I don't remember anything about the accident, really. I remember Brother looking at me, eyes wide in fear. There was a bright light illuminating his face, followed by a loud noise. That's all I remember about it..."
"But everything else?"
Alphonse's smile broadened, "Everything else... there are a few gaps here and there, but everything's intact for the most part. It's almost like bad dreams that you can't remember much about, you know?"
"Your brother looked like he was going to freak out like those crazy celebrity fangirls when I ran into him earlier," Roy sneered.
"I can understand that. After all, we're all we've got. Mom's dead and Dad's still away, so we have to stick together," Alphonse nodded. "He said that every time he came to visit. He told me about your chivalrous rescue last night too."
"Ugh, don't mention that," Roy grumbled.
"Why? Did the girl die?" Alphonse inquired softly.
"No, she's alive and well, though I think she might be holding something against me because I 'prevented her death' or some shit," he drawled, making air-quotes with his fingers as he talked.
"You know, Mustang, suicidal people don't always want to die. Most just want to end whatever pain they're in. Maybe you should try to understand her and help her. That's a fair trade, right?"
"No, a fair trade is her fixing the dent she made in my car. It looks like it went halfway through a trash compactor," Roy grunted.
"I doubt it's that bad," Alphonse chuckled.
Roy pulled out his phone and showed the teen a picture of the damage.
"How far did she fall?"
"Eight stories. This is proof that gravity works," Roy mumbled, shoving his phone back in his pocket.
"You're quoting a kid's movie, really?" Riza's voice drawled playfully. "We've got work to do, so let's get going."
"Hey, that chick owes me," Roy retorted. "I'll see you later, Alphonse."
"Bye, thanks for stopping by," Alphonse waved them off with a friendly smile.
"She owes you? Well, I'll make sure she pays her dues," Riza smiled.
"She better, after all I've done. How am I gonna pick up chicks now that my car's all smushed?" Roy whined.
"You like seafood, right?" Riza asked as she slid into the driver's seat. Roy swallowed hard as he buckled his seatbelt. It sounded more like a death sentence than a question.
Area 51 1/2 1-16-11: alright, I know I have twenty zillion other stories going, but what the hell, let's add one more! Okie dokie doo, this story is all about Mu-Mu Sempai (Mustang). Due to a certain situation I'm not comfortable mentioning, I've decided to write this story to help alleviate my troubles. I'm gonna try to make this an AU story, so there'll be things like iPods, iPhones, laptops, Toyota, Burger King, Wal-Mart, things like that.
Right, the whole magazine thing... I'm not sure why, but I wanted to make Roy a reporter. Of course, I'll have to think about what to 'translate' Ishval into... maybe just a civil uprising or something...
Oh, my DA account is .com/. You can see some of my art (I'm getting rid of my website) and a few pics of me. I have a pic of my girl-type Ranma cosplay as well (now that my hair's red it'll be easier to cosplay her/him) so check it out!
Alright, I'll tell you. I'm a humongous Ed girl, but lately I've been thinking about Roy much more than is acceptable (I've had dreams about him... we were 'involved' so to speak...) and yeah. I feel so horrible... like I'm cheating on Ed... I was complaining about it on Facebook and saying that I should be punished for being fickle like this all of the sudden, and Shanaynay said I just wanted Ed to spank me. It's not true! I don't want that! I didn't mean be punished like that! =_=' then it got worse when she suggested a threesome...
I figured out how to make a text bunny.
(\_/)
( O.o)
c(")_(")
See? Ain't it adorable? Cissy thinks its fat... the spacing looks wierd because of how the paragraphs are spaced, but you get the general image, right?
Ok, the title comes from the names Mustang and Hawkeye. Sort of... you know the term 'horsefeathers' right? Horse = Mustang and Feathers = Hawkeye. Of course, I wanted to do a thing with Jack Sparrow (Pirates fan...) but that wouldn't work as well. Besides, 'horsefeathers' sounds so cool, dontcha think?
Until chapter two!