Ling gulped thickly, when he gripped tightly on a crumbled up origami. He glanced at Lan Fan who was busy practicing her skills with a kunai.
He sighed, how did he get into this mess?
Ling remembered early in the morning when Lan Fan immediately rejected his questions about what she wanted for her birthday.
"I don't want to trouble you with anything that is not worth your time, My Lord." Those were her exact words.
Ling of course, would wave her stuttered rejections easily. He wanted to give her a gift. A birthday only happens once a year. And it's her birthday. He wanted to make it special. Thankfully, he remembered buying something back in Amestris that many girls would swoon over. He saved up whatever money he had (plus Ed's card) to buy that present. He reached to his purse and fumbled inside of it.
Bombs. Knifes. Some coins and tiny pieces of papers that hold ladies' numbers. But…
Where's the gift?
Ling's eyes widen in panic as he searched inside and out. He looked everywhere, but found nothing. He cursed to himself, maybe he lost it in that sandstorm back when they were traveling from the desert. He looked over to her, who was too busy to notice what he is doing. He scowled, feeling he would never make her happy now.
An idea popped in his head, as he scrambled to get a piece of paper. He pulled out a pen and thought for a long while of what to put in the blank piece. An idea popped in his head and he quickly wrote it all down. Once he was satisfied with the letter,he carefully began to fold it into a flower. He huffed his chest in pride of his artwork.
It was far from pretty as the one he wanted to give her, but it was good enough. And who knows, he can always save his money up again and go back to Amestris to get that one present. He just hopes there was one exactly like that.
"Lan Fan."
The young guard spun her head towards him and quickly stopped her actions. She crouched down in a kneeling position.
"Waka," She greeted.
"Lan Fan," He sighed smiling, "Stand up, I want to give you something."
She obeyed, her eyes showing curiosity. He held out his hands, showing an origami rose. She gasped silently before shaking her head quickly.
"Young Lord, I can't I-"
"Just take it Lan Fan," He insisted. He paused before grinning, "Don't make me force you."
She took it with trembling hands. "Now unfold it," He commanded her. She did quickly, though her fingers were quivering. She looked into it and read it.
She looked up at him, meeting his genuine smile. She bowed deeply, her voice was warm and grateful.
"Thank you Waka."
He nodded, "You're welcome." He turned his heel and started walking away only to stop at her call.
"Uhm….. Young Lord."
He looked over his shoulder, cocking his head to her, "Yeah?"
"What does it mean by ring size?"