In a notebook, similar to one purchased in a dime store, and lightly scented with a woman's perfume…
The train began to slow as I neared my destination. The snow on the ground gave away just how cold the climate was. After a few minutes, the train pulled into the station, and a heavily accented voice announced over the loudspeaker that this was the Northern Station. The person on the loudspeaker also mentioned that the elevation was nearly 300 meters above the elevation of Central, and that the temperature outside was around -20.5 degrees Celsius. I frowned, knowing my winter coat that I had brought from Central would not be nearly warm enough.
"You are from Central, yes?" A man across the aisle inquired. I nodded. "Beron figured as much. You will need good coat. Beron has extra." I shook my head.
"Oh no, I couldn't…" Beron laughed heartily.
"You are from Central. Only a man from Central would refuse offer of spare coat in late winter." The man grabbed the coat off of the seat next to his and stood up. He then made his way across the aisle, and handed me the coat. "Is gift, from Beron to you." I sighed, reluctantly accepting the coat. After all, Beron was a local, and it wouldn't do to offend the locals, would it?
---
After I got off the train, I was at a loss of where to go. I didn't have to be at Northern HQ until 10:30 this morning, and it was only 8:15. I still had an hour and 45 minutes left until I was to meet with the man I was to be stationed under up here. As I was studying a map I had purchased at the station, I felt someone tap me lightly on the shoulder.
"You are Vato Falman, yes?" the voice, though muffled by the scarf and the coat, was that of a young lady. I nodded, wondering what else I might need. "You come with me, I will give you tour of HQ."
---
"And that is the library. I am usually there, unless I'm handing in paperwork, or helping the guys get through their work:" my guide, whom I had learned was named Denika Bruzgul, said with a smile. "Most days, I am in the Lieutenant Colonel's office, helping."
Denika had shown me almost the entire complex that made up Northern HQ, and had given me some advice about the dorms: Don't live in them. They don't have heat, and you can't light a fire in a can to warm up, as that is a fire hazard.
"Thank you for showing me around, Sergeant Bruzgul." Denika smiled a little.
"You do not need to be so formal with me, Sir. Denika is fine. Why don't I take you to the Lieutenant Colonel's office? You'll be meeting with him in 20 minutes, yes?" I glanced at the nearest clock, and to my surprise, it was 10:10 already.
"If it's not too much trouble…" Denika shook her head.
"I have to be in the office anyways. Is no trouble."
---
"So…you're the guy Central sent?" Lieutenant Colonel Robert Demmis, a man who was a bit short in stature, asked, glancing at the contents of the folder on his desk. From my first impression, I could tell that he was quite like Colonel Mustang. There were papers from three months ago sitting in a pile, and starting to spill onto the floor, many of them stained with coffee. I wondered if maybe the Fuhrer had a sense of humor after all, putting me with another man like the Colonel.
---
"No way. There's no way that guy will last more than three weeks before he's begging us to help him write transfer papers!" A young man stated as I was exiting the Lieutenant Colonel's private office.
"He'll be fine. Maybe now we get actual work done instead of you four slacking…" Denika retorted, matter-of-factly.
"Wow, that was harsh, even for you, Babushka …" As I got closer, I noticed Denika scowling at one of the three men around the table.
"Is there a problem?" Four sets of eyes latched onto me, before four of them returned to the papers on the table. Denika stood up and walked over, handing me a folder.
"Your co-workers. Pytor, Vladimir, Arseny, and Zahkar." Denika then said something in what sounded almost like Drachmaen to the three men present. They all rolled their eyes, and resumed their filing.
---
Near the end of the first day, Denika handed me an envelope addressed to me.
"I had to threaten Zahkar with talking to the Lieutenant Colonel before he'd give me this…I keep telling those four to behave themselves…" She sighed, and went back to work.
I recognized the handwriting as Jean Havoc's. I had not heard from him since his accident a few months back.
"Dear Falman,
How're things on the tundra? Turned into
a popsicle yet? Things here in Central are
quiet. I'm currently living with Gracia
and Elysia. Those two are a lifesaver…
When you come down, bring beer…I
heard that Drachmaen beer is better than
the stuff we have to settle for down here.
Write me when you get the chance,
unless you're busy alphabetizing the list
of soldiers… Good luck with that!
See ya when I see ya,
Jean"
I couldn't help but chuckle at the idea of alphabetizing soldiers. Jean hadn't changed much…he still had the sense of humor that I had come to appreciate.
When Denika made her next trip to the Lieutenant Colonel's office, I borrowed a pencil and some stationary, and began to write a reply.
"Dear Jean,
Even though the temperature averages
around -20 degrees Celsius at noon, I
do not think I will become a popsicle.
Today was my first day of work, and
already, I have met Northern's equivalent
of our group in Central. Pytor, Vladimir,
Arseny, and Zahkar are very much like
Breda, Hawkeye, Fuery, and you.
There is a young lady who works here
as well, named Denika Bruzgul.
She seems to be the type
inclined to working hard, and being
rewarded or acknowledged for her hard
work. I'm very impressed with her
behavior. I think she's trying to make up
for the fact that Lieutenant Colonel
Demmis slacks worse than our own
Colonel.
Already, she has reprimanded
Zahkar for withholding mail. If he had
not withheld the mail, I would have gotten
your letter sooner, and would have been
able to reply sooner.
I was not aware that Drachmaen beer is
better than the beer in Central. I will have
to ask about that. I suspect, however, that
I should ask Denika, as the rest of my
co-workers do not seem to like me very
much.
I will write more when I have found a
suitable place to live for the time being.
The dorms here do not have heating, and
the housing committee does not allow
contained fires in the rooms, as that
violates fire code.
I will try to visit when I have the chance.
Stay safe and out of trouble.
Vato"
After I finished writing, I folded the letter. As I was looking for an envelope, Denika handed me one, complete with a stamp already affixed.
---
As I was finishing up with the filing I had been assigned, Denika made one last trip to the Lieutenant Colonel's office, and when she returned, she sat down at the table, facing me.
"Vato…you have place to stay, yes?"
"Er…actually…I was planning on staying in a hotel until further notice…" Denika smiled, shaking her head.
"They will rip you off. I have spare rooms in my house. 400 Cens a month, plus you help with housekeeping. Is fair, yes?" I guess my expression was surprising, because Denika smiled a little. "Is a big house. You would be helping me much if you occupied some of the rooms."
---
It turned out that Denika didn't live too far from HQ. Her house, while large, wasn't a mansion. It couldn't have been much bigger than the Hughes's home. Denika smiled a little when I glanced in her direction.
"Grandfather insisted that I get his house when I got my first job…" she explained, sheepishly.
Ah…so that was why…
---
"And that door leads to servant's stairway. It leads to kitchen, so if you get hungry in middle of night, you have shortcut to take." Denika smiled as she said that. I had seen nearly all of the second floor, which was what Denika was offering as a place to stay. As we passed the clock in the hall, it started chiming the hour. Denika said something harsh-sounding in Drachmaen, and turned to face me, an apologetic look on her face.
"Is time for me to prepare dinner…I apologize for taking so long to show you the house…" I realized she hadn't intended for the tour to take so long, but I found I didn't mind.
"I'll be going then Denika. I'll think your offer over." As I grabbed the coat that Beron had given me, I noticed that the weather had taken a turn for the worse. Behind me, I could hear Denika cursing, followed by the sound of the back door slamming.
"Damnit!" She then started swearing (at least, that's what I assume she was doing) in Drachmaen. Some of the words she said sounded familiar, as she had used them earlier in the day when she addressed my co-workers. "-weather! Is supposed to be Spring soon! Why is it snowing more!" Denika shouted as she banged a few pots against one another.
"Denika, it's just snow…Nothing to worry about-" Denika interrupted me, leaning back so she could see me from the stove.
"Soon it will be blowing about. You would lose the road and freeze to death if you went out there now. Stay inside, and I will make us both something to eat." When she explained things that way, I really couldn't argue. I hung the coat back on the hook, and went into the kitchen to see if Denika needed any help.
---
Dinner was an interesting soup, which I later learned was made from cabbage and beets, that Denika called "borscht".
"Denika, this is a local dish, correct?" Denika nodded.
"Is Drachmaen. Mother taught me, and her mother taught her, and so on and so forth." That tiny bit of information about her past intrigued me.
"So you grew up in Drachma?" Denika shook her head with a smile.
"No, I am Amestrian born and raised. My hometown is about 10 kilometers north of here. Have you heard of Zeinricht?"
"Zeinricht? I've read about it. 'Just south of the Briggs Mountain range, a town of about 300 is nestled. Most of its citizens are of mixed background, though some are of either strictly Amestrian, or strictly Drachmaen descent. Drachmaen is-'" Denika interrupted me to finish the quote.
"'the most widely used tongue, though Amestrian is common. The monetary unit predominately used is the Drachmaen Mark. Travelers, make sure you bring enough Cens to cover the exchange rates, as they change daily'- Traveler's Guide to the Northern Region, yes?" I couldn't help but laugh.
"Yes, but how did you know?" It was Denika's turn to laugh.
"I helped write the damn thing!"
"Really? What was your section about?"
"Useful Drachmaen phrases, such as 'Zdrastvooyte', 'Gde gasteeneetsa?' and ever useful 'Gde mozhna naytee taksee?'" Denika smiled, "I work mostly as translator of Drachmaen to Amestrian and Amestrian to Drachmaen. Enough about me though, What about you?"
"Myself? Well…what can I tell you about myself that wouldn't bore you to tears?" I wondered out loud. Denika chuckled.
"Just start at the beginning. Where were you born? Where did you grow up? Thos sorts of things…" I smiled a little. Denika was actually interested in the rather dull details of my past.
---
Over the course of the evening, our conversation had turned from our very different pasts to work, to the stupider things our co-workers had done, to our own shortcomings. I had learned that Denika had once put her tongue to a pole in the middle of winter for 2,000 Cens. She had learned about the time that I had made a wager with Havoc and Breda that Fuery understood fully the implications and wordings used in his beloved ten Cens novels. We had both laughed at the fact that both Colonel Mustang and Lieutenant Colonel Demmis had at one point become so intoxicated that they had willingly worn women's clothing.
As Denika caught her breath, she glanced at the clock and made a startled sound. I glanced at the clock as well, and was surprised to see that it was nearly midnight. Denika shook her head a little.
"Is late. You stay night, sleep on offer, yes?" I nodded in agreement, and helped Denika clean up our dishes.
---
The smell of coffee was what awoke me. I was in an unfamiliar place and I could hear someone moving about downstairs.
"Prosti menya, mladshiy brat!
Ya tak pred toboy vinovat.
Pyitatsya vernut' nyelzya
Togo, chto vzyala zyemlya." A strong soprano voice floated upstairs. I recognized the voice as belonging to Denika, which reminded me what had happened the previous night.
"Ah, that's right. Because of the snowstorm, Denika insisted I spend the night." I got out of bed and started getting dressed.
After I got dressed, I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. As I got closer, I could smell bacon and I could hear Denika singing.
As I entered the kitchen, Denika, her pale blonde hair pulled back into a simple braid, turned and smiled.
"Breakfast. Eggs, toast, bacon and coffee."
"Denika, when do you want payments by?" Denika looked somewhat surprised, but quickly regained composure.
"Last Monday of the month, after second paycheck comes in." I nodded. That was do-able on a consistent basis.
---
Zahkar stopped me in the hallway to ask me about some of the notes I had taken the other day concerning some of the papers that needed to be filed. As we talked, Denika walked by, singing the same song she had been singing earlier in the day.
After she returned to the library, Zahkar started chuckling. "Denika's our little songbird…" I nodded my agreement.
"I heard her singing earlier. It's a nice song. Denika sings very well." Zahkar smiled at that, and leaned against the wall, giving me a serious look.
"Would you like to know secret about Denika?" The way he phrased it sent up warning flags in my mind. I decided to proceed with caution.
"What type of secret?" Zahkar dropped his serious attitude in favor of a kind smile.
"Nothing bad…just that Denika is my cousin." I relaxed a little at that. I had been worried that Zahkar would say something that could potentially put Denika's career, or herself, in serious jeopardy.
"Zahkar, please do not make me feel as though you're sharing something potentially harmful…For a moment, I was worried…." Zahkar laughed and clapped me on the shoulder.
"Vato, I would never say anything harmful about the people I care about. I also do not say harmful things about those I respect. If anyone gives you any trouble, tell me. I shall set them straight." With that, Zahkar left to look up some information in the Records Room. I wasn't sure, but I think I may have earned Zahkar's trust and respect.
---
The book placed into my hands was a beginner's guide to Drachmaen. I glanced up to see Denika's blue-grey eyes studying me and my reaction. As I opened the book to read the first page, Denika nodded a little.
"Zahkar mentioned that you liked song I sang. Would you like to learn meaning?" I closed the book and as I ran my fingers along the title, I weighed my options. Drachmaen would be useful to know, especially around HQ and at the marketplace. Most of the citizens of North City spoke Drachmaen, and certainly some of the paperwork I'd have to file would be in Drachmaen. I nodded, and Denika sat down across from me, signaling the start of my first lesson.
((Okay. I know it's been AGES since my last fic...and for that, i apologize...real life has kinda distracted me for awhile...this fic is actually a sidestory to havocmangawip's story, "Work In Progress". I'm writing it from Vato Falman's POV...and before you ask, Denika is NOT a mary-sue...even though she may seem like it. In my mind, Drachmaen is the same as Russian...and translations for what Denika said earlier: 'Zdrastvooyte' 'Hello', 'Gde gasteeneetsa?''Where is the hotel?', and 'Gde mozhna naytee taksee?''Where can I get a taxi?'...if you would like to know...the song she sang is actually the first verse of "Brat'ya" or "Brothers"...and it translates somewhat closely to
"How can I repay you, Brother mine?
How can I expect you to forgive?
Clinging to the past, I shed our blood,
and shattered your chance to live..."
...I put it in the story because it's FMA-centric, and pretty, and it sounds awesome! I'll post the second chapter soon...I'll also be posting this to my fic journal...anyways...if you liked it, review, if not, review, if you just want to be dorky and leave smiles, review!))