***This fanfiction is based on a roleplay between AmaraSan (now known as AmaraSama) and Shikkachi.***
If you are interested in knowing which characters are being played by whom, please do not hesitate to ask!
As the morning crept up into the sky, Roy's eyelids fluttered open. He sat up and rubbed his eyes before throwing his legs over the side, he stretched and grinned, before going to knock on his own bedroom door. "Oi, Elizabeth wake up." He said, jiggling the handle, raising a brow when it was locked.
Elizabeth woke to the sound of her cousin knocking on the door. She was awake in an instant, though groggy; she was fairly certain she had been snoring. She tried to blink the bleary-eyed look away as she stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom.
Roy shook his head, before walking into his kitchen. He made himself some toast before stuffing it into his mouth, chewing on it gently as he packed up the paperwork, the same bored look on his face that always was whenever he was near paperwork. His blue eyes looked over to the door again, he just shook his head. He had no clue why she'd lock the door, it's not like he'd go barging in there without knocking; she was after all basically his little sister.
After taking care of her business, Elizabeth changed into her usual clothing, pulled on her boots, and finally left the room fully dressed. Her mid-back-length hair was down, and she was holding her suitcase in her right hand as she scratched the back of her head with her left and yawned. Dropping her suitcase beneath her long coat by the door, she wandered into the kitchen. After twisting her hair into a braid and tying it off, she helped herself to the bread and made herself a slice of toast as well. Chewing on a corner of it, she leaned against the wall, and then looked over at her cousin. "Ready to go?" She asked around the toast. Yes, she was just so feminine she needed to sleep behind a locked door.
He nodded as he stuffed all the papers away "Mhm." He grumbled, before standing putting his military jacket back on. "Stupid job." He grumbled.
Elizabeth scooped up her suitcase on the way out, slinging it over her shoulder. "Oh, quit complaining. You're never going to climb to the top with that attitude." She was teasing him, and her tone gave it away if the sly grin on her face did not.
"By the way…" He said, looking over to her with a grin as he pretended to ignore her comment. "I know you're going to enjoy my little assignment, and I also know you can't say no, so I hope you and the little short one get along well enough." He said before walking out of his door and to the car that was waiting for them he got in and crossed his legs, the same goofy grin still on his lips.
The grin tugging at Elizabeth's lips quickly vanished when he mentioned her mission. Her previous expression was replaced by a wide-eyed one, and her cheeks flushed a light shade of red. "What!" She exclaimed, and then half-chased Roy, diving into the car and growling as she slammed the door shut, startling the driver briefly. They should have been used to it by now-unless they were new—she almost never noticed. "Ed is so competitive! He's always trying to beat me-there's no way we can work together!" As if she was one to talk, though. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, glaring out the window. She was blushing, but it could be chalked up to anger as easily as anything else.
"Now now, my dear cousin, I am your superior and as such I'm ordering you to work with Fullmetal." He said still grinning.
Edward was sitting in Roy's office grumbling, he knew he had another mission to be told, but he knew nothing of being sent on it with his rival…So, Edward waited on the couch, his arms on the back of the couch a loud and bored yawn escaped his throat as he stared at the ceiling.
The Steel Wing Alchemist was still fuming and doing her best to ignore her cousin throughout the duration of the car ride.
As they pulled into the front of Central HQ, Roy got out and just walked like he wasn't about to be punched by his younger cousin. "It's nothing too bad, so relax, Steel Wing. " He said.
Elizabeth grumbled something indiscernible under her breath, jumping out of the car the second it pulled to a stop in front of Central Headquarters.
Looking back at her, he paused. "By the way, about yesterday," He turned and glared. "I'm Colonel now, so If you're going to insult me at least try a little harder." He said before opening his office door.
Elizabeth was still fuming in her cousin's general direction as they climbed the stairs. "Oh I'll be sure to, Colonel-" If she was about to say something else, it was silenced as soon as they entered his office.
"Ah, Edward, how good of you to show up."
Ed was about to say something before he looked behind Mustang and saw the raven haired female; his jaw dropped. "What the…why is SHE here? You can't tell me SHE'S the reason you told me to leave Al at home…She's not my partner, my brother is!" He said flailing slightly.
Even if Elizabeth had wanted to continue, she would have been interrupted by the Fullmetal's complaining. "And I work better alone." She grumbled, leaning against the Flame Alchemist's desk, folding her arms across her chest and glaring at the wall instead of at Edward. She knew there was no use arguing her cousin-higher-ranking officer's orders, but that had never stopped her from trying before, and would not now.
"I hate you Mustang." Edward said, looking away.
Rather than argue further, Elizabeth sighed and rolled her eyes, then closed them. "...Whatever." She gave up. "Just don't get in my way. I would hate to trip over you, short stuff." She grumbled. She could not bring herself to look Roy in the eyes; if she did, he might see the redness returning to her cheeks.
Edward glared at her viciously. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING SMALL? YOU'RE ONLY LIKE TWO INCHES TALLER THAN ME!"
Roy just smiled; he was enjoying torturing these two. "I'm glad you see it my way…" He said grinning still before sitting in his chair crossing his arms over his chest. "Now, about your mission, there's a small village a while away from here that a few things have been…off. We've gotten reports of the Homunculi being around there as well as Scar." He said before shutting his eyes. "So, I'm hoping you two would be so kind as to find them." He said leaning back.
The raven-haired girl just rolled her eyes again when Roy spoke, then sighed and resigned to listening as he described their mission. Her face became more somber the more he spoke, and she nodded. She was a little surprised he was actually sending them, more-so her into a dangerous situation, but she certainly appreciated his sudden trust in her. Assuming that was what this was...
"There have also been rumors of something more you'll be interested in, Edward." Mustang said opening his eyes.
When he mentioned something of interest to Ed, Elizabeth began to speak without thinking, "You mean the Philos-" But she was interrupted and her words drowned out yet again as Fullmetal spoke.
Ed blinked and looked over to Roy. "Tch. So why couldn't I do this with my brother? You know someone I actually know would have my back if Scar or the Homunculi did show up."
Roy shook his head. "Relax Fullmetal, Steel Wing will behave and you will both work together…Right?" He said glaring slightly; he had his reasons for sending these two…
She snorted, and then actually started to laugh; not laughing at him, but genuine laughter. Composing herself as quickly as she could, she waved her hand dismissively. "Yeah, of course." There was a cocky edge to the smile on her lips, but she was being serious now. "Don't worry. Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I don't know how to fight. I had one hell of a teacher." She stuck her tongue out at Ed quickly, retaliating for his lack of trust in her. Then she turned her attention back to Roy. "So, when do we leave?" She asked eagerly, though she tried to hide her eagerness with a mask of cool and calm.
"Tonight." The Flame Alchemist retorted looking over to them. "So, I'd advise you two to settle your differences slightly before then. You two are going to have to get along long enough." He hissed before standing and walked over to his window, staring out it.
The Steel Wing Alchemist smirked and stared pointedly at Edward. "I'm pretty sure I can manage that." She replied in a cocky manner.
"Fullmetal, stay here for a few minutes, Steel Wing, you're dismissed." He said glaring back at her.
Her attitude vanished, however, as soon as her cousin dismissed her, basically kicking her out.
Ed blinked and looked over to him nodding his head.
Elizabeth was going to protest again, but she clenched her jaw and decided against it when she saw the look on his face. He was serious, and though she did not enjoy feeling as though she were being left out of something, she knew better than to argue this time. "Yeah, okay. Later, Colonel." She called over her shoulder with a casual wave as she scooped up her suitcase and slung it over her shoulder.
As she closed the door behind her, she considered eavesdropping, but decided against that as well. This time, however, it was because she saw the Lieutenant approaching from down the hall.
She trotted over to the taller, older female with a smile and a wave, but that quickly turned into a salute and an attempt at a more serious expression.
Hawkeye returned the salute, and gave the girl a tiny, gentle smile. "At ease, Steel Wing."
Elizabeth blushed and lowered her arm, folding her hands behind her back.
"Did you just come from the Lieutenant-Colonel's office?" The blonde asked, sort of wondering why the girl was alone.
"Yes." She responded with a nod, and then added. "He wanted to talk to Edward about something alone..."
Hawkeye smiled knowingly, feeling a little sorry for the dejected look on the young girl's face. "I'm sure it must be 'something between men.'" Though he teased more than showed the girl he cared, Riza Hawkeye had a fairly good sense of how her superior officer felt about his cousin. They were really more like brother and sister, not just in looks, but in how much they cared for one another-even if they had a hard time showing it in front of the other for some reason or another. "He explained the mission he's sending you and Edward on tonight, correct?"
Elizabeth responded with a nod and an, "mhm!"
Riza gave the girl another gentle smile. "Shouldn't you go prepare yourself, then?" Elizabeth nodded enthusiastically. "I'm on my way to do that now! See you later, Lieutenant!" Then she trotted off down the hall and out of the building. She had everything she needed on her, but she wouldn't mind finding somewhere to grab a bite to eat before the trip…
Once Roy was sure his cousin had left he turned to face Edward. "If you let anything happen to her I swear you will be burned faster than you can say 'sorry.'" He hissed with an incredibly evil glare in his eyes.
Ed just grinned. "You'd have to catch me first."
Roy walked up to him and grabbed his shirt, glaring. "I'm not joking, Edward…If anything happens to her, I will burn you…" He hissed.
Edward began to sweat, and nodded some. "Alright, alright. Calm down, Mustang." He said before walking quickly out of his office in order to head back to his place to pack. He was grumbling as he walked home, annoyed that the Colonel expected him to watch out for Elizabeth more-so than himself, it just pissed him off! He also didn't get why Alphonse couldn't tag along which just pissed off the blonde even more.
Roy sighed softly, and sat back down shutting his eyes resting his head on his hands.
Hawkeye knocked on the Lt. Colonel's office door, and then entered with his permission. "I have more papers for you, sir." She spoke in her usual, calm, soft, almost monotone voice, delivering said papers to his desk.
Dark blue eyes looked at Riza and groaned when she said something about papers. "I swear, Hawkeye, I'm never going to have a night alone without papers again." He complained before sighing slightly.
Ignoring him, a thought occurred to her, remembering something Steel Wing had said, and Hawkeye decided to speak it out loud. "I do hope you were easy on Edward...sir; I'm sure Elizabeth will be just fine." Then she stiffened suddenly. "Please forgive my boldness, sir." She requested, saluting.
"Yes, I know, and I also know those two will be quite the team if they would stop butting heads…" Roy said, glancing up to the blonde taking the papers, setting them on his desk. He was quite tempted to just light them all on fire, but he knew he would get yelled at by Hawkeye. Plus he would have no way to put them out. He grabbed his pen and started clicking it. "And I was…nice enough to Edward." He said glancing out the window. "But you can't blame me for wanting to be sure my cousin is okay…I wasn't there for enough of her life…I'm not letting it happen again."
Hawkeye nodded solemnly in agreement with everything Mustang was saying. "Of course, sir," She finally spoke, once he had finished speaking, just standing beside his desk with her hands behind her back as she usually did. He seemed to get more work done with company. Not to mention she wanted to be sure he did not actually try to light his papers on fire to avoid his responsibilities. Second Lieutenant Hawkeye supported Lieutenant Colonel Mustang completely-that included occasionally having to serve as his "babysitter" and scolding him. Someone had to remind him that the climb to the top would not be as easy as he might have once dreamed. Her look did soften briefly, however, when he spoke of his cousin the way he did... But as his firm subordinate.
Elizabeth took her time wandering around, searching out a good place to eat. The first place that caught her nose's attention in particular was the place she chose to sit down to eat. She found her own seat inside, by one of the windows, so she could watch people mill about without risking getting caught in the potential rain. It looked like the sky was clearing a little, but it was still very cloudy, and she did not want any rain interrupting her meal. She turned and greeted her server with a big grin when they came to take her order. It was nice having the silver watch resting in her pocket at times, at least when it came to benefits like this. She would never go hungry again with the pay she received as a State Alchemist.
After finishing her meal, she had taken to wandering around Central. She had been to this city many times before, but it was not often she had the opportunity to just wander and sight-see.
After browsing shops and the like, she found a park and settled herself beneath a tree. Lulled to sleep by the lazy movement of the leaves in the branches above her head as they were pushed around by the breeze, she quickly fell asleep.
When she woke up, it was far later than she expected. After checking the time on her watch, she snatched up her suitcase and took off running, worried she might miss her train.
Roy was standing at the train station. He was going to see them both off; he just wanted to be sure they both showed up and they both left at the same time. He knew that they would try to beat each other to their destination and if he found out about that he would be quite pissed off. Mustang had his arms crossed glancing to the side he glared slightly, as he heard the clunk of Edward's boots.
Ed had his bag draped over his shoulder he was staring into the sky with a pissed off look on his face. His long braided hair blew in a strong breeze as the train came screeching to a stop. He sighed slightly. "Wait...I beat her here? HA! YES!" He said punching his hand into the air.
Mustang rolled his eyes. "I already said you two damn well better work together." He hissed, before looking back over to the train, waiting for his cousin.
By the time Elizabeth reached the station, the train had stopped and Mustang was looking impatient, while Fullmetal looked smug. "Sorry I'm late!" She called, slowing to a stop in front of Roy. Seeing the look on his face, she held up her hands defensively. "H-hey, I didn't miss it, right? Well, time to go." She spun on her heel and made for the train quickly, hoping to escape any of her cousin's potential wrath. "Hurry up, shorty!" She called playfully, really only teasing him in good fun. She was in a much better mood after her earlier meal, a nice relaxing nap, and finally some good old exercise.
The blonde blinked a few times, "Hey! Get back here! I'm not short!" He screamed running after her, holding his bag tightly.
Elizabeth turned and stuck her tongue out at Edward quickly before hopping onto the train to avoid his wrath as well. Once on the train, she took her seat in one of the booths, sitting by the window.
Edward walked into the train after her, and sat down across from his dark-haired companion, staring out the window. He was still annoyed; he wanted to know why Roy was so protective of this girl, it frankly made him even angrier than he usually was. Ed was impatient, and pissed off that Roy was so…so…annoying. Why didn't he care if he got hurt? Just this girl in front of him.
Roy sighed softly; he stuffed his hands in pockets as he started walking to the car that was waiting for him he sighed again getting in, going back to Central he walked past Riza looking back at her. His blue eyes giving her a look that said 'follow me.'
Lieutenant Hawkeye saluted her superior, then nodded and followed him as he motioned.
Once they were inside his office, she shut the door behind him, then stood beside his desk and waited-she knew there was something on his mind.
Inside, Roy sat down at his desk and sighed softly. "Hawkeye…" He said, crossing his fingers in front of his face and under his nose, leaning forward slightly. "Did I make the right choice…? Sending those two?" He whispered staring forward his dark blue eyes staring forward.
She should have known it was about his cousin; he was still worried. Lieutenant Hawkeye assumed he was looking for advice, so she thought for a moment before speaking. "I'm sure they'll look out for one another, watch each others' backs. They'll both be fine, sir." She said gently. "And perhaps when they return you should consider telling Elizabeth how you feel-or showing her, at least. I'm sure she would appreciate it, sir." More than you may realize. She thought.
Roy glanced over to her and sighed some. "I could, but…It just doesn't seem like she wants me to really protect her like this…I wasn't there for most her life, and I feel bad enough, knowing her she'll probably snap at me." He said before putting his head on the desk. "I'm sure they won't let anything happen to one another, despite the fact the fact that their rivals, they're still well…I don't know what word to use exactly." He just sighed and leaned back shutting his eyes his arm over the side of his chair sighing. "Now I have nothing to do." He groaned putting his head on the desk again.
Hawkeye folded her hands behind her back and took a step closer to Mustang's desk. "Sir, with all due respect, you won't know until you try. And if I know Elizabeth half as much as you do, she may be stubborn, but she cares for you very much. Something the two of you seem to have in common. You must also realize, she is still very young. She may not want to acknowledge it, but that is why you have to be there for her, whether she admits she needs your help or not, sir." Then she smiled another tiny, hidden smile. But that turned into a frown quickly when he began acting bored, as though he did not have a mountain of paperwork to do which he had continuously been putting off. "You could always do your work, sir." She said in her icy, calm voice. Her tone was threatening, though she was not so bold as to directly do so.
Roy looked over to Riza with a bored look on his face… "I could…but that would be just as boring as sitting here." He said before looking back at his desk putting his head back on it. "Hm." He sat up slightly before glancing over to Hawkeye.
Mustang's Lieutenant gave him a hard stare as he complained. A stare, which quickly turned into a glare; and one that delivered her thoughts quite well. If he did not get to work on his responsibilities, she was considering threatening him in a far more violent way, likely involving her gun.
Seeing the look on her face, he began to sweat, then gave in and just started signing and doing his paperwork. This rendered threatening him unnecessary.
Elizabeth glanced at Fullmetal as he sat across from her, and then gazed out the window. She was going to wave to her cousin, but he was already gone; then, as she thought about it, it may have seemed a little childish to do so and she did not want Ed to see that part of her. Whatever...it seemed to work out in her favor anyway; it may have only annoyed him further, though she would not have known as she did not know Roy's protective nature was the current cause of his annoyance.
"So…did Roy tell you anything else…about our mission, I mean?" Ed grumbled; he really wanted to be with Al, he didn't get why he couldn't bring him.
When he spoke to her, Elizabeth finally turned to look at him. She only shrugged, and then stretched casually before folding her arms in front of her chest and crossing her legs. "Not a thing. You?" She asked as she quirked a brow, wondering if Roy had kept him in the office longer to discuss the Philosopher's Stone. She guessed that was a large part of why they were going, except that made her wonder how her cousin had known to send her with him. Would he even tell her if that was the topic of their "secret" conversation?
Edward shook his head. "Nope, he just told me that if I didn't keep you safe he'd burn me to death." He said still staring out the window.
Elizabeth let out a nervous laugh and looked away. "Huh...did he, now? You don't say." She fidgeted for a moment, looking out the window, then stopped wriggling in her seat and looked at Ed again when she heard him take a breath to continue speaking.
"But no, he didn't tell me much, he didn't really tell me anything, just what he told us together." He said still staring out the window, waiting for the train to take them to their stop. He sighed softly again shutting his golden optics.
"Hm." She made a soft sound to acknowledge what he said. She was thoughtful for a moment, just looking at him in silence. She was hesitant to say anything, but as they were already on their way to their destination and their mission, she thought a show of good faith and a peace offering was in order. Information about her theory seemed like a good start. "I think...maybe Ro-the Colonel...is sending us towards a lead on the Philosopher's Stone." She leaned forward, keeping her voice down since there were other people in the car around them.
The blonde blinked looking over to her and nodded some. "I'm pretty sure. It wouldn't surprise me, that is usually why he sends me out, but why he sent you with me instead of Al is beyond me. That man makes no sense…" He sighed some before leaning forward slightly.
Elizabeth nodded in agreement, staring levelly into Edward's eyes in return. She glanced away, then back, only for a split second out of nervousness. She was seeking the Philosopher's Stone as well, but Ed did not know that, and it was not likely her cousin did, either. She decided she would continue to keep that little tidbit of her personal life to herself.
"Mustang also said something about the Homunculi…have you dealt with them before?" Ed whispered still not wanting to cause alarm to those around them. Fullmetal's eyes were locked onto her. He blinked a couple times; he had never actually been this close to her, they were always yelling at each other, so he never realized…she was actually kind of pretty.
Elizabeth's blue eyes were locked onto Fullmetal as well as she spoke again. "I have," She admitted hesitantly, "but only a couple of times. I met the ones who call themselves Lust and Gluttony once, and I had a brief run-in with Envy-though I almost didn't realize it." She admitted again, not proud of the fact. Envy had been disguised as an officer of the military, though, so it was not as though she had failed to recognize someone she was close to not acting like themselves. "You have, too, right?" She already knew the answer, but since they were sharing... She had overheard a great many things about Edward Elric and his brother, and their "adventures."
Edward nodded slightly. "Yeah…Those two, Envy and Greed. " He said.
After a moment, when she realized he was staring at her, Steel Wing tilted her head to one side and blinked. "What?" She asked him, wondering what he was staring at. Did she have something on her face?
Edward blushed slightly and looked away from her. "Nothing, Just thinking." He lied before looking out the window, and then shutting his eyes, sighing some. If he found the Philosopher's Stone…This time he could fix Al for sure. He had to follow this lead, and really look into it, more so than he normally would… Fixing Alphonse was all that mattered to him. He glanced over to her again. "So, why did you ask about the Philosopher's Stone? You seem pretty interested in it…"