Mamma always told me that some things come naturally. These things could be seen as the equivalents of inevitability. Of course, I had to flip through at least 3 different encyclopaedias in order to fully understand what 'inevitable' meant. At my tender age of 7, I eventually gave up and decided that it was a type of flower, one of the pretty ones Mamma used to pick with Misses Queen. I still remember the confusion in Misses Queen's eyes when I'd ask my mother to go pick out one of those pretty 'inevitable flowers'.
But there were some things I never understood until much later. Mamma would read me stories about evil witches and spell casters doing terrible things to perfect pretty girls, and eventually dying when the handsome boys came to rescue them. I didn't understand why they would do such horrendous things. Wouldn't everyone be happy if they did good things? And, why did they target the perfect pretty girls? Wouldn't their chances of survival be higher if they picked out the girls nobody cared about? Lastly, I would always ask Mamma why Death was a flower. She would simply giggle, rub her first two fingers on the crown of my head, and tell me that even roses, the symbol of love, bear thorns that can make grownups cry. It was then that I realized why I liked flowers so much.
They weren't perfect. They never made me feel like a perfect pretty girl, worthy enough to be kidnapped by a witch. But I guess I was close enough.
"Yo, newbie! What's your name?"
Edward jumped at the sudden voice with a yelp. It felt as if that was all he'd been doing since he first started. The employees and patients used harsh words, and sudden actions, it was slightly overwhelming. With a sigh, he tiredly mumbled "Edward" under his breath. The young lady cackled like an old witch, and Edward immediately recognized her. Dark hair, done up in a high pony tail, jumpy attitude and skin just a few tones darker than olive.
"I'll call you Ed! My name's Harriet! But you can call me 'Bunny'! It's a nickname my old man came up with when I was a wee little girl!" Bunny let out another loud chuckle and plopped herself down next to Edward, who was picking at his food in annoyance. It was a clever nickname. Harriet. 'Hare'. Bunny. Haha.
"It's.. er, nice to meet you, Bunny. Have you worked here a long time?"
"Five years to be exact!"
"Wow!" Edward's mouth outstretched in a grin, his interest quite piqued. "So you must have earned some sort of recognition by now! You work in the long-term wings, yeah?"
Bunny's former smile crackled and crumbled instantly. Her head lowered in shame, as she gently rubbed her forearms together nervously. "I... Um... I work in the short-term wing. But I have been to the long-term before."
"Oh? And how was it?" The former alchemist pushed onward, settling his chin on his palms, focusing intently on the young woman beside him. She giggled at his childish enthusiasm, immediately assuming he was one who was interested in 'knowing everything'. It was difficult to come across people nowadays with enthusiasm like that. It killed the young woman to think that she'd crush it so easily by a mere explanation. Her own memories and dreams were forever haunted by the things she saw that fateful day. Things that reminded her what a prisoner every living being really is. And of their own mind, at that.
Finally, Bunny cleared her throat, focusing her gaze on a single lettuce leaf. "It's... It... I'd rather stay in the short term wing."
Edward raised an eyebrow in concern. "Why's that?"
Bunny rose slowly from her seat, sighing. Her head turned towards the blonde beside her, and she gave him the gentlest smile she could pester herself to make.
"Stay away from the long-term wing if you know what's best for you."
And with that, the little Bunny hopped off. The golden haired boy sighed. He'd wanted to know what the long-term wings were like for some time now. For some reason or another, most people's faces darkened and wouldn't reveal much when asked. Being the elder Elric, these things simply gnawed at his curiosity like a snapping turtle that'd been given a scavenged rabbit. He smiled quietly to himself. He was finally on the verge of recovery, and turning back into his old self.
With a huff, he rose up from his seat, dumping the remains of his repulsive lunch in the bin. He owed Alphonse a call before picking him up from the bar, but opted to surprise him instead. Anything to stay away from that crazy Jacob Willis.
The engine of the Elric's car rumbled before coming to a stop. The former state alchemist was surprised to see his younger brother already standing outside the building, his eyes swollen. At first, Edward assumed it was due to fatigue, but as he drew closer, he realized it must have been more than just an early morning cleanup schedule.
"Al?" Edward chuckled. "You look like death. What happened to you?"
"I was mwwraaff... And so he mrwwfrf..."
"Blorg."
"What?"
"Exactly. Now talk properly."
Alphonse scowled at his older brother, rubbing his eyes for a few seconds while Edward laughed hysterically at his own weak joke. Al's fingers were filthy and dark, hangnails poking out from his skin. His nose was also slightly swollen, and his dirty blonde hair looked ruffled and messy.
"Some idiots were causing trouble, drunk as heck and barely standing on their feet. So I told them to leave, and one of them did a number on my face..."
"I'm guessing the gorill-"
"Edward."
"I'm guessing Spencer saved the day, am I right?"
"Yep."
Edward laughed once more, ruffling his brother's hair.
"Let's get out of this hellhole, Al."
The two drove in silence for a bit, breaking it with an occasional groan from Alphonse. Suddenly, the younger Elric sat up straight, his face lighting up.
"Oh! I spoke to Noah a few days ago, I keep forgetting to tell you."
"Oh, yeah? How's she doing?"
"She was worried! Keeps on asking when we're going to visit them again."
They both chuckled joyfully at the thought of their gypsy friend. She was a kind girl, who looked like an identical copy of Rose. Although the brothers did not interact with Rose very often, she'd played a significant role in their lives. Even through all her hardships, she'd remained so strong, earning the strong respects of both brothers.
"Brother, we should really visit them! We don't want to keep them waiting, wondering if we'll ever see th-"
SCREECH!
Alphonse's eyes were now fully open, and his mouth nearly falling off his face. Slowly, he turned towards Edward, whose face was covered by a curtain of hair. The young Elric mentally kicked himself for being so careless.
"E...Edward that's not what I meant. Don't be like that. Lets go."
These colours. They're so pretty. But Misses Doctor always gets so angry with her when she uses her fingers to paint.
The door opened gently, exposing a soft face. She cringes, ready for another scolding, but Misses Doctor doesn't yell. Or look angry, at that. She simply strolls in, and takes a look at her drawing. Happiness latches itself onto her face, but she can tell that Misses Doctor is all but happy.
"That's beautiful. What is it?"
A shrug.
"Just going with whatever comes to you?"
A nod.
"Is it something that you remembered?"
Nothing.
She looks up at Misses Doctor. She likes Misses Doctor a lot, but sometimes, she doesn't understand. She wishes that she could show her doctor prettier things. She wishes she could tell her she likes her, and they could be friends. But she can't. The words being spoken around her everyday are all so familiar. But she can't bring herself to say them.
Misses Doctor notices her uneasiness and chuckles, stroking her head calmly and reassuringly.
"And your name? Do you remember your name yet, darling?"
"Will be!" She says with bright confidence.
"Of course... You will be remembering soon."
"W...Will..."
Misses Doctor lets out a huffy breath and leaves. Why does Misses Doctor get so upset when she says her name? That is something else Misses Doctor doesn't understand. She doesn't understand her.
She stands up and walks slowly towards the big comfy couch at the corner of her room. It was a gift from Misses Doctor's boss, or so she says. It is blue in colour, with yellow flowers all around it. It reminds her of the sea. She slowly lowers herself on top, leaving one leg hanging off. She begins swinging it to and fro, then remembering that the sharks may bite her, so she curls up in the corner, and that same sea begins to pour out of her face.
She doesn't like the sea.
A.N: Sorry for making you all wait! Thanks to all those who added this to their Story Alerts/Favourites! I'd like more reviews, but knowing that you guys are enjoying this makes me happy! It's going kind of slowly, I know, but I don't want to rush towards the interesting bits just yet. They're coming soon, though! So stay tuned (;
P.S: If you guys were slow enough not to know, Bunny is Paninya's alter.
