"We're going to a party?" Kay repeated, head tilted in confusion. "Do we own anything appropriate to wear to a party?" Ed was sitting on the couch, reading through some of her work that he'd given her. Maybe she was finally getting the hang of how to spell things. But once she'd spoken, he threw the papers on the table and folded his arms.
"Of course," he told her indignantly, "It just depends on what kind of party you mean."
"So what kind of party is it?" she pushed, frowning. He pressed his lips into a firm line. He wasn't budging. She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him, and then examined his body language. He was tense. His eyebrows were furrowed in worry. However, when he made that face, he was staring off into the distance, at nothing. He was trying to remember something, worrying about something immaterial. If he'd been worried about clothes, he'd look elsewhere. His nails, pants, his piles of dirty laundry, or the bathroom door even. His eyes were completely unfocused. She concluded aloud, "We don't care what we look like. So what are we worrying about?"
He glanced up at her, still frowning softly. "What the Fuhrer will decide tonight." He shook himself out of it, and stood up. "It's been just about a month since you showed up again. Havoc and Breda insist that your introduction has been long overdue." He rolled his eyes at the notion and ran a hand through his hair. "Anyway, Mustang said that he remembered buying some kind of dress that would be appropriate for you to wear."
Kay smirked and scooted closer to him. "Is this like a date, then?"
Ed flushed again, and averted his gaze. He stammered, "Uh, not... Well... No, but..." He struggled with words for a moment longer. He was saved the trouble of answering when Kay stood and laughed loudly. She patted his cheek in sympathy, and walked around the coffee table to dig through both of their laundry to find a dress.
"I remember a dress," she agreed, "but I was wondering about you, Ed."
Ed crossed his arms. "No one expects me to dress up."
She chuckled. "I understand why. So will the Fuhrer decide his successor tonight?"
Ed hummed, again absently. "That's the occasion."
Kay glanced at him and brought it up again. "I would like a date, you know. I haven't been on one since I showed up here." She kept rummaging around, digging through their intermingled clothes, unable to find it. Ed just cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Then again," she continued, "I've never been on a real date before. Just had sex." When she looked back up at Ed, he was on the couch, face buried in his hands. She raised an eyebrow. "Is everything alright?"
"Mhmm," he agreed tiredly, voice muffled. He lifted his head slowly and allowed haltingly, "You could... If you wanted, this could be... a real date or something." A slow smirk began to form on her lips.
"I'll have to look good, then," she purred, and turned around to find the dress. Ed watched as she eagerly searched for something to wear, and smiled fondly. A date with her wouldn't be bad. She was smart, even if she never went to school and learned how to spell, and she was fiery. Never mind that she had gained a little weight, and wasn't so scarily thin anymore. In fact, she was absolutely gorgeous. He'd seen her toned belly, and watched her lift weights easily. She was strong on top of everything.
"You shouldn't worry about looking good," Ed thought aloud, "It happens naturally."
"Found it!" Kay exclaimed, jumping to her feet. She spun around and smirked at Ed. "And thanks. I didn't think you realized how good I look." She winked, just making him blush and avert his gaze again. She turned around and ran into the bathroom, calling out behind her, "You're pretty good looking yourself! Don't worry about what you wear!" She hadn't intended it, but reverse psychology worked like a charm.
Ed glanced down at himself, and wondered if he shouldn't at least take a shower.
Kay looked around the room with a sharp eye. It wasn't exactly wonder, but critical, trying to evaluate her situation. Any time during her past, she'd be looking for things to steal. As was her second nature, she did exactly that. The floor was tiled, the ceiling high, art lining the walls of the large ball room. She clung to Ed's arm, something Ed had strangely found comforting. At least he knew where her hands were, so she wasn't stealing anything. Not to mention that it felt so natural to have her so close, even in such a platonic way. She was eyeing all the neatly dressed people, in military uniforms and dresses and button-up shirts.
Together, they walked down the stairs, their movements completely synchronized. They were, of course, fashionably late. It was clear to outsiders that they were very close. Ed seemed completely at ease with her lightly looping her arm around his. She didn't lean on him - just touched him. Ed wasn't stiff, like so many other people in the room. He just stood and walked like he always did, and she kept up with it easily. What's more, she had taken his metal arm.
"Don't steal anything," Ed hissed at her, noticing her sharp eye.
She grinned deviously at him. "Why would I? I have my sugar daddy." She pressed herself a little closer to his arm. Had he been able to feel, he'd have blushed at the feeling of her breasts against his arm. As it was, he couldn't feel it, and just rolled his eyes. Her eyes returned to the crowd, some of them dancing to the waltz, most of them standing and talking smoothly to one another. She recalled Mustang and knew he'd thrive in this scene.
Ed scanned the crowd as well. "Where are those ass holes? I want to get out of here."
Kay smirked. "I'm giddy just being here. So many rich people."
"No stealing," Ed insisted, nudging her gently.
She waved off the warning dismissively. "I heard you the first time."
"Don't you two look cozy." Ed and Kay both turned to look at Roy, who smirked as smugly as he possibly could. Ed glared at him for the comment, but Kay just smirked back. "I'm glad to see you could finally make it," Roy continued in a confident drawl, "You came before anything significant happened, at least." He met Kay's gaze. "I'm glad I could see you again." He held out his hand, and she took it. He kissed her knuckles suavely, meeting her gaze. He let her hand go. "I was afraid Edward would keep you locked up the rest of your life."
"I didn't lock her up!" Ed protested indignantly.
Kay just laughed charmingly, and patted Ed's arm. "I was injured. It was my own fault." She glanced out a window and added, "I'm not fond of the cold, either." Roy let out an understanding, 'ah,' but found nothing appropriate to say. He looked back at Ed, who was scowling. It really wasn't Ed's scene, here in this fancy place. "C'mon, Ed," Kay suggested, "Let's do something fun. This place is boring."
Ed groaned painfully, "We have to stay here for the announcement."
Kay hummed thoughtfully, smile falling. "Alright. You said you wanted to meet some friends. Let's meet them, then." She glanced around looking for them. Ed spotted his colleagues then, and was pleasantly surprised to find Al and Winry with them, each of them holding cups of wine. Kay and Roy followed his gaze.
Roy informed him smugly, "I forgot to tell you. Alphonse said he was coming."
Ed glared at him. "You're a bastard."
"Shall we join them?" Roy suggested.
"Sure thing, boss," Kay agreed cheerfully, and tugged on Ed's arm. "Alphonse is your brother, right? I want to meet him." Ed met her gaze, and nodded worriedly. What would she think of Al? Or Winry? Or his work friends? He only worried because she had picked himself apart when they'd met. He decided, as they approached his friends, that it would all work out, and he forgot about everything that had worried him.
Al and Winry hadn't known anything about Kay, so when they saw Ed, Roy, and a girl who was apparently Ed's girlfriend, approach, they were rather shocked. Ed wasn't dressed up too much - just his usual leather pants, a black shirt, and his waistcoat and gloves. His hair was in its usual braid. Roy was dressed in uniform.
This girl, however, was gorgeous. She was shorter than Ed - quite a feat - and had fiery, crazy red curly hair. Her dress was black, a strong contrast to her pale freckled skin and red hair. The back was open, with straps around her shoulders, and a nice plunging v-shaped neckline. The skirt stopped at her ankles, but a long slit in the skirt left a good view of her leggy leg. Her shoes had about five inches of a thin heel on them, completely new age and sexy. But she didn't wear jewelry or makeup, which Winry found odd.
It didn't escape Winry's notice how easily they walked together, or how this girl seemed to instinctively know when Ed wanted her to break her embrace. She let go the instant Ed and Al saw each other. The brothers hugged, a long and warming embrace. Ed took a step back, grinning. Al smiled earnestly.
While this went on, Kay examined everyone. Alphonse, no doubt, was the one Ed hugged. In a button-up, taller than Ed, completely at ease. Winry beside him, surely, with long blond hair, hanging simply, one elegant curl in front of her ear. She had piercings, and wore a black dress, as so many people did at this party. The dress went to her mid thigh, the skirt ruffled, and didn't have straps. Then there were the guys all dressed in military uniform. Blond, smoking. Fat guy, swallowing his wine. Small dark haired kid with glasses. Another leggy blond, except in uniform, with her hair up, and expression severe.
"Hey!" the smoking guy exclaimed, "It's the girl!" The fat guy and nerdy kid perked up, and followed the direction in which the blond was pointing so rudely. Kay's first reaction was to scowl and then give them an earful, but she looked them over again, no longer smiling, keenly looking for weaknesses.
Roy took the honor of introducing her. "This is Kay," he said pleasantly to them, and then to her, "Havoc, Breda, Fuery, Hawkeye, and Falman is unfortunately sick." Kay smiled at them all, and shook hands with each of them. Then she turned to Winry, who was still looking her up and down suspiciously.
That triggered Kay's own wariness. She didn't offer a hand or a smile, just examined the blond. Tense, not used to these kinds of parties. Shoulders square, confident in who she was. Toned muscles, used to working hard. But her legs weren't as muscled, so she sat down a lot, probably with some sort of mechanical job by the look of her callous fingers and the smudge of barely noticeable oil on her black high heels, never mind the material of her earrings.
Lastly but not least, her suspicious attitude, almost protective of Edward. This girl was one of two things: a sister, or a potential girlfriend. Ed said to Winry, "Hey, Win. Sorry I haven't called in a while... I think I need a checkup on my automail." Winry turned to Ed, clearly not in a good mood. Most likely a girlfriend. Kay examined Ed, and almost raised a single eyebrow in surprise. The feeling was not mutual. Maybe she was a sister.
"That's alright. I'll get to it," Winry finally responded, forcing a smile, "Who's your friend here?" Ed looked at Kay, and flushed a little before averting his gaze to the floor. Kay decided to step in.
"I'm Ed's roommate," Kay introduced herself, holding out her hand for Winry to shake, "Elizabeth Guihan." Winry shook her hand.
Before Winry could respond verbally, Ed reprimanded Kay, "Don't lie."
Kay's fake smile turned into a smirk, and corrected herself, "Sorry, force of habit. Kay Doe." She shook Winry's hand again, and watched the confusion spread across Winry's face as the blond second-guessed her initial opinion of the redhead. That, of course, was what Kay had intended. "You're Winry, right?" she asked, letting Winry's hand go.
Winry answered slowly, "Uh, yeah. You two aren't... an item or anything?"
Kay turned to Ed, eyebrows raised. What would he say? He just 'umm'ed quietly, looking away. So Kay decided it was time to step in again. She answered pleasantly, "Not quite." Winry relaxed visibly, and Kay wondered if she knew Ed didn't return her feelings. Or if she really was a sister-surrogate of some kind.
Al introduced himself with a smile, "I'm Al."
Kay shook his hand gladly. "Kay Doe." She took a step back, and realized Roy was missing. She glanced around and still couldn't find him, even among his friends and subordinates. "Where did Roy go?" she asked, and looked to Ed for an answer.
Ed shrugged. "How should I know? I don't give a crap where he goes."
Al noted worriedly, "Now that you mention it, he seemed pretty distracted."
Ed snorted. "He was probably just thinking about a girl."
Kay grinned wickedly, and Ed nearly paled at what she might say, but she said nothing.
"How did you two meet again?" Breda asked Kay and Ed. Ed blinked in surprise at the question, and shrugged, looking down at Kay to answer. Breda knew the answer perfectly well, of course, and was only trying to make conversation - and perhaps make Winry uncomfortable.
Kay answered without hesitation, "Roy found me doing drugs and forced Ed to take care of me." She smiled the entire time, and seemed so pleasant. Ed nearly fell over when she put it like that, and everyone stared in shock. Winry's eyebrow twitched in irritation, as she wondered how Ed would even consider liking a drug addict. Kay finished, "Since Ed took me off the streets, I've been clean, though."
Havoc questioned, "How did you meet the second time?"
Ed answered this time, jumping in before Kay could say anything inappropriate again, "I was going on a walk, for some fresh air. She was wandering around, looking for a place to sleep. We just bumped into each other." He glanced down at her, and she was looking away, into the ballroom, no longer smiling. He followed her gaze, and found a child crying, clinging on the skirts of her mother's dress. "Kay?" he asked, taking her shoulder.
She turned back slowly to him and smiled. "That sounds about right. It's a good thing, too, or I would have died from hypothermia or starvation, probably the former." Havoc burst into hysterics, crying on Breda's shoulder about how Roy couldn't dump a hot chick on him to take care of as punishment.
"You had to meet a second time?" Al asked, honestly curious.
"I ran away the first time," Kay answered, "I thought I was a bother, but I guess not."
Al pouted at Ed and asked with puppy eyes, "Why didn't you tell me, Ed?"
Ed rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "C'mon, Al, it's not a big deal."
Kain brought up curiously, "Mustang said Kay was injured. Is she alright?"
Ed gave him an irritated look and answered, "She's right here, ask her yoursel-." He blinked when he realized the area in which he'd gestured was empty. Kay wasn't there. He glanced around, suddenly worried that she was stealing from someone. It disturbed him slightly that she'd gotten away so quickly without his notice. He found her easily, kneeling beside the child, holding a broken toy. The child who had been crying earlier, and distracted her. Ed's mouth dropped in surprise when he watched her clap her hands together, and touch the toy. It transformed to its original form, and the little kid clapped gladly, squealing, and snatched the toy.
Kay stood up, awkwardly talking to the little girl, who blew her a thankful kiss, and ran after her mother. Kay turned around, eyebrows furrowed worriedly, and looked up at Ed. She met his gaze and smiled apologetically. She walked over, every movement still sensual as ever, Winry noted bitterly, except for her expression.
Al murmured to Ed, "She's seen the Gate."
"I know," Ed whispered, not on purpose. "She told me."
Kay met them again, expression frank. "Sorry about that. Did I miss anything?"
Kain jumped in. "I was just wondering about your injuries."
Kay's expression cleared and she smiled, back to normal, while Ed still watched her with some concern. "I'm fine. I unfortunately got into a tussle with some old acquaintances, but I'm fine now." Kain congratulated her on getting better, and Ed saw her touch her once injured rib tenderly.
"You don't know how to fight using alchemy?" Breda asked, munching on crackers. Ed narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Yeah, why didn't she? He knew she could fight, and was quick on her feet. He'd spent the last month with her, and hadn't known she knew how to use alchemy in the first place. But she'd seen the Gate, so maybe she'd assumed he knew and that's why she hadn't mentioned it...
"Ah," she began, glancing at her hands, then meeting Breda's gaze with a smile. "This might seem silly, but I don't like alchemy." Ed let it go for the moment. He could ask her later. In fact, he was glad she didn't bring up the heated arguments they'd had about whether alchemy was a science. She always won somehow, but she always said that she only won because she was a woman.
Thankfully, Roy appeared just then, and took her hand, and spun her around. She raised her eyebrows at him, glad beyond belief that the awkward subject had been interrupted. He smirked dashingly, and told Ed without looking up from her face, "I'm borrowing your date, Ed. She needs to dance once, and I know you refuse to learn how."
Ed snorted. "Go ahead. I don't like dancing."
Roy hesitated, and looked up at Ed. "You didn't deny that she's your date."
Ed flushed, and looked down. "We... did agree this was a date," he admitted.
Kay turned and smiled at him. "Thanks for being so agreeable Ed." She turned to Roy again. "Let's dance, then." Roy took her hand, put his hand on her waist and they began to twirl, right there, moving back and forth and forward and back. Kay just let Roy lead her around, unsure of how to dance herself, and said conversationally, "You're distracted. I know there's a girl involved."
Roy smirked. "She's a pain in the ass."
"That's how love works, I'm told," Kay responded, grinning back. "You're using me to make her jealous." He hummed in agreement, not surprised to find that she was so perceptive. "Maybe we can make Ed jealous, too," she suggested. He chuckled, and he pulled her into a twirl, then pulled her close to his chest. He liked the way her hair spun. She said, "I hope you don't mind me talking about your friends. I need to tell someone what I've noticed or I might go insane." Despite what she said, her tone and expression was pleasant.
Roy implored her, "Please do. I'm curious to see if you're accurate."
Kay began, "Havoc is uninteresting. He needs a girlfriend, and is pretty smart and affectionate. Probably proficient in handling guns. Fuery is smart, too, and doesn't want a girlfriend. He works with wires a lot. Breda is comfortable and likes to drink, but he's pretty perceptive. But Winry is the one I'm interested in." Roy smirked. Interesting. "She's jealous of me, intensely, and protective of Edward, but he's not interested romantically." She spun again, and then continued, "I don't know if she wants him, or if she's taking the protective older sister role. If she does want him, does she realize he doesn't like her?"
Roy answered pleasantly, "Al and Winry are dating. I think she's more sisterly."
Kay smirked. "I didn't think of that. Beautiful. I've made a bad first impression, then."
Roy led her into a dip, and she loved the feel of the strong hand against her back... Where it normally would have thrilled her, it felt strangely violating. Roy apparently felt the same way, and apologized when he brought her back up. "You're quite beautiful," he said, "but I feel like I just did something perversely wrong." He met her gaze. "I wonder why. I didn't do anything."
She whispered back, cheeks flushed from the dance and the sudden exhilaration from his touch, "It must have been a chemical..." She hesitated, trying to think of the right word. "Chemical reaction. You're a handsome man, I'm a handsome woman. We attract." She twirled again. "And attraction feels wrong, for some reason."
"I never felt like that before," Roy murmured in wonder.
Their feet slowed. "Me neither."
Their feet slowed further. "I wonder what happened."
Their feet stopped. "We fell in love with someone else."
He searched her eyes for more of an explanation, but he knew what she meant.
She took a step back. "Find your girl."
"I can't," he whispered desperately, looking tired.
She patted his arm, and smirked. "I won't let anything get between Ed and I. If you can't do the same with your own girlfriend, my opinion of you will plummet, Roy." Roy's smirk returned slowly, and he stepped back from her as well.
"Well don't you two look cute." Roy turned to the old man and saluted him stiffly. The old man chuckled and smiled gladly at Kay. "Relax, General Mustang. I have made my decision already. Nothing you can do will change it now." Mustang dropped his arm, and relaxed as he was told, but found a strange sort of foreboding sense in the Fuhrer's words. "Is this your girlfriend?" the Fuhrer asked.
Roy answered curtly, "No, sir."
Kay held out her hand and smiled. "I'm Kay Doe, master of personality profiles."
The Fuhrer chuckled and shook her hand. "Oh, dear, please explain that."
"I can look at a man and tell you where he works, his sleeping habits, and where he spends his free time," she explained simply. She gestured to Roy. "I met him a few months ago, and tore him apart." Roy nodded severely in confirmation. She went on easily, "I have no real interest in politics, however, so I'm afraid I was bored until Roy showed up and tried to sweep me off my feet. We've just acknowledged that we can't possibly be together."
"How unfortunate," the Fuhrer chuckled, "General Mustang, you're dismissed. Make sure that Fullmetal character is under control." Mustang saluted the Fuhrer again, and left to obey his orders. The Fuhrer held out his arm, and Kay took it. "To be honest," the Fuhrer said, "I haven't made a decision. Everyone has been tense, so I haven't gotten a realistic view on where they stand."
Kay laughed sweetly. "Poor General Mustang thinks he's lost."
He chuckled as well as they began to walk. "Maybe you can help me."
"Oh?" she inquired, looking down at him and smiling.
"Evaluate with your profiling skills," he suggested, "The difference between General Mustang, and those young ladies over there." Kay looked up at where he gestured, and found Olivier Armstrong and a dark haired lady with great big breasts and curvy hips. Kay watched them interact with those around them for a long few minutes.
Finally, she began, "The blond doesn't like these social events, but she's confident. She's strong, and isn't really worrying about anything. She's accepted whatever is to come tonight." The two of them continued to walk, as she continued to evaluate Olivier, "She's a natural leader, but she's too harsh. I don't like her as a person."
Her eyes shifted to the dark haired mystery. "The other girl is also confident. So it's safe to say all of our candidates, General Mustang and these two girls, are very confident. However, General Mustang, while hoping for the best, is preparing himself for the worst. The blond will accept whatever happens, and react accordingly. This woman, however, believes she knows the outcome of everything. I can't tell how predictable her reactions will be to your decision tonight, but if she's wrong in her assumption, she will retaliate." She looked down at the Fuhrer and smiled. "In short, they are all confident. General Mustang tries his hardest to look at things realistically, though he holds high hopes. The blond doesn't hope, but takes problems head on. The busty brunette is rather unpredictable, and manipulative."
The Fuhrer nodded slowly. "That's a lot to think about. Let's ask a simpler question. Who would you prefer to become Fuhrer? I trust you. I'm a good judge of character, and I can tell you're a good judge of character. Who would be the best to lead Amestris?" Kay blinked in surprise, smile falling. To rule a country? Her mind ran through several different scenarios all at once, of different people as Fuhrer, trying to come out with the best outcomes. She could just say Roy because she knew him... She pushed that thought aside and took it seriously. She had to give an honest answer.
The busty brunette... she didn't trust.
The blond, Olivier... was too harsh, too cold.
Roy Mustang... was too optimistic.
She concluded aloud, slowly, "I believe that, while he may get hurt and make mistakes in the process, Roy Mustang is best. He will learn from his mistakes, unlike the blond. She's too stubborn and set in her ways. And the busty brunette is shady at best. I can't tell where her interests lie, politically, because she seems so distracted by sex..." She watched the brunette's mannerisms, as she talked to Roy. It was strange.
The Fuhrer chuckled. "Thank you, young lady. I'll let you go now, so you don't have to spend your evening with a boring old man only interested in the politics you don't enjoy." He took his arm back, they stopped walking, and he smiled at her. She smiled back.
"Don't let my opinion change your mind," she told him with a wink, "I don't know a damn thing about politics." He chuckled and watched her walk away. Kay, after that surprising conversation with the Fuhrer, found herself in a crowd of people, unsure of where she was, or, for that matter, where her date was. The heat of the crowd soon rushed to her face, and she spun around to find someone familiar - even that awfully jealous blond. She just saw blue uniforms everywhere and women in black dresses.
"Miss?" Kay looked down and blinked at the little girl. "Are you lost?" the little girl asked. "I can find your boyfriend if you want. I'm good at finding people." Kay, who had suddenly been on the edge of hysterics for no particular reason aside from being lost, blinked to clear her head. It didn't really work.
"Can you show me outside?" she asked, mouth dry, "I need some fresh air."
"Sure thing, miss!" the little girl exclaimed excitedly, "You fixed my doll, after all!" Kay blinked at the little girl who grabbed the tips of her fingers and dragged her through the crowd, weaving between people hurriedly, until they arrived at the exit. The little girl pushed the door open, and beamed up at Kay while the cold air swarmed around them. Kay thanked the girl, and stepped outside, gulping in the cold air gratefully. The little girl ran off inside, closing the door behind her.
Kay exhaled loudly, and closed her eyes. It was so peaceful outside... no people to talk to... no one expecting anything... no prying eyes or questions... no politics... no love... just quiet animals and snow... no bright lights, but stars... If only Ed was there to enjoy that moment of quiet with her, it would have been perfect. If she could just reach for his hand and hold on, and feel the warmth of one hand and the smooth metal of the other... It was an obvious reminder for her that he wasn't as perfect as she sometimes believed. She had a chance with him. He wasn't really an angel...
That's what she was thinking about when she was jarred out of her thoughts.
"Bitch."
Her eyes snapped open and she turned to the voice. There were three of them, boys. One was big, and bulky with a strong square jaw. The one to his right was skinny and tall. The last boy was bald. All of them were unhappy, and in light jackets in the snow. She knew them all, and knew the details of all their muscles, how strong they were, what their weaknesses were in a fight. She knew, also, that she was screwed. She took a step backward.
"Jimmy," she greeted the one in the middle. She nodded to the skinny tall one. "Harry." She glanced at the last one. "Merryl." She took another step backward, and her back touched the doorway. She could just turn around and leave, escape into the world of crowded people and politics... I killed him. She swallowed. She had to face them. "It's nice to see you boys again," she whispered hoarsely.
Jimmy sneered. "Look at you, in that tight slutty dress. Who'd you fuck to pay for that?"
"Who are you stealing from in there?" Merryl snarled.
"Let us in on the profit and we might let you go without injury," Harry snapped.
Jimmy glared at Harry and nudged him. "Don't give her false hopes." He turned steely brown eyes on her, frowning. "She's getting an ass-whooping no matter what she does. I don't forgive murderers." She let the words sting, but stood her ground without showing how much it hurt. She could feel in her toes that she was going to regret this "breath of fresh air." Her rib ached, purely a mental reaction, she knew.
She looked between them. "I'm not stealing anything. I haven't fucked in a month."
Harry snorted in derision and snapped, "Like we'd believe that."
Jimmy smirked. "And if it is true, maybe we should remedy that. You know you want it."
"Not from you guys," she told them calmly.
Merryl muttered angrily, "You little-"
The door opened, and the three boys froze, eyes glued on the intruder. Kay looked away, hesitant to remove her eyes from them, at Ed, who had already evaluated the situation and was ready for a fight. He stepped next to Kay, wrapped his arm around her waist protectively and glanced between the boys. The door shut behind him. "Do we have a problem, Kay?"
Merryl huffed. "Got a fuckin' sugar daddy."
Harry glared at her. "Fuckin' whore."
Jimmy muttered, "Can't face her own problems."
"We were leaving anyway," Merryl finally said to Ed.
"No," Kay interrupted, stepping forward. The three boys, who had been about to move along, all froze and glared at her. They watched her remove her shoes, and hand them to Ed. "Don't interrupt, Ed," she told him quietly, "They need to learn a lesson." She stepped forward onto the cold snow. Jimmy smirked at her.
"Finally fighting your own battles," he said. He lunged. She ducked, and shoved her elbow into his gut - hard enough that he gasped and stumbled to the ground. Harry and Merryl moved simultaneously, one grabbing her hair and the other drawing back for a punch. Ed tensed as he watched her grunt in pain. Her stomach was hurt, but not her ribs. He stepped forward to intervene after a couple more punches, and Jimmy finally got back to his feet.
Jimmy snarled, "Pay for what you've done, whore."
Ed stopped when Kay smacked her hands together and slapped them onto Harry's arm, which had been holding her hair. He screamed in pain, and tore his hand away, scorch marks on his arm. She smacked her hands together again and pushed them on the ground. Two giant hands formed from the ground, and pinned the remaining two.
"Murderer!"
"Whore!"
"Cheater!"
"Slut!"
"Bitch!"
"Shut up!" she screamed and smacked her heel into Harry's head. Merryl was still whimpering in the snow, clutching his scorched arm. She took a deep breath, and the silence resounded around them. "I don't want to see you guys again," she told them solemnly, "I don't like being beat up and I don't like beating you up. I like you guys." Jimmy spit up at her, and it landed on her cheek. She reached up and wiped it away, watching him with a melancholy expression.
"You killed Seth," Jimmy snarled, "We'll never leave you alone."
Her arms hung at her sides and her expression turned stony. "I killed Seth. You don't think that's enough punishment? Your faces are enough reminder. Don't think I haven't tried to punish myself." She watched the burning hatred in Jimmy's face morph into suspicious confusion. She drew her arms across her stomach, and took a deep breath.
"What... what do you mean?" Harry asked.
"I could have done this any time I've seen you over the years," she explained, gesturing to the earth she'd transmuted. "Why would I let you kick me and punch me in the face if I could do this?" She lifted her chin and murmured, "I'm guilty. Let the guilt do it's job. You don't need to make me feel worse." She clapped her hands together and touched the ground. The hands returned to their original places, as rock in the ground. Jimmy sat up slowly, and met her gaze.
"I won't ever forgive you," he spat. Then, slowly, he added, looking away, "That should be enough." He stood. "Come on, Harry. Let's help Merryl up." Kay turned around, and approached Ed. She held out her hand for her shoes and he handed them over, trying to figure out what just happened. She put her shoes back on, and stood in the cold, arms across her belly. Ed wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her close. She pressed her head against his shoulder. "I want to go home," she whispered.
Ed squeezed her closer. "You have to explain this to me."
"As soon as we get home," she promised. He turned her around, and they headed inside. The door closed behind them, and they were surprised to find everyone in the building looking in one direction - towards the band. The Fuhrer stood with a microphone, smiling gladly, and finished the word he'd been in the middle of when they had entered. He said, "...is Roy Mustang." Everyone in the room clapped, some politely, some once, some loud and hard and whistling, like Havoc and Breda.
Roy stepped up to the microphone, and couldn't help grinning. But anyone who knew Roy Mustang knew that was unlike him. His expression was so false, it was painful to look at. "I'm honored," he began, "to have this title assigned to me. I have never worked so hard, or wished so much for something like this in my entire life." He looked down, and then back up. "I'm at a loss for words. Thank you." He smiled at the crowd, and Kay curiously examined the situation. The busty brunette seemed satisfied. She'd known Roy would win. Roy kept glancing at her throughout his speech - she was no doubt who he'd fallen for. Olivier, angry but contained, clapped politely as Roy walked away.
"We saw what we came for," Ed murmured, "Let's go home."
