(Colonel's POV)
It was a quiet day in the office. Too quiet. Looking up from my paper work, I could see that everybody was here; Breda, Hawkeye, Furey, Havoc, and…Fullmetal. Of course.
"I'm assuming that none of you would happen to know where Fullmetal is?" I was met with four unknowing stares.
"I assumed you knew Colonel," Riza responded. I sighed.
"He's probably getting him self into trouble. You know the Chief can't sit still for more than a few seconds," Havoc smirked, smiling around the lit cigarette in his mouth.
"You got that right! Knowing him, well be getting a call any minute to go bail his ass out of trouble. Probably another buildings my guess," Breda said with a slight hint of playfulness in his voice (but also serious). The phone rang, disrupting conversation.
"Bet you a steak dinner and and a beer that it's Ed," Havoc whispered to Breda, though not quiet enough.
"I bet it's Fullmetal AND that he's in way over his head," I said smugly. Leaning back in my chair, I picked up the phone, placing it to my ear.
"Colonel Roy Mustang's office," I spoke into the receiver.
"Mustang?" It was Edward.
"Ah, Fullmetal. It's nice to hear your still alive. I see you've decided not to come in today."
"I'm taking it easy, just like you told me to. I thought I'd spend some time at the library today. I thought you might like to know." I couldn't formulate a response. Ed was actually going take a day to himself and rest. This wasn't like him.
"I'll see you tomorrow then." I placed the phone back on the hook.
"Well Colonel? What the verdict?" asked Breda and Havoc, both men nearly falling out of their seats in anticipation.
"Fullmetal's taking the day off to rest up and take it easy," I hesitated, "And I will be buying you both a steak dinner and a beer." I rested my head in my hands. The two men jumped from their seats and in victorious cry, proceed to whoop and yell. The one time Edward decided to actually behave himself and not blow anything up, I'm the one that gets the short end of the stick. Karma's a pain in the ass.
(Envy's POV)
I saw him walking down third Avenue.
'Just as Lust said. So predictable.' I thought to myself. Lust said she would watch the pipsqueak, but, something was off about her. It was the look in her eyes that troubled me. Her motives for making a deal with Fullmetal in the first place was her business, as long as she followed through on her end; as long as I got what I had been promised.
(Edward's POV)
It had been some time sense I had been to the Central library. If only it was a trip of luxury. I was here for one reason, and one reason only: Lust. I walked up the never ending stairs to the first branch library. Walking through the large mahogany doors, I approached the front desk. I was greeted by a women, no older than thirty as she met my eyes.
"I think you are in the wrong place, this is the first branch. Only state alchemists are permitted entrance," the women said. "Can I help you find where you are going?" I smirked
"Yeah. You can. I'd love if you would 'permit' me entrance." I said smugly, taking my pocket watch from my pants pocket and placing it on the counter. The women stared with a blank expression on her face. "I have some business I need to tend to."
"Of-of course sir. I apologize for the misunderstanding earlier," she said in a uncertain and confused voice. I began to walk away, towards the library room, but stopped and turned.
"I forgot to sign in. My name's-"
"Edward Elric. The youngest state alchemist in history." The women smiled from ear to ear. "Not to worry. I've already signed you in. Best of luck finding what you're looking for."
The irony of her last statement was enough to make me smile; smile at the ambiguity of it. I was looking for the long awaited answer me and Al sought. But now I was also looking for the same answer, but for our enemy as well. While our situations varied, our desires were very similar.
Entering through another double mahogany door, I was welcomed by another individual behind a desk.
"Can I help you with anything sir?" the man asked. I politely declined his offer for help and made my way over to aisle seven: Alchemy. I started searching through the books one by one, reading each title on their spine. I had no idea as to how I should start. No leads, and no clue what would be a good place to begin. I grabbed a book and sat down where I was. This was as good a start as any, "Alchemy's Myths and Taboos."
I threw the book I held in my hands to the floor. I had to have already read fifty or so books and still nothing. I looked at the clock: eight fiffty-five. I had five minutes till closing. As I put my pile of books back, one by one, my mind wondered to one possibility I had overlooked. Having tried it once, me and Alphonse were still paying for it dearly. What would Al say if he were here and knew what I was thinking? He would stop me. I knew better than to consider this, but what if human transmutation was the only answer to complete our deal and acquire the stone?
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