Chapter 4
The Girl With An Elastic Heart
The night was cool and silent as Renee hopped buildings before finally jumping onto of a large garbage dumpster and heading off into the street where bars and restaurants glowed for the night owls. She slipped into the small boutique where a woman in pink looked up and smiled. Her eyes turned into orbs when she saw Renee's familiar blue streak in her hair.
"…Princess? How may I help you?" The woman responded as she closed her book and walked around the wooden desk to shake Renee's hand. Renee showed her a large bag of money and dropped it on the desk.
"I need a dress for the State Alchemy ball." Renee cooed.
"Yes… Of course! There are two other girls here looking for dresses as well! Mary!" The woman hollered. A girl dressed in a green suit peeped out from behind the purple curtains and smiled.
"One of the girls knew you were coming! Follow me, Princess." The woman said as Renee was pushed by the other through the curtains into a beautifully arranged room with gowns and tuxes suited for any special occasion.
"Renee!" A woman in a military outfit said as she waved her over.
"Riza? What are you doing here?" Renee asked and she noticed a younger girl trying on a black gown that fitted her really well.
"Winry and I were asked to the ball so we're here snagging dresses. They already gave you money?"
"Nah this is from Hughes. He said to thank him later when I meet the Prince of my dreams and yada yada yada." Renee blushed and Riza laughed.
"Well hot damn. Winry is Edward's escort and I'm your brother's. I hope you don't mind." Riza smiled.
"Not at all." Renee laughed. I knew you had it in you, Michael.
"So… did you get asked to the ball yet?" The girl named Winry said as she turned around and looked at Renee.
"Uh… I'm going single." Renee said to her as the girl in green started measuring her arms and chest.
"Hm… I would think someone would ask you… You are the IT alchemist." Winry cooed before she stepped back into the dressing room.
"Winry has been talking nonstop about you since she saw your stunt with Bradley." Riza explained to Renee. "By the way nice bitch slap to Mustang. You really knocked him off his feet, he's been sulking all day. I wonder if he's still at his office pouting."
"Alright what color do you have in mind?" The girl, Mary, asked Renee.
"Blue and silver." Renee replied quickly before taking a seat next to Riza. "You already picked out your dress?"
"Yeah it's nothing much, I wanted emerald green but it's floor length and easy to walk in."
"Yep! This dress is it!" Winry screeched as she placed her black sparkly dress over a chair and sat on the crème color carpet. "Wow… I can't believe I'm going to a ball… a ball! I wonder if Ed has to wear a tux."
"They all do." Riza snickered.
"Oh… And you know a man is always sexy in a tux." Renee laughed.
"Well, Princess. I think dress will match you perfectly." Mary said as she showed all three of them the gown, their eyes sparkling.
Roy threw a book against the wall in his apartment. He hated military balls with a passion and wanted nothing more than to stay at home and work. Bradley loved throwing parties for any occasion and tonight would be the biggest ball he's held in ten years. Everyone would have their eyes on the lovely ladies and the bachelors (him included) but mostly the Royal family. He wanted to throw up after hearing Armstrong and Hughes gush about them for the past week. Hughes had his daughter meet Renee multiple times since she arrived but has Renee ever once visit him? Of course not, she'll probably stab him with a flying dagger before saying hello. He felt stupid for opening his mouth like that but what else was he supposed to do? Renee was tough and more stubborn and daring than Edward but was she determined and brave like him? He didn't know until he saw them return from a small mission to rat out a misbehaving solider. They were close and clearly friends and it made Roy's anger bubble. The Ice Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist were working side by side and rumors were spreading that they're inseparable and always together. Sure, Roy had rumors spread about him and Hawkeye as a 'thing' but everyone knows now that's she is with Michael and they're 'talking' or whatever girls call dating nowadays.
He adjusted his tie and looked at himself in the mirror. He was going to arrive with Edward and his date and Al. He prayed that Edward wouldn't make a fool of himself in front of that Winry girl. Were they together or is just a way to keep his relationship with Renee quiet?
"DAMMIT, MUSTANG. PULL YOUR CRAPPY HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS." Mustang screamed at himself for overreacting to such nonsense. Who cares if Renee and Ed have a thing. Who bloody cares if she wants to murder him after what he said to her at the exam. Who gives a crap if Bradley makes her a Princess of some sort to boost the attention for tonight's ball? Roy didn't give a shit at all. He would go there for dinner and leave before dessert.
The car honked outside and he could hear Ed screaming. He sighed and picked up his coat before locking the doors and heading out to the front of his apartment.
"Hurry up!" Ed hissed as he stared at him through the open window. "Winry wants to walk in with Hawkeye and Renee!"
"Oh can it, Elric." Roy snapped as he opened the front door and sat next to a solider dressed in a tux.
"He's been like this since we left." The solider mumbled as he drove off towards Bradley's mansion.
"It's Edward Elric. He's always in a shitty mood." Mustang whispered. "You look beautiful tonight, Winry." He looked through the mirror and saw Winry blush. Edward glared at him.
"Thanks. You should see what Riza and Renee look like. We were all shopping together and their dresses are breath taking." Winry replied as she tried to hide her smile by covering her mouth with Ed's coat. Edward grumbled about something and squeaked when Winry stomped on his foot with her heel. Mustang chuckled and saw the row of news reporters lining the street in front of Bradley's mansion.
"You know… this ball is so stupid. Why does Bradley have to make a big deal about it?" Edward complained as the car stopped in front of the castle looking house. Edward hopped out first and grabbed Winry's hand. Al and Mustang popped out next and slammed the doors close. They walked side by side behind Ed and Winry keeping their eyes forward.
"You look really nice tonight, Colonel." Al said to him. Roy looked over at him and saw a black bow tie wrapped around the neck of armor and he laughed.
"Not too shabby, Al." Mustang replied. The main hallway inside Bradley's house took them right to the ballroom where guests were dancing and talking. Men were in tuxes all arranging in color or style while the women had beautiful gowns on that swayed on the floor. Hughes and Armstrong were the first to notice Mustang and grabbed him by the shoulders.
"Winry said Riza and Renee would be coming together with Michael." Hughes told him.
"So what? I could give less of a damn." Roy hissed as he took a chute of champagne from a waiter. He looked around for Ed and Al only to see them talking to Bradley and his wife, Winry nowhere to be seen. He checked his pocket watch and saw it was close to eight. He felt a nudge on his arm and turned around. Standing near the ballroom's double doors was Riza Hawkeye, Winry Rockbell and Renee Blanche, the three most beautiful girls any man could ever lay eyes on.
Hawkeye was dressed in a simple floor length green gown with a small green fur wrap. Her hair hung past her shoulders and curled at the bottom and for once she was wearing eye shadow… Winry was dressed in a sparkly black sleeveless gown, her hair pulled back in a updo and fixed with a black butterfly clip on the side. Renee wore a long blue gown with silver sparkles splashed all over the dress and danced over the lace see through sleeves. At the bottom was what looked like a puddle of silver and blue combined to give that color in her hair a more stand out look as it sparkled and glowed in the light. She wore a long white fancy material piece that covered her arms and floated back as it made a small train behind the dress. Her hair was pulled back like Winry's but had her blue strand of hair fall out and curled in the back.
Renee walked towards Bradley and hugged his wife; Hawkeye searched the room and found the three men staring bug eye at them. She winked and walked over to them as Michael trailed behind wearing a matching green tux.
"Who knew Hawkeye had a talent for makeup?" Hughes joked as Mustang elbowed him hard in the gut.
"Thanks Colonel." Riza smiled at Mustang. "I'm surprised you actually showed up… Balls aren't really your style."
"He's here to see, Renee." Hughes joked before Mustang shot him a dirty look.
"Who's here to see me?" Renee spoke smoothly as she placed her arm on Riza's shoulder and winked. "Nice tux, Armstrong. How long will it be before the suit and shirt rips off?"
"Wanna bet?" Hughes snickered.
"You two are both childish." Mustang sneered as he helped himself to another glass of champagne.
"Well whatever. Come along, Renee. Let's not have a party pooper ruin our day. I call first dance." Hughes replied as he grabbed Renee's hand and escorted her to the dance floor.
"You're already married!" Roy shouted back.
"Oh his wife adores Renee." Riza replied and pointed over to Hughes' wife who was chatting with a bunch of women dressed in dark blue. Roy slumped back into a chair and gulped down the champagne. Ed and Al took a seat next to Mustang and sneered in his direction.
"Someone's sulking. What did Hughes steal your lady?" Ed teased and Roy shoved Ed off his chair.
"What did your girlfriend leave you for someone taller?" Roy snickered and Ed kicked his chair.
"Up yours, Mustang. Have a fireball much? Or are you upset that you got bitched slapped by a girl younger than you?"
"At least I don't need a step ladder to kiss her."
"Look at you trying to be all I'm a badass. If you really want to dance with her go shove Hughes out a window like you always do."
"THAT WAS ONE TIME!"
"Yeah and I'm sure you would want to do it again." Edward replied. "You're pathetic you know that? You're getting all fire head over one girl. Tell me why you're so over her and I'll push Hughes down a flight of stairs for you."
"Alright let's trade stories then. What is your relationship with Winry Rockbell and please don't leave out any details." Roy grinned wickedly.
"Save it, Colonel. I'm not letting you into my love life."
"Like you even have one."
"Oh really and what's yours like? Please elaborate your most interesting love life to me."
"Both of you shut up. You're acting like children." Hawkeye snapped.
"Mustang was being a butthead and priding into my business. He's just jealous that I'm friends with Renee and he can't even say hello to her because she'll freeze his ass." Edward whined. Roy shoved him off his chair again and Al shook his head.
"You're so immature, brother. Leave him alone. You were the one who said you didn't want to get involve in their problem."
"She tells me everything you know." Ed cooed and Roy grabbed him by the collar and shook him. "We're BFFs did you know that?"
"SHUT UP LITTLE RUNT." Roy hissed.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A RUNT, SALAMANDER?" Ed screamed and tried to punch him only to punch air. "I'LL KILL YOU!"
"BROTHER!" Al whined and grabbed Ed to hold him back. Hughes and Renee returned to find both of them being held back by other alchemists.
"Well… they say this was a ball no one would forget." Hughes said.
"Yeah… when flame and metal attack. Are they always like this?" Renee asked.
"Hm… yeah they're always fighting."
Renee walk towards them and stood in between them.
"Both of you better stop or you'll wish you were never born." Renee glared at both of them, her eyes ripping through their skins leaving both of them cold and shivering. Winry was the first to break the ice by grabbing Ed's hand and leading him to the dance floor.
"But I don't dance!" Ed screamed and he squeaked in pain from another hard stab of Winry's shoe.
"Why is it that whenever I turn my back your bullying someone?" Renee said to Mustang as she grabbed a glass of wine from a waiter.
"He started it." Mustang grumbled.
"Oh so you're going to let a little kid get to you? Come on, Roy, you're almost thirty not thirteen." She took a sip of wine and sat next to him.
"Uh… Riza want to-"
"Sure." Riza cut Hughes off and both of them left Mustang and Renee alone.
"I'm sorry about what I said after the exam." Roy said as they watched the dancers on the floor.
"Oh now you're saying sorry?" Renee teased and he rolled his eyes.
"I just think the military isn't something for you. You deserve much better."
"You do as well."
"I'm here seeking Bradley's place. Our country is always hungry for new technology and territory but what about the people inside our lines? The ones who have to suffer for our selfish acts?"
"Wow… Fuhrer King Mustang… it rings nicely for you."
"What about you?"
"Me? I want to look at the files about the war and earthquake in my country. I don't believe an earthquake can kill that many people in a night. I also want to spy on Bradley a little. Rumor has it that he was on the battlefront when my father died."
"Yeah… I heard that two but hey Bradley saw a flaw in your defense line and we were fighting over unknown territory that had oil buried underneath."
"It doesn't matter. Look, I don't want to talk about it anymore."
"Alright if you say so, Princess." Roy sneered and Renee punched him in the arm. "So… I'm disappointed that you got tattoos."
"Oh blow it out your ear, Mustang. I don't give a damn about what you think of my tattoos."
"Nice mouth, Blanche. Do you kiss your boyfriend with that?"
"Actually I do AND I use tongue." Renee snickered and Roy's face went pale as he coughed up the champagne he was drinking.
"You have a boyfriend?" Roy asked in between coughs.
"No but if I did I would." She winked and laughed as Roy coughed more. "What are you jealous, Mustang?"
"I'll smother you with a napkin if you don't shut up." Mustang hissed as Renee held in giggles with her napkin.
"Would you like a finger sandwich?" The waiter asked as he held out a plate full of tiny sandwiches.
"Oh yes please! I'm starved!" Renee exclaimed and grabbed three of them. Roy looked at them and shook his head and instead grabbed a glass of wine. "You should eat something or you'll get drunk." She stuffed a sandwich into his mouth and frowned at him. Edward and Winry walked back to the table out of breath and hungry. Ed laughed until he started choking when he saw Roy choke on the sandwich.
"LOOK YOU CAN'T EVEN EAT RIGHT!"
Renee stabbed Ed with her fork.
"Winry control your date or I'll toss him out the second story window."
"Be my guest." Winry replied before a man announced that dinner was about to be served and the others returned to the table and dug in to a large course of food and cheese.
"I'm eating like a king." Hughes joked and his wife shot him a dirty look.
"So… what is your rank, Renee?" Armstrong asked as he passed her the salad bowl.
"Major just like you are, Armstrong. I'll be working with Edward on various missions Mustang throws at us." Renee replied before giving Mustang a look.
"Be careful, he's a very self-center man." Armstrong whispered to her.
"Oh don't worry; I knew that the first day I met him. He walks into the room half naked and showing off until my dad froze his ass off."
The table laughed and Mustang's face turned red.
"It wasn't like that!" Roy cried.
"Yeah okay, show off." Ed sneered and Mustang flung a piece of bread at him.
"Shut your trap, shrimp."
"You want to run that by me again ass freezer?"
"HEY!" Renee said pulling Roy back into his seat and Ed stuck his tongue out at him.
"He wants to die, he really wants to die." Roy muttered.
"Ignore him. That's what I do." Renee hissed at him.
"AW LOOK AT YOU TWO!" Hughes said making kissing noises.
"SHUT IT, HUGHES!" They both spat at him.
The dinner went on with bickering before the dance floor was occupied again after King Bradley welcomed Renee into the State Alchemist family and toasted to a new year for the alchemists. Roy was the first to get up after he checked his watch, almost eleven.
"Want to dance?" Roy asked Renee. The table grew silent as Renee grabbed his hand and smiled.
"YOU GO ROY!"
"WAY TO GET HER, MUSTANG!"
"I HOPE YOU TRIP!" The people at the table shouted and whistled as Renee laughed. It was a slow waltz and the only dance Mustang knew.
"So… you want to embarrass me in front of everyone?" Mustang asked her when they started to dance.
"Well Armstrong said you were self-center."
"So?"
"Well he's right, you are."
"If I was self-center would I have given you those lessons?"
"You did it for money, Roy-Boy."
Roy hasn't heard that nickname in a while… it was a name Hughes and Renee made over six years ago…
"You called me Roy-Boy…"
"So? Or should I call you Boy on Fire like my brothers do?"
"No please don't, elastic girl." Roy winked. She stomped on his foot and glared at him. He twirled her around and a slow dance started and they stood there slowly moving back and forth. She could hear Ed's snickers from behind but decided to ignore it. She knew where his hotel room was and it was on the third floor, she'll just shove him out the window after the ball.
Roy was indeed a very self-center man but she always had a soft spot for him. He was ignorant and foolish but smart and collected at the same time. He was stubborn and selfish to his fellow friends and colleagues but he had a hint of loyalty to some. She knew he hated Elric with a passion and wanted to throw him in front of a train and yes she did to at times but Mustang was secretive and quiet about what he was really thinking. Did he like her or was it some stupid plan to keep the pervy military men out of her hair? She had his back so why not have her back?
The song ended and Renee's mind quickly froze when she saw Bradley staring at them, a small smile grew on his lips and he turned to talk to another solider.
"How come you never wrote?" Mustang asked her.
"You were in a war. When would you have time to write?" Renee said. "Besides I promised you that I would see again after the war and here I am working for you."
"Seems weird… a Princess working for a colonel." She stomped on his foot again and he whimpered.
"Just remember I can turn you into an ice cube."
"What's the point? My heart is cold and frozen anyway." Roy teased.
"Everyone! King Bradley would like to thank you for making this evening enjoyable and pleasant but he's sorry to have to retire early from a headache." The General announced to the crowd of people.
"Oh we should be getting home anyway." A woman said to her husband.
"Come on." Renee pulled Mustang from the dance floor and towards Bradley and his wife.
"Renee!" Bradley said and shook Mustang's hand just before he was about to salute. "This is a party not work; you don't have to do that."
"You look stunning, Renee. My son says you remind him of an ice princess." His wife replied and moved aside to show Selim Bradley hiding behind his mother. Renee leaned in and hugged the little kid.
"Thanks, Selim. Here." She tapped the floor and handed him an ice crystal. He took it with a surprised look and smiled at her.
"You work with the Fullmetal alchemist right? I always wanted to meet him! You have to introduce me to him, kay?" Selim asked happily.
"Of course!" Renee smiled.
"Ah… he's stubborn." Bradley chuckled as they watched his wife and son walk out with the other guests. "I saw both of you dancing… is there something going on-"
"No." Both of them replied and Bradley burst out laughing,
"Alright we'll go with that, you two. I just assumed."
"We've been getting that all night." Mustang said.
"Well I wouldn't doubt that for a second. I know how close you two once were but just remember that I always know what's happening inside the military including the romances and gossip."
"Sir there is a phone call for you." The general said.
"Well I'm off. You too have a lovely evening and I'll see you Monday." Bradley said and walked out with the General in tow.
"MUSTANG LET'S GO I WANT TO GO HOME!" Edward shouted from the doorway. "IF YOU TWO ARE GOING HOME TOGETHER THEN TAKE A DIFFERENT CAR!"
"OH I'M SORRY IS IT PAST YOUR BEDTIME?" Roy shouted back and placed his jacket around Renee's shoulders to keep her warm. Hawkeye raised an eyebrow at Renee when she saw her walking towards the same car the Elrics and Mustang shared.
"Hey Elric and I are going to the same place." Renee said to her. "Look at you taking my brother home." She raised an eyebrow at Riza and she waved her off.
"In your dreams." Riza replied and jumped into the car with Michael. Renee sat next to Mustang who took the job of driving.
"Alright let's let off crabby pants first." Mustang said looking through the mirror and saw Ed was already asleep. He drove them to the hotel where everyone except him was staying pretty much for the time being. Al carried in Ed who was snoring away in his arms.
"I'll uh… see you tomorrow, Renee. Colonel." Winry waved before rushing into the hotel. Mustang and Renee walked into the hotel and Renee turned towards him.
"Thanks, Roy-Boy." She kissed his cheek and smiled, his face turning red.
"Uh…"
"COLONEL!" The man at the front desk shouted.
"What's wrong?"
"You have to stay here for the night sir. We're under lock down until King Bradley holds off the orders, sir" The man responded.
"What's going on?" Winry asked as she turned to look at them from the staircase.
"A mad man is killing alchemists in Central! He's already snagged two and he's nearby looking for another victim!" The two of them looked at each other and for the first time held hands tightly. Scar was on a killing sphere in Central…
