Chapter 4
-Get Ready-
CENTRAL HQ'S FINEST SNIPER RETIRES
Daniel James Hays, 25, CEO of Hays Chess Inc., is rumored to be Lieutenant Hawkeye's fiancé. The young businessman, who recently closed a deal with Friedmann & Co., was interviewed recently. When asked about the matter, the heir to the corporation neither confirmed nor denied the allegation.
…He released a statement later on the same day saying that the first granddaughter's betrothal was a private matter. "Rumors on Miss Hawkeye's engagement is actually quite true, but that's about as much as I can reveal as the Fuhrer's right hand man."
"Tch. Fuhrer's right hand man my ass!" The flame alchemist gritted his teeth, tearing the lower half of the first page that contained Daniel Hays face and words before setting it aflame in his metallic trash bin.
"Conceited bastard."
Snapping his fingers a few more times, he made sure the piece of paper was incinerated perfectly. It gave him a strange sense of satisfaction that the smug businessman had been reduced to a pile of ashes…for now. Since this guy was practically untouchable, prestige-wise, this was how Roy Mustang made himself believe that he was the victor.
As he watched his self produced flames burn a hole through Dan's face, the high-ranked officer snickered at his work, his chest swelling with pride.
"It smells like barbeque in here," Havoc remarked, pinching his nose.
The second lieutenant closed the door behind him and proceeded to head to his boss' desk. Once he got there, he tossed the folder filled with paperwork on the General's desk.
Roy gave him a glance before skimming through the two-inch thick paperwork.
"Very good. You've read every single one." He warily eyes his subordinate, wondering where this diligence was coming from. Nodding at the signatures and coded stamps on each document, Roy eyed Havoc again.
"I'll review them tomorrow morning."
Havoc's azure pools shifted to the monthly edition of the Central HQ newsletter on his superior's desk. Well, surprise, surprise. The General doesn't usually pay attention to newsletters given by the military…unless…hmm. This is interesting.
"Heyyy, you've taken interest in the newsletter."
The General stared at him in response, shutting the folder completely. "I'm concerned about my subordinate's welfare, lieutenant. That is all." He then picks up the newsletter. "…Half of what's written here is…fabricated. And clearly, this writer was not objective enough with his insights. I really don't see the purpose of publishing ridiculous gossip on a newsletter. A newsletter is supposed to be professionally informative with concerns about the military."
Second Lieutenant Havoc yawned as he watched his superior's face scrunch up each time he'd bash the newsletter in hand. The lower-ranked officer lazily blinked, not bothering to listen to his commanding officer, whatever the general was saying anyway, had become entirely inaudible for him to hear.
It was as if he were submerged in a pool of water that was unable to carry all the sound waves present.
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
"…So basically, you're jealous, right?"
Caught in the state of what one would call perplexity, the general narrowed his eyes at his junior officer who apparently just told him he was jealous. The flame alchemist cocked his brow and tilted his head in confusion.
"What makes you think I'm jealous—"
"Well," The soldier began in a hushed tone. "For starters," he eyed the burnt material in the bin that had a bit of soot coated on it. "You burned half of the newsletter…quite…roughly if I may add. And If I'm not mistaken, Hays had his picture printed on the lower half of the page."
Roy moved his eyes to the half-torn first page of the first lieutenant's famous article. It had been torn up badly that it left the glossy page frayed and rather impossible to read.
The only thing preserved of the material was the smiling face of his dear lieutenant.
Jean's face finally softened. "Say, you like her, don't you?"
"She's my aide. Of course I like her." He promptly answered, then as if to convince Havoc…or maybe himself otherwise, he adds,
"As a friend."
"As a friend." The second lieutenant repeats flatly like he wasn't exactly buying it. The phrase as a friend did not seem to register in his brain because as far as he's concerned, he has seen everything.
Oh like the General never favored her. Right. He snorted at this thought.
It was a habit of his to leave those personalized notes—love notes, perhaps—on her desk and her desk alone. And during those rare occasions wherein he would actually be there to supervise, the only subordinate he actually cared to pay attention to was Riza and nobody else. Once more, most of his "dates" were really just informants and he never seemed that attached to anybody as he was with Hawkeye.
"So of all your good-looking subordinates, you just happened to anoint the girl with pretty eyes as your right hand woman?"
Roy folded his hands on the oak table's surface. "Well in my defense, Lieutenant Havoc, the 'girl with pretty eyes' did outrank and outgun every single one of you. Now, if you don't have any further business with me," he muttered. "I'd like for you to channel this newfound diligence elsewhere."
"'Kay."
Havoc gave his boss a toothy grin before exiting, the very same grin Maes had used on him every time he would piece the words "wife" and "married" together like it got along so well.
It was too damn familiar.
The poor alchemist shivered. "How can Maes still give me chills beyond the grave?"
"Does this selection, please you, Miss Riza?"
Riza Hawkeye's mouth gaped open at the colorful sets of clothing being paraded around her specialized suite. There were at least three rolling garment racks parked in her room and at least four maids lined up in a row waiting for further instructions.
Certainly, she wasn't expecting anything like this when her grandfather told her about preparing a selection of dresses for her to choose from in line with the Fuhrer's ball tonight. And to think her current closet was already a walk-in mall to begin with.
If anyone knew Grumman well, he never believed in playing second fiddle to anyone. It was in his blood to boast and therefore, striving to be the absolute best in everything at all costs came naturally to him but never to those around him.
Seeing as the first granddaughter wasn't keen to respond, Isobel nervously turned to the maids before speaking once again, "Miss Riza? If these sets do not please you, I can ask for new sets within the hour. We hired the best clothing lines in all of Amestris."
Silence.
"Miss… Riza?" The poor secretary tried again, this time her voice a bit shaken.
Riza pursed her lips, truthfully, not knowing what to say in reply. Turning to the Fuhrer's brunette assistant who immediately straightened upon eye contact, she nodded her head at the garment racks. "This will suffice, Isobel. Thank you."
The young green-eyed assistant regained a smile, and breathed more loosely this time. Thank goodness. It took months rounding up all those famous clothing lines after all, which meant rounding up new sets within the hour nearly…impossible. It was no easy task being secretary to the Fuhrer.
"Would you like to try them on, Miss?" One of the maids beamed, as two other maids came rushing to leaf through the colorful palette of dresses.
Isobel reached out to the blue midnight dress, commenting how the dark hue would bring out the lieutenant's curvy figure. One of them argued that any dress would just heighten Miss Riza's beauty and that she was gorgeous enough already.
When they couldn't decide which dress best suited Grumman's granddaughter, all five heads whipped into her direction, pining for an opinion.
"What's your favorite color, miss?" The older maid asked.
Ah, that's…hmm. She swam in her head; trying to recall what sort of shade appealed to her best.
Blue?
Hmm… too military.
Was it yellow?
Er… too bright and ecstatic.
Oh perhaps it was green?
…she wasn't that patriotic.
White then?
…..
Hawkeye heaved a sigh openly. After randomly going through the primary colors in the color wheel, she had come to a conclusion. It was definitely, absolutely, without a doubt…
"Red."
Riza's mouth was open, but the voice wasn't exactly hers…
It belonged to someone who had the voice of authority, someone who loved living in grandeur, someone who could do away with a person he didn't like with one word and definitely the same someone who stole the words right out of her mouth.
Why, it was none other than the Fuhrer president himself gracing the room with his flashy badges and crisp military apparel!
With his hands clasped behind his back, he approached the small group of ladies and clapped a hand on his granddaughter's shoulder. "It is red."
He turned to her knowingly. "Isn't it, darling?"
She batted her lashes for a few times. "That's right."
Was there anything else he didn't already know about her?
"The color red symbolizes ardent passion and undying courage." Grumman held his smile in place. "Which is why red is quite popular among lovers and war flags but tonight," his thin lips curved into a rather ambitious smile.
"But tonight, my granddaughter will be a vision in red! I've rounded up all the technical geeks in Central and they've agreed to bring in some fancy lights for the night. Upon announcing you, as my granddaughter," He drummed his fingers on the nearest table surface for some effect.
With the final tap, everyone in the room gulped.
Now, the suspense brought an ominous chill in the room.
It was hard to predict what sort of outlandish plan Grumman had brewing up his sleeve. Having been dubbed as the "Eccentric General of the East" in the past, the man who now possessed unstinting power was frightening.
"Boom!"
He guffawed, framing Riza's face from afar with his two hands. "The lights fade out as the spotlight closes in on my lovely granddaughter and my future successor. Oh how beautiful that would be!"
Riza choked at the idea. "You can't be serious."
Sharing the same bloodline as the Fuhrer was one thing, but having to be the center of attention for it, oh that was just the cherry on top, wasn't it?
Talk about anticipation.
The lazy afternoon dragged on as last minute preparations in the grand estate's main ballroom had been finalized and completed. But before that had to happen, organizers walked back and forth across the large proximity, directing about 20-30 people where to put the drapes, extra tablecloths, vases of flowers, the ice sculpture and other centerpieces. Likewise, executive chefs busied themselves in the kitchen preparing to cater a full course meal to 500 guests later that evening.
Shortly after checking up on the first granddaughter, Isobel, together with Fuhrer Grumman, had come in to inspect the ballroom. Pleased with how the preparations were turning out, he announced that he'd be paying a generous amount after all.
After months of preparing the place, the once, empty, quiet ballroom was now bustling as it slowly came to life. What used to be the white walls dirtied by the sands of time became a lively hue of cornflower yellow and the dirty purple drapes on each wide window were now replaced with the majestic red velvet ones that had been washed and dusted clean.
The "techy geeks" Grumman was referring to came in later that day to install the lights the man had asked for right above the dance floor. Nobody questioned the oddity of the request due to the fact he was the Fuhrer, but they just assumed it was to party it up. For the techy geeks, it was an absolute privilege and honor to have a role in preparing for the Fuhrer's ball because it wasn't everyday wherein the Fuhrer would drop by a local shop to ask for assistance. Upon laying eyes on the Fuhrer that very afternoon, the geeks did their best to impress the man who hired them.
A sigh of relief left their trembling lips when the old man uttered a single word in their direction.
"Perfect."
The paperwork has been finally completed for the day!
"What a nice feeling~" The flame alchemist beamed, immediately picturing the hot bath waiting for him back at his apartment. He'd like to think it was some sort of reward after a long, dragging day that drained him all his energy. Come to think of it, wasn't this the first time he ever finished early? Lieutenant Hawkeye would usually have to pester him non-stop about writing reports and approving documents but today, he crossed the finished line without being held at gunpoint.
Thanks to the "Fuhrer's Ball", apparently, some Grand Estate Tradition, the Fuhrer declared that every personnel can have the afternoon off today provided that they show up in the morning to finish whatever requirement the Military requested from them. As a result, several officers had put on their "game faces" and finished as much work as they could just to be able to have the afternoon free.
Hell, if the Fuhrer used this technique everyday, everyone would be working within this new found light of diligence.
Roy chuckled as he made a sharp turn on 3rd street. After spotting a stout, petite woman hauling a cart of flowers by the side walk, he pulled over his car and rolled down his window.
"How much for the flowers?"
"What kind?"
He didn't have to think twice.
"chrysanthemums."
"2000 cenz."
Roy deadpanned. "That's for one dozen, right?"
"Nope. 2000 each." The old lady cracks him a familiar smile."because I know you can pay with your salary as General."
Before the General could utter a word, the lady silenced him by overtaking him. "By the way, Olivier and Alex will be present in the Fuhrer's ball tonight. Just thought you'd want to know, Mr. Brigadier General."
The Northern Wall of Briggs was in town eh? Ah, that woman was sure unpredictable. After earning a seat with the rest of the generals, she took matters into her own hands and assassinated her fellow generals who were much too blinded with promised immortality.
For a while, she was Central's most wanted. The military offered a 1.5 million cenz reward for her capture dead or alive (though the latter was much preferred) as the military police sought after her at the same time. They were commanded by the upper echelons to kill her on sight, much to her younger brother's apprehension.
But Fate wasn't cruel.
As Lieutenant General Grumman rose to power, he proclaimed General Olivier Armstrong among many others as the heroes that divulged the dark secrets of the upper echelon. Subsequent to pacifying the turmoil sparked by the coup d'etat, the new Fuhrer together with the new council, made up of citizens elected to their position, passed on several bills and treaties to repair relations with the Ishvalans and the damage done to Amestris.
And once again, the Ice Queen had the throne to Briggs to herself. The fearless Briggs soldiers she had raised couldn't be any happier to receive Olivier in command for the second time. With that, she happily "gave" Mustang the deed to the Armstrong manor to which he politely declined, stating that Major Armstrong is the much deserving recipient.
"And to think you're better than him by a single strand of hair." She scoffed, before boarding the train bound for North City.
"I guess I'll be seeing the Armstrongs tonight." He mused, handing her a wad of cash.
"Not just the Armstrongs, kid, expect the whole city." The old Armstrong housekeeper grinned, tying a thin ribbon on the bouquet's stem.
"So, the first granddaughter, eh? It seems like a heavier title than a first lieutenant." she says as Mustang receives the bouquet.
He smiled lightly. "It's nothing she can't handle."
"Well seeing as you have known her for more than a decade now, I can't argue with that."
ST Writes: I am well aware how short this was ;A; and for that I do apologize. If I continue any further, it would sound dragging and it would take me forever to finish this chapter. I decided to split the chapter by writing about the Fuhrer's Ball in the fifth chapter instead. I've been watching FMAB for the past few weeks so that pretty much sums up the reason why my update for the fourth chapter had been delayed. The FMA remake based on the manga is just so much better than the first. It's very loyal to the manga, And since I'm back to my FMAB marathon, I'm inspired to write more. ;) Oh why is Royai so bittersweet? WHYYYYYY.
PS Ball chapter next! Believe me when I say, I AM ON IT.
It will be up soon. SOON.
As always, your reviews make me happy!
Ah, forgive me, I do have bad manners, I have forgotten to thank you last chapter!
Thank you snakebite3, HitsuKarin-sama, chiyo, MeowingWolf, ILoveAnonymity, Evil-Chibi-Tiffy, OTP, CrescentSnow, SasoriSweet19, Veronique Ruthven, Thieving Alchemist, awesomenaruto, SweetAngel91, aaorangenime, Keynn, Kuryu, Quicksilverink, justme467, Dalin Criid, Anon, Bliss, BlackBrightField2007, PokemonFreak90, jbean13 and AeroRace
You are the reason why I continue to write :) I promise to reply to your lovely reviews soon!
Edited: 6/02/11
