AN: I don't own FMA or any related characters - and I don't own the pink lunchbox as well. I just own the idea.
Attention! I am putting this warning at the beginning of this chapter because I hope that people will actually see and remember this: alright ... there will be a major time skip forward very soon but at the beginning of that chapter, I will write what happened during the break for the cast
kroutonrex: "It's not over til the fat lady sings" is Laila's favorite saying isn't it? XD I think I've heard her say it at least 5 times now.
Laila: It's cool, so don't say anything against it!
DoctorWhotaliaandtheOlympians: :D:D:D:D I are happy. Happy = FroYo. Happy also = updates. I LIKED THIS ONE!
Laila: I am happy too!
Sira-the-Awesome: When you didn't update yesterday, my first thought was 'Ava didn't update today... She's dead! She was killed! My darling Ava has been killed!' and I totally freaked out in math class. -_-'
Ava: I got home at 22:45 on a school day, I know, because I was at my best friend's place and we lost our sense for the time while playing Final Fantasy VIII and watching the strange people in the street
But then I remembered, about halfway through the lesson, that you probably have a life, unlike me, and had just reason not to update. And you've updated today, so you MUST bit be dead. Horray!
Ava: Me and a life? My sister would beg to differ^^
Another awesome chapter! I always look forward to them.
Nick: Yay!
Jade, it's Friday, and I see no paper. I understand that you have a lot of paperwork- be like Roy and get you subordinates to do it(Did I really just say that?) and work on what really important. This paper could make you even more famous than you already are! Imagine that! I bet you could even get oranges out of it!
Jade: I am working on it right now but Knox seems to lose the data again and again! Men! I have to do everything myself when I want that it will be good!
I didn't get busted on Wednsday. No, my teacher adores me and doesn't really care as long as I get good grades. Which I do.
Ava: My math teachers tend to hate me after some weeks but my current one can stand me!
Cheer for the day: IN ONE HAND SHE'S AWESOME, THE OTHER SHE'S EVEN MORE. THREE FOUR FIVE, THAT'S HOW AVA ROLES! It sorta rhymes...
Elicia: That sounds great!
So, Goddess of Literaature, sleep well, write on, update soon and sweet dreams!
Ava: Thanks, I believe after updating, I am going to bed
CallousVulpix: Sorry for the "late" review. I actually read this chapter a while ago. But, life got me, I was dragged away to my little cousin's baseball scrimmage then to my aunt and uncle's house. *rolls eyes*
Ava: Remember the 'violence comes from violin'-comment many chapters ago? Well, that is based on an experience of mine. My cousin uses his violin for torture!
Anyways, yes Nerissa, family dinners are very important!
Nerissa: I know^^
Seems like we'll be seeing some kids from Rebecca and Jean also.
Rebecca: Don't think so. We are more the 'let's spoil our godchildren'-people^^
Hm, I'd think it'd be "it's not typical for them to 'look' annoyed" rather than "'be' annoyed". They were raised by people who could hide their emotions fairly well.:P
Laila: Nick, you agree when I say that I sometimes feel surrounded by ice cubes when I am with Vicky?
Nick: Yeah, she always hides her emotion
Hah, once again my sick sense of humor took over when Nerissa said, "Two bullets in your legs and you start to rethink some of your decisions".
Nerissa: But it's true!
I'm really a terrible person.:(
Ava: I am the terrible person because I wrote it^^
Ross is a boss, too.
Serena: That's why I hired her
How will they keep up Simon's false wall? Will he keep coming back to get redone?
Victoria: Oh, I would love to wait until it comes tumbling down, just to annoy the bitch^^
Oh I nearly forgot. Exquisite chapter as ever.
Ava: Aww, thanks
I drew you a picture of Black Hayate to make up for my terribleness.(Totally skipping out on reviewing when I first read this chapter then having thoughts about not reviewing at all for this chapter.) Sadly, it's 1:15AM CST and I really need to get to bed. So no scanning the drawing. I'm totally self-conscience about my drawings anyway.
Ava: At least you can draw. I nearly failed a year because of my terrible grades in art!
So I wrote all of that for nothing.:/ 明日まで,
Ava: There is surely a sense in it!
cherryleaf92: Yo! I'm back to have a little visit before mid term begins. So, what happened during these ch.103 till now? Simple synopsis please...
Ava: Uff, well…
Chapter 103 – Tempest: The group (Edward, Claudio, Jade, Victoria and Nerissa) arrive in Barley where they meet up with Jade's parents and Owen Johnson, the student of Abigail and Alain, makes his first appearance. Jade and her father leave the group to spar and on their way back, they get attacked by the former student of Reine Hawkeye, Nerissa's mother. This person also happens to be the one who attacked Bea and who stalked Jade for many years
Chapter 104 – Storm over Barley: The fight heats up and Nerissa gets the beating of her lifetime. She seems to lose but before she gets killed, Abigail arrives and prevents her from dying. Victoria heals Nerissa's wounds as far as possible and flews the scene with Edward and Owen before they get attacked again and Owen gets a neck injury which is healed by Victoria. Izumi also arrives and finishes the fight. Owen, Jade and Victoria need medical treatment afterwards and Edward gets the offer to study under Abigail and Alain
- End of the get-the-book-back-arc -
-Start of a new arc: Coming back to life -
Chapter 105 – The Burning Rose: Three aerugian fanatics attack the Tempest-mansion and Nerissa, Owen and Victoria nearly die in a fire but Edward rescues them after accepting Abigail's offer. Nerissa finds a first evidence that leads to the conclusion that Serena is still alive and Olivier confirms the suspicion by revealing that Serena's body was never found
Chapter 106 – Moving: They try to figure out where Serena is and which name she uses. Catherina moves again. Two mysterious people are playing chess
Chapter 107 – East and West: Nick figures out Serena's alias. The huge group separates in smaller groups and Edward and Winry ask questions about Nerissa's love life. Roy gets back the first engagement ring he had bought for Riza
…and the rest is difficult to summarise… sorry :(
Oh! Mr. C when will you propose your lady? I'm waiting here mister...
Claudio: Chapter 112^^
To Ava-san good record of writing! This is the longest story i've ever read! Love it!
Ava: You don't need to –san me even though my best friend does the same
Victoriaentered the cafeteria of her school like a tornado. She skipped through the room before she sat down next to her best friend, effectively blocking the place where his girlfriend usually sat. She had to hold back an evil smirk as she turned her head to look at him. "It's a nice day today, isn't it?" she asked innocently while she stole a piece of the pie on his tray.
"Vicky," he scolded before he hugged her tightly, nearly crushing her fragile body. "If you want the pie, ask me for it or get your own … but on the other hand, you took the pasta today…"
She smiled brightly up at him. "Why don't we say that we exchange our meals once we are halfway finished? So I can get some pie and you get some healthy pasta…" she smiled.
"Hello, Vicky, Owen," Laila chirped as she sat down on the other side of her classmate. "Say, Owen, won't your girlfriend be joining us for lunch? I saw her going after Simon when I left Aerugian…"
"So?" he asked and looked at her in disbelief. "Isn't that this guy who nearly beat Vicky in a mathematic competition last month? I sometimes speak with him … he's pretty nice…"
It was the first time that Laila started to feel guilt for what she and the others had planned. Owen was – according toVictoria– a really nice guy and maybe it was a bit harsh to break him and his girlfriend up this way. On the other hand, he deserved someone better and – according to Nick who had sharp ears and a vast knowledge about the school gossip – Owen's girlfriend tended to change her boys at least twice each month, so it was probably the right thing to do.
"There comes Nick," Victoria said calmly as she spotted her brother in the doorway, his face serious and maybe a little bit guilty because he was more like Laila than like his sister when it came to the dangerous plans he and his friends created every now and then.
"He looks like he has bad news," Laila commented quietly while she looked at Victoria who had fallen strangely silent over the day which was a little bit suspicious because she was never quiet.
"That's right," Elicia said as she sat down on the place that was usuallyVictoria's. "I never saw him that way. He looks like he saw a ghost or something like that."
"A ghost, Elicia? No, not a ghost," Nick said as he sat down and rubbed his forehead. "Did anyone of you notice that Simon from Laila's grade looked different today? Well … it's hard to say…"
"I heard some of the older girls saying that he looked pretty hot today, yup,"Victoriasaid in a last attempt of seeming innocent and angelic. "I saw him too … and he has new glasses, right? They look much better than his old ones. Other than that, I noticed nothing off about him."
Laila was surprised at Victoria's ability of lying without batting an eye because like everyone else she had always believed that the red-haired girl was the most innocent one next to Elicia.
"The mission details are clear, right?" Serena asked while she looked at the both agents she sent to Creta today. "You kill no one and your security has the highest priority. Jade is the leader because she is the older one and has more experience than you, Edward. Defy my order and you'll die."
Edward nodded while he stepped back before he looked at his partner out of the corner of his eye. Jade looked pale and that was easy to spot because she wore her usual black clothes. She seemed worried and that was new for him because usually, she was the one who showed no fear when they went on a mission. They often were partners for a mission because even though they often argued they still were a good team because they could trust each other somehow.
"Of course," Jade said, keeping her dark voice calm and collected. This mission was different from every other mission she had done so far. As a state alchemist, she had killed for her country – and not always in an honourable fight. As an agent she had stolen important documents and various items. As a state alchemist, she had escorted dangerous criminals from one prison to the next – often along with her brother. As an agent, she had broken into laboratories to tap the offices of cretan scientists. But it was her first find-him-catch-him-and-bring-him-to-Amestris-mission. She could handle the guilt of killing someone. She had no regrets when she stole something or when she allowed the unit around Kain Fuery to invade someone's privacy. Kidnapping was, given her life story, an entirely different case and therefore a problem for her.
"I trust you, Jade and Edward. I chose you for this job because I know that you work together quite well even though you will probably tease each other into insanity," Serena said, handing over the train tickets. "You have three days before I send a rescue squad after you. I wish you nothing but the best."
"Ready to leave, Mustang?" Edward asked while he stared at his feet.
"Of course," she said and grabbed her bag. "I would say that we should hurry up. We can't have your fiancée waiting for you just because we aren't fast enough."
Serena looked at their backs as they left her office. They had already changed their outer appearance to avoid any recognition. Jade looked always strange with blond hair because it made her eyes even more prominent and Edward looked not that much better with black hair because it made his eyes shine like molten gold how Winry had said the time she had seen time before a mission. "I really hope that you won't get hurt," she whispered. "And I hope that Nerissa comes back in one piece."
Miles looked at his old flame who had returned into his life like it had been to be expected: like a hurricane. And now they sat in one of the small restaurants in Ishbal and ate their lunch together. Nerissa was strangely silent but he saw that she was thinking hard about something – probably another alchemistic problem. She had always done this. A part of him would have given up anything, any claim on eternity in heaven for the right to reach out and to smooth the deep frown on her forehead. She was the end of his sanity, like she had always been. He sometimes wondered if she knew what she had done to him but on the other hand, he doubted it. He just knew for sure that she was the closest to heaven that he could ever get with all the things he had done and that he didn't want to end their meeting already to get back to work.
He was enjoying her presence because around her, everything seemed to be so much more. He had to live every second of it because he knew that it would be sooner or later. He had missed her for more than ten years because of the simple fact that he had lost her address and he knew that he would miss her probably even more once she would leave again.
He knew that Scar didn't understand the slight obsession he had with the blond woman because his friend knew that they were living in a world where everything was meant to be broken someday and that it was hopeless to try to avoid fate to get out alive somehow.
He looked at her and realised that she knew it too. She knew that they would have to part ways soon enough and maybe, just maybe their was already a certain glossy shine in her eyes, indicating that she was hurt badly enough to consider tears. They had lied to each other all along, never giving full names, becoming free people while duty bound them to their fates with iron chains. When he had met her, she had called herself just Nessa, without any surname and he had never cared. The mystery around her had made her even more attractive. She had been … different from the other rich girls he had met and from the other general-daughters who he had been ordered to protect on countless occasions. She had been strong … but because of her strength, she had lost the feeling of being vulnerable. He stills saw the faint scars on her forearms where she had injured herself to see the blood because she needed to know that she was still alive after all she had went through.
"You are lost in your thoughts again," Nerissa stated while she looked at him. She always was easy to spot in Ishbal because she was too tall and with every single fibre of her being she radiated 'pure-blooded Amestrian woman' while she was in reality half-Cretan … and that was the only reason why she hadn't been attacked so far.
"You know me too well," Miles smiled at her. "I was thinking about your stubbornness that will always be your downfall if you aren't careful enough, Nerissa. You keep going down."
She shook her head. "I am not going down," she said softly. "I keep jumping back to the ground to gather new power because I always want to get up again when I fall down."
Night had fallen over Central City asVictoria appeared in front of Owen's current residence, the villa of the Aerugian ambassador in Amestris, with a look on her face that betrayed her guilt. Owen and his girlfriend had broken up right after the lunch break and Owen had left earlier how Laila had told her. From what Victoria had gotten out of Simon, the breakup had included many tears on the girlfriend's side (not that Victoria cared but it was nice to know), a lot of yelling on both sides and more painful embarrassment than humanly possible for everyone who had been forced to watch the scene. All in all: it had been the breakup of a century and therefore a full success for those who had planned it.
But that didn't change the fact thatVictoriafelt extremely guilty. Everything she had seen from the spectacular breakup was how the stupid girl had yelled something at Owen before she had slapped him in front of the whole school. Afterwards she had run away and beforeVictoriahad gotten out of her shock, the bully had been out of reach.
"Good evening, Uncle Claudio," she said calmly as he opened the door. "I hope I don't disturb you but there are two things I have to tell you: Dad and Aunty Liv rescheduled the meeting so you have to be in the office in twenty minutes and I need to speak with Owen…"
"He's in his room," Claudio smiled. "And if your dad wants to see me, I am on my way now. Do me a favour and keep an eye on the twins. They are restless since Jade is on a mission right now."
The music was loud enough for them to speak in a corner of the room.
"…and you are sure that this is the right way for us to gather the last piece of information we need?" Edward asked while he toyed with the sleeve of his black tuxedo jacket.
Jade nodded while her watchful eyes ghosted over the laughing and cheering people in the room. "The party is thrown by one of the regular clients of the Cretan Secret Service," she said smoothly. "And even though the informant said that they are using the formerly abandoned base again, I believe that it could be vital for this mission to gather every little shred of information we can get."
He noticed how she stared at a woman with unnaturally blond hair. "You know her?" he asked.
She nodded. "She could become a problem if I am not careful enough," she said. "When she gets drunk, she tends to say things she doesn't mean and that could give me away."
"Family issues?" he asked while he handed her a glass of whiskey, the only drink for a member of the Mustang-family. "Honestly, this can endanger everything!"
"The bitch over there is Londres Mustang, my younger cousin. She is basically jealous of everything I am – starting with my eyes and ending by the fact that I know alchemy while she failed," Jade said, tugging once more at her scarf. "Londres is married to a footballer and quite happy with her life. She still holds a certain grudge against me because even thoughRoyis the older one, I am the heiress of the family. She is, however, no real risk for us because I could take her out with nothing but a pen."
"And here I thought that Ling has a messed up family…" Edward muttered while he frowned at her. "Care to tell me why you are wearing a dress that shows off more skin than it hides?"
"I borrowed it from my mother because Serena told me to wear a practical dress that allows fast movements and quick access to my gun." She shrugged. "So I asked mama for one of her old dresses and she gave me this. It's not exactly my style but hey, I didn't have to pay anything!"
The dress was black like it was required to be since she was on a mission but the sash was golden and red. It had slits on both sides and showed off a little bit more of her chest than she liked it.
"Consider it as training for the wedding," he murmured as he looked back at the dancing people. "Well, I suggest that we should start moving before we attract unwanted attention. Some of the guests are people we saw on our missions some months ago." He dragged her over to the bar. "And you need your whiskey, right? You look like your shoes are killing you again."
She huffed. "Not really," she said. "This time, I wear old shoes so they are comfortable."
"Smart girl," he said while he looked around. "Well, I just need to ask you again if you will…"
"Ed, you keep asking me this question today," she said. "Yes, I will come to your wedding. My opinion didn't change since you asked me the last time … or the eighty-nine times before…"
They passed a group of tipsy women and Jade rolled her eyes before she froze as her cousin's high-pitched voice echoed through the room and seemed to be louder than the music for a moment.
"…Jade Mustang, huh? The minister of science … well, I know her quiet well and in my eyes, she's nothing but an attention-seeking whore who got her position with her looks. Because, honestly, who had ever heard of a twenty-two-year-old lieutenant colonel? Sure, our cousin, Llewellyn or Armstrong went up in the ranks pretty fast but the nerve our dear minister possesses…" Londres huffed while she grabbed her glass. "She's my older cousin, you know, and I always wondered if she would end up as a prince's wife. She stole my boyfriends since we went to school and she never regretted anything."
Edward looked at Jade who was pale in anger and grabbed her arm before he dragged her away. "Do not get angry now," he ordered calmly. "That woman has no idea what she's talking about. As far as I am concerned, you are no attention-seeking whore. You are a very capable woman who is doing an amazing job even under hard circumstances. You are probably one of the toughest fighters I ever had the displeasure to fight and the others are Izumi, Nessa and Lan Fan." He shook his head. "Hell, did I say something nice to you and actually meant every single word of it? Well, blame it on the wine."
She smiled at him before she straightened up a little bit. "I am probably too drunk to ask maturely right now, so I have just one question," she crossed her arms. "Are you up to ruin a reputation?"
"And here I thought you would let her get away with it," he grinned. "Lead the way, boss."
Riza stopped as she saw Nick in the living room and sat down next to him on the couch. "You are worried for Vicky, huh?" she asked calmly while she stroked his messy hair.
"She felt so guilty when she left," he replied. "She said nothing because that isn't her style but I could see it in her eyes. She is suffering because it was her idea to make it so hard on him in first place."
Riza sighed deeply as she wrapped one arm around her son. "Your sister is learning to take the responsibility for the things she does," she said. "I remember how hard it was for your Uncle Charles when he had to deal with the consequences of his actions for the first time. He was constantly unhappy until he found a way to deal with it without feeling guilty." She smiled. "Vicky left to talk with Owen, right? That shows that she is already trying to fight the guilt."
She looked at her son and her left hand cupped the side of his face before her thumb stroked over his high cheekbone. Nick was surely a handsome little boy with his black hair and his deep brown eyes. He looked a lot like her, hell, he had even the same bang she had – it just covered the other eye. He was a good boy, very determinate and headstrong.
"So, she will be alright again?" Nick asked while he hugged his mother. "I … I hate to see her this way."
"She will need some weeks but she will be just like before once more soon enough," Riza promised. "In fact, I believe that she will deal with it faster than you believe right now. She isn't the type for guilt."
Owen was sitting at his desk in his dark room and didn't even flinch as he felt the hand on his shoulder. Victoria almost never got to surprise him. She had a special way of walking from all the time she spent running around to win prizes for their school and even if he wouldn't be able to recognise the pattern of her steps, he would always be able to make out the feelings radiating from her.
"Good evening, Vicky," he said softly before he switched on the light. "It's nice to see you."
"Thanks," she said as she sat down on his desk. "I … I just wanted to know how you're feeling." She bit her lower lip before her fingertips carefully touched his cheek. "How is your face?"
"Don't worry, Vicky," he said friendly. "I had it worse, right? And even though my cheek is still sore, it's nothing that could keep me from studying." He froze as he took in her guilt-ridden face and wrapped one arm around her. "Tell me, Vicky, why are you so silent today."
"I am sorry," she said sincerely because she had to apologise for what she had done to him. "I am sorry, Owen. I should have known that it would end like this."
He chuckled softly. "Don't worry, Vicky," he said. "I don't blame you for anything."
For a moment, she felt happy before she wondered if he would really forgive her if he knew.
First of all:
You need to know that I usually update right before I go to bed and since I check my mails with my handy every morning because some teachers would write us a mail if he would miss the first 2 hours. I also check my reviews every morning. That means that I have a really good morning when I get many reviews. Save my morning - review now!
And everyone who puts this story as a favourite should take the time to write at least one review. 47 people have it as a favourite but it seems that the people who are reviewing are always the same 5-10 :(
Vote, people, vote! Vote, people, vote! Vote, people, vote! Vote, people, vote! Vote, people, vote! Vote, people, vote!
Thank you, everyone who reads this story! It makes me really happy - and happiness is something I miss since I had to stop swimming because of some serious problems with my right shoulder which aren't solved yet :(
Announcement 1: I opened a poll on my profile, so I would be happy if someone would use it^^
Announcement 2: what-is-the-color-of-love pointed out that 'Aerugians' as name for the people of Aerugo looks/sounds better than 'Aerugoans' ... who besides me agrees with that?