Chapter Six:

Pocky + Books Are Love has signed on.

MustangsFlame has signed on.

Party Palmtree has signed on.

Envy lazily waited for Wrath to sign on, listening to the clack, clack, clack of his keyboard as he typed up his story. It was probably going to be at least over a hundred pages, and Envy had no idea what it was about. After a few seconds:

LOSTBOY has signed on.

Envy grinned. Now things were going somewhere. Immediately he initiated the conversation, knowing that it was usually Roy who got things started:

Party Palmtree: Anybody got their homework done yet?

MustangsFlame: I've got a date in five

MustangsFlame: No time

Pocky + Books Are Love: Mine's done:)

Party Palmtree: :D Good for you Sheska

LOSTBOY: Envy, do you know if Al has a username?

Party Palmtree: Nope

LOSTBOY: I heard from Al that Edward's currently whining about the fuku. Says he'll never live it down.

MustangsFlame: A typical comment from the Popcorn Shrimp. (raises soda can) Here's to him.

Party Palmtree: lol

Suddenly, a woman screeched loudly for Envy and Wrath to come to dinner. Hurriedly Wrath and Envy said their goodbyes and shut off their computers, wondering what She was upset about.

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"Arr, mates, man the sails!"

"Aye aye Cap'n Envy!"

Ed, Wrath and Envy sat on a large chunk of driftwood, acting out a dramatic game of pirates. Envy hopped about cheerily, commanding this and that, and they still followed his every whim. He always had the charm of Peter Pan, somehow—he was daring, courageous, creative and fun to be around. His charismatic aura seemed to attract many, but at that moment only the two Elrics and Wrath were able to slip past his self-created cage of solitude.

Envy was not always nice, either. On some days Ed would have to leap in front of Envy to keep him from hurting Wrath, while on other days Wrath was the one trying to attack Envy. Things were always tense on those days, but a half-hour later things would be back to normal.

Another person who was able to slip inside the cage was Winry. She was his first love, back in 5th grade. Envy kissed her on the cheek one time behind the playground slides, and that began his reputation. But after a few days the general "love" idea wore off both Winry and Envy, and they went back to playing just like always.

But Winry had to be careful, too. The older Envy got, the more bad things he could do, until finally Trisha Elric stopped his spiraling ways by telling him that he was not alone; that he had Wrath and Edward, as well as Winry. But Envy said that he didn't need any help—and took it anyway.

It didn't strike Ed odd until much later about one thing:

At Envy's parties, no one chaperoned.

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Envy and Wrath ate silently on opposite sides of the huge dining room table while Dante—known in her house as She--sat at its head, eating daintily.

Envy scooped the spaghetti up in his fork and tentatively ate it, glancing with a hint of fear at the not-so-welcome dinner companion. He would have preferred for his and Wrath's nanny Lyra to have dinner with them, but today she was too busy. Wrath attempted to hide himself from Her view by sliding slightly under the table. There was no point. She wouldn't notice them. It was better that way.

"Done." Envy said suddenly, pushing his plate away.

Wrath nodded and did the same, getting up from his chair. Silently they walked out of the dining hall, feeling the gaze of Danteburning through them.

"Wait, boys." She commanded, a silky tone to her voice.

Envy and Wrath halted in their tracks, and turned to face Her. "Yes?" Envy asked quietly, lowering his head.

She stood up, and walked towards them, her expensive satin dress rustling on the carpet floor. Pale hands so similar to the boys' own lifted their faces to meet hers. They stood stiff as a board—She hardly ever touched them, but when she did, they never knew what to expect. Dante affected a sweet, motherly smile, and held them both close. Envy's gaze turned blank, while Wrath shook with emotion.

Envy inwardly seethed, knowing what Dantewas doing. Just play along, just play along… he repeated to himself. Just play along, and it'll be over.

Wrath couldn't take it. "I love you too, Mom." he garbled, burying his face in her dress.

Envy freed himself from the damning touch of the woman who could be called their mother, grabbing Wrath's hand and pulling him away. He knew what She had wanted—to see their weakness.

"Let's go."

When they exited the door, they bolted towards Envy's room, hearing Her triumphant guffaw throughout the house.

She had won again.

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