CHAPTER 7
Roy Mustang knew that his men would support him till the very end, no matter what. He was grateful they were there for him, even during "love problems". The colonel did notice Jean Havoc was rather excited – too excited actually. Normally, the blond would just puff his cig calmly as he listened to his boss's rant. The only time he became overwhelmed with glee was when his superior proclaimed he would order all women to wear tiny mini skirts as soon as he becomes fuehrer. This was certainly no mini skirt matter.
"Havoc, you okay?" Roy asked his friend. The blond nodded happily and gestured the colonel to continue.
"No seriously. Are you okay?" the colonel prodded.
"Oh yes yes yes I am!" Was Havoc drunk? A few minutes ago, he was sober. "I'm just so pleased that you've finally decided to leave the playboy lifestyle behind."
"Really? Is that all?" Knowing Havoc, he would show extreme loyalty if the outcome would benefit him greatly.
"Honestly...with you out of the picture, I'll be Central's most eligible bachelor!" Havoc squeaked in glee.
"And what about Penelope? Don't say you'll give up a great woman like that just to be the most eligible man in the city."
"What do you know about great women?" Havoc raised an eyebrow. "You didn't realize a great girl was right beside you all this time."
"All right, I made a mistake!" Roy threw his hands up in the air as if to surrender. "I mean who doesn't?"
"Anyway," Havoc continued. "I don't plan on dumping Penelope. I think something deeper could come of this."
"In other words," Hughes butt in. "You won't be a bachelor after all!"
"I...hadn't...thought of that..." Poor Havoc could be stupid sometimes. "Damn it! Just when opportunity knocks!"
"Don't worry, Jean," Hughes said. "You have a girlfriend now! And that's points ahead of our poor colonel here!"
Havoc grinned at this. "He's almost thirty, and hasn't settled down yet. True, true, I'm ahead! OF YOU!"
Roy mumbled something incoherent and beckoned his men to come nearer. "That's why I need your help. Now, we need to find the duke's weakness."
"Colonel! Cononel!" Al headed straight to the group and knocked over Breda in the process. "So sorry, Breda...um..."
"Alphonse, I told you to distract him!" Roy seethed.
"Yes, that I have done. He's searching for an ice pack." Al lowered his head in shame. "I didn't mean to hurt him, honestly."
"Ooh, who said you can't?" Roy smiled and shook the armour's hand. "Where'd you get him?"
"Foot. Dropped a couch on it." Al rubbed his head, quite proud now of his help. "Pretended to look for a kitty."
"Good work! Very good!" Roy clapped. "Riza's whereabouts?"
"Helping him find an ice pack," Al realized his grave mistake and was about to rush and fix it, but Roy stopped him.
"No, you've done your part. If you continue interrupting them, they'll be suspicious." Turning to Fuery, he said, "You're turn. Time to prove you're useful." Fuery saluted, but Roy slapped his hand away. "And phu-leaze, do NOT make this black-op so obvious!"
Hughes guffawed. "Black-op? Boy, Roy, you're so serious."
"Naturally," Roy stated flatly. "Blatantly ruining the duke's night is a minus for my conduct."
-
"It's that um..." Cain Fuery was panicking. Riza could be so stubborn sometimes. She was intent on keeping the duke company while his foot was hurting. Fuery was reminded of her dedication to Roy.
"I have to watch over him for the meantime."
"Yes, leave us be, will you?" Reggie tried to disguise it, but he was clearly irritated by the constant interruptions.
"N-no, I'm afraid I can't!" Fuery kept thinking about his colonel and how broken he would be if he failed in this task. "I-I love you, Riza Hawkeye!"
The first lieutenant blinked in disbelief. She yanked his tuxedo collar and snarled. "Who sent you to bother us? It was the colonel, wasn't it?"
"No! I swear, I've always admired you from a distance," the master sergeant wasn't lying. "I-I was just too ashamed to ask you out, ever! And I regret that, I really do..." there was hurt in his voice. "And now someone else wants you. I'm too late."
"Well, that's the difference between you and me," Reggie drawled. "If I like a woman, I tell her."
Riza immediately thought Fuery was referring to Reggie; in fact, he was referring to both Reggie and Roy. Since Fuery was a terrible liar, he decided once and for all to tell the truth.
"I'm sure there will be someone much better for you," Riza smiled and took his hand. "I could at least have this one dance with you. Would it be all right?"
Perfect. Riza was playing right into Fuery's hands. The young man was pleased that she took this news so well. Perhaps there was really someone for him out there. Besides, Roy and Riza deserved each other. She would keep him in check for sure.
"What about me?!" Reggie was unable to conceal the whiny tone in his voice.
"I'm sure you'll be able to stand in a bit," Riza smiled and took Fuery to the ballroom. Roy and the others stood agape as the youngest soldier of their group danced with their only girl.
"Wow...he's done better than I expected..." Roy chuckled as Fuery gave him a thumbs-up behind Riza's back.
"Havoc, could you bring Vivienne over here?" Roy requested. "Don't hesitate to be a little flirty."
"What?!"
Havoc couldn't predict Roy's actions. He was actually inviting
him to flirt with his date.
"Do as I say," the colonel
commanded. "Nothing to lose!"
"Need I remind you that I have a girlfriend?" Havoc couldn't believe Roy would be so inconsiderate.
"Not to worry. I have that covered." Roy pointed to Hughes happily showing off his family pictures to Penelope. "I can't believe that man. He actually brought a photo album with him!"
Havoc spotted Vivienne cozying up to one of the young sergeants already. He was in luck. A gold-digger would definitely go for Second Lieutenant Jean Havoc rather than a sergeant.
"What a lovely night this is, Miss Vivienne," Havoc finally had the chance (and permission) to test his charms. He deliberately ignored the sergeant's crestfallen expression. This would do you good, young man, Havoc thought. You don't deserve a bitch like her.
"Indeed it is, mister - ?" Havoc was slightly irritated that she didn't remember him from the dance a while ago.
"Jean Havoc. Second Lieutenant Jean Havoc," he flashed his own original smirk and watched her eyes flutter. "Would you mind accompanying me for a second?"
Vivienne's mind (if she ever had one) twirled. This is how her thoughts would be arranged: Roy colonel. Colonel rich. Jean second lieutenant. Second lieutenant not as rich. "Oh maybe next time."
Havoc was dumbfounded. How could she choose a sergeant over him? Unless...she didn't know this boy's rank. Sorry, lad.
"I see you've met Sergeant Cooper," Havoc emphasized the rank.
"Oh! You're a sergeant?" Vivienne's eyes widened. She almost missed an opportunity to be with Havoc, a member of the higher ups. "Maybe I'll see you next time, Cooper, sweetie. Ta-ta!"
Now what? Havoc scanned the crowds for Roy and saw him pointing to the parlour. Reggie was definitely in there. What does he want me to do?
The colonel immediately rushed to Penelope and Hughes. He pretended to be out of breath. "I can't believe Vivienne! She's taking Havoc to the parlour!"
"What?!" Penelope looked hurt. Luckily, Roy had just the right excuse. "Jean was only looking for the duke. Vivienne accompanied him to the parlour instead! She dumped me for Havoc!"
"Let me at her!" Penelope growled. "Jean would never do such a thing, right colonel?"
"Of course not," Roy reassured her. "The chap's been my friend for years. He's not very bright when it comes to women's charms." He watched Penelope's face change from anger to amusement.
"In that case, I'll show him real charms!" She marched to the parlour, leaving Roy on the brink of cracking up.
"Everything's going according to plan." Roy smiled at Hughes. "This is too easy."
"Better not be too cocky, Roy," Hughes said. "Your plan may work, but what if Riza refuses to talk to you after?"
"That's a risk I'm willing to take," Roy's voice grew softer. "Riza doesn't deserve a bastard like him. At least exposing him would shake her faith in him."
"Would you...be able to live with Riza's rejection? If ever..."
Roy tensed and shut his eyes. Hughes took that as a 'no'.
