Wah ha ha ha haa! See that I have not deserted you, my fellow friends and readers and whatever you guys are! An extra long chapter for you, too! (Err, well, I guess it isn't really that long, but…it's long enough, right? RIGHT?)
Ho-hum…I was looking at the updates and I realized that my rants were getting longer and longer and longer and longer and longer and—(clamps hand over own mouth)—Mm mmm. Sorry, sorry.
Well, moving on, thank you merry much for all the lovely reviews I received; I got all bubbly inside every single time I read a new review. (Even rereading my reviews!) I love them very much. And no, I am not a sappy person. (averts eyes and slowly begins to melt under the intense pressure of stares) Alright already, I'm a sappy person, okay! Jeez…
Disclaimer: I disclaim…What am I disclaiming again?
Anyways, on to the story! Hope you all like it!
Sight
By Laine Squirrel
7/22/06
"Whaaaaaat? Agh, I knew it was also my fault your memory was going on and off!" Alphonse cried. Although he didn't do it, both Roy and Edward knew that he was internally pulling his hair out in pure frustration. You could hear it in his voice.
Edward put his hands out in front of him in what he thought to be Alphonse's direction to try to calm him down. "Al, it's not your fault. We've been over this more than too many times." Moving forward, his hands finally made contact with Alphonse's shoulders, and after a little fumbling so that his hands had a firm grip on the shoulders, he pushed Alphonse back down onto the dark blue couch.
Breathing in and out, Alphonse took some deep breaths to calm down. "Okay…So now that I know this, will you tell me how?" He was obviously looking for a distraction.
Edward gladly gave one. "You know how I went to the river back in Resembool and fell asleep there?"
Alphonse nodded, but then, remember that Edward couldn't see quickly confirmed, "Yes."
"Well, when I was sleeping, I somehow…visited the Gate, I guess you could say. And then I got the answers I wanted. I'm still not so sure how that works, but we got the answers to our questions, and that's what counts."
"So…why is your memory and sight going coming and going. Why can't the Gate just take it?"
Edward sighed, seemingly struggling with the right words to say. "It's…complicated. Memories are what people think of when they want to remember the good times, or bad times, or are regretting something they did. It's…Well, I guess you could say it's what their life is. It's what they…remember…or something! I'm not sure how to explain it. It's easier to just understand…" Edward sighed again, this time more frustrated. "So I guess, basically what I'm trying to say is, is that memories are not an easy thing to handle. Even if it's just a one-year-old kid, there are still a lot of things that happened that would be your memories. There are still a lot of…images, I guess. The Gate can't handle it all at once. It can't take both my memories and my sight at the same time…The balance is tilting. That's why my sight and memory are coming and going. But eventually, the Gate will finally have it all balanced evenly, and will be able to take my sight and memory in one."
The two had gotten so engrossed in their conversation that when Roy spoke, even in a calm voice, they both jumped in surprise, startled.
"Okay…it's great and all that you've got the answers you wanted, but now that your puzzle is solved, how about we move onto mine?" Without waiting for a response, Roy plunged forward, continuing with, "Why is FullMetal's sight going on and off in the first place?"
By now, Edward had figured out that Alphonse was to the right of him and Roy was seated on another couch that was across from the one they were seated on. Turning his face away from Roy so that he could project more of his voice to Alphonse, he asked, "Didn't I already say why my sight and memory was coming and going?"
"Yeah."
Suddenly remembering what Edward had said not even 3 minutes ago, Roy flushed with embarrassment, but he refused to let Edward know, half-glad already that he was currently blind. Hurrying to defend himself, Roy rushed, "I was too confused by what I first heard to hear anything else!"
He still lost.
"Confused, eh?" Edward smirked. Despite everything that had happened, he still didn't really like Roy.
"Hey, I'm the Fuhrer now, so be nice!" Roy shot back.
"Oh, my bad. Congratulations, you've been promoted from 'Colonel Bastard' to 'Fuhrer Bastard'!" Edward smirked. "But I'll tell you what: I'll try not to call you 'Fuhrer Bastard' too much, okay?" His tone of voice reminded Roy ofwhich one would use with a little toddler.
"…" Roy was at a loss for words. Unlike all the other episodes where Roy always won the arguments, he didn't know what to say, still befuddled by all the shocking news he had been just recently introduced to.
Edward smirked triumphantly.
Alphonse decided that it was a good time to start talking. "Brother's sight and memory are coming and going because—"
"Never mind, I just remembered!" Roy quickly interrupted. "But why haven't you lost anything, Al?" Roy inquired.
"What is this, interrogation time?" Edward complained. He flopped further into the couch, crossing his arms across his chest, and pouted.
Is he really blind? Roy couldn't help but wonder.
Alphonse sighed at his older brother's childish behavior. "You're so immature, Brother…" he muttered under his breath. Then, loud enough so that everyone could hear him, he said, "I haven't lost anything because Brother asked it not to."
Roy was surprised at this. "You mean the Gate listened to FullMetal's request?"
There were two nods, one solemn, one reluctantly, the nod barely even noticeable. I'm sure you can figure out which did which nod. I'll give you a hint as to which one did the reluctant nod: It wasn't Alphonse.
"Can we gooo nooooooow?" Edward whined, slightly startling Alphonse and Roy by the sudden loudness.
"Wait, FullMetal." Edward stopped and stayed still, signifying that he was listening. "Why were you pretending to be a woman? I know Alphonse already told me, but I want to see if you'll say the same thing."
Edward snickered and Alphonse put his head down in embarrassment of hismentally little brother.
"Let's leave it at what Al told you, shall we?" Edward grinned. He got up, and Alphonse quickly followed suit to make sure Edward wouldn't trip. Wouldn't trip over his own feet, that is.
"You're going?" Roy frowned.
"Yeah." Edward had a look on his face that clearly asked, "Is there a problem with that?"
"Well, where are you going to go now?"
The two instantly froze. They obviously didn't want to think about it.
Slowly, very slowly, Edward finally got out the words, "We were going to go to Sensei's house." Only problem was, was that they came out in a different order. His reply really sounded more like, "Go to—we were going—house—to—Sensei's." But hey, he got the words out. No one ever said anything about order.
Alphonse tried next, but his voice sounded kind of strangled, and he kept stuttering, making it nearly impossible to figure out what word he was saying. What he was trying to say, anyways.
As the two of them stood there sputtering, Roy tried to make some sense out of what they were babbling. Not one of the three heard the door slam open and another two people enter the room until they heard a clear voice.
"Ed and Al were planning on going to Izumi's, right?" Winry asked. Riza stood behind her.
"R-right," Edward confirmed, but it really sounded like he was trying to convince himself, or at least wishing that he had somewhere else to go first. Anything to delay going to Izumi's, which would therefore prolong their death.
It was then brought to Winry's attention the choice of clothing attire he had picked. "Uh, Ed, what's with the outfit?"
Edward seemed to be thinking about what he was wearing, seeing as how he couldn't simply look down. Now that he wasn't trying, he looked more like a guy, despite his blonde hair tumbling past his shoulders. "Oh, just having some fun." He grinned. But then quietly, so that only Alphonse heard him, "Not. Stupid Gate ruined it."
Alphonse struggled to refrain from shaking his head, but the sigh managed to slip out.
"Is something wrong, Al?" Winry asked.
"No, it's—"
Just then the door banged open, cutting off Alphonse's answer.
"Fuhrer, sir, there's a problem with—Oh! Edward and Alphonse Elric? How'd you guys get back through the Gate?" There was some yelling coming from outside the building. "Oops, never mind; you'll have to tell me later. There's a problem you're needed for, sir," he said again, turning back to Roy.
"Alright, I'll be out soon," Roy told him, nodding in response to Havoc's salute. He turned back to Edward and Alphonse. "I'll be back. Just need to deal with this little problem really fast. Let's go, Hawkeye." Riza did a quick salute as Roy passed her before following him out the door, leaving Edward, Alphonse, and Winry standing there.
Edward finally broke it, scratching the back of his neck and saying, "Geez, talk about change of reactions…"
"Yeah," Alphonse agreed.
Remembering Winry's unexpected and unexplained sudden appearance, he asked her, "Winry, is there a reason you're here? We just saw you this morning."
"Of course there's a reason I'm here! I have something I need to ask and tell you," Winry said, suddenly turning serious.
"What is it?" Alphonse asked curiously.
"Did I see you off when you were leaving Resembool today?"
Surprised by this odd question, the answer came slowly. "Yeah…"
"Did I do or say anything out of the ordinary?"
"Well, I'd say it started off with when you asked to go to the station with us to see us off," Edward said honestly. "You usually just wave from the front door. You wave from your window if we're leaving early and you just woke up."
"…Anything else?"
"You gave us a bag of food when we were on the train. Speaking of which, can we have some, Al? I'm starved! Where is it?"
Realizing that they hadn't eaten anything for a long time, for more than 5 hours, which was new for Edward, and that he was hungry himself, Alphonse pulled out a bag from their luggage, which they had miraculously somehow gotten in.
Winry looked at the contents that Edward dragged out. Hmm…So that's where the missing food went…
When Alphonse noticed Winry looking at the food Edward was gulping down, he, being the considerate person he was, thought she was hungry and asked, "Winry, would you like some?"
"Ah, um, s-sure…" Quickly Winry stepped forward and picked up an apple.
"Is there anything you need to tell us, Winry?" Alphonse asked. It was just like him to notice the small details, like the light frown that had slightly creased Winry's brow. Edward paused from wolfing his food down to cast a worried glance in Winry's direction before turning back to his food. Of course, it was quickly done and only Alphonse caught it.
"Well…The Winry that saw you off this morning…wasn't me…"
"Hmm…" Edward mused.
"You don't seem surprised," Winry stated.
"Yeah, well, should I be? I mean, you gave us food when we were leaving Resembool!" Edward pointed out bluntly. He popped some more food into his mouth nonchalantly.
Alphonse quickly noticed the fiery aura building up around Winry and the hand held behind her back, no doubt clutching a wrench.
Of course, Alphonse, being the non-violent person he was, to distract Winry (and therefore preventing any blood-shed) asked her, "So if the Winry this morning wasn't you, then who was it? And where were you when all this happened?"
Winry blinked and the fiery aura diminished, to Alphonse's relief. "Hmm…Well, I don't know who it was. I didn't get a chance to see. But I did see a quick glimpse of their head. The hair…it reminded me of the top of a…palm tree…" Winry shook her head, as if to dispel the thought from it. "And they said, 'I'd kill you right now and get it over and done with, but then where's the challenge in that? Besides, it'll hurt him much more when he sees the blood spurting everywhere and the screams of pain echoing off the walls…Of course, I'll have to make sure he has his sight during the time…Well, I'm going to go and see how the FullMetal Pipsqueak is faring, so you just stay right here.' Obviously, the person's trying to hurt Ed. Making sure you have your sight during the time gives it all away," Winry added. She looked up to see Edward's reaction, surprised that he hadn't interrupted her during her long speech, let alone say anything. And froze.
Edward was stiff, unmoving.
"E-Ed? What's wrong?" Winry fretted.
"You…You weren't listening to what you just said, were you…?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"'I'd kill you right now and get it over and done with, but then where's the challenge in that? Besides, it'll hurt him much more when he sees the blood spurting everywhere and the screams of pain echoing off the walls'," Alphonse quoted. "Winry, the person's planning on hurting Brother by killing you right in front of him."
Apparently, Winry hadn't realized a word she had just said until now. "Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!" she shrieked.
"Jeez…" Edward muttered, unusually calm. "And the only one who ever called me 'FullMetal Pipsqueak' was Envy…But—"
Just then the door opened and Roy walked in, pulling his gloves off and tucking them into his pocket, muttering under his breath the whole time. Riza followed him into his office, the door clicking shut as he closed it behind her. Neither of them looked very happy.
"Oh, it's you," Edward said, as if it needed to be pointed out. How he even knew that it was Roy to begin with is beyond my reasoning. Then again, who just walks into the Fuhrer's office like it's nothing? "So? What's going on?"
"What is it, Fuhrer?" Alphonse asked. "Is something wrong?"
Roy sighed tiredly, plopping down in the chair at his desk and running a hand through black strands. "Yes, of course there's something wrong! There's always something wrong!" he exclaimed, exasperated. "Right now, there are some people, both the civilians and the military, that don't think it was right or fair that I became Fuhrer when Bradley suddenly 'disappeared'." The story was that King Bradley, along with his house, had mysteriously suddenly caught fire and burned down. No one knew, except the people close to Roy, that Bradley had been a homunculus, and that Roy had been the one to "dispose" him. The people thought that Bradley's house had suddenly burned down, and Bradley had been unable to get out, and had died. It was partly true, though, so Roy didn't feel the need to correct anything.
"You mean…the people are rioting?" Winry asked.
"Yes," Riza confirmed, nodding her head. "That is correct, along with some of the military."
"So then maybe you should just give up the place of Fuhrer," Edward offered.
That Roy would not have. Slamming his fists against the wooden desk, startling everyone, he stood up, outraged, glaring at Edward. "And give up what I have worked so hard to gain!" he roared.
Edward was not prepared for Roy's sudden outburst. "Uh…"
"Anyways, no," Roy continued, completely ignoring the fact that Edward was at a loss for words, instead of provoking him further; his rage was consuming all other thoughts he had. "I will not back down from where I stand!"
"Alright, alright!" Edward held up his hands. "I get it already."
Roy studied him for a minute before nodding and sitting back down. "Good. So," he started, getting himself together again. "I thought I heard some commotion coming from here on my way back."
Edward folded his arms over his chest and looked away, obviously unwilling to tell him. "It's noth—"
"Envy somehow survived, sir," Alphonse quickly interrupted softly, yet somehow interrupting and cutting off Edward's answer of "It's nothing."
"Envy?" Roy asked, surprised.
"Yes, sir. He had taken Winry's form this morning to see us off from the train station when we were leaving Resembool, although we don't know why. Well, we're not really sure if it's Envy, but we're almost positive that it is," Alphonse amended. "Winry described his hair with the top of a palm tree, and said that he had said, 'Well, I'm going to go and see how the FullMetal Pipsqueak is faring, so you just stay right here.' The only one who calls Brother 'FullMetal Pipsqueak' is Envy…And if it wasn't Winry that saw us off at the station, then who was it? That was a really good disguise, so it could've been Envy. He can shape-shift, after all," he reminded everyone. As if they needed to be reminded of that.
"Well, anyway," Edward said, his voice still unusually soothingly calm, "It doesn't really matter."
But his unusually soothingly calm tone of voice did not soothe anyone.
"IT DOESN'T MATTER!" Winry screeched. "IT DOESN'T MATTER THAT I'M GOING TO BE KILLED?"
"Really, FullMetal, I didn't think you were like that," Roy put in.
Only Alphonse's observant eye caught the trembling fist and the tightly clenched jaw.
Ozay, zer we go. I zupdated my zory. I hope you all enzoyed it!
…And, uh, by the way…It's okay if you're confused; I have no idea what I'm talking about either…
And with zat zaid, I zhall be on my way!
Laine Squirrel
