A/N- Just a little idea I had Easter morning... and I actually did a little research on the liquorice...thank you Winkipedia ( all rights perserved)
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own any of the characters of Full metal Alchemist or the Full Metal Alchemist and all of that...
Liquorice and Chocolate Bars
Back when brother and I were in Germany, some of it's people celebrated a holiday called Easter that corresponded with a religion called Christianity. It was a holiday where people dressed in their finest Sunday clothes and attended their churches to celebrate the resurrection of there Messiah, Jesus. They also made beautiful baskets filled with all sorts of sweets for their children, I think that was the best part.
We all know that Edward would not take part in any religion, stating that he believes in scientific facts and proof. He also does not believe in any god, also because the things he has done and been through. He still does not forget even if years have passed and we are back- well I am back to normal. So anyway I decided to do something very special this year for Winry and him. I made them what they referred to (back in Germany) Easter baskets. Edward, though he would flat out deny it, developed a taste for black liquorice and chocolate bars back in Germany. Liquorice was imported from a country called Italy. He loved the stuff, especially the black liquorice. Me, on the other hand thought it was the nastiest tasting stuff.
I had caught brother numerous times sneaking the chewy, black candy in his mouth. He had a secret stash hidden in a tin in his room. He thought I never knew. But I did. He would also every week stop by the candy shop on the corner to buy the stuff. I would ask him why he went there and he'd say "just to look", right, Ed had a sweet tooth.
So anyway I had spent about a week, experimenting with different ingredients to get the right taste for liquorice. I had finally found it. Even though I personally hate the candy, I knew what it tasted like. There was no such thing as a liquorice plant here in Amestris, but I found something very similar, a plant called Anise. It had the same taste as the liquorice. I had to have to plant shipped all the way from Xing, where it was grown and commonly used.
So I spent hours in the kitchen after Ed and Winry retired for bed refining and perfecting the candy for my brother. I had to be very cautious because brother would sometimes wake late into the night and mosey down stairs for food. I was lucky because he never did and thank Winry for tiring him out.
So today him and Winry came down the steps to the kitchen for their usual coffee and toast to see two ribboned baskets filled with an assortment of candy that I had made from scratch myself.
Ed glanced over to the chair where I had fallen asleep in (but I wasn't asleep right then) And smiled at me as he popped a piece of the black candy into his mouth.
"What is that stuff Ed?" I heard Winry ask.
"Its…something I liked back in Germany…liquorice. I used to eat all the time, I can't believe Al remembered." He said as he popped another piece of candy in his mouth.
"Remember what?"
"That I had ...I guess you could say a sweet tooth for black liquorice. He really made this good…it taste just like it." He smiled, glancing to me again. I had to admit, I liked to see him smile, a true happy smile….he deserved it, as well as the nasty black liquorice.
Re-edit 5/21/07