Disclaimer: Nothing is mine :)
XI. Numbness
Something inside my granddaughter has changed ever since she came back from Central City with the amazing story of an Edward falling from the sky and a great military fight.
Before that Pipsqueak disappeared for the first time, she used to be really sweet and nice to her clients. All except one, that is. Edward had always been special for her, even when she didn't say it out loud. I've always known, of course, that it wasn't just because they had known each other from childhood, or that he was her first real client. There was always something between those two, in the way they always looked after each other, or cried for each other. I knew, but I also knew it wouldn't do any good to talk about it with any of them. And I must say I wasn't really surprised when Al mentioned it on one of their visits: 'My Brother loves Winry, doesn't he Auntie?' That boy had always been the smartest of all three hehehe.
However, when Shorty disappeared and Al came back home with no memories of his years as a Suit of Armor, Winry became irrationally volatile with her costumers. Every time one of them came with a malfunction, she would scold them; if the automail was damaged beyond repair, she would throw tools at them. It's amazing they stuck around, but of course she was their best- and only- option.
Now, she came back without Alphonse, and the yelling stopped completely. I've seen her working, and the passion is gone. No more all-nighters, no more scolding costumers, no tools are being thrown. It's almost like she knows she doesn't have to be ready to 'greet' him anymore. She's smiling with a new sense of calm, like nothing can make her mad. But of course, nothing can make her happy either.
I should know. She's my granddaughter, a strong Rockbell woman.
Thanks, Granny Pinako :)
R&R