Chapter Eleven
The Promised Day
Central
He didn't use her first name. Not in public like this.
"No... You... Envy." Riza had seen that look on his face before, once. Al pulled Aravis behind the mailbox.
"Sir! I don't know what's going on, but I'm not Envy!"
"Like hell you aren't," he snarled, snapping. The burst of flame just went over her head, leaving her hair singed.
"Ishval! My back!" He lowered his hand, just standing there for a moment.
"Riza?" he asked, unsure.
"Yes, sir." Pushing aside her speculations on what was going on, she stepped forward and put a hand on his arm.
"But... you died..." Her suspicions were confirmed when he had to start from her hand to find her face. It felt too public, too exposed to have his hand in her hair. "How are you here?"
"It's... a long story." She paused. "I'm not sure you'd believe me."
"Hawkeye?" She turned to see Maes Hughes and the Doctor heading toward them. And behind them...
She pushed away Roy's hand and shot the one-eyed thing.
"That's why the gun stays," she informed the Doctor.
"Did you have to kill it?"
"Yes."
"Hawkeye... what are you wearing?" asked Hughes. She looked down at herself.
"It's a long story."
"Mr. Hughes?" Al stared, rather bewildered by this turn of events.
"Yes?"
"It's me... Al... Alphonse Elric..."
"Who?"
"I think that timeline thing you talked about happened," Riza informed the Doctor.
"And why do you think that?"
"Because in this timeline, apparently we never met the Elrics, I died, and Hughes didn't."
"Hmm. Does sound like timeline shenanigans. Universe isn't going to like you being here..."
"What's going on here?" asked Hughes.
"It is a very long story," said Aravis, who had been feeling rather left out.
"Look, there's another cyclops," said the Doctor, pointing. "Don't—"
Riza shot it. "I think we'd better go inside to talk."
1867
Ling Gray's House
Even compared to the other buildings, it was old. It stood on its own in a corner, square and green with lace curtains.
"We'll need a way to get in," Kestrel said.
"'Inquire inside on boarding'," read Winry.
"That would be a way to get in," Roy commented.
"Whatever," Ed said, arms crossed. Kestrel sighed.
"Wait a minute," she ordered Roy and Winry, grabbing Ed by the arm and dragging him into a side alley.
"Let go," he said grumpily.
"Fine." She folded her arms. "Look, I have sisters."
"So?" He avoided eye contact. This couldn't end up like the train. Winry would kill him.
"I know how damn scared you are."
"I'm not scared!"
"Yeah, you are. Crappy liar."
"I am not!"
"Yes, you are. Stop contradicting me; it makes you sound like an idiot."
"Egomaniac," he grumbled.
"Midget."
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SMALL HE COULD USE A DANDELION SEED LIKE A PARACHUTE?"
"Someone's touchy..."
"Shut up."
"Anyway, we are gonna find the kid, OK?"
"Of course we are." She lightly punched his shoulder. His mouth twisted into a smile. Kestrel walked out of the alley, and Ed followed.
"Please tell me you two weren't making out..." said Roy, leaning against a wall.
"Shut up, asshole." Kestrel walked up to Roy, looked him in the eye, and kicked him in the privates. Ed burst out laughing. Roy grabbed Kestrel by the right arm and twisted.
"Oh, that's low," she said with a smile.
"Let go of her, Mustang..."
"I don't take orders from you."
"Where's Winry?"
"She went inside." Ed went to the window, leaving Kestrel to look as if Roy wasn't putting her in a great deal of pain. Winry appeared to be having tea with Ling Gray and laughing.
"Who's that?" Winry asked, pointing to a picture of a woman with large liquid eyes and light hair.
"My wife. My... late wife." Ling Gray spilled a little tea into the saucer as she put down her cup. Winry tried to hide her surprise. Wife? This was definitely a different world.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Ling smiled, though it didn't quite make it to her eyes. "Now, your cousins. Any habits I should know about?"
"Well... two of them are alchemists."
"Oh, I'm quite fond of the sciences. Glad alchemy's started making its way west. Well, that should be fine, as long as they don't explode anything."
"I think they can manage that."
"Good."
Winry walked out with her hands on her hips.
"Jerkface?" asked Kestrel, still being restrained by Roy.
"I'm not a jerk."
"Fine. Face, to be completely honest, I'm in a damn lot of pain at the moment."
"Apologize."
"Let her go, Mustang." Ed glared. Winry stood, being completely ignored.
"Much as I love playing damsel in distress..." Kestrel stomped on Roy's foot and pulled her arm free with a wince and a loud curse. "Holy shit my shoulder hurts holy shit holy shit..."
"You OK?" Ed asked.
"Yes, I'm cursing because I'm completely fine!"
"I was just asking!"
"Excuse me," said Winry.
"Yes, well, I'd think it was obvious I'm NOT OK!"
"Excuse me?"
"Fine then! Do you need some ice or something!?"
"That would be lovely!"
"Excuse me!"
"Yes, Win?" Ed asked, turning toward her.
"She's interested in alchemy and has a dead wife."
"Wait... she has a wife?" Roy asked.
"Backwards Ametrisians," Kestrel snorted. "I happen to like pretty girls as much as anyone..."
"You what!?" Ed stared.
"Oh, don't be like that..."
"Why don't we all go inside and investigate?" Winry suggested.
"Good plan," Roy agreed.
"Still stuck getting me that ice, Fullmetal," Kestrel said, standing up.
"Fine... Do we have any idea what we're doing?"
"Nope," Winry said, opening the door.
"Great."
