Hey people new chapter up quick note I hope to finish this story before summer ends not the season but my summer vacation from school so after this chapter i plan on writing till I finish then go edit them all after which I can just update one chapter after another so after this you won't have a new chapter for a while but school starts for me on the 29th so expect updates before then all right enjoy the chapter party people^^
Chapter 11
After exploring much of Central Riza some how found a book store or it might be a library. Riza wasn't sure she couldn't read the sign outside on the building, because of this she has been browsing many random stores. It was sort of fun Riza would never know what kind of store it was until she entered. So Riza had already made some sort of game out of it guess what kind of store it was by the outside, and see if she was right.
This is what Riza has been doing after she left the Hughes house. Riza was some what glad she found a book store. Perhaps she could find a cheap book and teach herself to read. If Riza knew how to read she knew so many more jobs would be open to her, and finding a way to pay off her debt would be all the easier.
"Hello darling welcome is there any special book you're looking for." A jolly woman behind the counter called out to Riza. The woman's eyes drifted to the mark marring Riza's cheek, but she must of thought it was just some tattoo declaring Riza was proud to be part of Amestris, because she paid it no mind.
"Uh no thank you I'm just looking thats all." Riza quickly made her way in between the shelves of books. Avoiding the woman's gaze. Riza wasn't sure why but she felt like the woman would be able to tell she couldn't read, and kick her out after all what would a person who couldn't read be doing in a book store.
Before Riza could begin browsing she noticed something. At the other end of the store was a young woman trying to carry large stack of books. The stack was clearly to heavy for her and looked like it could topple at any moment. Riza approached taking many books from the stack lightening the load from her. The girl let out a noise of surprise. Luckily Riza had taken most of the books so she didn't drop any in her shock.
"Oh hello I didn't see you there." The books now being in Riza's arms she could see the woman now. She had light brown hair and glasses wearing a green sweater.
"Thank you so much I thought I was going to drop these." Motioning to the books.
"I'm Sheska and you are?"
"Riza Hawkeye. Do you need help taking these home with you?" Forgetting her quest to learn how to read Riza felt like she should help Sheska. After all she didn't look like she could carry such a load very far. Unlike Riza who was used to physical labor, and could carry the very large stack of books for miles.
"You don't have to do that! I wouldn't want to stop you from getting your own books." Riza smiled waving off Sheska's refusal for help.
"Its okay I was just browsing." Not that I could read anything anyway. Riza thought grimly.
"Thank you so much you really don't have to though." Riza waved her off once again following Sheska as she paid for her books. The happy woman cashier took the money and bid them goodbye.
On the way to Sheska's house Riza was glad she chose to help her. Even with the few books she carried Sheska panted heavily clearly being one who read more than exercise. Riza's jaw dropped when Sheska opened the door to her home. All she could see were books upon stacks off books.
"I'm sorry everything is sooooo well I just love reading so much I just have to get every book I see!" Riza was barley listening still scanning the home for a part that wasn't covered by books. Sheska placed the books Riza helped bring home on a smaller stack that didn't reach the ceiling.
"Thanks again for helping me." Sheska bowed politely.
"No problem." Riza smiled turning around to head towards the door when Sheska asked her to wait.
"Well, I don't have much money but have one of my books." Sheska held out a worn out book to Riza.
"Its okay you don't have-"
"I insist I don't think I would have made it home if you didn't help me." Before Riza could stop it she slipped up.
"I can't read so you-"
"You can't read why?" Riza cursed inwardly for letting herself reveal she couldn't.
"I...don't know how." There was an awkward silence between the two Riza wondered if Sheska was thinking about kicking her out.
"I could teach you...I mean if you want me too its okay if you can't read I have nothing against it." After making her offer Sheska spoke quickly nervous she may have insulted Riza.
"You would really do that?" Sheska's demeanor brightened at Riza's wondering tone.
"Of course I don't know what I would do if I couldn't read. So as a book worm it is my duty to show others the wonders of books." The sparkle that shone in Sheska's eyes proved her offer genuine as well as her true love of books. As if that wasn't already clear by the hundreds of books within her home.
"Thank you so much. When can we start?" Riza bowed in gratitude.
"We can start right now! Give me a minute I know I have a book here to start out on." Sheska dove in into her mountains of books. Riza grinned if she learned how to read things would be so much easier. Things might turn out to be okay.
A few days later
Roy cracked his back and yawned. After he left the mansion so many things have happened. Maes and him had to begin reworking their plans. These slave disappearances didn't help things at all. Within only a few days over half the slaves are unaccounted for.
Including Riza. Roy had managed to get in touch with Mrs. Bradley about a day or two after he left. He was so worried for the slave it was driving him mad. Mrs. Bradley had told him about the deal the Fuhrer made with her. At first Roy wanted to jump for joy Riza was free she wouldn't be harmed by any handlers. Then his imagination got the better of him.
He kept seeing Riza dying out in the streets alone with no one to help her. Or at best living under a bridge searching dumpsters for food. Roy groaned hitting his head off his desk. Roy knew Riza was no where near stupid or dumb, but the thought of her fending for herself torn him up.
"HEY ROY! Dreaming about your future wife!" Roy jumped as his best friend loudly made his way into Roy's office.
"I told you before Hughes stay out of my love life." Maes only smirked.
"Oh so you're thinking about that slave you met." Continuing to smirk Maes was inwardly jumping for joy. Ever since he saw Roy get all flustered when Mrs. Bradley told him that Riza was free Maes believed her name was. Maes could tell even if Roy couldn't that he felt something for the slave, and as his best friend it was Maes' job to make sure that they get together and have cute little play mates for Elicia. As well as make Maes a godfather.
"I was not!" Roy's eyebrow twitched. Maes has been doing this for a while now, and it was getting on Roy's nerves. Before Roy could tell Maes to shut up Maes headed for the door.
"Well, I have to get back to work, but don't worry I'll find her so you can get yourself a wife." Roy glared at the door once Maes was gone. He sighed and fell into his chair. He wasn't in love with Riza was he? No he was just concerned for her safety. Yes that was it right?
Riza neatly slide one last book onto a bookshelf before admiring her work. Over the few days Sheska has been teaching her how to read as well as Sheska had let Riza stay with her. Riza had to admit learning how to read and write was difficult, but all her work has been worth it. Riza was slowly beginning to read on her own, but she still had problems of course.
In return for all the kindness Sheska has shown her. Riza had found scrap wood that Sheska originally was going to figure out how to build book shelves with, but being a book worm not a carpenter never could. Riza had built her the book shelves and organized all her books on them. Which Sheska nearly worshipped her for doing so.
Grabbing a book Riza sat down and began trying to read the contents. Sheska was currently out job searching for herself, but Riza had learned that Sheska could never keep a job. The book happy woman always got distracted by reading while on the job, and she would get fired for it.
It wasn't long before Sheska returned and collapsed on the couch that Riza had cleared of the books covering it yesterday.
"I'm such a failure I'll never find a job that I can keep." The woman moaned Riza had also found from living with her. That Sheska had a rather low self-esteem she always doubted her ability to maintain a job. Burrowing head in the couch Sheska sulked. Riza went over to her and sat down beside her. Riza never knew what to say with her still being new to interacting with people who weren't handlers. She usually stayed silent during these moments when Sheska sulked, and some how her presence seemed to help the deterred woman.
As usual Sheska over came her depression to aid Riza in learning how to read and write. Originally Sheska wasn't aware Riza couldn't write as well as read, but once finding out she happily agreed to teach her that as well.
Before starting the lesson Sheska's eyes drifted to the now clear of books kitchen. After not seeing the room in ages due to its overflowing of books Sheska's eyes widened.
"You cleaned the kitchen! Thank you!" Sheska jumped up going off examining her newly uncovered kitchen. Riza scratched the back of her head while Sheska blabbered thank yous and some other nonsense about finally being able to use her many cooking books.
This is how things continued for a few weeks or so. While Riza learned she also did odd jobs that help Sheska in her day to day life. It wasn't long before Riza was reading more advance books on her own. To test her Sheska would choose a book and have Riza write a short essay on it. This helped Riza become skilled in not only writing, but in checking over her working fixing grammar as well as spelling.
Soon after deciding she could read at a well enough level. Riza felt it was time to leave Sheska. The same feeling that made her leave the Hughes house had appeared again moving her to leave. Sheska though reluctant to let Riza leave knowing she had no where to go. Sheska caved and let the blonde leave not before giving to Riza's surprise a hug goodbye. As well as a satchel bag, a mini dictionary in case Riza still needed help reading, and a book Riza favored while staying with her.
With that Riza wandered the streets of central yet again. Although having been in Central for weeks Riza still had no idea where anything was. Passing the many streets and stores Riza found that many shops were struggling just to get by. Apparently due to slaves taking up most jobs it was leaving little room for the average citizen to get a job anywhere. A man crying out the newspaper headline caught Riza's attention.
"Slaves on the run! Hundreds if not thousands of slaves escape!"
"I'll take a paper." The news man smiled taking Riza's money gratefully giving her a newspaper.
"Crazy times eh? Might be a good thing though with all the slaves gone a lot of positions are opening up. Its helping many jobless people." The news man commented. Riza nodded slaves are escaping? The thought of it confused Riza no slaves ever even thought of escaping their masters. What could bring such a large number of them to do so. Looking over the paper Riza smiled. It brought her joy knowing many of her fellow slaves were getting a taste of freedom. When Bradley allowed her to go Riza couldn't help but feel it was unfair. While she walked free many others still toiled till their death.
Looking back to the news man Riza figure he might know where she could get to work on paying off her debt.
"Excuse me?"
"Yes Missy what'cha need?" The man smiled happily he had a kind demeanor about him so Riza didn't feel like he would become enraged at her.
"You said a lot of job position are opening up do you know where I could find work?"
"Well, so far it mostly been factory work if you're interested, but the military is always looking for the able bodied people. Plus no skills required military training is free to." The military brought Riza's mind to think of Roy. Then it clicked if she went to the military not only would she make more than enough money to pay off her debt. She could help Roy in freeing the slaves! Although Riza didn't know how she would find Roy once she was in the military. For now it didn't matter she had a plan, and it would work.
"Where can i go to enlist?"
"Central HQ can't miss it right in the middle of the city." Riza was already off before he finished his sentence.
"Thank you!" The old news man waved Riza goodbye.
"Good luck there lass!"
The Fuhrer's mansion
Alphonse looked to the sky lying down in the barn. It had been a long day he had to work in the fields no breaks. Resting with all the other slaves in the barn Alphonse tried to fall asleep, but his need for water out weighed sleep. Sadly today the handlers decided no water would be given out nor food. So all the slaves went hungry as if they weren't already starving.
The large barn door opening put Alphonse and many other slaves on alert. It was to early for the handlers to be coming to collect the dead and dying.
"Everyone quiet." The small whispers between slaves questioning these strangers arrival stopped. There were a least five of them from what Alphonse could see. They all appeared to be slaves from their beaten bodies, but their cloths looked newer. Slaves were never allowed new cloths.
Alphonse eyes widened when he looked to one of the intruders.
"Brother!" Alphonse jumped to his feet running as fast as he could he pulled his older brother into a hug.
"Al!" Edward surprise on his face returned the embrace for a moment before pulling away to look at his younger brother.
"Didn't I tell you Al we'd meet up again." Ed smirked clear that slave life has not broken him. Before Al could respond one of the people Ed came with began to speak.
"Okay everyone I can't give you a full explanation time is short, but we are a part of a rebellion. We are here to take you away from your master. The time has come for Bradley to pay for what he has done! If you come with us together you will be free you and all slaves." The man didn't need to say anymore. The slaves within the barn jumped at the chance to gain freedom.
"Okay follow us be quiet this may be our only chance to get out of here. If you do not wish to come that is okay, but we beg you not to tell anyone what has happened." No slaves even thought of staying all gathering around to follow.
Al kept near Ed the time for explaining will come later for now. They had to get off of Bradley's property without getting caught. Normally Al didn't think to much about ways of escape. He always thought that any escape plans would turn for the worse, but now that he was reunited with his brother. Things felt like they might turn out to be okay.
Riza sat in an examination room. She had immediately gone to the enlistment office once she found Central HQ. After filling out the forum she was required to be looked over by a doctor to make sure she was fit to begin training.
And, Riza never thought she would ever be so nervous. She knows she has gotten considerably more healthy since she left the mansion, but Riza worried if she was healthy enough to join. If she wasn't there went her plan.
As well as not being healthy enough it was not unknown to Riza that the doctor will no doubt question the many scars and wounds she had. The burns Archer had given her had healed enough that she didn't need bandages for them any more. They were still there of course, and Riza prayed the doctor wouldn't inquire about them.
There was also her slave tattoo. Forever tattooed on her upper arm was her slave number. Once seen it would be clear she was a slave, or was a slave or maybe still considered one. Riza wasn't sure if she should consider herself free. If she can't pay off her debt she might as well still be a slave.
The doctor entering the room broke Riza of her thoughts. She was an older woman grey had begun peaking out from her reddish brown hair. She her adjusted glasses with her free hand her other hand held a clipboard.
"Hello Miss... Hawkeye." She looked at her clipboard to see what Riza's name was. Looking at the papers again a look of concentration appeared on the old woman's face.
"You've never been to a doctor before correct?" Riza nodded the woman wrote something on her clipboard.
"Well, I'm Dr. Dawn nice to meet you." She held out her hand which Riza took.
"Why don't we get your weight and height first you look a little on the thin side." Riza nodded and obeyed the woman as she had Riza stand on a scale. Dawn wrote down Riza's weight and height then told her she may sit down.
"You are rather underweight hows your diet are you eating all the food groups?" Dawn adjusted her glasses again smiling kindly again. The gesture didn't ease Riza's anxieties.
"I don't think so I've only just recently started to eat more." Dawn nodded writing something on her clipboard.
"Any reason you didn't eat well before?" Riza froze again facing the question of telling someone that she was once a slave. The woman was a doctor Riza believes they are bound to not share anything about their patients, but she wasn't sure still a little naive when it comes to the world outside of slave life. Riza sighed the truth would get out sooner or later so she might as well get it over with.
"Well, I was enslaved before... I just recently was freed so before I wasn't allowed to have much food." Instead of an outburst of rage which Riza still came to expect the doctor nodded writing things down.
"That explains a lot thank you for telling me this. I imagine that is how those burns happened?" Riza nodded shocked by Dawn's complete understanding of what Riza has been through. Dawn took one of Riza's hands gently looking over the still healing burns.
"Again I thank you for telling me most slaves or former slave that come tho me are too afraid to admit what they are or were. These don't look to bad now you've done a good job of taking care of them." Letting go of Riza's hand Dawn proceeded to take out her stethoscope.
"Now when I say to I want you to take a deep breath." Placing the tool to Riza's chest she asked Riza to breath then exhale. She repeated this a few times changing positions of her tool to hear Riza's lungs.
"While you were enslaved did you have to work in bad breathing environments smoke dust any place like that."
"Yes frequently." Riza frowned hoping her breathing wouldn't ruin her chances.
"Okay I don't think you've got anything to serious. You defiantly have asthma from working. Normally if we catch it early we can reverse it, but since this is your first time visiting doctor we never could." Pausing to make sure Riza was following her Dawn continued." Now don't get all worked up although you may have breathing issues for awhile its nothing thats not manageable with treatment. I can schedule you to get a epinephrine injection[1] after a few of those. You're lungs will clear up a bit although if you feel you can'r breath i advise you to stop whatever you're doing or get away from any fumes." Riza would have breathed a sigh of relief by the way the doctor spoke this wouldn't stop Riza from enlisting.
After Dr. Dawn finished explaining about these injections Riza would be getting. The rest of the check up went smoothly. Other than Dawn advising Riza to begin eating more along with making sure she got enough sleep. Once it was all over the old doctor proclaimed handing Riza a forum to give to the enlistment officer.
"All right I believe you are good to go. You'll be given a time when to report to a nurse to get that injection, but I'd like to be the first to congratulate you once you turn this in you are officially Cadet Riza Hawkeye of the Amestrisan military.
[1] please note that I believe FMA is placed in the 1920s around there I may be wrong but in the 1920 epinephrine injections were the common treatment for any form of asthma so if you were wondering why that was the course of treatment for Riza that would be why I am not a doctor obviously so don't eat my soul if I'm wrong
As always reviews are loved and they make me fan girl squeal till people in my house question what the hell i'm doing^^