I sighed heavily, feeling the ever-present push on my back. No, Havoc wasn't touching me, but I could still feel it, and it was sure as hell annoying! I spun around on my heel to face him, most definitely red from anger. "For god's sake, Jean! I said I didn't have a nightmare last night! Trust me, you would have known!" I snapped. I was in a really irritable mood at the moment, and it wasn't completely justified, to be honest.
The main reason I was so aggravated was the stares from people watching us walk away from my room. He had spent the night again, on the floor. Damn busybodies, he was on the floor. Riza didn't stay this time, she had to help Mustang sort out a misfile. Havoc had the bright idea to get up early and take a shower before me, to avoid any awkward confrontations. Only he takes scalding hot showers and used up all the hot water without letting me know. So when I went to step in the shower, I squealed and jumped out, getting tangled in the curtain and making him rush in to see what was wrong. The only thing I'm willing to say about that encounter is that I'm glad I'd picked out the dark blue curtains instead of the clear ones.
I can't really blame them, though I'd very much like to. We were quite a sight to see. My hair was slightly untamed because of my lack of a shower, easily mistakable for bed head. Jean's hair wasn't much better, as he refused to use my comb because it had a freaking flower design on it, and of course this was the one trip that Ed remembered all of his belongings. Not to mention Jean was wearing the same clothes he wore yesterday, crumpled and disheveled. The damn man wouldn't use the washer or drier for his shirt, so he looked like he slept in it. Which he did.
That about sums up how we got here, looking like the walk of shame from a one-night stand. I swear Jean is just about as unprepared as Edward is.
"Beth," He groaned pleadingly, "What did I do wrong?" he asked genuinely. I sighed, I knew my anger was a bit misplaced, but surely he wasn't oblivious to what our situation looked like right now!
"You just spent the night in my room and people are giving us funny looks." I whispered, just loud enough for his ears.
He chuckled nervously, glancing around inconspicuously, "I guess they are," he replied, just as quietly. "They need to mind their own business, though." He tried to assure me by adding, "Besides, nothing happened, nor would it."
I scowled at him and patted my hair self consciously before lashing out at him. "Especially not with you, Havoc." I replied defensively.
Havoc feigned hurt, placing his hand over his heart dramatically. "Beth," He gasped, "I see how you are." His playful attitude made a giggle bubble out of me.
"Whatever," I mumbled back, "you're so..." I trailed off, not knowing how to describe Havoc. Luckily I had no obligation to finish as two very serious-looking people stepped in front of us, making our pace halt. There was a woman with short, dark brown hair and a beauty mark under her right eye. She was very pretty and sweet-looking. Accompanying her was a slightly taller man, about the height of Havoc, with shaggy blonde hair and a much more relaxed aura. He also wore a serious expression, but it was clearly not as natural as the woman's.
"I'm Second Lieutenant Ross," She greeted, then swept her hand over to the man next to her continuing, "And this is Sergeant Brosh. It's a pleasure to meet you, Broken Flame." The man next to her, Brosh, nodded at me, and then at Havoc. Surely a guy-thing.
He then turned to me and asked, "We're just about to go meet the train with Major Armstrong and your brothers on it. Would you care to join?" He smiled warmed, losing the serious facade.
I smiled in return and obliged, nodding. Ross lead the three of us, though I think Brosh should have been in the front with her. It only took a few awkward hall-encounters with the people treading in the opposite direction for Havoc to get frustrated and start walking up with her. He'd huffed in annoyance before picking up his pace and moving from my side to Ross'.
"So," He drawled, picking up some conversation, "Can you really use alchemy without a circle?" He asked curiously. I laughed lightly. He made Havoc all mad just for a few questions?
"Yep." I replied happily, popping the last sound playfully.
He hesitated before deciding to ask another, "What makes the flames?" He inquired, almost whispering.
I furrowed my brow and opened my mouth to say something but stopped. I wasn't too sure myself. "Uh, I'm not too sure of all the technical terms, but it's in the metal. Something clinks together when I clap and it makes a spark. The way I transmute the air forms little pockets of highly flammable gas. The spark's energy flows through the air in the direction I aim it, and once it hits a pocket..." I trailed off.
He nodded and smiled, "Boom." He finished for me, moving his hands to demonstrate. I chuckled at him, he's the first to have me explain like that. Ed never really wanted to know, he liked his way.
"And, um," He began nervously, "Did you really... Your arm..." He cleared his throat, trying to calm down, "Did you really lose your arm in the Eastern Conflict?" I sighed. He's military, so he should know the story, so it's only natural that he wanted to question it.
Smiling sadly, I replied, "Yeah," I lifted up my arm and showed him, pulling up the sleeve just slightly, "And my leg, too." I added, twisting on my left leg enough to make it creak. I noted his slight cringe at my insensitivity, but didn't comment on it. Havoc, the bastard listening in, did comment.
He looked over his shoulder at Brosh. Actually, it was much more like a glare, and he snapped, "Quit asking questions like that. It bothers her." My temper flared once again because of that man.
"Jean Havoc," I scolded, "His questions don't bother me, so why don't you let me speak for myself? Unless they're bothering you, don't say anything!" I finished in a huff. Jean gets on my nerves to bad it's not even funny.
"And if they do bother me, Beth?" He asked quietly, turning back to face where he was walking. We were out of the building and loading up into a car to take us to the train station. I almost stopped walking to consider this, but somehow kept my feet moving. Why would it bother him...? Is he just teasing?
"Does it, Jean?" I retorted quickly, still not done deciphering the possibility of his concern, or lack thereof.
He blew out a huff of hot air before gruffly replying, "No." And getting into the car silently. He was clearly not pleased by our seats, with me by the ever-chattering Brosh.
Thankfully he didn't have very original questions, nor did they require elaboration on my part. So I scraped by without really hearing his words, only replying a 'yes' or 'no' with a friendly smile. To be honest, I was slightly enjoying Havoc's frustration. He'd already resorted to his cigarette.
(3rd person, as I find it more descriptive:D)
"Hurry up, Al!" Edward cried, racing ahead of the Major and his brother, clutching onto his baggage and just itching to get off the train.
Alphonse was right behind him, looking as worried as a metal suit could, "Brother, we don't have to rush this much..." He pleaded, wanting Edward to stop for some food. He hadn't eaten anything on the ride over, and it was almost an entire day's ride.
The Major's deep voice echoed, "Yes, libraries cannot run away." He was right behind Al, standing as tall and proud as he normally did, with just a faint sparkle being set off of his eyes. The trio had just exited the train and were headed to the main platform to look for the people sent to collect them.
Edward groaned and retorted, "Just hurry up!" as he jumped up onto the collection platform. He grinned from ear to ear at the sight before him, slinging the suitcase over his shoulder, "We're here, Central!"
His bold actions caught Ross' attention and she ushered Havoc, Elizabeth, and Brosh over to them. She stopped and saluted the three, "Major Armstrong," She greeted attentively, "We're here to see you to Headquarters." Behind her, Brosh also saluted formally. Havoc gave a half-smile and even less of a salute, only bowing his head slightly and raising two fingers towards the general.
"Edward!" Elizabeth cried happily, bounding over to hug her twin. Had Ross or Brosh been listening, they would have realized the mistake they'd already made. Edward hugged Elizabeth back, but released her immediately at Ross and Brosh's words.
"I'm Maria Ross, it's an honor to meet you." Ross told Al, smiling.
Brosh had also flocked to the large suit, "I'm Denny Brosh, I can't believe that your suit is why you're called the Fullmetal alchemist!" He cried, a bit too loudly.
Edward cleared his throat, clearly annoyed. Al pointed at him, Havoc chuckled, the Major pointed at him, and Elizabeth stifled a laugh as she pointed to him. The reaction was instant. The two's faces were painted in shock, dried from their embarrassment, and the masks of seriousness and formality cracked and broke away as the two scrambled to correct their mistake.
"That little guy?" Brosh asked in surprise. Maria smacked him and began to stutter out an apology, but Edward was already being held back by the remaining few.
"S-so sorry! He didn't mean little!" she cried with wide eyes.
Edward grumbled incoherently to himself about not being little or short, but managed to reign control of himself once more.
"Now I shall go back to headquarters to write a full report on our trip!" the Major declared, about to walk away.
"Oh?" Edward called in a delighted stupor, "This is where we part?" He chirped with a wide smile.
Tears seemed to form in Armstrong's arms as he too realized what was happening, "I'm sad as well, Edward Elric!" He wailed, wrapping his arms around the short boy and making him practically disappear into the bear hug, "May our paths cross again!"
Elizabeth elbowed Jean gently and whispered to him, "There's something that went down. I'm gonna grill Ed for details, you want in?" she smiled up at Havoc, a mischievous glimmer overshadowing her gaze slightly.
Havoc chuckled minutely as he picked him cigarette from his mouth and crushed the burning end of it, tucking it neatly into his shirt pocket, "'Course I do, Beth." He couldn't help but momentarily entertain the idea of being her partner in crime. God knows the things they'd do, the things they could get away with between his combat skills and her alchemic talent.
Elizabeth had a slight glow to her as he agreed to her shenanigans. Her mind drifted to the simplistic idea of them. After all, the two of them could get along together swimmingly if it weren't for outside interruptions. Maybe Winry wrote a good reply about Jean, telling her exactly what it was she was feeling.
Both of their wanderings came crashing down as Edward complained, "We still have escorts?" Any whimsical idea they might have had was gone in an instant, dragging them back to the reality that there was a serial killer on the run, who had targeted Edward.
"Of course," chimed the Major, "Scar has yet to be apprehended and until he is, the three Elrics will be under constant surveillance. He has already targeted the Fullmetal Alchemist, who's to say he won't try for two birds with one stone and go after his twin sister, the Broken Flame Alchemist?"
Elizabeth cringed at her official title. Edward proved his title every day through the use of his automail, but she wasn't confident enough to mess with the metal's structure. It was her plan after her last resort, in a way. Come to think of it, she thought to herself concernedly, I haven't used alchemy in quite some time at all, and the last time I used flames were…
"Beth, Al!" Edward called, already headed toward where Ross and Brosh had the car, "Let's go! The library's waiting!"
Brosh was muttering to himself slightly, within hearing range of everyone, "Edward is the older one, so," He glanced at the towering metal suit, "You're the little brother?" he asked skeptically.
Ross also took notice, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion, "Why do you wear that huge suit of armor?" she inquired ignorantly.
"Uh-uh," "He, -er" Edward and Alphonse stuttered nervously together, not quite knowing how to respond. "Hobby!" Elizabeth blurted out quickly, trying to salvage the situation.
As they continued to walk, the whispers of Maria and Denny were not-so-discretely following them. "What kind of hobby is that?" Denny whisper-yelled furiously, utterly confused.
"I don't know, what are these kids?" She replied, just as confused as he.
The group, Edward, Alponse, Jean, Elizabeth, Maria and Denny all managed to get in one car. Jean took the front seat, next to the driver. Maria and Denny sat across from the three they were watching, trying to figure out the girl and the two boys who sat on either side of her.
Not wanting to know of their obvious secrets, Maria Ross proceeded to tell the trio about the library, "The National Central Library holds the greatest collection of books in the nation. They're so numerous that rumor has it a man once calculated the time it would take the fastest reader to read every book. It was well over two hundred years." She grimaced slightly at the thought of all that non-stop reading, "The branch you're looking for, the first branch, is to the west. It held records, research papers, and the majority of our registries." The explanation halted with the car, leaving nothing to be said at their arrival.
The Elrics, the escorts, and Jean stepped out of the car one by one to see the sight before them. Maria cleared her throat loudly, finishing off her initial explanation, "But it was mysteriously burned down just a few days ago." She said sadly. The three siblings felt a touch of despair, something they thought they were immune to by now. Before the group lay a brick foundation charred by roaring flames long since gone and black ashes sprinkled all around. Strong, solid books had been reduced to fragile, brittle ashes before they'd even been able to see the originals. Though Elizabeth was oblivious to what their lead was, she knew it lead here, and that this looked like a dead end to her.
Edward shook his head defiantly, "There's no way in hell this is another dead end, damn it!" He snapped furiously, mostly to himself, to strengthen his own personal resolve.
"Well," Jean suggested, "We could check the main branch. If there's a specific book you're looking for, it might have been checked out or relocated."
Edward's anger melted mostly, leaving only a small aftertaste in his mouth, "Right." He retorted slightly bitterly, "The main branch."
Surprise, Surprise! Not only is the story back with the Manga, I GOT MY INTERNET!
I had this chapter half-done on saturday, was going to finish it sunday, but the internet said, Nope:]
The lines were flooded(I don't understand it, but y'all might:\) but the important thing is that I can now POST CHAPTERS! I'm aiming for two more chapters before monday, to celebrate the privilege of internet that I so often take for granted:)