The Waters of Lethe
Disclaimer: I don't own FMA, except for any OCs I've created for this story. I just like to play around in it's world and torture Ed for awhile.
Author's note: post series and very AU. Some movie events may happen, but differently.
Warning: For movie spoilers, violence, blood, death, and possibly sex.
25. Up The Nile (Herauf den Nil)
Edward met his new employer and his family for afternoon tea at Shepheard's Hotel just after the beginning of January. Major Arthur Howard was the middle son of a Duke Something-Or-Other, and he had recently retired from an honorable, if not scintillating Army career after his father died. His older brother inherited a ramshackle estate, and his younger brother was a curate in some little village. Determined not to end up like his brothers, Arthur had taken up the trendy hobby of archealogy and was bent on a spot of "messing about in tombs."
He had a respectable wife, June, who could best be described as resembling a well-bred horse, and two rambunctious children. The fraternal twins, April and Patrick at fifteen fortunately took after their father in the looks department. Also in the party was Miss Childers, a poor and distant relation of June's who filled the function of "companion". Edward inclined his head politely and said "hello" as each was introduced to him, but he otherwise kept his mouth shut and concentrated his energies on observing.
As the Major droned on about his family, Edward gathered there was a lot of emotional baggage floating about the adults, so he promptly made up his mind to keep his distance outside of work. But he couldn't help feeling a twinge of sympathy for Miss Childers who sat with her head bowed, and her hands folded in her lap. She spoke only to June, and then only when first spoken to. Edward suspected Mrs. Howard enjoyed bullying the younger woman, for she never addressed her by her first name, only as Childers. And that was expressed in a very condescending tone.
They parted company soon after tea, Edward returned to his lodgings to pack his bags and inform his landlord to sublet his apartment. The Howards went upstairs to their rooms at Shepheard's to rest out of the hot afternoon sun. Arthur felt very pleased with the candidate the agency had sent. His hair was too long, his accent was definately not Swiss, and he looked as though a stiff breeze would blow him away. But on the good side, the young man with the queer yellow eyes had nice manners, he spoke Arabic well enough, and best of all, he seemed to know his place.
When the Howard's large touring car, luggage piled high on it's roof, pulled up to the steamer company docks before dawn the next morning, Edward was already there with his one suitcase. He stood up, bowed and greeted Major Howard and his family, then stood aside to let them and the other first-class passengers precede him up the gangplank. When Edward was finanlly allowed to board with the other second, and third-class passengers, it was with a rueful grin on his face. He'd never been a mere employee and looked down upon like this.
As the steamer pulled away from the dock to begin the journey to Luxor, Edward leaned against the railing and watched the sun rise, turning the sky from purple to red, then gold. His left hand rose of its own volition to slap a mosquito which had bitten his cheek, then he sighed. This new situation would take some getting used to.