It's not over yet.
Disclaimer: As usual. But I would rent Charlotte and her dad and all the other OC's. Anyone interested?
And yes: It's still just something I came up with after thinking about Hawkeye's family on her mother's side.
The best jeweller in East City was very surprised when his first client was a very young and very pretty woman. She wore black clothes and brown boots and on her left ring finger sparkled a beautiful and definitively expensive engagement ring. She seemed to very happy as she crossed to the counter and her smile was brilliant. "My cousin asked me to get a ring for his girlfriend," she announced. "Could you please show me some? He wants a really beautiful one…"
"Of course, Miss…"
"Mustang," she said, eclipsing her father's surname because he was a known diamond trader and she hated it when jewellers tried to get on her good side to get better stones from her father.
"Related to Roy Mustang?"
"Said cousin," she grinned. "He settles down, finally."
"That's good to hear, Miss Mustang," the man said.
"Exactly my thoughts," she said while she eyed the rings and frowned. "Don't you have something more … conservative? I don't mean old-fashioned, I mean … something traditional and … well … classic. Something like my ring…"
"Your ring is at least two-hundred years old, Miss Mustang."
"Two-hundred-twenty-eight be to exact."
"It will be very hard for you to find such a ring. I don't have any."
"Then I will search in another store," she said and turned to leave. "It's really sad…"
"Wait a second, Miss Mustang. There is a ring which I never sold before because … well … it's a really expensive one and no one could actually pay the full prize…"
"Money was never a problem for my family," Jade stated, thinking of the huge estate of her grandparents or her own house back in West City. Granted, she shared it with her brother but just because it would have been stupid to buy two houses as long as they didn't need much place – and honestly, Jade wasn't the show off kind of person. She preferred subtle wealth.
"I will get it for you, Miss," the jeweller said and left.
Jade sighed deeply and looked at her pocket watch. She would miss the morning briefing butRoyhad promised that he would cover for her. But still … Jade hated to miss work – it was maybe the biggest difference between her and her cousin. If she would be late, she would have to torture Edward with the reports again and she hated it. Despite popular belief, she didn't get any kicks out of harassing other soldiers with report and important files. And she hated that people thought that she was the relaxed kind of superior because she expected the best from everyone.
"Alright, Miss Mustang…" the man showed her a little black etui. "It's an antique ring, at least two centuries old and very expensive…"
She looked at the small gold band and smiled widely. The diamond was really huge and clear, obviously very precious. She guessed that it was one of the eight most expensive gems in the world and her smile widened. She carefully took the ring and studied it to make sure that it was worth its price. When she read the inscription, she nodded to herself. "I take it," she said after checking the size. According to her cousin's note, it would fit perfectly.
"Three billion cenz," he said.
"Alright," she said without batting an eye as she took out her silver pocket watch to check her bank number before she filled out and signed the cheque. "The money will be taken from my business budget," she said as she took the ring. "It was nice to make a deal with you."
Roy was working and waiting for Jade and the ring while everyone else was surprised about the fact that his mood was so much better than before. Finally, Jade rushed in and put down her bag. She wore her uniform but her jacket was slightly dishevelled.
"Mission complete, Miss Tempest?" Roy asked interested.
"Yes, sir," she grinned as she crossed to him.
"Good work – as usual," he smiled at her.
"You shouldn't expect anything less." She handed him a little box. "You can give me the money over the years, dearest cousin. It was expensive but I didn't care."
"You will have it back by the time I am Fuhrer," he sighed upon reading the price tag.
"It's nice to see that you are friends again," Maria said smiling.
"Nothing can come between two Mustangs," Roy said and got up. "Not even chocolate. Well, I'll visit Riza now. Who comes with me?"
"I believe that we can't afford to lose two officers," Bendix said after receiving Jade's glare. "You will have to go alone. But could you please ask her why Peter isn't in today? Maybe he's ill…"
Edward chuckled. "Yes, he is," he grinned. "And I even saw his illness, Mr Bendix. She is tall and red-haired … a really pretty girl with such a chest…"
Rebecca threw a folder at him which hit his head. "Major Elric, forgive me my rudeness but it's not appropriate to speak in front of women of the breasts of another woman," she hissed. "We are really protective about them and we feel easily insulted when someone says something like that. I hope that I won't get in trouble for the folder which I need back, now."
"I … I am sorry," Edward muttered while he blushed.
"My, my, it's no wonder that you have no girlfriend if you are saying things like that," Breda said.
"I like your breasts, Becky," Havoc murmured before the folder flew again and knocked him out.
"Great aim, Catalina," Olivier stated while she sheathed her sword again. "Feel free to throw the folder again if you feel the need to. You won't get in trouble since it entertains me greatly."
"…after everything we learnt, you went and committed Human Transmutation?" Abigail's voice was sharp and clear as ice. "Really, Izumi, it was foolish! How could you?"
"You were the one thinking about it after Abel's death," Izumi replied. "You were the one saying that you would sacrifice everything just to see his smile again. Really, Abby, you can't say that the thought never passed your mind. It's just that you were always the good little girl…"
"The good little girl…" the other woman snorted. "Yes, you liked to call me that but I am sure that it's really far from truth by now. I mean, wasn't I the one who let you go, all these years ago?"
"It wasn't like you could have stopped me," Izumi stated. "I wanted to leave the house and even if you tried to stop me, I would have left. I can remember your face that day, sister. I believe that you said that I would regret breaking with our family. And I hate to admit it but you were right."
"I was always right," Abigail said. "It's one of my awesome older sister powers, little Izumi."
"Don't call me that," the younger woman muttered. "You are just four years older than I and I believe that you were always angry with Abel when he played the older-sibling-card…" she shrugged. "Either way, what are you doing nowadays? Last time I heard from you, you were still working on your book … and last year I even bought an edition. It is beautiful, Abbs. I am really proud of you. And … how's Mister Perfect? Are you still married or do you have another man?"
"I am still married with Alain and our twins became good people – even if you will never agree with their profession," Abigail smiled and took a sip of her coffee.
"Twins?" Izumi frowned at her sister.
"Jade and Phil," the mother of the two state alchemists smiled. "I believe that our last encounter was a little bit too heated, so I forgot to tell you that I am a mother. They are twenty-four and Phil is still Jade's slave … and my little girl will marry next summer…"
"Congratulations, sister," Izumi said friendly. "Children are a wonderful gift and you deserve it."
"You shouldn't have left, Iz," Abigail said. "We were getting along and I never blamed you for anything. I was upset after Abel's death, that's true, but I never took it out on you. I was mad at myself … I mean … he was my favourite sibling."
I thank everyone who reviewed and all the people who put this story as a favourite. You are wonderful people and I hope that you still like the story.
I am really grateful for this great feedback.
And merry Christmas everyone out there! I hope that all of you will get some good presents and that all of you will have a good time with the family!
There is nothing special I wish for this year ... just some reviews.
AvaEobane
