Upon arriving at the palace the envoy from the west was shown to the guest wing. They were given time to settle in before their formal introduction to the emperor. Roy indulged in a steaming hot shower and a shave before putting on a fresh uniform. He styled his hair in his usual fashion, then put his ignition cloth gloves in his pocket. Hopefully, there wouldn't be any call for them. From the other pocket Roy pulled out a square jewelry box to take a look at the contents. Just to make sure it hadn't somehow vanished. Nestled in the black velvet cushion was a radiant cut diamond solitaire set in a platinum band.

Roy bought the ring six months ago. He'd kept it hidden in a closet at home, waiting for the perfect opportunity to propose. If there was a more romantic setting for an engagement than a snow covered palace Roy couldn't think of it. Business came first but he'd be damned if he didn't make time for pleasure. He didn't dare leave it anywhere Riza might find it by happenstance.

The only other person who knew about the ring was Jean Havoc. The First Lieutenant was sworn to secrecy under penalty of death by immolation. Havoc had whistled at the sight of the engagement ring and said it was about damn time. He even brought along a bottle of champagne to celebrate. Outside the door Roy heard the murmur of voices. He snapped the ring box shut, returned it to the safety of his pocket, and left the privacy of his room. There he came across the lieutenant straightening the tie of their diplomatic attaché.

"Seriously, kid," Havoc said around a toothpick, "a four-in-hand knot isn't that hard."

"Thank you, Lieutenant," said Sebastian. Judging by his exasperated tone and stiff posture Sebastian was more tolerant than grateful for the assistance with his attire. Riza emerged from the room to Roy's left and gave the two of them a once over.

"Lose the toothpick, Lieutenant," she ordered.

Havoc complied as he ceased his manhandling of Sebastian. The subject of his attention immediately adjusted the tightly cinched knot. Over the last several days Roy got the impression Sebastian Schuyler was the long-suffering sort. He put up with Havoc's good natured teasing, but his annoyance had a habit of showing on his face. Sebastian had yet to realize his inability to school his expression only encouraged the lieutenant.

The sound of footsteps caught his ear. Roy turned toward the servant sent to fetch them. Straight away he noticed her kaleidoscope irises. They were brown at first glance and bottle green the next. It was difficult to pinpoint the color with the light glinting off her oversized spectacles.

"Honored Guests of the Emperor, I'm tasked with escorting you to your audience with His Imperial Majesty. My name is Yue-Yan. Should you require an interpreter during your stay I'm at your disposal."

The young woman's voice was soft and the words rehearsed. She was timid and seemed hardly able to speak for herself let alone anyone else; nevertheless, there wasn't a trace of accent in her speech, and her coloring suggested she might have more Western heritage than Roy had Eastern.

"Xie xie," Roy thanked her in Xingese. "My Xingese is elementary at best. I'm sure I'll find your assistance invaluable."

The diplomatic party introduced themselves in turn to the interpreter. While still aboard the train Mustang had instructed Sebastian not to reveal his fluency in Xingese until required. Roy wanted to know what was said when their hosts thought they couldn't be understood. Mr. Schuyler was skeptical of the stratagem but agreed to go along with it nevertheless.

"If you are ready the Emperor awaits your arrival."

"By all means, Miss Yue-Yan, lead the way," Roy said, dropping his voice an octave. Yue-Yan blushed accordingly and escorted them from the guest wing. He wondered if this young woman would've had a place in the palace under the previous emperor. Xing had a long history of isolationism; however, in the second year of his reign, the progressive young emperor set about dismantling the tradition by establishing trade agreements and investing in infrastructure. If discussions went as planned Amestris would have a nascent embassy in Xing before the snow melted into spring.

The doors to the receiving room were nearly as intimidating as the guards standing on either side of them. In tandem the two guards opened the double doors to admit them. Roy heard Yue-Yan draw in a deep breath before she proceeded into the room.

Ling Yao had matured into a commanding figure since Mustang saw him last. Seated upon his throne and dressed in distinguished robes the young emperor certainly looked the part, yet it was the bewitching woman on the adjacent throne that drew Roy's interest. The noble woman's dress was a tapestry of gold and silver flowers on a background of black silk. The jewel encrusted combs and decorative pins in her hair seemed headache inducing.

By all accounts this was the dowager empress.

Roy saw the resemblance between mother and son.

I didn't expect her to be quite so young.

Xue Yao appeared to be Roy's age if not a few years younger. He thought she'd look younger still without the painstakingly applied makeup. Sebastian had neglected to mention her age in his briefing. He had told them Lady Xue served as regent to the Yao Clan after the death of the chieftain, and during Prince Ling's absence once he'd come of age; she had the honor of a seat on the royal council; and, most importantly, she had the ear of the emperor.

It'll take more than flirting in her native tongue to win over the most influential woman in all of Xing.

Roy Mustang was more than up for the challenge. He shifted his gaze to the bodyguard standing at attention to Ling Yao's left. Nearly a head shorter than most of the guards Roy had seen thus far, but the lethal automail made Lan Fan significantly more imposing. Smart man to keep a woman with that kind of moxie around. Halting before the dias Mustang and his entourage bowed to the Emperor of Xing. Yue-Yan introduced them in Xingese and repeated herself in Amestrian for their benefit. Meanwhile, the dowager empress regarded them with discerning eyes and an inscrutable countenance.

"Imperial Highness, may I present General Roy Mustang of Amestris and his compatriots Captain Riza Hawkeye, First Lieutenant Jean Havoc, and Mr. Sebastian Schuyler," Yue-Yan pronounced.

The Emperor of Xing steepled his fingers.

"Welcome to Xing."


The afternoon sun reflected off the snow in the stable yard. Shu narrowed his eyes against the glare. There wasn't a cloud to be had in the brilliant blue sky, nor was there much of a breeze. In his wool coat Shu was almost too warm. He watched whilst the stable master exercised a palomino in the paddock. The horse's coat shined in the sunlight. Shu knew without needing to see the mare up close there was nary a tangle in her mane or tail. When it came to caring for the horses Jin was meticulous.

Shu reached into his left coat pocket for his tin of cigarettes. He came up empty handed and tried the right. Instead of metal his fingers closed around a single glove. Lan Fan's abandoned glove. Left on the table the night of their rendezvous at the Lindy Club. Shu kept it like a favor. Studied every stitch until he could call the item to mind as easily as the woman who owned it. There were three decorative buttons along the wrist. He wondered if Lan Fan still had the other glove tucked away in a drawer somewhere.

He tightened his hand around the article of clothing. Lan Fan hadn't spent the night in her room. Shu didn't know for sure if she'd spent the night warming Ling's bed, but he was certain she hadn't slept in her own. The bedclothes were cool to the touch; besides, she'd turned up with wrinkled clothes and wild hair. A biting remark had been on the tip of Shu's tongue when he noticed the telltale puffiness around her eyes.

Lan Fan had been crying.

In the darkest part of his heart Shu hoped the emperor was the source of her tears.

That's the way these sort of things ended, wasn't it?

The object of his desire was in the inside pocket of his coat. Shu lit a cigarette and strolled over to the fence. He crossed his arms over the railing as he smoked, out of habit rather than a need to indulge his vice. Taking the cigarette from between his lips he wet them to sound a short, sharp whistle to catch the attention of his friend. Jin's head snapped in Shu's direction. He slowed the mare from a canter into a trot then walked her over to the fence.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you, too," quipped Shu.

Jin dismounted the horse with practiced ease. Standing straight Shu was a tall man but even he only came up to his friend's chin. Jin had grown into his big bones if not his looks. The mare nudged the hand holding the reins and received a sugar cube for her efforts.

"You know what I mean," Jin said. He waved at the smoke between them.

"Yeah, yeah. You know, you're the third person to say that to me today." Shu put the cigarette out on the fence. "It'd be nice if at least one of my friends was pleased to see me but no. It's always 'What are you doing here?' and 'What do you want?'"

"That's because you only come around when you want something," Jin stated.

"Not true." Shu noticed the deadpan look Jin gave him, and amended his words. "Not entirely true. Everyone is so suspicious."

"You're a suspicious guy."

"Incorrigible," Shu corrected. "Or so the ladies tell me."

"If you say so."

"Speaking of ladies how're yours?"

"Daiyu is fine. The baby sleeping through the night now."

"Glad to hear it," Shu replied. Jin was right. Shu did want something from him. This would be a hard sell but there was no one else. "Hey, listen, I need a favor."

Jin narrowed his eyes. He asked, "What sort of favor?"

"I need you to pick up some messages for me," answered Shu.

"No."

"Just hear me out-" Shu insisted.

"I told you I wasn't doing that sort of thing anymore."

Shu hadn't forgotten. Not so long ago Shu could count on his help with no questions asked. Daiyu had changed all that. Pretty Daiyu from the laundry made an honest man out of Jin. She had wrapped him around her little finger with hardly any effort. Jin grinned like an idiot when Daiyu smiled in his direction, always laughed in delight at her subtle humor.

In Shu's opinion Daiyu was painfully ordinary. Jin had never asked for it. He was enraptured by his wife, even more so by their baby daughter.

"I need someone I can trust. Wei can't vanish from the kitchens. Not today."

"Have you ever thought about doing your own dirty work?" Jin asked.

Shu gritted his teeth. He wasn't in the mood and didn't have the time to wheedle this man into helping him.

"This isn't my dirty work and you know it."

The words had the desired effect. The stubborn look on Jin's face shifted to reluctance and Shu knew he'd won.

"Dead drops only," Jin stated.

Shu passed him a slip of paper.

"That's all I need."


Author's note:

This chapter is brought to you by my antidepressants. Real talk the last few months I've been dealing with severe anxiety and depression, which resulted in my inability to be productive or creative. I'm feeling much better but it's an uphill climb. Thank you to those who've stuck with me and this story.