The Waters of Lethe
Disclaimer: I don't own FMA, jsut the OCs I've created. I just like to play around in it's world and torture Ed for a while
Author's note: post series and very AU. Some movie events will happen, but differently
Summary: From Munich to Vienna, then Milan to Cairo and the Valley of the Kings. Edward had run for weeks to escape the Thule Society, and he thought he was done running for awhile. But a chance encounter, and a serious illness have forced Edward's hand.
Warning: May contain movie spoilers. Contains violence, bad language, death, and maybe sex.
36. Lies, Damn Lies, and Little Fibs (Lugen, Fluch-Lugen und wenig flunkert)
Major Howard had not been happy to see the German in his parlor when he came home, tired and dusty, from a long day of messing about the tomb he was excavating. He already harbored a xenophobic dislike of foreigners, and the events of the Great War had definately soured him upon Germans.
Sadly for him, the young man had exquisite manners, he stood up promptly and bowed deeply when the Major entered. "Thank you for agreeing to see me, Major Howard. I promise not to take up too much of your time."
I agreed? he thought and grumbled inwardly. The young German was so polite, but the Major would watch him closely for an excuse to have him thrown out. "All right you, I've had a long day and I want my dinner, so say your piece quickly!"
"Of course, Major," the fellow said so smoothly, Major Howard had an almost overwhelming desire to punch him in the nose. But he restrained the urge because his darling wife was sitting on the sofa opposite the German, and any violence displeased her. "My name is Ernst Draco and I've come about the young man whom you have engaged as a tutor for your children."
"Well, what about him? The man is doing an excellent job, and the children report they like him. Plus he is kind enough to come to the Valley in the afternon and copy the inscriptions and paintings in my tomb." Here the Major fibbed a little, not that he was going to tell that damned Jerry. The tomb work wasn't part of Edward's job description, but Howard was intent on squeezing his money's worth out of his employees.
Ernst chuckled drily at this, as if he knew he was being lied to. "Yes, he is very good at what he does. But the truth is, he is not Swiss and Bauer is not his real name. Elric is his real surname, and he is an escaped mental patient."
If they could have, the ends of Howard's walrus mustache would have stood straight out in shock. "WHAT!!??" he roared. "What did you say!?"
"Edward's father died very suddenly, not long before Christmas. A great tragedy, especially at what is supposed to be a joyful time of the year. The young man was so distressed by this, he formed the delusion his father had been murdered, and he was next on the killer's list. The father's friends were quite distraught to hear him say this at the wake, and they arranged to have him committed to an institution called -" Ernst unzipped the leather folder he had brought, pulled out a sheaf of papers, and riffled through them. "Ah, here it is, the Angelika Convalescent and Nursing Home. It's a very nice place and Edward would get the help he needed there. The friends planned to take him there directly after the funeral, but something went wrong."
Mrs. Howard finally spoke up, and asked in a small and nervous voice, "And what went wrong?"
Ernst favored her with another dazzling smile which didn't reach his hooded eyes, "Edward somehow got wind of their plans - he is a brilliant young man - and he refused to get into the car which was to take him to the home." Ernst threw his hands up as if exasperated. "Things got out of control after a couple of the men tried to force Edward in, he became violent and punches were thrown. A few noses got bloodied before he broke free and ran away. We have been searching for him ever since."