Minor adjustments were made to this chapter on April 11, 2010.
A/N: Why is this only being posted now? Because the Author is an idiot, and that is the kinder term. I will admit that not all of it was my fault, as I kept getting sick and whatnot, but as for not getting it posted last night...that was because I had an epic forget. So I decided that even though it's not my practice to post on Monday nights I would do it anyway because you all have waited so long for it already. As I got close to the end of this chapter I realized that I had written half of it in present tense and had to go back and change it, so if there's anything that sounds funny, that's probably why. Blame it on the "Bloody Jack" series by L.A. Meyer that I've been reading, which is entirely in present tense and a cockney accent, so that I've started thinking that way too. I need to stop talking. Sorry for the long-ass A/N.
Disclaimer: I thought that my Sim made a life-size Ed statue the other day and then I realized...that's just a gnome. No Ed for me.
Chapter 31: Histories
It was nearly time to face my fate. Edward and I were on a train heading toward Munich to see Alfons...and Roy, as well. I knew I would have to talk to Roy about what I had said at our last meeting, but I had no idea what to say. We had corresponded as always while making arrangements to meet in Munich, and in neither his letters nor mine was there a mention of our soul-revealing conversation. It would inevitably come up, because it would have to if we were to continue working together.
Thus I spent the entire train ride agonizing over what I would say to him, and how I would explain my relationship with you and the strange circumstances that had landed me in this world in the first place. I wondered how much of it he would actually believe. Edward had tried to calm me during the first few hours of the trip, reasoning with me in a soft voice, but when I still spouted nonsense about the gate, my brother, and the Amestris military whenever he tried to talk to me he gave up, reading a chemistry text and completely ignoring me instead.
xXxAtLeastIDon'tHaveStomachFluAnymore!xXx
The result of all that pondering was not a good one. By the time we reached Munich, I was so anxious and confused that I could barely manage to gather my luggage and depart the train. Edward directed me, being surprisingly patient with me considering the mess I had been all that time, and for me the entire trip to Alfons' home was one big blur. I do recall talking to some men from the German military, who were asking our reasons for visiting Munich and requesting our papers—luckily, Edward had foreseen this and had gotten papers for me, claiming that I was his long lost, orphaned twin brother who grew up on the streets and calling me Edmund. This had worked surprisingly well, considering the ridiculousness of the lie. Of course, we did look physically identical except for the three centimeter height difference and no one else knew my story anyway.
I recall a moment of clarity as Alfons greeted us at his front door, his face all smiles to see the two of us come for a visit. He had taken quite a liking to me, Edward had said, and it showed as he embraced me in the same way he embraced Edward—a quick hug and a firm pat on the back. This was so different from Al. I was used to Al's awkward metal hugs, and I missed them. Still, Alfons was a good man, and I hoped that we could save him, as the world needed more people like him.
xXxAtLeastIDon'tHaveStomachFluAnymore!xXx
Staying with Alfons was like staying with a very old friend. He seemed to know exactly what to do to make a person feel at home, and he made the entire atmosphere very easy-going. He reminded me of Al, who could calm the worst of them. Our first night in Munich was comfortable and happy, with good food, good wine, and good company, and then we went to bed pleasantly full and with lighter hearts, perhaps, than those with which we had arrived.
In the morning, I would remember what I had to do and dread it once more. Still, for a night at least, I wished to forget all my troubles and simply enjoy life and the company of others.
xXxAtLeastIDon'tHaveStomachFluAnymore!xXx
The following morning I awoke with a headache caused by too much wine and a nervousness in my belly like a thousand butterflies. I was to meet Roy for breakfast at nine o'clock to further discuss solutions and Alfons and Edward were planning to meet us both for lunch a little before noon. I hoped we could resolve our problems before then. Oh, how I hoped.
xXxAtLeastIDon'tHaveStomachFluAnymore!xXx
I left Alfons' house at a quarter to nine, assured by him that it would only take a few minutes to arrive at the restaurant where I was to meet Roy. I had directions and the name of the establishment, and I was certain that I would be able to find the place without too much difficulty. There was one point where I took a wrong turn, but I quickly backtracked and straightened myself out in time to walk into the restaurant promptly at nine. Of course, Roy was already at a corner table, reading the newspaper and waiting patiently for my arrival. I walked up to the table and sat down without a word. As I watched him carefully fold the paper and set it aside I knew that it was time for a very serious talk.
"It has been a long time, Ed. How are you?" He asked me, false cheerfulness in his voice.
"As well as can be expected, I suppose," I replied neutrally, flipping my braid over my shoulder. "How have you been?" Obligatory pleasantries.
"I am well, though I have missed your smiling face." He leaned closer to me over the table top. Instinctively, I leaned back slightly, frowning.
"I cannot say the same for you, I am afraid," I responded calmly, watching from the corner of my eye as the waitress walked up to take our orders.
We paused to order, and as the waitress walked away once more Roy took up our previous conversation. "A painful comment, Ed. Have you no care for me at all?"
"Your worth to me is however much you are able to do to save my friend. That is all you should have been from the start. But," and here I sighed, "I do owe you an explanation for my rather sudden departure back in London."
"Let us hear it then, Edward, for I would greatly like to know why you are so faithful to your lover and why you claim to be dead." The waitress brought us coffee and he lifted his and took a sip. He drinks his coffee black, another difference from you, who as I recall always took yours with two sugars and the tiniest dribble of cream.
"Alright, but let me remind you that the story is long and unbelievable, and if you interrupt me in the middle of it I shall never get it all out."
"I will stay silent, I swear it." He held up his right hand, the other over his heart, as he said this.
"Very well. The best place to start is surely the beginning, and so start there I shall. I grew up in a tiny village in the countryside of Amestris with my mother and younger brother. My father left when I was small and I never truly knew why. I always hated him for abandoning us. Especially after mother died...."
The telling was long, but surprisingly he managed to stay quiet throughout, despite an expression on his face that I could tell meant he had a thousand questions to ask. It was commendable in my eyes that he was able to keep his mouth shut, though it became easier when our meals arrived. After so much speaking that I had nearly lost my voice from it all, I finally came to a close.
"It took me nearly five years to realize I loved that man, and then after only a few short months of happiness it was all taken away. I know that he probably has a new lover by now, or several, but I have sworn to myself that I will never love any other, and I would rather die than break that promise. I know that there is no way to go back to him, but that cannot stop my love. And if I find myself being unfaithful, I would rather the gate had just swallowed me up and I could be in nothingness forever than to betray the one most dear to my heart."
"You are a most valiant man, Edward Elric. Not many would do what you are doing." He gave me a look over his coffee that I did not understand.
"Not many have been in my situation before. Besides, I only do what my heart demands. I believe that you would do the same." I called the waitress to ask for another coffee and to tell her that we had friends who would soon be joining us for lunch.
Sure enough, a few minutes later Alfons and Edward arrived, talking and laughing together animatedly. I was more than glad to see them. Finally, the discussions I was comfortable with could begin.
I think the numerous random scene breaks were influenced by Bloody Jack as well. Which you should go read, fyi, because it's awesome. It's about a girl who pretends to be a boy and manages to become a ship's boy on a British Warship. Pretty much the best thing ever. I'll stop advertising things for other people and go write my own stuff instead. Please review.