Because I didn't write it in yet, I thought I'd let you know that neither Kain nor Ed told Roy of the cafeteria incident. Yet.
I'm so full of energy. And I feel so free!
It's amazing what some inspiring words from friends can do.
I zip around another corner, but I judge my speed wrong and I tumble over myself. Ow my hand.
Still I laugh like an idiot as I get up and start running again.
Without warning I slam into something solid, bounce off and hit the floor with a gasp from the shock.
I don't remember there being a wall there!
I crawl forward and reach out, tapping my hand against it curiously. As I climb to my feet and reach up, the wall moves and I stumble backwards in fear.
"He-hello?"
I feel a sudden pressure squeezing my upper arms against my sides. Before I have a chance to protest, gravity yanks down on me and my feet leave the safety of the floor to dangle in midair. I cry out and freeze, trying to reign in my stupid reaction of panic. I almost have control until the pressure encompasses my body, completely restricting my movement from my waist to my neck. The panic keeps hold of me and my breathing grows fast, but I suddenly pick up on a new sensation.
An overwhelming aura of charm and grandeur washes over me, filling me with a combination of calm and richness. I relax and am released moments later.
Ed! Ed are you okay?!
I almost can't decode Fuery's frantic Dorset.
"Was that you?"
No, that's Major Armstrong.
"Major-" So that's what that was! The sparkles!
Wait until I tell Al that they're not just visible, they're tangible too.
"Hi-hi Major," I stammer nervously. "It's um-it's been a while huh?"
His Dorset is tapped out at the perfect speed to understand, but so gentle for the large man that I can't believe it.
Edward! We have all missed you. I'm glad to see you're well!
"Well, huh? You missed the part where I only know what's going on around me because people explain it to me, din'cha?"
I am such a smartass. And maybe a bit of a dick at times. But at least I said it with a smile?
Perhaps, but you're getting along very well without your senses. Why, just minutes ago the Colonel was telling me how you can hone in on chi to feel emotions and people around you!
"Yeah, you have a point," I murmur. "But still-I-I would trade it for what I lost."
And nobody could blame you.
"What was Roy like? When he lost his sight?"
Between the time you lost yours to when he regained his, he never strayed from ambition. His lack of sight never hindered his vision. It was so inspiring! He was willing to push forward with or without his sight!
"And I break down," I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest. "But he only lost one sense. He still had hearing and-and touch to anchor him to reality."
And you have gravity and proprioception, yes?
"Not always the biggest help, but yeah."
He tells me your memory skills are still exceptional and that you haven't lost the ability to fight.
"Yeah, those-those are both true," I reply with a grin. "I am doing pretty good aren't I?"
Indeed. Though I am curious where you were off to in such a hurry?
"Oh. Back to Roy's office."
Unaided?
"Oh, well, Kain was taking me but I... I wanted to run." I laugh nervously. "And I remembered the way, so..."
You are independent. Not to mention you were nearly there! It's my fault for stopping you. Though Kain looks very relieved that I have.
"I didn't mean to leave him behind, I thought he could keep up! Kain how-how are you unable to keep up with a blind man?"
Kain's answer is tapped not to my chest, but to my back.
You're taller than me, you have longer legs.
"And Roy calls me short," I smirk arrogantly. "I bet I'm just as tall as he is!"
Almost, Fuery replies, but I don't care, because I'm not as short as I had thought.
"Well let's go back to Roy's office!" I insist, crossing my arms. "He's probably lost without me."
We all head back together, Kain leading me by the wrist as the sparkles surround us all.
Ed had spent the rest of Roy's workday peacefully drawing and 'chatting' back and forth with his desk neighbor, Kain. The art he had produced was of equal quality to the floor plan from earlier and the menagerie consisted of alchemical diagrams, the upstairs layout of Roy's home, and a stunningly accurate sketch of a bluejay.
His final drawing, one that earned laughter from everyone, was a No Smoking sign which he gifted to Havoc with his familiar cocky grin.
Exhaustion and stress finally took him and he comfortably snuggled up at his desk, drifting off in the old familiar peace of Roy's office.
It was as Ed slept that Roy sprung the idea of himself and Ed joining the boys out for a few drinks and picking up the ladies. The agreement was unanimous, all for the idea.
So it went that shortly before the end of the workday, Ed awoke and stood, trying to navigate the room-though he had forgotten where he was and walked right into the wall, shaking him up a bit.
"Bathroom," he murmured, touching the wall with a confused frown, not sensing Roy as the man appeared at his side to take his arm. "Roy?"
Yes. You have to go?
"Yeah. What's going on?"
We're at my office.
"OH! Oh right. Sorry just woke up..."
I know. We understand.
"Hurry up and take him Colonel," Havoc encouraged. "He's gonna need all the room in his bladder he can get for the drinks later!"
"For the last time, Havoc," Roy sighed. "One beer is all he gets!"
"Roooy I gotta go!" Ed cutely shifted his weight with unease clear on his face. "I-I forget where the bathroom is."
Didn't use it often when you visited?
Used to just piss on your office doors when nobody was watching, Ed tapped back with a devious grin.
"...That actually explains a lot." Roy sighed and gave Ed a mock shove, earning a squeal from the blonde. "Troublemaker."
"Now let's go before I continue the habit!"
"What habit?"
Roy glanced at Breda with a half-glare. "Some live up to their dog of the military title better than others." He led Ed out before he could be asked to clarify, shaking his head in disbelief.
You're plenty able to wash and scrub my office doors. I think I have a job for you.
"You wouldn't dare!" Ed retorted indignantly, trotting alongside Roy awkwardly as he held his full bladder.
Oh, I would. Reaching the bathroom, Roy let them both into the appropriately-named handicapped stall, pantsed Ed, and sat him on the toilet. Go.
"I know you love me but-but to watch me go..." Ed muttered, crossed his arms and rested them on his legs to hide his privates. "I need a little privacy."
Of course. I'll wait outside.
Left alone to do his business in peace, Ed smiled affectionately as he was reminded of how caring and thoughtful Roy could be.
Even if he did decide to force Ed to wash his doors later.
I thought we were going straight home, but apparently, Roy has other ideas.
Work has ended and I'm accompanying he and his men on a walk down the street. I've asked where we're going, more than once, but nobody is answering me.
I hate being in the dark.
Even though my world is white!
Quiet, Ed. Focus on your footsteps.
Because for as long as I've been stuck like this, balance still doesn't come easy. Especially when your left leg is metal.
Automail, automail, automail. I hate having a metal leg. I wish there was a way to switch it back to flesh and blood, but I know it's not an option.
I'd rather have sight, anyway.
Damn I miss my senses.
I stumble and fall against Roy, but he doesn't expect it and doesn't catch me as I tumble and hit the ground with a curse. He tries to help me up but I stubbornly shove his hands away, pushing myself to my feet with a slight wave of nausea hitting me.
Ed, what's wrong?
Just being moody, I reply in Dorset, closing my eyes with a soft sigh. Sorry.
Maybe we should go home.
I don't want to ruin your time with the guys.
Ed, he begins, if you'd rather go-
"Stop holdin' us back old man," I interrupt, giving him a gentle shove. "You're slowin' down our stroll!"
Smartass.
I smile despite his playful insult, pushing forward with the support of the guys around me. I can feel their encouragement.
We suddenly stop; myself not by a physical cue but by the sudden flux of excitement from the guys.
"What's-what's going on?"
We're here.
"Where?"
Party central baby!
"Havoc you're nuts!" I call as I'm tugged forward, stumbling into the building with the others.
Ooh, it's warmer in here.
But entirely too complicated to navigate! I'm led across the room but bump into at least five things on the way, at one point receiving a shove from an outside force. I resist the urge to push back, preferring to not repeat the attack from earlier.
"Come on Roy give me a clue," I complain, keeping my right hand safe at my stomach as my hip bangs into something at my right.
No reply as I'm sat down and leaned forward against...a table. I'm at a table. Okay, and...?
"You guys aren't leaving me alone are you?"
Not a chance kid! Breda replies to my question.
I almost ask something else but a sudden corrosive gas enters my throat and clogs my sinuses, irritating both ends of my head. I cough and try to wave away the polluted air, but it thins only slightly.
Calm down, Ed. Roy. It's only cigarette smoke.
"But what-is it from Jean?"
A bit. There are other smokers here.
"Where are we?"
Can't guess it yet?
"No! Give me a-another clue!"
Okay. Heymans will give it to you right...now.
Just after Roy finishes tapping out the code, I feel my head tilted back before liquid begins pouring down my throat. I begin coughing in reflex, tearing away less from fear and more from a desire to breathe.
"What was that?!" I cry, not even mentioning how the fluid burned at my throat.
Your clue.
There's a restraining pressure on my shoulders to pin me in my seat as my head is tilted back again. Knowing what's coming next, I compliantly begin gulping, practically inhaling the mass of caustic liquid and enduring the almost painful burn as it travels to my stomach.
Just as the force-feeding threatens to overwhelm and suffocate me, I'm freed and my head returns to its normal position. I gasp for breath and put a hand to my throat, unable to prevent the coughing fit in reaction to the burning liquid.
"Are you-are you feeding me acid?!"
Really, Ed?
"Well what else-" I go silent as I realize what this stuff is. I feel my body warming from the inside out and from the stomach up, heating my head as my face undoubtedly flushes in reaction to the blood vessels dilating.
From the alcohol.
"You're feeding me booze?!"
A hand claps me on the back in congratulations. Oh goodie, I figured it out.
"Why would you give me alcohol? I can't enjoy it like this!"
You won't know unless you try.
"Roy I'ma kill you," I mutter, shoving back on my chair to get up. There's a tug on my arm but I pull it away indignantly. "I'm not staying here for you to shove more liquor down my throat!"
Before he can catch me, I take all of two steps before I trip over something and go right down on my face. Somehow, my dignity isn't even a thought in my mind as I lie there in a momentary daze.
I do feel all warm and fuzzy. And the hands lifting me up, well, I don't think they're Roy's.
I feel him near me, but whoever has me isn't someone I know. Their hands wrap around my middle and hold me close to them.
I really shouldn't stay here with a stranger, but there's just something trustworthy and warm about this person...
I don't fight as another bottle is put to my mouth and its contents coaxed down my throat, intoxicating me further.
Roy, you're supervising right?
Oh hell, who cares.
Bottoms up!
