Note: This takes place in the anime universe, sometime after Mustang came to Liesenburgh and found Edward and Alphonse.
#9: Bouquet
by Maaya
There's a bouquet in summery spirit on the table, forget-me-nots and cornflowers and timothy grass. Not the most elegant of combinations, especially not when the colours are clashing horribly to the red-and-white checkered table cloth. But somehow it works, makes the atmosphere friendly and warm.
Hawkeye wonders where the cafe staff has found the forget-me-nots; you cannot buy those in Central city and she has searched. She glances out of the window. The silence between her and her companion is calm, but deafening.
They are usually comfortable with their silence, but today it is so obvious that the Colonel has something to say, Hawkeye finds the lack of words ominous. Glancing out the window, she notices that clouds are gathering outside. Hopefully the rain will wait until she's home and safe from the wet.
She exhales softly and looks at the Lieutenant Colonel again, hoping he will speak soon. Because it's his invitation, a cup of coffee after work, his responsibility to explain the reasons. Fair's fair.
After work meant after work, directly after. They are both still in uniform; the collar tickles Hawkeye's throat. She waits.
"Looks like it's going to rain," he offers, at last, and peers outside.
Hawkeye opens her mouth, closes it again. She sighs. "Sir."
"I went to Liesenburgh," he says, unnecessarily. Hawkeye knows that already, of course. She followed him to the train. The Lieutenant Colonel brought a letter with him then, the one that HQ had received some time ago, but Hawkeye doesn't know the details, how, when, where, why. Especially not why. But she does know that a girl and an old woman called Rockbell lives in Liesenburgh.
Some blue cornflower petals has fallen to decorate the table cloth, she notices when she reaches out for her tea cup. One of her hands almost automatically brushed them away.
They are silent, and when the Lieutenant Colonel finally speaks again, his voice seems steadier. It hadn't been unsteady before, but Hawkeye can clearly hear the difference, once a difference in given.
"The sons of Hohenheim appear to have been desperate." Suddenly, the Lieutenant Colonel's voice is lowered. "They tried to resurrect their mother."
Hawkeye doesn't blink. She recognizes the name after a moment's thought, Hohenheim, Elric. His sons. Hawkeye's not sure she knew the man had sons. But apparently, they had tried something prohibited, and she was pretty sure the Lieutenant Colonel meant that they were still alive.
Hawkeye is not an alchemist, but she understands from the tone of her companion's voice that it must be something extraordinary.
She knows from her superior's expression what will come next.
"So, when an Edward Elric calls, please let him speak with me," the Lieutenant Colonel concludes. The aura of seriousness escapes him and he relaxes in his chair, tugging at his high collar.
"Yes, sir."
Hawkeye decides not to ask if he met the Rockbells. It wasn't part of the story, apparently.
When she offers her good byes and prepares to get up, she sees that the flower petals are closing. It's going to rain soon.
end