Chapter 3- What is beauty?
'Lieutenant, I was instructed to make a monetary report of Lior's economic value since the outbreak of the civil war.' His tone was hard, his face taut, but completely blank; ebony orbs were smoky with uncertainty, clouded motives hidden behind a veil of secrecy. 'This office is in your charge until I return.' She nodded once, her hand snapping to her forehead in a salute, russet eyes glued to his.
'Yes, sir. Safe trip.' Roy almost breathed a sigh of relief that his excuse had worked, but withheld it, not wanting to give away his intentions. His face remained the same, restraining from the bat of an eye. He turned, waving a gloved hand as a sign of dismissal; Riza's hand returned to her side and she stalked away, not glancing once over her shoulder at her superior who had faded away into the colors of Central, heading toward the train.
Roy stared out the window as the train roared to life, thick gray clouds of smoke billowing from the head. It streamed past ancient wheels, caked with dirt; they cracked and groaned, creaking as they began to spin. The whistle blew and in a moment he was gone, Central fading like the faraway gleam in a window as night falls over the sky. Colors blurred as his eyes scoured the surroundings for signs of life as Central disappeared behind him. He sighed, a deep release, almost as though he was holding his breath.
What could Edward Elric possibly be playing at? The thought bounced about in his mind, more and more threatening questions appearing. How could Edward have known about his research? Why call so suddenly after a follow up report? How did he find out that he was a target for murder, and from whom?
Roy felt his breath coming in shorter takes, and he stemmed the questions in his thoughts, Images from out the window rushed across charcoal eyes, reflected in the amber glass. It was beautiful, a word he tended to use lightly. The sun shone over swaying grasses, thin and delicate flower petals wafted through the air, gently blown by the breeze. He felt a thin smile creep across the solemn features, the obscurity in his eyes softening.
"Beautiful."
"First Lieutenant?" a voice drifted in from outside the door. Riza looked up from the papers that she was sifting through and glanced at the door, her appearance disheveled, her face disgruntled. Russet eyes were streaked confusion and a thin thread of worry shot swiftly across her face. She hadn't heard from Roy in over a day; he hadn't shown up at the office nor made any attempt to call. The phone at his house rang and rang, but no one answered. Why was no one else noticing that their boss wasn't there?
"Come in." Scieszka walked into the office, a few books resting comfortably in her arms. Scieszka noticed her expression without a moments pause.
"Sir?" she asked gently, wondering what on earth could have put her superior into such a state of irritation. Riza's hands returned limply to her side; a thin smile surfaced from tight lips.
"Hello, Scieszka." She said simply, not offering and explanation for her distress. "Can I help you?"
"You have a call." Scieszka informed her, green eyes slightly doubtful.
"For me?" she asked, confused.
"All calls for the Colonel are forwarded to you," Scieszka said, looking dubious. Riza merely stared at her. "The Colonel went to Lior for monetary inspection. He left you in charge." She reminded her. Riza stared, incredulous.
"What…?"
Scieszka looked truly just as confused as her superior was. She had seen the Colonel tell her that she was in charge just the day before. She brushed it off, continuing, "You have a call, sir."
"Regarding what?" Riza asked, trying not to appear too ridiculous or too eager. Scieszka noted the voice change yet again with expertise.
"Colonel Mustang, I assume. That's all they--"
"Put them through."
Scieszka blanched at the sudden anger and fear in Riza's tone. She nodded and prodded the second line on the desk phone.
"Thank you for waiting; you have been connected to his First Lieutenant." Scieszka said warily, casting an uneasy glance at Riza. Riza gave her an apologetic look as the phone was lifted from its cradle, taking the caller off speaker. Scieszka bowed her head and saluted, dismissing herself. Riza didn't notice as the door slid closed.
"First Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye, speaking." She stated thinly, her professional tone covering her nerves. "How can I help you?"
"Hey there, Lieutenant." Riza's heart leaped into her throat; words wouldn't come. It definitely wasn't Roy, but it couldn't be who it sounded like. A voice that now lingered as a distant memory in the halls that echoed once with cheer and obnoxiousness. A voice that cast a discordant note in the heart, a melancholy memory in a reminiscing mind. A voice that had once belonged to a heart of gold that had disappeared. Her face drained of color and her hands shook.
"Riza? You there?" The voice came again, snapping her from impossible thoughts.
"Y-yes." She whispered, feeling a limp appear at the back of her throat. A laugh echoed through the phone and the carefree voice continued.
"Look, I've got Roy down here and frankly he's not going anywhere, if you catch my drift." The casual voice turned dark; blackened humor stained his words. Riza's eyes widened, shocked.
"Who is this!"
"If you want to get him back all safe and sound, I would suggest dropping by. Hearing him screaming gets pretty old after a while."
"Where!" her voice snapped back to professional, trying to sound controlled while her mind was frantic.
"Lior."
'Lior!'
"It will take two days for you to arrive," the voice continued. "Someone will be sent to pick you up, naturally." Riza's brow furrowed; a thin bead of sweat trickled down the side of her face.
"I'll be at the station in an hour." She said firmly. She could almost feel his smirk on the other line.
"Good. Your escort will be waiting." The casual voice replied. "Nice talking to you, Riza." She clutched the phone, thin, pallid fingers wrapped around the frame, pressing it against her ear.
"Tell me," she breathed, "who are you?" a chuckle slipped through the cord between her trembling fingers. He breathed two words in reply and left her in silence, the line clicking dead.
In two words he had confirmed an identity that couldn't be true. Unsteady steps stumbled away from the desk; the phone fell to the ground.
A bag was slung over her arm, her shoulders hunched and rigid. Her finger rested comfortably on the trigger of her gun that was clenched cold in her hand. Riza waited at the train station, eyes glancing erratically about the mass of people bustling to and fro around her as she stood perfectly still.
'Even in a crowd, I am alone.'
Hemingway's quote drifted through her mind, bringing a tinge of a smile to her face. She thought of the vague note she had left Scieszka and sighed guiltily.
'Colonel Mustang requested assistance. Will return with him soon. You and second Lieutenant are in charge.
Good luck.
Lt. R. Hawkeye.
She would never buy it, Riza had decided. Her thoughts turned to something Scieszka had said.
'He left you in charge while he was gone.'
Why didn't she know that he had gone? He had never told her that, she was certain. Scieszka and other office personnel believed differently, apparently.
'What is going on?'
She was sprung from her thoughts as she became aware of footsteps approaching behind her. Her hand tightened on her gun. She spun around, yanking it from her bag. She gasped at the amazingly tall figure before her, falteringly aiming the gun between his eyes. A distant pain dripped through her mind as his fist struck her head, and she saw no more, the faraway clink of the gun hitting the ground echoing in her mind, and finally faded away.
It had been one day and he had avoided sleeping, he realized, looking out the window of the train at the darkened sky. He wondered how Riza had been doing back at Central; he had left sort of abruptly. He sighed, tired. His mind needed a rest, he realized. As shimmering stars reflected on the amber tinted window, the Colonel let a smile ease over his face; and for the first in so long a time, Roy slipped into pleasant dreams.
Comments and suggestions appreciated ; is it too confusing...? Lotta love,
Raeluvs