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Chapter 3 : Stones
Winter sunlight cascaded through the elaborate glass panels of Dante's bedroom, the midday light warming her new skin. A delicate, stolen hand extended, she watched as the newest homunculus fed upon it's last stone. In a day, Gluttony had greatly changed physically, and now could have almost passed for a grossly disfigured human. Mentally, however, the case was not so successful. As of yet, Gluttony had not spoken a word, and had no motivation for anything other than consumption. Compared to his physical growth, his mental growth was pathetic, and in most successful cases, growth was correlated.
Dante's freckled face pulled into a frown, her hand withdrawing back to sit neatly on her lap, crossing over it's partner. Gluttony's wide, empty eyes followed Dante's movements, faithfully watching what was once his sister.
A knock sounded, and without any further query the tall figure of Greed slouched into Dante's room, waving lazily as he halted behind Gluttony. Peering at Dante's refreshed body through black-tinted glasses, a toothy smile cracked over Greed's lips, purple eyes redirecting themselves toward Gluttony,
"Come a long way in one night, huh?"
Dante's frown only increased, replying coolly, "I fed him a lot."
Greed's eyebrows rose, leaning into Dante curiously, "That what you called us here about?"
Dante's frown vanished, as she returned Greed's gaze, "Where is Envy?"
Greed shrugged carelessly, straightening his posture, "Ah, it's a big house. Who knows? Maybe we should put a leash on him."
Dante sighed, ignoring Greed's suggestion as she instructed, "You can tell him, then," She shifted slightly on the satin sheets, continuing, " In order for Gluttony to retain a stable form, I'm going to require more stones. Even though it is no longer illegal, Alchemy is still sparse and generally frowned upon."
A nod of Greed's head told Dante to continue.
" Fortunately, a major member of the Underground Alchemy Society I attend was recently banned, and there have been rumours suggesting that he had been using Forbidden techniques in order to emphasise his power."
"The Philosopher's Stone?" Greed's expression now reflected curiosity, expressive features locked onto Dante's.
A sly smile was offered to him, "I doubt it, but I'm quite certain he possesses a good quantity of red stones, which I require in order to continue my studies on homunculus, and to complete Gluttony's growth."
Dante shrugged slightly beneath her jewelled dress, "I could go to the trouble of making the stones myself, but the Military might get suspicious again. It's much easier if you just secure these."
Dante's gaze steadied, round features stern as she added, "But make sure no witnesses are able to inform the Military of what happens."
Pretty features pulled into a frown, Envy observed the street below him with an expression of disgust. It was already afternoon, and the sky was darkening, but still the public would pass by from time to time, providing something new for the homunculus to sneer at from above. His mood was one of irritation, and his hatred for the human race was only amplified by this.
Perched atop thick branches of a crop of trees, Envy scowled as he recollected the events of today – specifically, he recollected how disrespecting Greed had been to him today.
As Envy was the first homunculus born, he demanded respect from his younger 'siblings'. Arrogant and jealous by nature, the favouritism Dante showed Greed, and the manner in which Greed treated Envy, was insufferable to him. The fact that Dante had instructed him only through Greed greatly irked the androgynous boy, inflicting on him a less sarcastic and amused nature than usual.
I should be the one in charge, Envy hissed inwardly, scowling at the empty, lantern-lit street,
He was never even of any blood relation to her.
A lone man neared the specified house, his dumpy figure cloaked by formal dress and a top hat. His form shuffled vaguely, both hands required to ruffle through his black coat, suitcase left on the steps outside his home. Momentarily, a key had been extracted and a door opened, the entire scene observed by the green-haired homunculus.
Envy pouted in thought, shifting on the thick branch slightly as he watched Charles Winter enter his home, suitcase in hand. Greed had left to check the surrounding area and known sanctuaries of Winter, instructing Envy to wait for his return before taking action. A scowl crossed Envy's delicate features as he hopped from the branches, landing in the quiet night street.
Greed might not be able to beat an alchemist by himself.
But I sure as fuck can.
It was a surprise to Charles Winter when a knock sounded at his front door; since being banned from the Alchemy Society he hadn't encountered any visitors, left alone to study the philosopher's stone and possible methods for creation of it. Closing the door to the spare bedroom and exiting it, Charles shuffled over to his front door, pulling open its heavy wood frame.
"Dante!" Winter exclaimed, his tired features forming a somewhat confused smile, "I didn't expect to see you again!" There was a pause, before Charles stood back for the middle-aged woman, "Come in, come in."
Dante offered a slight quirk of her tight lips, bowing her greying head respectably as she proceeded to sit herself down at the round kitchen table of Winter's home.
"Well Lady Dante," Winter paused for a smile, "How does time and life treat you?" He walked slowly to the kitchen stove and turned to her, politely offering, "Tea?"
Inwardly retching at the thought, Envy answered in Dante's voice, "Please."
Winter scurried around the kitchen fetching cups, placing them neatly upon the modest table. Shortly, the shiny kettle began to whistle, and was soon set at the centre of the kitchen table, left for Envy to pour as he pleased.
"Well." Charles said finally, settling himself down opposite his guest. "What brings you here?"
Envy smiled, "I came to talk to one of my oldest friends, of course." He paused, continuing to the old man, "And to enquire about rumours."
"Ahh rumours?" Winter questioned. "There be many of them." Winter sipped at his cup of tea thoughtfully, "But they are rumours nonetheless. What rumour would you be talking about?"
Envy gave what he hoped for Dante was an innocent smile. "Why, the red stones."
Winter raised an eyebrow in enquiry, the wait unnerving and irritating to Envy, "Well Lady Dante, I always though you were such a well-meaning alchemist, this surprises me."
Envy gave a curt laugh. "Well yes, but can one as curious as I in the ways of alchemy not enquire of rumours to a dear old friend?"
Winter smiled, "Well, you were always a very powerful alchemist… I suppose it can't hurt to show you…" The aged man stood, offering a wrinkled hand to Envy.
Envy obliged, rising from the wooden chair and following Charles Winter as he mused to himself. How could Greed have thought it would take two of them? With Envy's ability, a job like this was simple. As soon as Winter revealed the location of the fruit of his labour, Envy would annihilate him, securing the red stones, and even better – pissing Greed off.
Charles led Envy into another room, smaller than the first. It was quite modest in size and held only much needed furniture; a bed, bedside table and a wardrobe. Winter headed for the wardrobe and opened the oak doors, revealing its contents. Envy's eyes gleamed triumphantly as the old man bent down to the bottom of the wardrobe and rummaged around on its base. Finding what he was looking for he stood up and smiled at Envy before slowly untying the strings around the bag. Which by the looks of it - and to Envy's delight - was quite full.
" Incomplete Philosopher's stones.." Charles virtually hissed, the pride he held over his creations showing through as steel eyes rose to Envy's own. The response was unexpected, a white flash lighting the dark room as Envy's reply came in an unfamiliar voice;
"Yes, darling Charles." A wicked smirk gripped Envy's lips, the androgynous homunculus delighting at the contortions of fear in the old man's face.
Winter had no time to tremble; mouth opening to question the bizarre situation before snapping shut hard, a speedy kick dealt to his skull. Envy's lithe form stepped back a little, lilac gaze watching as the precious stones scattered across the floor from the impact to their holder, the aged figure sprawled on the oak floorboards.
"You better hope they didn't chip, filth." Envy snarled arrogantly, leaning over the incapacitated form. Charles shook, blood leaking from the side of his head and through clutching fingers, helpless sobs accompanying the blood flow.
The green-haired figure's face twisted into a manic smile, expressive lips forming a sadistic laugh as he ended the scene with a direct blow to the face.
By the time Greed rejoined Envy in Charles' house, the blood had dried on Envy's toes; slim ankles propped atop the back of a chair as he lounged at the table, eyes narrowed as he watched the taller homunculus enter. Greed observed the relaxed boy, watching a smirk play across his face as Greed frowned a little, assessing the situation.
"He came home, and I was worried he might go out again, so…" Envy's lips curled wickedly, fingers clutching the bag of stones.
Greed's gaze flickered momentarily before he slowly shrugged muscular shoulders, returning Envy's smirk, replying coolly,
"So you asked him for the stones?"
Envy giggled a little, blood-stained toes wiggling, "He said no."
"Lady Dante wanted for us both to secure the stones, Envy." Greed avoided Envy's comment, sneering a little from behind black-tinted lenses.
"What do you know, anyway, newbie?" Envy hissed, rolling his head toward one shoulder as he snarled, "Just because you have no way of infiltrating a house on your own doesn't mean I have to wait for you. It was easier to do it myself."
Greed's narrowed stare held Envy's, momentarily silent as he observed his senior. Finally, a carefree smirk tugged at Greed's mouth, shoulders shrugging once more as he collected the bag of stones and turned toward the door.
Seemingly, Greed had submitted.
End of chapter3!
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Sarah Deva