A/N: I do not own FMA folks, but I partially own the semi-original characters in here.
"Baby's black balloon makes her fly, Almost fell into that hole in your life, You weren't thinking about tomorrow', Cause you were the same as me, But on your knees, A thousand other boys could never reach you, How could I have been the one? I saw the world spin beneath you, And scatter like ice from the spoon, That was your womb, Coming down the world turned over, And angels fall without you there, And I go on as you get colder, Or are you someone's prayer?" – The Goo Goo Dolls, "Black Balloon"
It all started with Alphonse Elric. Well, not precisely–the true beginning goes back farther than either of us. But the part we played in this starts with my brother, Alphonse Elric. It starts with him, but it ends with me, Edward Elric. Looking back, it's funny, because it usually happens the other way around. Funny, yeah...in a bitter way that almost makes me sick, even now. And this...this is the story of how we turned our world over.
Alphonse Elric was walking down Eastern City's main street, watching the midday market in full swing. The fourteen-year-old boy had very little trouble navigating the crowd–a fact surprising until you knew him. For Alphonse Elric was really no boy: he was a soul housed in a suit of armor, kept in this world by his brother's blood alone. He had lived this way for four years, and was very nearly accustomed to the odd glances he received. He had learned not to let it bother him. After all, there was nothing he could do about it.
A car began to make its way through main street, the driver leaning on the horn, as though to blast people and horse-carts out of the way by sheer noise. It was slow going, for the midday market was busy and full, with many attendees.
Alphonse retreated, along with a wave of the crowd, to a stand beside a booth full of fresh apples. The woman, a cheery thing round as her apples, began offering her bargain prices in a loud voice. Alphonse shook his head, sheepishly. "No, thank you, ma'am."
He turned, and found himself facing a tall, severe-looking woman. She was almost on eye-level with him–no mean feat, as he was currently a seven-foot tall suit of armor. Her eyes and hair were dark, as were her clothes. She looked him up and down with a studying stare. "You are the one they call Alphonse Elric?" she asked, in a soft voice at odds with her sharp appearance.
"Yes, that's me," Alphonse replied, after a surprised moment.
The woman attempted a smile; it looked as though the effort pained her. "If you please, Mr. Elric, my mistress would like to meet you. She has heard a lot about you. Would you please come with me?"
Alphonse hesitated. This was most peculiar. Very few people knew him by name, or if they did, it was only by reputation as the younger brother of the famous Fullmetal Alchemist. "I'm not the Fullmetal Alchemist," he offered, slowly. "That's my brother."
This time the woman's smile was far more genuine. "Yes, my mistress is well aware of that. She desires to meet both of you, but thought it easier to meet with the younger Elric first, as your older brother is often very busy." She curtsied; her black skirts were full and ruffled. "I ask again, upon my mistress's behalf, that you come with me to meet her."
"Um...can I ask who your mistress is?" queried Alphonse, still a little uncertain.
"Indeed. She is the Lady Joceline Bhaer. You have heard of her, perhaps?"
"...Bhaer...would that be the cat-lady who lives up on Cheshire Street?" Alphonse asked, perking up.
"My mistress is known locally as the cat-lady," the woman admitted.
Alphonse pondered this, but only for as moment. After all, anyone who loved cats must not be so bad. "Okay, I'll come. But I can't stay very long, or my brother might get worried."
The woman curtsied again. "Agreed, Mr. Elric."
The house on Cheshire Street that was known as "the cat-lady's house" was of impressive architecture. The term "mansion" or "estate" was perhaps more proper than "house," for the building was large and sprawling, and had ample grounds surrounded by a sturdy brick wall. Alphonse took in the elegant structure, brick-built and slate-roofed, and decided that it was an interesting house, one that was delightful to explore on rainy days. The woman led him in, and instantly they were greeted in the hall by very nearly ten cats, felines of various sizes, shapes and colours, all eager to meet the newcomers.
"Back to the parlor, all of you," the woman ordered, in a gentle tone.
Of course, the command did little good, and they trailed a train of cats into the house, as the woman led Alphonse through lofty corridors and two impressive rooms, before stopping at a closed door. "My mistress awaits you. And none of you," the woman turned to address the cats sitting behind them, "are allowed in today, on orders! So keep out here with me. You'll have plenty of time to know our guest later." The woman turned back to Alphonse, smiled a soft smile that looked completely out of place on her face, and opened the door, gesturing for him to enter.
No sooner had he than the door shut behind him. He looked at it in surprise, then, hearing his name called in an unfamiliar voice, turned.
The room he stood in was impressive. It was, perhaps, a ballroom, for it was large, with a high ceiling, and the floor was tiled with smooth stones. An enormous window looked out to the west, where the outskirts of the city and the horizon could be seen. At the far end of the room, across from Alphonse, stood a woman, slender and pale in the dim of the room.
"You are Alphonse Elric?" she called again, her voice sweet and carrying.
"Yes ma'am," he answered, coming forward, slowly, for the armor made a loud noise on the stone floor.
The woman came to meet him, and as she came he saw that she was a rather young woman, her skin pale, her eyes and hair dark. She wore a dress of white, that seemed luminous in the dim light, but also seemed to bleach her complexion into something sickly. Despite the unfavorable dress, she was a woman of beauty, with a face an artist might die to paint. She smiled at Alphonse, and the expression would have won the heart of a greater man than himself. "So you are the younger Elric brother! How wonderful that you chose to meet me! I am honored, Mr. Elric!" She paused, and curtsied deeply, almost melting into a pool of white lace and ruffles. "Forgive my eagerness. I am Lady Joceline Bhaer. Do please call me Jo!"
Needless to say, Alphonse was a bit taken aback at such an exuberant welcome. He and his brother were not often welcome anywhere, for his brother was a military alchemist. Those folk, labeled as "dogs of the military," were looked down upon and shunned as bringers of violence and hatred. "Ah...it's nice to meet you, Miss Bhaer. You needn't call me Mr. Elric. Alphonse is fine."
"Then you must call me Jo, if I am to call you Alphonse," Joceline replied, smiling. "Come, come, sit down! Oh, don't mind Meg, there, the cat will sit in that chair every time."
Alphonse carefully picked up the white cat, who purred at him. "Oh, I don't mind. I like cats." He sat down in the chair, and let the cat sit in his lap.
"Oh, wonderful! I see that we shall get along excellently!" Joceline replied, sinking down in her own chair. Her white skirts splayed along the floor in resplendent waves. "And now, my dear Alphonse, I have a request to make of you, and also your brother. I do hate to impose upon you two, but I believe that only you can help me."
"I can't promise anything for my brother," Alphonse warned, stroking the cat in his lap. "What do you need help with?"
That sweet smile crystallized around the edges, and Alphonse wondered if he had just gotten himself into trouble.
Edward Elric trotted along Dogslane, heading for the small military hotel on the street. He'd stayed out later than usual in the library, and knew that if he did not get back by sunset, his younger brother would worry. While Edward usually didn't care who worried about him, this was Alphonse, and Edward had always been leery of upsetting his sibling. His automail, two artificial limbs, clanked merrily with his pace. His right arm and left leg were of automail, and between then he made quite a racket trotting.
Edward slowed his gait and halted when a dark figure became apparent, standing just before the hotel. It was a woman, tall and thin, with a sharp face that immediately put Edward on his guard. "You are Edward Elric?" she asked, and her voice was soft, at odds with her features.
"Yeah. Why? Who're you?" Edward returned.
The woman nodded her dark head a little, as though acknowledging Edward's suspicion. "My name is Amie. My mistress desires to meet with you, Mr. Elric, for she has heard about you."
"A lot of people have. Sorry, lady, I don't have time to meet your mistress or whoever." Edward began to walk around her, but Amie moved to block him.
"She thought you might say that, sir." She opened the bag at her side, and produced an item that sent Edward back on his heels. "My mistress demands to meet you, Edward Elric. If you are not in her presence by sunset, you forfeit your brother's life."
In her hands she held Alphonse Elric's helm.
Inez: Well, here we go, happy angst-ing away! And yes, Jo, Amy, and Meg are from Little Women by Lousia May Alcott. Is there a Beth? Well, we'll see.
Roi: Happy angst-ing? That's an oxymoron. And what's up with my name?
Edward: She found the Japanese spelling and thought it was funny. And I HOPE you DON'T intend to hurt my brother, you twisted bitch.
Inez: No, no harm to Alphonse! I like him too much.
Roi: Which cannot be said about us.
Edward: Argh...at least this one is not a long fic.
Inez: Read, review, hate or love, and I don't mind flames...Roi, if you snap at me I'm gonna hurt you.