So... this took a grand total of a week to do and I rewrote it... 12 times at least. I'm planning on trying to sell this at the upcoming Anime con... so pelase give me your honest opinions on whether you'll buy this or not? And crit would be much appreciated, this fic is certainly in for a lot fo rewrites in the future. Last of all, this is the first act in what I'm hoping will be a three act ficlet. Yea... that's about it. Read and enjoy!
Disclaimer: Of course I own FMA. I'm Hiromu Arakawa, why, everyone knows that.
Title: An Elricest Tale: Masquerade
Author: KatYoukai
Rating: T
Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Pairing: EdAl, Elricest
Word Count: 1305
Notes: Don't read if you don't like slash, this fic contains homosexuality and incest. If you don't like it. Get out. Now. Oh, and it's an AU, meaning it takes place in an Alternate Universe not in Amestris like the series.
Once upon a whisper, an incredulous tale was born. What started as a simple rumor, spread quickly throughout the land as a half-true fairytale of whispered words and bashful glances. But it was such a dubious story – and it became more and more obscure in passing from ear to ear – that it was impossible to tell if it was merely the fleeting dream of two longing hearts… or reality. But then again, every fairytale is birthed by truth.
Act 1:
The court was in pandemonium. Everyone was giddy with excitement for the upcoming masked ball. Foreign guests flooded the palace halls, the courtyards crowded with people moving from room to room with armfuls of decorations.
In a more secluded courtyard on the far west side of the palace – the ball would take place on the eastern side – Queen Trisha's ladies-in-waiting were practicing their act for the event.
The dancers' movements were lost in a maelstrom of orange, red and gold. It wasn't so much that the eyes followed the women's movements but rather the dance of their clothing. Skirts swirled and veils skimmed the air in a captivating beat. Cheers erupted from the group of onlookers as the dance concluded.
"Bravo! You got it all perfect this time," A light tenor voice laughed.
Edward Elric, heir to the Amestrian throne, was turning sixteen that year – the upcoming masquerade being in celebration of that occasion. The boy was studious but did not waste his life hiding away in his study the way his father did. Anyone could say that they were eager for the day he would succeed Hohenheim's position.
The ladies-in-waiting curtsied at the compliment and filed out of the courtyard, leaving only three girls who'd stayed behind and the two princes – the other onlookers had left as well.
"How is it that we are completely lacking in anything to do when the entire palace is swamped in work?" Alphonse Elric was Hohenheim's younger son. Unlike his elder brother, he wasn't in the people's interest. He still sat in on court councils and royal social events though.
"Bah, doesn't matter to me," Edward grunted, crossing his arms behind his head and lying down in the grass, "Before this, it was impossible for me to get a moment to myself."
Alphonse grinned, "That's because you left all your duties till the last minute, brother."
The lighter blond huffed and turned onto his side, "Whatever, just let me enjoy this rare moment of freedom in peace."
"Hn, you guys are lucky. We've got to go finish making the costumes for the masquerade," Winry said sulkily.
Rose and Noah nodded in agreement. Being the only foreigners – Noah coming from a gypsy tribe and Rose from the desert lands - in court, the two had become fast friends.
Edward shrugged and flapped a hand, "Yea, you go do that."
Ignoring his brother's response, Alphonse inquired, "Aren't you going to use the costumes you're wearing now?"
Rose tugged on her brightly coloured garb, "Of course not. These are far too plain for so grand an affair."
The younger prince's eyes lit up, "Really? Might I see what you've got so far?"
Noah's lips spread in a smile, "Sure."
"Well then, we're going, highness," Winry stated with an exaggerated note on the title.
She lightly cuffed the air around Edward's shoulder. Even though they had been friends since childhood, it was still forbidden for someone of her status to touch one of his rank.
The blond muttered a lazy acknowledgement. The three women curtsied and departed. Alphonse grinned and gave his brother a mockingly dramatic bow before following after the trio.
The dirty blond gaped at the array before him. Never in his fourteen years had he thought that human hands could create such a thing.
Winry grinned – in a very unladylike manner as the other ladies-in-waiting had once pointed out, "Do you like them?"
"They're beautiful," Alphonse replied.
Winry laughed, "They're not finished yet. But we should be able to finish soon now that we've rehearsed the dance enough."
A smile lit the young prince's lips, "You'll do wonderfully."
A devious glint shone in the blonde's eyes, making Alphonse cringe. That look was never a good sign.
"What is it…?"
"Now pivot to the right and keep your right heel up."
Many crashing sounds echoed from the room, causing passersby to glance at the door suspiciously.
"How graceful our prince is, tripping over his own two feet," Winry commented sarcastically.
Alphonse scowled and came to a halt, "This is embarrassing."
"But you're interested," Rose pointed out.
"There's nothing wrong with being interested in dance," Noah added.
"But it's a woman's dance," The dark blond protested. Were they teasing him?
"All the better." Winry said. They were teasing him!
Alphonse shuddered. He had a bad feeling about this. What was Winry scheming?
"What were you doing with them anyways?" Edward inquired.
A faint blush mantled the other boy's cheeks, "Ah…well…"
The older brother's lips spread in a toothy grin, "You weren't doing anything naughty were you?"
"How can you speak so vulgarly?" Alphonse sputtered in outrage, then quieted, "They were… teaching me how to dance."
Edward cocked an eyebrow, "But you already know how to dance. Our teacher in etiquette pounded that into our heads a long time ago."
The darker blond flushed, "Ah… well… it was a different kind of dance."
"Oh really?" The amusement was clear in his voice, "You only did it for Winry."
Alphonse blinked in confusion, "Pardon?"
"You have feelings for her don't you?"
The boy halted abruptly and cried, "WHAT?"
Edward grinned, "Your heart is so transparent."
Alphonse stared at Edward for a moment then sighed softly, rubbing his temples, "You… you really don't understand my feelings at all…"
The lighter blond looked confused, "What do you—"
"Oh! Your highness! There you are! Magistrate Mustang told me to give this to you."
The pair looked up into the face of Cain Fury, one of the magistrate's assistants. He was holding a stack of papers against his royal blue tunic and silk hose with gold trimming – the uniform of all of Mustang's underlings.
"Uhm… thank you," Edward said as he accepted the papers.
The dark-haired man bowed low and hurried away.
Alphonse snorted, "As if I don't exist."
"He was just in a hurry," Edward took on an unreadable expression, glancing at his younger brother worriedly, "Does it really bother you that much?" There was no mistaking the guilt in those golden orbs.
The dark blond shook his head, "It's not that. I'm glad I'm younger and don't have to deal with as many duties and as much stress. But… it's just… I hate that people always forget we're brothers… like I'm not important."
"Pfft! People are just foolish. Watch me die, and then they'll be fawning all over you."
"Brother!" Alphonse yelped, "How can you be so blunt about something like that!"
Edward shrugged and continued walking, "Well it's the truth."
Alphonse sighed in exasperation and followed after his brother. The blond was glancing through the documents Fury had just given him. Suddenly, a frown came to his lips. He was clearly upset by whatever was on the papers.
"What's wrong?" The dirty blond asked.
"Ah well… there's one thing that you're lucky with being the younger brother."
"What do you mean?"
Edward waved the papers suggestively, "You have the freedom to choose who you wish to marry. Not only am I betrothed to someone I've never met before, but there's all this paperwork that I have to do. Not to mention— Al?"
Alphonse's expression was one of pure dismay.
"What's wrong?"
The boy shook his head – a little too hard to be convincing – and assured him that nothing was wrong and he'd just gotten a little headache. Before Edward could probe further the blond was already running down the hallway.
That's the first act. Kind of short but the next acts should be longer. Also... I need ideas for the name of this act xD Can't think of one right now... Anyways, thank you for reading, hope you liked.