When Doves Cry

Whisper of Quietus

Chapter One; Momma

Daddy never talked about Momma much, it was like she was never there. I know different, though. I knew she was there. I think it had hurt Daddy when he talked about her, and he'd often lock himself in the basement after her subject was brought up. Everybody who knew him tried not to bring up Momma, but for me, it was hard. I missed her, so much, and I wondered where she'd gone. Daddy used many excuses, saying Momma had left for a new work, or a new life. Or at other times, he'd say that Momma became ill, and had to leave us, to get better. I didn't believe him so much, though. I missed Momma, and I wanted to see her, but somehow I knew I never would...

I woke in my room one bright, late-winter morning. The birds had already come back, and they sang their songs, which ringed outside my window. Golden sunlight lit up my bed, pouring from the crack in my curtains, and my big, fluffy white dog, Alexander, lay curled up at the end of my light purple bedspread, hind leg twitching in dream. I smiled to myself, letting the warmth of the sun fall over me. Winter had been on it's ending days, and spring would arrive soon. Daddy had told me we'd go look at all the pretty flowers, too, and if I was lucky, he might buy some for me. Ever since that conversation, I was trying to keep a well-behaved posture around him, and even when I slipped up a little, Daddy would just smile, and pretend I was still being a perfect little angel -- which I was.

After a while, I decided to get out of bed, creeping slowly so I wouldn't wake Alexander, but after a while, his dark eyes popped open, and I was greeted with a good morning kiss. "Isn't it beautiful Alexander? Spring will be here soon!" I giggled joyfully, waving my small hand toward the sunlight that was obviously streaming in from the window. "Oh Alexander! We'll get to see pretty flowers! And maybe Daddy will let us plant some?" I suggested, turning my head to the dog. His tail wagged in agreement, making me smile. I walked over to my mirror, staring at my small self. I'd be older this year, and maybe I'd grow taller. There was so much stuff to do! I giggled at myself, pulling my brush from the polished wood and brushing my hair. I managed to brush it all, somehow, but I couldn't braid it myself, that was too hard.

"Daddy!" I called out, walking to the door of my bedroom, "Daddy! Come help me with my plaits!" I waited a few moments before I heard his voice, telling me he'd be up in a moment, after he'd finished mixing the pancake batter. Pancakes were always yummy, and I had them on my birthday, every year. Today wasn't my birthday -- but maybe something special? I hopped in glee, hearing his footsteps on the stairs, and ran to my vanity, taking a seat on the cushioned chair. "Daddy, can I have my blue ribbons today?" I asked, a big smile plastered on my face. His eyes twinkled lovingly from behind his glasses as he nodded, taking the ribbons from the drawer. I sat quietly as he dragged the brush through my long brown hair, making sure I'd gotten all the tangles out. He was letting my brush my own hair, now, saying how I was growing up so quickly, and how a woman needed to know how to brush her own hair. The thought of growing up made me happy, and being considered womanly was fun, even if I was still very young.

I closed my eyes and sighed, letting Daddy plait my hair. I liked how he braided it, they were long and elegant, so pretty. But I'd always wondered how Momma would have plaited my hair. I imagined it would be just as good as Daddy's plait, but I wondered how my hair would look with that distinct, feminine touch to it. When Daddy finished, I looked over at the large mirror, smiling. I loved my blue ribbons, they were silky and soft, and contrasted beautifully with my hair. Excited to see what the day held, I ran to my dresser, pulling open one of the thick, dark drawers, and pulling out my blue dress that matched my ribbons -- a beautiful dress for a beautiful day.

Quickly, I ran downstairs, only to be greeted by Edward and Alphonse Elric sitting at the breakfast nook. "Big Brother! Little big Brother!" I squealed, grabbing their attention. "Hey there, Nina." Edward smiled in greeting, followed by a greeting from Alphonse, as well. "Oh Big Brother, Little big Brother! Let's go look at the flowers, shall we?" I smiled, too eager to remember that spring wasn't even here, as much as I'd have hoped it was.

"Nina darling," I heard Daddy from behind me, "The flowers aren't out yet. Remember? They're still sleeping, waiting for spring." I sighed, reality hitting me like a hard spoon. "Oh yes, I remember..." I said sadly, green eyes aimed to the ground. I could hear my father's expression ease, as he turned his attention to Big Brother and Little big Brother, talking to them about something -- I didn't understand. I think it was alkemy or something like that.

"Oh, yes Mister Tucker, we were coming here to study Alchemy, if we could." Little big Brother said politely, Big Brother chiming in on details, which made my head feel swirly. But I quickly shrugged it off, looking at the plate of pancakes that had already been prepared. I grabbed myself a seat at the table, piling two smaller pancakes onto my plate, and reaching for the butter. Big Brother ended up sliding it to me, because it was too far out of my reach, and Daddy said reaching across the table was rude. "Thank you, Big Brother!" I said happily, grabbing the syrup and decorating my pancakes in butter and syrup. A pleasant design, that I was almost sad I had to eat. But eventually, hunger got the best of me, and I politely ate my pancakes in silence as Daddy and Big Brother talked about this 'alkemy' stuff.

"Does Momma like flowers?" I asked suddenly, when there was a gap in the conversation. Daddy told me it was rude to cut into other people's talking, and you should wait, until they were done speaking with one another. Daddy grew quiet, and Big Brother and Little big Brother looked at Daddy quietly, wondering what he was to say. The silence was deadly, but eventually, Daddy broke it. "Your mother loved flowers." He said, smiling at me. I grinned, not catching the past tense of his words. "Well that's good, because when Momma comes back, I'm going to give her all the flowers Alexander and I can find!" I giggled, hearing Alexander's collar clink as he raced downstairs, hearing his name. Daddy grew quiet again, looking at me more seriously. "I think she would love that, Nina."

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Hey, it's Raven (Whisper of Quietus for all who don't know). Anyways, review, please. It will get sadder, however, as the story progresses. However, this fic is supposed to be sad, so, yeah.

Envy: Okay, Raven has to go...Feed her dog...God I hate that dog...I just want to kill it...Anyways! Raven wants you to know that you have to review to get more chapters, and she wants to tell you that she's sorry this one was short, and she'll try to make them longer. Also, no flames. No giving my Raven flames, she'll hate you, and I'll kill you. Okay? Good. Now, I think I'm going to go find me a dog...