Phantasmagoria
Chapter 2; The Beating of Deadened Hearts
It wasn't his fault, really. He had no idea. The man poured himself a reasonable dose of coffee by way of morning caffeine. He was even partaken to a light spell of humming. As it was, it had been a good day for him.
He had mailed off the bills just the day before (and no more were to return for another month), he'd gotten a rare close spot in the military personel parking lot, and he had expertly avoided Hawkeye and her paperwork. (Though this last one would reverse itself within due time.)
He strode rather confidently towards his office, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. Abruptly, however, a smooth voice behind him caused him to pause.
"Hey, Colonel Bastard."
Full Metal, he thought despairingly, and here I was thinking my morning was going perfectly…"I'm really not in the mood for unintelligable babbling from a midget, thanks." He responded coyly, still not turning around.
"Height's not the issue. Just do me a favor, okay?"
"What's the favor?"
After a moment of hesitation, he heard Edward scoff to himself, but not soon after he received his answer.
"Will you take care of Al and Winry for me?"
"Full Metal—what?"
He began to turn, but Edward's protest stopped him.
"—No, don't face me. Just promise me that you will."
"I don't know what, why are you--?"
"Just promise me, damn it!"
Roy nodded his head, still bewildered. What in hell is he raving about?
"Sure."
He heard a sigh of relief from behind, and he abandoned his fight with curiosity. Pivoting to see the prodigy he met—nothing. He was alone…in an empty corridor…
He was only slightly less cheerful as he reached his office, but the lack was nonetheless unnoticeable. Coffee cup in face, he failed to notice those who had only just recently taken presence within his work space.
"Colonel, sir?"
Lieutenant. There goes Good Thing Number 1.
Lowering the mug, he noticed that she stood in the middle of the room, but he also observed the other two. Alphonse and Winry sat somberly on the couch, wordlessly reflecting in their own inpenetrable worlds.
Al sat gray faced. He was, oddly enough, only recognizable as himself due to the fact that he was nearly identicle to his brother, if not a bit younger-looking. He looked withdrawn, almost distant.
Winry had positioned herself stiffly, looking down at her hands in a nonconspicuous way to hide the tears. It wasn't effective; bitter sweet rain fell down upon her open palms. Knees clutched together, elbows locked tight across her waist, and wrists firmly placed one on top of the other; hands facing the ceiling.
"Lieutenant? I suppose you'd know—"
"Sir, it's—it's Edward."
She didn't have to say it; he already knew. But something nagged deeply at the back of his mind.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Sir. We received professional confirmation early this morning."
"Will you take care of Al and Winry for me?" The words struck him suddenly. Edward had insisted that he take care of them…But surely it couldn't have been Ed… I'd know that shrimp's voice anywhere…
"Oh, and Colonel?"
"Yes?"
"They're to stay in Central; we're holding a funeral the day after tomorrow. However, we're short on quarters and—"
"They can stay with me, Lieutenant. I have two guest rooms. It'll work nicely."
She nodded curtly, leaving the room intently. He gazed at the two mourners, feeling an abrupt pang of melancholy strike him. Edward was dead… dead.
But even as this twinge began to fade, a cold, vice-like grip took his shoulder. And in his ear, a whisper resounded, "Just don't forget the favor. You promised…you promised…"
Bane; "Do you guys like it? I worked over time. And don't worry, Brought to Light should be finished within the next two weeks. And the next chapter for From What We Once Were is already planned out and everything. Keep your eyes open for more frequent updates after Brought to Light comes to a close. (And by the way, chapter 3…or is it 4…? for Limitations is nearly finished. Forgot to work on it, heh So…yeah…"
A; "It's getting' kinda' creepy."
Bane; "It gets creepier, so if you have ghostie issues, I suggest not reading. (I promise it won't get Stephen King-ish or anything like that…but it may get a little jumpy, so be warned.)"