Innocence Of A Homunculus
Chapter Five
Later on the next day, well into the afternoon, Edward woke up to look about. Usually Alphonse would be sitting on the floor 'sleeping'.
"Up early I guess." He yawned, sitting up in bed as he gave a good stretch. "How late is it anyway, I must have tired from that last night."
"All what Brother?" It would Alphonse, the unmistakable sound of metal came into their bedroom doorway. "You were late coming back last night, I figured you must have been doing something important."
"You knew I was late?" Edward blinked, now scooting himself to the side of the bed as he dropped his legs over the edge. "I'm sorry if I woke you or something."
"No it's fine. What were you doing anyway? You've been acting a little different. Even the Colonel thinks so."
"Feh. Was that all he said about me?" Him and Roy never did see eye to eye…and it wasn't because of their difference in height.
"Pretty much the only thing nice he said." The armor would shrug. "But that doesn't answer my question. What's been going on lately?"
"I don't even understand it myself Al." Edward looked down. "If I tell you…can you promise not to say anything? I don't want to get her in trouble." He asked in concern, looking up to his younger brother.
"Her?" He gasped, what about Winry? "I won't tell brother, I promise."
"Alright…" He paused for a moment. "There's a new homunculus."
"A new one!" If he could, Alphonse would have jumped out of his skin…er…armor.
Edward just shook his head. "At least I think she is…she has powers like them, acts like them, and even kinda looks like them. Think is, I didn't find her mark. And on top of that, she has white hair…also…she just seems different. She isn't interested in the stone at all so it seems."
"So what's the problem then? Is she a nice homunculus? Maybe she is just confused." Again Alphonse tried to show the positives of the situation.
"That's what I said…and she attacked me. For the first time, she actually came at me in anger. I've seen her before, she's been following me…but never has she tried to hurt me or anything." This was starting to bother him now, sitting hunched over on the side of his bed with his elbows on his knees, his hands under his chin to hold his head up. "She thinks I'm someone else…that's all it comes down to. Someone must have tried a human transmutation to bring her back, someone who loved her."
"Someone who looked like you." Not even knowing most of the situation, Alphonse already felt her pain. "Did you try to explain that to her?"
"I don't think I can Al. She truly believes it was me who brought her back, she even blamed me for making her the way she is." Edward sighed, running a hand through his hair. "There has to be a way to prove to her that I'm not who she thinks I am…"
"But that will hurt her feelings…" Alphonse, always thinking for others best interests.
"She's a homunculus Al, she doesn't have feelings."
"But she must…if she loves you. Love is a feeling isn't it brother?" Almost getting angry at his comment, he truly felt for others as if it was his nature to do so. A kind soul stuck inside metal armor.
"I just don't know Al…there has to be a way to figure this all out."
Little did either of them know, someone would be close by listening in. Up on the roof, just outside their window would be Lust. Of course, she would never be alone with Gluttony always tagging around. "Please let me eat them Lust." He would mutter.
"Hush." A little aggravated by his never ending hunger, though she couldn't stay made at him. It was just something that couldn't be helped. "They don't understand…" It was rare that she got these little moments of hers.
"Please Lust, please? I can smell them." Gluttony now pulling at her dress.
"Not now!" She smacked his hand away.
Back inside, Edward would look towards the window and motion for his brother to be quiet as he walked over. "Shh…" Tip toed to the window as he stuck his head out and looked up. "AAH! OH MY GOD!"
"What! What is it!" Alphonse squealed in panic.
Edward quickly pulled his head back in, slamming the window down shut. "I- I- Lust is outside! What the hell is going on here! Why are they all following me!" It was a sort of comical hysteria going on in their room. Both would admit, things have been a little crazy lately. "AL! What am I supposed do!"
"Why are you asking me!" By this point, the large suit of armor was now trying to hide him self in the closet.
"There's no need to go into a panic boys." Now she would be sitting in the window talking to them both in a calm manner. "I'm only here to shed some light on your situation."
"By sneaking around on the roof like that! What's your problem anyway!" Edward was being defensive again, but realized how awkward he was have looked only being in his boxers as he scrambled to pull the sheet from his bed and wrap it around his waist.
"The homunculus you've encountered…Vanity, you're correct about her. She thinks you are someone you're not. It's a fact that we all know, except her." She would begin to tell all she knew, for what reason…it was uncertain.
"Why are you doing this?" Alphonse finally slid the closet door open.
"So nice of you to join us." Lust spoke with a slight grin. "I just think your brother here needs to know what he's getting into."
"What I'm getting into?" Edward was now losing it, was she trying to help? Seriously? "What do you know about Vanity? Who is she? Where did she come from?"
"Well, that much I can't say…but what I have learned is that about a year ago, she was created and found by Envy. Apparently, he saw the whole thing and knows the most about her. But don't expect to get this information from him…that's why I'm here." She stood up from the window as Gluttony now made his way in beside her.
Both of the boys looked at each other, but Edward needed to know more. "And what all has Envy told you then?"
"Are you nosey? Or are you actually concerned for the girl?" Lust inquired.
"Look, you said you came here to warn me about what I'm getting into, so either tell me or just leave me the hell alone and I'll figure it out myself!" Now getting bothered by her avoiding the subject.
"Fine. What you know so far is true. Vanity was created by a lover. Unfortunately enough his body was completely consumed in the process leaving her there alone. It was obvious that she went to look for him and found you… I don't know what Envy has told her, but I do know this…after her meeting with you last night, Envy was not far behind. And we both know that his only joy is to see you suffer."
"So? Are you saying they are together or something? You're not really explaining anything to me…" Edward isn't very quick at times.
Lust sneered, shaking her head some as she walked over to him. Which made Edward feel a bit uncomfortable, clutching at his only piece of coverage…a sheet. "What is the only thing that could upset an ex lover…?" She would speak, in a soft little tone as she traced her finger under his chin lightly. "A new lover, of course."
Instantly it hit him. "Winry?" His eyes widened in disbelief. "Is that where they're going! Right now!"
She would nod, a little uncertain if she should have told him that or not. After all, it was only a hunch…but a correct hunch at that. "I'd hurry if I was you…"
