The journey to Central is a tiring one. Your now-former patient (whom the Amestrian's are calling Scar), is eager to pick up where he left off, exacting revenge on any and every State Alchemist he crosses paths with. His next target is apparently The Silver Alchemist, though how he plans to locate him when you get to Central is a mystery to you. Can he sniff out alchemists? You'd ask him, if he didn't seem so sullen. The long journey has evidentially affected his mood for the worse.

Yoki seems to be the target of his bad mood, falling victim to harsh comebacks and brutal shutdowns of his attempts at conversation. In fairness, you'd be pretty angry too if someone had sold you out like that. You're surprised Scar had even let him live. Then again, having a lackey who's completely terrified of you does come in handy. If Yoki wasn't here, either you or Scar would have to ride the horse, which isn't exactly your favourite mode of transportation. At least this way you don't have to deal with saddle sores, even if you do have to deal with Yoki.

You're currently curled up behind Scar in the waggon, trying to stop your body rubbing against him as you try to sleep. You've been trying for at least an hour now, but the bumpy road keeps jarring the waggon too much to make such a thing possible. Instead you decide to just stay where you are, listening to the two men grumble at each other.

Yoki tries once again to make conversation. 'So, Mr Scar, when would you like to stop and make camp? I'm getting rather tired…' there's a tense silence, followed by Scar grunting lowly.

'Shut up and keep moving.' He growls, still in no mood for conversation. Yoki does have a point though, it'll be dark before too long. Scar could almost certainly do with some sleep right now. You'd like some too, on ground that doesn't bump and shake. Then again, it'll be hard to find somewhere secluded to rest this close to Central. Maybe there's an old barn…?

Not that it matters anyway. Scar has decided that you should keep moving, so that's what you'll do. Well, it's what Yoki will do. You'll just keep dozing out in the back.

Yoki is irritated by Scar's refusal. 'Can I at least swap places with the woman? She's done nothing to help at all. Why am I the only one who does anything?' You hear Scar shift slightly, presumably moving into a position that allows him to see you. You can almost feel the intensity of his gaze, and decide to wriggle a little so he thinks that you're sleeping. You plan works, as you here him shift again just after you do your little wriggle.

'She's sleeping.' He says simply, clearly expecting Yoki to back down.

He doesn't.

Instead his voice grows louder and more irate. 'Well wake her up then! I'm too tired to go on!' His whinging is almost annoying enough to make you drop the pretence of sleep and swap places, saddle sore be damned. Scar answers his complains before you have to.

'Stop complaining and keep moving. She needs rest more than you do.' You hear Scar reach for something in his jacket. You hear a clacking sound, like two objects being pushed together. It sounds like walnut shells, but you can't be certain.

Well, you could be certain if you opened your eyes and looked, but that's not going to happen.

Yoki whimpers, Scar's tone finally enough to frighten him. He acts far too brazen for someone who should be grateful for his very existence. There's more silence, and the road finally starts to even out. You're almost about to fall asleep for real, until a menacing chuckle from Yoki puts your senses on high alert. What does he have to laugh at?

He chuckles a little as he talks. 'Oh I see, very clever Mr Scar. You're practically a genius. Making sure she's well-rested for tonight, are you sir? I bet you have quite the evening planned, don't you? You're trying to work me until I collapse so I'll sleep through your *ehem* 'evening entertainment.' Honestly, there's not need to work me that hard, sir. I'll gladly leave the two of you alone for an hour of so if you want. I could find food while I wait. I imagine you're going to work up quite an appetite…' your blood runs cold; is that the reason Scar allowed you to tag along?

You hear a very loud crunch, presumably coming from whatever Scar is holding. You can feel anger coming off him in waves, a aura of rage so potent it almost makes you feel ill. Yoki makes a cowering noise, acutely aware that he's gone too far. Now would be a good time to 'wake up' and defuse the situation, but you find yourself paralysed with fear. It feels like Scar is going to kill him!

His response sounds low and dangerous, his words grinding together like the nuts in his hand. 'Do I seem like the kind of man who'd do something like that? Use a woman for some base purpose? My only goal is vengeance. I have no interest in such things.' That's… a relief? Or is it? Not being used for sex is a good thing, but if Scar has no interest in 'such things', does that make your crush one-sided? Well, clearly it does, but still. That's a little saddening, but what did you expect? He's a murderer, after all. They're not exactly known for their love or compassion. You still can't help but feel like there's more to Scar than that, though…

Yoki starts stuttering out apologies. 'Of corse not, sir! I should have realised a man as wise and great as you has no need of a woman. Forgive me, sir. I'm so sorry! I made the mistake of assuming you have needs like mine. I am a weak man, not strong like you. Please don't kill me!' It sounds like he's crying. He really must be scared of Scar, if his pride has taken a backseat to fear. It's a shame you can't invoke the same reaction…

Scar seems a little calmer, but his voice is still extra gravelly as he addresses Yoki again. 'That reminds me. When I'm out searching for Alchemists, I'm going to leave you both in a secure location. If I find out you've touched her in any way…' he crunches his hand again; surely it's all dust by now?

Yoki gulps audibly, clearing understanding Scar's message. 'Of course, sir. I won't even look at her in that way. I'll pretend she's my sister! My gorgeous, Ishvalan sister…' your skin crawls. It's the first time a man has ever complimented your appearance, but it makes you feel unclean when it's said by him. You visibly shiver, unable to hide your repulsion. Scar notices, once again shuffling to face you.

You remain silent, hoping he'll mistake your shivering for cold. You'd rather not have to admit that you've been eavesdropping in on their conversation. Then again, is it eavesdropping if they're talking right in front of you?

Scar's coat shuffles, and for a moment you think he's going to grab something out of another pocket. Instead he covers you with it, making sure that your torso is totally covered. It's a remarkably sweet gesture, strengthening your believe that there is good in him, after all. You snuggle into it subconsciously, taking a good sniff of it as you do. It smells of dirt and man, exactly as you would expect. It's the best smell in the world, as it makes you feel safe and protected. It's enough to make you forget what he said about leaving you alone with Yoki.

Well, almost enough.

The waggon falls silent again, Yoki finally listening to Scar's desire for silence. You feel yourself drifting off again, only this time you're sure you'll succeed. It's so warm under the coat that for a moment your mind returns home, to Ishval before the warm. The mornings were always hot, but the nights were so bitter it's a miracle no one froze to death in their sleep. As a child you'd steal the jackets of various family members, pilling them on top of your blanket to keep warm. Your family always scolded you, but that never stopped you. If anything, it made you more eager to steal them, just to see how they'd react. How you loved winding up your family.

They're all gone now. You were the only one to survive. An Alchemist turned your village into rubble. The coats you once slept under are now nothing but dust, trapped under the corpses of your kin. Life can be so cruel…

Sleep finally takes you.

-POV-Switch-

Scar watches his companion sleep. He knows he shouldn't, but he can't help himself. Her gentle breathing is calming, acting like a balm on his scarred soul. Her face is one of total peace, her unconscious mind clearly providing her with pleasant thoughts and images. Totally unlike the images his dreams bring him…

Yoki clears his throat, about to talk again. Scar sighs heavily, resigning himself to conversation. Is he truly unable to function without talking? Back in his days as a monk, Scar could sit in total silence for days, reflecting on the world around him. The idea of talking just to fill silence is an alien one, and not one he wishes to adopt for himself.

Yoki's voice is quieter this time, which is an improvement in Scar's eyes. He's probably too scared to talk loudly after Scar's threat. 'If I may ask sir, if you don't keep her around for carnal reasons, why keep her at all? As I said earlier, she doesn't do much. You should abandon her in Central.' Scar stares daggers at Yoki, who decides that talking really isn't his strong suit. He keeps his thoughts firmly on the road, praying to whatever God is willing to listen that Scar doesn't just toss his body onto the road.

As focused as he is, he doesn't hear Scar's muted reply.

'It's nice having someone to remind you of what you're fighting for, even if you're not fighting a battle worthy of such a reminder.'