Sebastian Schuyler pulled his gold pocket watch from his waistcoat. The cover of the timepiece depicted a floral design overlaying intertwining vines. The diplomatic attaché opened the cover to check the time. Half past ten. Sebastian returned the antique to the right front pocket of his waistcoat. They hadn't specified what time to meet in the morning, but he thought Mr. Elric should be here by now.
The diplomat picked up his fountain pen. He had his travelogue open on the table in front of him. The diplomatic discussions today were rescheduled for tomorrow. It afforded the two of them more time to work on the proposal and budget, but he'd gotten as far into the financials as he could without the alchemist's input. Sebastian's thoughts wandered to the young lord Alphonse Elric introduced to him.
Xiang Zhang.
He hadn't heard of the young lord before. Sebastian wondered if he was the Lord Zhang he overheard party guests gossiping about. He wished he'd had the opportunity to speak with him further. The diplomat hadn't gotten to answer his question about government work.
Sebastian twirled the pen between his fingers in thought.
He decided to write a response despite not knowing where to send one.
The diplomatic attaché retrieved a rectangular box of stationery from his briefcase. He removed the lid of the flat box, selected a single sheet of stationery paper and an envelope, and smoothed the eggshell blue sheet on the table in front of him. Light glinted off the embossed border of silver foil.
Sebastian held his fountain pen poised over the paper.
He pondered before putting the point to the page.
In Xingese script he started the letter.
'Dear Young Lord Zhang.'
In Master Hsu's office Alphonse Elric assisted Xiang with the armor and gauntlet, while Mei and Margot waited on the other side of the curtain. The alchemist held the replica automail arm and the recently appointed bodyguard slipped his left arm inside. The gauntlet fit like a glove as Alphonse had intended. The weight of it unbalanced the young lord.
"It's heavy," Xiang remarked.
"Is it too heavy?" asked Al.
Xiang shook his head. Alphonse secured the harness around the boy's sarashi wrapped rib cage. Mei suggested the sarashi to help protect Xiang's skin from irritation.
"Are you sure?"
Xiang nodded in affirmation.
The alchemist grabbed the uniform shirt off the empty bed.
"Arms up," Al instructed.
He pulled the shirt over Xiang's head. Alphonse offered to help him with the white sash that went around his waist, but Xiang knew best how to tie it. Unaccustomed to the gauntlet the boy fumbled a bit with the fabric before he got it. Next the alchemist draped the chestplate over Xiang's shoulders. Lan Fan's little brother stood still with his arms held away from his sides as Alphonse cinched the lacing.
"Alphonse?" Xiang questioned.
"Yes?" Al secured the spiked bracer over the right glove.
"What was Lan Fan like? When you met her."
"Hot headed," Alphonse answered. He laughed under his breath. "Everytime Ed insulted Ling, Lan Fan lost her temper. Honestly, she reminded me of brother."
Al looped the cowl over Xiang's head.
"And Prince Ling?" Xiang put on the borrowed yin mask.
He pulled the hood up over his hair.
"He played the fool. Pretty well as a matter of fact."
"How do you mean?" The novice guard tilted his head.
"There's more to him than meets the eye."
Mei Chang scrutinized the stand-in with a scowl. Margot put her hands on her hips, and cocked her head to the side. Under their inspection Xiang shifted uncomfortably. Alphonse, on the other hand, stood to the side arms crossed over his chest.
"Are we sure they're the same height?" Mei asked.
"We're the same height," he stated.
"I've seen them standing next to each other. I'd say the difference is negligible," Alphonse amended.
"I suppose that's everything," she said.
"Not quite," the automail engineer asserted.
Margot opened the drawer of the table beside the bed. The redhead retrieved the kunai and smoke grenade she found on Lan Fan last night. She handed off the knives to Xiang and held the munition at eye level.
"This is a smoke grenade. It is not a toy. It's a fire hazard. The canister contains white phosphorus. What happens if you inhale white phosphorous particles, Princess Mei?" Margot prompted.
"Blisters form in your airway and lungs," Mei shuttered. She continued, "The smoke irritates the eyes as well."
"Elric tell him what happens if the sparks get on your skin."
"Chemical burns. It also absorbs into the bloodstream, and can cause multiple organ failure and fatality," Al said in all seriousness.
"That's right. In review, don't be reckless with the dangerous explosive device."
Margot handed him the canister.
"I won't. I promise," Xiang pocketed the weapons.
The automail engineer showed him how to safely deploy and retract the blade in the replica arm. Margot had him practice several times before she nodded in satisfaction.
"Shoulders back. Head up. Don't smile whatever you do," Margot instructed.
"Or speak," Mei stated.
"I know," Xiang responded sounding exasperated. "You know, I've met my sister, right?"
"He's ready," Alphonse declared.
Xiang followed Alphonse Elric to the Imperial Wing. The young lord had never been to this part of the palace before. He did his best to remember all the twists and turns along the way from the alkahestris's office. The alchemist halted down the hall from the large doors to the wing. Two armed guards stood on either side of the entrance.
"Go through those doors. Keep going down the hall until you see another set of double doors. Lieutenant Gao will be there waiting," Alphonse whispered. He put a comforting hand on Xiang's shoulder. "I'll see you later."
"Okay. See you later," Xiang smiled briefly before remembering he wasn't supposed to smile.
Alphonse Elric lifted a hand in farewell as he departed.
Commander Liu's brother took a carefully measured breath to calm himself. Then he proceeded to walk with purpose to the double doors. The two guards pulled open the doors at his approach. The bodyguards bowed him through. Xiang inclined his head in acknowledgement. He heard them close the doors behind him as he hurried down the hallway. As Al said he would be Qiyin Gao waited in front of another set of doors.
"Commander Liu," the acting commander of the guard greeted.
Xiang wasn't sure if it was all right for him to speak here.
He decided to bow instead of speaking.
"His Imperial Highness is asleep. Stand at attention outside these doors," Qiyin commanded. "The two bodyguards at the entrance are Bolin and Tingzhe. Both are aware of your identity. I'll return as soon as I'm able. Until then ask Tingzhe if you need anything."
Without further ado Commander Gao left Xiang alone.
Xiang stood at attention as instructed.
He stood there for what felt like a long time before anything else happened.
Alphonse Elric arrived at the library at half past eleven.
Sebastian Schuyler waited for him at the table the two of them occupied the evening before.
"Sorry! I'm so sorry," The alchemist apologized.
Another patron of the library shushed him.
"I'm terribly late, I know. Thank you for waiting," he whispered, while setting down his belongings.
Sebastian smiled faintly.
"It's quite all right," the diplomat absolved him.
The two of them set to work.
They forget to stop for lunch entirely.
The Emperor of Xing woke in darkness and confusion. He had an awful headache behind his eyes. The sort of headache brought on by a bout of tears and sleeping too hard. Ling lolled onto his back, laid his arm over his eyes, and breathed through the pain. For a split second, he forgot Lan Fan wasn't waiting for him on the other side of the door. He opened his mouth to call out to her when he remembered the events of last night and this morning.
At least, Ling thought it was the same day. The emperor had no idea of the time. He wished he hadn't woken up. The headache prevented him from falling back asleep. He heaved a heavy sigh. Sitting up on the edge of the bed he pulled the tie from his tangled hair. The emperor fumbled for the box of matches on the bedside. He struck a match to the wick of the lantern.
"Qiyin," Ling called out to his guard.
The emperor didn't receive an answer. He called for him again as he threw on sleeping robe and stepped into a pair of slippers. The door opened as he cinched the belt. Ling lifted his head to see Lan Fan stick her head in the door. Only it wasn't Lan Fan at all.
"Your Majesty, Lieutenant Gao left to get some sleep. Should I get Tingzhe?" Xiang asked in a timid tone.
Ling stared at him. He realized he was staring when Xiang began to fidget.
"That won't be necessary," Ling kept his words even.
The emperor had intended to inquire if there was any change in Lan Fan's condition. He decided against bringing up Xiang's sister. Instead, he beckoned the boy into the room.
Lan Fan's little brother looked over his shoulder before stepping inside.
"Shut the door," The emperor commanded.
The bodyguard did his bidding. Xiang stood at attention as Ling Yao inspected him. The emperor tucked his hands into his sleeves.
"As usual, Alphonse's alchemy is exemplary," he remarked. "You look the part, but I'm afraid you're playing it all wrong."
"Your Majesty?" Xiang questioned.
The emperor approached him without preamble.
"Heels together. Head up," Ling lifted his chin with his fingertips. He circled the nervous novice. The emperor pushed his shoulder and Xiang stumbled forward.
"Stand like a tree," Ling ordered.
"Huh?" Xiang blinked at him.
"Keep your feet rooted to the floor. Distribute your weight evenly as well," the emperor advised.
"Yes, sir. I mean, sire."
The young lord looked at his feet as he put his heels together. He adjusted his stance accordingly.
"Better."
Under the cover of darkness Lady Xue left the palace. The Dowager Empress had dressed herself in a sapphire blue changshan. Under the men's tunic she wore loose fitting pants. Xue finished the ensemble with an elegant ebony coat.
Though Xue gave most of her guards the slip Ming Yu met her outside the servants entrance. Xue Yao wasn't the least bit surprised to see him.
"Didn't I dismiss you an hour ago?" Lady Yao inquired.
The bodyguard bowed. Half his hair he'd pulled into a top knot with the rest spilling down is back. He wisely wore civilian clothes.
"This one thought you might be in need of an escort, Your Majesty."
He straightened his since birth he had eyes of milky white. Lady Xue selected him for her service in part for his lack of sight. The dowager didn't want another man's eyes on her at all times.
Not even one so gentlemanlike as Ming Yu.
Besides, the bodyguard read the Dragon's Pulse better than anyone else in the Royal Guard. Commander Liu admitted as much after testing his skills herself. He didn't need sight to navigate the world nor to keep Xue Yao safe.
"I suppose so," she said. "Shall we?"
The winter wind whipped Xue's ponytail. Turning in the direction of her destination she pulled her gloves from her left pocket. In the right hand pocket resided a folded fan. Pulling the gloves onto her petite hands she hid her polished nails.
"As you wish, My Lady."
Wei remained impassive as Doctor Zhou examined him. Edward Elric stayed with him all day despite being under no obligation to do so. Wei still hadn't spoken a word. Traumatized by the vicious attack he'd lost his voice, though he regained some of his responsiveness.
Every time he shut his eyes he saw the pantry. The chef never wanted to set foot in the kitchen again. For that matter, he didn't think he could return to the palace. Peizhi ruined the place for him.
Perhaps forever.
Doctor Zhou finished palpating his neck. Wei wanted to wash again. He felt unclean. Even though he'd had a bath. No matter how much he scrubbed his skin he still felt unclean.
Lian took a pen from the front pocket of his lab coat and wrote a note on Wei's chart.
"I see you haven't touched your dinner," he commented.
Wei looked out of the corner of his eye at the covered dish on the table. He wasn't hungry. Even if he had an appetite he wouldn't want to eat another spoonful of congee. For starters it needed salt.
He wondered why hospitals insisted on serving entirely unseasoned food. A pinch of salt went a long way to make a bland meal palatable.
"When does he get to go home?" Edward asked on his behalf.
Wei could see why the Emperor considered the Fullmetal Alchemist a close friend. They were the same sort.
"Until he's eating of his own volition and verbalizing he'll have to stay here under observation."
Doctor Zhou looped his stethoscope over his neck.
"I have other patients to see, but I'll be back shortly," Lian said.
He closed the door behind him.
"You've gotta eat," Ed insisted.
Wei pressed his palm to the side neck. The alchemist walked over from the window. Wei flinched when Ed put his hands on his shoulders.
"Listen to me. If you don't start eating they'll send you to shock therapy," Ed shook him slightly. "Say something!"
A breeze blew through the room. A chill went down Edward's spine. He did an about-face, bringing his hands up to fend off an attack. A figure perched on the sill of the previously closed window.
For a split second, Edward mistook the figure for his friend Ling. In Amestris the prince entered rooms through windows more often than not. Ed realized the person couldn't possibly be the emperor. Though they had similar features the figure before him was far too slight of stature.
"Who are you?" Edward demanded.
Smiling as slyly as a fox the stranger with a familiar face pitched forward to standing.
"That's right. I haven't properly introduced myself."
"Let me guess. One of Ling's brother from a rival clan here to carry out some sort of revenge plot?" Ed ventured.
"Wrong," The stranger said, stepping closer.
"Stay back," he warned with a glare.
The pretty, petite version of Ling pulled a folded fan from their pocket.
"I hope you don't intend to fight me," the stranger flicked the fan open.
For some reason Edward found his voice vaguely familiar. He narrowed his eyes. Taking no chances he struck at the shifty stranger.
Lady Yao blocked the blow with the forearm of her empty hand, crossed over the other arm with the fan still open, and collapsed the fan as she struck it against alchemist's face. Edward threw a left jab. The Dowager Empress crossed the fan again to catch his elbow. The move left the man wide open. She struck the back of her free hand across his cheek.
"As much as I enjoy putting a man in his place, I don't want you to end up on death's door. Would you be so kind as to cease your assault?"
Ed realized exactly where he recognized this man from. Or rather this woman masquerading in men's clothes. 'Mr. Elric, would you be so kind as to fetch us some ice from the kitchen?' Ed remembered. He hadn't recognized her without the makeup and evening gown.
"Gah!" Ed exclaimed in nonsensical terms. "You're the lady from last night!"
"Astute observation," she sounded amused.
The theoretical alchemist recoiled.
"What are you doing sneaking in here?" Ed questioned.
"Visiting hours are over."
The lady flicked her fan open again to use it for its obvious purpose.
"The nurse turned me away at the door. Unfortunately, it isn't so easy for me to slip away during the daytime."
Edward asked again, "Who are you?
Behind him Wei answered in a raspy voice.
"The Dowager Empress."
