~`*Golden Phoenix*`~
Chapter. 8
~`*Birds of a Feather*`~
"Hey, girls! So, how does the Phoenix Trapeze feel to you?" Came Todo's voice as Francesca, and I came back down to earth, both of us landing gracefully on our feet. For what felt like hours, we had been training relentlessly, perfecting, and mastering our maneuver, preparing for what would be both our first and last time performing the maneuver that we had come to name the Phoenix Spiral. The secondary, and final part of our Alchemy Exam was tomorrow, and Francesca, and I planned on showing them what real Flame Alchemy was. "Todo, the action of the Phoenix Trapeze is smooth as silk. I expected nothing less from you. It's perfect." I answered, panting slightly. "I love it, and I'm pretty sure Muriah does, too!" Came Francesca's voice, as she came up from behind me, and gently placed her hands on either of my shoulders, smiling happily. "So, I take it, you'll both be needing the Phoenix Trapeze for your Alchemy Exam tomorrow?" Todo asked, he seemed pleased with himself. "Yes." I answered, as Levi handed us both white towels to wipe our faces, and necks down with, we were both pretty hot, and a-little sweaty from our rigorous training. "Very well done, Muriah." Came a familiar voice, as Roy walked up behind me, a sly grin on his face, a certain glint in his cobalt eyes, as they met my blue ones. "Hey, babe!" I replied, greeting him warmly, turning around, placing my hands against his chest, and lightly kissing his lips, he kissed back, his tongue quickly flicking into my mouth before withdrawing, as he broke the kiss. 'Wh-What was that for?' I thought, casting him a questioning glance, he only smirked, and winked at me.
"Hey, Muriah?" Came Francesca's voice, snapping me from my thoughts. "Yes?" I answered, turning my head in her direction, my hands remaining against his chest. "Listen, I think the Phoenix Spiral is great as it is, but, what if we added more to it?" She asked, a slight hint of excitement in her voice. "Hm? Like what?" I asked, slightly tilting my head to the side, and throwing her a questioning glance. "I don't know. Just something. Make it up as we go along." She answered smiling happily. "You mean Improvise on the Fly?" I asked. "That's exactly what I'm saying." Francesca answered, a determined grin coming to her face. "So, you in?" She asked, her voice daring. "You now I am." I answered, a spark of determination in my blue eyes. "Good. Let's get started." She replied. "Ok." I answered. I looked up at Roy who now held one of my hands against his chest, and I blushed, as I felt his strong heartbeat against my palm. 'Roy, what are you trying to tell me?' I thought, casting him a questioning glance, he lent down, and softly kissed my cheek. I smiled sweetly, and he winked at me, a sly grin playing on his lips, his beautiful cobalt eyes gazing deeply into my blue ones. "Muriah, you coming?" Francesca half-yelled, snapping me out of my trance with Roy. "C-Coming!" I called back, before turning my attention back to Roy. Without a word, slowly turned, and began walking towards Francesca, my hand slowly sliding from Roy's, as he released me. I cast one last glance at him, before turning my attention back to my task at hand.
Once again, Levi lowered the Phoenix Trapeze towards Francesca, and I, each of us grabbing our trapezes, before being lifted from the ground again, Once we were high enough in the air, we performed the Phoenix Spiral, but, afterwards, we decided to add something to it, a secondary, or chain maneuver. With our movements in perfect sync, mirroring one another, we both built up enough momentum on our Trapezes, and released them, flying towards one another, our hands gripping the center ring, Francesca on one end, and me on the other. The trapeze spinning wildly, as we each released a hand from it, one hand still gripping the trapeze, whilst the other remained free. Without warning, Golden Flames engulfed my body, blue flames engulfing Francesca's, our flames each taking the shape of a Phoenix on opposite sides of the ring. A Blue Phoenix took shape on one side of the ring, and a Golden Phoenix took shape on the other, as we both swung in a never-ending circle, our phoenixes appearing to harmonize with one another. Without warning, both of us finally released the center trapeze, each of us flying towards a ring at either side of the center trapeze, our bodies remaining completely engulfed in flames, as we each gripped our own trapeze. We both swung back, and forth, building momentum, once again syncing our movements up. Once we had both built up enough speed, and momentum, and once our movements perfectly mirrored one another, we both released our trapezes. We both flew high into the air, flying towards one another, and just as our paths crossed, Francesca, and I gripped eachother's wrists, our ankles crossing, our flames touching and mixing, as Blue met Gold. From our flames was born a Phoenix unlike any other, Francesca's Blue Flames making up the left side, and the left wing of the Phoenix, and my Gold Flames making up the entire right side and right wing of the Phoenix. Together, Francesca, and I gave rise to the Phoenix of Fire, and Ice. We both appeared to float in mid-air briefly, before coming back down, releasing one another's wrists, our heels colliding, as we both kicked-off from one another, both of doing back flips in mid-air, just before catching the center ring-trapeze. We both swung forward, and released the center trapeze, each of us flying toward a ring-shaped trapeze on either side of the center trapeze.
As Levi lowered the trapezes towards the ground, Francesca, and I both swung forward slightly, our paths crossing, as we both came back down to earth, landing gracefully on our feet, back to back, our flames dissipating from our bodies. "Wow! That was incredible!" Came a familiar voice, as both me, and Francesca turned to see Hughes, along with Roy, and his entire team standing before us, shocked, and amazed expressions on their faces. "Hughes!" I half-yelped in surprise. "You guys saw all of that?" I asked, my body trembling slightly, as I became nervous. "Yeah, we did! Muriah, that was awsome! And those flames came out of nowhere, how did you two do that?" Fuery asked, a hint of fascination in his voice. "Muriah, Francesca, that was pretty incredible." Hughes replied, grinning at us. "That was an excellent, and beautiful display of power, girls." Hawkeye replied, smiling, as she folded her arms across her chest. "That was pretty freakin' sweet!" Havoc replied, grinning at us as well. "Yeah, he's right! You girls were pretty friggin' awsome out there." Breda replied excitedly. "I agree. You girls were wonderful. That was an amazing performance." Falman replied, smiling happily. "Yes, you girls were wonderful out there! Such skilled Flame Alchemists! I'm so proud of you both!" Came Armstrong's reply, as he walked up t both of us, and hugged us. "Th-thanks, Major Armstrong!" Francesca replied, her voice hoarse, as he seemed to squeeze the life out of both of us. "U-Um, Armstrong? I-I can't breathe." I replied, my face turning a light shade of red due to oxygen loss. "Oh dear, I'm so sorry. Forgive me. It seems I still don't know my own strength." Armstrong replied, releasing both Francesca, and I. "No, no, it's not a problem!" Francesca giggled. "Nice work out there today, girls. I'd say you both deserve a rest." Todo replied, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "He's right. I say you both should go relax, and get some well-earned rest." Levi replied. "He's right, girlies! It's time for the birds of prey to get some rest, and be as lazy as they want until tomorrow." Came a familiar voice, as everyone turned to see Muta walking in our direction. "Muta!" I replied, running over to him, and giving the big guy a huge hug. "Where have you been?! I haven't seen you since yesterday!" I replied, looking up at him, my arms remaining wrapped around his waist. "Aw! Were ya worried about me, girly?" He asked, lightly smacking my shoulder.
SMACK! "Take it back. Do not insult my pride, Muta." I demanded, punching Muta in the arm. "Ow! What kinda woman are you?! Picking on a defenseless man!" He asked, lying on the ground, and rubbing his no doubt bruised shoulder. "My ass!" I half-giggled, standing over him with my hands on my hips. "I don't appreciate being called that name, Muta. Take. It. Back. Now." I threatened. "Huh, and why should I do that, girly?" He asked, placing special emphasis on that last word. "That's it!" I half-yelled, raising my hand, and singing Muta's short, brown hair. "Ah-ha! Ai!" He screamed, running around in circles with his hair on fire. I giggled maliciously to myself as I watched him run around in desperation like an idiot. "Oh, I love this girl more, and more every minute." Todo muttered to himself, chuckling darkly, as he too watched Muta run around like a moron. Even though she was trying so hard not to, even Francesca found it too damn near impossible not to laugh at the situation, as she too giggled to herself, her face flushing a light shade of pink, as she covered her mouth with one hand, covering her stomach with the other. "Alright, that's enough you two." Came Hughes' voice, as he proceeded to dump a bucket of water over Muta, the small flame in his hair going out with a hiss. "Ah!" Muta yelped, his whole body trembling, as he glared daggers at Hughes. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I forget to mention that the water was cold?" Hughes asked, grinning, and chuckling slightly. "Yah! Ya did!" Muta replied. "Whoops." Hughes replied sarcastically, grinning. "Urr, you're gonna regret that!" Muta growled, attempting to threaten Hughes.
"Sorry, Muta. That kind of stuff doesn't work on me." Hughes retorted, that grin never leaving his face. At that point, everyone laughed, yes, even Roy, and did I forget to mention he had the world's most charming laugh? "In all seriousness, though. Where have you been, Muta?" I asked, finally stifling my laughter. "I've been off training with another group." Muta answered. "Another group?" I asked curiously. "Yeah. I got special permission from Colonel Mustang. I've been training in a group with two other people." He answered. "What?" Todo asked, a slight hint of shock in his voice. "But, I thought we were only allowed to train with one other person, not two, or three." I replied, slightly shocked, as well. "Like I said, special permission." Muta answered.
Suddenly, I felt my knees give out from under me, and I staggered slightly, lowering my head, my eyes focusing on the ground beneath my feet, my legs trembling beneath me. "Ah, Muriah!" Francesca replied worriedly, placing her hands on either of my shoulders. "Are you ok?" Todo asked, concern evident in his voice. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine. I guess, I overdid it, huh?" I asked, looking up at Francesca. "Muriah." She replied, her brown eyes filled with worry. "No, kiddo. I'd say you more than overdid it." Muta replied, as I raised my head, and stood up straight. "Alright, Muriah, that's enough." Came Roy's familiar voice from behind me. I yelped slightly, as I felt my feet leave the ground, my legs being gently swept out from under me, my back colliding with something warm, and hard. I looked up at Roy, only to find him staring down at me, as he held me bridal style in his arms. "R-Roy, baby, I'm fine. Really." I replied, he closed his eyes, and chuckled. "Muriah, I see right through you, and right now, you're too weak to stand." He replied, opening his eyes, and staring down at me. "B-But-!" "Shh." He interrupted, placing his gloved index finger over my lips to silence me. "You need to rest." He replied again, his finger slowly sliding from my lips, as he turned to leave, carrying me in his arms. "Colonel, where are you going?" Came a familiar voice, as I looked over Roy's arm to see Riza staring intently at him. "I was planning to take her home with me, so she could get some rest, Lieutenant." Roy answered. "Sir, you have paperwork on your desk that needs to be signed, and turned in by 6:00.p.m., this afternoon. I suggest you get it done, and preferably before the deadline." Riza replied again, Roy growled slightly. "Can't you deal with the paperwork, Hawkeye?" Roy asked, a slight hint of laziness in his voice. "No, Colonel." Riza answered, Roy exhaled slightly. "Very well then." He replied, as he took his leave, carrying me in his arms. "Hey, Muriah!" Francesca half-yelled. "Yeah?" I called back. "See you tomorrow!" She half-yelled again, waving at me. "See ya!" I called back, as Roy carried me back inside.
I remained silent, as Roy walked up a few flights of stairs, and through one of the main halls, before coming to a stop at his office door. I reached down, and wrapped my hand around the doorknob, flinging it open, as Roy walked in with me in his arms. He walked across the room, and gently set me down on a couch by the wall, in his office. I blushed a light shade of pink, as he lovingly stroked the side of my face, his gloved hand lightly running down my cheek, and jawline, before slowly running down the side of my neck, stopping at the collar of my shirt. He exhaled sharply, before slowly running his hand back up my neck, and I shivered slightly, as he lightly traced my jawline with his index finger, stopping at the base of chin, before slowly slipping his finger over my soft lips, lightly tracing them. 'Roy, just kiss me.' I thought, lightly taking his hand in mine, and holding it up to my lips, delicately kissing his gloved fingers one by one. "Muriah." He whispered, running his fingers up the bridge of my nose, and across my forehead, the palm of his hand lightly gliding over my eye, before his fingers tangled themselves into my long, jet-black hair. I exhaled slightly, as he combed his fingers through my hair, his hand once again slowly running down the side of my neck, stopping at the collar of my shirt, a few locks of my hair remaining tangled between his fingers. I lent up, and lightly kissed his warm, soft lips, but, instead of the quick kiss I had planned, Roy caught me, his hand sliding to the back of my neck, deepening the kiss. I moaned slightly, as he slipped his hot tongue between my lips, and into my mouth, his tongue gliding effortlessly over mine, sending shivers of pleasure up, and down my spine. "Mmm." I moaned, enjoying the taste of his mouth, as his tongue twirled with mine, his fiery taste seeming to drive my senses wild. I brought a hand up, and gripped his upper arm, my hand gripping his uniform, as I held his arm in place, his gloved hand remaining at the back of my neck.
After a minute, or two, Roy slowly broke the kiss, his beautiful cobalt eyes gazing intently into my blue ones. "I love you, Roy Mustang." I whispered. "And I love you, Muriah Akira." He whispered back, giving me a quick kiss on the lips, before getting up, his hand slowly sliding from my neck, and walking over to his desk, and sitting down in the chair behind it. I watched him, as he began reading, and signing paperwork on his desk, his cobalt eyes focused, scanning the paper, as he read through it all. I lightly rubbed the underside of my eye with my index finger, before lying down on the couch, on my back, my hands coming to rest on my stomach, as I rested my head against the arm of the couch, my long, jet-black hair draping over it, some of it cascading over my shoulders. I watched Roy for a few more minutes, my blue eyes struggling to remain open, and before I knew it, I drifted into a peaceful sleep.
I awoke to the feeling of something lightly brushing against the side of my face, and I opened my eyes to Roy sitting on the couch beside me, his gloved hand gently stroking my cheek. "Roy." I whispered groggily, wrapping my arms around his neck, as he lent down, and wrapped his arms around my waist, his hands coming to rest against my back, as he pulled me up, so I was sitting up in his arms. "Time to get up." He whispered back, resting his head on top of mine, as I cuddled my head under his. "Mm, what time is it?" I asked, my arm sliding from around his neck, as I rubbed my eye, before wrapping my arm back around his neck. "Around 5:15.p.m., love." He answered, running his fingers through my hair. "Did you get your paperwork done?" I asked, my arm slipping from around his neck, my hand coming to rest against his uniformed chest. "Yes." He chuckled, continuing to run his fingers through my hair, whilst his other hand rubbed my back. "Good." I answered, lightly kissing his neck, rubbing his chest with my hand, whilst my other arm remained wrapped around his neck. "Muriah." He replied, placing his hand over mine, holing my hand against his chest. "Yes?" I asked, lifting my head from under his, my gaze meeting his. "Would you like to go out to dinner with me?" He asked, smirking at me. "Tonight?" I asked. "Why not? I'm done working for the day." He answered, slightly shrugging his broad shoulders. "U-Um, a-are you asking me out on a date?" I stammered nervously, crimson staining my cheeks. He chuckled, and closed his eyes before leaning down, and capturing my lips in a sweet kiss, I closed my eyes, and relaxed into the kiss, kissing him back. After a minute, or two, he slowly broke the kiss, a sly smirk playing on his soft lips, as his cobalt eyes gazed intently into my blue ones. "Does that answer your question?" He asked, his voice smooth, and seductive. "I-I'm not sure." I answered, my face becoming a heated blush. "Mm, I think you misunderstood me." He replied, that same sly smirk never leaving his features. "Roy-! Mmm!" I half-yelped, as he once again covered my lips with his own. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and locked my lips with his, as he pushed me onto my back on the couch, with him ontop of me, one arm wrapped tightly around my waist, whilst his other hand came to rest at the back of my head, his gloved fingers lightly tangling themselves into my jet-black hair.
I moaned into the kiss, as I felt him slip his hot tongue between my lips, and into my mouth, shivering slightly, as I felt his tongue glide effortlessly over my own. I decided to play a-little rough, my arms slowly slipping from around his neck, my hands coming to rest at either of his broad shoulders, before suddenly gripping him by the collar of his uniform. Now, it was his turn to moan, my tongue twirling with his own, as I pulled him to me.