Disclaimer: I do not own FMA
Chapter 2: Inevitable Liaison
And when you wanted to forget
It only reminds you more and you burden with regret
Don't forget to flap those wings of yours, little butterfly
Because soon, you're just bound to say goodbye
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A lot has happened ever since my father came back, more importantly; my mother was now smiling more than ever. I sat in front of my desk in the comfort of my room. The arrival of my father had surprised me and until this very hour of three in the morning of the month of April, I still can't shake the tremors of surprise that still clung to my body. Even my exhaustion from the previous day didn't lull me enough to bid myself to sleep. I had to resume my work as lieutenant, as soon as found that sleep was out of my grasp. And here I am, scrawling paragraphs after paragraphs of my written report of my previous mission for the Fuhrer. I was quite exhausted but the atmosphere deprived me of my wanted sleep. Maybe because my mind keeps on rushing the thoughts I have upon my father's arrival. I settled the pen upon my fingers over the sheets of white parchment upon the Mahogany wood. I ran my hand through my hair trying to relieve myself of the stress that has been caused. I stood up from my chair and walked to the window sill, letting the chilly dawn air play along the tendrils of my hair, soothing yet it was not enough to lull me.
I feel heat upon my cheeks and found the sun had raised, the golden sunlight pilfering into my room. I never tracked as to when time sleep had enveloped me in her arms. I stood up and stretched my body, my arms aching because of the area I slept upon. I looked over to the gray quartz clock that hung a few feet away from me and I could only gasp at the numbers that dawned on me. "I'm late!"
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I quickly dash from home to the military office; it was eight in the damned morning. Dammit! I paused myself and took a few deep breaths. Remember Carmine, a lady of your status should bring yourself well in public. I walked to the gates of the building and maneuvered myself through the halls of the said branch. Finally I was in front of the door that would lead me to Colonel Mustang's office but knowing him, he'd probably be waiting to lecture me for my tardiness. I sucked in a breath and twisted the knob, pushing the door to gain entry to the room. The sunlight from the window blinded me for a second.
"Oh! Lieutenant Ross!" It was Falman who spoke and I shielded my eyes from anymore abuse from the golden rays of light. I looked around the room, keeping my hand upon my forehead in doing so. There were only Falman, Breda, Havoc and Fury around. I looked closely at Mustang's desk but he really wasn't there even the first lieutenant. I turned my back to the window and rubbed my eyes a bit, "Do any of you guys know where the Colonel and Lieutenant Hawkeye are?" They scratched their heads and swayed them thereafter. I sighed and rubbed my temples. I walked over to my seat and began to asses through my paperwork as soon as I seated myself. This surely was going to be a long day.
I let out a yawn as I finished my paperwork. Paperwork is boring. Period. I always wondered as to why military people had to assess paperwork on the first place when they're usually in the frontlines of battle but that idea was when I was a young naïve child. I looked out to the window; the sky had melted to a firry red violet hue. Sun down. Accompanied by my thoughts was the ever so loud growl of my stomach, I looked around with a blush of embarrassment upon my cheeks but no one was around, only me. Odd, I never noticed my colleagues exit but that's my greatest flaw. I put my whole concentration onto one thing and I forget all others. I pushed myself up and straightened the crumples upon my uniform's fabric before exiting the room.
"Yo, Ross!" I heard a very familiar man cried and I turned my attention and found that it was none other than Maes Hughes, aka the person who always annoys Colonel Mustang. I straightened my posture and saluted, "Sir Hughes." He chuckled and patted me on the head, "Really, Carmine. No formalities when it's just the two of us." I relaxed and smiled at him. He really was like a father figure, Elysia is so lucky to have him as a dad. I'm quite jealous. "So I heard your father came back after how many years was that?" I looked down, my gaze upon the oil black boots that I had worn, "Five years." I dug my hands into the pockets of my coat and sighed, I really acted like a boy at times. "Well, I guess it must be reassuring to have your father back." He smiled and patted my shoulder like a father would and he looked at his wristwatch, "Well, I need to be going. Gracia will be off shopping and I'll be watching over Elysia. I'll being seeing you around then Carmine." I nodded and he went off to the main entrance of the headquarters. When I no longer saw his figure, I balled my hands into fist.
"If only you knew as to how his arrival meant the opposite of what you thought, Maes."
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The cafeteria was extraordinarily quiet but then again it was late in the afternoon and here I am eating my lunch when I should be eating dinner at home. "Oh, it's you Lieutenant Ross, fancy seeing you here." I looked up to see the Fuhrer, King Bradley, with his trusty secretary, Juliet Douglas at his side. I stood up and saluted. "Now, now, what are you doing eating here so late in this afternoon, Miss Ross?" he kept that smile upon his face. I rubbed the back of my head ruefully and a blush had stained my cheeks. "Well, I was too concentrated in my paperwork to notice the time, Fuhrer." He gave me that warm smile of his and I quickly straightened myself as I was in the presence of a superior officer. "Hmm, quite a good trait of a soldier to be responsible but you should also be responsible of your body." I nodded my head, "Yes, Fuhrer. I'll try to keep myself on time with my meals in the future." I cast a glance at his secretary, paranoid that she was very silent. With the emphasis on VERY.
"I heard your father arrived last night." The Fuhrer's statement caught my glance. "Yes, sir." He had tucked both his hands behind again, a posture that made one know that he was superior and that he had pride in achieving goals. Pride, something I barely have for myself. "Well, I best be going so you may continue with your meal that is before the food gets cold." I chuckled and saluted once again as the Fuhrer took his leave. He exited the cafeteria and I sat back on my seat, the silver fork in my hand as I chewed on my steak. "My father sure is famous. He goes, it's the talk of the town and when he comes back, it has the same effect as well." I looked over the now empty rows of tables that were for the State Alchemists. Then a question popped into my head.
What's the purpose of the Fuhrer in the canteen?
I shrugged at the thought and proceeded to eat my meal, anticipating myself to be grateful of my father's arrival. And I will be sifting my thoughts again. I really hate surprises.
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The house was livelier when I came home, the familiar sound of orchestrated instruments hung in the air from the phonograph at the corner. The heady smells of delicious food wafted to my nostrils and I walked to the kitchen. I heard giggling and mumbled voices behind the wooden door that led to the kitchen. I pushed the door from its closed state and stuck my head into the kitchen. I quickly closed it and made a dash to my room, panting and sweat trailed down my brow. I did not just see that! I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. My father surely didn't change ever since he left. I could remember walking unto the same scene that happened five years prior from now. And to think they would be making out on the kitchen counter.
"Ewwww…" I commented as the silence listened.
For a man of thirty-nine and a woman of thirty-six, my parents are still quite young and they have me as a daughter who is now seventeen and I would be eighteen soon. And I had always remembered my father weeping at my feet back when I was nine telling me that he wants me to be his little girl always and that he wished I'd stay with him 'til he'd grow old. My father really is old-fashioned. I couldn't help but smile but that smile was quickly swiped by my frown.
I looked at my palm, letting my anger run through my veins. Father, what took you so long? You told me you'd be back next morning after you left but you lied. Why is that? And you left mother alone too, you made her insane. I had to be the victim of insanity.
Damn. I need to control myself from drowning myself in too much self-pity. Well, I guess it's better off than being too full of me. As they say, Vanity is a sin. I was momentarily caught off from my thoughts by the knocks on my door and I opened the door revealing none other than my father. He smiled at me with his wide lips and pulled me into a hug. I quickly pulled away from his hug. Remember: I hate surprises.
I loosened up myself and the man before me chuckled, "Still don't like surprises, Carmine? You haven't changed." I studied my father's physical appearance. His beard was now shaved whereas the previous night it was already long. He had grown his chocolate brown hair and it was neatly kept into a ponytail. His loving emerald green eyes spoke of happiness. He was quite burlier than before although it surprised me as to why since he was growing old and not growing young. Then so suddenly tears run down his eyes, "My precious daughter is so big now!" If he had expressed that in public, I would honestly shoot myself in embarrassment. "Father…" I lamented. "You will be an adult when you reach your upcoming birthday! I will not be able to keep you as my little girl anymore!" He was embracing me now and I had the difficulty of prying him off but I was successful and I had thrown him out of the solitude of my room. He went away as soon as he stepped out of my room. I went to the bathroom and undressed myself as I turned on the shower. Oddly enough, my father reminded me of Maes. A father who is so engrossed with his daughter but I must say Elysia is so cute.
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I was safely under the covers of my bed and at the brink of sleep when I heard an explosion outside. It alerted my senses, rendering me immune momentarily from drowsiness. I rushed to the window and looked out, a house about a kilometer from ours was in flames and I quickly looked at the surroundings, the house lights were turned on. A few citizens watched as the flames licked the home of another person. I couldn't just stand and watch so I quickly took my coat and pocket watch. I got out of my room in a frantic dash to aid.