Edward had just left a meeting with the Fuhrer and had a couple of hours before he had another one with his own staff. Needing a break from having to think so much he decided to take a walk around the new park in Central. It was an unusually hot day so Edward freed himself from the bulk of his military jacket and walked along the unworn pathways that weaved through the park with his jacket slung through his arm, hands in pockets with the top two buttons undone of his shirt. It was good to get away. The meeting with the Fuhrer had left him depressed and feeling a bit guilty, though he knew he had no direct involvement with the Ishbalan refugees in Xing. But the fact that State Alchemists and the very military he was part of had past involvement still created a twinge of guilt he couldn't shake off. But he had stayed in the military to see that such things never happened again.
As he walked along, slowly allowing his thoughts to evaporate under the hot sun, he spotted Elysia sitting at a park bench sketching. Seeing her made his heart race and without telling them too his legs started moving him in her direction. He did manage to tell his legs not to move so fast and stopped a couple of feet away from her. She was so engrossed in her sketch that she didn't look up or notice him nearby. He started to think he shouldn't bother her when he remembered the last time he saw her a week ago. Elysia had clearly been upset with him and he too as he watched her dancing with the young Mr. Haren. Perhaps she's better off, he thought. The doctor is more her age and I'm too old and I gave up any kind of life of my own when I joined the military. Now, the mind is more reasonable than the heart and the heart has a way of ignoring everything the mind thinks, so when Edward remembered Jol Haren dancing with Elysia again, it drove him to take those final strides to approach her.
"Hey," he said as he stood beside her, peering down at her sketch, feeling a bit nervous.
"Hey to you," she said without looking up. Edward hoping for more of a response didn't know what to do or say next. He finally settled on sitting next to her on the bench.
"Hot day," he said choosing to start with a little mindless chit chat.
"Yes, it is," Elysia answered, still not looking up from her sketch except to glance at her art subject, which was a large fountain with two small children playing near, splashing each other.
Edward, feeling like he made a mistake disturbing her got up and began to walk away.
"I'm sorry," he heard Elysia say stopping him in his tracks.
Elysia surprised herself actually voicing her thoughts aloud. She hadn't intended too but it came out before she could stop herself. But she realized she was glad she did say something. She didn't want Edward to leave.
"There's nothing for you to be sorry about," Edward said turning around glad that she was looking up at him as he did so.
"Yes there is," Elysia said looking away embarrassed. "I've been sitting here thinking," she explained. "I acted like a child that night. There was no reason for me to get upset with you."
"Why is that?" Edward asked sitting back down next to her.
"I know Roy is still covering things up. Especially the years before he became Fuhrer and I'm sure a lot of it is to protect me, Amestris, you and Al, but just know this," and she turned and looked Edward straight in the eye, her green eyes flashing. "I'm not dumb. I'm not some artist who just buries their head and hides within their art and that's all I see. I can see other things and I can put the pieces together, even if the pieces don't match and they're not all there. If there's something I don't need to know then just tell me. Don't brush me off or ignore me."
Edward was taken back by her sudden forcefulness and discovered he was very attracted to this forceful side of her, especially the flashing green eyes. He felt a sudden urge to kiss her but restraining himself he settled on explaining instead.
"You're right, I'm sorry," he began thinking back to the way he had acted when Nina's name had come up. He hadn't thought about her in years but the suddenness of the subject brought back old feelings of guilt and sadness that he just wasn't prepared to deal with them again after all those years. "You do deserve the truth. If anyone does, you deserve it more," he said looking her in the eye. "But some of us are still not ready to talk about it."
Elysia looked at Edward, the fire that had lit up inside her diminished. Looking into his eyes there was such sadness there that it almost broke her heart. She looked away quickly feeling she would cry if she continued looking at him. She had meant to give a proper apology and hadn't intended on making him feel he had to apologize to her as well. The look in his eyes made her feel horrible for her outburst.
"I have to apologize again," she said trying to smile, hoping he hadn't noticed how close to tears she was. "I didn't want it to sound like you had to apologize as well."
"I therefore will apologize once again because I must disagree. You deserved an apology too," he said smiling back. Elysia looked back up at him and saw the sadness had faded from his eyes. "Now, if we're done apologizing, can I take a closer look," he said indicating her sketch.
After admiring some of her other sketches and refusing to sit still for her to start a sketch of him, Edward offered to treat Elysia to lunch.
"Roy has asked me to paint his portrait," Elysia said as they finished their lunch on the outside patio of a nearby restaurant. Edward had just lit a cigarette and smirked.
"Just don't forget the horns and tail," he said sarcastically after exhaling a puff of smoke. Elysia laughed.
"Why is it you don't get along?" She asked. "It is a little strange considering you are a General and everyone says you're the only one he trusts."
Edward shrugged. "Old habit," he said taking a drag off his cigarette. "I just wouldn't feel like myself if I didn't insult him in some way."
"Well, I'm a little nervous. I've painted portraits before but it's a little intimidating to have my first major work be of the Fuhrer."
"Don't worry, you couldn't make him look worse then he already does. You might actually improve his looks," Edward said pulling out his pocket watch. "A bit sad if the artwork looks better than the subject."
"In a way that is the goal of an artist," Elysia said laughing. Edward laughed along with her then sat up, all merriment gone as he checked the time on his watch.
"Shit," he said under his breath. "I have a meeting with my staff in a few minutes. I'd walk you home but I did schedule the damn thing," Edward said looking at her apologetically.
"I'm sure I can handle walking home on my own," Elysia said sarcastically rolling her eyes.
"Good to here," Edward answered back as he stood up and pulled his jacket on and put out his cigarette. He paused for a moment wondering how he should say goodbye. Actually saying goodbye or see you later just didn't seem right and kissing her goodbye was definitely out of the question even though he really wanted to. Then inspiration hit.
He took her hand and bowed deeply. "Till we meet again, Lady Elysia," he said as he kissed the top of her hand. He got a little giddy seeing her blush and almost laughed aloud when she pulled her hand away in mock disgust.
"Go away," she said as Edward walked back toward Central headquarters for his staff meeting smiling back at her.
"Is that you Elysia?" Gracia called from the sitting room when she heard the front door open.
"Yes," Elysia answered as she entered the room. Gracia was seated with some embroidery in her hand looking up at her daughter smiling.
"You must have found some good subjects to sketch," Gracia said. "I was expecting you home for lunch."
"I'm sorry," Elysia apologized. "I ran into Edward at the park and we had lunch together."
"Oh," Gracia said and lowered her head and began to concentrate, very intently on her embroidery. Elysia, sensing her mother had nothing else to say to her started for the stairs to head to her bedroom.
"The Fuhrer invited us to join him for dinner tonight," Gracia said not looking up from her embroidery. Elysia stopped and looked at her. "I was going to refuse," her mother continued, "but I think we'll accept. You don't have any plans tonight, do you?" She asked looking back up at her daughter.
"No," Elysia said. She looked at her mother curiously. She had such a cold, impersonal air about her Elysia thought she was looking at a stranger.
"Good, I'll let the Fuhrer know," Gracia said smiling and getting up to head for the phone. "He mentioned it would be casual so don't worry about getting too dressy," she said over her shoulder as she reached for the phone.
"Okay," Elysia said as she made her way up the stairs to her room.
As she entered her room she closed the door and leaned against it, her mind in confusion. What was that about? She asked herself. She was so...so cold and disappointed...but about what?! Elysia had always known her mother to be so warm, gentle and kind but for that moment she was a different person to Elysia. It was a side of Gracia that Elysia had never encountered before. Was it just because I had lunch with Edward? Why would she be upset about something like that? She wondered. Is she worried I'm interested in Edward? If I was why should she be worried? We've known Edward for years but...
Then that sneaky suspicion that Elysia had during the ball when she was seated next to Jol Haren returned and soon her confusion turned to anger and she started to pace around her room. What business is it of hers? So what if I do like Edward. It's my life, besides; it's nothing, really... I've only been in Central for a week and have only seen Edward three times! It's nothing for her to be worried about!
But Elysia knew it wasn't nothing and began to worry herself. Seeing Edward again that afternoon had stirred up even stronger feelings than she had that night they had returned to Central. She wondered if her mother would actually disapprove if her feelings towards Edward turned into something more. Would she actually do something about it? Elysia wondered about her mother.
No! Elysia thought. It's silly! I'm getting ahead of myself. There's nothing to worry about. Edward is just like family. There's nothing there. There's nothing for her to worry about.
Later that night Elysia did not feeling so very comfortable. Elysia and her mother were picked up and driven to the Fuhrer's mansion for dinner. Upon their arrival Elysia discovered that perhaps her worries earlier were not so silly because standing next to the Fuhrer, as he greeted Elysia and Gracia, was Jol Haren. He looked very uncomfortable but his eyes lit up when he saw Elysia.
"Gracia," the Fuhrer began, "I'd like to introduce you to Dr. Jol Haren. He is my new personal physician."
"Nice to meet you," Gracia said shaking the young mans outstretched hand.
"Likewise," the shy doctor said quietly.
"He was here giving me a physical and I felt it rude to turn him out before my dinner guests arrived. I hope you don't mind." He said smiling broadly patting Jol on the back.
"Of course we don't," Gracia answered smiling back. "The more the merrier!"
Elysia could only smile outwardly. This is just a set up, she thought as Jol offered his arm to escort her inside. Royhas been planning on introducing me to Jol for awhile now. I'm sure my mother had no idea but it's obvious to her nowand she looks like she approves. Elysia gave Jol a half-hearted smile hoping it didn't look that way. He seemed not to have noticed and blushed.
"It's good to see you again," Jol said putting as much confidence as he could muster into his voice.
"It's nice to see you again too," Elysia said trying to be polite. She was starting to wish she was home. Then she found her thoughts drifting back to Edward that afternoon. She had such a good time with him during lunch. The jokes he told made her laugh until her sides hurt and she really loved the way the sun shone on his bright blond hair. Yes, she would have preferred to be holding onto Edward's arm at this moment. But instead she was with the shy doctor, and her mother and the Fuhrer were expecting her to have a good time when all she wanted was to be with Edward. It's really becoming serious, she thought to herself. I don't know how it happened so suddenly but it has.
"Are you okay Ms. Hughes?" Jol's question brought Elysia back out of her thoughts.
"Yes," she said clearing her mind. "Why do you ask?"
"I asked if you wanted something to drink but when I looked at you, you didn't seem to be yourself," Jol explained apologetically.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I let my thoughts run away with me," Elysia explained taking the glass of champagne he was offering her.
"What were you thinking about?" He asked, truly interested.
"Oh, nothing important," Elysia said shaking her head and taking a good long drink of the champagne. She saw a look of disappointment cross his face but what should she have told him she wondered. That she was thinking of Edward Elric!
The car ride home was a silent affair. Elysia didn't look at her mother the entire time and sat with her head against the window. The evening was not so bad, Elysia thought. The food was good. But the way her mother and the Fuhrer had carried on. They did nothing but heap praise on Jol and Elysia, always highlighting their good points to each other and always making sure the two sat together and were engaged in conversation. It was too much for her to bear and she considered faking a headache to get out of it early. Fortunately Jol excused himself for the evening having an early appointment with a patient the next day. Elysia had let out a sigh of relief when he finally managed to speak up and she was also able to proclaim that she was feeling tired.
She knew that her mother and Roy were not too happy with her disinterest in Jol. They tried to hide it and cover their disappointment with false cheer, hoping that maybe in time she would. But she didn't care. They couldn't control her heart or emotions anymore than she could and running the evening through her head got her really annoyed and Elysia hoped her mother wouldn't say anything to her regarding Jol. All she wanted to do was lie down and go to sleep. She wanted to sort through her feelings about Edward but if she did that she knew she would never get any sleep and Elysia felt the best thing for her was sleep.
"Jol seems to be a fine young man," Gracia said breaking the silence. Elysia didn't answer.
"Didn't you thing so?" Her mother asked, prodding for an answer.
"Oh, yes," Elysia said with as much cheer as she could muster.
"The two of you certainly looked nice together," her mother continued. Elysia didn't answer and just kept staring out the window.
"Perhaps we'll do this again," Gracia pronounced happily and Elysia groaned inwardly and closed her eyes.