Chapter 3: A Promise


The night proceeded joyfully with Roy and Riza wandering from vendor to vendor in fascination. Riza's father and Roy's parents followed slowly behind, glad to see the two's happy faces. Not only were there hundreds and hundreds of lanterns decorating the stalls, there was also a vast variety of food stalls. Roy's eyes snapped from side to side. His mouth watered. Because he had spent all his time after school making Riza's present, he had nothing to eat except for the light snack he had when he got home.

"That's right!" Mrs. Mustang suddenly spoke aloud. "Roy, you haven't had dinner yet after being all busy."

"Mom…" Roy tugged at his mother's coat, hoping she would not accidentally give his secret scarf-making efforts away.

"Oh, right." Mrs. Mustang gave Roy a sly wink that only he could see. "Let's go get you something to eat. Riza, you come along and have something to eat, too. Robert. Nathaniel. Would you two like anything?"

"Lily…" Nathaniel Hawkeye smiled shook his head. "You don't have to always be so entreating. Can't you let me pay this one time?"

"Not unless I have something to say about it." Lily smiled kindly as she took the two children's hands, one in each of hers. "So what will it be, mister?"

"I'll take a husk of corn on a stick, lightly buttered with a bit of pepper and a smidgen of salt." Nathaniel Hawkeye replied with a mischievous grin. "Please."

"You'll get corn on a stick with whatever I feel like putting on it." As the two children fell into laughter, Lily turned to her husband. "For you, dear?"

"Nothing. Thank you." Mr. Mustang replied distractedly as he anxiously watched a skilled artisan at work. "Nathaniel, come over here and take a look at this."

"Alright, suit yourself." Lily led the two children away as Nathaniel went to join Robert.

(~~~)

As Lily brought the two children back, Roy was munching happily on a kabob with several more sticks held in reserve in his other hand. Riza nibbled away at her corn on a stick. Nathaniel Hawkeye and Robert Mustang had stayed behind to watch the crafting of a large dragon lantern. They quickly called everyone else to come over and watch just as the skillful craftsman carefully placed a lit candle within the lantern, bringing the dragon to life.

During the lighting, Roy eyed Riza's unlit sparrow lantern thoughtfully. She would be so happy if we could find a way to light it up. But how? Suddenly, a lonely firefly floated before his eyes. That's it! Those would be perfect and I know just the place!

"Riza, want to get a light for you lantern?" Roy asked, almost bouncing with excitement, as he finished his last kabob in a hurry.

"Roy, stop jumping or you'll poke your eye out." Lily warned sternly as she took the sticks from her son.

"But the lady said it can't hold one."

"I know where we can get a light for your lantern. Follow me!"

"Can I, Dad?" Riza looked up at her father with pleading eyes.

"Go on ahead. Robert, Lily, and I are going to have a look around by ourselves. We'll come find you two once we're done."

"Looks like your son has something special planned out." Watching Roy lead Riza in the direction of the meadows, Nathaniel Hawkeye chuckled. Clever boy. "Well, Robert. Lily. Shall we?"

"He definitely does. We're ready to go…once you take your –ahem– corn on a stick, lightly buttered with a bit of pepper and a smidgen of salt. Then, we'll be ready." Lily handed Nathaniel the complicated order, and the three walked off to continue browsing the Lantern Festival.

Roy led his friend through a maze of stalls and people. Now, I can help her find a light for the lantern and give her the scarf at the same time! Roy halted dead in his tracks as a sudden realization hit him. He had no idea know where he was. He must have taken a wrong turn somewhere or passed too many stalls.

"Lost?"

"Never!"

"If you are looking for the meadow, it's this way." Riza grinned, taking Roy's hand and pulling him forward.

"How did you figure out where I'm going?"

"I just know, Roy. But why are we going there?"

"You'll see…" Roy replied mysteriously.

With Riza's better-than-Roy's sense of direction, the two friends soon arrived at the meadow where they often spent their free time playing. A vast multitude of fireflies danced in the night across the meadow. The autumn lilies had recently flowered, and the meadow was speckled with their beauty. After a brief silence, Roy suddenly remembered why he had wanted to bring Riza to the meadow.

"Now we can get some fireflies for your lantern!"

"So that was your plan?" Riza could not help but be impressed.

"Yup!" Roy smirked as he ran into the meadow chasing after a firefly that had flown by him.

After catching several and gently placing them within Riza's lantern, the two friends watched in awe as the lantern gave off a gentle. As Riza gazed into the lantern, Roy began reaching for the scarf that was tucked neatly in his coat pocket. Roy was confident. Now was the time to present Riza her birthday gift. He had perfected the lines to go with his present the night before. I can do this! It's just going to be like practice. He took a deep breath and summed up all his courage.

"Riza, I have somethi–"

"Hmm?" Riza mused as her happy eyes met his, causing him to forget everything he practiced the night before.

"I…umm…I h-have..." Roy stuttered before abruptly blurting out. "I have something to give you! Happy birthday!"

Jerking the scarf out of his pocket, Roy quickly shoved it in her direction. Roy planted his eyes at the ground, refusing to look up, too afraid to see her response. Will she like it? What if she doesn't? Although I tried my best, I still don't think I did a great job. She's not going to like it. I just know it…

"For me?" Riza asked meekly as she takes the wrapped gift, her lantern hanging from her finger. Riza held out her small lantern to Roy. "Can you hold this for me?" Riza carefully opened the gift, and realizing what it is, she abruptly wrapped it around her neck. "Thank you, Roy! I really like it!"

"R-really?"

"Of course!"

"You really mean it?" Roy questioned with relief finally settling in.

"Yes, silly! Thank you!" Riza replied, suddenly jumping forward and hugging Roy tightly. Roy's face immediately turned several shades redder.

"Uhh. R-riza." Roy gasped. "Too t-tight. C-can't breathe."

"Oh, sorry!" Riza let go in a hurry.

"Roy…?"

"Y-yes…?" Roy tried to catch his breath yet still blushing slightly.

"Umm…have you ever thought about the future?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

With Riza's arms still around his neck, "Do you think that we will always be the bestest of friends even when we grow up?"

"Well, of course we'll still be friends."

Roy tried to shrug off the question. He did not enjoy thinking too much about the future. He had enough trouble dealing with everyday events that the future just seemed way too big of a thing to consider.

"Will you promise me…" Riza paused."…that we will always be friends?"

"Umm. Sure."

"Pinky promise?"

"Okay."

Riza innocently searched Roy's eyes for integrity. After a moment, she held out her pinky. With the red in his face ebbing, Roy looked back into Riza's eyes as he locked his pinky with hers. With their pinkies still linked, they brought their thumbs together to touch, sealing the pact. Both children smiled.

"Riza!" Nathaniel Hawkeye called from down the road. "It's time to go home!"

"Roy, you too!" Roy's parents shouted.

With Riza's scarf fluttering in the wind, the two friends ran to join their parents.