Chapter 13: Whisper


A chilly wind blew through the cemetery. Riza used a hand to keep her black dress from billowing. She decided to leave her long blond hair as it was, fluttering in front of her face. She felt it was a necessary precaution to help hide any tears that she did not want others to see.

Roy stood silently next to her along with Madame Christmas and Berthold Hawkeye as they waited for the funeral ceremony to begin. Many other families were also present, gathered together to see off loved ones and friends.

The mayor of Edinburgh had decided to hold one large ceremony to commemorate all those who had died in the recent Drachman attack, for the small town of Edinburgh had lost more than just Lily and Robert Mustang.

"We are gathered here today to remember..." The mayor of Edinburgh began.

Riza reached over and held Roy's hand in hers. She felt his grip tighten when the names of his parents were honored by the mayor. It grew even tighter when the coffins of his parents were laid into the ground.

All the while, the wind danced throughout the cemetery as if it was carrying away the souls of those who had died.

After the ceremony, most of the people left quickly with a few lingering behind to give their final farewells. The town was evacuating. War would wait for no one, not even for those who had lost someone dear. Her father had disappeared right afterwards without a word to anyone. As the crowd began to thin, Riza placed a bundle of white lilies that she had picked at the meadow beside her house before the gravestone of her friend's parents.

"They're gone now…" Roy muttered.

Riza remained silent for several minutes, unable to think of anything to say.

"Roy, it's about time for us to leave." Madame Christmas suggested gently from behind, breaking the silence. "Our train leaves within the hour."

"Yes, I know." Roy answered his aunt sadly before turning his eyes to meet Riza's. "Aunt Christmas, may I have just a few more minutes?"

"Yes, of course." Madame Christmas replied with understanding as she started walking off. "I'll be waiting for you at the entrance gate."

"Riza, are you sure your father won't change his mind? I mean you could stay with me and Aunt Christmas. I don't think it would be a problem at all." Roy's voice grew slightly panicked with fear. "He isn't seriously considering staying here, is he?"

"I'm sorry, Roy. I wish it could be different, but he's already made up his mind. There's no changing it."

"But why? Does he not understand how dangerous the situation is?"

"Roy, I don't know." Riza felt her voice choke in her throat as she let go of his hand and cast her gaze to the ground. "Roy, please…no more questions. There's no changing his mind."

Roy could tell continuing the subject would only hurt her more. Despite Riza's pleading and his Aunt's reasoning the night before, Berthold Hawkeye had refused to budge from his decision to stay in Edinburgh despite the evacuation order.

Roy took hold of both her shoulders. "Riza." He prompted in a firm voice. "Riza, look at me. Please."

Riza slowly lifted her gaze from the ground. She was slightly taken aback to see a pair of confident eyes staring into hers. These were not the eyes of someone who had just lost his parents. Instead, they were filled with will and determination.

"Riza." Roy spoke with confidence. "Do something for me, okay? Promise me that you will take care of yourself while I'm gone. Promise me that you will stay safe, okay?"

"W-what?" Riza stammered, thrown off by Roy's request.

"Promise me that you will take care of yourself and stay safe until I come back." Roy repeated with even more fervor.

Riza wiped away a tear that had begun forming in her eye. "I'll…I'll do my best, Roy."

"That's not good enough."

"I promise." Riza could not hold back a small smile. Her friend's persistence was really quite something.

"Good." Roy grinned with satisfaction. "I know you are not one to break your promises."

"Roy…" Riza spoke with a tinge of disappointment with herself. "Why are you always the one to make me feel better?"

"Well, you know me." Roy let go of her shoulders and attempted to strike a pose with his hands on his hips and chin high in the air. "Heh, I don't know how to worry about myself."

Riza giggled softly. "Roy, you should probably go now. You'll miss your train if you stay here much longer."

"You're right." Roy sighed and knelt down next to his parents' gravestone. "I'm leaving now. Mom…Dad…I'm going to miss you two a lot. Just watch. I'm going to get stronger. I'm not going to let anything take away anyone close to me again. Goodbye." Roy stood up to leave, letting his hand run slowly along the top of the gravestone. "Well, Riza. I guess it's time to say goodbye.

"You mean 'so long' for now." Riza teased, hopeful. "I'll see you again soon."

"You're right." Roy laughed at himself. "Don't forget your promise."

"I won't." Riza assured him solemnly.

"Aw, come here!" Roy abruptly hugged her tightly. "It will be like you just said. We'll see each other soon."

"Yes, I know." Riza hugged him back tightly, unwilling to let go. After some time, she gave him one final squeeze. "You need to go. You'll miss your train."

"Well, goodbye, Riza. See you soon."

"Yes, soon….goodbye."

Riza watched Roy meet his aunt at the cemetery grate. After they left, Riza turned around to also kneel beside the gravestone of his friend's parents.

"You're proud of him, aren't you?" Riza spoke aloud.

The wind whispered through the cemetery as if in agreement.

"I suppose I am, too." Riza smiled. "Roy really is resilient. You've just left, yet he's still standing tall and pressing forward. It is as if the Drachman attack and all the anguish that followed, has only made him stronger. He's still himself, pushing past despair to embrace what tomorrow holds in store for him." Riza could only wish that one day she could be able to say the same about herself.

Riza stood up and tucked a lock of her blond hair behind an ear. She watched as the outlines of Roy and his aunt slowly disappeared into the rising sun. Riza held her hand to her chest where her heart suddenly began aching, as if someone was squeezing and pulling it from her chest.

"I guess I didn't fully realize it until now. I must have fallen in love with him a long time ago..."

And the wind whispered around her as if in agreement.


Note: Thanks for everyone who has been reading! I greatly appreciate the support. Shout out to BlackBrightField2007 and Monk'ichii for your continued support and reviews! As usual feel free to share and comments, praise, or criticism. All are welcome and appreciated!