Chapter 3: Falling Upside Down
Disclaimer: I do not own FMA or any aspect of it (besides Seren Soulheart and any other OCs that I add).
Al stifled a yawn as he woke up, the night breeze softly flowing over the fallen leaves of Central Park. He began to sit up, but stopped as he felt a weight on his midsection. Seren was slumbering peacefully next to him, her head laying across his stomach. He smiled as her silver hair caught the moonlight and amplified it. The kitten, sensing movement, began to purr throatily. Seren stirred restlessly for a moment before waking up, her eyes sparkling in the starlight.
"Hi." Seren shyly murmured.
Al cocked his head at her and grinned as he replied, "We've gone and slept the day away! I'm surprised that Brother and Winry haven't gone off looking for me."
Seren glanced around at their surroundings and shrugged as she began to get up. Al picked up the kitten and held it in his palms as he walked with Seren towards the lit pathways of the Park, absently feeding the kitten a few strips of dried elk jerky. Distant chatter sounded from various points around them as they walked towards the eastern exit. Seren nudged Al with a delicate elbow and motioned for the kitten. He handed her to Seren, who began to rub her nose against the kittens'. The kitten was soon purring while Al and Seren began to chuckle.
Al nonchalantly asked, "Where were you born? I have never seen anybody who looks quite like you, except for a friend named Rose in Liore."
Seren abruptly stiffened and hesitated before replying, "I.. I don't know. I can't remember anything from before today."
Al thought for a second, and then sighed. Seeing a living human rise from a human transmutation circle had been enough to send chills down his spine. Suddenly, a thought crossed Al's mind. If Seren had came through the Circle, she also had to of passed through the Gate!
Al mumbled, "I wonder if Truth wants to see me. It's been awhile since I last saw it!"
Seren stumbled over her foot and looked at Al in shock, her hands defensively held in front of her as the kitten perched on her shoulder with her back arched. Al paused at this, noting the particularly intense reaction and storing it in his mind for later contemplation.
Seren growled, "How do you know of Truth?"
Al hesitated before replying, "My body was taken away from me when my brother and I tried to resurrect our mother. It failed, however." His face fell dejectedly.
Seren mumbled, "This isn't your real body?"
Al chuckled before replying, "This body is, but the suit of armor that my soul was bound to sure wasn't!"
Seren halted, her eyes clouded as dim memories began to float through her mind. She remembered a soft voice calling to her when she was hurt and telling her that everything would be alright. Al turned around to ask why she had stopped walking, but grew pale upon seeing her and walked over to her, resting his hand on her shoulder. The kitten cried out piteously as Seren began to slump to the ground. Al steadied her and sat, wondering what had happened.
He grabbed the kitten and put her lower end in his pocket before gently stroking Seren's hair. Her eyes burst open and focused on Al. Confusion twisted her face as she ground her palm into her forehead and shuddered. She slowly sat up and resting her head on her outstretched fingers, massaging her temples.
Al asked, "Are you alright?"
Seren looked away for a brief moment before replying, "I-I think so. Can we go get something to eat? I'm starving."
Al stared at her for a brief moment before nodding. She was obviously lying, but he didn't want to press Seren for information. She would tell him when she was ready to. I really don't think that she even knows what happened yet herself, Al thought.
"How about Madame Christmases'? There's a bar, but the food is still pretty decent."
Seren's eyes lit up hungrily at the mention of food and she nodded enthusiastically, "Sure!"
They walked next to each other on the sidewalk, not quite touching, but close enough for the casual observer to stop in his tracks and swear up and down that Al was a lucky guy. Seren grew slightly flustered at all of the looks that were directed at her and drew nearer to Al, clawing at his hand. Al, who had grown used to the stares and catcalls during his lonely years of traveling with his brother, patted Seren's hand.
Al grinned in a kindly manner as he told Seren, "Relax! If anything, most of the people are jealous of me."
Seren coolly glanced at Al and frostily began, "Just what is that supposed to mea.. Oh."
Her face became slightly rose-tinged as she realized that Al was giving her a compliment. Al chuckled as they passed a mirrored window and Seren was finally able to see her reflection. Smoothing the plaits of her skirt, she twirled and giggled as Al watched her, awestruck. Walking back up to Al, Seren held out her hand. Al took it and they began to continue on the path towards Madame's Bar, cheerfully smiling. The kitten glanced between Al and Seren and began to purr, eventually nodding off to sleep.
Who do you think is going to be at the bar? It shouldn't be too hard to guess! What will Mustang try to do when Al's back is turned?