It was a very important day.
Anybody would be able to see it by merely observing the bustle of the streets, the sign erected in welcome at the train station, and the hotel staff of Rizembool's one and only 30 room hotel hunkering down and preparing for some anticipated D-day event. This event which currently held the town in utter suspense, was the arrival of a very important group of people. The Prime Minister and many other influential people of Amestris, Creta, and Xing were on their way to Rizembool for an investors tour and information session for the currently under construction Elric Academy of Civic Alchemy. Above the town on the small hill on which this soon to be school stood, there was an equal rush and hub-bub. Edward and Alphonse shouted orders and signed many papers as they prepared for their guests and the long awaited Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Once the ribbon was cut, the school's main construction phase would commence and the true birth of the Academy would occur. Currently, only the ground was churned up and a few foundational blocks of cement and brick had been prepared.
Winry was given full authority over the formal reception that was to follow the ribbon cutting and tour. This banquet style event would be held on the lawn of the Rockbell Automail Shop under the soft light of hundreds of gas lamps that lined the ground. In addition to this monstrous event planning, Winry tried to aid in any other way she could in the preparations. She had bought a beautiful long, royal blue evening gown that opened in a concave shape to reveal her slender back for the occasion. She had it hanging solitary in her bedroom with large round sapphire ear rings Edward had bought her especially for the occasion. In all her 22 years, never had anything like this ever happened in Rizembool. She was so anxious for Edward that her stomach was in a constant state of butterflies.
Edward was focused. He had planned this day meticulously and Alphonse kept assuring him that all would go smoothly. All their staff had been hired, their lessons and curriculum planned and published. All that was left was to build the buildings that would house the principal of alchemical learning. The school had recruited 36 promising pupils to begin lessons the following year. As far as his guests and investors, he knew that every single person on the school's newly formed "Board of Trustees" was a friend and comrade from earlier times. They believed in what the Elric brothers were doing, yet, he still longed to exceed every expectation. This was the beginning. After this, the school would truly be a reality.
He gave one last look through of the final guest list before going out to meeting the building engineers to finalize walk-through preparations. It read:
Open House Invitational Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Elric Academy of Civic Alchemy Guest List
Prime Minister Roy Mustang and his Staff (Major Riza Hawkeye, Lt Colonel Jean Havoc, Second Lt. Kane Fuery and 7 other key body guards and officials)
Brigadier General Olivier Mira Armstrong and Colonel Miles
Major Alex Armstrong and Lt Colonel Maria Ross
Time Marco and Dr. Knox
Izumi and Sig Curtis
Dr. Radaghast Granger (an old professor of Edwards from Creta)
Gracia Hughes
Shoa Yung Leung (an old master of Mei's from Xing that had also become good friends with Alphonse)
Each person on this list was very important to Edward and Alphonse in some way. They had all been a part of their long journeys and had helped them achieve their goal. Even now, they were continuing to support and believe in the Brothers. Edward wanted tonight to be a culmination of his gratitude for such kindness and such unwavering belief.
"Brother! Brother! Where are you?" Edward heard Alphonse calling for him downstairs. He had been reading over his papers in his office. Baby Maes, who was now nearly 1 year old, watched his father with slight fascination from his play crib, which had, indeed, been rolled into his father's study while he worked.
"Time to go, Lil' Bit. It's nearly time" Edward said with a sigh and filed away his papers. He tried to ignore the slight ache ins his left leg (a sign that his automail maintenance was way overdue) and grabbed his tiny son from his crib. Together, they went out to begin a day that would likely be one to remember.
/
"I'd like to Thank You all for coming. For anyone who may not know, my name is Alphonse Elric. You are currently standing on the site that will become the Elric Academy of Civic Alchemy. Where we currently stand exactly, will be the location of the school's Van Hohenhiem Memorial Library and Study Lab. To your left, you can see the beginning stages of the Main Building, where most lessons will be taught." Alphonse let his hand guide the many eyes before him and continued. "Behind the Main Building, which will be called Curtis Auditorium, will be the student's dormitories. Boys will be housed on the top floor, girls on the ground floor. There will be enough for 80 beds, so there will be plenty of room to grow. We currently have 36 students aged 7-18 enrolled, half of which will be coming to us from charitable organizations and orphanages from Amestris. Four students are scheduled to arrive from Xing and an additional 3 from Creta, one from Auergo. We will be an international institution." He smiled finding the eyes of his Xingese wife in the crowd. He gave her an imperceptible wink.
"If you look to the North of the Dormitory, you will see the ground that has been cleared for our grand dining hall where our administration office will also be housed. Staff will also use this building for planning meetings, etc. Our dining hall will be named Rockbell Hall after our late adoptive Grandmother Pinako Rockbell. Also, we plan to keep the south side of the hill free of construction to allow space for a student cultivated garden. We have also used investors funds to purchase land near the campus for training purposes as well as orienteering excursions, which any alchemist knows is very important to our craft." He slightly turned to his former Master letting his head drop slightly in a reverent bow. Izumi smiled with pride at her former student who stood before them all, Flesh and Blood, delivering the information like a well versed politician.
"Our staff currently consists of 6 members: Myself, my brother and former state alchemist Edward Elric, Princess Mei Chang Elric, my wife, Dr. Tim Marco, Dr. Radaghast Granger from Creta, and Master Shao Yung Leung from Xing. We have also signed guest lecturers and professors to come on a quarterly basis for survival seminars and additional alchemy training for our students. These guest lecturers are Master Izumi Curtis of Dublith, Major Alex Louise Armstrong from Central, Russell Baggins from Creta, and Wong Sue Yao from Xing. If it would please our Board, I would like to take you now on a brief tour of the grounds, please follow me."
There was a great rustle and ripple of chairs moving and the fluster of many legs standing, hurrying for a prime place in the line. Winry held Maes tightly against her chest as she prepared to follow the group, Gracia Hughes by her side.
"Alphonse looks so natural, speaking in front of so many people." Gracia whispered as they followed the line.
"I know. It comes very naturally to him." Winry agreed with a smile.
"Winry, may I ask you something?" Gracia said, suddenly turning a slight pink at the cheeks.
"Anything, Miss Gracia." She said, stopping their progress and letting the group pass them ahead.
She seemed very embarrassed, and waited until the group of people were far ahead before speaking again.
"I'm sorry to ask you such a strange question, Winry, dear. But, this is the first time I've met the little one since he was born. I was so happy when I read your letter announcing his birth. Would it be possible for me to hold Baby Maes for a moment?
Tears began to form in the corners of Winry's eyes. "Of course, Gracia. Please, here you go." She delivered the small child into Gracia's arms. Maes didn't seem to mind the transfer, he happily sucked on his left thumb and starred up into Gracia's face while slightly kicking both of his chubby feet from side to side. He let out a little gurgle of contentment as Gracia shifted his weight across her hip. She stared into the child's face, a face that daily looked more and more like Edward, and smiled.
Winry watched the exchange as Gracia looked down at her husband's namesake.
"I wish my husband could have met you Little Man." Gracia said softly into his ear.
/
The dinner reception had begun. There was mingling and champagne, cheese and lots of catching up to do among the guests. Edward had maintained a relatively quiet profile throughout the tour, answering questions, and overseeing the events from the shadows while Alphonse primarily doled out the speeches and information. However, after dinner was served, Edward was scheduled to give a grand speech to the entire group – and for that reason alone he was terrified. Everyone had changed into glamorous attire. It was slightly comical to think that maybe 5-6 years ago the sight of a tuxedo would have made Edward sick to his stomach, and really – it still did, but he had put it on knowing the value behind wearing it at an event such as this. He watched his guests munch on their meals and talk and laugh together. He watched his Brother and Sister and Law try to make the Xingese guests feel more at home by pouring them ample "sake." Edward suddenly wished that he could disappear and just let Al do this part.
Then he turned and saw her.
It was Winry in her bright royal blue dress that fell gracefully to the floor like a cloud. It looked like she was some type of fairy sprite and she floated across the dance floor an over to where he was standing like some night vision. Her hair was wrapped in an elegant bun with tiny jewels sprinkled here and there for an extra effect. Her slender arms swayed from side to side as she neared him with each step. He forgot his troubles for an instant and just watched her in awe as she came to stand before, her cherry lips pink with gloss.
"Are you ready for your speech, Edward? It's nearly time."
He barely heard her; he was fixated on her mouth – and the slight hint of a breast that protruded from the dress's low neckline.
"No. But I'll never be so I might as well get it over with."
"I'm going to go up and get everyone's attention and introduce you, though you don't need any introduction I'd wager." She laughed, patting him lightly on the shoulder and giving him a reassuring wink.
It was worse watching her walk away. Edward saw his wife full bare back gleam in the low lamplight, leaving little to be guessed. Her ample backside danced from side to side as she walked towards the raised stage. He had almost lost himself before he realized where exactly it was she was going. Then, the guests became quiet, Mustang sat down and motioned the rest of the group to follow. Eyes turned towards Winry and Edward knew it was finally time for him to address his investors.
"Good Evening, everyone. My name is Winry Elric and I am here today to introduce to you…" She smiled and locked eyes with Edward as she spoke. Edward began to perspire and quickly started muttering in his head the speech he had prepared but found that he had completely forgotten it. Terror, pure and unadulterated terror took him then, and whatever his wife was saying now, he had no clue. Time sped up at an alarming rate and before he even had collected one thought, the room was filled with applause and all the eyes had turned onto him, nearly robotically, Edward willed his limbs to move towards the stage. He kissed his wife quickly as she passed over the podium; he looked out over the crowd of people, and took a breath.
"Hello." He cleared his throat. "Hello, everyone. I'd like to thank you all for coming today. Your support has been…." He paused, looking down at his hands…his two flesh, blood, and bone hands…
"When I was a young boy, I was arrogant and rash and stupid. I studied and loved Alchemy because it was a source of happiness and pride for my mother. I didn't think much as to why I was able to transmute matter or manipulate the chemistry of things – but I merely did it for the praise I received after the fact. That's why we do a lot of things, I imagine."
He looked down at the crowd. He found his brother's face – his own gold eyes staring back at him. "I learned my lesson though. I had to do it the hard way. I hurt the people I loved most, because I was too focused on the rewards of alchemy…and not its true purpose."
"There is no such thing as a painless lesson. They just don't exist. To learn anything, you got to hurt and hurt deep. Alchemy demands that of us. When I was a kid, I didn't really have anyone to teach me that. I didn't have anyone to teach me that Alchemy is about living in the moment and appreciating life as it stands…and not how we want it to be."
"Alchemy, or what we understand of it, is based on Equivalent Exchange. Or, that is what I used to think. After learning the Truth, I realize now that the Law of Equivalent Exchange is actually a smoke and mirrors…it's the alchemist pride that would think in terms of 2+2=4.
"You might ask how I've come to that conclusion, but my experimentation and my proof is here in this room. Everyone in this room has given me and my brother something very special. Without any thought of reimbursement, you have give your time, your support, your money, and for many of you – even your blood, to see us succeed and reach our goals both past and present. You gave to us without any sacrifice on our part. We have received something very precious. We have received more than what we have given from all of you in this room."
"It is my duty then, to continue that principal and give back to our community by sharing Alchemy as it should be – for the people and for the good of understanding our world. Alchemy requires us to be unselfish, thought it is very tempting to use science for aims that are self centered and evil. We have all seen what the world looks like, using that kind of Alchemy. Alphonse and I, and all of our staff, are here to help that never happen again. We are here to make the world a better place and you are all making it possible.
He took a breath, sweat dripping down his neck. He found Winry's eyes. She had tears shining behind them. He smiled.
"I look at my wife now and I think about our son. After everything that has happened in my life I still believe that in spite of everything, people are truly good at heart. I believe that I still have a lot to learn about the Truth. I believe that I am going to learn as much as I'm going to teach.
I want to say to all of you Thank You for enduring the pains of alchemy and realizing the importance of what this school will achieve. Perhaps together we will build a better society – a place where Alchemy can be used for the good of the public, and to save those that have been hurt. I want to teach our Youth that there is more to Alchemy than just the laws of Equivalent Exchange. I thank everyone for joining me in that mission."
/
"Edward Elric! My heart weeps for you! Oh your speech was so inspirational! Oh!" Edward winced as he was crushed into a bone wrenching hug between Major Armstrong's beefy arms. "Truly fantastic, such words of encouragement!"
"Alright, Alright, don't blow a gaset Major." Ed whined, trying to separate himself from another cloying guest. "Have you seen my wife anywhere?"
Armstrong used his considerable height to survey the surrounding crowd.
"She's over there, sitting at that table." He pointed. Edward stood on his tip toes trying to find the point at which Armstrong was referring. Winry stood a little a part from the dancing, celebrating crowd, drinking a glass of champagne, her hair slightly falling out of its bun as the night carried on.
"Thanks."
Ed made straight for her. Since he gave his speech, he had tried to get her alone, but was bombarded with too many hugs and hand shakes for his taste. He was thwarted at every turn. Now guests were beginning to head back to their carriages and cars, saying good bye, and heading back to their hotel. In this quiet time, Edward finally was able to have a little peace.
"I liked your speech." She said, as he came to sit beside her at the table, drinking the sight of her in that beautiful blue dress.
"Thank you. I totally don't remember any of it." He grinned and scratched his head.
"Oh well."
"Where's Maes?" Edward asked.
"He is with Miss Gracia. I set up a guest bed for her in the nursery. She offered to watch him tonight for us." She rested her head against her hand, starring at Ed with a fond smile. "You sure do clean up nice, Edward Elric." She said, her eyes dreamy.
Edward blushed. "You too. I think you're drunk."
"Yeah. I am." She replied with a laugh. They stared at each other for a moment. Edward faintly registered that the music was still playing, despite only two or three guests remaining.
"Would you care to dance, Winry?"
"I'd love to.
\\
Within minutes, they vacated the dance floor an hurried into the shelter of the Rockbell Automail shop/former home, and hurried to the basement –their old haunt. Edward locked the door to ensure they would not be disturbed. Edward turned on the old lamp by the door that gave out just enough light to see your surroundings, but not enough to banish the beautiful shadows of night and the mystery of that mesmerizing blue dress.
He was slow about removing it – because she looked so damn sexy in it, that he didn't want to spoil the moment. She seemed to be thinking the same about his Tuxedo, and every move was deliberate as she rid him of it.
It was funny how things changed but managed to always stay the same. Winry remarked that Edward felt different as he entered her this time, but everything –their surroundings, their movements, where so familiar. Perhaps it was the purpose behind everything he did now, the sense of responsibility and love. Winry couldn't not place it. But as he kissed her softly and held her tightly within his embrace, Winry truly felt that Edward had become a man. A man that she loved and who was changing the world with his passion for justice and life.
Afterwards, they walked up the hill to their home, hand and hand. The party was over. The day was over and had been a success. Tomorrow, construction of the Elric Acadmey would continue. Their lives would continue. But Winry would always remember the moments of that day close in her heart. Gracia Hughes holding her son, Edward smiling at her as he saw her in the blue dress, and the words he had spoken at that podium, the love he had made to her in the quietness of the night.
Life was beautiful.