Braiding the Noose with Indian Rope
Disclaimer: Again, I don't own FMA, I don't want to own FMA, because if I did I would probably be too lazy and ruin it… But I still like to play with the characters and make them go through traumatic situations (be it fun or serious)!
JUST A REMINDER: Rated for the three M's: Murder, Mutilation, and general Mayhem…. And one L: Language.
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Chapter 2: Of Drunkenness and More Distress
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November 20, 1919--10:08 AM, Central Headquarters
She held her head high and her back straight as she walked down the brightly lit hallway of Central Headquarters. She stopped in front of the grand oak doors that led to the Furher's office.
The woman took a deep breath, swept a strand of canary yellow hair behind her ears, readjusted the bun her hair was tightly wrapped in, and turned the elaborate brass knob.
As she strolled into the room she was welcomed by an annoyed voice. The blond woman peeked into an expansive, expensive office at the handsome raven-haired man sitting comfortably in an elegant wooden, straight-backed (although the man was currently slouched while lazily playing with the phone chord between his long, slender fingers) chair and talking on the telephone.
The petite, yet firm woman quickly ducked out of sight when she saw the man's military blue clad body spring out of the chair and slam one strong gloved palm, the one currently unoccupied by a metal contraption, on the mahogany desk.
"What?! Another one! You can't be serious!" The man shouted angrily into the receiver, breaking the uncaring, lazy façade he normally presented to the world (the mask that could normally only be removed by the blond-haired woman when she was alone with him). He paused for a moment, the ivory fingers inside of the glove tapping an impatient rhythm on the table top, while he waited to be relayed more information from the person on the other side of the line.
The woman heard an exasperated sigh in the room next to her impressive office (being the Furher's secretary did have its perks, after all).
"You think an alchemist did this?… Yes I… I understand… I'll send my best men for the case… Alright… goodbye." He hung up the phone and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Riza, come in here please," The man focusing his somber, almost black eyes toward the open door where he saw the woman disappear earlier.
"Sir, do you really think you should be calling me 'Riza' in public? People will probably notice," stated Riza matter-of-factly.
"Well, we're alone now aren't we?" The man answered suggestively.
"Sir, now's not the time nor the place, besides you called me in here to talk about that phone call didn't you?" Hawkeye asked, slightly distressed by the thought of having to pull her gun out this early in the morning.
"Oh that, yeah, you've been hearing about the murders around central, right? Of course you have, well, it seems there's an alchemist involved now, or at least that's what the police seem to think. So, it falls under our jurisdiction, and I want you to call Davis and York to come-"
The dark-haired man's speech was cut short as the door banged open and a frazzled tawny-eyed man ran through the door.
"Sorry I'm late Mustang, I know I was supposed to report, but I was talking to Winry about…tomorrow," the panting Elric gasped, red-faced from the cold and from the conversation he had with the blond mechanic earlier.
"Major, that's supposed to be in two days, after you've used some of your vacation time, don't you remember, or can you not fit all that information in that small head of yours… and that's Fuhrer Mustang to you, Full Metal," the pleased Fuhrer taunted, smirking slightly.
"HEY! I'm taller than you now…sir." Ed snarled, barely able to maintain a respectful air, but still not losing his temper… that had to count for something right.
"In fact, just the other day, I trying to find a seat in the cafeteria, well, I was looking over everyone's head and guess what I saw" Ed continued scathingly. "I spotted a certain person speaking to a very pretty serving lady, who was blushing pretty badly… I wonder what he was saying to her?" The blond boy asked, while an evil grin appeared on his face, gradually broadening until Mustang thought it would swallow his other features. All right, so there went his temper.
"Oh, Ms. Hawkeye, I didn't see you there, why don't you ask him?" Ed supplied in mock surprise, as Riza glared daggers at the man sitting before them.
"Yes Roy Mustang, what were you talking about?" Riza said as her mouth pulled into a grim line. Mustang's cool mask was slipping again and his dark eyes widened as he heard his name spill from her lips, she wouldn't use it in the office unless he was a dead man. That's when he saw her reach for her gun. Some one was going to die in the very near future.
"Riza you know how girls are around me! I can't help it! I didn't say anything to her, she just started talking to me and blushing…. She does that to everyone. I bet she even did it to the shrimp over there!" He told her, whining slightly while pointing to an angry Edward.
"Edward, maybe you should go, I don't want you to see this," The lemon-haired lady said, still looking at the panicked man in the priceless chair, and snapping of the safety off on her gun.
Ed hurried out of the room just as shots were heard in the hallway. He felt a little guilty, the girl did blush at everything anyone said to her, but the bastard deserved it.
The honey-haired man made his way home to prepare for Winry and Paninya's arrival, fully enjoying the thought of sleeping in the next day.
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November 20, 1919--11:48 AM, Central Headquarters
Mustang sat at his desk, nursing his bruised ego. I'll have to get someone in here to fix the wall soon, or people will come in and think someone tried to assassinate me, he laughed warily, knowing that it was half true. Relieved, he exhaled. He was a little surprised that none of the bullets in the wall behind him had gone into his flesh, but he knew Hawkeye was an excellent marksman.
After Ed had left, Mustang had finally been able to pacify his secretary by calling up his old gang, all now working in higher places as a reward for serving the current Fuehrer for such a long time, and asking them if the serving woman had ever made a pass at them. When Havoc, Breda, Falman, and Fuery had said yes, Riza was immediately relieved. Although he had to thank Ed for something, Riza, after apologizing for doubting him, immediately set to work taking care of him.
Ah… here she was with his coffee now.
"Thank you… Ms. Hawkeye," Roy said carefully, still on edge and not wanting to anger the beautiful, but deadly she-demon with remarkable good aim any further.
"I also called Mr. York and Mr. Davis like you asked, but I was wondering why you didn't ask Edward to take the case instead? He could probably solve it more quickly than the others," Hawkeye asked with surprising tentativeness, Mustang guessed she was still embarrassed about the incident earlier.
"Oh, I don't want him to get involved, not just yet, not unless he has to. Edward takes everything so personally, and if someone else died under his supervision, it would kill him. I don't want to see him that depressed again," he said firmly, remembering Alphonse's thin body lying in the hospital and his brother, normally so strong, huddled over the almost lifeless boy, sobbing quietly.
"I see… sir, you might want to start that paperwork now, it'll take you forever if you don't," she turned to leave, but a hand caught her slim wrist and pulled gently on it, turning her to face the pale man.
"I really am sorry about earlier, Riza. I know I used to be a bit… promiscuous," a small smile formed on Riza's face, a bit promiscuous "But you know that that was a long time ago, and I wouldn't do that to you. You can trust me." Roy uttered, his dark blue eyes boring into her red ones.
He released her hand, picked up his pen, and looked at the stack ominously. Riza decided to leave him to his work, she had to admit though, it was the first time that she almost wished he hadn't, but only so he could keep holding her.
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November 21, 1919-- 11:32 AM, Central Train Station
He's gotta be here! I told him yesterday morning to come pick us up," Winry yelled over the howl of the train whistle.
"Are you sure he's gonna remember, or what if he's busy and can't make it?" Paninya questioned, not entirely trusting Ed to come pick them up. She shivered and pulled her coat closer to her body, it was too cold in Central. She continued her line of thought as she and Winry battled their way through the massive train station towards the exit, "or what if he's just so small that we don't see him through all of the people?" She quipped, letting out a giggle, not liking the way her breath formed into a white mist. Air shouldn't be able to do that.
"You'd be surprised," Winry stated loyally, "he's grown a lot since the last time you saw him… Al too, he's still a little taller and Ed can't get over it!" Winry laughed and watched as her breath became a cloud of white in the cold air, then gradually dispersed upward toward the giant lavishly decorated station ceiling. That's when she saw him, just a flash of gold amongst the throng of people.
She had to admit though, he didn't exactly tower over the hordes of people, but she could see his eyes, glowing from the light pouring into the building, brighten even more as he spotted them.
"Pan! There he is!" Winry shouted gleefully to her friend, pointing in his direction. They both began forcing their way towards him, and saw him doing the same, if not a little more successfully.
When they bridged the gap between them, Winry tossed down her bags and lunged at Ed. Edward opened his arms to return the enthusiastic embrace, both of them breaking into joyful smiles. They hadn't seen each other in a while.
Paninya let them have five minutes, then she couldn't help but interrupt, teeth chattering, "Uh… Hey guys, are we gonna go soon. I know you two haven't seen each other in a long time and everything, but I'm freezing! You might be used to this, but I haven't left Rush Valley for years… Now I'm missing the sun and the rocks and the heat and…. Let's just go already, you can do this in the apartment!"
The two blonds stepped apart from each other quickly, their cheeks red, but not from the cold.
"Yeah, I'll get your bags, and let's get out of here!" Ed said, eyes focused on Winry's feet, determined not to look her in the eyes.
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November 21, 1919-- 1:35 PM, The Street Corner Next to Central Train Station
Once they got to the Havoc's car, which Ed had painstakingly begged to borrow, Winry and Paninya bundled up into the back seat, and Ed drove them away from the train station.
They were almost to the apartment, Paninya and Winry chattering in the back seat and Ed tossing in an occasional word, until Paninya piped up, "Ed, why don't you and Al have an apartment warming party? We could invite everyone over and have drinks… It'd be great!"
"Hell no!" He looked into the rearview mirror and saw Paninya's stricken face, then quickly explained, "Al and I have put so much work into that apartment, if anyone came over I know they would ruin it, especially if there was drinking involved!"
"Oh, well how about just us then?" Paninya asked, the smile returning to her face.
"I guess…" Ed said reluctantly.
"I could go buy the drinks and pay, that is if you'll loan me the car. Garfiel taught me how to drive last year!" Paninya triumphantly grinned at her accomplishment.
Ed cringed slightly at the thought of her driving, but accepted, he would need something to drink after they stayed with him anyway.
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November 21, 1919-- 7:36 PM, Central Vantish Apartment Buildings
Al was exhausted. He had spent all day at school, running around campus and now he just wanted to go to sleep. He yawned and tiredly rubbed his eyes, I'm definitely looking forward to the weekend so I don't have to stay up studying, he thought, his mind sluggishly trying to process which door led to his apartment. Oh, there 348… He turned the knob and stepped into the room.
He walked down the hallway, past the visions of three blond children playing on the green hills of Rizembool hung on the wall, past the plush couch, which looked extremely tempting to the sleepy Alphonse, and past kitchen where his flaxen-eyed sibling and a straw-haired girl were playfully bickering. Hmm… I wish brother and Winry would stop arguing so I could get some sleep… wait… Win…ry… WHAT?! His drooping eyes instantly sprang open and he ran to the kitchen.
He appeared in the doorway to find appliances strewn about the kitchen and batter sprayed across the counter… Ed and Winry must be cooking dinner together. Alphonse noticed their flour-covered faces were suspiciously close together. He vaguely wondered if they meant to cook the flour on their faces because their cheeks were each a bright blazing red. He cleared his throat and they sprang apart, both yelping slightly.
"AL!" They both yelled, surprised at the intrusion. Ed came over and, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment, asked "When did you get home Al? We didn't even hear you come in."
Al looked at Ed, a knowing smile on his face, I always knew that Ed liked Winry as more than a friend, and now I see Winry likes him the same way, I have to say something, right? But then he looked at Ed, who saw the smile and blanched, silently begging Al not to say anything. I guess they haven't noticed yet… but it's not my place anyway, they should figure it out on their own, He thought. Besides I still owe brother for that phone call I left him with yesterday.
"So, what's for dinner?" He asked casually, deciding to change the subject and hearing Ed heave a sigh of extrication. He went over to Winry and gave her a tight hug. She returned it with joy. She was also pleased to see him.
"Actually, we were going to have a party! These are just like appetizers, you know, get your own," Winry exclaimed excitedly, her cerulean eyes gleaming with happiness.
"Where's Paninya?" Al questioned the occupants in the room. He had expected her to be at the apartment when he got home, but she was nowhere to be seen.
"She's getting drinks for us," Ed told him, eyeing Al warily as if expecting him to object.
"Brother, you have work tomorrow. You shouldn't be drinking. If you have too much then you'll have a hangover and Mustang will get mad," Al said annoyed by Ed's apparent lack of care for his employment.
"Calm down Al, we were just going to celebrate Winry and Paninya coming into town and our new apartment," Ed declared, exasperated. "You've been studying too hard anyways. You need to loosen up," Edward grinned prodding his pearly-eyed brother in the ribs, and Al could see the mischievous sparkle in his brother's eyes.
"Maybe just one drink…" Al trailed off uncertainly.
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November 22, 1919-- 1:45 AM, Central Vantish Apartment Buildings
Ed groaned, shifting his head under a pillow to get away from that disgusting screaming sound. It was not helping his hangover at all. He rolled over knowing there was only one way to stop the screech.
He got up from the carpet and stumbled over a body on the floor… He looked down blurrily and saw Winry's prone form lying unconscious on the ground. What…Where are we? He saw the moon peaking in through the closed curtains, revealing the two other bodies on the living room carpet of Al and Paninya.
Oh yeah, now I remember, the party. I guess Al was right, we shouldn't have drunk so much. I forgot to change into pajamas before I passed out. Ed's disconnected thoughts continued lethargically, I can't believe Paninya got Al to dance with her, he was blushing so much, Ed laughed drowsily… Oh, yeah, and I danced with Winry… She's gonna be mad when she wakes up, ah, well… Works gonna suck…
Ed's winced cursing quietly as another shriek pierced the air. Oh, right, that was why he had gotten up in the first place, wasn't it? He walked over to the phone and picked it up, effectively ending the disturbance.
"Wha'd ya wan'?" Ed answered, peeved.
"Full Metal, it's Mustang, I need you to come over immediately," was the stern reply he got.
"This a joke?" Ed asked irritably, drowsiness caking onto his words. He began again, his tired voice slurring, "I know you angry 'bout yest'day bu' why ya callin' a' two in th' mornin'?
"Ed, this isn't a joke. Just get over here NOW!" Ed had to hold the receiver away from his ears so as not to aggravate his pounding head even more.
"Why?" He asked again, getting impatient.
"You've heard about the murders right, well, there's been another killing and I need you to investigate. Go to Velition Street and talk to the police they'll tell you what happened," Ed hung up and snatched his navy, military coat off of the coat rack. He looked back at the sleeping forms of his brother and friends, thinking of waking them up, but decided against it, instead writing a note telling where he was going.
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YAY!! There's chapter 2 for ya! I hope everyone enjoyed it!
Sorry about the last paragraph, I just wanted to mess with you guys a little.. he he, did anyone think they were actually in trouble? Now the REAL action can really begin!!
By the way, I don't know the drinking age, so I said it was just 18, although I still wouldn't be able to drink if it was, which would suck….
At the cafeteria girl thing, I thought of just having Hawkeye call Havoc to check if she made a pass at him (cause he has A LOT of trouble with women), but I thought that was too mean, and Havoc deserves better… Havoc deserves a girlfriend.
So if you guys review I would love it so much (getting reviews is like petting a kitten to me, it makes me happy and want to write more… well it's sort of like petting a kitten)