"You know I don't want you going to the surface, Edward!"

"You say that like I give a damn."

Hohenheim inhaled deeply, trying to maintain his calm. I had to admit, as much as I hated his rules, it was nice to see him get riled up.

"Look, it's dangerous, son."

"Don't call me your son," I scowled. "And how would you know? You're too busy with your precious politics and ruling your kingdom to learn about the humans."

"Trust me, Edward. To them, we are the stuff of myths. If any normal human were to capture you, or any of us, they would investigate you. Do you know what that means? They'd cut you open just to see how you work!"

I couldn't control myself; I pushed off my bed, getting in his face. "What if they didn't? There's danger in everything, but you have to try or else you'll never get anywhere!"

"I'm done with this discussion, Edward."

"Big fucking surprise. You always back out, get away from me and Al whenever anything serious happens."

Hohenheim raised a hand, then apparently thought better than to try and touch me. Good. I would have hit him. He sighed, leaving my room.

Al appeared in the doorway, tentative. "Brother—"

"Look, I don't want to talk about him, Al." Contrary to what I said, I flopped down on my bed, continuing in a whisper. "He won't even give me a chance, won't even listen. The humans are so fascinating…I'm just curious, is all. But he won't have it…some father he is."

Alphonse paused, thoughtful. "Brother…I shouldn't tell you this, as it will only get you in more trouble, but it might cheer you up, too…there's a ship above us."

"What!?" I shot up, eyes gleaming. "Let's go, what are we waiting for?"

"I was afraid you'd say that," Al muttered behind me, following despite his obvious apprehension.

I was thrilled, this was fantastic—a human ship, above us. It was getting dark on the surface by now, so we could hide okay. Maybe I'd even get to see a human other than Winry! My tail shook in excitement, which I tried to control; it was kind of embarrassing.

However, we weren't far outside the palace before Izumi caught up. "And where do you think you're going, Ed?"

"Just need to be away from that place, is all," I thought on my fins, trying to find an excuse. "There's supposed to be a storm tonight, right?" Izumi nodded, and I mentally sighed, relieved that I had gotten the forecast right. "Well, I like to feel some of the currents…helps me think, you know."

She studied me and Al for a moment, and I thought I was caught for sure when she nodded. "All right then. I'm only supposed to keep you from the surface, and even you know better than to go up there during a storm."

I smiled and waved, swimming away, dragging Al behind me. The trouble was, though I knew better, I was stupid enough to ignore the danger.

The ship was enormous, and intricately designed. We snuck right up to it, so I could feel the wood. It was so strange, different from the coral we have down below. Sounds of laughter floated down from the deck of the ship; the humans were celebrating something.

Of course, I immediately found a way up.

There was a ladder on the side (I remembered the name easily, having watched Winry fall off one once), and with a toss from Al, I was able to reach the lowest rung. It was slippery, and uncomfortably rough, and nowhere near as sturdy as Winry's had been, but it would do. Unfortunately, there was no way Alphonse would make it up with his body.

"You go ahead, Brother! I'll be fine down here."

And he was probably telling the truth. Though Al had a fondness for Winry, he wasn't quite as enamored by humans in general as I was. I nodded, and headed up.

As I went, the noises got louder, and music started up. There was a sharp bang, and then some yells, and for a moment I thought something had happened. But the laughter resumed, and so I kept climbing.

Near the top of the ladder, I found a ledge, conveniently located by the gaps in a railing. Perfect for spying on the humans aboard the ship.

My first peek took my breath away.

He was easily the most beautiful human I had ever seen. Black hair reflected the firelight from the torches and candles on the ship, and I longed to touch it and see if it was as soft as it looked. He seemed to be wearing a uniform, matching the rest of those on the ship, so I couldn't see him, really. But those eyes—they seemed to be searching, either midnight or the darkest blue. If anyone could spot me, it was him.

"Roy!" Another man stumbled up to him, clutching a bottle. "How's it going, Roy?"

So his name was Roy.

"It is a wonder to me, Havoc, that you manage both to forget protocol and to not get seasick even when inebriated." I didn't believe in a god, but his voice made me wonder. It was funny—he seemed irritated with the blonde man clinging to him, but he still smiled slightly.

"See anything, Brother?" Al's whisper was barely audible from my current height. I looked down, beaming.

"Yeah. Yeah I do."

Unluckily for me, I spoke just as the music paused. I was quiet, but when I turned back, Roy's head was cocked in my direction, puzzlement on his face. I dared not breathe, conflicted; should I run, avoid the possible danger of the man like Hohenheim would want me to, or should I let him find me and risk it?

I was frozen, unable to make a choice. I detested the thought of giving in to Hohenheim, but something about Roy let me know he was dangerous—charming and enticing, but not necessarily entirely safe. He could, at the very least, I was sure, defend himself if he concluded that I was a danger.

It turned out I didn't have to choose, because at that moment, the incoming storm struck. A wave crashed into the opposite side of the ship, sending me plummeting to the water and Roy stumbling across the deck.

I broke the water, immediately coming back up, ignoring Al's screams for me to get back underwater as I watched the ship. The fires had toppled, spreading across the hull of the ship even as Roy and the rest of them tried to get it under control, prevent it from tipping over entirely.

There was no hope, and I splashed around, panicked, as the ship began to sink around me. All over, the humans were abandoning it, getting into lifeboats and rowing away.

But where was Roy?

"Roy!" This time, a woman's voice shouted his name. "I know you have this thing about being the master of fire," she continued. "And you are pretty good about getting it under control, but not is not the time! Get off the damn ship!"

He was still on board! I swam toward the ship, now breaking apart, trying to find him.

Lightning struck, blinding me and splitting the remains of the ship. I blinked the light out of my eyes, searching frantically.

There! It was just a glimpse, but he was to my left, now at the mercy of the sea.

And he was drowning.