Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist and Harry Potter do not belong to me. Somnel, however, does.
Chapter Five: Partner
"No matter how many times I deal with them, wand-makers are always a little creepy," Edward muttered to himself as he walked away from Ollivander's. He raised a hand to his brow to block out the bright golden sun, shining almost directly into his eyes from its place on the horizon. "Sun's setting. I didn't think I spent quite so long in there. Guess I should get going." Much to Edward's delight, the later hour had thinned the crowd of shoppers even more, and there were only a few people wandering about the alley. Edward knew that the crowds would soon pick up again for the early-night rush, so he picked up his pace and jogged down the cobbled street to the Magical Menagerie.
Edward noted with slight bemusement that the Menagerie's door had a bell as well. He was met with the sounds of many animals of varying species and states of awareness. There were bird screeches, mainly from owls; normal looking and strange dogs of all sizes barked and yipped; cats meowed, purred, and growled. A door behind the front desk opened and a harried-looking employee appeared, most likely from some backroom. He was a sallow-skinned young man with mussed brown hair and dark circles around his eyes; he wore a dark grey shirt and pants topped with a stained and torn apron, the original color of which was undeterminable. The man was covered in scratches, bruises, and gave off a rather unpleasant smell.
"Hello," he panted, doing his best to seem at least somewhat professional. He failed miserably. "Welcome to the Magical Menagerie of Diagon Alley. How may I help you?"
Edward raised an eyebrow at him, feeling no small amount of pity for the ragged man. "I'm looking for a familiar."
"Ah, yes. Did you have anything in mind?"
"No, my plan was to wander around until something caught my eye."
"Oh," said the man, sounding relieved and put out at the same time. "If you need anything, I'll be in the back. You can ring the bell," he said, gesturing to a small silver bell on the desk like the type seen in hotels, "or you can just give a holler. I hope you find everything well."
"I'm sure I will, thank you," Edward replied just before the door closed behind the employee. Looking around, Edward set his suitcase down and decided to circle the perimeter first, working his way inward. As he walked he saw many interesting things that he would have like to examine, but he was waiting until he found something that truly struck him. Some of the things that he passed over included a curious screech owl, a long black and red snake, and a steel grey kitten with gold eyes that reminded him of Alphonse. When he finally found what he was looking for, he almost passed over it. The animal was in a small case in a corner of the main room, tucked behind a glass case holding a family of jumping spiders. As he walked past he felt a slight tug at his mind. Turning his head sharply, he narrowed his golden eyes in suspicion and anticipation. He crouched in front of the cage, pushing the case of spiders aside and not even wincing at the dull smack one created when it smacked against the glass trying to leap at him. Edward looked inside the cage with bright golden eyes, quickly examining and studying.
The creature was a dull red, the type that was obviously a faded version of what must have once been a crimson splendor. The creature was covered in tiny, bead like scales that created a hide that was almost impenetrable. Even the creature's underbelly, visible due the creature's position of lying on its side, appeared to be tougher than any snake's skin. Shorter than a snake but too slender for a lizard, it appeared to be a miniature version of a Chinese dragon. It had strong looking hind legs and shorter limbs in the front that seemed like arms. The arms seemed to be built more for holding things, but all the creature's limbs seemed to have a strange, complex bone structure and were armed with a set of wicket looking claws. The creature's head was elegant and shaped somewhat like a pear. It had small holes for ears, slits for nostrils, and—Edward could see through its slightly open mouth—a fierce-looking set of sharp, silver teeth. Its eyes were closed; the creature had eyelids, unlike some of its (Edward guessed) reptilian family. The creature was about three and a half feet long from nose to tail, with about a third of its body-length comprised of tail alone.
Sensing that it was being watched, the creature slowly shifted in a rustle of scales against the paper that lined the bottom of its cage. Its head now facing Edward, one almond shaped eye ever so slowly slid open to stare at the alchemist. The eye was a brilliant gold, duller and of a darker shade than Edward's own eyes. Though glazed and slightly unfocused, the eye was sharp with intelligence and acutely aware.
"What are you looking at, human?" Edward started when he heard the voice. It was quiet and weak, and was accompanied by the slight movement of the creature's fanged mouth. What was even odder than the fact that the creature was actually speaking was the fact that its mouth movements did not match its speech, the jaw merely moving up and down in approximately the same time as the creature spoke. "Though it's impressive you noticed me, I have no time for a creature such as yourself." It didn't realize the irony of calling Edward a 'creature', as that was how he had been referring to it in his mind.
"Who are you?" Edward asked, awed. "What are you?"
"It is none of your business who or what I am, human."
Edward scowled at it. "I think it is my business. You said it was impressive I noticed you. Why is that?" The creature seemed to scowl.
"I see you will not simply leave unless I tell you something. Stubborn human," it grumbled. "Fine. I am what your kind would call a kaivul."
"A what?" Edward asked, confused.
"A kaivul, stupid human!" it snarled. "If you want me to speak to you, you will not interrupt!" It was baring its fangs in anger, making a low growling sound in its throat. In its fury it had stood up on all fours, and its tail was lashing in anger.
"I'm sorry," Edward said respectively. "Please continue."
"That's better," it huffed, sitting back down and ceasing its growing, though its tail still twitched in irritation. "My kind are a rare breed these days, our numbers decreased from the times we were hunted for the magical properties our bodies hold." Edward's eyes softened in sympathy.
"My condolences," he said. "Humans have a history of being very foolish."
"I'm surprised you admit that so willingly, human. Now leave me be. Talking in your tongue makes my jaw hurt. I don't know how you creatures don't break teeth with this drivel." With that, the dragon look-alike rested its head on the cage bottom and curled up like a cat.
'Is this better?' the creature heard in its head, spoken in Edward's voice.
The kaivul instantly got up and charged at Edward, trying to push its jaws out through the cage bars to take a bite out of the blond. 'HOW?!' the creature's voice roared in Edward's mind. 'How could a mere human be able to speak mind-to-mind?!'
'Humans know it as legilimancy. They use it as a weapon to invade each other's minds and learn each other's secrets,' Edward replied, his mental voice sounding somewhat strained to the kaivul.
'I believe you are referring to establishing contact between minds. Lucid communication requires much more skill and power than simple invasion.' The kaivul sounded much calmer, to Edward's relief.
'It does,' Edward agreed, his mental voice sounding even more stressed. 'Speaking of which, can I talk out loud now?' Edward received a regal nod in reply. He sighed with relief. There was a long silence as the kaivul seemed to think something over. Edward shifted uncomfortably, when the creature looked intensely and deeply into his eyes, seeming to have made a decision.
'Human…do you want me to become your partner?' It asked solemnly.
"Huh?" was Edward's intelligent reply.
'I will be no one's pet or servant, but you intrigue me. I would be willing to become your partner. If you agree to this, our minds will become linked and communicating mind-to-mind between us will be as easy as breathing.'
"Why are you offering this to me?" Edward asked, instinctively knowing that this was a great honor.
'One, it will get me out of this god-forsaken cage. Two, you are one of the most interesting beings I've met in over a century.' Edward's eyes widened in awe. One, this creature—kaivul, his mind supplied—was over a hundred years old, and two, it found him interesting!
Not needing a second longer to think, Edward replied, "Yes."
'Hold on a moment, human. How do you know you can trust me?' it asked. 'I don't want to have an idiot for a partner,' it thought, though it didn't project the idea to Edward.
"I don't," he replied. "But I've lived long enough to know I should trust my instincts." The kaivul nodded in approval.
'Alright human, now come here.' Edward complied. 'This will feel strange, and depending on how strong our bond is it could be painful.' The kaivul stuck its muzzle as far towards Edward as the cage would allow. Edward, sensing what the kaivul wanted, leaned his head forward until he was close enough for the kaivul to touch. It pressed its scaled nose against Edward's forehead. 'One last thing before I bond us…What is your name?'
Slightly surprised, he mentally responded, 'Edward Elric.'
'I am Somnel.' That was the last thing Edward heard before his vision went white and he passed out.