Chapter Three: Dark Haven
Disclaimer: I don't own 'Fullmetal Alchemist'.
Alphonse waited in the sitting room, constantly rushing over to the window to see if his brother was coming up to the door. But every time he checked, he only saw the usual traffic that passed his house. The young man was very worried about his brother. After all, it wasn't like him to go off without warning. Edward had also been gone for three days, without even a phone call. Alphonse kept wondering if something bad had happened to his brother…
There was a knock at the door, and Alphonse jumped up from the armchair he had been sitting in. He held his breath. Had he just imagined the knock…? There was a second one and, beaming, Alphonse ran to the front door, quickly unlocking it.
"Brother, I'm so glad you're back! I was starting to…" Alphonse opened the door, his words trailing off as he noticed who was at the door.
It was someone the young man didn't recognize. He was young, with long, messy dark green hair. Although the pupils of his violet eyes were oddly cat-like, they were friendly-looking. The young man smiled at Alphonse.
"Alphonse Elric?"
"Y-yes…?"
"Could you come with me, please?" I have some friends who are very eager to meet you…"
"I'm sorry…I don't believe I know you…" Alphonse tried his best to be polite, hiding his fear as he tried to close the door.
"Yes, but we know where your brother is. We can take you to him."
Alphonse paused. "Brother…?"
The mysterious young man nodded. "Yes. You want to see him again, don't you?"
Alphonse hesitated. It was true that he wanted to find his brother, but he was getting a very bad vibe from the man before him. There was something dark and unnatural about the stranger…Alphonse didn't like it. "Well…"
"I don't have all day. Either you'll come freely, or I'll have to make you."
There was a jolt in the young blonde's stomach, and he felt slightly dizzy. But he shook his head and slammed the door shut, locking it. He ran back to the sitting room, drawing the curtains shut and sat down in the armchair he had previously been occupying. Would the unwelcome visitor go away…? Quite suddenly, said man appeared before Alphonse, who yelped in surprise.
"I'm assuming that means we have to do it the hard way."
As the man reached down to grab Alphonse by the wrist, what appeared to be a lightning bolt struck him down. Very startled, Alphonse looked over to see a young black-haired girl standing at the entrance of the sitting room. She brushed her hair back from her face, stepping over to nudge the now-unconscious man with her foot. She smirked slightly when he didn't move.
"I expected you to put up more of a fight, Envy…This is pathetic…" She turned around and looked at Alphonse, a reassuring smile on her face. "I bet you're scared right now. But you don't have to worry—I'm not the bad guy here."
Alphonse felt like he could believe the girl. Although there was also something unnerving about her presence, the young blonde didn't feel that she was evil. He felt like he could trust her. "W-who are you?" he asked.
"My name is Crystal Mustang. I'm a friend. I'm asking you to come with me before more of these guys"—she jerked her head in the direction of the now-unconscious man—"show up."
"Do they have my brother? He said he could take me to my brother…"
"No, they don't. Your brother is safe with my family. Now, please, we really need to hurry."
Ashlynn knocked on the door. "Edward, it's me."
There was no answer.
"Edward?"
Nothing.
Ashlynn's anxiety peaked. Did he try to escape again? She opened the door, looking around the room. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him curled up in an armchair beside the fireplace, fast asleep with a book in his lap. She smiled fondly, setting the tray of food she held down on the table beside the armchair. She stared at the blonde's sleeping face. He looked so peaceful, so child-like…Ashlynn felt sad, knowing she had been the one to take him away from the human world and condemning him to her world, a world of eternal shadows.
Edward stirred, his eyes opening sleepily, his gaze falling to rest on her. "Ashlynn…" He yawned, stretching his arms above his head. "Guess I fell asleep reading…"
Ashlynn smiled, eager to hide her distress. "I have dinner for you."
His eyes lit up, and he sat up, digging into the food she had brought him. Ashlynn watched him, before cocking her head slightly.
Ashlynn, Crystal called through their telepathic link. I brought the brother. The Homunculi were trying to capture him…
Where are you now?
In the stables. We'll come up as soon as I'm finished dismounting.
Alright…I'll let Edward know…Ashlynn replied, looking over at the blonde. She reached over and rested her hand on his. He looked up at her face.
"Is something wrong?"
"Your brother is here at the manor."
"What? When? How?"
"He'll be here soon. My sister saved him from the Homunculi. The two of you are safe within our walls."
Edward slumped back in his chair, a sigh of relief escaping him. "Thank you, Ashlynn."
The young vampire was taken aback by the thanks. She didn't know what to say, curious about how his feelings toward her had changed so much in the past three days, but relieved that he no longer hated her.
"You're welcome," she finally replied.
Ashlynn looked over when there was a knock on the door. She went over to open it, and a young blonde barreled past her, running over to hug Edward.
"Brother, I'm so glad you're safe!"
"Same here, Al…"
Ashlynn glanced over at her sister. "Thank you, Crystal."
"Of course. But Envy didn't put up much of a fight…It was hardly any fun…"
Ashlynn laughed slightly, and glanced over at the Elric brothers, who were deep in conversation. A sad smile crossed her face. "Really, Crystal…Thanks…"
The older vampire glanced at her sister, surprised. Ashlynn's mind was writhing with bitter sadness and anger; odd, considering the two humans were safe. Her sister shook her head, purposely closing off her thoughts—a clear sign that she didn't want to talk about what was bothering her. Crystal frowned, but decided to say nothing. Instead, she gently squeezed Ashlynn's shoulder in a reassuring sort of way, and left the room.
Ashlynn continued to watch the two brothers. Finally, Edward looked over at her.
"Thank you, so much."
"You're welcome…It was the least I could do after…" Ashlynn stopped short, and shook her head slightly. "Never mind." After I tore you away from the light.
"I really do appreciate it, though."
Ashlynn smiled slightly. "So, what sort of things are you interested in?"
"For what?" Edward asked, obviously confused by the sudden question.
"You both need to pull your own weight around here, that's why. It can be your way of saying 'thank you' for protecting you, and all," a female voice said. "And maybe you can get me a can of tuna while you're at it."
Ashlynn sighed, almost wearily, passing a pale hand over her grey eyes. "Jackie…How did you get in? I could have sworn I locked the door after Crystal left…"
"You did," was the only cheerful reply.
"Who are you talking to…?" Edward asked, the name 'Jackie' being vaguely familiar…
"Down here," an irritated voice said, and the two Elrics looked down at the floor to see a fluffy orange tabby at Ashlynn's feet.
Alphonse's eyes widened happily. "It's so cute!" he exclaimed, reaching down to pick up the cat, stroking its ears as it stiffened in his hands.
"Put. Me. Down," a female voice growled as the cat narrowed its eyes.
With a somewhat startled squeak, Alphonse dropped the cat, who went to settle down in Ashlynn's lap, muttering in irritation. Ashlynn sighed and began to stroke the cat's head. She looked up at the brothers, who were both obviously surprised by the cat's behavior and the fact that it spoke. Ashlynn smiled, almost apologetically.
"Edward, Alphonse, this is Jackie. She's a shapeshifter."
Jackie glanced at the two humans, almost angrily, and then rested her head in her paws as Ashlynn continued to pet her head.
"But…I thought she was a tiger…" Edward finally managed to say.
Jackie looked at him, but it looked more like a glare. "I am, but I have four different forms, thank you very much." She set her head in her paws again, muttering to herself. "Jeez, humans are so thick…"
"Oh, stop," Ashlynn chided gently. "You were human once. Don't forget that you're an artificial shapeshifter…"
Jackie scoffed and closed her eyes. "Don't know why she likes him so much…"
Ashlynn's cheeks turned a faint pink. "Jackie, shush!"
"You know I'm right…"
Ashlynn glared at the cat before returning her gaze to the Elric brothers. "As I was saying, what sort of things are you interested in? That way, you can be doing something you like."
"Well…I like books…" Edward said.
"Then I'll show you the library. And you, Alphonse?"
"Oh…Well…I like animals and metalwork…"
"Great. You can help out in the stable house and smithy…They've been looking for an extra hand…" Ashlynn picked up the tabby in her lap and set her down on the ground. Gesturing to the brothers, she stepped out in the hallway and proceeded to give them a tour of the manor.
"A good majority of the guest rooms are on this floor. As soon as I talk with Riza, you'll have your own room, Alphonse, but for now, you'll have to share with your brother…This is the library tower. It takes up four stories…There are two dining rooms, but one is reserved for social gatherings that my uncle hosts…"
Eventually, they were outside, touring the grounds.
"Good afternoon, Lady Ashlynn!"
"Good afternoon, Mr. Armstrong," Ashlynn replied with a light smile.
A very tall and muscular man stepped around a tree, a basket of gardening tools in one hand and a basket of apples in the other.
"Edward, Alphonse, this is our gardener and groundskeeper, Alex Louis Armstrong."
The man dipped his head to the two brothers. "It's a pleasure to meet you both, masters Elric. We are glad to help protect you." He then returned his gaze to Ashlynn. "Lady Ashlynn, shall I bring these apples to the kitchen or to your room?"
"Please bring them to the kitchen."
"Yes, ma'am." With another respectful bow of his head, he headed off.
"What is he?" Edward asked once Armstrong was out of sight.
"Brother, that sounded really rude…" Alphonse chided.
Ashlynn laughed slightly. "Oh, no. The only night creatures here are my family and myself, Jackie and Lily, Terra, and Aaric. Everyone else is human."
"Wait, really?"
"Yes. My uncle is actually quite compassionate…" She trailed off, appearing to stare off into the distance. She shook her head slightly and then smiled at the two brothers. "Come along."