Chapter.10 –Memory and Honesty
Melodramatic as ever, Edward Elric insisted upon having something to drink before starting his story. Alphonse joined his side, who had apparently been looking around for Winry and Pinako. Edward had grown up since she had last seen him. He'd grown taller for one thing, and his hair was much longer. Winry gave him his drink, leaning against the table as he drank it. She then screamed, throwing her spanner and hitting him.
"What the hell are you both doing back here!!" she shouted, her face an elaborate expression of emotion. Edward rubbed his head, looking annoyed at Winry.
"Jeez, wonderful hospitality," he muttered. He glanced upwards, noticing Riza standing in the background, trying to keep out of it all. Unsurprised by her presence, Ed turned back to his drink, finishing it all off.
"Being serious now," Winry said, "What are you two doing back here?"
Ed looked at Winry before sighing and leaning back in his chair.
"We deserted the war. Can't exactly continue our search to regain our bodies if we're out fighting people who haven't done anything to us," Edward said, shrugging his shoulders. Winry looked away. Part of her agreed with some of what he said, but another part of her believed in doing what was right. She opened her mouth to speak, when Riza stepped forward.
"Edward, that is completely irresponsible of you," she said, "As a state alchemist it is your duty to be there fighting for your country,"
Edward didn't say anything. He knew what she was saying was right after all. He sat back again, closing his eyes as Alphonse stepped forward.
"Please Miss. Hawkeye…" Alphonse began.
"Mustang," She said, "and you know it has been for a while,"
Edward opened up one eye, looking at Riza for a moment before closing it again and letting Alphonse speak.
"Yes of course, Mrs. Mustang… Brother wouldn't have deserted if he felt he wasn't going to be doing anything better. The thing is, we need to find our bodies, and this war… It seems so trivial and pointless in the first place. We're not helping by fighting,"
"That is besides the point," Riza said, "It is your brother's duty as a state alchemist. You though Alphonse, there is no reign upon you other than that of your brother's actions,"
Edward opened up his eye again. He then closed it before speaking.
"Alphonse goes where I go. Elementary really, how can it surprise you?" He said.
"It doesn't," Riza said. Edward shrugged his shoulders.
"What are you going to do here though?" Winry asked calmly, "If you're still searching for your bodies, what use is it being here?"
Ed opened his eyes, looking at Alphonse who was looking at him. He took in a deep breath and let it out in one big sigh.
"I need new automail…" he said, "The old model is playing up,"
Winry sighed. She then turned around, walking towards the basement.
"I'll have it ready in a few days," she said, "In the meantime, Riza will sort you out,"
Riza glanced over at Winry before looking back at Ed. She sighed as Ed began to take off his jacket and revealing a black vest underneath.
"So you're building automail now?" Alphonse inquired.
"Yes…" Riza said, grabbing a screwdriver from a nearby table and taking Edward's arm. She unscrewed a number of different screws, laying each one carefully on the table. She then slid the arm out completely, laying that upon the table as well.
"Right, I need to take off your leg now," she said to Ed. Who shrugged as he pulled up the trouser on his left leg. Riza repeated the same routine, and in minutes had his leg off as well. There was a clattering sound as Winry appeared at the top of the stairs with a number of different prototypes in her arms.
"Right Riza, see which one fits best and just temporarily put into the slots, okay?"
Riza nodded, taking the prototypes from her. Winry headed down to the basement again. Alphonse looked around before going down into the basement as well. There, he found Winry rummaging around certain drawers, trying to find the right equipment. She took out a piece of metal, as well as a helmet, which she put over her head.
"I know you're there Alphonse," she said, "Stealth was never your strongest point,"
"I know, I know," Alphonse said, "I just wanted to talk. Riza seems different."
Winry glanced at Alphonse before returning to her workstation and putting a piece of metal into a vice before pulling her helmet down and blowtorching it.
"Riza's going through a really rough time," Winry said, "She's not handling being separated from Roy that well,"
Alphonse stepped back. Part of it was quite surprising, considering how strong Riza was. It seemed odd for her to be emotionally broken by something.
"What's happened to Mustang though?" Alphonse asked. Winry stopped using the blowtorch, pulling up the helmet and looking at Alphonse.
"I was hoping you could tell me. You were fighting in the same war,"
"True enough, but Edward was posted in a different division. We never saw Mustang nor heard any stories of where he is,"
Winry sighed, bothered by the revelation. She pulled her helmet down again and went back to work on the piece of metal.
"I just hope Mustang is okay though… Even I'm beginning to dread the day when that letter comes in telling us he's been killed…"