For those who read the previous chapter when it was all in bold, I'm terribly sorry. That was a mistake. I didn't know it bolded the whole thing and the lines disappeared too, I think. Sorry it was confusing. I didn't have time to do my usual checking since I needed to leave. I deleted it and uploaded it again with better format.
Here's the next chapter. I hope you like it.
I don't own FMA or its characters. I only own the plot and OCs.
Micha dragged her feet to the breakfast room and slumped down on the chair. Her father slipped a piece of paper next to her plate. Micha took it as she rubbed her eye, trying to clear her vision. It was a to-do list. After reading it she looked at her dad and gave him a sleepy smile.
Roy stroked her hair once and then left the table.
Riza was already waiting for Micha in her Mustang. They were going shopping again. Much to Riza's surprise, Fashion Street wasn't their first destination. Instead, they went to the mall. There, Micha picked out sweaters, and pants for her. Riza was even more surprised when Micha told her to pick out some clothes that she liked as well.
Micha was particularly quiet that day. When they were shopping, she would only talk to the sales lady for different sizes, and would occasionally ask Riza if she wanted anything else. Their next stop, was a sports store that specialized in winter sports equipment. She talked to the clerks to get Riza's size and asked her if it wasn't too heavy and if the straps were comfortable. After, Micha told them to deliver it to her house and used her credit card and then they left.
At first, Riza found the silence weird. When they were walking around the mall, Micha would text and go window shopping. She didn't really bother asking any questions or strike up a conversation. But whenever Riza did try to make small talk, there was no hostility in the teen's voice whatsoever. After a while, Riza found the silence comforting and in a way, she got to know Micha more.
So I guess she's not as loud as I thought she was. She has her solitary side too. Riza thought.
Their next destination was Fashion Street. Riza wasn't used to it yet, but she was getting there. She and Micha bought frappes and then went to a giant department store.
"It's going to be tough looking for winter clothes now because it's summer," Micha mused. "But I'm sure we'll find some here."
The two of them entered a boutique that sold thick clothes. That's where the real shopping started. Riza picked out a few coats and Micha picked out her hats, gloves and scarves. They both argued about the shoes but they were civil enough to meet half-way. Micha wanted the stylish ones but Riza thought it offered little comfort. In the end, they settled over a pair of boots they both liked.
With Riza's trunk almost full with shopping bags, they decided to head home. Riza listened to Micha talk to Maria about lodgings. Riza learned that the Hughes' were coming along.
"Don't you miss your friends, Riza?" Micha asked, all of a sudden. She never inquired about her personal life before.
"Sometimes," Riza smiled softly. "They have been bugging me to go out with them ever since they saw the tabloids about our dinner."
"It's normal," the young girl replied tiredly. "Why don't you take a day off? I'm sure father won't mind."
"I don't really need one," Riza answered. "Since I drive the boys around, I don't feel imprisoned or anything. It's much better than staying behind a desk all the time, though I do miss the military too."
Micha only nodded.
The rest of the trip was silent. It was very standard operating procedure once they got home. Micha just walked to her room while the servants and Riza carried everything out and brought her things to her room.
The rest of the day was pretty ordinary. The two boys stayed in the game room, savoring their days of no training and Riza carried on what Mustang had told her to do. She came by rooms she has never entered with the other servants. They all brought out the Mustangs' snow equipment and clothes. Micha and the boys chose what they wanted to bring along their trip and it was Riza's job to make sure they all fit in their suitcases. Micha picked out her father's clothes and tossed it in a bin. Emily carried it to her father's room.
While Riza was packing Edward's, Alphonse's, and her own things, she couldn't help but realize that life here was all too easy. She was getting paid very handsomely and all she had to do was look pretty and look after the boys—who don't really need much looking after. There had to be some catch. But for the past month, she couldn't come up with any.
Roy came home and packed the things his daughter chose for him. Micha was cooped up in her room the whole day—probably doing the same thing.
The whole day was pretty passive. Maria came by to give Riza soft and hard copies of their itineraries, accommodations, and tickets.
"Thank you, Maria," Riza smiled. "It must have been such a hassle to prepare all these while juggling work."
"Oh no," Maria replied. "Micha had all those arranged. I just sent the payments and picked them up." And with that, she left.
Riza walked to the kitchen while scanning the itinerary. There were names of trains, lodges, and even instructors that she has heard of. Their lodge was strictly for members only and the best rooms were booked for them. Their train tickets said that a whole car was for them only. She remembered that the Hughes were coming along for the trip as well. That made her light up a bit.
Everything was well prepared for. Their meals, transportation, there was even a list of important people who they might cross paths with at the lodge. Riza was softly reading the names out loud. Some were business men, investors, politicians, the list went on and on.
"Why would you need to know who would be in the same vacation spot as you?" Riza asked, aloud.
"Because you can never be too careful," a voice replied.
Riza whipped back, ready to attack. She never liked being sneaked up on.
"Relax, Miss Hawkeye," Roy smirked with his hands held up in a mock surrender. He was wearing a red robe.
"I'm sorry, sir." Riza apologized firmly. "Instinct."
Roy walked up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You'll need that instinct." Roy flipped the list and smirked. "Looks like we'll be crossing roads with a mob boss and his family," Mustang took a seat and gestured for her to do the same. Cautiously, she complied.
"It's not really a threat but we'll need to keep our guard up," Roy was talking to her, but his dark eyes were roaming around the sheet of names. "I wouldn't want to be," Roy shifted his accent into a country in southern* Creta, "made an offer I can't refuse." He let out a hearty laugh and Riza was quite amused.
"Will I need to bring some fire power, sir?" Riza asked.
"Well, if you want to, Micha can get the clearance. Just inform me and inform her," Roy said, rising to his feet and looking at the paper once again. "No real threats, actually… Unless this—Roy pointed to a name on the paper—investor's son is still out to win my daughter over. That would be a big threat to me."
Mustang was strangely in a kidding mood that night. He wasn't really trying to amuse Riza. He was more like, trying to amuse himself. He rose to his feet and left the sheet of paper on the table. "Everyone knows what will happen if they upset me and my family anyway," Roy laughed it off but Riza had a feeling he wasn't kidding.
(((-)))
Riza finished packing for the boys and herself. She had everything planned and ready. She already laid out what the boys would wear going to the train station, and what they would wear on top of it once they got to Drachma. She offered to help them with packing other essentials, but the boys said they could handle it. With that, Riza went off to do some last minute checks.
Edward brought some books, and a special pocket watch he never left the house without. His grandfather gave it to him. Alphonse brought a stuff toy that looked like a big knight in shining armor and a small wallet where he placed all the credit cards he was given. His little stuffed toy even had little, custom made skis.
"You don't need to bring money, Al." Edward chided. "Everything's been taken care of."
"It's not the money I need, brother," Al replied. "It's this," Alphonse pulled out his family portrait. His mother was there too. "I want to make it a habit to bring a wallet around but all I really care about is this photo." He stared at the photo with such sweet memory. "Bad things may have happened but I like to think this photo will help me get through anything." He smiled.
Edward just looked at him. "Fine. Just don't let her see it," he crossed his arms and tried to cram another book in his suit case.
*Since Don Corleone is like, the awesome-est mob boss I know, I sort of wanted to quote him. Hahaha. And I made it "southern Creta" because Italy's quite at the south so yeah.
I'm officially in college! Time flies too fast and this summer has come to an end. I just wish the heat did too. Ugh.
Anyway, I hope you liked it. I was aiming for a passive feel since it's just a transitional chapter. The next one will have a more fun in it. hihihi. I'm almost done with it.
Please drop a review my way! I love receiving them. 3
