run, i'm a natural disaster
22. Flying
Ling is one of those people, who, whilst knowing the full impact of his actions and all the possible ways it can go wrong, goes and does what he wants to do anyway; jumping into the fray without looking. He is full of endless and friendly optimism, with a wide, friendly grin that draws people in. It's what he's famous for in Xing- the "impulsive, emotional" one of the Emperor's sons.
Or, that's the way he tries to portray himself; and most of the time it works. In reality he is mostly pragmatic and slightly pessimistic, with a triple 'scoop' (an Amestrian word he particularly likes the sound of) of manipulative as the topping to his delightful personality. [That doesn't actually stop him from being the most sentimental of the Emperor's sons though, desirous of family and friends.]
His personal connection to his guards acts as a testimony to this. According to the other princes (he refuses to acknowledge them as his brothers, they don't act like it, there is no bond between them) he acts shamefully and will never become Emperor, he is too much of an embarrassment. So, without really thinking about it, he came to Amestris to search out the means to beat them all. He's the one who wants the post most now, they've ensured that he desires it- that becoming emperor is now more necessary than air; and due to this Greed, he's not got the means to become the leader of an Empire.
Being tied to Greed is like… trying to stay still on a raft in a fast flowing river. The souls around him, hissing whispers of death, destruction, despair; do their best to grab him and pull him into the current. Instead, Ling focuses on Greed's thoughts, what he's seeing through their eyes like a life raft, so that he can remain separate from the mob of anger and despair. Greed is normally mildly exasperated, but Greed always acts fond towards him, and sometimes even lets him interact with the gang.
Ed is his favourite. She knows Lan Fan, she knows Fu, she's fought beside him, she's fought to save him, and she's his very best friend. Lan Fan is his soul sister, his family, his blood. Ed is a friend, his first; part of 'the family you choose' according to Amestrian sayings. She is someone who has a bond like family, theirs is a bond that is more relaxed, more free. She's exciting and fun, and a good story teller. She will paint pictures of her adventures, the people she has met, the people she works with and all the places she's been; she'll even tell him of her past, that she guards so carefully, before the automail, with Winry and Al in Risembool, when they lay by the dying embers of the fire, leaning against each other and getting strength from each others presence.
Heinkel and Darius are good conversationalists too. They debate politics and what Ling will do when he's Emperor, and he's promised them positions in his Royal Guard. But they're not Ed, not Lan Fan, not Greed; and he doesn't connect with them properly. But that doesn't matter, because they like each other anyway.
When they're all together, and they're fighting, he feels like he's done one of his impulsive reckless actions, but that instead of falling to the floor, crushed, as he used to and is always remembered for doing; he's flying with his family all around him. It's a good feeling.
[But not good enough for him to give up. The fate of fifty-thousand rides on him. And he has other family to deal with.]
A.N: LIINGGGG! C: ~3 much luff
HELLO, I'm back! Did ya miss me? *dodges tomatoes and potatoes and pig muck and etc*
I had exams for the last two weeks, so I didn't update so I could spend more time revising for them. T_T;;
But it's all good- I got a B on Ancient Greek, and considering I used to be the worst at translation in the class, it's a great change! :D
OVER 100 REVIEWS. YOU ARE ALL AMAZING WONDERFUL PEOPLE. I will finish my run!verse 5 + 1 oneshot asap for you all. (I'll publish it with #25!)
Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed
- Tom
[THANKS TO THE WONDERFUL REVIEWERS THAT ARE: Roy-Mustang's-Girl, Fluehatraya, Hyper V, CaptainPiika, aeva elementia and !]