Draped in Wires
by. Poisoned Scarlet

Theme 043: Exclusive Access

"What?" Al gawked, his eyes racing across the letter for the fifth time that evening. His uncrossed his legs and sped to his door, sliding it back and padding into the hall toward Mei's room. He pounded on the door frantically. "Mei! Mei, are you there? This is urgent!"

Mei opened the door, frazzled. "Alphonse—oh!" Mei blinked rapidly, her eyes shifting through the characters on the letter Al had thrust into her face. Her eyes grew bigger and bigger with each passing word until, finally, all she could utter was: "Winry-chan is with child?"

Xiao May gawked openly beside her masters futon.

"Yes! We have to go! Now!" Al insisted. "They're heading over to Resembool and brother plans on proposing the instant they get there! I have to see that! C'mon!" He rushed into her room and took out her suitcase, letting it bounce on her bed. "We're taking the late train to East City! It leaves in – oh, no, an hour! We have to hurry!"

"Yes, of course!" Mei nodded vigorously, her smile growing into a delighted grin the faster she packed, her precious panda hopping on her shoulder already. It did not take either of them long to pack up their necessities and head over to the Xing train station. A flurry of cultural activity greeted them, as they struggled to squeeze through the throng of people that early morning.

"Alphonse-sama?" Mei called out, when she lost sight of him. Xiao May whimpered, clutching the silk fabric of her shirt in its little paws. She hefted her luggage close to her, wary of thieves, and squeaked when she felt a hand grasp her wrist. She was met with Al's light honey eyes.

"Sorry about that," he apologized. "I got carried away. Here, let me help you with your bags!"

"Oh, no, it's fine!" Mei waved off, instead grabbing his own wrist and pulling him through the swarm of people. They both rushed to the train station and Mei's sharp eyes caught movement toward her upper right. As Al bought the tickets at the booth, Mei let her eyes stare at the roof of the complex that appeared innocent if it were not for the unnatural curve of a shadow at the edge.

In a flash, a figure leaped from the top and landed in front of her.

Mei did not need to ask for a name as she recognized the carvings on the mask the person wore to hide their identity.

"Has something happened?" Ran Fan asked, stoically.

Mei beamed. "Relay this message to my half-brother: Winry-chan is with child! We are heading over to congratulate Ed-kun and the new addition to the family in Resembool!"

If she had not been wearing her mask, Mei would have caught the flash of surprise followed by the smirk of knowing. "Understood. May you have a safe trip, Princess."

A gust of wind later and she was gone.

"Mei, I've got the tickets!" Al rushed back. He blinked. "Hey, weren't you talking to someone just now?"

Mei smiled at him. "Yes, my half-brother will be sure to congratulate Ed-kun when he gets the chance!"

Alphonse's smile widened. "So that was..?"

"Mmhmm!"

"That's great!" Al grinned. "I can't wait until we get to Resembool! I bet brother can't shut up about it!" He looked like he was bursting with excitement and Mei briefly wondered how he would react if the roles had been reversed and it had been her in such a situation...

She shook her head of the thoughts, face pinking at the thought. "When is the train due to part?"

"Half an hour at most." Al answered. "It should be arriving any time now, actually. We made it just in time!"

"Do you think we'll be able to witness your brother proposing?"

"Knowing him, he'd probably do it at the worst time possible so my guess is yes. I kind of want to make it to Resembool before he manages to propose so we can plan it out...Brother works better when he has a plan to follow!"

"Have they departed for Resembool?"

"They should have left by today, early morning" Al sighed, frustrated. "It's impossible to make it there before five pm today! We're going to have tough it out, I guess. I just really hope Ed has a plan...this is a really big event."

"I think he will do just fine!" Mei optimistically said.

"I hope so..." Al mumbled, clutching the tickets in his hand.