March 6th, 1974

Minxia stared down at her plate, the lump in her throat making it very difficult to even consider eating. She had never confronted someone like this before, so directly and so publically. If her plan didn't work, all she was going to do was embarrass herself again. But she had to catch Korina unawares, before she realized that someone had taken a portion of her alchemical 'love potion.'

She sat at her usual table with Angelique and Kerr, but she kept glancing towards Korina's usual table, waiting for her to arrive with Thrakos, as she had daily since the embarrassing confrontation.

:There they are,: Angelique whispered.

Minxia fought the urge to jump and look at them as they crossed the room into her line of view with their breakfast trays and sat down. She watched, waited, for the perfect moment, as they ate slowly, Korina smiling, laughing, clearly enjoying herself. Minxia wished she could see Thrakos' face, but his back was to her seat.

Fifteen minutes later, Thrakos stood up and headed back towards the food line. Minxia presumed he was either getting seconds or something for Korina.

Minxia steadied herself, stood up, and crossed the room, weaving through the crowds, until she approached Korina obliquely. Thankfully there was currently no sitting directly beside her. The rest of the table was engaged in other conversation, and the noise of the room would mean not everyone would hear immediately.

Korina looked up at her darkly the moment she saw Minxia. :What are you doing here?: she asked with cold disdain.

Minxia put on a smile. :Oh, I just thought I should warn you not to eat what's on your plate.:

:Why?: Korina asked.

:Oh, something new in the ingredients probably won't agree with you,: Minxia replied, noting that Korina was already half way through her food. Subtly, Minxia pulled the vial of purple fluid out of her pocket and held it up so that Korina could see it.

Korina's eyes widened in shock. Then she looked up at Minxia as if she were something distasteful and foul. :Where did you get that?: she asked.

:I found it,: Minxia replied calmly, which only served to infuriate her target even more.
Korina stood up and put her face right into Minxia's, looking down her nose at the shorter half-Xingese girl. :How dare you go into my room!:

:Your room?:

Minxia and Korina looked up at the same time to find Mr. Rallos, the alchemy club sponsor, standing over them with a dark look. Minxia swallowed. Was she about to get in trouble for breaking into Korina's room?

Korina looked up at the professor, and her face flushed. :I, yes. It's… it's mine. It's perfume.:

Rallos looked at her disapprovingly. :I sincerely doubt that, Miss Katsapalous.:
Minxia blinked. He didn't believe her?

:Why wouldn't you believe me?: Korina sputtered. :She just admitted to breaking into my room!:

:We will deal with that, too,: Rallos replied flatly. :However, are you aware that any alchemical potions in any way designed to control another person's body chemistry are strictly regulated, and using them without consent is criminal?:

:Criminal?: Korina squeaked.

:I think we should discuss this in my office.:

Minxia blanched, but Korina looked downright horrified. Now, people were watching, and listening intently. Not that there was much Korina could do unless she wanted to make an even bigger scene.

:Of course, professor.: Korina stood, attempting to gather her dignity.

:What's going on here?:

Minxia jumped. Thrakos was back, holding two glasses of orange juice, and looking perplexed and not at all happy.

:We have a situation,: Rallos commented, unruffled.

:Why don't you come with me for a minute,: Alphonse stepped into the situation out of the crowd. Minxia hadn't even seen her grandfather approaching. He took hold of Thrakos' shoulder, but the boy didn't struggle. He just glowered at them all.

:I asked what's going on?:

:It will all be explained soon. But I need you to come with me.: Al led Thrakos away as Rallos motioned for Korina and Minxia to follow him.

If her grandfather was in on this, surely Minxia wasn't going to be in big trouble, right? At least, she didn't think so. She hadn't done anything with the alchemy herself other than threaten Korina with it. She hadn't actually slipped any in her food, much as she would have liked to. There hadn't been a chance. At least the bluff had worked. Breaking into the other girl's room seemed like such a small infraction in comparison. Though Minxia assumed she would receive some form of punishment.

The walk to Rallos' office had never seemed so long. Minxia wondered if Rallos was actually in at all on what she had discussed with her grandfather the evening before. Or if he had ever had any inkling Korina might be an alchemist. She certainly wasn't a member of the club.

The door closed behind them with a fatalistic thump.

:All right,: Rallos turned to face them both. :Before anyone tries to dissemble, I heard what you said, and have already had corroborated that the contents of that vial contain an illicit attempt at a love potion, and that Miss Elric obtained it from you, Miss Katsapalous, through clandestine means. However, the fact remains that the substance in question is not permitted on school grounds or, indeed, by Cretan law.:

:That's not fair!: Korina burst out, tears in her eyes. :I haven't hurt anyone.:

:You've been drugging a fellow student for your own gains, and you seem to have hurt several people in the process, young lady, including yourself.: Rallos shook his head. :No. This will be a matter for the Board of Regents and Judiciary Committee. And-: he cut her off as she tried to object, :You would be wise not to say anything that might make this situation worse for you. Now, you will report to the Headmaster, and you will not go back to your room. It is currently being searched for any other illegal substances, and the rest of this potion.:

Minxia knew she was in for her own chewing out. She swallowed and stood there, ready to take it as Korina, mouth opening and closing like a fish with shock, turned and left the room without another word.

Rallos waited for the door to close before he looked at her. :You know that, under most circumstances, Miss Elric, breaking and entering would incur severe punishment from the school.:

:Yes sir… usually?: Minxia asked hopefully.

:Your motives were suspicion of wrongdoing, which were proven out and will help a fellow student who has been unfairly used,: Rallos pointed out. :You will still receive punishment for the infraction, but you are certainly not going to be expelled over this, or suspended.:

Well, wasn't that a relief? :Thank you, Mr. Rallos,: Minxia replied fervently. :What about Korina?:

:Miss Katsapalous may not be so fortunate.:

Minxia knew that she would have to live with that guilt if Korina got expelled, but at the moment she found it difficult to feel sorry for the other girl, given the torment she had put Minxia through, and poor Thrakos. Minxia wished she knew just what was going on there. :Is Thrakos going to be all right?:

Rallos nodded once, briskly. :He has been taken to the infirmary. He will be there until his system is cleared out and we see if any damage has been done. No one will be allowed in until he has been thoroughly examined and cleared for guests.:

:Do you have any idea how long that will be?: Minxia asked.

:No, I do not.: Rallos shook his head. :You should get going, Miss Elric. You have class shortly I believe. And do not speak of this to anyone other than myself, your grandfather, or the Headmaster until told otherwise. Understood?:

:Yes, Sir.:

There were some things best left to people with a reputation for saying things straight even when they pissed off everyone in the room. Edward knew Aldon wasn't planning to fire any return attack involving Ron's wife. He wasn't even sure his son was going to talk to Ron about the situation. Of course, he shouldn't have to. This kind of politics didn't belong in Resembool, and Ed fully intended to remedy the problem himself.

So his afternoon walk just happened to take him up past the stretch of street where the Causwith's town house was located in the middle of the afternoon. And it just so happened that he knew that Rilla should be out with her son that afternoon, since she had him taking piano lessons from Old Widow Frye on Saturdays.

He knocked on the door and waited. Sure enough, Ron opened the door after a minute, and looked at Ed with an expression of surprise, then a polite smile. "Good afternoon, Mr. Elric. Can I help you?"

"Good afternoon," Ed replied, smiling back. No reason to put the man any more on his guard. "Actually, I've had something on my mind I wanted to talk to you about. Do you mind?"

"Well, no. Please, come in," Ron stepped back and let Ed enter before he closed the door behind him. "I was just working out some finer details in the improvements Aldon suggested to the electric generators."

"How's that going?" Ed asked conversationally.

"Very well," Ron smiled, more naturally this time. He gestured to the seat across from where he had clearly been sitting. The coffee table was littered with schematics. "Now what did you want to talk about? Does it have to do with Aldon's designs?"

Ed almost hated to do it, but it really needed to be done. His smile slipped. "No, not the designs. I'm sorry to say it has to do with election business."

"I see." Ron's smile faded. "But you're not here on Aldon's behalf?"

"No. I'm here on behalf of fair election," Ed admitted plainly. "And to offer some friendly advice in the name of a fair fight. Are you aware that your wife has been slandering my son and Cassandra?"

Ron blinked, then frowned. "Now see here, Mr.—"

Ed held up one hand. "She said as much to Cassie to her face, Ron. I'm not trying to point fingers. But the rumors aren't anything anyone who has been in Resembool a long time would ever believe and they're, frankly, stupid. However, they are also hurtful in both directions. Even if someone else wrote them in to help your chances, they won't. Resembool folk don't like slander, no matter how much they might like good gossip. Whoever's doing it, whether it's your wife or someone else who wants you to win, we need to figure out who it is and make them stop."

"On that, at least, I can agree," Ron nodded after a moment. "But I can't believe you'd say that—"

"Your wife is ambitious enough to verbally assault someone?" Ed finished the statement for him. "It takes quite a lot to anger my daughter-in-law. And if even a quarter of the insults thrown in that conversation are true –they haven't been repeated to anyone outside of our house by the way- than I don't blame Cassie and Aldon for being furious."

Ron looked uncomfortable enough, that Ed suspected the man wasn't as blind to his wife's faults as he clearly wanted to be. "I don't like this," he replied bluntly. "But you're right. Whether Rilla is doing something or not, it's going to reflect poorly on everyone if this gets out of hand, and it makes her look bad, and myself, almost either way. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I will… look into the matter."

"As I will be doing as well," Ed replied, though there was little threat in the warning. "The disparaging articles and remarks and lies will stop, one way or another."
"I understand, sir," Ron replied stiffly.

"Thanks for taking the time to talk." Ed stood to go. There wasn't really a reason to stay long, and he doubted Causwith would appreciate it. "I'm sorry it had to be such an unpleasant topic."
"No, it's all right." Ron stood, though he didn't offer to shake hands. "I appreciate the candor, even if I don't like it."

Ed smiled and shrugged. "I know. That's why you're a good guy."

Minxia still had no idea what her final punishment would be, other than she wouldn't be leaving the school. As far as she was concerned, whatever came up was fair and worth it if Thrakos returned to his normal self. And, she hoped, returned to her.

As soon as she got out of classes she headed over to the Infirmary –carrying homework from all of Thrakos' classes so he would have it, and she would have an excuse to be there. She desperately hoped they would at least let her in to talk to him for a few minutes.

The school nurse gave her a firm and irritated look, but allowed Minxia in when she promised to be quick, and explained her errand.

Thrakos was in a bed at the very end of the row, closest to the East windows. Minxia was glad to see that he looked awake, though he looked rather groggy and confused. When he saw her, his face flushed, and then he looked momentarily horrified.

Minxia paused mid-step, only a few feet away. That was not the expression she was hoping for. What if he really was permanently infatuated with Korina after all? What if he was mad at her for what she had done to Korina? "Hi," she said softly.

"Hi." Thrakos looked away, then back at her a few seconds later. "That homework for me?"

"Yeah. I thought you wouldn't want to miss it," Minxia replied, though the reason sounded lame to her now. "But I came because I was worried about you. How do you feel?"

"Dazed," Thrakos replied. "And really fuzzy a lot. Like the last few days were done after the time I broke my arm when I was eight and they gave me a lot of painkillers. Except, I don't remember everything. There's some holes in my memory, and I don't have any clue why I was acting the way I was except…"

"Except what?" she urged. They might as well get everything right out in the open. It would save time, and maybe a little heartache. Maybe.

Thrakos' face was flushed red again and he looked up at her pleadingly. "I remember everything I said to you. I have no idea why I said those things, Minx… I'm so sorry. Can you forgive me?"

Homework scattered as Minxia threw her arms around his neck. "You stupid idiot."

After several seconds of stunned silence, his arms went around her. "Is that a yes?" he asked timidly.

"You're stupid for letting someone slip a love potion in your food for almost a week," Minxia clarified, straightening up enough to glare at him properly. "And making me resort to breaking school rules to save your rear from Korina's evil clutches."

"Evil?"

"Yes," Minxia wasn't going to let him argue that point! She had to resist the urge to tell Thrakos that Korina was probably going to be expelled, or at the last suspended. She had promised not to say anything about that. "She was using alchemy on you without your consent! And she could have poisoned you if she got it wrong. Did they say how long you have to stay here?"

"A couple of days," he replied, squeezing her tighter. "To make sure everything's clear. Your Grandpa wouldn't tell me much, but he did something with alchemy and suddenly my brain was completely unfogged. He's pretty amazing."

"He is," Minxia agreed. She was beginning to think there wasn't anything her Grandfather couldn't do, outside of the impossible of course. "I… Thrakos, can I ask you something?"

"You can ask me anything, Minx," he replied, looking anxious.

Anything. Right. She doubted he was going to like her question. "Did you have… or do you… any feelings for Korina? Real ones?"

She could have kissed him for the slight shudder of revulsion. "Gah, no! We used to get along okay, you know, just because we know each other but, no, I really never wanted to date her. Those are the weirdest memories to have right now."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to make things weird," Minxia apologized. She didn't really want to talk about Korina.

"No, it's fine," Thrakos replied. "I mean, you weren't the one running around cheating on his girlfriend."

"Well it's not like you did it willingly," Minxia pointed out, trying to be okay with this too. It was going to take her a while to get over the feelings of hurt, even though she had almost never really thought he was doing it purposefully to hurt her. "There were extenuating circumstances."

Thrakos hugged her tightly. "I so do not deserve you."

Minxia grinned then, and kissed him soundly.

Thrakos reciprocated willingly, though his expression was a little bemused when they parted. "What was that for?"

"Your Amestrian is getting much better."

Alphonse didn't like to eavesdrop, but given the circumstances, he had decided it might be in everyone's best interest, and followed Minxia to the Infirmary, though he lurked outside the door. Since she and Thrakos were the only ones in the room he was in, it wasn't hard to hear.

What he heard confirmed, for him, several things, including his granddaughter's integrity. She didn't say a word about Korina's likely punishments, or even her own. She didn't even bring up the confrontation Thrakos had walked in on. And, for his part, Thrakos was just clearly grateful to have his head back to himself, and was sincerely apologetic, and awkwardly sweet about it. Whatever had happened, his interest in Minxia was real, and still there. This put Al at ease and gave him some surety that the relationship should not suffer any permanent damage from this particular escapade. At least, he didn't think so.

It also confirmed for him just how far their friendship had moved into romance. To have that shaken so early, but not come out of it blaming each other, spoke well to their maturity. Al was also pleased by the lack of over-dramatic mushy romantic stuff.

The conversation only lasted about ten minutes. Then he heard Minxia's footsteps coming back towards the door.

"I see they let you in," he commented softly as she stepped out of the door.

Minxia froze, and looked up at him. "Grandpa! I… how much…"

"I had already figured it out," he assured her with a smile. "Don't worry. I haven't told your parents. That's your job."

Minxia fidgeted. "Do you approve?"

"Of your choice of boyfriend? Given many of the alternatives, I can't complain. At least I know I can trust him to be a gentleman, and you to be sensible… mostly."

Her cheeks turned pink.

"I don't approve of breaking into other people's rooms," Al pointed out firmly. "Though I can't say Ed and I didn't do a lot of breaking into places we shouldn't in the name of justice and what's right. Just please, next time you think someone's doing something illegal, come to me first?"

"Yes, Grandpa." Minxia looked indecisive for a moment, and then hugged him quickly. "Thank you."

Al smiled and squeezed her back. "You're welcome."