That guy was actually nice, and Hershey had just let him go. She could see him from the stand, and he was sharing the parfait she'd made with that dark-haired kid, probably his brother. She almost couldn't believe it. She'd found the perfect guy. He was a mix of the Elric brothers and Roy - slightly punkish like Edward, but had a heart of gold like Alphonse, and was sexy like Roy. Really, she did have a tendency to let men get away from her... kind of like her mother, if she had to compare herself to that woman.

She sighed and rested her cheek on her hand, watching the guy. The little kid was sweet, too, always smiling and laughing - sometimes yanking on the older one's hair, which she thought was cute. She'd always had a soft spot for kids, which was why Alphonse liked her - if she had to guess the reason. It certainly wasn't because she cooked well, because he couldn't even eat it. Although that probably did have something to do with it, since he was always fantasizing about what he'd eat when he got his body back. And she was the only alchemist that fought with food. She blinked, and twirled some of her hair. "... Maybe that's why Spicy Mustard has never sent me on a high-stakes mission. Huh, I've never thought about it before... but I've never even seen a Homunculus up close! Gee, that's really stupid. Why was I cursed with awesome? This talent's not useful for anything besides owning a freaking restaurant!" She swatted at a fly that had come her way. "Great, that's all I need, insects infesting my food stand!" She waved her hand, trying to smack it away. "Shoo, fly! Don't bother me! Shoo, fly, don't bother me!"

"That's a cool song!"

Surprised, Hershey looked down to see the blonde boy's little brother blinking up at her with big lavender eyes. "Whoa! Holy small person!"

The kid giggled. "You're lucky I don't care about my height."

"Yeah... if I said that to Escargot, he'd yell at me. Real loud."

"Escargot? Isn't that, like, snails?" He made a face. "Gross, I bet snails taste nasty..."

"I give all my friends food names. His real name's Edward."

"Oh, cool." He blinked. "Do you have apple juice, and can I have some?"

"Sure thing." She grabbed the pitcher and poured some into a paper cup so it was filled about halfway. "Hey, kid... did your brother send you over here?"

"..." The kid snatched the cup. "... Maybe... who wants to know?"

"I'm Hershey's Kiss."

"Hee-hee, that's a funny name!"

"Don't you be makin' fun of what my nickname be, boy!"

"What's your real name?"

"Hera. But I like Hershey's Kiss way better. Some people just call me Hershey, though." She raised an eyebrow. "Did your brother send you over here to find out my name?"

"... Yep. He said since our auntie isn't here, I hafta listen to him."

"Brothers."

"Tell me about it." He walked off with his juice, waving. "Thanks!"

"Bye-ya, kiddo! Come back sooooooooon!"

"I will, Kiss-chan!"

Hershey raised an eyebrow, then banged her head down on the counter, sighing. Now a little kid was calling her "Kiss". That just freaking completed her life.

"Well, well, Hera, how's your business holding up? Looks like you're doing pretty well."

Hershey snapped her head up, a grin plastering itself on her face as she recognized the voice. "Kumquat!" She leaned over and threw her arms around him, giggling. "Kumquat, I have missed you soooo much! Did they finally let you out of the loony lock-up?"

Kimblee chuckled, straightening his tie when she let go of him. "For good? I wish, but no. They let me out here tonight so I could see how my... fireworks display made out." He reached over, took her hand, and kissed it lightly. "It's nice to see you again, Hera. So, did you see my show, love?"

"Oh, I saw some of it - I can't see it all too well from here, but the ones that shoot up higher I could see. It turned out pretty great, I think."

"Mmm, yes, I think I've outdone myself this year." He looked around, then blinked and looked back at her. "Where's Mari?"

"Well, she went over to watch the fireworks with Alfalfa. I assume she acted really shy, he got her to confess that she has a crush on her, and now they're cuddling and feeding each other... erm... something romantic?"

"You're not good with romance, are you, Hera?"

"Never have been. Just like..." She shuddered. "My mother." She pretended to gag, sticking her finger down her throat in a mock attempt to make herself throw up. "I hate the fact that... she... gave birth to me. I hate the fact that my parents had sex to create me! It makes me wanna develop TB so I can die and sink happily into the ground while maggots eat my eyes out."

"..." Kimblee sighed, but smiled, shaking his head. "I remembered you as being... slightly less morbid."

"How long ago did we see each other?"

"I think it was two years ago, about this time. I wasn't let out last year because they said I caused a volcanic eruption in my science class. Which is a ludicrous accusation, by the way."

"Pity. Well, I've soured a little and now I'm bittersweet... but more bitter than sweet, really. You want anything? Please tell me you're hungry. Please?" She blinked, widening her eyes and managing to look absolutely begging.

Kimblee smiled and reached over, rubbing her on the head. "Afraid not, kid. I actually have to be getting back to my cell. Wish I could, though - it looks like you're doing a great job. Well, I have to be off, then. Tell Mari I said hi."

"Okay." She hung her head, sighing. "Bye-bye, Kumquat..."

"Hey Kiss-chan?"

Hershey looked down to see the kid who was there before. "Oh. Heya there, little person. What's up? You want more juice?"

"Nope. My brother says he likes your food."

"Oh. Well... tell him I said thanks."

"He wants t'know if you can make somethin' he can take home. Like in a box."

"Uh, okay... sure. Geez, I've never got a request for that before... do you know what he likes?"

"Um..." The kid looked down and put a hand on his stomach. "I'm not sure what he likes... but I like ice cream!"

Hershey giggled and shook her head. "Well, I can get you some ice cream. And why don't you get your brother for me so we can figure out what he wants to take?"

"Okie-dokie, I'll be right back!" He ran off towards the blonde boy.

Hershey shook her head, smiling, and scooped some ice cream into a paper bowl for the kid. He was so cute. "Might have to start callin' that one Cutie Pie," she giggled, putting the ice cream back into the alchemically refrigerated section of the stand. "Kids are so sweet." She looked at the bowl, put her finger in, then licked it after making sure nobody was watching. "Mmm. Just like ice cream."