Chapter 7:
Words
Humans all of this grandstanding what is it for? If she had to guess perhaps unity if they had a common enemy it make things easier. But they decided to host a Grand trial just for her as they had done for all of the Homunculus including her Wrath.
If it had been her she would have come up into this room late at night and had slit her throat. But she had seen very little of people who had most to gain from her death.
"We report back to you" kind of unnecessary of her to blabber on about. She is a reporter people are expecting her to report. The woman is a mouse haired doe of a woman.
On the television it's showing a gathering of people their talking about the incidents. "We report live from where the officers arrested the offender." the reporter babbled on talking about peaceful protests down the street demanding Envy's perfect head.
Their were more then a few talks about handing her over humanity typical. How a child had been separated from its Mother during the battle. It talked about social services as witness had reported her abandoning her child during the attack.
"I didn't want to die my instincts took over." the woman had been arrested. Their had been rumour of verbal, mental abuse . All that apparently came out the day after the incident, funny how quickly humans turn on one another. The child had gotten that pet she wanted, many people had started fighting over her.
Their were talks about jail time if anyone was more hated then Envy its this woman Lucile grace. Her face plastered in every news paper next to hers. The 'rampage' had resulted in a few sprained ankles but other then that no one was hurt.
One man talked about Envy roaring in his face but she's pretty sure she never saw him. Letting out another yawn she rolled restlessly changing positions in the new room. This room smelt better then the last it's also warmer.
Coincidence she had taken her freedom from that woman who could predicted that? During her stay for the last few weeks things had changed. Oliver would visit her Marcoh would try to get blood samples which she refused.
Had it been nearly two weeks now? They had moved her twice to a different room as the date for the trail grew closer. Everyone could get a peace at her several people had come to visit her during that time Wrath had been the most present.
They had decided to ignore one another he helping the human their pet. They smiled at him consistently chatting to him happily. To be honest its like a lion sucking up to a rabid dog which one will bite first?
This room is made out of solid wood they had included a bathroom into her much larger cage as well as a bed cot which she ignored. Envy would rather lay on a floor than that flimsy thing. She drank the water they gave her and spoke little.
She'd become lost in her thoughts she'd preferred to have observed the humans from far away. Letting out a yawn it's early morning and a slight breeze gets her attention. Not that she shows it she pretends to be asleep something that always drove Lust nuts.
She hated being surprised almost as much as Gluttony hated not being able to eat. Somehow she had started feeling better physically. Doctor Marcoh always had this intent look on his eyes when ever he worked.
Marcoh had been writing non stop into a computer sitting comfortably at the table. She watched him as a wolf would watch another wolf now that their here she cannot keep going back and forth.
For days he had come here started typing muttering under his breath. Some how one way or another their open hostility had indeed weakened. A doze of so psychosocial professionals had started writing up a study on her.
She knew this because he kept muttering to himself little clues it broke the otherwise constant silence. Nothing knew she kept both of her hands beneath her feet playfully dangling up in the air completely comfortable.
She`d eaten a few meagre scraps of toast some fruit it had been nice. Armstrong had taken a bite out of it to prove a point. To be honest Armstrong seemed alright the bad cop good cop notion is working a little but she`s aware.
Their all aware the situation could bring she`s tired of thinking tired of the emotional garbage. Tired of all these humans. She toys with the last piece of fruit watching it and rolling onto her back with a slight huff.
Her shifting had started working again her fingers changed she could easily break out now. They became larger greener studying her sharp nails Doctor Marcoh stiffens. Stops typing for a moment then continues on.
This room is too bright it looks too friendly what are they trying to even prove. The television had been moved into full view. Perhaps their trying to gauge her reaction what are they humans waiting for exactly?
The news that King Bradley had been a Homunculus one of a particular different breed had caused a number of public outcries in more then one part of Amestris. How could this have happened? The idea that he had been born breed for it made the humans uncomfortable.
How many others had died in the process? Thousands probably Father had spent a lot of time working on that one. They had found some footage of Envy stealing food from some man and it had gone viral getting over a half million views in the last few days.
It went on to include that King Bradley had brought up a lot of mixed feelings as he had been a human based Homunculus and how he had been made by Father. It also went on to talk about the life span of a pure Homunculus compared to a human.
How they couldn't just simply wait for a Homunculus to die because as long as you don't kill them or interrupt their regenerative capabilities they could live particularly forever. It amazed her that they'd give normal civilians all this information.
It talked about King Bradley trial it even talked about the red stones Father had made they decided to keep how to make them classified. Only that it involved killing murder they talked about the gate of truth the ramifications of creating Homunculus.
They revealed a shit tone of information the public opinion varied from individual to individual. She'd heard just about everyone and their Mother talk about it. How could they had allowed the corruption to go this deep.
"Is their another way to power up the Homunculus what happens when the supplies of red stone runs out? What happens if a human uses it?" their addressing Miles. She can hear him shuffling his feet he clears his throat.
She approaches the front of her cage curiosity she started to get bored of this. Just what kind of name is Miles it sounds like a name you'd give your golden retriever.
"So as long as a Homunculus dose not receive physical damage their body will not fall apart on its own." explained Miles. " Further more we think the Redstones increase their acts of aggression but at the same time acts as a powerful drug altering their mental state."
He ignored answer what happened if a human uses the redstone probably on point. They had caused quite a fair bit of trouble with those. Red stones ha they didn't alter someones mental capacities only their physical or alchemy idiot humans.
He pauses again, "We are currently investigating ways to- Dose that mean the Military plans of using Homunculus for battle?" theirs a question someone interrupted them.
Their are whispers and matters of protest. "Theirs no way its way too dangerous, we do employee some Homunculus but thats to catch trouble making Homunculus as peacefully as possible. Prohibitory humans from using Homunculus in battle or for manipulative purposes ."
Envy laid lounging in her cell a hand under her chin lost in thought. She didn't see this all happening its probably just a way to manipulate her. Humans and Homunculus one in the same? She'd known Bradley had been a human based Homunculus.
She'd been created from Hohenheim blood like Father right? But had that been a lie it hadn't been the first time she started doubting her Father. The idea shook her to its core but it couldn't be surprising living with a snake like him.
A snake with a beautiful smile in the end it didn't matter. The people would get what they needed while making their new Tyrant look better and better. Humanity would have a common goal exterminating her she'd be the face of evil its perfect.
But she had to admit all of this is a little exaggerate to manipulate a criminal that they had in a cage. "So I don't suppose your going to tell me what you humans are planning are you?" she asked Doctor Marcoh.
"I thought it was obvious were having a trial to determine your punishment." He didn't even lift her head. "Even a mass murdering lunatic like you needs one apparently people are gathering for your execution," he sniffed at her. "I mean for evidence, witnesses extra."
Envy snorted and let out a mad laugh. "Ha, seems like a waste of time to me." she sighed sliding down onto the floor with a solid thump a slight frown on her face.
"Agreed," Doctor Marcoh mumbled.
It then went to talk about Edward Elric and how he had been called to testify for the defense, oh how wonderful. Just who had they defending her anyways? It amused her more then a little bit who left would be considered neutral.
The idea made her laugh inside and out, who would they choose? A human or one of these 'new' Homunculus. Turning her eyes to the screen Edward was standing with a cluster of people that she knew Ling Yao is among them.
He looks quite different taller in more emperor like armor he carries a large sword and has a large security details. He must be trying to make up for something he lacks. A snicker escaped her, "Him?" the idea made her burst out into a fit of laughter.
They might as well shoot her now, "I will be defending the Homunculus as a neutral party, and only because I was asked to." he bowed to the camera and theirs soft murmuring. People didn't know to boo or cheer instead a quite had settled among them.
"So I am looking foreword to working together in this manner," he bowed one more time before disappearing into the swarm of individuals. She didn't look up at the television screen again this time ignoring the sound of people moving behind.
"Realized how hopeless it is? How dose it feel to have some karma." Doctor Marcoh stopped too close to her cage for comfort.
She turned her head to study him eyes burrowing into his. "You should ask humanity that, human." she scowled at him smiling.
Her smile seemed to take him aback he backed up a little. This it made her feel strong and powerful he seemed lost in his silence for a moment. "What did humanity do to you?" he asked breathing heavily.
She ignored him why should she answer him? He asked her one more time but she didn't respond the truth of the matter is she didn't remember. But she had a feeling she would, memories had been pouring into her they felt right, like she'd been missing the pieces of an important puzzle.
"I admit I'm more then a bit surprised that this is the reason you asked for me to come here Edward." Ling sat in the middle of the court room fidgeting with his robes. "This could back fire in more then one way."
"Your all I could think of who didn't want to throttle Envy out right this felt like the right thing to do." his tone is carefully chosen. He adjusts his suit watching the way Ling and his guards fill in around them in a protective circle.
Which is difficult in a large square wooden court room they had made a cage especially for their prisoner. It be a few days yet maybe even a week before it's going to be used.
"Do you really need so many?" Edward amused, "One to watch in every direction." Ling approached and gave Edward a grin.
"Their to keep the ladies off of me I've already had over a hundred marriage proposals." he boasted with a laugh.
Edwards smile wavered a bit, "Right." he motioned to the papers in front of him, "We of course have a lot of files on Envy the ones we've gathered here are from their hang out, more from a dozen or so witnesses including the recent events."
"Straight to work huh?" Ling scolded. "Why are you changing the subject for? What about you and Winry wedding huh? I heard you were ingaged." he dangled his arm around Edward's shoulder and looked down on him.
"Stop it your squishing me," Edward scolded turning to give him a glare. "It's none of your business." he protested.
"Where's my invitation huh? Did she leave you for someone else, was he taller?" His tone grew more smug and Edward clawed at him like a cat.
"Shut up Ling! And no she didn't!" his face turned beet red and he stomped his feet, "I'm not short anymore I grew taller obviously."
Ling laughed, "Really then when's my invitation,"
Edward stopped and breathed deeply letting out a snort. "Your not invited theirs a rather short list." He scolded shrugging Ling off.
Ling let out a burst of laughter clinging onto his stomach. "Your hilarious," he sneered. "If you decided to drom the peace embassador for Humoculus you could always become a comedian haha, you could make a lot on your shortness-"
Edward gave him a seething glare. "Watch it." he growled.
One of his guards moved, "Sir if it would be best not to irritate the shortie," the voice is feminine and familiar.
"I'm still taller then you and I'm almost as tall as Ling Lan Fan!" Scolded Edward she removed her mask and smirked at him smiling.
"Right," she winked at him with amusement. "You'll always be short to us right Ling?" her tone held affection, "Thought perhaps we shouldn't tease him too much he might explode." she grinned, "Eating all that hot air."
Ling broke into a fit of laughter and Edward face turned beat red. "Don't you see we have work to do," he protested. "Really you two are worse then Granny always asking about this and that."
"It's none of your business," protested Edward.
"Of course it is, we two are like brother's aren't we Ed?" he dangled an arm around Edward's shoulders. "So you two haven't even set a date yet huh? Lazy planning Ed at this rate she'll find another and we all know you have a short fuse."
They could hear Edward's shouting from outside of the court room. With a loud bang Wrath stormed through the building with Edward and Ling's half sister. The three of them laughed as they entered the court room.
"That was a great one, Mister." Pride lowered both arms to the back of his head smirking loudly. The trio trotted into the center of the room coming to a stop.
"Ah come on give Edward a break he's a lot taller then he was." Alphonse scolded while Edward nodded his head seriously.
Ling and Yan Fan eyed Wrath with curiosity he had to resist drawing his sword. Edward took notice of that, "Pride is one of the Homunculus that joined the program,"
"Right, he looks a lot like Envy even the hair thought his is thicker." Ling watched him with curiosity.
"Don't compare me to that nut job thought it was surprisingly easy to capture." smirked Wrath with a laugh.
"As I remember it they let you capture them didn't they? Thought they were surrounded is that true?" wondered Ling.
Edward had grown silent wondering exactly what is going on and how the Homunculus had returned he hadn't been the only one to witness their death and return. Could this Envy really be the same one? If it was what were they going to do about it?
The thought ran heavily in his mind as he flipped through the pages. "Their probably won't be much of a defense."