The Waters of Lethe
Disclaimer: I don't own FMA, I just like to play around in it's world and torture Ed for awhile.
Warning: may contain movie spoilers, plus violence, language and possibly sex.
Author's note: post series and very AU. Some movie events will happen, just very differently.
15. Oh, Vienna! (OH - , wien)
His train ticket clutched firmly in hand, Edward pelted at full tilt down platform ten. A rush of people heading in the direction of the supposed "riot" had dragged him along for several yards before he could work his way free. And the conductor had shouted "all aboard!" for the night train to Vienna by the time he got to his platform.
The train had begun to move as he neared, fortunately the conductor had seen him and he shouted "come on, lad!" in encouragement. After he put the ticket between his teeth, Edward made a two-handed throw of his suitcase towards the conductor who caught it and set it behind him. The train was gathering speed and Edward was about to run out of platform as with one final lunge he leapt for the steps of the last coach.
One hand snagged a railing, but then his left foot slipped. Edward would have fallen beneath the wheels if not for the conductor seizing his flailing left arm and bodily hauling him aboard. His chest heaving, Edward clutched the railings for dear life and sucked air into his aching lungs. The train slid from the staion and began to chug through the rail yard, heading south towards the rails which would take it to Vienna. The cold wind grabbed at Edward's coat and sent it billowing behind him, and threatening to drag him off his perch. With a grunt of effort, he pulled his way up the steps and followed the conductor into the warmth of the coach.
They had entered a third-class coach, so Edward had a short hike before he came to the second-class cars. They were practically empty and he easily found a compartment. After he gave the conductor his ticket to punch, Edward was left in solitary splendor. He opened his suitcase and rummaged through the books in search of the one he'd been reading last night for a few moments, before he recalled it was still on the night stand next to his bed. Damn. Edward scowled briefly before he fished out a chemistry text he hadn't yet read. He closed and re-strapped the case, then settled back in his seat and opened the book's cover. Despite his circumstances, a small sigh of contentment escaped his lips.
Back in the station master's office, Steve rubbed fingers over his eyes and repeated himself for the umpteenth time. "My name is Steven Longworth, I'm an American and I work as a ranch hand in Daniel, Wyoming. I'm not Edward Elric, and I don't know who he is. Anyways, my dad is still alive and kickin'."
He glared at Captain Kesslar of the train station police force who gave him a poker-faced look in return. The captain had come on the scene of the supposed "riot" at platform twenty-one to find four injured men wearing Nazi insignia lying groaning on the concrete floor. Their fellows were surrounding two Americans who stood back to back and prepared to send more Nazis flying.
It was difficult to get a straight story from excited witnesses, but the gist was two of the Nazis had seized one man and were trying to drag him away when the other man came to his aid and all Hell broke loose. Captain Kesslar pinched the bridge of his nose with two fingers. Those four words appeared to sum up very well what had happened, but he still could not put them in the official report he would have to write and deliver before he could go home tonight. "Bitte, Herr Longworth, please tell me what happened from the beginning. How did you come by this ticket?"