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
Author's note: Post series and very AU. Some movie events will happen, but differently.
Warning: may contain movie spoilers. Will contain violence, death, and maybe sex.
41. A Place of Refuge (Ein Ort von Schutz)
Her name was Djura.
She was the older sister of Khadija, and the sternest nurse Edward had ever encountered.
Steely of eye, she entered the room bearing a covered tray and a disapproving demeanor which reminded Edward of Pinako Rockbell whenever the old woman was angry with him. Edward didn't think he could have borne it if Djura was Pinako's alter. But in this case, it was fortunate for him most of Djura was swathed in the all-emcompassing mode of dress known as a chador.
The effect it gave Djura was somewhat like a walking black cloud with eyes. They were big and brown like Khadija's, but where the younger woman's shone soft and warm, Djura's glared with a harsh light. Edward could see why the children were wary of her. Even he obeyed when told to get back into bed. "You slept for over sixteen hours," she said with a sour note in her voice. "That is too long, your body will never get back into it's normal rhythms."
My body hasn't been in a normal rhythm for a long time, Edward wanted to say, but he couldn't summon the nerve when eye-to-eye with Djura. She bent down and stared hard at him. "I can see you have been sickly for many years, but I have much experience in nursing. I shall make you well again."
She made it sound like a threat.
Once Edward was sitting up against the headboard, she set the short-legged tray over his lap.
Edward's mouth watered helplessly after Djura swept the cloth cover off the top, and set the aromas free. A selection of bowls contained a fragrant mound of olive oil, garlic and mashed chick peas called hummus, a small quantity of plain yogurt, a pile of shredded lamb, and some triangles of lightly toasted pita bread respectively.
Before he ate, he dipped his fingers into a fifth bowl which contained warm water, then he dried his fingers on a cloth napkin next to it. He noted Djura's eyes flashed briefly at the sight of his right hand, but she didn't say anything. Edward plucked out a piece of pita bread, and dredged it first in the yogurt, then the hummus, and finally the meat before popping it into his mouth. He briefly closed his eyes against the sensory overload of delicious flavors while he chewed and swallowed.
When he opened them again, Djura's eyes seemed to be radiating approval, although only a bit. "I shall give you a bath after you've finished lunch." Her tone made it sound like another threat and it hung in the air after she spun on one heel and left the room.
Edward hadn't expected a bath like this. Two men wrestled a shallow metal bowl into the room, a bowl so large it took up most of the space between the bed and the opposite wall. They were followed by four girls carrying earthenware pitchers which they poured into the bowl, filling it with steaming hot water. A fifth girl left her full pitcher on top of a small chest of drawers. Once they left, Djura re-entered the room, she carried a small bowl in one hand, and towels in the other. She nodded her head in approval at his cleaned plate before ordering him to remove his clothing.
Edward moved back to the edge of the bed and undressed to his blue boxers while Djura unpacked a cake of soap,two corked bottles, and a sponge from the other bowl. Her brown eyes snapped with fury, "All your clothing, Mr. Elric! Every last stitch!"
Edward blanched and his eyes widened. Once he'd been toilet trained, and capable of bathing himself, no woman, not even his beloved mother had seen him naked since. Djura was unmoved by his protestations of modesty. "I've seen three husbands and five sons naked, nothing about men can shock me."
He sighed and dropped the boxers before stepping into the water. First, she made him kneel down so she could wash his hair. The bottles contained homemade shampoo, and conditioner, and she poured water from the spare pitcher over his head. Djura squeezed excess water out of his hair and wrapped it in a towel before proceeding with the bath. Edward stood up and let her wash him, but he tried to grab the sponge when it came close to his "naughty bits". She slapped his hand away, and blushing scarlet, he was forced to endure the indignity of being touched there.
Fed, bathed and dressed, Edward reclined in a chair in the courtyard a few hours later. He was dozing on the edge of conscousness under the warm sun, and even the water trickling from a central fountain seemed to be murmuring more quietly. Or maybe he was just tired out from exercise. After he dressed in fresh clothes, Djura had made him walk around the courtyard's perimeter for an hour. "Your body needs exercise as much as it needs rest."
Suddenly, a large gang of children swarmed into the courtyard and shattered the quiet into a thousand pieces. "Come with us, mister!" they chorused. "We've been told to hide you!"
Hands grabbed Edward and pulled him out of the chair before hauling him to the opposite end of the courtyard and through an archway. Bemused, Edward allowed himself to be manhandled across another small courtyard, under yet another arch, and eventually into a windowless storeroom. He was shoved to the floor behind several earthenware jars, then a blanket was thrown over him.
A voice he recognized as belonging to the same little girl whispered in his ear, "You must be very quiet, djinn, for they are looking for you!"
A/N #2: Thanks to my brother John who gave me advice on the presentation and eating of hummus.