The Suds of Life

Edward stood glaring at the silver pale that held water. H20, one part hydrogen, two parts oxygen: the chemistry of the world's most valuable resource. As an alchemist, Ed knew all too well what water was and what he could transmute it into, how it could help and how it could kill. It truly was the building block of life. But the one thing he didn't like using it for…

"Edward! That floor isn't going to clean itself now is it?" Alex stated as he shook his head at the obvious procrastination. Ed was still getting used to taking orders, but this? Cleaning up after some slob that spilt beans and salsa all over the floor? Ridiculous.

"Damn… I go from the youngest alchemist to achieve state certification to being a mop up boy."

It's true, Ed wouldn't think twice about his decision. He would give up his alchemy for Al all over again if he had to. But to be reduced to a mop up boy was still hard to get used too. However, no matter how ridiculous it seemed he always kept his seven sins in check, this one being pride.

I mean, look at what happened to Pride on the promise day. Did he want to be like that? Or like Envy, or Gluttony, or Wrath, or any of them?

With a deep and heavy sigh Ed grabbed the mop out of the pale and began to swish it around on the salsa and bean stained floor. It was a good trial to keep him in check, even if it was just a dirty floor.

Winry must be laughing right about now.

As he faded from his thoughts, Ed found that the water just smeared and spread the mess around, not even cleaning anything up.

"What the hell?"

With a look of frustration he began moving the mop in specific patterns to see how it affected the mess.

"Damn! How is this cleaning anything?"

Ed dropped the mop and ran his hands through his hair before trying again. He didn't know why, but part of him hoped that trying it a second time would fix it.

"Brother!" came a cry from nearby. Ed looked over his shoulder to see his younger brother trotting towards him.

"What are you doing? You're making it worse!"

"Thanks for stating the obvious Alphonse! I don't even know what I'm doing wrong!?"

Al looked at the situation and grinned at his brother's complacency.

"Did you use soap?"

Ed looked dazed, soap?

"No, was I supposed to?"

Al couldn't help but to laugh. Ed memorized every element and its quantity in the entire human body, but he didn't know to use soap?

"Yes brother, you can't clean without soap!"

"How will soap stop it from sloshing around?!"

"It doesn't, it cleans it. All your doing is just moving a watery mess around without any cleaner."

"Well that's fine, but how do I clean all this up?"

Al took the mop from Ed and began to try to collect the mess in a pile.

"Go get some towels."

Ed sighed and walked back to the backroom with a glare on his face. How'd he end up in these messes?

"Oh Edward! Did you clean up the spill?"

Ed stopped and flinched, he totally forgot about the major.

"Nng! I'm still working on it major, just getting some towels."

"Very well, have you seen Alphonse? I don't know where he ran off to."

Ed's forehead began sweating as he thought up of a quick solution.

"He, um… Had to go to the bathroom?" Ed's voice lacking confidence

Alex nodded and continued his work in the kitchen.

"Well when he's out tell him I need his help.

"Sure."

Edward walked over to the counter and opened the cabinets below. Reaching in he grabbed several towels and then sped walk past Alex.

"Ok Alphonse, we need to clean this up quick."

Ed made it back to the "war zone" and handed his brother the towels.

"What are these?"

Ed gave a confused look. "The towels you asked for."

"These are the drying towels for dishes brother, we can't use these!"

"The hell we can't! The major is wondering where you're at, I just barely got away."

"But if we use these, then there will be nothing to dry with!"

Out of the corner of his eye Ed caught Alex approaching them. Out of instinct and the desire not to get in trouble, or even fired; he threw the towels over the mess and turned around with a big smile.

"Oh, hello majo- I mean Alex, how are you?"

Alex looked suspiciously at Ed, and then glanced down at the towels on the floor.

"I see your taking care of the mess." He said in a sarcastic tone before glancing to Al. With a shrug of his shoulders Al gave a weak smile as he embraced death by association.

"Yeah, we're about done… Hehe…"

Alex shook his head and turned to leave, but before he did he couldn't help but smile.

"Oh, by the way Elric, you forgot the soap."

The major continued to the kitchen, leaving Ed with twitching nerves.

"Calm down brother, let's just get this cleaned up."

Damn the soap…