Wow, I didn't even realize that I'd gone past ten chapters! Wooohoo! xD
Someone mentioned Mustang getting burnt by Elizabeth, and He insisted that he'd be able to evade any flame-borne attack she could throw at him. Elizabeth, who I asked after, replied that he could evade any flame-borne attack she launched towards him, provided that he saw it coming. Is that a threat, Miss Elric?
Man, I love these little notes at the beginning/end^.^
(Age 15)
I sighed as Edward and Alphonse left again, this time not even bothering to lecture me about my skirt. Maybe it was because they were tired of it, or it could have been because I was already wearing tights under. Whichever, they couldn't be bothered by it. I'm not complaining, believe me. It's just a bit odd that Ed didn't say anything.
I smiled as I remembered his temporary little sister, Nina. My two brothers had taken to her surprisingly well for having to fight constantly for the past few years. From what Al's told me, even Ed has patience with her, and she's called him the little brother a couple of times. Just the thought makes me laugh sometimes.
Still one of Mustang's dogs, I headed out to the office soon after Al and Ed left. This time, however, I brought along some reading materials and a notepad in a small back-pack. That way if Mustang surprised us again with no work, I'd be prepared. The walk was short, only a few halls and turns away.
Once I reached the familiar door, I opened without knocking to find the usual gang all seated around the work table. Except Mustang of course, who took his usual seat at the main desk. I pulled the seat beside Havoc once more to sit down, and set my bag near my feet.
"What's today's agenda?" I chirped happily. I liked this new routine. Although it was a bit odd being separate from Ed and Al at first, I find it a bit freeing now. I'm not the little sister anymore, I'm Elizabeth.
Mustang sighed and replied, "More sorting, the first branch needs some papers organized before being re-submitted into circulation. And you, you wonderful little alchemist, have the fastest hands when it comes to the papers. Get to it, Broken Flame." He began scrawling in his notebook, I assume taking notes and making reminders for himself.
I nodded, though he couldn't see me, and began picking up papers. I even took a few piles off of Havoc and Feury, nimbly sifting the numbers from the letters, then going on to sorting the numbers numerically and the letters in alpha-order. Time flew by silently as I sorted, ordered, reordered and sifted piles of information, references and research. There were sometimes entire pages of numbers, like a code or set of data. I paid them little or no mind, simply continuing on. There were pages and pages of research, the ones I noted to look up later were on bio-alchemic experimentation, searches for natural chimeras, and a short segment of flame alchemy.
The only noise for hours were the breaths of the others and the shuffling of papers. The only time there was anything different was when Havoc lit a cigarette. You could almost hear the noise of the flint scraping against the gear rebounding off the walls as everyone stopped working at the new sound for a split-second. But then the well-oiled machine began again without a word.
It wasn't until about twelve thirty that our work began to diminish, and we had finally finished. As Havoc placed the last pile of papers he had down with the other neatly stacked piles, an ear-splitting ringing noise penetrated the silence. The phone perched on Mustang's desk had scared the living daylights out of everyone in the office, even Hawkeye. Though her expression didn't change, and her posture remained nearly identical, I noticed her right hand flinch towards her gun holster.
"Colonel Mustang speaking," He spoke into the phone with a very serious tone, then as if answering, "The Elric Brothers?" He shot a look to me, as I scraped the legs of my chair against the hardwood floor standing up, but continued with the conversation, "Yes, Sir. I'll be right there. Do you need re-enforcements?" He paused, waiting for an answer, before replying, "Yes, Sir." again and hanging up.
"What's wrong?" I asked the moment the phone touched the receiver, still standing up.
Mustang shot a warning look my way, and replied, "Nothing. You need to stay here. Or better yet," he turned to Havoc, "go to lunch with someone. Don't worry about your brothers. They're perfectly fine." His vague answer made me grit my teeth, but he was my commanding officer. I nodded and grabbed my bag, heading out the door.
The door closed behind me and I walked to the cafe that Havoc and I went to yesterday for coffee. I figured Havoc could find me easily enough if Mustang had sent him like I think he did. The only question I have is why. Why does Havoc keep hanging around me? Is it that Mustang wants him to keep an eye on me? I don't thin Jean would do that, not when I consider him a friend. At least, he'd tell me, right?
I ordered a bowl of soup and some bread. It came with a drink, and I sat down at the table, noting the dark clouds rolling in. Looked like rain was coming in to me. I had only taken a few bites of my soup when the ashtray himself sat down across from me. I looked up at him and he smiled at me. I held my breath for a second, trying to decide to ask him if Mustang was having him watch over me. I let go and figured it couldn't hurt.
"Hey, Jean?" I asked, taking a sip of my drink. I noticed he had also gotten soup, but with some crackers instead of bread. He was breaking the crackers into the soup as I spoke, but stopped momentarily.
"Yeah?" He asked, continuing to break up the rest of his crackers in his soup. I hesitated, which made him look at me expectantly.
"If you had an assignment having to do with me, you'd tell me, right?" I asked, not quite saying what I had planned on saying.
Jean paused, probably a bit surprised by the random question, but smiled and replied, "Of course I'd tell you." He began eating, and I started munching on my bread silently.
We ate in silence, but it wasn't awkward. It wasn't comfortable, either. It was just...silent. By the time we'd both finished, however, the rain I'd seen earlier had started to pour. My old wounds began to ache as soon as the rain began to fall. I'd asked Pinako about it when I was younger. She had explained that there wasn't anything wrong with me, that it was a mental thing. The rain reminded me of the pain I'd experienced the night I had lost my arm and leg. I've never asked Ed if he felt the same on rainy days, though.
"Have you heard?" Havoc asked suddenly, gathering up his napkin, bowl, and spoon.
"Heard what?" I replied curiously, standing up to do the same and take the bowls back to the counter.
Havoc shifted in his seat, looking a bit upset and sympathetic. "Tucker transmuted his daughter into a chimera."
I just about stopped writing here, but then I'm like, no! I have to find out what happens next! (Since this is close to the fight with Scar)
I froze in my stance, with one hand full of a bowl with a cup and spoon inside. My hand slipped and the bowl crashed to the ground, thankfully only clattering instead of shattering. Still the clink of metal reverberated through me, as I tried to let it sink it. Nina? Little Nina? "What?" I whispered pitifully, barely audible above the downpour. "Is she," I muttered, before realizing I had to speak louder, "Is she going to be okay?" I asked Jean. I finally regained enough of my senses to pick up the dishes and return them. I waited for Jean's response.
He wouldn't look me in the eyes as he answered, "She and Tucker were being guarded, but we found them an hour ago, dead." My breathing quickened, dead? How? The only killer I've heard of since coming to this part of Amestris is Scar, but they figured he headed north.
"H-How?" I stuttered out, fearing for the worst. Scar's been targeting big names, like Ironblood, Sewing-Life, and FullMetal.
"Listen, Beth," Havoc coaxed, trying to get me to calm down, or something. He held his hand up in a surrendering manner, with a sympathetic look on his face.
"No!" I snapped, "Tell me if it's Scar! Is it the man targeting state alchemists?!" I demanded.
Havoc looked away, clenching his jaw. I shook my head, he won't answer. "Then I have to go. I have to warn Ed and Al before they get caught up in this." I stated frantically, trying to get an answer still.
"No, it's too dangerous. We don't even know how he kills yet! You need to stay with me." Havoc commanded, as if I'd listen. I'd heard enough. Scar is still in central. Scar killed Tucker and Nina, and Ed knows nothing about the man.
"Like hell I do. I have to protect my own, Havoc." I retorted, breaking into a mad dash out in the street. I heard Havoc call after me, but I kept running, trying to lose him. At the same time, I had to think of where Ed and Al might be.
In hopes of luck, I dashed to the center of town, where a fountain was. I was thinking I might catch of glimpse of Al somewhere. I searched with my eyes, but couldn't see to far off, due to the almost-white rain. I was frantically whipping my head around, but I finally found them.
A black car, most likely reinforcement, was racing towards a man with white hair and dark skin in a burnt yellow jacket, black and white pants, and dark sun glasses. The first thing I took note of were the glasses, which probably hid his red eyes. Then I noticed who he was standing over. Scar was looming over my brother, minus an automail arm. I dashed towards him, trying to help. I had to help.
I found myself on the ground, however, still several yards away. I thrashed around, trying to get to him still, but I was being restrained by someone much stronger than me. I couldn't be bothered to take my eyes off of Edward to see who it was, though. I was close enough to hear Ed talking to Scar, and Al yelling at him. Ed was going to let Scar kill him.
"EDWARD! You bastard! Get up and run!" I screeched as loud as I could. He looked at me, letting me know he heard, but made no attempt to escape. I writhed more, trying to get to my brother, but was still being restrained. I thrust my right elbow back into whoever it was, gaining a pained grunt in return.
"Beth! Stop! I can't let you go! You'll get killed!" Havoc's voice rang in my ear.
I thoroughly ignored him, still screaming at Ed and Scar. "Scar! Leave him alone! Don't touch him!" Havoc stood up with his arms around me. He shook me a bit, just rough enough to get my attention.
"Elizabeth. Don't call his attention. I can't protect you from him," He snapped, using my full name. He muttered to himself, almost inaudibly because of the rain, "I don't know why Mustang gave me this assignment."
I snapped my head to him, "What? An assignment?" I shook my head, "Let go of me, I have to get to Edward. He needs help." I was on the verge of hysterics, I couldn't have Edward taken from me, too.
(Havoc's point of view^.^)
I paled, did I really just tell this hothead that the time I spent with her was an assignment? She'll never forgive me, now. I glanced from her fighting figure to where the Alchemist Killer was now being fought by Major Armstrong. Edward was pretty much stranded where he was, but now not in eminent danger.
I looked back to Elizabeth. She was furious and glaring right at me. "Damn you Jean!" She spat venomously, but still using my first name. I've actually enjoyed the past few days of her working with us. She's got a quick wit and keeps right up with the colonel and Hawkeye. Mustang even told me the reason she was with us and not her brothers. I don't want to get on her bad side. It doesn't help that her bad side includes Edward's bad side too. I still had a hold on her, even though she had stopped fighting.
"Beth?" I asked tentatively, to make sure she was still okay.
"Bastard." She spat in reply. She's got quite a colorful vocabulary when she's angry.
"Edward's okay. He's not hurt, and the back-up's here," I explained, "we couldn't afford to have both of you in the fight."
Elizabeth huffed angrily, "Both of us? Couldn't someone else have an assignment to watch and protect my brothers? Or am I the only one in need of protection?" she sneered sarcastically, obviously still pissed that I lied to her.
"Are you still mad about that?" I asked incredulously. "Your brothers just got out of danger, so all of your attention turns to one little lie of mine?" I reminded her, trying to make her feel guilty or sad or anything but pure anger at me.
She laughed, and for a moment, I thought she wasn't angry anymore. But as it was cut short by her remark, I realized how bitter it really was, "One little lie? One little lie!" She mocked bitterly, "You're the first person I have ever told about my mother. About my promise with Edward. About the failure. About everything!" I felt the guilt sink in as she continued, "And I thought you were nice, interesting, trustworthy. I thought you were a good friend and listener, who wouldn't lie to me." She hiccuped before going on without further hesitation, "I was wrong. I'm wrong a lot. I guess that's why I'm better off as the little sister, at Edward Elric's side."
Elizabeth took a deep, shaky breath before she slumped in my arms, no fight left in her. Her own anger had burned her out. My guess is she's been bottling her emotions for too long. It can't be good for a teenage girl to do that. She sank down even further, until she was out of my arms and sitting on the ground. I got down on my knees and waited with her.
We stayed like that, silently, until Edward walked over to get her.
"Liz," He called from a few feet away, "Come on, we gotta go back home!" I would have thought she'd be happy about it, but her expression didn't improve until she replied.
"Be there in a sec!" She chirped with a forced smile. She then turned to me, no effort of a smile evident, and looked at me with the most broken expression I've seen her wear. "Second Lieutenant Jean Havoc," She said icily, "I fucking hate you."
Ouch:/ I almost didn't want to put that last part in, but he lied to her, and she really trusted him T.T Stupid Havoc.