Part 2/3 of the before-Monday uploads...Maybe part 2/4:) I'm feeling giddy and excited now that I'm back with the manga setting:)
(Age 15)
"Tim Marcoh..." The tanned lady hummed behind the counter, skimming a record book. She had her dark hair pulled up in a professional bun and sported pearl earrings to match her librarian's uniform, "Research files on the philosopher's stone..." She muttered before raising her voice to respond to us. We were practically on pins and needles because of Edward and Alphonse's secrecy, we didn't need her adding to it! "Just as I thought, not in the catalogue. Any check-outs or re-locations would have been recorded here." I sighed as she rambled on, "Meaning that the book you're looking for was either never in the library, or was burned to the ground with it." The woman looked up at our group for the first time, and shock splattered across her features.
I'll admit, it was a sight to see. A huge suit of armor was holding up a short, defeated, blonde boy with an automail arm and a shiny State Alchemist pocket watch. Next to them were the still-whispering officers, who still had no idea what we were up to, and they were getting pretty scared with the conspiracies that were being conjured in their minds. Last but not least stood Havoc and I; he so boldly with a cigarette after the library to the west burnt down, and I was just an oddity in myself. My hair had still not been fixed, where Jean's had tamed considerably, I was lacking my leggings, making my automail leg very present, and I, too, wore a shiny, out-of-place pocket watch.
The librarian tried to blink away her surprise and asked, "A-are you okay?" to the deflated fullmetal.
Still dazed, Ed replied, "Yeah, yeah. We're all...right." The clank-monster beside him, Al, was also clearly upset.
"Thank you." He added whimsically, still being good ole Alphonse.
Luckily for us, a man carrying books had just walked by and had overheard our conversation. "Seska might know." He commented pleasantly, putting the books he carried down and starting the organize them into their proper spots.
"Yeah," The woman replied, turning to us, "If you go to her house, she could probably tell you something about your book." She smiled to herself, "That girl is a bookworm to the letter."
The boys brightened slightly as I ushered them to the side, Havoc following. It made me want to grit my teeth, was I his assignment again? "Thanks, could you write down her address, please?" I asked warmly, fighting my urges to get throw my metal elbow into Jean's rib cage.
Thankfully Seska was such a bookworm that she'd wanted an apartment close to the library, because the deadly silent ride was suffocating me. In less than five minutes we had arrived at her apartment complex, and in those five minutes, no one dared speak a word. Even if they had, I don't think it would have even reached anyone's ears because of the thick tension I had unintentionally created. I was being completely unreasonable, and didn't know why. It just bugged me, and...Just bugged me. Havoc bugged me. He could step on my nerves, stomp on them, dance around on them, and burn out his cigarettes on them, too. He just made me so...so...
"Well?" His masculine voice resounded through my ears, as if it weren't the first time I'd actually heard it. I glanced at the owner, Jean himself, to find an outstretched hand ready to help me out of the car. Though chivalrous and kind, it agitated me even more. Damn it, why can't I just enjoy a sweet gesture like any other girl? "Are you getting out, Beth?" Beth. That made me mad too! He's even got Edward saying it!
I huffed out an negative answer, taking his hand and letting him pull me out anyway. I made sure to give him my hand. It tends to bother people to suddenly feel a hard hand. Even friends are surprised because they never see it; out of sight, out of mind. I went to brush him off and catch up with the others, who had already entered the apartment, but an arm blocked my way, coming level with my neck and chin.
"Beth." He interrupted my escape in a very un-Havoc-like tone. He was fairly emotionless, if not showing a suppressed anger. Not that I'd really know what that looks like, Edward sucks at suppressing his anger. Anyway, Jean's jaw was tightened just a little as his forced himself to remain calm, probably because he knows nothing good will come of both of us losing our tempers.
"Yes?" I replied in a sarcastically sweet voice, like we were just peachy-keen. I tried to duck under his arm to continue on, but his arm swooped down quicker and backed me right up to the car side of the car, actually scaring me a little. I'd never seen him this serious. He's always the happy, mellow one.
"Elizabeth." He snapped, not using my nickname. Moments ago, the absence of that irritating name would have been like the voices of heaven, but now it left a bitter taste in my mouth. "Stop acting like a child. I know that you're not..." He paused, slightly less angry, to find the right words, "Not an adult, but you have to learn to control your emotions. You can't get angry just because someone does a petty little thing, because then you're just as petty." That one hurt a little, like he was talking about someth- Oh, the lie. That bastard is turning it on me. "And you can't go around doing thing just to spite others, either." He added, obviously referring to the questioning Denny Brosh.
Still practically pinned to the car, he wasn't holding me down, but I knew he'd be way faster if I tried to get away, I glared up at him, "I do not act like a child, first of all. Secondly, I know I have a bit of a temper, but at least I try, unlike Edward. Do I see you lecturing him? No." I took a deep breath and less than a split second to admire the shocked expression he sported, "Then you said petty. There's only one instance that you could be talking about, and I was completely justified in that, Havoc." Having gained momentum and confidence, I stood with one hand on my hip, facing him defiantly, "And when have I done anything just to spite you? Who's being petty now, Havoc?"
I could visibly see his eyes flash in anger, and I watched as he grit his teeth angrily before me. "It was my assignment." He barked out, leaning in and putting his hands on either side of me, physically boxing me in for the first time since the conversation began, "We're in the Military, Elizabeth. The Military. I had orders, so I carried them out." I could see how worked up he was getting about this, and I felt slightly guilty for bringing it back up, I had forgiven him. I mentally shook out the thought. I didn't bring it back up, he did. "Unlike you, I actually did have a good reason for how I acted." His strong gaze was still locked with mine, and I wasn't sure how much farther he could be pushed, or how much farther I could be pushed.
"Really now?" I sneered hatefully, my temper finally snapping, "Did those orders specifically prohibit you from telling me you were to guard me?" He paled in remembrance, and his tense shoulders slumped, but he gave no reply. "That's what I thought. You still don't have a good excuse for lying to my face, and then you have the audacity to bring it back up after I've gotten over it, and try to use it against me?" I spat angrily, watching realization and regret flood his features.
"I-I," He stuttered out, so un-Havoc-like, "I'm sorry Elizabeth." He muttered, still not returning to my nickname. Those three words, 'I'm sorry Elizabeth." were like a punch to the gut. Not only did the oblivious man apologize, but he called me Elizabeth, not Beth. Even after the initial shock, a bad feeling gnawed at my gut.
I shoved the feeling down, smiling at Havoc, "It's fine, I shouldn't have said so much." I replied. I gently touched one of his arms, which fell limp at his side at the contact, not even attempting to age me any longer. I didn't like this Havoc. Havoc would made me angry because of his tendencies, but now he's just making me... Upset. He said he liked being the only one to call me Beth, but he's not even calling me Beth.
Practically leaving him in the dust, I muttered bitterly to myself, "Stupid Havoc, Stupid Argument, Stupid Stupid Stupid me." I threw my head back exasperatedly as I entered the apartment, not even seeing the massive amount of books until I tripped over a pile and fell flat on my face. "Ooww." i whined helping myself up.
I climbed over piles and piles of books, but couldn't find anyone. After at least ten minutes of searching, however, I groaned in the realization that I'd just gone in a huge square around the room, finding myself back at the front door. I huffed angrily before diving back in, this time going straight into the room and pushing books out of my way as I walked, hearing far-off voices becoming closer.
I was almost within hearing distance, as in decipherable words, when a sudden jump in volume by Edward, "Thank you Miss Bookworm!" startled me so bad that I tumbled off of a small pile of books and fell right to where I needed to be.
"Beth?" Edward chimed above me, his hair framing the sides of his face as he leaned over to look at me. I groaned from the pain of several book corners jabbing into my sides.
I waved him off, climbing up to a stance once again. "So I take it she's got the book?" I joked lightly, elbowing Edward. He smiled a bit, but it didn't reach his eyes, sort of like an 'I'll explain later.'
It wasn't until three days later that Edward finally explained all of what happened on the trip, from Doctor Marcoh and the side trip to the liquid Stone he had and his cryptic message. The bonehead even forgot to give me my return package until then. When my hands were finally on it, I rushed to our bathroom and locked the door, ripping into the cardboard box with ease. The first thing I saw was the envelope on top, which wasn't sealed. I lifted the triangular tab and tugged the note out gently, scanning over all of Winry's words. It read:
Dear Elizabeth,
Grandma Pinako and I were so happy to get a letter from you, even if the boys never make any attempt at all to contact us. Then again, this is your first contact, too! Things here are just fine as well, minus the criminal. You were right, Ed and Al made no mention of him. Those guys, I swear.
And missy, who're you asking about love? I'm not one to talk, really. But I've been told, after constant talks and questions with Granny that it's the worst and best time of your life. She says that love can make you madder and more petty than you've ever been in your entire life, but the greatest moments also come from it. Kinda cryptic, huh? Speaking of love, I heard a little something something from Major Armstrong about a man... I was told he was tall, blonde, playful, and temporarily assigned to be your guard. I also heard it didn't end well when he held you back from Ed and Scar's fight. Since you mentioned a guy holding you back in your letter, I just knew it must be this 'Jean' guy, so I grilled the Major for info on him.
Anyway, I think a convo on types would be hilarious with you! I bet you got a flustered, being in the same room as Mr. Havoc. Oh god, you should see how I'm laughing right now!
Oh, and since you guys have been gone, I got my last ear piercing. They look so cool all together! I have almost as metal as you guys! Haha, just kidding!
Love,
~Winry Rockbell
P.S. I sent the bras in the box and taped them up so that prying eyes wouldn't look.
P.P.S. Go for it, Liz. According to the Major, he's only three and a half years older than you.
I felt my face heat up at her 'post-post script', I really had no idea how old he was, I realized, but Winry was telling me to go for it? As, as in go for him? To be an 'us'?
I buried the thought embarrassingly, and got the bras out. There were five of them, two were one size larger, two were two sizes larger and one was a three sizes larger. After experimenting with them, I went to tuck all but the middle two away when I found that she'd packed something else into the box; a few tank tops, a few blue skirts, and a pair of black, feminine combat boots.
I rolled my eyes but mentally thanked my friend, who'd cared enough to grill the Major and find out what I've been wearing recently. No more too-big Edward tank tops or roomy Edward shoes. I could give Riza her skirt back too, and finally wear a skirt without a safety pin to make it smaller.
Packing away the remaining bras and clothing, I sealed up the box again with the letter inside. I folded Ed's tank top and put it on top of the box, along with his boots and Riza's skirt. My esteem raised to a whole new level, I stepped out of the bathroom with a whole new me, from my shirt and skirt to my boots and hair, pinned to the side, but otherwise down completely.
I smirked as Edward's face dropped as I exited, he shook his head quickly and called after me, "No."