AN - And I'm back! Chapter 2 is here finally, I wanted to post it sooner than this but I just got busy tbh. I haven't proof-read this chapter yet, but I just wanted to post it sooner rather than later, so I'll come back and touch this up at a later(soon) date! Anyways, please enjoy and feel free to comment your thoughts!
I yawned as I slowly came to. I cracked my eyes open, and sunlight poured into my room. I had totally forgotten to close the curtains last night.
I heard a lot of commotion outside, so I peeked out my small window after stretching thoroughly.
People were going back and forth, tending to their many duties as part of a small town. I smiled at the sight, it was kind of.. homey almost. Not that I knew what homey was, I hardly had a home that even knew what a family was supposed to be. I had such a.. broken household for most of my life. My shoulders slumped at the thought, what a great way to start my day off.
I first brushed my teeth (As best I could with the conditions I was under) and then ran over to dig through my luggage.
I eventually found my pants. They were baggy and would tuck in nicely with my tall black boots. I hurriedly put on the pants, taking off my skirt subsequently, then I tugged on my boots. Afterwards I threw my hair up with a clip, keeping it away from my face. I was officially ready to start my day.
I didn't bother taking my notepad, I wanted to spend my first few days getting fully immersed in the town lifestyle, then I would start studying it later on in the week… hopefully.
I headed down the main room, and found Winry lounging on her desk chair, leaning over the table, lazily doodling in a sketchbook. She didn't seem to notice me so I cleared my throat. That seemed to do it.
She jumped, casting her attention to me, she was bearing the same smile as the night before.
"Good Morning Ms. Hawkeye!" She gave me a small wave and I reciprocated.
"Please, call me Riza." She seemed to love that idea, she instantly straightened her back and grinned wide with her pearly whites showing.
"Oh! Of course, I love that! It's like we're friends already!" She peeped up and I finally felt a genuine smile. Not because I felt like I made a friend, but something about this town was already growing on me. It was cozy. And although the people already seemed very odd, I liked it.
Both of our attention was turned to the door when it suddenly swung open. It was a blond man who came strutting in, leaving dirt all over the (previously) clean oak floors.
"Edward! Your boots!" Winry jumped up, scolding the man, a hand landing gently on her hip.
"Oh, sorry dear." He rubbed his neck sheepishly and she scowled. Apparently she did have another emotion other than happiness. I laughed inwardly at their interaction, it was oddly wholesome for some reason.
Edward walked back over to the mat, cleaning his shoes off quickly.
"Don't mind him." Winry chirped up, glancing over to me. "Riza, this is my husband, Edward. Edward, this is our new guest, Riza!" She gestured to me with her hands and I gave a shy laugh, slowly inching over to the door.
"Hello, nice to meet you." I reached my hand out and Edward reciprocated.
"Nice to meet you too Ms.!" He was just as chipper as his wife apparently.
"I don't mean to seem rushed, but I was actually just on my way out. I plan on getting breakfast down the road, any good suggestions on what to eat there?" I ask. Edward hmm's in a thinking manner and I wait.
"To be honest I don't know, I don't eat there often. Breakfast is happening here too by the way, feel free to stay." He tries to accommodate me but I gently put his offer down.
"Oh no don't worry, I really appreciate the offer though." he nods and steps aside for me to be able to leave. I give a quiet thank you then grasp the door handle.
"Have fun!" Winry calls out to me, I look back and smile.
"I'll try." We both laugh it off and then I head out. I stop for a moment, getting my bearings. I sighed, trying to release any tension I had been harboring. After I felt I was a bit more prepared, I began sauntering down the path, my gaze kept itself stuck on the quaint establishment ahead.
As if on time, my stomach growled. The last time I had eaten was yesterday for lunch, and even then, I ate lunch early so I could catch the plane. It was safe to say I was famished at the moment.
I finally made it to the restaurant of sorts, and tried my best to act casual, however, most eyes were on me. They really did know everybody in the small town it would seem, I was clearly the odd one out.
I gently took short strides over to the desk while tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Still trying my best to blend in.
"Well hi there! Welcome to Ed and Al's! I'm Al, your chef for today, what can I get for you ms.?" I'm taken aback by the man, I thought it was Edward at first, they looked strikingly similar. I made the assumption the Ed in 'Ed and Al's' was Edward, maybe they were related? They had to be.
"Well uh, I'm not entirely sure." I give a quick smile but it fades as I narrow in on a menu on the wall ahead. The options were… limited to say the least.
"Today's special is the eggs and bacon, topped off with an original smokey sauce, it's truly a crowd favorite!" I keep my eyes glued ahead as he rambles on and on about the options.
"The special works, thanks." I didn't mean to interrupt him, but he honestly kept talking about the menu which was odd considering there were only 15 options at best.
"Awesome, coming right up!" He chimes back in, and then I find a place to get situated. There weren't many seats to choose from, and it seemed the few people who were here thought the counter placed to the left of the kitchen was the best spot for getting settled; I hesitantly joined them.
I had no plans to talk with any of them, but unfortunately I was the talk of the town it would seem.
"Hi, Riza right?" I glanced up from my spot to see a tall woman with striking black hair. She was wearing a grey tuck in blouse with a pitch black ankle length skirt; over her shirt was a soft animal like fur scarf, it was a bright white contrasting with her dark outfit. She had very.. intense makeup, and I couldn't help but raise a brow at her aesthetic of sorts.
"Yep, that's me." I give a shy laugh and she sits down beside me.
"I thought so! I'm Lust, you're really the talk of the town, we never get visitors!" She laughs and I try to stop my nose from scrunching. Her voice was smooth, pleasant, yet for some reason it was irritating me.
Her dark eyes catch mine and I'm unsure of how to respond. So I just give her a dismissive hand with a laugh.
She seems to find my reaction odd to say the least.
"Well nice to meet you Lust," I look up when a small girl walks over to me with my meal on a tray. I was confused for a moment but it became clear quickly she was the waitress; was that even legal? She looked no older than 12. "Thank you." I hesitantly move aside so she can place my food down.
"Of course! Enjoy!" I nod and she skips away, back behind the counter. All I could see was the tip of her head from back there, she was literally that short.
I cast my attention back to Lust, as I poke nonchalantly at my meal.
"We were so rudely cut off," She laughs heartily and I fight back all of my urges to cringe at her. "nice to meet you too, Riza." She throws her hand out towards me, and I flinch back when I see her incredible long, bright red nails. What an odd woman..
I reached out and shook her hand awkwardly, while she continued to act as if this was commonplace for her.
"Well look who's just arrived!" Al suddenly chipped up, I was taken off guard by his shout. I followed his gaze, and noticed a horse was suddenly 'parked' outside. Then the doors flew open and a man walked confidently in.
I raised a brow.
The man was about tall-average height, with beautiful black hair wind swept to the side. His eyes matched his hair, a devastatingly gorgeous black. His jawline was defined and he was extremely well built. His hand raised to his head as he took off his dark hat, lowering it to his abdomen.
His eyes met mine for only a moment and I somehow became flustered, before casting my attention back to Lust.
"Who's he?" I ask, casually. She smiles while resting her hand on her chin, her elbow landing lazily on the counter. She can't seem to keep her eyes off of him.
"Well hon, that's the one and only-
-Roy Mustang."
AN - And there ya go, chapter 2 is complete. I do plan on rewriting this sometime soon hopefully, seeing as the writing hasn't held up well, but hey, it works for now. Also, I only have 1 other chapter written for this, so after I post that, there'll probably be an even longer wait unfortunately. Sorry everyone, but I'll try my best to keep writing and get chapter 4 done! As always, I hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading!