I waited at home for the boys to come back, they weren't too long. I changed into a dark blue dress to relax as I wasn't planning on going out again tonight. I stayed reading my book on the sofa as the door opened,
"We're home!" Alphonse called as I got up and walked around to greet the boys,
"Welcome home." I smiled and they smiled at me,
"You look nice, Rea." Alphonse spoke as I smiled,
"Thanks!" I grinned as Alphonse looked at his brother,
"Doesn't she brother?" Alphonse smirked,
"Yeah, whatever…" Edward walked by me and waved his hand as Alphonse looked at him in disbelief.
"Brother! You're meant to say she looks nice too!" Alphonse yelled,
"I don't have to say anything!" Edward yelled and pointed at his brother, "Rea knows I think she's gorgeous no matter what-!" Edward stopped, red in the face as Alphonse suddenly cheered and moved in front of his brother as I just stood there, Edward looked at me as Alphonse was celebrating getting Edward to say something about me as I couldn't help but smile.
"You've never really told me what you think about me…" I mumbled as Edward blinked and put his hand behind his head,
"I shouldn't need to tell you constantly." Edward spoke calmly as I just looked at him,
"No! I'm not expecting constant reassurance to know that you think that… it's just… it's nice to have a compliment occasionally." I smiled as Alphonse was celebrating in the background at his apparent win against Edward's temper. Edward looked away and nodded in acknowledgement of my response and I moved to the kitchen.
"Anyway… do we have a lead on what to do next?" I asked, Edward smirked, and the brothers moved to the kitchen area with me as I got Edward and myself a drink,
"We're going to talk to that little girl who could do alchemy when we couldn't," Edward explained, as I thought about how she and Scar could do alchemy when the brothers couldn't, I didn't try to do any, so I didn't know if it affected myself,
"Oh yeah… her alchemy must be the Alkahestry that Ling told us about, because its different to this country. I wonder why it would work when ours couldn't." I spoke up,
"Yes, we're going to ask Doctor Knox if she's still there, but we'll wait till tomorrow now, it's too late to call him now." Edward explained, Alphonse and I nodded.
I sorted dinner for Edward and myself as Alphonse helped and we went to bed pretty early. Edward snuggled up to me as he normally did and kept his arm around my waist.
On the next morning we were late getting up as we were both exhausted from the day before. I got cleaned up and dressed first was Edward was still in bed. When I went back to the room to get my clothes I grabbed some long baggy black trousers, a black tank top and I threw my leather jacket on my bedroom chair as I jumped on the bed to wake Edward up.
"Rea!" Edward jumped as I laughed,
"Time to wake up, sleepy!" I smiled as Edward glared at me and pulled the covers over his head, "Hey!" I tried to pull them off, but Edward kept a grip with his automail. I put my hands on my hips. "Fine… I'll be having pancakes on my own." I moved towards the door as Edward suddenly got up,
"I'm up! I'm going for a shower!" Edward yelled and quickly moved to the bathroom as I laughed.
I went and cooked some pancakes with Alphonse as Edward got ready and dressed.
"If you want Edward, call Doctor Knox as I think I had his number on my book next to the phone!" I explained as Edward came around to the kitchen,
"Oh, yeah! I'll go do that now!" Edward nodded as I continued with breakfast.
Once it was done, I set the table and Edward came along with a grumpy look on his face,
"Not good news?" I asked, Edward folded his arms,
"No, she left early this morning apparently. Do you have any paper and pencils so we can draw a picture to help us find her?" Edward asked,
"I can do the drawing for you. I remember what she looks like." I smiled as I went to get up,
"It's alright, I've got it. Where's your sketchbook normally?" Edward asked,
"I think you know." I smirked as Edward chuckled,
"I'll grab it. You need to eat Ed." Alphonse smiled,
"It's under the bed, thanks Alphonse." Edward smiled as he moved and sat next to me. Edward started to eat the pancakes as I was almost finished with mine.
"These are good!" Edward smiled as I chuckled,
"Don't talk with your mouth full." I smirked as Edward playfully glared at me. Alphonse walked in with my book and a few pencils as he put it on the table in front of me, "thanks, Alphonse." I smiled and opened the book and started to draw.
It didn't take me long to draw a rough sketch of the girl, Edward ended up taking a piece of paper along with Alphonse and they both did their own sketches. Mine was obviously the more refined piece of artistry… as Edward's panda was questionable.
After we finished breakfast and tidied up, we grabbed our boots, and we headed out. The three of us asked around, we stayed nearby one another but spread out enough to ask different people. Nobody was paying much attention to us, and it was making it difficult to find information.
"No one knows anything about that panda…" Edward sat down on the bench, I sat next to him and put my hand on his knee to reassure him,
"I wonder if she left Central already?" Alphonse spoke, as he sat on Edward's other side. I sighed in defeat and sat back on the chair.
A car pulled up beside us. Looking through the window you saw Roy, I smiled seeing him,
"Fullmetal." Roy spoke, pulled the window down,
"Colonel?" Edward spoke in shock.
Roy pushed the car door open, and we got inside, I sat in the middle of Roy and Edward in the front,
"What are you all doing?" Roy asked,
"We are trying to find this girl from Xing, she can do Alkahestry!" I gave him my drawing,
"You don't say… Xingese Alkahestry. Sounds promising. I'll ask around and let you know what I find." Roy gave the drawing back to me,
"Thank you, but I really don't wanna get any deeper in debt to you than I already am…" Edward rested his chin on his palm while looking out the window,
"Speaking of … you owe me some money. So how about you cough it up." Roy held his hand out in front of me looking at Edward.
"Eyes on the road!" Edward yelled, we all grabbed on anywhere as Roy dodged traffic quickly as he switched into the wrong lane while looking away, "You remembered…? Come on! How much did I borrow? 500 cenz?" Edward asked,
"It was five hundred and twenty cenz! Don't con me!" Roy snapped,
"I'm not conning you! I'm just not a penny-pincher like you are." Edward spoke and searched in his pocket, Roy looked hurt,
"I'm sorry, Colonel." Alphonse spoke.
Edward looked at the money in the palm of his hand,
"I'm just gonna hold onto this, but I promise to pay you back when you become Fuhrer." Edward spoke,
"Who told you?" Roy asked,
"Lieutenant Hawkeye, told me. And she told me about Ishval, too." Edward spoke, Roy didn't respond as he just frowned in thought.
We got back to my place and Roy stopped outside,
"Fullmetal. Go on and keep that money for now, but you will pay me back." Roy explained,
"Alright, and when that day comes, I'll borrow some more change. And pay that back when this country's a democracy. But when that day comes, I'm gonna ask to borrow even more money from you." Edward smirked,
"You're not planning to let me off the hook for a very long time, are you?" Roy sighed,
"Now you get it. And you better not worry about the lieutenant, either! Thanks for giving us a ride." Edward closed the car door as Roy just looked at him and waved,
"Sure, see you later." Roy spoke and drove off.
Heading inside we took our boots off and I stretched,
"I'm going to have a bath. I ache." I groaned as Edward looked at me,
"Sure thing," Edward nodded as I smiled and went straight to my bathroom and turned the bath taps on and started to undress.
I suddenly heard yelling from Edward as I froze and grabbed my towel, it was a few minutes before it went quiet and I was wondering what was going on,
"Edward?!" I yelled, he suddenly opened the door and looked at me. Edward seemed a bit flustered and annoyed at the same time, "what's going on?" I asked,
"Old man Fu snuck in your house." Edward groaned as I blinked and sighed,
"Dammit, I'll need to try and secure this place a bit better." I sighed as Edward looked at me,
"We're going to head out with him. Don't worry about coming with us. We've got this." Edward smiled as I nodded and sighed, "Relax, we are going to see Lan Fan." Edward added as I smiled,
"Tell her I said hi and take care." I pointed at Edward as he smirked and walked in the room while pulling the door too.
"Of course, I will," Edward smirked as he pulled me into a hug, I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck as I felt his hands land on my hips over the towel wrapped around my body. Edward lifted the towel as I froze, and I felt his hands grab my bare ass as I jumped from the cold automail.
"Ed!" I whispered harshly,
"What? The doors closed." Edward smirked as he stepped back. I playfully glared at him as he walked to the door and I readjusted my towel, "we'll be back soon, but don't feel like you need to wait up if you're tired." Edward smiled as I nodded,
"See you later!" I waved as Edward closed the door.
I heard the three of them leave as I relaxed in the bath; I slid down the tub and let my body calm down.
I found myself falling asleep in the tub as I closed my eyes and relaxed. I didn't know how long I was out for but when I woke up the water wasn't as warm, and I heard the door open to see Edward. I rubbed my eyes, and he quickly closed the door behind him,
"We not long got back." Edward spoke, "didn't realise you were still in here." Edward added as I nodded,
"I fell asleep…" I mumbled as he smiled,
"I can see that." Edward walked over and sat by the side of the bath as I looked at him,
"How's Lan Fan?" I asked, Edward's brow furrowed as I lifted one hand out the water and grabbed his arm,
"She's okay." Edward replied as I peeked over the edge of the bath at him.
"Mind grabbing my towel?" I asked and pointed to the hook on the opposite side of the room, which held a towel. Edward got up and grabbed it as I put my hand up to take it from him. But instead, Edward opened the towel up,
"Come on." Edward spoke gently as I looked at him in surprise, I nodded and slowly stood out of the water, as I stepped out of the tub, Edward put the towel over my shoulders as he moved behind me and he rubbed my back. Edward was being extra attentive, and it was nice, but I could tell something was on his mind,
"Are you okay?" I asked him, Edward stopped,
"Seeing everyone get hurt lately, I feel lucky that I don't have to worry about you as much…" Edward spoke,
"But you also feel guilty?" I questioned as Edward nodded,
"That's how I feel. Every time I see people around me die." I frowned as Edward looked at me, "I've lived for so long, the Princess of Rubble. I've lived when so many others who were more worthy have died." I spoke and gripped the towel, Edward pulled me into a hug, "I want to be mortal. I want all this to be over." I added, "I'm sick of outliving everyone I care about." I sighed,
"We will make you mortal, but you do realise then I'll be especially worried about you." Edward smirked as I chuckled,
"I know." I smiled and Edward pulled me up to kiss him.
The next morning, I woke up and stretched, Edward was still asleep next to me as I smiled and got out of bed, I freshened up, put on a knee length black skirt and a long sleeve yellow crew neck top, as I went back to my room, I saw he was still asleep,
"Brother likes to sleep in huh?" Alphonse stood by the door, I nodded as I chuckled,
"Want to wake him up? We've still got to find the girl." I smiled as Alphonse shook his head,
"I'll leave that to you!" Alphonse chuckled as I smirked,
"GET UP!" I screamed yanking the bed sheets off Edward making him jumps out of his skin.
"Rea!" Edward was in shock; "Hey! What the hell?!" Edward screamed as I put my hands on my hips,
"We've still got to find that girl! I've got a plan so hurry up and get ready!" I smiled as Edward just blankly stared at me,
"Fine…" Edward mumbled and got out of bed.
I went to my things near my desk and grabbed my large case that held my guitar.
"Alphonse, when Edward's ready try and find me, I'll be near the park okay." I smiled and grabbed my sketchbook and ran to the door,
"Hey, wait! What do you mean? Rea-!" Alphonse called after me as I closed my front door and ran into town.
Edward left the bathroom as he saw the door close and he looked at his brother,
"What's going on Al?" Edward asked, Alphonse sighed,
"Rea's gone to the park, asked us to meet her there when you are ready." Alphonse explained as Edward looked at the door,
"Weird… did she say anything else?" Edward asked,
"No." Alphonse shook his head; Edward walked to the bedroom and grabbed his clothes and got ready.
Edward walked down the street with a frown on his face, confused as to what Reaka was up to. The sun was bright with blue skies and very few clouds as Edward looked up,
"It's a nice day…" Edward spoke,
"Yeah," Alphonse nodded as Edward put his hands in his pockets, the closer the brothers got to the park, they started to hear music.
They could hear a guitar playing and a crowd was gathering around the fountain of the park centre. Edward was trying to see over the crowd with no luck… it wasn't because he was sh- no. It was because they were all standing around.
Edward stopped when he heard the voice and moved to a bench to stand up.
"Darlin', you're hidin' in the closet once again. Start smilin', I know you're tryin' real hard. Not to turn your head away, pretty darlin'! Face tomorrow, tomorrow's not yesterday, yesterday!" Edward saw her standing there with guitar in hand, Reaka. She'd drawn a crowd in to get more people to ask about the girl, that was her plan. Edward smirked as he saw her playing the guitar. He'd never been more proud of her, she couldn't do any wrong.
"Pretty please, I know it's a drag! Wipe your eyes and put up your head. I wish you could be happy instead. There's nothing else I can do, but love you the best that I can. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!" Reaka sang,
"Al! Ask a few people about the girl." Edward looked at his brother who also saw Reaka and took a moment to listen to her song,
"Right!" Alphonse nodded and moved to people who started to leave as to not to interrupt their enjoyment of Reaka's performance.
"Darlin', I was there once a while ago! I know that it's hard to be stuck, with people that you love. When nobody trusts." Reaka continued playing as Edward moved through the crowd to ask people about the girl.
"Pretty please, I know it's a drag! Wipe your eyes and put up your head! I wish you could be happy instead. There's nothing else I can do, but love you the best that I can! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that I can!" Reaka sang loudly as more people started to come to listen, she stood on the edge of the fountain so she could overlook the crowd of people, Edward and Alphonse hadn't much luck with getting any information on the girl though. Nobody seemed to know who she was or where she could be.
"And you're not the only one whose been through, I've been there alone and now so are you! I just want you to know, want you to know, it's not your fault, it's not your fault! Your fault, your fault, it's not your fault, your fault! Your fault, your fault!" Reaka's voice carried throughout the park, Alphonse ended up moving away from the large crowd and asking people who were leaving and/or approaching.
I looked around the crowd, I had seen Alphonse's armour walking around and talking to people, so I knew the brothers were there.
"Pretty please, I know it's a drag! Wipe your eyes and put up your head! I wish you could be happy instead! There's nothing else I can do, but love you the best that I can!" I sang and then saw Edward near the front as he was making his way through the crowd, I smiled at him as he pushed his way forward. "Pretty please, I know it's a drag! Wipe your eyes and put up your head! I wish you could be happy instead! There's nothing else I can do, but love you the best that I can! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that I can!" I grinned as I was coming to the end of the song.
"Darlin', you're hidin' in the closet once again. Start smilin'." I smiled at Edward as he smirked and I played the last chord, people started clapping as I bowed my head and curtsied lightly.
"You've got a lovely voice!" A little boy smiled at me,
"Thank you!" I grinned,
"Would you sing another?" A little girl asked, I looked up at Edward who just smiled and folded his arms,
"I don't see that being an issue." I smiled and moved to sit down on the fountain side, "this song is pretty new, in fact I've not played it to anyone yet. It's about someone special in my life." I smiled and glanced at Edward for a second as I crossed my knee and rested the guitar on my lap. I started pulling the strings to the tune.
"I woke up and saw the sun today. You came by without a warning. You put a smile on my face, I want that for every morning. What is it I'm feeling? 'Cause I can't let it go. If seeing is believing, then I already know!" I started and would look at Edward every few chords, he just listened as I continued to play, "I'm Falling Fast, I hope this lasts, I'm falling hard, for you." I look at Edward while singing and I see him freeze up, "I say, let's take a chance! Take it while we can. I know you feel it too. I'm Falling Fast. I'm Falling Fast, yeah!" I smiled as Edward's face started to go red as some people were looking at him, realising the song was probably about him, "Doesn't matter what. You make everything seem brighter. I never knew I needed you, like a sad song needs a sea of lighters. What is it I'm feeling? 'Cause I can't let it go! If seeing is believing, I already know!" I grinned at Edward as he walked towards me.
"I'm Falling Fast, God! I hope this lasts 'cause, I'm falling hard for you! I say, let's take a chance! Take it while we can 'cause, I know you feel it too! I'm Falling Fast. I'm Falling Fast!" I looked up as Edward was stood in front of me, I stood up singing the last part of the song. I felt my heart jump as Edward put his hand around mine on the guitar neck. He lifted his other hand to my cheek and pulled me in for a kiss as I felt my face flush red. I didn't expect that kind of reaction from Edward. I heard some people admiring the scene as he pulled back and reality seemed to hit with where we were and who surrounded us. I grinned at him and giggled as I looked down.
"Is he your boyfriend?" A little boy asked as we both looked at him,
"He is." I smiled,
"He's short!" The boy pointed at him as Edward's face suddenly darkened. I burst out laughing and moved the strap of my guitar, so it was sitting on my back,
"That type of thing doesn't matter." I chuckled as Edward suddenly calmed down, "I care about him because I like everything else about him. His smile, his vibe, his style… when I'm a nut case he tends to just let me be, it's why I lo-!" I stopped as I glanced at Edward for a second and then smiled, "it's why I love him." I admitted as the boy smiled and nodded, I felt Edward take my hand for a moment.
Not long after we met back up with Alphonse and the boys admitted they had no luck with finding any more information on the girl from Xing. I sighed and frowned,
"That was a very good idea though! Getting a crowd together so we could question people easier." Alphonse spoke as I grinned
"Thanks, Alphonse. I'm glad it helped in a way." I spoke, I quickly sighed as I tilted my head, "didn't get us much farther though." I groaned. Edward chuckled, "I'm going to ask Roy and see if I can find Alex." I put my hand to my chin,
"Sure, we'll keep asking around." Edward nodded as I smiled.
We split off as a group and I walked out of the park to head towards Central Command. The sound of a car engine rumbled to a stop next to me, as I looked back to see Alex get out of the car, I smiled at him until a was surrounded by his arms in a bear hug,
"Reaka Morden, how good to see you!" Alex smiled as I gasped for air,
"Alex… put me down!" I cringed, letting me go Alex smiled,
"How come you aren't with Edward and Alphonse? I thought you would be with them?" Alex asked,
"Doing a bit of detective work, was going to go pester Roy about something," I explained,
"Would it be something about a panda?" Alex asked, I blinked then grinned as I knew he'd know something.
Alex explained to me what he knew about the girl and her panda and that it looked like they were headed north.
"To the north? That is a long way." I muttered as Alex then handed me an envelope, "what's this?" I asked and looked at it for a moment,
"It's a letter of introduction for Edward. To give to my sister." Alex smiled as I grinned,
"Thanks! I'm quite looking forward to seeing her!" I smiled as Alex nodded,
"You were up there before you met up with Edward and Alphonse, weren't you?" Alex asked, I nodded,
"Yeah. I spent some time with the Briggs military before I found Edward and Alphonse here in Central." I explained as Alex put his hands on his hips,
"I'm sure my sister would be happy to see you again." Alex smiled as I chuckled awkwardly,
"Yeah, we shall see." I scratched my chin and then looked away, "I've got to go explain all of this to Edward and Alphonse!" I spoke,
"Do you know where they are?" Alex asked, I shook my head,
"We split off again to look for more information." I explained as Alex nodded,
"Let me escort you around until we find the brothers." Alex bowed and gestures to the vehicle as I laugh awkwardly,
"Thanks, Major." I smiled and got in the car.
We drove around for a bit to look for the brothers until we received word that the brothers were at the library. I jumped out the car and waved at Alex,
"Thanks for the help, Alex!" I grinned,
"It's always a pleasure, Reaka Morden!" Alex saluted as I jokingly saluted as well.
I ran inside and walked around the library until I found Edward with his head deep in a book, I peeked over his shoulder and found myself on my top toes,
"What'cha reading?" I asked and Edward jumped,
"Rea!" Edward yelled and a chorus of shushes came around the library, "what are you doing?!" Edward harshly whispered as he gripped his chest,
"I know where she's going." I smiled,
"Who?" Edward glared,
"The Xingese girl!" I snapped as more shushes happened, I rolled my eyes and pulled him towards the exit.
As we got into the entryway, I pulled out Alex's letter of introduction,
"What's this?" Edward looked at it suspiciously,
"A letter of introduction to Major General Armstrong, the leader of Briggs," I smiled, and Edward looked at me surprised,
"Major General Armstrong?" Edward questioned,
"Alex's older sister." I stated,
"He has an older sister?" Edward was shocked,
"Yeah, it's believed that the Xingese girl is heading North, and Major General Armstrong should be able to help us, she's at Briggs." I explained as Edward glanced at the envelope,
"To Briggs, eh?" Edward looked at me as I smiled and nodded,
"Better wrap up warm." I smiled as Edward nodded.
The two of us walked back inside the library and we found Alphonse down another aisle, we noticed he was talking to a young boy. I recognised him as King Bradley's adopted son,
"Al! Hey, Al! Get ready, we're leaving!" Edward ran over to Alphonse. I glared at Selim,
"Quiet, brother! This is a library. So, where are we going?" Alphonse asked as I slowly walked over,
"We'll explain on the way. We need to grab all out things though." I smiled at Alphonse as I could see Selim smiling at Edward.
"Hey, who is this kid?" Edward asked looking at Selim,
"Mr. Armour called you 'brother.' Does that mean you're Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist?" Selim smiled,
"Yeah," Edward smiled,
"Aw, cool! You are a tiny little alchemist, just like everyone says!" Selim smiled, I covered my mouth trying to suppress my laughter at Edwards face,
"What was that?! You… brat… Say it again! Once more… I'll send you flying! Hear me? Your little body'll go straight out into space!" Edward held his fist up,
"That's true, too! You hate being called small, just like everyone says!" Selim smiled as I turned around.
Suddenly, guns were pointed at Edward,
"Step away from Master Selim," a man spoke, I stopped laughing and rolled my eyes around my head.
"No, wait! Don't shoot him!" Selim spoke,
"Uh, 'Master Selim'? Are you Selim Bradley?" Edward asked,
"Selim, the Fuhrer President's son?!" Alphonse spoke,
"Yeah! That's me!" Selim smiled as I turned to look at him, he looked pretty innocent, but he gave off a strange vibe to me. I couldn't put my finger on it… something wasn't right about him.