Ed stared at the phone; he was holding for a long moment. Al stood next to his older brother, looking at him.
"Brother?" The younger Elric asked, with concern and worry in his voice. Ed let out a sigh, closing his eyes.
"Serah says hi."
"Is sist- Serah alright?" Al corrected himself from calling Serah; sister, he felt that he should ask her in person before he starts addressing her as sister. After all this time, he has figured out what she is to him, their relationship to him is a sibling relationship. And the younger Elric hopes that the Ishvalen feels the same, that she thinks of him as a brother.
The older Elric turned to his brother as he placed the phone down, he folded his arms over his chest.
"I'm not sure, she sounded weird. I'm worried that something has happened." Ed leaned against the wall next to the phone, the state alchemist glanced at the floor with narrowed brows.
"What do you think it is?"
"I don't know." Ed growled under his breath, hating that they are apart from each other. That he isn't there with her, to offer support and comfort. Al stared at his brother in concern and worry, the younger Elric knew that his brother wants to travel to Central to be there for Serah. Al understands that not being with Serah is difficult for his brother, after all this is the first time that they are away from each other for more than a couple of hours.
"We can take the next train to Central."
"No, she told us to stay in Dublith to finish what we came for." Ed looked like admitting that hurt him, his eyes were filled with longing and worry for Serah. His eyes hardened slightly with focus and purpose to finish in Dublith as fast as possible, so they could get back to Serah.
Serah saw Roy and Riza standing at a phonebooth with an unknown officer, the Ishvalen walked over to them with Ross behind her. The lieutenant noticed her first, the blonde moved a step back to let the Ishvalen close.
"Good morning, Serah." The teenager nodded in response, she turned to stare at the phone booth. Serah walked closer, kneeing on the ground as she stared at the yellow tape surrounding the booth. The teenager could sense faintly the emotions surrounding the phone booth, it was difficult to figure out what emotions it was. She focused, closing her eyes. It cleared a bit, she could sense despair, arrogance, sorrow, and something else. Her brow narrowed slightly, a moment passed and something happened in her mind's eye. It passed fast before she even had an idea of what it was. Serah opened her eyes immediately, standing up, still staring at the phone booth. The only one who noticed the flinch of the teenager's shoulders, was Roy. The colonel frowned only for a second before he sculptured his expression neutral, knowing that in public view, it would be best to keep his distance from Serah for now. He doesn't know exactly what she is planning, but he is certain that keeping his distance is going to help her and himself in the end. He hopes that she will let him in on what she is planning, that she will allow him and his lieutenant help her with it. Serah turned to Captain Focker; the captain stared at the shade wearing Ishvalen. The silver-haired teenager recognized the dark-skinned soldier after a long moment, she had seen him around Head Quarters when she visited Maes.
"Captain Focker, would it be possible for me to take a look at the evidence of Bridger General Hughes' murder?" Focker blinked in confusion, he turned to Mustang who nodded once.
"Of course, Captain Hughes."
"Then I will stop by evidence office later today." Focker nodded as he saluted the Ishvalen. Serah turned to Mustang and Hawkeye, she nodded at them.
"Come along, Ross." Serah turned to the headquarters, she walked towards the building with Ross trailing behind her.
"Yes." Serah walked towards Mustang's office; she opened the doors to the front office. Breda stood up the moment he noticed the Ishvalen and Ross. The Ishvalen turned to Ross, the female officer stared at the teenager.
"Ross, wait in the front office." Serah didn't wait for a response before she walked into Mustang's office, closing the door behind her. Ross blinked owlishly a couple of times before she turned to Breda, feeling confused and slightly worried about the teenager. The Ishvalen took a seat in one of the chairs in front of the desk, opening her traveling bag before pulling out a leather-bound notebook. She placed it on her lap, folding her hands over the cover of the notebook.
Mustang and Hawkeye entered the front office, Breda stood up. The action stopped the colonel in his track, his eyes noticed Ross standing near the doors to his office in the back.
"Phoenix is waiting for you, Colonel." The alchemist nodded in response before walking to his office, leaving Hawkeye in the front office. Mustang opened the door and stepped inside the back office, closing the door behind him. Serah didn't move at all as Roy stepped around the chair and desk to sit in the chair behind his desk. Without a word, the Ishvalen reached out and laid the leather-bound notebook on the surface of the desk before leaning back in the chair. The teenager had taken her shades off, she held them loosely in her hand.
"What is this?"
"A copy of my personal notebook, it contains every theory, thought and research I have had and done the past nine years. I started writing down everything not soon after father and mother took me in."
"And what am I supposed to do with this?" The older alchemist asked, staring at the teenager. As he placed a hand on the notebook and leaning his chin in his palm, he had an idea of why she gave him the notebook but he wanted her to tell him.
"It will be useful to you, and it might help you due to what I have written down." Roy opened the notebook and took a quick glance at the dark inked writing. The handwriting was neat and cursive, but he had trouble reading the words, the words didn't look familiar at all to him.
"Help me in what way, Phoenix?"
"Reading the notes in this-" Serah reached out and placed her hand on top of the notebook that Roy placed down on the surface of the desk.
"It might contain something that could be surprising and help you understand more about what that is going on. I cannot tell you more, the rest is up to you to find figure out." Roy stayed silent for a long time, resting his chin on top of his locked fingers while he stared at the Ishvalen. He has taught her well, all the lessons of playing chess and explaining what it means to be a strategist and how to make plans, have been good for the teenager. It has helped shape Serah into the person she is today. When Roy met the Ishvalen all those years ago in Ishval, during the war and after Maes and Gracia took her in, he recognized something about the teenager, that she could very well be a natural strategist and leader. And because of that, he decided to teach her how to be one, at first it was for his benefit but that changed within six months after she got adopted by Maes and Gracia. By then it became for the Ishvalen and her benefit, she changes the people that gets to know her, like she did with him. Roy sighed as he closed his eyes for a moment before he turned his glace to the Ishvalen, staring at the teenager.
"I will take a look at it." Serah nodded as she rose from her seat, grabbing her traveling bag. The Ishvalen stepped over to the doors before halting for a second.
"When you are done reading the journal, burn it."
"I will, I swear." Serah could feel Roy's eyes on her back, turning her head to glance slightly at him over her shoulder.
"By the way, Colonel." The black-hair alchemist blinked, before answering the teenager as she placed a hand on the doorhandle.
"Have fun, cracking the journal." And with her parting words to Roy, Serah opened the left door to the front office. Leaving the colonel confused before he cursed, having opened the journal again. Great! More work for him to do, couldn't she have made it easy for him to read instead of this?! Roy realized that Serah have written her notes in code, with a groan and another curse that his lieutenant heard as she stepped inside his office. That Ishvalen is turning to be smarter than he thought she was, he recalled his words that he spoke to Tucker. That she wasn't a genius, not like Ed but it is turning out that he was wrong; she is a genius!
"Sir?" Roy stood up and stepped over to the windows, Riza followed, moving to stand beside him. Where she belongs, where she has and always will belong, which is by the colonel's side as his lieutenant.
"Looks like that we have an extraordinary ally by our side." Riza glanced at her colonel for a moment, before turning to the windows overlooking the city of Central.
"It appears so, sir."
Serah walked through the front office, as she called out to Ross who had been standing near Breda and Fuery, waiting for the teenager.
"Come along Ross."
"Yes madam." The black-haired female officer quickly moved after the Ishvalen, closing the door behind her as the two left Mustang's team behind.
Serah and Ross walked through the corridors of the building when they neared the record office, Serah halted in her steps. Ross also came to a stop behind the Ishvalen, the teenager turned quickly to doors and moved to stand in front of them. The action happened before Ross could realize what happened, the Ishvalen pulled the doors opened and stepped inside while she told Ross to stay outside the room. Serah closed the door ajar behind her, the Ishvalen wanted to test something.
Ross stood near the opposite wall, with her arms behind her back and her fingers locked together. She waited for the teenager, as she stared at the ajar door. Ross doesn't know what to think of the Ishvalen, truth to be told, she is confused about why the teenager became a military officer, since the organization is responsible for the destruction of Ishval and the genocide of the Ishvalen people. The black-haired lieutenant knows that some Ishvalens lives in the slums near East city, but not many is left today.
Serah stepped out of the record office, casting a quick glance at Ross. The teenager started to walk towards the telephone office, having a feeling that the office is next place she should go to. The black-haired lieutenant immediately followed after the Ishvalen; Ross noticed Armstrong walking towards them.
Serah stopped in her steps when the major was a couple of feet away from her and Ross, Armstrong stared at the young Ishvalen. Serah stared back at him, her eyes hard and focused, her lips in a thin line. The teenager could sense his emotions, she hated being able to tell that Armstrong felt pity and sorrow for her. The Ishvalen don't need people to pity her, she will get through this loss of her father, it might take time but she will. It will not kill or break her; she refuses to let it. When she stood in front of her father's grave, she made a choice.
"Major Armstrong." Armstrong blinked at the formal greeting, still staring at the Ishvalen. He let out a breath before answering her, in the same formal voice as Serah addressed him.
"Captain Hughes." Serah nodded in response before turning to walk off, Ross quickly saluted the Major before following the Ishvalen. Armstrong stared after the pair for a moment, before turning and started to walk as he thought back to what the teenager told him when they were in Resembool. With down casted eyes, he hummed, the young Ishvalen have made her decision. All he can do is to support her in the choices, she makes from now on. Serah is growing up into a fine woman, yes indeed, she is. Armstrong thought with a hum.
Once Serah and Ross reached the telephone office, they walked inside. The Ishvalen glanced around, to Ross it looked like the teenager were searching for something. The clerk noticed the pair and immediately stood up when she recognized the teenager.
"Captain Hughes!" Everyone in Central command have heard about the adopted daughter of Brigadier General and her promotion from private to captain, the youngest in history. It is fitted with who her charge is, the youngest alchemist in history.
"Katrina." Serah greeted the clerk, looking around before her glace turned to a phone booth that had yellow tape around it in a square. The Ishvalen walked over to the marked area, staring at the phone booth for a moment. A minute later she turned to Katrina who were clasping her fingers together in nervosity, the clerk had been looking between the ground and Serah. When she noticed the teenager staring at her, Katrina immediately grasped and looked up at the silver-haired Captain.
"Katrina, would you please explain what happened here the night Brigadier General Hughes was murdered?" Both Ross and Katrina stared at the teenager in shock and worry over how… void and emotionless Serah's voice was, when she asked the question. Ross frowned while Katrina started to explain, the black-haired officer felt confused and concerned about the Ishvalen. She can't understand the captain at all, the teenager is an unknown and weird card. Ross can't even explain what she thinks of Serah or Serah's mindset, what the Ishvalen is thinking, the lieutenant can't figure the Ishvalen out at all.
"Thank you, Katrina. Have a good day, come along, Ross." Serah turned and walked out of the telephone office with Ross on her heels, the lieutenant is trying her hardest to keep up with the teenager while she is wondering why the hell Major Armstrong assigned her to the newly appointed Captain, not knowing that the order didn't directly come from the Major himself, but the Fuehrer instead. And not knowing that the Ishvalen had a feeling that Ross being assigned to her, came from a higher ranked officer, to keep the teenager from doing something stupid in the eyes of whoever it is.
"Captain Hughes, are there more stops that we have to do today?"
"Just two more, Lieutenant. I do not need you for the last one." Ross stared blinking at the teenager, her mind blank as she tried to process what the Ishvalen said.
"What do you mean by that, Captain?" Serah stopped in her steps as she turned to the female officer, the black-haired lieutenant was frowning slightly as she stared back at the silver-haired teenager.
"It is not military related."
"I was assigned to be your guard; I'm not supposed to leave your side during workhours." The Ishvalen exhaled before she opened her mouth, making a choice.
"While I am younger than you, lieutenant. I am still your commanding officer." Ross was taken back by the firm and hard tone; the lieutenant shifted her weight.
"So, is this how it is going to be? You pulling rank on me?" Ross asked, her fists slightly clenched while she looked at the teenager.
"If you cannot follow orders, then yes, lieutenant." Serah turned around, not letting the lieutenant reply. The Ishvalen walked off, towards the evidence office. It left the lieutenant dumbfounded and confused and frustrated, Ross exhaled as she started to walk after the teenager.
The two made their way to the evidence office, Ross keeping quiet as she followed behind the Ishvalen who ignored the female officer. Within ten minutes, they arrived at the office, the clerk stood up and greeted them.
"Captain Forker told me that you would stop by to take a look at the evidence about Bridger General Hughes' death, Captain Hughes." Serah nodded in greeting and response, Malinda gestured for the Ishvalen and Ross to follow her.
"I've already put the boxes in one of the small offices for you."
"Thank you, Malinda." The short ginger haired blinked in surprise, over Serah knowing her name.
"I'm a bit surprise that you remember me, Captain Hughes."
"I remember the name of everyone that I meet, Malinda." The trio stopped at an office; Malinda gestured to the door. Serah stepped inside, closing the door behind her. Ross moved to stand opposite of the door, with her hands laced together at her lower back. Ross thanked Malinda who nodded before turning to walk back to the front desk.
Serah sighed before moving over to the boxes, she sat down in one of the chairs as she pulled the boxes to her. She took the lid off, and pulled out Maes' uniform, knives, necklace that she gave him for father's day, and notebook. She laid the items out on the table, looking at them for a moment before she grabbed the notebook and opened it. Hoping that it could be of help to her, in understanding for why her father was killed.
After glancing though the notebook, she was left with more questions and few answers. Serah stood up and moved to place the notebook inside one of the boxes, she placed her hands on the desk. Her hand graced one of the knives, images appeared in her mind. The Ishvalen quickly moved her hand away, looking down at the knives. She shallowed before taking a seat and reached for the knives.
The door opened and Serah stepped out, she cast a quick glance at Ross before telling the lieutenant to follow. Serah thanked Malinda for letting her take a look at the evidence before she and Ross left the evidence office. When they had made a turn in the hallways of the HQ, Serah turned to Ross with a neutral expression.
"You are dismissed for the rest of the day; I will see you tomorrow, Lieutenant Ross." The black- haired officer nodded in response, the Ishvalen turned around and walked off.
Serah knocked on a door, a young and beautiful brunette opened the door. She stared at the Ishvalen, with a raised brow. Serah was wearing a beige tank-top, brown baggy pants and a pair of black flats, her necklace and traveling bag completed the outfit.
"I am here to see Madam Christmas."
I hope that you have enjoyed this chapter, Serah is making steps to her plans. The plans that Serah is making is going to play a large role in the rest of the chapters of the story.
I know that we didn't get to see a lot of Ed and Al in this chapter, what is happening for the Elric brothers while they are in Dublith; is the same in this story as it is in the manga and anime.
And besides I wanted to write about Serah and what she is up to, while being in Central and how she deals with Maes' death and the aftermath of it.
Things are picking up in the upcoming chapters.
And while I have been writing this chapter, I have worked on the plot and what I want to happen for the rest of the story.
Take care and stay safe, till next time. :)