Ross was walking down a flight of stairs when Armstrong appeared past the corner, the black-haired woman stared at the Major.
"Major Armstrong, can I ask you something?" Armstrong glanced up from the stack of papers that he was holding.
"If it is about young Serah, please walk with me, Lieutenant." Ross nodded and immediately moved to walk beside him, as he turned to walk further down the hallways. The Major was heading to Mustang's office, there were something that he needed to discuss with the Flame Alchemist.
"What is on your mind, Lieutenant?" Ross sighed, glancing down at her feet for a moment before turning her glance to the Major with a narrowed brow.
"I don't understand Serah, Major. There is something weird about her." Armstrong's mouth was in a thin line, he understands where the Lieutenant is coming from. But Serah is something special and different Serah's mind works in a very different way. He has learned early on that she observes so much of what is going on around her. To those who don't know her, the Ishvalen can come off as cold and distanced. It is understandable for the teenager to be that way, being a child raised in war. She learned to be wary of strangers, and their intentions early in her life. But the way Serah is for the time being, isn't her being wary and distanced from others. It is her being cautious while she is here in Central, Armstrong knows that she is planning something.
"Lieutenant, I would advise you to not speak of your superior like that."
"But Major!-" Armstrong turned to Ross, giving her a look that silenced her.
"Lieutenant, there is a reason to everything." With those parting words, Armstrong left. Ross stood behind, left with even more questions about the Ishvalen. Armstrong knocked on the door to Mustang's office, he heard a come-in. The large Alchemist opened the door and stepped inside the front office; he closed the door behind him.
Serah was lead through the building, by Ronnie. The brunette passed through the hallways of the building; Serah noticed a group of young women chatting lively with each other through an opened door. They looked like that their ages ranged from nineteen and twenty-eight years, as they laughed and was applying make-up. The group looked happy, the Ishvalen felt their happiness and joy. The feeling left Serah feeling slightly numb and caused her to grip the strap of her bag tighter, and she hated it, feeling like that. She turned her eyes to the back of Ronnie before she closed her eyes for a short moment, they came to a door near the back of the building. The brunette knocked on the door, before she spoke.
"Madam Christmas, there is someone who wishes to speak with you."
"I'm busy, tell them to come back later." A muffled voice spoke from inside the office, Ronnie glanced at the Ishvalen who was standing with her arms crossed at the low of her spine.
"She told me to tell you that A Serah Hughes wishes to talk with you."
"Send her in, Ronnie." The brunette opened the door, stepping to the side. It allowed Serah to walk inside the office, the silver-haired teenager closed the door behind her, with a gentle thank-you to Ronnie who nodded in return before she turned to leave. Madam Christmas looked up from the paperwork she is doing, placing the fountain pen down and folding her fingers under her chin while glancing at the Ishvalen. The teenager stood with a straight back and her head held high, her hands resting at her spine. The Madam let her eyes look up and down Serah, taking in the strength and formal posture, the Ishvalen was showing. Madam Christmas hummed slightly under her breath, her nephew has trained the girl quite well, and seeing the other parts of Ametrias have been good to Serah. It has matured the girl; it is clear to the Madam that Serah have learned so much and grown from it. She is indeed a fine young woman, and the Madam can't wait to see just what the Ishvalen will be able to accomplish in life.
"Serah Hughes, what a surprise to see you here. What can I do for you?"
"I have a favor to ask, Madame." The older woman hummed before she responded while gesturing for Serah to take a seat. The Ishvalen sat down, placing her bag on the floor next to the chair, she was sitting on. She folded her fingers together and crossed her legs at the knee, as she turned her glaze to the Madame.
"And what kind of favor is that?"
"A place to stay, in exchange of working for you." Madame Chirs' eyes widened in surprise over the offer before she thought it over, it could be a good deal if she agreed to it. The older woman knew that the teenager is discrete and good at being stealthy, and the Ishvalen is a strategist, a very good one, Roy had praised Serah's skills and mind, the way the teenager thinks for years now.
"Why, if I may ask, dear?"
"I refuse to let my family become a target because of me, they do not deserve to be scrutinized due to me, and how I will be viewed by the military in the coming weeks."
"You have something planned?" Serah stared into Madame Chris' eyes with a focused and determined glaze from her shades, the Madame stared right back at the teenager with a slight uplifted and knowing smile.
"I would not be here if I did not, Madame." The statement made the Madame laugh; Serah stayed quiet but with a stained smile.
"Alright, I agree. But if you are going to work for me, you need a wardrobe charge, dear. So, follow me." The Madame stood, Serah following her lead after taking her bag with her as she was led out of the office. They walked back out to the hallways, that the teenager passed through with Ronnie earlier. The Madame and the Ishvalen stopped at the opened door of the room that the group of women are in, the older woman stepped inside while gesturing for Serah to follow her. The teenager moved to stand in the doorway, Serah stood with a straight back, hands locked at the low of her spine, chin held high and her feet apart. The posture of a soldier, the Madame hummed while watching the teenager from the corner of her eye.
"Ladies,-" the women immediately quieted down and turned to the Madame, they noticed the Ishvalen but didn't say anything, waiting for Madame Chris to address them instead.
"We have a new lady who will be joining us for the time being, she will be a bouncer with the boys and a waitress."
"Are you sure, Madame, she doesn't like much." One of the women spoke up, gesturing to the Ishvalen.
"I'm sure, Roy and his unit trained her. Introduce yourself, dear."
"My name is Serah Hughes." The Ishvalen fell silent after saying her name, not knowing what else to say. Madame Chris smiled as she called for someone named Monroe, the called woman stepped forward. She had asymmetrical short black hair with silver roots, she wore a marron dress shirt, black tie and black pants, the sleeves were rolled up to her elbows. Monroe looked Serah up and down, taking in the teenager's outfit.
"Do you think that you can find a new outfit for Serah?"
"Yeah, of course, Madame." Monroe gestured for Serah to join her as she moved to some clothing racks that was in the back of the room, the Ishvalen followed after the black-haired woman while being able to feel the other women's eyes on her and their curiosity. Serah heard Madame clapped twice, the rest of the women immediately got back to get ready for the night.
"Do you have any preferences?" Serah turned to the clothes on the racks, feeling a bit overwhelm from the emotions and auras in the room. The Ishvalen stared at the racks for a moment before turning to Monroe, sensing the slight concern and confusion from the woman.
"No, not really. Just not any dresses that I am not able to move in, I assume that you will be better at picking out clothes than I am." Monroe hummed, folding an arm across her stomach and a hand resting on her chin while she stared at Serah for a long moment. The black-haired woman turned to the racks and sorted through the clothes for a moment before pulling out a dark brown short fit and flare dress, it had a diamond shaped cut out at the chest.
"Try this on, Serah." The Ishvalen hesitated, staring at the dress. Monroe glanced at the teenager, before giving a slight huff. The teenager placed her travel bag on the ground, as she turned her stare to the black-haired woman.
"Got a problem?" Serah shook her head before quicky piling her hair into a messy bun, she grabbing the hem of her shirt and pulled it off, she took her pants off as well, leaving her in a sports-bra and hot pants. The Ishvalen shallowed a lump in her throat, not at all liking how exposed she feels without her clothes. It sends a shiver down her spine, which causes her to tightened her fists for a moment before she forced herself to relax. Monroe blinked, seeing the faint and small scars that was scattered on Serah's arms, along with one on her left shin that looked like it came from a bullet. Monroe pulled the dress back when Serah reached for it, holding up a finger before she pointed at the sports bra.
"That goes too," Madame Chris was nearby and overheard, the older woman turned to Monroe and Serah. The Madame noticed that the Ishvalen looked ready to bolt, the posture and her tense shoulders was all the Madame need to head over to them.
"Serah, dear. There is a dressing screen where you can use."
"But Madame!?"
"No buts, Monroe, Serah are allowed to use the screen if she wants to, remember not anyone is comfortable with charging in front of others." Serah relaxed a bit more at the Madame's words, before grabbing the dress and went behind the dressing screen. A couple minutes later, the Ishvalen stepped out from behind the screen. While the dress suited the teenager, it wasn't the right fit for her. Madame Chris shook her head, silently telling Monroe to find another dress. While Monroe went looking at the clothing racks, Ronnie spoke up as she went over to her Madame and the Ishvalen.
"Madame, remember the burgundy-colored dress with the high neck and corseted slits?" Madame Chris nodded with a hum, before telling Monroe to find the dress, Ronnie spoke of. Monroe found the dress after a couple of minutes; the woman handed it to Madame Chris who gave the dress to Serah. The Ishvalen went back behind the screen, after a little while Serah stepped out from the screen. Ronnie immediately held out her hand towards the teenager, with an arm resting across her stomach.
"Your shades, there are no need for you to wear them inside." Madame Chris folded her arms under her chest, staring at Serah after seeing her hesitate.
"No one will care about your eyes, if you want, then you can say that they are colored contact lenses." Serah nodded in response to the words, she reached up and pulled her shades off, holding the item loosely in her hand. Ronnie and Monroe took in the color of Serah's eyes, Monroe shrugged her shoulders while Ronnie turned to Madame Chris with a question in her eyes.
"Yes, I am a Ishvalen, but I do not resent any of you." Serah spoke, having noticed the unspoken question in Ronnie's eyes, Monroe had stepped to stand behind the teenager. Serah tensed, not used to having a stranger standing behind her, Monroe spoke before she placed her hands on Serah's shoulders. The black-haired woman made sure that Serah knew what she is going to do, before doing it. Monroe waited until the teenager nodded, allowing the black-haired woman to pull out the hair tie. Monroe grabbed a brush before running it through the silver strands, Ronnie went back to a mirror, fixing her eyeshadow.
"What are we thinking to do with her hair, Madame Chris?"
"Braids, and a messy look." Monroe nodded before she guided the Ishvalen over to a chair while calling out for someone named Harper who went over to them with a make-up bag in hand.
"A smokey shadow and cat eye liner, Harper." The blonde grinned, taking a seat against the table before her. Serah turned to glance at Madame Chris, who had grabbed Serah's bag and placed into on the table next to Harper.
"Is all of this really necessary, Madame Chris?" Serah not only felt uncomfortable but looked it as well, not at all used to dressing up like this.
"Good evening, ladies!" A very familiar voice greeted the women, who cheered and greeted Roy Mustang back. His eyes immediately fell on Monroe, Madame Chris, and a very tense Serah. With a sigh, he made his way over to the trio.
"Phoenix, what are you doing?"
"Dress up with your sisters, Roy." The colonel frowned, as he leaned against the edge of the table as his aunt gestured for Monroe to give the two some space.
"And why do you look so uncomfortable, Serah."
"I-" The Ishvalen tainted off, falling quiet while she stared into the mirror and not liking how hollow her eyes are and how her neutral expression looks.
"I am not used to doing something like this." Roy sighed, hating the expression the teenager is wearing. It's a look, a teenager shouldn't have at all, it's an expression of someone that have been through too much. And it's an expression that he has seen a lot on Serah these past days, it's like she has the weight of the world on her shoulders. A burden so heavy that she might be drowning, and it isn't helping that the Elric brothers aren't with her, by her side to share that weight of the burden, Serah is carrying. Roy folded his arms across his chest, staring at the Ishvalen for a long moment before he placed his hand on her shoulder causing her to look at him.
"Just remember why you are doing this, Serah. Everything you is doing; is for those you care about."
"I know."
"Maes would be proud of you, I know that I am, Phoenix." Serah gave a small smile in return, able to sense the honesty and pride and familial love from Roy. It helped a bit to hear those words of encouragement from someone she considers as family, the Ishvalen reached up and placed her hand on top of Roy's that rested on her shoulder. An image appeared in her mind; she blinked a few times as she thought that she heard a whisper being speaking into her ear. But that couldn't be right, she shouldn't be able to hear imaginary voices. It's like it is getting stronger, this weird ability of sensing emotions and auras.
"I know, thank you; Uncle Roy." The colonel nodded with a smile, tightening his hand on her shoulder for a moment before he moved over to the doorway. He stopped for a moment, turning to stare at the Ishvalen for a second as Monroe walked back over to the teenager. He smiled as he left, knowing that Serah is in very good hands. She will be taken care of by the ladies and his aunt, it is for the best for him and Serah to keep their distance for the time being.
"So, braids?" Serah glanced at Monroe with the help of the mirror in front of them, Monroe stared back at the teenager.
"You know, I am a descendant of Ishval as well."
"I know, most have a reacting to the color of my eyes, since you did not, I figured as much." Monroe laughed, her fingers weaving small braids at the right side of Serah's head.
"You are a genius; I can see why the Madame and Roy likes you." The teenager gave a small smile, Monroe turned to the top of Serah's head and gathered the strands and quicky braided the hair, tying the braid off with a hair-band before gently pulling slightly at the braid, loosening it a little which gave it a messy look.
"You are pretty when you smile, Serah. You are a beautiful lady, don't forgot that alright?" Serah nodded, not knowing how to feel about the comment Monroe gave her.
"Harper, come over here and work on Serah's make-up" Harper returned, leaning against the edge of the table behind her. The blonde pulled out an eyeshadow palette and a small make-up brush, Harper gestured for Serah to close her eyes.
"You are safe here, Serah." Monroe spoke, her voice filled with honesty and calm. She was applying different types of hair beads to the small braids before gathering the silver hair into a high ponytail. The black-haired woman took the brush and pushed the top of the ponytail back, giving the hairstyle some volume. Harper had moved on to applying eyeliner to Serah's eyelids, the blonde moved a bit back and gave a smile before telling Serah to open her eyes.
The teenager looked into the mirror, she shallowed hard as she saw someone who looked… different, but somehow beautiful and fierce. For the longest time, she hasn't cared much about her appearance and she still don't but it is nice to do something like this, she guesses.
"You're stunning, Serah, dear." Madame Chris spoke with a smile, Harper and Monroe was quick to agree with their Madame. The tips of Serah's ears turned slightly red as she was a bit embarrassed, Harper grinned along with Monroe.
"Your young fella would be speechless if he could see you at this moment." Madame Chris grinned as the ladies squealed when they heard Serah have a beau. All of the ladies quicky gathered around the Ishvalen, Serah relished in the happiness and joy and calm from the ladies around her. It felt… nice to feel like this, after the week she have had. It brought a smile to her lips, which in turn caused the women to laugh and squeal again. It has been sometime she has felt this accepted by strangers who didn't care at all about her race, Those she met, in Rush valley had been hesitate at first and so had Winry. The last people who accepted her from the moment she met them, other than Roy's unit, her family, and the Elric brothers, was the people from Youswell. Even after so much time since the war ended, there are still so much fear and dislike if not hatred towards herself and her people.
"You have a beau?!"
"Not official, not yet at least. But I do care for him." The Ishvalen knew that it would alright to reveal a bit about herself to the ladies, they do know how to keep a secret.
"Do you love your beau!?" Serah shifted in the chair as the tips of her ears got redder, she shallowed while she turned her glance to her hands. Taking a deep breath as she stood, the Ishvalen reached over and grabbed her traveling bag while giving the ladies a nod in response to the question. It caused the women to squealed and laugh, Madame Chris called for the Ishvalen. Serah moved over to the older black-haired woman who stood nearby, keeping an eye on the teenager and her ladies.
"You know, since you admitted that, the ladies aren't gonna stop now. They do love their gossip, and you gave them a bone."
"I know, but they know how to keep a secret and a name wasn't and won't be mentioned."
"Protecting one's family is every person's basic instinct, it's why one would do everything to make sure those one loves, stays safe and out of harm's way. Or am I wrong?" Serah looked at the Madame from the corner of her eye, as they walked down the hallway.
"No, you are not, Madame."
"You have a good heart, dear. I understand that losing someone that you love is difficult, people will tell you that it will get better but it is a lie. The reality is that you will grieve forever, you won't simply get over the loss of a loved one but you will learn to live with it. You will heal and rebuild yourself around the loss you suffered, you will be whole but won't be the same again nor should be the same, nor should you want to." Serah stopped walking as she shallowed while hearing the words, the Madame spoke.
"Anyway, you can sleep in this room, here-." Madame Chris took Serah's hand and placed a key in the teenager's palm, the Ishvalen nodded as a thanks before disappearing into the room.
"You have a half an hour, then I want you at the bar, out front."
Meanwhile, in Dublith. At the Devil's nest, Ed found himself leaning up against the wall with wounds that was inflicted by Greed. The young alchemist cursed inwardly, damn it even when he promised Serah that he wouldn't get hurt, he got hurt. Raising slowly while catching his breath as Greed stared at the older Elric.
"That's the spirit! Kids should be full of energy." Ed slammed his automail fist into Greed's chin who looked down at the Alchemist, before grabbing his face with his hand and threw the blond into a pile of wooden boxes.
"Try all you want; you won't hurt me!" Greed went over and picked Ed up, the Alchemist thought of Serah in the moment, just wanting to know that she would be alright if he couldn't be by her side where he wants to be. During their time apart, he had come to realize that he had fallen in love with the Ishvalen, but while realizing that he isn't ready yet to tell her. He can't not yet, a thought appeared in his mind.
"Well then, ready to tell me the secrets of the soul?"
"Thanks."
"What?" Greed stared at the older Elric; a bit confused.
"I lost some the blood that rushed to my head, now I can think more clearly. I have the world's greatest mechanic; can you believe that my hand still works after all this?" Ed grabbed Greed's arm that was holding him up, blue energy cracked in the air around them. The attack caused Greed to drop the blond, Ed stagged to his feet as he grasped his automail arm.
"Now there is something that I want you to tell me, Greed." Greed hummed in slightly confusion, placing his hands on his hips.
"You mentioned something about a Ishvalen girl who was forced to become a member of the Amertisian military."
"And what about?"
"What are your plans for her."
"Is she a friend of yours, how ironic don't you think? Let me be honest with you kid, I am not the one who has plans for the girl."
"And how am I supposed to know if you are telling the truth!" Ed snapped, angry and deeply concerned about Serah, and yet a bit glad that she is in Central at the moment.
"Well, you don't-" Greed shrugged his shoulders, looking bored while staring at the Alchemist.
"But the reason behind the Ishvalen girl being taken in alive at the end of the civil war is-" Ed's eyes widened as he listened to Greed as the homunculus spoke.
A couple hours later, Ed was cleaning Al's chest piece; the brothers were in deep thought, Ed over what Greed told him and Al over what he experienced at the gate.
"All done, good as new," Ed straightened his back as he turned to look at his brother, holding a rack in his hand.
"You okay, Al?" The younger Elric lifted his head and stared at his brother in slight confusion and worry.
"Yeah, I am just in a daze, that's all. What is on your mind, Brother, you have been a bit weird as well." Ed stretched the back of his head with a groan, not really knowing where to start. Ed sighed as he folded his arms across his chest while lifting his glaze to the night sky.
"Greed told me something about Serah that got me concerned, the reason for her being allowed to live after the war, was because of what she can do. Whoever is behind whatever is happening, want to use Serah in some way." Al looked shocked and filled with worry and concern about the Ishvalen.
"What are you saying, Brother?"
"That Serah is probably a large part of whatever they have planned, but what exactly I don't know."
"Then we need to go to Central as soon as possible, Brother."
"And we will, Al but we need to make a stop in Rush Valley first. Anyway what happened earlier, it wasn't your fault."
"I know, and it is not about that. I got my memory back from when my body was taken." Ed's mouth fell open as he stared at his younger brother in shock and worry.
"What did it feel like?"
"Eh, it was pretty weird, but I didn't find anything out about human transmutation."
"I see." Al put on his chest plate as Ed grabbed the bucket.
"I guess, we haven't made any progress after all."
"No, that's not truth-" Ed protested as he turned to stare at Al.
"Do you remember what happened at the hospital in Central?"
"The people with the ouroboros tattoo were making philosopher's stones, the Fuhrer said that there were some kind of conspiracy happening in the military, and that he wanted to get to the bottom of it."
"So, why did he have to kill all of them, and if he really wanted to find out what is going on, he should had captured them and made them talk instead."
"You're right, Brother. It does seem strange that the Fuhrer would lead such a massive operation against a small group of people."
"The puzzle isn't adding up, maybe Serah have had some luck looking into this, hopefully more than we have had. When we get back to Central, then we should stick close to the military for some time."
After Serah's shift, the Ishvalen was wandering the streets and found herself staring at Lieutenant Hawkeye in everyday clothes with a male armored body next to her.
"Lieutenant?"
"Serah, what are you going out this late?"
"I could not sleep." Serah turned her glance to Barry, immediately figuring out that he was a soul bound to the armor like Al.
"A soul bound." The Ishvalen stepped closer to Barry with her arms resting at the low of her back.
"That was quick, pretty lady. You sure are smart, hey do I know you from somewhere?"
"No but you might know a friend of mine, Alphonse."
"Well, well this is such a small world, ain't it? Pretty lady?" Serah loomed slightly over the hollow armor; Hawkeye stared at the two in slight concern. The Ishvalen and Barry ignored the blonde in favor of trying to see who would break first, Barry started to sweat before turning his glace away from the silver-haired teenager. He didn't like the way her jaw was tense and the thin line of her lips, he rather wants her to smile instead. It would probably suit her better than the disdain taunting expression she wore, Hawkeye shifted her weight as she for the first time, truly saw what Mustang sees in the Ishvalen.
"Yes indeed, now I have some questions for you, Barry."
Here is the 16th chapter of The Alchemist and the Ishvalen,
I hoped that you have enjoyed it.
A lot is going on in this chapter, Serah is trying her best to deal with the loss of her father without Ed and Al. But not letting herself grieve properly, instead she is throwing herself into making the final steps to her plans that she is making with Mustang. And she is coming into her own, as she figures out what she is cable of.
With Ed and Serah being apart, is causing them to learn that they can go without the other, not that they want to.
Ed finally realized what he truly feels for Serah, that he is in love with her. But he isn't ready to tell her yet, and it will be a long time before he is ready or will get the chance to.
Take care and stay safe, till next time.