Fic - Petals Fall Like Tears -update
Dec. 31st, 2006 09:48 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessSo there is one last fic for 2006. I thought I posted this chapter months ago and to my horror when I did the fic review I could find no trace of it. How embarrassing. I'm still half convinced I posted this and LJ ate it but that doesn't explain why I also thought I had feedback for a story that doesn't exist.
Petals Fall like Tears
A Color_i_fic story - Color - Cherry Blossom
D M Evans
Rating - R
Pairings - Roy/Riza, Maes/Gracia (and ANY combination of the four of them you can think of), Ed/Winry, Izumi/Sig, Heck even Al, Havoc and Armstrong get a girl
Time Line - Post Anime, ignoring the movie with a few key anime points changed like, Ed’s not in Europe, Al’s not a kid, all of Rush Valley is Manga centered and oh, a few people didn’t actually die.
Summary - With friends and family all around and a Cherry Blossom Festival to go to with new loves, what could possibly go wrong?
Author’s Note - Thanks to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
evil_little_dog for the beta. This was written for mjules for her birthday. Happy birthday; sorry it’s not finished. This is the sequel to If Happiness Forgets You Part One , If Happiness Forgets You Part Two , If Happiness Forgets You Part Three and a prequel to Curosity Killed the Teenager and was written as part of the ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
color_i_fic Garden of Eden challenge
Chapter Four
Havoc almost felt at home in Rush Valley. The heat of it reminded him of the east and the thought occurred that without his parents, he didn’t much like home. He wished he knew what was really going on. He might be a good sniper and good go-to man but he didn’t have the nimblest of minds. It really didn’t bother him. Havoc didn’t mind being a follower because he knew his contributions were important in and of themselves. He was content to leave the strategizing and the stress to Mustang. Still, doing the recon work like he was doing now made for a really boring afternoon. At least he was under cover and in cooler civilian clothing. The boss was probably sweating his balls off in his woolen uniform. Yes, there were far worse assignments than sitting at a café sipping sweet tea on ice and people watching.
Havoc looked up seeing a long shadow falling over him. A tall shapely blond stood in front of him. Havoc only lifted his eyes past the wide expanse of her breast to look her in the eye with great difficulty. She smiled at him. “The cafe’s full up. May I join you?” She hoisted her plate of long sticky pastries as if to show her plight.
Havoc beamed. This was his lucky day. How often did gorgeous women just fall into his lap? “It would be my pleasure.” He indicated the seat across from him and watched her slide her shapely backside into the chair. “I’m Kelly Egan,” he said using an old school chum’s name as his cover.
“Coda Hall. I’m new here and I hate eating along so I’m glad you said yes.” Her smile was so sweet Havoc forgot for a moment why he was here.
“Same here on all accounts,” Havoc replied.
“Oh, so you probably can’t tell me where to find Anthony’s Automail,” she said.
Havoc couldn’t help giving her a once over looking for metal. “Sorry. He probably won’t be all that hard to find, though you’ll probably get swamped by more automail mechanics than you can handle if you start asking around.”
“It’s for my brother. He lost a leg in a farming accident,” Coda said, taking a bite of her pastry.
Havoc watched her painted lips parting to take in the phallic pastry then shook his head to clear it. “I’m sorry,” he said sympathetically. “I’m a country boy. I’m all too familiar with farm accidents.”
That statement opened the gate. Havoc felt guilty later about slacking in his duty but he and Coda seemed to hit it off. They were a lot alike with backgrounds that dovetailed like dreams. Coda could have been made for him and from the look in her blue eyes she felt the same about him.
When they parted company, Coda promised to meet him for dinner. Havoc didn’t think anyone had slipped past him that shouldn’t have in the interim. Well...if he had messed up a little, Mustang would forgive him. If nothing else, the colonel was a romantic.
X X X
“Oops, Al, I didn’t know you were home,” Winry said, trying to hide the bag she carried behind her back.
“What do you have there?” Al gestured at the long bag with the hanger poking out of it. His eyes danced excitedly at the sight. “Is that your dress?”
Winry bobbed her head, feeling unusually shy. “Don’t tell Ed. I want it to be a surprise. Mr. Garfiel’s already seen it so he knows the colors so he can match it with Ed’s suit.”
Al rolled his eyes. “My brother’s...something. I don’t know what gets into him. Maybe if he was just a little less like Roy.”
“I know,” Winry said, going into the room to hang up the dress.
“Can I see the dress, Winry?” Al trailed after her into the room. “I won’t tell Brother.”
Winry thought about it for a moment, wanting a man’s opinion. Gracia, Riza, and Paninya loved it but would the boys? Mr. Garfiel tended to count more in the girl column than the boy’s. Decision made, she took the dress out of the hanger bag then off the hanger to hold it against her. The ice blue silk spilled over her body. The square neckline was trimmed with gold geometric embroidery that tumbled down the seams of the dress. Creamy lace trailed off the hem of the skirt.
Al swallowed hard, his face, no, his whole body, feeling hot and tight. Just because he accepted that Winry loved Ed didn’t mean all his feelings for her had died. He’d never seen Winry all dressed up. Yes, she wore scandalously short skirts and tube tops that would have left him panting if he hadn’t been armor all those formative early teen years – thought his new body was determined to make up for lost time now when it came to embarrassing timing for erections; like right now if he wasn’t careful. How had Ed remained so immune to those flirty clothes for so long? “That’s beautiful, Winry. I love it.”
Her smile all but leapt off her face, it was so huge. “Really? Do you think Ed will like it?”
“If he doesn’t, there’s something wrong with him.” Al couldn’t keep his disappointment in Ed’s hidden interest in Winry out of his voice.
Winry ran a hand over the silk. “I’ve never had anything so fancy.”
“You deserve it. I’m glad Ed finally asked you out,” Al said as Winry put the dress away.
She turned and gave him a strange look. “Are you, Al?”
Al reared back, unprepared for that question and the hint of pain behind her words. “Of course,” he breathed. Did she think he was jealous? Was more showing in his eyes than he bargained for? “Do you think I don’t?”
“I don’t know. When we were little…” Winry ducked her head, hiding behind her waterfall of hair.
“That was a long time ago, Winry,” Al interrupted. “I care about you. We’ve been friends all our lives, but I’m not blind. I can see how you feel about Ed and I’m happy about that. Ed deserves to be loved. He keeps cutting himself off from people. I don’t know why but I’m hoping that you’ll be able to help him. I still love you, Winry, like the big sister I wish I had.”
Winry made a whimpering sound then threw her arms around him, crushing Al to her. “Oh, Al. You are so amazingly sweet.” Winry kissed his cheek then rested her face against his shoulder. Al embraced her back.
“Hey Winry!” Ed barged into the room since the door was wide open. He came to a screeching halt, seeing her in his brother’s arms.
Winry took a step back, rubbing her tearing eyes. “Yes, Ed?”
“You okay?” His golden eyes slotted.
”They’re happy tears,” she assured him. “You wanted something, Ed?”
“Just wanted to know if you had your dress yet? I know you went shopping.” Ed couldn’t keep the suspicious look off his face.
“I have it. I’ve shown it to Mr. Garfiel so you can go shopping with him now.”
“Oh boy,” Ed said sarcastically. “Let me see your dress, Winry.”
“Not until the dance.” Winry wagged a finger at him.
“Why?” Ed craned his head back and forth as if contemplating his best route around Winry and to the forbidden dress.
“It makes it more special,” she replied.
Ed turned to AL. “Did you see it?”
“No, Brother,” Al lied. “Winry, what color is Paninya’s dress so I can tell Roy?”
“Oh, she looks so beautiful in it,” Winry gushed. “Forest green, Al.”
”Thanks, Winry.” Al headed for the door. “I have some thinking to do.”
“Make sure a corsage is in that thinking,” she warned, wagging a finger at him.
“I will,” Al laughed as he left and went to his room with Ed following him. Al stripped off his sweat-soaked shirt and flopped on the bed. “It’s so hot.”
“What was that about?” Ed asked, standing in the doorway, looking irritated.
Al sighed, suspecting a fight was about to break out. “What? Winry and I were talking.”
“It didn’t look like talking,” Ed grated out.
Al propped himself up on one arm angrily. “Edward! Jealousy is ugly on you.”
Ed tossed himself onto the blanket chest at the foot of the bed. “Then what were you talking about?”
“The same thing you and I did. She’s afraid I’ll be hurt if two go to the dance together. I appreciate that you’re both concerned about me. I’ll tell you what I told her, I love Winry like a sister and nothing more.” Al rolled into a sitting position, looping his arms over his knees. When I see you two together, I’m so happy I can’t stop smiling, so please don’t worry about me and don’t be jealous. I’m not upset.”
Ed leaned forward and shook Al’s sticky arm. “You’re a good brother, Al.”
“So are you, Ed. You’re starting to open up a little. You’ve been so closed off to everyone but me and I don’t know why.” Al didn’t miss how his brother wouldn’t meet his eyes at that pronouncement. “Winry might be the connection you need.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Ed said, his tone fish-slippery.
“Yes, you do,” Al argued. “Even Hughes has commented on it.”
Ed got up, turning away. “I think you have the right idea. We need to cool off.” Ed took off his shirt and Al knew that was the end of the conversation. On the other hand, Ed was shirtless, something he rarely was outside of his very close friends. Al suspected Ed was ashamed of how he looked. Maybe this was Ed’s concession to opening up or, more likely, he was just hot as hell.
Al got up. “The stone floor downstairs is cool.” Ed just nodded. Al touched his brother’s arm. “You do believe me about Winry, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. Sorry for…” Ed spread his hands. “I don’t mean to be jealous.”
“Good.” Al let that topic die, too. The brothers got downstairs just in time to see Mustang come in, looking positively wilted in his uniform. His damp hair hung in his eyes and stuck to his face.
”Everybody stinks,” Roy moaned, thrashing his way out of his jacket.
“Good afternoon to you, too,” Ed said, sitting on the floor. “And I don’t stink.”
“Like hell. You smell like sweat and that motor oil that makes your parts go,” Roy countered, staggering around trying to pull his boots off without sitting down.
“I do not,” Ed said hotly. “Shouldn’t you still be at work?”
“I’m done for the day. You stink. I stink. Al stinks. I hate this place. I should never have agreed to stay here,” Roy moaned, slinging his hair back. He slumped to the floor, lying spread eagle.
“Well, I’m glad you did,” Al said, also sitting on the floor. “I wouldn’t have gotten to really know Paninya otherwise.”
The front door opened again and Riza came in with Maes, Gracia, Izumi and the kids.
“How is everyone?” Maes asked as his wife and Izumi hustled Elicia and Selim upstairs.
“Roy, I’m putting Elicia down for a nap in your bed,” Gracia said, smiling down at him where he sprawled on the floor.
Mustang didn’t even raise his head. “Fine.”
“We’re all hot,” Ed said in response to Maes’ question as the teen stretched out on the floor.
“And Roy has assured us we stink,” Winry said, coming out of the kitchen with a tray of glasses and a pitcher of lemonade. “And Ed you do smell like oil but that’s good. It means you’re taking care of your automail.”
”Whatever, you smell Ed,” Roy reiterated.
”So do you,” Ed shot back.
”So I do,” Roy agreed.
“Roy’s as cranky as the kids,” Maes observed and his friend glared.
”Roy, you haven’t been sleeping. Why don’t you just lie still and take a nap,” Riza said. Roy wadded up his shirt and used it as a pillow. “What’s going on with Armstrong and Havoc? Tell us before you fall asleep.”
“As if he will,” Maes muttered. “Sleep is a foreign word.”
“I sleep and they haven’t found any signs of the Loyalists. They’re still looking.” Roy shut his eyes. “We don’t even have any clues other than we’re looking for Zolf.”
“Zolf? Is that Kimbley’s name?” Ed snorted.
“Yeah, probably it’s what drove him insane,” Roy replied, his eye opening and training on Ed.
“Glad Mom had better sense in names,” Ed said. “Do you need me and Al to help track down Kimbley?”
“I’d rather you two lay low for now but thanks,” Roy replied, still looking at Ed.
“Why are you staring at me?” Ed grumbled.
“I’m not. I’m looking at your automail,” Roy said.
Ed levered off his shoes. “Why?’
“Just noticing how much detail Winry puts into it. Usually you have it covered up,” Roy said and Ed just gave him a puzzled look. “Haven’t you ever looked at it, Ed? You have toes. Do you think that toes were necessary? A simple lever bar probably would have sufficed but she built you a shock absorbing arch and cute little toes. There is a lot of artistry to what Winry does,” Roy said.
“Cute? What do you want from Winry? You’re sucking up awfully hard,” Ed said and Al winced.
Winry glowered at Ed, nudging him with a toe. “Thank you, Roy. At least someone appreciates my hard work.”
“And in spite of Ed’s dispersions, I don’t want anything,” Roy assured her.
“Shouldn’t you be asleep?” Ed snapped.
“Yes.” Roy squirmed on the floor, trying to get more comfortable then shut his eye.
“It doesn’t hurt, Ed, to let me know from time to time that you notice,” Winry said.
Ed blushed. “Sorry. I do notice.”
“He always tells everyone he has the best automail mechanic in the world. He just forgets to tell you.” Al came to his brother’s defense.
Winry smiled, appearing mollified. “That’s good to know. Lemonade?” she asked of the brothers, who readily accepted then took her tray over to Maes and Riza. The sharp shooter helped herself.
“I think I have time before I have to go to work,” Maes said, taking a glass.
“Roy?” Winry asked.
“He probably doesn’t want you to get too close to him to serve him, Winry. You stink after all,” Ed said cuttingly. When it didn’t get a rise out of Roy, he glanced over taking in the slow steady movements of the man’s bared chest. “Damn, I think he did go to sleep.”
“Really?” Maes peered over the arm of the couch. “He really must be exhausted.”
“Roy doesn’t seem to sleep much,” Al said. “I’ve noticed him roaming the house at all hours. Is it because of Ishbal?”
“Roy never was a sleeper,” Maes replied. “I’m not sure if it was because of how he grew up...probably.”
“He never talks about his family,” Al observed.
“I just assumed he was found under a rock somewhere,” Ed rumbled and Al slapped him.
“Roy’s life is a lot like you boys’,” Riza said. “His father was a Xing trader who went back on a supply run and never came back home for reasons unknown, dead or simply abandoned his family. Roy was about eight when his mom was killed in an accident and he got stuck in an orphanage.”
“That place was hell,” Maes interrupted, a bitterness in his voice the teens weren’t used to hearing. “It was in my town. If not for my uncle, I would have ended up there with Roy when my parents died of the flu. I first met Roy in school and he’d always have such old clothes on and he’d be hurting from what those people would do to the kids there. And hungry...always so hungry.” Maes shook his head in remembrance. “It was a hard life but Roy was smart. My uncle knew an alchemist in town and that’s what got Roy started.”
“The alchemist knew my father and Roy eventually came to live with us,” Riza took up the tale. “He sees himself in you, Ed. That’s why Roy took such an interest in helping you boys and keeping you safe...and after what happened in Ishbal, Winry, quite determined to make sure you didn’t end up in an orphanage.”
Winry flinched, wrapping her arms around herself.
“I wish he would have just said that,” Al said thoughtfully. Ed wore a grateful expression but seemed unwilling to give voice to his feelings.
“I’d say let him rest since he needs it but he doesn’t look comfortable.” Winry pointed to where Roy thrashed in his sleep.
“Don’t touch him,” Riza warned. “Sometimes when he gets like this, he hits. Roy!” Riza called sharply. “Roy, wake up. You’re having a nightmare.” Roy sat up with a choked off cry. His whole body shook hard as he buried his face in his hands. Satisfied that Roy was awake enough not to reflexively strike out, Riza sat next to him and put her arms around him. Roy folded against her. “It was just a dream,” Riza said, stroking his hair. “Just a nightmare.” Roy murmured against her shoulder, not pulling away.
“Roy, is there anything I can get for you?” Winry asked, a worried look in her blue eyes.
He turned a haunted gaze on her and she wondered if he saw her or the Rockbell woman he had killed in the desert. Roy shook his head. “No, thank you.” Propelling himself up, Roy stalked into the kitchen. He splashed water on his face then leaned against the sink, flinching as hands rested on his back. Roy looked over his shoulder at Winry.
“I don’t think my parents would want you to be this sad,” she said simply, softly. Roy sucked in a ragged breath, covering his face with a dishtowel. Winry touched his arm. “I mean that.”
Winry left him in the kitchen. Roy took a moment to pull himself together before going into the other room. “I’m going to the Down on the Corner pub,” he announced before going up the stairs to change out of his uniform. Roy tried to ignore the roomful of worried faces when he came back downstairs and walked out the door. Maes was waiting for him outside. Roy walked past him and Maes got into step with him. “I don’t need a babysitter, Maes.”
“I work there, remember?” Maes said and Roy snorted.
“I’m not going to be fit company,” Roy warned.
“You make an ass of yourself and I’ll toss you out,” Maes said bluntly. “You have a poor way of showing gratitude for Winry’s kindness.”
“I don’t deserve it,” Roy said miserably.
“That’s not your call. Obviously Winry believes it as does Pinako. It’s time to let go, buddy.” Maes rested his hand on Roy’s shoulder. “You’ve punished yourself enough. There’s no danger in letting the pain go. You used it to make sure you don’t turn into a monster but I don’t think there’s any real danger of that. You are not that sort of man. You never have been. All you want to do is help.”
Roy slumped. He couldn’t argue with Maes. He knew damn well his friend was right. “Thanks, Maes. I’m trying. I just need...I’m wound too tight tonight. I need to relax.”
“Well, we’ll let you do that,” Maes said as they neared the pub.
Roy wasn’t so sure. When he entered the pub he saw Pinako there with a surly-looking older man. Roy was fairly sure he had seen that man before. Roy couldn’t suppress his angry feeling at having ‘his’ pub invaded. He knew it was stupid but he just couldn’t help it. He really just wanted to be alone and he couldn’t have been happier when Pinako merely raised a hand to acknowledge his presence but did nothing else to infringe on his space.
Maes was too busy to pay Roy any mind other than to give him, in succession, two drinks. The fans whirled furiously overhead trying to beat the hot air inside the room into cooler submission. The early afternoon crowd was denser than Roy would have expected and in spite of his desire to be alone, he also hoped to hear word of Bradley Loyalists spilling from the mouths of many of the ex-military around him. He was disappointed. Roy was just getting to the bottom of his second drink when Pinako’s voice sounded from the direction of his blind spot.
“Mind if I sit here?”
Roy looked down at her then back to where she had been sitting. The other man appeared to be gone. “No,” he said without much enthusiasm.
Pinako looked at him curiously. “Are you sure?”
Roy nodded. “Feel free. I’m not sure how good of company I’ll be.”
Pinako climbed up on the stool. “I already figured that but Dom left and I wanted one more drink.”
Roy shrugged and shoved his glass to the edge of the bar for a refill. The drinks were beginning to catch up to him. He wondered if Pinako had chosen to sit on his blind side purposely to see if he trusted her there.
“Your friend works here for a reason, doesn’t he?” Pinako nodded at Maes who had swooped in to fill their drinks and swooped out again to tend to other customers.
“What do you mean?” Roy asked, feigning ignorance.
“I think you know. Rush Valley is filled with one-time soldiers and ones still in service waiting for maintenance. Soldiers talk. Your friend is a listener. That’s why he’s here, isn’t it?” Pinako said lowly. She didn’t even have to mention Bradley Loyalists. That was understood.
Roy rubbed his eye patch. Why the hell did the socket itch so much sometimes? “You’re perceptive.”
“I’ve been around a long time,” Pinako said. “I can see he doesn’t like you being here, at least not in the mood you’re in.” She nodded at Maes again.
Roy snorted. “That’s no one’s business.” He slammed back his whiskey. “So far we haven’t learned anything about...well, you know where our interests lie. But I’m confident that we will. He’s good at finding things out.”
“He looks angry right now,” Pinako observed as Maes’ eyes hardened, staring at the tavern door.
Roy swiveled in his chair to follow his friend’s gaze. To his surprise, Al and Ed were in the doorway then the brothers made their way over to him. ‘Aren’t you a little young to be in here?” Roy huffed. “Shouldn’t you be visiting with your teachers or something?”
“We came to bring you home,” Al said, shifting from foot to foot uneasily. Ed glared out from under his bangs as if hating life.
“That’s ridiculous,” Roy growled. “I don’t need sitters.”
“I think Riza had something planned to make you feel better but you need to be home for it.” Al blushed a bit as he said that.
Roy’s eyes lit up. “Oh.”
“Yes, lucky us, you and your disturbing noises,” Ed grumbled.
“If you made a little noise yourself, it wouldn’t be so disturbing to you.” Roy swung out of his chair. “And on that note, I’ll leave you with the girl’s grandmother.”
Red faced, Ed glared at Roy while simultaneously wilting under Pinako’s gaze. “Why don’t you just give Granny a gun.”
“Like I’d need that to handle a little guy you like you.” Pinako grinned.
“Who are you calling so short he can’t see over the bar top?” Ed raged. Al just looked toward the door as if contemplating escape.
“Hmm, you brothers have been so preoccupied through your formative years, you might not even know what to do with a girl. Maybe that’s your problem, Fullmetal.” Roy smirked, the alcohol showing its effect in his eye. “What a shame with the dance coming up.”
“I suppose I could sit the boys down.” Pinako fought back a snicker. “After all, my granddaughter deserves fun... safe fun.”
“Aw hell.” Ed turned even redder. Al was too flabbergasted to speak.
“Well, if you’re not comfortable with Pinako, I could share my vast experience with you boys.” Roy grinned broadly enough to share.
Al covered his face. Ed slammed his hands on the bar, looking at Maes. “Please, save us!”
“Don’t know what you mean.” Maes swallowed a laugh.
“If this has to happen, you teach us,” Ed demanded.
“Please!” Al added.
“But how could you pass up on what was offered? On one hand you have a lifetime of experience and on the other....well, you don’t even want to know what that one gets up to.” Maes gestured at Roy.
“Please. I’ll get on my knees and beg,” Ed pleaded.
“Don’t say yes too fast. I want to see this,” Roy said gleefully.
“I’m with him.” Pinako jerked a thumb at Mustang.
“Evil, both of you,” Ed grumbled.
Pinako cackled, clapping a hand on Ed’s shoulder. “You make it so easy.”
“You really do,” Maes said. “Roy, go home. Ed, Al, make sure he gets there and I’ll be sure to give you the education Pinako wants you to have.”
“Thank you!” Al cried, grabbing Roy’s arm, trying to drag him.
“But keep in mind I can’t control anything that might come out of Roy’s mouth between here and home,” Maes cautioned and the boys’ faces fell.
“Good point.” Pinako jumped down from the chair. “I want to hear this.”
“We can start here.” Roy pulled out his wallet and drunkenly fished out a condom.
“Put that away!” Ed snatched it away and shoved it into a pocket. “We’re in public.” Ed glanced around and saw patrons staring at them. He went beet red. “Oh hell, they saw!”
“Come on, sir. Walk and talk.” Al shoved Roy toward the door unceremoniously.
Maes wiped down the bar watching them go like some irritable, half-drunk comedy stage show. Well at least Roy was smiling. Maes turned his full attention to listening to the swirls of conversation to see if there were threads he needed to follow.
X X X
Coda entered the hotel room where two people were already waiting for her; one older man with a grey crew cut, former General Derrick Pendergrass and the other man gave her the creeps, and not because he was a State Alchemist. Handsome as he was deadly, the Crimson Alchemist showed signs of still healing the deep damage he had suffered in Lior. He had his long hair loose, hiding his face, which bore a fresh scar he abhorred.
“Verdant,” Crimson greeted her with her State Alchemist name. She didn’t care for the moniker but that’s what she had been saddled with because of her affinity for plants, especially poisonous ones. “How did it go?”
“Our Intel was right. The moron thinks with his dick. I’ll be meeting Havoc for dinner and good job, General, in spotting Mustang’s man,” she said to Pendergrass. “How long do I have to go through with this?” Coda grimaced. It wasn’t that Havoc was all that awful. He was handsome enough and didn’t leave her feeling like slugs had crawled over her naked flesh like Kimbley did but he was Mustang’s man. That made him the enemy, and really, he wasn’t the brightest candle in the window. She tossed herself down on the edge of the bed, gazing at the men.
“Just until the party. It would help if you could get him to ask you to that,” Pendergrass said. “Half this damn town will be there to celebrate spring such as it is in this hell.” Pendergrass glared out the window as if Rush Valley had somehow personally offended him.
“A celebration filled with plants and little walking time bombs.” Kimbley grinned at Coda. “It’ll be a hell of a statement when we take that party to bits.”
“And we honestly think we can convince the people that Mustang is to blame?” Coda asked dubiously.
“Not everyone knows what to make of him killing the Fuhrer,” Pendergrass reminded her.
“Can’t believe he had the balls,” Kimbley muttered.
“And if there’s enough flame at the destruction in the festival...they’ll believe he’s out to take over this country and they’ll turn on him,” Pendergrass continued as if Kimbley hadn’t interrupted. He drummed his thick fingers on the nightstand, grinning at the thought. “Without Mustang as the new parliament’s poster boy, we should be able to easily regain control.”
The Verdant Alchemist frowned a little. Somehow she didn’t think it would be as easy as the general seemed to think. Then again, Mustang had the same reputation as Havoc and men who used the little head to think were easily handled. Besides, she’d be going into this with Kimbley. He delighted in destruction. He was right, it would be one hell of a statement and once it was pinned on Mustang, the new parliament would crumple. Those who should have been in charge would take over once more.
Petals Fall like Tears
A Color_i_fic story - Color - Cherry Blossom
D M Evans
Rating - R
Pairings - Roy/Riza, Maes/Gracia (and ANY combination of the four of them you can think of), Ed/Winry, Izumi/Sig, Heck even Al, Havoc and Armstrong get a girl
Time Line - Post Anime, ignoring the movie with a few key anime points changed like, Ed’s not in Europe, Al’s not a kid, all of Rush Valley is Manga centered and oh, a few people didn’t actually die.
Summary - With friends and family all around and a Cherry Blossom Festival to go to with new loves, what could possibly go wrong?
Author’s Note - Thanks to
evil_little_dog for the beta. This was written for mjules for her birthday. Happy birthday; sorry it’s not finished. This is the sequel to If Happiness Forgets You Part One , If Happiness Forgets You Part Two , If Happiness Forgets You Part Three and a prequel to Curosity Killed the Teenager and was written as part of the color_i_fic Garden of Eden challengeChapter Four
Havoc almost felt at home in Rush Valley. The heat of it reminded him of the east and the thought occurred that without his parents, he didn’t much like home. He wished he knew what was really going on. He might be a good sniper and good go-to man but he didn’t have the nimblest of minds. It really didn’t bother him. Havoc didn’t mind being a follower because he knew his contributions were important in and of themselves. He was content to leave the strategizing and the stress to Mustang. Still, doing the recon work like he was doing now made for a really boring afternoon. At least he was under cover and in cooler civilian clothing. The boss was probably sweating his balls off in his woolen uniform. Yes, there were far worse assignments than sitting at a café sipping sweet tea on ice and people watching.
Havoc looked up seeing a long shadow falling over him. A tall shapely blond stood in front of him. Havoc only lifted his eyes past the wide expanse of her breast to look her in the eye with great difficulty. She smiled at him. “The cafe’s full up. May I join you?” She hoisted her plate of long sticky pastries as if to show her plight.
Havoc beamed. This was his lucky day. How often did gorgeous women just fall into his lap? “It would be my pleasure.” He indicated the seat across from him and watched her slide her shapely backside into the chair. “I’m Kelly Egan,” he said using an old school chum’s name as his cover.
“Coda Hall. I’m new here and I hate eating along so I’m glad you said yes.” Her smile was so sweet Havoc forgot for a moment why he was here.
“Same here on all accounts,” Havoc replied.
“Oh, so you probably can’t tell me where to find Anthony’s Automail,” she said.
Havoc couldn’t help giving her a once over looking for metal. “Sorry. He probably won’t be all that hard to find, though you’ll probably get swamped by more automail mechanics than you can handle if you start asking around.”
“It’s for my brother. He lost a leg in a farming accident,” Coda said, taking a bite of her pastry.
Havoc watched her painted lips parting to take in the phallic pastry then shook his head to clear it. “I’m sorry,” he said sympathetically. “I’m a country boy. I’m all too familiar with farm accidents.”
That statement opened the gate. Havoc felt guilty later about slacking in his duty but he and Coda seemed to hit it off. They were a lot alike with backgrounds that dovetailed like dreams. Coda could have been made for him and from the look in her blue eyes she felt the same about him.
When they parted company, Coda promised to meet him for dinner. Havoc didn’t think anyone had slipped past him that shouldn’t have in the interim. Well...if he had messed up a little, Mustang would forgive him. If nothing else, the colonel was a romantic.
X X X
“Oops, Al, I didn’t know you were home,” Winry said, trying to hide the bag she carried behind her back.
“What do you have there?” Al gestured at the long bag with the hanger poking out of it. His eyes danced excitedly at the sight. “Is that your dress?”
Winry bobbed her head, feeling unusually shy. “Don’t tell Ed. I want it to be a surprise. Mr. Garfiel’s already seen it so he knows the colors so he can match it with Ed’s suit.”
Al rolled his eyes. “My brother’s...something. I don’t know what gets into him. Maybe if he was just a little less like Roy.”
“I know,” Winry said, going into the room to hang up the dress.
“Can I see the dress, Winry?” Al trailed after her into the room. “I won’t tell Brother.”
Winry thought about it for a moment, wanting a man’s opinion. Gracia, Riza, and Paninya loved it but would the boys? Mr. Garfiel tended to count more in the girl column than the boy’s. Decision made, she took the dress out of the hanger bag then off the hanger to hold it against her. The ice blue silk spilled over her body. The square neckline was trimmed with gold geometric embroidery that tumbled down the seams of the dress. Creamy lace trailed off the hem of the skirt.
Al swallowed hard, his face, no, his whole body, feeling hot and tight. Just because he accepted that Winry loved Ed didn’t mean all his feelings for her had died. He’d never seen Winry all dressed up. Yes, she wore scandalously short skirts and tube tops that would have left him panting if he hadn’t been armor all those formative early teen years – thought his new body was determined to make up for lost time now when it came to embarrassing timing for erections; like right now if he wasn’t careful. How had Ed remained so immune to those flirty clothes for so long? “That’s beautiful, Winry. I love it.”
Her smile all but leapt off her face, it was so huge. “Really? Do you think Ed will like it?”
“If he doesn’t, there’s something wrong with him.” Al couldn’t keep his disappointment in Ed’s hidden interest in Winry out of his voice.
Winry ran a hand over the silk. “I’ve never had anything so fancy.”
“You deserve it. I’m glad Ed finally asked you out,” Al said as Winry put the dress away.
She turned and gave him a strange look. “Are you, Al?”
Al reared back, unprepared for that question and the hint of pain behind her words. “Of course,” he breathed. Did she think he was jealous? Was more showing in his eyes than he bargained for? “Do you think I don’t?”
“I don’t know. When we were little…” Winry ducked her head, hiding behind her waterfall of hair.
“That was a long time ago, Winry,” Al interrupted. “I care about you. We’ve been friends all our lives, but I’m not blind. I can see how you feel about Ed and I’m happy about that. Ed deserves to be loved. He keeps cutting himself off from people. I don’t know why but I’m hoping that you’ll be able to help him. I still love you, Winry, like the big sister I wish I had.”
Winry made a whimpering sound then threw her arms around him, crushing Al to her. “Oh, Al. You are so amazingly sweet.” Winry kissed his cheek then rested her face against his shoulder. Al embraced her back.
“Hey Winry!” Ed barged into the room since the door was wide open. He came to a screeching halt, seeing her in his brother’s arms.
Winry took a step back, rubbing her tearing eyes. “Yes, Ed?”
“You okay?” His golden eyes slotted.
”They’re happy tears,” she assured him. “You wanted something, Ed?”
“Just wanted to know if you had your dress yet? I know you went shopping.” Ed couldn’t keep the suspicious look off his face.
“I have it. I’ve shown it to Mr. Garfiel so you can go shopping with him now.”
“Oh boy,” Ed said sarcastically. “Let me see your dress, Winry.”
“Not until the dance.” Winry wagged a finger at him.
“Why?” Ed craned his head back and forth as if contemplating his best route around Winry and to the forbidden dress.
“It makes it more special,” she replied.
Ed turned to AL. “Did you see it?”
“No, Brother,” Al lied. “Winry, what color is Paninya’s dress so I can tell Roy?”
“Oh, she looks so beautiful in it,” Winry gushed. “Forest green, Al.”
”Thanks, Winry.” Al headed for the door. “I have some thinking to do.”
“Make sure a corsage is in that thinking,” she warned, wagging a finger at him.
“I will,” Al laughed as he left and went to his room with Ed following him. Al stripped off his sweat-soaked shirt and flopped on the bed. “It’s so hot.”
“What was that about?” Ed asked, standing in the doorway, looking irritated.
Al sighed, suspecting a fight was about to break out. “What? Winry and I were talking.”
“It didn’t look like talking,” Ed grated out.
Al propped himself up on one arm angrily. “Edward! Jealousy is ugly on you.”
Ed tossed himself onto the blanket chest at the foot of the bed. “Then what were you talking about?”
“The same thing you and I did. She’s afraid I’ll be hurt if two go to the dance together. I appreciate that you’re both concerned about me. I’ll tell you what I told her, I love Winry like a sister and nothing more.” Al rolled into a sitting position, looping his arms over his knees. When I see you two together, I’m so happy I can’t stop smiling, so please don’t worry about me and don’t be jealous. I’m not upset.”
Ed leaned forward and shook Al’s sticky arm. “You’re a good brother, Al.”
“So are you, Ed. You’re starting to open up a little. You’ve been so closed off to everyone but me and I don’t know why.” Al didn’t miss how his brother wouldn’t meet his eyes at that pronouncement. “Winry might be the connection you need.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Ed said, his tone fish-slippery.
“Yes, you do,” Al argued. “Even Hughes has commented on it.”
Ed got up, turning away. “I think you have the right idea. We need to cool off.” Ed took off his shirt and Al knew that was the end of the conversation. On the other hand, Ed was shirtless, something he rarely was outside of his very close friends. Al suspected Ed was ashamed of how he looked. Maybe this was Ed’s concession to opening up or, more likely, he was just hot as hell.
Al got up. “The stone floor downstairs is cool.” Ed just nodded. Al touched his brother’s arm. “You do believe me about Winry, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. Sorry for…” Ed spread his hands. “I don’t mean to be jealous.”
“Good.” Al let that topic die, too. The brothers got downstairs just in time to see Mustang come in, looking positively wilted in his uniform. His damp hair hung in his eyes and stuck to his face.
”Everybody stinks,” Roy moaned, thrashing his way out of his jacket.
“Good afternoon to you, too,” Ed said, sitting on the floor. “And I don’t stink.”
“Like hell. You smell like sweat and that motor oil that makes your parts go,” Roy countered, staggering around trying to pull his boots off without sitting down.
“I do not,” Ed said hotly. “Shouldn’t you still be at work?”
“I’m done for the day. You stink. I stink. Al stinks. I hate this place. I should never have agreed to stay here,” Roy moaned, slinging his hair back. He slumped to the floor, lying spread eagle.
“Well, I’m glad you did,” Al said, also sitting on the floor. “I wouldn’t have gotten to really know Paninya otherwise.”
The front door opened again and Riza came in with Maes, Gracia, Izumi and the kids.
“How is everyone?” Maes asked as his wife and Izumi hustled Elicia and Selim upstairs.
“Roy, I’m putting Elicia down for a nap in your bed,” Gracia said, smiling down at him where he sprawled on the floor.
Mustang didn’t even raise his head. “Fine.”
“We’re all hot,” Ed said in response to Maes’ question as the teen stretched out on the floor.
“And Roy has assured us we stink,” Winry said, coming out of the kitchen with a tray of glasses and a pitcher of lemonade. “And Ed you do smell like oil but that’s good. It means you’re taking care of your automail.”
”Whatever, you smell Ed,” Roy reiterated.
”So do you,” Ed shot back.
”So I do,” Roy agreed.
“Roy’s as cranky as the kids,” Maes observed and his friend glared.
”Roy, you haven’t been sleeping. Why don’t you just lie still and take a nap,” Riza said. Roy wadded up his shirt and used it as a pillow. “What’s going on with Armstrong and Havoc? Tell us before you fall asleep.”
“As if he will,” Maes muttered. “Sleep is a foreign word.”
“I sleep and they haven’t found any signs of the Loyalists. They’re still looking.” Roy shut his eyes. “We don’t even have any clues other than we’re looking for Zolf.”
“Zolf? Is that Kimbley’s name?” Ed snorted.
“Yeah, probably it’s what drove him insane,” Roy replied, his eye opening and training on Ed.
“Glad Mom had better sense in names,” Ed said. “Do you need me and Al to help track down Kimbley?”
“I’d rather you two lay low for now but thanks,” Roy replied, still looking at Ed.
“Why are you staring at me?” Ed grumbled.
“I’m not. I’m looking at your automail,” Roy said.
Ed levered off his shoes. “Why?’
“Just noticing how much detail Winry puts into it. Usually you have it covered up,” Roy said and Ed just gave him a puzzled look. “Haven’t you ever looked at it, Ed? You have toes. Do you think that toes were necessary? A simple lever bar probably would have sufficed but she built you a shock absorbing arch and cute little toes. There is a lot of artistry to what Winry does,” Roy said.
“Cute? What do you want from Winry? You’re sucking up awfully hard,” Ed said and Al winced.
Winry glowered at Ed, nudging him with a toe. “Thank you, Roy. At least someone appreciates my hard work.”
“And in spite of Ed’s dispersions, I don’t want anything,” Roy assured her.
“Shouldn’t you be asleep?” Ed snapped.
“Yes.” Roy squirmed on the floor, trying to get more comfortable then shut his eye.
“It doesn’t hurt, Ed, to let me know from time to time that you notice,” Winry said.
Ed blushed. “Sorry. I do notice.”
“He always tells everyone he has the best automail mechanic in the world. He just forgets to tell you.” Al came to his brother’s defense.
Winry smiled, appearing mollified. “That’s good to know. Lemonade?” she asked of the brothers, who readily accepted then took her tray over to Maes and Riza. The sharp shooter helped herself.
“I think I have time before I have to go to work,” Maes said, taking a glass.
“Roy?” Winry asked.
“He probably doesn’t want you to get too close to him to serve him, Winry. You stink after all,” Ed said cuttingly. When it didn’t get a rise out of Roy, he glanced over taking in the slow steady movements of the man’s bared chest. “Damn, I think he did go to sleep.”
“Really?” Maes peered over the arm of the couch. “He really must be exhausted.”
“Roy doesn’t seem to sleep much,” Al said. “I’ve noticed him roaming the house at all hours. Is it because of Ishbal?”
“Roy never was a sleeper,” Maes replied. “I’m not sure if it was because of how he grew up...probably.”
“He never talks about his family,” Al observed.
“I just assumed he was found under a rock somewhere,” Ed rumbled and Al slapped him.
“Roy’s life is a lot like you boys’,” Riza said. “His father was a Xing trader who went back on a supply run and never came back home for reasons unknown, dead or simply abandoned his family. Roy was about eight when his mom was killed in an accident and he got stuck in an orphanage.”
“That place was hell,” Maes interrupted, a bitterness in his voice the teens weren’t used to hearing. “It was in my town. If not for my uncle, I would have ended up there with Roy when my parents died of the flu. I first met Roy in school and he’d always have such old clothes on and he’d be hurting from what those people would do to the kids there. And hungry...always so hungry.” Maes shook his head in remembrance. “It was a hard life but Roy was smart. My uncle knew an alchemist in town and that’s what got Roy started.”
“The alchemist knew my father and Roy eventually came to live with us,” Riza took up the tale. “He sees himself in you, Ed. That’s why Roy took such an interest in helping you boys and keeping you safe...and after what happened in Ishbal, Winry, quite determined to make sure you didn’t end up in an orphanage.”
Winry flinched, wrapping her arms around herself.
“I wish he would have just said that,” Al said thoughtfully. Ed wore a grateful expression but seemed unwilling to give voice to his feelings.
“I’d say let him rest since he needs it but he doesn’t look comfortable.” Winry pointed to where Roy thrashed in his sleep.
“Don’t touch him,” Riza warned. “Sometimes when he gets like this, he hits. Roy!” Riza called sharply. “Roy, wake up. You’re having a nightmare.” Roy sat up with a choked off cry. His whole body shook hard as he buried his face in his hands. Satisfied that Roy was awake enough not to reflexively strike out, Riza sat next to him and put her arms around him. Roy folded against her. “It was just a dream,” Riza said, stroking his hair. “Just a nightmare.” Roy murmured against her shoulder, not pulling away.
“Roy, is there anything I can get for you?” Winry asked, a worried look in her blue eyes.
He turned a haunted gaze on her and she wondered if he saw her or the Rockbell woman he had killed in the desert. Roy shook his head. “No, thank you.” Propelling himself up, Roy stalked into the kitchen. He splashed water on his face then leaned against the sink, flinching as hands rested on his back. Roy looked over his shoulder at Winry.
“I don’t think my parents would want you to be this sad,” she said simply, softly. Roy sucked in a ragged breath, covering his face with a dishtowel. Winry touched his arm. “I mean that.”
Winry left him in the kitchen. Roy took a moment to pull himself together before going into the other room. “I’m going to the Down on the Corner pub,” he announced before going up the stairs to change out of his uniform. Roy tried to ignore the roomful of worried faces when he came back downstairs and walked out the door. Maes was waiting for him outside. Roy walked past him and Maes got into step with him. “I don’t need a babysitter, Maes.”
“I work there, remember?” Maes said and Roy snorted.
“I’m not going to be fit company,” Roy warned.
“You make an ass of yourself and I’ll toss you out,” Maes said bluntly. “You have a poor way of showing gratitude for Winry’s kindness.”
“I don’t deserve it,” Roy said miserably.
“That’s not your call. Obviously Winry believes it as does Pinako. It’s time to let go, buddy.” Maes rested his hand on Roy’s shoulder. “You’ve punished yourself enough. There’s no danger in letting the pain go. You used it to make sure you don’t turn into a monster but I don’t think there’s any real danger of that. You are not that sort of man. You never have been. All you want to do is help.”
Roy slumped. He couldn’t argue with Maes. He knew damn well his friend was right. “Thanks, Maes. I’m trying. I just need...I’m wound too tight tonight. I need to relax.”
“Well, we’ll let you do that,” Maes said as they neared the pub.
Roy wasn’t so sure. When he entered the pub he saw Pinako there with a surly-looking older man. Roy was fairly sure he had seen that man before. Roy couldn’t suppress his angry feeling at having ‘his’ pub invaded. He knew it was stupid but he just couldn’t help it. He really just wanted to be alone and he couldn’t have been happier when Pinako merely raised a hand to acknowledge his presence but did nothing else to infringe on his space.
Maes was too busy to pay Roy any mind other than to give him, in succession, two drinks. The fans whirled furiously overhead trying to beat the hot air inside the room into cooler submission. The early afternoon crowd was denser than Roy would have expected and in spite of his desire to be alone, he also hoped to hear word of Bradley Loyalists spilling from the mouths of many of the ex-military around him. He was disappointed. Roy was just getting to the bottom of his second drink when Pinako’s voice sounded from the direction of his blind spot.
“Mind if I sit here?”
Roy looked down at her then back to where she had been sitting. The other man appeared to be gone. “No,” he said without much enthusiasm.
Pinako looked at him curiously. “Are you sure?”
Roy nodded. “Feel free. I’m not sure how good of company I’ll be.”
Pinako climbed up on the stool. “I already figured that but Dom left and I wanted one more drink.”
Roy shrugged and shoved his glass to the edge of the bar for a refill. The drinks were beginning to catch up to him. He wondered if Pinako had chosen to sit on his blind side purposely to see if he trusted her there.
“Your friend works here for a reason, doesn’t he?” Pinako nodded at Maes who had swooped in to fill their drinks and swooped out again to tend to other customers.
“What do you mean?” Roy asked, feigning ignorance.
“I think you know. Rush Valley is filled with one-time soldiers and ones still in service waiting for maintenance. Soldiers talk. Your friend is a listener. That’s why he’s here, isn’t it?” Pinako said lowly. She didn’t even have to mention Bradley Loyalists. That was understood.
Roy rubbed his eye patch. Why the hell did the socket itch so much sometimes? “You’re perceptive.”
“I’ve been around a long time,” Pinako said. “I can see he doesn’t like you being here, at least not in the mood you’re in.” She nodded at Maes again.
Roy snorted. “That’s no one’s business.” He slammed back his whiskey. “So far we haven’t learned anything about...well, you know where our interests lie. But I’m confident that we will. He’s good at finding things out.”
“He looks angry right now,” Pinako observed as Maes’ eyes hardened, staring at the tavern door.
Roy swiveled in his chair to follow his friend’s gaze. To his surprise, Al and Ed were in the doorway then the brothers made their way over to him. ‘Aren’t you a little young to be in here?” Roy huffed. “Shouldn’t you be visiting with your teachers or something?”
“We came to bring you home,” Al said, shifting from foot to foot uneasily. Ed glared out from under his bangs as if hating life.
“That’s ridiculous,” Roy growled. “I don’t need sitters.”
“I think Riza had something planned to make you feel better but you need to be home for it.” Al blushed a bit as he said that.
Roy’s eyes lit up. “Oh.”
“Yes, lucky us, you and your disturbing noises,” Ed grumbled.
“If you made a little noise yourself, it wouldn’t be so disturbing to you.” Roy swung out of his chair. “And on that note, I’ll leave you with the girl’s grandmother.”
Red faced, Ed glared at Roy while simultaneously wilting under Pinako’s gaze. “Why don’t you just give Granny a gun.”
“Like I’d need that to handle a little guy you like you.” Pinako grinned.
“Who are you calling so short he can’t see over the bar top?” Ed raged. Al just looked toward the door as if contemplating escape.
“Hmm, you brothers have been so preoccupied through your formative years, you might not even know what to do with a girl. Maybe that’s your problem, Fullmetal.” Roy smirked, the alcohol showing its effect in his eye. “What a shame with the dance coming up.”
“I suppose I could sit the boys down.” Pinako fought back a snicker. “After all, my granddaughter deserves fun... safe fun.”
“Aw hell.” Ed turned even redder. Al was too flabbergasted to speak.
“Well, if you’re not comfortable with Pinako, I could share my vast experience with you boys.” Roy grinned broadly enough to share.
Al covered his face. Ed slammed his hands on the bar, looking at Maes. “Please, save us!”
“Don’t know what you mean.” Maes swallowed a laugh.
“If this has to happen, you teach us,” Ed demanded.
“Please!” Al added.
“But how could you pass up on what was offered? On one hand you have a lifetime of experience and on the other....well, you don’t even want to know what that one gets up to.” Maes gestured at Roy.
“Please. I’ll get on my knees and beg,” Ed pleaded.
“Don’t say yes too fast. I want to see this,” Roy said gleefully.
“I’m with him.” Pinako jerked a thumb at Mustang.
“Evil, both of you,” Ed grumbled.
Pinako cackled, clapping a hand on Ed’s shoulder. “You make it so easy.”
“You really do,” Maes said. “Roy, go home. Ed, Al, make sure he gets there and I’ll be sure to give you the education Pinako wants you to have.”
“Thank you!” Al cried, grabbing Roy’s arm, trying to drag him.
“But keep in mind I can’t control anything that might come out of Roy’s mouth between here and home,” Maes cautioned and the boys’ faces fell.
“Good point.” Pinako jumped down from the chair. “I want to hear this.”
“We can start here.” Roy pulled out his wallet and drunkenly fished out a condom.
“Put that away!” Ed snatched it away and shoved it into a pocket. “We’re in public.” Ed glanced around and saw patrons staring at them. He went beet red. “Oh hell, they saw!”
“Come on, sir. Walk and talk.” Al shoved Roy toward the door unceremoniously.
Maes wiped down the bar watching them go like some irritable, half-drunk comedy stage show. Well at least Roy was smiling. Maes turned his full attention to listening to the swirls of conversation to see if there were threads he needed to follow.
X X X
Coda entered the hotel room where two people were already waiting for her; one older man with a grey crew cut, former General Derrick Pendergrass and the other man gave her the creeps, and not because he was a State Alchemist. Handsome as he was deadly, the Crimson Alchemist showed signs of still healing the deep damage he had suffered in Lior. He had his long hair loose, hiding his face, which bore a fresh scar he abhorred.
“Verdant,” Crimson greeted her with her State Alchemist name. She didn’t care for the moniker but that’s what she had been saddled with because of her affinity for plants, especially poisonous ones. “How did it go?”
“Our Intel was right. The moron thinks with his dick. I’ll be meeting Havoc for dinner and good job, General, in spotting Mustang’s man,” she said to Pendergrass. “How long do I have to go through with this?” Coda grimaced. It wasn’t that Havoc was all that awful. He was handsome enough and didn’t leave her feeling like slugs had crawled over her naked flesh like Kimbley did but he was Mustang’s man. That made him the enemy, and really, he wasn’t the brightest candle in the window. She tossed herself down on the edge of the bed, gazing at the men.
“Just until the party. It would help if you could get him to ask you to that,” Pendergrass said. “Half this damn town will be there to celebrate spring such as it is in this hell.” Pendergrass glared out the window as if Rush Valley had somehow personally offended him.
“A celebration filled with plants and little walking time bombs.” Kimbley grinned at Coda. “It’ll be a hell of a statement when we take that party to bits.”
“And we honestly think we can convince the people that Mustang is to blame?” Coda asked dubiously.
“Not everyone knows what to make of him killing the Fuhrer,” Pendergrass reminded her.
“Can’t believe he had the balls,” Kimbley muttered.
“And if there’s enough flame at the destruction in the festival...they’ll believe he’s out to take over this country and they’ll turn on him,” Pendergrass continued as if Kimbley hadn’t interrupted. He drummed his thick fingers on the nightstand, grinning at the thought. “Without Mustang as the new parliament’s poster boy, we should be able to easily regain control.”
The Verdant Alchemist frowned a little. Somehow she didn’t think it would be as easy as the general seemed to think. Then again, Mustang had the same reputation as Havoc and men who used the little head to think were easily handled. Besides, she’d be going into this with Kimbley. He delighted in destruction. He was right, it would be one hell of a statement and once it was pinned on Mustang, the new parliament would crumple. Those who should have been in charge would take over once more.
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Date: 2006-12-31 03:53 pm (UTC)I forgot how much fun this is. The bar scene with Roy, Pinako, Maes and the boys cracked me up again. MORE. MORE.
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Date: 2006-12-31 03:59 pm (UTC)and hey once i use your edits there'll be more
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Date: 2007-01-01 12:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-31 07:09 pm (UTC)Roy and Pinako and Ed and Al. Oh, so funny. Very excited for the next bit. *bats eyelashes*
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Date: 2006-12-31 11:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-01 10:25 pm (UTC)So many good conversations - I really liked the Roy/Winry/Maes conversation, but of course, Ed and Al arranging to get "the talk" from Maes or Roy, with Pinako sitting right there, was the best.
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Date: 2007-01-02 04:03 am (UTC)The boys are probably ready to kill Roy for even bringing up the 'talk' in front of Pinako
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Date: 2007-01-02 06:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-02 03:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-20 01:40 pm (UTC)I love the Bar scene too, and also Roy's past. I can't wait for more! More! More!
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Date: 2007-01-20 03:25 pm (UTC)