Fic - Sorrow's Dark Array Ch 28
Feb. 2nd, 2009 11:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessSorrow’s Dark Array
Author -![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cornerofmadness
Disclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition.
Pairing – Roy/Riza, Ed/Win (eventually) Winry/OC, mentions of Maes/Gracia and Al/OC
Rating – will vary from chapter to chapter, mostly Pg-13 but will eventually contain well marked adult chapters.
Time Line – anime based, spoilers all the way through the anime and the movie and does have strong manga elements such as Armstrong’s older sister and the land of Xing
Summary – As Roy and Riza prepare for their wedding, while dodging assassins, Ed and Al try to find their way back home.
Author’s Note #1– This was written after much prodding byevil_little_dog as a sequel to the source of sorrow and is now her holiday gift even if she has beta’ed part of it. So thanks to her and lyricnonsense for the beta. You do not have to read the first story to understand this. You’ll quickly pick up that Riza has retired from the military to be Roy’s wife and bodyguard. Olivia Armstrong is now president and she’s assigned Roy as the ambassador to Ishbal; oh and that Roy was severely injured in the destruction of the Gate, requiring some of Winry’s automail.
Author's Note #2 - This is a longer work and like real relationships, the ones listed in the pairings, take time to mend and come together. They have to work at it. Hope you enjoy the ride.
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter eight
Chapter nine
chapter ten
chapter eleven
chapter twelve
chapter thirteen
chapter fourteen
chapter fifteen
chapter sixteen
chapter seventeen
chapter eighteen
chapter nineteen
Chapter twenty
Chapter twenty-one
Chapter twenty-two
Chapter twenty-three
Chapter twenty-four
Chapter twenty-five
Chapter twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
“Days of absence, sad and dreary, Clothed in sorrow's dark array, Days of absence, I am weary; She I love is far away.” – Shakespeare
Chapter Twenty-Eight
I came home forever – Charles Lamb
“I thought Riza was going to kill Roy this morning,” Winry said, trying to find a topic other than death. Riza’s mock-killing spree on Roy didn’t count as death. She meandered rather aimlessly through town with the brothers on a flimsy pretense of showing them Central’s highlights. The day started with Rose’s memorial then her coffin was loaded up to be sent to Lior for the real funeral. Armstrong still had the girl’s son living with his family.
“I hope not. I don’t want to see another funeral until I’m at least sixty,” Al muttered darkly.
“C’mon, it’d be the bastard,” Ed said without his usual vehemence, obviously trying to get a smile out of his brother.
“Winry likes him, Edward,” Al waved him off. “I do, too.”
“He isn’t well enough to go back to work in a few days, let alone go in for just a meeting tomorrow. I thought Riza was going to rip off his head.” Winry scowled at the memory.
“I can understand why he’s doing it, though,” Ed replied with surprising sympathy. “Our lady president is on a tear since someone tried to blow up her brother. She needs Mustang back and working.”
“I know but I also know Roy doesn’t know his limits and he enjoys pushing them,” Winry sighed, letting silence stretch out for several moments before asking, “Is it me or is Dev’s new girlfriend a bitch?”
“Winry!” Ed said, eyes wide. “What a word.”
Winry rolled her eyes. “As if you don’t swear every ten minutes.”
“You sound like Granny,” Ed huffed, shoving his hands in his pockets, slouching forward. “And I don’t care what Dev does.”
Al snorted.
“I don’t,” Ed grumbled, unable to keep the jealous look off his face.
“I don’t think Riza or Roy like her,” Al said. “I don’t know her well enough to say but…I’m not inclined to get to know Anah better.” He craned his neck around, realizing they were heading toward an unfamiliar part of the city. “Winry, where are we going?”
“Just around town.” She pointed to a patch of trees at the end of a brick street. “And then to there, the new Xingese center. I promised Riza I’d meet her. I think we’re going to pick up two more of Roy’s sisters and finally make sure she gets her wedding dress. Li-Ying said Yi-Lan was bringing Roy’s robe and I was sure Ed would want to see the first wearing of Roy’s…dress.” She grinned over at her boyfriend.
Ed brightened. “Yeah! Let’s go!”
Winry led them to a building that had only a half done appearance. Rising two stories, it was an odd, out of place structure with brilliant red, carved columns and a roof and balcony cover that swooped not unlike whimsical mushrooms with bird wings. Behind it, tucked more firmly into the copse of trees was what could only be a temple but it, too, was unfinished. The gardens around both seemed to have been done first leaving them all thinking that this was reassigned land. She wondered what sort of park it had been originally. To Winry’s surprise, Dev was headed toward the center with a large passel of Ishbalans. Most she knew including several priests, Mera, Anah and a few older women Winry had never seen before. “Dev, what’s up?”
“Nothing. We’ve been invited over to see the new center,” Dev said with enthusiasm not usually reserved for seeing a cultural center.
“And there’s a rumor that Jun Drake is here,” Mera said, patting Uzziel’s arm. “Granddad and Daddy both have a crush on her.”
“Really, daughter,” Kennan huffed and Roy’s ex just grinned.
“Really? Jun Drake?” Al’s eyes lit up, a huge grin moving like lightning over his face. “I remember her movies.”
“Who?” Ed shot his brother a baffled look.
“Really, brother. She was in Murder Only Calls Twice,” Al said. “And in The Monster from Moon Lake and how can you forget the dance she did in, Nights in Royal Xing?” He left out a happy sigh, his eyes rolling up slightly.
“That dance,” Uzziel muttered, a dreamy expression on his wrinkled face. “She can sing so well, too. Now that life is stable again, I’ve been buying her records.”
“Huh?” Ed looked to Winry for confirmation.
“We saw all those movies. Honestly, Ed, I don’t know why you waste the sen if you can’t remember anything.” Winry nudged his shoulder.
“How many years ago was this?” Ed nudged her back. “It seems to me I was pretty preoccupied for a while and I may have forgotten a lot of things.”
“She’s been making movies for nearly twenty years,” Winry replied.
“She’s done work with the Joined Hands. I really admire that,” Mera continued over Ed and Winry's conversation.
“No one cares about some little band of peace mongering musicians, Mera,” Kennan said, waving her off.
“I do,” Mera said, shooting her father a hurt look. He didn’t seem to notice.
“We’re never going to meet her if we’re just standing out here,” Al said, missing the knowing look Dev and Winry shared. He herded his brother and friend quickly along and the Ishbalans followed in their wake.
Winry was amazed by the inside of the center. While obviously unfinished, the great room resembled the one room in Roy’s house highly dedicated to red and gold brilliance. Dragons and phoenixes played on the walls and a sweet, spicy incense filled the room. The music, however, was raucous, more fitting a dance hall. A mixed group of Xingese and Amestrians and one, tall, blond Ishbalan woman supplied the music. In the corner, President Armstrong and her brother watched the people dancing, mostly Xingese residents of Central along with several fair Amestrians. Riza made her way across the room toward them with Hughes in tow.
“It really is her!” Uzziel said with the glee of a teenager in love for the first time spotting the buxom singer stationed in front of the chunky microphone hanging from the ceiling supports.
“Ogle all you like dear,” the old woman with him said, squeezing his hand. Winry assumed this was his wife, though she had never seen the woman before. “I’ll be watching him.” She pointed to the backside of a dancing dark-haired man.
“That is nice,” a middle-aged woman on Kennan’s arm agreed and Mera giggled. Winry looked at them, deciding they were all somehow related.
“Very nice, my mother and my wife making eyes at some young man.” Kennan shook his head, exchanging looks with a thirty-something man, also unknown to Winry. He had a strong resemblance to Kennan.
“Oh, it gets worse than that, Dad,” Mera laughed again and Winry had to suppress her own, recognizing that particular backside.
“He does move well though,” Winry said. “A little too well.”
“Huh?” Ed stopped eyeing the dragons covetously and tried to follow the conversation. “Winry, don’t be staring at strange butts.”
“That’s not a strange butt, which makes it worse.” Dev said and Anah glared over his attention to Winry.
“Is there a problem?” Riza asked, finally managing to wend her way through the crowded center with Hughes’ help. The man peered intently at the Ishbalan through his glasses.
“Nothing. Just the women in my family watching your fiancée shake his assets. Roy certainly can dance.” Mera grinned and Riza rolled her eyes.
“That can’t be Mustang,” Kennan rumbled.
“If anyone would know Mustang’s butt, it’s…” Dev blanched at Mera’s fierce look and finished lamely, “the people who have to work with him every day. Granted, he’s mostly sitting on his butt, not gyrating it around.” His eyes scanned the room, seeing the attention Roy was enjoying. “Seems to be working like honey to flies though. Shouldn’t you be shooting him, Riza?”
“No, I like watching Roy dance.” Riza’s smile was feral. “And after the memorial today, he needs to blow off steam.”
“As skinny as he’s gotten, he might lose his pants thrusting around like that. I’m not prepared to see that again,” Ed grumbled.
“Edward, reminding me of that bath tub episode isn’t in your best interests.” Riza waved to Roy. “Besides, the song is over.”
“Problem?” Roy asked, wiping sweat off his forehead as he came over.
“Only if you wiggle out of your pants,” Dev replied wryly.
Roy scowled at him in response then turned to the others. “Quite an entourage you brought today,” he replied, eyeing the Ishbalans he obviously hadn’t met before.
“My wife, Nava,” Uzziel said, patting the old woman’s hand. “And my daughter-in-law Shira and her son, Mattan.”
“Ah, yes, Mera has told me a lot about you all.” Smiling, Roy took Nava’s hand. “I can see where Mera gets her good looks, between you and her mother.”
“Let me get you a shovel so you can pile it higher,” Dev muttered and Mera wrinkled her nose at him.
“Or dig his hole deeper,” Ed added.
“Ignore them,” Roy said, nudging Ed who was closer than Dev. “Have you been to the Xing Center before?”
“No, well, of course, Aris, Dev and Mera have been here with you before but this is a first for us,” Uzziel said.
Roy glanced around. “I’ll get you a proper escort.”
“Uh, first do you think…” The old man looked embarrassed as he dragged Roy’s attention back to him.
“Granddaddy and Dad have a thing for Jun Drake.” Mera grinned.
“I wouldn’t have put it that way.” Kennan scowled. “But we would like to meet her, if you think it’s possible.”
Roy snorted. “Not a problem. Hey, Jun!” He yelled, waving his hand at the stage and the buxom woman.
“What is it?” she shouted back, not glancing away from her musicians.
“Come here.”
“I didn’t think something so indecorous would work,” Uzziel said, eyeing the entertainer as she bounced over.
Jun draped an arm around Roy’s shoulders. “What can I do for you, Cricket?”
“Cricket?” Uzziel’s eyebrows went up. “Isn’t that your family’s pet name for you?”
“Unfortunately.” Roy glared at his sister. “Jun’s one of my sisters. Jun, here are a bunch of your fans. Dev, introduce everyone while I find you a guide.”
“Aw, Dev you look bothered.” Jun kissed his cheek and he blushed. “Good to see you again.”
“More perplexed at why all the women want to stare at his butt,” Dev jerked a thumb at Roy.
“Perplexed? I should have thought it obvious.” Roy smirked and Jun shoved him.
“Arrogant as ever, Cricket. Go find them that guide.” Jun waved him off then turned to the Elrics. “Let me guess, you must be Edward and Alphonse Elric. You are just like Cricket said you were.”
“I have a name , Jun.” Roy said indignantly.
“Yes, Wang, we all know that.” She flipped her hand. “Shoo.”
Roy went off mumbling about respect while Riza and Dev introduced Jun to everyone. Roy returned quickly with a gray-haired man. “Uzziel, this is Mr. Wei Yu, one of the priests who’ll be presiding over the temple once it’s complete. I thought you’d enjoy talking with him.”
“Very nice to meet you, Mr. Yu. Actually, we were hoping, before we take a tour, that your sister could sing a little more,” Uzziel said, smiling at Jun.
“Not a problem. We could arrange for a little concert at your center, too. I’ll be around for a while. Granted, the whole family will be,” Jun said. “But my kids are used to the traveling.”
“That would be very nice.” Uzziel beamed as the tall Ishbalan with Jun’s band sauntered over.
The blond musician slipped an arm around Roy’s waist, pulling him against her daring scarlet dress. “Who are all your friends, Roy boy?”
“You missed the introductions, Talya.” Roy patted her hip. “We’ll catch you up as you go. They’ve requested some more music.”
“Ah, and will shy brother sing a little, too?” Talya pursed her lips at him.
“Oh, I like when he sings with Jun,” Nava said, her red eyes brightening.
“She always has,” Uzziel agreed. “Nava wears ruts in the vinyl of those songs.”
“I don’t think he showed up,” Roy said, a warning tone in his voice.
“What a minute,” Winry broke in as a light suddenly came on in her head. “You’re the only son.”
“What the hell?” Ed stared at Roy as if he had never seen him before.
“I remember those songs. They’d come on the radio when Brother and I were traveling,” Al said.
“You might as well confess, Mustang,” Olivia said, heading their way her brother in her wake. “I know. More people than you think know. Ever consider why you were passed over for presidency so readily?”
“Because he sang a few songs for Joined Hands?” Jun asked, shocked.
“That works nicely for the people, if they were to press for answers. They might not be comfortable with a president with pacifist ties,” Roy replied quietly. “Truth is, they didn’t want someone with as much power as I have at my fingertips in charge. It would be hard to get rid of me, if need be.”
“That’s a bit grim,” Kennan said, giving him a cold appraising look. “But then you did prove that in Ishbal.”
Talya made a face. “Oh, I don’t want to talk about sad things. I heard it was a sad day already today. Time to smile. Come on, Jun. Let’s go play some of the songs we wrote for Roy-boy’s wedding.” She squeezed Roy again then patted his butt. “Riza is lucky. I’m so jealous.”
“You’ll like the songs. I’ll play the dance numbers now.” Jun said then leaned in to Nava, “I’ll make sure shy brother sings at least one thing.” The old woman grinned at her as she and Talya headed back to where the microphone was set up.
“So you really do have a things for blondes, Roy,” Hughes snorted.
“And Ishbalan women apparently,” Dev added sourly.
Roy scowled. “I grew up with Talya. Her parents left the desert a long time ago. Her dad was a merchant in the town I grew up in. I’ve known Talya since we were in diapers.”
“And Hawkeye doesn’t care your old girlfriend is still all touchy feely?” Ed’s gold eyes were curious.
Riza laughed. “Roy and Talya were never more than friends, Edward.”
“Someone that pretty?” Ed raised his eyebrows.
“Well, I didn’t want to say anything since I wasn’t sure how the Ishbalans think about these things,” Roy hedged, a sheepish expression on his face.
“You dating our women? We don’t like it,” Kennan’s son said quickly and his sister pinched him.
“I never dated Talya,” Roy insisted. “Take a good look at her. Notice that she’s taller than me.”
“So I am. So is practically everyone. You’re short,” Olivia said with wicked grin.
“Short?” Ed’s offended tantrum was halted instantly by Winry and one hot look.
“Okay, fine, look at the area around her neck,” Roy said, rubbing his voice box for emphasis.
Al’s eyes widened. “Oh…um, that’s a…is she a he?”
Roy nodded. “Yeah, but she’s lived liked a girl most of her life. When we were little, my sisters used to dress us both up like dolls. I hated it. Talya absolutely adored it. I think she came over just so they’d paint her face for her. I don’t usually bring it up since it makes a lot of people uncomfortable. I know it doesn’t bother Riza or Winry but I wasn’t sure.”
“She seems to want you?” Ed said slowly as if considering that possibility.
Roy shrugged. “She flirts with me all the time.”
“She’s a lot prettier than Mr. Garfiel.” Winry looked at the brothers. “My master in Rush Valley dressed like a woman, too, but he looked more like a dark haired Mr. Armstrong.”
Olivia laughed, chucking her brother’s shoulder. He huffed at her, ruffling his moustache.
“Only Garfiel had curlier lashes.” Winry smiled.
“Curlier than mine?” Alex Louis shot her an incredulous look and she nodded.
“Since you asked, Mustang, we see people like that as having blended souls, half of each sex,” Kennan said. “They’re considered special. That said people like that do make us feel a little…odd but they are treated well.”
“Good because she’s very decent person,” Roy said, listening to the music livening up. “Well, let’s dance.”
Seeing Ed hanging back, Roy whispered to Hughes who then took Riza’s hand while Roy slipped an arm around Winry, pulling her out onto the small dance area. Ed glared but didn’t try to cut in. Winry rolled her eyes at him, purposely leaning in a little closer as Roy spun her through the fast-paced dance. She noticed Miao-Yin heading for the boys and watched Anah drag Dev bodily out onto the dance floor when he was paying too much attention to Roy’s niece. Miao-Yin snagged Al instead.
Winry wondered how long it would take for Ed to get up the nerve and fury to cut in on Roy. It surprised her that it took nearly the whole song. Roy caught up Olivia but only managed to keep her on the floor a few strains before she nearly planted him in the chairs the Ishbalan priests had claimed. Roy, unfazed, brought Nava out and danced with the old lady.
When the music died and the musicians debated on the next song, Winry clearly heard Dev telling Uzziel Roy was stealing his woman. Unfazed, Roy took Shira’s hand and danced with Kennan’s wife for the next song before trading her back to the priest to finally claim Riza, stealing her away from Al. When had Al moved in on her? Winry saw Miao-Yin had managed to get Dev when Anah was…somewhere she couldn’t yank his leash.
Jun announced a short break and Winry let go of Ed who looked almost reluctant to part with her touch. Winry counted that a huge step in the right direction. Jun sauntered over to her brother who was bantering back and forth with the Ishbalans about his audacity in asking their wives to dance. “Brother, I do remember a request for your dulcet tones.” Jun grinned.
“I can’t sing in this.” Roy swept his hand down at the uniform pants and shirt he had put on for Rose’s memorial. “It would be inappropriate.”
“And dancing in it wasn’t? No problem. Talya, get him those outfits we brought.” Jun grabbed the hem of Roy’s shirt and had it off him before he knew what was happening.
Roy’s hand strayed over the fresh scar like jagged lightning over his belly. “Jun!”
“Boots and pants,” Jun ordered, pointing to his gleaming black boots.
Roy’s chin came up. “No.”
Winry tried not to grin, seeing his oldest sister emerge from the crowd. She hadn’t seen Yi-Lan around, not too surprising given how many people were in the center, but she could guess what could happen next. Beside her, Ed took a sharp breath in and said, “Al, she looks like an older version of Teacher. Same crazy eyes.”
“Teacher would kill you if she heard you say that,” Al replied.
Hearing that, Roy spun but not fast enough. Yi-Lan had him on the ground, stepping on his back while levering off his boots and socks together. “Don’t make me take the pants, Cricket.” At that, Winry whistled loudly. She flushed when Ed turned a yellow-hot gaze on her. “See, the audience wants you naked.”
“Help me!” Roy pleaded, holding a hand toward Hughes.
“Um, she frightens me,” Hughes said, holding up his hands and backing up a pace.
“You haven’t even seen her doing anything yet,” Dev offered up. “She gets much scarier.”
“Nobody believes you aren’t enjoying this, bastard,” Ed scoffed. “You always think everyone should bask in your so-called beauty.”
“You’re just jealous.” Roy squirmed free. “Fine, fine, get me something to change into.”
“Actually, why don’t you go try on your robe? Yi-Lan brought it,” Jun said.
“The dragon dress? Yeah, put that on.” Ed smirked.
“Dev, explain to the shrimp about robes again,” Roy said, stomping off, his metal foot clicking on the flooring.
“Why don’t we sit and wait for him to get dressed,” Winry said, herding everyone to an open bank of chairs.
“So we get a preview of what he’ll wear to the wedding,” Olivia mused. “He’s smart to go along with that idea. If the outfit is really bad, I might let him wear his dress blues, after all.”
“He’d probably like that,” Li-Ying said, wagging her finger at the president, “so hush. He will look good in this but he’ll fuss. Cricket is ridiculously fussy about his clothing. And Riza, you and my sisters will be sure to go get that dress today.”
Riza nodded. “Winry, do you feel up to it? I’ll give Gracia a call and have her meet us.”
Winry glanced at the brothers. Ed nodded. “I do want to go. I could use something happy after the last few days.”
“We all could,” Riza agreed. “Hughes, you hold Roy’s feet to the fire and make him finalize who he wants in the wedding.”
“Give me the hard job.” Hughes grinned then pointed. “Wow, look at that outfit. That is amazing.”
They turned to watch Roy heading their way. Over black silk trousers, he wore the infamous robe . All black silk, the base color was barely visible through all the silk embroidery in a shade that seemed almost to be bronze. Nine medallions of dragons facing out ringed around his thighs. The hem has long snaky dragons soaring over the waves while over his shoulders others danced with clouds. Another facing out dragon centered over Roy’s chest.
“Awww, damn, he looks good,” Dev muttered.
“Hell, I want that robe,” Ed said, all but drooling over the dragons.
“Who didn’t see that coming?” Al rolled his eyes and Winry followed suite.
Riza put her hand on Roy’s cheek. “Roy, you look amazing in that. Sorry, love, but you have to wear that to the wedding.”
Roy kissed her. “For you. So, everyone likes it?”
“That is one of the most elaborate and beautiful garments I have ever seen and I thought Ishbalan wedding ensembles were colorful.” Nava smiled. “You would be foolish not to wear something that outstanding.”
“And your sisters are taking me out to get my dress today. You decide on the groomsmen and what they’re wearing,” Riza said.
“It won’t be a punishment any more if I get to wear a robe like that,” Ed said, rubbing his hands together.
“I’ll make you wear the other traditional outfit. The ones with the longevity lettering on it,” Roy smirked.
“Huh?”
“Looks like pajamas,” Miao-Yin explained.
“I’m not wearing pajamas!” Ed said, stabbing a metal finger at Roy.
“You don’t even know if you’re really in the wedding,” Al reminded him.
“You’ll probably be in Dress Blues, unless I decide to let Al be an usher then everyone can wear the pajamas.” Roy grinned, shrugging out of the robe, giving it to Yi-Lan. She traded him a regular Xingese tunic for it.
“You need to eat, Cricket,” she said, eyeing his scarred waist critically.
“I do eat,” he protested.
“You lie,” Dev replied.
“You must,” Mera said, her gaze following the path of his scar. “You have lost a lot of weight. And that scar is so much worse than I thought. No wonder you were so ill.”
“I haven’t lost that much weight,” Roy said, holding the sides of his shirt away from his body like wings.
“Roy, you have. You don’t eat and you’ve been under too much stress,” Riza said. “I’ll let your sisters deal with you until the wedding. That should improve things.”
He dropped the shirt, scowling.
“All of that was from the bombing?” Nava gestured to his various scars.
Roy shook his head and patted his scarred shoulder. “Only the one on the belly. This is from Fuehrer Bradley’s sword and the leg was from a different…uh battle.” He pulled up his trouser leg, exposing his metal leg.
Winry’s eyes bulged, seeing that at some point in the recent past Roy had shaped his automail to add in a dragon motif similar to his wedding robe. Ed gasped. “Winry let you do that? Cool!” He clapped and shaped his arm before she could protest.
“Oh, you’re both in so much trouble.” Al sniggered.
Ed displayed his new gargoyle-themed arm. “What? This is cool.”
“And it’s my leg. If I want to decorate it in lucky symbols, I will,” Roy protested.
“Do you think she has a wrench hidden in her clothes?” Dev leaned toward Al conspiratorially.
“Wouldn’t doubt it.” Al grinned.
“You look like thugs. Change my automail back right this instant,” Winry insisted.
Roy shot her an arched look. “No.”
“For once, we agree.” Ed rubbed his new design.
“You are walking advertisement for me. I can’t have you looking like something out of a nightmare,” Winry protested.
“Who is going to see it under my pants?” Roy asked.
“Brother, that is not a question you should be asking.” Jun laughed.
“No kidding.” Dev rolled his eyes.
“Riza likes my dragons. She said so,” Roy protested. “The rest of you, I don’t care what you think. However, Edward, you’d better listen to Winry.”
“Why me and not you?” Ed fired an automail-meltingly hot look Roy’s direction.
“Because, the worst Winry can do to me is hit me. You’ll never get laid again if you make her unhappy,” Roy replied simply.
Ed blushed, his mouth flapping. Winry matched his shade. Riza slapped Roy’s chest.
“I mean, even Dev knew better than that and he has the romantic common sense of a squashed rabbit.” Roy tugged his pants down.
“I do not!”
“True, I’m underestimating the rabbit.”
Riza slapped Roy again, harder this time. “Be nice. Listen to Winry.”
Roy shook his head. “My leg, my lucky symbols. I’ll hide them.”
“Fine, you win, Roy. You’d willingly take the blows to the head just to make a point.” Winry pulled out her wrench. “Edward?”
“But Winry, these are cool.” Ed gave her a piteous look. “Not that your automail isn’t cool to begin with,” he added hastily. “And I left your maker’s mark alone...with a little modification.”
Winry’s eyes widened, fear over what the modification looked like stood naked in pools of blue. “You what?”
“See?” Ed displayed the mark that had been changed to have tiny bells wreathed around it.
“That’s actually pretty. You can keep that,” Winry said. “But not the rest…you can use this look at home on special occasions and I’m kicking myself for even allowing that since then it’ll be in photos.”
“I’ll take it,” Ed said, switching his arm back to normal with a disappointed sigh. “You, you were supposed to go embarrass yourself singing. Get to it. You’re out of uniform now.” Ed prodded Roy who sighed as well.
Winry just shook her head as Jun took Roy to get set up in front of the microphone. “Alchemists.”
“At least you never have to worry about me messing up your automail, Winry.” Dev patted his arm, missing Anah’s annoyed look.
“Only because you can’t.” Ed snorted. “I’m surprised you haven’t had it enameled to match all that gaudy stuff in your apartment.”
“Brother.” Al hissed.
Dev rubbed his hand, contemplatively. “Hmmm.”
“Absolutely not. Enamel would interfere with the function unless each piece is separately coated and I am not taking apart your automail so you can paint it!” Winry slapped his shoulder.
“But it would make a statement,” Dev protested.
“That you’re crazy, yes,” Winry said, trying not to consider the idea that the enameling might actually make it heat up less in the sun. No, that would just be so odd.
“Hush, Roy is ready to sing.” Al pointed to the man.
Roy sang first with his sister then on his own. Winry was surprised at his clarion tones but not exactly sure why. His voice was very sweet and she wasn’t quite sure why she hadn’t expected him to be any good. His speaking voice was deep and melodic, after all. Maybe because he had never shown any signs of liking to sing but then she knew Roy could keep his secrets well.
She was just about to nudge Ed, who seemed to be watching Roy like a cat does a mouse when she noticed Talya heading back their way with a large envelope in hand. Talya tried to hand them to Al who didn’t notice, too obviously enjoying Roy’s performance. Winry took them, shooting the transsexual a curious look.
“Photos from when Roy boy was a kid. Li-Ying said Riza and someone named Winry wanted to see them,” she said.
“I’m Winry. Thanks,” she said as Roy ended his song and scooted away from the microphone faster than Jun could snag him. She opened the envelope, sharing the pictures. “Oh, here’s more from that concert.” Winry passed Riza one of a half naked Roy sunning himself on a rock.
“He was such a sweet treat back then.” Talya sighed.
“I can see that,” Winry said and Ed glowered at her.
Dev snatched the photo out of Winry's hand. "He is not. I mean, what is it that makes you think he's cute?"
Mera took it from him and gave it to her grandmother. “How about everything?”
“I have to agree with that,” Nava nodded before her husband took the photo, handing it to Riza.
“Oh, Al, look at this one.” Winry held up one of Roy, around age eight, hair in a very long braided queue, grinning evilly for the camera. “Who does this look like at that age?”
Al took the photo, laughing. “Look, it’s Ed if he were Xingese.”
“Like hell!” Ed made a grab for the photo but Winry blocked him.
“Take it from someone who knew both of you since you were both children, you and Roy share a soul.” Riza flashed a wicked grin of her own.
“Ewww, you’re sharing the bastard’s soul.” Dev made a face.
“I am not. I would have died of rot by now.” Ed grimaced, his fists clenching.
“You haven’t?” Dev asked sweetly and Winry stepped between the two young men. Dev looked over her shoulder at the next photo up. “Who are the Ishbalans he’s with here? He’s just a little brat in this picture.”
“Oh, that’s the family who raised him,” Talya said and Winry wondered at Riza’s panicked look.
“He was raised by Ishbalans?” Kennan asked, stunned.
“Wait a minute, I thought you were raised by your alchemy teacher,” Dev pointed at Roy who rejoined the group.
“I was,” Roy said. “Why?”
“Then who is this?” Dev pointed to the picture.
Roy grimaced. “Damn, I didn’t think you’d bring pictures this old.” He tapped the picture. “That’s Teacher and the older man is his father.”
“My father and grandfather,” Riza added quietly.
“That would mean…” Uzziel’s face lost color.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Dev asked, his voice pitched high.
“Do you feel better knowing where I learned my alchemy?” Roy wore misery like a coat.
“How can this be?” Uzziel asked.
“It’s…it’s…” Kennan sputtered. “If you have any more secrets, Mustang, keep them in your head. I don’t know how you live with them.”
“Now I see why you were so dead certain that the Ishbalans used to have alchemy,” Dev said, gazing over at Riza. “Every so often I thought you might have had red hints in your eyes but figured it was a trick of the light.”
“I’m like Miles, only a quarter. I never even think much about it. I was raised Amestrian by a grandfather who loathed his own culture. I suppose being an alchemist had something to do with that,” Riza replied bitterly.
“And I thought the cruel irony of where my alchemy’s roots were was best kept to myself but now, you know. I’m shocked you never put it together, Dev. How many times have you looked at my glove?”
“I don’t follow.”
Roy pulled it out of his pocket, slipping it on. “Al, Ed, what do you see?”
“The salamander,” Al replied, pointing to it.
“The symbol of fire,” Ed added.
“I still don’t…oh.” Dev’s eyes widened. “You mean the parable of the salamander’s fire? But that’s just a story to help guide people in their daily lives. Salamanders don’t even like heat or the desert.”
“That’s what it means to you ! To me, it contains elements of my alchemy and it’s not the only parable that does,” Roy said followed by the unhappy moans from the priests.
“Really? You never told us this over the years,” Ed grumbled.
“You never listen to me,” Roy replied, shaking his head. “I really don’t want to talk about this.”
“I’d say it’s appropriate that you have me doing the wedding ceremony but you said your family didn’t like their roots,” Dev said to Riza.
“Especially priests for the obvious reasons,” Riza said ruefully. “Food was about the only tradition we kept.”
“Which explains why the jerk knew all sorts of Ishbalan entrees. I thought he learned them in the war,” Dev said.
“Riza can cook them.” Roy sighed. “Now I’m even more depressed.”
“You have many good reasons,” Uzziel said.
“It’s a shame. We were enjoying your singing. You have a lovely voice. We never got to hear many concerts out in the desert,” Nava said. “Things are a bit different there.”
“Like I said, we can do a concert for you at your center,” Jun offered. “Well, probably not my brother but certainly the rest of it.”
Roy’s brow beetled. “Nava, what did you just say?”
The old woman cocked her head to the side. “You have a lovely voice?”
He waved his hand. “No, the other thing about the desert.”
“That we have very different priorities out there, us and other desert cities. Food and water get scarce and we don’t have the time to develop our art as much as you do here in the cities,” the old woman said.
“Damn it, why didn’t I think of that?” Roy growled so harshly Winry glanced at him, startled.
“What is it?” the automail mechanic asked. She had been too disheartened by this latest revelation to even want to listen to the conversation any more but Roy snared her attention.
“What do Armstrong, Ed and Al and myself have in common, besides being alchemists?” Roy asked.
“It can’t be the desert,” Dev protested, gesturing to the brothers. “They’re too young to have been in the war.”
“Ishbal no, but as Nava said there are more cities in the desert,” Roy replied.
“Lior!” Ed said sharply.
Roy nodded. “Exactly. We were all involved in Lior. I sent you there. You got blamed for its near destruction and Armstrong helped to rebuild it, which might have been seen as an intrusion just like many Ishbalans felt about our help.”
“But why now? After so many years?” Ed asked indignantly and Winry saw Anah blanch at the exchange. She had to wonder at it.
Roy rolled his shoulders. “Who knows? Maybe because now they owe us for the rebuilding.”
“And certain indignities are never forgotten,” Kennan added quietly.
“Exactly, Mustang knows there are several of my companions who gladly would have sided with Sanaa, given the chance. They hate that Aris and I are working with the Amestrians to rebuild Ishbal.” Dev glanced at Anah. “Are you okay?”
A full body shudder ran through her. “It just made me think of the war. I’ll be all right.”
“It’s never pleasant,” Dev agreed.
“No, it’s not,” Roy replied grimly then turned to the President. “Maybe we should go to your office, Olivia, me, the brothers, Alex Louis and you, too, Hughes. We need to talk this out and find a common thread.”
Olivia nodded. “Let’s do that now. No need to waste more time.”
“And Uzziel, Kennan, if you have any ideas how Sanaa might be tied into someone from Lior, we’d be glad to know about it,” Roy said before reaching out to take Riza’s hand. “If you think of anything, call the office. I want you to go out with my sisters as planned. I don’t want to postpone the wedding because we keep getting horribly interrupted.” Roy grimaced as if wondering if that was somehow condescending.
“I’d probably be more of a help to you,” Riza protested. “I’m a soldier. The dress can wait.”
“You weren’t there in Lior when it all happened and I’m tired of letting them win by disrupting my life,” Roy replied. “Please, go.”
Riza offered up a crooked smile even though her eyes reflected her displeasure. “All right.”
He kissed her. “Thank you.”
Winry watched them all flood out of the temple, soldiers going one way, Ishbalans another. Winry noticed Anah watching the soldiers in a way that she didn’t like but dismissed it. Maybe Ed was right and she was jealous someone was with Dev now even though Winry was very happy to have Ed back in her life. Riza gathered up Roy’s sisters and her after placing a call to Gracia to meet them in town. Winry didn’t really feel much like shopping but doing something normal might actually make her feel a little better.
XXX
Anah sat on the edge of the not yet functional fountain in the Xingese center. It had taken her a while to peel Dev away from all the hubbub inside, even though the two women his eyes always wandered over to had left. She had been half tempted to follow Hawkeye and shoot her while her guard was down but she wasn’t on the list of people Anah and Judith had arranged to punish. Well, she’d be calling Judith shortly. She might have time to convince her to sanction the assassination. It would certainly punish Mustang. However, there was one or two things she wanted to assure herself of before she made that call.
Anah held out a hand to Dev and he took it, allowing her to haul him in. “Are you okay?”
He shook his head. “Not really. Jun was a nice distraction and all but I keep thinking about the bombings. I don’t understand this. There’s something missing. Why attack my temple? We’re not involved with Lior. The only things we have in common are we’re desert people and that huge attack, the one that Armstrong was helping them to rebuild after.”
“They say that blond shrimp you got dumped for had a hand in destroying Lior. It makes sense that he’s a target.”
“I didn’t get dumped. I left Winry,” he reminded her, irritably. “Besides, how could Edward have destroyed a whole city? He would have been a kid at the time. It doesn’t make sense, either, that Ishbalans would attack their own.” Dev’s shoulders slumped, his metal fingers brushing her skin. “I guess it does if you think I’m a collaborator but I’m not. A collaborator is out to improve their own lot, not help everyone else with a cost to themselves.”
Anah steeled herself, getting to her feet. She slid an arm around his shoulder and kissed him, anything to derail his train of thought before it led him somewhere. She had no desire to kiss this man and to add insult to injury, he actually kissed well. She managed to break the kiss and say, “I don’t think you’re a collaborator.”
Judging from his idiotic smile that was the right thing to say. “Thanks.”
“Do you have to go back on duty?” Anah knew that was a risk. If he decided to shirk it, she’d have to figure out a way to shake him loose.
Dev glanced back at the building then nodded. “I need to stay with them.”
“Well, I’ll let you get back to it. I have a few things I need to do.” Anah kissed his cheek and headed off. She went several blocks before finding a pay phone. She dialed Judith’s number, pleased that the woman answered quickly. “Judith, we have a huge problem. They figured out which city is involved.”
The older woman swore loudly over the line then said, “I’m in town. Meet me at Attaway’s usual rendezvous. I’ll call him myself.”
Anah agreed and headed across town to the cramped little apartment Attaway kept. She was surprised he would come down to this section of town. Crumbling sidewalks, dingy houses, it was the type of street that claimed it was working class but a quick look told anyone with an astute eye that it was filled with thieves and sexual predators. Anah hated coming to this place. She didn’t know how the weasely little man and Judith beat her there but they did. Neither of them looked pleased. “Why didn’t you tell me you were in town?” she demanded of the woman.
“There was no need for you to know until now,” Judith replied coolly, brushing back her iron-grey hair. “Now tell me what is all this about them knowing?”
“We were at the Xingese center today to allow Mustang to make an ass of himself. Turns out his sister is someone important in movies or something. Even my own people were crazy about her. Anyhow, what few brain cells that man has must have rubbed together. He put it together that everyone who was bombed was connected to Lior. They went to the president’s office to talk out the ramifications of that,” Anah said in disgust.
“What are we going to do now?” Attaway snarled at Judith who looked at him, non-plussed.
“Well, my plan to get some of the family members of soldiers lost in Lior after Elric is moot now. We don’t have time for that. We may need to delay this and try again in maybe a year or two once the heat has died down,” Judith said unhappily.
“I have a better idea,” Anah said, her eyes narrowing. She had no intentions of waiting. “We get them all together and kill them.”
“And how do you propose to do that?” Attaway sniffed.
“How the hell hard can it be? They were all together today at the center. Mustang is friends with Armstrong and the Elrics appear to live with him. We might not get Armstrong but one fire bomb of the Mustang’s residence would rid us of a lot of problems,” Anah insisted.
“Too well guarded,” Attaway said. “As will be Mustang’s wedding, which is one place I know they’ll all be together.”
“Is there another way of getting them together in a less guarded location?” Judith asked.
“You’ll need to be sure Hawkeye isn’t there. She’s Mustang’s bodyguard and very good at what she does,” Attaway said.
“I can handle that if you two can be ready on short notice. Dev lives so far inside Mustang’s skin now, they’re practically inseparable. He’ll know when that woman is out doing wedding things. Mustang sent her out to do that today, the idiot. I can get word to Dev that someone I know has information about the bombings. He’ll believe that since he knows I’ve walked the line with radicals before. He can get Mustang and the Elrics there. We can always take out Armstrong later on his own, if need be.” Anah said, grinning widely. “You two be waiting with guns. It’ll be a lizard shoot.”
“Crude but probably effective,” Judith said. “Set it up.”
“Gladly. It might take me a few days to find a suitable place that would be believable to them. Mustang is probably smart enough to smell an obvious trap. Hope Dev comes, too. I want to shoot him myself,” Anah said, noticing the distaste in Attaway’s eyes. He would probably be useless in all of this. She didn’t doubt that in all likelihood Judith would call her on the sly and tell her to make sure Attaway died there too, potentially shot with Mustang’s own gun. The very idea thrilled her. Anah could only pray to Ishbala that this wouldn’t take days to set up.
Author’s Note #1 – The Ishbalan’s view on transsexuals was borrowed from cultural attributes of the Hopi and Navajo tribes.
Author’s Note #2 – The idea of giving Riza Ishbalan heritage came from conversations with several flisters insisting that in the anime her eyes are red (the deluge of ‘proof’ stills from the anime honestly didn’t convince me except for one. However, it’s great story fodder)
onto Chapter Twenty-nine
Author -
cornerofmadnessDisclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition.
Pairing – Roy/Riza, Ed/Win (eventually) Winry/OC, mentions of Maes/Gracia and Al/OC
Rating – will vary from chapter to chapter, mostly Pg-13 but will eventually contain well marked adult chapters.
Time Line – anime based, spoilers all the way through the anime and the movie and does have strong manga elements such as Armstrong’s older sister and the land of Xing
Summary – As Roy and Riza prepare for their wedding, while dodging assassins, Ed and Al try to find their way back home.
Author’s Note #1– This was written after much prodding by
evil_little_dog as a sequel to the source of sorrow and is now her holiday gift even if she has beta’ed part of it. So thanks to her and lyricnonsense for the beta. You do not have to read the first story to understand this. You’ll quickly pick up that Riza has retired from the military to be Roy’s wife and bodyguard. Olivia Armstrong is now president and she’s assigned Roy as the ambassador to Ishbal; oh and that Roy was severely injured in the destruction of the Gate, requiring some of Winry’s automail.Author's Note #2 - This is a longer work and like real relationships, the ones listed in the pairings, take time to mend and come together. They have to work at it. Hope you enjoy the ride.
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter eight
Chapter nine
chapter ten
chapter eleven
chapter twelve
chapter thirteen
chapter fourteen
chapter fifteen
chapter sixteen
chapter seventeen
chapter eighteen
chapter nineteen
Chapter twenty
Chapter twenty-one
Chapter twenty-two
Chapter twenty-three
Chapter twenty-four
Chapter twenty-five
Chapter twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
“Days of absence, sad and dreary, Clothed in sorrow's dark array, Days of absence, I am weary; She I love is far away.” – Shakespeare
Chapter Twenty-Eight
I came home forever – Charles Lamb
“I thought Riza was going to kill Roy this morning,” Winry said, trying to find a topic other than death. Riza’s mock-killing spree on Roy didn’t count as death. She meandered rather aimlessly through town with the brothers on a flimsy pretense of showing them Central’s highlights. The day started with Rose’s memorial then her coffin was loaded up to be sent to Lior for the real funeral. Armstrong still had the girl’s son living with his family.
“I hope not. I don’t want to see another funeral until I’m at least sixty,” Al muttered darkly.
“C’mon, it’d be the bastard,” Ed said without his usual vehemence, obviously trying to get a smile out of his brother.
“Winry likes him, Edward,” Al waved him off. “I do, too.”
“He isn’t well enough to go back to work in a few days, let alone go in for just a meeting tomorrow. I thought Riza was going to rip off his head.” Winry scowled at the memory.
“I can understand why he’s doing it, though,” Ed replied with surprising sympathy. “Our lady president is on a tear since someone tried to blow up her brother. She needs Mustang back and working.”
“I know but I also know Roy doesn’t know his limits and he enjoys pushing them,” Winry sighed, letting silence stretch out for several moments before asking, “Is it me or is Dev’s new girlfriend a bitch?”
“Winry!” Ed said, eyes wide. “What a word.”
Winry rolled her eyes. “As if you don’t swear every ten minutes.”
“You sound like Granny,” Ed huffed, shoving his hands in his pockets, slouching forward. “And I don’t care what Dev does.”
Al snorted.
“I don’t,” Ed grumbled, unable to keep the jealous look off his face.
“I don’t think Riza or Roy like her,” Al said. “I don’t know her well enough to say but…I’m not inclined to get to know Anah better.” He craned his neck around, realizing they were heading toward an unfamiliar part of the city. “Winry, where are we going?”
“Just around town.” She pointed to a patch of trees at the end of a brick street. “And then to there, the new Xingese center. I promised Riza I’d meet her. I think we’re going to pick up two more of Roy’s sisters and finally make sure she gets her wedding dress. Li-Ying said Yi-Lan was bringing Roy’s robe and I was sure Ed would want to see the first wearing of Roy’s…dress.” She grinned over at her boyfriend.
Ed brightened. “Yeah! Let’s go!”
Winry led them to a building that had only a half done appearance. Rising two stories, it was an odd, out of place structure with brilliant red, carved columns and a roof and balcony cover that swooped not unlike whimsical mushrooms with bird wings. Behind it, tucked more firmly into the copse of trees was what could only be a temple but it, too, was unfinished. The gardens around both seemed to have been done first leaving them all thinking that this was reassigned land. She wondered what sort of park it had been originally. To Winry’s surprise, Dev was headed toward the center with a large passel of Ishbalans. Most she knew including several priests, Mera, Anah and a few older women Winry had never seen before. “Dev, what’s up?”
“Nothing. We’ve been invited over to see the new center,” Dev said with enthusiasm not usually reserved for seeing a cultural center.
“And there’s a rumor that Jun Drake is here,” Mera said, patting Uzziel’s arm. “Granddad and Daddy both have a crush on her.”
“Really, daughter,” Kennan huffed and Roy’s ex just grinned.
“Really? Jun Drake?” Al’s eyes lit up, a huge grin moving like lightning over his face. “I remember her movies.”
“Who?” Ed shot his brother a baffled look.
“Really, brother. She was in Murder Only Calls Twice,” Al said. “And in The Monster from Moon Lake and how can you forget the dance she did in, Nights in Royal Xing?” He left out a happy sigh, his eyes rolling up slightly.
“That dance,” Uzziel muttered, a dreamy expression on his wrinkled face. “She can sing so well, too. Now that life is stable again, I’ve been buying her records.”
“Huh?” Ed looked to Winry for confirmation.
“We saw all those movies. Honestly, Ed, I don’t know why you waste the sen if you can’t remember anything.” Winry nudged his shoulder.
“How many years ago was this?” Ed nudged her back. “It seems to me I was pretty preoccupied for a while and I may have forgotten a lot of things.”
“She’s been making movies for nearly twenty years,” Winry replied.
“She’s done work with the Joined Hands. I really admire that,” Mera continued over Ed and Winry's conversation.
“No one cares about some little band of peace mongering musicians, Mera,” Kennan said, waving her off.
“I do,” Mera said, shooting her father a hurt look. He didn’t seem to notice.
“We’re never going to meet her if we’re just standing out here,” Al said, missing the knowing look Dev and Winry shared. He herded his brother and friend quickly along and the Ishbalans followed in their wake.
Winry was amazed by the inside of the center. While obviously unfinished, the great room resembled the one room in Roy’s house highly dedicated to red and gold brilliance. Dragons and phoenixes played on the walls and a sweet, spicy incense filled the room. The music, however, was raucous, more fitting a dance hall. A mixed group of Xingese and Amestrians and one, tall, blond Ishbalan woman supplied the music. In the corner, President Armstrong and her brother watched the people dancing, mostly Xingese residents of Central along with several fair Amestrians. Riza made her way across the room toward them with Hughes in tow.
“It really is her!” Uzziel said with the glee of a teenager in love for the first time spotting the buxom singer stationed in front of the chunky microphone hanging from the ceiling supports.
“Ogle all you like dear,” the old woman with him said, squeezing his hand. Winry assumed this was his wife, though she had never seen the woman before. “I’ll be watching him.” She pointed to the backside of a dancing dark-haired man.
“That is nice,” a middle-aged woman on Kennan’s arm agreed and Mera giggled. Winry looked at them, deciding they were all somehow related.
“Very nice, my mother and my wife making eyes at some young man.” Kennan shook his head, exchanging looks with a thirty-something man, also unknown to Winry. He had a strong resemblance to Kennan.
“Oh, it gets worse than that, Dad,” Mera laughed again and Winry had to suppress her own, recognizing that particular backside.
“He does move well though,” Winry said. “A little too well.”
“Huh?” Ed stopped eyeing the dragons covetously and tried to follow the conversation. “Winry, don’t be staring at strange butts.”
“That’s not a strange butt, which makes it worse.” Dev said and Anah glared over his attention to Winry.
“Is there a problem?” Riza asked, finally managing to wend her way through the crowded center with Hughes’ help. The man peered intently at the Ishbalan through his glasses.
“Nothing. Just the women in my family watching your fiancée shake his assets. Roy certainly can dance.” Mera grinned and Riza rolled her eyes.
“That can’t be Mustang,” Kennan rumbled.
“If anyone would know Mustang’s butt, it’s…” Dev blanched at Mera’s fierce look and finished lamely, “the people who have to work with him every day. Granted, he’s mostly sitting on his butt, not gyrating it around.” His eyes scanned the room, seeing the attention Roy was enjoying. “Seems to be working like honey to flies though. Shouldn’t you be shooting him, Riza?”
“No, I like watching Roy dance.” Riza’s smile was feral. “And after the memorial today, he needs to blow off steam.”
“As skinny as he’s gotten, he might lose his pants thrusting around like that. I’m not prepared to see that again,” Ed grumbled.
“Edward, reminding me of that bath tub episode isn’t in your best interests.” Riza waved to Roy. “Besides, the song is over.”
“Problem?” Roy asked, wiping sweat off his forehead as he came over.
“Only if you wiggle out of your pants,” Dev replied wryly.
Roy scowled at him in response then turned to the others. “Quite an entourage you brought today,” he replied, eyeing the Ishbalans he obviously hadn’t met before.
“My wife, Nava,” Uzziel said, patting the old woman’s hand. “And my daughter-in-law Shira and her son, Mattan.”
“Ah, yes, Mera has told me a lot about you all.” Smiling, Roy took Nava’s hand. “I can see where Mera gets her good looks, between you and her mother.”
“Let me get you a shovel so you can pile it higher,” Dev muttered and Mera wrinkled her nose at him.
“Or dig his hole deeper,” Ed added.
“Ignore them,” Roy said, nudging Ed who was closer than Dev. “Have you been to the Xing Center before?”
“No, well, of course, Aris, Dev and Mera have been here with you before but this is a first for us,” Uzziel said.
Roy glanced around. “I’ll get you a proper escort.”
“Uh, first do you think…” The old man looked embarrassed as he dragged Roy’s attention back to him.
“Granddaddy and Dad have a thing for Jun Drake.” Mera grinned.
“I wouldn’t have put it that way.” Kennan scowled. “But we would like to meet her, if you think it’s possible.”
Roy snorted. “Not a problem. Hey, Jun!” He yelled, waving his hand at the stage and the buxom woman.
“What is it?” she shouted back, not glancing away from her musicians.
“Come here.”
“I didn’t think something so indecorous would work,” Uzziel said, eyeing the entertainer as she bounced over.
Jun draped an arm around Roy’s shoulders. “What can I do for you, Cricket?”
“Cricket?” Uzziel’s eyebrows went up. “Isn’t that your family’s pet name for you?”
“Unfortunately.” Roy glared at his sister. “Jun’s one of my sisters. Jun, here are a bunch of your fans. Dev, introduce everyone while I find you a guide.”
“Aw, Dev you look bothered.” Jun kissed his cheek and he blushed. “Good to see you again.”
“More perplexed at why all the women want to stare at his butt,” Dev jerked a thumb at Roy.
“Perplexed? I should have thought it obvious.” Roy smirked and Jun shoved him.
“Arrogant as ever, Cricket. Go find them that guide.” Jun waved him off then turned to the Elrics. “Let me guess, you must be Edward and Alphonse Elric. You are just like Cricket said you were.”
“I have a name , Jun.” Roy said indignantly.
“Yes, Wang, we all know that.” She flipped her hand. “Shoo.”
Roy went off mumbling about respect while Riza and Dev introduced Jun to everyone. Roy returned quickly with a gray-haired man. “Uzziel, this is Mr. Wei Yu, one of the priests who’ll be presiding over the temple once it’s complete. I thought you’d enjoy talking with him.”
“Very nice to meet you, Mr. Yu. Actually, we were hoping, before we take a tour, that your sister could sing a little more,” Uzziel said, smiling at Jun.
“Not a problem. We could arrange for a little concert at your center, too. I’ll be around for a while. Granted, the whole family will be,” Jun said. “But my kids are used to the traveling.”
“That would be very nice.” Uzziel beamed as the tall Ishbalan with Jun’s band sauntered over.
The blond musician slipped an arm around Roy’s waist, pulling him against her daring scarlet dress. “Who are all your friends, Roy boy?”
“You missed the introductions, Talya.” Roy patted her hip. “We’ll catch you up as you go. They’ve requested some more music.”
“Ah, and will shy brother sing a little, too?” Talya pursed her lips at him.
“Oh, I like when he sings with Jun,” Nava said, her red eyes brightening.
“She always has,” Uzziel agreed. “Nava wears ruts in the vinyl of those songs.”
“I don’t think he showed up,” Roy said, a warning tone in his voice.
“What a minute,” Winry broke in as a light suddenly came on in her head. “You’re the only son.”
“What the hell?” Ed stared at Roy as if he had never seen him before.
“I remember those songs. They’d come on the radio when Brother and I were traveling,” Al said.
“You might as well confess, Mustang,” Olivia said, heading their way her brother in her wake. “I know. More people than you think know. Ever consider why you were passed over for presidency so readily?”
“Because he sang a few songs for Joined Hands?” Jun asked, shocked.
“That works nicely for the people, if they were to press for answers. They might not be comfortable with a president with pacifist ties,” Roy replied quietly. “Truth is, they didn’t want someone with as much power as I have at my fingertips in charge. It would be hard to get rid of me, if need be.”
“That’s a bit grim,” Kennan said, giving him a cold appraising look. “But then you did prove that in Ishbal.”
Talya made a face. “Oh, I don’t want to talk about sad things. I heard it was a sad day already today. Time to smile. Come on, Jun. Let’s go play some of the songs we wrote for Roy-boy’s wedding.” She squeezed Roy again then patted his butt. “Riza is lucky. I’m so jealous.”
“You’ll like the songs. I’ll play the dance numbers now.” Jun said then leaned in to Nava, “I’ll make sure shy brother sings at least one thing.” The old woman grinned at her as she and Talya headed back to where the microphone was set up.
“So you really do have a things for blondes, Roy,” Hughes snorted.
“And Ishbalan women apparently,” Dev added sourly.
Roy scowled. “I grew up with Talya. Her parents left the desert a long time ago. Her dad was a merchant in the town I grew up in. I’ve known Talya since we were in diapers.”
“And Hawkeye doesn’t care your old girlfriend is still all touchy feely?” Ed’s gold eyes were curious.
Riza laughed. “Roy and Talya were never more than friends, Edward.”
“Someone that pretty?” Ed raised his eyebrows.
“Well, I didn’t want to say anything since I wasn’t sure how the Ishbalans think about these things,” Roy hedged, a sheepish expression on his face.
“You dating our women? We don’t like it,” Kennan’s son said quickly and his sister pinched him.
“I never dated Talya,” Roy insisted. “Take a good look at her. Notice that she’s taller than me.”
“So I am. So is practically everyone. You’re short,” Olivia said with wicked grin.
“Short?” Ed’s offended tantrum was halted instantly by Winry and one hot look.
“Okay, fine, look at the area around her neck,” Roy said, rubbing his voice box for emphasis.
Al’s eyes widened. “Oh…um, that’s a…is she a he?”
Roy nodded. “Yeah, but she’s lived liked a girl most of her life. When we were little, my sisters used to dress us both up like dolls. I hated it. Talya absolutely adored it. I think she came over just so they’d paint her face for her. I don’t usually bring it up since it makes a lot of people uncomfortable. I know it doesn’t bother Riza or Winry but I wasn’t sure.”
“She seems to want you?” Ed said slowly as if considering that possibility.
Roy shrugged. “She flirts with me all the time.”
“She’s a lot prettier than Mr. Garfiel.” Winry looked at the brothers. “My master in Rush Valley dressed like a woman, too, but he looked more like a dark haired Mr. Armstrong.”
Olivia laughed, chucking her brother’s shoulder. He huffed at her, ruffling his moustache.
“Only Garfiel had curlier lashes.” Winry smiled.
“Curlier than mine?” Alex Louis shot her an incredulous look and she nodded.
“Since you asked, Mustang, we see people like that as having blended souls, half of each sex,” Kennan said. “They’re considered special. That said people like that do make us feel a little…odd but they are treated well.”
“Good because she’s very decent person,” Roy said, listening to the music livening up. “Well, let’s dance.”
Seeing Ed hanging back, Roy whispered to Hughes who then took Riza’s hand while Roy slipped an arm around Winry, pulling her out onto the small dance area. Ed glared but didn’t try to cut in. Winry rolled her eyes at him, purposely leaning in a little closer as Roy spun her through the fast-paced dance. She noticed Miao-Yin heading for the boys and watched Anah drag Dev bodily out onto the dance floor when he was paying too much attention to Roy’s niece. Miao-Yin snagged Al instead.
Winry wondered how long it would take for Ed to get up the nerve and fury to cut in on Roy. It surprised her that it took nearly the whole song. Roy caught up Olivia but only managed to keep her on the floor a few strains before she nearly planted him in the chairs the Ishbalan priests had claimed. Roy, unfazed, brought Nava out and danced with the old lady.
When the music died and the musicians debated on the next song, Winry clearly heard Dev telling Uzziel Roy was stealing his woman. Unfazed, Roy took Shira’s hand and danced with Kennan’s wife for the next song before trading her back to the priest to finally claim Riza, stealing her away from Al. When had Al moved in on her? Winry saw Miao-Yin had managed to get Dev when Anah was…somewhere she couldn’t yank his leash.
Jun announced a short break and Winry let go of Ed who looked almost reluctant to part with her touch. Winry counted that a huge step in the right direction. Jun sauntered over to her brother who was bantering back and forth with the Ishbalans about his audacity in asking their wives to dance. “Brother, I do remember a request for your dulcet tones.” Jun grinned.
“I can’t sing in this.” Roy swept his hand down at the uniform pants and shirt he had put on for Rose’s memorial. “It would be inappropriate.”
“And dancing in it wasn’t? No problem. Talya, get him those outfits we brought.” Jun grabbed the hem of Roy’s shirt and had it off him before he knew what was happening.
Roy’s hand strayed over the fresh scar like jagged lightning over his belly. “Jun!”
“Boots and pants,” Jun ordered, pointing to his gleaming black boots.
Roy’s chin came up. “No.”
Winry tried not to grin, seeing his oldest sister emerge from the crowd. She hadn’t seen Yi-Lan around, not too surprising given how many people were in the center, but she could guess what could happen next. Beside her, Ed took a sharp breath in and said, “Al, she looks like an older version of Teacher. Same crazy eyes.”
“Teacher would kill you if she heard you say that,” Al replied.
Hearing that, Roy spun but not fast enough. Yi-Lan had him on the ground, stepping on his back while levering off his boots and socks together. “Don’t make me take the pants, Cricket.” At that, Winry whistled loudly. She flushed when Ed turned a yellow-hot gaze on her. “See, the audience wants you naked.”
“Help me!” Roy pleaded, holding a hand toward Hughes.
“Um, she frightens me,” Hughes said, holding up his hands and backing up a pace.
“You haven’t even seen her doing anything yet,” Dev offered up. “She gets much scarier.”
“Nobody believes you aren’t enjoying this, bastard,” Ed scoffed. “You always think everyone should bask in your so-called beauty.”
“You’re just jealous.” Roy squirmed free. “Fine, fine, get me something to change into.”
“Actually, why don’t you go try on your robe? Yi-Lan brought it,” Jun said.
“The dragon dress? Yeah, put that on.” Ed smirked.
“Dev, explain to the shrimp about robes again,” Roy said, stomping off, his metal foot clicking on the flooring.
“Why don’t we sit and wait for him to get dressed,” Winry said, herding everyone to an open bank of chairs.
“So we get a preview of what he’ll wear to the wedding,” Olivia mused. “He’s smart to go along with that idea. If the outfit is really bad, I might let him wear his dress blues, after all.”
“He’d probably like that,” Li-Ying said, wagging her finger at the president, “so hush. He will look good in this but he’ll fuss. Cricket is ridiculously fussy about his clothing. And Riza, you and my sisters will be sure to go get that dress today.”
Riza nodded. “Winry, do you feel up to it? I’ll give Gracia a call and have her meet us.”
Winry glanced at the brothers. Ed nodded. “I do want to go. I could use something happy after the last few days.”
“We all could,” Riza agreed. “Hughes, you hold Roy’s feet to the fire and make him finalize who he wants in the wedding.”
“Give me the hard job.” Hughes grinned then pointed. “Wow, look at that outfit. That is amazing.”
They turned to watch Roy heading their way. Over black silk trousers, he wore the infamous robe . All black silk, the base color was barely visible through all the silk embroidery in a shade that seemed almost to be bronze. Nine medallions of dragons facing out ringed around his thighs. The hem has long snaky dragons soaring over the waves while over his shoulders others danced with clouds. Another facing out dragon centered over Roy’s chest.
“Awww, damn, he looks good,” Dev muttered.
“Hell, I want that robe,” Ed said, all but drooling over the dragons.
“Who didn’t see that coming?” Al rolled his eyes and Winry followed suite.
Riza put her hand on Roy’s cheek. “Roy, you look amazing in that. Sorry, love, but you have to wear that to the wedding.”
Roy kissed her. “For you. So, everyone likes it?”
“That is one of the most elaborate and beautiful garments I have ever seen and I thought Ishbalan wedding ensembles were colorful.” Nava smiled. “You would be foolish not to wear something that outstanding.”
“And your sisters are taking me out to get my dress today. You decide on the groomsmen and what they’re wearing,” Riza said.
“It won’t be a punishment any more if I get to wear a robe like that,” Ed said, rubbing his hands together.
“I’ll make you wear the other traditional outfit. The ones with the longevity lettering on it,” Roy smirked.
“Huh?”
“Looks like pajamas,” Miao-Yin explained.
“I’m not wearing pajamas!” Ed said, stabbing a metal finger at Roy.
“You don’t even know if you’re really in the wedding,” Al reminded him.
“You’ll probably be in Dress Blues, unless I decide to let Al be an usher then everyone can wear the pajamas.” Roy grinned, shrugging out of the robe, giving it to Yi-Lan. She traded him a regular Xingese tunic for it.
“You need to eat, Cricket,” she said, eyeing his scarred waist critically.
“I do eat,” he protested.
“You lie,” Dev replied.
“You must,” Mera said, her gaze following the path of his scar. “You have lost a lot of weight. And that scar is so much worse than I thought. No wonder you were so ill.”
“I haven’t lost that much weight,” Roy said, holding the sides of his shirt away from his body like wings.
“Roy, you have. You don’t eat and you’ve been under too much stress,” Riza said. “I’ll let your sisters deal with you until the wedding. That should improve things.”
He dropped the shirt, scowling.
“All of that was from the bombing?” Nava gestured to his various scars.
Roy shook his head and patted his scarred shoulder. “Only the one on the belly. This is from Fuehrer Bradley’s sword and the leg was from a different…uh battle.” He pulled up his trouser leg, exposing his metal leg.
Winry’s eyes bulged, seeing that at some point in the recent past Roy had shaped his automail to add in a dragon motif similar to his wedding robe. Ed gasped. “Winry let you do that? Cool!” He clapped and shaped his arm before she could protest.
“Oh, you’re both in so much trouble.” Al sniggered.
Ed displayed his new gargoyle-themed arm. “What? This is cool.”
“And it’s my leg. If I want to decorate it in lucky symbols, I will,” Roy protested.
“Do you think she has a wrench hidden in her clothes?” Dev leaned toward Al conspiratorially.
“Wouldn’t doubt it.” Al grinned.
“You look like thugs. Change my automail back right this instant,” Winry insisted.
Roy shot her an arched look. “No.”
“For once, we agree.” Ed rubbed his new design.
“You are walking advertisement for me. I can’t have you looking like something out of a nightmare,” Winry protested.
“Who is going to see it under my pants?” Roy asked.
“Brother, that is not a question you should be asking.” Jun laughed.
“No kidding.” Dev rolled his eyes.
“Riza likes my dragons. She said so,” Roy protested. “The rest of you, I don’t care what you think. However, Edward, you’d better listen to Winry.”
“Why me and not you?” Ed fired an automail-meltingly hot look Roy’s direction.
“Because, the worst Winry can do to me is hit me. You’ll never get laid again if you make her unhappy,” Roy replied simply.
Ed blushed, his mouth flapping. Winry matched his shade. Riza slapped Roy’s chest.
“I mean, even Dev knew better than that and he has the romantic common sense of a squashed rabbit.” Roy tugged his pants down.
“I do not!”
“True, I’m underestimating the rabbit.”
Riza slapped Roy again, harder this time. “Be nice. Listen to Winry.”
Roy shook his head. “My leg, my lucky symbols. I’ll hide them.”
“Fine, you win, Roy. You’d willingly take the blows to the head just to make a point.” Winry pulled out her wrench. “Edward?”
“But Winry, these are cool.” Ed gave her a piteous look. “Not that your automail isn’t cool to begin with,” he added hastily. “And I left your maker’s mark alone...with a little modification.”
Winry’s eyes widened, fear over what the modification looked like stood naked in pools of blue. “You what?”
“See?” Ed displayed the mark that had been changed to have tiny bells wreathed around it.
“That’s actually pretty. You can keep that,” Winry said. “But not the rest…you can use this look at home on special occasions and I’m kicking myself for even allowing that since then it’ll be in photos.”
“I’ll take it,” Ed said, switching his arm back to normal with a disappointed sigh. “You, you were supposed to go embarrass yourself singing. Get to it. You’re out of uniform now.” Ed prodded Roy who sighed as well.
Winry just shook her head as Jun took Roy to get set up in front of the microphone. “Alchemists.”
“At least you never have to worry about me messing up your automail, Winry.” Dev patted his arm, missing Anah’s annoyed look.
“Only because you can’t.” Ed snorted. “I’m surprised you haven’t had it enameled to match all that gaudy stuff in your apartment.”
“Brother.” Al hissed.
Dev rubbed his hand, contemplatively. “Hmmm.”
“Absolutely not. Enamel would interfere with the function unless each piece is separately coated and I am not taking apart your automail so you can paint it!” Winry slapped his shoulder.
“But it would make a statement,” Dev protested.
“That you’re crazy, yes,” Winry said, trying not to consider the idea that the enameling might actually make it heat up less in the sun. No, that would just be so odd.
“Hush, Roy is ready to sing.” Al pointed to the man.
Roy sang first with his sister then on his own. Winry was surprised at his clarion tones but not exactly sure why. His voice was very sweet and she wasn’t quite sure why she hadn’t expected him to be any good. His speaking voice was deep and melodic, after all. Maybe because he had never shown any signs of liking to sing but then she knew Roy could keep his secrets well.
She was just about to nudge Ed, who seemed to be watching Roy like a cat does a mouse when she noticed Talya heading back their way with a large envelope in hand. Talya tried to hand them to Al who didn’t notice, too obviously enjoying Roy’s performance. Winry took them, shooting the transsexual a curious look.
“Photos from when Roy boy was a kid. Li-Ying said Riza and someone named Winry wanted to see them,” she said.
“I’m Winry. Thanks,” she said as Roy ended his song and scooted away from the microphone faster than Jun could snag him. She opened the envelope, sharing the pictures. “Oh, here’s more from that concert.” Winry passed Riza one of a half naked Roy sunning himself on a rock.
“He was such a sweet treat back then.” Talya sighed.
“I can see that,” Winry said and Ed glowered at her.
Dev snatched the photo out of Winry's hand. "He is not. I mean, what is it that makes you think he's cute?"
Mera took it from him and gave it to her grandmother. “How about everything?”
“I have to agree with that,” Nava nodded before her husband took the photo, handing it to Riza.
“Oh, Al, look at this one.” Winry held up one of Roy, around age eight, hair in a very long braided queue, grinning evilly for the camera. “Who does this look like at that age?”
Al took the photo, laughing. “Look, it’s Ed if he were Xingese.”
“Like hell!” Ed made a grab for the photo but Winry blocked him.
“Take it from someone who knew both of you since you were both children, you and Roy share a soul.” Riza flashed a wicked grin of her own.
“Ewww, you’re sharing the bastard’s soul.” Dev made a face.
“I am not. I would have died of rot by now.” Ed grimaced, his fists clenching.
“You haven’t?” Dev asked sweetly and Winry stepped between the two young men. Dev looked over her shoulder at the next photo up. “Who are the Ishbalans he’s with here? He’s just a little brat in this picture.”
“Oh, that’s the family who raised him,” Talya said and Winry wondered at Riza’s panicked look.
“He was raised by Ishbalans?” Kennan asked, stunned.
“Wait a minute, I thought you were raised by your alchemy teacher,” Dev pointed at Roy who rejoined the group.
“I was,” Roy said. “Why?”
“Then who is this?” Dev pointed to the picture.
Roy grimaced. “Damn, I didn’t think you’d bring pictures this old.” He tapped the picture. “That’s Teacher and the older man is his father.”
“My father and grandfather,” Riza added quietly.
“That would mean…” Uzziel’s face lost color.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Dev asked, his voice pitched high.
“Do you feel better knowing where I learned my alchemy?” Roy wore misery like a coat.
“How can this be?” Uzziel asked.
“It’s…it’s…” Kennan sputtered. “If you have any more secrets, Mustang, keep them in your head. I don’t know how you live with them.”
“Now I see why you were so dead certain that the Ishbalans used to have alchemy,” Dev said, gazing over at Riza. “Every so often I thought you might have had red hints in your eyes but figured it was a trick of the light.”
“I’m like Miles, only a quarter. I never even think much about it. I was raised Amestrian by a grandfather who loathed his own culture. I suppose being an alchemist had something to do with that,” Riza replied bitterly.
“And I thought the cruel irony of where my alchemy’s roots were was best kept to myself but now, you know. I’m shocked you never put it together, Dev. How many times have you looked at my glove?”
“I don’t follow.”
Roy pulled it out of his pocket, slipping it on. “Al, Ed, what do you see?”
“The salamander,” Al replied, pointing to it.
“The symbol of fire,” Ed added.
“I still don’t…oh.” Dev’s eyes widened. “You mean the parable of the salamander’s fire? But that’s just a story to help guide people in their daily lives. Salamanders don’t even like heat or the desert.”
“That’s what it means to you ! To me, it contains elements of my alchemy and it’s not the only parable that does,” Roy said followed by the unhappy moans from the priests.
“Really? You never told us this over the years,” Ed grumbled.
“You never listen to me,” Roy replied, shaking his head. “I really don’t want to talk about this.”
“I’d say it’s appropriate that you have me doing the wedding ceremony but you said your family didn’t like their roots,” Dev said to Riza.
“Especially priests for the obvious reasons,” Riza said ruefully. “Food was about the only tradition we kept.”
“Which explains why the jerk knew all sorts of Ishbalan entrees. I thought he learned them in the war,” Dev said.
“Riza can cook them.” Roy sighed. “Now I’m even more depressed.”
“You have many good reasons,” Uzziel said.
“It’s a shame. We were enjoying your singing. You have a lovely voice. We never got to hear many concerts out in the desert,” Nava said. “Things are a bit different there.”
“Like I said, we can do a concert for you at your center,” Jun offered. “Well, probably not my brother but certainly the rest of it.”
Roy’s brow beetled. “Nava, what did you just say?”
The old woman cocked her head to the side. “You have a lovely voice?”
He waved his hand. “No, the other thing about the desert.”
“That we have very different priorities out there, us and other desert cities. Food and water get scarce and we don’t have the time to develop our art as much as you do here in the cities,” the old woman said.
“Damn it, why didn’t I think of that?” Roy growled so harshly Winry glanced at him, startled.
“What is it?” the automail mechanic asked. She had been too disheartened by this latest revelation to even want to listen to the conversation any more but Roy snared her attention.
“What do Armstrong, Ed and Al and myself have in common, besides being alchemists?” Roy asked.
“It can’t be the desert,” Dev protested, gesturing to the brothers. “They’re too young to have been in the war.”
“Ishbal no, but as Nava said there are more cities in the desert,” Roy replied.
“Lior!” Ed said sharply.
Roy nodded. “Exactly. We were all involved in Lior. I sent you there. You got blamed for its near destruction and Armstrong helped to rebuild it, which might have been seen as an intrusion just like many Ishbalans felt about our help.”
“But why now? After so many years?” Ed asked indignantly and Winry saw Anah blanch at the exchange. She had to wonder at it.
Roy rolled his shoulders. “Who knows? Maybe because now they owe us for the rebuilding.”
“And certain indignities are never forgotten,” Kennan added quietly.
“Exactly, Mustang knows there are several of my companions who gladly would have sided with Sanaa, given the chance. They hate that Aris and I are working with the Amestrians to rebuild Ishbal.” Dev glanced at Anah. “Are you okay?”
A full body shudder ran through her. “It just made me think of the war. I’ll be all right.”
“It’s never pleasant,” Dev agreed.
“No, it’s not,” Roy replied grimly then turned to the President. “Maybe we should go to your office, Olivia, me, the brothers, Alex Louis and you, too, Hughes. We need to talk this out and find a common thread.”
Olivia nodded. “Let’s do that now. No need to waste more time.”
“And Uzziel, Kennan, if you have any ideas how Sanaa might be tied into someone from Lior, we’d be glad to know about it,” Roy said before reaching out to take Riza’s hand. “If you think of anything, call the office. I want you to go out with my sisters as planned. I don’t want to postpone the wedding because we keep getting horribly interrupted.” Roy grimaced as if wondering if that was somehow condescending.
“I’d probably be more of a help to you,” Riza protested. “I’m a soldier. The dress can wait.”
“You weren’t there in Lior when it all happened and I’m tired of letting them win by disrupting my life,” Roy replied. “Please, go.”
Riza offered up a crooked smile even though her eyes reflected her displeasure. “All right.”
He kissed her. “Thank you.”
Winry watched them all flood out of the temple, soldiers going one way, Ishbalans another. Winry noticed Anah watching the soldiers in a way that she didn’t like but dismissed it. Maybe Ed was right and she was jealous someone was with Dev now even though Winry was very happy to have Ed back in her life. Riza gathered up Roy’s sisters and her after placing a call to Gracia to meet them in town. Winry didn’t really feel much like shopping but doing something normal might actually make her feel a little better.
XXX
Anah sat on the edge of the not yet functional fountain in the Xingese center. It had taken her a while to peel Dev away from all the hubbub inside, even though the two women his eyes always wandered over to had left. She had been half tempted to follow Hawkeye and shoot her while her guard was down but she wasn’t on the list of people Anah and Judith had arranged to punish. Well, she’d be calling Judith shortly. She might have time to convince her to sanction the assassination. It would certainly punish Mustang. However, there was one or two things she wanted to assure herself of before she made that call.
Anah held out a hand to Dev and he took it, allowing her to haul him in. “Are you okay?”
He shook his head. “Not really. Jun was a nice distraction and all but I keep thinking about the bombings. I don’t understand this. There’s something missing. Why attack my temple? We’re not involved with Lior. The only things we have in common are we’re desert people and that huge attack, the one that Armstrong was helping them to rebuild after.”
“They say that blond shrimp you got dumped for had a hand in destroying Lior. It makes sense that he’s a target.”
“I didn’t get dumped. I left Winry,” he reminded her, irritably. “Besides, how could Edward have destroyed a whole city? He would have been a kid at the time. It doesn’t make sense, either, that Ishbalans would attack their own.” Dev’s shoulders slumped, his metal fingers brushing her skin. “I guess it does if you think I’m a collaborator but I’m not. A collaborator is out to improve their own lot, not help everyone else with a cost to themselves.”
Anah steeled herself, getting to her feet. She slid an arm around his shoulder and kissed him, anything to derail his train of thought before it led him somewhere. She had no desire to kiss this man and to add insult to injury, he actually kissed well. She managed to break the kiss and say, “I don’t think you’re a collaborator.”
Judging from his idiotic smile that was the right thing to say. “Thanks.”
“Do you have to go back on duty?” Anah knew that was a risk. If he decided to shirk it, she’d have to figure out a way to shake him loose.
Dev glanced back at the building then nodded. “I need to stay with them.”
“Well, I’ll let you get back to it. I have a few things I need to do.” Anah kissed his cheek and headed off. She went several blocks before finding a pay phone. She dialed Judith’s number, pleased that the woman answered quickly. “Judith, we have a huge problem. They figured out which city is involved.”
The older woman swore loudly over the line then said, “I’m in town. Meet me at Attaway’s usual rendezvous. I’ll call him myself.”
Anah agreed and headed across town to the cramped little apartment Attaway kept. She was surprised he would come down to this section of town. Crumbling sidewalks, dingy houses, it was the type of street that claimed it was working class but a quick look told anyone with an astute eye that it was filled with thieves and sexual predators. Anah hated coming to this place. She didn’t know how the weasely little man and Judith beat her there but they did. Neither of them looked pleased. “Why didn’t you tell me you were in town?” she demanded of the woman.
“There was no need for you to know until now,” Judith replied coolly, brushing back her iron-grey hair. “Now tell me what is all this about them knowing?”
“We were at the Xingese center today to allow Mustang to make an ass of himself. Turns out his sister is someone important in movies or something. Even my own people were crazy about her. Anyhow, what few brain cells that man has must have rubbed together. He put it together that everyone who was bombed was connected to Lior. They went to the president’s office to talk out the ramifications of that,” Anah said in disgust.
“What are we going to do now?” Attaway snarled at Judith who looked at him, non-plussed.
“Well, my plan to get some of the family members of soldiers lost in Lior after Elric is moot now. We don’t have time for that. We may need to delay this and try again in maybe a year or two once the heat has died down,” Judith said unhappily.
“I have a better idea,” Anah said, her eyes narrowing. She had no intentions of waiting. “We get them all together and kill them.”
“And how do you propose to do that?” Attaway sniffed.
“How the hell hard can it be? They were all together today at the center. Mustang is friends with Armstrong and the Elrics appear to live with him. We might not get Armstrong but one fire bomb of the Mustang’s residence would rid us of a lot of problems,” Anah insisted.
“Too well guarded,” Attaway said. “As will be Mustang’s wedding, which is one place I know they’ll all be together.”
“Is there another way of getting them together in a less guarded location?” Judith asked.
“You’ll need to be sure Hawkeye isn’t there. She’s Mustang’s bodyguard and very good at what she does,” Attaway said.
“I can handle that if you two can be ready on short notice. Dev lives so far inside Mustang’s skin now, they’re practically inseparable. He’ll know when that woman is out doing wedding things. Mustang sent her out to do that today, the idiot. I can get word to Dev that someone I know has information about the bombings. He’ll believe that since he knows I’ve walked the line with radicals before. He can get Mustang and the Elrics there. We can always take out Armstrong later on his own, if need be.” Anah said, grinning widely. “You two be waiting with guns. It’ll be a lizard shoot.”
“Crude but probably effective,” Judith said. “Set it up.”
“Gladly. It might take me a few days to find a suitable place that would be believable to them. Mustang is probably smart enough to smell an obvious trap. Hope Dev comes, too. I want to shoot him myself,” Anah said, noticing the distaste in Attaway’s eyes. He would probably be useless in all of this. She didn’t doubt that in all likelihood Judith would call her on the sly and tell her to make sure Attaway died there too, potentially shot with Mustang’s own gun. The very idea thrilled her. Anah could only pray to Ishbala that this wouldn’t take days to set up.
Author’s Note #1 – The Ishbalan’s view on transsexuals was borrowed from cultural attributes of the Hopi and Navajo tribes.
Author’s Note #2 – The idea of giving Riza Ishbalan heritage came from conversations with several flisters insisting that in the anime her eyes are red (the deluge of ‘proof’ stills from the anime honestly didn’t convince me except for one. However, it’s great story fodder)
onto Chapter Twenty-nine
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