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cornerofmadnessTangled Web
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cornerofmadness
Disclaimer – not mine. All rights belong to Ms Arakawa
Rating – Pg-13 for the foreseeable future
Time Line – future fic but contains spoilers right up to FMA 90
Summary – Father and Bradley were defeated but not everyone has gone quietly into that good night
Pairings – Roy/Riza, Ed/Win, Al/OC
Author’s Note- Written forevil_little_dog for her birthday TOTALLY UNBETAED so FEAR me.
the first two chapters were written (and still rough draft) at the holidays. you can refresh yourself here. I'll probably take this story 'live' once Sorrow wraps.
chapters 1 & 2
XXX
Chapter Three
“Why are we here?” Ed stomped his feet on the train station’s wooden deck. He glanced around at his environs, obviously unhappy that most everyone was inside and warm except for him, his brother and Mustang. “Can’t we wait inside?” He scowled. “I feel like we’ve had this conversation before.”
“What? Got a hot date?” Roy smirked, fussing with his scarf. He flicked a piece of lint off the alternating pattern in blue and green. It almost looked like diamonds and snowflakes to Al.
“Him, hardly.” Al snorted, eyeing his brother and Ed glared right back. “I, on the other hand, do.”
“Yes, it’s unusual to see Al without that girl attached to him,” Ed groused, rolling his eyes.
“Don’t be such a jackass,” Al shot back.
“Edward, just wrap yourself around Miss Rockbell and do everyone a favor.” Roy waved dismissively at Ed and Al nearly swallowed his tongue trying not to laugh at the expression on Ed’s face.
“How do I do that, stuck here freezing my ass off?” Ed stomped his feet again.
“General Mustang.” Armstrong’s voice boomed across the station. The big man strode toward them, arms spread wide. “Alphonse, Edward, how are you this fine morning?”
“We’re good,” Al said quickly before Ed could start a new rant. “A little puzzled as to why we’re here.”
“I haven’t told them yet,” Mustang said. “Guess I better before Ed explodes or Al abandons me.”
“That’ll probably happen even if you do tell us,” Ed said, glancing askance at his brother. “Especially Al.”
Al wondered how Roy had resisted setting Ed on fire all these years. He could be miserable when he got self-righteous and assured he was right and the other person was an idiot. “Shut up.”
“Here’s the train,” Armstrong pointed down the track.
“Someone coming in on that train wanted to see you two,” Roy said, blowing a plume of frosting breath skywards. “So Ed, sweeten up. Al, cool off. She’ll wait.”
“Not hard to do standing here,” Al grumbled, thinking about meeting with Snowdrop. He wondered what she had planned for the afternoon. She was as mysterious as Roy usually was about plans. Al spun his cane, distractedly, following his brother’s example and moved behind Armstrong to use him as a windbreak.
“Ah to be young and in love,” Armstrong gushed, patting Al as he moved.
“Am I the only one frightened by that image,” Ed muttered as the train pulled up.
“No.” Al nudged his brother with his cane. “Did you give any thought as to what I said about Winry?”
Ed nodded, his expression softening. “We’re going to the movies this afternoon. Winry’s wanted to see it even if it’s supposed to be scary.”
“That’s the best kind to take a date to, Fullmetal,” Roy said, not looking back at them.
“Ears like a cat,” Ed grumbled.
“I agree, a movie is a good date.” Al grinned. “Mine date’s a mystery, which makes it more alluring.”
“Al, you’re coming along nicely. Always knew you’d be a quick study,” Roy said with obvious pleasure.
Ed snatched Al’s cane, stepped out from behind Armstrong and poked Mustang in the kidneys hard. The older alchemist grunted.
“Mind your own business and don’t pervert my brother.”
“I think he’s doing fine without any help from me,” Roy said, rubbing his back.
Ed poked him again. “He absorbed your luridness by osmosis.”
“Edward, the general is a well-known romantic. Your brother could pick a worse role model,” Armstrong said.
“Bite your tongue. The only way this could get worse is if Al listened to General Shit.” Ed poked Roy a third time but the man kept ignoring him. “I take it back. The worst thing would be if Al’s girl was related to Mustang.”
“Edward!” Al snatched his cane back as Roy snickered. Al thumped Ed on the ribs with the skull handle.
“Ow, that hurt.” Ed batted at the cane with his metal hand.
“Then quit alchemizing the handle into scary things,” Al said. “And she’s never mentioned having any male relatives. You can relax.”
“Hey, Mustang! Edward!” A happy voice boomed. “Armstrong! Hey, is that you, Al?”
They glanced toward one train car. Parked in the entrance to it was a wheelchair. Havoc waved at them. Ed led the way over as the porter mulled out loud how to get Havoc down.
Mustang gestured to Armstrong who went up the stairs and lifted Havoc right out of his chair.
“Whoa! Gently, I’m not a sack of potatoes,” Havoc said.
“Sacks of potatoes would complain less,” Mustang muscled the chair down the steps. “I see you still have that goat thing on your face,” he added as Armstrong put Havoc back down.
Havoc stroked his goatee then wagged a hand at Mustang. “You can’t tell me what to do any more, boss. The women love it.”
“This I’d like to see,” Mustang smirked.
“Oh, you’d be surprised.” Havoc shivered. “Damn, it’s cold out here.”
“That’s rather the point of the Icicle Festival.” Roy laughed. “We’ll take you to Breda’s.”
“Do I get to see your new place?” Havoc rubbed his gloved hands on his thighs. “I heard they gave you a fantastic place.”
“Sure, we can do that. The brothers haven’t seen it yet either.”
“We’ll have to get rides back to town if we go out there,” Al fretted.
“Don’t want to miss the date.” Ed rolled his eyes.
Al scowled. “You have one, too.”
“Lucky kids,” Havoc sniffed, digging in his pockets as Armstrong rolled him to the van.
“No smoking in the van,” Roy said, freezing Havoc as he slid a pack out.
“You never minded before,” Havoc protested.
“Riza is laying down the law.” Ed snickered. “Winry told me all about her yelling your head off for coming home smelling like booze and cigarettes.”
Roy speared Ed with a hot look. “Shut up.”
“Heard Riza was retiring,” Havoc said, giving his cigarettes a mournful look. “Can’t believe it.”
“She’s going to work private security for the president,” Armstrong said. “My sister will keep her very busy.”
“And Riza working for Olivia does have pleasant ramifications,” Roy said, opening the van door.
“Don’t mention the details!” Ed stabbed a finger at Roy as Havoc swung himself into the vehicle with practiced ease.
“Sounds like a dare.” Roy smirked.
Al prodded Roy with his cane. “For all our sanities, don’t.”
Roy laughed as they piled into the van. He slid behind the wheel and took off.
“Shit!” Havoc cried as Roy careened around a corner. “Now I see why Hawkeye always insisted I drive. You’re insane.”
“Thank you!” Ed held onto the door handle. “I keep saying that but no one takes away his keys.”
“I can put you both out at this corner,” Roy replied and they settled down into comfortable small talk until Roy headed down a road leading to the outskirts of town. The van skittered up the hill to the large estate at the top.
Havoc looked out the window, taking in the new Mustang residence, and whistled. “This is impressive, boss.”
“President Armstrong definitely wanted me to make a statement with this place,” Roy agreed, pushing the seat way back before getting out. Ed yelped. “Oh, as if there’s a chance I rammed those little legs of yours.”
“Who are you calling so short he’d fit right under the seat?”
“Ed, not so loud in the car.” Al reached around Ed, opening the passenger door. He tried to nudge Ed out. While Armstrong helped Havoc out of the car and to the house, Al stared at the mansion. Even Ed quieted, his mouth gaped ever so slightly as he took in the massive building.
A square tower rose up from the center of the home and behind it was a widow’s walk. Multiple steep gables danced around the tower, each proudly sporting spirals and oriel windows. But the highly ornate and painted woodwork decorating the whole façade was what caught the imagination the most in royal blue and frosty white trim.
“Needs a gargoyle,” Ed proclaimed.
“It has a few,” Roy replied and Ed’s eyes lit up “It needs no more but if you do embellish, keep it sane.”
“Do you realize who you’re talking to,” Al rolled his eyes and his brother nudged him hard.
“My mistake,” Roy laughed, climbing up on the porch to unlock the front door. He paused, hearing something inside. “Riza? You home? I brought a bunch of undesirables home and, oh, Armstrong.”
“Have I moved down a peg?” Al’s eyebrows climbed.
“You are an Elric. Certain members of your family do tend to pull you down a little.”
“Go to hell,” Ed said, pushing into the lobby. He wandered around it, head back, taking in the painted ceiling. “This is amazing.”
“Thank you, Edward,” Riza said, coming out of one of the rooms. “Sometimes I feel like this can’t be real.”
“You grew up in a big old house,” Roy reminded her.
“Key word is old. Make yourself at home, boys. Roy can show you around,” Riza smiled at Havoc. “Good to see you again, Jean. How was your trip?”
“A little tiring,” he admitted begrudgingly. “But I wanted to see you and this place before I headed to Breda’s.”
“I can show you around down here, Jean. Can we get anything for anyone? Something to eat?” Riza asked.
“You cook?” Havoc seemed surprised.
“Naturally. Roy’s better though. I think I remember a few of those awful deportment and hostessing classes I had to take as a girl.” Riza scowled.
“All my sisters had to take those,” Armstrong offered up. “Olivia failed.”
“Big surprise. She probably ate an instructor,” Roy replied and Ed snickered.
“Flame!” Armstrong reprimanded but his mustache twitched as the man fought not to smile. “That was just a rumor.”
“I believe the rumor,” Ed said, showing all his teeth in a wide grin.
“Well, she did say she eats red shrimps like you,” Al reminded him then flinched as Ed whipped around, arm cocked.
Ed punched his shoulder twice. “Two for flinching.”
“Brotherly love, so sweet,” Riza said sardonically then chivvied them toward the stairs to begin their tour. Al caught her wrist, appropriating her over Roy for their guide.
“So, how do I get myself a place like this?” Havoc tugged on leather gloves before griping his wheels. Neither Roy nor Armstrong insulted him by offering to push him now that he was out of the snow and ice.
“Be unlucky enough to be a national hero,” Roy replied and Havoc laughed.
“Let’s show you around and Armstrong will take you to Breda’s.”
“Do I get to come back and see that famous wine cellar I heard came with this place?” Havoc grinned.
Roy scowled. “Aren’t you a beer man?”
“I make exceptions.”
“Fear not, Havoc. Flame is planning a large party for the end of the festival,” Armstrong assured him.
“I’ll even have guests rooms made up for those who can’t totter their way home.” Roy laughed.
“Now we’re talking.”
XXX
Al stretched languidly, the sheets puddling around his sweating body as he rolled onto his side. “I didn’t think this is what you had planned for the afternoon, Snowdrop.”
She circled a finger over his nipple. “I didn’t. This was spontaneous. The date has yet to really begin.”
“Mmm, so what were we supposed to be doing?” Al kissed her breast.
Snow slapped his rump. “Let’s shower up and you’ll see.”
Al hadn’t wanted to go back out into the cold. He would have been content to spend the day in bed with Snowdrop and tell Ed later that yes, he had gotten his exercise for the day. Snow had other ideas as she herded him toward the conservancy on the west side of town. The heat of the place washed over them as they stepped inside.
“This is unexpected,” Al said, wondering how much work went into maintaining such a variety of plants year round.
“I’ve wanted to see their new winter exhibit. There is supposed to be a lot of sculptures. And they’re redoing the desert room to celebrate a new time of understanding with the Ishbalans,” Snowdrop said, locking her arm with his.
“This should be nice.”
They strolled through a herbarium, pocked with wintry statues. The spiciness of the room made Al want to linger. The desert room was as sparse as he imagined, the bright Ishbalan pottery taking the edges off the foreboding cacti. The room bore ropes barring entry to sections as the staff worked on improving it. Al didn’t see it as much compensation for the poor Ishbalans having been hunted and harried for years but it was a start.
Snowdrop found a crystalline snowflake sculpture in the Xingese room that Al thought she might walk off with if he took his eyes off her; she was that enraptured with it. For his part, he found the tiny trees, some hundreds of years old, fascinating. He wondered if he could learn to do something like that without alchemy. The Xingese room had a second part, rich with tiny, bright flowers and a pond filled with lotuses, decorative glass balls by some artist Al didn’t know and beautiful fish.
“I love the goldfish.” Snowdrop sighed, leaning over the bridge railing as she gazed into the pond. “I’d love to have my own little pond like this some day.”
“I can see the appeal…my cats will love it.” He grinned and Snowdrop nudged him.
“You’re naughty.”
Al stole a kiss. “Isn’t that what you like about me?”
“Among many things. Come on, the dense foliage in the next room is always stunning.” Snowdrop pulled him along. “We can come back and linger by the fish.”
Al acquiesced gladly. Snowdrop was right; the riot of blossoms against the green foliage in the next room was beautiful. A bench pushed out against the overwhelming greenery, situated across from a giant head with a wide open fanged mouth. Al sat down and Snow rested her head against his shoulder. “That is so strange,” he said.
“Local artist. He passed away recently, sadly. I know the person handling his estate. It’s full of his artwork.” Snow tapped the skull handle on Al’s cane. “This makes me think of Edward or should I say Edward’s alchemy reminds me of Mr. Justice’s art?”
Al snorted. “Ed would love that thing. He’d put it in his front yard.”
“Technically he could. Mr. Justice’s work is for sale. I thought, as a way to show Ed there’s no hard feelings, I could arrange to go out to the Justice estate for a look around,” Snow said.
“Edward would love that,” Al agreed, fearing just how inspired Ed might get finding a kindred spirit, even if the man had passed on. “There is a flaw in your plan.”
“Oh?”
“Winry likes you. She might not once you point out to Ed there is a market for his art.” Al grinned, tapping Snowdrop’s nose.
She giggled. “It’s a risk worth taking. So, after this room is the sunken gardens with carnivorous pitcher plants?”
Al blinked. “Really? I’ve never heard of plants that are carnivorous.”
Snowdrop nodded. “Oh yes, they’re not much to look at, though.”
“Just don’t tell Ed they exist.”
“I can just see it now.” Snowdrop spread her hands, laughing. “pitcher plants lining the walkway and Mr. Justice’s statues in the yard, Edward’s house will be the talk of several towns.”
Al squeezed her tight. “That is what I’m trying to prevent.”
“Let it happen,” Snow replied reasonably.
“Do you want to see Winry turn into a murderer?” Al grinned.
Snow shook her head. “Poor girl. At least I fell for the relatively sane Elric brother.”
“Only relatively.”
“Sane enough for me at any rate,” she replied.
Al rested his head against hers. “I can live with that.”
Author –
cornerofmadnessDisclaimer – not mine. All rights belong to Ms Arakawa
Rating – Pg-13 for the foreseeable future
Time Line – future fic but contains spoilers right up to FMA 90
Summary – Father and Bradley were defeated but not everyone has gone quietly into that good night
Pairings – Roy/Riza, Ed/Win, Al/OC
Author’s Note- Written for
evil_little_dog for her birthday TOTALLY UNBETAED so FEAR me.the first two chapters were written (and still rough draft) at the holidays. you can refresh yourself here. I'll probably take this story 'live' once Sorrow wraps.
chapters 1 & 2
XXX
Chapter Three
“Why are we here?” Ed stomped his feet on the train station’s wooden deck. He glanced around at his environs, obviously unhappy that most everyone was inside and warm except for him, his brother and Mustang. “Can’t we wait inside?” He scowled. “I feel like we’ve had this conversation before.”
“What? Got a hot date?” Roy smirked, fussing with his scarf. He flicked a piece of lint off the alternating pattern in blue and green. It almost looked like diamonds and snowflakes to Al.
“Him, hardly.” Al snorted, eyeing his brother and Ed glared right back. “I, on the other hand, do.”
“Yes, it’s unusual to see Al without that girl attached to him,” Ed groused, rolling his eyes.
“Don’t be such a jackass,” Al shot back.
“Edward, just wrap yourself around Miss Rockbell and do everyone a favor.” Roy waved dismissively at Ed and Al nearly swallowed his tongue trying not to laugh at the expression on Ed’s face.
“How do I do that, stuck here freezing my ass off?” Ed stomped his feet again.
“General Mustang.” Armstrong’s voice boomed across the station. The big man strode toward them, arms spread wide. “Alphonse, Edward, how are you this fine morning?”
“We’re good,” Al said quickly before Ed could start a new rant. “A little puzzled as to why we’re here.”
“I haven’t told them yet,” Mustang said. “Guess I better before Ed explodes or Al abandons me.”
“That’ll probably happen even if you do tell us,” Ed said, glancing askance at his brother. “Especially Al.”
Al wondered how Roy had resisted setting Ed on fire all these years. He could be miserable when he got self-righteous and assured he was right and the other person was an idiot. “Shut up.”
“Here’s the train,” Armstrong pointed down the track.
“Someone coming in on that train wanted to see you two,” Roy said, blowing a plume of frosting breath skywards. “So Ed, sweeten up. Al, cool off. She’ll wait.”
“Not hard to do standing here,” Al grumbled, thinking about meeting with Snowdrop. He wondered what she had planned for the afternoon. She was as mysterious as Roy usually was about plans. Al spun his cane, distractedly, following his brother’s example and moved behind Armstrong to use him as a windbreak.
“Ah to be young and in love,” Armstrong gushed, patting Al as he moved.
“Am I the only one frightened by that image,” Ed muttered as the train pulled up.
“No.” Al nudged his brother with his cane. “Did you give any thought as to what I said about Winry?”
Ed nodded, his expression softening. “We’re going to the movies this afternoon. Winry’s wanted to see it even if it’s supposed to be scary.”
“That’s the best kind to take a date to, Fullmetal,” Roy said, not looking back at them.
“Ears like a cat,” Ed grumbled.
“I agree, a movie is a good date.” Al grinned. “Mine date’s a mystery, which makes it more alluring.”
“Al, you’re coming along nicely. Always knew you’d be a quick study,” Roy said with obvious pleasure.
Ed snatched Al’s cane, stepped out from behind Armstrong and poked Mustang in the kidneys hard. The older alchemist grunted.
“Mind your own business and don’t pervert my brother.”
“I think he’s doing fine without any help from me,” Roy said, rubbing his back.
Ed poked him again. “He absorbed your luridness by osmosis.”
“Edward, the general is a well-known romantic. Your brother could pick a worse role model,” Armstrong said.
“Bite your tongue. The only way this could get worse is if Al listened to General Shit.” Ed poked Roy a third time but the man kept ignoring him. “I take it back. The worst thing would be if Al’s girl was related to Mustang.”
“Edward!” Al snatched his cane back as Roy snickered. Al thumped Ed on the ribs with the skull handle.
“Ow, that hurt.” Ed batted at the cane with his metal hand.
“Then quit alchemizing the handle into scary things,” Al said. “And she’s never mentioned having any male relatives. You can relax.”
“Hey, Mustang! Edward!” A happy voice boomed. “Armstrong! Hey, is that you, Al?”
They glanced toward one train car. Parked in the entrance to it was a wheelchair. Havoc waved at them. Ed led the way over as the porter mulled out loud how to get Havoc down.
Mustang gestured to Armstrong who went up the stairs and lifted Havoc right out of his chair.
“Whoa! Gently, I’m not a sack of potatoes,” Havoc said.
“Sacks of potatoes would complain less,” Mustang muscled the chair down the steps. “I see you still have that goat thing on your face,” he added as Armstrong put Havoc back down.
Havoc stroked his goatee then wagged a hand at Mustang. “You can’t tell me what to do any more, boss. The women love it.”
“This I’d like to see,” Mustang smirked.
“Oh, you’d be surprised.” Havoc shivered. “Damn, it’s cold out here.”
“That’s rather the point of the Icicle Festival.” Roy laughed. “We’ll take you to Breda’s.”
“Do I get to see your new place?” Havoc rubbed his gloved hands on his thighs. “I heard they gave you a fantastic place.”
“Sure, we can do that. The brothers haven’t seen it yet either.”
“We’ll have to get rides back to town if we go out there,” Al fretted.
“Don’t want to miss the date.” Ed rolled his eyes.
Al scowled. “You have one, too.”
“Lucky kids,” Havoc sniffed, digging in his pockets as Armstrong rolled him to the van.
“No smoking in the van,” Roy said, freezing Havoc as he slid a pack out.
“You never minded before,” Havoc protested.
“Riza is laying down the law.” Ed snickered. “Winry told me all about her yelling your head off for coming home smelling like booze and cigarettes.”
Roy speared Ed with a hot look. “Shut up.”
“Heard Riza was retiring,” Havoc said, giving his cigarettes a mournful look. “Can’t believe it.”
“She’s going to work private security for the president,” Armstrong said. “My sister will keep her very busy.”
“And Riza working for Olivia does have pleasant ramifications,” Roy said, opening the van door.
“Don’t mention the details!” Ed stabbed a finger at Roy as Havoc swung himself into the vehicle with practiced ease.
“Sounds like a dare.” Roy smirked.
Al prodded Roy with his cane. “For all our sanities, don’t.”
Roy laughed as they piled into the van. He slid behind the wheel and took off.
“Shit!” Havoc cried as Roy careened around a corner. “Now I see why Hawkeye always insisted I drive. You’re insane.”
“Thank you!” Ed held onto the door handle. “I keep saying that but no one takes away his keys.”
“I can put you both out at this corner,” Roy replied and they settled down into comfortable small talk until Roy headed down a road leading to the outskirts of town. The van skittered up the hill to the large estate at the top.
Havoc looked out the window, taking in the new Mustang residence, and whistled. “This is impressive, boss.”
“President Armstrong definitely wanted me to make a statement with this place,” Roy agreed, pushing the seat way back before getting out. Ed yelped. “Oh, as if there’s a chance I rammed those little legs of yours.”
“Who are you calling so short he’d fit right under the seat?”
“Ed, not so loud in the car.” Al reached around Ed, opening the passenger door. He tried to nudge Ed out. While Armstrong helped Havoc out of the car and to the house, Al stared at the mansion. Even Ed quieted, his mouth gaped ever so slightly as he took in the massive building.
A square tower rose up from the center of the home and behind it was a widow’s walk. Multiple steep gables danced around the tower, each proudly sporting spirals and oriel windows. But the highly ornate and painted woodwork decorating the whole façade was what caught the imagination the most in royal blue and frosty white trim.
“Needs a gargoyle,” Ed proclaimed.
“It has a few,” Roy replied and Ed’s eyes lit up “It needs no more but if you do embellish, keep it sane.”
“Do you realize who you’re talking to,” Al rolled his eyes and his brother nudged him hard.
“My mistake,” Roy laughed, climbing up on the porch to unlock the front door. He paused, hearing something inside. “Riza? You home? I brought a bunch of undesirables home and, oh, Armstrong.”
“Have I moved down a peg?” Al’s eyebrows climbed.
“You are an Elric. Certain members of your family do tend to pull you down a little.”
“Go to hell,” Ed said, pushing into the lobby. He wandered around it, head back, taking in the painted ceiling. “This is amazing.”
“Thank you, Edward,” Riza said, coming out of one of the rooms. “Sometimes I feel like this can’t be real.”
“You grew up in a big old house,” Roy reminded her.
“Key word is old. Make yourself at home, boys. Roy can show you around,” Riza smiled at Havoc. “Good to see you again, Jean. How was your trip?”
“A little tiring,” he admitted begrudgingly. “But I wanted to see you and this place before I headed to Breda’s.”
“I can show you around down here, Jean. Can we get anything for anyone? Something to eat?” Riza asked.
“You cook?” Havoc seemed surprised.
“Naturally. Roy’s better though. I think I remember a few of those awful deportment and hostessing classes I had to take as a girl.” Riza scowled.
“All my sisters had to take those,” Armstrong offered up. “Olivia failed.”
“Big surprise. She probably ate an instructor,” Roy replied and Ed snickered.
“Flame!” Armstrong reprimanded but his mustache twitched as the man fought not to smile. “That was just a rumor.”
“I believe the rumor,” Ed said, showing all his teeth in a wide grin.
“Well, she did say she eats red shrimps like you,” Al reminded him then flinched as Ed whipped around, arm cocked.
Ed punched his shoulder twice. “Two for flinching.”
“Brotherly love, so sweet,” Riza said sardonically then chivvied them toward the stairs to begin their tour. Al caught her wrist, appropriating her over Roy for their guide.
“So, how do I get myself a place like this?” Havoc tugged on leather gloves before griping his wheels. Neither Roy nor Armstrong insulted him by offering to push him now that he was out of the snow and ice.
“Be unlucky enough to be a national hero,” Roy replied and Havoc laughed.
“Let’s show you around and Armstrong will take you to Breda’s.”
“Do I get to come back and see that famous wine cellar I heard came with this place?” Havoc grinned.
Roy scowled. “Aren’t you a beer man?”
“I make exceptions.”
“Fear not, Havoc. Flame is planning a large party for the end of the festival,” Armstrong assured him.
“I’ll even have guests rooms made up for those who can’t totter their way home.” Roy laughed.
“Now we’re talking.”
XXX
Al stretched languidly, the sheets puddling around his sweating body as he rolled onto his side. “I didn’t think this is what you had planned for the afternoon, Snowdrop.”
She circled a finger over his nipple. “I didn’t. This was spontaneous. The date has yet to really begin.”
“Mmm, so what were we supposed to be doing?” Al kissed her breast.
Snow slapped his rump. “Let’s shower up and you’ll see.”
Al hadn’t wanted to go back out into the cold. He would have been content to spend the day in bed with Snowdrop and tell Ed later that yes, he had gotten his exercise for the day. Snow had other ideas as she herded him toward the conservancy on the west side of town. The heat of the place washed over them as they stepped inside.
“This is unexpected,” Al said, wondering how much work went into maintaining such a variety of plants year round.
“I’ve wanted to see their new winter exhibit. There is supposed to be a lot of sculptures. And they’re redoing the desert room to celebrate a new time of understanding with the Ishbalans,” Snowdrop said, locking her arm with his.
“This should be nice.”
They strolled through a herbarium, pocked with wintry statues. The spiciness of the room made Al want to linger. The desert room was as sparse as he imagined, the bright Ishbalan pottery taking the edges off the foreboding cacti. The room bore ropes barring entry to sections as the staff worked on improving it. Al didn’t see it as much compensation for the poor Ishbalans having been hunted and harried for years but it was a start.
Snowdrop found a crystalline snowflake sculpture in the Xingese room that Al thought she might walk off with if he took his eyes off her; she was that enraptured with it. For his part, he found the tiny trees, some hundreds of years old, fascinating. He wondered if he could learn to do something like that without alchemy. The Xingese room had a second part, rich with tiny, bright flowers and a pond filled with lotuses, decorative glass balls by some artist Al didn’t know and beautiful fish.
“I love the goldfish.” Snowdrop sighed, leaning over the bridge railing as she gazed into the pond. “I’d love to have my own little pond like this some day.”
“I can see the appeal…my cats will love it.” He grinned and Snowdrop nudged him.
“You’re naughty.”
Al stole a kiss. “Isn’t that what you like about me?”
“Among many things. Come on, the dense foliage in the next room is always stunning.” Snowdrop pulled him along. “We can come back and linger by the fish.”
Al acquiesced gladly. Snowdrop was right; the riot of blossoms against the green foliage in the next room was beautiful. A bench pushed out against the overwhelming greenery, situated across from a giant head with a wide open fanged mouth. Al sat down and Snow rested her head against his shoulder. “That is so strange,” he said.
“Local artist. He passed away recently, sadly. I know the person handling his estate. It’s full of his artwork.” Snow tapped the skull handle on Al’s cane. “This makes me think of Edward or should I say Edward’s alchemy reminds me of Mr. Justice’s art?”
Al snorted. “Ed would love that thing. He’d put it in his front yard.”
“Technically he could. Mr. Justice’s work is for sale. I thought, as a way to show Ed there’s no hard feelings, I could arrange to go out to the Justice estate for a look around,” Snow said.
“Edward would love that,” Al agreed, fearing just how inspired Ed might get finding a kindred spirit, even if the man had passed on. “There is a flaw in your plan.”
“Oh?”
“Winry likes you. She might not once you point out to Ed there is a market for his art.” Al grinned, tapping Snowdrop’s nose.
She giggled. “It’s a risk worth taking. So, after this room is the sunken gardens with carnivorous pitcher plants?”
Al blinked. “Really? I’ve never heard of plants that are carnivorous.”
Snowdrop nodded. “Oh yes, they’re not much to look at, though.”
“Just don’t tell Ed they exist.”
“I can just see it now.” Snowdrop spread her hands, laughing. “pitcher plants lining the walkway and Mr. Justice’s statues in the yard, Edward’s house will be the talk of several towns.”
Al squeezed her tight. “That is what I’m trying to prevent.”
“Let it happen,” Snow replied reasonably.
“Do you want to see Winry turn into a murderer?” Al grinned.
Snow shook her head. “Poor girl. At least I fell for the relatively sane Elric brother.”
“Only relatively.”
“Sane enough for me at any rate,” she replied.
Al rested his head against hers. “I can live with that.”
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Date: 2009-04-14 02:58 am (UTC)...oh, dear.
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Date: 2009-04-14 03:16 am (UTC)Ed's dream house would be something Tim Burton designed
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Date: 2009-04-14 11:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-15 02:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-15 03:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-15 03:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-15 11:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-15 01:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-15 06:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-16 02:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-16 11:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-16 03:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-17 01:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-22 11:28 pm (UTC)Ed poked him again. “He absorbed your luridness by osmosis.” lol
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Date: 2009-04-23 01:41 am (UTC)Abby frmoNCIS will hire him
Thanks
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Date: 2009-04-23 03:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-23 04:10 pm (UTC)