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Chapter 1	By : ChaCha92 Category: Fullmetal Alchemist > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 129 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Full Metal Alchemist and make no money from this story

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
After several chaotic minutes everyone is seated. Passing around the different dishes, plates are loaded and glasses are filled. The conversation is lively and varied all up and down the tables.
“It’s amazing you can remember everything you’ve ever read word for word,” Kisa comments in awe to Sheska sitting to her right.
“I’ve always loved reading,” Sheska blushes. “But it used to get me in trouble and I got fired from my dream job at the library because I was reading instead of working. Then I met Ed and Al and they got me a job with General Hughes because of my memory, so now I still get to read while making a living.”
“That’s wonderful,” Kisa smiles.
“I remember you mentioning how you never get lost and can recall conversations verbatim,” Roy observes to her left, drawing her attention briefly to him.
“You can do that?” Sheska asks in amazement.
“Yes,” Kisa nods at Sheska. “I can remember exactly who said what and I never get lost after I’ve passed through a new area once. It’s not particularly extraordinary, though,” she shrugs. Looking back at Roy, she adds, “Anyone can do it. It’s merely a matter of concentration and awareness. I think it’s more incredible to remember entire books regardless of the number of pages.”
“Maybe from your perspective, but even an attentive person will forget specific details of a conversation or get lost in an unfamiliar landscape,” Roy counters.
“Sheesh, the bastard can’t resist flirting no matter who it is,” Ed mutters not quite under his breath while rolling his eyes.
Kisa narrows her eyes at Ed sitting across the table, annoyed at his language as well as his interruption of their conversation.
“Jealous, Fullmetal?” Roy arches a brow.
“Hell no,” Ed snorts derisively. “But you’ve got no self-control. You’d flirt with a toddler as long as it was a girl.”
“I don’t think Ed’s jealous,” Kisa comments to Roy, surprising both men. “He’s just bothered by the sight of his mirror having a friendly conversation with you.” Mock whispering behind her hand, she adds, “It’s merely the surfacing of some deeply buried issues.”
As the others laugh, Ed’s disgusted look gives way to horrified outrage. When he tries standing, Maria, seated to his right, yanks him back down into his seat by his braid. Sitting to his left, Breda shoves a roll in his mouth when he opens it in outrage.
“These are made from scratch. Have another one,” the older man firmly suggests, daring Ed with a hard look to disobey.
Kisa doesn’t get off Scot-free. Noticing Maes giving her a reproving look from the head of the table, her smirk drops with her eyes. Blushing, she continues eating in embarrassed silence as the conversations pick up again around the table.
“For what it’s worth, I thought what you said was funny,” Roy leans in to quietly tell her.
She offers him a small appreciative smile.
“But I shouldn’t have said it because I embarrassed uncle and aunt.”
“It wasn’t that embarrassing and they’ll survive,” Roy dismisses offhandedly. “Maes needs more embarrassment in his life or it’ll get boring.”
“Doesn’t seem like he needs it when he has so many colorful friends,” she smirks back.
Having overheard, Sheska giggles as Roy chuckles and resumes chatting with both ladies.
Dinner continues without further incident until Roy uses his spoon to lightly tap on his wine glass until the ringing crystal captures everyone’s attention. When the room quiets down, he rises to his feet.
“We don’t typically socialize like this because our individual careers and interests seldom afford us the opportunity,” he begins. “Some of us see each other frequently at work and the last thing any of us want is to face reminders of work in our off time. This isn’t a complaint,” he arches a brow. “We are bound by something deeper due to our shared experiences with the events on or surrounding the Promised Day. It’s a bond that can’t be weakened by time or distance.”
“Today we braved the weather to share a meal in honor of someone who is very dear and special to the Hughes family and who has become significant to the rest of us. Kisa Namikaze doesn’t realize the magnitude of what she considers a simple humanitarian gesture to help someone in need. She believes Maes’ efforts in alerting the rest of the world to the plight of Azambra is far more significant.”
“Everyone who knows how close Maes came to dying at the hands of the enemy over two years ago and those who weren’t aware he survived until well after the Promised Day passed appreciates the true meaning of Kisa and Kyo’s seemingly simple gesture.”
Pausing, Roy reaches down and picks up his wine glass. Raising it up in toast, he smiles softly at a vibrantly blushing Kisa.
“I’d like to propose a toast in Kyo’s memory and in gratitude to the Namikaze twins for saving Maes three times. Firstly, by treating his wounds, then sheltering him during his recovery amidst a very dangerous situation and finally helping him escape back into Amestris. To someone who may never fully appreciate how much she has done.”
“Here, here,” echoes around the table in soft murmurs accented by the light clinking of glasses.
Kisa’s blush deepens. She has trouble meeting and holding anyone’s smiling and grateful gaze as they drink to her.
She remains fairly quiet as dessert is served while those who weren’t initially aware Maes survived his murder attempt share anecdotes about when they finally learned the truth. The rest share their struggles to keep his survival a secret and the numerous close calls in accidentally revealing it.
Hearing the deep affection in their laughing voices, Kisa begins to understand. The people surrounding her are more than just good friends. They’re a unique family who aren’t involved in every aspect of each other’s lives, but who can count on each other when needed.
When she eats the last bite of dessert, Kisa follows the examples of the others who already finished and rises to her feet and picks up her plate with the determination of carrying it into the kitchen, helping with that much at least. However, she only makes it a few steps before it is unceremoniously snatched out of her hands by Breda.
“Word is you’re not to help with anything,” he points to the sitting room with a firm look. “I’ll take it into the kitchen for you.”
Knowing there’s no point in arguing, Kisa sighs in frustration.
“I’ll take your plate as well, colonel,” Breda smiles nervously at Riza, reaching past Kisa to take the older blonde’s plate.
After relinquishing her plate, Riza turns and heads into the living room with Kisa trailing right behind. Resuming their seats on the same sofa as earlier, Kisa’s curiosity gets the better of her.
“Why did Heymans act so nervous when he took your plate?” she asks Riza. “Even Vato and Kain were glancing at you warily while collecting the dirty dishes.”
“Because they made the mistake once of insisting that cooking and cleaning is a woman’s duty,” Roy answers instead while easing onto the cushions on Kisa’s other side. “They made it worse for themselves by insisting since Riza is a woman, by default, she was destined to clean up the dirty dishes.”
“They made that crack during the New Year’s Eve party in General Mustang’s office,” Maria informs Kisa from her seat across the room. “Those three were trying to weasel out of cleanup.”
“Those who didn’t bring food or drink were responsible for cleaning up,” Denny clarifies further from where he sits next to Maria. “Since those three can’t cook to save their lives, they didn’t bring anything.”
“They could’ve bought something easy, like cookies to avoid cleanup,” Sheska rolls her eyes.
“When it’s a group affair like that, all participants should do their duty to make it successful,” Armstrong states grandly.
“Those three thought they were being clever by insisting since Maria, Sheska and I were women we should handle cleanup,” Riza smiles, attracting Kisa’s attention back to her.
“They mistakenly assumed that since everyone was relaxed from enjoying some alcohol, no one would take offense,” Roy smirks. “What they didn’t count on was Riza’s aim being completely unaffected when she reminded them she still outclassed them.”
Turning back to Riza with a smirk, Kisa asks, “So you made their lives hell afterward?”
“Afterward?” Maria snorts derisively before Riza can answer. “Colonel Hawkeye started right then.”
“Her response sobered them up immediately,” Denny sniggers. “Aside from snapping to it on cleaning up the mess, they had to repair the bullet holes in the wall.”
Kisa joins the others in laughing at the three hapless men before turning to grin at Riza.
“Uncle told Kyo and I about how you’d sometimes use your pistol to make a point, but I’m still amazed by your boldness.” Blushing at the older woman’s curious gaze, she elaborates further. “It’s just that whenever anyone in my family mentioned hearing about a woman defending herself or getting rightfully angry about something, my parents always dismissed them as either crazy or overly aggressive, improper women.”
“Do you think that way, Kisa?” Maria asks in curiosity.
“Thanks to my brothers, no,” Kisa smiles. “It drove mother and father crazy whenever my brothers and their wives commented those women showed the world who’s boss in front of Kyo and I. Eventually I realized it was their way of saying it was okay to defend myself despite our parents strongly emphasized opinion it wasn’t acceptable.”
“Would your parents contradict your brothers when they’d do that?” Roy asks intrigued.
“They didn’t bother wasting the effort,” Kisa explains. “Father taught my brothers how to debate and negotiate too well. Since they didn’t like some of our parent’s more traditionally strict views towards me, my brothers were more than happy to take turns arguing with them until they gave up in frustration.”
She waits for the others to finish chuckling before continuing.
“Besides, mother and father reinforced their views in other ways, such as making it very clear how unacceptable it was for me to beat up my betrothed for being a jerk.” At their questioning looks she explains further. “We were seven and he tried bullying me. When he pulled my hair, I knocked him flat on his back then sat on him and smacked him until he ran off crying.”
“Certainly an appropriate response,” Armstrong nods approvingly.
“Not in mother and father’s eyes,” Kisa smirks. “They were angry after getting a visit from my betrothed’s livid father, so I got a memorable lesson that regardless of how he behaved I couldn’t act against him.”
Noticing Armstrong scowling, she instinctively suspects he’s about to start ranting, which is further confirmed by the soft sighs, cringes and eye rolls from the others.
“That’s why my brothers went out of their way to undermine their teachings,” she hastily reassures the muscular man just as he starts opening his mouth. “And I didn’t have to worry about my betrothed acting badly toward me after that since all of my brothers were more than happy to physically demonstrate their disapproval if he tried.”
“What do you mean?” Sheska asks.
“Let’s just say my betrothed developed a very healthy fear of all my brother’s vindictiveness if he even dared look at me cross-eyed,” she smirks. “He refused to explain to his father why he’d return home sporting a black eye or two.”
“What did Kyo think?” Riza asks in curiosity when the laughter dies down again. “He doesn’t seem to have shared your parent’s traditional views. However, growing up in such a traditional environment, did he find the idea of my firing my pistol shocking?”
“Not at all,” Kisa replies. “You’re correct. He didn’t share mother and father’s views. He always encouraged me to be more assertive. He was impressed by how you made yourself heard and by your skill and he joked if we ever got to meet you, I should take lessons.”
“There’s a scary thought,” Denny quips then suddenly becomes intensely interested in the darkened view from the nearest window at Riza’s arched brow and pointed look.
“Your brothers certainly demonstrated a much higher quality of character by not buying into the staid social standards favored by your parents,” Armstrong declares with a nod.
Nearly everyone groans, recognizing he’s about to launch into a rant. Kisa opens her mouth to try stopping him again when Ed wanders in.
“Hey, Armstrong! Hughes needs your help with something in the study,” he jerks his thumb over his shoulder while sporting a far too cheerful grin.
The request startles Armstrong.
“Certainly,” he nods before rising to his feet and promptly leaving the room.
Everyone sighs in relief as Ed strolls over to the chaise lounge.
“Perfect timing, Ed,” Maria compliments.
“Nah, not really,” he waves off. “Elicia tried coming in awhile ago to ask if anyone wanted any tea. She ran to Hughes saying Armstrong was getting that funny look on his face. So I was sent in as a distraction.”
“Lost at rock, paper, scissors to Al again, did you?” Roy goads
Ed’s glare causes the others to snigger or giggle knowingly.
“Good thinking,” Denny sighs before Ed can retort. “Kisa managed to cut him off once, but it didn’t look like she’d succeed the second time.”
“I thought you found Armstrong funny?” Ed frowns in confusion at Kisa.
“I do, but I think he was about to criticize mother and father and I wasn’t comfortable listening to that,” she reluctantly admits. “Because of their views my upbringing was harsh in comparison to my siblings, but despite their ways I still loved them.”
“Your parent’s beliefs obviously weren’t atypical in Azambra,” Riza muses thoughtfully. Meeting Kisa’s surprised gaze, she adds, “Their views had to have been supported and reinforced by family, friends and neighbors. It was acceptable thinking. In Amestris those attitudes are generally considered archaic, so it’ll take time for you to get comfortable with the idea you can make your own decisions and believe what you like without being penalized for it.”
“And there are Amestrians who think like that too,” Maria points out. “There’s still a critical attitude against women who choose a career, especially a military one, over starting a family right away. Even in the military there’s still a certain prejudice against women.” She smiles at Kisa. “You haven’t been around enough to see there aren’t many women in higher command positions. Those few who are, worked very hard to achieve those positions and earn the respect of their peers.”
“What’s the big deal?” Ed rolls his eyes. “There’ll always be some idiot who’s going to disapprove. If you’re not hurting anyone, fuck ‘em and do whatever makes you happy. It’s your life and you know best for yourself.”
Kisa inwardly debates on whether or not to scold Ed for his language while being confused by their support.
Roy interrupts her thoughts to sardonically comment, “Leave it to Fullmetal to present a good point as ineloquently and coarsely as possible.”
“Better than burying it in bullshit!” Ed snarls while narrowing his eyes at the older brunet.
“We understand your parents may not have meant to be cruel and it’ll take you time to figure out what you’ll believe in,” Riza assures Kisa while pointedly ignoring Roy’s irritated scowl at her cutting him off. “It’s okay if you choose to follow your parent’s ideology. No one is expecting you to behave or think like a typical Amestrian woman. Armstrong may disagree with your parents, but he doesn’t mean it as a condemnation of you or them. None of us would. If you can accept us as we are, we can accept you.”
Taking a moment to absorb Riza’s words, Kisa smiles softly while gazing around at them.
“That I can easily do.”
At that moment Breda, Falman and Fuery noisily make their entrance.
“I thought you guys had KP duty,” Denny states in surprise.
“Gracia ordered us out of her kitchen,” Breda explains, bringing a spare chair from the dining room.
“She had us set up plates of food for those of us heading home tonight before putting the rest of the leftovers away,” Falman elaborates, settling into another chair in the far corner next Fuery.
“She insisted we rinse and stack the dishes in the sink so she can wash them later,” Fuery adds.
“Wasn’t the entire point to save Aunt Gracia some work since she did most of the cooking?” Kisa asks with a confused frown.
“Except Gracia values her fine china and knows it wouldn’t survive their dishwashing intact,” Roy smirks, prompting everyone to laugh.
“Speak for yourself, general,” Breda glares.
“We’re not that clumsy!” Fuery protests while Falman merely frowns.
“It’s getting pretty lively in here,” Winry playfully observes, wandering into the room with Gracia.
“Just the normal bullshit,” Ed explains as she joins him on the lounge.
“Where’s Maes and the others?” Sheska wonders.
“They’ll be along shortly,” Gracia smiles easing onto the other sofa next to her.
As if on cue Elicia comes barreling in towards Kisa. Maes, Armstrong and Al follow behind more sedately. Giggling, she gently climbs into Kisa’s lap and hugs her.
“We got surprises for you!” she gleefully proclaims.
Startled, Kisa gapes at the grinning little girl before frowning in confusion at Maes setting a tall, brightly wrapped item on the floor in front of her before Armstrong places another wrapped item on top of it. Al arranges several more wrapped packages on the nearby coffee table. When finished, Al and Armstrong find somewhere to sit while Kisa’s confused gaze shifts back to Maes still standing in front of her.
“We know you’re a very humble person who isn’t used to receiving and accepting gifts,” he smiles gently at her. “We understand why, but feel you’re deserving of far more than the meager offerings we have for you today.”
It takes a moment for his words to sink in before Kisa gasps in realization as her right hand covers her mouth. Wide gold eyes slowly rove over the brightly wrapped items.
“You shouldn’t have,” she whispers behind her hand.
Maes leans in to kiss her forehead.
“But we think we should,” he informs her before straightening up to give her some space.
Squeezing her eyes shut, Kisa’s head drops forward slightly as tears leak from her eyes. Concerned, Elicia hugs her again. Kisa tightens her left arm around the little girl as she struggles to maintain her composure with deep, ragged breaths.
A gentle hand rubs her back soothingly and Kisa vaguely notes from the angle it must be Riza. A light nudge to her right elbow prompts her to open watery eyes to see Roy smiling gently and holding out a handkerchief for her. Still unable to speak, she nods her thanks as she takes it and holds it against her eyes.
It takes a few minutes before she’s calm enough to raise her head and look at the gently smiling and concerned faces around her.
“Thank you,” she hoarsely manages. “You’re all far too kind toward a relative stranger who isn’t deserving of your thoughtfulness.”
“It’s because we love you and want to see you happy,” Elicia tightens her hug.
Kisa smiles and leans in to kiss Elicia on the top of her head.
“I love you too, but still think everyone went overboard.”
“Shut up and open your presents,” Ed rolls his eyes in exasperation. “We went through a lot of trouble to shop for you. Hey! Ack!” he cries, throwing up his arms against the sudden onslaught of throw pillows.
Kisa’s amused smirk softens into a smile as she wipes her eyes dry and looks at a giggling Elicia perched on her lap.
“Would you like to help me open my presents?”
Elicia eagerly nods. Sliding off Kisa’s lap, she takes the older girl’s hand to start with the two items stacked on top of each other. The little girl eagerly tears the paper off the lower part revealing a beautifully carved oak stand while Kisa unwraps the brand new sewing machine perched on top.
Stepping back it takes a moment for what she’s seeing to sink in. Gaping in amazement her eyes tear up again. Trying to distract herself from crying, she takes a deep breath and leans in to inspect the machine more closely.
“The salesman said this is the best on the market,” Maes explains. Reaching out he starts pointing out different parts. “You can step on the pedal and it’ll move the needle. This thing adjusts this over here. Supposed to make it easier to angle this part when you’re sewing sleeves or sheets or something. Over here is where the thread goes, I think.”
“Don’t ever go into teaching, Hughes,” Roy drolly interrupts, causing everyone to laugh while Maes turns to glare at his friend.
“Can you imagine him teaching a weapons class?” Breda chimes in.
Mimicking awkwardly holding a rifle he pretends to demonstrate a lesson.
“The tiny little metal cylinder with a flat end and blunt tip slides into the hole on the side here. Gotta have it or it won’t work. Slide this handle to keep it inside or it’ll fall out. Then point the really long end with another hole anywhere but yourself and your allies or it’ll hurt. This little half-moon thingy underneath right here you squeeze with your index finger to make it go ‘boom’! And if there’s a long, pointy metal knife thing stuck on the end, jab it into your enemy’s butt.”
Kisa smiles at Maes fondly as he glares at his laughing friends.
“It doesn’t matter as long she knows how to use it!” he snaps irritably.
Deciding he needs a distraction, Kisa surprises him with a hug.
“Thank you.”
Throwing one last glare at the others over her head, he hugs her back.
“You’re welcome,” he whispers fondly.
Releasing him, she moves over to where Gracia is sitting to carefully lean down and hug her.
“You’re welcome, honey,” Gracia presses a kiss to her cheek before nudging her to rejoin Elicia and continue opening her presents.
Elicia takes Kisa’s hand again and guides her back to her seat. Once Kisa is settled, Elicia climbs back into her lap. Maes hands his daughter another gift to unwrap for Kisa, revealing an ornately carved sandalwood jewelry/puzzle box from Fuery, Falman, Havoc and Breda.
“Havoc couldn’t make the trip to join us and sends his regards,” Breda informs Kisa.
“Please tell him thank you. The box is beautiful,” Kisa smiles warmly.
Breda nods as she moves onto the next gift from Armstrong. She marvels at the beautiful porcelain backed hand mirror, hairbrush and comb set. On the back of the bronze gilt brush and mirror are hand painted scenes of a buck and doe grazing in a forest glade and leaping through the trees.
The next item is from Roy. He gives her a letter opener shaped like a stylized dagger with the gilt crest of Amestris embossed in the mahogany and ivory handle.
Riza’s gift is a versatile leather satchel bag that can be used as a purse and worn bandolier style or secured about the waist.
Maria, Denny and Sheska jointly gave Kisa a set of five large, blank leather bound photo albums with ornate designs etched into the covers.
“Living with General Hughes is enough reason for you to need more than one,” Maria teases, earning a laugh from most of the occupants of the room.
“I’m not that bad!” Maes protests while handing Elicia the next box.
Elicia giggles as she helps unwrap Winry’s gift, revealing the beautiful hair combs Kisa loves. After teasingly putting the smallest comb into Elicia’s hair, much to her delight, Kisa takes the next gift from Maes, unwrapping the pen set from Al. The final gifts are the books and journal Ed bought for her.
Kisa nudges Elicia off her lap to rise to her feet. Placing her palms together into the prayer position, she raises them to her forehead and bows as deeply as she can manage.
“Thank you all so much for your beautiful gifts. You honor me deeply with your thoughtfulness.”
Murmurs of ‘you’re welcome’ and ‘glad you liked it’ echo around the room.
“Would anyone like some coffee or tea?” Gracia offers.
“No, thank you,” Armstrong declines first. Looking outside the nearest window, he observes, “The rain is falling harder and it’s probably wise for those of us returning home tonight to leave now before it worsens.”
“Yeah, good idea,” Breda agrees, looking at Fuery and Falman who nod.
“Let me get the food you’re taking with you,” Gracia states.
“I’ll help you,” Denny offers, rising to his feet and following her out.
Everyone starts rising to their feet and preparing to leave. After shrugging on their coats and armed with leftovers, Maria, Sheska, Denny and Armstrong take their leave of the Hughes and Kisa before stepping outside into the pouring rain. Minutes later Falman, Breda and Fuery follow suit before heading for home as well.
After the others leave, Ed, Al and Winry help Maes and Gracia with cleaning up. Roy dashes out to the car to retrieve his and Riza’s overnight bags before carrying them up to their rooms.
Knowing no one will allow her to help in any way, Kisa starts gathering her presents into her arms to take them upstairs.
“Let me help,” Riza offers.
“Me too!” Elicia eagerly chimes in.
“All right,” Kisa smiles at them both.
Dividing up the items and leaving the sewing machine downstairs, they slowly head upstairs since Kisa is still sore. Once inside the bedroom they set the gifts on the bed so Kisa can figure out what is going where. Riza and Elicia take the opportunity to look at some of the items more closely before the little girl is called away by her mother for a bath in the master bathroom.
“I must admit when Breda and the guys mentioned they got you a jewelry box, I wasn’t expecting something so nice from them,” Riza muses thoughtfully while examining the puzzle box in her hands.
“It’s beautiful, but even if it was plain, it’d still be a very nice gift. Now I’ll have to get some jewelry to put inside it,” she laughs with the older blonde.
Picking up the photo albums, she opens the wardrobe part of the armoire and sets them inside on the bottom.
“Everyone’s gifts are truly beautiful and thoughtful,” she adds, returning to the bed. “I really do love them all.”
“I’m glad you like everything,” Winry smiles as she enters the room at that moment with her luggage. “And thanks for letting me bunk with you, Kisa.”
“I’m sorry you had to give up the guest room for Roy, Winry,” Riza apologizes.
“Don’t worry about it. I don’t mind,” Winry smiles. “As funny as it’d be to see his expression, I don’t think he could sleep comfortably surrounded by so much pink, stuffed toys and dolls in Elicia’s room,” she laughs.
“He’d survive,” Riza quips, drawing a laugh from Kisa.
“The sleeping arrangements are giving Winry and I the opportunity to get to know each other better,” Kisa points out through her lingering amusement.
A scowling Ed steps through the door with a small stack of neatly folded linens in his arms, cutting off their conversation.
“I’m an alchemist, not a damn maid dusting off filthy tables and delivering sheets,” he grouses under his breath. “Gracia sent me with fresh sheets for you, Hawkeye,” he sullenly explains to Riza, handing her a set.
“Aren’t you capable of having a conversation without swearing?” Kisa sighs wearily while rolling her eyes.
“Aren’t you too hung up on that decorum shit?” he huffs back. “I don’t swear any worse than anyone else.” Smirking he goads, “You really need to loosen up. You’re wound so tight that if we shove a piece of coal up your ass, in a week we’d have a diamond.”
“Quit being an idiot!” Winry snaps, throwing a pillow at him.
Dodging easily by jumping through the doorway into the hallway, Ed laughs at her.
“If you’re done annoying everyone, you can take your turn showering, brother,” Al drolly suggests from behind Ed.
“I’m not annoying anyone,” Ed arches a brow. “I’m just stating fact. Kisa doesn’t need to act like a goody two shoes all the time and should cut loose and have some fun.”
“Sounds like your fun could get people arrested,” Kisa drolly retorts with her own arched brow.
When Ed opens his mouth to retort, Al cuts him off, pointing out, “You really should go take your shower before someone else uses the bathroom.”
“Fine, whatever,” Ed waives off. “I just have to drop off the fresh sheets for the bastard.”
Al shakes his head as Ed disappears from sight.
“Now that brother’s occupied, I’m going to put sheets on our beds,” he excuses himself before heading to their room.
Shaking her head, Riza turns to a slightly frowning Kisa.
“You shouldn’t bother trying to correct Ed,” she suggests. “He’s a lost cause with a bad potty mouth.”
“He thinks he’s being tough talking like that,” Winry rolls her eyes.
“It really only makes him look immature,” Kisa sighs. “And it’s tiring to hear so much swearing,” Crossing her arms, she pouts, “I’m not that uptight. My brothers made sure of that by dragging Kyo and I into whatever pranks they were cooking up.”
“Compared to Ed, everyone is uptight,” Winry quips, causing them to laugh.
“Well, I better go change my sheets before heading back downstairs,” Riza states before leaving the two girls alone to settle in.
Winry helps Kisa put the rest of her things away before the younger girl spies an abandoned water glass on the nightstand.
“I better take this downstairs to add to the dirty dish collection,” Kisa muses, stepping over to pick to the glass up. “Aunt Gracia doesn’t like it when we leave empty glasses all over the place.”
“Okay,” Winry nods. “I’m just going to finish in here and pull out my sleep clothes to change into later. I’ll see you back downstairs.”
“All right,” Kisa nods.
Stepping into the hallway, she glances over just as Ed disappears into the bathroom. Easing down the stairs, she thinks about his teasing comments.
Passing the open door of the sitting room minutes later, she hears Maes and Roy chatting while listening to the evening news on the radio.
Once in the kitchen, she promptly places her glass among the dirty dishes near the sink. She then steps over to the utility closet next to the laundry room. Cracking open the door, she briefly listens to the water running through the pipes with a devious grin.
Shuffling down the hallway, she steps into the bathroom next to Maes’ office and closes the door. Counting to fifteen she flushes the toilet. A victorious grin spreads across her lips at the unholy howl of outrage from somewhere on the upper floor. For appearances, she washes her hands in the sink, carefully schooling her features into a blank expression before emerging at the same time Maes and Roy step out into the foyer looking confused.
“That sounded like Fullmetal,” Roy observes as Kisa joins them.
“Didn’t sound life threatening, though,” Maes muses thoughtfully.
As if in answer, they hear pounding on the stairs punctuated by confused questions.
“What’s wrong?”
“Aren’t you showering?
“What happened, Ed?”
With his clothes clinging to his damp skin, Ed appears at the bottom of the stairs moments later and stomps over to the three eyeing him in confusion.
“Who’s the idiot who flushed the toilet?” he demands. “I got frozen!”
“Oops,” Kisa innocently replies with a hand covering her mouth.
The three men turn to gape at her incredulously.
“I forgot you were heading into the shower. I was dropping my glass off in the kitchen when I had the urge to go to the bathroom.”
“You did that on purpose!” Ed glares murderously.
“How could I be capable of that?” she asks him sardonically. “Your exact words earlier were, ‘You really need to loosen up. You’re wound so tight that if we shove a piece of coal up your ass, in a week we’d have a diamond.’”
“But I…you…” Ed sputters before snapping, “You’re a vicious sadist who can’t admit was the baby of the family!”
Bristling, she snaps back, “And you’re a short-fused boor who can’t admit he still has to look up to meet others in the eyes!”
“Ed! Kisa!” Maes barks, prompting both to look at him startled since they forgot he and Roy were even there.
Simultaneously they glare at each other out of the corner of their eyes before turning their backs to each other and crossing their arms in an irritated huff.
With his arms crossed, Roy silently observes the two. Staggered along the staircase railing, Riza, Al and Winry watch in silence, hiding their amusement at the current battle between the look-a-likes.
“You two just couldn’t make it through the day, could you?” Maes rubs a weary hand across his brow.
Twisting slightly in outrage to glare at him, Ed and Kisa point accusing fingers over their shoulders at each other.
“He/she started it!” both snarl in perfect unison.
Maes stares them down until they drop their hands. Crossing their arms again they irritably turn their backs to each other again.
“Both of you go wash and dry the dishes,” he sternly orders, pointing towards the kitchen. “You are not to insult or pick at each other and you better not chip a single dish or you’ll have Gracia to deal with.”
“Yes, uncle,” Kisa promptly acquiesces quietly, stepping past him.
“I didn’t do anything! And I haven’t finished showering!” Ed protests indignantly.
Dropping his arm, Maes arches a brow at him.
“You’re not going to stand there and feign innocence, Ed. You can finish your shower afterward.”
“There won’t be any hot water left!”
“Get your ass in gear, Edward. Now,” Maes growls in a voice Ed never heard him use before.
Ed glowers back as Maes stares him down, silently daring him to defy his orders. Making an irritated noise in the back of his throat, Ed sulkily stalks past the two men.
Sharing a look with Roy, Maes silently heads back into the sitting room. Roy is right behind him, stepping over to close the double doors to the dining room while Riza, Al and Winry trail in and take their seats. Maes then closes the door to the foyer, signaling them to finally bust up laughing.
“Kisa is not someone to mess with, is she?” Al recovers enough to ask Maes minutes later.
“Nope,” Maes grins, shaking his head.
Moving away from the door, he follows Roy’s lead and sits down.
“Considering their interactions so far, Fullmetal should’ve realized that already,” Roy chuckles.
“How did you manage to keep a straight face, Maes?” Riza wonders in amusement.
“It wasn’t easy,” he admits. “Especially when they started simultaneously mirroring each other.”
“Isn’t that unusual?” Winry muses, cocking her head.
When they all look at her inquisitively, she shrugs.
“From what I understand, most twins, identical or not, tend to be in perfect sync. Some are so in tune they easily complete the other’s thoughts or sentences. How is that possible when Ed and Kisa aren’t related?”
“Good question,” Al replies after a moments consideration. “Brother and Kisa haven’t even been around each other a week. Maybe if they’d been around each other longer, they could’ve become more in tune with each other.”
“I think it would take a lot longer for that to happen,” Riza counters skeptically.
“I agree,” Maes smirks. “Yet, we all just saw how perfectly they mirror each other at times and they’ve been doing that since they met.”
The thoughtful silence stretches out before he breaks it again.
“When did your father leave your family, Al?”
“When I was three,” Al automatically replies. Realization lights up his eyes as he adds, “That rules out the possibility of Kisa being a half sibling. Granny said when dad left it was the first time since Ed and I were born he left Resembool. Plus, Kisa is only a year younger than me.”
“I also seriously doubt her mother would’ve taken a break from running her household long enough to travel anywhere she could’ve encountered your father,” Mae points out. “And Kisa described her parents as very traditional, so it’s even more unlikely her mother would’ve gone anywhere without her husband much less had an affair.”
“And if Kisa and Kyo were cousins that happened to look like Ed and Al, they’d be very distant relations,” Winry reasons.
“Even if that were the case, Ed and Kisa would simply look alike, not react similarly,” Riza surmises. “Even before Ed returned Central, we all immediately noticed certain mannerisms and reactions Kisa had that were very similar to him. How is that possible if they hadn’t met yet? And neither is likely pick up the other’s mannerisms at this late an age. Kisa wouldn’t start swearing and easily losing her temper just because she’s around Ed.”
“Although it wouldn’t be so bad if Ed picked up her temperament,” Winry sniggers, causing everyone to laugh.
“That only leaves a more extraordinary explanation like the Gate of Truth,” Roy offers, causing them to all look at him incredulously.
“What would the gates have to do with it, though?” Winry frowns in confusion. “I thought they were passageways and the reason you can perform alchemy.”
“The Gates are,” Al smiles. “But we’re talking about intangible, supernatural things we still know almost nothing about.” Pausing a moment in thought, he adds, “Here’s another way to think about it. It’s extremely unlikely for two distinctly separate people, distantly related or completely unrelated, to look exactly like brother and me. The odds are greater when the doubles have similar mannerisms. As out there as it sounds, the idea there is a connection between Kisa and Kyo with brother and I through the gates is more likely than claiming it’s an odd quirk of fate and circumstance.”
“Consider the Philospher’s Stones,” Roy adds. “They’re sources of great power and long life, but have to be created by extracting souls from several bodies and concentrating them to form a stone. It’s an extraordinary concept to grasp. Since there is no other reasonable, physical explanation for the similarities between the Elrics and Namikaze twins, that only leaves the Gates.”
“If you ever figure it out, please explain it in terms those of us not alchemically inclined can understand. It’s giving me a headache,” Maes sighs wearily.
A knock on the sitting room door prevents any further comment. Rising to his feet, Maes steps over to open it, allowing Elicia and Gracia to enter. Elicia immediately latches onto her father’s legs, earning her a loving smile as he bends down to gather her into his arms.
“Why was Ed yelling?” Gracia asks.
Maes details what happened, causing Gracia to smile and shake her head at Ed and Kisa’s antics.
“I understand they have to be punished, but couldn’t it wait until tomorrow?” she frowns at her husband. “The point was to give Kisa a special day and now she’s doing the chores we’ve kept her from all day.”
“Maybe,” Maes replies. “But it was escalating between them and they would’ve kept at each other. Those two needed a reminder to get along better.”
“I can’t argue with that,” Gracia reluctantly agrees. “We’re going to go say goodnight to Ed and Kisa before turning in.”
Elicia twists around in Maes’ arm to look at her mommy.
“There’s something I need to tell daddy before seeing Kisa and little big brother.”
Gracia gives her a curious look.
“Alright. I’ll wait in the kitchen. Don’t take too long in coming to wish them goodnight.”
“Yes, mommy,” Elicia nods as Gracia leaves. “We forgot something important for Kisa’s machine, daddy.”
“What did we forget?” Maes frowns at the little girl in his arms in confusion.
“Tabitha’s mom has a sewing machine. She said the thread is different than the kind in our sewing basket. They have to sit on the spool holder,” she explains.
Maes blinks in shock as Riza asks, “Didn’t the sewing machine seller mention anything about the type of thread to be used with it?”
“The salesman was speaking a whole new language that didn’t make sense,” he tersely bites out with a glower.
“Maybe you should’ve asked him to speak slower and use small words so you could understand,” Roy goads, earning a glare from his friend and sniggers from the others.
Elicia giggles before hugging Mae’s neck.
“I’m sorry for forgetting, daddy.”
“It’s okay,” he smiles, hugging her back. “We’ll just have to take Kisa to the shop so she can pick out the thread and whatever else she needs.”
“Maybe little big brother can come too so he and Kisa can try getting along better,” Elicia suggests.
“Well, sewing probably doesn’t interest Ed,” Maes grins down at his daughter. “You’re right about them trying to get along better. Until those two succeed we’ll just have to keep a very close eye on them and may have to keep reminding them to try harder,” he finishes with mild frustration seeping into his voice.
“We may all have to,” Riza adds. “Kisa isn’t in good physical shape and Ed could easily come off too strong and it may adversely affect her. It’s going to be awhile before she’s in good health.
“I’ll help too!” Elicia earnestly chimes in. “It’s fun seeing them get mad at each other, but it’s better if they get along.”
“That’s good to hear because watching those two will be a full time job for all of us,” Maes smiles fondly and hugs her. Placing her on the floor, he nudges her toward the door. “You shouldn’t keep mommy waiting.”
“Okay, daddy,” she nods. “Goodnight!” she waves at the others before racing out.
Glancing over at a smirking Roy, Maes’ eyes narrow.
“Shut up.”
Before Roy can retort, Al asks Maes, “Did Kyo act a lot like me?”
“Nice save,” Riza mutters to Al while Maes considers the question.
“Years of practice thanks to brother,” Al mutters back while Winry grins.
“Yes,” Maes finally answers, returning to his seat while choosing to ignore them as Roy glares at Al. “It wasn’t obvious at first. He was more in the forefront like Ed is out of the two of you. But like you do with Ed, he deferred a lot to Kisa, going along with whatever she decided.”
“Al typically doesn’t have a choice as Fullmetal has the incorrigible tendency to make rash decisions,” Roy smirks.
“But Al is Ed’s voice of reason,” Riza counters.
“Well, someone has to be the common sense in that lunatic’s life,” Winry teases, causing them to laugh again.
Calming, Maes smiles fondly.
“Kyo certainly was Kisa’s sounding board and, just like Al, her protector too. He also didn’t hesitate to tease her either.”
“Kyo sounds like an interesting person,” Winry observes. “I wonder if Kisa will ever be able to explain what happened to him.”
“She will when she’s ready, Winry,” Maes assures her. “But he was definitely a character.”
Leaning back into the sofa to drape an arm across the back, he begins sharing more anecdotes about Kyo and Kisa while the others listen attentively.
Kisa stands at the sink moving things around while one of the basins fills with hot, soapy water. Just as she starts washing the glassware Ed stomps in. Snatching up an apron he ties it on and grabs a towel to start drying.
“Overbearing asses,” he grumbles under his breath. “Get blamed for nothing. Minding my own business and got my ass frozen for no reason!”
Ed continues his muttered ramblings for a few minutes while Kisa washes and rinses her way through the dirty dishes before setting them in the rack for him to dry.
“We’re both guilty and deserve to be punished,” she finally points out quietly, interrupting his litany.
“I sure as hell didn’t flush the toilet on myself!” he glares.
“Are you really going to try to claim you didn’t deserve it?” she asks, pausing to give him a flat look before resuming washing. “That you wouldn’t have done the same if I mocked and insulted you?”
“I was stating the truth!” Ed snaps defensively. “You’re too wrapped up in that manners and decorum shit.”
“If you say so,” Kisa shrugs.
Ed opens his mouth to say something before closing it to sullenly continue drying the dishes. Pausing to watch her when he catches up, he eyes her shrewdly.
“You’re happy we got busted.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she nonchalantly replies after a brief pause. “No one would be happy getting punished.”
“Liar,” he snorts, earning a glare. “You’ve been unhappy all day because we didn’t let you help with anything. Now you’re doing the dishes. You may not have planned to do anything to get punished, but you’re not unhappy with the outcome.”
Kisa merely glances sidelong at him.
“Deny it all you want,” Ed goads. “It’s not like it’s a bad punishment. Could be a lot worse.”
Suddenly tensing up, her hands still.
“Could uncle do much worse?” she quietly asks without looking at him.
“Yeah, probably,” Ed frowns at her almost fearful tone. He watches her resume washing before adding, “But it’d be more twisted and suited to his own amusement than anything else. It’s not like he’d be cruel or anything.”
“But you don’t know for sure do you?” she wonders more to herself. “It’s not like any of us have been around enough to make him truly angry to find out.”
Ed blinks in confusion, processing her words before an angry scowl spreads across his face.
“What the hell are you talking about?” he demands.
Kisa doesn’t answer, but continues washing until Ed slaps the tap off and grabs her wrists to keep her from grabbing one of the saucepans. Noticing her trembling his frown deepens.
“What the hell is going on? And don’t tell me nothing! Do you really think Hughes would be such a bastard and go overboard in punishing anyone?”
She refuses to look him in the eyes, but doesn’t try pulling her arms free either.
“The ones we love can be the cruelest,” she finally admits reluctantly.
Arching a brow, Ed gently drags her over to the kitchen table, pulls out a chair and forces her to sit down.
“Spill it,” he demands, crossing his arms.
“You’re going to think even worse of my parents,” she sighs heavily.
Meeting Ed’s uncaring gaze she briefly closes her eyes. Not able to meet his eyes again, she looks down and off to the side.
“When I was five, father demanded I tell him if Kiyoshi was dabbling in alkahestry again, knowing I was aware of all my brother’s activities.”
“That was the brother you mentioned was interested in alchemy last night, right?” Ed interrupts.
Finally looking in his eyes, she nods.
“Kiyoshi’s interest defied father’s wishes. He would’ve gotten in serious trouble, so I said no. Father was sure I was lying and dragged me off to mother. Even when they took turns beating me, I still said Kiyoshi wasn’t doing it.”
“And where the hell were your brothers in all this?” Ed angrily demands.
“Kyo and Kiyoshi were the only ones home at the time and could only helplessly watch from the shadows.”
At his outraged glare she bores into his eyes in emphasis.
“If Kyo tried interfering, our parents would’ve punished me worse. And Kiyoshi was rightfully scared to come forward. Father nearly killed him the last time.”
Her voice drops to a pain filled whisper.
“This time father was really angry. He had mother fill the kitchen sink with water and repeatedly pushed my head in then let me up to ask if Kiyoshi was disobeying him. I remember crying and begging him to stop, but he wouldn’t.”
She pauses to take a deep breath.
“When that didn’t work, my parents locked me in the boiler room. It was always hot and stuffy. They said I wasn’t coming out until I told the truth. I was really scared for Kiyoshi, so I kept saying he wasn’t doing alkahestry.”
Unable to hold Ed’s angry, outraged gaze, her eyes drop to the floor again.
“For two days they didn’t give me food or water. They’d come to the door, but I wouldn’t tell them what they wanted to hear. Kyo tried letting me out the first day, but father caught him. Kiyoshi didn’t know what to do, but when it was clear our parents wouldn’t let up he really got scared for me. He snuck out and brought Katashi and Katsuo back and they forced mother to unlock the door.”
“I was too sick and out of it and don’t remember much besides the yelling,” she softly admits. “Kyo and I lived with Katashi’s family for a few months while Kiyoshi went with Katsuo’s. Our older brothers threatened to embarrass father with the Merchant’s Guild and report him and mother to the authorities for child cruelty if they hurt me again. Our parents only agreed to their demands because they couldn’t bear losing Kyo. He wouldn’t return home without me and Katsuo and Katashi wouldn’t let any of us go back without that guarantee.”
The silence stretches out after she finishes.
“You’re an idiot.”
As she blinks up at him in shock, he growls down at her with his arms crossed.
“You’re right. I think much worse of your parents, but you’re dumb to believe Hughes is anything like them.”
Leaning in he braces his hands on his knees while boring into her eyes.
“Hughes nearly died for those he loves or did you forget about him getting shot in the head? And look at Elicia. Do you think she’d be that happy and outgoing if Hughes was anything like your parents?”
Kisa’s eyes widen in shock as his eyes narrow and he nods.
“Yeah, exactly.” He straightens up and glares down at her. “Keep your ass in that chair and think about who Hughes really is. I’ve got dishes to do.”
Kisa’s confused frown turns to outrage as she stands up.
“Don’t tell me what to do!”
Whirling around from the sink, Ed points to the chair right behind her.
“Sit or I’ll alchemize your ass to it!”
Glaring back defiantly, she growls in irritation and opens her mouth to retort when Gracia’s voice interrupts.
“Don’t let Maes catch you bickering or he’s going to add onto your punishment.”
Surprised, both look-a-likes turn to see Gracia standing in the doorway, smiling fondly at them.
“We’re not bickering,” Ed smirks. “Kisa is favoring her leg and not admitting it’s sore. I’m trying to make her rest for a bit because I don’t want anyone yelling at me if she’s limping worse tomorrow.”
“Winry would probably start feeling guilty again if that happens,” Gracia nods in agreement.
Kisa sighs heavily and grudgingly eases back into the chair just as Elicia trots into the room.
“We came to wish you both goodnight!” she blithely declares, racing over to hug Ed’s legs first before going to Kisa and hugging her.
Gracia smiles down at her daughter when she returns to her side before looking up at the two teens again.
“Don’t worry about doing all the dishes. I’m going to tell Maes it’s getting late and you’ve been punished enough.”
“It’s okay, we’re almost finished,” Ed informs her while Kisa nods in agreement.
“All right, goodnight,” Gracia smiles fondly before turning to usher Elicia out.
“Goodnight,” Ed and Kisa chorus as they leave.
Narrowing her eyes, Kisa glares at Ed’s back.
“Liar!” she hisses.
Ed glares at her over his shoulder before rolling his eyes and resumes washing the dishes.
“What did you expect me to say? The truth?”
Kisa’s only answer is to cross her arms and huff in annoyance before frowning worriedly.
“Do you think Aunt Gracia heard?”
“Maybe,” he shrugs without turning around. “Then again, maybe not. She’s not nosy like Hughes is.”
“You’re no help,” Kisa gives his back a flat look.
“How the hell am I supposed to know?” he snaps over his shoulder. “If she did, count on Hughes learning about it and becoming a bigger pain in the ass to prove he’s nothing like your parents. Both will spoil you rotten whether you like it or not.”
“They shouldn’t do that!” she protests, scandalized.
“They don’t care,” he shrugs indifferently. “Better get used to the idea.”
“They do far too much for me!” she groans in dismay, burying her face in her hands.
Smiling to himself, Ed shakes his head, wondering when she’s going to catch on she’s now just as much the Hughes’ daughter as Elicia.
The others continued chatting about Kyo and Kisa for some time after Elicia left before Al and Winry call it a night, leaving Maes, Roy and Riza in the sitting room. Not too long after they leave, Ed and Kisa stop by.
“We finished washing and drying the dishes, Hughes,” Ed sullenly informs Maes.
“Everything is neatly stacked on the kitchen table and tomorrow morning we can put them away for Aunt Gracia,” Kisa adds.
“Good work you two, shows with a little incentive you can actually get along fine,” Maes grins. Ignoring dual, golden-eyed glowers, he asks, “Are you two heading off to bed?”
“I am,” Kisa answers.
“I’m going to finish the shower that was so rudely interrupted earlier then hit the sack,” Ed grouses, glaring at Kisa out of the corner of his eye.
She merely glances sidelong at him, giving a sardonic look until Maes pointedly clears his throat.
“You both have a goodnight then,” he cheerfully states.
“Goodnight, everyone,” Kisa sighs before shuffling out the door.
“Yeah, whatever, goodnight,” Ed sullenly waves then follows suit.
“Those two certainly enjoy picking at each other,” Riza observes.
“Lucky me,” Maes drolly mutters.
“Fullmetal’s ego can’t handle there being another person nearly physically identical to him,” Roy smirks.
“And Kisa is not one to tolerate such an attitude,” Riza adds.
Maes glowers balefully.
“They’re both going to have to get used to sharing this part of the world. Kisa will be rebuilding her life here in Central, so they’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”
“Have you presented Bristol’s job offer to her yet?” Roy asks Maes, changing the subject slightly.
“Gen. Bristol wants to hire her?” Riza incredulously asks.
Roy nods and briefly details Bristol’s offer and reasons for wanting Kisa to work for him.
“I’m still concerned about the emotional strain on her,” Maes frowns slightly when Roy finishes. “Yet on the same note, maybe she’ll feel like she’s helping her fellow Azambrans and doing some good for them.”
“She might,” Riza nods. “It’s reassuring she’ll have access to therapists and counselors. Going by the little I know of her past, she must be suffering some residual traumas and nightmares.”
“Likely,” Roy agrees while all three share a look of understanding.
“I just don’t like that she’ll be working for the military should she accept the offer,” Maes sighs heavily. “I’d really prefer all the kids staying as far out of military service as possible.”
“We both already agree that Ed and Al aren’t likely to resist joining the new State Alchemist’s program,” Roy reminds him. “Kisa would certainly be helping Bristol’s section take the military further into a direction of humanitarian service and protection rather than a war machine.”
“Honestly, it gives me peace of mind knowing those three will likely do more to transform the military into the kind we would’ve liked serving years ago,” Riza muses thoughtfully.
“If not, Ed and Al would gladly blow it up so everyone can start from scratch while Kisa cleans up the mess and scolds them for going overboard,” Maes grins, causing them to chuckle.
Their amusement is interrupted when Gracia steps inside the sitting room. She’s dressed for bed, wearing a robe over her nightgown. Blinking in surprise, Maes rises to his feet and steps over to her.
“What’s wrong, honey?” he asks in confusion, wrapping his arms around her. “I thought you went to bed.”
“I couldn’t sleep,” she admits, allowing him to guide her over to one of the sofas. As they settle down together, she explains, “I waited until Elicia was asleep in our bed and heard the kids head off for the night. Then I heard the upstairs shower running. Did Edward go to finish his shower?”
“Yes,” Maes nods. “Ed and Kisa finished their punishment and will put the dishes away in the morning.”
Gracia sighs softly, causing his frown to deepen as Roy and Riza watch them with interest.
“I couldn’t sleep because I kept thinking about part of a conversation I accidentally overheard between Ed and Kisa earlier. Before I stepped into the kitchen to wish them goodnight, Ed offhandedly commented about how their punishment could be worse depending on your vindictiveness. She became tense and questioned if you were capable of being cruel, prompting him to demand an explanation which is what really troubled me.”
Gracia spends the next several minutes detailing the rest of what she heard. Maes sits dumbfounded when she finishes.
“How could she think I’d ever do something like that?” he softly wonders aloud in flabbergasted dismay.
“It sounds more like a moment of self-doubt than truly questioning your nature,” Riza solemnly points out.
“Fullmetal’s typically offhanded comment happened to be the right thing to trigger that doubt,” Roy adds.
“It’s been a long, emotional day for her,” Gracia sighs softly. “She was already thinking of how her parents treated her when Maes spoke to her earlier.”
At Riza and Roy’s questioning looks, Maes shares what Kisa revealed when he suggested she should treat today like her birthday.
“If we take into account the number of people here today, our celebration was probably comparable in size to one Kisa’s immediate family would’ve held,” Roy observes when Maes finishes.
“Her family wasn’t far from her thoughts today,” Riza concedes thoughtfully
“It does explain her reluctance to condemn her parents for their archaic beliefs,” Roy reminds her.
Noticing Maes and Gracia’s questioning looks and he takes his turn detailing the conversation after dinner.
“Unlike previous outbursts, Kisa made it clear she didn’t want to hear Armstrong’s rants about her parent’s behavior toward her,” he concludes.
“Makes sense,” Gracia nods sadly. “As much as her parents hurt her, Kisa still loves them and will protect them as much as possible even though they’re dead and gone.”
“She’s still seeking their approval,” Maes quietly observes.
“I somehow doubt that if they were still alive Kisa would ever win their approval,” Riza arches a brow.
“I agree,” Gracia nods. “It’s upsetting to know how they treated her. I know there are cruel people in the world, but I can’t understand how any parent could do that to their own child.”
“It’s easy for some to mistreat the things and people they care least about,” Roy reasons.
“Knowing all this, it’s amazing how well adjusted Kisa is, but that’s probably all thanks to her brothers,” Riza muses thoughtfully.
“She always speaks highly of them and with the most affection,” Maes nods. “She almost sounds clinical when speaking about her parents.”
“She’s also a very giving and loving girl, probably in the hopes of receiving the same in return," Gracia states.
“But she’s probably been disappointed so many times that it was easy for her to entertain the idea that Maes could turn on her like her parents did,” Roy points out.
“By the sounds of it, her parents never showed any affection to begin with for them to actually turn on her,” Riza counters. “They always treated her badly. It’s more likely that any good fortune that has gone her way was snatched away because others felt she didn’t deserve it and punished her for being so selfish. Living with Maes and Gracia probably feels too good to be true and she’s waiting for the rug to be yanked out from under her.”
“We’d never allow that to happen!” Gracia protests.
“We won’t,” Maes squeezes her shoulder reassuringly. “But Kisa won’t see it that way either. Her home life may not have been ideal, but it was still stable and secure until she was forced to live an uncertain, terrifying nightmare. She said it herself; she gradually lost everyone she was taught to put her trust and faith in, her government and her family. Then I show up and she and Kyo end up imprisoned.” Closing his eyes briefly, he softly adds, “I’m certain that’s what happened after I left. She admitted to Dr. Gaines she was tortured and she wasn’t maimed when I last saw her.”
“You can’t blame yourself,” Riza cuts in before anyone else. “Who’s to say all three of you wouldn’t have been caught if you attempted to cross into Amestris together or remained to find another way out of Azambra?”
“And from what we’ve been hearing; had you been caught with the twins, you wouldn’t have survived the prisons,” Roy adds, arching a brow.
“Obviously Kisa’s life has been chaotic for years,” Maes sighs heavily without commenting on their assurances. “That’s not even counting what it must’ve been like to live in the different refugee camps before finally coming here.”
“Because of that, it’ll take her time to adjust to a new life drastically different from anything she’s ever known and a culture vastly different than what she grew up in,” Riza points out. “Kisa has only been living with you for a few weeks. She’s going to feel uncertain and question not only herself, but also everything and everyone around her.”
“She also knows about the Promised day. She’s fully aware Amestris has had uncertain moments,” Roy adds. “This likely won’t be the last time Kisa questions things. Seven years of instability, fear and uncertainty won’t go away overnight.”
“It’s an ugly truth I don’t like accepting,” Maes reluctantly admits. “Her parents were fools not to appreciate her and I want to give her the life she deserved all along.”
“We’ll give her that,” Gracia takes her turn to squeeze him reassuringly. “But we’re going to have to keep reassuring her. She doesn’t understand her new life with us yet and doesn’t understand how she fits in with us now and it scares her.”
“Now I’m wondering if it’s really a good idea to even tell Kisa about Bristol’s offer,” Maes sighs heavily. “Will talking to other refugees keep emphasizing her doubts? Make her wonder if she’s enjoying a life on borrowed time until it’s taken away from her again?”
“That’s not a question any of us can answer,” Roy states. “You can only inform her of the offer and let her decide.”
Maes considers it before nodding in agreement.
“I’ll trust her to make her own decisions.”
“We’ve already noted several similarities between her and Fullmetal, so she’ll likely seize opportunities and keep moving forward,” Roy smirks knowingly, causing the others to chuckle in agreement.
“That eases my mind,” Gracia sighs in relief. “I think I can sleep now.”
“Yeah, it’s been a long day,” Maes concurs, rising to his feet and helping Gracia up. “Are you planning on staying up longer?” he asks Roy and Riza.
“Not me,” Roy replies.
“Me neither,” Riza echoes, standing up as well and heading for the stairs.
While Maes cuts the lights, Roy follows after Riza upstairs. Gracia waits for her husband at the foot of the stairs while he checks the front door. Stepping over to her with a smile, he wraps his arm around her waist and guides her up to their room.
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Chapter 1