Housework

A new house mate

Even Roy, hardened to the realities of war, flinched internally at the sight before him. Over a hundred people were crammed into small enclosures along the walls, leaving walkways between each. It was hot and humid, with standing room only, and the air was filled with soft cries of pain and sorrow.

The two men walked slowly down the middle aisle past the first enclosures; they couldn't bring themselves to call them pens. Age and sex were the dividing factors; men to the left, women to the right, oldest to youngest. When the men were halfway through, Roy stopped, a flash of red having caught his eye.

He moved around the side to get a closer look. In the back, a small blond was wrapped in a filthy red cloak. There was a small clear area around her, as if no one else wanted to get too close. She looked about 12, but the others were around 20, so he couldn't be sure. He tried to get closer but the child edged away, not looking up. As she moved, he noticed she was missing an arm. He stood and watched her for a moment, then turned to go, almost running into a slaver.

“Pretty little thing isn't she? Came from a brothel in Lior, the Lotus Majicka. Nice place, train their pets well.” The dirty man leered at the girls, laughing when they pressed as far away as possible. Only the blond ignored him. “25,000 and she's yours.”

“She's missing an arm, not much good for labor.” Hughes had stepped in, preventing Roy from speaking. Roy tapped him gently on the back, indicating he wanted her.

“Aww, who needs labor? She can still spread her legs can't she?” Maes blushed slightly at the crude speech and shook his head. The disgusting man sighed, “She's got auto-mail, but that's extra. 45,000 for both.”

Maes snorted, “You won't get that, she's only worth 10,000 even with auto-mail and in perfect condition. We'll give you 11,000, provided the auto-mail works.”

“It works alright, so well we had to take it off. A bit of spirit in that one, just enough to make it fun. 20,000.”

“And a bad attitude? 13,000. We don't need a girl who talks back.” Maes was getting edgy, they'd been here too long. “Final offer, take it or leave it.”

“Done. And she doesn't talk to people, just to that piece of metal she's got.” The man looked pleased with himself. He'd been lucky, figured he'd have to give that one away, or sell her to the mines, which was practically the same thing. Maes paid him and they watched as the girl was grabbed and dragged out. She stood in front of them, staring at the ground and clutching her cloak.

Roy swung her up into his arms and headed for the door, the sooner they were out of there, the better. He felt the small body tense, bringing the painful skinniness in to sharper relief. The ribs literally pressed into his arms and his heart hurt. When they reached the car, he set her gently into the back seat and indicated that Maes should join her. The information specialist did so, talking softly and showing her pictures of his family. Roy drove for 20 minutes, then Hughes asked him to stop.

“I'll get out here and walk to meet the General. You should get going, get that paperwork filled out and get her cleaned up a bit. There's a bag of Gracia's old clothes in the back, she can wear those until you get new ones. Good luck.” He hopped out and started walking down the road.

“Maes. Thank you.” It was all that needed to be said between the two, and Roy took off, headed for home.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The ride home was uneventful and silent, despite Roy's attempts at conversation. Blank eyes stared back at him when he looked in the rear-view mirror and he eventually gave up. When they arrived, Havoc was leaning against the door, smoking as usual. He came down to meet the car and was handed the auto-mail arm and Gracia's hand-me-downs. Roy carried the little blond inside.

“A bit young there, eh Colonel?” Jean smirked a bit, watching the girl curiously. She hadn't made a sound, even when Roy jostled her around a bit while removing his boots. Her eyes opened to fix the older blond with a glare that was quickly shuttered.

“Shut it, Second Lieutenant, she's my new ward, at least once the papers are filled out. Do you have them?” Roy walked to the couch and set his armful down gently. He knelt and looked her in the eye. “You have to tell me what your name is, I need to write it on these forms.” He was met with a blank stare. “Can you write?” Stare. In exasperation, “If I guess, will you tell if I'm right?” Stare.

“I, ah, I don't think she's gonna tell you.”Havoc shifted around a bit. “I gotta go, I'll just come by and pick up the papers tomorrow, alright?” He headed for the door.

“Don't bother, I'll bring them in with me, I have some other things to drop off with records anyways.” He waved as the man left, closing and locking the door behind him. “Well, you're not quite what I expected. I hope you can clean, and maybe cook?” He raised an eyebrow. “I didn't think so. Looks like I'll have to do everything myself anyways while I show you how.” Sigh. “Let's get you cleaned up. Come with me.” He turned and walked down the hall, stopping to get some towels then continuing to a small blue door. “Here's the bathroom, do you need help running the water or washing your hair?” A tiny shake of the head. “Alright, then go ahead and we'll put your arm on after.”

Gold eyes peeked from behind filthy bangs, even white teeth nibbling on chapped lips. The single hand reached out, palm up, wanting something. Roy frowned slightly, what could she... the arm? “You want to put your arm on yourself? I hear it hurts a lot, don't you want me to help you?” A quick nod, then a shake answered his questions. “Ok, clean it really well first. I'll make something to eat, anything is particular you want?” No answer. “Until you tell me, you'll just have to eat whatever I like.” He turned and walked back to the kitchen.

The blond watched her new owner walk away, then opened and closed the door. There was no lock, but the clothes hamper was pushed in front of the door, at least there would be some warning when he came back. And he would, there was no doubt. No matter how nice they seemed, they always came back.

“Al? Are you ok?” a throaty whisper left Ed, deep and raspy. It was the main reason he didn't talk to anyone; his voice had been completely ruined. He dug around in a pocket for the glass covered metal.

“Yes brother, I'm fine. He seems nice, doesn't he?” Al's thin voice tore at Ed, there was no longer an echo, just a small piece of metal with an seal on it. Al was desperate to believe in someone, that someone wouldn't hurt them.

“I don't know. He seems to think I'm a girl. Don't worry Al, I'll get us out of here soon. Damn him for picking us anyways, we should have been sent to the mines to work, would have a better chance of getting away there. At least I have my arm back. It'll be ok Al, I'll protect you, I promise.”

“Brother! I'm not worried about me! I don't want you to be hurt anymore. Maybe we should leave now.”

“We can't, I have to get my arm back on, and I haven't eaten in a few days. We'll stay for a bit, no more than a week, then we'll be gone, ok?” Ed tried to reassure his brother, even as his own doubt raged. What if this guy liked taking his arm off? What if he was faking concern just so he could catch him off guard? No, can't think about things like that, have to stay calm. He could take it, whatever it was. They'd be free in a week.

The warm water soothed the bruises on his back and soaked away the grime. It had been weeks since he's had a bath, even a short one. He scrubbed his hair twice, then ran a new tub of water and just sat, letting the warmth seep into him. It was almost an hour before he felt ready to reattach his arm. Simple enough, just set the ports in line and push, but he had to be steady until it was fully attached or the nerves wouldn't work right. Ed gritted his teeth and shoved as quickly as he could, tears sliding down his face as he fought not to scream. A knock came from the door.

“Are you ok? Supper is ready.” Roy heard a low moan, “Hey, what's going on in there?” He started to push the door open, stopping when he heard it hit the hamper. He could hear harsh panting and started to push again.

“No, stay out!” a thin, high pitched voice with a slightly panicked tone called to him. He stopped again. “Just a minute, it just takes a minute, it'll stop.” The voice sounded almost hopeful that it was telling the truth. Roy could still hear the panting, softer now. His eyes narrowed. If he could hear panting AND a clear voice, there were two people in there, and he'd only let one in. He decided to retreat for now, returning to the kitchen.

Ed dressed as quickly as he could, sliding one of the old dresses over his head. It brushed the floor, covering his metal leg. A pair of pink socks covered his feet, muffling the clink of auto-mail. He tied his hair back with a ribbon from another dress and left the bathroom. The smell of warm bread and lasagna led him to the kitchen, where he found Roy waiting for him. A chair was pulled out and he was motioned into it. He settled, eyes down, and waited. A plate appeared in front of him and he resisted the urge to tear into it, it might be removed if he did without permission. One of the things he'd learned over the years was to never assume anything, except that it would hurt.

“Go ahead, there's nothing wrong with it.” The older man watched carefully, noting the stiffness of movement and the caution in the girl's eyes. 'She's still afraid. Waiting for me to hurt her.' Roy's chest hurt, seeing someone so small and young so afraid was hard for him. “You look much better, do you like the clothes?” There was a tightening around the eyes, but she still nodded. 'Guess not.' “We'll go tomorrow and get you some of your own. For now, just eat your supper.”

When she started eating, slowly at first, watching him from the corner of her eye, he leaned back in his chair and examined her carefully. The dark blond hair was tied in a ponytail with long bangs left in front, framing a thin face with high cheek bones. The eyes were a dark gold color, framed by long, light lashes. Her skin had a faded tan, as if she had been used to being outside for hours at a time, but had not been recently. Except for the chapped lips and a few bruises on her neck and shoulders, she looked to be in good condition, not obviously injured anywhere. She was really thin, her chest and hips were flat and he figured she was about 12. Gracia's dress hung to the floor, making her appear even shorter than she was, about 5 feet, her head was at his chest level.

Well, time to get to the point. “Who was in the bathroom with you?” She choked, coughing food onto her plate. Those dark eyes rose to stare at him and a hand dropped to her lap and into a pocket. “There was someone talking to me, and it wasn't you. Who was it?” There was movement in her lap as she fidgeted, then the same voice spoke up.

“It's ok, he was going to find out anyways. Show me to him.” Her head shook and her shoulders rounded as she pulled into herself. “Come on, be reasonable. Show him.” A sigh passed her lips as if to say 'too late now' and she stood up, ready to bolt if threatened. Her hand came out of her pocket, holding a circle of metal that appeared to be encased in glass.

Roy leaned forward. It couldn't be, a voice from metal? But there, a small blood seal. 'Oh my god.' He couldn't believe it, someone was trapped there, in that little piece of metal. “Someone, who, someone tried to perform human transmutation on you? Is that what happened to your arm?” Nod. “And, and this person, they can speak? See? How did this happen?”

“I can talk, kind of. I don't know how it works, but you can hear what I want to say. I can't really see, not the way you do, but I can perceive what is happening around me.” The voice was male, young, but male. Roy shook his head in confusion, how had this happened? All he wanted was a maid, and here he was with a girl who didn't speak and the result of an illegal transmutation.

“Tell me how this happened. Who did this to you? What's your name? And the girl, she obviously knows what you are, who is she? What's her name?” Roy had a million questions. The girl was shaking her head and patting the metal, making distressed sounds. 'She doesn't want me to know. Could she have...? No, she's too young, and if she was that strong, she wouldn't be here.'

“I can't tell you those things. My... friend doesn't want you to know.” The voice sounded apologetic. “Please don't be angry or punish us.”

“Of course not. Just, give me a minute.” 'What the hell am I gonna do? I can't tell anyone, that boy will end up an experiment somewhere. I need time to think.' “Are you finished eating?” A nod was accompanied by a wistful look at the leftover food. “Obviously not. Don't lie, it's unattractive. Hurry and finish up, you can have as much as you want.” He pushed the food closer to her, watching her watch him. She was wary, seeming to believe he would grab it away if she showed desire for it. After a few mouthfuls, her attention turned fully to cramming as much food as possible into her mouth. Roy just stared, watching enough for three adults slide down her throat in seconds. 'It must have been months since she was fed properly.!'

Finally, the plates were empty, except for a piece of bread sitting near Roy's plate. It was eyed but she made no move to take it. He shoved it closer and watched as it was devoured. Roy stood and offered a napkin, smirking as her face flushed crimson, but she made no move to take it. Sigh. He placed it on the table and watched as it was grabbed, used, and replaced. “All done? Good. Follow me.”

The red-headed man led the way to a door at the end of the hallway. “This is your room from now on. The door locks from both sides, and you can lock it anytime. I only ask that you don't lock it if you are sick or hurt, agreed?” She nodded while peeking into the green room. “My room is across the hall if you need anything and the bathroom in two doors over. Now, go to bed. We'll go shopping tomorrow afternoon and get you some clothes of your own.” He turned and walked back down the hall to the living room and his favorite chair.

Ed explored the room carefully, checking the exact size of the closet, looking under the bed, testing the window, and locking and unlocking the door. He took off the dress and laid it on the chair. He carefully set Al on the night stand and sat on the bed, enjoying the soft sheets and fluffy blanket. As always when he found something nice, his guilt rose up, shadowing everything. He stood and lay on the floor under the window. This is what he deserved.

“Brother? What are you doing?” Al already knew, but it was easier to argue if Ed admitted it first.

“Nothing. I just shouldn't get too comfortable. He might come back and I want to be awake.” Ed wasn't in the mood for an argument; he just wanted to sleep. It had been awhile since he slept; his nights had been busy and days were loud, waking him regularly.

“He won't come, he's nice. Go to bed, take me with you. You need to sleep. How can we escape if you don't sleep?” Always reasonable, the little piece of metal used his brother's guilt to maneuver him.

“Yeah, ok. Whatever you want, Al.” Ed crawled to his feet and stumbled back to the bed, grabbing Al and tucking him into his side. The cold metal made him shiver but warmed quickly. He passed into a deep sleep, exhaustion winning out over caution.