Les Larmes Pourpres du P�ch�
VI: Friendly Advice
Roy
sighed as he waited for Hughes to finish whatever he was doing with this wife
and daughter… and for his sister to show up. The Colonel was glad he had a nice
place to wait -nice and cozy- since it was pretty cold out; it wasn’t very
often he got a week day off. “You’re Colonel Mustang right?” Sharply he turned
to see the young woman he met at the college nearly a month ago. What was her name?
“Yes.
You are… Selena?” The platinum blonde female seemed happy that he remembered
her.
“Glad
that you remember me.” The reason he did was because she was sitting with Ed.
“What
are you doing here?”
“I’m on a date with my boyfriend, but when I saw you. I had to talk to you.”
Mentally Roy withered; wondering if Ed was with her.
“About
what?”
“Ed. I’m giving you fair warning to be careful with him. He is cynical to the
point of ridiculousness, if you want to get close to him you’ll have to take it
slowly to gain his trust… and under no circumstances should you ever call him in anyway shape or form….
Short. Despite his stature he can hit with the force nearly equal to a freight
train.” At least with his right fist…
though his left isn’t shabby either. She thought; the fire-user mentally
face-palmed. I’m already screwed
partially, I called him a runt.
“You
aren’t… with him now?” Her eyes widen in surprise then quickly started to
laugh.
“Oh
no! Ed’s not my boyfriend. I’ve known him since high school and not as
oblivious as he is.”
“Usagi-chan.”
Roy blinked and raised a brow; asking silently if the one who just spoke was
her boyfriend.
“Yes
he is.” She ran over and hugged him. “This is Mamoru Fujita. Mamoru this is Roy
Mustang the man I mentioned the other day.” She winked and he knew exactly what
she was talking about. As per habit the Japanese man bowed, the elder man
responded in kind.
“It’s
nice to meet you.” They both smiled.
“Likewise.”
Mamoru’s smile turned towards his lady. “Ready to go, Usagi-chan?” She turned
towards Roy for a moment.
“Remember
what I said, bye now. Let’s go Mamoru.” Selena snuggled into his arm as they
walked away, the shorter male waving at the Colonel.
was that about Roy?” Midnight blues spied his friend, Hughes’ wife and his
daughter.
“A
warning… I think.”
“Oh.”
Hughes looked around. “I guess Rosie’s not here yet.”
“Just got here Maes.” The spectacled man grinned and hugged the raven haired
woman. Elicia made a surprised and elated noise; while rushing over. Gracia was
just plain surprised.
“You
look just like Uncle Roy!” Roselle smiled.
“Well
Roy is my younger brother.”
“Roy,
Maes you never told us that he had an older sister. Both smiled sheepishly but
Hughes rubbed the back of his head as well.
“Roy
was the one who asked Hawkeye and me not to mention it.” Roselle smiled while tugging on her coats
collar.
“It’s
a pleasure to finally meet you Gracia and Elicia… I would have you when you got
married to Maes, Gracia but I was touring Europe at the time.” The young girl
squealed in delight and hugged her. The raven haired woman use to this
treatment gently and affectionately rubbed the girl’s back.
“So
what did you want to talk to us about Roselle?” She grinned.
“I’m
inviting all of you to my Christmas party, I would have invited you earlier but
we’ve been busy, haven’t we?”
discussion with last month. They were alone outside; everyone else were other
places for lunch. Jason was asking Ed a few questions about his… use of human
alchemy. The blonde didn’t answer all of his questions and asked him not to
tell anyone what he had told him. Just before Jason could pose another question
the Professor interrupted them. “Edward, I need you to do something for me.”
“What
is it?”
“I
need you to take these to Colonel Mustang as soon as you can today. I’d do it
myself but I’ll be busy.” Ed groaned while Shay was laughing like a hyena, he
now had to see the man that had been appearing in his dreams more often than he
had in the past three years.
“Alright.”
He took the folder that was held out, and then pulled out his watch. “I’ll
deliver this after I pick up Al.” The elder man smiled and nodded his assent,
then turned to go back to his office.
“What
was that about?” Jason signed, since he only caught part of the conversation. Slipping
the folder into his armpit so his hands were free to answer.
“The
professor wants me to give this to Mustang.” The deaf student blinked and
questioned who that person was. The blonde answered briskly mentioning the man
that was in the class the day he scolded with the female lieutenant. Now the
other male knew who Ed was talking about, and waved goodbye -since Ed quickly
mentioned that he had to go pick up his brother; only a have day and Ed didn’t have
any more classes- as the blonde walked away raising his hand up for the same
reason.
time Ed groaned for a very different reason. Al’s friend Russell was around
again and Ed was in no mood to deal with his staring. The golden blonde was
just glad that Fletcher wasn’t around to see his brother figuratively get a new
hole courtesy of Edward. So when Ed climbed out of his car, his automail hand
grabbed the taller blonde’s collar. “Quit fuckin’ staring at me Russell or I’ll
gouge your eyes out or rip you a new asshole. I’m not impressed or thrilled by
your ogling and undressing me with your eyes. So cut it out. If you don’t my
threat will my carried out, it might
also be carried out if you grope me or anything like that. If you piss me off
too much I might even make you eunuch Capisce? Ed let go as soon as the
taller -who was raised a little off the ground- squeaked out a yes. “Good.” Al
tried not to wince at his elder brother’s very real threat. Quickly Ed
curled up in the passenger seat
“I’ll see you later Russell.” Al
mentally noted to apologize for his older brother’s behavior. While Ed was
thinking perverted eejit and Shay… well if he were alive he’d be pissing
his pants he was laughing so hard; internally cringing and grateful because Ed
would have done the same to him long ago if he weren’t a ghost.
into the drive way. The elder woman blinked when Ed moved back into the
driver’s seat. “You normally stay home after you two get back.”
“Eiselstein asked me to take some
papers to that bastard brother of yours.” She chuckled. Apparently they have
met and Roy did something stupid.
”You won’t find him at his office, he
had the day off. He might be at his apartment. I’ll get you his address.”
Edward raised a brow.
“How did you know that?”
“Met him earlier today.” The elder
blonde nodded and thanked his guardian for giving him the address… even though
Ed was dreading this and that bloody ghost was taking obvious delight of this
situation. The little shit was braying like a jackass; teasing Ed about his
crush on the older man. Shut the fuck up you little shit! Ed mentally
screamed at the spirit. Keeping his cool as best he could as he peeled out of
the driveway.
to his apartment. He nearly tripped when he saw the man he’d been thinking
about ever since he saw him. This would be his chance to talk to him since the
last time. Sure he’d been him around town but he couldn’t ever speak to the
blonde alone. As he started to walk towards is apartment again those gold eyes
looked up directly at him. His facial expression didn’t change. “Hello.”
“Hey.” Midnight blue eyes saw a folder tucked under his right arm.
“Would you like to come in for a bit… how
long have you been waiting?” Ed tugged on his sleeve.
“I guess coming in briefly wouldn’t
hurt. I haven’t been waiting long.” Roy smiled softly while unlocking his front
door.
“Water o-”
“Water.” Dark eyes blinked; he shrugged
off Ed’s rudeness and went into the kitchen.
“How did you know where I live… and why
are you here?” He didn’t an answer until he came back and was greeted with a
shark like grin.
“I have my ways Mustang. Thanks.” The
blonde took the glass of liquid. “As to why I’m here.” The folder was pulled
out. “Professor Eiselstein wanted me to give this to you.” Roy grasped it and
took a peek.
“Ah this is the list I asked for.” Ed
took a drink and before he could ask about the list… his cell rang; it was a
very familiar melody. So he enjoys my sister’s work. Ed dug out his
phone flicking it open.
“Yeah?” Roy couldn’t hear the voice on
the other end. “Yeah I’ll pick those up on my way home. You’re welcome. See you
when I get back.” Ed snapped the black cell closed ending the call. “Thanks for
the water, but I better get going.”
“You’re welcome.” Roy took the glass. “Was that your girlfriend?” Ed made a bit
of a face that made the elder -Shay after being quiet the whole time chortled-
want to laugh.
“NO! She’s not… that was someone more
like my sister. She asked me to pick up a few things. Later.” Ed somewhat
quickly made his exit a little pink in the cheeks.
the red headed spirit as he thought. Don’t I know it Shay. Ed nodded at
the spirit as he walked down the steps. As he got closer to his car he heard a
flute like instrument. Looking around he spotted a figure sitting on a rock in
the nearby park. The melody was beautiful, and the blonde hadn’t ever heard it
before; though to him it sounded… old, ancient even. He watched as long nimble
fingers skillfully move to play each note. I don’t have time to watch a
minstrel play; I’ve got to get going. With the glance Ed had knew the ‘minstrel; had
long black -with a bluish tint- hair; some of it oddly spiked up the rest neatly
tied back with a length of cloth. He could also tell that this guy was very
tall and lanky, but since he was sitting Ed couldn’t tell just how tall he was His
eyes were closed so Ed couldn’t see the color of the other man’s irises. If Ed
had been watching more carefully he would have seen said eyes open to half-mast
and watch him as he drove off.
“He’s cute isn’t he big brother?” The
music stopped, and very dark azure eyes regarded the source of the voice.
“Yes… he is.”
said young man was lying on his bed reading as usual. “Shay?” The spirit turned
to the blonde surprised since Ed didn’t usually -without being pissed at him
first- ask him things while reading or at all.
‘Yes?’ Glancing
over, Ed lowered the glasses on his nose a tad.
“I’ve been wondering this for a while
now. Out of all the people in the world why did you become attached to me?” They
dead boy didn’t know how to answer him. I can’t tell him the truth about….them…
‘I’m not sure Ed. Maybe in the back of my mind I knew how fun it
would be to tease you.’ That
earned him a scowl to which he only beamed.
“Smartass.” Ed’s scowl soon turned pensive.
“So you don’t know why yourself… well you are a kid maybe I remind you of
someone or something like that.” Shay smiled; in a way Ed did remind him of
someone but it was a female not a male. Now that I think about it he does
remind me of iimo Chu-ji. It’s mostly his hair and eyes, but she’s so… perky.
‘What are you reading Ed?’ Shay could have floated around to check out the title of the book but
didn’t since he was comfortable where he was.
“A book about ancient or lost cities,
kingdoms, and countries, they even mention Xerxes among the many. Which is what
I’m really interested in. No one knows what the people of Xerxes looked like,
how they dressed since there weren’t any written accounts about that but what
we do know from those same written statements from foreigners is that they were
alchemist. I want to be the first to find the capital of Xerxes.” The redhead
spirit smiled at the excited looking blonde.
‘I’m sure you’ll find it before everyone else Ed. You’ll be able
to spot clues that others have missed that I am sure of.’ Gold orbs narrowed slightly with a
frown -making Shay worry that he suspected something- soon fading away into a
small smile.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
The smile gained a snarky curve. “Little shit.” Shay laughed it off, to him
that was Ed’s way of affection for him when he wasn’t pissed at him.
‘You better try and get some sleep Ed. You have to wake up rather
early tomorrow morning and we certainly don’t need a repeat of you flailing
around like a chicken with your head cut off because you woke up too damn
late.’ Ed scowled but set
the book aside after marking the page and stripped his day clothes only
slipping on p.j. bottoms. The spirit watched as Ed drifted off into Hypnos’
gentle embrace. As soon as he was Shay floated away to go ask a favor.
mahhen vos uh jenaheroto bahsahd nah sulah?” A red eye glanced up to another figure from the paper in it’s hand.
“Yes, I think a jenaheroto
based on that would be so cute, just like Edward!!” A deep chuckle.
“Ofahsah
gode el simaer thah de voso ostii,
uder vosfe ahriivii aen ahuriie. Miien Son mahhen iil
viier no vos uh jenaheroto Sone tuto etah daho
cre uh jenaheriimo.”
“I don’t mind Bahbo!
I’m sure Sang-vis won’t mind either.” Long and elegant index finger flicked at
the gold cowlick on the shorter’s head.
“I don’t mind Dahn
Ahtes. I don’t think our other siblings would
mind either.” Red closed briefly and sighed.
“Tre
vel…” the visible eye looked off to the side. “Wah coiishto mahl Shay?”
The spirit came in through the wall smiling and shook his head.
‘No Dahn Ahtes.
I only wanted to ask Oto Sang-vis a favor.’ Slanted
azure eyes focused on the small spirit.
“A favor, little one? What sort of
favor?” Devious lighter blue eyes twinkled almost… excitedly. “…Don’t tell me
you’re going to torment Edo more”
‘No nothing like that, I just want you to kinda flirt with him to get someone
jealous.’ The elder red eye being laughed heartily.
“Vose
uh coren iiho, dem thah gerah
cont bii shto ahcle niiah
mahahge.”
‘There is one other thing Lord Father.’ A questioning hum came letting the
spirit know to continue. ‘Ed is very interested in Xerxes. He wants to know
everything about them and find their capital and such.’ Shay and the other
two watched as knowing smile appear on the beings face and his eye crinkle in
merriment.
“Thah
wah mono siilii; Ed wah polov no els ahtes cen
iitae elevahrd ee iil Rahcha
no Xerxes. Chu-ji aend Sang-vis
chaclii vos ahctretii.” They
two nodded; they certainly did.