 |
Chapter 1
Sable optics turned to the grey sky with acrimony, the middle aged man's brow creasing.
Ametris' had such dependent weather that the change in climate brought the retired veteran and historian only ill temperment when he moved to Risenbool.
After settling into the quiet boarding house, he left to wander his rural surroundings in only brown slacks and an overcoat.
Now he stood upon a hill that over looked the small town with houses miles apart. That was why he liked it here, it was quiet and secluded.
The rotton wood and remains of the house had caught his attention from a distance; a house had once stood here but had burned down some time ago and his imagination whispered to him an entire plot to go with it.
A rain drop caused him to jerk from his momentary stupor; it didn't take a genius to realize he'd get sick standing out in the rain.
Roy Mustang of Xing blood and lover of gothic architecture.
Taking a step to his left in a pivot, he was startled to discover a soft, furry body brushing his leg.
Staring down incredously at the tabby, Roy continued on his way down the small path leading to the main road back to town.
He felt suddenly closed off as the hill grew smaller in the distance, as if he was only catching glimpse of something, he brushed the feeling away.
He was a man of, after all, great wit and could control his emotions and well honed talant of all things.
You see, on the outside, Roy was perfect though it took only an insignificant child to prove otherwise.
Any woman would jump at the chance just to be in the presence of his charm and handsome face, any man would find it hard to remain jealous of his luck when it began to rub off on them and any good fortune would immediately swing his way.
But, though these things were true, he was a very lonely man that never was able to find that special person in the many that flocked to him..
The feline rubbed its sides to his legs still, hoping for affection since, that was why humans existed, to please their pets. It became a nuisance quickly though, almost making him trip several times.
His asian features sharpened considerably when a fiece glare planted itself on his face as he sent daggars to the cat, like it was the reason for the weather and why he was freezing in the rain.
"Scat, begone!"Roy hissed, a dog person anyway.
But it ignored him, following Roy all the way into town like it was determined to get atleast one scrath behind the ears.
The out of date streets and setting was refreshing, just him and the old fashioned streets were deserted and the glow from the shops was overpoweringly welcoming though he refused to stop.
He chuckled, imagining himself in his own novel called Thou Darkest Fall whick took place in the Dark Ages, giving anyone a mental image of the modernness of where he was.
He could never bring himself to write something with light content, it wasn't his style.
Looking up to see the oak door of his current occupation, he observed the boarding house.
It was mostly of brick and granite, the shingled roof holding up in its poor condition and curtains failing to hide the evident glow through the windows.
It was home.
A yowl from his side brought his attention oncce more to his stalker, aggrivation fluttering once more across his face.
But seeing the soaked, miserable beast made his eyes softened with sympathy.
Taking the down dronden animal into his arms, he fumbled for his key.
Huffing and tucking the feline under his arm with a frown, he searched franticly before realizing he had forgotten to bring it.
Roy sighed and shifted the cat and knocked, flushing in embarressment at all the scenrios in which the owner found him, wet and pathetic, on their stoop.
"Poor city-boy...won't survive long here!" Roy growled as he heard the mocking voice of his editor, Maes Hughes, who had suggested this boarding house in Risenbool.
He was brought from his thoughts as light poured over him, blinding him momentarily.
In the doorway was a sandy haired boy with cheerful grey eyes and a gentle smile.
"Ah, a stray! Well, thanks for bringing him out of the cold, Mister! Have a safe trip home!"
Too stunned to speak as the boy snatched up the cat and shut the door heavily, Roy was left in a daze, blinking before realizing he was still freezing in the rain!
He chuckled and prepared to knock again.
Only two days and he was already attracting strange people.
--
"Alphonse!"
Grey orbs turned away from the damp feline n his arms to watch a blonde male, who resembled him greatly, tumbled down the stairs.
"What is wrong, Brother?"Alphonse asked innocently, cocking his head to the side to increase the effect.
Using the stairways rail to help himself up from the wooden floor, the blonde sent Alphonse a scolding look as he dusted himself off.
Alphonse huffed, letting the cat jump out of his arms and begin to lick itself dry a few feet away. He crossed his arms as the one he called brother took in his appearance, knowing a lecture was coming.
"I just answered the door! What's wrong with that, Ed?"
"Al, we've been through this," Ed sighed in defeat."You can't be going outside! "
Al pouted, taking off a thick coat he had taken from Ed's closet, planning to sneak out without his brother man had just happened to have knocked when he was on his way down the steps.
"I know, I just.." Al sighed, Ed's golden eyes softening as he took the coat from him.
Ed grinned and pulled Al in an one-armed hug, pulling him up stairs with a bold staement.
"I bet I can beat ya at Sudoku."
Al's laughed and he batted Ed away with grin.
"Yeah right!!" He said sarcasticly as he raced up the stairs with a laugh.
Ed was about to follow when five knocks in succession stopped him, making him turning to the large door behind him. Gripping the brass door hand and with a turn of a key peeked out into the rain to see a pathetic looking male, obviously of eastern origin.
"Mr Mustang! I didn't get a chance to meet you in person before but I'm glad that you decided on my humble boarding house nice to see you enjoying Risembool's fine weather. Would like to come inside now?"Ed said with an amused look.
Roy sputtered, staring at the petite boy who held so much more maturity than he would have thought of a, what, twelve year old? Surprised at the boy's choice of words and his onslaught, Roy wondered if he really believed that Roy was foolish enough to mistake him for the owner.
Stepping forward to push his way inside and ruffle the blonde boy's long bangs, Roy chuckled.
"Your a very bold child, aren't you? So can you tell me where to find the real Mr. Elric?"
Roy raised an eyebrow as the boy looked like he wanted nothing more than to slice open Roy's stomach, pull out his intestines and strangle him with them.
But instead the blonde stuck out his hand, smiling though his gold eyes flashed with anger and a promise of pain that almost made Roy take a step back.
"Edward Elric, age twenty-two." he said though gritted teeth that left no doubt that what he said was true." I own this place."
Roy gulped, accepting the hand in a routine shake.
Only two days and he was also meeting new enemies...
|
 |
Reply
