Just as they had figured, the time passed really quickly. Nina and Amy had packed everything they needed and everything that they couldn’t carry easily on the train, Edward had arranged to have driven to the dormitories. They were both pretty nervous. They were finally going to have the chance to be on their own, this was a huge step for them.
Nina was also especially looking forward to it. She was going back to Central which meant she might get to see Adrienne again. Walking over to the table beside her bed she opened and drawer and took out the piece of paper that he’d written his note on. Nina had kept this her secret since the exam. She actually thought about calling him so he’d know she’d be there. How would she explain that call though? No one knew about Adrienne and it would raise a lot of questions that she didn’t exactly want to answer. Tucking the paper in her pocket she decided to wait until she actually got to Central and got settled to call him.
“Nina, are you about ready?” asked Natalie as she opened the door to Nina’s room.
Surprised, Nina turned around quickly, her cheeks flushed slightly. “Um… Yeah… I’ll be downstairs in a minute,” she managed in reply.
Natalie noticed that Nina seemed to be unusually unnerved. “Is everything alright?”
Nina forced a smile and a laugh. “Yeah Mom, I’m fine. I’m just nervous, that’s all, you know, leaving home, being on my own, that sort of thing.”
“Alright,” Natalie said, not completely convinced but she thought it best to let it go. If Nina really wanted to talk about it Natalie knew she would have. “Just hurry up OK?” she said as she closed the door.
“Right.” Nina sighed heavily once she was sure her mom was really gone. That was a close one; if she had come in a minute earlier Nina wasn’t sure she’d have been able to act well enough to convince her mom. How did Amy do this all the time? She actually felt terrible lying to her mom like that, even if it was only a little white lie.
Grabbing her suitcase, Nina hurried out of her room and downstairs before anyone else came to get her. She didn’t want to go through that again.
When Amy and Nina got to the train station to board the train, the entire family was there to see them off. Natalie and May had put together a bag of goodies for them to eat on the train. Just as they were getting ready to actually board, Edward pulled them aside for a moment.
“Be careful girls. They haven’t caught the person who’s been abducting young women and I won’t be there this time to protect you. So you know too, Mustang’s arranged to have military police guarding the dorms and the school but you won’t have personal escorts this time.”
Amy and Nina nodded. “We’ll be careful Dad,” Amy said.
“If anything happens let the Military Police know right away though OK? Don’t try to be heroes or anything. I know you can handle yourselves but I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”
“We will Daddy,” Nina replied with a laugh.
“Yeah Dad, we may be like you but not THAT much like you,” Amy said laughing as well.
Edward put his arms around them both and hugged them tightly. He couldn’t help but to laugh as well. “This is the one time I hope you’re right,” he said softly. Edward didn’t want to see his girls in even half the danger that he and Alphonse had been numerous times when they were younger. Things were happy now and he wanted to make sure they stayed that way.
It wasn’t until the train whistle blew that Edward let them go. Amy and Nina waved to everyone and dashed onto the train just before they closed the door and started to pull out of the station. From their window they continued to wave good-bye until they were out of sight.
Nina and Amy settled into their seats, sitting opposite each other. “Finally,” Amy said letting out a long sigh of relief. “I don’t know about you Nina, but I couldn’t wait to get going.”
Putting her hand over the pocket she’d put Adrienne’s note into, Nina smiled. “Yeah, for once I actually agree with you,” she replied. Her expression turned a bit soft and happily distant.
Amy caught sight of that expression and grinned almost wickedly at her sister. She knew that look. “Oh? I figured you’d be all torn up to be away from Uncle Alphonse,” she said teasing her. “You have something other than books waiting for you in Central?”
Nina blushed heavily. “What? No! I… well…” Nina stuttered as she looked away from Amy turning her gaze out the window.
“Quit lying, you were never any good at it,” Amy said poking her.
“I’m not lying!” Nina shouted turning back to her sister. She blushed when she realized her shout had made the few other people in the car stare. She put on an embarrassed smile and slouched down in the seat making herself vanish out of their sight. “I’m not lying,” she repeated, this time much softer.
Amy just shook her head and laughed. “Nina, we have the same face, I can tell from the look on it that that’s not true. Now come on, spill it. Did you actually meet a guy and not tell me about it?”
“No…” she said though she didn’t exactly sound convincing.
“You did! When? Come on Nina, give it up. Who is he? How did you manage it? Details Nina, I want details!”
“You’re not going to give this up are you Amy?” Nina asked with a sigh.
“No way in hell,” Amy answered grinning.
Nina just shook her head. “Fine, you’re right but you have to promise you won’t laugh and you have to swear you won’t tell anyone.”
“You got it, now come on, start talking already,” Amy replied impatiently.
Nina took a deep breath. “He’s Dr. Rothstein’s son Adrienne. He sat next to me during the exam and we had a chance to talk for a little bit before the exam started. It’s nothing really.”
Though she had promised not to, Amy couldn’t help it and she started to laugh. “It figures an egg head like you would fall for another egg head’s son. Let me guess he’s as nerdy as you are right?”
“He is not!” Nina protested. “He’s a really nice person and he’s good looking and he doesn’t think my wanting to become an alchemic doctor to help people is stupid or silly.” Nina took a deep breath and sighed it out slowly.
Amy sat back and crossed her arms, grinning slyly. “You’ve got it bad for this guy. You sure that’s a good idea? I mean it’s not like you to get distracted by something as, how did you put it once when we talked about? Oh yeah, now I remember, you called it frivolous and nothing but a useless distraction.”
Nina sighed and looked out the window again. “I know, I know. It’s completely irrational. I barely know Adrienne and yet…” she said as she lowered her head a bit.
“You can’t help but think about him…”
Nina nodded. “Yeah, ever since the exam I’d find myself out of nowhere remembering the way he smiled or the way his long braided white hair fell down his back, even the way his voice sounded when he talked.”
Amy leaned forward and put her hand on her sister’s knee smiling softly. “So it finally happened to you too huh?” she asked with a chuckle. “I know you probably won’t believe me because you know how much I like Fuhrer Mustang, but I really do feel that way about Riley. Yeah, I like Fuhrer Mustang and all, but I actually admire him more than anything else and that had nothing to do with why I fell for his son…” She expected Nina to protest more or argue with her or something but she didn’t.
Nina just chuckled a bit. “Yeah I guess it has. Oh but just so you know, I’ve known that all along about your feelings for Fuhrer Mustang and for Riley…,” she replied softly.
“Huh?” Amy said looking surprised.
“I’ve known all along, like I said.”
“Then why…?”
Nina laughed. “Why? That’s an easy one; it’s just so much fun to pick on you. It’s one of the rare things I can actually pick on you for…”
Amy stuck her tongue out at her sister. “You’re awful, you know that?”
“No more than you twin sister.”
Monday, November 7, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
A New Senshi: Fallen Angel - Chapter 1.7 - A Father's Pride
It wasn’t long after the exam that Amy and Nina got their letters of acceptance to the Academy. Everyone had been so surprised when they found out how well Nina had done too. They had expected her to do well but to have perfectly completed the exam, which was historic. There wasn’t a soul more proud than Edward.
“This is just amazing,” he said as they say around the dinner table the night after the girls had received their letters.
Amy brooded a bit. She was happy for her twin sister but did everyone have to be so gushy? Why was Nina getting all of the attention anyway? She had been accepted too, why weren’t they falling all over themselves congratulating her too? Amy was jealous and knew it; there was no way of denying it. She was used to being the center of attention in this house so it just seemed awkward for it to be Nina. She was trying to make sure that no one noticed the way she felt.
“I can’t believe you scored perfectly,” Edward gushed. “Just goes to show how talented this family is.”
“That goes for Amy too,” Natalie said seeing that Amy wasn’t doing as good a job as she thought hiding her jealousy. “We can’t forget she had the second highest score in history.”
Finally someone recognized her achievement. “Thanks for that Mom,” Amy said with a laugh.
“Well I want to make sure you know we’re proud of you both, right Ed?” Natalie said giving him a look.
“Of course! Though I had no doubt my girls would succeed,” he replied with a wide smile.
Nina and Amy both just laughed, so did Natalie. “You sound like Hughes used to when he gushed about Elicia, Ed. Be careful, you might start to get just as bad,” Natalie said with a devious smile.
Edward narrowed his eyes at her for a moment before he started laughing too. “Well now I understand why he did it. How can a father NOT gush when he has kids like I do?”
That made Amy and Nina both blush. “Daddy, come on, you’re being embarrassing…” Nina said.
“I don’t care. I’m proud of you two and I’ll make sure all of Amestris knows it if I want to.”
“Please don’t Dad…” Amy said rolling her eyes.
Edward just laughed. “I don’t think I’d have to anyway, just one look and they’d know how proud of you I am.”
“So when are they expecting you girls to be there?” Natalie asked, changing the subject a bit.
Nina picked up her letter and looked for the answer. “Looks like we have to be moved in at the dormitories two weeks from now then orientation is the next day then classes start a few days later.”
“Did they tell you yet what your classes are going to be?” Edward asked.
Nina and Amy both shook their heads. “No, it says here we’ll get our schedules after orientation,” Amy answered.
Just then there came a knock on the door. Natalie got up and went to open the door. “Al! May! Maes! It’s so nice to see you!” she said as she moved out of the way and letting them inside.
“Hi Natalie,” Alphonse said with a smile.
E.J. got up from the table and ran over and nearly tackled his uncle to the floor. Luckily Alphonse caught him at the last second. “Uncle!”
Alphonse laughed and picked E.J. up following Natalie and the others into the kitchen. When they did Edward stood up and took E.J. from Alphonse. “Hey Little Brother,” he said with a grin. “No more patients today?”
Alphonse nodded. “Yup and we heard that the girls got their acceptance letters so we came over to congratulate them.”
Nina and Amy stood up and smiled. “Thank you Uncle!” they said together.
“Did you hear how WELL they did Al?” Edward asked with a grin. “Nina got the country’s first perfect score and Amy had the second highest score. My girls are geniuses.”
Seeing Edward beam and carry on about the girls made Alphonse smile. He loved seeing his brother this happy and knowing that everything they had done all those years ago hadn’t been for nothing. Every little bit of proof gave Alphonse joy. “Is that so huh? We’d heard they’d done exceptionally well but no one said just how incredibly well.”
Amy and Nina blushed. How many people already knew? How did they know? “Dad…” Nina started.
“Nina…” he replied being a bit of a wise ass.
Nina narrowed her eyes looking unamused. “How many people did you tell already?”
Edward put E.J. down in his chair and made it look like he was thinking, counting off on his fingers. “Only a few…” he finally said.
“Daddy…”
“OK, OK, I told everyone in my classes this afternoon.”
Amy sighed and hung her head. “You’re so bad for my image Dad,” she said with a huff.
“What? You don’t want people to know how brilliant you are? Having a reputation for knowing what you’re doing isn’t exactly a bad thing you know,” Edward said, not being so goofy anymore. “Besides, if you want to be in the military that reputation will help. You guys get a lot of leeway because you’re my daughters but I know you can make it on your own merit and I’d rather people know you for that instead of because of me. Don’t blame me for helping people see your talent.”
Amy just crossed her arms and sat back down. At this rate she’d end up with the same book worm reputation that Nina had. She wanted the bad ass reputation like he’d had, it suited her better and she knew it. “I don’t want to live in your shadow either Dad, far from it. I just don’t want people to look at me and think ‘book worm’ that’s all.”
Nina on the other hand was happy that her father was bragging about her. He hadn’t really been able to brag about her too much over the years anyway so she wanted to enjoy this if only a little. “What’s wrong with being a book worm?” Nina asked sounding a bit insulted.
“Nothing if it works for you and for you it does. It just doesn’t work for me…”
May went over and gently smacked the back of Amy’s head. “Why do you have to be as pig-headed as Ed?”
“Hey!” Amy said turning in her chair so she could look at May. “What did you do that for?”
“So you’d wake up. If you ever want to have a prayer of making it as an alchemist and in the military you need to learn a little humility and self control. Being a bad ass will only get you into trouble. Ask your father, he knows better than anyone.”
Edward blushed and looked embarrassed. “May…”
Natalie just laughed. “She has a point Ed.”
He just huffed. “Whatever, this isn’t about me anyway…” he grumbled. Alphonse just laughed.
“I can’t wait until next year, and then I’ll be eligible to take the exam too. I wish I was going off to school with you guys,” Maes said sounding kind of sad. “I’m going to miss having you two around.”
Nina got up and went over to him, messing up his hair. “You talk like we’re never coming home. There are breaks you know.”
“I know, but…” he started then looked down at the table. “You’re my cousins but I feel like I’m giving up my older sisters.”
E.J. got up and jumped into Maes’ lap. “But I’m still here Cousin! You can come play with me whenever you want! You will come right?”
Everyone laughed as Maes ruffled E.J.’s hair. “I sure will E.J.; someone has to keep you out of trouble while Nina and Amy are gone.”
E.J. smiled at Maes and stayed sitting in his lap. He knew how his cousin felt, he didn’t want his sisters to go away either but when he’d cried to Natalie about it earlier she’d explained that he had to be a big boy and support his sisters. She’d also explained that they weren’t going away forever, that it was more like the longer business trips that Edward took from time to time. E.J. understood and had been alright after that.
This was going to be a long two weeks, Nina and May knew that already. There was so much to be done and considered all of Resembool probably knew about their acceptance, there was probably going to be a lot of congratulatory visits interrupting things.
“This is just amazing,” he said as they say around the dinner table the night after the girls had received their letters.
Amy brooded a bit. She was happy for her twin sister but did everyone have to be so gushy? Why was Nina getting all of the attention anyway? She had been accepted too, why weren’t they falling all over themselves congratulating her too? Amy was jealous and knew it; there was no way of denying it. She was used to being the center of attention in this house so it just seemed awkward for it to be Nina. She was trying to make sure that no one noticed the way she felt.
“I can’t believe you scored perfectly,” Edward gushed. “Just goes to show how talented this family is.”
“That goes for Amy too,” Natalie said seeing that Amy wasn’t doing as good a job as she thought hiding her jealousy. “We can’t forget she had the second highest score in history.”
Finally someone recognized her achievement. “Thanks for that Mom,” Amy said with a laugh.
“Well I want to make sure you know we’re proud of you both, right Ed?” Natalie said giving him a look.
“Of course! Though I had no doubt my girls would succeed,” he replied with a wide smile.
Nina and Amy both just laughed, so did Natalie. “You sound like Hughes used to when he gushed about Elicia, Ed. Be careful, you might start to get just as bad,” Natalie said with a devious smile.
Edward narrowed his eyes at her for a moment before he started laughing too. “Well now I understand why he did it. How can a father NOT gush when he has kids like I do?”
That made Amy and Nina both blush. “Daddy, come on, you’re being embarrassing…” Nina said.
“I don’t care. I’m proud of you two and I’ll make sure all of Amestris knows it if I want to.”
“Please don’t Dad…” Amy said rolling her eyes.
Edward just laughed. “I don’t think I’d have to anyway, just one look and they’d know how proud of you I am.”
“So when are they expecting you girls to be there?” Natalie asked, changing the subject a bit.
Nina picked up her letter and looked for the answer. “Looks like we have to be moved in at the dormitories two weeks from now then orientation is the next day then classes start a few days later.”
“Did they tell you yet what your classes are going to be?” Edward asked.
Nina and Amy both shook their heads. “No, it says here we’ll get our schedules after orientation,” Amy answered.
Just then there came a knock on the door. Natalie got up and went to open the door. “Al! May! Maes! It’s so nice to see you!” she said as she moved out of the way and letting them inside.
“Hi Natalie,” Alphonse said with a smile.
E.J. got up from the table and ran over and nearly tackled his uncle to the floor. Luckily Alphonse caught him at the last second. “Uncle!”
Alphonse laughed and picked E.J. up following Natalie and the others into the kitchen. When they did Edward stood up and took E.J. from Alphonse. “Hey Little Brother,” he said with a grin. “No more patients today?”
Alphonse nodded. “Yup and we heard that the girls got their acceptance letters so we came over to congratulate them.”
Nina and Amy stood up and smiled. “Thank you Uncle!” they said together.
“Did you hear how WELL they did Al?” Edward asked with a grin. “Nina got the country’s first perfect score and Amy had the second highest score. My girls are geniuses.”
Seeing Edward beam and carry on about the girls made Alphonse smile. He loved seeing his brother this happy and knowing that everything they had done all those years ago hadn’t been for nothing. Every little bit of proof gave Alphonse joy. “Is that so huh? We’d heard they’d done exceptionally well but no one said just how incredibly well.”
Amy and Nina blushed. How many people already knew? How did they know? “Dad…” Nina started.
“Nina…” he replied being a bit of a wise ass.
Nina narrowed her eyes looking unamused. “How many people did you tell already?”
Edward put E.J. down in his chair and made it look like he was thinking, counting off on his fingers. “Only a few…” he finally said.
“Daddy…”
“OK, OK, I told everyone in my classes this afternoon.”
Amy sighed and hung her head. “You’re so bad for my image Dad,” she said with a huff.
“What? You don’t want people to know how brilliant you are? Having a reputation for knowing what you’re doing isn’t exactly a bad thing you know,” Edward said, not being so goofy anymore. “Besides, if you want to be in the military that reputation will help. You guys get a lot of leeway because you’re my daughters but I know you can make it on your own merit and I’d rather people know you for that instead of because of me. Don’t blame me for helping people see your talent.”
Amy just crossed her arms and sat back down. At this rate she’d end up with the same book worm reputation that Nina had. She wanted the bad ass reputation like he’d had, it suited her better and she knew it. “I don’t want to live in your shadow either Dad, far from it. I just don’t want people to look at me and think ‘book worm’ that’s all.”
Nina on the other hand was happy that her father was bragging about her. He hadn’t really been able to brag about her too much over the years anyway so she wanted to enjoy this if only a little. “What’s wrong with being a book worm?” Nina asked sounding a bit insulted.
“Nothing if it works for you and for you it does. It just doesn’t work for me…”
May went over and gently smacked the back of Amy’s head. “Why do you have to be as pig-headed as Ed?”
“Hey!” Amy said turning in her chair so she could look at May. “What did you do that for?”
“So you’d wake up. If you ever want to have a prayer of making it as an alchemist and in the military you need to learn a little humility and self control. Being a bad ass will only get you into trouble. Ask your father, he knows better than anyone.”
Edward blushed and looked embarrassed. “May…”
Natalie just laughed. “She has a point Ed.”
He just huffed. “Whatever, this isn’t about me anyway…” he grumbled. Alphonse just laughed.
“I can’t wait until next year, and then I’ll be eligible to take the exam too. I wish I was going off to school with you guys,” Maes said sounding kind of sad. “I’m going to miss having you two around.”
Nina got up and went over to him, messing up his hair. “You talk like we’re never coming home. There are breaks you know.”
“I know, but…” he started then looked down at the table. “You’re my cousins but I feel like I’m giving up my older sisters.”
E.J. got up and jumped into Maes’ lap. “But I’m still here Cousin! You can come play with me whenever you want! You will come right?”
Everyone laughed as Maes ruffled E.J.’s hair. “I sure will E.J.; someone has to keep you out of trouble while Nina and Amy are gone.”
E.J. smiled at Maes and stayed sitting in his lap. He knew how his cousin felt, he didn’t want his sisters to go away either but when he’d cried to Natalie about it earlier she’d explained that he had to be a big boy and support his sisters. She’d also explained that they weren’t going away forever, that it was more like the longer business trips that Edward took from time to time. E.J. understood and had been alright after that.
This was going to be a long two weeks, Nina and May knew that already. There was so much to be done and considered all of Resembool probably knew about their acceptance, there was probably going to be a lot of congratulatory visits interrupting things.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
A New Senshi: Fallen Angel - Chapter 1.6 - Oh To Be Treated Normally
After the exam Adrienne had slipped out leaving that note for Nina hoping he would hear from her again. He had actually hoped to be able to talk to her more after the exam but his father had given him explicit instructions not to hang around. He couldn’t understand why his father was so paranoid though, it wasn’t like he still had trouble with his condition anymore. It hadn’t been worth arguing over though. It had taken him forever just to convince his father to let him take the exam and go to the Academy, he didn’t want to make him change his mind now.
Once he got home, Adrienne went to his room. He couldn’t get Nina out of his mind. His father had told him about her and her sister Amy after the first time he’d met Edward but he hadn’t imagined Nina would be so, well, normal. His father was actually rather interested in her and her sister as well. He had said something about them being perfect candidates but he hadn’t said for what. Adrienne figured it had to be for the Academy or maybe he’d thought they would make good research assistants. The thought of that actually made him chuckle. He was pretty sure Nina would love the idea of being an assistant to his father.
Getting bored, Adrienne wandered into his father’s study looking for a book to read. He’d read just about all of them at least once already, most many times but there were some that he never got tired of. Finding one, he curled up on the couch that his father kept in the room and started to read. He was actually pretty lost in the story when his father came into the room a few hours later.
“I didn’t expect you home until later Dad,” Adrienne said, closing the book and putting it on the table in front of him.
Dr. Rothstein went over and sat at his desk. When he’d come in he’d had a few file folders and he started going through them. “It didn’t take long to figure out who the new students for the semester were going to be. Of course you made it Adrienne.”
He smiled though he knew his father probably hoped deep down that he would fail the test especially after the fuss he had made when Adrienne had even expressed interest in going. “Who else made it?”
“No one of real note except for Amy and Nina Elric. I’m actually rather impressed with them. Nina scored perfectly making her the first person to ever accomplish such a thing and Amy was second behind her. I shouldn’t be surprised though. I know Edward is extremely talented and so his brother Alphonse. I’ve even heard their mother Natalie has some talent of her own as well.”
Adrienne couldn’t help but to feel happy. He was pretty much guaranteed to see Nina again now. He was actually really impressed by how smart she was too. Adorable, smart, and kind hearted, she really was more remarkable than he’d originally thought.
Taking his glasses off, Rothstein looked over at his son. “So I saw that you were talking with Nina Elric when I came into the room. What did you think of her?”
Adrienne felt his cheeks get warm as he blushed a bit. “I didn’t get to talk to her that long but she seems like a good person. She certainly knows what she wants from her life.”
Rothstein noticed the look in his son’s eyes when he talked about Nina. He was clearly taken with her. That might actually prove to be useful; maybe letting him indulge his desire to go to the Academy wasn’t such a bad idea after all. If Adrienne gained the trust of Nina and maybe her affection as well it would make his plans easier. The added insurance of Nina already idolizing the doctor wasn’t too bad either. “Seems she made an impression on you already,” he said with a chuckle.
Adrienne blushed a bit more. “Maybe. I was really impressed by her though. She seems to really have a kind heart. She told me that she wants to be like her uncle and help people. I think there’s something noble about that. I think I’d like to get to know her better.”
“I don’t see that being a problem,” Rothstein replied.
Adrienne looked at his father a bit surprised. He usually didn’t like him getting too close to people. “Really? You think it would be alright?”
Rothstein chuckled. “Yes, I’m sure it would be fine. Just be careful about keeping your special talents a secret. Nina is a bright and smart girl but I don’t know as she would understand.”
“I’m sure she would understand but I’ll make sure to keep it to myself any way. I’m just glad you’re alright with her.”
“You may even get to meet her sister Amy though she seems to be more inclined to the military applications of alchemy so I don’t know if you’ll have any classes with her.”
“I’ll probably still run into her.”
Rothstein nodded. “I’d be careful with her though.”
“But didn’t you just…”
“I said you might get to meet her that’s all. I wouldn’t spend too much time around her though. She’s friendly with the Fuhrer’s son all of his friends. They could very easily prove dangerous if they knew too much about you.”
“You’re not worried about Edward Elric finding out about me too?”
Rothstein shook his head and sighed. “I am but I’m not. He’s a teacher at the Eastern branch of the Academy now so he really has no reason to care anymore but I know if he should find out it would be problematic. That’s another reason why I’m asking you to keep your secret from Nina. I know Edward still has ties to the Fuhrer and he is State Certified on top of that. He also has deep knowledge of the principles my personal research is based upon, remember that.”
Adrienne was quite confused by his father. If he was that concerned about all of that then why would he be so lenient when it came to the idea of him getting closer to Nina? It just didn’t make sense. It was probably better to just to let it be though, before his father went and changed his mind. For the first time in his life, Adrienne was going to have a chance to live normally, to be a regular teen-age boy. That was something he wasn’t going to jeopardize and something he wouldn’t easily let go of.
Once he got home, Adrienne went to his room. He couldn’t get Nina out of his mind. His father had told him about her and her sister Amy after the first time he’d met Edward but he hadn’t imagined Nina would be so, well, normal. His father was actually rather interested in her and her sister as well. He had said something about them being perfect candidates but he hadn’t said for what. Adrienne figured it had to be for the Academy or maybe he’d thought they would make good research assistants. The thought of that actually made him chuckle. He was pretty sure Nina would love the idea of being an assistant to his father.
Getting bored, Adrienne wandered into his father’s study looking for a book to read. He’d read just about all of them at least once already, most many times but there were some that he never got tired of. Finding one, he curled up on the couch that his father kept in the room and started to read. He was actually pretty lost in the story when his father came into the room a few hours later.
“I didn’t expect you home until later Dad,” Adrienne said, closing the book and putting it on the table in front of him.
Dr. Rothstein went over and sat at his desk. When he’d come in he’d had a few file folders and he started going through them. “It didn’t take long to figure out who the new students for the semester were going to be. Of course you made it Adrienne.”
He smiled though he knew his father probably hoped deep down that he would fail the test especially after the fuss he had made when Adrienne had even expressed interest in going. “Who else made it?”
“No one of real note except for Amy and Nina Elric. I’m actually rather impressed with them. Nina scored perfectly making her the first person to ever accomplish such a thing and Amy was second behind her. I shouldn’t be surprised though. I know Edward is extremely talented and so his brother Alphonse. I’ve even heard their mother Natalie has some talent of her own as well.”
Adrienne couldn’t help but to feel happy. He was pretty much guaranteed to see Nina again now. He was actually really impressed by how smart she was too. Adorable, smart, and kind hearted, she really was more remarkable than he’d originally thought.
Taking his glasses off, Rothstein looked over at his son. “So I saw that you were talking with Nina Elric when I came into the room. What did you think of her?”
Adrienne felt his cheeks get warm as he blushed a bit. “I didn’t get to talk to her that long but she seems like a good person. She certainly knows what she wants from her life.”
Rothstein noticed the look in his son’s eyes when he talked about Nina. He was clearly taken with her. That might actually prove to be useful; maybe letting him indulge his desire to go to the Academy wasn’t such a bad idea after all. If Adrienne gained the trust of Nina and maybe her affection as well it would make his plans easier. The added insurance of Nina already idolizing the doctor wasn’t too bad either. “Seems she made an impression on you already,” he said with a chuckle.
Adrienne blushed a bit more. “Maybe. I was really impressed by her though. She seems to really have a kind heart. She told me that she wants to be like her uncle and help people. I think there’s something noble about that. I think I’d like to get to know her better.”
“I don’t see that being a problem,” Rothstein replied.
Adrienne looked at his father a bit surprised. He usually didn’t like him getting too close to people. “Really? You think it would be alright?”
Rothstein chuckled. “Yes, I’m sure it would be fine. Just be careful about keeping your special talents a secret. Nina is a bright and smart girl but I don’t know as she would understand.”
“I’m sure she would understand but I’ll make sure to keep it to myself any way. I’m just glad you’re alright with her.”
“You may even get to meet her sister Amy though she seems to be more inclined to the military applications of alchemy so I don’t know if you’ll have any classes with her.”
“I’ll probably still run into her.”
Rothstein nodded. “I’d be careful with her though.”
“But didn’t you just…”
“I said you might get to meet her that’s all. I wouldn’t spend too much time around her though. She’s friendly with the Fuhrer’s son all of his friends. They could very easily prove dangerous if they knew too much about you.”
“You’re not worried about Edward Elric finding out about me too?”
Rothstein shook his head and sighed. “I am but I’m not. He’s a teacher at the Eastern branch of the Academy now so he really has no reason to care anymore but I know if he should find out it would be problematic. That’s another reason why I’m asking you to keep your secret from Nina. I know Edward still has ties to the Fuhrer and he is State Certified on top of that. He also has deep knowledge of the principles my personal research is based upon, remember that.”
Adrienne was quite confused by his father. If he was that concerned about all of that then why would he be so lenient when it came to the idea of him getting closer to Nina? It just didn’t make sense. It was probably better to just to let it be though, before his father went and changed his mind. For the first time in his life, Adrienne was going to have a chance to live normally, to be a regular teen-age boy. That was something he wasn’t going to jeopardize and something he wouldn’t easily let go of.
A New Senshi: Fallen Angel - Chapter 1.5 - Exam Day
Nina and Amy were forced to share a room. That night Amy had gushed for hours about Fuhrer Mustang until she had exhausted herself and fallen asleep. Nina had tried the entire time to study. She even begged Armstrong to let her go to the library or anywhere else that was quiet than here but he had refused. How was she ever going to get ready like this? Finally giving up, Nina had gone to bed as well.
The next morning a military officer came to get them. “Good morning ladies, I’m Sergeant Darius and I’ll be your escort for the day,” he said with a smile.
Nina and Amy quickly got ready and got their things together and headed with the sergeant to the car waiting outside for them. Edward had left about an hour before them. When they arrived there were people filing into the building in waves.
“No wonder they asked Daddy to come today,” Nina said as she got out of the car.
Sergeant Darius walked with them inside. The main hall was crowded with people as they checked the sign boards for which room they were assigned to. When the girls made it up there Amy shrieked.
“What is it?! What’s the matter Ms. Elric?” the sergeant asked reaching for his gun, at least until he saw the look on Nina’s face then he relaxed.
Nina just laughed. “It serves you right that you have to sit in the same room with Daddy for your exam.”
Amy shot Nina a look. “Why couldn’t they have assigned you to his room instead?” she said pouting.
“Who knows,” Nina said shrugging. She then looked at the board to see her room. Her face instantly lit up. “Dr. Rothstein! Yay!” she said jumping up and down a bit.
“Alright ladies, now that you have your room assignments let’s get moving. I’ll be staying with Miss Nina since you’ll be safe with your father Miss Amy. Don’t leave unless you’re with your father or I, is that understood?”
Amy sighed and nodded. “I promise I’ll behave…” she muttered as they made their way out of the main hall and to the hallway. When they got to Amy’s room, Edward was sitting at the desk with his feet up on it relaxing. Seeing his daughters he waved and smiled. He knew better than to make a big deal of the fact that they were his though anyone could have easily guessed it. Amy didn’t make eye contact as she quickly went to the back of the room and sat down. She wanted to put as much distance as she could between her and her father.
With Amy safely delivered to her room, the sergeant and Nina moved on down the hall to her room. When they arrived Nina went in and the sergeant stayed outside the door. Dr. Rothstein had yet to arrive so Nina sat right in the front and waited, taking out her pencil and scratch paper while she waited.
“Hello,” the young man sitting beside her said with a smile.
Nina turned to look at him and smiled back. He was pretty good looking, long white hair pulled back into a braid, soft features and a gentle look in his crystal blue eyes. Nina’s breath almost caught in her chest when she saw him. “H… Hello,” she said blushing a little.
The young man chuckled seeing her cheeks turn pink. “I’m Adrienne,” he said extending his hand to her.
“I’m Nina,” she said taking it and shaking his hand, her voice sounding mousy and shy. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nina huh? You wouldn’t happen to be Nina Elric would you?”
Her eyes widened. “That’s right, how did you know?”
Adrienne chuckled. “My father mentioned that you’d be here today. He’s actually looking forward to meeting you.”
Nina looked at him confused. “Why would your father be looking forward to meeting me?”
As she asked, Dr. Rothstein entered the room. “I see you’ve already met my son,” he said with a laugh as he came up next to her.
Nina wheeled around and saw the doctor standing there smiling at her. She blushed and quickly got to her feet. “Dr. Rothstein sir, I… um… It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said bowing her head. “I’m Nina Elric.”
“I know young lady; your father has shown me pictures of you and your sister before. I’m pleased that you’re here, he’s told me quite a bit about your plans to become an alchemic doctor. I can’t wait to see what you can do.”
Nina lifted her head and smiled brightly. “I won’t let you down sir!”
Dr. Rothstein chuckled. “I hope so,” he said with a smile as he walked away and sat down at the desk.
Adrienne just laughed as she sat back down. Nina looked over at him. “What’s so funny?”
“I didn’t expect you to act that way that’s all. I mean your father is a lot more famous than mine. Heck, he’s one of the saviours of Amestris that exposed the experiments that nearly killed everyone. I wouldn’t figure you to get awe struck like that.”
Nina huffed a bit. “Well you could have at least told me he was your dad. And letting him sneak up on me like that? You’re just mean,” she said blushing. “I’ve looked up to Dr. Rothstein since I was old enough to read his books.”
Adrienne sighed and his face turned a bit sad. Nina looked at him curiously. When he noticed the look on her face he instantly changed his expression turning a bit happier. “So what makes you idolize him so much?”
Nina smiled almost wistfully. “It’s going to sound stupid but it’s actually because of my uncle.”
“Alphonse Elric?”
Nina nodded. “He’s an alchemic doctor with my Aunt May back in Resembool and I want to be just like him. I want to help people and your dad is one of the leading experts in the field of alchemic medicine. I know I could learn so much from him and have been looking forward to the possibility of being able to study with him for awhile now.”
Hearing her talk, hearing her genuine passion, made him smile. “That’s not stupid at all. I think it’s noble and admirable that you want to help people. It’s good to have a dream and a plan to get there.”
Nina blushed. “Really?”
Adrienne smiled and nodded. “Yup.”
The clock on the wall struck nine and Dr. Rothstein stood calling the room to order. Nina would have to wait until later to talk to Adrienne more. She had to focus now though. For the next two hours Nina sat with her head down answering question after question. Her thoughts drifted every now and then though and she caught herself looking over at Adrienne. This was nonsense; she had to focus on the test. She had worked too long and hard to let even Dr. Rothstein’s son distract her from her goal.
Once the exam was over Nina sat back and took a deep breath. She had answered every question and she was pretty sure that she had nearly perfect. There had only been a couple of questions that she wasn’t sure about. She then looked over to where Adrienne had been sitting to say something to him but he was already gone. She hadn’t even seen him get up and leave. In his spot there was a piece of folded paper and it had Nina’s name on it. Reaching over she grabbed it and opened it.
“When you’re back in Central, look me up,” she read and there was an address and phone number written there with it. Nina felt like a school girl with a crush, passing notes in class and her cheeks flushed pink. Standing to leave, she tucked the paper into her pocket and got her things.
Sergeant Darius was standing at the door waiting for her. “Everything go alright Ms. Elric?” he asked.
Nina smiled softly and nodded. “Yeah, everything went perfectly actually.”
The sergeant nodded and they started walking down the hallway to the room where Amy and Edward were so they could pick her up. Nina seemed to be lost in thought the entire time. When they arrived at the room she had a distant look on her face. Amy poked her square in the middle of her forehead. “Hey space case,” she said.
Nina shook her head and swatted at her sister’s hand. “Quit it.”
“Well then get your head out of the clouds and pay attention. What’s wrong with you anyway? You never look that spacey.”
“Nothing,” she said softly and looked away from Amy.
Edward came up behind Amy and smiled at Nina. “Hey, how’d it go?”
Nina looked back and smiled at her father. “It went well. I even got to meet Dr. Rothstein and his son Adrienne.” When she said Adrienne’s name her cheeks flushing involuntarily. Edward and Amy both noticed it.
Edward just grinned at her. “So what did you think? Everything you were expecting?”
Nina bit her lower lip alittle. “Yeah, he was really nice. I really hope I get into his classes now.”
Edward smiled and put his arms around the shoulders of both his daughters and started walking them out of the building followed closely by the sergeant. Edward would go back to Central Command with them as he wasn’t required to stay after the exam like the regular Central Academy instructors. When they returned, Edward went to his room to pack up and the girls went to theirs. Nina didn’t say anything.
“You’re awfully quiet Nina,” Amy said as she packed thing into her bag. “I’d figured you’d be gushing about getting to meet the doctor or how incredibly easy the exam was or something.”
Nina just stayed lost in her own thoughts as she put her things back in her bag. She didn’t want to tell Amy about Adrienne. She wanted him to be her little secret and stay that way as long as possible.
“Come on Nina, what’s bugging you?” Amy said now going over and putting her hand on her sister’s shoulder.
Nina shook her head and turned to smile at her sister. “I’m fine, really. I’m just tired because someone kept me up last night gushing over Fuhrer Mustang,” she replied sticking her tongue out.
Amy laughed and shrugged. “Sorry about that,” she said as someone knocked on the door. “Come in.”
Edward opened the door. “Come on girls, let’s get moving or we’ll miss our train home.”
Nina and Amy hurried to put the last of their things into their bags. Once everything was in order they made their way to the train station and ultimately home.
The next morning a military officer came to get them. “Good morning ladies, I’m Sergeant Darius and I’ll be your escort for the day,” he said with a smile.
Nina and Amy quickly got ready and got their things together and headed with the sergeant to the car waiting outside for them. Edward had left about an hour before them. When they arrived there were people filing into the building in waves.
“No wonder they asked Daddy to come today,” Nina said as she got out of the car.
Sergeant Darius walked with them inside. The main hall was crowded with people as they checked the sign boards for which room they were assigned to. When the girls made it up there Amy shrieked.
“What is it?! What’s the matter Ms. Elric?” the sergeant asked reaching for his gun, at least until he saw the look on Nina’s face then he relaxed.
Nina just laughed. “It serves you right that you have to sit in the same room with Daddy for your exam.”
Amy shot Nina a look. “Why couldn’t they have assigned you to his room instead?” she said pouting.
“Who knows,” Nina said shrugging. She then looked at the board to see her room. Her face instantly lit up. “Dr. Rothstein! Yay!” she said jumping up and down a bit.
“Alright ladies, now that you have your room assignments let’s get moving. I’ll be staying with Miss Nina since you’ll be safe with your father Miss Amy. Don’t leave unless you’re with your father or I, is that understood?”
Amy sighed and nodded. “I promise I’ll behave…” she muttered as they made their way out of the main hall and to the hallway. When they got to Amy’s room, Edward was sitting at the desk with his feet up on it relaxing. Seeing his daughters he waved and smiled. He knew better than to make a big deal of the fact that they were his though anyone could have easily guessed it. Amy didn’t make eye contact as she quickly went to the back of the room and sat down. She wanted to put as much distance as she could between her and her father.
With Amy safely delivered to her room, the sergeant and Nina moved on down the hall to her room. When they arrived Nina went in and the sergeant stayed outside the door. Dr. Rothstein had yet to arrive so Nina sat right in the front and waited, taking out her pencil and scratch paper while she waited.
“Hello,” the young man sitting beside her said with a smile.
Nina turned to look at him and smiled back. He was pretty good looking, long white hair pulled back into a braid, soft features and a gentle look in his crystal blue eyes. Nina’s breath almost caught in her chest when she saw him. “H… Hello,” she said blushing a little.
The young man chuckled seeing her cheeks turn pink. “I’m Adrienne,” he said extending his hand to her.
“I’m Nina,” she said taking it and shaking his hand, her voice sounding mousy and shy. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nina huh? You wouldn’t happen to be Nina Elric would you?”
Her eyes widened. “That’s right, how did you know?”
Adrienne chuckled. “My father mentioned that you’d be here today. He’s actually looking forward to meeting you.”
Nina looked at him confused. “Why would your father be looking forward to meeting me?”
As she asked, Dr. Rothstein entered the room. “I see you’ve already met my son,” he said with a laugh as he came up next to her.
Nina wheeled around and saw the doctor standing there smiling at her. She blushed and quickly got to her feet. “Dr. Rothstein sir, I… um… It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said bowing her head. “I’m Nina Elric.”
“I know young lady; your father has shown me pictures of you and your sister before. I’m pleased that you’re here, he’s told me quite a bit about your plans to become an alchemic doctor. I can’t wait to see what you can do.”
Nina lifted her head and smiled brightly. “I won’t let you down sir!”
Dr. Rothstein chuckled. “I hope so,” he said with a smile as he walked away and sat down at the desk.
Adrienne just laughed as she sat back down. Nina looked over at him. “What’s so funny?”
“I didn’t expect you to act that way that’s all. I mean your father is a lot more famous than mine. Heck, he’s one of the saviours of Amestris that exposed the experiments that nearly killed everyone. I wouldn’t figure you to get awe struck like that.”
Nina huffed a bit. “Well you could have at least told me he was your dad. And letting him sneak up on me like that? You’re just mean,” she said blushing. “I’ve looked up to Dr. Rothstein since I was old enough to read his books.”
Adrienne sighed and his face turned a bit sad. Nina looked at him curiously. When he noticed the look on her face he instantly changed his expression turning a bit happier. “So what makes you idolize him so much?”
Nina smiled almost wistfully. “It’s going to sound stupid but it’s actually because of my uncle.”
“Alphonse Elric?”
Nina nodded. “He’s an alchemic doctor with my Aunt May back in Resembool and I want to be just like him. I want to help people and your dad is one of the leading experts in the field of alchemic medicine. I know I could learn so much from him and have been looking forward to the possibility of being able to study with him for awhile now.”
Hearing her talk, hearing her genuine passion, made him smile. “That’s not stupid at all. I think it’s noble and admirable that you want to help people. It’s good to have a dream and a plan to get there.”
Nina blushed. “Really?”
Adrienne smiled and nodded. “Yup.”
The clock on the wall struck nine and Dr. Rothstein stood calling the room to order. Nina would have to wait until later to talk to Adrienne more. She had to focus now though. For the next two hours Nina sat with her head down answering question after question. Her thoughts drifted every now and then though and she caught herself looking over at Adrienne. This was nonsense; she had to focus on the test. She had worked too long and hard to let even Dr. Rothstein’s son distract her from her goal.
Once the exam was over Nina sat back and took a deep breath. She had answered every question and she was pretty sure that she had nearly perfect. There had only been a couple of questions that she wasn’t sure about. She then looked over to where Adrienne had been sitting to say something to him but he was already gone. She hadn’t even seen him get up and leave. In his spot there was a piece of folded paper and it had Nina’s name on it. Reaching over she grabbed it and opened it.
“When you’re back in Central, look me up,” she read and there was an address and phone number written there with it. Nina felt like a school girl with a crush, passing notes in class and her cheeks flushed pink. Standing to leave, she tucked the paper into her pocket and got her things.
Sergeant Darius was standing at the door waiting for her. “Everything go alright Ms. Elric?” he asked.
Nina smiled softly and nodded. “Yeah, everything went perfectly actually.”
The sergeant nodded and they started walking down the hallway to the room where Amy and Edward were so they could pick her up. Nina seemed to be lost in thought the entire time. When they arrived at the room she had a distant look on her face. Amy poked her square in the middle of her forehead. “Hey space case,” she said.
Nina shook her head and swatted at her sister’s hand. “Quit it.”
“Well then get your head out of the clouds and pay attention. What’s wrong with you anyway? You never look that spacey.”
“Nothing,” she said softly and looked away from Amy.
Edward came up behind Amy and smiled at Nina. “Hey, how’d it go?”
Nina looked back and smiled at her father. “It went well. I even got to meet Dr. Rothstein and his son Adrienne.” When she said Adrienne’s name her cheeks flushing involuntarily. Edward and Amy both noticed it.
Edward just grinned at her. “So what did you think? Everything you were expecting?”
Nina bit her lower lip alittle. “Yeah, he was really nice. I really hope I get into his classes now.”
Edward smiled and put his arms around the shoulders of both his daughters and started walking them out of the building followed closely by the sergeant. Edward would go back to Central Command with them as he wasn’t required to stay after the exam like the regular Central Academy instructors. When they returned, Edward went to his room to pack up and the girls went to theirs. Nina didn’t say anything.
“You’re awfully quiet Nina,” Amy said as she packed thing into her bag. “I’d figured you’d be gushing about getting to meet the doctor or how incredibly easy the exam was or something.”
Nina just stayed lost in her own thoughts as she put her things back in her bag. She didn’t want to tell Amy about Adrienne. She wanted him to be her little secret and stay that way as long as possible.
“Come on Nina, what’s bugging you?” Amy said now going over and putting her hand on her sister’s shoulder.
Nina shook her head and turned to smile at her sister. “I’m fine, really. I’m just tired because someone kept me up last night gushing over Fuhrer Mustang,” she replied sticking her tongue out.
Amy laughed and shrugged. “Sorry about that,” she said as someone knocked on the door. “Come in.”
Edward opened the door. “Come on girls, let’s get moving or we’ll miss our train home.”
Nina and Amy hurried to put the last of their things into their bags. Once everything was in order they made their way to the train station and ultimately home.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
A New Senshi: Fallen Angel - Chapter 1.4 - Something's Not Right In Central
The next morning Edward took the girls and headed to the train station. Natalie and E.J. tagged along to see them off.
“Have fun and good luck,” Natalie said as she hugged her baby girls. “Take care of them alright Ed?” she said turning to him and giving him a kiss good-bye.
E.J. clung to Nina’s leg crying. “Don’t go Big Sis,” he said.
Nina picked up her little brother and hugged him close. “I have to E.J. but how about if I bring you a present when I come back?”
His face lit up when she mentioned a present. “Really?”
Nina nodded and ruffled his hair. “You bet,” she said then put him down. When she did he then went over and hugged Edward.
Amy just stood there with her arms crossed waiting for them to get done with all the mushy stuff. “Can we just get on the train already?” she asked sounding irritated.
Nina and Edward just looked at each other and laughed. “Impatient much Amy?” Nina poked.
Amy just scowled. “Whatever. I just want to go and get this over with alright? Is that so wrong?”
“OK, fine. Let’s go,” Edward said as he hugged E.J. one more time and hugged Natalie as well. “We’ll be back in about a week. Take care alright?”
Natalie smiled at them. “We will, now get going before the train leaves without you.”
The three of them boarded the train and took a seat. Edward and Nina sat by the window and waved to Natalie and E.J. when the train started to pull away. Amy made herself comfortable and closed her eyes. They were stuck on this train for the next three days until they reached Central Station so she figured it would be a good time to catch up on some sleep.
Nina stared out the window watching the landscape go by. Edward couldn’t help but smile seeing her like this. It was rare when he saw her look wistful. He actually wished he saw that look on her face a bit more often. Nina had always been so serious about studying, he actually worried that she was missing out on the better parts of being a kid. That was actually the one of the few things he knew she’d gotten from him and there was a part of him that wished she hadn’t. He’d spent pretty much all of his childhood as a ‘Dog of the Military’ so that he and Alphonse could fix their bodies. The girls would never have to go through that thankfully, or at least he hoped they never would, but even to see a bit of that need to be more grown up than they were made him a bit sad. It couldn’t be helped though and he couldn’t help but also be proud of her for being responsible like she was. That had to have come from Natalie.
Nina caught her father staring and looked at him with a brow raised in curiosity. “Everything alright Daddy?” she asked.
Edward laughed and blushed a bit. “No, nothing is wrong at all. I was just happy to see you actually staring blankly out the window.”
“Why would that make you happy?” she asked sounding like she thought he was completely mad.
“You’re always so serious these days Nina, always reading and studying, never just going out and having fun. I worry about you sometimes that’s all and to see you actually letting yourself relax like that made me happy.”
Nina shook her head. “You’re a weird one Daddy, you know that?”
Edward just grinning and shrugged at his daughter. “No one ever said I was normal.”
The rest of the trip passed and three days later they were in Central. When they got off the train Colonel Armstrong was there to meet them looking as muscled and sparkly as ever. Edward sighed heavily seeing him there.
“Hello again Colonel,” Edward said sighing. “Why are you here?”
“Hello Edward. I’m here at the Fuhrer’s request to escort you and your daughters to Central Command.”
“But they’re supposed to be going to the dorms. They have their acceptance exam tomorrow…”
“And they will still be going but for the time being it would be safer to have them under the guard of the military.”
“But…”
Armstrong shook his head. “No Edward, you will be briefed by the Fuhrer himself when we get to Central.”
Edward grumbled. “Damn it, I had to see him anyway but I was hoping it wouldn’t be so soon.”
Amy’s face lit up. She was going to get to see Fuhrer Mustang after all and she was even going to be staying in the same place with him. This trip was going to be better than she’d thought after all. Nina wasn’t as happy, she had actually hoped to stay in the dorms, and it would be easier to study. Being at Central Command was going to be noisy and she wouldn’t have any privacy.
Edward turned to the girls and sighed heavily. “Come on girls, get your bags and let’s get going.”
“Please, allow me,” Armstrong said as he easily lifted all three’s luggage. They followed him outside where a car was waiting for them. Edward, Amy, and Nina climbed into the back seat and after putting their bags in the trunk, Armstrong got into the front seat. The trip to Central was made in silence and it was thankfully a short one.
When they arrived one of the Military Police took their things and brought them inside while Armstrong escorted them all to Fuhrer Mustang’s office.
“Sir, Edward Elric and his daughters are here,” Armstrong said as he poked his head into the office.
“Send them in Colonel.”
“Yes sir,” Armstrong said as he opened the door the entire way and allowed them to come inside.
“Hello Fullmetal, long time no see,” Mustang said as he leaned back in his chair and grinned.
Edward just rolled his eyes and sat down on one of the couches in the room. Nina and Amy sat on the couch opposite their father. “Yeah, yeah, so what’s this about Fuhrer? Why did you have the Colonel meet me at the station and why are you having my girls dragged here?”
Mustang chuckled. “Still so impatient Edward, some things never change. But alright, I’ll get to the point,” Mustang said as he leaned forward and put his elbows on the desk so he could rest his chin on his hands. “We’ve had trouble here in Central with young women disappearing, all of them about the same age as your lovely daughters. Until recently it was only one here and one there and we didn’t think they were connected but recently they have been disappearing at a frightening rate. I’ve asked the Colonel to keep guard on your girls while they’re here as a precaution. I’m sure you know what that will entail Fullmetal.”
Edward sighed. He remembered full well what a military guard meant from the days when Scar had been killing State Alchemists. He and Alphonse had been on constant watch, though he also knew how imperfect it was seeing as they’d been able to slip that guard to go to the Fifth Laboratory. “Are you going to guard them better than you did my brother and I while Scar was on the loose?” Edward asked sounding a bit scathing. The last thing he wanted for his girls to get hurt and he knew they could be just as crafty as he and Alphonse had been, especially Amy.
Mustang narrowed his eyes at Edward clearly not happy that he’d taken that tone with him. “I can leave them to their own devices you know. I’m doing this as a favor to try and help you and here you are being a jackass about it.” Mustang sighed. “Come on Edward, after all these years you should know you can trust me.”
Edward looked away from Mustang and sighed. “I know, I know. But why do you have to be such a cocky bastard about it?”
“Edward! You can’t talk to his Excellency that way!” Armstrong protested but Mustang put up his hand and stopped the Colonel from protesting further.
“It’s alright Colonel,” Mustang said. Edward was probably one of the only people in Amestris that could get away with talking to Mustang that way. Mustang owed him a lot and he knew it but then if he ever tried to forget he knew Edward would quickly remind him. “Anyway Fullmetal, I’ll have the girls stay in one of the officer’s quarters here at the Command Center and to make you feel better I’ve arranged for the room next door to be yours while you’re here. Armstrong and his men will keep watch outside.”
Edward looked back at Mustang and his expression softened a bit. “Thanks Mustang…”
Mustang smiled slightly. “No problem. Now I’m sure the girls would like to get settled in so they can do their last minute preparations before the exam. Colonel, would you escort them?”
Armstrong nodded and went over to Amy and Nina. “Let’s go girls.”
Nina didn’t hesitate but Amy didn’t want to leave just yet. Nina just shook her head and poked her sister to get her moving. “Come on Amy…” Sighing, Amy got up and followed Armstrong and Nina out of the Fuhrer’s office, stealing one last glance before she left.
Edward made to follow them but Mustang stopped him. “Hold on Edward.”
“What is it?”
“Look, I know you’re a teacher now but I could use all the help I can get and weeding stuff like this out was always one of your stronger points. This situation is really making things troublesome around here so if you hear anything…”
“Yeah, yeah I know. I’ll let you know if I hear anything. Any ideas on who the person responsible for the abductions is?”
Mustang shook his head. “No but I have a really bad feeling that it might have something to do with the old days.”
Edward quirked his brow confused. “What makes you say that?”
Pulling a file from his desk drawer, Mustang withdrew a photo and slid it over towards Edward. “We found that not too far from one of the abduction sites a few months after the girl was taken. What does it look like to you?”
Edward walked over and took the picture from the desk and looked at it. His face fell pale as a ghost. In the picture there was what appeared to be a child and there were wings, or the remains of them anyway, coming from its back. “This looks like…”
“That’s right. Someone is trying to make chimeras out of kids…”
Edward couldn’t help but to feel ill. The last person that had tried to make a chimera out of a child was Tucker. He could still feel the pain of seeing his daughter Nina that way, of seeing them dead by Scar’s hand afterwards. Had someone gotten their hands on his old research notes? He thought that those had been locked away forever.
“Have fun and good luck,” Natalie said as she hugged her baby girls. “Take care of them alright Ed?” she said turning to him and giving him a kiss good-bye.
E.J. clung to Nina’s leg crying. “Don’t go Big Sis,” he said.
Nina picked up her little brother and hugged him close. “I have to E.J. but how about if I bring you a present when I come back?”
His face lit up when she mentioned a present. “Really?”
Nina nodded and ruffled his hair. “You bet,” she said then put him down. When she did he then went over and hugged Edward.
Amy just stood there with her arms crossed waiting for them to get done with all the mushy stuff. “Can we just get on the train already?” she asked sounding irritated.
Nina and Edward just looked at each other and laughed. “Impatient much Amy?” Nina poked.
Amy just scowled. “Whatever. I just want to go and get this over with alright? Is that so wrong?”
“OK, fine. Let’s go,” Edward said as he hugged E.J. one more time and hugged Natalie as well. “We’ll be back in about a week. Take care alright?”
Natalie smiled at them. “We will, now get going before the train leaves without you.”
The three of them boarded the train and took a seat. Edward and Nina sat by the window and waved to Natalie and E.J. when the train started to pull away. Amy made herself comfortable and closed her eyes. They were stuck on this train for the next three days until they reached Central Station so she figured it would be a good time to catch up on some sleep.
Nina stared out the window watching the landscape go by. Edward couldn’t help but smile seeing her like this. It was rare when he saw her look wistful. He actually wished he saw that look on her face a bit more often. Nina had always been so serious about studying, he actually worried that she was missing out on the better parts of being a kid. That was actually the one of the few things he knew she’d gotten from him and there was a part of him that wished she hadn’t. He’d spent pretty much all of his childhood as a ‘Dog of the Military’ so that he and Alphonse could fix their bodies. The girls would never have to go through that thankfully, or at least he hoped they never would, but even to see a bit of that need to be more grown up than they were made him a bit sad. It couldn’t be helped though and he couldn’t help but also be proud of her for being responsible like she was. That had to have come from Natalie.
Nina caught her father staring and looked at him with a brow raised in curiosity. “Everything alright Daddy?” she asked.
Edward laughed and blushed a bit. “No, nothing is wrong at all. I was just happy to see you actually staring blankly out the window.”
“Why would that make you happy?” she asked sounding like she thought he was completely mad.
“You’re always so serious these days Nina, always reading and studying, never just going out and having fun. I worry about you sometimes that’s all and to see you actually letting yourself relax like that made me happy.”
Nina shook her head. “You’re a weird one Daddy, you know that?”
Edward just grinning and shrugged at his daughter. “No one ever said I was normal.”
The rest of the trip passed and three days later they were in Central. When they got off the train Colonel Armstrong was there to meet them looking as muscled and sparkly as ever. Edward sighed heavily seeing him there.
“Hello again Colonel,” Edward said sighing. “Why are you here?”
“Hello Edward. I’m here at the Fuhrer’s request to escort you and your daughters to Central Command.”
“But they’re supposed to be going to the dorms. They have their acceptance exam tomorrow…”
“And they will still be going but for the time being it would be safer to have them under the guard of the military.”
“But…”
Armstrong shook his head. “No Edward, you will be briefed by the Fuhrer himself when we get to Central.”
Edward grumbled. “Damn it, I had to see him anyway but I was hoping it wouldn’t be so soon.”
Amy’s face lit up. She was going to get to see Fuhrer Mustang after all and she was even going to be staying in the same place with him. This trip was going to be better than she’d thought after all. Nina wasn’t as happy, she had actually hoped to stay in the dorms, and it would be easier to study. Being at Central Command was going to be noisy and she wouldn’t have any privacy.
Edward turned to the girls and sighed heavily. “Come on girls, get your bags and let’s get going.”
“Please, allow me,” Armstrong said as he easily lifted all three’s luggage. They followed him outside where a car was waiting for them. Edward, Amy, and Nina climbed into the back seat and after putting their bags in the trunk, Armstrong got into the front seat. The trip to Central was made in silence and it was thankfully a short one.
When they arrived one of the Military Police took their things and brought them inside while Armstrong escorted them all to Fuhrer Mustang’s office.
“Sir, Edward Elric and his daughters are here,” Armstrong said as he poked his head into the office.
“Send them in Colonel.”
“Yes sir,” Armstrong said as he opened the door the entire way and allowed them to come inside.
“Hello Fullmetal, long time no see,” Mustang said as he leaned back in his chair and grinned.
Edward just rolled his eyes and sat down on one of the couches in the room. Nina and Amy sat on the couch opposite their father. “Yeah, yeah, so what’s this about Fuhrer? Why did you have the Colonel meet me at the station and why are you having my girls dragged here?”
Mustang chuckled. “Still so impatient Edward, some things never change. But alright, I’ll get to the point,” Mustang said as he leaned forward and put his elbows on the desk so he could rest his chin on his hands. “We’ve had trouble here in Central with young women disappearing, all of them about the same age as your lovely daughters. Until recently it was only one here and one there and we didn’t think they were connected but recently they have been disappearing at a frightening rate. I’ve asked the Colonel to keep guard on your girls while they’re here as a precaution. I’m sure you know what that will entail Fullmetal.”
Edward sighed. He remembered full well what a military guard meant from the days when Scar had been killing State Alchemists. He and Alphonse had been on constant watch, though he also knew how imperfect it was seeing as they’d been able to slip that guard to go to the Fifth Laboratory. “Are you going to guard them better than you did my brother and I while Scar was on the loose?” Edward asked sounding a bit scathing. The last thing he wanted for his girls to get hurt and he knew they could be just as crafty as he and Alphonse had been, especially Amy.
Mustang narrowed his eyes at Edward clearly not happy that he’d taken that tone with him. “I can leave them to their own devices you know. I’m doing this as a favor to try and help you and here you are being a jackass about it.” Mustang sighed. “Come on Edward, after all these years you should know you can trust me.”
Edward looked away from Mustang and sighed. “I know, I know. But why do you have to be such a cocky bastard about it?”
“Edward! You can’t talk to his Excellency that way!” Armstrong protested but Mustang put up his hand and stopped the Colonel from protesting further.
“It’s alright Colonel,” Mustang said. Edward was probably one of the only people in Amestris that could get away with talking to Mustang that way. Mustang owed him a lot and he knew it but then if he ever tried to forget he knew Edward would quickly remind him. “Anyway Fullmetal, I’ll have the girls stay in one of the officer’s quarters here at the Command Center and to make you feel better I’ve arranged for the room next door to be yours while you’re here. Armstrong and his men will keep watch outside.”
Edward looked back at Mustang and his expression softened a bit. “Thanks Mustang…”
Mustang smiled slightly. “No problem. Now I’m sure the girls would like to get settled in so they can do their last minute preparations before the exam. Colonel, would you escort them?”
Armstrong nodded and went over to Amy and Nina. “Let’s go girls.”
Nina didn’t hesitate but Amy didn’t want to leave just yet. Nina just shook her head and poked her sister to get her moving. “Come on Amy…” Sighing, Amy got up and followed Armstrong and Nina out of the Fuhrer’s office, stealing one last glance before she left.
Edward made to follow them but Mustang stopped him. “Hold on Edward.”
“What is it?”
“Look, I know you’re a teacher now but I could use all the help I can get and weeding stuff like this out was always one of your stronger points. This situation is really making things troublesome around here so if you hear anything…”
“Yeah, yeah I know. I’ll let you know if I hear anything. Any ideas on who the person responsible for the abductions is?”
Mustang shook his head. “No but I have a really bad feeling that it might have something to do with the old days.”
Edward quirked his brow confused. “What makes you say that?”
Pulling a file from his desk drawer, Mustang withdrew a photo and slid it over towards Edward. “We found that not too far from one of the abduction sites a few months after the girl was taken. What does it look like to you?”
Edward walked over and took the picture from the desk and looked at it. His face fell pale as a ghost. In the picture there was what appeared to be a child and there were wings, or the remains of them anyway, coming from its back. “This looks like…”
“That’s right. Someone is trying to make chimeras out of kids…”
Edward couldn’t help but to feel ill. The last person that had tried to make a chimera out of a child was Tucker. He could still feel the pain of seeing his daughter Nina that way, of seeing them dead by Scar’s hand afterwards. Had someone gotten their hands on his old research notes? He thought that those had been locked away forever.
A New Senshi: Fallen Angel - Chapter 1.3 - The Night Before The Journey
The week passed quickly for Nina and Amy as they prepared to go to Central to take the Acceptance Exam for the Central Academy of Alchemy. Amy chose to spend that week more with her friends than studying but she was over confident in her ability to pass the exam. Amy’s mentality was that she didn’t need to ace it, just do well enough to pass it and that would certainly be easy enough to do. Besides, she had the three days on the train to study, she wouldn’t be able to see her friends then. Nina on the other hand saw the exam very differently. She wanted to get the highest grade she could. It never hurt to make a name for yourself before you even took a class. That and she hoped to be able to study with Dr. Rothstein who was famous these days for his medicinal alchemy and the breakthroughs he’s made in bio-alchemy. She knew she was going to need to have the best test scores she could manage to even have a prayer of getting into any of his classes.
The day before they left, they were sitting in the living room with Natalie and Edward going over things.
“When you girls get there remember, just do straight to the dormitories and stay out of trouble,” Natalie said.
“We will Mom,” they replied.
“You don’t have to worry Natalie, I’ll be with them,” Edward said as if this wasn’t new information to anyone. All three of them looked at him like he had three heads.
“Excuse me?” Natalie said.
“What do you mean Daddy?” Nina asked. “Why are you going to be with us?”
Edward just chuckled. “I forgot to tell you, I have to go and sit as the proctor in one of the exam rooms. I don’t know which one yet though.”
“What?! You’re kidding right?” Amy asked sounding a bit angry. “I thought this was supposed to be our chance to finally do something on our own.”
“Can’t be helped,” Edward said with a shrug. “They needed more instructors to be there and since things are pretty quiet at the Eastern Academy right now they asked me to come to Central. I can’t exactly tell them no.”
“Since when have you been one to hesitate to say no Ed?” Natalie asked with a laugh.
“Very funny smart ass,” Edward said laughing along with her. “Trust me, if the order had come from Mustang I probably would have told him where he could shove it just on general principle but Gregory asked me to do it.”
“Dr. Rothstein?” Natalie asked.
Edward nodded. “Yup. He’s a decent guy and one that I don’t mind having owe me one.”
“You know Dr. Rothstein Daddy?” Nina asked with bright, excited eyes.
“Not well but yes, I’ve had occasion to talk to him from time to time when I’m in Central. He’s actually looking forward to meeting you Nina. I told him how much you wanted to be a medicinal alchemist.”
Nina blushed deep red. She couldn’t believe that her father had told Dr. Rothstein about her. She was glad her father was who he was and that he was famous. She didn’t mind having him to help her make the connections she needed. Why Amy fought it so much was beyond her.
“Well I’m glad one of us is happy about all this,” Amy muttered.
“Oh stop Amy. You act like it’s the end of the world if your father is there when you take the exam. It’s actually better this way; at least I’ll know you’re keeping out of trouble. Besides, it’s not like he’s going to be staying in the dorms with you guys anyway,” Natalie said. She really was glad Edward would be there with them. Nina she didn’t worry so much about but Amy, well knowing her she’d find a way to stay out all night and miss the exam because she couldn’t get out of bed in time. At least with Edward not too far away she’d think twice about doing anything that might distract her.
“That’s right, once I drop you off at the dorms you’re on your own until after the exam,” Edward replied. “I actually have to go see Mustang when we get there before I head over to the Academy hotel anyway.”
Amy looked far less angry now. “Can I come with you?” she asked hoping he’d say yes.
Edward shook his head. “No, its official business not personal so I can’t. Besides, you need to get some last minute studying in before the exam; you really shouldn’t be distracting yourself with that.”
Amy pouted. She really wanted to go. The last time she had seen the Fuhrer was last year for around their birthday when Edward had brought her and Nina to Central to go shopping as a birthday present. It was actually pretty sad, she spent so much time with the Fuhrer’s son, one would think she would see him more often.
“Alright you two, you should get to bed. Tomorrow is going to be an early day and then you have a three day train ride out to Central.”
Nina and Amy got up and said their good nights to their parents before heading upstairs to their rooms. Nina wouldn’t go to bed any time soon. She actually took out one of the many books she had borrowed from Alphonse and reread it. She was going to make sure every bit of information in her head was as crisp as possible. Amy didn’t go to sleep either though she didn’t do anything as noble as studying. She was still fuming about her father going out to Central with them and then crushing her spirit even more by telling her he was going to see Fuhrer Mustang and refusing to take her with him. She wondered what he wanted with her dad anyway.
Downstairs, Natalie and Edward sat talking for a bit longer. “Why does Roy want to see you Ed? Did you do something to piss him off again?”
Edward just made a sour face at her. “No, I didn’t piss him off again. I’m actually not sure why he wants to see me. Knowing him it’s something ridiculous though and stupid, it usually is. At least he doesn’t make fun of me anymore. I sometimes think he’s jealous though.”
Natalie quirked a brow at him and asked, “Jealous? Why?”
Edward grinned at her. “That would be because I look better at 35 years old than he did.”
“You know who to thank for that right?” Natalie said with sly grin.
“And don’t I every day?” he said leaning over to give her a kiss. “You and the kids keep me young and that has nothing to do with what your powers gave me and everything to do with how much I love you guys.”
Natalie grinned at him. “And since when have you gotten all suave and romantic Ed?”
“It comes with age,” he said sticking his tongue out at her.
“Come on, let’s get to bed. You have to up same as the girls do in the morning and if I’m not mistaken you haven’t packed yet.”
Edward hung his head a bit. She was right. They made their way upstairs and when they got there they saw light coming from under the doors of both girls’ rooms. “I’ll get Nina if you take Amy,” Edward said.
Natalie opened Amy’s door and saw that she had passed out on top of her covers with the light on. She simply shook her head as she went over and pulled Amy’s blanket up over her. Was she really going to be alright on her own when she went to the Academy? Natalie just had to hope that she would be.
When she left the room she shut off the light and closed the door. Edward was still in Nina’s room when Natalie had come out of Amy’s. What was he doing in there? “Everything alright?” she whispered as she poked her head in. Edward nodded at her and held up the book that Nina had been reading when she’d fallen asleep. It was Alphonse’s copy of the book that Edward’s father had written back when Edward and Alphonse were still babies.
“I didn’t know she even had this. I wonder why Alphonse even allowed her to take it,” Edward said softly as he thumbed through the pages. He knew this book well; it was the one that had first given him the idea of human transmutation all those years ago. It contained everything Hohenheim had compiled about using alchemy on humans. Hopefully Nina found this book interesting only for the bits about medicinal alchemy and nothing more.
Natalie stood in the doorway waiting for him just smiling gently. “She’s just as tenatious about learning as you were Ed. She can never know enough. Your brother sees that in her just as he always saw it in you, that’s probably why he gave it to her. I doubt she’d do anything reckless with the information in there though. Nina’s too smart and too king hearted to ever use anything in that book against someone.”
Edward nodded as he closed the book and set it on her bedside table. “You’re right Natalie,” he said as he joined her at the door and shut off her light. Closing Nina’s door behind them, they headed off to bed themselves.
The day before they left, they were sitting in the living room with Natalie and Edward going over things.
“When you girls get there remember, just do straight to the dormitories and stay out of trouble,” Natalie said.
“We will Mom,” they replied.
“You don’t have to worry Natalie, I’ll be with them,” Edward said as if this wasn’t new information to anyone. All three of them looked at him like he had three heads.
“Excuse me?” Natalie said.
“What do you mean Daddy?” Nina asked. “Why are you going to be with us?”
Edward just chuckled. “I forgot to tell you, I have to go and sit as the proctor in one of the exam rooms. I don’t know which one yet though.”
“What?! You’re kidding right?” Amy asked sounding a bit angry. “I thought this was supposed to be our chance to finally do something on our own.”
“Can’t be helped,” Edward said with a shrug. “They needed more instructors to be there and since things are pretty quiet at the Eastern Academy right now they asked me to come to Central. I can’t exactly tell them no.”
“Since when have you been one to hesitate to say no Ed?” Natalie asked with a laugh.
“Very funny smart ass,” Edward said laughing along with her. “Trust me, if the order had come from Mustang I probably would have told him where he could shove it just on general principle but Gregory asked me to do it.”
“Dr. Rothstein?” Natalie asked.
Edward nodded. “Yup. He’s a decent guy and one that I don’t mind having owe me one.”
“You know Dr. Rothstein Daddy?” Nina asked with bright, excited eyes.
“Not well but yes, I’ve had occasion to talk to him from time to time when I’m in Central. He’s actually looking forward to meeting you Nina. I told him how much you wanted to be a medicinal alchemist.”
Nina blushed deep red. She couldn’t believe that her father had told Dr. Rothstein about her. She was glad her father was who he was and that he was famous. She didn’t mind having him to help her make the connections she needed. Why Amy fought it so much was beyond her.
“Well I’m glad one of us is happy about all this,” Amy muttered.
“Oh stop Amy. You act like it’s the end of the world if your father is there when you take the exam. It’s actually better this way; at least I’ll know you’re keeping out of trouble. Besides, it’s not like he’s going to be staying in the dorms with you guys anyway,” Natalie said. She really was glad Edward would be there with them. Nina she didn’t worry so much about but Amy, well knowing her she’d find a way to stay out all night and miss the exam because she couldn’t get out of bed in time. At least with Edward not too far away she’d think twice about doing anything that might distract her.
“That’s right, once I drop you off at the dorms you’re on your own until after the exam,” Edward replied. “I actually have to go see Mustang when we get there before I head over to the Academy hotel anyway.”
Amy looked far less angry now. “Can I come with you?” she asked hoping he’d say yes.
Edward shook his head. “No, its official business not personal so I can’t. Besides, you need to get some last minute studying in before the exam; you really shouldn’t be distracting yourself with that.”
Amy pouted. She really wanted to go. The last time she had seen the Fuhrer was last year for around their birthday when Edward had brought her and Nina to Central to go shopping as a birthday present. It was actually pretty sad, she spent so much time with the Fuhrer’s son, one would think she would see him more often.
“Alright you two, you should get to bed. Tomorrow is going to be an early day and then you have a three day train ride out to Central.”
Nina and Amy got up and said their good nights to their parents before heading upstairs to their rooms. Nina wouldn’t go to bed any time soon. She actually took out one of the many books she had borrowed from Alphonse and reread it. She was going to make sure every bit of information in her head was as crisp as possible. Amy didn’t go to sleep either though she didn’t do anything as noble as studying. She was still fuming about her father going out to Central with them and then crushing her spirit even more by telling her he was going to see Fuhrer Mustang and refusing to take her with him. She wondered what he wanted with her dad anyway.
Downstairs, Natalie and Edward sat talking for a bit longer. “Why does Roy want to see you Ed? Did you do something to piss him off again?”
Edward just made a sour face at her. “No, I didn’t piss him off again. I’m actually not sure why he wants to see me. Knowing him it’s something ridiculous though and stupid, it usually is. At least he doesn’t make fun of me anymore. I sometimes think he’s jealous though.”
Natalie quirked a brow at him and asked, “Jealous? Why?”
Edward grinned at her. “That would be because I look better at 35 years old than he did.”
“You know who to thank for that right?” Natalie said with sly grin.
“And don’t I every day?” he said leaning over to give her a kiss. “You and the kids keep me young and that has nothing to do with what your powers gave me and everything to do with how much I love you guys.”
Natalie grinned at him. “And since when have you gotten all suave and romantic Ed?”
“It comes with age,” he said sticking his tongue out at her.
“Come on, let’s get to bed. You have to up same as the girls do in the morning and if I’m not mistaken you haven’t packed yet.”
Edward hung his head a bit. She was right. They made their way upstairs and when they got there they saw light coming from under the doors of both girls’ rooms. “I’ll get Nina if you take Amy,” Edward said.
Natalie opened Amy’s door and saw that she had passed out on top of her covers with the light on. She simply shook her head as she went over and pulled Amy’s blanket up over her. Was she really going to be alright on her own when she went to the Academy? Natalie just had to hope that she would be.
When she left the room she shut off the light and closed the door. Edward was still in Nina’s room when Natalie had come out of Amy’s. What was he doing in there? “Everything alright?” she whispered as she poked her head in. Edward nodded at her and held up the book that Nina had been reading when she’d fallen asleep. It was Alphonse’s copy of the book that Edward’s father had written back when Edward and Alphonse were still babies.
“I didn’t know she even had this. I wonder why Alphonse even allowed her to take it,” Edward said softly as he thumbed through the pages. He knew this book well; it was the one that had first given him the idea of human transmutation all those years ago. It contained everything Hohenheim had compiled about using alchemy on humans. Hopefully Nina found this book interesting only for the bits about medicinal alchemy and nothing more.
Natalie stood in the doorway waiting for him just smiling gently. “She’s just as tenatious about learning as you were Ed. She can never know enough. Your brother sees that in her just as he always saw it in you, that’s probably why he gave it to her. I doubt she’d do anything reckless with the information in there though. Nina’s too smart and too king hearted to ever use anything in that book against someone.”
Edward nodded as he closed the book and set it on her bedside table. “You’re right Natalie,” he said as he joined her at the door and shut off her light. Closing Nina’s door behind them, they headed off to bed themselves.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
A New Senshi: Fallen Angel - Chapter 1.2 - Happy Seventeenth Birthday!
Nina and Amy left the clinic around four that afternoon. There were still people waiting but Alphonse insisted that they go and that he and May would take care of their usual end-of-day clean-up duties.
When they got home and came in the door, there wasn’t anyone around. “That’s weird,” Amy said as both she and Nina hung up their coats and set the boxes from their Uncle on the living room coffee table.
“Yeah, usually I’m being pummeled by E.J. the minute I walk through the door,” Nina said as she started to walk towards the kitchen.
“I would have at least thought Mom would be in here holding a cake like she usually does on our birthday,” Amy commented as she followed her sister.
“Surprise!” came a chorus of voices as Nina pushed the door open. Nina and Amy stood in the door and laughed. Gathered in the kitchen were Edward, Natalie, and E.J. as well as other friends and family, many of which neither Amy nor Nina expected to be there.
Edward walked over to his daughters and hugged them tight. It had been a week since he’d seen them last. “Happy Birthday girls,” he said smiling at them.
“Happy Birthday!” the rest of the room echoed.
Edward escorted the girls over to the table and sat them down. On the table in front of them was a cake larger than they’d ever seen. Could their Mom really have made this? “Thanks everyone!” they said in unison.
“Blow out the candles already!” E.J. chimed. It was clear he was itching for cake.
“Now E.J. you know we have to have birthday dinner before cake,” Natalie said picking up her son with a laugh. E.J. pouted at her.
The girls stood up and closed their eyes to make a wish before blowing the candles out together.
“So what did you wish for?” Maes asked.
Nina just stuck her tongue out at him. “If I tell you it won’t come true,” she replied.
Edward came over and took the cake out of the way for now. “Your cousin’s right Maes. Besides, you should know better than to ask a girl what she wishes for. It’s like asking her how old she is or how much she weighs,” he said with a wink.
“Edward! Don’t fill that boy’s head with any more nonsence than you already have!” Natalie scolded as she put E.J. down and started taking things out to set the table.
“Do you need any help?” asked Alicia Hughes as she came up beside Natalie.
“Oh thank you Elicia, can you put the plates and silverware out while I get food?”
Elicia nodded and started setting the table as Natalie had asked her to. Her mother Gracia helped her. Edward helped Natalie with the food. Amy and Nina went around the room talking to people. Nina avoided Riley but went to talk to Riza Hawkeye-Mustang. Once Roy had become Fuhrer, she’d resigned from the military and married him. She was still a far better body guard for him than any of the military though and she made sure they knew it. After that she went over and said hello to Lieutenant Colonel Havoc and his wife Rebecca, avoiding their son Austin. He was one of Riley’s cronies and she wanted nothing to do with him. Amy surrounded herself with the Moron Squad which consisted of Riley Mustang, Austin Havoc, Peter Breda, and Harrison Fury.
After a few minutes Natalie called everyone to the table and they chatted and caught up over the elaborate meal that Natalie had spent the day preparing.
“So Nina, Amy, I hear you two are going to be taking the Acceptance Exam to get into the Central Academy of Alchemy,” Gracia asked.
Nina nodded. “That’s right, we go next week.”
“Why not go to the Eastern Branch?” she asked.
Both Nina and Amy looked at each other then over at their father. “Do I have to answer that?” Nina asked.
Edward just laughed. “They’re afraid I’ll embarrass them too much.”
“Well it’s not exactly easy being your daughter Dad,” Amy said. “We get enough grief from people who know you’re our father. At least without you around we might have a prayer of having some normalcy.”
Nina just shook her head. “I just want the Central Branch because they specialize in medicine and medicinal alchemy. I don’t mind the scrutiny of being an Elric, just makes me work harder to make sure I live up to the expectations.”
Amy just shook her head. “Why do you work so hard? I swear, you need to learn to have a little fun.”
Nina stuck her tongue out at her sister. “Well if I had the ‘natural’ talent you had Amy I wouldn’t have to work as hard. But then, medicinal alchemy also requires more than just natural ability to get right, it takes real skill too.”
Amy scowled at her sister. Natalie could see an argument brewing a mile away and shot them both a menacing look. Natalie really could be scary when she wanted to be and it instantly stopped the argument.
“Nina’s clearly going to specialize in medicinal alchemy, but what about you Amy?” Riza asked.
“Offensive Alchemy actually, mostly in metal and stone crafting that can be used for weapons. I really like to fight so I want to put my skills to good use once I pass the State Alchemy Exam and enter the military.”
Edward couldn’t help but to scowl a bit. He hated the idea of one of his daughters being in the military even now that things were peaceful. One never knew when that would change and he didn’t want either of his daughters in harm’s way. He knew better than to try and stop either of them though, they had inherited every bit of stubbornness that both he and Natalie contained and he knew he wasn’t going to be able to change their minds about what they aspired for.
“Are you going to be taking the State Alchemy Exam too Nina?” Riza asked.
She nodded. “Yeah but only because it will give me more credibility when I become a doctor. It also makes becoming an alchemic doctor easier. I’m actually thankful that Fuhrer Mustang made that possible. I really didn’t want to have to be a ‘Dog of the State’ like you guys always told us stories about just so I could practice alchemic medicine.”
“You do know they can still call you in times of conflict though right?” Edward said.
“I know Daddy, but that would apply if I was State certified or not since I’d be a doctor.”
Edward nodded. If nothing else at least they had made sure to do their homework before making their decisions. Of course, he and Natalie had also made sure to tell them as much as they could as well. Edward couldn’t help but to be proud of them both.
Once everyone had eaten their fill and the table had been cleared, it was time for presents. This didn’t make E.J. very happy since he still wanted nothing more than to gorge himself on cake but they figured dessert would be best after everyone had a chance to digest dinner. Most of the gifts for Nina had been books. She loved that, more things for her to read and those for Amy were clothes and trinkets which she loved just as much. Then it came time for Edward and Natalie to give them their gifts. They had both left the room for a few minutes then had returned with a box each. They were identical in size and a bit large. The box Natalie had been carrying she set down in front of Nina and Edward put his down in front of Amy.
Both of the girls looked at each other and wondered what could possibly be in these rather long and thin boxes. They slowly pulled the ribbons free and opened the lids. Nina’s jaw nearly dropped and Amy looked completely dumbfounded.
“Mom… Dad… are these what I think they are?” Nina asked.
“Pull them out and you’ll see,” Natalie said with a smile.
Both girls did as their mother had said and pulled the jackets from their boxes. Nina held up a black jacket and Amy a red one. On the back of both was the snake on the cross symbol that both girls knew very well, Nina’s white and Amy’s black. These were the jackets that their parents had worn in their younger days. Putting the jackets on both girls posed a bit looking each other over. Edward put his arm around Natalie and she rested her head on his shoulder, both of them smiling.
“You two have worked so hard and become beautiful young women. Your father and I couldn’t be more proud of you and we thought it was time to pass these on to you. Hopefully they will see as many wondrous adventures with you two as they did with us.”
Amy and Nina both started to cry, this meant so much to them. Natalie and Edward went over to their daughters and hugged them tightly. “Thank you Mom and Dad,” the girls said softly still misty eyed hugging their parents in return.
When they got home and came in the door, there wasn’t anyone around. “That’s weird,” Amy said as both she and Nina hung up their coats and set the boxes from their Uncle on the living room coffee table.
“Yeah, usually I’m being pummeled by E.J. the minute I walk through the door,” Nina said as she started to walk towards the kitchen.
“I would have at least thought Mom would be in here holding a cake like she usually does on our birthday,” Amy commented as she followed her sister.
“Surprise!” came a chorus of voices as Nina pushed the door open. Nina and Amy stood in the door and laughed. Gathered in the kitchen were Edward, Natalie, and E.J. as well as other friends and family, many of which neither Amy nor Nina expected to be there.
Edward walked over to his daughters and hugged them tight. It had been a week since he’d seen them last. “Happy Birthday girls,” he said smiling at them.
“Happy Birthday!” the rest of the room echoed.
Edward escorted the girls over to the table and sat them down. On the table in front of them was a cake larger than they’d ever seen. Could their Mom really have made this? “Thanks everyone!” they said in unison.
“Blow out the candles already!” E.J. chimed. It was clear he was itching for cake.
“Now E.J. you know we have to have birthday dinner before cake,” Natalie said picking up her son with a laugh. E.J. pouted at her.
The girls stood up and closed their eyes to make a wish before blowing the candles out together.
“So what did you wish for?” Maes asked.
Nina just stuck her tongue out at him. “If I tell you it won’t come true,” she replied.
Edward came over and took the cake out of the way for now. “Your cousin’s right Maes. Besides, you should know better than to ask a girl what she wishes for. It’s like asking her how old she is or how much she weighs,” he said with a wink.
“Edward! Don’t fill that boy’s head with any more nonsence than you already have!” Natalie scolded as she put E.J. down and started taking things out to set the table.
“Do you need any help?” asked Alicia Hughes as she came up beside Natalie.
“Oh thank you Elicia, can you put the plates and silverware out while I get food?”
Elicia nodded and started setting the table as Natalie had asked her to. Her mother Gracia helped her. Edward helped Natalie with the food. Amy and Nina went around the room talking to people. Nina avoided Riley but went to talk to Riza Hawkeye-Mustang. Once Roy had become Fuhrer, she’d resigned from the military and married him. She was still a far better body guard for him than any of the military though and she made sure they knew it. After that she went over and said hello to Lieutenant Colonel Havoc and his wife Rebecca, avoiding their son Austin. He was one of Riley’s cronies and she wanted nothing to do with him. Amy surrounded herself with the Moron Squad which consisted of Riley Mustang, Austin Havoc, Peter Breda, and Harrison Fury.
After a few minutes Natalie called everyone to the table and they chatted and caught up over the elaborate meal that Natalie had spent the day preparing.
“So Nina, Amy, I hear you two are going to be taking the Acceptance Exam to get into the Central Academy of Alchemy,” Gracia asked.
Nina nodded. “That’s right, we go next week.”
“Why not go to the Eastern Branch?” she asked.
Both Nina and Amy looked at each other then over at their father. “Do I have to answer that?” Nina asked.
Edward just laughed. “They’re afraid I’ll embarrass them too much.”
“Well it’s not exactly easy being your daughter Dad,” Amy said. “We get enough grief from people who know you’re our father. At least without you around we might have a prayer of having some normalcy.”
Nina just shook her head. “I just want the Central Branch because they specialize in medicine and medicinal alchemy. I don’t mind the scrutiny of being an Elric, just makes me work harder to make sure I live up to the expectations.”
Amy just shook her head. “Why do you work so hard? I swear, you need to learn to have a little fun.”
Nina stuck her tongue out at her sister. “Well if I had the ‘natural’ talent you had Amy I wouldn’t have to work as hard. But then, medicinal alchemy also requires more than just natural ability to get right, it takes real skill too.”
Amy scowled at her sister. Natalie could see an argument brewing a mile away and shot them both a menacing look. Natalie really could be scary when she wanted to be and it instantly stopped the argument.
“Nina’s clearly going to specialize in medicinal alchemy, but what about you Amy?” Riza asked.
“Offensive Alchemy actually, mostly in metal and stone crafting that can be used for weapons. I really like to fight so I want to put my skills to good use once I pass the State Alchemy Exam and enter the military.”
Edward couldn’t help but to scowl a bit. He hated the idea of one of his daughters being in the military even now that things were peaceful. One never knew when that would change and he didn’t want either of his daughters in harm’s way. He knew better than to try and stop either of them though, they had inherited every bit of stubbornness that both he and Natalie contained and he knew he wasn’t going to be able to change their minds about what they aspired for.
“Are you going to be taking the State Alchemy Exam too Nina?” Riza asked.
She nodded. “Yeah but only because it will give me more credibility when I become a doctor. It also makes becoming an alchemic doctor easier. I’m actually thankful that Fuhrer Mustang made that possible. I really didn’t want to have to be a ‘Dog of the State’ like you guys always told us stories about just so I could practice alchemic medicine.”
“You do know they can still call you in times of conflict though right?” Edward said.
“I know Daddy, but that would apply if I was State certified or not since I’d be a doctor.”
Edward nodded. If nothing else at least they had made sure to do their homework before making their decisions. Of course, he and Natalie had also made sure to tell them as much as they could as well. Edward couldn’t help but to be proud of them both.
Once everyone had eaten their fill and the table had been cleared, it was time for presents. This didn’t make E.J. very happy since he still wanted nothing more than to gorge himself on cake but they figured dessert would be best after everyone had a chance to digest dinner. Most of the gifts for Nina had been books. She loved that, more things for her to read and those for Amy were clothes and trinkets which she loved just as much. Then it came time for Edward and Natalie to give them their gifts. They had both left the room for a few minutes then had returned with a box each. They were identical in size and a bit large. The box Natalie had been carrying she set down in front of Nina and Edward put his down in front of Amy.
Both of the girls looked at each other and wondered what could possibly be in these rather long and thin boxes. They slowly pulled the ribbons free and opened the lids. Nina’s jaw nearly dropped and Amy looked completely dumbfounded.
“Mom… Dad… are these what I think they are?” Nina asked.
“Pull them out and you’ll see,” Natalie said with a smile.
Both girls did as their mother had said and pulled the jackets from their boxes. Nina held up a black jacket and Amy a red one. On the back of both was the snake on the cross symbol that both girls knew very well, Nina’s white and Amy’s black. These were the jackets that their parents had worn in their younger days. Putting the jackets on both girls posed a bit looking each other over. Edward put his arm around Natalie and she rested her head on his shoulder, both of them smiling.
“You two have worked so hard and become beautiful young women. Your father and I couldn’t be more proud of you and we thought it was time to pass these on to you. Hopefully they will see as many wondrous adventures with you two as they did with us.”
Amy and Nina both started to cry, this meant so much to them. Natalie and Edward went over to their daughters and hugged them tightly. “Thank you Mom and Dad,” the girls said softly still misty eyed hugging their parents in return.
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