The three of them enjoyed a wonderful meal talking about trivial day to day things after they had settled matters concerning Nina being Dr. Rothstein’s assistant. Once they had finished, they adjourned to a lavish sitting room. Rothstein sat in a high backed and cushioned chair and Nina and Adrienne sat kitty corner to him on a couch.
“So, how have things been going between the two of you?” Rothstein asked with a cleaver grin on his face.
Nina and Adrienne both blushed. It was strange to be asked this question. How could they possibly answer it? Nina lowered her head a bit kneading her hands in her lap, clearly nervous. Adrienne looked over at her and couldn’t help but to chuckle seeing her look that way. She shot him a look that asked what he thought he was laughing at.
Rothstein chuckled. “I didn’t mean to put you on the spot; I just wanted to make sure things were going well. Though I suppose from looking at you two I shouldn’t have to even ask.”
Adrienne reached over and put his arm around Nina pulling her over closer to him. “I already told you Dad, things are awesome,” he said with a big smile.
Nina closed her eyes and smiled as she rested against him. “Yeah, he really is something else, something special. Adrienne really does mean a lot to me,” she said softly.
Adrienne looked down at her and brushed a stray hair off of her forehead. He could see she was getting tired. “Dad, it’s getting late. Do you mind if I take Nina home?”
Rothstein smiled softly and nodded. He actually felt a twinge of guilt seeing them together and hearing Nina talk about Adrienne as she had. To see his son looking so happy, it was all he’d ever wanted for him deep down. He had to remind himself though that Nina was an important part of his plans despite the fact that his son cared about her so much. If all went well though both he and Adrienne would get what they wanted from her.
“I’ll have Jeffery bring the car around to the front. Wait here until I get back alright?” he said as he got up to leave the room.
Adrienne nodded. “Thanks Dad.”
A little while later he returned with Nina’s jacket and handed it to her before walking with Nina and Adrienne to the car. When they got there, Rothstein opened the door for Nina while Adrienne went around to the other side of the car. “Thank you for joining us tonight Nina and I’ll see you tomorrow morning in class. Take care.”
“Thank you for having me Dr. Rothstein,” she said with a smile as he closed the door to the car and stepped back.
With Adrienne and Nina safely inside, the car pulled away heading back for Central City. “Jeffery, can you drop us off just outside of the city?” Adrienne asked leaning forward and putting his hand on the back of the driver’s seat to keep him steady.
“Excuse me Master Adrienne? Are you sure?” Jeffery asked as he looked into the rear view mirror to see him.
“Yes Jeffery, I want to walk Nina back to the dorms. Besides I don’t think it would look very good if we dropped her off and someone saw it. Most everyone knows that she and I are seeing each other but well…”
Jeffery chuckled. “I understand Young Master; I’ll stop just within the city and wait for you to come back.”
“Thanks Jeffery, I appreciate,” he said as he sat back in his seat again. He then looked over at Nina. “That’s OK with you right? I just want a little time alone before I have to bring you home.”
Nina just chuckled. “I don’t mind at all.”
Once they got into the city Jeffery did as Adrienne had asked and stopped letting them out. He then parked in an alley out of the way to wait for Adrienne to come back. They started walking back towards the school Adrienne taking Nina’s hand in his as they walked.
“I’m sorry I lied to you about how close to the school I lived. Jeffery actually does that for me most days so I don’t stand out so much,” he explained looking a little embarrassed.
Nina just laughed. “Don’t worry about it, I understand. I used to hate it when I was little and my Dad would walk Amy and me to school. It was always so awkward considering how well known he is, I can imagine it’s a lot the same for you.”
Adrienne laughed. “Yeah…” he said softly stopping. Suddenly he looked a really nervous.
Nina stopped when he did and looked over at him. “Are you OK?” she asked letting go of his hand and taking a step around him so she could face him. “You don’t look well.”
Adrienne lowered his head and took a deep breath. He’d actually been waiting for the right time to say what was on his mind and this was the first time they’d really been alone so he could. He felt like he had a pit in his stomach and that he could actually vomit he was that nervous. “Um Nina?”
She bent forward a bit trying to get a look at his face. “Come on Adrienne, this isn’t funny. What’s wrong?”
Quickly he lifted his head and took in a deep breath. He then put his hands on her shoulders and looked her directly in her crimson gold eyes. “Nina, there’s something I need to say to you.” Adrienne’s own eyes looked focused and intent, the moon light making the blue of those eyes look almost ocean like and the feeling Nina got when looking into them was just as vast. Nina’s breath caught in her chest. “Nina… I… well I…” the expression on his face softened and he put his hand gently on her cheek and smiled. He just needed to spit it out and he knew it. “Nina, I love you.”
Her eyes went wide and she was speechless. She wanted to say something, anything, but no words would come out of her mouth.
“I know you’ve already been pretty over loaded tonight and I understand if you can’t answer me now but I just had to get that out, I couldn’t hold it inside anymore. Please forgive me if it’s too much or too soon or…”
Nina stood there looking at him, her lips quivering and her eyes welling up with tears. The only thing she could do was throw her arms around him and bury her face in his chest crying. Almost instinctively, Adrienne put his arms around her and held her close. It actually broke his heart seeing her crying like this especially since he had no idea why she was doing it. He thought it had been his fault, that he had said something wrong.
“Nina, please, please stop crying. I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to make you sad…”
She shook her head as she finally unburied her face and looked at him. “You silly idiot, I’m not sad, I’m happy,” she said laughing a bit through the last of her tears.
“Wait, you’re crying because you’re happy?” he asked sounding genuinely confused. “Why would you do that?”
Nina smiled at him. “You can’t help crying Adrienne, it just happens when you feel really strongly. It doesn’t matter if you’re really sad or if you’re really happy and hearing you say that to me made me really happy especially because well…” Nina took a deep breath. “Well, it made me really happy because I love you too…”
Adrienne’s eyes lit up with her words. “Really? You’re not just picking on me again are you?”
“No, no jokes this time, I mean it,” she replied with a laugh.
He smiled at her and ran his fingers through her hair as she had left it down tonight. When he got to the nape of her neck he drew her in towards him, his other arm still around her. Closing his eyes he leaned forward and gently kissed her lips. Nina didn’t fight it, she closed her eyes and returned that soft kiss her heart racing in her chest. She couldn’t understand how any one person could be this blessed but she wasn’t going to question it for fear that if she did she would wake up to find all of it was nothing more than a dream.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
A New Senshi: Fallen Angel - Chapter 3.1 - Opportunities At The Rothstein Estate
The days turned to weeks and then to months. Nina stood out all the more doing nearly perfectly in all of her classes. She and Adrienne had even gotten closer spending much of their off time either studying together or just hanging out. Nina had even managed to take care of her problem with Austin Havoc. It appeared that he had taken her advice and had started talking to Julia quite often, but then nearly every time he had seen her lately she was with Adrienne so that couldn’t have hurt.
Nina had just finishing up with her Advanced Alchemic Principles class and was exiting the room when Dr. Rothstein came up to her. “Hello Nina,” he said with a smile. “Do you have a moment?”
Adjusting her bag so it wouldn’t fall off her shoulder she smiled and nodded. “Sure Dr. Rothstein, what’s up?”
“I was wondering if you had any plans for the evening?”
She looked at him confused. “Just last minute studying for the test in your Medicinal Alchemy class tomorrow, that’s all. Why?”
Rothstein grinned. “Well I was hoping you could come to my home this evening and have dinner with Adrienne and I. I’d like to discuss some things with you if you don’t mind.”
Suddenly Nina felt really nervous. He was asking her to come to his house to talk which was odd. Usually when he wanted to discuss things with her he just asked her to come to his office. “I don’t mind sir but why to your house? Why can’t we talk in your office like we usually do?”
Rothstein chuckled. “Normally I would but I thought it might be nice to have you at the house for dinner. Adrienne hasn’t had you over to the house once since you two started seeing each other and I thought it was time; I just think he’s too afraid to ask you. It just works out that there’s something I’d like to talk to you about as well. I also don’t know as talking about it here would be the best idea, prying eyes and over eager listening ears and the like, I’m sure you understand.”
Nina thought about it for a moment. “Alright, I think I do understand. What time should I be there?”
Rothstein smiled. “Excellent, how about six o’clock? I’ll send someone to get you.”
“Alright, then I’ll see you this evening Dr. Rothstein,” Nina said bowing her head a bit. “But if you’ll excuse me sir, I have to get to my next class,” she continued and then walked away.
Rothstein grinned to himself once her back was turned. The ball was rolling and this pleased him greatly.
That night Nina made her way outside after she had spent the last hour trying to figure out what to wear. She wasn’t sure what sort of dinner this was going to be so she thought she should at least dress up a little. It was starting to get a bit chilly outside so she decided to wear a jacket. She’d decided on the one her mother had given her, the one that had once been hers.
Once she was on the steps she looked around, Dr. Rothstein had said that he would send someone to get her but he hadn’t said who or what to look for. There was a car parked out front and when the driver inside saw Nina standing there looking he opened the door and got out.
“Miss Nina Elric?” he said as he approached her. “I’ve come to fetch you at Dr. Rothstein’s request,” he continued when she nodded her answer to his inquiry. “Please come with me.”
Nina followed the driver to the car and got in once he’d opened the door for her. She thought it was a little strange that he’d send a car for her since Adrienne had said he didn’t live far from the school but then who was she to question it.
The car took her just outside of Central City. It had actually taken a little longer than Nina had expected. As they approached the mansion Nina looked around in amazement, she had never seen anything like this.
When they stopped in front of the front door, the driver got out and then opened the door for Nina. “Here we are Miss Elric,” he said with a professional looking smile.
“Thank you,” she replied as she got out. Slowly she climbed the stairs to the door. Before she could even think of knocking the door opened and a young maid bowed her head.
“Good evening Miss Elric, we’ve been expecting you. Please, come in.”
Nina took a deep breath trying to calm her nerves. This was far grander than anything she was used to and she wasn’t sure exactly how to handle this. She entered and stood in the grand entryway just looking around. Everything was so clean and polished and the woodwork was exceptional. She snapped out of her amazement when the maid closed the door. It was made from a heavy wood and made a heavy thud as it closed and latched.
The maid then walked over to Nina and stood very straight and proper but her gaze did not meet Nina’s. “Please Miss Elric, if you would follow me to the dining room. Master Rothstein and young master Adrienne are already there waiting for you. I’ll take your coat as well.”
Nina nodded and took her jacket off and handed it to the maid before followed after the young woman staying close so she didn’t risk getting lost. Arriving at the dining room, the young maid pushed open the door and then stood out of the way so Nina could enter. “Master Rothstein, Miss Elric has arrived.”
Nina hung back still feeling very nervous. The maid looked at her like she was doing something odd wondering why she wasn’t entering the room.
“Please Nina, don’t be shy,” Dr. Rothstein said with a laugh as he got up from the table.
Adrienne got up as well and went over to the door and took her hand in both of his smiling. “Don’t be nervous Nina, come on,” he said as he lightly coaxed her to take a step.
That was all she’d needed and she easily followed him into the room. “Good evening sir,” she said bowing her head a bit. “Thank you for having me.”
Rothstein just chuckled. “You don’t need to be so formal Nina. Now please have a seat,” he said using his hand to indicate that she should sit opposite Adrienne. He then sat back down himself.
Adrienne went behind the chair and pulled it out for her. He was being a perfect gentleman and Nina couldn’t help but think it was cute. She smiled and walked over to the chair sitting down. Once she was properly seated, Adrienne went back over to his chair and sat down as well.
Nina sat in her chair with her hands clasped in her lap still looking a bit nervous. Adrienne just looked over at her and smiled. When she saw him smile that sweetly it made Nina blush. He’d looked at her like that before but never in front of his father.
Rothstein decided to be the one to break the nervous silence. “Thank you for coming Nina, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get the reason I asked you here tonight out of the way. Business before pleasure I guess you could say.”
“Of course sir,” she said rather shyly.
“I wanted to discuss with you a unique opportunity. I was wondering if you would be interested in becoming one of my personal research assistants.”
Nina’s jaw nearly dropped. “Excuse me?” She couldn’t believe what he had just asked her. “I don’t mean to be rude or sound ungrateful but why would you want me for something like that? I mean, I’m only a first year student and there have to be others that are more qualified. Besides, don’t you not usually take on students as your assistants anyway?”
Rothstein chuckled. “Normally that is very true, but I don’t usually have students even half as intelligent and gifted as you are and with your certification as a State Alchemist, I think that makes you more than qualified. But now you see why I didn’t wish to discuss this at the Academy. There are many that would be very upset if they knew I was doing this and I know you haven’t exactly had an easy time of things considering your exceptional abilities. Plus with the other privileges you’ve been granted because of it, such as that certification, I didn’t want to add to the rumor mills and make things more difficult for you.”
“It really hasn’t been that bad honestly but thank you for your concern, I really do appreciate it,” she said trying not to sound like it was a big deal. He didn’t need to know that most of her peers had pretty much begun to ignore her. The only exceptions were her sister Amy, the Moron Squad, her roommate Julia and of course Adrienne.
Rothstein nodded though he didn’t point out that he knew she was lying. It wasn’t his business really. “So what do you say to my offer?”
Nina took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. Her mind was racing with hundreds of thoughts at once. She still couldn’t believe he wanted her as his assistant. There was a part of her that was overjoyed. She had dreamt of one day maybe having an opportunity like this, she wouldn’t deny that to anyone, but she was also incredibly scared as well. What if she couldn’t live up to his expectations? What would she do then? For the first time since she was young, Nina was actually questioning herself. The last couple of months so much had happened. First there was the State Alchemist Certification from Fuhrer Mustang and now this too? Nina knew she was smart and that she had worked so hard forsaking many of the ordinary things people her age normally do but did she really deserve all of this?
Adrienne could see that she seemed to be really struggling with this. “Please accept it Nina,” he said gently. “If you do you’ll get to be here and I can…” Adrienne stopped himself realizing that what he was about to say was selfish. The last thing he wanted was to add to her burden and he thought telling her that they’d be able to spend more time together would do that.
Hearing Adrienne’s voice made Nina open her eyes and look at him. His crystal blue eyes looked so calm, hopeful, and encouraging. It made her smile and relax a bit. She then looked over at Dr. Rothstein, the look in her eyes solidified and her decision made. “You know sir; I’d be honored to be your assistant. Thank you for this opportunity.” She had decided that she had to take this chance and it didn’t matter if anyone thought ill of her for it. Nina knew that the people important to her would never turn their backs on her and that they would support her and encourage her as they always had.
“Wonderful!” he exclaimed as he clapped his hands together. “I’ll be expecting you here three nights a week once your classes are completed for the day. It doesn’t matter what three nights unless I specifically ask that you be here as I don’t want to interfere with your studies. Of course I will also expect you to show the same level of dedication in my lab as you have shown in my classes as well. Plus, I will also be giving you additional credit for the time you spend here working in the lab. Does that sound fair?”
“Yes sir and don’t worry, I’ll give it everything I have,” she said. She then looked back over at Adrienne. He had a smile on his face that stretched from one ear to the other.
“Excellent, now let’s eat.” Rothstein motioned to a servant that had been waiting in the corner of the room. The man nodded and disappeared from the room.
When the man returned he had a group of other servants with him, each carrying trays. As they set them down, the servants removed the covers revealing carefully and skillfully crafted foods. Everything looked so delicious and exquisite.
“You didn’t have to go to all of this trouble for me,” Nina said looking a bit flustered.
Rothstein shook his head. “Nonsense! We have much to celebrate tonight. My son has a wonderful young woman that cares for him deeply and I have an exceptional new research assistant.”
Hearing Rothstein go on about her like that made Nina blush a deep red. “Thank you for everything Dr. Rothstein. You and Adrienne both are so kind to me,” she said as a single tear ran down her cheek.
Nina had just finishing up with her Advanced Alchemic Principles class and was exiting the room when Dr. Rothstein came up to her. “Hello Nina,” he said with a smile. “Do you have a moment?”
Adjusting her bag so it wouldn’t fall off her shoulder she smiled and nodded. “Sure Dr. Rothstein, what’s up?”
“I was wondering if you had any plans for the evening?”
She looked at him confused. “Just last minute studying for the test in your Medicinal Alchemy class tomorrow, that’s all. Why?”
Rothstein grinned. “Well I was hoping you could come to my home this evening and have dinner with Adrienne and I. I’d like to discuss some things with you if you don’t mind.”
Suddenly Nina felt really nervous. He was asking her to come to his house to talk which was odd. Usually when he wanted to discuss things with her he just asked her to come to his office. “I don’t mind sir but why to your house? Why can’t we talk in your office like we usually do?”
Rothstein chuckled. “Normally I would but I thought it might be nice to have you at the house for dinner. Adrienne hasn’t had you over to the house once since you two started seeing each other and I thought it was time; I just think he’s too afraid to ask you. It just works out that there’s something I’d like to talk to you about as well. I also don’t know as talking about it here would be the best idea, prying eyes and over eager listening ears and the like, I’m sure you understand.”
Nina thought about it for a moment. “Alright, I think I do understand. What time should I be there?”
Rothstein smiled. “Excellent, how about six o’clock? I’ll send someone to get you.”
“Alright, then I’ll see you this evening Dr. Rothstein,” Nina said bowing her head a bit. “But if you’ll excuse me sir, I have to get to my next class,” she continued and then walked away.
Rothstein grinned to himself once her back was turned. The ball was rolling and this pleased him greatly.
That night Nina made her way outside after she had spent the last hour trying to figure out what to wear. She wasn’t sure what sort of dinner this was going to be so she thought she should at least dress up a little. It was starting to get a bit chilly outside so she decided to wear a jacket. She’d decided on the one her mother had given her, the one that had once been hers.
Once she was on the steps she looked around, Dr. Rothstein had said that he would send someone to get her but he hadn’t said who or what to look for. There was a car parked out front and when the driver inside saw Nina standing there looking he opened the door and got out.
“Miss Nina Elric?” he said as he approached her. “I’ve come to fetch you at Dr. Rothstein’s request,” he continued when she nodded her answer to his inquiry. “Please come with me.”
Nina followed the driver to the car and got in once he’d opened the door for her. She thought it was a little strange that he’d send a car for her since Adrienne had said he didn’t live far from the school but then who was she to question it.
The car took her just outside of Central City. It had actually taken a little longer than Nina had expected. As they approached the mansion Nina looked around in amazement, she had never seen anything like this.
When they stopped in front of the front door, the driver got out and then opened the door for Nina. “Here we are Miss Elric,” he said with a professional looking smile.
“Thank you,” she replied as she got out. Slowly she climbed the stairs to the door. Before she could even think of knocking the door opened and a young maid bowed her head.
“Good evening Miss Elric, we’ve been expecting you. Please, come in.”
Nina took a deep breath trying to calm her nerves. This was far grander than anything she was used to and she wasn’t sure exactly how to handle this. She entered and stood in the grand entryway just looking around. Everything was so clean and polished and the woodwork was exceptional. She snapped out of her amazement when the maid closed the door. It was made from a heavy wood and made a heavy thud as it closed and latched.
The maid then walked over to Nina and stood very straight and proper but her gaze did not meet Nina’s. “Please Miss Elric, if you would follow me to the dining room. Master Rothstein and young master Adrienne are already there waiting for you. I’ll take your coat as well.”
Nina nodded and took her jacket off and handed it to the maid before followed after the young woman staying close so she didn’t risk getting lost. Arriving at the dining room, the young maid pushed open the door and then stood out of the way so Nina could enter. “Master Rothstein, Miss Elric has arrived.”
Nina hung back still feeling very nervous. The maid looked at her like she was doing something odd wondering why she wasn’t entering the room.
“Please Nina, don’t be shy,” Dr. Rothstein said with a laugh as he got up from the table.
Adrienne got up as well and went over to the door and took her hand in both of his smiling. “Don’t be nervous Nina, come on,” he said as he lightly coaxed her to take a step.
That was all she’d needed and she easily followed him into the room. “Good evening sir,” she said bowing her head a bit. “Thank you for having me.”
Rothstein just chuckled. “You don’t need to be so formal Nina. Now please have a seat,” he said using his hand to indicate that she should sit opposite Adrienne. He then sat back down himself.
Adrienne went behind the chair and pulled it out for her. He was being a perfect gentleman and Nina couldn’t help but think it was cute. She smiled and walked over to the chair sitting down. Once she was properly seated, Adrienne went back over to his chair and sat down as well.
Nina sat in her chair with her hands clasped in her lap still looking a bit nervous. Adrienne just looked over at her and smiled. When she saw him smile that sweetly it made Nina blush. He’d looked at her like that before but never in front of his father.
Rothstein decided to be the one to break the nervous silence. “Thank you for coming Nina, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get the reason I asked you here tonight out of the way. Business before pleasure I guess you could say.”
“Of course sir,” she said rather shyly.
“I wanted to discuss with you a unique opportunity. I was wondering if you would be interested in becoming one of my personal research assistants.”
Nina’s jaw nearly dropped. “Excuse me?” She couldn’t believe what he had just asked her. “I don’t mean to be rude or sound ungrateful but why would you want me for something like that? I mean, I’m only a first year student and there have to be others that are more qualified. Besides, don’t you not usually take on students as your assistants anyway?”
Rothstein chuckled. “Normally that is very true, but I don’t usually have students even half as intelligent and gifted as you are and with your certification as a State Alchemist, I think that makes you more than qualified. But now you see why I didn’t wish to discuss this at the Academy. There are many that would be very upset if they knew I was doing this and I know you haven’t exactly had an easy time of things considering your exceptional abilities. Plus with the other privileges you’ve been granted because of it, such as that certification, I didn’t want to add to the rumor mills and make things more difficult for you.”
“It really hasn’t been that bad honestly but thank you for your concern, I really do appreciate it,” she said trying not to sound like it was a big deal. He didn’t need to know that most of her peers had pretty much begun to ignore her. The only exceptions were her sister Amy, the Moron Squad, her roommate Julia and of course Adrienne.
Rothstein nodded though he didn’t point out that he knew she was lying. It wasn’t his business really. “So what do you say to my offer?”
Nina took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. Her mind was racing with hundreds of thoughts at once. She still couldn’t believe he wanted her as his assistant. There was a part of her that was overjoyed. She had dreamt of one day maybe having an opportunity like this, she wouldn’t deny that to anyone, but she was also incredibly scared as well. What if she couldn’t live up to his expectations? What would she do then? For the first time since she was young, Nina was actually questioning herself. The last couple of months so much had happened. First there was the State Alchemist Certification from Fuhrer Mustang and now this too? Nina knew she was smart and that she had worked so hard forsaking many of the ordinary things people her age normally do but did she really deserve all of this?
Adrienne could see that she seemed to be really struggling with this. “Please accept it Nina,” he said gently. “If you do you’ll get to be here and I can…” Adrienne stopped himself realizing that what he was about to say was selfish. The last thing he wanted was to add to her burden and he thought telling her that they’d be able to spend more time together would do that.
Hearing Adrienne’s voice made Nina open her eyes and look at him. His crystal blue eyes looked so calm, hopeful, and encouraging. It made her smile and relax a bit. She then looked over at Dr. Rothstein, the look in her eyes solidified and her decision made. “You know sir; I’d be honored to be your assistant. Thank you for this opportunity.” She had decided that she had to take this chance and it didn’t matter if anyone thought ill of her for it. Nina knew that the people important to her would never turn their backs on her and that they would support her and encourage her as they always had.
“Wonderful!” he exclaimed as he clapped his hands together. “I’ll be expecting you here three nights a week once your classes are completed for the day. It doesn’t matter what three nights unless I specifically ask that you be here as I don’t want to interfere with your studies. Of course I will also expect you to show the same level of dedication in my lab as you have shown in my classes as well. Plus, I will also be giving you additional credit for the time you spend here working in the lab. Does that sound fair?”
“Yes sir and don’t worry, I’ll give it everything I have,” she said. She then looked back over at Adrienne. He had a smile on his face that stretched from one ear to the other.
“Excellent, now let’s eat.” Rothstein motioned to a servant that had been waiting in the corner of the room. The man nodded and disappeared from the room.
When the man returned he had a group of other servants with him, each carrying trays. As they set them down, the servants removed the covers revealing carefully and skillfully crafted foods. Everything looked so delicious and exquisite.
“You didn’t have to go to all of this trouble for me,” Nina said looking a bit flustered.
Rothstein shook his head. “Nonsense! We have much to celebrate tonight. My son has a wonderful young woman that cares for him deeply and I have an exceptional new research assistant.”
Hearing Rothstein go on about her like that made Nina blush a deep red. “Thank you for everything Dr. Rothstein. You and Adrienne both are so kind to me,” she said as a single tear ran down her cheek.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
A New Senshi: Fallen Angel - Chapter 2.5 - Classes Begin But IsThe Only Thing?
Things had been wild and crazy for Nina since the orientation presentation. Everyone wanted to look at the pocket watch that she had been given. The looks she got were mixed between awe and jealousy. Nina didn’t care though, they just couldn’t handle the fact that she had worked so hard for this and been rewarded. She wasn’t going to let their petty insecurities bother her. She had a responsibility even more so now to succeed and she wasn’t going to let anyone take that from her or stop her from getting there.
Her first class was Dr. Rothstein’s basics of medicinal alchemy class. She couldn’t wait. When she arrived there wasn’t anyone there yet and Rothstein had yet to arrive. Nina sighed and leaned back against the wall outside the door, her books clutched close to her chest. A few moments later she saw Adrienne coming down the hall and it looked like he was running.
“What the…?” she said as he raced past her. Shortly behind him she saw a group of about six girls chasing after him.
Nina just sighed. First day of classes and it would seem that he already had a fan club. She should have known better. When he’d realized it was Nina standing there, Adrienne quickly turned running through the girls back to her.
“Nina!” he said as nearly crashed into her. “You gotta save me… they’re nuts!”
Seeing Adrienne practically clinging to Nina the group of girls made a collectively annoyed face. Nina just stared them all down. “Leave him alone,” she said sounding rather displeased.
“Why should we?” one of the girls said copping an attitude. “Just because you’re little miss perfect around here doesn’t mean you can order people around.”
Nina handed her books to Adrienne and stepped up to the girl. Nina had a good four inches of height on her so when she stepped up she had to look down a little. “Where should I start? First of all it’s clear he’s not interested and second he already has a girlfriend anyway.”
The girl looked at her a bit confused. “Excuse me, he has a girlfriend? How would you know that?”
Adrienne smiled and walked up behind Nina and put his arm around her. He had caught her drift and was playing it up. He didn’t exactly realize she meant it.
Nina just grinned at the girl. “How do I know? Simple, I’m his girlfriend. Now, unless you want more trouble than you can handle I’d suggest you and the rest of your little fan club leave Adrienne alone.”
The group gasped in shock then looked angry. “It figures…”
Nina thought she would have a little more fun with this. “Oh are you jealous? I can’t help it if I have the complete package, brains, talent, good looks, and you don’t. Besides, what makes you think someone like Adrienne would go for ordinary girls like the group of you?” It really was a bit out of character for her to be this arrogant and condescending, that was more Amy’s specialty than hers. It was worth it though if it made the mini horde of mindless little girls leave Adrienne alone. Thankfully they could take a hint and walked off grumbling to themselves.
Nina let out a long breath. She had been so nervous standing up to them like that. Adrienne hugged her since he still had his arm around her. “Thanks Nina. I swear, I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been here. That was a pretty impressive story making them think I was your boyfriend.”
Nina turned to look at him and took her books back and held them close to her chest. Her cheeks flushed a bright red. “Well, I didn’t exactly… I mean it wasn’t really a story was it?”
Adrienne looked at her innocently confused. “It wasn’t? You mean you meant it?” When he asked his own cheeks flushed red. It was actually rather adorable against his snow white hair. A few strands had fallen out of his braid when he’d been running and had settled over his eyes and cheeks.
“Well if you don’t want…” Nina started feeling a twinge of pain at the thought he might not have actually wanted that.
Adrienne put his hands up and shook his head rather energetically. “No! That’s not… I mean…” He sighed and smiled. “Is that what you want?” he asked his voice turning soft and happy.
Nina held her books a little tighter and looked away from him a bit embarrassed but smiling. “If you don’t mind…” she replied softly. “If you want to be… you know… I wouldn’t mind…” Nina’s heart raced in her chest. It was beating so hard that she thought it might actually explode.
“Are you kidding?” Adrienne asked sounding as excited as a little boy. “Of course that’s what I want! I just, well…” Adrienne blushed more as his voice started to sound a little embarrassed. “I just wasn’t sure that’s what you wanted too.”
They both laughed and were still laughing when Dr. Rothstein arrived. “Well don’t the two of you just look so eager to get started,” he said smiling at them.
“Hi Dad,” Adrienne said with a smile.
“Adrienne, we talked about this the other day. When we’re here you have to call me Dr. Rothstein like all of the other students,” he said scolding him a bit.
“Sorry… I mean, hello Dr. Rothstein.”
“Hello sir,” Nina chimed in as well.
Rothstein just chuckled. “Well it would seem that you are the first ones here. Come along, let’s not stand here milling about in the hallway,” he said as he unlocked the door and opened it. He then stepped out of the way allowing the two of them into the room before following behind them.
Inside the room were six tables, two chairs to a table, and a desk at the front facing the tables. Dr. Rothstein set his bag down on the desk and started taking out his things. Nina and Adrienne took seats at the front table to his left. A few minutes later more students filed into the room until finally, every seat was taken. Nina looked around and noticed that every person in the class seemed to be a lot older than she and Adrienne. She had expected at least a bit of that given what Dr. Rothstein had told her but she didn’t expect them to be that much older. They all looked like they could be at least twenty; some looked like they could be older than even that.
“Good morning everyone,” Dr. Rothstein said as the room settled down. “Welcome to Basics of Medicinal Alchemy. As I’m sure you all already know, I’m Dr. Gregory Rothstein and I will be your instructor for this course and its accompanying lab this semester. Since you are all here, you’ve proven that you have first rate academic track records so I’m expecting great things from each and every one of you. Now let’s get started.”
Rothstein turned to the board and started writing. Nina opened her notebook and took out her pen and started writing. Adrienne, being a bit embarrassed nudged her. “With the craziness I forgot to grab my stuff when those girls chased me out of the library earlier…” he whispered.
Nina just shook her head and chuckled to herself as she slid her extra notebook and a pen over to him. “You owe me,” she whispered back with a wink.
Adrienne smiled at her as he opened the book and started writing as well. “You have no idea how much…”
“Now who can tell me what the greatest taboo in any form of alchemy is?” Rothstein asked as he turned back to face the room. Every hand went up. This was probably the easiest question he’d ask them the entire semester.
He looked around the room and then decided on a young man in the back of the room. “Human Transmutation,” he answered.
“Very good, that’s exactly right.” When he spoke, the woman sitting at the table behind Nina and Adrienne put her hand up. Seeing it, Rothstein acknowledged her so she could ask her question.
“But if human transmutation is taboo and forbidden, how is medicinal alchemy allowed? Isn’t that human transmutation also?”
Rothstein chuckled. “That it is and that’s the million dollar question now isn’t it? There is a fine line between helping people and playing God. When the taboo speaks of human transmutation it focuses primarily on trying to create life from nothing or from death. We must never try to bring the dead back to life and we must never try to make people in another way using alchemy. In medicinal alchemy we simply use what is already available to fix what already exists nothing more, that is why it is not a taboo nor is it illegal to practice medicinal alchemy. That is actually an excellent question to lead us into our first lesson today…”
For the next hour Rothstein spoke of the origins of Amestrian medicinal alchemy. He even touched upon the alchehestry of Xing though he admitted to not knowing very much about it. Nina thought she might have to share with him what May and Alphonse had taught her about it someday.
When the class was over, Nina and Adrienne walked out of the room together. When they came out, Amy was there waiting for her. She couldn’t help but to smirk seeing the two of them together. “You know if Havoc saw you two he’d be heartbroken,” she said with a laugh.
Nina rolled her eyes. “Good, then maybe he’d get the hint and leave me alone. Why are you here anyway?” she asked.
Amy just shook her head and held up a letter. “This came first thing this morning from Dad. I figured I’d wait for you before I opened it considering what the Fuhrer did had to have reached him by now.”
Nina sighed. She had purposely not told her father right away just because she knew Mustang was probably right about how angry he’d most likely be. Though she really shouldn’t be surprised that he would have found out on his own considering it was probably all over the Eastern branch of the Academy already and someone was sure to have said something to him about it. “Alright, give me a few minutes and I’ll meet you back at your room.”
“It’s OK, you can go Nina,” Adrienne said. “After that little show you put on before class I don’t think I’ll have any more trouble…”
Nina just laughed. “I didn’t think you would. I just wanted to walk with you, that’s all, but if you’re sure you don’t want me to come with you…”
Adrienne shook his head. “No that’s not it at all; I mean…” he just sighed. “Aw hell…”
Nina put her hand on his shoulder and just smiled at him. “I was only messing with you, calm down. I’ll see you this afternoon OK?”
He noticeably relaxed and nodded. Then he realized he still had her notebook. “Oh before I forget,” he said trying to hand it back to her.
She gently pushed it back towards him and hugged him. “Keep it for now…” she said softly. “You can give it back later. I’ll see you later.”
Adrienne blushed and hugged her back. “If you say so, then I’ll see you later.” He walked off leaving Amy and Nina standing in the hall.
“Well aren’t the two of you just so cute,” Amy said poking fun at her sister.
“Whatever,” she said grabbing at the letter in Amy’s hand and taking it. Opening it she took the letter out. “Aw man…” Nina said with a sigh.
“What is it? What did he say?” Amy asked reaching for the letter. Nina handed it her so she could read it too. She couldn’t help but to laugh. “And here I thought he was going to be mad. Oh well, at least it looks like you’re off the hook for now.”
“Yeah…”
Her first class was Dr. Rothstein’s basics of medicinal alchemy class. She couldn’t wait. When she arrived there wasn’t anyone there yet and Rothstein had yet to arrive. Nina sighed and leaned back against the wall outside the door, her books clutched close to her chest. A few moments later she saw Adrienne coming down the hall and it looked like he was running.
“What the…?” she said as he raced past her. Shortly behind him she saw a group of about six girls chasing after him.
Nina just sighed. First day of classes and it would seem that he already had a fan club. She should have known better. When he’d realized it was Nina standing there, Adrienne quickly turned running through the girls back to her.
“Nina!” he said as nearly crashed into her. “You gotta save me… they’re nuts!”
Seeing Adrienne practically clinging to Nina the group of girls made a collectively annoyed face. Nina just stared them all down. “Leave him alone,” she said sounding rather displeased.
“Why should we?” one of the girls said copping an attitude. “Just because you’re little miss perfect around here doesn’t mean you can order people around.”
Nina handed her books to Adrienne and stepped up to the girl. Nina had a good four inches of height on her so when she stepped up she had to look down a little. “Where should I start? First of all it’s clear he’s not interested and second he already has a girlfriend anyway.”
The girl looked at her a bit confused. “Excuse me, he has a girlfriend? How would you know that?”
Adrienne smiled and walked up behind Nina and put his arm around her. He had caught her drift and was playing it up. He didn’t exactly realize she meant it.
Nina just grinned at the girl. “How do I know? Simple, I’m his girlfriend. Now, unless you want more trouble than you can handle I’d suggest you and the rest of your little fan club leave Adrienne alone.”
The group gasped in shock then looked angry. “It figures…”
Nina thought she would have a little more fun with this. “Oh are you jealous? I can’t help it if I have the complete package, brains, talent, good looks, and you don’t. Besides, what makes you think someone like Adrienne would go for ordinary girls like the group of you?” It really was a bit out of character for her to be this arrogant and condescending, that was more Amy’s specialty than hers. It was worth it though if it made the mini horde of mindless little girls leave Adrienne alone. Thankfully they could take a hint and walked off grumbling to themselves.
Nina let out a long breath. She had been so nervous standing up to them like that. Adrienne hugged her since he still had his arm around her. “Thanks Nina. I swear, I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been here. That was a pretty impressive story making them think I was your boyfriend.”
Nina turned to look at him and took her books back and held them close to her chest. Her cheeks flushed a bright red. “Well, I didn’t exactly… I mean it wasn’t really a story was it?”
Adrienne looked at her innocently confused. “It wasn’t? You mean you meant it?” When he asked his own cheeks flushed red. It was actually rather adorable against his snow white hair. A few strands had fallen out of his braid when he’d been running and had settled over his eyes and cheeks.
“Well if you don’t want…” Nina started feeling a twinge of pain at the thought he might not have actually wanted that.
Adrienne put his hands up and shook his head rather energetically. “No! That’s not… I mean…” He sighed and smiled. “Is that what you want?” he asked his voice turning soft and happy.
Nina held her books a little tighter and looked away from him a bit embarrassed but smiling. “If you don’t mind…” she replied softly. “If you want to be… you know… I wouldn’t mind…” Nina’s heart raced in her chest. It was beating so hard that she thought it might actually explode.
“Are you kidding?” Adrienne asked sounding as excited as a little boy. “Of course that’s what I want! I just, well…” Adrienne blushed more as his voice started to sound a little embarrassed. “I just wasn’t sure that’s what you wanted too.”
They both laughed and were still laughing when Dr. Rothstein arrived. “Well don’t the two of you just look so eager to get started,” he said smiling at them.
“Hi Dad,” Adrienne said with a smile.
“Adrienne, we talked about this the other day. When we’re here you have to call me Dr. Rothstein like all of the other students,” he said scolding him a bit.
“Sorry… I mean, hello Dr. Rothstein.”
“Hello sir,” Nina chimed in as well.
Rothstein just chuckled. “Well it would seem that you are the first ones here. Come along, let’s not stand here milling about in the hallway,” he said as he unlocked the door and opened it. He then stepped out of the way allowing the two of them into the room before following behind them.
Inside the room were six tables, two chairs to a table, and a desk at the front facing the tables. Dr. Rothstein set his bag down on the desk and started taking out his things. Nina and Adrienne took seats at the front table to his left. A few minutes later more students filed into the room until finally, every seat was taken. Nina looked around and noticed that every person in the class seemed to be a lot older than she and Adrienne. She had expected at least a bit of that given what Dr. Rothstein had told her but she didn’t expect them to be that much older. They all looked like they could be at least twenty; some looked like they could be older than even that.
“Good morning everyone,” Dr. Rothstein said as the room settled down. “Welcome to Basics of Medicinal Alchemy. As I’m sure you all already know, I’m Dr. Gregory Rothstein and I will be your instructor for this course and its accompanying lab this semester. Since you are all here, you’ve proven that you have first rate academic track records so I’m expecting great things from each and every one of you. Now let’s get started.”
Rothstein turned to the board and started writing. Nina opened her notebook and took out her pen and started writing. Adrienne, being a bit embarrassed nudged her. “With the craziness I forgot to grab my stuff when those girls chased me out of the library earlier…” he whispered.
Nina just shook her head and chuckled to herself as she slid her extra notebook and a pen over to him. “You owe me,” she whispered back with a wink.
Adrienne smiled at her as he opened the book and started writing as well. “You have no idea how much…”
“Now who can tell me what the greatest taboo in any form of alchemy is?” Rothstein asked as he turned back to face the room. Every hand went up. This was probably the easiest question he’d ask them the entire semester.
He looked around the room and then decided on a young man in the back of the room. “Human Transmutation,” he answered.
“Very good, that’s exactly right.” When he spoke, the woman sitting at the table behind Nina and Adrienne put her hand up. Seeing it, Rothstein acknowledged her so she could ask her question.
“But if human transmutation is taboo and forbidden, how is medicinal alchemy allowed? Isn’t that human transmutation also?”
Rothstein chuckled. “That it is and that’s the million dollar question now isn’t it? There is a fine line between helping people and playing God. When the taboo speaks of human transmutation it focuses primarily on trying to create life from nothing or from death. We must never try to bring the dead back to life and we must never try to make people in another way using alchemy. In medicinal alchemy we simply use what is already available to fix what already exists nothing more, that is why it is not a taboo nor is it illegal to practice medicinal alchemy. That is actually an excellent question to lead us into our first lesson today…”
For the next hour Rothstein spoke of the origins of Amestrian medicinal alchemy. He even touched upon the alchehestry of Xing though he admitted to not knowing very much about it. Nina thought she might have to share with him what May and Alphonse had taught her about it someday.
When the class was over, Nina and Adrienne walked out of the room together. When they came out, Amy was there waiting for her. She couldn’t help but to smirk seeing the two of them together. “You know if Havoc saw you two he’d be heartbroken,” she said with a laugh.
Nina rolled her eyes. “Good, then maybe he’d get the hint and leave me alone. Why are you here anyway?” she asked.
Amy just shook her head and held up a letter. “This came first thing this morning from Dad. I figured I’d wait for you before I opened it considering what the Fuhrer did had to have reached him by now.”
Nina sighed. She had purposely not told her father right away just because she knew Mustang was probably right about how angry he’d most likely be. Though she really shouldn’t be surprised that he would have found out on his own considering it was probably all over the Eastern branch of the Academy already and someone was sure to have said something to him about it. “Alright, give me a few minutes and I’ll meet you back at your room.”
“It’s OK, you can go Nina,” Adrienne said. “After that little show you put on before class I don’t think I’ll have any more trouble…”
Nina just laughed. “I didn’t think you would. I just wanted to walk with you, that’s all, but if you’re sure you don’t want me to come with you…”
Adrienne shook his head. “No that’s not it at all; I mean…” he just sighed. “Aw hell…”
Nina put her hand on his shoulder and just smiled at him. “I was only messing with you, calm down. I’ll see you this afternoon OK?”
He noticeably relaxed and nodded. Then he realized he still had her notebook. “Oh before I forget,” he said trying to hand it back to her.
She gently pushed it back towards him and hugged him. “Keep it for now…” she said softly. “You can give it back later. I’ll see you later.”
Adrienne blushed and hugged her back. “If you say so, then I’ll see you later.” He walked off leaving Amy and Nina standing in the hall.
“Well aren’t the two of you just so cute,” Amy said poking fun at her sister.
“Whatever,” she said grabbing at the letter in Amy’s hand and taking it. Opening it she took the letter out. “Aw man…” Nina said with a sigh.
“What is it? What did he say?” Amy asked reaching for the letter. Nina handed it her so she could read it too. She couldn’t help but to laugh. “And here I thought he was going to be mad. Oh well, at least it looks like you’re off the hook for now.”
“Yeah…”
A New Senshi: Fallen Angel - Chapter 2.4 - Orientation Day
The next morning Nina was up early and waiting outside the assembly hall for the orientation meeting to start. She actually hadn’t been able to sleep a wink after Adrienne had dropped her off back at the dorms so she figured why not get an early start. Since no one was around yet, Nina decided to sit down outside the door. She pulled a book from the bag she’d been carrying and started to read.
“How did I know you’d be the first one down here?” Amy said with a laugh as she walked up to her sister.
Closing her book, Nina looked up at her giving her a rather sarcastic looking grin. “And I didn’t expect you to be here this early. How did you manage to actually get out of bed on time?”
“I can do it if I want to,” Amy replied looking and sounding less than amused. “Besides, it’s hard to sleep with these guys pretty much beating down my door.”
Riley and his gang came walking up behind Amy. Nina sighed when she saw them. It was too early in the morning to be dealing with the Moron Squad. “Ah, I see,” she said as she put her book away and got up. “Good morning,” she continued trying to at least be polite.
“Good morning,” Austin replied before any of the others could. It would seem that he was still stuck on her even though she had pretty much turned him down cold last night.
More people started to gather outside the door. Nina was actually thankful for that since a few of them wanted to talk to her. It was only because of her exam score or because of whom her father was but that didn’t matter much to her, it saved her from having to deal with the awkwardness of Austin.
When the door opened, the crowd that had gathered moved inside and started to take their seats. Nina had managed to find Julia and had planned to sit with her until Dr. Rothstein found her.
“Good morning Ms. Elric,” he said with a smile as he placed his hand on her shoulder.
Turning with a bit of a start Nina smiled when she saw him. “Good morning Dr. Rothstein, how are you today?”
“I’m well thank you for asking. How about yourself? I hope you didn’t catch a chill or the like after last night I hope.”
Nina blushed a deep red. “No I’m fine thank you. Adrienne told you what happened?” she asked sounding rather embarrassed.
Rothstein couldn’t help but to chuckle at her. “Oh just about your unfortunate and unplanned swim in the fountain but don’t worry, though my son tells me things from time to time I don’t think he would tell me anything that would truly be embarrassing.”
Somehow that didn’t really comfort Nina that much. “Well, thank you for your concern Dr. Rothstein, but I think I should take a seat before…”
“That’s actually why I came to find you. If you would be so kind as to come with me, I’ve been asked to have you sit up on the stage for the presentation today. It seems the Fuhrer is here and he has something he’d like to present to you.”
Nina blushed. She didn’t exactly want to be treated as if she was any more special than anyone else but she also couldn’t protest that to Rothstein. She wouldn’t even if she could anyway. “Alright,” she said softly and followed him as they made their way to the stage. Once they had taken their seats and the rest of the room had filled, the orientation presentation began.
Dr. Rothstein stood up at the podium and greeted the incoming students and reminded the returning ones and the new alike about what would be expected of them. Once he was through, the representative from the Student Board got up and spoke about how the class schedules would be handed out once the assembly was over and when they could go to get the books and supplies they’d need for their classes. She finished by letting them know that there were also clubs and student organizations available for them to join and that there would be a separate fair for these once classes had begun.
Finally the formalities of the usual orientation were finished. Dr. Rothstein got up once more and went to the podium. “Alright, I know you’re all eager to get your class schedules but we have one more thing we’d like to do. It’s my pleasure and privilege to introduce to you Fuhrer Roy Mustang. Please join me in welcoming him here today.”
As he made the introduction, Mustang came out onto the stage and gave the room a subtle wave. It was clear he was carrying something in his other hand. Walking up to Dr. Rothstein, Mustang shook the doctor’s hand. “Thank you for the warm reception Dr. Rothstein,” he said with his usual cool smile. Dr. Rothstein stepped aside and allowed Mustang to stand at the podium. Setting the object he had been carrying down on it he smiled at the room. “It’s my pleasure to be here with you all today and it’s an honor for me to be here to present a very special award of achievement to Ms. Nina Elric. Would you please come here Ms. Elric?”
Nina swallowed hard suddenly feeling very nervous. She’d been around the Fuhrer many times in the past but to be up in front of everyone like this, that’s what really got to her. Getting up from her chair she took a few steps over towards the podium. Mustang smiled at her as she came up to stand beside him.
“As many of you know, Ms. Elric is the first since I created the Alchemy Academy system to get a perfect score on the acceptance exam. This is truly an historic occasion and I’d like you all to join me in congratulating her.” As he spoke, he took the covering off the object that he had placed on the podium. “Here I have an official acknowledgement from myself,” he started as he held up the framed document so it could be seen. “And as a token of this achievement I also have this.”Mustang reached into his pocket and pulled out a wooden box. When he opened it he took out its contents, a silver pocket watch, and held it up in his other hand. “This is one of the silver pocket watches granted when an alchemist is given State Certification as I’m sure you all are aware.”
Nina’s jaw nearly dropped and murmurs and whispers of shock could be easily heard throughout the room.
Now I know most of you are probably wondering why I would be giving such a thing to Ms. Elric now. It is a conditional appointment though she has already proven that she has just as much, if not more, knowledge of alchemy as any currently certified alchemist. This watch will allow her all the rights and privileges of any other State Alchemist and upon successful completion of her studies and graduation here at the Central Academy she will also be granted her official title.” Mustang then put the watch back in the box and handed it as well as the document to Nina. He then stepped aside so that she could say a few words.
Nina stepped up to the podium and just stood there for a few moments unable to believe any of this was happening. Finally, after taking a few deep breaths to calm her nerves, she spoke. “Thank you Fuhrer Mustang sir, this is really an honor. I don’t know as I deserve it but I will do my best not to let you and everyone else down.” Nina paused a moment before continuing, “I’m thankful that my twin sister Amy is here to see this, I just wish the rest of my family could have been here too. If it hadn’t been for all of them…” At that point Nina could feel herself choking up and tears forming in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she continued with a shaky voice. “Thank you,” she managed before she turned from the podium and went back to sit down.
Dr. Rothstein got back up and stood beside Fuhrer Mustang. “Please, a round of applause for Ms. Elric,” he said as he began to clap. Everyone joined in and Nina stood once again on shaky legs bowing her head to them in appreciation.
Once the noise had died down a bit, the room began to clear so that the students could go and get their class schedules. Nina started to make her way off of the stage so she could do the same until Dr. Rothstein stopped her.
“Here you are Nina,” he said as he handed her a piece of paper. “I wanted to give this to you personally so I took the liberty of getting it for you.”
When she took the paper she saw that it was her schedule. Quickly looking it over she then looked at Rothstein in a bit of amazement.
Rothstein saw the look on her face and smiled. “I’ve made sure you’ll be in my classes this semester. Usually one would have to wait until at least their second semester before having a chance to take my classes but given your proven talent I think you can handle it.”
Nina beamed. “Thank you sir! You don’t know how much this means to me.”
Rothstein chuckled. “Oh and I’ve also arranged for your lab partner as well. You’ll be paired with my son Adrienne. I’m sure that won’t be a problem will it?” Rothstein then winked at her.
She was speechless and blushing so much that if she could have turned purple she probably would have. “No, it’s not a problem at all,” she replied softly. “I don’t know how to… How can I ever…”
Rothstein shook his head. “Don’t worry about thanking me. Do your best and make this school and this country proud, that will be thanks enough.”
“I will sir, thank you,” Nina said, still sounding soft and shy.
Rothstein put his hand on her shoulder and smiled as he walked past her and away. Once he was gone, Mustang came up to her. Nina smiled at him as he approached. “Thank you for all of this Fuhrer Mustang.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know as you should be thanking me,” he said with a laugh. “I’m sure once Fullmetal finds out what I’ve done he’s not going to be happy.”
Nina just laughed. “He’ll get over it. Besides, Daddy can’t be mad, he had his certification at twelve, five years earlier than me. He even had his official title and everything at that point, I don’t.”
“Well about that, the only reason I didn’t actually give you your official title and codename was because I’m sure yet what a proper name to give you would be considering most codenames are based on specialization. Show me more of your talents and then I’ll give you your title then. That stays between you and me though.”
Nina chuckled. “Yes sir, you have my word, I won’t tell anyone.”
“Good, now I have to go make sure my son isn’t slacking off. Congratulations again Ms. Elric,” he said as he walked off.
Nina stood there for a moment just trying to let this all sink in. She figured she should put the things she had been given away before she went to get her books. It was also an excuse to avoid most of the crowds of people for a little while. Also, she wanted to make sure the pocket watch was safe, the last thing she wanted was for someone to think they could try and steal it.
“How did I know you’d be the first one down here?” Amy said with a laugh as she walked up to her sister.
Closing her book, Nina looked up at her giving her a rather sarcastic looking grin. “And I didn’t expect you to be here this early. How did you manage to actually get out of bed on time?”
“I can do it if I want to,” Amy replied looking and sounding less than amused. “Besides, it’s hard to sleep with these guys pretty much beating down my door.”
Riley and his gang came walking up behind Amy. Nina sighed when she saw them. It was too early in the morning to be dealing with the Moron Squad. “Ah, I see,” she said as she put her book away and got up. “Good morning,” she continued trying to at least be polite.
“Good morning,” Austin replied before any of the others could. It would seem that he was still stuck on her even though she had pretty much turned him down cold last night.
More people started to gather outside the door. Nina was actually thankful for that since a few of them wanted to talk to her. It was only because of her exam score or because of whom her father was but that didn’t matter much to her, it saved her from having to deal with the awkwardness of Austin.
When the door opened, the crowd that had gathered moved inside and started to take their seats. Nina had managed to find Julia and had planned to sit with her until Dr. Rothstein found her.
“Good morning Ms. Elric,” he said with a smile as he placed his hand on her shoulder.
Turning with a bit of a start Nina smiled when she saw him. “Good morning Dr. Rothstein, how are you today?”
“I’m well thank you for asking. How about yourself? I hope you didn’t catch a chill or the like after last night I hope.”
Nina blushed a deep red. “No I’m fine thank you. Adrienne told you what happened?” she asked sounding rather embarrassed.
Rothstein couldn’t help but to chuckle at her. “Oh just about your unfortunate and unplanned swim in the fountain but don’t worry, though my son tells me things from time to time I don’t think he would tell me anything that would truly be embarrassing.”
Somehow that didn’t really comfort Nina that much. “Well, thank you for your concern Dr. Rothstein, but I think I should take a seat before…”
“That’s actually why I came to find you. If you would be so kind as to come with me, I’ve been asked to have you sit up on the stage for the presentation today. It seems the Fuhrer is here and he has something he’d like to present to you.”
Nina blushed. She didn’t exactly want to be treated as if she was any more special than anyone else but she also couldn’t protest that to Rothstein. She wouldn’t even if she could anyway. “Alright,” she said softly and followed him as they made their way to the stage. Once they had taken their seats and the rest of the room had filled, the orientation presentation began.
Dr. Rothstein stood up at the podium and greeted the incoming students and reminded the returning ones and the new alike about what would be expected of them. Once he was through, the representative from the Student Board got up and spoke about how the class schedules would be handed out once the assembly was over and when they could go to get the books and supplies they’d need for their classes. She finished by letting them know that there were also clubs and student organizations available for them to join and that there would be a separate fair for these once classes had begun.
Finally the formalities of the usual orientation were finished. Dr. Rothstein got up once more and went to the podium. “Alright, I know you’re all eager to get your class schedules but we have one more thing we’d like to do. It’s my pleasure and privilege to introduce to you Fuhrer Roy Mustang. Please join me in welcoming him here today.”
As he made the introduction, Mustang came out onto the stage and gave the room a subtle wave. It was clear he was carrying something in his other hand. Walking up to Dr. Rothstein, Mustang shook the doctor’s hand. “Thank you for the warm reception Dr. Rothstein,” he said with his usual cool smile. Dr. Rothstein stepped aside and allowed Mustang to stand at the podium. Setting the object he had been carrying down on it he smiled at the room. “It’s my pleasure to be here with you all today and it’s an honor for me to be here to present a very special award of achievement to Ms. Nina Elric. Would you please come here Ms. Elric?”
Nina swallowed hard suddenly feeling very nervous. She’d been around the Fuhrer many times in the past but to be up in front of everyone like this, that’s what really got to her. Getting up from her chair she took a few steps over towards the podium. Mustang smiled at her as she came up to stand beside him.
“As many of you know, Ms. Elric is the first since I created the Alchemy Academy system to get a perfect score on the acceptance exam. This is truly an historic occasion and I’d like you all to join me in congratulating her.” As he spoke, he took the covering off the object that he had placed on the podium. “Here I have an official acknowledgement from myself,” he started as he held up the framed document so it could be seen. “And as a token of this achievement I also have this.”Mustang reached into his pocket and pulled out a wooden box. When he opened it he took out its contents, a silver pocket watch, and held it up in his other hand. “This is one of the silver pocket watches granted when an alchemist is given State Certification as I’m sure you all are aware.”
Nina’s jaw nearly dropped and murmurs and whispers of shock could be easily heard throughout the room.
Now I know most of you are probably wondering why I would be giving such a thing to Ms. Elric now. It is a conditional appointment though she has already proven that she has just as much, if not more, knowledge of alchemy as any currently certified alchemist. This watch will allow her all the rights and privileges of any other State Alchemist and upon successful completion of her studies and graduation here at the Central Academy she will also be granted her official title.” Mustang then put the watch back in the box and handed it as well as the document to Nina. He then stepped aside so that she could say a few words.
Nina stepped up to the podium and just stood there for a few moments unable to believe any of this was happening. Finally, after taking a few deep breaths to calm her nerves, she spoke. “Thank you Fuhrer Mustang sir, this is really an honor. I don’t know as I deserve it but I will do my best not to let you and everyone else down.” Nina paused a moment before continuing, “I’m thankful that my twin sister Amy is here to see this, I just wish the rest of my family could have been here too. If it hadn’t been for all of them…” At that point Nina could feel herself choking up and tears forming in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she continued with a shaky voice. “Thank you,” she managed before she turned from the podium and went back to sit down.
Dr. Rothstein got back up and stood beside Fuhrer Mustang. “Please, a round of applause for Ms. Elric,” he said as he began to clap. Everyone joined in and Nina stood once again on shaky legs bowing her head to them in appreciation.
Once the noise had died down a bit, the room began to clear so that the students could go and get their class schedules. Nina started to make her way off of the stage so she could do the same until Dr. Rothstein stopped her.
“Here you are Nina,” he said as he handed her a piece of paper. “I wanted to give this to you personally so I took the liberty of getting it for you.”
When she took the paper she saw that it was her schedule. Quickly looking it over she then looked at Rothstein in a bit of amazement.
Rothstein saw the look on her face and smiled. “I’ve made sure you’ll be in my classes this semester. Usually one would have to wait until at least their second semester before having a chance to take my classes but given your proven talent I think you can handle it.”
Nina beamed. “Thank you sir! You don’t know how much this means to me.”
Rothstein chuckled. “Oh and I’ve also arranged for your lab partner as well. You’ll be paired with my son Adrienne. I’m sure that won’t be a problem will it?” Rothstein then winked at her.
She was speechless and blushing so much that if she could have turned purple she probably would have. “No, it’s not a problem at all,” she replied softly. “I don’t know how to… How can I ever…”
Rothstein shook his head. “Don’t worry about thanking me. Do your best and make this school and this country proud, that will be thanks enough.”
“I will sir, thank you,” Nina said, still sounding soft and shy.
Rothstein put his hand on her shoulder and smiled as he walked past her and away. Once he was gone, Mustang came up to her. Nina smiled at him as he approached. “Thank you for all of this Fuhrer Mustang.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know as you should be thanking me,” he said with a laugh. “I’m sure once Fullmetal finds out what I’ve done he’s not going to be happy.”
Nina just laughed. “He’ll get over it. Besides, Daddy can’t be mad, he had his certification at twelve, five years earlier than me. He even had his official title and everything at that point, I don’t.”
“Well about that, the only reason I didn’t actually give you your official title and codename was because I’m sure yet what a proper name to give you would be considering most codenames are based on specialization. Show me more of your talents and then I’ll give you your title then. That stays between you and me though.”
Nina chuckled. “Yes sir, you have my word, I won’t tell anyone.”
“Good, now I have to go make sure my son isn’t slacking off. Congratulations again Ms. Elric,” he said as he walked off.
Nina stood there for a moment just trying to let this all sink in. She figured she should put the things she had been given away before she went to get her books. It was also an excuse to avoid most of the crowds of people for a little while. Also, she wanted to make sure the pocket watch was safe, the last thing she wanted was for someone to think they could try and steal it.
A New Senshi: Fallen Angel - Chapter 2.3 - First Date
That evening Nina hurried to the cafeteria to meet with Amy for dinner as she had said she would. When she arrived, Amy was already at a table and much to Nina’s dismay; she was surrounded by the Moron Squad. It didn’t exactly surprise her though but how was she supposed to talk to her sister with those nosey idiots around? She went and got a sandwich and then made her way over to where Amy was.
“There you are,” Amy said as Nina came up to the table. “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to show up.”
Nina looked for an empty space. The only one was opposite her sister and next to Austin so she decided to take it for now. “Yeah, sorry, I got a bit distracted and nearly forgot about coming to get dinner,” she said as she unwrapped her sandwich.
“Oh? Distracted with what?” Amy asked winking at her.
“I’ll tell you later…” she muttered.
Amy picked up on the fact that Nina didn’t really want to talk in front of Riley and the others. Whatever she had been distracted with Amy was pretty sure it had to have something to do with Adrienne. She was going to suggest they go for a walk but Austin had decided to try and talk to Nina.
“Hey, um… Nina?” Austin started.
Nina looked at him. “What is it?” she asked trying not to sound as annoyed as she felt.
“I was wondering, well, are you… would it be alright…”
Nina took a deep breath and sighed heavily. “Spit it out Havoc,” she said, the annoyance she felt slipping a bit more through in her voice.
“Well, I was wondering if you were doing anything later…”
Unable to help it, Nina broke out laughing. He was trying to ask her out, there was something really pathetic about that, at least Nina thought so. There was a part of her that actually thought the only reason Austin was even trying this was because he really wanted Amy but he knew there was no way he was going to get her because of Riley so he’d figured he’d try to the other sister instead. “You’re something else Havoc, really. But sorry, I already have plans tonight,” Nina said as she got up to toss out the wrapper from her dinner.
“What about maybe tomorrow then?” he tried again.
Nina just laughed again. “Give it up Havoc. You and I both know I’m not the girl for you, besides I…” She stopped herself just before she accidently let it slip that she already had someone else. It wasn’t any of their business and she didn’t need them knowing anyway. They’d never leave her alone if they did.
Austin slumped in his chair clearly defeated. “You didn’t have to laugh…” he said softly.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help it. But really Havoc, I think you’d have better luck with my roomy than you would with me. Try talking to her…” Nina said using the first person she could think of to smooth the air a bit. She actually did feel a little bad for laughing like she had and pretty much crushed his spirit in the same way his father crushed out a cigarette.
“Who’s your room mate?” Riley asked.
“Julia Rockbell…”
Amy looked at Nina. “Julia’s your room mate?”
Nina nodded. “Yeah I was just as surprised. Winry didn’t want her to come but I guess she made a pretty strong case and got her dad on her side so Winry relented and let her. She’s actually going to specialize in the medical alchemy program too.”
Amy nodded. “That actually makes sense to me. Just can’t miss the irony of you having her as a roommate considering the stories Dad told us about when they were all growing up in Resembool.”
Nina shrugged. “Yeah but I have to get going, like I said, I have plans tonight. I’ll see you guys at orientation tomorrow morning.”
The Moron Squad waved as she walked away. Amy quickly got up telling Riley she’d be right back and then hurried to catch up to her sister. “So what are these plans you have?” she asked.
“I’m meeting Adrienne,” she said with a bit of a goofy grin.
“Oh? Is he staying here in the dorms?”
Nina shook her head. “No, he’s staying at home but from what he told me earlier when I talked to him on the phone, he only lives around the corner from the school so it’s not far. He’s actually going to be meeting me out front in a few minutes.”
“Wait, you have his phone number?” Amy asked sounding a bit confused. “You never told me that.”
Nina blushed. “I wanted to keep it to myself until I knew for sure it wasn’t just some cosmic joke. He left it for me after we finished the acceptance exam…”
Amy had walked with Nina all the way to the front door of the dorms. When they got there, a rather tall young man with long braided white hair was standing at the bottom of the steps. Nina’s heart jumped into her chest.
“Is that him?” Amy asked seeing the look in Nina’s eyes when she’d spotted him.
Nina nodded. “Yeah, that’s Adrienne…”
“Well, are you going to just leave him standing out there waiting for you?” Amy asked with a wink nudging her.
Nina came to her senses and shook her head. “No,” she said with a laugh. “I’ll see you later alright?”
“You’re not going to introduce me to him Little Sis?”
Nina sighed and just laughed. “Oh alright, come on,” she said as she pushed open the door.
Hearing the door, Adrienne turned around and smiled seeing her there. “Hi Nina!” he said waving to her.
Amy followed a few steps behind Nina as she descended the stairs to the bottom where he was waiting. Seeing Amy, Adrienne smiled at her too. “You must be Amy Elric,” he said. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Amy chuckled. “Know about me already huh? But yup, I’m Nina’s twin sister Amy and you must be Adrienne. Nina’s told me a little bit about you.”
“She has huh?” he replied with a chuckle. “I hope it was good stuff.”
“Yeah it was,” she said with a smile. “Oh well, I won’t hold you guys up anymore. Besides,
I have my own friends to get back to. Have fun!” With that Amy turned and went back inside.
Nina stood there looking a bit embarrassed. She was here but she had no idea what to do now. Adrienne held his hand out to her indicating that if she wanted to she could take it. Figuring it would be rude if she didn’t; Nina reached out and took his hand.
“So, where to?” Adrienne asked smiling at her.
“I hadn’t really thought about it,” she replied blushing. “I’m not really…”
“Really what?”
“Well I’m actually kinda new at this… I really haven’t dated all that much. Actually, I’ve never…”
Adrienne chuckled. “Well believe it or not I haven’t either so don’t worry about it so much OK? Why don’t we just go for a walk and see what happens, that sound alright?”
Nina relaxed a bit and nodded. “Yeah, that actually sounds perfect.”
Hand in hand the two of them headed away from the dorms. Nina purposely led him on a path away from the Military Police patrols. The last thing she wanted was for one of them to stop them and cut their date short. She was pretty sure she wasn’t in any danger anyway since she wasn’t alone and Adrienne wasn’t exactly wimpy looking.
Once they were a little bit away from the school and the dorms, Adrienne took the lead and took her to a square with a fountain in the middle. They sat on the edge of it taking a break.
“So, what is there to do around here?” Nina said finally breaking the silence.
Adrienne stopped and thought about it for a moment then looked at her a bit embarrassed. “I actually don’t really know. I’m actually a little embarrassed to admit this but my dad usually doesn’t let me out much. He’s very over protective.”
Nina looked at him a bit curiously. “Why?”
He sighed heavily. He knew he had to be careful about how he put this or else he would let his secret slip and then his father would never let him out of the house again. He wouldn’t be able to be here like this with Nina ever again if that happened. “Well, I was really sick for a long time when I was younger and he’s never really gotten over it. I think he’s afraid he’ll lose me like we lost my mom when I was a baby. She was really sick too and died not long after I was born.”
“That’s so sad,” she said softly. “I can’t even imagine what it would be like to not have both parents around.”
Adrienne shrugged. “It wasn’t so bad, most of the time anyway. My dad tried to make up for it as much as he could. For as busy as he is, he always made time for me.”
Nina smiled at him. “Dr. Rothstein does seem like a kind man.”
They sat there for a while not saying anything. Nina didn’t know what else to talk about and it seemed neither did Adrienne. Things began to feel a little awkward at least until Nina sneezed and accidently fell backwards into the fountain.
“Nina!” Adrienne shouted as he got up to help her out of the water. “Are you alright?”
She just sat there in the water for a minute laughing. Adrienne couldn’t help but laugh with her. Even soaking wet as she was, he couldn’t help but notice how bright and pretty she was when she laughed.
“Come on, get out of there before you catch a cold,” he said still laughing a bit as he offered her his hand.
She looked up at him and took his hand. Her breath caught a bit as she noticed the moon seemed to be right behind him. It made him look, well for lack of a better way to put it, it made him look like an angel.
He looked at her a bit strangely seeing that she seemed to be off somewhere in thought. “Nina? You sure you’re OK?”
Hearing his voice she snapped out of it and just smiled. “Yeah, I’m fine, couldn’t be better actually,” she answered as she got up with his help and got out of the fountain. “We should head back though. Like you said, I don’t want to catch cold being all wet like this.”
Adrienne nodded. “You’re probably right. If it’s OK with you, I’ll walk you back.”
“I’d like that,” she said softly. “Thanks.”
“There you are,” Amy said as Nina came up to the table. “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to show up.”
Nina looked for an empty space. The only one was opposite her sister and next to Austin so she decided to take it for now. “Yeah, sorry, I got a bit distracted and nearly forgot about coming to get dinner,” she said as she unwrapped her sandwich.
“Oh? Distracted with what?” Amy asked winking at her.
“I’ll tell you later…” she muttered.
Amy picked up on the fact that Nina didn’t really want to talk in front of Riley and the others. Whatever she had been distracted with Amy was pretty sure it had to have something to do with Adrienne. She was going to suggest they go for a walk but Austin had decided to try and talk to Nina.
“Hey, um… Nina?” Austin started.
Nina looked at him. “What is it?” she asked trying not to sound as annoyed as she felt.
“I was wondering, well, are you… would it be alright…”
Nina took a deep breath and sighed heavily. “Spit it out Havoc,” she said, the annoyance she felt slipping a bit more through in her voice.
“Well, I was wondering if you were doing anything later…”
Unable to help it, Nina broke out laughing. He was trying to ask her out, there was something really pathetic about that, at least Nina thought so. There was a part of her that actually thought the only reason Austin was even trying this was because he really wanted Amy but he knew there was no way he was going to get her because of Riley so he’d figured he’d try to the other sister instead. “You’re something else Havoc, really. But sorry, I already have plans tonight,” Nina said as she got up to toss out the wrapper from her dinner.
“What about maybe tomorrow then?” he tried again.
Nina just laughed again. “Give it up Havoc. You and I both know I’m not the girl for you, besides I…” She stopped herself just before she accidently let it slip that she already had someone else. It wasn’t any of their business and she didn’t need them knowing anyway. They’d never leave her alone if they did.
Austin slumped in his chair clearly defeated. “You didn’t have to laugh…” he said softly.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help it. But really Havoc, I think you’d have better luck with my roomy than you would with me. Try talking to her…” Nina said using the first person she could think of to smooth the air a bit. She actually did feel a little bad for laughing like she had and pretty much crushed his spirit in the same way his father crushed out a cigarette.
“Who’s your room mate?” Riley asked.
“Julia Rockbell…”
Amy looked at Nina. “Julia’s your room mate?”
Nina nodded. “Yeah I was just as surprised. Winry didn’t want her to come but I guess she made a pretty strong case and got her dad on her side so Winry relented and let her. She’s actually going to specialize in the medical alchemy program too.”
Amy nodded. “That actually makes sense to me. Just can’t miss the irony of you having her as a roommate considering the stories Dad told us about when they were all growing up in Resembool.”
Nina shrugged. “Yeah but I have to get going, like I said, I have plans tonight. I’ll see you guys at orientation tomorrow morning.”
The Moron Squad waved as she walked away. Amy quickly got up telling Riley she’d be right back and then hurried to catch up to her sister. “So what are these plans you have?” she asked.
“I’m meeting Adrienne,” she said with a bit of a goofy grin.
“Oh? Is he staying here in the dorms?”
Nina shook her head. “No, he’s staying at home but from what he told me earlier when I talked to him on the phone, he only lives around the corner from the school so it’s not far. He’s actually going to be meeting me out front in a few minutes.”
“Wait, you have his phone number?” Amy asked sounding a bit confused. “You never told me that.”
Nina blushed. “I wanted to keep it to myself until I knew for sure it wasn’t just some cosmic joke. He left it for me after we finished the acceptance exam…”
Amy had walked with Nina all the way to the front door of the dorms. When they got there, a rather tall young man with long braided white hair was standing at the bottom of the steps. Nina’s heart jumped into her chest.
“Is that him?” Amy asked seeing the look in Nina’s eyes when she’d spotted him.
Nina nodded. “Yeah, that’s Adrienne…”
“Well, are you going to just leave him standing out there waiting for you?” Amy asked with a wink nudging her.
Nina came to her senses and shook her head. “No,” she said with a laugh. “I’ll see you later alright?”
“You’re not going to introduce me to him Little Sis?”
Nina sighed and just laughed. “Oh alright, come on,” she said as she pushed open the door.
Hearing the door, Adrienne turned around and smiled seeing her there. “Hi Nina!” he said waving to her.
Amy followed a few steps behind Nina as she descended the stairs to the bottom where he was waiting. Seeing Amy, Adrienne smiled at her too. “You must be Amy Elric,” he said. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Amy chuckled. “Know about me already huh? But yup, I’m Nina’s twin sister Amy and you must be Adrienne. Nina’s told me a little bit about you.”
“She has huh?” he replied with a chuckle. “I hope it was good stuff.”
“Yeah it was,” she said with a smile. “Oh well, I won’t hold you guys up anymore. Besides,
I have my own friends to get back to. Have fun!” With that Amy turned and went back inside.
Nina stood there looking a bit embarrassed. She was here but she had no idea what to do now. Adrienne held his hand out to her indicating that if she wanted to she could take it. Figuring it would be rude if she didn’t; Nina reached out and took his hand.
“So, where to?” Adrienne asked smiling at her.
“I hadn’t really thought about it,” she replied blushing. “I’m not really…”
“Really what?”
“Well I’m actually kinda new at this… I really haven’t dated all that much. Actually, I’ve never…”
Adrienne chuckled. “Well believe it or not I haven’t either so don’t worry about it so much OK? Why don’t we just go for a walk and see what happens, that sound alright?”
Nina relaxed a bit and nodded. “Yeah, that actually sounds perfect.”
Hand in hand the two of them headed away from the dorms. Nina purposely led him on a path away from the Military Police patrols. The last thing she wanted was for one of them to stop them and cut their date short. She was pretty sure she wasn’t in any danger anyway since she wasn’t alone and Adrienne wasn’t exactly wimpy looking.
Once they were a little bit away from the school and the dorms, Adrienne took the lead and took her to a square with a fountain in the middle. They sat on the edge of it taking a break.
“So, what is there to do around here?” Nina said finally breaking the silence.
Adrienne stopped and thought about it for a moment then looked at her a bit embarrassed. “I actually don’t really know. I’m actually a little embarrassed to admit this but my dad usually doesn’t let me out much. He’s very over protective.”
Nina looked at him a bit curiously. “Why?”
He sighed heavily. He knew he had to be careful about how he put this or else he would let his secret slip and then his father would never let him out of the house again. He wouldn’t be able to be here like this with Nina ever again if that happened. “Well, I was really sick for a long time when I was younger and he’s never really gotten over it. I think he’s afraid he’ll lose me like we lost my mom when I was a baby. She was really sick too and died not long after I was born.”
“That’s so sad,” she said softly. “I can’t even imagine what it would be like to not have both parents around.”
Adrienne shrugged. “It wasn’t so bad, most of the time anyway. My dad tried to make up for it as much as he could. For as busy as he is, he always made time for me.”
Nina smiled at him. “Dr. Rothstein does seem like a kind man.”
They sat there for a while not saying anything. Nina didn’t know what else to talk about and it seemed neither did Adrienne. Things began to feel a little awkward at least until Nina sneezed and accidently fell backwards into the fountain.
“Nina!” Adrienne shouted as he got up to help her out of the water. “Are you alright?”
She just sat there in the water for a minute laughing. Adrienne couldn’t help but laugh with her. Even soaking wet as she was, he couldn’t help but notice how bright and pretty she was when she laughed.
“Come on, get out of there before you catch a cold,” he said still laughing a bit as he offered her his hand.
She looked up at him and took his hand. Her breath caught a bit as she noticed the moon seemed to be right behind him. It made him look, well for lack of a better way to put it, it made him look like an angel.
He looked at her a bit strangely seeing that she seemed to be off somewhere in thought. “Nina? You sure you’re OK?”
Hearing his voice she snapped out of it and just smiled. “Yeah, I’m fine, couldn’t be better actually,” she answered as she got up with his help and got out of the fountain. “We should head back though. Like you said, I don’t want to catch cold being all wet like this.”
Adrienne nodded. “You’re probably right. If it’s OK with you, I’ll walk you back.”
“I’d like that,” she said softly. “Thanks.”
Monday, November 7, 2011
A New Senshi: Fallen Angel - Chapter 2.2 - Getting Started
When they arrived at the train station in Central, Colonel Armstrong was there to greet them just as he had been on their last visit. This left the girls confused. Hadn’t their father said they weren’t going to get a personal escort this time?
“Colonel, not that we’re not happy to see you but what are you doing here?” Nina asked as both she and Amy walked up to him.
Armstrong smiled broadly at them. “Hello ladies! It’s a pleasure to see you again. Fuhrer Mustang wanted to ensure that you were safely delivered to the Academy’s dormitories. I’ve been ordered to escort you there and see that you get properly settled in. Have no worries though, we won’t impede your studies in any way after that.”
Nina and Amy both sighed not liking this very much. Colonel Armstrong stuck out like a sore thumb. The last thing they wanted was to arrive with an escort, it was so embarrassing. At least it was only temporary.
Taking their luggage for them, Armstrong led them out of the station and out to a car that was waiting outside. They couldn’t help but to notice that it was a beautiful day in Central. When Nina looked up she saw something fly by over head. From its size, Nina thought it might be an eagle or a larger hawk. It really did look majestic.
When they arrived at the dorms, Riley and his friends were standing outside. Seeing them Amy beamed and leapt from the car. “Riley! Austin! Peter! Harrison! What are you guys doing here? I thought you were supposed to be staying at the Eastern Academy?”
Riley grinned at her. “I couldn’t very well stay there if you were coming here could I? Someone needs to look out for you and keep you out of trouble.”
Nina couldn’t help but to laugh at the idea of Riley and the rest of the Moron Squad keeping Amy out of trouble.
“And since Riley changed his mind and wanted to come here, well it was arranged so we could transfer here too,” Austin Havoc chimed in. “Besides, Mustang is off his rocker if he thinks he can keep you out of trouble when he’s likely to be the one starting things to begin with, him and that hot headed temper of his.”
Riley punched Austin in the arm annoyed that he’d called him hot headed. “Shut it Havoc…”
Amy just laughed. “It doesn’t matter, I’m just glad to see you guys,” she said pulling the four boys as close together as she could to hug them.
“Aw come on Amy! What if someone sees? You’re risking our reputation!” Breda complained.
“I don’t care,” Amy said but she let them go anyway.
Armstrong had taken their bags from the trunk of the car and was preparing to help the girls with them but Riley went up to him and smiled. “Don’t worry about this Colonel, we’ll handle this.”
Armstrong shook his head. “I’m sorry Riley but I have strict orders from your father not to let the Elric girls out of my sight until they are settled into their rooms.”
“I didn’t say you were dismissed Colonel. My friends and I are going to handle taking Amy and Nina’s things inside, that’s all.”
“But Riley sir…”
Riley narrowed his dark eyes at Armstrong. “Are you arguing with me Colonel Armstrong?”
Armstrong swallowed hard. “No sir, I just…”
“Good,” Riley said as he picked up Amy’s bag and motioned for Austin to come get Nina’s.
Nina didn’t let him get there though. “Thanks but no thanks Riley,” Nina said sounding condescending. “I’m perfectly able to carry my own bag thank you very much.” She went over and picked her own bag up and started to head inside. Riley just glared at her a bit. How could she be Amy’s sister? She always acted so high and mighty and ignored them. How was he supposed to get Austin close enough to Nina for her to notice him if she kept acting that way? What did he see in her anyway?
Amy followed after Nina and the others behind her. Getting inside, Nina and Amy looked at the room assignments that were posted in the entrance hall. Amy was on the second floor while Nina was on the first. Armstrong debated for a moment how best to see to their safety.
“Do ahead and go with Nina, I think my friends and I can take care of Amy from here. There are four of us after all and with all of the MPs running around I don’t think anyone would try anything anyway.”
Armstrong nodded not seeing any harm in that plan. Nina just sighed. Why did she get stuck with the muscle bound baby sitter?
Amy went over and hugged her sister. “I’ll see you later at dinner alright?”
Nina just chuckled and nodded. “Have fun Amy, I’ll see you later.”
Riley and his gang took Amy and headed off to the second floor. They were on that floor too anyway. Nina wasn’t sure that was going to be a good idea in the long run but it wasn’t her problem to worry about.
Armstrong followed Nina down the first floor corridor until they reached her room, 103. When she opened the door, there was another girl already there. Nina recognized her at once; it was Julia Rockbell, Winry and Kevin’s daughter. Nina had met her a few times when she’d gone with Edward to Rush Valley to have his leg tuned up. She had always thought it weird that Julia had Winry’s last name. Her father had told her once that Winry and Kevin had decided to use the Rockbell name because it was well known and had an expert reputation in the automail world but Nina still thought it was silly.
“Hi Nina!” she said getting up from the bed. “Long time no see!”
“Hi Julia, how’ve you been?” she asked as she came in and set her bag down on the empty bed. “I admit I’m surprised to see you here. I didn’t think your parents would send you to an alchemy academy given their professions.”
Julia laughed. “Mom didn’t want me to come actually, she wanted me to focus on engineering and follow after her and dad and make automail but I guess, well, I wanted to do something different. I mean it’s not that I hate automail or anything, I do plan to do it, I just want to explore the possibilities of using alchemy and automail to make better prosthetics for people. That’s why I’m here for the medical alchemy program.”
“Funny, so am I,” Nina laughed.
“That’s not surprising considering what Alphonse does…”
As the girls talked and Nina unpacked, a man arrived. “Um… Excuse me; I’m looking for a Nina Elric. Is this her room?” he asked as he poked his head into the still open door. Armstrong had already left to go check on Amy.
“That’s me,” she said with a smile. “Can I help you?”
“I have the boxes with your things from Resembool,” he said.
“Oh, um… OK… just bring them in and set them in the corner there,” she said pointing. The man nodded and disappeared. A few moments later three man came into the room, their arms filled with her things. They put them down and excused themselves. Nina would deal with those later.
Just then Armstrong appeared in the door once more. “Are you all settled Miss Nina?” he asked.
Nina smiled and nodded. “Yeah Colonel, I should be all set now. Thanks.”
He nodded and then pulled the door closed as he left. Nina was thankful he was finally gone. She pulled Adrienne’s note from her pocket and smiled. “Julia, I’ll be back in a little while OK?” she said as she went out and down the hall to the phone.
Nina stared at the phone for a minute gathering up the nerve to actually dial the number. When she was finally able to dial, the phone rang a few times before a man picked up. Nina debated just hanging up but didn’t. “Um, hello? Can I speak with Adrienne please?” she asked trying to keep her voice from shaking because of her nerves.
“Who may I ask is calling?” the man’s voice asked.
“Nina Elric…”
“Oh Nina, I didn’t expect you to call!” said the man’s voice. It took Nina a second but then she realized who she was talking to.
“Is that you Dr. Rothstein? I’m sorry if I disturbed you…”
“Oh no, you’re didn’t disturb me at all. Hold on a moment and I’ll get Adrienne for you.”
“Thank you,” she said smiling, her voice echoing that smile.
After a few moments Adrienne picked up the phone. “Hi Nina!”
“Hi Adrienne, you said to call when I was in Central again so…”
“Are you at the dorms?”
“Yeah, I am. How’d you know?”
Adrienne laughed. “My dad’s on the selection committee Nina, I knew before you did that you’d been accepted and today was move in day wasn’t it?”
Nina sighed and laughed. She should have known. “Yeah. Did you get accepted too?”
“Yeah but I won’t be living in the dorms like you. My dad won’t allow it but then I live pretty much around the corner anyway. Hey, do you have time tonight?”
“After dinner I should, why?”
Adrienne paused for a moment before answering her. “Well, I was hoping… is it alright if I come see you?”
Nina tried to contain her excitement. “I’d really like that. How about I meet you outside the dorms at seven, is that alright?”
Adrienne’s heart jumped. “That’s perfect,” he said, his voice conveying the smile that was on his face. “It’s a date then.”
A date? He said it was a date. That made Nina’s heart jump too. “Yeah, then I’ll see you at seven then. Bye Adrienne.”
“Bye Nina,” he said softly and they both hung up the phone.
Nina ran back to her room excited. She couldn’t believe it, Adrienne wanted to see her just like she’d wanted to see him.
“Colonel, not that we’re not happy to see you but what are you doing here?” Nina asked as both she and Amy walked up to him.
Armstrong smiled broadly at them. “Hello ladies! It’s a pleasure to see you again. Fuhrer Mustang wanted to ensure that you were safely delivered to the Academy’s dormitories. I’ve been ordered to escort you there and see that you get properly settled in. Have no worries though, we won’t impede your studies in any way after that.”
Nina and Amy both sighed not liking this very much. Colonel Armstrong stuck out like a sore thumb. The last thing they wanted was to arrive with an escort, it was so embarrassing. At least it was only temporary.
Taking their luggage for them, Armstrong led them out of the station and out to a car that was waiting outside. They couldn’t help but to notice that it was a beautiful day in Central. When Nina looked up she saw something fly by over head. From its size, Nina thought it might be an eagle or a larger hawk. It really did look majestic.
When they arrived at the dorms, Riley and his friends were standing outside. Seeing them Amy beamed and leapt from the car. “Riley! Austin! Peter! Harrison! What are you guys doing here? I thought you were supposed to be staying at the Eastern Academy?”
Riley grinned at her. “I couldn’t very well stay there if you were coming here could I? Someone needs to look out for you and keep you out of trouble.”
Nina couldn’t help but to laugh at the idea of Riley and the rest of the Moron Squad keeping Amy out of trouble.
“And since Riley changed his mind and wanted to come here, well it was arranged so we could transfer here too,” Austin Havoc chimed in. “Besides, Mustang is off his rocker if he thinks he can keep you out of trouble when he’s likely to be the one starting things to begin with, him and that hot headed temper of his.”
Riley punched Austin in the arm annoyed that he’d called him hot headed. “Shut it Havoc…”
Amy just laughed. “It doesn’t matter, I’m just glad to see you guys,” she said pulling the four boys as close together as she could to hug them.
“Aw come on Amy! What if someone sees? You’re risking our reputation!” Breda complained.
“I don’t care,” Amy said but she let them go anyway.
Armstrong had taken their bags from the trunk of the car and was preparing to help the girls with them but Riley went up to him and smiled. “Don’t worry about this Colonel, we’ll handle this.”
Armstrong shook his head. “I’m sorry Riley but I have strict orders from your father not to let the Elric girls out of my sight until they are settled into their rooms.”
“I didn’t say you were dismissed Colonel. My friends and I are going to handle taking Amy and Nina’s things inside, that’s all.”
“But Riley sir…”
Riley narrowed his dark eyes at Armstrong. “Are you arguing with me Colonel Armstrong?”
Armstrong swallowed hard. “No sir, I just…”
“Good,” Riley said as he picked up Amy’s bag and motioned for Austin to come get Nina’s.
Nina didn’t let him get there though. “Thanks but no thanks Riley,” Nina said sounding condescending. “I’m perfectly able to carry my own bag thank you very much.” She went over and picked her own bag up and started to head inside. Riley just glared at her a bit. How could she be Amy’s sister? She always acted so high and mighty and ignored them. How was he supposed to get Austin close enough to Nina for her to notice him if she kept acting that way? What did he see in her anyway?
Amy followed after Nina and the others behind her. Getting inside, Nina and Amy looked at the room assignments that were posted in the entrance hall. Amy was on the second floor while Nina was on the first. Armstrong debated for a moment how best to see to their safety.
“Do ahead and go with Nina, I think my friends and I can take care of Amy from here. There are four of us after all and with all of the MPs running around I don’t think anyone would try anything anyway.”
Armstrong nodded not seeing any harm in that plan. Nina just sighed. Why did she get stuck with the muscle bound baby sitter?
Amy went over and hugged her sister. “I’ll see you later at dinner alright?”
Nina just chuckled and nodded. “Have fun Amy, I’ll see you later.”
Riley and his gang took Amy and headed off to the second floor. They were on that floor too anyway. Nina wasn’t sure that was going to be a good idea in the long run but it wasn’t her problem to worry about.
Armstrong followed Nina down the first floor corridor until they reached her room, 103. When she opened the door, there was another girl already there. Nina recognized her at once; it was Julia Rockbell, Winry and Kevin’s daughter. Nina had met her a few times when she’d gone with Edward to Rush Valley to have his leg tuned up. She had always thought it weird that Julia had Winry’s last name. Her father had told her once that Winry and Kevin had decided to use the Rockbell name because it was well known and had an expert reputation in the automail world but Nina still thought it was silly.
“Hi Nina!” she said getting up from the bed. “Long time no see!”
“Hi Julia, how’ve you been?” she asked as she came in and set her bag down on the empty bed. “I admit I’m surprised to see you here. I didn’t think your parents would send you to an alchemy academy given their professions.”
Julia laughed. “Mom didn’t want me to come actually, she wanted me to focus on engineering and follow after her and dad and make automail but I guess, well, I wanted to do something different. I mean it’s not that I hate automail or anything, I do plan to do it, I just want to explore the possibilities of using alchemy and automail to make better prosthetics for people. That’s why I’m here for the medical alchemy program.”
“Funny, so am I,” Nina laughed.
“That’s not surprising considering what Alphonse does…”
As the girls talked and Nina unpacked, a man arrived. “Um… Excuse me; I’m looking for a Nina Elric. Is this her room?” he asked as he poked his head into the still open door. Armstrong had already left to go check on Amy.
“That’s me,” she said with a smile. “Can I help you?”
“I have the boxes with your things from Resembool,” he said.
“Oh, um… OK… just bring them in and set them in the corner there,” she said pointing. The man nodded and disappeared. A few moments later three man came into the room, their arms filled with her things. They put them down and excused themselves. Nina would deal with those later.
Just then Armstrong appeared in the door once more. “Are you all settled Miss Nina?” he asked.
Nina smiled and nodded. “Yeah Colonel, I should be all set now. Thanks.”
He nodded and then pulled the door closed as he left. Nina was thankful he was finally gone. She pulled Adrienne’s note from her pocket and smiled. “Julia, I’ll be back in a little while OK?” she said as she went out and down the hall to the phone.
Nina stared at the phone for a minute gathering up the nerve to actually dial the number. When she was finally able to dial, the phone rang a few times before a man picked up. Nina debated just hanging up but didn’t. “Um, hello? Can I speak with Adrienne please?” she asked trying to keep her voice from shaking because of her nerves.
“Who may I ask is calling?” the man’s voice asked.
“Nina Elric…”
“Oh Nina, I didn’t expect you to call!” said the man’s voice. It took Nina a second but then she realized who she was talking to.
“Is that you Dr. Rothstein? I’m sorry if I disturbed you…”
“Oh no, you’re didn’t disturb me at all. Hold on a moment and I’ll get Adrienne for you.”
“Thank you,” she said smiling, her voice echoing that smile.
After a few moments Adrienne picked up the phone. “Hi Nina!”
“Hi Adrienne, you said to call when I was in Central again so…”
“Are you at the dorms?”
“Yeah, I am. How’d you know?”
Adrienne laughed. “My dad’s on the selection committee Nina, I knew before you did that you’d been accepted and today was move in day wasn’t it?”
Nina sighed and laughed. She should have known. “Yeah. Did you get accepted too?”
“Yeah but I won’t be living in the dorms like you. My dad won’t allow it but then I live pretty much around the corner anyway. Hey, do you have time tonight?”
“After dinner I should, why?”
Adrienne paused for a moment before answering her. “Well, I was hoping… is it alright if I come see you?”
Nina tried to contain her excitement. “I’d really like that. How about I meet you outside the dorms at seven, is that alright?”
Adrienne’s heart jumped. “That’s perfect,” he said, his voice conveying the smile that was on his face. “It’s a date then.”
A date? He said it was a date. That made Nina’s heart jump too. “Yeah, then I’ll see you at seven then. Bye Adrienne.”
“Bye Nina,” he said softly and they both hung up the phone.
Nina ran back to her room excited. She couldn’t believe it, Adrienne wanted to see her just like she’d wanted to see him.
A New Senshi: Fallen Angel - Chapter 2.1 - Off To A New Beginning
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.”
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.”
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