#Pride and humility

[effulgent-girl]

Jaime & Brienne Week - Day One - Pride and Humility

Ever since the witch cursed Jaime for the Lannister's pride, his father had been scouring the kingdom for his one true love. First, he was a frog. His sister, naturally, thought she could break the curse. Unfortunately, all she succeeded in doing was turning him into a house cat! His father sent him away after that debacle. Fair maiden after fair maiden tried to break the curse, each one turning him into a different animal each time. After turning into a butterfly and shortly after, once again a frog, Jaime gives up and runs (or should we say hops) away. Encountering a wannabe knight of a woman in the woods is only the first of his problems.

[darkpetal16]

This is pretty much all I did while I was job hunting, and writer’s block wouldn’t leave me alone. Now that their story is posted, I can dump this all in one post. :thumbs up:

Elizabeth Luxanna (c) Midnightwishes

Selim Bradley / Pride the Arrogant (c) Arakawa

Both are the main protagonists in the fanfiction Pride & Humility.

Summary:  "Friends look the other way. Best friends eat the body." -Selim B. The story about an innocent and disturbing friendship between homunculus and human. Old soul OC. Everyone in character.

Fanfiction link

Wattpad link

[ricaperalejo-blog]

myopic

What I like most about a variety of reading is that within each material is the possibility to learn that, in all certainty of "my insightful-ness" is mere myopia.

[a-human-failing]

The results are in. You're not impressing anyone. Just listen to what you're saying. Try to remember it's not always about you. Realize that in the long run your accomplishments are trivial. Won't you feel stupid then? I'm tired of listening to you embarrass yourself. Please, do yourself a favor: Step off of your high horse, climb down from your pedestal, and deflate your big head. Arrogance has never been an attractive trait, and you, my friend, have little reason to be proud.

[squaletta]

„She is his pride and he is her humility.“

– quote from @musessinabag on Yamamoto x Squaletta ship.

[lana-bear]

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Bible.com/app

[filmundo]

"You come of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve. And that is both honor enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth."

[ryanranney]

Reborn

If I have lied I am unworthy to judge a liar If I have stolen I am unworthy to judge a thief If I have cheated I am unworthy to judge a cheater If I have punished I am unworthy to judge a punisher If I have cursed I am unworthy to judge a curser If I have ridiculed and condemned Scorned and scolded Mislead and manipulated Gave false witness and damned Then I am unworthy to judge Consider the hive…

[enigmaink]

Cardinal Sins

Do not dismiss the concept of cardinal sins as mere antiquated moralizing. These ancient archetypes contain hard-won wisdom about humanity's core struggles. To spurn such knowledge is pride in its purest form.

Consider the nature of pride. Beyond vanity or ego, it is a state of dangerous hubris, born from ignorance of one's flaws and limitations. The prideful man elevates himself as a false idol, demanding others' worship while becoming incapable of earning it.

Pride breeds arrogance, disdain, an inflated sense of control over one's destiny. But in truth no man is master of fate, and believing otherwise leads only to suffering for oneself and others. Life cannot be bent by sheer will alone.

Thus pride distorts our grasp of reality, blinding us to our vulnerabilities, reliances, and small place in the greater order. Yet we cling to this delusion, for it falsely empowers and shields our fragile egos from life's harsh truths.

To transcend pride, one must adopt humility, accepting the limits of our knowledge and power. Embrace patience, for change comes slowly. Seek wisdom from sources greater than yourself. Forge virtue through discipline and refrain.

This is the narrow path, requiring honest self-reflection and guidance from moral traditions. The prideful man laughs off such wisdom as antiquated, even as his own life slips into growing disarray.

Do not emulate such foolishness. Look to the cardinal sins as lessons that have stood the test of time. In grappling with these darker parts of our nature, we begin the journey towards enlightenment.

[sojourneronearth]

Perhaps my anger is actually directed toward myself

At my pride, my dead humility.

[darkpetal16]

Pride & Humility - Chapter One

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Fanfiction

Genres: Gen, Friendship, Family, Adventure, Hurt, Comfort

Summary: “Friends look the other way. Best friends eat the body.” -Selim B. The story about an innocent and disturbing friendship between homunculus and human. Old soul OC. Surprisingly wholesome. 

Warnings: Violence, gore, death, excessive child abuse, profanity

Beta: Taintedletter

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. Elizabeth belongs to Midnightwishes, but I will be borrowing her for this journey. 

Next Chapter

This will be my only beginning A/N.

This is a tribute story to Midnightwishes. I wish you all the love and happiness in the world, and hope you’re able to enjoy your next great adventure. Rest in peace, sweetheart.

This story was originally going to be my very first fanfiction, but I lost motivation when I lost my friend. I made a hard switch to the Naruto/Pokemon fandom, and found it difficult to return to FMA.

When I clearing out my drop box, I found this old story again, and… well, here we are.

This story is a slow build up.

This is NOT an EdOC, AlOC, or RoyOC story. I am perfectly happy with their canonical pairings.

Note about canon / AU: This is to clarify the established canon in my story.

In the manga / wiki it’s stated that Pride is able to adjust the age range of his container by around 5ish years. I’m going to go ahead and AU it so that he can freely adjust the age of his container to whatever he wants it to be.

Did you know that Bradley’s first name is King? I did not until I checked the wiki, so führer Bradley is named King Bradley here.

Mrs. Bradley will also get a lovely first name, because she very much deserves it: Katherine.

Lastly, King Bradley genuinely loves his wife.

Smart!OC, so if you don’t like reading about OCs with high levels of book-smart intelligence, this won’t be your cup of tea.

This story will eventually be posted on Fanfiction.net and Wattpad, but for the moment it will remain on tumblr until I write enough of it. 

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

Death was not the end, nor the beginning. It was a bump in the road, an interlude in the story.

Dying did not mean one ceased to exist, but rather, one’s existence changed.

Memories are not meant to survive the transformation, but there are always exceptions. When taking the first breath in a new body, one can usually remember the last breath in the old body.

But too soon what defined the previous life will fade away, and the new life will be given a (mostly) blank slate.

They’ll likely still retain some knowledge, some experiences, or information too vital to forget. Maybe they’ll remember the face of their lover, or their talent for music. Maybe they’ll be drawn to an old friend, or they’ll retain unexplainable fear over a past lives trauma.

Someone terrified of the ocean might have drowned in their previous life.

A man or women overcome with unshakable insecurities might have been cruelly hurt before.

Regardless, death and birth did not mark the end or beginning for one’s existence.

It simply meant a change in scenery for that soul.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

This is the journey of one such soul being born in a world it was not meant to be a part of.

It, like all the others, knew it had been reborn at first.

But unlike the others, memories of its past lives did not flee right away.

No.

Oddly enough, they stayed for a solid three years. And even when those cherished memories of dear friends and family left the soul, knowledge remained.

Knowledge of math and science.

Of medicine.

And of an undeniable, insatiable thirst for more.

More knowledge.

More adventures.

More everything.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

Elizabeth Luxanna was born to the estranged daughter of a retired general. The daughter, Hannah Luxanna, had eloped with a simple farmer after a bitter argument between her father—Crow Luxanna—and mother—Isabella Luxanna.

Hannah enjoyed over a decade of blissful marriage before her husband tragically died from an unknown illness. To make matters worse, Hannah was pregnant, and they had lost their home in a terrible fire.

With nowhere else to go, Hannah returned home to find her mother already dead, and her father consumed with bitterness and regret.

Crow accepted his daughter back with great reluctance, and the time leading up to Elizabeth’s birth was filled with despair and grief for Hannah.

The young woman’s heart gave out after birth, and she left her only daughter orphaned.

Crow Luxanna adopted his granddaughter, but he did so with a thoroughly broken and blackened heart.

He did not know how to handle her.

He did not want to handle her.

So he hired plenty of servants to take care of her for the first year of her life, and dismissed them shortly afterward.

Next came tutors.

So soon? Some might ask.

But Crow Luxanna did not want to raise a granddaughter. No, he wanted to force her to grow up as soon as possible and send her out.

Ideally into the military.

And when Elizabeth Luxanna began to show exemplary intelligence, and whispers of a prodigy started to arise, Crow Luxanna finally took an interest in his granddaughter.

And what a shame, that was.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

Grandfather Crow was a short, well-dressed man. He was a proud retired general, and had high expectations for all those around him. Rules were meant to be strictly adhered to, and when boundaries were pushed too much he enforced harsh punishments.

He wasn’t one for social visits. Not even for his last living family.

Elizabeth was quiet, well-behaved, and completely devoted to her studies. It became blatantly apparent early on that she had difficulty connecting to her peers, and after enough incidents her grandfather forbade other children from entering their home.

She rarely saw anyone aside from her tutors.

Especially Grandfather.

Which was why when Grandfather told her to eat dinner with him, she was surprised.

Thankfully, he cut straight to the chase and explained why he was there.

“The exam you did yesterday, do you remember it?” Grandfather inquired stiffly, his well-groomed mustache quivering as he tried out a smile. It looked terribly awkward on him.

The young girl nodded at his question. After months of completely devouring her lessons, and answering all of her tutors’ questions they had come together and devised an extensive exam for the heiress. It took Elizabeth six hours to complete, and the trio (one for science & math, one for history & English, and one for etiquette) watched her intensely the entire time.

Grandfather tapped his fingers on the table, his dark eyes staring straight through her. “Mm. Yes, well, you’ve exceeded expectations. Your intelligence is remarkable for someone your age, a true prodigy.” Again Grandfather tapped his fingers, and his gaze didn’t seem to notice her anymore. “The military will want your mind, do you understand?”

Elizabeth mutely shook her head.

“They will want you,” Grandfather repeated. “I am a loyal soldier, so I will not refuse them.”

Her brow furrowed as she tried to follow the conversation. “I’m going to be enlisted?”

Grandfather blinked once, now focusing on Elizabeth. “Yes, and no. You are too young, but… But they will claim you one way or another. I want to make sure you survive, and do our family proud.”

“Why would they claim me?”

“You are a talented child, and I am a loyal soldier,” Grandfather repeated. “Retired or not, I would sacrifice everything for my country, for my führer.”

Including you, went unsaid.

“Your mind… yes. It will be good for the military. For Central. You will serve our führer well,” Grandfather Crow said.

There was no permission to be sought out.

There was no debating, or discussion.

Elizabeth knew in her heart that there was no fighting this.

She was a single little girl, who just so happened to be a little good at math and science.

She had no power to refuse.

No confidence to say no.

Even a hint of disobedience would land Elizabeth locked away in her room, with no lights, or food for however long her grandfather wanted.

She had nowhere to go, and no one to turn to.

So Elizabeth swallowed back her nerves and tried out a wobbly (fake) smile. “Yes, Grandfather.”

The retired general smiled. It was disturbing to see. “A mind like yours… They need State Alchemists. Yes, you will do well there. I will hire a new tutor for you.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

And that was that.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

“I am Lisa Delve,” introduced a middle-aged woman. Her graying hair was swept up in a tight bun, and she dressed very modestly. Her dark blue eyes narrowed when she looked at Elizabeth, and a sneer curled back on her lips. “You are my student?”

“I am,” Elizabeth answered quietly, her green eyes lowering when she saw the plain scorn in the women’s eyes.

She knew then that Mrs. Delve would not be any companion to Elizabeth.

“A big game was talked up about you. Do not disappoint,” Mrs. Delve said, her voice clipped. She turned her back to young curly-haired brunette, and began to draw on the blackboard.

All tutoring was done in the small library, where not a window could be seen. It was dark, dreary, and stuffy.

Elizabeth wished she was anywhere but there.

“This,” Mrs. Delve said as she finished her drawing, “is a basic transmutation circle. Memorize it. I am told you already know your periodic table?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Recite it.”

Elizabeth did as ordered, and the alchemist scoffed. “Speak up, girl. You are the heiress of the prestigious Luxanna family, and the granddaughter of one of our greatest generals. Have you not taken any etiquette classes?”

“I have, ma’am,” Elizabeth said, sitting up straighter in her uncomfortable wooden seat. “Sorry, ma’am.”

“It’s not me you be apologizing to, but your family,” Mrs. Delve snapped. “Have you done any reading into alchemy before this session?”

“Only that human transmutation is illegal, and dangerous,” Elizabeth softly responded. She only knew that because it was mentioned offhandedly in a biology textbook.

But that was fine.

Elizabeth had no interest in human transmutation.

No, what drew her focus was botany and how alchemy could be applied there.

She couldn’t find any concrete information on alchemists who worked with plants. She knew it had to be a difficult science since alchemy applied to any living organism was tricky, but she didn’t think it would be that hard.

Plants didn’t have nervous systems, after all.

And if she could find a way to create hybrid plants, she might be able to invent new species of plants that were more effective than modern medicine.

At least, that was her initial hope.

“Rudimentary. Very well, let us begin. Do keep up, as I will not be repeating myself.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

Elizabeth Luxanna was largely left alone.

At first, when she was mentally a grown adult who enjoyed her solitude just fine, she had no complaints.

She was an unusually obedient and quiet child, and as long as she was given enough books to read, she didn’t complain.

If she did complain, she’d be immediately locked in her bedroom and forced into isolation for however many days her Grandfather saw fit. Food would be shoved through the slot in the door, and not a single peep was allowed to be heard.

Since Elizabeth was an adult (a very, very old one at that), she was able to comply with these rules without much fuss.

But when her adult memories slipped away from her one night, and she was suddenly left a child without any companionship, being alone started to bother her.

Grandfather Crow was a stern man, and had no patience to raise a granddaughter. All the servants that worked for the Luxanna family were veterans who had to retire premature, and were uncomfortable dealing with Elizabeth.

While she no longer had all the memories that made Elizabeth an old adult, she retained her knowledge of math, science, and other similar topics. She couldn’t explain how she knew what she knew, either, which gave others the wrong impression about her.

At first glances Elizabeth was a child with a seemingly high intellect.

From the Grandfather’s Crow point of view this was to be taken advantage of for the betterment of his country, of his führer. It was an asset to be used to its maximum potential.

But from Elizabeth’s point of view it simply made it that much harder to connect with others.

Children her age didn’t even understand what an electron was, let alone wanted to talk about it.

Adults either didn’t take her seriously, or only saw her as someone to be used.

There was no way for Elizabeth to form any kind of positive bond, let alone a friendship.

For five years she was confined to a bitter home without a single person to care for her.

This made for a terribly lonely little girl.

So painfully lonely she would wish for any kind of friendship.

For anyone to show her even an iota of warmth.

And then came the day that person showed up.

Her only friend.

Selim Bradley.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

Welcome back to my loyal readers, and hello to new ones!

Cover by @cantrona.

Question: Would you open the gates to Truth? What for, and what would you sacrifice?

Reviews are love!

Next Chapter

[joelaur]

Hands in Both Pockets

Hands in Both Pockets 'For my sake was the world created.' AND 'I am but dust and ashes.'"

“Everyone must have two pockets, with a note in each pocket, so that he or she can reach into the one or the other, depending on the need. When feeling lowly and depressed, discouraged or disconsolate, one should reach into the right pocket, and, there, find the words: ‘For my sake was the world created.’

But when feeling high and mighty one should reach into the left pocket, and find the words:…

[darkpetal16]

Charming artwork by @peachijuiceart. Her commissions are open, and she’s currently doing a deal for $10 headshots if anyone wants in. 

Selim Bradley / Pride (c) Arakawa

Elizabeth (c) Midnightwishes

Their story: Pride & Humility by Darkpetal16

Summary: “Friends look the other way. Best friends eat the body.” -Selim B. The story about an innocent and disturbing friendship between homunculus and human. Old soul OC. Surprisingly wholesome. 

[darkpetal16]

Pride & Humility - Chapter Two

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Fanfiction

Genres: Gen, Friendship, Family, Adventure, Hurt, Comfort

Summary: “Friends look the other way. Best friends eat the body.” -Selim B. The story about an innocent and disturbing friendship between homunculus and human. Old soul OC. Surprisingly wholesome.

Warnings: Violence, gore, death, excessive child abuse, profanity

Beta: Taintedletter

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. Elizabeth belongs to Midnightwishes, but I will be borrowing her for this journey.

Chapter One

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Beta: Taintedletter

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

Early spring of 1908

“Hello.”

Elizabeth paused in her studies, looking up to find a boy taller than her. He was a cute boy, with neatly combed black hair and deep purple eyes. He was well dressed, and he had a nice smile.

‘An heir?’ Elizabeth thought to herself, closing her textbook to give the boy her full attention.

No one had approached her in the library for months, after all.

Six months into her alchemical tutoring, Mrs. Delve inquired about Elizabeth’s interests. When Elizabeth admitted her desire to combine alchemy and botany, she expected some kind of lecture, or negative reaction.

Instead, Mrs. Delve made an approving comment, and admitted that she was not well versed enough in botany to assist.

The following day, Grandfather Crow gave Elizabeth permission to study in Central’s military library in regards to botany. Mrs. Delve would drop her off at the library after their lessons, and a butler would fetch her before dinner.

That had been six months ago, and Elizabeth gleefully took to her studies. The library at home was dismal, and unpleasant to be in, but she found the library at Central to be an utter delight.

It had an overabundance of knowledge, a delightful smell of old books, and plenty of lighting to not feel dull. Elizabeth was utterly content at the library, and thoroughly enjoyed reading there.

Reading was always a good way to distract her from the fact that she had no friends.

She hardly had any interruptions, too.

No one paid her any mind.

Until day.

Today a boy approached her, and was holding out his hand to her.

Elizabeth accepted his hand with a shy smile of her own. “H-Hello.”

“I’m new here,” the boy went on, shaking her hand. “I’m Selim Bradley.”

“E-Elizabeth Luxanna,” Elizabeth introduced, retracting her hand.

“I heard about you from my father,” Selim said, his smile widening. “You’re studying to be a State Alchemist, right? A prodigy?”

“Yes,” Elizabeth admitted, wondering why the boy had approached her. Children didn’t come up to Elizabeth anymore, and once they knew what she was there for, they usually left.

“That’s so cool!” Selim crowd, and Elizabeth thought the sparkle in his eyes was charming. “Hey, can I join you? I don’t have school for a while, and it’s boring being left alone.”

“Oh.” Elizabeth’s eyes widened, and a hopeful feeling fluttered inside of her chest. “Yes… please do.”

‘Does this mean…?’ Elizabeth watched with disbelief as the boy promptly took a seat beside her. ‘Is he… wanting to be my friend?’

‘Dear God, please let us become good friends!’

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

One month later…

Elizabeth Luxanna sat alone at a table in the far back of the library. At first glance one might find the appearance of a five year old girl reading from books as big as her head strange, but those that knew Elizabeth Luxanna would find the situation perfectly normal.

The brunette kept her thick long hair in a loose side tail that went over her right shoulder. She wore a stylish green and white sundress, accompanied by a dainty bow. She was, after all, a wealthy heiress. That demanded a certain standard to her appearance.

Elizabeth chewed on her bottom lip as she painstakingly redrew some of the more complex designs out of the book she reading from. She was not allowed to take any of the books out of the library, since this library was reserved for members of the military. She was one of the lucky few granted special permission due to her grandfather, and status as potential State Alchemist.

Obviously she was too young to take the test, but her prodigal intelligence, coupled with her intuitive grasp of science and alchemy, marked her as someone special.

This, with her connections through her Grandfather, granted the five year old heiress special permission to study in the library.

Every day after noon—when she would finish up her morning studies with her private tutors—she would take a trip to the library and spend the remainder of her day studying botany, plant science, and human biology.

Again, this would strike anyone as odd to find a five year reading—and understanding—these complex sciences.

But those in the know, simply accepted this fact.

Elizabeth worked with an intense single-minded focus that did not belong with a child. She worked for hours until she was politely interrupted by a boy close to her age.

Selim Bradley was a new addition in Central. The führer and his wife had adopted Selim only last month.

Elizabeth paused in her work, her green eyes lighting up with genuine joy when her friend took a seat beside her. Even though he had been visiting her every day for a month now, she couldn’t stop being pleasantly surprised to see him. Comparing the demeanor of the girl before and after Selim visited her was like comparing night and day. Her sheer glee was plainly apparent to all who could see.

He gave her a saccharine smile, and asked in that cute voice of his, “Whatchya working on now, Ellie?”

Elizabeth showed him the diagram she was currently sketching.

“Nonvascular plants?” Selim repeated, tilting his head in a way that Elizabeth found to be a very adorable.

“Plants that don’t have the tissues to transport water,” Elizabeth oversimplified for him. There was, of course, a lot more to it, but Selim didn’t have the same level of interest in botany as Elizabeth did. She didn’t want to bore her only friend away.

“I see,” came Selim.

“What do you wanna do?” Elizabeth asked Selim, closing her books and turning to him. “Do you like any games?”

“What kind of games?” Selim asked, cocking his head.

“Hmm.” Elizabeth hadn’t really played games before, but she had seen children play them in the streets. “What about hide and seek?”

This made Selim smile so wide it looked almost sinister. “I don’t think you want to play that with me. I’m really good at finding people.”

If that wasn’t a challenge, Elizabeth didn’t know what was.

Childish joy bubbled up inside of her, and confidence she didn’t know she had stepped forth. “I bet I could hide somewhere you can’t find me.”

Selim’s grin stretched even further out, and if Elizabeth didn’t know any better she would have thought there was a darker tone to it. “Eh? Well, let’s find out. I’ll give you three chances.”

“Okay,” Elizabeth agreed to. “Count to thirty, okay?”

“Okay,” Selim agreed.

Unfortunately for Elizabeth, he found her. All three times.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

The library always grew quieter as the day went on. In many ways, the library would remind Elizabeth of her home when it grew too quiet. But the library had something “home” didn’t, and that was Selim Bradley. When Selim joined Elizabeth in the afternoons, Elizabeth would pause in her work to spend time with him.

For the first time in years, Elizabeth had something—someone—to look forward to throughout the day.

She hadn’t realize how badly she needed a friend until Selim stepped into the role.

At home, Elizabeth would count the seconds until she was freed to go to the library. Her tutoring sessions became more difficult to focus on when she started to find herself daydreaming about some new and exciting game she and Selim would play (he was very good at coming up with games).

To her, Selim was the best thing to have happened to her.

To her, he could do no wrong.

So the very idea of anyone disagreeing with this opinion felt like sheer blasphemy. Like someone was trying to argue that the sky was purple, not blue.

“You don’t find me creepy, do you?” Selim had asked her one day, his face blank, and tone flat. The two sat in their favorite little corner in the library while Elizabeth had been reading aloud a fantasy adventure novel for Selim. He was usually an attentive listener—he especially liked it when she did voices for the characters—but that day he felt distant.

“No,” Elizabeth answered honestly, caught off guard by the strange question. As she thought about it for a second more, apprehension rose up inside of her. Concerned, she asked, “Why? Who said that?”

“Oh, just some kids,” Selim answered vaguely, turning his head away from her. “A lot kids don’t like to be around me because of it.”

“Then they’re stupid,” Elizabeth concluded, frowning as she peered at her friend.

‘Did they hurt him?’ Elizabeth worriedly thought. ‘I hope he doesn’t think that about himself.’

The thought of her only friend being upset deeply bothered her. She wished she could do something to take away those awful feelings, and she frantically searched through her mind to think of a way. Most of her knowledge pertained to math, or science, not social interactions.

But then she recalled an earlier scene in the book she was currently reading to Selim, and it was from there she found an answer.

She reached forward and gently patted Selim’s shoulder. This caused her friend to turn his head to look over at her, and she leaned forward to kiss his cheek in friendly manner. “You’re not creepy, Selim. You’re my friend. Don’t listen to those other kids, okay?”

Selim froze the moment Elizabeth kissed him on the cheek, his entire posture and face stiffening as if he had just witnessed the impossible.

“Selim?” Elizabeth asked, realizing that her friend wasn’t reacting. She waved her hand in front of his face. “Selim, are you okay?”

Selim blinked several times before he smiled awkwardly at her. “I’m fine.”

Elizabeth beamed. “As long as you’re okay. Tell me if anyone ever says that to you again and I’ll beat ‘em up for you.”

For some reason this caused Selim to snort before bursting out into laughter.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

“Cat or dog?”

“Cat,” Selim answered. “Red or blue?”

“Red,” Elizabeth returned. “Chocolate or vanilla?”

That got a smirk. “Chocolate. Day or night?”

“Night.” Elizabeth narrowed her emerald green eyes in thought. They had been going back and forth for over an hour, and she was starting to run out of questions. “Fire or water?”

“Fire. Stone or steel?”

“Steel. Fruit or vegetables?”

“Fruit.” Selim’s nose wrinkled. “Who likes vegetables?”

“Vegetarians,” Elizabeth suggested.

Selim nodded, curling his lip back in plain distaste and reluctantly accepting such. “Yeah. Alright… Mountain or ocean?”

“Mountains.” Elizabeth shuddered. “I don’t like water I can’t see the bottom of.”

A dark glimmer of interest sparked in Selim’s eyes. “Oh? Why not?”

“One word: kraken.”

Disappointed, Selim snapped, “That doesn’t exist!”

“We don’t know that,” Elizabeth insisted, but Selim snorted disbelieving at her. “Have you ever been to the ocean?”

Selim frowned, his eyes narrowing. He folded his arms over his chest. “No. But you have?”

“No, but that’s ‘cause I’m too scared. I don’t want to accidentally unleash the kraken,” Elizabeth retorted, then brightened, her eyes sparkling. “Your turn.”

Selim pursed his lips. “Mn. Cake or cookies?”

“Cookies—no, cake. No, cookies. Um… This one is really hard.” Elizabeth scratched her cheek as she thought. “Oh, dang. I guess you win, I can’t choose.”

“I always win,” Selim said haughtily, a smirk crawling across his face.

“I’ll beat you at something one day,” Elizabeth declared before she deflated immediately afterward. “Maybe.”

Selim mockingly patted her back, his tone smug. “You’re welcome to try, Ellie.”

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

For the past few months Elizabeth cherished each of her days. Home life was difficult, and hard, but she got to learn alchemy and had a friend.

Time spent with Selim was treasured, and Elizabeth even took to writing about their quiet adventures in the library so that way she could re-read them at home. When she was done writing a week’s work of adventures, she’d give them over to Selim who would then scribble comments in the margins that always made her laugh.

She wished it could go on like that forever.

But time marched on unwavering, and Selim had to start attending school.

When Selim Bradley started school, he was no longer able to visit Elizabeth in the afternoons. He had to return home after class, instead.

Elizabeth didn’t want to lose her only friend—the thought of Selim leaving her for good sent a sharp pain through her heart, and made her feel sick to her stomach. She didn’t have anyone else to talk to.

Selim really, and truly, was her only friend. If she could no longer spend time with him, she thought she might drown in her loneliness.

A bit over dramatic, perhaps, but that was how the girl sincerely felt.

She hated being ignored at home. She hated not being able to connect with her own peers. She hated how the adults looked down at her because of her age.

But none of these were things she felt like she could fix. Making a ruckus at home would cause her to be confined to her bedroom in isolation for however long Grandfather wanted, and she lacked the patience to deal with immature children. She couldn’t make adults respect her, because she honestly had no idea how.

Selim was the only one who voluntarily spent time with her. He listened—and understood—what she talked about.

He single handedly made her feel… not alone.

If she could look forward to meeting with him later that day, then she could stomach the bitterly quiet breakfasts, or the snide tutoring lessons. He made everything bearable.

And yes, she knew it was unfair to put that entire burden on one person, but…

Elizabeth didn’t know what else to do.

Selim no longer being able to visit her in the afternoons was unacceptable to the girl, but she couldn’t very well force him out of school.

No.

But she could visit him for an hour at his home.

Hopefully.

Now, she had never been to Selim’s home, or even met his parents, so Elizabeth knew she had to make a very good impression.

She dressed up in her nicest sundress, cute shoes, and fixed her hair several times before she was satisfied. She had her butler take her to a nearby bakery and floral shop to pick up greeting gifts—her etiquette tutor told her such was essential—and then she was escorted to Selim’s home.

Which just so happened to be the home of the führer in Central Command.

The butler, Gregory, escorted the young heiress to the front gates. He stopped short of going in, giving a stern look to Elizabeth. “I’ll return in an hour, young miss.”

“Okay,” Elizabeth said, a touch disappointed he wouldn’t be escorting her any further. She understood why—ever since it was decided she would be enlisted in the military as soon as possible as a State Alchemist, her grandfather began to enforce “early independence”—but she still disliked it.

Central Command was a massive and intimidating building. It stood tall, clinical white walls looming above all who entered its premise. There were guards stationed nearly everywhere in sight, and patrols roaming along outside.

Elizabeth clutched at her small box of puff pastries, and her bouquet of blue flowers. Nerves fluttered inside the pit of her stomach, and she swallowed back the anxious lump in her throat. Mustering up the little courage she had, she straightened her shoulders, and marched directly down the front road.

She received a few perturbed looks as she walked, but she (with great difficulty) pressed on.

Entering the front doors—the guards stationed there opened them for her, thankfully—she stepped in to a pristine waiting area. There were a couple civilians milling around, and no one paid the small girl any bit of attention.

Elizabeth moved to the receptionist, and the pretty woman behind the counter smiled down at her. “How can I help you, sweetheart?”

“I-I’m looking for Selim Bradley’s home,” Elizabeth squeaked out, trying to calm her stomach.

“Oh, he’s the führer’s new son, isn’t he? Are you a friend from school?” The receptionist asked with a wide smile.

Elizabeth nodded shortly. “I’m his friend.”

“Okay… you see the doorway over there?” At Elizabeth’s nod, she continued, “Go through there, and take an immediate right. Go all the way down the hallway until you reach the end and go left. Go through the white doors, and it’ll take you outside. The building directly across is where the Bradley’s live.”

Elizabeth committed the directions to her head. “Okay. Th-thank you.”

“Of course. Ask any of the guards to help you if you get lost.”

Elizabeth bowed politely before excusing herself. She hurried down the hallways, weaving between the guards. Thankfully, she was able to accurately follow the directions, and she made it back outside.

The Bradley’s home was behind Central Command, and it was every bit as imposing as Command. Elizabeth nervously approached the front door, and knocked.

There was several seconds of tense silence before the door opened up to reveal an elderly butler. “Good evening, young miss. How may I help you?”

“I-I’m here t-to see Selim, a-and meet his parents,” Elizabeth barely managed to say, her voice quivering from nerves. She wished she was back at the library, where it was safe, quiet, and she didn’t have to interact with so many strange adults.

Adults only looked down on her, after all.

The butler’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Oh, I see. Please, do come in, miss…?”

“E-Elizabeth Luxanna,” Elizabeth hurriedly said, stepping inside.

“If you would please wait here, I’ll fetch the young master and Mrs. Bradley.” The butler excused himself, and Elizabeth resisted the urge to fidget.

It took several minutes before anyone returned. Selim practically rushed into the room, face conveying a perfect sense of shock. “Oh, wow! You really are here, Ellie.”

Behind him was an older woman with kind eyes, and a sweet smile. “Is that any way to greet a friend, Selim? You must be Elizabeth, it’s wonderful to meet you.”

Elizabeth promptly curtsied, remembering her manners. “I’m Elizabeth Luxanna, ma’am. It’s an ho-honor to meet you. These are for you.”

Elizabeth thrusted out the pastry box and flowers, and Mrs. Bradley’s eyes crinkled as she accepted them. “Oh my, these are lovely. Thank you. Elizabeth, why don’t you stay for dinner?”

“O-oh, I couldn’t impose—”

“C’mon, Ellie!” Selim exclaimed, grabbing Elizabeth’s hand and tugging her forward. “Dinner’s the best here. You came to see me, didn’t you?”

“Y-Yes! A-About that, actually,” Elizabeth took a deep breath in, “I was hoping if maybe I could visit after school? S-Since Selim can’t visit the library in the afternoons anymore, I—”

“I don’t see why not,” Mrs. Bradley responded gently. “As long as Selim has his homework finished, you’re more than welcome to come over and play any time.”

Selim tilted his head as he looked at Elizabeth, amusement in his eyes. “Did you really come here to try and spend more time with me?”

“Of course,” Elizabeth said, her cheeks red. “You’re my best friend. I’d be really sad if I couldn’t see you anymore.”

Selim frowned briefly at that before he grinned widely. “Best friend, huh?”

“The very best,” Elizabeth assured him.

For some reason this made him laugh.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

Elizabeth met Selim at his school the following day, excited to walk home with him. Central Academy was stationed close to Central Command, so his home was within walking distance. To Elizabeth’s surprise, Mrs. Bradley was already at the school gates, too.

When Mrs. Bradley noticed Elizabeth, her whole face lit up. “Oh, Elizabeth, did you come to walk Selim home, too?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Elizabeth shyly admitted, tugging at her dress.

Mrs. Bradley glanced around Elizabeth, a small frown marred her face. “I don’t see any escorts with you.”

“My tutor dropped me off at the library at noon, and I walked from there,” Elizabeth answered. The library was nearby, too, after all.

Mrs. Bradley let out a small gasp of surprise. “Alone? But you’re so young!”

“Grandfather Crow wants me to become independent as soon as possible, so I can join the military,” Elizabeth explained. Mrs. Bradley’s face clouded over with blatant disbelief, but Elizabeth didn’t understand why. Everything she said was normal to Elizabeth.

Adults only thought of children as beneath them, or tools to be used. Grandfather Crow thought of Elizabeth as a thing to better the country.

That was natural.

Having Mrs. Bradley show up to escort her son was utterly bizarre to Elizabeth.

Although, now that Elizabeth noticed, there were quite a few other parents milling around outside.

‘Are they all waiting for their children?’ Elizabeth wondered, befuddled by this. ‘Why?’

Before Elizabeth, or Mrs. Bradley, could say anything further the school let out for the day and Selim rushed over to the two. He greeted both with a happy chirp, “Hello, Mother! Hey, Ellie!”

Mrs. Bradley smiled sweetly down at Selim, taking his hand and then holding her other hand out to Elizabeth. Elizabeth stared at it peculiarly before she realized Mrs. Bradley wanted to hold Elizabeth’s hand.

Perturbed, the heiress reluctantly obliged, and Mrs. Bradley began to walk the two children back home.

Elizabeth expected a quiet, somber walk home.

But then Mrs. Bradley did something absolutely absurd.

Smiling warmly, she asked with a downright ludicrous amount of sincerity, “How was your day, Selim?”

“Easy,” Selim bragged.

“Everything’s easy to you,” Elizabeth pointed out, even as she stared at Mrs. Bradley in disbelief.

‘Why does she seem like she genuinely wanted to know about Selim’s day? Am I dreaming?’

That got a big smile from her friend, and a cute giggle (‘Adults can do that?!’) from Mrs. Bradley. “Oh, my! She’s got you pegged, Selim.”

“Not entirely,” Selim responded. “How about you, Mother? How was your day?”

“Lovely, as always,” Mrs. Bradley answered cheerfully. “Elizabeth, dear, would you like to have dinner with us again?”

‘Dear?!’ Elizabeth thought, aghast, before she shook her head to clear that thought.

Elizabeth promptly recalled Grandfather telling her to always accept dinner from the führer’s family. When she had returned home late the night she first visited Selim’s family, Grandfather Crow had been quite cross with her. Until she explained what happened, and then he told her to always accept whatever request came from the Bradley’s.

A part of Elizabeth was relieved to receive blanket permission to spend time with Selim. The rest of her wondered how Mrs. Bradley planned on using her.

She smiled hesitantly at Mrs. Bradley. “Y-Yes, please.”

Mrs. Bradley’s eyes shone brightly. “Wonderful—”

The hair on the back of Elizabeth’s neck tingled, and she abruptly snatched her hand out of Mrs. Bradley’s grip. A car swerved out of control toward the trio, and Elizabeth’s body moved on its own accord, throwing itself on top of her only friend.

Mrs. Bradley also reacted, crying out and immediately grabbing both children and turning around to shield them from the car.

There was a loud screech as the car veered out of the way, crashing into a nearby lamppost. Mrs. Bradley trembled as she held Elizabeth, who was holding onto Selim.

For several seconds there was only tense silence and then a flurry of men and women rushed over to the scene.  Shakily, Mrs. Bradley relaxed her hold on the children and worriedly asked, “Are you two okay?”

“Y-Yeah,” Elizabeth answered, too flustered to question the sincerity behind Mrs. Bradley’s question. The brunette heiress addressed a blank faced Selim. “S-Selim?”

“I’m fine,” Selim answered, his tone subdued, and expression unreadable.

Mrs. Bradley breathed out a sigh of relief before she rounded on Elizabeth. There was a painful warmth inside of her eyes that made the young girl deeply uncomfortable. “You threw yourself in front of Selim before I even noticed. That was very brave of you.”

Elizabeth’s face turned hot. “It was nothing.”

Mrs. Bradley’s expression softened and she pulled both children into her arms, kissing the top of their heads (the action made both children turn to stone, completely stiff). “What wonderful children you both are. I’m so very glad you’re safe.”

Embarrassed heat flooded through Elizabeth as a motherly woman hugged her tightly with unwarranted tenderness. Never, ever, in her life could Elizabeth remember a time that she had been hugged.

She had read about it. She had read about kisses on the cheeks, and hugs, and sweet families, but those had been in stories. Fantasies. Make believe.

She tried to be affectionate with Selim, but he never initiated contact.

So having someone hug her tightly with relief that she was okay was—

Ohsoverynice.

And confusing.

Extremely confusing.

And judging by Selim’s expression, he felt the exact same way.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

Mrs. Bradley is an angel that should have adopted the Elric brothers too, and no one can change my mind about that.

Answer: Sure. I’d sacrifice an arm to learn how to transmute plants. As long as I could get a pretty sweet automail arm afterward.

Question: What kind of alchemist would you like to be?

Reviews are love!

Next Chapter

[darkpetal16]

Pride & Humility - Chapter Three

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Fanfiction

Genres: Gen, Friendship, Family, Adventure, Hurt, Comfort

Summary: “Friends look the other way. Best friends eat the body.” -Selim B. The story about an innocent and disturbing friendship between homunculus and human. Old soul OC. Surprisingly wholesome.

Warnings: Violence, gore, death, excessive child abuse, profanity

Beta: Taintedletter

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. Elizabeth belongs to Midnightwishes, but I will be borrowing her for this journey.

Chapter One

Previous Chapter

Beta: Taintedletter

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

Several days later...

Dinner that night looked delightfully appetizing.

When eating at the Bradley’s, it appeared no expense was spared when it came to the food. The dining room was a small, but lavishly decorated. The enticing aroma of dinner drifted around the room, enhancing the luxurious feel of the casual affair.

Of course what really made dinner such a treat for Elizabeth, was Mrs. Bradley—although she was starting to insist Elizabeth called her Auntie Katherine. The older woman had an magnanimous personality, and a charm that simply couldn’t be beat. Already the woman had rapidly captured Elizabeth’s admiration.

(Granted, that wasn’t hard at that point since she was the first adult to treat Elizabeth with any bit of genuine kindness.)

To make matters even better, Elizabeth got to sit right next to her best friend.

At dinner, Selim was an infectiously cheerful boy. Elizabeth found it impossible not to smile, or giggle, when he was so plainly elated.

“And who might this be?” inquired an amused voice.

The trio at dinner turned to find führer King Bradley entering the dining room with a serene smile on his face. Mrs. Bradley, greeted her husband with an affectionate tone. “Welcome home, dear. This is Elizabeth Luxanna, a friend of Selim. She’s been having dinner with us this week while you were away inspecting the south.”

Elizabeth politely bowed her head, her cheeks warming under Mr. Bradley’s scrutiny. “G-Good evening, sir.”

“At ease. A friend of Selim doesn’t need to call me sir,” Mr. Bradley laughed, taking a seat beside Katherine and across from Elizabeth. His gaze roamed over to his adopted son and he asked, “And how have you been, Selim?”

“Well,” Selim responded, nudging Elizabeth. “I’ve been having a lot of fun with Ellie!”

“Ah, I see, I see.”

“How was the inspection, dear?” Mrs. Bradley asked.

“Uneventful,” Mr. Bradley admitted. “With so many of our State Alchemists retired, the hunt for more is still in full swing.”

“Ellie’s very good with alchemy,” Selim remarked, purple eyes sparkling with admiration. “I bet she’ll make the youngest State Alchemist in history!”

Elizabeth blushed, nervous pride fluttering inside of her. She averted her gaze, and fidgeted with her fingers. “I-I don’t know about that.”

“I’d bet a month’s worth of desert on it,” Selim crowd.

“Oh!” King exclaimed, reassessing Elizabeth with great interest. “That’s a mighty big bet. Hmm. But I don’t see how anyone would accept a State Alchemist before fifteen, at the very least.”

Selim grinned widely. “She’ll be ready well before then. She’s very smart.”

Elizabeth’s face felt hotter than the sun, and she squirmed under her friend’s praise. She hadn’t received so much positive attention before, and it was making her head spin and her stomach tie itself in knots.

“That’s quite enough,” Katherine Bradley chided, reaching across the table to gently pat Elizabeth. “Can’t you see you’re making her flustered? Honestly, I hope you’re don’t become as clueless about women like your father…”

“Eh? I’m not clueless,” King Bradley protested, but Mrs. Bradley only laughed at him.

The dinner was filled with merriment and laughter. King and Katherine were a remarkably adorable couple, and the two filled the entire room up with amiable hospitality. Time flew by faster than a rocket, and it was far too soon that Elizabeth had to bade everyone goodnight.

Dinner with the Bradley’s became a regular occurrence. Most nights the führer would join them, but there had been a couple times where he was too busy with work.

After dinner, Selim and Elizabeth would play in the gardens for a couple of hours before someone would escort Elizabeth “home.”

Although the heiress wished she never had to leave.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

Breakfast in the house of Luxanna was a bleak affair. The food was carried to Elizabeth’s room, and she ate in silence at her desk in her nearly empty room. It wasn’t that the Luxanna family couldn’t afford niceties, or luxuries—it was an old wealthy family—so much as Grandfather Crow was a minimalist, and believed his granddaughter should be the same.

The only things of note that could be found in Elizabeth’s room were piles of notebooks, and assigned textbooks on alchemy. The stacks were so high they towered over the girl.

Once Elizabeth finished her breakfast, she got dressed for the day and headed down to the musky library to begin her lessons. Mrs. Delve awaited her with a narrowed gaze, and a clipped good morning.

As with every day, the lesson was only made bearable by the fact that Elizabeth had something to look forward to at the end. It wasn’t that Mrs. Delve was a bad teacher, per say—she explained things well enough Elizabeth could follow along—but there a prominent air of disdain in that stuffy library.

No… in that house.

Elizabeth could scarcely think to call it a home anymore. She saw what a home ought to be like with the Bradleys.

There was no warmth, or love in the houses of Luxanna.

There was expectations, and punishments.

Elizabeth wasn’t a granddaughter.

She was a tool. A pet.

Her future was in the hands of a man who did not care for her wellbeing—who probably didn’t even like her.

And what could she do about it?

Run away?

With his connections, she’d undoubtedly be found the very first day.

Refuse?

She wouldn’t put it past him to lock her away until she starved to death, or submitted.

He’d get away with it, too.

Ask for help?

From who?

She didn’t want to bring her only friend into it. Selim was too dear to her, and the very thought of him coming anywhere near her grandfather burned Elizabeth up inside. Mrs. Bradley, Katherine, was a possibility, but Elizabeth irrationally feared that if the kind woman came in contact with Crow she’d somehow become tainted and turn on Elizabeth.

Mr. Bradley? The führer, would undoubtedly support his retired general.

The servants didn’t care.

There was no one Elizabeth felt comfortable asking for help.

Which left her with only one option: comply.

Obey.

So she swallowed her protests, and did exactly that.

Every day she woke up before the sun, and studied alchemy like a good student.

And every day, for just a few short hours, she was able to leave her bitterly cold house, and experience a taste of warmth.

She hoped that warmth would never go away.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

A couple months later…

“Ara? What’s a cute little girl doing here?”

Elizabeth paused in her afternoon work, looking up to find a man peering down over her shoulder. Being in sudden close proximity to a strange man made her instantly uncomfortable, but since he was in a military uniform she didn’t think he was bad.

He had a bit of a dorky air about him, with an after shave, glasses, and a twinkle in his eyes. He rubbed his chain as he looked down at her work. “That’s some impressive alchemy you’ve got there.”

Elizabeth shut her notebook, and shyly turned around to give the man her full attention. “I-I’m Elizabeth Luxanna. Pleasure to meet you, sir…?”

The man wore a splitting grin. “Maes Hughes! I work in Central Intelligence, and thought I’d stop by our library’s archives. It’s rare to see a child here, though.”

“I received special permission to further my alchemy studies,” Elizabeth quietly explained, resisting the urge to nervously look away. “I-I’m going to become a State Alchemist.”

“Starting young, aren’t you?” the man named Maes joked.

“My grandfather expects me to live up to the Luxanna name,” Elizabeth responded. “A-As heiress to Luxanna, I must not disappoint.”

Maes rubbed at his chin again. “Luxanna, huh? So you’re the granddaughter of general Crow?”

“Yes, sir.” Elizabeth glanced at the clock on the wall, and began to put her notebooks away in her bag. “Pardon me, sir, but I have to meet up with my best friend.”

“Wouldn’t want to keep you waiting,” Maes said with a smile. “If you’re ever by Intelligence, feel free to stop by! I bet I could tell you some funny stories about that old bird.”

Elizabeth didn’t think that funny and her grandfather belonged anywhere near each other. Fun was practically a taboo word to the retired general.

‘What a queer man,’ Elizabeth thought, hurrying away. ‘I hope I don’t run into him again.’

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

Fall of 1908

School was closed for Selim on the weekends, so he and Elizabeth were able to spend the days together.

Although, Saturdays Elizabeth still went to the library before noon, anxious to continue her work. Selim accompanied her per usual. He was a silent companion as she scribbled away in her notebooks.

Near the end of the study session—Elizabeth had promised Selim they would play after lunch—Selim leaned into Elizabeth and asked, “What are you working on now?”

Elizabeth pointed to the top of her list, and while resting his chin on her shoulder Selim read out loud, “Hybrid combinations?”

“Mn. I think that in a month, I’ll be ready to start testing out combining plants to make hybrids,” Elizabeth explained. “Right now I’m working on what would be the best combination for what. I want to keep this to no more than three for now—ideally, in the future I could combine as many as I wanted. Additionally, I want to focus on finding a substitute for epinephrine, and antibiotics first.”

“Epinephrine… that’s adrenaline, right? Why that and antibiotics first?”

“Improved penicillin—antibiotics—should be easier to start with since it was originally derived from a plant,” Elizabeth explained. “Whereas epinephrine should be a lot harder, since plants don’t produce it naturally.”

“I see,” Selim said quietly, frowning thoughtfully. “So something that should be easy, and something that should be hard… you’re testing your limits?”

“That’s the plan.”

Selim peered at the list, reading off what was written down.

Epinephrine

Yerba

Guayusa

Yaupon

Tea

Coffee

Cacao

Guarana

Ashwaghandha

Eleuthero

Rhodiola

Antibiotics

Garlic

Ginger

Echnacea

Goldenseal

Clove

Oregano

Neem

Pau D’Arco

Elizabeth had combinations of each of the lists below, and next to the combinations she wrote out the genetic equations. Once done writing out her math, she would work on diagrams and time tables.

“To be honest, I still have to find a place to grow them,” Elizabeth admitted to her friend. “It’ll have to be a large area, as I’ll be starting the hybrid process at different stages: seedling, sapling, and mature.”

Selim tapped his chin and tilted his head in a cute manner. “Hmm. How about you leave that one to me, Ellie? I might have a place.”

Elizabeth’s eyes brightened, and a sweet smile graced her face. “Really? Oh, thank you, Selim. I can always count on you.”

“‘Course,” Selim said, his smile twisting. “You can always trust me, Ellie.”

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

“El-lie!” Selim sung, rushing to Elizabeth and Mrs. Bradley. Elizabeth’s demeanour lit up like the dawn, affection and sweet tenderness entering her eyes when she saw Selim. Excitedly, she ran to meet him halfway, throwing up her arms and catching him in a tight hug.

Selim accepted the hug in good nature, giving her a small pat on the back. “Ellie, guess what?”

“What?” Elizabeth asked, stepping back as Mrs. Bradley walked up to the two of them. As always, the kindly woman had a sweet, nurturing smile on her face and a gracious glimmer in her eyes.

“I talked with Father last night, and it’s been decided you can use the greenhouse behind our home,” Selim exclaimed excitedly, boyish charm bouncing off him. “It used to be rented out to another researcher, but he wasn’t going anywhere, so we’ll give it to you!”

Elizabeth gasped, excitement making her eyes sparkle. “Oh! Oh my gosh, thank you!”

She couldn’t resist hugging Selim again, squeezing him as tight as she could. “Ach! Can’t—breathe!”

“Oh! Sorry,” Elizabeth apologized, stepping back and bowing. When she looked back up, not a hint of excitement had dulled, however, and she couldn’t resist doing a small bounce. “This is—this is so wonderful. Thank you, Selim.”

“What are best friends for?” Selim looked over at his adopted mother. “Hi!”

“Hi,” Mrs. Bradley responded in amusement. “Let’s head home now, children. I have a feeling we’ll be having seafood for dinner.”

Both kids cheered at that, and Mrs. Bradley giggled in delight, unable to resist their infectious smiles.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

As soon as Elizabeth told her grandfather about the greenhouse the following morning, he sent her—along with several other servants—out to begin purchasing supplies. Most of the seedlings could be bought at the locket market, but there were some that required to be shipped from far off lands.

Crow took care of that, of course, and ordered the servants to carry all the supplies to the greenhouse.

Everything should have arrived by the following weekend, and then Elizabeth could set up her garden.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

Two weeks later...

When dinner at the Bradley’s was concluded, Elizabeth politely excused herself for the night. She wanted to get a headstart on her greenhouse. Excitement fueled her actions, and with barely restrained glee, she hurried to the designated greenhouse.

As expected, all of her supplies were stacked neatly outside, and using her designated key she unlocked to find—

—an utter mess.

The greenhouse had three levels, and used aqueducts to evenly distribute water throughout the greenhouse. The first level—the highest level—received the freshest water, with the second level receiving some of the runoff of the first level, and the third level receiving run off from the second and first.

The idea behind this was to distribute nutrients through the water. Plants on the bottom level required a nutrient-rich environment, while the top level plants would get burnt out if they received too much nutrients.

There was also a cat walk with hanging potters for plants that needed arid environments.

But the entire greenhouse was sheer madness.

None of the potters had been cleaned, there was grime, gunk, and grease covering nearly every inch of the building. The windows were covered in a layer of film that Elizabeth wouldn’t touch without gloves, and there was trash scattered everywhere.

Clearly whoever used this place before Elizabeth had issues with cleanliness.

‘No wonder he failed his research,’ Elizabeth thought disdainfully, wrinkling her nose.

She folded her arms over her chest as she thought about her next move. She certainly wouldn’t be able to get any rest knowing her greenhouse was in such a poor state.

‘Well,’ Elizabeth reluctantly thought to herself. ‘Might as well start now, then.’

She might have been able to simply order the janitors to clean it out, but Elizabeth didn’t want to risk them contaminating her greenhouse with unwanted chemicals.

No, it would be smarter for her to do the cleaning so that way she knew exactly what was being added to her controlled environment.

She predicted she’d have to do some clean up, so she had purchased the appropriate cleaning supplies, but she hadn’t expected to need to do such an overhaul.

‘I’ll have to immediately purchase more cleaning supplies tomorrow,’ Elizabeth concluded.

She clapped her hands together, took a deep breath in, and set to work.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

“Ellie, what are you doing here still?” Selim asked, stepping into the greenhouse. His eyes widened upon seeing it, almost doing a double-take. “Whoa.”

Elizabeth flushed, knowing she had to be covered head to toe in dirt, sweat, and grime. She was able to borrow some rubber gloves from the janitors when she went to get trash bags, but they were already rendered useless after cleaning the windows.

Whatever gunk was on those windows was nasty.

Rosy-cheeked, Elizabeth fidgeted anxiously. “H-Hi, Selim.”

“Do you know what time it is?” Selim asked her, stepping in to the partially cleaned greenhouse, and looking around. “And what happened here?”

“Y-You see, I decided to, um, look at my greenhouse before going home,” Elizabeth began to explain, her mouth dry, and voice cracking. It’d been a few hours since she last had water, she’d bet. “But when I got here, it, um…”

She gestured to the top level that she had yet to clean.

Selim grimaced with plain disgust. “The whole place was like that?”

“Yeah,” Elizabeth admitted, squirming under Selim’s scrutiny.

“And you’ve been cleaning the entire night?” Selim asked, rubbing his forehead. “Why didn’t you just ask one of the servants?”

“So that way I could control the environment,” Elizabeth explained, swallowing roughly.

Selim shook his head, sighing. “You could have just asked them to use specific things.”

“Doesn’t mean they would have, though.”

He frowned, peering at her. “How cynical.”

Flustered, Elizabeth couldn’t get her tongue to work well enough to respond.

Selim then gave her his usual grin. “Since you’re already here, why don’t you clean up and have breakfast with us?”

“Break… what time is it?” Elizabeth squeaked out, dreading the answer.

“Eight.”

All color drained from Elizabeth’s face, and her knees turned to jelly. She fell straight down, dread filling her. “I’m dead. Grandfather Crow must be furious.”

Selim waved his hand dismissively. “We’ll send a messenger over. He can’t complain that you were working, right?”

Elizabeth could only hope he was right.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

“Oh my goodness!” Mrs. Bradley fretted as soon as Elizabeth walked in. “You’re filthy.”

“S-Sorry, ma’am,” the embarrassed girl apologized.

“Let’s get you cleaned up and into some warm clothes,” Mrs. Bradley declared, taking Elizabeth’s hand and dragging her away. “Selim, dear, would you please tell one of the maids to find some clothes for Elizabeth?”

“Yes, Mother,” Selim said, waving goodbye to a flustered Elizabeth.

Mrs. Bradley tutted, narrowing her gaze at Elizabeth. “What on earth happened to you, Elizabeth?”

“I was working in my greenhouse,” she explained.

“All night? Those are the clothes you wore at dinner.”

“I lost track of time,” she sheepishly admitted.

“Did your grandfather not send for you? No one came by asking if you ever made it home…” Mrs. Bradley’s brow furrowed as she trailed off, her tone disbelieving.

Elizabeth didn’t have a good answer for her, so she remained silent.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

“This was our last lesson, Miss Luxanna,” Mrs. Delve informed Elizabeth a cold morning.

“What?” Elizabeth said in surprise.

“You’ve gobbled up all I can teach you,” Mrs. Delved explained with a sniff. “It would be a waste of time to continue these lessons when I have nothing else to impart. From what I understand, you’re already well on your way to conducting advance research for our military.”

“Ah—I—I don’t know if I’d call it advance—”

“You successfully transmuted live plants, and are in the process of creating new hybrids that will exceed modern medicine,” Mrs. Delve snapped. “Take pride in your work, girl.”

Elizabeth startled at Mrs. Delve’s harsh tone. “Y-Yes, ma’am.”

Mrs. Delve raised her chin. “You have been a model student, Miss Luxanna. I will inform your grandfather our lessons are concluded. Good luck in your research.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

Winter of 1908

As the days grew colder, snow started to grace Central.

Accompanying the first snowfall was Elizabeth’s first harvest, and her first batch of results.

Using alchemy in mature plants, or saplings, resulted in the plants dying off too soon, or becoming sterile. However, when combining the genetics of seedlings, they grew up into fine, healthy plants.

Unfortunately not all of her combinations proved successful, but those that did work showed very promising results.

There were five hybrids for her epinephrine, and six for her antibiotics.

Her next step was to further combine these hybrids to produce the most optimal plant.

She hoped to have her final products by the end of spring the following year.

She merrily explained her results at dinner the night she finished writing out the next set of genetic equations for her second batch, feeling proud of what she had accomplished.

“Wow! Your first try and you already have a successful batch of transmuted plants,” Selim exclaimed, raising his eyebrows. “That’s super cool, Ellie.”

Elizabeth blushed under the praise, but raised her head proudly. “Thanks!”

“It’s certainly remarkable,” Mrs. Bradley gushed, reaching over and patting Elizabeth's head. “I don’t think I’ve read about any alchemist who can transmute plants.”

“It’s not a field given a lot of notice now a days,” Mr. Bradley responded, smiling at Elizabeth with a twinkle in his eyes. “But those that have tried, haven’t shown nearly as much success as you have in their entire research.”

Elizabeth thought her head might explode from how hot and light it was getting, She buried her face in her hands, unable to handle so much positivity thrown her way. Flustered, she squirmed and said, “I-I just want to help. A-After this, I might work on p-poisons for the military.”

“Poisons?” Mrs. Bradley gasped.

“S-Some poisons can be good, like sedatives,” Elizabeth quickly explained. “Or make people not violent. Or to—to you know, stop bad guys.”

“It’s always a good idea to expand upon our weapons,” the führer reminded his wife.

“I know that,” Mrs. Bradley retorted, giving Elizabeth a worried look. “But you have to be careful working with such dangerous things.”

“I will,” she promised.

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

“Elizabeth?” Mrs. Bradley gently inquired at the end of dinner. “How would you like to stay with us on the weekends?”

Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open, her eyes bigger than saucers. “Wh-What?”

“You always work late in the greenhouse anyway, and come right back early in the morning,” Selim explained with a chirp. “Might as well just stay here on the weekends!”

“Your grandfather already gave his permission,” Mrs. Bradley added, “and we love having you with us. Selim really lights up when you’re around!”

Selim blushed. “I do not!”

Führer Bradley laughed heartily, ruffling his son’s hair. “Now, now. It’s very obvious you like playing with Elizabeth, no need to deny it, son.”

Selim puffed out his cheeks in adorable annoyance, refusing to meet anyone’s gaze as he muttered, “Do not.”

The adults laughed at the cute display, while Elizabeth reached over and patted his hand. He looked up to find her smiling with sweet admiration and she said, “I love spending time with you, too, Selim.”

Elizabeth straightened up, her cheeks rosy as she exclaimed, “I really love being here. I-I would be very happy to spend the nights here on the weekends, if I could. I-I promise not to be a burden.”

“You could never be a burden, dear,” Mrs. Bradley reassured, a sparkle in her eyes. “Oh, how wonderful! You can sleep with Selim until we get a room set up for you.”

“A-A room? You don’t need to go that far—”

“I always wanted a son and daughter,” Mrs. Bradley replied happily. “You’ll let me have my fun, won’t you?”

“Ah-Ah—”

“Eh? She’s our daughter now, too?” King Bradley joked.

“She’s such a delight to have around, might as well adopt her!”

“I think her grandfather might have something to say about that—”

“Fine, then Selim will just have to marry her when they’re old enough,” Mrs. Bradley settled on, causing both children to turn red-faced and make gagging noises. “Oh, I’m only teasing, don’t be so dramatic!”

Selim and Elizabeth exchanged glances, before both burst out into laughter upon seeing the other’s cherry-red face.

“Ahaha, you’re as red as an apple!”

“Am not! You’re redder than a sunburn!”

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

Selim’s bedroom was massive, with a king-sized bed, and luxurious furniture. He even had a beautiful stone balcony that overlooked the gardens.

Elizabeth was given some of Mrs. Bradley’s clothes to sleep in for the night, and the sweet mother tucked both of the young children into Selim’s huge bed. Mrs. Bradley kissed their cheeks, and read them a story.

Then Mrs. Bradley wished them both sweet dreams, and bade the children goodnight.

It felt a little odd to Elizabeth to share a bed with someone, but she was glad it was with Selim. Her cheerful friend immediately rolled over, and pinched her cheek, a spark in his eyes. “Wanna tell ghost stories?”

Elizabeth rapidly shook her head, shuddering. “No, thank you! Ghosts are scary.”

“Like the kraken?”

“The kraken is way scarier.”

“Ehh? How come?”

Elizabeth sat up in the bed and stretched out her arms. “He’s huge! And you can’t escape him.”

Selim curiously cocked his head. “But ghosts are small, and you can escape them?”

“Well, yeah. Just move out of the haunted house!”

“What if it’s haunting you?”

Elizabeth rapidly shook her head. “A ghost would never haunt me! I haven’t done anything bad, yet.”

“Yet?”

“Everyone does something bad eventually,” Elizabeth explained. “That’s human nature, right?”

Selim nodded, frowning thoughtfully. “Yeah. What bad thing do you think you’ll do?”

Elizabeth shrugged, laying back down and pulling the covers up. “No clue! I hope I at least have fun with it.”

Selim made an acknowledging noise. “Mn. I hope so, too.”

✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧♡✧✧

Answer: Ideally a doctor, but they seem to get kidnapped a lot so something to do with light would be fun!

Question: What position would you like the Amestris military? Who would you like to work the most with?

Reviews are love!