A Not So Little Fish

Chapter 5

The Colonel

Roy watched the merman turn about in its small tank. The water was stained a dark pink colour from the wound in the creature's shoulder. He wondered where it came from. It looked like a bite of some sort rather than a scrape it could have sustained on the boat. But he had learned not to worry about it. The merman was feisty and didn't like him getting near it at all. Roy questioned why he was even worried about the merperson. He knew that they were monsters, at least that was what everyone said. Roy had never met a merperson until then. He was on the sea often enough being in the navy. He fought in boundary skirmishes and lost many of his men and even some friends to the sea but never to a merfolk. Hughes, that bastard, always wanted to meet one. He was fascinated by them, kind of obsess as Roy would put it, like a kid dreaming of catching the tooth fairy. However, the North sea swallowed him up like half of his crew in an attack from Drachma before he could even see a flicker of their tails.

As Roy stared at the merman before him he knew that Hughes wouldn't have been disappointed. It was remarkable. Though the merman was beaten, its shoulder hurt and its tail tattered from years of wear, the scales of the merman's fin looked like individual rubies and its moved with a grace that Roy couldn't even begin to fathom. He wanted to get closer just to take in its entire worth however he knew he must have been crazy. From the stories that everyone was spewing about them he should have been wanting to walk away from it not closer. However no matter how he looked at the creature he couldn't dismiss it as just a ruthless beast. He didn't know if it was the fact that it appeared part human or that it looked just frightened and scared that made him all the more curious. The furious and frightened golden eyes of the dead prince glared at him with a fire Roy didn't dare fight. So instead of trying to run away, Roy just sat on the crates where he was and watched the merman flick its ruby tail and swish the dirty water around in its small coffin like confinement.

Roy got bored quickly on his watch and by a couple hours into his shift he knew that no one was coming to relieve him. He was going to be stuck down there the entire night with the creature. With nothing to preoccupy himself Roy made an attempt to strike up a conversation with the merman but he knew that it couldn't reply intelligently and even then he questioned if it could even understand him at all. Yet as he watched the merman move about, he just wanted to speak with it all the more.

"Mesmerizing aint it?" a sudden voice calmly said. Roy nearly jumped in his skin as he turned to see the Captain walk down the stairs and into the cargo bay. He quickly stood up on his feet going to attention but the man simply waved him off. He kept forgetting that they weren't in the military any more.

"Uh.. I guess so, sir," Roy mumbled as he sat back down on the crate he was previously perched on. Raven smiled shortly at him walked gracefully across the floor as if they weren't on a ship that was tossed with every wave. As the merman caught sight of him Roy saw that it noticeably recoiled, tensed.

"Yes, merpeople are very peculiar creatures," the Captain muttered absentmindedly as he stared into the tank holding the trapped merman. The monster looked almost scared when facing the Captain. "They look half human and yet… they're not. You can't communicate with them at all. They can't talk and they can't be understood. The only thing is…. Their eyes."

"Their what sir?" Roy asked curiously but the man didn't seem to hear him. It was then that he realised that the Captain wasn't talking to him but rather to himself as he examined the merman where it was trapped. He didn't think that the captain would care about their catch at all but it seemed like he was now obsessed over it. He was staring at the merman with such ferocity that Roy was actually scared to interrupt. Their eyes were interlocked for a long time and the only thing that could be heard in the room was the lapping waves of the ocean outside. The way that the merman matched the Captains stare with equal and even greater force was almost entrancing to Roy. The merman was scared, that was obvious to him, but it was so defiant towards the Captain it made him almost believe that they knew each other. Suddenly though without warning the merman's arm shot out through one of the holes in the tank and grabbed a hold of the Captain's collar who was standing too close for his own good. With a quick yank the merman slammed the man's head against the lid of the tank. Raven collapsed to the floor with a bloody nose and the creature gave a loud growl that almost sounded like laughter if the grin on its face was anything to go by.

"Sir!" Roy exclaimed as he shot up and ran towards Raven's aid, not too fast though. Raven groggily sat up with a groan and ignored his efforts to help him to his feet. He slowly took out a handkerchief and started to dab the blood off of his nose. The man didn't seem phased at all that he nearly got his head smashed in by a creature of the deep. In fact, Raven looked preoccupied with other thoughts than if his nose will ever look straight again. Staggering to his feet, the Captain swayed only a little with the rocking ship before gaining his balance. He took one last look at the monster and Roy caught something under the man's breath, yet again not meant for his ears.

"It really is you, you son of a bitch," the man muttered before he stumbled back towards the stairs. "Keep up the good work, Mustang. Just don't get too comfortable with your new friend. He isn't going to be around much longer," Raven called out over his shoulder before he disappeared from view, shuffling his way through the door. Even then, when the Captain had addressed him directly did he not think he was talking to him. Roy looked curiously back towards the merman who had dropped its smile in replace with a look of damnation. Golden eyes looked even more frightened than before, its life balancing in the hands of a few humans who wanted his skin. Yes, the Captain definitely wasn't talking to Roy.

…

Edward had turned his back to the man watching him, not wanting him to see him sulk in his own despair. Raven was after his hide and it seemed that even death couldn't have stopped the man's plans to end him. When the man looked into his eyes Edward let him see everything. He let him know exactly who he was in that silent exchange. Raven looked dissettled, almost afraid but that wasn't going to stop him from killing Edward once and for all. The worse was, the only thing Edward could do now was wait for the hammer to fall. He was as good as gone.

Edward swished the water again to keep his tail from drying out. He heard voices start to pick up from behind him. It was the sailor man, Mustang as he was called by the General, and one of his friends who seemingly brought him dinner. He tried his best to ignore their talk but the dull conversation seemed to sooth his fear and distract him from his closing fate. He pretended not to notice them, keeping his back turned towards them, but his ears were perked and listening intently.

"Amazing aren't they?" the woman's voice said quietly. Edward knew they were talking about him. Her comment both boosted his pride but also tore him down, making him feel like an exhibit.

"Beyond what I imagined. I never saw one before now," Mustang mumbled. "My one friend would have given anything to have seen one in person." It was muffled and Edward knew his mouth was full. The man must have been starving with the ferocity he ate with.

"I am guessing your friend is superstitious?"

"No, just curious," Roy chuckled. "I don't think he could do what we are doing. He was not the type of person to hurt even a fly. That didn't stop many other people from wanting to strangle him though. He talked about his wife and his daughter so much I think my ears fell off at some point."

"What's he doing now?" the woman asked after a soft laugh at the man's annoyance. There was a stifling silent and Edward knew that a note had been hit.

"He drowned in the Drachman border skirmish. He's dead," Mustang muttered.

"I am sorry," the woman told him sincerely.

"It's alright. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have thought twice about these half human creatures. They were just a big myth to me before he started on about them."

"They are more human than you think." There was a light chuckle of disbelief that came from the man.

"I don't know if it could understand me let alone talk-"

"Have you ever thought it was actually you who couldn't understand them?" the woman challenged.

"No," Mustang muttered contemplatively. Edward rolled his eyes as he couldn't believe some people's ignorance. Of course he could understand them. Though he appeared as a monster, though he couldn't even talk he wasn't stupid. He could understand them. Edward flipped over to his other side and peered out across the room to where the two people were talking. Like the man, the woman was wearing the familiar blue pants. Edward wanted to question where they got them, but of course he didn't have the words to ask.

He caught sight of the tray of food that the man was eating out of and he felt his mouth start to water. He could smell it. Whatever it was his mouth started watering for it as he hadn't realised that he didn't eat in the last day. He moaned as his stomach started to churn and tentatively knocked on the glass of his confinement. He was done ignoring them. The man seemed to notice that he was now watching them and nudged the woman. They both turned to stare at him and he gestured with his hand for them to come over. The woman came over with little hesitation but the man seemed to be stunned in his place. When Hawkeye knelt by the tank her wide eyes stared in awe and some strange form of understanding that Edward couldn't quite place. He felt a strange curiosity rise in him as he stared at her in such close proximity. He knew she was dangerous, but… something told him she wasn't bad. She was holding a few pieces of bread in her hand, assumably from dinner. They looked a good day old but Edward felt his mouth start to water as he stared at it. He reached his hand out of one of the holes in the thick glass lid as he tried to reach for the flimsy piece of bread she was holding in her hand. His arm wasn't able to fit that far out of the crack so he knew that he wouldn't be able to snatch it from her. She was ever so slightly too far away. A small smile grew on her lips as she seemed to understand what he wanted and Edward felt slightly taunted by it. He growled at her angrily in his frustration but that only made the woman chuckle.

"Here," she said as she leaned in to hand him one of the pieces. Edward grabbed a hold of it, and pulled the bread back down into the tank with him. He faltered for a moment, in disbelief. She actually was giving it to him? She wasn't just tricking him? Edward looked back up at the two humans, looking them each over once. They appeared genuine which was something Edward never really had the luxury for. Seeing that he wasn't eating it, the woman urged him on. "It's just bread. It isn't like it's going to kill you," she smirked. Edward looked down at the food in his hand. It had turned slightly soggy from his wet hand but it still looked good. He took a bite of it and his eyes widened in shock. A smile formed on his lips as his stomach growled for more. He hadn't had human food in such a long time. It was amazing. Though it was just bread he missed the variance of flavor. In the ocean he only had fish but on land there was everything from grains to meats from all over the world. He couldn't imagine that something so simple could have made such a big impact on him.

"Not so bad is it?" she chuckled lightly. Edward shook his head as he reached his hand back out, begging for more even as he continued to eat what he had. Mustang looked absolutely amazed as he watched him eat it. His face was stricken with pure awe. The woman was about to reach for the second piece when Mustang held her back.

"Hold on," he said as he ran back to the crates where he left his own tray of food. Edward watched him return with it and he seemed to be looking at what he had. "Do you like jerky?" he offered the variety of what he had. Edward looked at him hesitantly and nodded his head. He wasn't quite sure of the man but soon he found a piece of the dried meat in his hand. He looked down at it and back at him before taking a bite. He closed his eyes and relished in the joy of the savory flavor. God, why did land food have to be so good? He hadn't had it in ages. He heard a deep chuckle and he opened his eyes to see the man looking down at him with dark black eyes. He seemed amazed at him as a being and Edward couldn't blame him. He knew that when he walked on land, the world of the merfolk was a myth. Seeing one was an oddity.

"This is amazing," the man breathed, his eyes lingering over his tail. Edward flicked it as he felt it become itchy from drying out. There wasn't enough water in the tank to keep it fully submerged. He could barely stretch out to his full length. The elaborate red lengths of fin flickered in the swishing water. Thinking that the man was staring for long enough Edward batted the tank wall with it, startling the man slightly. He grinned smugly at the man's fall up and Mustang just glowered at him. He hit the tank back in a small act of revenge and sent Edward spinning lightly in the waves of the water.

"Sir," Hawkeye reprimanded the man who just defiantly cross his arms.

"He started it," the man muttered under his breath. Edward opened his mouth to retort but closed it after the only thing that came out was a low snarling growl. His voice was ruined after years in the salty water. The two humans were slightly startled at the harsh noise, as was he. He covered his mouth and looked down away from them, angry that he couldn't even talk. Shaking his head for his stupidity in trying to talk to humans, the ones who were trying to kill him after all, he turned his back towards them once more. He scooted to the other side of the tank to get as far away from them as possible, not letting them in. Seeming to get the hint, he heard shuffling as the people stood up.

"Come on, we should give it space," he heard the woman mumble quietly. "They are planning to sail soon. We should be docked by morning. If there is breakfast I will bring you some."

"Thank you," the man muttered tiredly as he stood up too. "If you can sneak it... Bring some more bread for the fish."

"I am sure a prince was never called that before," Hawkeye replied wearing an obvious smile by the tone of her voice. Edward's eyes widened as he heard this. She called him a prince. Footsteps retreated as the woman left the cabin after a small salutations. She knew. She knew who he was. Edward turned only slightly to see the man scratching his head by the door completely clueless, the fucking idiot.

….

Alphonse couldn't sleep once again. He had his journals and writings Sheska finished for him lying right on his dresser, his most recent one propped open between his pillow and the headboard of his bed. His tired eyes scanned the page for useful information on the creatures of the deep. He found little other than their anatomy and physiology. Apparently they couldn't reproduce, they resembled a vast array of different fish species, and they were noted to be ageless as there were accounts of some merpeople resembling past kings that were thought to have drowned in sea. However, that didn't mean they were immortal. The shops down by the docks were flooded with scales from mermaid tails that they caught in the sea. They were trophies in a way and very expensive. Alphonse always dreaded when they brought another merperson to the castle. Hohenheim seemed to drown in his rage and disgust and Alphonse knew that once a merperson went into the castle they weren't leaving. Even though he voiced his concerns, he knew that his father would never stop, that is until they had the one that killed his brother.

Alphonse sighed as he closed the book and set it back on the pile of writings that he had. As much information as they had, none of them were as interesting as what he heard in the clock shop that day.

He had stayed late in the clock shop as he talked to the new mechanic Winry through taps on the counter. She had known his brother, Alphonse didn't know how. He had barely known his own brother because he was only a few days old when Edward left for Xing. Winry looked no older than he was and yet she had stories of his brother. She told him how much he reminded her of him. She told him more than Hohenheim ever did. But most importantly, Winry had told him that Edward said that he loved his little brother.

"Being an older brother was everything he ever wanted. You made that happen," she had tapped out for him. Alphonse nearly felt his heart split in two. It felt like the more he knew about his brother, the more alive he was, however that just meant that the impact of his death would hit him harder. Alphonse questioned how Winry knew so much about his brother if she was no older than he was. It was rather peculiar in that instance that she kicked him out and closed the shop as he didn't realise it was already going on 8 o'clock and it was getting late. He learned no more about his brother, but he planned on running into town again in the morning. He needed to know.

The next morning Alphonse carried through with his plans. He quickly ate his breakfast in the privacy of his own chambers and snuck out of his bedroom window before anyone in the castle could think of checking up on him. He cascaded down the wall and escaped off of the castle grounds to head out into the town by himself. It was early in the morning and many of the villagers were running about to their own jobs, many of which were fishermen reluctantly setting sail on their boats. Alphonse ducked under loops of netting and made his way towards the clock shop he had spent so many hours in the previous day. The lights were still off but Alphonse could see the familiar young form outside of the door, unlocking it with an old set of keys. She looked tired, probably having a late night working on all of the gadgets in the shop. Alphonse guessed that he was probably to blame for distracting her for so long the other day.

"Winry!" Alphonse called out to her. The young woman turned her head at the sound of his voice, her ocean blue eyes growing wide. She turned as if to run but Alphonse quickly reached out and snagged her wrist. "Winry, please I just have a few questions," Alphonse begged her as he was confused at how scared she looked just looking at him. She shook her head and tried to pull away again. "Winry, please, I just want to know more about my brother."

"I can't" Winry tapped out on his wrist frantically.

"But why? I have never known anything about him. My father never talks about him and all I want to do is learn more. Please, only a few questions-" Alphonse asked her.

"I just can't. It was a mistake talking to you-"

"But… But-" Winry tried to remove his hand from her wrist but he held on tight like it was his lifelink. She was the only person who had information on his brother, who would actually tell him about what is going on. However she was a fish that didn't want to be caught. Desperate for him to release her, Winry took her knee and drove it into his stomach knocking the air out of him. Alphonse gasped as he felt his own grip falter as his lungs tried to recover from the shock. Winry pulled back as to not get grabbed again but as she turned to flee Alphonse found himself kicking his leg out and tripping her. He would have felt horrible previously for tripping a girl, not only that but an unarmed one, but she was the one who started it. Winry fell to the cobblestones and and let out a small cry as she hit the ground. However the sound that came out wasn't human. It was a shrill growl that sounded animalistic at best. Alphonse found himself taking a step back from the intensity. Winry immediately covered her mouth as she heard her own cry, her eyes wide in fear as she stared back at him, wondering what he would do. Alphonse didn't know either as he just stood there in shock. He had only heard that sound one place before. That was from the merman at the beach. Alphonse lifted his finger shakily and pointed it at her, still filled with awe and fear.

"You… You're…."

"Please no-" Winry tapped out on the cobblestones. She was trembling and Alphonse's eyes widened as he saw it. He looked around him and noticed a few people staring at them, wondering what was going on. After all it wasn't everyday a prince tripped over a young lady. Alphonse quickly bent down and grabbed the key ring where Winry had dropped it and opened the door to the shop. He held his hand out to her but she recoiled slightly as any attempt at niceties or light conversation like the day before was gone.

"Come on, it will be better if we talk off the street," he said. Winry's blue eyes darted around to see some of the people staring and she hesitantly took his hand. Alphonse lead her into the shop where she worked and closed the door. It was dim in there as the curtains were still drawn over the windows and Alphonse could have seen dust cascading through the air in the rays of light that were able to evade the curtains but he wasn't looking at that. He was looking at the mechanic he met all but yesterday.

Alphonse was curious as to the mystery behind merpeople. How did they exist? Why? What were they? Alphonse wanted all of these questions answered but now he was even more confused.

"How did you make that noise?" Alphonse asked her quietly. Winry wasn't looking at him, instead glaring at some far away spot on the floor of the shop. She was shivering as her muscles were tense. She was terrified but he didn't know if it was because of him, or because of what would happen. Alphonse thought she was just going to stay quiet but he soon heard the tapping of her answer on the counter of the store.

"That's my voice" she answered simply.

"I have only heard that noise before from a merman whom I met down by the beach the other evening. That was its voice. Are you…." Alphonse stumbled running his hands through his hair tiredly as he tried to grasp the idea of her, "Are you… a… mermaid?" There was no answer that time. Alphonse ran his hands down his face as he felt his legs collapse out from underneath him and he landed in a wooden chair placed near the counter for waiters. Silence in this context was confirmation of his accusations. He let out a huge breath of disbelief as his mind took a blow. With it, an endless stream of questions was released. "How do you breath below water? How do you exist? How do you have feet?" he exclaimed in hysteria. Winry's blue eyes glared at him angrily at his frustration and Alphonse was consumed almost instantly in an overwhelming feeling of sadness which disappeared the instant she looked away. Alphonse's mind cleared and he shivered from the odd experience.

"Aren't you afraid? Are you going to turn me in?" Winry tapped out on the table cautiously. Alphonse looked up confused.

"No! I don't want to turn you in! I am trying to stop these witch hunts!-"

"Why? Why, you of all people, would want to stop them? Everyone is afraid of us. They call us monsters. Why do you think differently?" Winry scolded him, oddly confused about his mindset. Alphonse was a little taken back.

"I… I didn't know what to think at first to be honest," Alphonse muttered, admitting his thoughts. "I wanted to stop the hunts because of what my father was doing to the nation. He has destroyed our economy and run Amestris into the ground just for this. However, I never really knew what I thought about mermaids. The only time I met one was a few days ago, on the beach. I was terrified. He was right next to me. I didn't know what to think. He saved me from a straying shark and… I think he got injured. I don't know what happened but… I know you aren't monsters."

"But now I am just confused!" Alphonse continued. "Are you the only one who can… walk on land? Where did you come from?" Winry looked away from him after he asked her this. She seemed to be contemplating his story. Eventually she got up and went back into the workshop. Alphonse thought she was leaving him but she no sooner left than returned with a pad of paper and a pencil. It seemed what she wanted to say was too long to tap out. Alphonse stayed quiet as he listened to her scratch words down on paper. As she wrote, Alphonse quietly lit the lamp on the desk for her to give her some light. It took her a while but Alphonse wasn't in much of a rush. So he waited patiently as she carefully considered every word. When the pencil was set down Alphonse looked up to see her contemplating whether or not to give it to him but eventually he found the paper getting set in his hand. She didn't look at him as he read her story.

"I washed ashore a few years ago…"

…..