Chapter 9 - Ch. 9 Invitation

Al had managed to get up and joined his brother, since only his arm was destroyed. Roy approached the group. Edward shook his head as he looked at her. "We know you could have, but your safety could have been in danger." He explained softly and turned to Al. "Sorry I took too long to get this done, Al." he said and with a clap of his hands, restored Al's arm again. "I'm also sorry for letting you get injured like this." He frowned.

Al moved his arm around some after his brother fixed it and shook his head. "It's okay, brother. I just wish I could've done more." He glanced at Nova. "And you were just as reckless as he was. What were you thinking, when you took the hit for him back there? Your arm is covered in blood, we need to get you to the hospital. " He voiced, causing her ears to lower some. "Nova." Roy spoke, gaining her attention as she glanced at him. "What was that, why didn't you let go of him with Lt. Colonel Faye ordered you to do so?" He asked, knowing it wasn't really an 'order' but still.. It bothered him. Nova pointed to her ears. "Haven't you figured it out yet, Colonel? I'm a beast child. My animal genes are more dominant, there for so are my instincts."

Riza and Maes looked over at Roy and Al as they spoke up. Shaking their heads and walked over. "I'm just glad you didn't get hurt too badly, and that you did release before you got seriously hurt." Riza smiled at them. "Come on, let's head back to HQ or someplace and talk in a more private setting, alright?" Edward sighed, rubbing his head as he smiled at Al's overprotective nature. "Come on, Al. We got lucky when the first Lt. arrived when she did. We can at least say they have our back." He teased his brother, lightly patting him on his metal chest. Roy, as he was known for his impatience over all, nodded to the request. "Fine, we'll go somewhere more private. HQ is bound to be buzzing though so we'll go somewhere else." He spoke.

Al folded his arms some, then sighed and gave his brother a look. Nova smirked as she glanced between the brothers. Her arm was fine, it wasn't as bad as it looked. The group found themselves at a lounge, and since it was the middle of the day, there wasn't anyone around. Nova had wrapped her am up with some bandage wrapping by then, using a first aid kit. They were in a back corner, secluded from others who might enter at any moment. "Well... this is cozy..." Riza said dryly as she shifted between Maes and Roy. Their booth was smaller than she preferred, causing the group to be squished together. Edward snorted at the dryness, but he understood how Riza felt. He could only imagine how Nova was feeling in this situation. "So, what did you want to scold us for now?" Al sat on his knees next to the booth, as to not take up room in the booth seeing how it wasn't very big to begin with.

Nova had put her beanie back on before they arrived, having difficulties handling the amount of claustrophobia she was dealing with. That and she felt a major headache coming. She semi glared at Roy when he glanced at her. Roy smirked lightly and shook his head at Ed's words. "Not scold so to speak but inform you all of some important information regarding our killer." He spoke. "I recieved a report regarding the murder of a highly skilled and equally dangerous state alchemist, along with a few others." He said, earning a glare from Nova. "You knew he was close.. and yet you didn't say a damn thing." She stifled a growl as she spoke. "I wanted to keep you three out of it, as long as I could." Roy retorted, sighing some. It was a foolish thought.

"That man was Ishvalin, it's no wonder he's out to kill us." Listening to Roy, Riza couldn't help but nod, her and Maes's suspicions confirmed. "Ishvalin? That would explain why he hates all State alchemists then." Ed mused, giving Nova's had a squeeze. Hopefully they wouldn't be stuck here for long.

Al nodded in agreement with his brother, remembering what they were told about the war that happened. "Now that he knows we're here, he'll more than likely come back after healing. Despite the Furhur's orders, I want him found while he's weakened." Roy spoke. "He is still capable of killing more alchemists and military personnel." "I can probably track him, if you'll allow me." Nova spoke wearily. "I know his scent and as long as it isn't raining I can follow a scent trail for miles." She said, earning a look from the dark haired man. "You want to find him before he gets a hold of anyone else or recovers, right?" She asked. "I can at least tell you which direction he went in.." She murmured. "Unless that destructive arm of his is either cut off or disabled, he can still use it pretty freely."

"Unless he went into the sewers, it might be too overwhelming for your nose to pick his scent out amongst the other scents there." Riza spoke softly. She understood their need to find the man, but she couldn't help but think that they also deserved this. They did unspeakable things in Ishval. "I'll continue to have my men comb through the city. It might be best you guys stay low for a bit, and rest up. If I find anything, I'll let you all know." Maes gave them a smile. Edward shrugged at what was being said. "Look, his injuries are rough. He might already be gone as far as we know. Let's let the MP's do their search." He sighed, and rested on the table. "I doubt he was expecting to get ambushed like that by so many people at once..." After thinking it over, Roy nodded to the two. Then Edward spoke up, which only furthered Maes's point.

"Alright. For now let's head back." He spoke, looking at Maes. "It's getting late, go ahead and Edward, Alphonse, and Nova to your place. Wouldn't want them missing dinner." He mused casually with a small smirk before starting to get up from the booth.

Nova nodded in content as well, only to raise her free hand to rest against her head. All the explosions and gun firing still had her ears ringing. Al stood as well and waited for his brother and friend. Edward nodded, glad to have everything done for. He was sore all over and his mind felt foggy with everything that he gone on. Standing and stretching, he waited for the male to lead the way. Mae's nodded his head and stood once the others did the same and slid out from the booth. "Well then, let's get going you three. My wife Gracia is going to love having you around. And my little Elicia is just adorable." He cooed with a grin. Nova kept her hand around Edwards hand without thinking about it much, he was her leverage after all, until she got more used to the people around her.

She followed Edward and Alphonse after Maes started leading them to his place. Nova couldn't help smiling a little as he cowed about his wife and child. "Mr. Hughes, how old is your daughter?" She asked curiously, simply wanting some small talk with the man. Maes smiled at the question and looked back at the girl. "Please, call me Maes, and she's almost three. But she's so smart and adorable. I'm sure you'll just love her, Nova!" he grinned at the girl. It didn't take long for them to reach his home and he entered with a smile. "I'm home, honey, we have some guests for a few days." He spoke into the home, hearing a response back. Suddenly small patter of feet sounded as Elicia came barreling towards him. "Daddy! Welcome home!" She giggled as Mae's bent down and hugged her tightly. "Elicia, these are our guests, Edward and Alphonse Elric, and their friend Nova."

He stood with his daughter in his arms as he pointed to the trio. "This is my adorable daughter, Elicia." He introduced proudly. Edward didn't know what to think of the man as he seemed almost eccentric. But seeing the way he acted with his daughter told him everything he needed to know that he was a good man.Nova blinked at his request, but nodded lightly and made a mental note to do so. She smiled, hearing how old his daughter was.

When they arrived and stood by while Maes called to his wife, Nova blinked at the sound of little steps and glanced down at the child as she received love and affection from her father. She realized leased Edwards hand and bent down, smiling softly at the small girl. "Hello there, Elicia." Al shared a look with his brother and wore an invisible smile. Both boys knew that Maes really was a good guy. Maes smiled as his daughter looked at Nova and shyly hid her face in his jacket, giving Nova a wave. "Hewwo, Nowa." she greeted with a shy smile. "Come on in and make yourselves at home." Gracia spoke with a smile as she came to greet their guests. "I'll have the guest bedroom all ready for you when you need it. Would you like to bunk with the boys or share a room with our daughter?" she asked Nova.

Edward was surprised at just how accepting Mrs. Hughes was about all this. She actually reminded him a lot of their mother with how she smiled and the way she acted around them. Al bowed some and walked into the room with the two. "Thank you very much." He voiced. Nova sounded a quiet chuckle as she watched the small girl, glancing up at the woman when she spoke then glanced at the child again. "What do you think, Elicia?" She asked softly. As much as she would've preferred to bunk with the boys, she did need to pull away from them, just a little. Edward smiled softly and nodded his head, following Al's lead as they all walked into the living room. Maes sat next to his wife, an arm looped around her shoulders as they waited for their daughter's decision.

Looking between her parents and the girl, Elicia thought for a moment and nodded with a smile. "Pwease?" she asked with a toothy grin. Al sat on the couch and glanced around their home, feeling cozy and even safe. Nova smiled and nodded lightly to the girl when she spoke. "We're friends now, okay?" She spoke softly, holding a hand to the child. Elicia giggled, nodding her head, but instead of shaking her hand, the young child gave Nova a hug. "Yay! Friends!" she laughed happily. "Then, that's that. I'll get started on your rooms." Gracia smiled and left the room. "You three will be fine here, we might be a small family, but we welcome everyone." Maes at them as he relaxed against the couch. "Can I get you guys something to drink?" he asked.

"Thanks again for letting us stay here, Hughes." Edward said softly as he looked around the home. It had been some time since they were welcomed into a family of another. Nova was startled at first by the movement of the small girl hugging her, but She soon relaxed and gently hugged her. "Yeah, for ever and ever." She said softly as she released Elicia. Al was happy that Nova and Elicia had bonded so quickly, but he wasn't surprised since she was a child after all. As Nova stood as to sit down, her head pounded and her vision blurred briefly, causing the her to hold her head and stagger, nearly falling over herself.  Maes smiled and nodded his head, he honestly didn't think much on it, it was just who he was.  When he saw Nova falter, he immediately stood up and caught her gently. "Are you okay, Nova?" he asked with a frown, worry evident on his face.

Edward stood the moment Hughes moved, gently pulling the young girl away before she accidently got hurt. "Nova?" he asked worriedly, his eyes widen in surprise. He had never seen this happen to her before. Al was worried too, but everyone had spoken before he got the chance. Feeling his arms holding her, Nova slowly lowered her hand and smirked sheepishly. "Yeah.. I must've hit my head without realizing it.." She murmured quietly, just before Edward spoke up. "I'm alright.. Just got a little dizzy there for a second." She answered in hopes of easing his evident worry. "Why don't you lay down for a bit?" Maes suggested softly. "We can call you when supper is ready." He often worried about those who didn't need his help. It was why he often got on Roy's nerves.

Edward relaxed, hearing Nova speak. "I'll have to agree with him, go lay down for a bit and rest up. You did a lot today." He agreed softly, giving her uninjured shoulder a squeeze. Nova nodded some in agreement to the man and glanced at him. "Okay." She murmured quietly, slowly standing so she could follow him to a bedroom. Al lightly rested a hand on his brothers shoulder, feeling bad about him and Nova doing mistake the fighting today. The rest of the night went smoothly. It was an early night for most of them due to the activities that day.

Edward woke up groggily, turning slightly in the bed he slept in. It had been a while since he was just allowed to wake up as he pleased. The only other place was back with Granny and Winry. Al heard him shift and glanced at him. "Are you awake brother?" He asked curiously and quietly in case the others were still asleep. "I'm worried about Nova.. I know she claimed to be okay, but she didn't eat very much at dinner." He spoke quietly. It was odd to see her like that, unless she had pushed herself. Edward murmured quietly before opening his eyes and stared at Al. "I'm worried about her too, Al." he yawned and stretched out his limbs. "Maybe yesterday just got to her, or maybe it's her Alchemy that causes her exhaustion..." He didn't know for sure though, it was just a guess. Al lowered his head some. "I didn't know alchemy could exhaust someone." He murmured, figuring it was most likely the ladder.