Cardinal sin (2) : A laugh in Vain

9 - Coffee and observation

Edward and Rebecca ran into a pharmacy. Both were yelling dramatically, both causing quite a commotion.

"I'm still bleeding!" he was screeching.

"I know that, you idiot!" she hollered, running through the aisles of the pharmacy in search of medical supplies for Fullmetal's severed finger.

They were getting along great.

Once things had died down and an actual doctor was called to treat the injuries Ed had suffered, he and Rebecca sat wearily at a little outdoor cafe. They sipped at steaming mugs of coffee, eyes riveted on the street on the lookout for any of the Cardinal Sin. From afar, the doctor watched, alert and convinced that this reckless pair would wind up getting themselves hurt some more in the near future.

"So," Rebecca said, eyes straining to watch a woman in a big fur coat (in the summer weather, too) walk down the street, trying to determine whether or not it was Sophronia. "Spot any hot guys?"

"Im not into guys," Ed responded in the same dull tone, his own eyes on an elderly woman hobbling across the street with her cane.

"Who cares? You can still spot some for me."

"Stop thinking about men and focus on finding them. Sophronia was right. You are pretty desperate."

"Am not! Fine, just forget it." Rebecca rolled her eyes and rested her chin on her fist, pouting. "Anyways, if you found my note in the desert ruins, why'd you come here all by yourself. Are you really so full of yourself that you'd take on a whole group of evil alchemists solo and expect to win?"

"No. I was just wanted to lie low and observe for a while. They're really secretive, though. I coulden't handle a whole day of spying before I got bored of learning nothing so I decided—what the heck? I hung onto the top of the doorframe, kicked the door with my foot and when that guy Herman oppenned it, I hit him with my auto mail leg!"

"Aaaah. So that's what all the yelling was about."

"What's our next move?" Ed asked her.

"We get out of here, get to the closest military base—which happens to be Central—and we get backup. I've been with the Cardinals for months. I've heard and seen lots of things, Fullmetal. What they're plotting, it sounds pretty bad."

"Tell me."

Rebecca made a face and looked at Ed. "You're real pleasant to be around, you know that?" she said, the sarcasm clear. "Whoulden't date you in a million years, even if you've got a handsome face."

"You and Willa are the same," Edward complained. "Both assuming I'm interested in old women. Seriously. I've already got myself a fiancee!"

Rebecca said sourly, "No need to rub it in."

"But, seriously. What... what was it like? Being their prisoner I mean."

"Honestly, not as bad as I expected it to be. Mostly, I just got depressed. I'd given up hope that I'd ever be saved or of escape. I had just convinced myself that I'd be locked up in that room til' they didn't have any more use for me. Walter was in charge of me. He never beat me, or said harsh things. Actually, he was pretty nice. The only bad things about him are that he's evil and his cooking's shit." Catalina sighed, crossing her legs and putting on a small smile. Her eyes closed peacefully. "I'm so glad to be out, finally. I was at my limit. Thankyou, really."

Ed would have given her answer, but he was hit the the back of the head with a very heavy object and was knocked out cold without a struggle.