Fullmetal Alchemist and the Flight of the Anti-Social Butterfly

Chapter 3: An Unexpected Tragedy

     DeAnna had walked up to her doorstep after her first lesson with Edward and she saw there was an envelope attached to her front door.   She thought, "That's odd.  When did this get delivered?" As she read the notice, it explained that her father was presumed dead and it would force her as well as Zoe to vacate so they had to seek shelter somewhere else.  DeAnna was in a state of shock so she felt denial in her heart.  The next day arrived and Edward waited for DeAnna to arrive, but she was 5 minutes late this time.  She ran really fast up to Edward as she was sobbing uncontrollably.  Alphonse was with Edward this time for assistance.  Alphonse told Edward, "I think your student is troubled, Edward.  What's wrong, DeAnna?"  Then DeAnna screamed and cried really loud so Edward told Alphonse, "I did some research on autism.  DeAnna is having a meltdown so we need to let the meltdown run it's course until she snaps out of it.  Then we need to get her to relax by talking to her gently by making her comfortable while being an encouragement to her.  Class will begin once she has gotten through this phase, but I have some extra time today."  After 20 minutes or so later, DeAnna started to calm down despite her tears were still flowing as she handed Edward the letter.   As Edward read it, he decided to show sympathy as he told her, "I am so sorry, DeAnna.  Is there anything I can offer to you so your situation can be better?"  DeAnna lowered her head again as she told the Elric brothers, "Soon I will be homeless so I have nowhere to stay."  Alphonse inquired, "Brother, do you think we can let her sleep in the spare bedroom in our home just outside of our hometown where we grew up?  Then we can build a proper fence and housing in the backyard for Zoe!" 

       Edward nodded then he asked, "Will you please stay with us?  We won't bite, I promise!  Since you have no parents or home left, I want to take good care of you."  DeAnna wiped away her tears as she asked, "Why are you doing this for me?"   Edward explained, "As I said before, I want to help you.  I also care about you, DeAnna.  I've been through many of your struggles and I don't want that life for you."   So DeAnna agreed and Edward said calmly, "Come, my young butterfly.  You must leave this flower bud and venture elsewhere.  I will be your social trainer, your friend, and your protection if you will let me."   DeAnna was feeling uncomfortable with Edward's words so she shouted as she got irritated, "I don't deserve anybody's help, you big dummy!   I should've just became a Homunculus because at least I could've been stronger!"   Edward placed his hand on his heart and said, "Ouch!" Alphonse asked DeAnna, "Did you notice anything about what you said, DeAnna?  You hurt Edward.  Now his heart is wounded by your words."   DeAnna got out her purse and found something to help.  She found a spare bandage and placed it on Edward's chest area of his shirt.  Then she said, "I am so sorry, Edward!  I didn't mean to hurt you.  I'm such a bad girl!"  Edward forgave her as he told DeAnna, "My wounds will heal in time, but thank you for trying to heal me with your care.  I know you are going through a lot so I refuse to fight back, but I want to set a good example for you."  

     As Edward, Alphonse, DeAnna, and Zoe all arrived at the Elric brothers' house, they all spent some time together in the backyard for DeAnna's 2nd lesson.  Edward told DeAnna, "I have something I want to give to you as a 'welcome to our home' present and as a gift for you being my friend."  DeAnna looked around as she asked, "Where is this gift of yours?"  Edward explained, "Not every gift is visible at first.  Since you love butterflies, do you like any kind of plants or flowers?"  DeAnna told Edward, "I like Carnations because they have a lovely smell and they are so beautiful."   Edward smiled then he clapped his hands together as his ability of alchemy created a huge garden full of beautiful Carnations.  Edward told DeAnna, "They are all yours, DeAnna.   Please enjoy them to your liking." DeAnna couldn't believe what she saw so she exclaimed, "Wow!  These are so beautiful.  Thank you, Edward!  You didn't have to do this for me, but what did you just do?"  Alphonse explained that Edward is an alchemist and he is well-known as Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist.  DeAnna replied, "Huh....I could've sworn I heard about you somewhere, but I never imagined I would meet the real person.  You've grown so tall and handsome since your days in the military, Edward."  Then Edward began to smile as he told DeAnna, "Thank you so much for the compliment, DeAnna! That felt good to hear you talk to me that way.  See? You can overcome your struggles because you thanked me, held a brief discussion with me, and you gave me a compliment.  You're doing great, DeAnna!" Then she gasped, "I really am doing it, aren't I?"  Alphonse praised, "Congratulations, DeAnna!  Your first steps into becoming a social butterfly have now began.  You need to trust Edward because he loves you."  Edward blushed as he told his younger brother, "You are giving her too much information!  This is only the 2nd lesson so let's not jump into the 'falling in love' stage just yet, ok?"    DeAnna sighed, "You boys like to mess around with each other, don't you?"  Edward apologized as he heard DeAnna's stomach growl so he asked, "Can I get you something to eat?"  DeAnna told Edward that anything was fine.  So Edward got out a box of doughnuts and a pitcher of iced tea.  He told her, "Please help yourself, my young butterfly!"  So DeAnna ate and the Elric brothers joined her.  DeAnna asked, "Do you have anything for Zoe to eat?"  Edward asked, "What does she like?"  So DeAnna told him, "She is a chimera hybrid, but she would like it if you had any scraps of meat that she can take off of your hands."  So Edward got a steak just for Zoe.  Then Zoe tore apart the steak and devoured it.   

     They all went indoors afterwards and Edward told DeAnna that they would make a trip to her old house to transfer her belongings to the Elric brothers' new house.  Edward shown DeAnna to her new bedroom so she plopped on to the bed to take a nap.  Edward smiled as he carefully shut the door, "Sweet dreams, my precious butterfly."