Fullmetal Alchemist and the Flight of the Anti-Social Butterfly

Chapter 7: Tailor-made Automail For A First Flight

     Just as DeAnna was eating her slice of cake, she remembered what the next day would be.  She asked, "Do you know what tomorrow is?"  Alphonse and Edward had no idea.  DeAnna shouted, "My birthday!"  Alphonse wished DeAnna an early happy birthday until Edward asked, "DeAnna, what is it you want most for your birthday?  That is, if we could give you something for your birthday."  DeAnna gave Edward perfect eye contact when Edward had inquired what she wanted and Edward noticed her eye contact so he praised, "Way to go, DeAnna!  You just gave me perfect eye contact!  That shows me that you are learning.  Good girl!"  DeAnna smiled as she thanked him for the praise and replied, "What I want more than anything isn't very practical so I understand if I cannot have it, but I want to be able to fly.  I'm a butterfly princess, but what good is it if I can't even fly?"  She began crying while the Elric brothers frowned and went into the next room.  Alphonse suggested that DeAnna gets a visit to Winry so DeAnna can get lighter automail legs so they could support flight.  Edward nodded, "I agree.  But when she is sleeping after overcoming the procedure, I plan to make DeAnna's wish a reality."  Alphonse looked confused so he inquired, "But how?  She wasn't born with wings so do you plan to use alchemy to create a pair of wings instead?"  Edward winked, "Of course!  I can't let DeAnna's wish go in vain.  So I plan to make her dream come true."  Alphonse asked, "Why are you truly willing to do this for DeAnna?"  Edward sighed, "Because I love DeAnna and I want to do something special for her.  She has opened my heart to having feelings for another individual with disabilities and I want so much for her.  It's not about me anymore.  It is about DeAnna."  Alphonse understood so he told Edward, "Well, big brother, good luck!" 

       The Elric brothers saw that DeAnna wasn't crying anymore so Edward inquired, "DeAnna, when was the last time you got an automail treatment?"  She looked confused so she told him, "I don't remember."  Then Edward explained, "In order for you to take flight, you are going to need better automail.   I think I know just the place to take you and I will pay for your treatment if you'd like."   DeAnna cheerfully replied, "Yes, please!  I don't mind the pain involved, but anything to fly!"  Edward then told DeAnna, "I can take you to Winry's automail shop right now so then the pain would heal by your birthday, if you'd like."  DeAnna answered cheerfully, "I would love that!"  Edward smiled as he said, "Well then, my lady, let's go!"  Alphonse offered to stay home and wash dishes because he wanted this to be a practice date for Edward to be with DeAnna.  As they approached Winry's automail shop, she greeted DeAnna.  Edward asked, "Can I please order an appointment for this young lady?"  Winry looked at the new girl Edward was with so she smiled, "She is so pretty and adorable!  What can I do for you, Miss?"  DeAnna answered, "Can I please have lighter automail?"   Winry cheerfully agreed after Edward explained the situation so Winry told Edward, "I am so happy that you brought a new patient!   Since her birthday is coming up, I will offer a discount of half price.   That and it's her first visit." 

       So then DeAnna was lying down on the operating table and she held her hand out as she asked Edward, "Can you please hold my hand while I get my treatment?  I would feel more comfortable if you were nearby."  Edward nodded and he agreed.  Winry shown DeAnna that she had the latest model available in stock which is DeAnna's size and advertised that it would give her a lighter feeling if she tried to learn how to fly so Edward asked if DeAnna wanted them.  DeAnna cheerfully exclaimed, "Yes!  Those are what I want."  Then Winry asked DeAnna to keep calm during the procedure by breathing inward and outward repeatedly while not thinking about the pain.  Winry slowly detached the old automail and replaced it with the new pair.  After a few hours later, the treatment was finished.  Then Winry sprayed some sparkly finish on DeAnna's new automail and told DeAnna, "It's all finished so enjoy!  Take good care of your automail, ok?"  DeAnna felt sore from everything that the appointment involved so Edward carried her home after he made the payment.  They made it home safely and Edward placed DeAnna on her bed.  As she slept, Edward clapped his hands together and used alchemy to create a beautiful pair of butterfly wings.  They were pink, purple, and blue so they looked gorgeous on her.  Edward kissed DeAnna's cheek and whispered, "Sleep well, my butterfly princess.  I wish only the best on your birthday."  Then Edward carefully shut the door as DeAnna slept.  Edward took a big stretch then he went to sleep in his own bed.  He thought to himself, "DeAnna may never be the same, but I want her to be happy.  I hope I made the right decision to honor her wish, but only time will tell."