The Same Coin

The Sun and the Moon (Part I)

When the car stopped at her hotel, Chrollo had helped her shoulder her bags as she climbed out of the taxi. She saw that Pakunoda and Nobunaga's taxi was idling nearby.

"If we had intended to go to dinner, I would invite you," he said.

"I wouldn't want to impose on you and your friends anyway," Winry answered, giving him a smile.

"It was nice to see you again."

"And you."

They parted ways then, and Winry went to the hotel to check into her room. She stopped in the hotel's souvenir shop before she went up, and chose some items to take back to Amestris with her. She chose an set of elaborate koma for Alphonse, some koinobori and a set of traditional hand towels for the Hughes' family, sake for Garfiel, and a purse for her grandmother. Ed felt much harder to decide for, but after a prolonged hunt she found a steel medal coin with the skyline printed on it. Gray letters on a red band that circled the outside of the medal coin said HEAVENS ARENA — REPUBLIC OF TENTAI. On the reverse side there was a small depiction of what looked like two combatants facing off. It seemed like something Ed would like.

She returned to her room with overflowing arms, and settled herself in front of the television. She'd successfully put the one at Hotel Beitacle back together when she was finished with it, so the urge to dismantle and explore this one was mostly sated. Winry changed into her night clothes then burrowed herself under the blankets to watch the images on the screen until her eyes could stay open no longer.

Then she dreamt.

Her sleep was restless. Her nightmares were filled with the sun and the moon, the shadows and light reaching for each other. Winry's legs tangled in the sheets as she moved frantically, sweat beading on her forehead, and her breath quickening in the wake of the approaching eclipse. Then the night and light met in an eruption of flames, and Winry bolted upright in bed with a scream.

Her entire body felt like it was on fire as she tried to free herself from the throes of the nightmare.

She bit down on the back of her hand, quaking violently. Wake up — Wake up — Wake up!

Winry collapsed forward on the bed, gasping for air. It was so cold in her room now. She weakly drew the covers up over her as she sank into the mattress. She felt so tired. As her eyes fluttered closed again, she saw a shadow lurking, crouched in the darkness. Watching.

—

Winry awoke to the sound of the hotel room's phone ringing. Her hand snaked out from underneath the blankets and drew the receiver into the dark shelter of the bedding.

"Hello?" she whispered.

"Winry-san?"

Her eyes flew open. "Chrollo?"

"Have I woke you?" His voice was instantly apologetic.

She sat up slightly and she covered the receiver with the palm of her other hand, inhaled a deep breath, and forced herself to clear her head.

"I'm awake," she said after she dropped her hand from the phone. "I was calling to see if you would like to join me later."

"I would like that." Winry swung her legs around to the edge of the bed, though her feet trembled beneath her when she stood up. "I have that event tonight, but as long as we meet before then it should be fine."

She saw an envelope had been slid beneath her door at some point in the morning, and Winry picked it up. She used her finger to break the seal.

"I have something as well this evening," Chrollo agreed.

"What time?" Winry asked.

"My event is at eight o'clock," he said. "Perhaps we could meet at five?"

She slid the papers out from inside the envelope. It contained the itinerary for the evening at Heavens Arena, and Winry scanned it to ensure she would have enough time.

"Five," she agreed. "I don't have to be anywhere before eight either."

She returned the itinerary back into its envelope and glanced at the tickets enclosed with it.

"Are you by chance also attending the fight at Heavens Arena tonight?" Chrollo asked, his tone brimming with curiosity.

Winry wet her lips with her tongue, inhaling a shallow breath before answering in a whisper, "You...You mean Hisoka versus Kastro?"