Flying Blind

Chapter 1: When Throwing Stones Works Surprisingly Well

-Wake up, he hissed under his breath.

Thunk. Another pebble hit the dark glass window, to no avail. Anything louder than that and the neighbors would most certainly complain. ...Not like it actually was his fault that the client called for him so early, then couldn't even be bothered to wake up.

He picked up another stray pebble, but right before it left his hand-

-Hello?

The pebble ricocheted off the window, hitting his head back just as his client opened the door. Ow.

-Good morning, he smiled nervously, hoping the other didn't notice it.

The man wore dark green goggles, tangled loosely in unkempt black hair. It was hard to read his expression as he asked:

-Were you throwing stones?

Well, when you put it that way...

-I'm very sorry, he muttered. It- it was ridiculous, I admit. But you said it was something important, then you weren't answering the door, and I didn't want to... disturb the neighbors. I- I'm Alistair, you had a package for me to deliver.

To his surprise, the man in front of him almost doubled over in laughter.

-Oh, oh god, he grinned, I'm sorry, but I honestly cannot picture that in a way that does not look incredibly idiotic.

He brushed some hair out of his eyes, then took off a black glove and shook Alistair's hand.

-I'm Alfonse. I'll admit it was my fault for that. I fall asleep very late, he sighed. That's why I open the shop after 10, and it's only 7 now and, well, never mind all that, he laughed, waving his hand. Follow me inside the shop, please.

The shop's main room was... well... noticeably not very well lit, besides from the faint morning light coming through the windows. The walls were packed with sturdy shelves full of various colored liquids in glass recipients, protected by glass doors, and so were the shelves under the counter. A tall cabinet sat in the corner, its contents hidden by a dark curtain. Alistair stepped towards it, inspecting the wooden carvings carefully

-Good-looking, isn't it? smiled Alfonse, raising the bottom of the curtain just enough for colorful lights to peek beneath it. A friend gifted the cabinet to me, I need to keep these liquids in the dark or the effects will weaken. It's also a great place to keep the infusions I'm preparing.

Alistair nodded politely.

-Oh! he jerked his head away from the cabinet. Sorry, sorry, I got distracted. You should've interrupted me. Come to the back, I'll give you the box.

Compared to the chemical feeling in the first room, the second one sure looked an awful lot like a normal kitchen, albeit a bit crammed for Alistair's taste.

The wooden crate sat on the kitchen table, on top of a messy stack of papers covered in letters, symbols and scribbles.

-Are you sure you can carry it to the car? asked Alfonse, picking the crate up to hand it over. It's a bit much.

"Just how frail is he?" thought Alistair to himself. The crate was not nearly as heavy as indicated by the sigh of relief Alfonse let out when it was taken out of his arms.

-Oh! he exclaimed for the second time. I almost forgot to pay you. Wait just a second, I'll find an envelope.

Alistair, meanwhile, leaned over looking curiously at the papers. He couldn't have deciphered those scribbles if he tried.

-Is this what's been keeping you up at night? he joked. What is it?

Alfonse went tense.

-None of your business.

He quickly placed the envelope on top of the crate in Alistair's arms and walked him to the door.

-Well, have a good-

Slam.

-...day? mumbled Alistair, confused.

"What's wrong with him?" he mused, shaking his head as placed the wooden crate inside the car. "Forget it. I just have to deliver his money when I come back, then I'll never see the man again." he shrugged.

Except it... wasn't quite like that.

Because a few days after he came back, Alistair's car, as all cars are bound to do, stopped. The dark smoke coming out of it, however, was worrying.

He didn't recognize Alfonse at first, under his large, veiled black hat. The goggles were what gave him away as he approached Alistair.

-Ow, he replied as he took a look at the car. Can it start?

Alistair shook his head. The other took a look at his engine, then turned around.

-Allow me to guess something here, he grinned. You got fuel before you left the city. Actually, he raised his hand, don't even answer. Just know you're not the only one, aaand that the shop changed their provider back to the old one, so it's good again.

-Excuse me?

-Yeah, long story. I've had this happen to 2 other friends, so we came up with this:

He fumbled through his bag, pulling out a vial of clear liquid.

-Put this in the tank, it should do the job.

Alistair sighed. "Oh, what the hell. Might as well try." And, surprisingly, it actually did.

-Well, now uuh... Alfonse fiddled with his fingers. Do you think you could... help me get home? You know, heh, just to test if it works.

Alistair grinned. Of course that's what it was about.

-I forgot to thank you, he laughed as the car stopped in front of Alfonse's shop. Flying ships are more in my field, I don't really know that much about cars. That was really smart, he smiled.

Alfonse turned his face away and laughed nervously.

-Well if you have any, you know chemistry issues, something like that, he mumbled, a little flustered. You can come to me, ask me things.

-Is this honestly how you attempt to make me your friend?

Alfonse snorted.

-I sounded like a freak, didn't I? God, he laughed, I did.

-The goggles don't help you much either, smirked Alistair.

"Well, if this is what gets him out of his shell-"

-They do give a certain look with my- well, my widow hat, the other smiled again. I don't know if it is a good look, but it sure is a certain one.

-It... sure is. Not good for, well, "making friends", if that's what you're trying.

-Ha, is that so? Hell, then, I'll let you do it.

-It's easy. Look, come have a drink with me tomorrow evening and I'll show you how easily friends are made.

Alfonse was silent for a second, then gasped.

-That was- that was smooth, I'll admit. Well, it sounds good to me, he laughed, opening the car door. I'll meet you there.