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Fanfic Post - Explanations (FMA)
Yes, it's been forever, but I'm finally back with more of "Target"/my "dragon!Royverse". And, this time, there are explanations and reveals.
Explanations
From a crevice high in the side of one of the crumbling, ancient forges, Riza watched as Roy disappeared in the crackling light of alchemy and a great black dragon took his place. Seeing the transformation, she realized she had almost convinced herself that Roy had never truly been anything but human. Just one with an impressive talent for alchemy. But, the reality of a living, breathing dragon bursting into existence on the sand below her was nothing like the illusion she had tracked in the mountains. She could see the way black scales silvered under the moonlight and heaved with each breath. She could hear the faint wind catch on his wing membranes with a boom like a ship’s sails. And, there was a regular, deep thump in the air from the beating of a massive heart.
Roy was a dragon. It was an impossible, inescapable reality.
For a long moment, she took it in, took him in as he truly was. Then, she focused on the business at hand.
The Elric brothers.
The armored younger brother, Alphonse, had been tossed from his horse as both animals desperately fled the dragon. He had somehow landed on his feet but lost his helmet in the process. Even with the shadows cast by Roy’s stilling form, she could still clearly see that there was only a dark hole in the armor where a head should be. As Roy had said.
Meanwhile, the elder brother, Edward, had dropped into an odd crouch with his hands flat against the ground. Probably to perform some kind of defensive alchemy.
But, nothing came.
Roy folded his wings and lowered his head in what she suspected was a dragon’s way of showing he didn’t mean to fight.
The boys visibly drew back at the movement but went no further.
For several long instants, no one moved.
Then, Edward exploded even more loudly than he had earlier, shooting to his feet and gesturing wildly as his voice echoed off the valley walls.
“The old man’s notes were literal?! Dragons literally transform! Into humans!”
“Yes,” Roy answered. It was his familiar voice, but deeper, echoing.
Edward froze as quickly as he had jerked into motion. “That violates all the laws of alchemy,” he said softly.
“Actually, it follows them quite well.” Riza could hear the smile in Roy’s voice. “The mass of my true body is converted to energy and stored when in human form. Although,” his tone sobered, “to be able to transform at all does require a substantial exchange.” He shifted then, turning subtly in a manner Riza realized was intended to include her even though she could already hear him plainly. “Whenever I – or any dragon – changes between forms, we must give up a portion of our lifespan.”
The words settled over her and brought dragons even more firmly into reality. Their impossibilities weren’t magic. Just another facet of alchemy and its ironclad law of equivalent exchange. The extraordinary could be done, but there would be an extraordinary price to pay. For some reason, the knowledge of just what that price was twisted in her gut.
“But, that we can do so at all,” Roy lowered his head closer to the two young alchemists, “is the reason many have sought dragons.” His voice deepened. “And, killed them.”
“Because you’re effectively a walking Philosopher’s Stone,” said Edward, his voice thick. “Or the closest thing to one.”
Roy nodded. “Which is something you’re seeking due to your condition.” It wasn’t a question.
Edward’s fists clenched, and he ducked his head, long hair hiding his face.
“Brother…” Alphonse’s voice was soft, almost inaudible at this distance.
“It wasn’t supposed to be like this,” Edward hissed. “I knew dragons were smart, but not—!” He stopped himself and looked up to point an accusing finger at Roy. “You still haven’t explained exactly why you attacked the Capital.”
“Then, I will now,” said Roy. “I will note that I did not – directly and intentionally at least – kill anyone. But, I won’t deny that I caused injury and damage.” He huffed softly. “Or that it wasn’t a reckless and dangerous move on my part.”
Riza hadn’t known a dragon could look chagrined. But, it was clear in the hunch of his shoulders and sudden slump of his wings. The embarrassment was earned though. If attacking the Capital had not been part of the plan Roy so obviously had, it was an unquestionably reckless decision. And, from what she had seen of Roy since their meeting in the mountains, also out of character.
“So, why did you do it?” Edward asked for them all, crossing his arms, back stiff. His body language screamed that the explanation had better be a good one. “What was all that about spiriting people away?”
“I have people who gather information across the land for me.” Roy answered. “But, they’re more than that.” Riza saw the slight shift again. This was directed to her too. “All dragons hoard. It is our nature, and we cannot deny it.”
Riza remembered Breda telling her the same.
“Some favor gold and jewels like the tales I’m sure you’ve heard,” Roy continued. He shook his head. “It usually ends like the tales too. But, others have odder, less tangible hoards. Some hoard knowledge. Less through books and scrolls and more through learning it themselves.”
“Sounds like someone I know,” the armored brother muttered as he retrieved his helmet and ignored the glare his brother aimed at him.
Roy went on. “For me…” He paused there, clearly considering his words.
“You hoard people,” Alphonse filled in confidently.
Also as Breda had told her. But, this was Roy telling her himself. Or trying to at least.
Below, Roy ducked his head in a nod. “Yes. I don’t imprison them or keep them anywhere against their will. There would be no point. If they want to leave, they’re not mine.”
There was a force in the final word Riza felt in her bones.
“So, it’s about loyalty, not possession.” The armored boy’s helmet was cocked thoughtfully.
“Correct.” Roy’s own head tilted, giving the boy a considering look before continuing. “So, when the king’s agents began to look at my people too closely, I may have… panicked a bit.” Again, Roy briefly assumed his odd, sheepish hunch.
“A bit,” Edward echoed dryly.
“It’s one of the more frustrating aspects of a dragon’s nature,” Roy agreed, straightening. “When what is ours is threatened, instinct may override rationality.”
“So, why are you risking telling us this?” Alphonse asked.
“Because Lord Hughes is one of mine. I needed to tell you the truth without compromising him, and,” Roy continued over some loud sputtering and half-formed words from Edward, “because, from what he’s told me, the pair of you may be in danger as well. I believe you said something about notes on dragons your father had?” This time, Edward quieted. “That alone would be considered very valuable to the homunculus on the throne.”
“You really believe the King is a homunculus.” If the angle of his helmet was anything to go by, Alphonse was looking steadily at Roy.
“I know he is.” Roy lowered his head toward the brothers. “I’m sure you will need proof of that as well as my connection to Lord Hughes. It’s not something I can provide here. Would you come with me?”
The brothers looked at one another, something silent passing between them.
“Alright,” Edward agreed for them both. Then, he jabbed a finger at Roy. “But, don’t even think about trying to hoard us.”
Riza could see Roy’s body twitch with a silent laugh and was sure the brothers saw it as well.
Doubtless, it was already too late so far as him thinking about it. About the Elrics. Or about herself.
And, now that Roy himself had addressed the matter, she was going to have to confront it.
But, later.
-----------------
Author's Note: Okay, not everything was revealed, but Roy knows not to drop too many bombshells at once. Also, I... kinda? remembered I'm supposed to be doing Roy/Riza romance. *sighs* I'm so bad at this.
Explanations
From a crevice high in the side of one of the crumbling, ancient forges, Riza watched as Roy disappeared in the crackling light of alchemy and a great black dragon took his place. Seeing the transformation, she realized she had almost convinced herself that Roy had never truly been anything but human. Just one with an impressive talent for alchemy. But, the reality of a living, breathing dragon bursting into existence on the sand below her was nothing like the illusion she had tracked in the mountains. She could see the way black scales silvered under the moonlight and heaved with each breath. She could hear the faint wind catch on his wing membranes with a boom like a ship’s sails. And, there was a regular, deep thump in the air from the beating of a massive heart.
Roy was a dragon. It was an impossible, inescapable reality.
For a long moment, she took it in, took him in as he truly was. Then, she focused on the business at hand.
The Elric brothers.
The armored younger brother, Alphonse, had been tossed from his horse as both animals desperately fled the dragon. He had somehow landed on his feet but lost his helmet in the process. Even with the shadows cast by Roy’s stilling form, she could still clearly see that there was only a dark hole in the armor where a head should be. As Roy had said.
Meanwhile, the elder brother, Edward, had dropped into an odd crouch with his hands flat against the ground. Probably to perform some kind of defensive alchemy.
But, nothing came.
Roy folded his wings and lowered his head in what she suspected was a dragon’s way of showing he didn’t mean to fight.
The boys visibly drew back at the movement but went no further.
For several long instants, no one moved.
Then, Edward exploded even more loudly than he had earlier, shooting to his feet and gesturing wildly as his voice echoed off the valley walls.
“The old man’s notes were literal?! Dragons literally transform! Into humans!”
“Yes,” Roy answered. It was his familiar voice, but deeper, echoing.
Edward froze as quickly as he had jerked into motion. “That violates all the laws of alchemy,” he said softly.
“Actually, it follows them quite well.” Riza could hear the smile in Roy’s voice. “The mass of my true body is converted to energy and stored when in human form. Although,” his tone sobered, “to be able to transform at all does require a substantial exchange.” He shifted then, turning subtly in a manner Riza realized was intended to include her even though she could already hear him plainly. “Whenever I – or any dragon – changes between forms, we must give up a portion of our lifespan.”
The words settled over her and brought dragons even more firmly into reality. Their impossibilities weren’t magic. Just another facet of alchemy and its ironclad law of equivalent exchange. The extraordinary could be done, but there would be an extraordinary price to pay. For some reason, the knowledge of just what that price was twisted in her gut.
“But, that we can do so at all,” Roy lowered his head closer to the two young alchemists, “is the reason many have sought dragons.” His voice deepened. “And, killed them.”
“Because you’re effectively a walking Philosopher’s Stone,” said Edward, his voice thick. “Or the closest thing to one.”
Roy nodded. “Which is something you’re seeking due to your condition.” It wasn’t a question.
Edward’s fists clenched, and he ducked his head, long hair hiding his face.
“Brother…” Alphonse’s voice was soft, almost inaudible at this distance.
“It wasn’t supposed to be like this,” Edward hissed. “I knew dragons were smart, but not—!” He stopped himself and looked up to point an accusing finger at Roy. “You still haven’t explained exactly why you attacked the Capital.”
“Then, I will now,” said Roy. “I will note that I did not – directly and intentionally at least – kill anyone. But, I won’t deny that I caused injury and damage.” He huffed softly. “Or that it wasn’t a reckless and dangerous move on my part.”
Riza hadn’t known a dragon could look chagrined. But, it was clear in the hunch of his shoulders and sudden slump of his wings. The embarrassment was earned though. If attacking the Capital had not been part of the plan Roy so obviously had, it was an unquestionably reckless decision. And, from what she had seen of Roy since their meeting in the mountains, also out of character.
“So, why did you do it?” Edward asked for them all, crossing his arms, back stiff. His body language screamed that the explanation had better be a good one. “What was all that about spiriting people away?”
“I have people who gather information across the land for me.” Roy answered. “But, they’re more than that.” Riza saw the slight shift again. This was directed to her too. “All dragons hoard. It is our nature, and we cannot deny it.”
Riza remembered Breda telling her the same.
“Some favor gold and jewels like the tales I’m sure you’ve heard,” Roy continued. He shook his head. “It usually ends like the tales too. But, others have odder, less tangible hoards. Some hoard knowledge. Less through books and scrolls and more through learning it themselves.”
“Sounds like someone I know,” the armored brother muttered as he retrieved his helmet and ignored the glare his brother aimed at him.
Roy went on. “For me…” He paused there, clearly considering his words.
“You hoard people,” Alphonse filled in confidently.
Also as Breda had told her. But, this was Roy telling her himself. Or trying to at least.
Below, Roy ducked his head in a nod. “Yes. I don’t imprison them or keep them anywhere against their will. There would be no point. If they want to leave, they’re not mine.”
There was a force in the final word Riza felt in her bones.
“So, it’s about loyalty, not possession.” The armored boy’s helmet was cocked thoughtfully.
“Correct.” Roy’s own head tilted, giving the boy a considering look before continuing. “So, when the king’s agents began to look at my people too closely, I may have… panicked a bit.” Again, Roy briefly assumed his odd, sheepish hunch.
“A bit,” Edward echoed dryly.
“It’s one of the more frustrating aspects of a dragon’s nature,” Roy agreed, straightening. “When what is ours is threatened, instinct may override rationality.”
“So, why are you risking telling us this?” Alphonse asked.
“Because Lord Hughes is one of mine. I needed to tell you the truth without compromising him, and,” Roy continued over some loud sputtering and half-formed words from Edward, “because, from what he’s told me, the pair of you may be in danger as well. I believe you said something about notes on dragons your father had?” This time, Edward quieted. “That alone would be considered very valuable to the homunculus on the throne.”
“You really believe the King is a homunculus.” If the angle of his helmet was anything to go by, Alphonse was looking steadily at Roy.
“I know he is.” Roy lowered his head toward the brothers. “I’m sure you will need proof of that as well as my connection to Lord Hughes. It’s not something I can provide here. Would you come with me?”
The brothers looked at one another, something silent passing between them.
“Alright,” Edward agreed for them both. Then, he jabbed a finger at Roy. “But, don’t even think about trying to hoard us.”
Riza could see Roy’s body twitch with a silent laugh and was sure the brothers saw it as well.
Doubtless, it was already too late so far as him thinking about it. About the Elrics. Or about herself.
And, now that Roy himself had addressed the matter, she was going to have to confront it.
But, later.
-----------------
Author's Note: Okay, not everything was revealed, but Roy knows not to drop too many bombshells at once. Also, I... kinda? remembered I'm supposed to be doing Roy/Riza romance. *sighs* I'm so bad at this.
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