Happy ((ooc: totally not 'belated')) Valentines', ladies! And thankyou for all the chocolate. You girls are great.

I'm really sorry, Jade. And I want you to let me explain it properly, because I think you've got completely the wrong idea.

I'm going to trust you with something I- hell, I probably shouldn't and he would /kill/ me if he found out- if you'll listen. Because it's better than losing y--

Just... please stop ignoring me?

So, Ed? Did you get the dress dry-cleaned yet? Maria says 'thankyou'.

[private] It's low, but very funny AND it serves him right to have to personally take that to the dry cleaners'. Especially if he thinks I wanted it for a girl... thankyou, Maes. [private]

Another year's gone fast.

I think I've finally got everything I'll need for the next few days, though. Presents, snacks, some very nice Scotch for myself... and I'm sure Maes will invade in the name of Christmas tomorrow or Boxing Day, too.

I decorated the library last night; Scieszka strikes me as the sort of girl who'll like it. I even put a little Christmas tree in the corner but if anybody asks what happened to the one in Reception it's a mystery, okay? I was only saving Suigintou-sama from its presence anyway. Talking of which, the new shelves arrived and are up. Happy Christmas and a merry new reference section, Miss Sheska.

Oh, and Jade, will you be free on Boxing Day morning? It'll be very quiet at Suzuran, so I was wondering if you wanted to visit in the name of hot chocolate?



Well, I suppose a 'Happy Christmas' would be appropriate here. Just don't get too drunk, and I'll see you all at the Ball. ;)

Schieszka.


Wow.




Who'd have known?!

She didn't even notice.

All that work... and she hasn't even looked in there.

That's it, I'm leaving a reference book on her desk.

Hey... Schieszka? You haven't seen my sub anywhere, have you?

Maes?


I need to talk to you. Are you free this evening?

Life is pretty good right now. I mean, it's strange but I like it here; the area, the school, the company and the slacking. I especially like the bento, by the way. ;) You know who you are even if I don't.

Mmm... life is becoming slowly better, I think. Imperfections included.

I woke this morning to find that a front had passed over during the night and the freezing rain that has been lingering here for weeks has eased off a little. It didn't last long, but for just an hour the sun was streaming through the blinds into my airy little room. A perfect autumnal morning indeed.

I feel stronger, somehow.

I... spoke to Maes again last night too; it feels as though I'm free of an enourmous amount of stress and worry. But if anybody wants to know more about the bruise on my jaw, it really isn't worth asking. Yes, it is embarassing and no, I will not tell you. Damn my pale skin to the very depths of Hell.

We went out for a meal after that, just the two of us. The restaurant he picked served the best Thai green beef curry I've had in a long time and I realised just how little I've been eating lately. It won't happen again. The first time in years, and it was... nice. Comfortable; something I didn't believe we would feel around one another again after last week but then a lot of things have been surprising me as of late.

One of those, at least, is the fact that Armstrong of all people is here. I must talk to him soon.

We'll have a full platoon reunion at this rate. Does the military have any personnel left?

On the upside, I'm generally feeling a little better. The flashbacks are still strong when they hit, but they're already far less frequent so I should be back in the library full-time on Monday. In the meantime, if you want to borrow a book I'll be there. By the fire.

And Fullmetal, if Suigintou-sama catches you skipping a class there one more time, she is under strict instructions to teach you a highly painful and lasting lesson. Be warned.


Oh... and there was an article published in yesterday's paper. A couple were seriously injured in a car accident in the city centre; the wife almost died at the scene. She had to have a leg amputated, but she's making a steady recovery.

Her husband's funeral is on Wednesday.

They say a bloodclot reached his lung. I could have done nothing. I know it wasn't my fault.

I... suppose I should say something since apparently I caused a lot of trouble for you all.

I am sorry; that... was not my intention in the least. Yes, I'm back; I returned late last night and will probably be allowed out of the infirmary this afternoon, however I will not be back at work for another day or so. Therefore the library will remain closed, but Suigintou-sama, the key should have been left on your desk because somebody might as well make good use of it. I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

Fay... are you angry?

I'm sorry, Maes.

And you, Fay.




I'm so sorry.








I'll... see you around.

I'm locked in the bathroom. In the bath. And the lights just went out; please tell me it's a powercut and you're all in the dark too?


I swear to God there's someone else in here.



Oh shit.

...I wonder if Fay got the flowers yet? I decided to save the red roses for our date, but she seems a sunny sort of person so I'm sure she'll enjoy the dozen 'fire' orange tulips I had left on her desk. Anonymously, naturally- it adds a touch of class- but the clue's in the name.

I'm just that good.