Before Fire Alchemy (for Gure-sensei)

[rahl]

Cyrus walked around in his study, deep in thought. He wanted what was best for his son, but could it be accomplished?

When he had brought back a wife from a far-away land, it seemed everyone in Amnestris scorned his decision. At the time he was so much in love that he didn't care what anybody else thought. But now several years had gone by and his wife had passed away while his son Roy kept growing.

For the first time he considered the fact that Roy's heritage might be a problem in his future. After all, who in Amnestris would hire a boy who looked so Xingese?

Cyrus sighed. The had to be a proffession where race wasn't important......

[Gure-sensei]

Li'l Mustang was a child about the age of six. He was a rambunctious daredevil who did not like to be kept waiting. He would always get into trouble, and he loved to play with fire, despite everyone's warnings.
His hair was cut short, and as black as the night sky. His most prized possession was his famed white gloves in which he would wear proudly.


One day, while his father was out, he noticed a book of matches laying on the counter.
Roy knew despite his father's warnings that it was dangerous to play with fire. However, how could you resist the glowing warmth of the flames? It was so beautiful!
Roy took a match from the box and stared at it. Should he? Its not like he'll catch anything on fire, and if he did, it'd probably be easy to put it out. Right...?

He lit the match.

[rahl]

((Just to make things clear, Roy doesn't hasn't learned Alchemy yet, he is too young
So you can keep the white gloves, but they don't do anything, OK?))

Cyrus walked the steps to his front door while looking at the newspaper he had purchased. There was an interesting article about the military setting up the position of State Alchemist that was well paid and also granted budget for research.
There was even a picture of several newly-names State Alchemists, among them an Ishbalan.

Alchemy.....that was something to consider. After all, his little Roy was a little devil, but he was smart and always eager to learn. If he could get named State Alchemist, then he wouldn't have to worry about people discriminating against him because he was half-Xingese.

Roy's father was still musing when he opened the front door. But then something caught his attention. What was that....burning smell?

[Gure-sensei]

(((i know that. :3 )))

"Damn!" Roy said sucking on his fore finger. When he lit the match, it had burned him, causing him to drop it and catch his fathers old newspapers on fire.
He stepped back, glancing at the flames that engulfed his kitchen counter.
Father was to be home soon,


"What do I do?"

[rahl]

((you're doing VERY well for a first-time RPer ))

He rushed to the source of the smell, the kitchen, from where smoke was now emanating from.

His son stood in front of the would-be inferno, staring at the flames as they got bigger.
"Roy, get outside, NOW!!" Cyrus pushed the young boy away from danger as he picked the bucket of run-off water from the sink.

He splashed the contents on the fire, putting out stray bits with his foot. When he was sure nothing was burning, he went outside to face his son.

"What happened here?" He said sternly.

[Gure-sensei]

The boy coughed and attempted at rubbing the ash off his face. He looked at his father, puppy-eyed.
He knew what was going to happen now. Quickly! Make up something! He thought.

"I...!" He studdered. "Well, father, i was just...um walking inside, and I went into the kitchen and, and there was this big fire monster!" He studdered once more, "He challenged me to a duel of matches, to see how many we could light at a time without burning ourselves! A-and I was winning! B-but then he cheated and I caught him! He was so mad he threw fire all over the place!"

Roy looked so proud of his excuse. He knew father would believe him.

Because it was so realistic!
((lmao))

[rahl]

Cyrus Mustang pressed his thumb and index against the bridge of his nose. Just moments ago he had been mentally praising his son's creativity. Well now he saw it in action.

He would have laughed at the story if the situation was not so serious. Folding his arms over his chest, he appraised young Roy as both stood on their little garden-courtyard.

"Roy," he started in a calmer, but no less stern tone, "I'm going to ask you only one more time and if you lie to me again I will be very cross. How did the kitchen catch fire?"

[Gure-sensei]

Roy backed up, while staring at the figure before him."Er.......yes father..."

Roy looked at his charred glove. He sighed, "I lit it... and......and..."

He had a lump in his throat. He couldnt say he did just for the fun of it.
Last time that got him into trouble! Surely there must be a better reason!
He panicked. What should he say? His mind blanked out.

"I'm sorry..."

[rahl]

Cyrus couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy at his son's struggles. Roy was a mischevious child, but he was never truly "evil". He knew he meant well deep inside. Still, if he was was not a disciplining parent what would Roy be when he grew up?

He decided that if Roy told the truth about why he lit the match he would let him off with cleaning most of the soot off the kitchen.

However, if he lied......

[Gure-sensei]

"No really, it...!" Roy pleaded "--the monster! It came out of no where! I swear!"
He stood straight "It was like he was a trick of alchemy! He must've came out of the stove or somethin' papa!"

Roy raised his hands up.

"Really papa!"