A Prince's Jewels

[Shula Brighton]

Faint smudges of earth caked Shula's jeans and boots, interrupting the dark blue and black with varying tones of brown as it began to dry and flake off. She'd been more than productive today, and having her health restored to a point it had never been was coming in handy at least; it meant she could walk tot eh small village of Rosenhelm with ease in the dry air, and do the simple tasks she'd promised to do there in exchange for the goods she needed and their cooperation. It had taken a good amount of persuasion and all of her polite diplomatic skills, but now that they had come to a sort of friendly understanding Shula was able to get supplies for herself and her comrades more easily.

Shula stepped briskly through the little town, a few small bags in her hands as she made her way to a small hotel. The hotel was a newer establishment, built in the time South had been occupied and she'd been elsewhere, but it wasn't too bad and right now they were making plenty of business from the displaced people who'd lost their homes... and from a few Amestrian soliders who preferred to stay there instead of in a tent nearer to the new lake. 26... 27... Aha! Shula smiled lightly, shifting the bags to her other hand as she came to the room on the first floor marked as 28 and knocked. Acra said he'd be in that room, and since she was bringing some treats she figured he hadn't gone anywhere. "Acra? Acra, you in? It's the Lunch Fairy, open up!"

[Theo Chulainn]

There was a loud bang from inside and a chain of swearing and cursing from the room's occupier. After a few second's the door opened to a flustered Acra. Wearing nothing more then beach short flip flops and a open beach shirt. His hair was messy and on his arm was something that looked like it had stepped out of a children’s marvel hero's comic. All it needed was a cape and magneto's silly helmet.

"Hey Shula..." He wheezed slightly before flashing his charming smile. " You didn't need to bring lunch...i could of room serviced for us both. " He let her into the luxury room though it was covered in papers and a large scorch mark on the wall. Also a chair was possible still smoking from having half of the back rest completely turned to charcoal. He grinned sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. " Caught me at a bad time...."

[Shula Brighton]

The smell of something burning instantly caught Shula's attention as Acra opened the door, looking amazingly casual in that playboy-who-just-blew-something-up way. She looked into the room at the mess of papers and books, the burnt chair and the rather large scorchmark on the wall. Oh dear... "Caught me at a bad time... Her playful smile quirked as she leaned against the door frame. Doofus... She'd told him she was coming over. Silly thing. "I figured you might need brain-food, but if you're not hungry then no worries." She looked around the room again, noting that Acra had managed to get one of the suites. The kind with the gloriously large bed and the jet tubs and the mini fridge that came with booze already in it.

Slowly she set the two bags on the corner of the bed, taking out the wrapped sandwich and the bag of fries and held them out to him. "Brought you your favourite... five meat with bacon and garlic mayo~ She wiggled the rolled and wrapped sandwich at her friend teasingly, knowing he wouldn't be able to resist for very long and that few things made Acra happier than feeding him. "Besides, by now I'm sure you could use a break, Versace."

[Theo Chulainn]

His eyes lit up as the food was produced. " You are wonderful Shula!!!" He grinned as she handed it to him. Mouth drooling slightly he waited to see her take out a lunch. She had timed this right. He was starving. "[color] Versace??[/color]" He asked while munching on a few fries in question.

He really was glad his dad was planning on knocking this place down to rebuild it. After all the damage he had caused. He only wanted a small spark not anything more. But it was a good thing to see that his mechanism was working. It was working a little to well to a degree but it was a positive rather then a negative. He bit into his sandwich and gave a hearty noise. It tasted so good. He wolfed it down in 4 good bites making sure to lick his fingers clean of any crumbs and sauce that lingered. “So any plans today Shu? ”

[Shula Brighton]

There was a soft giggle as Shula pointed at the large clunky bracelet on Acra's hand as he took the sandwich, moving some of the papers to sit on the bed with the bags. "Versace... Big designer, like Prada and Armani." Her smile was still warm and playful as she took out her own large sandwich and unwrapped it. "I know you could have ordered room service, but I know you. You'd have just kept working and forgotten to eat until the other guests complained about your stomach growling," she said with a laugh, taking the first large bite. It was such a feeling to be hungry again. Her body was still so underweight, but now healthy... she could eat again and not throw it all up. Even before her health had started sloping downward when she'd stopped treatments, she never ate much, even when she was hungry.

God it felt good to eat.... Back when she'd started learning alchemy and getting decent at it, her appetite doubled. Her brother's had, too. Her parents teased them both about alchemy turning people into bottomless pits, even though their grandfather only laughed and defended that alchemy burned a lot of calories. Her own sandwich, stuffed with more vegetables than meat, promptly vanished almost as fast as Acra's. New record for her in YEARS. "Mmf... Not much. Got some supplies to make new fire bracelets, but that requires I sit down and weave the damn things. You?"

[Theo Chulainn]

He winced. "Ouch....yeah that's a bummer." He rubbed his head as his food now gone. Cleaning up he chucked the rubbish in the bin. "And yeah...I've been so busy with these." He indicated his wrist gauntlets. "I forgot I needed food." Chuckling softly he then got a mischievous grin. "But now there done bar a few control calculations." Flopping back in his seat he nuzzled close to Shula. "They may look silly but hey. Boy's got to have his toy's and these are marvellous toys."

He smiled softly as he rested against her. For a brief moment his heavy lids dropped close and heavy breaths passed his lips. He had been so hard on working on his new alchemy he had neglected most of his basic functions. Sleep food general social necessities. His jaw and chin had a slight sandpaper like roughness to them compared to the soft as a babies bottom smooth skin. His hair was roughened up and messy giving him the look of a mad scientist.

[Shula Brighton]

"And that's why you have friends like me, to take care of you when you forget to yourself." Derpy thing that he was, Acra hardly looked like the cultured gentleman his family intended him to be and looked more like, well, a typical grunt. His hair wa a mess, the man looked wiped out, and Shula wondered if she could stike a match on stubble realistically or not. She let out a light laugh as Acra leaned against her, closing his eyes for a moment.

"God forbid you have toys that aren't flashy or awesome," she teased, poking his cheek lightly. "Rather than demolish the motel, why don't we go outside and you show me what they do while I start linking hoops for my fire bracelets? Unless you'd rather clean up and sleep a bit, and I can catch you later after you've rested."

[Theo Chulainn]

He twitched as she poked him in his doze giving a noise of protest. He felt warm and relaxed. But then she said about showing her how his new toys work. He sat up and if he had ears and a tail they be perked and wagging. " Ok!!!" He chirped. " I can even help you make your new bracelets."

He quickly cleaned himself up. He then led Shula downstairs taking a hair dryer and a extension cable with him. soon finding the back garden which was empty he plugged in the cable in the restaurant and rolled it out to the middle of the garden plugging the hairdryer in. He looked up at Shu and grinned. “ So what do you need to do for your bracelets then?” He asked leaning close to look at her materials she had. He ruffled his fringe a bit to push it out of the way of his both eyes.

[Shula Brighton]

The speed at which Acra became attentive and interested in something other than sleeping could have given a person whiplash. Shula laughed and couldn't help it; sometimes she swore he took the role of DOG of the Military a little too seriously. At least he's housebroken and easily trainable, she mused with a playful grin. But he seemed to want to show her how his new toys worked, much like a little boy with a new RC car. God he was adorable sometimes.

he hurried to make himself look more like a decently presentable man and hurried outside with her, Shula grabbing the little sack with her supplies in it as she dashed of with Acra, who was bringing.... a blow dryer. He didn't have particularly long hair, so his shouldn't take long to dry. Or was that going to be part of his little demo? Or did he really just like the thick, flufft wind-blown look? Shula shrugged inwardly; she was sure she'd find out in a moment.

The small motel's landscaping was pretty. Not overly fancy, but still nice and dotted with a few small tables and chairs to enjoy a meal or a good book outside when it was nice. As Acra plugged in the dryer to an extension cord, she set her bag down on the nearest table and pulled out a chair for herself. "My last set got destroyed, so I'm just having to remake them. This go I'm using a lightweight wire fabric to make them a little stronger. Just have to make chains to put them on my hands and fingers, and stitch in the other metal to make my arrays... What about yours?

[Theo Chulainn]

He nodded. "Bet they would look pretty when your done." He couldn’t wait to see Shula’s alchemy once more. Sat by her on the grass he wondered if it wasn’t for the stuff for alchemy they could have been mistaken for a couple having a snuggle in the sunlight. He switched on the hair drying flicking it onto hot letting it heat up. "Well I guess I can show you. I was practicing with the kettle earlier...." He placed the hair dryer down and turned the centre cylinder of his right gauntlet. The arrays turned into absorption and lit up as he held the hairdryer to his hand.


The heat was absorbed into the cylinder leaving just cold air coming from the hair dryer. He flicked it off after a few minuets and placed it down. "Now on a scale of one to ten. What would you like to see?" He asked her grinning.

[Shula Brighton]

Pouring the bag's contents out, it looked ore like Shula was getting ready for a craft exposition than making hardware for her alchemy. One of the perks to having an artist's mindset, she supposed, was that things she made could be beautiful and useful at the same time. There was a small roll of what almost looked like a silvery textile ribbob. Shula unrolled some of it, the sheen of the woven wire glinting in the sun. It was as light as anything and very flexible, and Shula supposed it could almost be used as a proper fabric were it a bit softer. Almost. "Thank you.. When I'm done maybe I'll make an extra one for you to keep for your own research."

Acra had been practicing with a kettle... Was that before or after he scorched his wall and burnt the chair? Shula giggled softly, beginning to cut odd hexagons that would cover the tops of her hands. Making the chain link would be tedious and rather time-consuming, but well worth the effort. "Of one to ten? Hm... I don't want to see the whole place go boom... But one might as well be off. How about a three? Nice low without being too low." Shula beamed playfully as she began to take out the tiny metal loops and some pliers to weave them around her mesh.

[Theo Chulainn]

He pouted. "Aww boring Shu....well then just watch. " Flicking the hair dryer off he flicked his hands turning the middle chamber to a different array. With a spark and a hiss the heat he had absorbed was shot back out at double the heat to the point it sparked and lit on fire. Making a marvellous tunnel of flames. He flicked his wrist sending the fire streaming upwards above there heads. Shaking his hand the fire died off.

"What you think? Impressed or need more?" He leaned closer smiling. His eyes flicked over what she was doing almost mesmerised by the repeated action. It was hypnotizing and he sat beside her relaxing against her side. His pupils following each move of her fingers. He kissed her cheek softly. “That’s amazing…” He murmured playing with the grass in his fingers reach. The soft breeze playing with their hair lifting it and flickering it around.

[Shula Brighton]

Tiny metal links connected one by one to the edges of the chain mesh fabric, softening the edges so that they wouldn't cut her skin. She hardly needed to look at her work anymore she'd gotten so good at this over the years, Ulrich helping to make her first pair of fire bracelets when she was little more than a child. After years of remaking them, perfecting and changing their materials things were almost second-nature to her, and using the soft metal fabric was much easier to work with than weaving the multiple rows from scratch.

Shula watched as the blowdryer ran a few moments and then shut off, Acra twisting the dials on the large chunky arm-cannon thing and then regurgitating the heat and then some. That... was an impressive personal flame-thrower. Shula paused in her work to applaud lightly, smiling brightly from the display. "Acra, that was wonderful! And that was only at a three? Guess you'll never have to worry about your stove's pilot going out!" She giggled again, attaching another row of links to the deges to connect them each like a thin, smooth chain.

"If we weren't where there was so much to damage, I'd love to see what a full on ten looks like... Or even better, use some of my fire and throw THAT back out at something. Post-toasty!" A warm blush spread across her cheeks as Acra pecked the flesh lightly, almost making her squeeze the link too hard. He... kissed her cheek. Acra never kissed her cheek... In all the time she'd known him it had always, ALWAYS been her knuckles and fingers, the top of her head and her hair, and only recently and more daring, her forehead. Her heart was cuaght soemwhere between stoppping entirely and speeding through her chest until she shut her eyes, the smile on her lips warming as she tried to calm herself.

"I-I'll make one just for you, then," she managed at last. Putting her workd down into her lap, Shula's hand went to her neck and pulled a thin ball chain from under her shirt, a men's graduation ring hanging off the end of it, it's pale green stone shining in the lightly. One of the few things she'd kept with her and protected fiercly; all she had left of her former best friend. "But until it's done.. There's something I want you to have now. Something special."

[Theo Chulainn]

He blushed at the complement and watched her. He stared at the ring before he realised. "Wait that's important to you!!!" Voice loud as he exclaimed pointing to it. "You don't have to part with it..." His hand lowered as he slowly smiled. "Thank you Shu." He pulled her close by the waist kissing her hair.

She fit so well in his arms he couldn't help but smile. "Hey....can you kiss it...so then it's lucky too. " Cheeks warmed up and dusted with pink softly as fingers twirled soft locks of hair in his fingers. "I could do with a good luck charm from a pretty girl." His cheeky grin made his lips twitch up and his perfect white teeth to show. A small hint of a flirt. Doubt she would of noticed it or take much notice. The warm breeze drifted over them and all he could think was how perfect it was after all the hell the sound of the seagulls and the children in the distance. After the recovery they all could do with a break.

[Shula Brighton]

Shula quietly pulled her hands around her neck, fingers gently opening the ball chain and pulling it away from her slender neck. Since that awful carnival and she'd frist dreamt of Gustav, she'd been wearing the ring more or keeping it with her; at work it was always tucked into her uniform or hiding in a pocket, and off duty it was still generally obscured from view. Those memories were precious and a large, still-wounded part of her heart, but they were also the ones that helped make her who she was now.

"I know it's important to me... But my best friend and I used to pass it back and forth for good luck and to make sure that we were always together to look after each other. I think it's actually why I survived South being destroyed..." She leaned up on her knees and close to Acra, her own breath puffing out gently against his ear and cheek as she snapped the chain around Acra's neck, the pale green stone glinting in the sunlight as though it were aware of the change in ownership and possessed a life and power of its own. "And I want you to have it now so that even if we're apart, I'm alwys there to keep you safe."

There was a beaming smile and a soft giggle as she was pulled clsoe to Acra's chest, his warmth melding into hers as he kissed her hair. I could live forever right here in this moment, I really could... Disregarding her work for the moment, Shula surrendered to the snuggle and hugged her friend tightly, nuzzling under his chin affectionately (although in her somewhat canid way). Acra was blushing... That was a bit odd for him. But maybe he just really liked the gesture. Shula smiled with a soft nod, melting a little at the charming smile that belied his warmth and years of having photos taken of him and lifted the ring, gently kissing the gem. The kiss placed on the gem was light, slow and meaningful, meant for Acra's sake entirely though she doubted he would realize that as he eyes didn't stray from his until she set the ring back against his chest affectionately.

[Theo Chulainn]

Acra smiled holding her close. He should of had something to give her but he had no clue. petting her head he taught and pondered. His fuzzy brain from her kiss on the ring groaned and protested over getting back to work. The gears smoked and steamed at the effort. There had to be something think Schiwatas think!!! Soft sigh passed over his lips. It was hopeless, the normally sharp mind was all fuzzy and glazed over in the pure joy of what had happened.

" Wait here...." Softly murmuring to her hair as he helped her sit back up before striding back to the door. " I'll be back in a moment." Soon as the door snapped shut he ran up the stairs to his room and quickly shoved the key in. Rejected. WHAT? HOW? THIS WAS HIS ROOM!!! He shoved the car in again and in his anger kicked the door as the little light mocked him by flicking red. He pulled it out and thrusted it back in again and again until that pesky little light decided to play ball and flick green. Grabbing the handle he pulled the door while stepping foreword. BANG! Pain and stars circled his vision. OH GOD THIS RING WAS CURSED!! How the hell did he forget to push the door in his haste. Slowly walking in while rubbing the bump on his forehead.

Then that noggin slam gave him an idea. He headed to his locked box and opened it. Inside was a few things trinkets and such. And a necklace. One that had been in his mothers family for generations which his mother had said to give to someone special. He smiled and took it gently in his hands. The silver necklace had three small gems and stones hanging off the centre. One Lapis, one turquoise and one ruby. It was simple and pleasing but its value was more emotional. He grinned and ran back down looking like a complete lunatic. With his chunky doctor doom bracelets included.

He calmed himself as he walked over to Shula outside. Sitting behind her he covered her eyes. " Guess who?" Cooing softly in her ear. Excitement bouncing off his lips in the tone of his voice.

[Shula Brighton]

Acra had gone quiet and the moment was a comfortable, affectionate silence with ehr snuggled to his chest, her own cheeks burning as she tried to hide her face without being too obvious. Maybe Csilla was right and Acra did have feelings for her... She knew she couldn't act on them, bur right now that didn't matter; she was far to fuzzy from her happiness and heart racing. She hadn't seen Acra look quiet like that since his birthday when she'd taken him for that picnic and made his improved gloves, but even then, that smile hadn't been nearly what it was now. There was soemthing more to the light in his eyes, something that he wasn't saying.

"Wait here... I'll be back in a moment." Shula nodded lightly as Acra pulled away from her and ran off somewhere like he'd forgotten something. She watched him as he ran and sighed lightly, her smile a mix between revoltingly happy and longing that knotted the bottom of her stomach and almost ached in her chest. Taking deep, slow breaths, Shula tried to force her mind to force her body to calm down, though that was a losing battle. Her fingers lifted to tuck a loose strand of pale hair behind her ear, her smile private and lingering.

Gustav... I hope you understand. You meant the world to me and protected me through so much. Now I want you to help me protect Acra... Even if he can't be mine the way I would like him to be, help me make sure that he is always safe and happy... Picking up her tools once more, Shula set a few more links to her bracelets, her thoughts distant and hazy and no longer really thinking about her work. Instead she was thinking back to the night she'd spent with Csilla at this same hotel recently. How she'd told her friend that if she could have her wish and just one kiss she would take that and be content, but now she questioned herself more. WOULD she really be content with just one kiss from Acra when the one that lingered on her cheek still made her burn and ache with desire from somewhere deep inside?

"Guess who?" Her heart leapt into her mouth as warm hands covered her eyes suddenly, Acra's voice warm, playful and giving her the chills as he breathed into her ear. Her smile immediately warmed back up to its fullest brightness, her own hands reaching up to rest on Acra's fingers, holding back from saying the words her heart pushed up to her lips that her mind stilled. "Mm, my Wonderwall?"

[Theo Chulainn]

Acra smiled to her as he move his hands so she can see again. He chuckled. " The correct answer would of been The most awesome Fahrenheit." He poked his tongue out slightly.

He then reached in his pocket. He sighed happily as nervous fingers slowly withdrew the necklace. Giving the centre gem ruby a kiss he gently placed it round Shula's neck and clasped it shut with a soft click. "And there is my good luck charm to you." Wrapping his arm around her waist and resting his head on her shoulder he took in a breath her scent invading his nose. " Apparently the stones mean protection so... It should keep you safe when I’m not there to save you princess." Referring to the first and faithful meeting that many months ago. He hadn’t called her princess in a long time but he was happy to use it once more. Shula was his princess and he was getting fed up of having her be in another castle.

[Shula Brighton]

Over the months her tone had changed so much. Now it was still as playful with him as it had always been, but the affectionate notes ran deeper. "You're that, too... Always my Wonderwall, though." The Most Awesome Fahrenheit. Acra really was her Wonderwall after saving her in so many ways. Saved her in the alley that day. Saved her from shutting herself out and refusing to make friends. Saved her from being alone during and after work since he knew she didn't have anyone else in the city. Been with her after that dreadful carnival and taken care of her when she went home... She couldn't have prayed for a better friend and her heart begged to let him be something more.

Shula smiled, Acra's breath warm against her ear. "And there is my good luck charm to you. There as a soft rustling of fabric, Shula sitting patiently, horribly curious until she felt cool metal against her skin. Ruby eyes widened, looking down at the pendant on her neck. Deep blue like the night sky, bright blue of the day's, and the ruby in the center. The deep yet bright red caught her eye and helt them, Shula gasping lightly as she touched the jewels. Red was her favourite colour, and she had lots of costume jewelry with red stones in them, but they were always glass. Something told her this wasn't glass.

"Apparently the stones mean protection so... It should keep you safe when I’m not there to save you, Princess." Princess... Brown cheeks flushed a deep, hot red, Shula unable to contain her smile. He hadn't called her that in months, but it really was so appropriate. Especially now... He was kind of like an Amestrian prince, and she was sort of under a spell by a sorcerer in another kingdom. Acra's head rested against her shoulder, and Shula was at a loss for words. She turned her head, lips pressing against his forehead and lingering a long moment before pulling away. Her body turned lightly , arms wraping around Acra's shoulders and holding tightly, her forehead now pressing aginst his as she smiled. "Thank you... My Hero."

END TOPIC

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