Fairytales against Reality

[Theo Chulainn]

The room was shrouded in darkness. The blinds draw and the only lights being of that from the many machines that gave some forum of reality to the room. The hiss of the life support and the slow but consent beep of the heart monitor was almost comforting as a sign of life. Other then that the room looked lifeless and almost a picture from a book. The only colour on the bed was a dirty and unwashed blonde hair that look almost vibrant against the stark white pillow and the pale skin. Covered in wires and tubes and the lower half of his face covered in the breathing apparatus which clouded and demisted every few seconds showed that the corpse like person was in fact breathing. It almost seemed as though the room was stuck in one moment of time repeating. Nothing in it showed any signs it belonged to the alchemist who occupied the bed. Unchanged and impersonalised. But then again he was stuck in a state of consent sleep and the idea of get well cards and flowers seemed pointless. Well at least to some. Every now and then there would be what one might hope for a glimmer of life. A twitch of the eyelid or finger but most likely a figment of your imagination spurred by hope.

[Shula Brighton]

Acra being transferred from the military hospital in North City to the newly built and still-growing general hospital of South City was news that arrieved with mixed and oddly heavy feelings. His family was here in South, and the new Schiwatas luxury hotel built right in the water and cone-shaped to give every room a magnificent view was to die for. South was being built up quickly and had become a cultural melting pot living around this oasis, and it was grand. Shula had been hard at work to keep a watchful eye on things as best she could, making sure that eveyone behaved and that South stayed on the path to being the shining light of rebirth that she felt it was. It was a place of rebirth and hope.

The sleeping alchemist was moved southward by his family's request so that they could keep a close eye on him and be near him when he woke up. The hope of everyhting that could be that was becoming South would work its magic on the derpy prince and make him open his eyes. Shula clung to that hope, but at the same time, Acra being moved there made it hurt that much worse. She could see her priya. Touch him. But he wasn't there. He wasn't there to attack her with a cold beer on the back of her neck, or complain about work, or wrap his arms around her and pester her about bringing pastries for the office again.

The hissing puffs of the breathing apparatus and the steady beeps were wholly depressing in the dim room, despite how full of flowers, cards, balloons and stuffed animals it was. Heh, Acra's fans. Shu guessed that came with coming from a famous family that everyone already knew and saw so much of; when you became a hero of some kind, everyone knew about it. And when the tabloids ran the story about how the gorgeous heir had gone into a coma from fighting against RIOTE in Drachma after they'd so badly damaged Amestris? Letters and cards that hadn't even been opened yet were jammed into mail bags and occupying the corner of the hospital room, waiting for the handsome prince charming to wake up and read them all.

Shula steeled herself, walking in quietly and moving directly to the window to push the curtains open, letting the light in. The light was better, but just made Shula realize how bad Acra looked. Slowly Shula took a seat and pulled it next to his bed, her hand reaching out to brush dirty fringe away from his face. "Hello, Priya," she said gently, stroking his hair. They said that people in comas could hear you, and that they dreamed. So maybe by talking to him Acra would think of her, wherever he was right now. Her other hand reached down to brush her fingers over his; she was determined not to cry, even though it was killing her just sitting there. Had Acra felt like this when she'd died after the carnival? "I miss you, Acra. I have so much to show you... You'll love my garden. But you need to come back to me to see it..."

[Theo Chulainn]

Silence was all that answered Shula as Acra's unconscious body took in assisted gasps of air. The scars on his brow has healed over only leaving a silver disturbance to his skin. His hair had grown slightly though oddly his facial hair and eyebrows remained perfectly shaped and clean. Though the tray with a razor cream and tweezers on the side that shined with a sterile gleam revealed that secret.

A light knock on the door announced the entrance of the middle Schiwatas son. Who strode in his white coat billowing behind him as he greeted Shula softly. " Gretings Shu." He chirped as he lifted the clipboard and did the checks of equipment and vitals. He looked over a few more things before producing a second chair to sit at the other side of the comatose man. " Shula...I'm just warning you...in case you weren't ready for it....Mothers coming over in ten minuets." He grinned in a dark fashion to Shula, before he reached over Acra to the side table stealing a chocolate left by a fan. " Shame on you little brother....leaving poor Shula to meet mother on her own while you sleep away." He prodded the man's cheek with less care then one should. He got back to organising the room letting Shula have some forum of privacy with his younger brother.

Typical brother..... Annoying even in my dreams.... Shula isn't going to meet mother yet....I have it planned. I'm going to take them out to that nice restaurant that was opening by the marina in south....They do good fish there... And I won't be asleep...Stupid Alaric stop picking on me....especially if mother is going to be here.... though where here is I don't have a clue....Why can't father come....Father never comes to anything we do...Always with Erik....Erik who can do no wrong... Erik who will follow him and take over the business....Erik isn't here either...


The still air was disturbed by a graceful knock on the door. Standing there was a woman of medium height. Her face was round yet thin. Her nose pointed gracefully, Lips full and pouty painted red. Her eyes were curved with blue irises. Lined in black her lashes curled high and shaded in a soft brown and golds. Her hair a brownish blonde was curled framing her face the rest pulled up into a neat bun with a few stands left down in ringlets. Her presence radiated grace as she walked over. " Greeting's Alaric...Who is this lovely lady here?" She asked as she walked over the the chair the soft dress and jacket she wore swirled round her legs as the heels clicked softly. She took the chair and sat softly taking Acra's other hand. "Greeting's Acra."

[Shula Brighton]

Even though she knew Acra wouldn't respond, she had been hoping; damn, if only life were more like the soaps that played in the middle of the day. That'd make things much more convenient, even if everyone was prone to evil twins and bouts of amnesia like it was the flu. Head injuries and trauma cause amnesia though, and memory loss..... Her fingers brushed the sleeping prince's freshly-shaved cheek. Oh Acra... Will you forget things while you're lost dreaming? A slight knock and Alaric's voice caught Shula's attention, the girl turning in her seat to see Acra's older brother. ”Hello, Alaric... How are things going?” She'd met him before, and even though they picked on each other Shula could tell there was at least some genuine love between them. It kind of reminded her of how Aaron used to pick on her, and though never hearing him call her “Funsize” and “Snack Food” again broke her heart...

”Shula...I'm just warning you...in case you weren't ready for it....Mothers coming over in ten minuets” Wait... Wait, their mother? Oh God, she was meeting Acra's mother. Without being able to hide behind him. Without having any makeup on. OH GOD. Shula glanced over herself nervously; her braid was loose, her messy bangs framing her face. Her light red sweater was loose and hung off one shoulder in its bagginess and went past her hips in a rumpled mess of knitted yarn. Craaaaaap..... Far less than ten minutes later, a light knock came to the door. The woman who walked in was beautiful, her eyes the same beautiful shade of blue that Acra's were.

”Greetings Alaric...Who is this lovely lady here? Greetings Acra." Shula felt her cheeks warm slightly as she fought the urge to curl into her chair and hide slightly. Was a little silly to try and hide from the woman, she'd already seen her, and she was a normal, responsible grown-up... Adults didn't hide in the room or behind other people when meeting new people... Did they? And, wait, did she just call me lovely? Shula swallowed hard, looking up at the woman who personified a dignified grace that befit the near royal status their family maintained. She wondered if this was how Giselle felt when she met the royal party who had stopped at her mother's cottage to rest. Shula looked up slowly to Mrs. Schiwatas, tucking a lock of her fringe behind her ear.

”It's nice to meet you, Ma'am,” Shula said softly, a faint, tired smile trying to move onto her lips. She missed smiling. ”I'm Shula... I've been working with your son in Central for months; he's my best friend. I-It's nice to meet you...”

[Theo Chulainn]

The woman gave her a small warm smile. " Please Shula. I have heard much about you. You may call me by my name Rosaline." She said softly as her painted fingers stroked over the skin on her son's hand. " Acra has told me lots of stories of his times in the office. i guessed you worked close together. Your name popped up the most." She looked to Alaric. "[color=green] Darling any news? [/colors]" She asked a slight waver of worry breaking the syllables.

Alaric who had been busying through the charts and reports. Having monitored his brother so carefully was taking it's toll. Sure at first it been rather funny to have a brother who was a bit of a sack of meat. He's kept Shula smiling by shaving the growing hair into different forms of moustache and beard. Until the two had decided he really didn't suit a beard so he made sure that the nurse's kept him clean shaven. He'd even left Shula notes written on Acra's face in sharpie with silly graffiti too. But that had to stop when he got immature and drew a penis on his brothers cheek. He wondered if Shula ever saw it or not. But now he was bored of messing with the sleeping man and he really wanted his brother back. Sure his father and older brother hadn't visited or mentioned it much. But they really needed to pull what ever stick they had up there ass's out. His mother was struggling almost as bad as Shula was. Coughing lightly flicking through a few pages of the charts he smiled. " Well good news...readings are healthy...the cat scans showed no damage so when he wakes after a few days he will be fine....maybe a few headaches but he needed to cut half the caffeine from his diet anyway." He paced over placing the chart down. " He...may wake in the next week or so if he keeps improving."

He stood there in front of large doors. Blue eyes staring shakily up at the dark brown wood with carvings that never made sense in them. Flicking up and down in wonder as he hugged the small medallion into his chest. Echoing footsteps appeared beside him as he looked to the side to see the tall manservant that was Wallace. The Cretan smiled to the small boy before pushing the heavy doors open for him. Stepping foreword darkness shrouded them with only a lamp on the desk and the small lumination from the dieing day outside gave. A gruff tired voice gave a slight noise in acknowledgement. His knees shook slightly before he gulped. " Father!!! Look I won the science fair!" He tipped toed in front of the desk placing the medallion in full site. His chest swelled in pride as he saw the scritch scratch of the fountain pen paused. " The teacher liked my experiment on the potato battery. " He grinned showing small white teeth. His heart stilled for a second due to the excitment of the praise. maqybe even a head pat. But it dropped in bitter disappointment when the scrit scratch came back. " That's nice son....now run along I’m busy...." The monotone drone of clear annoyance attached itself to his heart like a cinder block and made it sink down. Gently grabbing the medallion like a lost treasure he shuffled out of the office flinching as the door slammed shut coldly.

[Shula Brighton]

The soft smile held in the corners of Shula's mouth as a soft pink dusted her cheeks. Acra talked about her a lot... to his family? ”I'm glad to finally meet you, Rosaline.” Shula's hand moved to stroke Acra's hair affectionately, wondering if his mother had seen any of the pics of Acra and the silly mustaches or his lovely face art that Alaric had been so kind as to draw on. Who needed Get Well cards when there was a pound of clown makeup on your face to do it for you? Shula had come in to see so many random things on his face and would patiently wash them all off as though her derpy puppy were an Etch-A-Sketch. It was amusing, and Alaric had a good sense of how to keep his brother's best friend from coming to his room to do nothing but cry, but it wasn't as much fun as having him awake would be. What was the fun of doing obnoxious things to someone you knew so well when they weren't going to wake up immediately to pout and throw a small tantrum?

"Well good news...readings are healthy...the CAT scans showed no damage so when he wakes after a few days he will be fine....maybe a few headaches but he needed to cut half the caffeine from his diet anyway. He...may wake in the next week or so if he keeps improving." There was that optimism, that hint of hope that held in each word. Shula knew that tone well; she'd heard it all her damn life. Uncertainty was best masked by optimism; it was a doctor's greatest defense since they knew better than to make any promises they couldn't keep. But it was a hope that Shula and everyone who knew him clung to. She played with a lock of his fringe, looking up at Alaric.

”So if he keeps improving, he may come off life support soon?” Shula already understood that the answer was probably yes, and that Acra improving enough to come off the support and breathing on his own would be a huge step closer to him waking up again. But hearing that confirmation would be a nice thing to hold to and be comforted by. Her fingers continued to pet and stroke between Acra's fingers gently. Acra... we all miss you. Come home.

[Theo Chulainn]

" He...doesn’t really need it....It's more a precaution...." The doctor said as he flittered around the room doing things. Though it seemed more an act of looking busy. The elder woman watched Shula with calm blue eyes. Taking in the actions of the girl towards her son she smiled lightly on her painted face. " So Shula...tell me more about yourself...and my son...what sort of things do you get up to in the military... I must admit I never wanted Acra to follow such a dangerous career..." She paused briefly to look down at the ghostly shell of her son almost imaging he was some odd sort of coffee table that she and Shula where talking over. Not the comatose body of her youngest child. " But he was so stubborn...I blame Erik for it... He made it clear he disliked the idea of his son being a State alchemist...it just seemed to egg Acra on more to do it." She lightly patted a scarred hand. The skin forever marred by his alchemy.

" Maybe if father gave more attention to someone who wasn't Jnr...Acra wouldn't be in this state!" Spat Alaric from the corner. Clearly there was a family rift somewhere in the happy ideals the world seemed to view them in. Rosaline frown and gave a slight noise. " Alaric...now is not the time...Not in front of Acra's friend and most certainly not in front of the eyes of the public!" She scolded before smiling to Shula. "[color=green] Forgive us...we are...al quite stressed right now...[color]" The excuse was pitiful but it was clear. The subject was not to be touch upon again...at least not for today.

[Shula Brighton]

So the breathing assistance was more precautionary than anything; that was understandable. Acra was their youngest, and he'd already crashed once in North's hospital, so far from his family and surrounded by the dead and dying that his family wouldn't have known until long after the fact. They'd saved Acra and moved him South at his family's request, and so his boss could be within driving distance and his co-workers could look in on him. That beep, though. That lingering beep still woke Shula in her sleep and made her have to take a moment to remind herself that Acra was at South and doing better and would come back. Her fingers ran through Acra's bangs again affectionately.

Though she seemed just as tried and frazzled as all of them, Acra's mother really did seem lovely as she tried to distract herself from sadder things by asking Shula to talk about her son since what he did for a living didn't seem to be a popular topic with their family.It really was a shame, too, since Acra was becoming quite popular with the public. Heir to a fortune, handsome, and a hero of Amestris? Top catch, there. "Acra? Well... He's really something at work. He studies all the different alchemical arrays that come up and tells General Spade what they're used for. So it's like alchemical forensics." Shula smiled softly, glancing down to her friend and then slowly raising her eyes to his mother. "He's really full of surprises. He doesn't make an outward display to show you just how brilliant he is, so when you do see his results? They never fail to impress. He doesn't really talk about the cases and things that come across his desk, but your son really does work very hard to do a lot of good for Amestris."

Being a State Alchemist was a dangerous career, and his mother had every reason to worry; Shula's own parents were against it every step of the way for the sake of her fragile health.But Acra was strong, smart and healthy, and doing this for better reasons than she had been. He wanted to earn something for himself; Shula half did it for spite. Her stomach knotted slightly as Alaric was hushed by his mother. No, there was nobody else in the room with them, but that was still not a conversation to have where people in the hall could overhear. "I-it's alright, Rosaline. I know this can't be easy on any of you. My family is still trying to recover from our own losses, so.... I know it can get really tense and easy to place the blame in other places." Mild understatement if ever there was one. Aaron had been the last male heir of the Brighton line, and the Brightons were well-known in the Military for their fine alchemists. They always had at least one son to carry it on, but now with Ulrich's other children and grandchildren dead, swallowed up by the stone that South became last year, and Aaron lost to the explosions... Now it was only Shula left, and the Brighton line ended with her. Blame Ulrich for teaching them both alchemy. Blame Amira for marrying the son of a great alchemist line. Blame Shula for not having her brother transferred from West to Central. Did no good, no matter who you blamed. The dead never came back, but the comatose sometimes did. Shula reached out her hand to pet the top of Rosaline's gently. "It will be okay, though. He's only sleeping, and we're trying to keep his paperwork to a dull roar until he's back to work. But Acra will wake up on his own and come back soon." Comfort for herself, his family and Acra himself, if he could hear her. Soon, even though nobody really knew when soon would be.

[Theo Chulainn]

He could hear voices. But he was surrounded in pure darkness. Not frightening darkness but a comforting and safe one. One that although spoke no words whispered promises of safety. Nothing could hurt him here. And this darkness was a world he could shape for his own. Escape the horrible reality and the horrible questions he didn't want to ask.

"Oh Mr playboy Hiding in the shadows...that's rare for you..." A voice what the? He turned looking around to come face to face with his reflection....though standing upside down in the clear air staring back at him grinning. Though those eyes weren't his....At least not the ones he displayed so publicly. The man stared back showing more perfect white teeth. "I taught you liked being in the face of everyone and the name on there lips?" It sneered at him taunting and teasing. Acra couldn't help but growl. "It's called growing up! There’s only so much partying and being the pampered show dog one can take." He hissed turned away trying to ignore the eyes on him. " I just want a normal life now....I not playing petty games with father anymore...." He murmured looking out onto the darkness feeling the soothing words from above. "He's really full of surprises. He doesn't make an outward display to show you just how brilliant he is, so when you do see his results? They never fail to impress. He doesn't really talk about the cases and things that come across his desk, but your son really does work very hard to do a lot of good for Amestris." He reached up. Shula....Why do you speak so well of me.... I'm not that great...

He sighed. He could hear the pain in her voice. Like many of a time he had heard her she had sounded in the brink of tears and each sob that wavered her voice caused his heart to break more. He was doing that. But as hard as he tried he couldn't wake up. All he wanted was to open his eyes and brush those tears away. Tell her to smile bright eyes..

Rosaline smiled to the girl. She spoke well of her son and She could tell he seemed to respond more when the Brigadier General was present in the room. Well that was what Alaric had told her. She had never tried to lie and say she understood the medical mumbo jumbo. A small smiled briefed her lips of fond memories of a smaller Acra no older then seven cuddled to her side sucking his tumb even though the times she had scolded him for it warning him that he's end up with funny teeth as they both watched a medical drama. "He was always my baby boy as a child. Erik Jnr was always with his father being the oldest...he automatically took the role of following in the business’s steps....but Erik never gave much care for his younger son's Alaric and Acra always seemed forgotten by him. And Sadly they craved there fathers acknowledgment to an unhealthy degree....Alaric now is a successful doctor...and Acra He took the path that would most upset his father...He became a military dog...Erik always believed the military was below our class.... So you can only image how furious it would make him." As she spoke she lifted her bag to her lap and took out her purse. Inside was a small photo of a young twelve year old Acra holding up a potato battery and his medal. "He was a bright boy...." She handed the photo to Shula to see. She couldn't help but smile at the fact she could see the necklace that had once belong to her mother and grandmother before. "He must see something special in you my dear." The statement was warm and welcoming.

[Shula Brighton]

It was such a strange contrast to think of. Acra had had his father all his life, and yet the man practically ignored him, even now when he was in a coma. Shula's father had divorced Amira when she was little and she hardly remembered him; Aaron had spent most of his life blaming their papa even though he hadn't understood the reasons behind it all. Shula looked to Acra's sleeping face, wondering how a father could just brush his children aside like that; her own had practically begged to be able to see them and wasn't really able to until they were both adults and too old to really make that bond with. That really is a shame. He's missing out on someone wonderful. She took the photo from Rosaline, looking it over with a small smile.

"Aww.. He was adorable!" Those brilliant blue eyes seemed to shine, and his blonde hair was much shorter and neater than she'd ever seen it, probably his mother's doing. But that smile was the same. Big, bright, beaming and reminding her of the derpy puppy she knew him to be. If I'd been allowed outside and lived nearby, I wonder if we would have been friends as kids. "He's still very bright. I said, he works very hard, and he's one of our more innovative alchemists." Her fingers found his hair once more, stroking idly. "He's told me before vaguely that his military career wasn't really on his father's top ten lists; he and I kinda had that in common. Neither of our families wanted us to join but we did anyway. Once we both agreed that it was a tossup between running away to the military or the circus and concluded that at least the military didn't make us parade in rainbow wigs." Shula let out a faint laugh, recalling that absurd conversation they'd had over beers some time ago. Show dog, military dog or circus dog, either way you were a performer, just one had pension.

"He must see something special in you my dear."

Eh? Shula fidgeted inwardly, only shaking her head faintly. "I'm not really anything special; I'm just me. But Acra really is the best friend I could ask for. We've been almost inseperable since I started in Central." A small pang of guilt poked her stomach, though the emotions came nowhere near the surface. He's saved you and been there for you, and in Drachma you ran off to chase ghosts when you should have been there with him, Bright Eyes. If you'd stayed with him or taken him with you, he might not have been left among the dead and Wagner going back for him so much later... If he'd been with you for found sooner, he might not have lost consiousness like this and he'd be awake now. That single, high-pitched beep of the heart monitor in North's hospital haunted her dreams. It broke her heart. Even though they'd managed to save him, it still didn't undo that moment of losing him, even if it was just for those few moments that were like small eternities. It made her wonder how much his family had been told once he'd been transferred, and if when Acra woke up if he'd forgive her.

[Theo Chulainn]

"I'm not really anything special; I'm just me. But Acra really is the best friend I could ask for. We've been almost inseparable since I started in Central." Roseline’s lips twitched slightly before she reached foreword carefully hooking the chain round a finely manicured hand lifting the jewels out to view. "This belonged to my mother...and her mother before...It was given to my grandmother by my grandfather on the day he realised he loved her....And before that it was given to him by his mother with the instructions to do so...That has been its role throughout the day since its creation." She gently removed her finger so the item dropped against Shula's chest with a gently patter. "There was only one person before now I taught Acra may of given it to. So I know he may of not told you himself but it's a jester to not be taken lightly. And I ask if you do not return the feelings Miss Brighton you are to return it. Its a precious family air loon with more value then its worth." She returned back to soothing her son's hair. A mothers love was never one to mess with.

"You on about Marian mother?" Alaric chirped and grinned. "Doubt she would of accepted a token from a man in tights." He chuckled. He looked to Shula. "Marian was his figure skating partner when he did it. She moved to Creta. Nothing serious happened." He petted her head. "And mothers only babying the silly sod." He chuckled and opened a box of chocolates that had been sent to Acra by a fan and started munching. Not like he needed them and they were going to go out of date in summer...next year....yeah better eat them first.

[Shula Brighton]

That... was a lot of weight in one little charm. Shula felt her stomach knot slightly in discomfort. The charm on the chain belonged to so many people, had seen so many generations, meant so much.... Acra, you dummy.... Why didn't you tell me that? You said it was a good luck charm that would keep me safe is all... The tone Acra's mother had changed to was subtle but very clear: Do not fuck with my baby. Rosaline let go of the charm to let it patter against Shula's chest. She was right; something like that wasn't to be taken lightly, even if Acra hadn't explained anything about it. When she'd put Gustav's ring around Acra's neck to try and keep him safe, Acra had already heard about her dear friend and knew that the ring was precious to her and why. But this meant... so much more than that, didn't it, Acra?

Shula quietly looked down toward the gem and then to her lap as Rosalin resumed stroking her son's hair.Shula's faint smile remained though she felt uneasy and wondered if she shouldn't excuse herself for the afternoon to go resume working. Alaric stepped back into the room, his voice teasing and cutting through the awkward feelings easily. Oh I could hug you, Alaric! "Doubt she would of accepted a token from a man in tights. Marian was his figure skating partner when he did it. She moved to Creta. Nothing serious happened. And mothers only babying the silly sod." She blinked. Acra, in tights, and dating a girl named Marian. She giggled a little, her mind instantly trying to equate the rich prince to Robin Hood, except, well, rich.

"Acra was into figure skating? He never mentioned that." She glanced to the sleeping blonde and then back to his brother. "I never pegged him for the tights and sequins type," she said with a soft laugh.

[Theo Chulainn]

"Acra was into figure skating? He never mentioned that. I never pegged him for the tights and sequins type," Shula laughed softly causing Alaric to grin. "Oh but Shula...There was glitter too." He smirked more as he prodded one of Acra's cheeks. "All over his handsome little face. Him and Marian were quite the little stars for a while. Won a few contests." He went back to busying himself for the sake of looking busy. "Then she moved back to Creta..."

Rosaline sighed. "Don't tease your brother Alaric. I pushed him to do something to sort out his attitude and hoped it would calm the consent tension between him and his father...but it just made it worst." She sighed and slowly stood. "It was nice to meet you Miss Brighton...I hope you reflect on what I said...I look foreword to meeting you. Hopefully Once Acra's awake he will bring you around for a meal...or out it depends on my husband." She pulled on the fur laced coat. "Alaric can you escort me to the car please?" She asked her son giving Acra's forehead a kiss. "I'll be back soon Shu!" Alaric called as he walked out the door with his mother the click of heels echoing around the halls.

Soon the room was shrouded in a silence bar the ever presence hiss of equipment. The sky through the window was a mixture of blues and purples as the day now lingered in the twilight. Dots of stars slowly gathering and showing through the clouds illuminated by the large moon. The prince lying in the bed cursed to sleep forever, while his princess sat holding his hand. Making the scene a reverse and twisted joke of a fairytale.

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