[Audio]

[hands4healing]

[Winry doesn't sound like herself, if you know her. She sounds...angry.]

My name is Winry Rockbell. I have been infected with the Flare. My healing power isn't working against it. I need to get to the quarantined area.

[There's a crashing sound. Like a wrench cracking against a piece of metal.]

If you're not immune, don't come near me.

[private to Edward Elric]

You'd better take care of Zoey for me.

Comments

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[firstborncopper]

Winry, no... [She couldn't be, not after she healed his hands. But plagues care nothing for who they strike down.]

I will come for you.

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[hands4healing]

[A hint of surprise.] Maedhros? You're immune?

[How is it you're immune and she isn't. No. No. Don't think of that.]

You might need restraints.

[Bitter, yes. Angry, yes. But still trying for some sort of practicality, here.]

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[firstborncopper]

I am. Winry, I am not human. I will be fine.

[He sighs. He had hoped she had stayed clear of the disease.]

Restraints. Very well. And I will bring a mask so you will not have to fear spreading the plague on the way.

[Audio]

[hands4healing]

Thank you, Maedhros. I may not feel like saying it later, but I do appreciate it.

[She can feel the rage building, after all.]

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[firstborncopper]

You are welcome, Winry.

[About ten minutes later, he's knocking on her door. At least he managed to avoid Ed's traps this time.]

Winry? It is Maedhros.

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[hands4healing]

[Winry opens the door. Her skin is flushed and there are blister-like pustules raising on her arms. Her eyes are red and she twitches, even standing there, like she doesn't recognize him and has to take a few seconds to realize who he is and why he's there. Despite them talking just a little bit before.]

Maedhros.

[Her voice is duller now, but there's a funny timbre to it, a hint of a growl.]

[firstborncopper]

Winry.

[She looks terrible. He can't help comparing her to the first time he met her.]

If I carry, will you let me? If I do not absolutely have to restrain you, I would not wish to.

[hands4healing]

I don't know if there's anywhere I can go. I thought the quarantine was for sick people.

[firstborncopper]

[So she doesn't remember that she's even sick. How can the disease have progressed so fast?]

I believe there is a group at one of the hospitals, researching a cure. [That much, at least, is true.] I can take you there.

[hands4healing]

They won't threaten anyone will they?

[Winry's been listening in to everyone dogpiling on Ed. It's not helped her mood any.]

If they want to help.

[firstborncopper]

I would hope not. If they try, I will not let them carry anything out.

[hands4healing]

I'm afraid you're not getting a good look at our species as a whole, Maedhros.

[This is part of what's making her angry. Actually.

She scratches at her arm, opening a pustule. It oozes.]

I don't want to hurt anyone. My dog's scared of me.

[firstborncopper]

This is not the first time I have met humanity. You have some amazing heroes just as you have some truly depraved villains.

[He moves a hand to stop her from scratching. He may not be human but he knows that very rarely leads to good things.]

Stop, do not harm yourself, Winry. If you come with me, I will make sure you cannot hurt anyone.

[He offers her a light scarf.]

[hands4healing]

[His words offer some comfort. Winry relaxes slightly, enough to accept the scarf. She turns it over in her hands.]

Do you want me to tie my wrists?

[firstborncopper]

Nay. The disease is carried in the air, so if you cover your face below your eyes, you should not have to worry about spreading it while we're out. I would rather you not be bound at all, if that is possible.

[hands4healing]

[Practical. Winry can appreciate that, or could, before the Flare hit. Now she studies the scarf in her hands for a few seconds, thinking how easy it might be to be turned into a weapon. In the end, she wraps it around her face as Maedhros suggested.]

Don't let anyone do anything stupid.

[...]

Even me.

[Was that permission to Maedhros to kill her if it came to it? Maybe.]

[firstborncopper]

I will not. I am going to carry you. Are you ready?

[hands4healing]

[Winry nods, not trusting her voice. She hates leaving Zoey behind, but it's safer for her dog. She hopes its safer for Maedhros, too.]

Where are you taking me?

[firstborncopper]

[He lifts her gently but securely.]

There is a house toward the edge of town. I can seal the doors and windows so there will be no risk of you harming anyone. I will make sure you have everything you need until you are well again.

[hands4healing]

[Winry doesn't move. She's a little stiff in Maedhros's arms.]

I'm hungry.

[Not quite plaintive. More of a low growl.]

[firstborncopper]

Then I will bring you something once I seal it.

[He sings quietly as he walks. She won't understand the words, they're not in any language of this world or her own. It urges her to calm, whispers of peace and hope.]

[hands4healing]

[The singing does something to her, allowing her stiffness to melt somewhat. Winry can't remember the last time someone carried her in their arms. Perhaps her father, when she was tiny.]

Thank you for taking care of me, Maedhros.

[She's still hungry. The rage is still within her, only vaguely contained. And she looks terrible.]

[firstborncopper]

[He smiles down at her.]

It is only what you did for me last month.

[hands4healing]

[Last month. She was still hopeful.]

The traps are still set up. Should get Ed to take them down with Mr. Kimblee in jail.

[Kimblee. Rage surges in her at the reminder he'd hurt Ed. Again.]

[firstborncopper]

Then I will take the same way I came in.

[He simply hums until they reach the sidewalk.]

Kimblee, he is the one who set those bombs, right?