The Rain goes on

[Al fan]

Rain beat down upon the streets of Central, those once bustling streets that held the sounds of hundreds of people going about their daily lives, now silenced by the rain as people remained in doors, the streets now seemingly soulless. It was unusual to see somewhere that was as busy as Central so quiet, so still, but then, who really wanted to be outside on a day like this? The rain lashed down upon Alphonse’s body as he walked through the street, his clothes almost soaked through, his hair sticking to his face somewhat as those bright grey eyes scanned the scenery before him. Two years, it had been two years since he had seen Central, two years since he had walked these streets, somehow it felt as though he had been gone for longer than that, the time seeming to drag on somewhat, but he was here now, and that was all that mattered.

Perhaps it was not the best idea to venture out into the rain, but he had wanted to see it all again, he wanted to see what had changed and what had remained of the world he had left behind, and he was glad, that at least for now, everything seemed to have remained constant. The sound of the rain clanking against the metallic pipes that let the water flow from the rooftops was a sort of calming sound, soothing, in a strange manner, and if was familiar, and Alphonse could not help but smile to that familiarity. He stopped briefly under an awning, taking a moment to free himself from the physical abuse of the rain, there were worse things than being wet, and besides, he didn’t mind it all that much, he was just pleased, pleased, that he was finally back home.

[Rina Eichel]

Rain, rain, rain, and more rain! That was all that filled the streets of central right now. Just her luck!

The girl walking down the street had long dark hair adorned with two ribbons, She was wearing a low cut yellow sun dress that showed off her figure, though it was not exactly suitable for the weather.

Rina was soaked! the thin material of the dress wasn't much protection against the cold droplets that were smacking against her skin. If every one was indoors how was she supposed to find any one to get money or food or a place to say from?

Rina continued to survey The streets while continually dripping water. Wait a second! there was someone out. Perfect it was even a boy! A young looking boy, but oh well.

The key was to act like you weren't acting. It sounds really weird but it was a skill that Rina had mastered. She had never had to ask for someones help, help was always given to Rina.
She put on a sad pathetic face and made her body shiver violently, her arms wrapped around herself to keep the warmth close. The puddles sloshed as Rina trudged through them on her walk toward the boy and when she got near him she 'tripped.' Another louder slosh as she landed in a deep puddle. Her hair splayed all over the place, one of her ribbons was askew and she was wetter than ever. The dark haired girl even managed to pull over a fairly believable sounding sneeze. Now all she had to do was wait for him to take the bait.

[Al fan]

It didn’t seem to want to stop did it? It just kept coming, covering the streets in a liquid blanket of reflection. Alphonse continued to remain under the shop awning for the moment glad of a moments reprieve from being pelted by the rain, he was still watching it, still waiting for it to die down at least enough that he could traverse through it without feeling like he was in a shower, but it only seemed to get harder and the world was becoming less visible as the rain seemed to rush down in a mass of white. It was so bad now that when it fell to earth, finally hitting the streets it bounced back up a few inches making minuscule splashes all by itself, well, at the end of the day, it could have been much worse, and besides, there was at least some shelter, even if that was becoming somewhat daunting too, his grey eyes trailed up looking at the awning before frowning noticing that it was bowing in the middle somewhat.

He sighed deeply, he would most likely have to move soon, with all that water gathering in the middle, it was likely that it would eventually collapse and drench him, and that would be far worse than the light soaking he would get from the rain itself. Alphonse’s thoughts were drawn to a different matter as he noticed the young woman coming towards him, seeing her shiver, that look of sadness upon her face, he could not help but feel sorry for her. One thing that could be said about Alphonse was that he had a kind nature, he would help anyone if he could, it was just the way he was, and some people would take advantage of that fact, but he did not know that Rina was one of them. As she fell he gasped slightly, moving out from under the awning rushing to her side, forgetting the weather for the moment, there were more important matters at hand. “Are you alright?” he asked kneeling slightly, staring at the poor drenched girl with a look of concern, his hand offered to help her up and out of that puddle.

[Rina Eichel]

Rina pushed her self up, still shaking and looked sadly at the boy. She took the offered hand to let him pull her up. "thanks" She continued to pretend to shiver as she looked up at the boys face. he didn't look all that much younger than her and he had a kind looking face. That was perfect, just what she needed. "I didn;t think it would rain today." She kept her expression forlorn and Innocent as she could. She didn't want to lose this chance, it had been a couple days since she had eaten.

[Al fan]

The rain died off somewhat, allowing for a slight reprieve for the moment, it was bad enough getting soaked by the rain coming down, but when it bounced back up and soaked you from below...well, it wasn’t pleasant. Alphonse smiled slightly as she took his gloved hand, before helping her up and out of the puddle, it wouldn’t do for her to be stuck in that for a long period of time now would it? “You’re welcome” he said in reply to her thanks that smile growing wider, well, anyone would have done the same really, well, if they had a shred of decency they would. He watched her silently as she continued to shiver and that somewhat worried expression returned, she must have been freezing, he had to admit, that he himself was not exactly warm, but after that drenching in the puddle, well....it was obvious that she was worse for the wear.

Well if he was honest he hadn’t thought it would rain either, it had started out bright enough, but of course weather was always subject to change, and a rain shower could come on as quickly as snapping your fingers, this seemed to be one of those times, as only an hour ago the sun had been shining brightly. He frowned slightly, watching that forlorn expression, she really did look in a bad way didn’t she, and he couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, but what to do?

[Rina Eichel]

He looked concerned. Wonderful! what to do now?........ hmmmm. Rina returned his smile in what she hopped was a slightly shy way, that was one she had never tried before. She continued to pretend to shiver and to her joy at that moment her stomach even growled loudly. She blushed supposedly at the noise. "Sorry. You wouldn't by any chance be able to tell me ware I am would you?"

[Al fan]

Alphonse’s smile grew somewhat as she smiled back at him, well, it was better to see that smile than to see a frown, but it was the way she smiled...that shy little girl smile...that made him blush slightly and he rubbed his right arm nervously. It was then that he heard her stomach growling and he stared at her for a long moment before he frowned slightly...she was hungry? Well, that wasn’t good now was it, first she had gotten a soaking from a puddle and now she was hungry...he might be able to do something about the hungry part at least. “Oh...you’re in Central” he said in reply to her question before he began fishing through his damp pockets, his smile returning as he retrieved a few sens...it wasn’t much...but it might get her something to eat at least. “Come on, you need to get dry...I have a little money..so...”.

[Rina Eichel]

Well that was a very general answer, Central. Of course she already knew that but it would be best to pretend that she hadn't known what town she was in in the first place. She had only even asked her location at all to give the impression that she was lost. "Thank you so much" Rina smiled again. It was a good thing she had spent so much time with her sister. She knew how the Innocent and shy smile was supposed to look. Then the boy brought up money.
Yes!
"no. I couldn't possibly. " She shook her head with the statement making one of the ribbons slip even lower down her hair. "you've already helped me."

[Al fan]

Alphonse gave her a half smile this time, his eyes trailing to his hand as he stared at the sens within his gloved palm, it really wasn’t a lot, but...he wanted to help her, so regardless of whether it was all he had to his name right now, he was more than willing to give it up. “It’s nothing, really” he said with a brighter smile his left hand moving to rub the back of his neck for a few seconds before he sighed with mild contentment. “Come on, lets find somewhere to get you something to eat”. With that, he offered her his hand, that smile remaining on his lips, it was a friendly gesture, and she would hopefully see it that way.

[Rina Eichel]

He was very kind. She hadn't even done more then fall in a puddle and act like a good girl. "Your not going to take no for an answer are you?" She continued to blush and shiver just as much as before and the rain kept on coming down. She could feel the cold droplets hitting her. This boy was very odd, but it was a good thing for her. If she kept this up she may be able to get a lot out of him. "well at least we should be introduced. Katherina." Another shy smile and then she took his offered hand.

[Al fan]

If only he knew what he was getting himself in for, it was a natural inclination of his to be kind to others, to help them if he could, and perhaps it was coupled with some naivety of the world. Considering everything he had been through with his brother, those four years of searching for the philosopher’s stone, the two years away from home, the people that he had seen die; it still seemed that he was still innocent to the truth, that some things were not what they appeared to be, especially in the case of people. He smiled to her comment and laughed a little his sodden fringe falling in front of his eye line, no, he wasn’t going to take no for an answer in this case, he wanted to help her, and after all it was the right thing to do, he couldn’t very well leave her out here in this state, cold and hungry from the sounds of things.

Of course, how silly of him to not even think to mention his name before hand, he cursed himself mentally for it before he listened to her words. Katherina…nice name, suited her really, and as she took his hand he blushed ever so slightly his smile widening. “It’s nice to meet you…properly” he said with another light laugh bowing his head slightly to her as he proceeded to speak. “My name’s Alphonse Elric” he said with a light and cheery tone, typical Alphonse really, he was usually happy, though like most people he had his moments when even he could become saddened and withdrawn, but those were rare occasions. “Well…let’s go find somewhere to get dry”.

[Rina Eichel]

Things couldn't have been going more perfectly. And here she had thought that she wouldn't be able to find any one because of the rain. Today must be her lucky day. It had been rather easy to get Alphonse to offer to buy her meal. She hopped others in central would be as easy but she doubted that they would be. "OK lead the way." She gave a tiny nod. Pretending to be shy was actually a bit fun. It would be annoying to be like this all the time like her sister.

The thought of Lila made her inwardly wince in guilt. The girl had no ability to take care of herself whatsoever. She had always taken care of Lila even before their parents had died and the task had become even more annoying since Lila had since started to refuse to talk to any strangers at all. Her little sisters fear of people had continually hindered them even when Rina was perfectly willing to do the talking, how would the blond girl survive for very long with out Rina to make sure she was alright. She brushed some of her soaking wet dark hair out of her face and tried to calm herself. She didn't need to be irritated it would ruin her whole act.

[Al fan]

Her shyness was endearing, if somewhat concerning, was she perhaps this way around all people? Well he hoped so if she wasn’t, he would have to wonder as to why she was acting this way around him, of course he didn’t think too much of it, some people were just naturally shy. He nodded his head to her as she spoke, asking him to lead the way, a warm, friendly smile crept across his lips as he reached out his hand and took hold of hers, staring at her for a brief moment before he gave a gentle pull on her hand.

It wasn’t long before they arrived at a café and Alphonse turned to look back at her, his hair dripping water down his face. “I guess here is as good as anywhere” he said his smile returning before his grey eyes trailed to their hands...he had forgotten he was still holding her hand, with a light cough he released it and blushed slightly, but said nothing more on the situation.

[Rina Eichel]

Rina let him pull her along it was rather funny. He seemed to be very Innocent and very trusting. He was taking a perfect stranger by the hand and was going to buy her food. She still couldn't get over how easy he was making this. and she pushed all thoughts of her sister out of her mind.

It like like a nice little cafe and she was glad. It had actually been a while since she had eaten and she was hungry! "It looks wonderful." She smiled back at him and had to remind herself to blush instead of laugh when he realized that their hands were still linked. He coughed and let go of her hand and it really did take a lot of self control not to start laughing at him. But she was supposd to be playing the shy nice girl and laughing at him wouldn't fit her part.
"Your really to kind."

[Al fan]

Alphonse was feeling exceptionally unnerved right now, he didn’t really spend that much time around girls, well except for Winry really, she was the only girl he had ever really spent a vast amount of time with. Whilst Rina may have been older than him by several years, there was nothing wrong in noticing that she was at least somewhat attractive, he was male after all, admittedly a young male, but a male nonetheless. “I don’t know about it being wonderful...but at least it serves food” he said in reply, a gloved hand moving to open the door to the café before he leaned against it, motioning for her to enter with his head. He was polite, and kind, and perhaps too kind, she was milking him for all he was worth, and he couldn’t even see it, and perhaps that was the downfall of his innocence. “Don’t mention it...I couldn’t leave you like that”.