Silence

[dante]

Darkness pervaded the large study in the mansion overlooking Dublith. The only light came from a small candle at the corner of Dante's desk, its flame nearly extinguished. The high treetops of the forest surrounding her home concealed her from the luminous moon, allowing her to brood in the darkness and silence she so adored.

Dante was sitting at her desk, her eyes closed in thought, looking as though she were pondering one of life's great mysteries. The elderly alchemy teacher was gently rubbing at her shoulder. The rot had yet to appear on her aged vessel, but she could feel the years taking their toll on her. Or perhaps it was the news Pride delivered to her that was taxing her.

Someone was snooping. It wasn't a problem she hadn't encountered before; whenever someone in the military became too curious, she would simply have Envy step in and take care of it. But it wouldn't be so easy this time: Pride knew someone was snooping around, but was having difficulty discovering the offender's identity.

It was a minor problem, yes, but could mean the unraveling of her existence if left alone. The offender had to be discovered quickly and taken out of the picture. If the conspiracy she was masterminding were brought to light, that would mean she would have to sacrifice all of Central to hide the truth. And she cared too much for those pathetic little things to let one foolish man damn them all.

Bringing a china cup brimming with tea to her lips, the old woman took a sip and waited patiently for the arrival of her homunculi minions.

[wrath]

Wrath had recently returned and opened the door of the study a small crack then peeked inside. He didn't want to disturb Dante, but he was curious as to what she was doing in there. Then again, he was always curious, it was just his nature. Like a small child. His wide eyes took into view what was behind the door and he stood there for a few minutes.

[envy]

"Hey.." could be heard from Envy as he had been walking right up behind Wrath headed for the inside of the study. Envy moved one hand to his waist and the other to slump lightly by his side as his attention didn't move from Wrath. "Why dont you just walk in kid? Sheesh" Envy said, in an annoyed tone as he pushed the door in front of him open, walking right into the study where Dante had been sitting at her desk. Envy walked over to one of the walls, leaning against it and letting both his arms dangle against the wall as his attention was on Dante, but he stayed silent awaiting for Dante to say something first before he seemed to interrupt her, what appeared to be, deep thoughts.

[wrath]

Wrath squinted his eyes and shook his head slightly. That was the exact reason why he didn't want to go in there. He didn't want to disturb Dante so he stayed at the door. He didn't like being a pest when people were deep in thought. Instead of going into the study, he walked on down the hallway into his room. One of his favorite past times was jumping on his bed, so he began to do just that after he closed the door, using his bed as a trampoline. It was simple fun which he enjoyed. He was indeed easily amused.

[dante]

Dante, hearing someone walk into the room, opened her eyes to find Envy, just the homunculus she was hoping to see, leaning against a nearby wall. Taking another sip of her tea, she lowered the delicate cup onto a coaster. "We have a problem, Envy," she addressed her most effective enforcer. "A problem that I need you to take care of quickly and quietly."

Dante frowned profoundly when she heard the faint sound of someone jumping around upstairs. She doubted it was Lyra, though she wouldn't put it past the girl; the only other possibility was Wrath, the other homunculus she had an important mission for. "Before I explain further, would you be a dear and get Wrath for me? I don't want him waking my apprentice."

[fullmetalbabe]

Lust walks by the hall and sees the door half open she walks towards and peaks in. She sees Envy and Dante talking, Lust knocks and enters, she says in a calm voice "Is there a problem?" Looks at Dante and immediately recognizes something is up and asks "Where is Wrath?" Looks at envy with no response.Lust walks off in silence and leans against the wall looking down with her eyes closed and her arms crossed she says "So, What's the problem"

[dante]

Dante waited for Envy to return with his young companion, her aged eyes resting idly on the large window to her right. A frown tugged at her thinning lips, deepening the more she thought about her predicament. She was losing what little patience she had to begin with: she wanted to give her minions their assignments and rectify the problem as quickly as possible.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Lust came into the room. When the seductive homunculus voiced her question, her elderly master nodded in response. "Indeed, we have a little problem on our hands," she answered nonchalantly, taking a sip of her tea. "I'll give the details when Envy returns with Wrath."

[Envy]

What, am I errand-boy again? growled Envy silently in his mind. But since Dante said, it, he had to obey and also, he was curious about the new problem that they had at hand. With a slight nod and without a word he left the room, heading upstairs to the bedroom. "I bet the child is making a fool out of himself again. Well, what do you expect from a child..." he murmured quietely, as he passed below the dark pictures that lined the staircase.

The noise came from the bedroom. Envy opened the door, looked in, and saw the young homonculus jumping on a bed, laughing hapily. Rolling his eyes he said in a sarcastic voice: "Wrath, I am terrible sorry to spoil your demanding and useful activity, but Dante wants to see you. Now. So are you coming and so she should come here herselves?" The last words were said in an intimidating tone.

[sheskaa]

Wrath paused mid air before landing back on the bed. Envy's words had slithered around his mind. Wrath quickly shook his head and jumped off the bed right next to Envy.
"Why does she want me?" Wrath asked like a child who didn't know why they couldn't touch the stove. He shook his head mutely and followed Envy like leader.

[Envy]

Envy leaded the way back downstairs. "You should know better than to ask like that, Wrath," he told the young homonculus with a faint smile. "All I know is that we are in some kind of trouble. Which means that blood will be spilled soon. We will probably be sent out to dispatch of some nuisance. And I really look forward for that," he finished, his eyes glinting with evil lights. He reached the doors to the study-room and opened them swiftly. He stepped inside, followed by Wrath. "Here we are, Dante, so please tell me... who shall die today.?"

[dante]

"You know better than to address me like that," Dante reprimanded him. Her tone was calm and level, but the dangerous glint in her eyes betrayed her true emotions. "I am your master, not your friend. It would behoove you not to forget that."

Dante rose from her chair and sauntered over to the nearest window. Her bones ached with every movement, which served as a silent reminder that she needed to find a new host soon. "And to answer your question, I don't know - but you are going to find out. Someone in the military is snooping again, and Pride is too preoccupied with the Lior campaign to take care of it himself..."

She paused briefly, looking over her shoulder at Envy. "You are to identify and eliminate the offender within the next two weeks. Any questions?"

[sheskaa]

Wrath's eyes fluttered open and his heart slowed down. Or, what was supposed to be his heart. He didn't like all this killing, he just wanted to steal that Edward's arm and leg, so he could become human. Then, he could be real with his mother. Wrath slowly shook his head. Then, he stopped mid shake. Dante wouldn't understand.

"Whom should we aim for first? Are there any suspects?" Wrath asked quizically, hoping the fear wouldn't creep into his voice. Wrath was after all, still a child and even a new Homunuclus. He still sometimes remembered what the Philosophers Stones were made of and had to be forcefed by Envy. Things with Dante and Envy didn't seem to going well, judging by both of their attitudes. Wrath sighed quietly.

[dante]

Being quite an astute woman, Dante was quick to notice how uneasy Wrath was. Fear was a healthy thing, but the child was new to her legion, and was still likely unsure about where his loyalties lied. So it would be wise to treat him kindly - at least until she had him completely ensnared, anyway.

She made her way back to her desk and took a seat. Turning her attention to Wrath, she put on the same disarming smile she wore when dealing with the townspeople in Dublith. "The culprit is most likely part of Mustang's clique," she informed him, tone much softer than the one she used with Envy. "But you needn't worry about that, dear; I have another mission for you."

Dante paused briefly to take a sip of her tea before continuing: "I need you to get Edward and Alphonse out of Central before Envy carries out the assassination. If I am indeed right about our target being one of Mustang's associates, then the boys definitely know him. And I can't have my most valuable pawns trying to avenge the murder of a friend when there's a Philosopher's Stone to be created."

[sheskaa]

Wrath's heart soften, and he returned the smile. Dante didn't mean him any harm at all. In due time, she would use the Philosophers Stone and make him human again. He quickly started thinking about devising a plan.

"This will be difficult, Dante. Right now, Edward and Alphonse are in Central. Talking with the very men that Envy is targeting down." Wrath said with maturity. Dante seemed to have an effect over him.
"Envy could cause a false rumor? Causing everyone to leave except Ed and Al. I'll take them aside after that." Wrath suggested slowly.

[Envy]

Envy frowned slightly. Yeah, you do not need to remind me that, he though, looking aside. Although he never called her master, but simply Dante, and she never was safisfied with him adressing her, he hold her in respect. It wasn't the kind of master-servant relationship as with other homonculus, but still, he was below her, he knew it, and he accepted it, as long, as the leesh she put upon him wasn't too short. But he never had any motive to openly rebel, he listened... sometimes with minor complains. Yet she never broke him, it was his will to follow. Yeah, Pride has too much work already, the fool. Masterpiece my ass, I was your first minion, and I am your most powerful minion, and you know that! But loudly he said: "What about Sloth, she is supposed to gather intel from inside the military, even she doesn't know anything?" He rolled his eyes. It will be up to him again. As always, Envy will have to clean the mess the other made. Not that he did not enjoy this. A backstab from the shadows, that was the speciality of the shapeshifter.

He looked at Wrath, trying to make some kind of plan. "Oh please, Wrath, so you think you know who the guy is? Don't jump ahead to conclusions and rather don't plan anything, leave this matter to the mature ones." He sneered and crossed his arms at chest.

[sheskaa]

Wrath's eyes glimmered and wrath boiled inside. He resumed his calm face. He knew provoking Envy would be a grave mistake. He clenched his human hand into a fist and looked up to Dante.

"Well, Mature ones. You can decide. I'll be off in a corner somewhere." Wrath said slightly bored. He knew he would pay for his tone later, but it was sweet for now.

[dante]

Dante frowned in disapproval when Wrath addressed her by name, even though she corrected Envy for doing the same thing not even a moment before. "What did I just tell Envy, dear? It's master, not Dante."

She mulled over her minion's suggestion as she finished what remained of her tea. "You want Envy to orchestrate an evacuation of Central headquarters, is that it?" she inquired, lowering the cup to its coaster. "No, that would be a lot more work than necessary." She looked over to Envy. "And I have Sloth taking care of other business, so no."

Standing up, Dante reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a manila folder. She walked over to Envy and handed it to him. "Here is the information on the identity you are to assume while working under Mustang, along with all of the necessary papers. Now then, if you boys don't have any further questions, I'm heading to bed."

[sheskaa]

Wrath's lip quivered as Master's words cut through him. He nodded mutely and bowed, using restraint.
"I guess, I'm trailing behind you Envy!" Wrath said quietly with a smile, after Master had left. Wrath was unsure about their Master, but he knew that she would take care of him. It was her genorousity that kept him alive.

Wrath had a love/hate relationship with Envy. More of the Hate from Envy. Wrath took no notice, after all, Envy was the one who first fed him Philosophers Stones. Wrath smiled like the little child he was.

[fullmetalbabe]

Lust smirked and laughed as she heard the plan Dante had for evy and wrath. She walks out and as she do she says 'Eh Envy, you have your hands full on this one, watch out the boy would ya?'She laughs and exits the rooms, she goes to her room and tries to relax.

[Envy]

Envy took the folder from hir master's hands, opened it and had a quick glance in it. "Yes, Dante, I understand everything," he said, still examining the papers. "This shall be easy, consider it done." He moved towards the nearest chair and sat on it, looking through the information he got.

Having heared the child homonculus speak, he finally lifted his head and looked on him. "I will be carrying a covert operation Wrath, and since I am the only shapeshifter in this group, I guess you cannot trail behind me. Your job is simple, get the Full Metal brat and his brother out of Central, before I move in. Are we clear?"

When Lust laughed, he gave her an angry look. "Don't worry about me, rather observe your own weaknesses, Lust!" he hissed behind her. Nobody will underestimate him. When he has a job to do, he does it smoothly and with perfection.