File 62 - [Video Post | Locked to Greed; Viewable to the Family]

[truthinfortune]

[The video shows Naoto's worshop and what appears to be an android hooked up to various computer monitors and equipment, cables extending from its back and cranium. The overall structure is relatively smooth and vaguely feminine, somewhat similar to a Masamune Shirow style of android.With only a week before our deadline, I thought it would be a

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Winry looks up at the sound of Naoto's voice. She's polishing Ed's automail during the break while Naoto makes her video.

"It'll get done."

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Naoto sits down in her chair and turns her attention to the computer monitors. She begins rapidly typing in more lines of code.

"I'm sure it will. I'm not so certain I would have gotten this much done without your help." She chuckles. "At least, not without some serious lack of sleep!"

She glances back and notices Winry polishing the automail. "How's the automail coming along?"

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Sleep? What is this sleep you're speaking of? The dark circles under Winry's eyes are hidden by her work goggles, though she lowers her head reflexively in response to Naoto's comment.

"It's good." Winry hopes. She's had more than a little trouble concentrating on it. There are times when she's realized she's been staring at the same wire for a long time, without completing threading it through the arm. She should tear it apart and start over, make sure there's absolutely nothing wrong with it, but that seems like such an effort. She'll just have to make sure Ed and Al spar after she installs Ed's automail, to make sure there's nothing wrong with it.

"Do you need me to do anything to the android?"

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Naoto shakes her head. "No, you've done more than enough, Winry. All that remains is uploading the operating system, and computer programming isn't exactly your forte..."

She laughs, hoping to lighten the mood a bit. Despite wearing those goggles, Naoto has seen the dark circles beneath the automail mechanic's eyes; has taken note of the way Winry tries to stifle her yawns while in Naoto's presence. She's been getting too little sleep, and the petite detective knows it's not just because of all the hours spent working on both Ed's automail and the android.

Naoto pushes herself away from the computer desk and makes her way toward the workbench where Winry is seated. Peering over Winry's shoulder, she examines the mechanic's work.

"Maybe this would be a good time to take a break. We've both been working non-stop for several hours. Why don't we go get something to eat and stretch out legs for a bit?"

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Winry stares at the automail. She wonders if there is something wrong with it. If it is up to her usual standards.

She wonders if she cares. Ed will just break it again. He doesn't really want it anyway, even if his current automail isn't the right size for his body. If he doesn't care, why should she?

Managing to not flinch when Naoto comes up behind her, Winry sets the limb down. Naoto can look as long as she wants. Maybe she'll see something wrong with the automail.

In answer to Naoto's question, Winry nods. "Mm." She pulls her goggles up over her head, dropping them on the table next to the arm on the table. "A break might be a good idea."

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And as far as Naoto can tell, she notices nothing wrong with the automail. At least, not without taking a more indepth look. It's a little frightening just how well Winry can work under even the most stressful conditions...

She steps back a bit, giving the mechanic some space while she pushes herself away from the workbench.

"You know," Naoto says slowly, "now that the android is nearly completed, maybe I could help you put the finishing touches on the automail? I mean, you went out of your way to help me, so the least I can do is return the favor, right?"

It's then that Naoto is reminded of Ed and how he adamantly refused to allow anyone to service his automail, even Naoto. And that was before Winry joined the commuinity. He'd worn such a comical expression of indignation and flailed about at the mere idea. The thought brought a small smile to Naoto's face.

"On second thought... Maybe I should leave it to you. Ed wouldn't like it if he found out I was tinkering around with his automail, too..."

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Winry would have been surprised to find out Ed had refused to allow anyone to work on his automail. That is why there are no maker's marks on his limbs, so he can go to someone else, if he couldn't get to her. It is possibly her own personal designs, specifically, Ed's own custom automail, that might make his limbs difficult for another automail mechanic to work on, still, Winry would expect him to do what he could to at least keep functioning until he was able to have her work on his automail.

"They're nearly done, anyway." Winry nodded toward the leg, resting closer to the wall. "I just have to oil the joints in both limbs and they'll be ready to install whenever Ed's ready to do that." Knowing Ed, he'd put it off. Winry knew she shouldn't let him; he could be damaging his spine walking on a leg that was too short for his body. Still, attaching automail was always stressful to the customer and Winry wasn't sure she wanted to cause him any stress right now. Or that she could even stand giving him that kind of pain.

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Naoto sighed and shook her head. Trying to get Ed to maintain his automail of his own volition was like trying to herd a group of cats in a straight line... Damn near impossible, and you were likely to end up covered in scratches.

"We'd better go ahead and do it today, when he least expects it," Naoto said. As far as Ed knew, the automail wasn't ready yet. "Even if I have to have Kanji pin him down, he needs that new leg as soon as possible. I can't believe how much he's grown over the summer!"

It really was amazing how quickly the blond-haired alchemist was growing. Practically shooting up like a weed. He might not be drinking milk, but perhaps being in close proximity to all those dairy cows explained his sudden growth?

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Winry turned her stool around with a faint squeal. She needed to oil it, she thought as she got up. "Ed will need to rest for a little while once I install his automail." If he was tired from working at the farm, he'd need a longer recuperation time. She'd seen him leap up within a few minutes of her installing his automail, but that was after he'd had enforced rest prior to the installation.

"He might like something special to eat afterward." Well, Ed always had a hollow leg when it came to food.

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"You should make him an apple pie," Naoto said. "That's probably his all-time favorite treat."

She made her way toward the door and opened it. "But we'll worry about that later. Right now, you're the one who looks like you could use a decent meal." Naoto nodded her head toward the hallway. "Come on. I'll have the chef whip up something quick and filling. Is there anything in particular that you would like?"

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Had Ed eaten any of the last pie she'd made? Winry couldn't remember - but that had been when Mello had died. She wasn't even sure if Ed had eaten during that time.

Like she wasn't sure if she was hungry. She wasn't sure when she'd last been hungry. Winry considered the question. "I guess...chicken salad."

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Naoto led the way to the dining hall and informed the chef of their choice of lunch. While they sat and waited for the food to be prepared, Holmes and Watson trotted in and settled themselves at Winry's feet. For some reason, the pair of old foxhounds rarely left her side these days. It was almost as if they could tell that she needed the company. Holmes laid his head upon his paws and began to doze. Smiling, Naoto reached down and scratched him behind one ear.

"Poor old Holmes... It seems as though all he does is sleep these days. I hope they haven't been a bother to you, Winry."

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"Oh, no!" Winry shook her head. "I like having them around. They remind me of Den." She understood what Naoto was saying. Holmes was old, like Den, and Winry wondered just how much longer her dog would be around. At least 'til I see you again.

"How much longer do you think it will take to finish up Mr. Greed's android?"

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"Mmm... Probably at least another seven days," she said. Holmes huffed a sigh and twitched his ear a bit. "We'll be cutting it close, but I'm confident we'll be finished at the agreed upon time. I promised it would be ready in thirty days, and I intend to keep that promise."

The petite detective found it a bit ironic that she was making deals with what many would consider the "criminal element". Then again, the greedy Homunculus also had his own code of honor. It made him somewhat predictable, but by no means less dangerous.

Naoto continued to scratch at Holmes's head absently. "Say, Winry... What do you think of Greed?"

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"Mm." Winry knew what making a deadline meant to a mechanic-engineer - or anyone in business. Leaning down, she scuffed Watson's head, smiling slightly when the dog made a huffing sound in reaction then turned and butted her hand when she tried to pull it away.

"Mr. Greed? He seems nice. He's helped me with the community a couple of times." Winry remembered him teasing her when she was 'married' to Merlin - but he also gave her some good advice during that time, too. If they had tried to make a baby -

Winry blushed, glad that she was bent over and her hair shielded her face from Naoto while she was petting Watson.

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Naoto laughed at the way Watson was loving all over Winry. He was the younger than Holmes, and more active. There was still some life left in those old bones yet!

"Hm..." Naoto rested her chin in one hand. "He's definitely not what I expected of a Homunculus... especially after hearing all the stories Al told me about them." Like how he'd been kidnapped and held hostage in exchange for the secret of soul bonding. "I'm pretty sure if Ed knew that I was making deals with Homunculi, he'd blow a gasket, even if it's with one of the 'nice' ones."

Naoto also blushed a bit, remembering that hungry, sharklike grin, and how he'd leaned in close enough to try and kiss her. Bastard. He had absolutely no concept of personal space, did he?