Chapter Text
Prologue
Los Angeles, USA California, Late February, 1926
L.A was a busy city, and seemed to never sleep. It was a noisy place and right in the center of the Prohibition era. It was also a city to learn from and opportunities for the Elric brothers. They left a tattered Germany because of hyperinflation and the rise of the Nazi party. America was known to be the land of the free. Edward in particular, wasn’t sure he believed that once he arrived there. Alcohol was banned in the US. It wasn’t to be sold, distributed or drank and resulted in illegal establishments called speakeasies. Not to mention the crime seemed to be going up no matter where a person traveled. The Elric’s learned about gangs (that frequently sold illegal alcohol) called “The Mafia”. Edward had once met a man in Chicago by the name of Alphonse “Al” Capone. He seemed like a decent business man; until the older Elric learned that the man was accused of multiple murders in Chicago. Mr. Capone also hooked Edward up with the finest gin he ever tasted and a job that landed him access to large amounts of money-bootlegging. Never-the-less the US was better than Germany.
Both of the Elric brothers felt more comfortable in America. They were able to easily speak the language. Edward learned that Britain was the equivalent of Amestris, so speaking “English” was already known. Most people they met in America thought that the Elric’s were in fact from Britain. Edward had given up his claims that he was from Germany and went with it. He found that girls would swoon at him because of his accent, and apparently it made him seem more gentleman like. Edward believed he was more of the classy type than anything. He knew how to dress when needed and he also knew how to get a woman.
He had long ago given up on the idea of going back to Amestris, something that deeply bothered the younger Elric. Alphonse wasn’t ready to toss in the towel just yet. He had noticed that Edward’s behavior changed when they came to America. Edward was engrossed in the partying culture and wanted to much more social than Al had ever seen him be. Al figured Edward’s behavior was a result of his age, being almost 20 years old and that Edward was trying to move past his own past. Edward wanted so badly to fit in on Earth and leave behind the green hills of Resembool.
Edward was blending well in America’s partying culture. He was good looking for one thing, and the other, he was able to verbally spar when needed. He could converse with almost anyone at the start; however, Edward’s attention could wane if the other person was not on the same intellectual plane. Edward could also verbally defend when necessary and voice his own opinions. Edward’s exotic looks were another whole monster. His eyes were often described “as a panthers” because he could give a look as if another person was his prey-especially the women. Edward didn’t purposely use that to his advantage and was often dense about woman and their needs. He knew when he needed a fling to ease the tension within himself and was often drunk when he did it. Edward explained to Al that he has to bring them home drunk, otherwise they would notice his automail and all hell would break loose. Al wasn’t as much of a drinker as his brother, and surmised that Ed’s age factor was a huge influence. Al wasn’t shocked to find out that Edward had a thing for the blonds…