XIII: Danger Zone:

Love Huts:

Simone’s Notes:

Numerous behaviors are used by people to express affection. Communication professor Kory Floyd of Arizona State University is the leading contemporary scholar on the behavioral displays of affection used in personal relationships. His theories suggest that affectionate behavior evolved from parental nurturing behavior due to its associations with hormonal rewards. Floyd's research has verified that expressions of affection, although commonly evaluated positively, can be considered negative if they pose implied threats to one's well being. Floyd has also demonstrated that affectionate behavior in positively valenced relationships is associated with numerous health benefits.

Summer was now over. It was September and autumn was in full swing. Changes were rising fast. First came a change in setting. Back in the spring, a small group of soldiers discovered an abandoned apartment complex. The buildings were still in perfect condition. They were sent out to look for some new housing to place some of the extra soldiers. The two eight-story buildings met with their approval. Pleased with their discovery, they reported back to the fuhrer. She was glad to hear about a new apartment complex because it solved a living shortage problem. There were too many soldiers and not enough base housing to put them in. The apartment buildings were in walking distance of Central Headquarters, Maywillow High, and other schools. They had a nice view and very lavish. After considering the pros and cons of moving the men, the fuhrer said, “Alright then, send a crew out there to touch up the place. We’ll move the men out in the fall!”

Fast forward to September, every military personnel received the message to move into the Central apartment buildings. Pretty soon, thousands were applying for an apartment. Many used this opportunity to move in their boyfriends and girlfriends in with them. The message said that they could; in fact, the fuhrer encouraged the men to have their loves with them for “moral support.” “It isn’t fair to deprive the men and women a motive to serve Amestris!” she always said. On the first day many of the men were alright moving into the new apartments. This turned into a mass exodus within seconds. Everyone was soon to be in for some huge surprises on the opening day.

Nurses and Soldiers:

The first one to persuade their lover to move in was Mustang. He made it over to St. Mary’s Touch Hospital in the morning. Daphine was waiting in boredom when she saw her boyfriend. “Hello there, sexy,” she called full of life. “What are you doing here?” Mustang kept smiling at her. “I have a deal for you that you might be interested in!” he told her. The nurse looked at him with wide eyes. “Oh really?” she challenged him. The major general didn’t answer at first. He just placed down the moving-in form for the new apartment. Daphine read in silence. “So?” she asked. “I want you to live with me, if you don’t mind!” Roy said proudly. Nurse Waters grinned at him wickedly. “No,” she smoothly. Mustang fell into shock. “Why not?!?” he asked stunned. “Because you haven’t asked me properly.” Daphine answered in a false sweetness. The major general instantly caught on. “Oh, I see!” he said proudly again. “In that case, will you move in with me?” Daphine smiled and pretended to ponder that question for a moment. Then she smiled and said, “Yes, I will move it with you!” Roy smiled at her with pride. “Great!” he said. “I’ll take you out to dinner for it! Good day!” Then, he headed out the door. The nurse stood there smiling. She was one step closer to having the life she dreamed of.

Havoc knew that Jacilyn was commit-phobic, but that didn’t stop him from trying to have settle down with him. He had a little list in his head on ways to get her to be his wife soon. First was the moving part. The lt. already had the right plan for that. She and him were out eating lunch together in an outdoor cafe. The setting was perfect. All he needed to do was pull out the right words. “Jaks,” Havoc spoke up. His girlfriend turned to him. “Hm?” she asked in a low voice. Jean turned to her smiling. “What would you say to moving in with me?” he asked boldly. Jaks stared at him with shock. She was about to say no when Havoc cut in again. “Now, I know you aren’t interested in staying committed,” he went on. “But, your friends are moving in as well.” The head nurse looked at him with an eyebrow raised. “Say what?” she asked. “Yeah!” her boyfriend went on. “Daphine’s moving in with Mustang. I think Suri might move with Fuery. And pretty soon, the rest of your friends will be moving in as well. So what do you say?” Jaks thought about that for a moment. Then she said, “Alright. I’ll move in with you.” Havoc smiled at her greatly. “You won’t regret it!” he called. He then lightly kissed her on the tip of his nose. Jaks all of a sudden felt uneasy about the whole thing.

Dark Moon:

“Let’s see,” Tors said aloud. “I’ll miss the lighting, the leaky faucets, the springy mattress,” She was listing everything she would miss because all of the Dark Moons were leaving the Clover Inn for the new apartments. The others were tuning her out. Edward got his message to move out yesterday morning and he happily filled out the right forms. The other Dark Moons tagged along with him. The alchemist didn’t complain because he knew that he could keep a better eye on his house mate if they went with him. Stef was glad because he invited Mikey to live with him. This was the first time he was openly happy. Not even Shannon could bring him down. Matt and Ralph were glad because they could cover more ground with their red light business. Angelica was happy because she could see Hughes again. (And try to seduce him!) Shannon and Melanine were glad because that meant more men to flirt and sleep with. Edward was happy not to be sleeping on a stiff sofa anymore and not to be running up a high bill. “Now all I now to know is if I’ll finally be able to sleep again!” he thought with high hopes. Bev was happy because she would have more of a chance to have Alphonse all to herself. “Eat that Amy!” she thought. Edward rose to his feet and looked at all of his housemates. “Everyone ready to go?” he asked. “Yeah!” the crew all yelled out. “Okay then,” the alchemist said. “Let’s go!” Then, they all headed out of the inn for the last time. The Dark Moons all returned their keys. Edward led the clan to their new temporary homes. For them, the party wasn’t over, it was moving to a better location. With Ed, the dragon and the poison moved on for more food.

WAGs and Soldiers:

The WAGs had mixed feelings about the move. Some were for it and the others were against it. Now that they moved in, they just couldn’t complain so much. Monique still didn’t have it so easy. Judd still didn’t talk to her. Even though he moved her in with her, that still wasn’t enough. “What do I have to do to make it up to him?” she thought. The mild-mannered WAGs didn’t complain at all. Kim wasn’t too happy about the more. She had many questions about the apartment. “Is it near their school?” the woman kept asking. “I don’t want to have to drive for miles just to take them to school!” “Yes, Kimi!” Andrew kept saying it. “It’s near the boys’ school!” Kim didn’t look convinced. “Are you sure?” she asked. “I know you at times. You make up things just to shut me up at times!” Andy rolled his eyes as he sighed to himself. “Please give me the strength to shut her up!” he thought. Then, the man sat down on the ground and had to listen to more of his girlfriends questions.

Steven made it over to Yasmine’s flat. He had one shot at this and he couldn’t mess it up! The lt. col. knocked on the door hard. “Coming!” his girlfriend called from inside. Walker waited bravely. He took in a deep breath. “Remember,” the lt. col. told himself. “This is your one chance, don’t mess it up!” The door finally opened. Steven stood up straight really fast. Yasmine looked at him smiling. Malachi was standing beside of her looking up. “Steven!” she exclaimed. “What a surprise! What brings you over here today?” The man couldn’t wait anymore. He quickly grabbed his girlfriend by the hand and asked a loud, “Yasmine, will you move in with me?” The hunter was surprised at first. She clearly wasn’t expecting this. “Uh… well…” the hunter began. Steven felt himself getting disappointed. “Oh no!” he thought. “She’s going to say no!” But instead, Yasmine was smiling again. “Of course we will!” she said happily. Steven relaxed in happiness again. “Great!” he called. “You’ll pick you tomorrow afternoon!” Then, the lt. col. rushed away happily. Yas waited him leave with a smile on her face. Then, she turned to her little son. “You hear that Malachi?” she asked him. “Mama is moving in with your future step-father!” The boy just stared at her stoically. Yasmine was in deep happiness. This was truly a new beginning for all four of them.

Maywillow and Soldiers:

This is where things become really interesting. Somehow, a few students from Maywillow High got to live with the military as well. It all started with a special interest request. The fuhrer received it on her desk this morning. “Huh?” she thought as she read it. “Stephanie?” she asked her sectary. “Yes ma’am?” the young woman asked. “Where did you get this request?” her boss asked. The sectary walked closer to her. “It didn’t say,” Stephanie answered. “It just asked that we take care of a handful of Maywillow kids.” “I can see that,” the fuhrer said. “But any idea why?” The girl just shrugged at her harmlessly. Silence passed between them. “Well,” the boss said. “We’ll have to take it!” Stephanie looked up at her completely shocked. “But miss…” she began. Her boss held up her hand. “We will take it!” she replied. The sectary nodded in silence. “Alright!” the younger woman replied. Thus, the Maywillow students coming to live in the apartment complex.

That same afternoon, Riza and Jakob were walking together. Summer may have been over, but their love wasn’t. It was stronger than before. Riza was quiet for a little while. She just kept smiling to herself like a little schoolgirl. Jakob couldn’t help but to notice. “Riza-chan,” he spoke up at last. His girlfriend looked up at him slowly. “What is it?” she asked him softly. Jakob paused for a moment. “What’s on your mind?” he asked. Hawkeye just couldn’t keep herself from smiling. “Jakob,” she replied. “We’ve been together for seven months. I have been ordered to move into the new apartment complex. Somehow some of the Maywillow students can move in too.” Her boyfriend kept quiet and waited for her to finish. Riza paused for a moment. “I was wondering,” she went on. “Would you like to come and live with me?” The mouse paused for a moment. Then he smiled and replied in bliss, “Yes!” The boy then hugged her in joy. Riza hugged back softly in warmth. Now, the love was next to picture perfect. The only thing that caught it from being too perfect was still keeping it a secret. Other than that, their love was free to grow on.

The Others:

Syd and Ella were packing to leave. They too were heading out to the new apartment complex. The couple was on business mission however. “All set to go?” Ella asked her bloke. Syd looked at her grinning. “Hell yeah!” he replied. “Everything seems to be playing our favor!” Ella spoke up. “It sure is,” her boyfriend agreed. “Kate moving into the same complex as us and lovely human ladies as well!” Ella glared at him at that last comment. Her bloke looked a little nervous. “Joking! Joking!” he yelled out. His bird strapped her knife at her back. “I’m warning you!” she snapped. “Cheat on me again and I’ll make you into a woman! Got me?” Syd swallowed hard as he nodded. His bird smiled at him devilishly. “Good!” Ella replied. “Now, let’s go!” Then, the couple headed out with their belonging to pick back on their mission.

Yes! Almost everyone is moving into these shiny new apartments. The players in the game were going to be in for a few surprises in the autumn and coming winter. Ai-Oni saw to that perfectly well.