Hi! I've been thinking, and we really don't know much about Riza's background. So I thought I'd write my idea of her family history. I haven't seen Grumman's name revealed anywhere, but if it was and I missed it, feel free to correct me.

As always, I own nothing.

Andrew Grumman eyed the young man in front of him with interest. The tall, skinny boy looked back apprehensively.

"You seem nervous, Berthold," he said at last.

The man in front of him gave a shrill laugh. "Well, you are an intimidating man, sir."

Grumman waved his hand. "Relax, I don't bite." He adjusted his glasses and asked, "Would you like to continue this discussion over a game of chess? I find it's very good for the nerves."

Berthold Hawkeye offered a small smile. "I'd like that, yes."

---

Ten minutes later, the men were engaged in their battle.

"I'm in love with her," Hawkeye said quietly, moving a rook forward.

Grumman's hand paused over his pieces, considering his next move. "Is that so?" he replied simply.

Berthold was sweating bullets. "Yes, of course! She's more important than my own life! She's better than the air I breathe! She-"

The general laughed. "Calm down, I believe you." He moved his queen to take a pawn before going on. "Lizzie does seem particularly fond of you as well," he said coyly. "In fact, I can't remember her showing this much interest in another man," he conceded.

Hawkeye was positively beaming. "Really? That's fantastic! I know I could make her happy."

"Happiness is one thing, but how will you support her?" The older man asked, not taking his eyes off of his opponent.

He awkwardly fiddled with his knight piece. "My parents left me a fair amount after they passed," he explained. "It's nothing extravagant, but it's allowed me to research my alchemy without having to find work in a household. I'm more than willing to find employment to keep her comfortable."

"Ah yes, I've heard you were an alchemist. What is it that you're working on, if I may ask?" Grumman watched as his bishop was captured.

"Fire," Berthold answered after a moment of silence. "I'm want to manipulate fire."

The old man looked at him with surprise. "That's quite a skill there. With something like that under your belt, you could easily become a state alchemist."

Hawkeye shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Yes, I suppose I could." He swallowed hard. "So, have you made a decision?"

General Grumman moved his queen. "Check," he shifted his gaze to his companion's face. "Actually, I believe I have. You have my permission."

Berthold's entire face lit up as he moved to make another move. Their game was then interrupted by the sound of the front door opening and closing. A very pretty young woman with long blond hair entered the room, closely followed by an older lady who was clearly her mother.

"Father, we're back from the market," she said, stopping when she saw the visitor. "Oh, hello Berthold!" she chirped, her face breaking into a wide smile.

Upon hearing his name, he took a deep breath and walked forward to take her hand. "Elizabeth, your father and I have been talking," he began, reaching into his pocket for a small box. "He's given us his blessing," he went on, dropping to one knee. "Lizzie, I love you, more than anything else in this world. I will you marry me?"

The woman smiled through her obvious shock, tears of happiness already forming in her eyes. "Yes! Of course I will."

Mrs. Grumman practically screamed in excitement, immediately leading the couple into the kitchen to discuss wedding plans. "I was beginning to think she'd never find a husband," the woman confided in her soon-to-be son-in-law. "She's almost five years older than I was when we were married, you know." She turned back to her husband, "Are you coming?"

He motioned for them to go ahead. "In a minute, Hannah," he told her as he started to round up the discarded game pieces. He took a quick look at the board before he swept the figures into the box and grinned. Berthold's queen had moved into the perfect position to take his king on the next move.

Chess had always been a good way for Grumman to judge a man's character. Any man who could defeat the great Chessmaster Grumman without him even realizing it was definitely sharp enough for his daughter. Little did he know that over twenty years later, there would be another alchemist with whom he would discuss the future of a different young lady with golden blond hair and deep brown eyes.

I hope the characters were alright, that's my biggest worry with stuff I write.

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