Mustang knocked on the door. He was tired of visiting this house. The door opened slightly, but instead of the usual tall man, it was a little girl.
"Can I help you?" She asked timidly. Mustang glanced at his subordinates. There was no record of a child in the household.
"Hello." Mustang started. "We need to speak to Aaron Sage."
She looked up at him and seemed to shrink even smaller. Hawkeye nudged his arm.
"What?" Mustang looked confused, so she knelt down to the girl's level.
"Hi sweetheart. My name is Riza. What's yours?"
"My dad doesn't like visitors."
"It's okay, we won't cause any trouble. I just want to know your name."
"…Reina."
"That's a pretty name. How old are you, Reina?"
"Six."
"Wow. Do you think we can talk to your dad for a few minutes? It's really important."
Reina nodded her head and opened the door for them to come in.
"How'd you do that?" Roy asked.
"She's six. You can't talk to her like an employee." The group of military staff walked into the living room in the small house. Reina led them down the hallway to the study. She lightly knocked on the door before opening it.
"Reina, how many times do I have to tell you-" The man noticed the soldiers. "Oh, hello. Is it time for my check up already?"
"Yes." Mustang stated. "And we really need to talk."
"Alright. Go to your room, Reina."
"Okay." The girl seemed used to being sent away and disappeared.
"What is on your mind?" Aaron asked.
"Is that your daughter?" Mustang questioned the man.
"Yes."
"In the several check ups you have had, why didn't you tell anyone you have a child?"
"She lived with her mother for many years, so I didn't think it was important."
"You are supposed to tell us things like that, regardless of who she lives with. Why is she here now?"
"Her mother died of illness last year, just after your last visit."
"I'm sorry to hear that, but what makes you think you're suited to be a parent?"
"Oh, it's not as hard as people make it out to be. All I have to do is feed her, bathe her, keep a roof over her head-"
"Don't talk about that child like she's an animal." Riza interrupted him.
"Isn't she though? Aren't we all? Besides, I'm not breaking any laws, so you can't do anything about it. She's healthy and happy, that's what's important."
"…Fine." Mustang knew he was right. "Have you been using any alchemy the past year?"
"No."
"Committed any crimes?"
"No."
Mustang went through the routine questions. They got the same answers every year. As they were about to leave, Reina came down the stairs. She sat down on the last step and watched them get ready to leave. Something about the look in her eyes made Mustang stop for a minute. She looked… Lonely, lost, almost fearful. He didn't want to leave her here, but had no choice.
"Hey kid," He called to her. She looked up at him. "Come here."
Reina stood up slowly, but did as she was told. Mustang pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and scribbled a number on it.
"Do you know how to use a phone?"
She nodded.
"This is my phone number. If you ever need any help, or you are scared, just call me. Riza and I will get out here as fast as we can to help, okay?"
Reina took the piece of paper and studied it.
"Well isn't that nice?" Aaron looked at the paper, obviously thinking about how to get rid of it. He placed his hand on Reina's shoulder, which she didn't look happy about. "But I think you should get going."
"Of course. Thank you for your time." Mustang waved at Reina. She mouthed the words 'thank you'. As the group was piling into the car, Riza was the first to speak up.
"He's doing something to her, I just don't know what."
"I know." Mustang agreed. "But there's nothing we can do. We'll be back next year, maybe sooner if she calls."
"She won't get the chance." Havoc pointed out. "Aaron is going to take that paper and destroy it the first chance he gets."
"Either way, we know she's there now. If she's gone next year, that guy is living in a jail cell. If she's still there, maybe someone can talk to her."