Seto'sgal29: Woot, my first FMA multiply chaptered fic! It's Royai (duh.) and explores their relationship during the war in Ishbal. I hope you enjoy!
Once Upon and Eastern Rebellion
By Seto'sgal29
Chapter 1: Patriotism
It was a rare, beautiful April afternoon, and the sun was streaming into the Golden Day's Pub and Inn, bouncing off Major Roy Mustang's third glass of scotch. The raven haired young man inwardly smiled. The weather as of late had been rain, rain and more rain, and as the young Flame Alchemist began to hone his skills, he also began to recognize such weather as his natural enemy. Roy attempted to bury his head in his weary arms as the noise from outside the pub was becoming almost unbearable. A large military parade down the streets of Central had been carrying on for what felt like hours. The marching of boots, the blowing of jubilant horns, the laughing and crying of Central's many adoring residents as their heroes proudly strode down their sacred city founded on sacred principles.
Marching smartly toward their death, toward chaos.
Of course, Roy being a military member, all though some would debate that fact, had to attend at least the beginning of said procession. He had to listen to some washed-up old general tell the gleaming, young faces of Amestris's finest that to die for your country is the greatest of honors. He was old and washed up because all the good ones were at war. The whole country was at war, but no one really seemed to give a damn. Roy scoffed. He guaranteed that not one of those cheering people out there had a clue what Ishbal was a year ago, let alone where it was. But now it was an unwritten law that every man, woman and child needed to everything about it, down to its imports and exports.
And they had better learn fast, because it was about to be wiped off the face of the earth.
Once the speeches were over, Roy blasted out of there as fast as he could.
He was damn thirsty.
Maybe along time ago he would have hung around, after all, there were many pretty, young things who were on the lookout for a handsome man in uniform. All it would take was a simple snap of his fingers, and just like he was in. Roy smiled. So the military wasn't all bad, it had its clear perks.
The door of the pub suddenly swung open revealing a tired looking man who looked as if he got in a fight with a vacuum cleaner and lost (did they have vacuums in 1910? LOL). His clothes were dirty and raged, his face unshaven and he smelled of gin from 5 feet away. The man took a seat at the bar next to Roy, eyeing him carefully.
"Little early ain't it solider?" The man laughed jabbing Roy playfully in the ribs.
Roy smiled. "Never too early."
"Haha, that's the spirit. Hey bartender, whiskey sour!"
The bartender exchanged the man a look that clearly stated his belief that the man did not need anymore, but obliged his request anyway.
"So, you in the parade?" the man inquired.
"I was there, but I didn't march if that's what your wondering."
"What, you ain't going to fight those Ishbalan bastards, the more men we have there the better!" The man suspiciously eyed Roy.
Roy sighed, this guy was already getting old.
"I'm not sure, I haven't received my orders yet."
"Well they had better hurry up." The man laughed. "I bet a strong young pup like you could put a serious boot up their ass!"
Roy smiled as he starred into the man's hard, green eyes. He already knew the answer, but the question begged to be asked. Like vomit when one has the flu, no matter how much Roy tried, it couldn't help but coming up. Hell, he was curious.
"Sir, did you know where Ishbal was, before the war I mean?"
"Fuck no, but did I have to? The only reason I give a damn where it is is because those goddamn pieces of shit are killing our boys, why do you ask?"
"No reason."
"Well, I hope to see ya out there, break a leg."
The man threw down a few dollars and stumped out of his chair.
"Oh yeah, if ya do get sent over there, you should say something like "This is courtesy of Amestris, the best country in the world!" or something dramatic like that before ya kill one of thems bitches, you know like in the war stories. Damn, you be a really hero!"
Roy lowered his head, it was all he could do to keep him from vomiting.
"Will do."
The man stumpled our of the pub in a manner similar to the one in which he came in, nearly missing the door.
The bartender's eyes watched him with scorn.
"Fucking, drunk bastard" the man muttered turning toward Roy.
"So why you really not going to Ishbal?"
Roy held up his watch.
"State Alchemist." Roy handed the man his spare change from his pocket. It was far too much, but he didn't care.
"Keep the change."
Suddenly he wasn't so thirsty anymore.
Seto'sgal29: So what do you think, keep, delete? Please R&R kiddies!