"So, what you're telling us is that we have to pack up everything and go out to England and protect some kid that lost his butler-on the drop of a dime- just because the Fuhrur Bradley wants to kiss up the Queens ass?" Ed barked at the Colonel.
"Brother!" Alphonse scolded him.
"Watch your tongue, Elric." Mustang handed him a small stack of papers. "This 'kid' is only two years your junior. And you made a commitment to serve the military in any way the Fuhrur needs you to- which means, yes, go pack your bags, boys. You're heading out to England."
Outside of Central, Ed and Al got into a military car as Ed began to grumble, "I'm real sick of that Mustang giving me these kind of jobs. It's like he gives me the ones that keep me the farthest away just to get in the way of our research."
"It's not that bad, Brother. We've never been to England before, and who knows? Maybe this 'Ciel' really needs our help." Al responded, "Don't you like to help people, Ed?"
Ed groaned and plastered his head against the window, anticipating the long journey ahead.
By the time the brothers arrived in England, they had spent over a week travelling in cars and on trains. Ed was ready to get their mission over with and get back to Amestris. The air was damp and cold, and rain seemed not to fall periodically, but instead drizzle constantly from the grey sky.
"Wow…" Alphonse murmured as the car pulled up to the large estate.
Edward gaped at the mansion as well. "This place is massive." He added.
The two got out of the car and walked up the front steps, Al's armor clanking loudly against the stone steps. The brothers were greeted at the door by a small girl with short red hair and large glasses. She was dressed in what seemed to be a maid's dress.
"Ello, welcome to the Phantomhive Estate. 'Ow can I help you?"
"Hi, we're the Elric brothers. We're here to help Ciel Phantomhive find his…butler." Edward explained.
"Oh…oh! Yes, of course!" The girl stepped back and motioned them inside the mansion. The grand entrance was just as impressive as the outside of the manor.
"Whoa…" Ed mumbled. Both brothers gaped at the staircase before them.
"Ah, would you like me to take your coat and, er, armor?" She asked sheepishly.
Edward shook his head. "No, thank you. My brother has to keep his armor on as…part of our training. And I get cold."
"Right, then." She gave the brothers a strange look. "Please follow me. I've tea made for you in the library. You can wait there while I fetch the young master."
The brothers followed the girl, whom they assumed to be a servant, up the grand staircase. They were lead down a long hallway, full of many ornate doors. They finally reach a set of double doors, which the girl opened for the brothers.
Inside the room were walls lined to the ceiling with books. In the center of the room, there was a table with four velvet chairs. A large fireplace was lit on the far wall, and a tray of tea sat near the table.
The maid pulled out a chair for each of the brothers and clumsily placed a cup of tea in front of them each, along with a small pitcher or cream and a bowl of sugar cubes. "Can I get you anything else, Master Elrics?"
Edward shook his head. "No, thank you."
The maid bowed at the brothers and quickly left the room.
"She seemed…off." Edward commented.
"Brother, she was probably thinking the same about us." Alphonse said. "You saw how she looked at my armor." He added, laughing.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Edward leaned back in his seat a bit. "Now, to wait for the 'young master' Ciel." He chuckled, rolling his eyes.