It was quite an unexpected visit when the Central military suddenly arrived in East City. The reason was unknown, kept a secret, although clearly something had gone wrong in Central City. Basque Grand, along with the other higher-ups, deliberately kept the reason from Colonel Mustang as well. And despite of all the commotion, the East City soldiers had to somehow cope with it. Most of them spent their time in the mess hall, chatting with their Central comrades.

An unpleased girl swung open the mess hall doors. As the closed behind her, she hung her head low in disgust and sighed. She knew right there that the rumors were true. She and her uncle weren't the only soldiers arriving from Central. The entire mess hall was crowded with the Central newcomers. "And I thought they were joking," sarcastically she grunted, stuffing her right hand into a pocket of her jean shorts. This conclusion caused her lips to curve into a frown, and she heavily moved down an isle of tables. Closing her eyes, she tried to ignore the constant chatter that arose from the soldiers. However, one voice sliced through the barrier that she built.

"Look! Can you believe how big Elicia's gotten?" called out the familiar voice, too familiar that it was impossible for her to ignore. The girl turned in its direction and stormed over to a table, all the while locking her eyes on a black-haired man in uniform. He was completely oblivious to the irritated teen behind him and continued to ramble on to the person across from him. "She can even ride a tricycle now! She follows me everywhere on that thing like my own escort of cuteness!" In addition, the man held a photo in his hand.

Without a second thought, the girl forcefully snatched the photograph from his hand, cursing "Damn it, Maes! Why must you always carry these around?!"

The man's eyes widened with confusion. He blinked them twice, staring aimlessly at his now empty fingers. Recognizing the voice, his lips curved into a warm, welcoming smile and he glanced over his left shoulder. "Well that's an obvious question, Rae—to show everyone my beautiful daughter Elicia!" he exclaimed, squirming on his stool so much that the intensity of his love could be seen in the form of floating hearts.

Rae's face went blank. She dropped her shoulders and sighed, "I'm sure by now everyone in this building knows just how beautiful she is, Uncle."

Maes chuckled lightly. "So how'd that meeting with Roy go?"

"Don't remind me," the brunette answered, taking a seat on the stool beside him. She breathed out sigh and placed her arms on the surface of the table. Just then, from across the table came another voice.

"So, the Colonel's got you on a leash too?"

Rae closed her eyes for a moment and smirked. "Not entirely," she replied. When she finally looked across the table, she was utterly surprised to see the face of an old friend. Perhaps it was the idea that she, until now, had not noticed his presence that caught her off guard. After all, the boy appeared to be the same as he did three years ago, except for the minor change in his black undercoat. How was it possible to not see him?

To hide her embarrassment, Rae closed her eyes once more and smirked. "Well, if it isn't the Fullmetal Alchemist."

"Judging by your reaction, I'd say you're happy to see me," grinned the boy.

Rae's eyes shot open. "I am not! You just surprised me!" She glanced to the side, not wanting to see the intimidating look she was sure he had on his face.

The boy laughed. "You haven't changed a bit."

"-And you haven't grown any taller," spat Rae.

The boy stood up in an instant. "What did you say?!"

"You heard me."

Edward grit his teeth. "Why you little-"

It was quite evident that Ed and Rae's relationship hadn't changed over the years. They were still at each other's throats the minute something set them off. However, this wasn't in the least bit surprising to Maes. The memory of when the two alchemists met was still very fresh in his mind. After all, that was the day his daughter Elicia was born. It was shortly after he invited the Elric Brother's over when he found himself racing up the stairs, swinging open a bedroom door, and seeing his beloved niece standing over a beaten Edward with a broom in her hands. Apparently, Rae was convinced the boy had been spying on her and decided to take action. Needless to say, the two have not gotten along since, and Maes was usually stuck in the middle of their quarrels. When he finally came back to reality, the first thing Maes heard was Rae's rather unpleasant remark.

"I don't need a broom to kick your ass!"

At this point, Maes had enough. He closed his eyes and sighed heavily. "Knock it off you two," he said, and both Ed and Rae dropped to their stools. Although they were now silent, the two alchemists continued to stare each other down. Meanwhile, Maes tried to change the subject. "Oh, By the way Ed. I'm a lieutenant colonel now," he stated, holding up a finger, "Got me in charge of Court Marshal Investigations."

"Sounds fun-filled-beyond belief," Edward muttered, now taking his eyes off of Rae, "Shouldn't you be in Central then?"

"Why? So I can work in a bunch of empty offices?" Maes asked, bluntly, "All the major big-wigs are fleeing Central as fast as they-" As the Fullmetal Alchemist's face lit up in surprise, Rae elbowed her uncle, ending his sentence and causing him to change the subject once more. "Nevermind! So Ed! Uh, how's that search going for the, uh, you-know-what stone?" He leaned toward the boy, unsure if he wanted Rae out of the conversation.

Edward's gaze switched to the surface of the table. "Well," he began, "we're closer, or I'd like to think we are. Right now, I'm looking for a man named Marcoh who might have an answer for me. But I can't get Mustang to tell me what he's got on him."

Rae's eyes widened when she overheard the name 'Marcoh'. At the same time, Maes added a remark, playing along as if she had not heard. "Well, have you considered he might not have anything?"

"No," Ed answered, "Roy Mustang's hiding stuff from me. I can definitely tell-" his sentence was cut short, for the lighting above them dimmed.

"Did I hear you say the name Marcoh, Fullmetal?" a figure then asked, and the three glanced up to see it was the Brigadier General towering above them.

"Brigadier General Grand," Maes said sternly.

"The Iron Blood Alchemist," Ed added, "What do you want?"

"What do you want with Marcoh? He's a filthy deserter," Grand retorted, folding his arms. "Six years ago, a brigade of state alchemists was called on to neutralize the Eastern Rebellion. Marcoh was in their ranks, but he went awol before the battle was done. The coward's been missing ever since." As Iron Blood finished his lecture, his eyes focused on Rae. "And why are you here? A worthless alchemist like you should have stayed in Central."

A smile crept across Rae's face. As she closed her eyes and stood up to leave, Edward watched her. He watched as she said goodbye to her uncle, as she glanced at Grand, turned away and said nothing. He couldn't believe it. Rae, of all people, had nothing to say? This wasn't like her at all.

Grand's eyes followed the brunette as she walked away. He was unhappy with her response and wasn't going to allow her to leave without one last comment. "You're a coward just like your father," he said with a twisted smirk.

The Wind Alchemist came to a stop. She hung her head and clenched her fists. It appeared as though she was holding herself back, as if she wanted to say something but knew she shouldn't. Her fists began to shake, and she bared her teeth in frustration. She then stepped forward and went for the doors, all the while ignoring her uncle's calls and the many staring alchemists around her.