Edward Elric, a short sixteen-year-old boy was strolling towards the Central Military Base, golden-yellow eyes absorbing the now familiar sights. He glanced back at his younger brother, Alphonse, who was a strange sight to passersby. "Hurry up, Al," he called to him, seeing that his brother was kneeling down by a fence. Ed frowned, getting the distinct impression that his brother had picked up another of his favorite pets…a kitten. "Sorry, brother!" Al replied, hurriedly standing and giving a small, fluffy white kitten a last pat on the head.
As Al hurried after him, Ed smiled to himself; glad his brother had managed to let this one go. He'd wanted a cat ever since they were younger, but they really couldn't have one. Two wandering young alchemists such as themselves really had no place for a cat.
As Alphonse fell in to step next to him, Ed tugged on the chain of his State Alchemist watch, pulling it out of his pocket and eyeing it for a moment, before replacing it. It was late afternoon, and the sun was setting slowly in brilliant shades of red and orange as they wended their way to the Base.
Ed walked straight into the building, knowing where he was headed, Al trailing after him. They had just passed by an office with the door standing open when someone called out to them.
"Hey, Ed!" Called out Second Lieutenant Jean Havoc.
Ed whipped his head around, his gold-blonde pleat trailing after. He turned and walked in to the office to find most of Roy Mustang's lower officers sitting in various chairs and desks. Riza Hawkeye glanced up from the book she had on her Desk.
"Hello, Edward. If you're here to see the Colonel, he's in a meeting with Hughes. You may have to wait."
Ed frowned and glanced around. "Just like him to call me all the way out here then make me wait… What's this important meeting with Hughes all about?" he asked, kicking back at one of the empty desks while Al stood behind him.
"Who knows? Those two always have somethin' to talk about," Havoc replied, lighting up a cigarette.
Ed frowned deeper now, stood and began to pace.
"I'm sure if you wait patiently he can be with you soon, Edward," Hawkeye said, breaking into Ed's thoughts. He looked over and sighed.
"I can't just sit still…" he muttered, more to himself than the others.
"C'mon, Al. I'm gonna get this taken care of now."
"Br- But Brother!" Al interjected, trailing after Ed, who had already begun back down the hall.
Ed was making his way quickly down the hall, ignoring greetings from familiar officers. He stopped in front of Colonel Roy Mustang's office door and rapped on it once, in a sharp way, then opened the door to find Mustang sitting at his desk, Maes Hughes seated in a chair in front of it.
"Hey, boys," Hughes said with a warm smile at the angry Ed and the passive Alphonse.
Ed ignored the greeting and stormed up to Mustangs desk. He probably would've plowed Hughes over if Maes hadn't had the sense to back up his chair about a foot.
"Can't you see I'm in a meeting with Hughes, Ed?" Mustang asked with a smirk, chin resting on his folded hands.
Ed stood his ground, staring down his least favorite person in the room, who was, of course, Colonel Roy Mustang, The Flame Alchemist.