The sweet smell of the air over Central. It's everything Dad's stories could ever promise. Definitely not in Resembool anymore. I was one step closer and I could already taste the chain of that silver pocket watch. With the old man's smirk on my face and Mom's perseverance in my heart, I made my way to Central Headquarters. I couldn't have been more ready for this.

As soon as I got there, I saw some guy draped over the steps, hyperventilating. He didn't look much older than me. Maybe a year or two? I sat next to him, "Hey. Are you alright?"

"Just really nervous," he quivered, "I'm about to take the State Alchemist Exam. I've been studying for months. I don't think my brain could take anymore."

Competition…? Interesting, "I know how you feel. I'm taking it, too."

"So, you understand?" he started to calm down.

"Oh, yeah," I nodded, "My dad's been drilling me for almost a year. Not to mention, I took a few months in Dublith. He thought that learning from his old alchemy teacher would scare me out of wanting to do this in the first place. Little did he know, his experience with Izumi and mine were vastly different."

"What's your name?" he asked, looking up at me with dark, piercing eyes.

"Tricia…"

"I'm Maes," he introduced himself. He picked a handful of grass and a familiar white light flashed. Maes pulled a long stemmed, red rose from behind him, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Tricia. Good luck with the exam."

"Thank you, Maes," I blushed, then came back to my senses, "Don't think this is going to throw me off my game!"

"Hoping it wasn't," Maes smirked, "Thanks for stopping. I really could've used a friend."

"No problem," I brushed him off, "See you on the other side."

Maes bowed out and got the door for me. Oh, now, he's trying to impress me? I don't think so. I gave him a skeptical look and walked into Headquarters. I couldn't have been more prepared for this.

That exam was pure child's play. It worried me that I was the first one done, but for being the written State Alchemist exam, it was oddly simple. After the written exam was the interview. And here's where I could get myself in trouble. According to Mom, I get my mouth from my father. And I knew for a fact that the old man had some problems keeping his shut sometimes. One by one, alchemists from all over the country were called in for their interview.

"Tricia Elric," a lieutenant called. My heart stopped and I started shaking. This was it. My state certification was riding on this. No turning back.

"Hey," Maes took my hand, easing my anxiety, "You got it. You'll have them eating out of the palm of your hand. You can do this."

I gave him an assuring nod and pushed through the doors. Six men sat above me in this dimly lit room. Would it have killed them to turn the lights on? I mean, I know they were going for ambience, but this is ridiculous. Although I could barely make out his face, the guy in the middle looked familiar. Like I knew him, but I couldn't place him.

"State your name," he barked out.

"Tricia Elric, sir," I introduced myself.

"Wait a minute," he stopped, "Did you say Elric?"

"Yes, sir."

"I thought so," a smirk crept across his face, "You look just like him. Have a seat."

I gave the chair a once over, "It has three legs."

"Alchemy is all about finding a balance," the man said, "It's a test. Sit without falling and we'll talk."

"Hold on," I picked up the chair and smashed it to pieces.

"What are you doing?" he asked, not sounding very upset that I just destroyed his chair.

I clapped my hands together, inducing a transmutation. The chair emerged with four legs, completely repaired. With a smug look on my face, I sat down, "I fixed it. Now, where were we?"

"Why do you want to be a state alchemist?" his voice boomed as others spoke in hushed whispers of how I could've possibly fixed the chair without a transmutation circle.

"I have a strong, insatiable lust for knowledge," I explained, "What better place than the Central library?"

"It's not the family legacy?"

"No, sir," I grinned, realizing who was conducting my interview, noticing the faint outline of a woman standing next to him, "It's purely for myself. My father didn't want me to do this at first."

"Not surprised," he let out a warm chuckle, "Get some rest, Tricia. Practical exams are tomorrow. We'll let you know by the end of the week."

"Thank you," I bowed, "And by the way, Uncle Roy, Dad says to say hi."

"Get out here, kid," he shooed me, "And it's Fuhrer around here."

"Forgive me, sir," I sassed with bitter sarcasm, "Hi, Aunt Riza!"

"Tricia," Aunt Riza's voice chimed.

"See you tomorrow!" With a turn on my heel, I made my exit. I couldn't even remember why I was nervous. That was cake. Maes stood outside the door with great anticipation waiting for me.

"So?" he asked, "How'd you do?"

"Out of the palm of my hand," I strutted out, "All I have to do is dazzle them at the practical exams and I'm as good as certified."

"That's great, Tricia!" Maes threw his arms around me, spinning me in midair, "Hey, let's celebrate later. Sound good?"

"Sure! Why not?" I was in high spirits, "Where should we meet?"

"There's a bar," Maes directed, "It's not too far from here. It's the only one. You can't miss it. We'll meet there."

"Ok," I nodded, "See you tonight?"

"You can count on it," he winked at me. What the hell…? What was that all about? I was starting to think one of two things could've been possible. One: Maes had some sort of huge, hopeless crush on me. Two: He'd flirt with anything that had legs. And thanks to my mother's genetics, I had nice legs.

I wasn't in Central to find love. I was in Central to become a State Alchemist. My love life could take a back seat to that. I left Central HQ and found the nearest payphone.

"Hello? Rockbell Automail," Mom answered.

"Hi, Mom."

"Hi, Tricia!" she screeched, "Edward! It's Tricia!"

"Hey!" Dad ran for the phone, "How'd the exam go?"

"Killed it!" I boasted, "I finished it and probably got a perfect score!"

"That's my girl," he oozed with pride, "What about the interview? Do they still do the three-legged chair bit?"

"Yeah," I said, "I transmuted it and made it stable."

"With or without a circle?"

"Without."

"What'd they say?" he wondered.

"Uncle Roy brushed it off like it was nothing," I reported, "Everyone else freaked."

"Not every day you see that," Dad chuckled a bit, "Imagine what the others will say at practicals."

"Perk of the bloodline."

"Practicals are brutal, Tricia," he warned, "You'll be under a microscope."

"I got it, Daddy," I assured, "No worries."

"That's my girl," I just made his day, "Now, go rest up. Big day tomorrow."

"I will."

"Good luck, Tricia!" Mom chimed in, "We love you."

"Love you, too!" I hung up the phone and started looking for Maes. Figured it'd be best not to let Mom and Dad in on him yet. I didn't even know what him was. With a turn on my heel, I headed for the bar.

A/N: Hey, guys! I completely spaced what I was about to say…But! Anyway! If I don't see you tomorrow, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, what have you. Hug your families, your roommates, your significant others, your anime body pillow (I don't judge), your dog, your cat, your…goldfish? Don't ask. I'm very wired right now on Christmas spirit and energy drinks. See you crazy kids next chapter. xx