The scenery was filled to the brim with dark blotted shades of blue, gray, and black. The smooth, untouched snow that blanketed the ground completely contrasted the dark night sky, which was infused with an innumerable selection of small, far-off white stars. Tall, dark mountains stretched up and extended their peaks to these beautiful lights, their edges painted with the same perfect snow that lay underfoot. No snow fell, allowing for calm silence to engulf the atmosphere around the impervious Amestrian Wall.

Which was an unusual sight to behold, actually. Any soldier used to the harsh climate of the north would not hesitate to describe their home as cold, ruthless, and fraught with nonstop danger. Nonetheless, there was sometimes the rare, fleeting moment such as this in which all was serene and peaceful. Even the temperatures in the air were comfortable to anyone wearing appropriate gear- unlike normal, when even the most bundled-up soldiers could be caught with their teeth chattering, frostbitten and dazed.

Another unusual occurrence took place at this time- the Major General was up and about. Around this time of night, she was either getting ready for bed or finishing up an abnormally long day of work. Strangely, something had beckoned her out of the fort that evening- perhaps it was just because the weather and view were so nice. It might be a while until this peace could be felt again.

She yawned softly, almost regretting stepping out into the snow and ruining the pristine picture of white. Still, the initial crunch that was heard as her boot met snow was all so satisfying. Olivier started out along the side of the wall, casually strolling and taking in her surroundings. She never took night watch or any sort of security, this walk was made purely to enjoy the peace and wind down from a seemingly unending day. To her left, her metallic fortress towered over her and all else in sight- powerful and impregnable. To her right, a vast ocean of white extended for miles; even passing the hesitant border Amestris shared with Drachma. The general paused, looking out into the distance and tilting her head slightly, eyebrows knit together in reflective thought. It was funny; even though all of the snow she saw ahead of her was the same in its composition and color, some of it wasn't even the property of her country. She knew that where her vision ended, far off into the white, Drachma had laid claim. Two opposing countries with differing ideals and cultures all owned this same thing- an abundance of seemingly worthless snow. Just freeze some water and bam- there you go. And to think, this shit is what could cause two countries to go to war.

"General?" a voice from behind her interrupted Olivier's thoughts. She flinched slightly, immediately ashamed of herself for having let her guard down. Her small, gloved hand instantly met with the hilt of her sword, drawing it in one swift motion and swinging it in the direction of the stranger. Her slice perfectly controlled and her sword obedient to its master, her attack froze before it hit its mark. The blade stilled about a foot away from her adjutant's neck, who was standing behind her with his shoulders tensed.

Her blue eyes widened, quickly withdrawing her weapon. She wished to apologize, but it wasn't like her to say such a thing. "You scared the living hell out of me, Major," she sighed, sheathing the sword. Her voice immediately calmed the Ishvalan, his nervous shoulders sagging as he relaxed.

"Sorry, Sir," he replied shyly. "I didn't mean to startle you, but it's a bit odd to see you out this late. Is everything alright?"

Olivier noticed quite an amount of concern in his question, his eyebrows furrowed as he nervously awaited her answer. It was only a night stroll, what was he so worried about?

"I'm quite alright, Miles," she replied reassuringly, using his actual name in an attempt to calm him down further. It seemed to work, since her soldier heaved a soft sigh of relief at her reply. She continued after seeing him relax, "It was just a nice night for once, and I wanted to take a short walk."

"Mm," Miles murmured. He nervously adjusted his goggles, earning a curious blink from his superior. What was he acting so nervous about? "It, uh… It is a nice night, isn't it?"

The Major General nodded, "It's rare to see the weather like this, so calm and quiet. It's even stopped snowing for once."

Her Major chuckled softly, the soft sound heating up Olivier's cheeks. "Yessir. It's probably even more odd for you, since you're so used to the harsh weather and all. Nights like these always serve to give me a bit of a homey feel, you know? It's almost as if this weather is the closest to home I'll ever be graced with while living up here. Or, as close as Ishval can feel like home. Not that I don't like the ice," he smiled shyly. "I mean… Growing up in Central, it must be kind of nice to feel that climate whenever we visit, right?"

"Not so much," Olivier replied, earning a small questioning hm from Miles. "I like the cold. It always provides a quick and efficient death, always encroaching and unsuspecting… Once you start to fear the worst, it's already too late. That's why it takes guts and will alone to survive out here. Conditions such as these always allow for people's true sides to show, their true strength and willpower able to override any preconceived notions of what survival must truly mean…"

Both turned out to look into the snow before them. "True," Miles began with a small nod of acknowledgement. "But the scenery is also very beautiful, especially during times like this. The gently falling snow, the contrasting blue and white during those blizzard-less days.. Though, it can be quite empty and lonely. I mean, look at all of it!" he said, extending a hand towards the snowy plain.

"You only say that because you're not from here," the queen said, shooting a glance towards her knight. "Where you lived, it's all hot and gritty sand. I'm sure that I could think of just as many nice things to say about the change of scenery if I went down there, similarly as how you've done in your migration up here."

"That's not entirely right. Sure, the deserts of Ishval are hot and brutal during the day, but at night…" the man smiled to himself as if reminiscing on a more simple era in his life (though in reality, it wasn't much simpler or peaceful) , "the temperatures get very similar to how they are here in the daytime, windchill included. I guess in a way, their paths always end up crossing in one aspect or another."

A sigh from the blonde caught his attention, causing him to realize how lost he got in the moment. "Kind of like us, huh?" The General asked, her blue eyes meeting his red ones. "You hated my very guts the first time we met, kind of like someone first adjusting to a new climate I guess. And now.." she trailed off, letting a short laugh escape her lips- a sound completely and utterly foreign to the Major. He blinked, an unnoticeable blush spreading across his dark features.

"Oh, fuck it," she smiled lightheartedly. "You know what I meant, Major. Now wipe that surprised look off your mug and let's get inside. It's late, I should be asleep, and your patrol should be ending by now."

"R-right, yes, General," Miles replied. He adjusted his goggles and fidgeted as the two turned to step back inside. Suddenly, a bright light in the pair's periphery caught their attention. They both spun on their heels, craning in an attempt to fully see what foreign manifestation had interrupted the night's peace. Olivier laid a hand on the hilt of her sword once again, while Miles' found his gun in a similar manner.

A red light rose up from the snow far off into the night- still bright enough for the two to see despite the distance they shared. It rose at a constant quick speed; vertically moving until it slowed to a complete stop. The red of the light broke the pattern of stars in the dark blue sky, the source of the disturbance splitting off into many smaller pieces in every direction. Each portion of light fell slowly off into its own path, slowly fading until the sky was stained with a red dusty smoke.

Miles opened his mouth to speak, though his superior took the words right from him-

"A flare."