The journey from Aerugo back to Central wasn't necessarily difficult but it was plenty tedious to make up for that. She briefly wondered if the youngest of the Elric brothers would call off his journey along the Aerugian vessel to be present, or if just knowing about it was enough.
She needn't have wondered long. While her cabin on the train was private, she had neglected to close the curtain on the small window to the room, and found a polite knock disturbing her from the reading of the Central Times. "You may enter," she snapped, though Armstrong warily found her hand trailing for the sword she still kept perpetually at her hip despite the lack of uniform.
"General Armstrong! I didn't know you were in Aerugo."
Spending years at the Gate evidently keeps you young. Alphonse Elric didn't look a day over twenty, despite having shot up like a weed and standing a head taller than his older brother now. He was poking his head into the cabin, holding a large suitcase with a coat folded over his arm, and smiled widely. "I don't think I've seen you since that surprise party the Major threw for your retirement." His smile faltered, and he laughed nervously. "Not...that you were very excited about it, of course."
She shook her head. "I grew up sparring with my brother. He should know better than to try and pull one over on me. I could have killed someone."
"No killing allowed!" A female voice piped from behind the taller Elric, high pitched, "he really meant well you know. And he was so excited!" Mei Chang—or rather, Mei Elric, as she now introduced herself, appeared behind Alphonse, dark eyes narrowed in defense.
"My brother has never been able to get one over on me, this time he must have paid my informants off. Surprising people with military training is a bad idea, that was all I meant. I take it you two also received invitations?"
"Colonel Hawkeye wrote us, yes. I'm glad it got to Aeurgo when it did," Al replied quickly, sensing the mounting tension, his free hand carefully resting on Mei's wrist. Her tendency to take things literally frequently got her into trouble. "We were set to leave yesterday."
"It's funny. General Mustang wrote a letter to me, but I've only spoken to him once or twice," Mei mumbled.
Olivier nodded. It made sense after what had happened that day. She hadn't been present for it, but apparently the young woman was the reason why Mustang still had his shadow. Hawkeye's continuing silence regarding Mei's involvement spoke to the fact that the sniper had no idea that the Xingese girl had saved her life beneath Central on the Promised Day. The fact that Mustang chose not to fill his closest confidante in only spoke to how in debt and how thankful he felt to Mei-so much so that it was a burden he could not share.
"He hates paperwork, so there must be a reason why he would specifically write to you. Maybe he wants to make sure his friends from other countries are aware of how helpful they have been to make Amestris into a better country over these past few years," Olivier paused, shrugging when Mei didn't seem to pick up on the hint, "after all, he'd have been stuck after the Promised Day without your help."
"Or, perhaps he was leading up to asking for a special Xingese jewel to put into a special ring," Shirley chimed in, as the smallest train in the world seemed to get a bit smaller. How had everyone shown up in her cabin, again?
Was this going to be her new role in retired life? General Olivier Armstrong, designated finder of coincidental meeting places and starter of potentially inappropriate wagers? None of this was Armstrong tradition, but speaking of those wagers…
"Since you've gone up and brought up that special ring, Shirley, it's only fair we share our little wager. It'll make it more fun," Armstrong smirked mischievously. "You were betting on a proposal right after the ceremony, correct?"
"You are not betting on whether or not the Führer elect is going to propose to—" Mei started.
"You're damn right we are," Shirley quipped. "Ask your hubby there to tell you all about it. Look at how red he is. He knows how it's been, he's known those two long enough."
Al ran his fingers through his hair, feeling heat spreading to his ears. "Ah—well, they've just known each other a very long time. I don't really think this is appropriate conversation. Besides, I ought to see if our cabin is ready. I'll go see to that. We'll catch up more in Central, Major General. Take care!" In a flash, the younger Elric was gone from the room, so quickly he left his wife behind, before Olivier could even correct the title he called her by.
"Well, there's at least two people we can count out of the fun," Shirley pouted.
Mei was still standing hesitantly in the cabin, looking between Olivier and Shirley, before the smallest hint of a wry smile crossed her features. "I never said I wouldn't, you know."