The man stared blankly. "Oh my g-"
"This is a surprise. I had heard that there was a brilliant alchemist here, so I came to see him, but I never imagined that a child like this could ever perform human transmutation, succeed, and even bond a soul. He is more than qualified to become a State Alchemist. "Should he choose to accept the position, " Trisha looked at him angrily, making him shut up.
"Are you saying that you want my children to join your stupid military?! To become a dog of the military?! They brought me back to life, sacrificed almost everything to do it, AND YOU WANT THEM TO MURDER?! ALCHEMY TOOK THIS FROM THEM AND YOU WANT TO THROW THEM HEADLONG INTO IT?!"
"Some tea?" Winry said to Riza as she handed her a tray of tea.
"Yes, thanks. Hawkeye took the mug from her, and Winry sat down next to her.
"Say, uh, Lieutenant?"
"Just Riza, please. It's Riza Hawkeye. Nice to meet you," Hawkeye said as she put her hand forward. Instead of shaking it, Winry looked away.
"Lieutenant Riza, have you ever had to shoot anyone?"
"Yes, I have."
"I hate what you soldiers do. Soldiers like you are the reason my parents left during the war and soldiers are the reason they're dead. And now, you… Now you're here to take Ed and Al away, too…"
"If they go, that decision will be theirs, and theirs alone." Winry looked up at her in surprise. That had not been the case for her parents. She had just assumed all soldiers were drafted and forced into the military.
"Yes… It's entirely up to them, now…"
"I'm not forcing you. I'm merely offering you the possibility."
"Whether to move forward or to stay still."
"Will you sit in that chair wallowing in self-pity, relying on your artificially created mother, or will you stand up and seize the chance the military can offer you?"
"It's THEIR choice, they choose their own path."
"If you think the possibility still exists to get your bodies back, you should seek it out, keep moving, whatever it takes. Even if the way ahead lies through a river of mud."
"Miss Riza, why did you become a soldier?" Winry finally asked.
"Because there's someone I have to protect." Then, the door opened and Mustang walked in.
"We're leaving."
"Yes, sir." Winry watched her walk out with admiration shining in her eyes.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye, young lady," said Riza once they were outside. Winry held out her hand to Riza.
"It's Winry." Riza smiled.
"Right. Bye, Winry," Riza said as she took her hand, "I hope we meet again someday. Then, they left, and Trisha glared after the wagon with hate.
"Will they be coming?" Riza asked her superior officer.
"They'll come," Mustang replied simply.
"That boy… I've never seen anyone look so defeated," Riza sighed. Mustang smirked.
"That's what you saw? No… There was fire in those eyes."
Trisha, Al, Pinako, and Winry walked in the door.
"What kind of idiot would want to join the military?!" Pinako exclaimed.
"This idiot." All eyes turned to Ed in surprise.
"Edward… You can't join the military. It is a ridiculous idea and I forbid it," Trisha said sweetly.
"What other choice do I have, Mom?!" Ed snapped, "Look at what I've done to Alphonse! I've failed him as a brother. And will I just live the rest of my life in a wheelchair, being babied by my mother, grandmother, and friend?!" Trisha stared at him in surprise. He was right, if he didn't do this, he'd just live put his life as a cripple, but still… Anything had to be better than her baby boy being forced to kill, right?!
"Granny, Winry, I need your help. The military isn't a very wheelchair assessable place."
"You're sure you want to do this?" Pinako asked Ed. They were all in the automail surgery room.
"My mind's made up. How long will the surgery and rehabilitation take?" Ed said with his eyes closed.
"I'd say about three years, more or less," Pinako replied. Ed opened his eyes.
"I'll do it in one."
"What?!" Trisha screeched, "Do you know how painful that is?! Is he even- is that even-"
Pinako smirked. "You'll have yourself spitting blood, you know that?" Ed nodded.
"Al, just hang in there a little longer, and we're going to get your body back, I promise."
"Right. And while we're at it, we'll get yours back, too." Ed nodded. Trisha smiled sadly. Even before she had died, those boys were so close. She had never met two brothers closer. And right now, she was standing here as if they didn't need her. Right now, she never wished Van were here more.