Trip to Central

I stare down at the ground and then look to see Al is the one who picked us up. His eyes glow and he says, "I said stop." His voice is scary like and I see Ed visibly shiver and I say, sweetly, "Al it's not nice to be rough with girls." Al sit s me down and says, "Sorry Rika. I didn't mean to." I smile at him and say, "It's okay Al." Ed starts squirming and yelling, "HEY NOT FAIR! SHE ATTACKED ME!DAMN IT AL PUT ME DOWN!" Well Al drops his big brother into the pond. I start to laugh as Edward get out and does the same thing I did to dry him off. Well I sigh and say, "I suppose thank you Edward I kind of needed that detour." I pause and see Ed beam then I grow overly happy and say, "But never do it again or you will be lost for the rest of your short miserable life." Ed stares at me, and mumbles, "I should have known you called me Edward instead of just Ed." Al changes the subject and asks, "So Rika what's this new assignment of yours?" Oh dear little Al It's too bad that he is stuck like that for now. Ed chimes, "OH yeah you said something about being assigned to baby sit another alchemist." I shrug and say, "Eh I will tell you later like on the way to the train station. I am pretty sure that you two guys are heading for Central. Then I don't have to repeat myself later to Armstrong." They shrug and we walk up to the house. Winery says, "There you three are. Ed your arm and leg is ready." Ed nods and goes inside. Armstrong asks, "Aren't you coming inside?" I shake my head and say, "I'll pass Armstrong. I will stay out here. I will be able to hear just fine from outside." He stares at me confused. Al stays with me remembering what happens when the nerves are connected to the auto mail. I hear the machines whirring and then Edward's scream pierces my ears. Armstrong is at the door and asks, "This is what you meant." I nod knowing that Ed will be out to test the reflexes with Al. Just like I knew he would here comes out here. He is rolling his shoulders readying himself for a practice spar. Al stands and him and Ed start their sparring match. I watch and just remember when we were kids training with Master. She constantly had us spar when she wasn't drilling us in alchemy. They wrap it up and Armstrong calls, "We need to go or we'll miss the train to central." I look up and say, "Ed! Al! Lets go!" We say bye to Winery and Granny Pinako. We walk to the train station and get on the train. Al still curious asks, "So your mission?" I look at him and scowl, "OH yea I almost forgot thanks for reminding me of the evil thing." Armstrong asks, "Well who were you assigned to help guide. "Eh someone called Full Metal or something. I have heard good rumors about him but I don't like baby sitting." Ed and Al shout, "THAT'S GREAT!" I scoff, "Great? How?" Ed then says, "Cause I am Full Metal." I smirk and say, "Mustang didn't do his homework. Now I suppose we will have to fix that huh Ed?" Ed mocks my evil tone and answers; "Yes we will have to show Mustang just how important it is to do his homework." Armstrong breaks in and asks, "Um...Rika...Edward...what are you two talking about?" I can hear the curiosity in his voice. Ed and I break our whispering and ask totally innocently, "Us?" Armstrong just stops while he's ahead and Ed and I continue to whisper our plans of dysfunction. I tire and fall asleep on Ed's shoulder. I can hear just fine in my sleep so I will respond quickly to any situation. Ed says, "She looks like such an angel sleeping." Armstrong says, "Many underestimate her abilities because she looks so innocent. I couldn't believe it when Mustang brought her to get certified as a state alchemist." Al says, "Wait a second Brother you and I both know that Rika is no angel nor has she ever been one." I feel Ed's chest rises as he chuckles softly at Al's comment. Silence falls in the room and I hear Armstrong, "So Elrics' how long have you known Rika?" I can feel Ed's breathing in and out. I can feel my two friends debating if they were going to tell Armstrong how long they have known me exactly. Armstrong adds, "I was just curious. You seem to know her well is all." Ed sighs and says, "For almost our whole lives. Is there something wrong?" I can hear the worry behind his question. Armstrong says, "It's just she acts so grown and innocent and hasn't ever opened up to anyone in the military. Then she openly shows how upset she is and such strange emotions for me to see in Risembol." Al's confused voice rings, "Brother what does he mean?" Ed says, "I don't know." Armstrong just says, "You'll see. The pipsqueak is an odd ball." In a flash I have a mini dagger at Armstrong's throat its metal with a black rose around the handle and I growl, "Don't call me a pipsqueak ever again got it?" He nods breaking into a cold sweat as we arrive in central. I shape the rose back to the way it was originally and say, cheery, "Hey guys we're here!"