Edward looked up at Colonel Mustang, changing from an emotionless expression to one of anger.

"Why have you been looking for me? I don't have business with any of you military dogs."

The uniformed man flinched slightly at the remark. Yes, Edward knew of the stories that were told about the military. They fought against the people of Ishval and had almost managed to obliterate the entire race. Edward inwardly smirked.

All they ever did was watch children before igniting their parade of pain. The enemy waves a flag of hatred but who were the ones who made it? They marched at the rhythm of drums to the pit of dogs. They watched their victims burn under the sun.

Just like Edward, the dead had knelt at the altar until it teared them apart.

The military was known to be a strong force but was not beyond the bitterness of some. Edward himself had his own reasons. It were the very low of the filthiest military dogs that had come to his house, barely capable of paying the price for a night with the boy. The basement that had been scrubbed clean by the boy had been made vile by those dogs that came. He always knew when they were coming. Hohenheim would come before the arrival of the next "client" to put his own son into shackles.

Edward clenched his teeth at the memories, mentally cursing the man beside him. There was nothing that he could do to make this man go away, to make the entire world vanish.

Anything exceptional is ruined by common people with jealousy, ignorance, and all their common evils.

Regaining his composure, the Colonel laid down his deal.

"I was given the task to find you and offer the opportunity to join the military. I know of your alchemic skills that would even put some of our current state alchemist to shame. I admit this isn't how I imagined myself first speaking with you..."

Silence settled in. Edward's mental gears were shifting rapidly. An offer from the military? He didn't imagine himself ever becoming one of them. How could he? Sure he had the potential but what life could the military offer. One of orders and push arounds that's for sure.

Edward allowed for the silence to become unnerving. He set on a softer face, losing contact with the present. The Colonel must've mistaken it for a face of defeat.

"You can sit here all you want and wallow in your self pity. With the military you would be given a significant amount of funding for any trips or research. You would also have unlimited access to our libraries. You're obviously educated in alchemy. A state alchemist title is sufficient enough to steer you to greater heights. You could find a way to regain your body or you can live your life as a crippled."

Edward gaped at onyx eyes that showed nothing but pure honesty. This... couldn't be happening. Ironically he thought, the heavens themselves must be falling apart.

Colonel Mustang headed towards the door, swinging it wide open only to pause for a moment.

"Your father's dead and your mother has been put in the military's custody. We both know that they had the desire to rip you limb by limb that day. I've given you an offer."

Just like that, he was gone.