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The Mustang Chronicles

Prompt: Optimistic

Plans

"Ooooh Yeah! No more basic training!" Maes shouted loudly while holding a bottle of beer in his hand. Roy watched as the taller man took a swig and slammed the bottle down on the table.

Grinning, Roy took a sip from his and nodded his agreement. He could definitely say he was happy to see that part of his life done and over with. He'd felt a lot of pride, marching down the parade field during the ceremony that officially ended their basic training. He'd made it. Despite all the insults and teasing from Roham and the other recruits, despite the drill sergeant's admonitions that he wasn't military material, he'd made it.

"Come on, Roy! Drink up! This is a celebration!" Hughes proclaimed and took another long drink from his bottle.

His grin widened, but he continued to nurse his bottle with care. This was only the second time he'd drunk alcohol. The first time had been right before he'd left home; his friends had a going away party for him which had ended in him passing out and being sick with a terrible hangover the next morning.

His mother had not been pleased.

"Say something, Roy! You're way too quiet for such a joyous occasion!"

Shrugging, Roy said, "Sorry. I guess I was just thinking about how we're on the right track. There are so many things we can do now. We have our whole careers ahead of us, our whole life. I just think that we can do a lot of good in this world…"

His voice trailed off when he saw Maes looking at him with an amused expression on his face. Suddenly the boisterous man jabbed a finger at him and said, "You are way too thoughtful and optimistic today."

Roy grinned, "And you're not?"

At this, Maes laughed and said, "Well, yeah I suppose, but I'm just glad to be out of that shit-hole, and to have an honest job that pays well. Plus, I can wear my knife again." This was said with a flourish of his hand that produced a small, but wicked looking knife.

"I see how being in the military will help me," Maes continued. "But, I don't see how it is going to help the world."

Roy nodded, and quoted, "Be thou for the people…"

Instantly, Hughes frowned and said, "That's the State Alchemist's creed."

"That's right."

Maes' eyes narrowed. "You going to try to become a State Alchemist?"

"That's right," Roy repeated. "Just being a soldier isn't going to give me the opportunities I want to help people, but I think that being a State Alchemist could."

"Well, yeah but…" The other man took a sip from his bottle and continued in a serious tone. "You know, State Alchemists are also called living weapons…"

Roy nodded and said, "But it can't be much different than being a soldier. I mean, if a war really does break out then as soldiers we'll have to fight anyway. I'll have more authority if I'm a State Alchemist, so I don't see any reason to go through with it."

With a grim look on his face, Maes said, "I heard it's pretty tough to become a State Alchemist..." He paused for a moment, then said, "But I guess if anyone can do it, you can."

"Thanks," Roy said and took a drink from his bottle. Yes, he'd heard that it was difficult, but he was up for the challenge. He'd need to go back to his teacher and try again to convince the man to teach him flame alchemy. If he could master that, then he'd definitely have a good chance.

He grinned to himself and took another sip. Yes, he felt quite optimistic about what the future held for him.