Alchemy: Tiny Steps
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D/C: I own nothing.
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"English and Edward's accented voice."
"Amestrian, foreign languages, or to add emphasis."
Written notes or to add extra emphasize
'Thoughts.'
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A/N: Thank you AmyNChan! You are the bestest person there is! She wrote the beginning of the chapter, tis is amazing!
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The world of politics is vast, filled with poise, cunning, and heart. The tables of these politicians are where the future of our entire realm is decided, which laws must be enforced and what old ways we must choose to forsake in these changing times. The job of a politician is a delicate one and must be handled with finesse, care, and class.
Unfortunately, as evidence suggests, that was not the case.
Edward Elric, a foreign muggle who controls a power that requires no wand or incantation, and a vast number of armed militants sat in on an otherwise peaceful meeting between the two candidates for Minister of Magic, invited by respected candidate Amelia Bones. Each talk of diplomacy with Elric's mysterious nation of 'Ameristes' unveiled the state of affairs in our new 'ally'. Of course, with a country that seems to be headed by the military, it is no wonder that the best they could afford to send had a temperament of his own. Anonymous sources have unveiled skepticism in the Aurors present at the meeting, the loud abrasive disagreements held in public, as well as Elric blatantly placing blame for war and dissent squarely upon the shoulders of our Ministry.
These same sources cite Elric attempting to start a fist brawl at the diplomatic table as well as cursing freely in the face of our most honored politicians. According to a credible source, Elric was also overheard shouting "...they are going to get [war]!"
With the attitude of this ambassador, many a respectable wizard will question to themselves: is Ameristes truly an ally? Or are they only pushing us towards war? With hope, the newly elected leadership will guide our society into safer waters than into the hands of these muggles.
This is Rita Skeeter, signing off!
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"We are being spied upon…" Alphonse stated tersely under his breath as he crumpled up the Daily Prophet that he was reading. That snippet of his brother shouting about war was said in private. Edward never once shouted anything close to those words than the time in that room. With that, this reporter, Rita Skeeter, clearly shows she is completely taking everything out of context and biased. Not once did she mention how Fudge wanting to completely use Amestris for their own benefit, putting in restrictions and many other things that made one wonder if this is a give or take, or just take, take and more take. The woman has done her job of slandering his brother, country and now it appears going after Madam Bones. Madam Bones did not invite them, it is a meeting that is held between Amestris, Magical Great Britain and Xing. A required meeting to seek out a treaty between three countries. It appears Xing is not on their shit list, and it will be soon if they continue to this form of treatment towards Amestris. Edward can take care of himself, but Amestris is a whole other issue altogether.
Thinking about Edward, Alphonse looked over at the staircase wondering when Edward, Lucius, and Severus will finish their meeting. It worries him at the possible results of it, and their work of attempting to alley themselves with the Malfoy's will be for not.
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"I am not worried about myself, I am used to be seen as a pariah and seeing myself in the newspaper in such manner." Edward scanned the article that was written about him. "What I am not okay with is that Skeeter woman is mentioning Madam Bones."
"And your country? Are you not angered at she said?"
"Amestris is a Military-focused country and it met with recent controversy all around. They should be grateful that I was sent. If they had sent Major General Armstrong, she would have killed everyone and actually declared war on them. That woman is fearsome, cold and extremely harsh, the Ice Queen and Northern Wall of Briggs. She was up for also becoming an ambassador but… she rather fights off Drachma from the North Wall than deal in politics."
"Is this the same woman that your commanding officer is terrified of and candidate for leading your country?"
"Everyone is terrified of her and yes. She is a candidate. If Madam Bones becomes Minister, Mustang will be a likely candidate. Fudge then we are going to have a woman that takes shit from no one." Edward deadpanned. "I am pissed. Just not for the reason you believe it to be. We do not want war, but if things continue with how it is… war is going to happen. Keep in mind… if they bring the war to us in Amestris, their magic is void."
Severus and Lucius couldn't help but agree in that last part Edward had reminded them of. Going to war against Amestris is the last thing anyone wants's at this or any point. Magical Great Britain is still recovering from all the previous wars that occurred and Amestris, from what they were told, is already on their way of full recovery from one that occurred two years ago.
"Lord Malfoy, you may not like the fact I am a… muggle… but you have to admit what is being said about me and my country is only being stated as such for someone else's own gain. That lunatic Fudge is grasping straws and doing whatever underhanded move to get people to sway their vote. I implore you to help us… or we will have to do something completely underhandedly…"
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"I want to go to Britain~~~~ Let's gooo!" Ling moaned out childishly to Lan Fan, said bodyguard is looking over the notes Alphonse and the Princess had sent over for them to look over. By the looks of it, Edward and Amestris are being slandered. Normally this isn't out of the norm, but considering how tactless this reporter is at her job. No vendetta towards Xing, that would quickly soon change. It appears that Alphonse will have to ensure where Xing stands at this point. Making enemies of Amestris is the last thing they needed after both signed the Magical Alliance, also dubbed The Preservation Concord. The name still needs some work down to it, but it was the only thing everyone could have agreed to at the time. "My Lord-"
"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Ling in private Lan Fan…" Ling wrapped his arms around Lan Fan, resting his chin on her right shoulder.
"How many times do I have to tell you how unprofessional that is at any setting, My Lord…" Lan Fan stated evenly, proud of herself of keeping her composure intact. Well slightly, her cheeks are now a bright pink and she is resisting the urge to shiver. She shoved the document into Ling's face and quickly jumped away to a respectable distance. "Read."
Ling took the papers and skimmed through them to see what was written on them. His left eyebrow rising ever so lightly at every piece of information that he read. He sat up and sat on the edge of his bed as he continued to read to read the documents. "They're playing a dangerous game. I'm surprised Edward hadn't called off the meeting by now… they are being spied on? Not out of the norm, but Mei or Alphonse should have… Hm… Lan Fan, contact Amestris."
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"Ugh… Kill me now…." Edward moaned out under his breath as ignored a randomly named politician talk about some random shit. The point is further emphasized by Alphonse and Madam Bones both look like they are about to keel over. Without much of a care, Edward laid his head on the table and snored away.
"Mr. Elric? Question?"
"Which one?" Alphonse asked for what liked the hundredth time that day alone.
"Edward Elric."
Alphonse reached over and nudged Edward's shoulder to wake him up. "Brother, the toad wants to talk to you again…"
"Someone has a question for you…" Alphonse attempted once more.
"If it's the pink bitch, tell her to fuck off. I have been writing letters to that bastard Mustang and old man Grumman all last night and morning." Edward deadpanned, not even bothering to lift his head or speak Amesterian. "I am not in the mood to talk politics right now with that toad. I will talk to her if she finally starts to talk and act civilly towards me. Until then, no."
Silence.
"Excuse me?"
"You are excused."
"How is General Roy Mustang, Edward?" Bones asked in an attempt to change the topic of the conversation.
Edward lifted his head just enough to look at the women in her eyes. "Last I heard he is heading over to Xerxes along with Lan Fan's men are guiding the last of the refugees back to Ishval. With this, the General will be well into his promise to restore Ishval to its former glory."
"What is to become of Xerxes?"
"Uh…" Edward mind went blank. To be truthful, it was pushed around between Grumman, Roy, and Ling that the land of Xerxes will be given to the descendants of the people of Xerxes. Of course, only those three, along with a selected few, know of Elric's past. Grumman was told in order to clear up everything with him. Mustang… Edward will forever deny this till the end of time, sees the man trustworthy and well… a sort of father figure that will hopefully help him deal with his daddy issues, Winry's words, not his. Ling? Greed told him everything. The end result, the three males are debating whether or not to leave the lands as is or 'give' them to the Elric's due to the connection with their late father. Still huge debate on all sides. "For now, I believe it will become a sort of trader outpost? I do not know exactly. And no…"
Edward raised his head over towards the direction where Fudge and his group sat around at the table. "None of you are going to get your grubby hands on that place… None of you will be able to do magic there so, hah!"
"You're giving them more fuel for the fire, Brother…"
"If they already see me as a menacing animal, might as well play it up. That reporter is in the corner of the room and that pen of hers is writing a hundred miles a minute about complete bullshit. It's obvious which side she's on…bitch…"
"Headache?"
"Ugh… It's still as bad and it's now annoying instead of being a pain."
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Dolores Umbridge has had enough with these muggles. They have been making them all look like fools and stringing everyone with lies. How they managed to get that horrid half-blood Bones to side with them is beyond her. How could Dumbledore allow such an atrocious being to be part of the Magical World. Everyone should have blasted that Elric's mind to the point he doesn't even remember his own name. The more the talked and acted only proved her point.
Now… as for the other Elric Brother and Xing Princess, they are both needed parts to get them into Xing. If they can convince Alphonse Elric to see things their way, then it would be smooth sailing. If they managed to get him alone, convincing him won't even be needed. All it takes is one good spell and set things into motion.
"Young Edward… you stated in a report that your country is also going through a change of leadership?"
That fool raised his head to stare at her disinterestedly. "Yeah, the runner-ups are General Roy Mustang or Major General Olivier Armstrong."
"Armstrong?" Skeeter asked out, her interest peeking. "Any relation to the huge brute you brought along last year?"
"Yeah… She's his older sister… his terrifying and highly combative sister. All of you should be happy that I am Amestris ambassador. She was an option for the job and she hates politics. Prefers to stab someone if they piss her off… Saw it once too." Edward grumbled out the last part with a shiver of fear.
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"They want me to do what?"
"They want you to go to Great Britain."
"Why do I have a feeling I should maim Mustang for this... Prepare the men, we are heading to Central and fix this mess."
"Of course, General."
To be continued…
R/R.
Thank you Amy-chan! Hehehehe! Everyone check out her profile, AmyNChan! She's awesome!