Author's Note: Woooww, it's been quite a while x.x lately I've only been writing after watching FMA Brotherhood... it kind of encourages me XD Anyways, the necklace part received mixed feelings in the reviews, it was indeed cheesy, but it'll be used later on. Annnnd thanks to the people who reviewed, you guys are awesome!

IronClaw Alchemist -14- Exam Day 2

"So they're basically going to ask my a few questions?"

For the second day in a row, I found myself waiting on the Fuhrer- this time for the interview. By some miracle, I was able to pass the first stage of the exam, despite having not finished the last page. Apparently Al was right about the quality over quantity theory.

"Just make sure you answer truthfully and you'll do fine," Ed reassured. As he spoke, he removed a hand from his pocket to cover the followed yawn.

"Sorry."

I soon found an eyebrow raised in my direction, but I couldn't blame him for his confusion.

"Dai didn't even come today so I feel bad for making you tag along."

His curious look stayed put, almost as if he were questioning my logic. "I wanted to come."

"Why...?"

As soon as I asked, he turned to the side and shrugged. Apparently I wasn't going to get a straight answer anytime soon- not that he was bisexual or anything... Yeah, trust my mind to misinterpret 'straight'. I couldn't help but be curious of his partner though. Unfortunately Mustang popped up and I had to stop wherever my train of thought was going. That much I couldn't take.

"You know, there's a difference between stressing about the interview and not thinking about it at all." If only he knew...

I gave him a sheepish grin along with a thumbs up in an attempt to tell him how right he was. Maybe that way I'd be able to erase those thoughts.

He seemed hesitant on accepting my weak cover up, but ignored it in the end. "Don't look so nervous, it's not that big of a deal."

Apparently I came off as nervous. Well, it was better that than what I was imagining.

"So I just go in, sit, and answer the-"

I was cut off as the door in front of me opened and a man led by a soldier exited. He didn't look too pleased at all, which just raised my recently dormant nerves.

"Riku Mikuri?"

My attention immediately snapped to the soldier waiting at the door.

"Yes."

He gestured me towards the door, but Ed had to give me a good shove before I went on my own.

"I'll be here when you're done."

His voice seemed unimportant as I entered the room, but I did look forward to the promise... Especially with the scene in front of me.

Placed in the middle of the room I had entered stood an odd looking, three-legged chair. It wasn't just the fact that it only had three legs, but the fact that the chair itself was swirled and... Irregular. It just didn't seem necessary.

"Take a seat in the chair please. If you are a true alchemist, it will not fall over."

My eyes instantly moved upward in an effort to find the voice, but all I could see were the faint outlines of a few men's heads. Oh, I forgot to mention that the room was dark. Very dark. Though, I was assuming the voice belonged to the Fuhrer and that the other men were all high-ranking. For all I knew, Mustang was up there.

With a deep breath, I moved forward towards the chair and sat down, being extra careful to avoid any jerky movements- there was no use in failing before the interview even started.

"Congratulations Miss Mikuri. Now, please answer the question."

There was a brief pause as I waited for the question, but maybe it was my nerves creating the suspense.

"Do you have what it takes to become a State Alchemist despite your age and gender?"

As soon as I heard the words slip from his lips, I felt a sudden urge to get up and give him a nice shot to the head. But of course that wouldn't get me very far- just to a lovely jail cell.

"Yes. I do." I kept my voice even and stayed centered on the chair. "Even if I'm a girl, I can still do things guys can do or even better. And I may be young, but I have much more experience with alchemy than some old guy thinks he has."

I tried to keep my voice calm, but my last comment pushed it a bit. Hopefully he wouldn't mind. It wasn't really my fault though. His question was rather insulting.

"Very well."

I heard a few murmurs throughout the line of men- now that the Fuhrer had excepted it, it was time for the retort.

"And what might this 'experience' be?"

My view settled on the faint outline of the desk in front of them as the new man voiced his disagreement.

"It was not my intention to offend you, but I'd rather not answer that question."

My response was immediately followed by a snicker. "So you claim to have the most experience, but you won't voice your proof? What do you take us fo-"

"I can vouch for her," a voice cut in. I recognized it as Mustang.

"Colonel, you bought into her proof less 'experience'?"

I was starting to get ticked off at this guy's stubbornness, but I couldn't say anymore than I had. I had to rely on Mustang's influence.

"Major Comanche, Colonel Mustang is Miss Mikuri's supervisor and has no reason to lie to us," the Fuhrer stated.

Comanche immediately settled down at the Fuhrer's acceptance. I couldn't say I was too excited for the next question though.

"Why do you want to become a State Alchemist?"

As I did for the first question, I found the desk once more, but this time I thought carefully about the answer. I doubt I could offend any of them for this question, but at the same time, this was an important answer. With that being the case, I started creating the perfect answer, but once I did, I felt the chair wobble slightly. 'Just make sure you answer truthfully and you'll do fine' Now I realized why Ed had told me that.

"Honestly... I owe someone money." I heard Comanche snicker, but I continued anyways. "But, at the same time, I feel that I would be an asset to the State and that if you give me a chance at a demonstration, I can prove my worth."

At the last part, I lifted my gaze to the row of men in front of me. There was no doubt in my mind that I had the skills to become a State Alchemist- I hadn't trained for three months for nothing.

"Well then, that is all," the Fuhrer informed. "You may exit."

"Thank you, Sir." When I stood, I gave a quick salute and headed towards the door quietly. Once outside, I had to squint a little to adjust to the now blinding hall lights.

"So, how did it go?"

When my eyes finally adjusted, I was able to locate Ed and give him a weary look. "I implied that they were 'old guys' with less experience than me."

He winced at my answer and moved from the wall. "What did the Fuhrer say?"

"Nothing at first, but Comanche didn't like it." I crossed my arms in front of me and walked to where he was standing. "Mustang stood up for me and the Fuhrer seemed to accept it."

"Mustang was there?"

I nodded and started walking down the hall. In any normal circumstance, I wouldn't have liked that Mustang was there, but apparently he knew how to be a nice guy... At times.

"Well, all you need to do now is the Practical Test and you're done." He turned to me and gave me a mischievous grin. "Excited?"

A grin spread to my lips in return. "Fighting Mustang? Of course."

Foot Note: Next one should be a good one, with the fight and all... I mean, if Riku makes it *cough*cough* Hmm, the Major Commanche guy is actually a character in FMA, he's really old... and really small... and has one leg XD Anywho, hope you liked it!