A bustling group dressed in desert clothing shuffled along the beginnings of a desert, following their leaders as the female presiding officer decided which path would be the safest. After pacing around and measuring the air along with the distance she took a breath before speaking.
-" Alright crew, this is where it's going to get a bit uncomfortable. Due to obvious current circumstances, we cannot just take a car or train over to Ishval. So! this is what is going to happen." The officer walked a few steps in front of the group and signaled for three lines to be formed in front of her. -" Three lines of four, please. I need Vanessa, Kimblee, and McDougal to be the leaders of each line. They will go in the front with me. At the back of lines one and three, I need Mustang and Basque to be there. Others can go where they wish."
Catalina then waited until all soldiers were situated. -" You cannot break formation, I beg of you. I will be performing strenuous alchemy for two hours to cross the desert. What will happen is that we will be enveloped in a big cloud of sand, resembling a sandstorm. You have to be in this formation for this is as big as I can make the storm, it's the only way to not have Amestrian or Ishvalan soldiers target or see us." She then yelled towards the back. -" Mustang and Basque, I need you to keep the oxygen levels at 94% or we will all suffocate. In the back is where most sand and wind will collapse on each other, use that momentum to create Oxygen."
Montes then turned to the three in the front. -" McDougal, I need you to keep the moisture up by 5% than what it is right now, or we will dehydrate too quickly. Kimblee, I need you to keep the molecules from getting too crazy and have the atmospheric pressure stay the level it is right now, we don't want explosions. This is a synthetic sandstorm, and we know nature seems to hate anything unnatural and tends to throw a fit. Lastly, Vanessa, I need you to keep my energy up. Your medical alchemic abilities, though not the best for this program I'll be honest, are what I need to keep my energy high so I don't faint." Smiling faintly the colonel looked at everyone and took in a deep breath.
-" Ready?!" She called wearily, and with that, they were off.
It took a little over two hours to reach their destination and for some reason, the whole trek seemed somber. Perhaps because one of the most cheerful members of the group had been silent the whole time, too concentrated to speak to anyone. When they all arrived, Montes' legs wiggled and it was easy to tell she was light headed. A nearby Kimblee offered her his arm while she recuperated as they walked to a house that was one of the first to be seen a few feet away. The group had arrived at the outermost edges of civilization within Isvhal, where barely any houses were around.
-"Alright, fellas. This is it, this is why we made a two hour trek. I ask that once we enter this house we show the utmost respect. This person has agreed to show and explain to us a little about who the Ishvalans are and why they are how they are." Catalina then paused and her expression grew dark. -"If any of you disrespect directly or indirectly our host or their customs at any given time, you will be dismissed from the program."
A sudden low clamor spread among the groups but quickly died down when a young woman's voice yelled over the crowd.
-"I don't know about you, but I signed up because I wanted to protect Amestrian lives and have this war finally end so we can have peace. Ishvalans are Amestrians! And as an Amestrian I want to learn more about my new fellow countrymen and learn to love them as I love my old country folk." Vanessa exclaimed with courage and stalwartness.
-"A life is a life, and life is to be saved as a soldier." McDougal chimed in.
Catalina patted both of their backs with a kind and grateful smile.
-"I am not obligating you to do this, you can go and fight this war on your own terms, but by being part of this program you will fight and act in accordance to my and the Fuhrer's terms. We both wish to save Amestris from further disaster!" She then stepped aside and motioned the soldiers to begin entering the house. -"Those who do not enter will wait outside with General Raven and Colonel Archer and await further instructions from them."
Catalina then closed her eyes tightly and waited until she heard no more footsteps going into the small mud and stone home. Upon opening them she found two of her recruits, angry but complacent standing next to her presiding officers. The two exchanged grudgeful glances in her direction while she returned a blank expression that quickly turned into one of pity and disappointment.
With shoulders slumped, she slowly lifted the curtain that acted as a door of the home and before entering, stole one last glance of her recruits who she wasn't going to see again after this trip.
Once inside the warm hut full of spicy aromas, she smiled at the other recruits. Ten were now left.
In the middle of the hut, an older woman with wrinkles that gave away how much she had smiled through the years, stood with arms open, ready to embrace the last person who had entered.
-"Ishvala be blessed to find you in good health." They both expressed as they placed their foreheads together and then embraced. The two spoke briefly and the outsiders who could not understand the conversation could at least tell how fond they were of each other.
-"This is Ms. Arb, don't worry, she speaks English. She is going to teach us, feel free to ask any questions at any time." Catalina finally spoke in a language the rest could understand. After that, she went to the back of the room to stand and observe. While walking away, a hand took hers. Pausing her footsteps, her eyes followed the arm that held her back.
Roy Mustang, with trembling eyes stared intently at her awaiting confirmation. Her eyes communicated with kindness what he had suspected, he was in the home of their dear friend Heathecliff's mother.
The first hour went well, the group had respectfully listened, asked, and laughed with their hostess, although some more than others. In the remaining group of ten, there were three other recruits that seemed to be passively angry at the situation but showed no real disrespect, so Catalina left them alone. They were now nearing the end of their time with Mrs. Arb, who was now explaining a little about the Ivshalan's religion by showing some of the basic sacred figures and rituals with food they practiced. Being the kind woman that she was, Mrs Arb noticed those three recruits had become more uncomfortable in an angry way, with some low scoffing and tongue clicking could be heard from their direction. She approached them smiling and offered them the simple dish she had just prepared with warmth. For some reason that irritated them more, especially the one in the middle who in one fell swoop knocked the plate out of her hand. The poor middle aged woman attempted to save her clay plate but it smashed the moment she went to grab it, cutting some of her fingers as she picked it up from the floor.
-"And that's where you belong, you're no Amestrian, you're a filthy-" The man who had knocked the food had begun to exclaim when suddenly he couldn't speak anymore. His hands began to claw at his shirt right where his lungs were situated as if to signal something was wrong at that area. The other two who supported him eyed the group rapidly as Montes emerged with her sleeves rolled up showing glowing tattoos: her face strained, eyes darkened with anger.
-"You prefer them over your people!" The other two yelled as they charged at her. The other recruits were too stunned to react in time to detain them, so each were met with an impactful kick to each of their heads. Before these two men were able to hit the floor, Catalina performed another transmutation that caused all three to drop to the floor with a loud thud.
Once on the ground the three men attempted to raise from the ground but no force in their arms and legs could fight whatever invisible force was keeping them grounded.
-"If you think she belongs in the ground, we all do!" Montes spat at them, jaw clenched while she lowered herself to their level to deliver the message.
Right at that moment Solf j Kimblee's emotions were completely ecstatic, he was succumbing to his hunger for finding someone who stuck to their morals no matter the situation. This insatiable craving was becoming satiated as he observed Col. Montes not degrade the men, but put them on the same plane where they saw another human. Whilst licking his lips, he emerged from the crowd and was almost at arm's length from Catalina when the door flew open. His other superiors had run in to figure out what the commotion was. Once their tiny brains had understood what was going on they took the grounded men outside with little resistance. Kimblee's eyes carefully trailed towards the Ishvalan woman, who was now being helped by Major Mustang. They then trailed back to his newfound delicacy and observed his body move towards her and offer a hand. He could easily tell she was shaken. Not from the encounter, since that was an easy beating she gave, but from the emotions of clear disappointment and anguish of losing more people to prejudice.
-"Colonel Montes, let me help you." The shaking colonel heard to her right. Her face slowly turned with a small, and mostly fake smile.
-"That's kind of you to offer, Kimblee." She weakly responded.
-"It's my pleasure to offer you my hand."
The recruits were all too scared to even glance at their Lt Colonel as they made their way back to the city, all except two of them that is, Roy and Kimblee. One was worried about her and the other was beginning to develop a sort of appetite, needless to differentiate who felt what.
Once at the hotel, Montes groggily directed everyone to their rooms. While the lot headed to their rooms, she overheard Major Kimblee tell Lt. Col. Archer that he needed to take care of something first and then he'd head over to the room. The presiding officer gave him directions as to how to find his room, but Catalina was too tired to care and left. She was so tired that she didn't even notice that upon entry, she left her hotel room door slightly open.
Shoulders slumped and soul defeated, the young colonel took off her sweater and set it gently on her bed. Still donning the desert attire, she brushed some sand off her pants before letting her body fall into the nearest chair that was next to a coffee table with a lamp and a small notebook that came with a smaller pen. She let her head rest on the desk, arms hanging from her sides. As she rested in that position for a few moments, Catalina knew that tears would soon follow if she didn't change her position. Her eyes eyed the small notebook and forcing a tiny, weak smile she opened it and began to write her thoughts down in a very concentrated manner. The young woman was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't hear the door creak open to her room and some light footsteps. What did bring her back to reality was the clicking of a suitcase.
At first her brain didn't really process the sound, I mean, who could be in her room? She was to room alone tonight. Eyebrows furled, she got up carefully and began walking towards the rustling in the front area of the hotel room. Her room was sort of a two parter, the closet and restroom at the front and then after turning a small corner her bed and other living area space.
-"Oh! Major Kimblee?!" She voiced surprised.
The said man suddenly froze and turned to face his superior in a confused yet entertained manner. Understanding the situation he quickly hid his smirk and turned to apologize.
-"I am so very sorry Lt. Colonel, I was so sure this was Col. Archer's room, you see I was supposed to-
-"To room with him, yes I know." Her expression had now turned to confusion with a hint of indignation. -"It's three rooms down."
-"Apologies let me pick up my things quickly Colonel." And as he did he continued to speak to excuse himself -"You'll forgive me, Colonel Archer instead of telling me the room number told me the floor number and instructed me to just let myself in when I saw a door partly open."
Montes' eyes lethargically glanced at the door and realized that it indeed was open. Sighing with her eyebrow up, she shook her head. -"He's not much of a talker, even for the important things. Don't worry Major, just tell him not to be lazy again." She turned around and began to walk away not really caring. -"You two seem to be friends, so I'm sure he won't find it disrespectful."
The intruder stifled a chuckle as he finalized his things and soon after left while closing the door slowly, getting one last glance of her.
-"Major Kimblee?" A voice from a few feet away asked with a tone of vexation.
-"Yes, Major Mustang?" He purred in return
-"What were you doing inside of Catalina's room?"
-"It was a simple mix-up, don't worry she's not too upset." Saying that obviously upset Roy more. -"How do you know this is the Lt. Colonel's room?"
-"Because I'm her friend."
-"So am I and I didn't know until now."
Roy disliked the fox-like smile he was giving, but he just walked past Kimblee and proceeded to knock on Catalina's door.
A loud sigh was heard before a drained voice called -"If you forgot something, the door's open Major!"
-"It's Roy, Colonel.. . .." He didn't know what to say really, he just wanted to check on her.
-"You're not rooming with me either, Roy." She called.
-"What? I- no.. can I come in?"
-"I'm fine, Roy. Go get yourself some rest, we did some strenuous alchemy today."
-"You sure?" He pressed his ear to the door to see if he could hear her better.
-"Yeah, talk to you tomorrow."
Sighing, Roy un-pressed his ear and leaving his hand on the door wished her goodnight. After waiting a few moments at the door he heard nothing more from the other side and left reluctantly.
Once she heard him leave the door, the young officer sighed and just absent mindedly stared at her bedroom window, it didn't have a great view but it distracted her enough. Soon her vision was becoming dark and her mind drifted away with the events of that day. Shortly she began dreaming of Heathcliff, they were at a market in Ishval, laughing and just walking around. Suddenly a round of shots were heard from a distance and bodies began falling around them. Soon a crowd of Amestrian soldiers rushed into the market wildly shooting everyone, and dead center at the front were the recruits who had left the program. In a panic, Catalina quickly grabbed her friend's hand but when she noticed that he didn't run with her, she turned around to find his body shot. She let out an agonizing scream in the dream that in reality she was giving in her hotel room.
Huffing, she clutched her chair and looked around her room for Heathcliff's body. Realizing she wasn't in the dream anymore, she got up and shakily took her sweater and left the room, not even bothering to close the door. After trailing around the hotel she found a secluded spot where she curled up and let some tears out. It scared her to know that her dream could become a reality, and was being a reality for many others at the present moment.
As she cried a couple of footsteps approximated her area and in an attempt to be left alone she called out shakily:
-"Let's talk tomorrow, Roy. Please let me be alone tonight."
-"I'm not Major Mustang, might I stay?"
-"Major Kimblee, I don't think it's appropriate that you do."
-"But if it was, I could stay? If I was Major Mustang, would it be appropriate?"
-"T-that's not what I meant, it's late at night I don't want people getting the wrong idea."
-"I understand but-
-"Major Mustang and I have known each other for years. It's different between him and I."
-"I'm sorry to be disrespectful, but hearing you say this makes me think that you don't trust me. I didn't intend to take advantage of you, I'm sorry if my previous advances have created that image in your mind." Kimblee could be heard from a few meters away, Montes hadn't turned around to see him, she was too busy trying to hide her face from him.
-"... … …"
-"... … …"
-"... … .."
-"Lt Colonel Montes, I hope that a few bad apples don't ruin the harvest. We're all ready to serve everyone in this country.. … A lot of time prejudice comes from fear, and once those who have it see others have the courage to fight that fear, it's almost certain they will change too."
-".. … .."
-"I'm going to leave this water next to you, it's best if you don't dehydrate."
-"Thank you, Kimblee, that's very kind of you. Sorry for offending you, I just-
-"Don't worry, trust takes time, but I am very sorry if my actions have created that image in your head. I'll keep my feelings to myself, either way I shouldn't be having feelings for my superior officer, but I do hope I have a chance to get closer to you in the future, perhaps after this war and-
-"And when I'm not your superior?"
-"Yes."
-"You know, I have a feeling your long conversations with Colonel Archer have been on this matter."
-"They have."
-"What did he say?"
Kimblee grinned and carefully responded as he opened the bottle of water that was placed right next to her. He then sat down next to the young woman and offered the bottle, she didn't take it again.
-"What you've always told us 'if you want something there's always a way to acquire it.' He supports it fully, and knows that General Raven will too despite his interest in you."
Catalina scoffed. -"If it has the X chromosome twice, that's all Raven cares about." Kimblee chuckled in response. -"And who's to say I, uh, like you back."
-"I'm not sure of that myself, but I wanted to try nonetheless. The worst that could happen is that we end up close friends."
-"The worse outcome would be that you'd be kicked off the program."
He chuckled again. -"I'd say that's even better, then it's appropriate to ask you out for a date."
This time Montes was the one who laughed. -"You're so stubborn hahah."
-"Committed, Colonel."
-"Whatever haha." She sighed and then noticed that for the last few minutes she hadn't felt that fear. The whole time her face had been buried underneath her arms, right on top of her knees, but after laughing she peeked up to see the man sitting next to her. Once he saw her peak at him, he smiled courteously back, bottle in hand, offering it up the third time. The curled up officer slowly reached for it and drank a few sips before looking at him again. A blush crept on her cheeks and she looked away.
He's always been so kind and courteous to me, not to mention we have similar interests and tastes. Maybe it's alright to give it a try but-
"I'm not sure if I'm comfortable dating you while you're in the program, too many rumors and complications would happen." She accidentally voiced out loud.
Kimblee happily stunned, grinned widely, and gazed at her intensely. -" I am so glad to know I have a chance." He slyly spoke. -"I agree this is a tricky situation, but maybe we can figure something out. Meanwhile, would it be alright if I'm a bit more upfront with my feelings?"
-"More public?" Her eyebrows furled and nostrils flared as she thought deeply. -"... ..maybe a little.. but don't make it too obvious until we have things under control."
The recruit's hand carefully landed on his superior's right hand causing her to jump a little right before he spoke again.
-"Colonel, I am sorry today was a hard day for you, and thank you for being so kind towards me during such a difficult moment for you. I hope to be able to help you through moments like these in the future."
Smiling weakly, his superior nodded and got off the floor, wishing him goodnight and asking him to wait a minute before heading off to his room so they wouldn't be seen together.
The next day the morning was so busy Catalina had almost forgotten what had transpired the night before. That is until she had taken a seat and was peacefully just letting her mind run wherever it wanted to. She caught through her peripheral vision, a figure slowly making their way through the aisle pause and then take a seat right in front of her.
-"Good morning, Colonel Montes." The figure purred while tapping her right foot with one of its own.
-"Kimblee! .. … Good morning, m-major." She responded not looking him in the face, a little flushed.
-"Here you are Catalina, how are you feeling?" Another male's voice called anxiously from behind.
-"Roy! I-I'm doing well, how are you?" stuttering she answered, turning her head around.
The flame alchemist surveyed the area and found a raven-haired man that exuded confidence next to his red-faced best friend, feet touching. His eyebrows started to come together as he began to piece things together, after all, he had seen Montes go in her room late last night and a few moments later Kimblee to his. Breathing in deeply to attempt to calm down his emotions, he smiled at his best friend thinking of her happiness first.
-"I'm glad to find you well this morning, let's talk later." He petted her head and quickly left.
A nice warmth filled Catalina's chest and this time she smiled peacefully, a feeling that Kimblee could never really give her, only a cheap mimic. A lesson she would later learn.
-"I mean, how could you differentiate, you hadn't really experienced dating until then, right?" Prince Ling asked once she had finished, her head shook in return. -"And I bet he was experienced with that kind of stuff."
-"Well yes and no. He had dated girls before not because he was interested in them, but interested in learning what a relationship was. I was the first he was genuinely interested in dating, but not because he had fallen in love with me, but because- well you see, psychopaths only listen to their instincts, so they have this type of insatiable thirst all the time until they find something that quenches it momentarily. That's how he saw me."
Silence fell on the group and they all just took a moment to take it all in. Which was soon interrupted by the sound of loud train brakes and an announcer letting everyone know they had arrived at east city. The group rapidly began to assemble their things, and by the group, it really meant Catalina since the other three didn't really have much on them.
-"Wait, Prince Ling! Why don't you accompany me for the next few days? I'll be heading back to central soon."
-"No time, Ms Catalina! I need to be the first to find the stone."
-"Alright, but at least let me give you this." She took a large amount of money out of her pocket.
-"Sorry, I can't take that! They'll think I stole it, see you later!"
-"W-what, no! Ling, Prince! Please wait- .. .. ah that sneaky brat." she chuckled underneath her breath as she saw the group vanish in the crowd of passengers within the train.
I'm pretty sure they just snuck on here and didn't even have a ticket, not only that but took the wrong train and are going to have to backtrack.
She thought as she got off the train with her belongings. After walking a few paces her eyes spotted a few military underlings who upon seeing her spot them, ran up to her and took her things. Not really paying attention to what they were saying, she looked back and sighed with the feeling that although her past had been a rough rollercoaster, something bigger was going to come into her life.
Hey again! I had no idea these last few months would turn into a hiatus. I'll tell you right now online school can be brutal. This semester is more chill and even though no new chpts came out these last few months I kept writing here and there, sometimes I get too excited and get ahead of myself lol.
Anyways let me know y'all's thoughts as always! (I've also been revising my last chpts, I can't believe I left some errors in).