Not sure why, but the urge to write for this fic has been pretty strong lately. Been staying up late for the past few days chipping away at this chapter because of that. Given my schedule during the day this past week, this hasn't exactly been the greatest experience.
I feel old. Used to be able to do stuff like this with no problem.
Anyway, most of this is just set-up. Lots of talking and little to no action. I'm not too sure how it came out, but hopefully, it's acceptable. Please read on, and I hope you enjoy.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo ~ Chapter 3 Start
July 9, 1904
"Oh, my darling! It's been so long! Just look at you! You're so beautiful!"
I laughed as Mama squished my face between her hands, moving my head back and forth like she was inspecting everything she could. Which, granted, she probably was, but I knew that this was more her overenthusiastic self talking than anything. Why?
Well...
"You look exhausted," Papa (ever the more grounded of our parents) intoned lowly, his voice thick with concern as he took Mama's spot and placed a gentle hand on my cheek. "Have you been getting enough sleep?"
"Not as much as I should," I admitted, placing my hand over his and leaning into the touch before offering him a soft smile. "But I'll be okay."
He didn't look happy about it but didn't comment further.
We all knew there was nothing that could be done to change things, after all.
The Ishval Civil War, like most major conflicts, had begun with whispers of discontent and disagreement. However, it was only after the death of that child I remembered from before that the protests and fighting began in earnest.
The day war was officially declared, I was physically fourteen and about to enter medical school.
All around me, I received praise from people congratulating me for accomplishing such a feat at my age. Well wishes for my continued success. Jealousy and envy from those who felt threatened. Even my own family insisted that we celebrate- more so when Maes received his acceptance letter to Amestris's military academy the next day.
They were proud and happy.
I felt like crying.
As the war carried on, I could only follow the news as Ishval spiraled into blood and chaos. Each printed word sent my heart into my throat and made my stomach heavy with horror and helplessness as I thought about all the lives that were being needlessly lost. Lives that were cruelly and unjustly sacrificed.
Lives I hoped I could spare, if possible.
Maes and I would both be entering the last year of schooling in our chosen careers- the workload increasing exponentially as our instructors prepared us for the battlefield. While it wasn't to that point yet, I knew that soon there would be a shortage of soldiers and doctors both, so Maes (who was not an alchemist and therefore considered expendable) and I (not actually part of the military, but still bound to the agreement I'd made in exchange for being taught alchemy) would no doubt be sent to the front lines as quickly as the higher-ups felt they could get away with.
Which, for those creeps, I was willing to bet would be right away.
That was one of the main reasons I was here now. I had six weeks of summer break- the longest break of the school year -and since the only thing that likely awaited me after graduation was the war, this was probably the last chance I would have to relax and spend a good amount of time with my family until after it was over. So even though I felt like I could collapse on my bed and sleep for those six weeks, I was going to do my best to make the most of it.
"Maes is still at the academy, right?"
"Right. He'll be off the day after tomorrow."
I set my suitcase by the door and stood up with a smile. "Do you know if they still have visiting hours?"
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
"Hey, did you hear?"
If the hissed whisper hadn't been enough to get Roy's attention that morning, the leer on the speaker's face would have still been enough to pique his interest.
"Hmm? Hear what?"
"Bauer says he saw a lady here!"
"So? There's at least three of them training with the rest of us. No big deal."
"No, you don't understand! Not the Armstrong kind that wouldn't hesitate to kill us in our sleep if we came onto'm, but one of those classy ones- and pretty to boot!"
Clearly, they weren't trying very hard to keep it a secret, however. If they did, they wouldn't be gossiping in the mess hall about it.
Sure enough, he saw a few more heads turn at the last statement.
"You're lying. Why would one of those be here?"
"Word is she's here to visit someone."
"If it's true, then that's one lucky bastard."
"Tell me about it."
"So, what's got everyone so worked up?"
He looked up to see Hughes and Heathcliff setting down their trays across from him, curious expressions on both their faces.
"Apparently there's a lady visiting."
"Oh, is that all?" Hughes asked. "And here I thought it'd be something exciting."
"I thought you'd be enthusiastic about it, at least. Aren't you the one who joined the military to make the country safe for the future love of your life?"
Heathcliff snorted into his coffee, making him grin while Hughes sent him a glare.
"Of course! But I wouldn't go for one who wanders into military academies! The future Mrs. Hughes will be a delicate beauty- a kind and gentle soul whose smile will brighten even the darkest-!"
"Cadet Hughes! Front-and-center! You've got a visitor!"
Hughes paused, mouth still open as he'd been interrupted in the middle of his tangent. He slowly shut it while everyone turned to look at him and blinked a few times.
"...Huh. This is an unexpected turn of events."
"Hughes!"
"Right!" He stood up and took a few steps before looking back at them and grinning. "You two coming?"
Roy found himself hastily gathering his belongings and joining him. If Hughes's visitor was the same lady rumored to be here right now, then there was no way he was missing out on this.
Of course, the absolute last thing he expected out of his friend once they made it to the visitor's building was a disturbingly high-pitched squeal of excitement right before he dashed forward and brought the mystery woman into his arms, spinning her around so fast it was a wonder they didn't pitch over.
"-'re you doing here?!" he asked, nothing but joy in his tone. "I thought you'd be gone for another few months!"
"I decided to come home for summer break this year," was the laughed response. "Surprise!"
"It sure is!" He paused then suddenly held her out at arm's length, a frown on his face. "You haven't been getting enough sleep, have you? I keep telling you to lighten your workload so you don't have to stay up so much!"
"Maes-"
"You should have at least taken the time to get a bit of rest before coming to see me. I know it's been a while, but I wouldn't mind waiting, you know!"
"Maes-"
"And don't try telling me you're fine! I can see the bags under your eyes! You-!"
"Big Brother!"
Brother?
The mystery woman was Hughes's sister?
It was the first he'd heard of it, but he could see the resemblance now that he was able to get a good look. Both of them had the same dark hair and hazel eyes. However, her nose was a bit rounder, and her eyes were wider, giving her a more innocent air than Hughes.
...Though he had to admit she did look pretty tired.
"I'm fine," she said firmly, the statement not at all softened by the fond smile on her face as she looked up at him. "I'll be sure to get plenty of rest, but I wanted to surprise you before Mom and Dad could spoil it. You know they wouldn't be able to keep my arrival a secret for long."
"True enough," Hughes laughed.
Suddenly, he seemed to remember he hadn't come alone since he slung an arm over her shoulders and turned them around.
"Oh! Lemme introduce you! These are my friends and fellow classmates, Roy Mustang and Heathcliff Erbe! Guys, this is my sister, Elena!"
"It's nice to meet you," she said with a slight curtsy. "I hope my brother hasn't been too much of a handful."
"Ellie," he gasped, pulling away in order to stare at her aghast. "How could you?!"
"You say that as if you didn't expect it!" she grinned- and that was another trait they shared. It looked near identical to his.
"I'll have you know I'm perfectly well-behaved and responsible!"
"Right."
"I'm serious!"
"Uh-huh. I bet your friends have to constantly clean up after you."
She turned towards them again, and Roy felt something in him freeze when her eyes locked with his. There was something in her gaze that he couldn't place- a strange intensity that made him feel almost...exposed. As if she could see everything about him.
His fears...
His desires...
His hopes and dreams...
Everything.
She was the first to look away, the playful smile she'd been maintaining faltering for an instant. For his part, he found himself swallowing thickly, his heart beating a frantic rhythm against his chest.
What the hell had that been?!
Whatever it was, it seemed it was limited to him. When she looked at Heathcliff, her eyes weren't piercing at all. Instead, her expression turned sad and remorseful.
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry," she said gently. "Ishvalans are citizens of Amestris too. It's not right to condemn everyone for the actions of a few."
Heathcliff blinked, then glanced between her and Hughes before nodding. "We will endure. One day, things will be different. We just have to keep moving forward until then."
"I sincerely hope so."
There was a moment of silence, but before the mood could darken too much, Hughes clapped his hands.
"Right! That's enough of that. We should be talking about happy things! Mom and Dad told me you're doing really well! Top of your class and already getting job offers?"
Job offers? But...wasn't she younger than Hughes? She didn't look like she was still in secondary school, but she also shouldn't be old enough to be close to finishing any higher education at the same time as they were.
"See? This is exactly what I meant," she shook her head. "If I'd wanted that to be the surprise there would have been no chance."
"So you are?!" he asked excitedly.
"Well, there hasn't been an official statement about the top-of-the-class thing yet," she laughed sheepishly. "And I...may have gotten an offer or two, yeah. Although I still have no idea how I managed either," she smiled wryly. "Desperation, I supp-ack!"
She flailed as Hughes practically tackled her into a tight hug.
"No, it's because my little sister is the smartest, most determined, and most beautiful one there!"
"...You are aware that the way someone looks has absolutely no impact on academic abili-guh! Maes, quit it!"
"Don't wanna! You're so cute, and smart, and I'm so proud of you! I knew you'd be amazing!"
From how red she'd become he might have thought she was running out of air if it wasn't for the undeniably happy smile on her face.
She laughed and let her head fall onto his shoulder as she returned the hug. "...Thank you, Maes."
Hughes's expression softened, and it was such a tender, loving look that- for a brief moment -he felt a sharp pang of loss and longing.
"Anytime, Elena."
...How different would things be...if he'd had something like that while growing up?
"Alright, that's enough," Elena declared, pushing herself out of his hold. "Your poor friends must be either bored or traumatized from watching you behave like this."
"Me?"
"Yes, you. They've just met me, so they have nothing to compare me to. But they've known you for years now, haven't they? I bet you've been trying to be the cool type in front of them. Maybe even a little cold."
"She's not wrong," Heathcliff muttered.
Roy found himself nodding in agreement. No doubt the two of them were thinking of the event that led them all to become friends. Hughes had definitely played the part of a racist asshole quite well for those scant few minutes. If he'd seen him act this way back then, he would have either thought that was the act or believed him to be insane.
...Honestly, friends or not he couldn't say the latter was off the table just yet.
"You're so mean to me, Ellie..."
"Am not," she huffed. "You're just too sensitive."
"So...you do love me?"
She sighed and rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling as she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "Of course. You're the best brother I could ever ask for."
"...Really?"
"Okay, time for you to leave!" she laughed while pushing him towards the door. "No more acting like a kicked puppy in an effort to exploit me."
"Alright, alright, I'll be serious," he chuckled before pulling her into one last hug and giving her a return kiss on the forehead. "Get some rest. I'll see you in a few days."
"I'm sure Mom and Dad will have a whole itinerary of family activities for us by then."
"Looking forward to it already!"
"I know. Oh," she suddenly turned to Heathcliff and walked up to him with a serious expression. "Before I forget, can I talk to you for a moment, Mr. Erbe?"
Heathcliff looked at her for a long moment, his lighthearted expression turning guarded and wary. Still, he nodded before the two of them stepped away and out of earshot.
"Hughes-"
"It's fine," Hughes assured, a sad but proud smile on his face. "You heard her earlier, right? She hates that this war is happening as much as we do. That's one of the reasons why she's working so hard to be a doctor."
A doctor?
At least now he knew why she looked so tired. Younger than they were yet graduating at the top of her class at the same time? From medical school?
She must have worked herself to the bone to pull that off.
He watched her as she spoke, her expression open and earnest, and he watched as Heathcliff's eyes widened at whatever it was that she said. He didn't look upset though, so there probably wouldn't be a reason to intervene.
"You said that was one of the reasons?" he asked, brows furrowing in confusion. "Seems like wanting to help people is already reason enough, isn't it?"
Hughes frowned and crossed his arms, his eyes darkening with concern as he kept his gaze on her. "I'm mostly sure that I'm the other reason."
What?
"You? Why?"
"...I don't know," he admitted, looking troubled. "She's gotten a lot better at covering it up, but she's always been kind of overprotective when it comes to me. When we were kids, she'd fuss over any scrapes and bruises that I'd get- but since I was the same with her, I didn't think much of it. Then we found out she could use alchemy and-...I still remember the day our parents asked her if she wanted to learn. The emotion in her eyes when she turned to look at me...It was only there for a moment, but I'll never forget it. I can't forget it."
What kind of look? He wanted to ask, but it felt a little too personal. He was already surprised that Hughes had opened up this much as it was- despite his outgoing personality he was actually quite reserved when it came to his own problems.
"I just...can't help feeling like she's gotten it into her head that something bad is going to happen to me if she doesn't do this," he finished quietly. "And I hate that it's causing her so much stress."
"I see..."
He couldn't say he disagreed. He might not have had any siblings of his own, but he was familiar with the desire to protect the people important to you- that cold, almost debilitating fear of losing one of the few precious things in your life. In that, he could understand her resolve to do whatever it took to keep them safe.
He thought gruffly spoken words, belied by a gentle, caring touch as he sat on a barstool- lip bleeding from the result of a schoolyard scuffle.
"That's right, Roy. Never give in without a fight."
"Don't get me wrong, I'm beyond proud of everything she's accomplished. I just wish she wouldn't push herself so hard," Hughes lamented, his expression pained. "She's my little sister. I worry about her too, you know? But...that's exactly why I can't tell her to stop. If this eases her concerns even a little then...I'll support her as best I can."
It seemed that Hughes understood the sentiment as well.
He smiled. "You're a good brother."
"You really think so?!" He asked, his sudden shift from melancholy to bashful giddiness enough to give him mental whiplash. "I mean, I know I am, but it's always nice to hear from other people about how much I care about my sweet little Ellie!"
"Uh..."
Fortunately for him, he didn't need to respond. Unfortunately, the reason why he'd been spared was still a cause for concern.
"Why is he blushing?"
Sure enough, Heathcliff's cheeks and the tips of his ears were flushed red as he looked away from Elena. It was more than obvious from his expression that their friend was simply embarrassed, but it looked like Hughes failed to notice that particular detail.
Or rather, it looked like he was ignoring it completely.
Hughes twitched the moment she reached over and took one of his hands in both of hers, and Roy felt a chill run up his spine at the dark expression that replaced the happy smile on his face.
Oh, that wasn't good.
Shit, what the hell was he supposed to do? If this kept up, Hughes really would murder their friend this time. Happily and without hesitation.
'No, don't smile, you idiot!' he dispaired as Heathcliff did just that. 'Don't you see your life is hanging by a thread?!'
"He's getting a little too chummy with her...don't you think?"
Should he warn him? No, then he would be the dead man. Fuck, why did Hughes have to turn out like this? Couldn't he just have normal friends?
"I think I need to set some boundaries."
"On your sister complex? Great idea, Big Brother."
Elena was looking over at them, looking decidedly unimpressed. Heathcliff, finally catching on to the bullet he'd dodged, was looking more than a little pale and unnerved as he kept avoiding Hughes's gaze.
"We were just talking, by the way. Mind toning down the murderous aura a bit? I think there are some people in Xing who might have felt it."
"But Ellie-!"
"We've been over this, Maes," she sighed as they rejoined them, placing her hands on her hips as she did so. "While I appreciate the gesture, you can't just keep scaring off every man who so much as talks to me for more than five minutes. I'll let you know which ones need to be dealt with, okay?"
Which ones need to-...what?
"But-"
"No, Maes. I promise that if I ever start dating I'll let you go all out to see if he's got what it takes, but until then you need to keep a leash on your big brother tendencies when it comes to that, got it?"
"Yeah, yeah, I got it..."
"Don't worry," she patted his back with a sympathetic smile. "One day you'll have a beautiful wife and an adorable daughter to dote on, and you can be as overprotective as you want with them. I'll even help."
He sniffled. "...You mean it?"
"Every word."
"Yay! You're the best little sister in the world!"
Oh dear god, they were both crazy.
Still, as over-the-top as they were, he couldn't dredge up any annoyance or anger. The care they had for one another was clear as day, and he was happy that at least one member of their little circle had been able to grow up with a loving family.
He hoped they'd be able to hang onto it for a long time to come.
"Anyway, I really do think I've kept you three long enough. Take care, Maes. Mr. Erbe, please remember what I told you, and-" For the second time that day, he found his gaze locked with hers. This time, however, her eyes were normal as she held out her hand. "It was nice to meet you, Mr. Mustang. We didn't get to talk much, but if my brother is friends with you, then I'm sure you're a good person. I hope you'll keep looking out for him."
"Ellie, I'm the oldest."
"Physically maybe."
He snorted and reached out, clasping her hand in his.
"Of course," he nodded, adopting a weary, put-upon expression. "Someone has to do it."
"Oi."
He grinned when she snickered, and while he wasn't going to forget the strange event of before, he had to admit that perhaps Hughes might have a good reason to be protective of her.
With laughter dancing in her eyes and her bright smile, she really was kind of cute.
"I know where you sleep, Mustang."
The statement was hissed right into his ear, and he just about jumped to the ceiling.
"For goodness' sake, Maes!"
Hughes was still pouting as the three of them entered the mess hall, luckily able to catch the tail end of breakfast.
"What are you even upset about? She didn't even hit you."
Most of the women he knew wouldn't have hesitated smacking Hughes for that, but not once had he seen Elena do the same no matter how exasperated she'd been.
He was starting to get an idea of how admirable that amount of self-restraint was when dealing with Hughes.
"She's upset with me, though..."
"Well, you did overreact right after you told her you wouldn't," he pointed out flatly.
"Did not!" he cried. "You were grinning at her, and I didn't like the look in your eyes. You were thinking she was cute, weren't you?!"
The hell? Now that was just freaky.
"Of course not," he denied, knowing his poker face was impeccable as always.
"Oh? Are you saying my sister isn't cute then, Mustang?"
Roy side-eyed him, seeing the sharp grin as Hughes tried to lead him into a verbal trap.
Not today.
"I suppose she is," he replied lightly, his face the picture of nonchalance. "But I was thinking more about how much she resembles you."
He smirked inwardly as the conflict immediately made itself present in his expression. Hughes could either continue pushing the subject or start his increasingly familiar bragging, and he was willing to bet it would be the latter.
"You play a dirty game," he muttered, disgruntled. "I shouldn't have let you knuckleheads come along since you clearly have no qualms exploiting my weakness."
"But I didn't-" Heathcliff began.
"This is betrayal! My trust has been broken, and worse, those who I believed to be my friends dared to make a move on my innocent baby sister!"
"Just leave him be," Roy sighed. "I have the unfortunate suspicion that we're finally starting to see the real Maes Hughes and that there's no stopping him when he's like this."
"-am I supposed to do-?!"
"Anyway, if you don't mind me asking, what did she want to talk to you about?"
"Oh...uh, well...she...offered me her help."
"Help?"
"Because of the war," he clarified. "Since she's studying to be a doctor, she said if there were ever a day I needed treatment and found myself...turned away, I could go to her."
He wanted to say that that wouldn't happen- that Heathcliff was entitled to everything he and Hughes were as members of the military -but he knew that was a lie. There was every chance that his friend would be denied care just because of who he was. But for that same reason, Elena could find herself in a precarious situation if she wasn't careful. He hoped she knew what she was getting herself into.
Well, at least they wouldn't have to worry about that until after the war. Since she was going to be a civilian doctor, there was no reason for her to be anywhere near the warzone.
"So why'd you blush then?" Hughes asked, his full attention back on the conversation.
"...She said I was kind," Heathcliff murmured, turning pink once again. "I've been called...a lot of things, but never kind."
"Gah, Ellie, why do you have to be so cute!" Hughes groaned. "You're trying to make things harder for me on purpose, aren't you?"
"Wouldn't be surprised," he sniggered before smirking at him. "But since you told her you wouldn't be such a busybody, you'll just have to sit back and bite your thumbs until some poor bastard dares to try and date her. Ah, I can see it now..."
Hughes's expression was the flattest he'd ever seen, but it still gave him a sense of foreboding.
"What?"
"For someone who constantly ranks near the top of the class, I just want to say that you're really fucking stupid, Roy Mustang."
"I pray to God that He may have mercy," Heathcliff shook his head.
"Wha-?!" he gaped. "Heathcliff?!"
Hughes was one thing, but Heathcliff? Just what the hell was making them react like this?!
"Will you accept my apology for doubting you, my friend?"
"So long as you accept my condolences for the times to come."
"Ugh, why did he have to say it?!" he wailed, burying his head into his arms on the table.
"Seriously, what are you two going on about?! What's the big deal about what I said?!"
"And he's an idiot!"
"Hey!"
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Roy definitely noticed something, I thought with an inward sigh as I made my way home. In my defense, I'd expected Maes to come alone, but I honestly should have known better.
It was so...strange to see someone else after so long.
Despite Maes also being a character I'd been familiar with in my last life, I'd been able to separate him from the man in my memories because he'd been a child. The two only became more distinct as we grew up and I had the chance to know him on a much more personal level than what they'd shown in the manga and anime. So, by the time Maes was old enough to look the same he wasn't Maes Hughes the character to me but rather Maes Hughes the person.
That wasn't the case with Roy.
While I hadn't exactly forgotten about him, I would be lying if I said I'd given him as much thought as I did my brother over the years. How could I? Between medical school, alchemy lessons, and just living my day-to-day life I hardly had time to spare on people I hadn't even met. On the few occasions I did find myself thinking about the future, anyone I thought of that wasn't Maes was usually in relation to the event itself, not of them specifically.
Needless to say, that didn't help with the initial meeting.
Like with Maes, I was aware of the fact that there was a lot about Roy Mustang that had never been expanded upon. Things like the death of his parents and his childhood were a complete mystery. However, a lot of what had been shown revealed a lot about the kind of person he was.
He cared about the people closest to him and was scared to lose them.
He wanted to become Furer so that tragedies like Ishval would never happen again.
His words and actions that spoke of something more than friendship for Riza, even if he couldn't act upon it.
His dream to see Amestris become a great country for its people.
This Roy, though a few years younger, was not all that different in appearance from what I remembered. A bit more baby-faced perhaps, and his eyes weren't haunted by the horrors of war, but he was still close enough for all of this to come rushing back the moment his eyes met mine- forcing me to quickly look away as my mind scrambled to separate Colonel Roy Mustang the Flame Alchemist from the man before me. No matter how similar he was, it wasn't right to treat him as if they were the same.
Luckily, I was given a distraction in the form of Heathcliff Erbe.
I had to admit that seeing him with Maes and Roy had been a bit of a surprise- although I suppose I now knew the world I'd been reborn into was closer to the anime than the manga.
There hadn't been much information given on Heathcliff in the OVA episode. All I knew was that he'd joined the military to try to eliminate the prejudice and discrimination that ran rampant throughout the country. Eventually, he left and joined the Ishvalan side of the conflict.
Had he been forced to leave? Or had he chosen to change allegiance on his own? I couldn't remember if they'd explained the reason in the anime, but both were equally likely, to be honest. Still, regardless of why, in the grand scheme of things he was only a man who had been doing his best to try to create a better life for his people.
He hadn't deserved to die- much less at the hands of someone who had been his friend.
But while I was certain I'd be in Ishval sooner rather than later, I still had no idea when that would happen. In fact, I had no idea when any of the war's major events would actually take place. For all I knew, today would be the last time I'd see Heathcliff alive and my offer to help him was pointless.
But...if there was even the smallest chance...
"That's okay, isn't it?" I looked up at the sky, uncertainty coursing through me. "I mean, I doubt you expected me to do nothing, but I'd rather not get on your bad side."
No answer, but then again, I hadn't expected one.
"I just want to help if I can."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
April 7, 1905
"I-...I'm sorry, what?" I asked weakly, a sort of chilling numbness slowly starting to spread throughout my body.
I was standing at the front of the lecture room along with four of my classmates, the five of us having been asked to stay behind after class. It was the last day before what basically amounted to Easter Break, but since that wasn't actually a thing here, they just labeled it as Spring Holidays since there were already ones given for the other seasons.
"Y-Yeah," the boy next to me- Rhys, if I remembered right -said, looking faint. "I don't think I heard right either."
Our professor sighed, but his expression was full of regret as his gaze swept over us.
"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I know this must be a shock-"
"A shock?" the only other girl besides me, Vivian, exclaimed angrily. "Being kicked out would be a shock. Being told that we're failing would be a shock. But this?! You're basically sending us to our deaths!"
"Aren't there doctors in the hospitals who can go?" Warren, the tallest but usually most reserved of us -piped in with a frown. "We may be doing rotations, but none of us really have the necessary experience to go into that sort of environment."
"It's not up to me," he shook his head. "I'm sure you're aware, but the situation in Ishval has become dire. There aren't any more doctors to spare without compromising our own facilities, so Central made the decision to start pulling students and training them on-site. You are in your last year and ranked in the top percentage at this university, so you were selected."
"What about Hughes?" the last member of our group, Reiner, accused. "She isn't even eighteen yet! It can't possibly be legal to send her."
"Not usually, no," he agreed. "But Ms. Hughes is a special case."
"Alchemy," Warren said, resigned realization thick in his voice.
Which, yeah. If he'd started studying alchemy under the same conditions I had, then there wasn't another choice for us. We were pretty much obligated to go.
After all, what greater way was there to aid Amestris than by helping its soldiers during a time of war?
"Yes," he confirmed with another sigh. "The two of you were actually requested specifically for that reason. But they've also stated that Ms. Hughes will be stationed at our command camp until she's of age, at which point she'll join the rest of you at the less secure locations."
Cold comfort. Still, I had known this was coming. I just hadn't thought it would happen now. I'd honestly thought I'd have at least another year before I would have to go.
It just goes to show that whatever terrible things I expected from them, they had the ability to exceed those expectations in the worst way.
"I understand," Warren murmured, though he looked about as pleased as any of us at this turn of events.
"...Pack your things and settle any necessary affairs today. There will be someone here to pick you all up tomorrow morning."
So this was it then, I thought, my stomach turning uneasily as the five of us silently exited the classroom and went our separate ways. The war I'd read about, both in this life and the last, was about to become real. I'd done my best to prepare, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared. Not just for my own safety, which there would be no guarantee for, but about everything that could come about as a result of being there. The ripple effect was a daunting thing to consider even on a good day, and right now, a pretty big stone was about to be thrown into the pond. I just hoped I could keep up with the changes this was inevitably going to bring.
But now wasn't the time to think about that. Right now, I had some letters to write.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
April 14, 1905
Maes was only faintly aware of his spoon slipping through his fingers as the words he was reading registered in his mind, and the loud clatter it made upon hitting the table only seemed to amplify his growing horror.
"...Hughes?"
It wasn't true. It couldn't be true. She was an alchemist, yes, but she had made it more than clear that she had no desire to join the military or anything related to it. They should have respected that regardless of the terms of agreement for her lessons.
"Are you alright?"
She should still be in school right now, damn it! Why the hell were they bringing students into a war zone before they could even finish?! Why did Elena have to be one of them?!
(Deep down, he knew why. His little sister was the kind of person they'd be stupid to ignore.)
"Hughes!"
He snapped out of his spiraling thoughts and looked up to see Roy and Heathcliff looking at him in concern. For a few moments, he just stared, completely at a loss for what to say, and his heart feeling like someone had taken it into their hands and was trying to rip it in half.
Something must have shown in his expression because the concern shifted to alarm.
"Did something happen? Is it your parents?"
"It-..." The words got stuck in his throat- the mere thought of saying them aloud was almost too much to bear.
His sister...His sweet Ellie was...
He thought of carefree days, full of love and laughter. Of warm hands never failing to reach for his. Bright eyes that always, always looked at him like he-...like he...
His head fell into his hand, and it was only then that he noticed the tears that had been running down his face.
"Hughes-!"
"Elena's in Ishval," he choked out, horror and fear joined by a surge of indignation. "For about a week now if she left right after sending me this."
Why hadn't she called instead? While they'd both agreed that letters were easier so as to avoid scheduling conflicts, this was important! He would have answered!
"Correct me if I'm wrong but...isn't her graduation supposed to be in a few months?" Heathcliff asked hesitantly. "Did they accelerate things somehow?"
"No. They didn't."
Silence.
"Well...there's only one thing to do then," Roy spoke up, a confident smile on his face as he looked at the two of them.
"What's that?"
"We'll go to Ishval too."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo ~Chapter 3 End
Again, I hope the chapter was alright. Normally I'd expand on a few things that went on but honestly, my brain's feeling kind of foggy right now. I'm either coming down with something or I should just try to get a bit more sleep (although I doubt I'll be able to do the latter right now). So feel free to review, PM, or drop an ask/comment on Tumblr, and I'll do my best to respond.
Take care, and until next time!