The sun was high in the sky, warming the countryside. Thomas stood at the train station, waiting for the next locomotive to arrive. He looked down to his hands, which were now covered by white gloves. That girl back in Resembool...she seemed so familiar...
A whistle sounded and the train pulled into the station. Thomas picked up his suitcase and climbed aboard. There weren't very many people on board, but that seemed usual for a train stopping in such a small town. He found an empty seat and slid his luggage in before sitting down. Another whistle went off and they train began to depart.
"Is there anything I can get for you, sir?" A woman came up to him with a trolley. He smiled, shaking his head.
"No, thank you."
"If you need anything, don't hesitate to give a ring." She motioned to the bell on the wall before pushing the cart away.
Thomas gazed out the window, his thoughts racing. Hopefully, he would find some answers in Central.
000
"Lt. General Mustang, a young man is here to see you." Colonel Hawkeye said, stepping into the room.
"Send him in." Mustang folded his hands, resting his elbows on the desk.
The door opened again, and a young man clothed in a brown suit and vest entered. The Lt. General motioned for him to sit. He did so, watching as the female Colonel left.
"Mr. Thomas Henker, I presume?" Mustang picked up a manila envelope, and took out the papers, scanning over them.
"Yes, sir." Thomas answered, rubbing his hands together nervously.
"Well, what can I do for you?" Thomas caught the man's eye.
"I would like to sign up for the State Alchemy Exam." He stated.
"I see. And have you found training?"
"No, sir. But, I do know of someone." The alchemist took out a folded slip of paper and handed it to the Lt. General. "Her name is Izumi Curtis."
000
"I cannot." Izumi said, seeing the man. "I will not teach those who plan on joining the dogs of the military." She spat. "Now get off my doorstep."
The door slammed in their faces. Mustang sighed, walking back to the car.
"Are you coming?"
Thomas shook his head. "I'll be fine."
"Suit yourself." Thomas watched as the military car pulled away before knocking on the door again.
The door didn't budge, but a flash of light came from inside the house and Thomas jumped away as spikes shot up from the ground. Izumi came flying out the door, attacking with her fist and feet. Thomas dodged and blocked each blow, not bothering to throw any of his own. Finally, seeing an opening, Izumi caught the man in the gut. He flew back and did a summersault to his feet.
"To train the mind you must also—"
"Train the body." Thomas finished for her. "I learned that long ago."
"From whom?" Izumi held her defensive position.
"I cannot remember." The woman dropped her stance, brushing back her hair.
"You have automail," She replied. "Both arms and a leg lost."
"I don't remember what caused me to lose them. I'm just trying to find my life." He lowered his eyes. "I can't remember where I came from or what my real name is. I don't know if I have any family left."
"So you thought earning a place amongst the dogs would give you a better chance at finding yourself?" She scoffed. "Pathetic." She sighed. "I will help you, but on the condition that you listen to everything and exactly that I say. Understood?"
The alchemist smiled, and nodded his head. "I understand."
000
They trained over the next two weeks, covering nothing on alchemy yet. Izumi thought it best to get the man's body to its peak, than begin work on his alchemic abilities.
The sun was almost below the horizon at the end of the second week. Thomas sat on the grass, Izumi next to him. His eyes were closed, his legs crossed; his mind was deep in concentration on the transmutation circle in front of him.
"Let's see what you've got." Izumi replied, watching as his eyes shot open and he placed his hands on the ground at the circle. A flash of light and a single stem began to sprout. It grew, thickening its branches, entwining into a sturdy trunk. The teacher smiled at his work, touching his shoulder and stood. Thomas followed in suit, standing back to look at his work. The apple blossoms on the tree were at full bloom, ready for the fruit to come.
"Come on inside and get something to eat." Izumi walked towards the house, turning back. Thomas stood by the tree, his hand resting on the trunk. "Thomas?"
"Coming, Sensei." He let out a sigh and followed the woman up to the house, where you could smell Sig making dinner.
000
"He's come far, Izumi." Sig replied after Thomas had retreated upstairs.
"Yes." She sighed. "He already seems to know much about alchemy. I don't know why he's putting it to use for the military..."
She sighed again and began helping her husband clean up.
000
The last few days before the exam passed quickly. Thomas had come very close to his sensei's standards, but she still believed him to be throwing his talent away.
The day of the exam finally arrived. Thomas had acquired a new wardrobe from Izumi. It consisted of black pants, his usual white shirt and a white waistcoat with the snake-cross flamel on the back. ((Note: The coat is like Ed's black one that he wears under his red coat, only slightly longer.)) He kept his white gloves, although Izumi gave him a black pair to have as well.
Thomas made his way to Central Headquarters. The giant building came into view and soon he climbed from the taxi to take the written exam. If he passed, he would qualify for the interview and so on to the preliminary exam.
Thomas entered the room, not surprised to see it packed with alchemists. Taking a seat near the door, he waited for the judges to take their places, watching as the other people hurried to their seats.
"We will now commence with the written exam," The voice of Lt. General Mustang echoed over the soft chatter. "You have three hours. Good luck."
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Sorry for the short chapters, but it's the easiest way to update fast for me. Thank you for the reviews, even if they were few—Hey! I rhymed...sort of...
Note: I know Izumi Curtis is not that nice of a person, but hey, it's my story! If you have any BIG issues, email me.
Well, I will continue to try and update as quickly as possible, but with school and all, it might be a tight fit.
More Reviews, PLEASE!