A/N: Thank you once again for the reviews. I have thought about the consequences behind Karla using her blood for her alchemy; that will come up in future chapters. As always, reviews are appreciated, but never required. Also, in the coming weeks there may not be as many updates to the story; I've decided to participate in NaNoWriMo in November, and I will be primarily working on my novel for that. Basically, this will come second. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 3

Once the group had gone back into the military building, they split off, and Karla, instead of leaving, was left standing rather awkwardly in the center of the room. Damn. How much of an idiot did she look right now? She really wished she had thought to bring more money with her... of course, why hadn't she thought of the funds for a hotel? She couldn't very well go call her mother to seek some help; she wouldn't send any, and Karla would only end up getting a lecture. Then again, she couldn't exactly spend the next two nights on the street, either. What the hell was she supposed to do now?

Perhaps there was a way to find somewhere to stay that was free. Maybe the military would know something. Oh, well, it wouldn't hurt to ask. Suitcase in hand, she returned to the desk where she had initially inquired, standing in front of it and looking down at the soldier again.

"Excuse me," she said, putting a hand on the table to assert her presence, "is there some way arrangements can be made so I am able to stay in Central until the results of the alchemy exam come back? I am from the north, after all, and it takes two days merely to get here."

The soldier looked up at her, an eyebrow raised for a moment. "Actually, yes, we do have a certain hotel applicants may stay at for free," she answered, retrieving a sheet of paper from below the desk. "The stay is only for the two days until the results come in –" she began writing on it – "and this is required to get in." She handed the paper to Karla, who took it and briefly scanned her eyes over it.

"Thank you," she said after a moment. "Pardon my asking, but where is this hotel?"

"Right down the road, on the left corner."

"Thank you." Karla nodded, and, armed with the paper that would grant her her way in, departed Central Headquarters.

The hotel was small, around the size of a rather large house in Virnikov. Without even a second story to it, it could even have been mistaken for a regular house if one wasn't paying attention. This is the best the military can come up with? She sighed. She was liking Central less and less the more time she spent here. For one, it was far too crowded, with its crammed-together buildings and weaving roads and too many people with no end to the city in sight. So unlike Virnikov...

She entered the building to find nothing more than a large desk and a board behind it, keys hanging from little hooks. A soldier – who really looked nothing more than bored out of his mind – sat behind the desk, and he looked up sharply as Karla walked in. As she approached, he sat up straighter, the look on his face turning from boredom to professionalism. Was he trying to be impressive or something?

"How may I help you?" he asked.

"I just came from Central Headquarters," answered Karla. "I am an applicant for the state alchemy exam, and I was told I could come here and stay, free of charge. I was given this." She slid the paper across the surface to him, and he picked it up and read through it.

"You were informed correctly," he replied after a moment, setting it aside. He retrieved a key and handed it to her. "Room twenty-four, just down the hall."

She took the key and nodded her thanks, then continued down the hall to her room. After unlocking it and stepping inside, she glanced around as she set her suitcase on the bed. Well... it was a little small, not unlike her bedroom at home. Its contents consisted of a small bed, a small dresser with a radio, and a side table next to the bed. The bathroom was even smaller, holding only a toilet, sink, and small shower. At least it isn't a complete dump here, she thought. Perhaps I've underestimated them. But yet, did the soldiers of Central all look bored out of their minds, like they would rather do something else? That certainly didn't bode well. At least the soldiers in the North looked like they were committed to their jobs, if not enjoying them.

Karla sat on the bed, which felt a bit soft for her liking. Oh well, for a place for free, she couldn't complain, could she? She flung herself back onto the mattress, stretching her arms out beside her, staring up at the ceiling. It was so strange, being here in a bustling city. Hearing the cars running outside the window, hearing the conversations of people as they walked by... It was rather surreal, Karla felt. Hopefully, this was the first day of the rest of her life. She would hate to have to go back to Virnikov and admit to her mother and everyone else that they were right. She would never live it down if that happened.

She sighed, continuing to stare up at the ceiling. Just what the hell would she do now? Two days in Central, waiting. She never was very good at that.

The next two days of Karla's stay in Central were spent mainly in her hotel room as well as the main library in the city. Once she'd figured out where it was, she had gone there and had begun her true research. The collection of alchemy books, from what she had found, was larger than the selection in her hometown; at least this place had more than just Introduction to Alchemy, which she'd already read several times backwards and forwards. Of course, there was always more to learn than could be contained in one book, which would be especially valuable if she made it in. She really didn't know much yet in the grand scheme of things; sure, the ability to make weapons was useful, but if that was all she could do, they would drop her without a second thought.

This morning, she woke to the sun blaring through the window. Damn, she'd left the curtains open last night. With a hand shielding her eyes, she went over and pulled them shut, stretching after she'd done so. As she pulled her clothes on, the thought that today was the day passed through her mind. This was it. Today she'd find out if she would have to go back home in shame or continue on. Oh, lord. She was suddenly nervous, as her heart pumped anxiously in her chest, and for half a second she didn't even want to leave. Part of her didn't want to have to find out, didn't want to go in with high expectations and come out with nothing.

It took far too quickly for her liking to finish getting ready, including tying her hair back and packing her clothes back into the suitcase. Soon enough, she was departing the room, dropping the key off at the desk. Holy hell, this was really happening, wasn't it?

She made her way towards the headquarters, her head held high once again, feigning confidence just as she had her first day here. After all, if no one else thought she was terrified, she really wasn't, right? She pulled open the door and stepped inside, glancing around. Where the hell was she supposed to go? It would have most certainly been nice if they'd told her. Karla walked over to the same desk she had inquired at two days ago, stepping up and looking down at the soldier.

"Excuse me," she said. "Where am I supposed to go to receive my results from the state alchemy exam?"

"All candidates are to report to Major Armstrong," the soldier answered. "You seem to be the last one, however. You can find him down the hall, second office to the left."

"Thank you." Karla nodded, then continued to follow the directions. The last one? Everyone else was already in? So much for being punctual.

She reached the office, where the door was open. She peered inside, where she saw what she thought was a man, but seemed to be mostly muscle underneath the uniform. He was bald except for a blond curl on his head, and all in all he looked rather terrifying. Holy hell, he's a state alchemist? He looks more brawn than anything else!

For lack of a better idea, Karla knocked on the door. "Come in," spoke a rather deep voice.

She moved from behind the door, entering the room rather cautiously. After all, she'd never seen someone more huge, more frightening in her life. "Would you happen to be Major Armstrong?" she asked as she approached the desk.

"Indeed I would," he answered, looking up at her. "What may I help you with?"

Oh, good, she had the right person. "My name is Karla Chernikova, and I am here for the results of my state alchemy exam."

"Ah, yes," the major replied, beginning to thumb through the file in front of him. "Miss Chernikova. I am pleased to say that you have made it in." He took out a sheet of paper and handed it to her, along with a silver pocketwatch. Karla took them both, staring in awe at the pocketwatch before turning her attention to the paper. It was emblazoned with the symbol of the military, complete with the signature of the Fuhrer at the bottom.

This official document certifies that the nation of Amestris, prefecture of the Generalissimo, appoints the name Bleedingheart to Karla Chernikova, in the name of Fuhrer King Bradley.

"Holy hell," she murmured as she read through the certificate. She'd actually made it in... She looked up at Major Armstrong just then, an eyebrow raised. "Bleedingheart? Who the hell came up with that?"

"The Fuhrer appoints the titles based on both the personality of the candidate as well as the skill of the alchemist," he replied. "For example, I happen to be the Strong Arm Alchemist."

"Strong Arm?" she repeated. "Well. I was silly to expect a bit of originality from someone whose name is apparently King."

Armstrong's expression remained unchanged as she finished reading the certificate and then looked up at him again. "I suggest you not speak so rashly when it comes to talking about the Fuhrer," he remarked. "You're a part of the military now, and if someone else were to hear you, that would very likely end badly for you."

Was that a threat? Would he report her as soon as she was out of here? Her eyes narrowed, and she thought about retaliating, but based on what he'd just said, that would be a horrible idea. She didn't want to come off as a complete idiot, after all. Instead, she read through the certificate again. A yearly reassessment, fine; she should have figured that one was coming. "'Ample research funds?' What, does this mean I have money suddenly?"

"It does," Armstrong replied, closing the file finally and putting it away. "Each year, we receive a research grant. While it may say research funds, you can really use it however you want." He stood just then, and Karla automatically took a step back. He simply towered over her; she barely reached just above his waist, and that would be being generous. "If you'll come with me -" he seemed to not notice her sudden retreat – "we will go retrieve your uniform."

She stood back as he left the room, and she glanced around before finally deciding to follow him. How in the hell did he even fit in here? Karla had never really felt shorter than anyone before, but compared to this man, she was tiny! She walked through the building with him, ignoring the stares she was sure she was receiving in the process. It wasn't as if she cared about what anyone thought. She didn't need to. Just from looking at these soldiers, she knew she was better. If she was doomed to be stuck here in Central with them, she would most likely go insane.

Soon enough, she had received her uniform and had dressed, her hair pulled into a tight bun on the back of her head. Her new pocketwatch now hung from a loop on the pants and into one pocket, while her knife was currently held in her other one. She really needed to get some sort of sheath for it; the longer she had it in her pocket, the more risk she had for accidentally slicing through both the inner fabric and herself. Major Armstrong had informed her that in addition to her title as state alchemist, she now held the rank of major, which meant that not only could she give orders to those of lesser rank, but she also held the governmental influence that came with it. She had deemed this information useful, and she was determined to use it at some point. Maybe now she would actually be listened to for once.

"You are to return tomorrow for your assignment," the man stated once they were back in the office. "After that, your real work begins."

"Yes, sir."

He leaned forward on the desk, looking at her with a strange expression. Was it possibly worry? What would he have to be worried about? "Are you sure about doing this, now that you're actually enlisted?"

Karla pondered her answer for a moment. She didn't want to come off as rude; then again, she was definitely not a fan of being patronized, either. "If I wasn't, do you really think I would be here?"

A sigh came from Armstrong; he didn't seem impressed by her answer. "The military is far more than just a title and a rank. You're still young, that much is clear. I hope you will not regret your decision."

Like hell I would, she thought in annoyance. "You won't have to worry, sir," she answered. "I know what I'm doing."