Kamaitachi Chronicles

By: Aviantei

Sixteen


On a certain day two months prior had been my first meeting with Major Alex Louis Armstrong.

It had been one of my designated research days, so I'd spent most of the time at our closest East City library. While its book collection paled in comparison to the ones I'd seen while studying for my State Certification in Central, there were still plenty of reference materials to make the trip worth it. Plus the place was quiet, a rare commodity in the office even when everyone was at their best. Plenty of important phone calls cycled through to our Lt. Colonel, plus you had the rambunctious likes of Rito among us. Having the silence for heavy concentration was pretty much a pipe dream.

And of course when I get a workday to myself I leave behind some of my notes.

Huffing, I worked my way through the halls to our office in a power walk. I'd timed my return close enough to lunch that I figured I could make my way in and out unscathed. Approaching the door, I smoothed down pieces of my hair before to look presentable before entering. Hawkeye and Falman were the only ones present at our worktable—which meant my mission would be easy. Mustang was the sole other person in the room, and he was distracted by an officer I didn't recognize but didn't have the capacity to care about as I found the stray sheets of notes on my scythe and tucked them under my arm.

Hawkeye and Falman both gave me nods in greeting before returning to their own work, and the plan had been to vacate the premises as quick as possible before I lost the mental momentum I had built up.

"Ah, Caiman. Take a moment to say hello."

And, just like everything else in my life, that ass enjoys ruining those plans!

If it were just us in the office, I would have told Mustang just what I wanted to take a moment to do (hint: it involved my scythe and a lot of pain), but I at least didn't want to make our unit look bad in front of another officer. So I shifted into my best posture, snapping my legs together and straightening my back. "And who might I be saying hello to?"

Though I'd left Sir off the end of my sentence on purpose, Mustang didn't look perturbed, instead gesturing to the hulking stranger in the room. "This is Major Alex Louis Armstrong, the Strong Arm Alchemist. Major, this is the state alchemist I took under my wing that I mentioned before."

Ah, he's the same rank as me—for what it's worth. "I'm Major Ivy Caiman, the Sickle Weasel Alchemist. It's nice to meet you." Now, if Mustang would declare that greeting enough, I could go ahead and get back to my research…

Armstrong took the moment to look me over, and I did the same in turn. He had to be at least six feet tall, easy, plus he had the muscles to add to his overall bulk. The top of his head was bald, save for one blonde curl that complimented his thick mustache. He navigated his way around the desk, for what I presumed to be a handshake, so I held out my hand in advance.

"Ivy Caiman!" Armstrong said, his voice booming across the room as he approached. I might have just been imagining it, but I thought I saw Hawkeye give me a pitying look. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I heard about your exam results and many other things from the Lt. Colonel. Such talent! Such mastery! You have done truly impressive things at your age. Becoming the youngest State Alchemist to date—I am in tears at your ability!"

"Um… Yeah, thanks?" The worst part was that he wasn't using a metaphor; great trails of tears were winding down his face. I tried to back up a step, but Breda's chair was in the way. "Seriously, good to meet you, but I was working on some alchemy research, so…"

"And such determination to continue refining your craft, even though you've accomplished so much already!" Armstrong flexed enough that his muscles were visible even through the stiff material of his uniform. "You deserve numerous accolades that I am not capable of giving you. I can, however, encourage you to rest so that you can approach your work with fresh eyes. Allow I, Alex Louis Armstrong, to treat you to lunch!"

And, taking the hand I had so foolishly offered in a handshake, Major Alex Louis Armstrong dragged me off without giving me a say in the matter.


Given how our first encounter had gone, it wasn't surprising that I wasn't thrilled with being in a witness reporting area with Major Armstrong sitting across from me. Then again, being in the same position with some military police member who likely wouldn't have taken me seriously in my civilian clothes would have been all kinds of annoying, too. I couldn't really say which one was the lesser of two evils.

Then again, some MP wouldn't be crying a goddamn ocean right now.

I, along with several other people, had been enlisted to serve as witnesses for the pickpocketing crime, and the rest of the office was a buzz of discussion. I waited a few more moments, but Armstrong's melodramatics didn't seem to be easing any time soon. "Major, aren't you supposed to be taking my statement? I would like to get back to my vacation soon, please."

"My apologies!" Armstrong said, once again exhibiting that he didn't have the slightest clue of what an inside voice was supposed to be. He pulled a handkerchief from his uniform and proceeded to wipe his face. "I was so overcome by emotion by your display of kindness for your fellow citizens. Even when you're not on duty, you're looking out for the safety of others. Such an admirable trait, Ivrena Caiman!"

Considering the racket Armstrong was making, it wasn't much of a surprise that we were attracting plenty of attention. It seemed even the people that worked with the Major couldn't get used to his bombastic attitude. And I probably shouldn't mention to him that I was honestly just looking for an opportunity to practice what Rito taught me and get back to my lunch. Which I didn't get to finish anyways.

I held back my sigh. "Wouldn't you say that looking out for the safety of others involves swift execution of justice, Major?" I asked, hoping that would be enough to appease him.

Armstrong's eyes widened in surprise before his expression evened out (or at least, that was my guess with that moustache in the way). "Yes, of course. You have such dedication, even when you're not on duty." I chose not to mention that I was more interested in getting back to my personal time in hopes that we could get back on track. Lucky for me, it worked out, and it didn't take long for me to recite and sign off on my version of events, considering that I'd just been involved with the situation for five minutes max. For all his eccentric tendencies, I supposed Armstrong didn't just have his title as Major because he was a State Alchemist (unlike yours truly), and he managed his job well. Gathering up the necessary papers, Armstrong straightened them out on the table between us. "That should take care of that, then. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance with catching the thief."

I nodded. Yes, the police report part was a pain, but it was nice to get recognition for something other than my paperwork handling and getting my ass kicked by Rito less often than usual. "Well, I'd rather put a stop to something like that than just let it go on unchecked." I could all but see Armstrong's mouth open in another tirade praising me, but I interjected to stop it. "No offense, though, but isn't handling a bag thief case kind of below your pay grade? You've got plenty of MPs around to handle stuff like that."

Armstrong hummed. "Most of the time, you'd be right, but we've been dealing with a string of petty crime cases like this lately. I've stepped in to help provide some additional manpower. It tends to boost morale when someone like a State Alchemist steps in to help." I'd seen the same thing happen whenever Mustang stepped up to assist with cases back home, so that made sense. I couldn't quite imagine Rosomak producing the same effect, though. His brow furrowing a bit, Armstrong leaned forward so I could hear his lowered voice over the din. "You should be careful, Ivrena Caiman. I know that you're skilled, but out of uniform, you look just like a civilian. Stay alert while you're in town."

"Well, if they're all like that punk I took down earlier, then there shouldn't be much to worry about." The words came out of my mouth before I realized it, and I cleared my throat. "But I promise I'll keep an eye out, Major. The less police reports I have to give while I'm here, all the better."

"Very well. I trust that you know how to handle yourself." Placated, Armstrong pulled himself up from his seat. "And of course, if you need anything, you can ask for my help. For example, if you would like an escort to your next destination, I would be glad to provide it for you!"

I shook my head a bit too fast, but Armstrong didn't seem to notice. "I'm not going too far from here, so don't worry about it. Besides, you've got plenty of work to take care of." I hopped to my feet and retrieved my day bag from beside my seat. "I'm also not the type to get lost, either, so no fuss. Have a good one, Major."

And, hoping that I didn't have need to enter the MP's office again over the next two weeks, I took my leave.


"Major Armstrong is right, you know. Anyone who only took one look at you wouldn't suspect much, though you are starting to develop more muscle than the first time I saw you."

"Can we please not? This is supposed to be a break from work."

"Yes, yes, as you say," Rosomak said in a placating tone that reminded me a bit too much of Mustang. "Though I will note that you have a rather definition of taking a break from work if this is how you're planning to spend your time."

Considering that I was sitting across from Rosomak on a large table covered with various alchemical research notes, there wasn't much I could do to refute what he was saying. In fact, the one thing separating this scenario from a work encounter was that I was in casual clothes, rather than uniform. My whole aim was to see if I could make any breakthroughs in a different environment, so I could have counted this as a work trip, but I missed being able to travel as free as I wanted. By taking a vacation, I could research and explore at my leisure.

"Just look at it this way," I said, scanning over the materials in front of me to both store the info for later and hopefully hit on the next thread of inspiration. "I'm just an enthusiastic alchemy student who's here to do some specialized research for my own interest. If it happens to benefit work, it's a bonus."

"That sounds very much like something a workaholic would say, Major Caiman," Rosomak said, but his chuckle betrayed his amusement. "Well, as said, I am glad for your company and insight, and I hope the feeling is mutual." Considering that I'd never had Rosomak get on my nerves before, I nodded. "In that case, do be careful while you're out and about. Considering that you're still refining your scythe's materials, I wouldn't want you to get caught without your signature weapon at hand."

I'd found that having Rosomak mention my scythe tended to make the weapon in my pocket feel heavier than usual, the simple presence pressing against my thigh. Sometimes I hated how our brains worked. "Well, I managed to handle one punk without it, so I think I'll manage. Besides, I'm either going to be here, in one of the libraries, or at my hotel for the most part, which all happen to be pretty close to military buildings. It would take one stupid pickpocket to try and target me."

Rosomak hummed while penning some notes on a sheet of scrap paper to the side. "All fair points, I'll admit." Satisfied by my small victory, I smirked a bit. "Still, I'll insist that you keep an eye out, anyways. Better to notice an issue in advance and strike out with the initiative than being stuck reacting in the moment."

"Are you implying that handling things in the moment isn't my strong suit?"

Rosomak's eyes seemed to be laughing, though he kept the rest of his face passive. "You said it, not me." I huffed but didn't have a counter-argument; my temper had gotten me into trouble more times than I was willing to spend time on counting. "Self-awareness is the first step to personal improvement, Major Caiman."

Funny how having someone you respected giving you unsolicited advice could make you stop and think. I had the feeling that if Mustang had told me the same thing, I would have started an argument without any hesitation. "Well, for now I'm self-aware that my scythe is still in the development phase." I looked back down to my own work and adjusted a few lines on my demo circle. "Hm, do you think this is an improvement from the last draft?"

I passed my paper to Rosomak, who spent several minutes looking over everything with a critical eye. Out of everything, the waiting was the worst part, but he had far more experience in the realm of theory than I did. Getting his opinion after a few minutes' wait time was more than invaluable.

"From what you've told me you want, this seems to be more than sufficient." I sat up a little straighter and accepted the draft circle as Rosomak returned it. I'm pretty sure that's at least a passing grade. "Of course, you know me. I tend to work in the theoretical realm of things. There's just one way for you to tell if it's going to serve your needs."

Rosomak shifted in his seat, and, by the time he was on his feet, I'd already leapt up from my chair, draft circle still in hand. Seeing that I didn't need an explanation, Rosomak started to lead the way, and I followed behind until we reached a storage room off to the side of the main work area, and shelves with hundreds of samples and materials glinted from their spots as Rosomak flicked the lights on.

"I'll admit that maybe I went a bit overboard in preparing for your visit," Rosomak said, "but I had fun thinking of materials that would suit what you're working towards." With a dramatic flourish of a hand and a grin, he made way for me to enter. "Feel free to use whatever compounds you like, Major Caiman.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what you can come up with."


[Author's Notes]

Making up alchemy nonsense is fun. I'm just kinda going with the flow, so don't expect anything too in-depth, but you know.

Thanks to Cherokeefox20 for the fav and follow! I appreciate you, and I hope you enjoy the chapter.

My writing schedule is a mess rn, but there sure are more KC chapters in the background, so you'll see the next part soon enough-ish? My life is chaos right now, please stand by.

Next time, more studying! Please look forward to it!

-Avi

[04.16.2022]