Honor And Duty (A Study Of Alex Louis Armstrong)
He is, quite possibly, one of the kindest, most well-intentioned, and annoying people in the East District. Among others. It's understandable, really; the Armstrongs are, well… strong of presence. It seems to be some kind of genetic thing; they project their personalities so strongly out onto their target audience that the audience finds them frankly oppressive and irritating.
The world should be grateful that the Armstrongs are generally quite amiable. If they ever got it into their heads to rule the world, it is entirely possible that the empire of Amestris would succumb to their intense force of personality (as well as the strange hallucinatory sense of mysterious spotlights and alarming sparkles). As it is… well, they are, thankfully, not a large family, though proud of their continuing dynasty -all alchemists- a constant source of wonder as to their genetic potency.
(It has been speculated that if the Armstrongs ever produced a large brood, the numbers of alchemists would potentially explode, but nobody has ever been brave enough, or insane enough, to try.)
Alex Louis Armstrong is truly the heir of his particular bloodline. Anybody who has spent more than twenty minutes alone with him, such as the Fullmetal Alchemist Edward Elric (who survived a number of weeks alone with him, a feat unmatched by any), can attest to this fact. It is one of the continuing mysteries of the universe- how each generation of Armstrongs is so kind and good and incredibly nerve-wracking.
This particular Armstrong, however, might be somewhat different from the rest of his eccentric ancestry.
Against all expectation, Alex Louis became a State Alchemist, officially enlisted in the Army, and maintained the rank of Major. His parents, benevolently opposed to the violence inherent in his career choice, nevertheless did their best to support him. Not many people bother the Armstrongs, and in return the Armstrongs do not bother many people. It maintains the not-inconsiderable status quo of the Armstrong finances. This is one of the reasons why Alex Louis does not really care if he is promoted or not.
At first he joined the army because he was young and filled with the youthful ideals of 'duty towards one's country'. He felt that, as one who did not fear death, it was what he owed to his country. Then, as the Dark Times came, young Alex found that there are, indeed, some things worse than death.
It might include signing one's soul off on a piece of paper, and one's freedom of will along with it.
Never had an Armstrong questioned his innate sense of honor. To many of that noble breed, black and white are clearly cut; the Ishvar Annihilation Campaign changed that. Alex, now a grown man, realized what he had submitted himself to, and what he could never now erase from his identity.
Duty demanded obedience. Honor demanded rebellion. Both of them he denied, time and time again as his alchemy claimed life after fragile, budding life.
That is why he seems especially passionate about emotional relationships, so compassionate about lost causes. All that he is, all that he stands for, he sees within those insignificant-seeming gestures.
Can't you see that THIS IS WHAT'S IMPORTANT IN LIFE, THIS IS WHAT WE SHOULD PROTECT, not some petty military promotion, not more wealth and power and whatever? Or do you simply refuse to see anything?
... THIS SICKENS ME.
But Honor and Duty order him to silence, and he obeys. What else is left for an Armstrong, but those two jealous mistresses?
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That isn't really turn out the way I expected it… I was aiming for something that reflected the events of the raid on the Devil's Nest, as well as a brief reflection on the Fight On! Gaiden where Alex's family are introduced. I think I did the latter quite tolerably, the latter somewhat inadequately… Review and tell me what you think? As well as any requests on future chapter Character Studies…