Disclaimer: I own only the clothes I am wearing and nothing of the characters I am writing…They remain property of whom I redeem as Gods XP

Musky, humid, damp; the streets of Central were bathed in the luminescent flicker of street lamps, reflecting off the wet cobbled paths. The midnight sky was laden with vast, choking grey clouds. Silence prevailed, bar the patter of rain against shadowed buildings.

A lone figure emerged from the local tavern. He crouched by the door, bolting and padlocking the various latches. Contented, he stood, holding his sodden hat to his head and began to jog toward home, unaware of his shared surroundings or the gleaming sulphur eyes trailing after him.

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Gloved hand resting against the cool windowpane, Colonel Mustang sighed, pressing his forehead up to the glass. Rain had never been one of his preferred elements and the dark clouds always had a way of making his thoughts deviate from their intended track. The latter being the papers awaiting his attentions upon the desk, which his dark eyes gazed upon with disdain.

Resolutely, Mustang took in a deep breath and withdrew himself to his leather seat. He rubbed his eyes and began to read,

'Colonel Roy Mustang:

I am writing you because I am convinced that current Central State policy toward Drachma is not succeeding and that we may soon face a threat in North far more serious than any we have known since the end of the Ishbal Rebellion. In your upcoming state military address, you have an opportunity to chart a clear and determined course for meeting this threat to the Amestris' North City and the town of Brigg. I urge you to seize that opportunity and define a new strategy that would secure the interests of the Central and other allied provinces around…'

He placed down the paper and brought his white gloved hands to his head, massaging his temples with the coarse ignition cloth. 'Heh, people are so clueless and optimistic. Why send a letter like this to a Colonel? Surely a Brigadier General has a greater chance of swaying the Fuhrer…'

"Maybe it's because the people know that you have their best interests at heart and aren't corrupted by a material World." Mustang, shook out of his supposed silent reverie, looked up at his First Lieutenant, Riza Hawkeye. Seeing the confusion in Roy's eyes she decided to add, "You were thinking aloud." The colonel gave a fleeting smile, contemplating the letter again before placing it unceremoniously upon the desk.

"Hmm, I doubt you entered the room just to give me moral support. I suppose I should enquire as to your being here?" Mustang flashed his charming smile; Riza nodded and gave a short salute paying no heed to the flirtatious manner.

"Colonel, we have just received orders to aid local authorities in the case of a fatal mauling that occurred at approximately zero-two-hundred hours. The circumstances indicate an animal attack." Roy gave out a snort in disapproval, his nose wrinkling in distaste as he watched Riza give a quizzical glance in his direction.

"Then why not call the animal welfare department? We're soldiers!" Roy began to rant, annoyance coursing its way through his being. "As if Breda would be up to the challenge of dealing with a wild dog, or Fuery with anything larger than a household feline…" As quickly as the rant began, a malicious twist smirked its way across his features. "And where would the bane of my right hand be? Surely this animal problem would be well within Fullmetal's diminutive grasp."

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"Aaachooooooo!"

Edward rubbed at his nose, blaming the sneeze on the dusty train carriage. He glanced over at his brother, the metallic grey armour reflecting the sun that crept in through the window. Edward exhaled loudly to get Al's attention and rapped his fingers along the arm of the wooden bench.

"Hmm? You aren't hungry again, are you brother?" If Al had any other means of showing exasperation, he would. Ed pouted, pushing golden bangs out of his eyes before crossing his arms. Al promptly continued, before Ed had a chance of voicing his disapproval and indignation.

"You know it's good that we're heading back to central. I wonder if anything's changed since we were last there?" Ed rolled his eyes.

"Nothing's going to of changed, Al! That bastard Colonel is still going to be there…acting like err, the bastard he is! Hughes still has a camera doesn't he?"

"Eh…hmm, I guess you're right brother. But I do miss them; we've been gone for almost a month now!" Ed gave a small huff; sure he missed them but as soon as they returned Ed would want to leave again. Nothing productive was being achieved by staying in Central. 'pssh, all this time wasting. And just because that bastard thinks it's amusing to send us on wild goose chases!' Edward silently seethed, clenching his fist tightly and grinding his teeth. All he knew was that this time, the Colonel had damn well spill the proverbial beans before he got a well deserved automail limb to the groin. Noticing the raging aura around his brother, Al decided it best to slowly edge away in the opposite direction, silently praying the three hour train journey would hurry up and finish.