Author's Note: First off, I'd like to thank my first two reviewers for their reviews. Very much appreciated. Second, please, if you are reading this, leave me a review. Even if it is just, "I liked it," that would be incredibly helpful to know I have more readers. I am hoping to get at least 3-5 more reviews, otherwise, I probably will stop posting this story. So if you like it, again, please review.
The following is the second chapter of my fanfiction. Please, read and review, but be kind. I have alter the timeline of some of the events that are found in both the manga and the anime to suit this story. Also, remember, please, that I have altered some of the facts of FMA, which is why my character can do what she can.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist. I do own Ria Karma.
Fullmetal Alchemist
-and the-
Sin Alchemist
-Two-
The room was dark, but it did not bother Ria. She lay on the cold hard bed inside her room at East City Military Hotel, and stared into the darkness. It had not been her desire to become a state alchemist, but she couldn't have avoided military discovery for much longer. Word had spread quickly about the young girl that was seen in the company of people who had been dead for years. Pressured into explaining who the people were, and why they carried the face of those who were dearly departed, Ria had confessed to her alchemy, not knowing at the time exactly what she had done. The townsfolk, knowing her past, had kept generally quiet about it. Their silence, however, began to fail when those that she had raised from the dead had begun to pass on again after having come into contact with her for a second time. Soon, all travelers that passed through the village learned of the young girl who could raise the dead, and create life on her own; the little girl who played God in her backyard. Word soon trickled down to the ears of those that worked for the military and soon found its way to Colonel Roy Mustang.
He had tracked her down to that small village, and asked her only to perform some alchemy. She obliged him by showing him the same thing she had done later on in her exams. Impressed, but knowing there was more to it all, he had asked her to return to Central Command with him, to take the alchemy exam. She hadn't given him an answer right away, and was only prompted to say yes when a band of mercenaries came through, and attempted to kidnap her. Luckily, the Flame Alchemist had burnt them to a crisp before they could get away with anything more than a damaged garden or two. With her safety at risk if she staid, she agreed to go with him.
Now she lay in the dark in one of the rooms in the military hotel. Colonel Mustang had dismissed her after her outburst in his office with the order that she was to stay put inside of her room. He had sent Hawkeye along with her to make sure that Ria did not leave. At that very moment, Lieutenant Hawkeye stood outside the door, awaiting Second Lieutenant Maria Ross and Sergeant Denny Bloch to take her post. Ria knew already that Hawkeye did not like to be too far away from the Colonel at any given time. Ria had even glimpsed Hawkeye standing outside of the exam room as Colonel Mustang had entered with Basque Grande.
Ria sat up, sighing. Perhaps Mustang thought that Ria had already changed her mind about being a State Alchemist. Maybe he thought she was going to try to run. Whatever the case, Ria had no intentions of leaving. She wasn't stupid enough to leave the ready protection of the military. Outside, she knew word had already spread far and wide about her; another underage state alchemist was interesting news, and Ria was sure that the truth of what her alchemy skills were had already leaked too.
Shifting herself on the bed, she looked towards the solitary window in her room. The night sky was clear, and the stars were bright. The faint light fell in through the window, drowning the room in a ghostly glow. It was a depressing room, or at least she thought it was. Had she not learned to repress her own emotions years ago, she thought, she'd probably be sad just from the room. It didn't surprise her to hear whispers of how she seemed like a living doll. She had been like that for as long as she could remember.
As she lost herself in thought, Ria was pulled back by a sudden commotion outside her door. Getting to her feet, she crossed the room, and pulled open the door. She looked around for the source of the commotion and spotted Hawkeye helping a young officer to his feet. A chair lay a few feet away, overturned; he had obviously tripped over it, sending both it and himself crashing to the ground. Another female officer was reaching down to pick it up, a funny sort of frown on her face, as though she were amused and frustrated at the same time.
"I'm sorry…I'm sorry," The officer was back on his feet, brushing himself off. There was a smudge of dirt across his nose, and his blonde hair was sticking up in the back. "I am sorry, Lieutenant Hawkeye, I didn't see that chair there!"
The other female officer had managed to set the chair back on its legs only to have it collapse again. The back leg of the chair had snapped in the fall, and gave way as soon as it was up straight.
"Look what you did, Bloch, you broke it. I swear you are such a klutz." She placed the chair down on its side, and turned her attention to her companion. "I am sorry for all the commotion, Lt. Hawkeye."
Ria could see that the officer in front of her had dark, short brown hair, and a mole under her left eye. Like Hawkeye, she had a cool demeanor, but a kind heart.
"Oh, Ria, I didn't see you standing there." Hawkeye had finally noticed Ria in the doorway.
The other two gave a squawk, and saluted the newest State Alchemist. Ria waved her hand at them, and turned her attention to Hawkeye without a word. She could see out of the corner of her eye the two officers exchanging a confused look.
"This is Ria Karma, the Sin Alchemist." Hawkeye turned towards them.
The klutzy officer spoke first. "Hello, Miss Sin Alchemist. I am Sergeant Denny Bloch." He gave her a goofy smile that faded quickly under her empty gaze.
"And I am Second Lieutenant Maria Ross," The one with the mole was much more business like. "We are your guard and escorts."
Ria nodded her head slightly, but did not speak. Ross and Bloch both seemed unsure of her, and she preferred to keep it that way.
"Ria," Hawkeye's attention was back on her. "The Colonel wants to see you tomorrow at ten o'clock. Don't forget, and don't be late please." The Lieutenant began to move away from the group. "I will leave you in the care of these two, if you need anything just send one of them to Mustang."
"Yes. Thank you. Good night, Lieutenant." Ria responded, before disappearing back into the room, and shutting the door behind her.
Hawkeye, Ross, and Bloch all watched the door shut and did not speak until they heard a click from the inside.
"She's a bit…unusual, isn't she?" Ross asked the Lieutenant.
"Yes, she is. Make sure you keep your eyes on her, and don't let her out of your sight. Colonel Mustang gave a strict order that she was to be kept under supervision at all times," Hawkeye answered. "Good night."
"Good night," Bloch and Ross called in unison at the retreating back of the Lieutenant.
//-//
CRASH. "He makes me so mad!"
A waste bin went flying across the small hotel room Edward was sharing with his brother. Its side was imprinted with an exactly replica of the bottom of Ed's left boot, where he had kicked it in his rage. Ed stomped over to the window and peered down into the courtyard below.
"He orders us back here on the drop of a hat, and then when we finally get here, he doesn't even have time to meet us! That's so like him," The dislike in Ed's voice was apparent, but Al was so used to it he didn't even notice anymore.
"Ed, the Colonel can't help it. He's a busy man, and he couldn't have guaranteed what time we would arrive, so he couldn't make all those people wait for us to get there," Al responded nonchalantly, petting the military hotel's pet cat.
Upon arriving at Eastern Headquarters, Ed and Al had forced their way through the crowds of officers, military policemen, and state alchemist to get to Mustang's crowded office. Havoc and Falman had warned them outside of Headquarters that his office would be swamped, as a lot of higher ups were trickling in at all hours of the day to get information on the newest prodigy to join the State Alchemists. After waiting for twenty minutes in the corner, and watching as five different officers of various ranks were denied the privilege of meeting the Sin Alchemist, Ed was starting to feel impatient. Five minutes later, after shouting down the last one that it was an order of not only himself, but also the Fuehrer President, Mustang finally turned his attention to the slightly amused Elric brothers.
"You two are going to have to head to the military hotel, I've already got you a room. I don't have time to meet with you now. I've got to meet with the Investigations department about the murder of Basque Grande," Mustang gathered up a couple of papers and moved away from his desk. "I'll send a message with Hawkeye later, with a time to meet tomorrow."
With that, Mustang had fled the room, chased by subordinates someway in need of him. Now it was nearing the wee hours of the morning, and there had been no sign of Hawkeye or a message from either her or Mustang. Ed pulled away from the window and looked at his younger brother.
"He could've told Havoc that before he sent him to pick us up," Ed argued, wanting to hear Al agree with him, even if it was just an empty agreement to appease him. "No, instead he has Havoc drag us all the way to Headquarters so we could turn around and leave again."
"You should get some sleep, Ed. We'll have to go early to Headquarters since we don't have a time." Al changed the subject with the ease of one who had much practice. "It's late anyway."
Ed sat on the side of his bed, and kicked of his shoes one at a time, all the while grumbling under his breath. "I hate that Flame Bastard. He's such a pompous…"
The clanking of Al's armor as he crossed the room to let the cat out drowned the rest of his words out. Ed watched as his brother coaxed the cat out of the room. He had only just lain back against the pillows when he heard Alphonse give a squeak of surprise.
"Lieutenant Hawkeye!" Ed sat up at his brother's exclamation.
On the other side of the door, stood the weary Lieutenant. Ed scrambled out of his bed as Al stepped aside to let her through. She shut the door behind herself, and smiled down at Edward.
"Lieutenant, what are you doing here?" Ed asked.
"I have a message for you from Roy. I'm sorry to drop in so late. I would've delivered it earlier, but I was on duty somewhere else in the hotel," She answered.
Ed raised an eyebrow. "You were on duty here?"
Hawkeye nodded. "Yes." She gave a reluctant laugh at the curious, but pressing look on Edward's face. "I've been with the Sin Alchemist."
Ed's face lit up with excitement, despite the lateness of the hour. "That's the new State Alchemist, right? She's here? What is she like?"
"You boys are well informed for having been away from East City for so long," Hawkeye was always rather amused by the fact the Elric brothers seemed to know things they weren't supposed to. "Yes, Fullmetal, she's staying down the hall from you…"
Ed cut her off. "Well, great! I'll just go introduce myself. What room is she in?"
Hawkeye's smile faded. "I'm sorry, Ed. Though I would like to ease your curiosity, Colonel Mustang has ordered that she stay in her room tonight, and she is not allowed to receive visitors either." Ed's face fell into anger. "You'll get to meet her tomorrow, Edward. The Colonel wants you to be in his office at ten promptly."
"So when do I get to meet her then?" Ed asked, childishly.
The Lieutenant hesitated. "She'll be waiting to meet you, I suspect, at ten o'clock tomorrow."
Alphonse spoke for the first time since Hawkeye entered their room. "Really? She will?"
Hawkeye nodded. "Don't be late. Now if you'll excuse me, I still have to return to Eastern Headquarters. Good night boys." She paused at the door, resting her hand on the knob. "And Edward, you are not to go visit her. Second Lieutenant Ross and Sergeant Bloch are there and they will deny you entry."
Ed frowned; Hawkeye had known he had still intended to go to looking for the Sin Alchemist's room. Nodding, both he and Al bid her good night and waved as she let herself out, watching her walk away until the door shut. As soon as it clicked, Al locked it. Ed launched himself onto his bed, and thought about the new information they had just received. It was odd, he thought for a State Alchemist to have a guard. The only time any State Alchemist had a guard was when Scar, the notorious Ishbalan murderer who stalked and killed only State Alchemist, was nearby.
"Al." Ed spoke without facing his brother.
"Yes, Brother?"
"Do you think there is something strange about this whole thing?" He couldn't help the suspicious tone in his voice.
Al was in agreement. "Yes. Ed, since when does a new State Alchemist get a guard? She isn't allowed to leave her room, either!"
Ed pulled his hair out its standard braid, and turned to face the wall. He was suddenly very tired, and even his suspicions weren't enough to keep him awake. Pulling the blanket up over his shoulders, he shifted his body to make himself more comfortable.
"Tomorrow, Al, we find out what the deal is with this girl," He yawned. "Agreed?"
"Agreed. But do you think, Ed, that maybe she's what Mustang called us back for?" Al responded.
There was silence in the room.
"Ed?"
It was no use. The Fullmetal Alchemist was sound asleep, his mind too deep into a world where Al was growing up in his own body, their mother was there every day with a smile on her face, and where Ed himself no longer needed to brandish a silver pocket watch.
//-//
Morning came too early for Ria. She lay awake, watching the sun crawl across the floor. It was perhaps seven o'clock, seven-thirty at the latest. She wondered whether or not she could go out and find herself some breakfast, or if she would have to send the Klutz or the Stone to fetch it for her. She had dubbed her guard with these nicknames for two reasons; the first being she was reminded of a stone by the second Lieutenants personality, plus it was obvious that the Sergeant was an utter walking catastrophe. He had managed to wake her up more than once during the night with crashes and cries of 'I'm sorry.' The second reason was simply that she hadn't troubled herself to remember their names. Besides, the names themselves were much nicer than what she had originally thought. It would have been cruel to verbally refer to them as Idiot One and Idiot Two, even though she could probably get away with it. She did outrank them after all.
After a few more moments of random contemplation, she heaved herself into the sitting position, and stretched her arms and legs. She could see the courtyard clearly through her window, and saw it was empty except for a cat sleeping on a stone bench in the sun. The sun was shinning, birds were chirping, and yet Ria did not feel anything. She reached for her clothes that hung on the foot of the bed. She pulled her shirt over her head, and pulled it down. A chunk of her hair was tangled in the strap of her shirt, tugging painfully. She pulled it loose irritably, and grabbed her pants. If she hurried, she though to herself, maybe she could sneak away unnoticed.
A few minutes later, fully dressed, Ria pulled the door open a crack. She spotted Bloch sitting in a chair, his head to the side with a small dribble of drool slipping from his mouth. He was snoring loudly. Ria turned her head to see Maria Ross' head disappearing down the nearby flight of stairs. Now was her chance, she thought. She pushed open the door, just wide enough for her to slip out, and closed it quietly. Her footsteps were barely audible as she made her way past the stairs, and to the door at the end of the hall. In bold letters, it read EMPLOYEES ONLY. Ria pushed the door open, and revealed a separate stairway.
She did not hesitate. She took the stairs two at a time, and pushed through the door at the bottom. She found herself in the middle of an empty lobby. Checking to see if Ross was nearby, Ria made her way to the door. Once outside, Ria took a deep breath and continued down the street to the nearest commissary.
East City was quiet for the early hour. Ria couldn't help but notice the lack of people, civilians and soldiers alike. She passed a person here and there, but didn't offer more than a nod to anyone who acknowledged her. The money in her pocket jingled, as if to scream out 'SPEND ME'. Ria stuck her hand into her pocket to silence it. Even though she had never had this much money at her disposal in her life, it did not mean she was going to spend all of her research grant in one go. Especially on a silly thing like breakfast; the idea was laughable. Stopping in front of a lamppost, the Sin Alchemist looked around for a place to eat. Across the street she spotted a small café where several people sat outside dining on biscuits and tea.
She crossed the street. The café was warm as she stepped inside. A man with white hair stood behind the counter handling a transaction of a small blonde boy with a braid and a red coat. It took her a moment to realize that beside the boy stood a suit of armor.
"Now, enjoy your breakfast boys. I'll send some fresh milk out to you in a moment if you'd like. No charge, it's on the house." She heard the man saying.
"Oh, no, we couldn't accept that. The law of equivalent exchange, you see," The boy in the red waved his hand at the old man. "We did nothing in exchange for the milk."
Ria jumped as the suit of armor giggled. "That, and my older brother doesn't like milk."
"Equivalent Exchange, huh?" The man laughed. "Well, if you insist. Good day, boys."
The Sin Alchemist frowned to herself. Equivalent exchange was a laughable principle, and anyone who believed in it was a fool, Ria thought as the two passed by her. She watched them leave the shop and take a table right near the window, feeling as though there was something wrong with them.
"Can I help you, Miss?" The old man was staring at her now.
Startled, she turned back to him. "Could I get one of whatever's hot, please?"
The old man nodded. As he turned his back to Ria, he called out. "Are you new around here? I've got a sharp memory and I don't recall ever seeing you here before."
"Yes." Ria responded shortly.
"Where are you from?" The old man didn't seem to notice the coldness in Ria's tone.
She felt her annoyance level rise a centimeter. "I am from up in the North Area."
He finally turned back to the counter, holding a steaming cinnamon roll wrapped in wax paper in his hand. "What brings you here?"
Ria flicked her hair back irritably. The man just didn't seem to get it. Reaching for the cinnamon roll, she answered him as rudely as she dared.
"I am not allowed to give out that information. How much?"
Finally, a look of understanding crossed the man's face. "I am sorry, Miss. Five sens."
Ria tossed the money on the counter and turned to go, only to walk into someone.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I-…Sin, is that you?" The person apologized before looking up into Ria's face. "You're not supposed to be out of your room!"
She flinched to find the bright eyes of Kain Fuery. They had met the day before on the way to Mustang's office. His bumbling personality was similar to that of Bloch, but Fuery had every intention of following Mustang's orders, even if they weren't to him.
"Colonel Mustang is going to be furious when he finds out. You do realize that you could be court marshaled for this, right? You disobeyed a direct order from your commanding officer!"
Ria wanted nothing more than for Fuery to shut up before the old baker heard what he was saying. She pushed by Fuery and went out the door. As it swung closed behind her, she heard the old man gasp.
"She's in the military?"
"Yes," Fuery answered. "Excuse me."
He hurried towards Ria, though she continued walking. She kept a distance between them until her legs could take the effort no longer and she slowed.
"Ria, I am going to have to take you back to the hotel." Fuery reached for her arm.
Instinctively, she yanked her arm out of his reach so hard that she fell to the ground. Her cinnamon roll fell out of her hand and rolled away into the bushes. She watched it go as her stomach grumbled. Five sens wasted.
"Let me help you up," Fuery reached for her again, but she stuck her leg out to stop him.
"Don't-touch-me." She breathed icily. "Ever."
Fuery stood back and saluted her. "Yes, Sin Alchemist."
Ria sat up, sighing. She had really wanted that roll. Dusting herself off, she got to her feet. Chink. She looked down to see her State Alchemist watch rolling away from her, in the direction of her cinnamon roll. It stopped abruptly at the feet of a man that had just appeared, and he bent to pick it up.
The man was dirty, probably homeless. He had patch over his right eye, and an automail left arm. Okay, so maybe not homeless. He grinned as he mouthed the words inscribed on the front of the watch.
"The Sin Alchemist," He looked up at Ria. "How very interesting."
Fuery stepped in front of her. "Please return that watch to me, Sir. It's is property of a State Alchemist, and to take it is a punishable offense." He reached his hand out to the vagrant for the watch.
"Alright, you can have the watch back, if you offer something in Equivalent Exchange. That's what alchemist's believe in, right? Equivalent Exchange. Something of value equal to this watch," Mr. Vagrant glanced around sarcastically, and then let his eyes land on Ria. "How about the State Alchemist herself?"
At that very moment, Ria had walked over to the embankment where the grass had died and given way to dirt. She clapped her hands and pressed them on to the cold, hard ground. There was a flash of green light, and she stepped back revealing a flesh and blood tiger standing where she had just placed her hands. It growled, and crouched down.
"Give back the watch," Ria said, her voice cold and monotonous.
Fuery jumped back out of the way as the tiger crawled forward, clearly ready to attack. The vagrant was shaking in his boots, frozen with fear, and unable to move his feet from the spot. He turned towards Ria, a petrified look on his face.
"Call it off!" He screeched. "I don't know how the hell you did that, but call it off!"
Ria extended her hand. "The watch."
"Alright, alright!" He tossed the watch to her, and it landed in her palm. "Call it off!"
Ria raised her free hand, and pointed one slender finger at the vagrant. He obviously took at as signal for the tiger to attack, and bolted in the other direction, screaming about wild animals in the middle of East City. As he disappeared from sight, Ria moved back towards the tiger, which was now lying down, licking its huge paws and purring like a kitten. Clapping her hands, she knelt down and pressed them down on the tigers back. Fuery watched, horrified that she dared get that close to the animal.
Closing her eyes, she bit her lip. "I'm sorry," She breathed as she and the giant cat were engulfed in a green flash of light.
When the light had disappeared, there was nothing but a pile of dirt where the tiger had been. Ria paused for a moment, with her head bowed, as though she were praying. When she forced herself to her feet, she turned back to Fuery. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a flash of red. She spotted the boy in the red coat and the suit of armor standing a few feet away. They both looked stunned, and Ria knew that they had just witnessed everything. She turned and headed in the direction of the hotel, with Fuery trailing in her wake.
//-//
Edward watched as the dark haired girl disappeared with Sergeant Fuery. He knew that he had just witnessed a demonstration of the Sin Alchemist's skills, and had every desire to catch up with them, but he could not move his feet. She had noticed him standing nearby, but her face had shown no sign of recognition. She had thought him, obviously, as pedestrian. She knew he was an alchemist, as he had seen her in the café during his exchange with the baker. Other than, she seemed to think of him as nothing of importance, but was perhaps annoyed with the fact that he had witnessed her alchemy.
"Ed, did…did you see that?" Al asked in a hushed whisper.
Ed nodded. "I think, Al, that she was the Sin Alchemist."
There was a gasp from inside of the armor. "If that's her…"
"C'mon Al, we need to catch up to her. I want to talk to her without Mustang around, and this might be our only chance," Ed pushed himself to move.
They followed the Sin Alchemist and Fuery back to the hotel. As Ed and Al made their way in side of the hotel, they watched, as the Sin Alchemist was being frantically ushered upstairs by a flustered looking Maria Ross. The young girl herself was hardly disturbed by the commotion. Her face was completely blank as she took the stairs, and she said nothing to Fuery or Ross. Fuery stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching as the two disappeared around the corner. Turning to go, Fuery's face flushed as he spotted Ed and Al.
"Ed!" Fuery had obviously not noticed Ed until now. "Hello!"
"Oh hello, Serge-BROTHER!" Alphonse raised his arm in greeting, as his older brother made a dash for Fuery.
"Take me to meet her, Fuery." Ed grasped the collar of Fuery's uniform in his hands. "I want to talk to her before Mustang can give any orders."
Fuery stumbled, gasping for air. "I can't, Ed. Mustang's order…"
Ed frowned. "C'mon, Fuery, just get me a few minutes with her."
He gave Fuery a little shake, and watched as the man's expression changed. Fuery gave a gasp, and then pointed behind Edward. Ed tightened his grip on Fuery's collar.
"Now, Fullmetal, why exactly are you choking Sergeant Fuery?" A hand came to rest on Ed's shoulder. "I must ask that you release my subordinate."
Ed shuddered as he released Fuery. Only one person in the world could have that extremely arrogant and condescending voice. Ed turned to come face to face with Roy Mustang, who was smiling pleasantly at Ed's annoyance. Ed stared back at his commanding officer, taking in the dark eyed gaze, and the sheen of his ebony hair.
"Colonel Mustang," Ed spat.
"Settle down, Edward." Mustang began moving towards the stairs. "I've changed our meeting time and place."
Ed rolled his eyes. "Wonderful. To where and when?"
Mustang began his ascent up the stairs. "The Sin Alchemist's room, and as soon as I am at her door."
Ed rushed to follow Mustang up the stairs, joined by Edward. As they reached the top, Ed noticed that there was a small crowd in the hallway just outside the room at the end of the hall. Breda, Havoc, Falman, Ross, Hawkeye, and Bloch all stood outside the room. In the only chair next to the group, sat the Sin Alchemist herself, her eyes seeing but not seeing. Fuery pushed by Ed to join the group, rubbing his neck where the collar had dug into his skin. The group was silent, and as a single entity they turned to salute Mustang. He waved their salutes away, and walked right to the Sin Alchemist.
Reaching inside of his jacket, he pulled out a small package, wrapped in wax paper. He handed it to the girl, whose eyes suddenly seemed to come to life. She accepted the package, and unwrapped it. Ed stifled a laugh. It was a cinnamon roll.
Mustang turned back to face Ed for a second before speaking. "I heard you lost your breakfast, Ria."
The girl's expression hardened as Mustang's gaze returned to her. "Thank you, Colonel."
Mustang nodded. "Shall we go in?"
Havoc led the way into Ria's room, followed by Mustang. Ria settled herself on the bed, Ed noticed, as soon as she was in the room. The rest of the group formed a circle around the bed, chatting amongst each other. Fuery was shooting Ed an angry look, all the while still rubbing his neck. Mustang, sitting directly across from Ria, held his hand up for silence.
"Now, I want to make this clear right from the beginning. No word of what is spoken here is to be repeated. Ever." Everyone nodded in assent, so he continued. "If you don't know already, this young woman is Ria Karma, the Sin Alchemist. "
She was staring at the wood floors, and hadn't looked up as Mustang spoke. Ed noticed that Mustang was even the least bit perturbed by her actions. In fact, it was as if Mustang chose not to notice them, as he had only made a single reference to her earlier escape. Ed studied her as Mustang began speaking of something that he, Ed, didn't care about. Her onyx colored hair hung in loose waves over her shoulders, framing her profile neatly. He could see that her green eyes had that far away look again, the one that seemed as if she was seeing without actual seeing. It was a vacant, deserted look. Ed wondered if this girl ever smiled. It didn't seem as if she did.
As he resurfaced from his thoughts, he realized that several of the group was filing out of the room; Breda, Ross, Havoc, Bloch, Falman, and Fuery went out into the hall. Ed looked around, and saw that only he, Al, Mustang and Hawkeye remained with the Sin Alchemist. The door shut with a snap, and only then did Ria look up. Her gaze had suddenly changed to a determined look that she directed at Mustang.
"Why are they here?" She jerked her head in Ed's direction.
He felt a bubble of anger rise in his chest. How could she not know who he was? How could she not know of Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist and People's Hero?
Mustang raised an eyebrow. "This is Edward Elric-…."
"I know that." She snapped. "Why are they here?"
So she did know, Ed thought. He looked over at Al, who was watching the interaction between Mustang and Ria. Mustang barely flinched at the girl's harsh tone. Ed was surprised; as far as he knew Mustang had only ever allowed back talk from him. No other subordinate had spoken like that to Mustang.
"Fullmetal has a mission of sorts that you are too accompany him on." Ed's head snapped in Mustang's direction. "I believe you'll be of use to him."
"How so?" Ed turned back to Ria.
It took a minute for Ed to realize Mustang's gaze was on him. "What?" Ed asked.
"I think you ought to tell Ria," He spoke softly, softer than Ed had ever heard that arrogant voice. "Of all people, she will understand. She knows that life isn't just black and white."
Ed stared at his commanding officer. Roy Mustang had never once prompted Ed to tell his story to anyone else. The only mention the Colonel had ever made was to tease Ed into doing his dirty work. Roy nodded encouragingly at him.
"Trust me, Fullmetal."
Ed turned to Ria. Her eyes were hard as they stared back at his. She didn't seem like she'd understand anything, he thought. He looked back questioningly at Mustang. Sensing that Ed didn't believe him, Mustang sighed.
"Fullmetal, I believe you witnessed a bit of her alchemy today, did you not?" Mustang rubbed his eyes as he spoke.
Ed nodded. "Yeah, she made a tiger out of dirt."
"And that in itself didn't seem out of the ordinary too you?" Mustang asked.
"We were kind of far away, Sir," Alphonse spoke up suddenly. "It was obviously a tiger, but it's possible to make something like that with alchemy."
Mustang nodded. "True. But is it possible to make a living, breathing creature with alchemy?"
Ed stared at Mustang. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, Edward," The Colonel explained, "That the tiger you saw today was a flesh and blood animal, a living and breathing creature with blood running through it's veins. I'd wager…." He paused. "I'd wager it even had a soul."
"What?!" Both Elric brothers shouted.
Ria gave an impatient snort. "I can perform human transmutations without getting called to the Gate. I can create life out of nothing, and I can take it away as well." Her eyes snapped back to Mustang. "Why couldn't you just say that?"
The anger in her voice was apparent, and Ed guessed that she was getting uncomfortable with the talk going on. She seemed to want to shift the conversation away from herself. Mustang merely looked at her, an eyebrow raised. Ed was still surprised he hadn't snapped his fingers and burnt the girl to a crisp. He felt defensive towards his commanding officer for a brief second. Who was this girl, and why did Mustang just let her anger fly?
"Ed, tell her your story," Mustang said again. "Please."
Edward Elric turned to his brother, who nodded. Scrunching down in his seat, Ed took a deep breath, and launched into the story of their mother, Al's empty armor, and his last four years as a dog of the military. Her eyes maintained a hard stare, but Ed could tell she was taking in every single word, pause, and emotion that went with his story. Mustang shifted in his chair every once in a while, hearing some details for this first time. Ed pressed on, ignoring everything but the look in Ria's eyes. At one point, when he had described the loss of his mother, he could've sworn he'd seen a gleam of sorrow in those green eyes. If he had, it was gone in a flash. As he finished, he looked away from her to Mustang.
The Colonel looked at Ria. "So, now you know their story, and I know you understand why I think you can help them."
She kept her gaze on Ed. "That's why you got me in to take the exam, isn't it? So I could help these two?"
Mustang was silent.
"You're a fool, Mustang," She finally looked over at the Colonel. "A stupid, caring fool."
"Will you go?" He asked.
She hauled herself off the bed, and landed with a thud on the floor. She looked down at Mustang.
"I'll go, but I make no promises. I don't believe in Equivalent Exchange, Colonel, I'm only in this for myself."
She tossed the wax paper package back at him. The cinnamon roll was still intact, but cold.
"I'll get my own damn breakfast." She called as she walked to the door and threw it open. A moment later she had disappeared.
Mustang laughed softly, as he looked down at the package in his hands. He lifted it to his mouth, and took a bite. Rising, he motioned to for Hawkeye to follow him.
"When the Sin Alchemist decides to return, you can head out," Mustang turned to Ed, and then to Al. "I pity you, Alphonse. Fullmetal and Sin are quite alike."
With that, Colonel Mustang and Lieutenant Hawkeye swept from the room, leaving a stunned Ed and Al to await the return of the Sin Alchemist.