LSDG

Part the Third

Two Weeks

If someone does not appreciate you for who you are, it's a waste of time to try proving otherwise.

Tap. Tap. Tap. The sound took a moment to register in Fionnuala's befuddled mind. Sleep was like a heavy blanket over her head.

"Riddleson. Miss Riddleson, are you awake?" Came a familiar voice.

Fionnuala's ocean blue eyes opened a little. "Uh-whuh...?" Her vision cleared as the reality of the circumstances settled in her mind. East City Head Quarters, Elric brothers, Trip... In the morning... "Oh!" Her eyes flew open, and she sat up. "I'm awake! Who is it?"

"Lieutenant Hawkeye, from yesterday afternoon. May I come in?"

"Sure," Fionnuala replied as she hastily rubbed her eyes.

As Hawkeye entered Fionnuala put her feet on the floor. Hawkeye, with her stern yet kind expression, promptly closed the door behind her. She was already dressed in her officer's uniform, despite that it was still very early. By Nuala's judgment, the sun had risen less than an hour ago. "Did you rest well?" Asked the Lieutenant politely.

"Pretty well, thanks. You?"

Hawkeye smiled a little. "Yes, I did, thank you."

"So... can I do anything for you?" Fionnuala asked, curious as to why Hawkeye had come in at this hour.

"Well, I caught Edward before I retired to my quarters, and he said his train was leaving at 9:30 this morning. I thought I'd come in early to help you get ready." Nuala nodded and realized just how considerate the Lieutenant was being. She was willing to look after her for the entire duration that she was here. It was a pleasant feeling to have someone watch over her. "Why don't you go and wash your hair? Head further down the hall, and it's the last room on your left."

"Oh," Fionnuala replied with surprised eyes. It wasn't often she got to wash in a decent bathroom. "Alright. I-I'll go and do that."

"Once you're done, bring your things down to the Mess Hall. We'll have ourselves some breakfast."

"Sounds lovely," Nuala said, standing up and smiling. "I'll see you at breakfast."

A couple hours later she found herself having a delicious breakfast. In truth, it was pretty standard, but this was a true treat to her. Hawkeye ate opposite the table, and eventually even the Colonel came in for a meal. The three of them ate, exchanging pleasant small talk. However, towards the end of the meal, the Lieutenant grew a little more solemn. "I ought to give you some fair warning," she began. It sounded like it would be something awful, and Fionnuala did well to pay close attention. "As you travel with the Elrics, you will become more familiar with their peculiarities. When I say that, I mean physical peculiarities."

"They may cause you a bit of a fright," Colonel Mustang added.

How curious, Nuala thought. "What sort of peculiarities would frighten me? They look pretty normal." She stopped herself. "Well, Alphonse is admittedly a little unusual. But what's wrong with Edward?"

The officers' eyes met for a brief moment, silently communicating how they would go about the situation. Fionnuala could tell there was some sort of connection between Hawkeye and Mustang. They just seemed to work with one another, in easy cooperation. That cooperation was at work now.

Hawkeye looked back at the curious girl. "I think it's best we leave the explaining to Major Elric and his brother. I just don't want you to think we blindsided you with them. When the time comes, they'll tell you."

The Colonel assuaged a little of your impatience. "They can't go for too long without doing so, that's for sure."

"For now, I think their personalities are enough to deal with." Hawkeye smiled a little in assurance.

Nuala smiled in reply. "I think I'm up for that one."

Mustang's expression also turned more pleasant as he stood up. "Good. Anyone could do with a little preparation before spending time with the Elrics." She snickered. It seemed like this was going to be an adventure one way or another. "Now, let's all head to the main hall. I would like to get there before Edward tries to escape, which he will attempt, no doubt."

Fionnuala and Hawkeye rose as well, and as they made their way to the double doors of the Mess Hall, she added sarcastically, "He must think I'm walking poison at this rate."

Whether he did or didn't, Fionnuala never found out, but she got that sort of vibe when the three of them caught Edward heading down a hall that led towards the back of the building. "Edward," said Mustang amusedly. "I think you'd know by now that the entrance is that way." He pointed to the hall that they had intended to take. Ed glared and only muttered something inaudible. Finally he walked in front of the Fionnuala and the other officers until they reached the lobby. There by the doors stood Alphonse, who was soon joined at the side by Edward.

"Alrighty, then." Said Mustang. "Since we have a bit of time, we'll go see you three off at the train station. Hawkeye, you take Miss Riddleson. I'll take these two with me." Edward's response was a silent shift of his eyes to end in a rebellious glare aimed at Mustang. Fionnuala would be amused to know what was going to happen in that car, or if it would make it to the train station at all. "Come on. Let's go."

Fionnuala added a parting comment with a small smile as the three males left. "See you all there." Though it might have seemed that the farewell was meant for only Mustang, Nuala also intended it for the Elrics. She had a lingering feeling that they weren't interested in hearing it. Alphonse, maybe. Definitely not Ed.

Hawkeye led Fionnuala outside and to her car, an old-fashioned black vehicle. The ride to the station was brief, but not without conversation. As the car rolled down the streets, Hawkeye pointed out points of interest in the city, as well as adding short stories of her own experiences that came with the history of those locations. And then for a couple minutes there was quite, but Nuala couldn't help herself but to ask Hawkeye another question. "Erm... Lieutenant Hawkeye?"

"You can call me Riza. What's bothering you?"

"I've been thinking about yesterday. Am I the only one who finds it strange that I'm a minor, have no past experience, and a total stranger, and now I'm set to working with a state alchemist?"

Hawkeye seemed vaguely amused as she turned the corner. "The answer is no. I myself don't understand all of it; however, Mustang apparently did it with some reasoning." She paused to think. "In fact, now that I think about it, it's probably a good thing that you and the Elrics are leaving so promptly."

"What do you mean?"

"It means that Mustang can take time to let the situation ease its way in. If you three hung around for a while, our superiors, not to mention our peers, would be pressing Mustang for answers." Hawkeye noted the worry in Fionnuala's face. "But don't worry too much. We'll take care of it. Truth be told, the others at East Headquarters are good people. When you get back from your trip, I'll introduce you."

"You will?"

"Sure. I bet they'd be delighted." Her attention moved to her window, where the station came into view. "Here we are." Hawkeye parked the car and the two approached the train station. Mustang and the brothers were already there and waiting. Upon arrival, Mustang handed Fionnuala a small piece of thick paper.

"Here's your ticket." Nuala thanked him and turned to see the brothers sitting on a bench. Mustang followed your gaze to Edward and Alphonse, and watched also. Nuala began to wonder, just how long was she going to be with these guys? Was there any chance of it lasting long? By Edward's attitude, it seemed unlikely. That only meant breaking the deal with Mustang, and then she wouldn't get any financial support. This led Fionnuala to a final conclusion: make friends with the Elrics, or go hungry. Some choice, thought Nuala. Besides, no one could be angry all the time. Edward must have a good side. Alphonse she wasn't so worried about. As far as she could tell, they were already on pretty good terms. Perhaps the best way to go about it was to prove that she was useful. And the most efficient way to go about that, would be to take them by surprise with what talents she had.

Just as Fionnuala's train of thought ended, Mustang called to the brothers. "Alphonse! Edward! I'd like to say a few words to you two." Both rose in their own fashions, Alphonse moving more quickly, and a little nervously, while Edward was laid back and lackadaisical. His anger seemed to have calmed to indifference, but as they approached, Nuala could still see a hint of annoyance in his complexion. "Alright, now this is for all of you." The teens looked up to meet Mustang's black eyes. "Here's the deal. The three of you will travel for two weeks, and on the fourteenth day, you'll come back here for a report. Then we will decide how Miss Riddleson's agreement will continue. The final judgment shall depend on how well you three work as a group, and if it benefits the military in some small way."

Two weeks, Fionnuala thought. Two weeks. That's how much time I have to get out of Ed's red zone. Some luck I'll need.

Edward sighed. "Whatever. Just as long as I get something done in the next 14 days, I'm happy." Fionnuala felt her stomach sink. It'll take more luck than any charm could offer to turn this one over.

"At least make an effort to get along," Mustang replied. The call to board came. He glanced up, seeing other travelers beginning to step onto the train. Quickly, he returned his attention to those who were leaving. "And come back on time and in one piece, each of you."

"We'll certainly try," said Fionnuala, trying out a smile to cheer up the mood. Both Mustang and Hawkeye smiled. Suddenly, Fionnuala felt strange, having those two knowledgeable, mature adults smiling down at her. It brought a familiar feeling. However, she didn't have much time to think about it.

Already, Edward had saluted the Colonel, picked up his suitcase and had started for the train. "C'mon. Let's go." Alphonse quickly followed.

Fionnuala shouldered her pack and trotted after them, not wanting to fall behind. But she stopped herself before she stepped into the doorway of the car. Quickly she turned, half-expecting to see the officers leaving the station. Instead, she saw them still standing there, watching her go. Her face turned into a bright smile. "See ya!" She waved enthusiastically, and then boarded the train. New beginnings were so refreshing.