Chapter 2: Heads will roll

Dripping with alchemy

Shiver stop shivering

The glitters all wet

You're all chrome

"Heads will roll"- The Yeah Yeah Yeahs

I woke up the next morning to knocking at the door. Lena didn't notice; she could sleep through a hurricane. I opened the door to see a pretty blonde woman with large brown eyes. She had a very serious look on her face. I could tell immediately that she was someone who got things done and efficiently. I smiled.

"Good morning! Can I help you with something?" I said.

"I'm Lieutenant Hawkeye. The Colonel has asked me to escort you off base to shop for clothing and whatever else you may need," she said. Her tone brokered no argument. I closed the door and turned to Lena. I pulled on her foot and she shot up, rolling out of bed and landing hard on the floor.

"Time to get up, sunshine. We're going shopping today," I said.

"Who's paying?" she asked.

"I don't know. I didn't ask. If I think about it too much, I'll start to feel guilty," I said.

"You may feel bad, but I'm more than okay with spending someone else's money!" she said.

Lena and I went out into the hallway and met with Lieutenant Hawkeye. The three of us eventually made it to a clothing shop. It was all dresses. There wasn't a pair of pants in sight. I had a feeling that repeated itself across the country. Lena wouldn't mind, she loved dresses. I, on the other hand, only wore them if it was necessary. I'd just buy what I hated the least.

Lena tore through the store picking just about every style and color the store had and disappearing into the dressing rooms. I walked around the store until I came across a section of dresses that looked light and summery. Some of them were floral print. They reminded me of something you might see on a prairie. I grabbed about five dresses and walked into the dressing room. I undressed and put on the first dress. It was made of cotton sun dress and was cream color with little blue flowers all. The straps were about an inch thick and it hit me just above the knees. I finally took a good look at myself.

My hair was a very dark shade of brown, almost black. The same went with my eyes. I got them from my Russian mother. Those were the only traits of hers that I had inherited. Everything else from pale skin and freckles to short stature, I got from my Irish father. Looking at my reflection, I didn't think I looked too bad. I repeated the process with the other for dresses. I redressed and went outside. In the shoe section, I found a pair of white tennis shoes and some black flats. I got a few skirts, a bunch of shirts and collected my under garments. I walked back over to Lieutenant Hawkeye and waited for Lena, who was still moving a field in the dressing room.

"Lieutenant, is there anywhere that I can buy some pants?" I asked.

"There's a shop around the corner that I go to. We'll stop by when we're done here," she said.

I smiled. "Thanks."

She returned it. "You're welcome."

Lena came bursting out of the dressing room wearing a green, pink and purple tie-dye halter dress that went to her ankles. She pulled a shoe box off one of the shelves and stuck the sandals on her feet.

"I'm wearing this stuff out of the store!" she squealed.

To her credit, Lieutenant Hawkeye didn't say anything. She simply pulled out a coin purse and paid for everything we had. Then again, from what I'd seen of the colonel, Lieutenant Hawkeye had probably seen her fair share of bizarre behavior. We left the shop and got my pants from the other shop. We also stopped by some other shops to get some hygiene and luggage. We got back into the car and started back to the command center.

"Lieutenant, what exactly is the name of this city?" Lena asked.

"This is Central City. It's the capital of Amestris. Since you're most likely going to be here permanently, you should know the country's geography. The country is divided into five areas. North, south, east, west and central. Central City is the country's main capital, however, each area has their own capital. Amestris is land locked. To the south is Aerugo. To the east, Creta. To the north is Drachma. To the west is the Great desert and beyond that is Xing. However, there isn't much contact with Xing because of the desert's size."

When we got back to the Central command, the lieutenant took us to the mess hall and got us something to eat.

"Lieutenant, the flag outside… the one with the odd looking beast on it. What is that thing exactly?" I asked.

She smiled. "It's a dragon. It's the crest of Amestris." Well, that would explain why it was on those packet watches the alchemists wore.

Suddenly, a man came up to the Lieutenant and handed her a note she read it and looked at Lena and I.

"Cora, you have to come with me. Lena, you'll be escorted back to your room," she said, then looked at the messenger. "Well?"

He snapped a salute. "Yes, sir!"

He walked off with Lena and I got up from the table to follow the Lieutenant.

We got to the Colonel's office and went inside. Edward was sitting in front of the Colonel desk, probably scowling. I didn't know for sure, I couldn't see his face, but scowling seemed to be his default facial expression. The Colonel, on the other hand, looked like the cat who ate the canary, he was so pleased. Then, I noticed a woman standing at the window. She wore the same facial expression Edward usually did. A cold sense of dread spread throughout my body. So this was who Edward had called. God help. We hadn't even spoken and she already scared the crap out of me.

"Ah, Lieutenant. Cora, this is Izumi Curtis."

I swallowed and nodded my head. "Hello, ma'am."

She walked over and stood in front of her with her hands on her hips, glaring at me. Then, she started pulling my head from side to side, pulling up my arms and smacking me on my stomach and back.

"What are you doing?" I squeaked.

"Shut up! You're so small, I'm trying to see if you would even survive training!" she said. By now, Edward was standing up and watching us. I shot him a dirty look.

"Don't give me that look. She's the best. After all, she trained me," he said with a smug look on his face.

"Is she where you got your crappy attitude?"I said. I was rewarded with a smack on the back of my head.

"Like you're one to talk," he said. I stuck my tongue out, then looked back at Izumi.

She finally stopped prodding. "You're not much, but I suppose you'll survive. And Ed's recommendation is hard to come by." My head snapped back over to Edward.

He looked away, turning slightly red. "Don't think too much about it. You're just too stubborn to die."

I smiled. "Thank you."

"Alright, I'll take her. She's not much bigger than Ed and Al were when I took them," Izumi said looking at the Colonel.

"Be my guest. She's an adult. You are over eighteen, aren't you?" he asked.

"Yes. Eighteen exactly, so is Lena," I said.

"Go pack! We leave today. And from now on, you'll refer to me as Teacher!" she said.

"Yes, Teacher!" I said, and ran out the door.

I got back to my room and pulled out my suitcase. I didn't know what I'd need so I packed everything. Lena sat on her bed across from me looking sad.

"I take it Ed got in touch with his alchemy person."

"Yeah. I leave today."

She smiled. "That's great! You're going to do great. I know you will. It's just so great… great!"

I sat next to her. "Is it really?"

"Of course. I'm just going to miss you like crazy. You're like the Hans Solo to my Chewbacca."

I gave her hug. "You'll do fine. And besides, you'll see me before you know it!"

"I know, but that won't make me miss you less."

"I know. I'll miss you, too. I'll write to you every week."

She nodded and we got off the bed. I grabbed my suitcase and we walked out of the room. Leaving the dormitory, Edward and Teacher were waiting for me outside. I stopped and put down my suitcase. I turned and turned and gave Lena another hug.

"Remember. Hans Solo and Chewbacca," I said.

I let go and turned, picking up my suitcase before walking to Edward and Teacher. Havoc drove us to the train station. I got out and walked to the driver's window.

"You'll look out for Lena, won't you?"

"Yeah. I like her. She's a sweet girl," Havoc said.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

I walked into the station with Teacher and Edward. Teacher and I bought our tickets and got ready to board. I turned to Edward.

"Thank you for everything, Edward."

He scratched his head and looked away. "Stop making a big deal. You need to make a living somehow."

I don't know what came over me, but I hugged him. "Thanks anyway."

He stiffened at first, then gently returned the hug. I let go and stepped back. Edward's face was red and he wouldn't look at me.

"Don't think much of it. I couldn't let you sit around Central like a bum."

Teacher was standing next to us. "Take care, Ed. Don't do anything stupid this time."

"When was the last time I did something stupid?" he asked.

"How about when you let a girl from another dimension land on you!" she said.

Edward muttered something that sounded like 'old bat'. Teacher must've heard him because she kicked him in the head.

"Get on the train!" she yelled at me.

She didn't need to tell me twice. I bolted onto the train and found a seat by the window. I looked at them through the window. Edward had gotten up and started talking to Teacher. She gave him an affectionate bump on the head before getting on the train. Teacher sat across from me in silence. I looked out the window at Edward and smiled, waving at him. He gave me a small smile and waved back as the whistle blew and the train pulled away.