The walk to Central HQ was a quiet one. Unfortunately, we couldn't go to the hotel's eatery because Ed had refused to 'take the chance for being a dog of the military.' I cringed at his nickname. I know I should probably hate him, with my blood reactions and all, but I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He joined the military at age Twelve and had to bear all the burdens. That included the cursed nickname 'dog of the military.' I wonder what he had went through? I know people had despised the military, but I still didn't understand. What did he mean by 'take the chance?' Was he trying to avoid attention? I don't know.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye to find him with the same bored, scowl on his face. He had his hands stuffed in his pockets and was looking anywhere but me. I snorted and turned my head away from him too. I know he didn't want me to come on the mission at all, but is it neccesary to pretend I don't exist? We soon reached Central, and walked through the doors. I decided to lag behind a step or two, to let him lead the way. My cheeks were touched by a slight pink tint as I tried to follow Ed to the cafeteria. I was still embarrassed that I didn't know where I was going, or the fact that I was directionless. Normally, I knew where I was going and could always find my way to practically anywhere. But that was Eastern City. This is Central. The aroma of food filled my nose, and I closed my eyes in bliss, allowing my nose to lead me. I was starving!

XOXOXOXOXOXO

"Food, food, food, food!" I sang as I placed my full tray down on the table. Ed rose an eyebrow at me, and then lifted his cup to his lips. I frowned. He put the mug down and stared back at me, confusion filling his eyes.

"What?" Ed asked, obviously annoyed.

"What are you drinking?" I asked irritated.

"Coffee. Why?" Ed asked. I reached over the table, and snatched the mug away from him. "Hey!"

"If you keep drinking this stuff, you'll stay that short," I said, ignoring his glares aimed at me.

"I'm not short. It's just that everyone is freakishly tall!" Ed persisted, pointing all around in emphasis.

I sighed, amused. Is it really this fun to mess with him and his height? "No one's tall. You just happened to take a wrong turn on your way to munchkin land and ended up in the normal sized world."

"WHO YOU CALLING A PIPSQUEAK, MIDGET SIZED MUNCHKIN!" Ed shouted, standing up now, fuming. I smirked at his anger as I started to eat quickly, still keeping my manners.

Ohh, it is that fun to mess with him.

"Sorry, sorry," I apologized trying to hide my laughter. I was failing miserably on the account that I had burst out laughing. I clutched my stomach as I laughed to my heart's content. Ed fumed at me, but decided not to press on. Probably realized that he might not win. I managed to stop laughing and only let out the occasional giggle. Slowly, an intoxicating scent overcame me. My eyes' widened as I clenched my fists, trying my best to stay calm. I winced, as I lost my apatite. I've eaten enough. I glanced up at Edward, who was picking at his own food, putting his coffee aside. Damn. Did he have to be the one who caused my blood reactions? Why not someone else? How about no one at all!

12.) No vampire can avoid blood lust reactions.

I cringed at the scent.

13.) Each vampire has a particular blood preference. That one person is doomed forever to be hunted by that vampire for they had the blood type that certain vampire has lust for.

I had no idea that this is what Auntie Amber goes through. I feel sorry for misjudging her. Now I know why she always pushing the blood.

14.) If one is to drink other bloods, it will supress the pain of Fits. AKA: Blood Lust Reactions.

I thought it was best to end this little meeting. Ed looked at me strangely, and put down his fork. My breath went short and my eyes dialated. I struggled for air and didn't recieve any. I let my eyes drift over the crowd of people. My eyes widened at the sight. A sea of blue...blue military...almost all with silver pocket watches. I'm no idiot. I know that's the State Alchemist identification. So that's just great. I'm in a military base I've no idea to navigate through, filled with trained State Alchemists. If they couldn't get me, the officers will with their always armed guns. I was screwed. Why did Mustang assign this to me? I have nowhere to run if my vampirirsm got the better of me. I was surrounded with people, their scents everywhere I step. No way to escape. I choked in defeat and I was about to collapse when a familiar voice was calling me.

"Ah! Seiren! How nice of it to see you! How old are you now~!"

I sighed with relief at another scent coming into play. If I focused on his scent instead, I could maybe block Edward's scent from overwhelming me. Him and his horrible scent. The cheerful man walked forward, still yelling cheeerfully. I half smiled in return to see him; it's been forever since I've seen him. Ever since his transfer, I hadn't seen him. I waved weakly at him, trying to cover up my sudden fit.

"Hey Major. How's it going?" I asked making him frown in return.

"Name's not Major anymore Seiren. I'm a Lieutenant Colonel now!" he said cheefully, full of energy. I laughed.

"Sorry. I'm just so used to calling you Major. How's life at Central?" I asked.

"Life here? Just work really. But looky here~!" he said shoving a photo in my face. "It's Gracia~! She's almost in due time!"

I laughed as I gently put the picture away from my face so I can actually see the picture. It held a woman with short, light brown hair with sparkling green eyes. She was smiling and her belly was well rounded and looked almost due. I half smiled again. "Oh! When's Gracia due?"

"In two weeks~!" the man said, jolly as ever.

I glanced in Ed's direction, finding him staring at the both of us in confusion. I giggled. His expression was truthfully confused. I haven't seen him so dumbfounded before. His eyes were gleaming with curiosity but his tightened jaw had showed he was pushing back the tendency of asking questions. I smiled, not half smiled, causing both my friend and Edward to stare at me in surprise. I stood up as I stood in between Ed and my old friend, making sure I kept farthest as I could from Ed. I gestured in Ed's direction, going for an introduction.

"Edward. This is Maes," I said and turned to Maes. "Maes? This is Edward."

Maes rolled his olive eyes at me for not introducing us properly. I'm sure I messed it up some way or another, because they both greeted each other again, saying their names. Maes held out a hand and Ed took it, shaking it. "I'm Lt. Colonel Maes Hughes. Glad to meet you."

Ed nodded. "Edward Elric. Glad to meet you Lt. Colonel."

Maes' eyes went wide in shock as he stared back at Ed, a look of surprise overcoming him. "You mean as in the Fullmetal Alcehmist?" he asked, shocked as ever.

I nodded. "Yep. The Fullmetal Alchemist," I replied, cheerful that my fit had passed.

Maes put his hands up in apology. "I'm sorry! I had no idea that you'd be so..."

My eyes gleamed in laughter as I saw Edward tense up and start to glare. He had a dark aura grow around him and as a result, started to mutter darkly to himself. "Do it...I dare you to call me small..."

I giggled as I decided to save Maes the energy of dealing with one of Ed's short rants. "So, I see you're doing well, Maes," I said.

He nodded. "Yep. You seem to be quite alright. You aren't ill again are you?" he asked. I shook my head, remembering the horrible days of the hospital and how I had refused to go there anymore. "If you're well enough, then you should visit me sometime. Me and my wife will be glad to have you. That is, you and your new friends."

I blinked, trying to find out how he knew I was with two people and not one. I decided to brush it off, figuring it was Mustang, and nodded. "Yeah, sure. I'll try my best to come over."

Maes nodded, and smiled back at me. "It was great seeing you again. Be well you hear?" he called and walked off.

I laughed silently as I sat back down, my apetite returning to me once again. Ed stared at me, with question swelling up in his mind. He was about to ask something, but advised himsefl against it, and closed his mouth. I smiled warmly, finding myself smiling rather than one of those half-ass ones I always do. Was he always this curious? I chuckled softly as I closed my eyes, smirking slightly. Stone faced Fullmetal or not; he was still just a teenage boy. A curious one at that too.

"What is it?" I asked, bringing Ed out of his thoughts. He shook his head as he stared down at his food, too stubborn to meet my eyes.

"Who was that?" Ed asked, trying to keep his voice as emotionless as possible.

"Hm? Ya mean Maes?" I asked and Ed nodded. "He's a friend of Mustang's. He used to work in East City but then was transferred. Me and him were pretty close I guess. He and I made a pact that we'd fulfill Plan 12," I said, remembering each scheme he and I had done to try and get Mustang and Aunt Riza together. Unfortunately, none of them worked, but we're still going to try. As Maes says, 'Mustang should go get himself a wife.' Ed stared at me in confusion at why my eyes were large and I was laughing quietly to myself. I shook all of the plans off and looked up at Ed again. "Bottom line is that me and him are friends."

"Good to know," he said and started to stand up. "I'm going to the hotel. You know your way from here?"

I let the idea roll around in my mind. "Somewhat..." i said, pondering the thought. "I should be fine. It's not too far away from the hotel."

Ed nodded as he began to walk off. "Okay. Bye."

My eyes widened as I darted my head back to him. "Wait! I'm still broke! How am I gonna pay for this!"

"Just put it under my name. I'll pay for it later." he called and then...

He was gone.

I pouted as I sunk back in my seat. We eat, I introduce him to Maes, and then he leaves me here. And just as I thought I was getting to know him, he proved me wrong. Well, one thing's for certain.

"He's still a tempermental shorty who always has a scowl on his face."

BN: sorry if you all see errors. I have to work on this document thing that doesn't have anythign to check myself with. And teh text is all screwed up so i can't tell if it's capitalized or not. so sorry about that. I have to get Microsoft workign again somehow...

Until next chap! =:D