Maes was leaned up against the wall when Aley opened the door to the apartment complex. She blinked and turned to stare at him. "What's up?"
He pushed off the wall, his arms still crossed. He passed by her and headed up the stairs.
Aley quickly rushed after him. "Maes!"
The door to Christy's apartment was taped up.
"What-?"
Because Aley was still wearing her uniform, the military people let her through.
The detective shook his head. "It looks like a disaster in there. If you were close to Mark or Christy, you may want to back away right now."
Aley shoved his arm away from her body. Fury was evident in her eyes. "What happened here?"
He shook his head. "That's none of your concern."
She grabbed him by the collar. "Tell me what happened, or I'll put you to your grave early!"
"Are you threatening me? Because this is much higher than your pay grade, soldier."
She decided to user her status, rather than her uniform. She raised the silver watch with the dragon. It dangled in his face.
"Tell me what happened or I'll be sure to put you in your grave." She let it dangle in his face, knowing that her name was etched on the back of it. It was part of the marks of State Alchemists to don whatever they deemed worthy to their watches.
"You're not a real Alchemist of the military! Where's your stars?"
Aley suddenly held the watch closer to his face. She repeated the certificate. "This official document certifies that the nation of Amestris, prefecture of the Generalissimo, appoints the name "Shadow Wind Alchemist" to Aleyshiea Jonna Warren in the name of Fuhrer King Bradley. The State Alchemist shall follow all orders and policies of the military. The research assessment examination shall be held once every year. In the case that the State Alchemist does not show signs of progress as a result of the examination, she shall be discharged from the services of State Alchemist. The State Alchemist is entitled to the use of ample research funds, unrestricted access to classified documentation, access to various governmental facilities, and a military rank equal to that of "Major", Mr. Detective."
He blinked. "You've memorized the whole document?"
"I had to. Now step aside. I want to witness this scene for myself." She felt Maes gawking at her behind her back, but simply smiled at the unmoved man before her. "Very well." She put the pocket watch away. "I'll see to it that the Fuhrer knows what you're up to. As in, nothing." She turned back to Maes. "Let's go. I've got to return to the office if he's not going to let me in."
Maes watched her before he gave a little salute to the detective. "Good luck on the case, sir."
When they were outside, Maes scratched his head. "So, what're you going to do, exactly?"
Her lips curved into an evil smile before she turned to Maes with a kind smile. "Nothing. He's not going to last long because Mark is an ex State Alchemist from the war of Ishval. He vanished soon after the war. He recently resurfaced with a wife, Christy, and was able to make a name as one of the best cafe owners for downtown." She looked up at the purple sky painted dark for the evening. "The lights of the city are mean to the sky."
Maes looked up. "Is it different in Xing?"
She blinked and turned to him. "How-?"
Maes gave her a knowing smile. "I've been in the records department before."
She sighed. "Then you know?"
His smile instantly faded. "That you were from Xing? Yes. Otherwise, I only know that you were declared a State Alchemist under strange circumstances. That's it. I didn't know your age, height, even your gender. Your file's been heavily redacted. I don't know why, but I assume it's for the same reason you're a Homunculus."
She just shook her head. "You're good, Maes. You read too often, though."
Maes shrugged. "What's the sky like in Xing?"
She pointed to the moon. "The moon becomes our only source of light in the small palaces we all live in. The emperor often gives us oils to light lamps, especially the Chang family. He feels that they are the most worthy people, as they live near starvation most of the time. When we prepare for battle, all the lights are out, except for the very top light in the tallest tower of the emperor's palace. It's our beacon, per se."
He came down the steps and looked up at the moon.
"And when the sun comes up, we rise to greet it. We work until the end of the day, doing our duties, until the sun begins to set. At that point, we all jump out on the streets and finally enjoy ourselves for the hard day's work we did." Aley suddenly made a fist and lowered it to her chest. "It's when the lovers come out and the stars wink back at us. We don't worry about how the night will end. We worry about the oncoming war. The bigger picture."
Maes put his hand on her shoulder. "And now?"
"I worry about the bigger picture."