Letter #13

Hi Cath,

Yeah, I know, I'm writing sooner than I expected, but I just felt like it. We're getting pretty close to wedding time, and things are really winding up. The big tent got here okay, and Breda and I went out hunting for a good place to set it up. It's not going to stay up for the whole three weeks till the wedding, though. We just want to make sure there aren't any big holes in it or things that need mending. (Don't tell dad I said that. I know his merchandise is always in perfect condition. Just ask him. But if there was going to be a time, well, this would be it, wouldn't it?)

One of the local elders actually came out with us and suggested a couple of spots. I think he was trying to decide on a place that would hold some kind of religious significance for Ishvallans. I wasn't completely keen on that idea, but he said not to worry. There aren't very many people in this area who still hate Mustang, he said. But Breda and I still kept our eyes open, to make sure we didn't pick a spot that was indefensible. You know, just in case. It's like with the condition of the tent. If there was one time when someone wanted to attack, well, this would be the time, right?

And as it turned out, the spot the elder picked isn't very far from the hot springs. He said it would cast a blessing on the wedding and the marriage. That was pretty nice of him, I have to admit. He's been really good to us. Maybe Rakhella was right, and I was too spooked by that meeting the other night.

But you know Breda and me. Right away, we were looking around to make sure it would be safe. There are a couple of corners that could be a little iffy—one of them is a short pass between two big rock outcroppings, actually where the road from headquarters comes through. We'll put some guards there, I think. And I'm sure as hell going to set up guards so nobody from the wedding wanders off to the springs without getting the elders' permission first.

So anyway, we finally set up the tent, and it all checked out. We'll only need a few chairs, because most of us will be sitting on cushions and rugs on the floor. The wedding will be in there, and then the feast will be too. I guess they'll bring platters in, on little tables, and we'll eat with our fingers the way Ishvallans do.

Did you know that General Grumman is coming to the wedding? There aren't many Amestrians who are, actually. Roy—by the way, he told us we'd better start calling him by his name, and Riza too, because we're way more than just subordinates at this point. I've always felt like we were more of a family too. So we're all using each other's proper names now, unless some bigwig happens by. Roy made some comment about not wanting to bother everybody back home, so they didn't send out any invitations. But for some reason—this was my point—General Grumman is coming. And apparently he doesn't count as a bigwig either. Never mind that he's the Fuhrer now. For some reason, as they say, he's coming here "as himself." Whatever that means. I tried to ask Riza about it, but she just smiled to herself. She's doing that a lot lately.

Which reminds me. Yesterday I saw Rakhella talking to her for quite a while. They were having lunch or something, sitting under a palm tree. This is new, Cath. When Rakhella started out, she didn't like any of us. Then she got so she could tolerate me. She doesn't lecture me like she used to. Well, not as much, anyway. But she really didn't like Mustang, which meant she wasn't crazy about Hawkeye either, since they kind of come as a set. But there she was, not just talking with Riza, but sitting and eating with her. Breaking bread with someone is kind of a significant thing in Ishval.

Naturally I got curious. I waited for a while, and then I finally couldn't help myself. I started walking over to where they were, as casually as I could. But they saw right through me. They always do. By the time I got there, they were finished eating and getting up, ready to go. I asked, "So what were you up to, ladies?"

And then they just laughed. In fact—I'd pretty much have to say they giggled. And they just walked away, giggling and looking over their shoulders at me. And now I know for sure I'm being ganged up on, but I just can't figure out how. Or why.

Riza Hawkeye giggling. Do you know how nervous that makes me?

Anyway, I'm too busy to think about it. Much. I'll keep you posted.

Love,

Jean