The Way Life's Meant To Be
She was never proud of her life pre-military. Having a father who was seemingly obsessed with nothing but his studies was nothing really to be proud of, in fact she felt shame, but as the train pulled into the familiar station Riza Hawkeye couldn't help but feel some sort of emotion for her return to her birth place. However she didn't know what that emotion was. Was it revulsion? Hate? Fear? Joy? Relief?
What ever it was, in some way she was glad to be home.
She got off the train with her CO and the rest of the men she worked with. Her CO, Colonel Mustang, looked like he was battling the same demons she was. He was frowning at his surroundings like he didn't want to be there but at the same time his posture was relaxed. She allowed herself to smile slightly but only for a second until they moved out.
The town hadn't changed when all said and done. There were still tall houses looking a little worse for wear with the cheesy hanging flower baskets hanging beside each doorway. She kept her head low as they passed some of the locals, a few she recognised from the local school. Wow, did they look grown up. They stopped and looked at the group of soldiers, whispering to each other. She gazed around at the strangers before realising that she was the stranger, not them.
Riza doubted that they recognised her. If anything they would recognise the Colonel, after all he had been a local interest for the girls in the town. Riza smirked as she remembered one summer when she had returned to find at least five girls chasing him, trying to get to a barbeque of some kind. Luckily Riza's father hadn't allowed him to go anyway.
Riza's attention fell onto a mother, the old baker's daughter, with her own daughter. The daughter ran from her mother towards the soldiers to get a better look but she tripped on a loose cobble and fell to the floor. The wailing started. Riza stopped to help the little girl up while her mother rushed towards her. Riza made sure the girl was OK before jogging to keep up with her group, all the way looking behind her at the mother and daughter. The baker's daughter looked confused but neglected to say anything, not even a thank you.
What would her life have been like if she'd stayed in this town? Would she have had a daughter like the baker's daughter? Would she have had a peaceful life without any care in the world apart from what to make for dinner? Would she have had some nice wedding to the man she loved?
She shook her head and smiled again. No, this was the way her life was meant to be. She looked at her CO briskly walking far ahead of her. She had everything she needed right in front of her.
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