Thanks very much for the positive response, everyone! I'm really happy that people are taking an interest already. I'm going to try and update regularly, but we'll see how that goes. Anyway, on with the chapter!

Dobby's Polka-Dotted Sock

Chapter One

"What do you mean you're not packing, Brother?" Alphonse had followed him into the study of their little apartment in Central, and even as he tried to lose himself in a book, Edward answered his younger brother.

"Well, I just had the thought—I mean, I still have a lot of things to do around here. I don't know, it would only be for a little while and—"

"Brother." Edward looked up into equally golden eyes, which were narrowed at him in suspicion. Alphonse could always tell when he was lying.

He sighed, placing the book on a shelf and pushing his bangs back with his other hand, a mark of his frustration. He didn't like having to tell Alphonse this, but he had agreed.

"Al…I can't give you all the details, but I can't leave. Yet, I mean. I've been put on a- a new mission." Instead of pacifying his brother like he had hoped, the younger Elric became more incensed, squaring his still bony shoulders while his mouth became a hard frown. Even though Alphonse no longer towered above him, he still felt slightly intimidated.

"A new mission? That's crazy and too dangerous for you, Brother! I know you can protect yourself, but this is the military. And why can't I know the details? Half of what I know about the military is things you weren't supposed to tell me!"

Well if the more even-tempered of the two was raising his voice, how could anyone expect Edward to keep quiet? "This is bigger than that, Al! It's not about stupid protocols or passwords or whatever garbage! This is bigger, than you or me. I- I can't refuse!" As he said it, something in Edward told him it was true. "I…I have to do this."

Perhaps he was speaking more to himself than his brother. Alphonse seemed to think so, for he frowned disapprovingly once more, and then stormed from the room. Shortly afterward, he could hear the younger banging pots and pans, reminiscent of clanging footsteps, a habit he had developed whenever he was angry while cooking. Edward wondered if he would be welcome at dinner. With another sigh, wearier than the first, he dropped into his desk chair. As he ran a hand through his hair, Edward continued to think.

He had started this day wanting nothing more than to hand in his resignation, finish packing, and then getting in a few hours of sleep before catching an early train with Alphonse the next morning. Now, though, now…

It had been thrust upon him, this task, barely giving him enough time to think it through. He couldn't even discuss this with Alphonse, his most trusted confidant, because Grumman had forbidden it. No one could know what they were planning until it was too late to stop it. He didn't like not being able to tell his brother what he was doing, but he thought he could understand Grumman's caution.

This…proposal that Grumman had presented to him, this Constitutional Convention. Huh. He tried it again in his mind. Constitutional Convention. It sounded impressive. It sounded unimaginable. It sounded big. What he had said to Alphonse was true; what he was about to embark on was big, huger than anything he had ever been a part of. That sounded preposterous coming from him, but whatever would be decided at this Convention, would set the course for Amestris' future. He hoped it would be a bright one.

And that was when he knew he wasn't just being forced into it. Edward wanted to be a part of it, whatever it was. He wanted to be sure that they, whoever these other brilliant minds were, would be taking the country in the right direction. For all the people of Amestris. If that meant he had to stick around Central a little longer, he could do that. It would be a small price compared to other sacrifices he had made, and a small price for democracy.

Yes he was plunging headfirst into something he wasn't sure he could handle. Yes he was putting his own life second. Yes he was not going to have hardly any control in this situation. But Edward was not new to any of those obstacles.

"Are you hungry?" Alphonse was standing, looking more exasperated than anything, in the doorway, and Edward shook his head to clear his thoughts. Upon seeing the familiar gesture, his younger brother was unable to stop a little smile. Edward grinned back in return.

"Sure."

OoO

Edward was up early, no alarm needed, and went to rouse his brother from sleep. Alphonse didn't realize, becoming completely comatose whenever his head hit a pillow, but the elder Elric still did not rest easy at night. But Alphonse deserved uninterrupted slumber than anyone else after having gone without for so long.

He took a turn making breakfast as the other was still yawning and rubbing his eyes, and after they ate he got his brother bundled up for the train and out the door. Edward walked him to the station and bought the ticket, and then hoisted the suitcase up into the luggage rack despite Alphonse's protests that he didn't need help. He hopped off the train, but went around to Alphonse's window so they could speak.

"Are you really sure about this, Brother?" Alphonse wasn't angry or accusing any more, merely concerned.

"I really am, Al."

"I don't have to go to Resembool. I could stay, you know."

"The doctors said the environment would be better for you. Besides, you love Resembool and you've been looking forward to this for way too long to give it up for me. Anyway, I'm probably going to be really busy, you'd get bored."

"Well, what should I tell everyone? What should I tell Winry?"

That made him stop for a moment. What would Winry say when only the one of them returned? "Tell her the truth, I guess. I've taken on a new assignment."

"Do you want to say anything else to her?" Alphonse asked with a strange emphasis on the word, accompanied with a little grin.

"Not really. I mean, that's about it, isn't it?" He was getting a little confused by his brother's actions, especially when Alphonse rolled his eyes with an annoyed huff. But the whistle blew before he could ask.

As the engine started up, Edward's brother reached out and clasped his hand. "Take care of yourself, Brother." This was the first time they would part since the time they had split up during the winter before the Promised Day. His was blinking rapidly as he tried not to think about it too much.

"I will. Don't worry about me, Al. I'll see you soon." The engine was really starting to go, and Alphonse released his hand as the train slowly rolled forward, picking up in speed as his brother leaned out the window and waved. And Edward stood on the platform and waved back, blinking all the while.

OoO

He kicked off his boots in the front room, and it seemed to echo as they hit off the wall. Everything felt empty about this apartment, now that it was his alone.

Before he could continue brooding, the shrill ringing of the telephone cut through, and Edward strode to the side table they kept it on, picking it up and plopping himself into the armchair nearby.

"Hello?"

"Edward?" He couldn't help but sit up a little straighter at Grumman's voice. The man had that sort of way about him.

"Yes, sir?"

"I'm glad I caught you in. Well, I'm calling to say I have a few friends of mine coming in to town tomorrow, and I'd like you to meet them."

"You would, sir?" He asked, hearing the meaning behind the older man's words. The other representatives were starting to arrive. He could feel the nervousness and excitement warring inside.

"Yes, how does ten on the dot sound to you?"

"That's fine, sir."

"Excellent! I knew I could count on you, Edward."

"Thank you, sir."

Tomorrow would begin the most important time of his life.

I hate to cut it off there, but any other point would just be awkward. Okay, so next chapter we begin the real fun! I'm going to warn you guys: there will likely be a lot of OCs/underdeveloped background characters in this story as the representatives have to be people not in the military currently, and pretty much every adult in FMA is. If you have any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated! Let me know what you think, or things you want to be explored in this story. Thanks for reading and please review!