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3

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A year passed rather quickly. It was all it took for the two alchemists to get used to their new Automail limbs. Ailne watched as Alphonse and Edward spared in the yard. She was holding her shawl in preparation to perform basic alchemy on it. She wanted to change the basic form of it. To make it so it wouldn't fall off her head so easily. She had changed the sashes she had worn into shirts, and one pair of work pants so she could help Pinako around the house. That the woman wanted her to call her "granny" as well meant a lot. Ailne Elric, she found herself fond of her new name. She was no longer a drifter of Xerxes, but a soon to be state alchemist. She just hoped that she passed, even with Edwards help she felt nervous about the written exam.

"That boy!" Winry's growl startled her, and she turned to see the fuming blonde.

"Edwards definitely head strong for someone so short…I think that's why his temper is so explosive," Ailne quietly joked, and Winry cracked a smile.

"It's got nowhere else to go," Winry agreed as she took aim with her wrench."I'm glad you don't go around breaking my Automail."

"I'm just thankful you made the blend of metal light," Ailne said as the wrench was thrown at her little brother. "I need to find a way to create a carbon blended metal."

"Ooooh, I could make some interesting Automail out of such material," Winry said to her before turning to a hunched over Edward. "Don't go transmuting my Automail! You'll break it doing that!"

"What?!" Edward growled, rubbing his head in pain. "No I won't!"

"I can see why you tend to stay on her good side, Alphonse," Ailne stated when said boy decided to stand next to her and watch the squabbling. "I'll give it until they're both eighteen."

"Sixteen." Alphonse countered.

"You have a deal."

If anyone else had heard that, they might have been scared. Ailne and Alphonse got along spectacularly. They were a soft personality type, and Edward liked to point it out to them constantly. Ailne would sigh as Alphonse shook his head at his brother. There was nothing wrong with being soft, it was when you were too soft that it became an issue. Ailne turned her attention towards her shawl and clapped her hands together before placing them down on the gold cloth. Alphonse watched as its ends slowly connected.

"You don't need a transmutation circle?" He asked.

"I need it for my version of fire alchemy," She stated pulling out the small lighter that Pinako had gifted her in a way of welcoming her into the family.

"I wonder why you and Ed can do so," Alphonse said in thought.

Ailne stared at him for a few seconds before turning her attention to the lighter. He didn't remember seeing Truth, that was the only reason she could think of why he couldn't do alchemy without a circle. She tucked the lighter into her shirt pocket and placed the shawl around her shoulders. The discreet embroidery of gulnar flowers done in a golden thread was still intact. Her mother had embroidered those due to her birthday being in the late spring. The flowers outside hadn't bloomed yet according to her. She looked towards the large tree in the Rockbell yard and let out a soft sigh.

Edward wanted to leave the second he was okayed to do so. Ailne looked over the peaceful town and closed her eyes as a slight wind went through the area. Alphonse took a place to her left and she opened her eyes again. She looked back at him and tilted her head in confusion. She wasn't sure what he wanted, but he seemed a little unsure of something. She'd wait for him to talk; her second oldest brother was like that.

"Will Edward be okay?" Alphonse questioned.

"Yeah, he's a genius and has the guts for it," Ailne smiled looking over the sleepy town again. "Don't worry too much, Al."

Alphonse felt a bit better at that, even as Edward dragged the older woman off. He waved to them with Winry, and got a wave back from both of them. Edward looked towards Ailne as he fixed his red coat. She was dressed for warm weather. Her sandals almost reminded him of his teachers, but her bright yellow pants and shirt were all her. The train was waiting, and he quietly walked her through getting a ticket.

"Things change quite a bit with technology, it's oddly nice," She quietly said to him as they found some seats away from everyone else.

"I read that Xerxes was pretty advanced as well," Edward commented.

They didn't get to continue their conversation as they handed their tickets to a conductor. They waited until the man in the deep blue uniform walked off before sharing a look. Edward shrugged and she gained an amused smile. He cracked one as well, it was hard not to when she had an infectious smile.

"We were advanced in agriculture and cloth production," Ailne informed him. "It wasn't until I was born that Alchemy took off."

"What else can you tell me?"

Ailne looked at him for a few seconds. Edward truly was a curious boy, always wanting information. She smiled again and began to inform him of the meaning behind the embroidery that appeared on her clothing. She even removed her shawl so he could see the discreet designs, and the even smaller alchemical symbols. The one for copper and fire was repeated a few times as well. He wondered about that one.

"I may have changed the meaning behind a few of the symbols," Ailne informed him before pulling out a piece of paper from her pocket. "The original ones were in a dead language. It was better to change them…they stood for a happy marriage in the future."

Edward nodded and that and that delved into the dead language itself. Languages weren't his strongest suit, that was Alphonse's, but it made some sense to him when she carefully explained it. Then again, the language was tied to alchemy, most of the old symbols were still in use. They kept up the conversation until Edward noticed something.

"I suppose your style is a bit out of the norm," Edward commented. "A few of the ladies on the train are looking at you."

"Good for them?" Ailne asked with a slight frown. "I suppose it doesn't bother me, are you sure it isn't your coat in such warm weather?"

Edward sent her a glare and she smiled at that. He was too easy to mess with, no wonder Winry egged him on so often. She watched as his glare softened before he closed his eyes. She'd keep watch while he slept. She didn't want anyone else to bother him. Ailne instead turned her attention outside the window, watching as the countryside slowly turned into towns. The further they got, the more stone that was built around them. The train ride was oddly quick, as they traveled across a bridge and over water. She brought a hand up and gently shook the teenager's shoulder.

"Hey, looks like we're here," She informed him.

"Don't get so distracted!" Edward huffed as he found himself pulling her behind him.

"Sorry, the city is incredibly different compared to what I know of one," She apologized as she took a gander at a few of the larger concrete buildings surrounding the station.

"Really?" He asked and she nodded.

"Our buildings had dome roofs with a lot of windows to let natural light in, for there to be buildings with less windows and square shapes is incredibly different," She stated. "I didn't think that the Rockbell shop was built like the rest of the country."

"I need to show you a few more books," He muttered, and she gave him a happy smile at the thought.

For as old as she was, she sure did act like a little kid. The newly turned twenty-three year old's smile grew a bit more, as though she could tell what he was thinking. He didn't know how she had grown to know him so well. He grabbed their things, to her surprise, and hoisted them over his shoulder. Her bag was small, containing a few changes of clothes. She owned too little compared to him and Alphonse.

"According to the map, central is pretty true to its name," Edward stated as he looked at the piece of paper in his hands.

"Yeah," Ailne agreed before her gleeful expression changed. "Do…do you feel anything strange about the city?"

"How-so?" Edward asked, and she blinked.

Edward couldn't feel the strange oppressive energy around them? Maybe she was imagining it. The city was throwing her off, that had to be it. That was the most logical reasoning for feeling such a thing. She put her hands on her hips and simply gave her faux little brother a smile. She was worrying him a bit, judging by the slight frown on his face.

"It's nothing, I guess I'm feeling a little unnerved by the city then," She stated. "I'll try to get used to it."

Edward nodded at that, and they started to head towards central command. He wondered if part of her issue was concern over the examinations for becoming a state alchemist. She knew her alchemy, something that was understandable due to her seeing the Truth, it was the written test that was tripping her up. Xerxes didn't do the whole written test; people were put into a practical test the moment they learned something. The only citizens that even attempted written tests were the scholars that littered the city. Her head tilted to the side as they showed their letter of recommendation that Mustang had sent them a month into their rehabilitation. The soldiers seemed unsure of what to do with such a young boy taking the state test, and stared at the woman accompanying him. Ailne stared straight ahead as she slowly became uncomfortable with the staring. She blinked when Roy Mustang came down the stairs, a hand in his pocket.

"Yo, Lieutenant Colonel," Edward greeted while Ailne nodded in greeting.

"I was promoted to Colonel while you were being so slow," Roy informed them and Ailne looked to the side while Edward glared at him. "Are you both ready for this?"

"What? Do you want me to wag my tail?" Edward grouched and Ailne sighed before pinching his cheek with a blank expression. "Hey, knock it off, Ailne!"

"Then let's get going," Roy stated with a smirk.

Ailne looked at the woman that walked with them. Her blonde hair was a few shades darker than her own and clipped back. It was smart, and she wondered if it helped on the battlefield. Dark eyes quickly glanced at her and her cheeks heated up before she looked away. The woman was slightly scary, and she wasn't like Edward. She wasn't looking to cause any issues for anyone. She looked at the doors leading to the examinations and noted they weren't the only ones going to take the test that day. They had a written test, the psychological test, and then the practical. She took a discreet deep breath, she could pass the first and then the last test, but she wasn't too sure about the psychological test. It wasn't something she could prepare for.

"Ailne Elric, you'll be taking the exams with the other women," A man in a uniform informed her.

"Right," Ailne nodded before shooting Edward a look. "Don't do anything too stupid."

"What do you mean by that?" Edward asked as she followed behind the man.

All he got in response was an amused smile. Roy looked between the two before smirking, she knew that boy far too well if she could guess that he'd do something stupid. He ushered the preteen in and got a glare as well, his lieutenant was shooting him a look and he decided to ignore it for once. What could he say, messing with the shortest Elric was oddly amusing. He moved to join the other higher ranked officials in the practical room, he'd have a while to wait while they went through the mundane tests.

"You may begin the written test," An old man informed the room full of women.

Ailne looked down at the paper in front of her and stared at the questions. She was glad that Alphonse worked with her so she wouldn't be unable to read anything around her. He learned the language of Xerxes in return. She shook such thoughts from her head and began to answer the questions. She was writing down equations and alchemical symbols with ease, startling a few of the women sitting near her. She refused to fail such an exam; it was too simple. It was as though they believed women to be dim compared to the men. God, such things pissed her off to no end. She finished the test and double checked that she had finished every question and her answers were correct and well thought out. It ended up being placed face down. She crossed her arms across her chest and began to stare the old man down, somewhat getting her displeasure of an easier test through.

"I hear that you gave one of the examiners a glare after finishing your test," A psychiatrist stated as Ailne took the psychiatric test.

"Sorry, that's my resting face. I didn't mean to make him nervous," She apologized, the lie easily falling from her lips.

The tests were too easy. He asked her questions and she answered them truthfully. Granted, she didn't know what he was thinking. He would write something down and she started to grow slightly paranoid before she quickly stamped it down. If her paranoia started to show, it could be detrimental to her passing the tests to get her license. She was too set on getting the damn thing, at this point it wasn't even to help Edward but for her own ego. She looked to the side when the psychiatrist sent her a smile, letting her know that she passed. She was shown to the practical room and passed Edward, who seemed a little unnerved by something.

"Did he do something stupid?" She quietly asked one of the examiners.

"Yes," The soldier responded, and he was welcomed to the sisterly sigh of disbelief.

Of course, he did. Why would he listen to any advice she'd give? She fixed her expression and posture, looking towards a tall man who was sheathing his sword. He had a closed eye smile and looked down at her. She felt a tremor of utter fear go through her body. She stopped herself from stepping back in fear. What was it about the man that was scaring her? She hadn't felt anything from the room, but now that she was inside all she could feel was a strange malicious aura coming from the man. He simply smiled at her again and she nodded in a polite greeting.

"You were injured in the eastern conflict as well?" He asked, his voice older than his appearance made her originally think.

"Yes, sir," She nodded, and he let out a chortle in response.

"You seem to have proper manners compared to your brother," He commented, and she gained a slight smile.

"Not from a lack of trying, sir," She confirmed, and he seemed to become further amused by that.

"Now, we'll start with your practical examination," He announced.

"Do you need any material to perform your alchemy?" An examiner questioned.

"No, but thank you," She answered.

The whole room watched as she contemplated something for a split second before clapping her hands and quickly placing them on the floor. Roy narrowed his eyes at that as the entire room became bright with the blue alchemical lights. He believed that she would do the same thing as her brother, the spear he created had been nearly perfect. Yet, it still carried traces of the stone floor. No, she chose a much different path. He watched as long spikes came from the floor and stopped meters before they touched anyone else in the room.

"I believe this way of testing is outdated," Ailne stated as she stood up from the middle of the spikes. "Edward probably noticed as well, Fuhrer King Bradley."

The whole room went still when the man in question started to laugh. Oh, he had been given the information on the Elrics the second they entered the room. Edward and Ailne Elric had passed the written test with no issue, and the psychiatric evaluations showed that they were of sound mind, if not just the slightest bit paranoid. Their skills in alchemy were what set them apart. Edward focused on making objects to fight and preferred close combat, Ailne was able to create from her environment and make it fight for her so she could properly assess a situation. Too bad she hadn't been old enough to join the military when the Ishval War had been going on, she would've been a wonderful soldier. He was brought out of his thoughts when she clapped her hands and placed them on the ground, returning the room to normal. She placed her hands on her hips, as though proud of the restoration.

"Wait for the announcement of the results, Madame Alchemist," Bradley stated, and she blinked before nodding.

"So, you attacked him with a spear?" Ailne asked Edward as she rejoined her brother.

"So, you used the floor and turned them into spikes?" Edward sarcastically asked and she let out a laugh. "Guess we're more alike than we want to admit."

"Yeah," She quietly agreed. "Do you think Alphonse is doing all right?"

"He's probably having his ear talked off by Winry," Edward stated.

Ailne didn't see a problem with that. Winry was a very smart girl, and Automail was very interesting with how it reconnected nerves. She ran a hand through her long hair and watched as they were rejoined by the two soldiers. Roy observed as the two easily took up their own walking places before following him. Edward led the way and Ailne stood behind, a way that made it easier for her to protect him if the need arose.

"That was interesting," Roy informed them.

"If you bring it up again, I'll start charging you a viewing fee," Edward stated with a frown.

"Be glad the Fuhrer thought it was closer to a prank," Roy informed them, laughing slightly. "You're lucky to be alive after nearly attacking him. When you both get approved, you'll become part of the military, but your title can be taken away if you show any disloyalty."

"Shouldn't that also apply to you?" Edward asked. "When I pointed that spear at him you weren't phased at all."

"You also seemed to be relaxed by my spikes," Ailne added, nodding her agreement.

"It doesn't seem like you're a very loyal subordinate," Edward finished.

"Unbelievable," Roy said to the woman next to him, pointing at the two Elrics.

"Colonel, you should at least take a pose in such circumstances," The woman sighed, sending him a look of disbelief.

"Too bad, if you had killed the Fuhrer then a higher rank would've been made at that moment," Roy said in thought.

"Do you feel safe enough to be saying such things out in the open?" Ailne asked, sending him a dubious look. "I wish I had half of your confidence."

"We could always tell his higher ups," Edward suggested.

Roy laughed, even as the eldest Elric contemplated it. Their threats were low bearing and didn't bother him at all. He had information on them that he could use against them if they ever tried to do such a thing. He sent them a serious look, not even hampered by his smirk. He put his hands into his pockets.

"You should be the one who feels threatened," Roy stated, and Edward made a confused sound. "Don't transmute people, don't transmute gold, and swear loyalty to the army. Those are the three major rules that a national alchemist must follow."

Ailne committed them to memory before putting her hands into her own pockets. Edward started to sweat slightly as he knew where the conversation was going. He looked towards Ailne and noted that for all her unconcerned nature, there was a slight glint of worry in her eyes. She was good at faking outward emotions, but horrible at completely hiding them.

"Although you weren't successful, you would still get into trouble if it was to get out that you performed human transmutation," Roy informed them. "Your brother would probably get taken to the lab as an interesting alchemy product. Do you understand? You're getting your title while hiding your past and pretending nothing happened, I'm getting attention by finding such talented alchemists."

"It's all equivalent in the end," Ailne muttered.

"If I don't say anything about your past then nothing will happen, so don't go around causing trouble," Roy warned.

"You!" Edward yelled at the man and Ailne held him back as Roy laughed.

"There's still a week until the result is announced, go to the east city and relax until then," Roy told them.

"Where the hell is the east city?!" Edward yelled at him.

They never did get an answer out of the man. Ailne sighed as they looked back at the map and attempted to find a place to stay. It was a small hotel that they found, but they were able to get a room with two beds. Edward plopped down on the bed furthest from the door while Ailne took off her sandals at the door. Another cultural difference between the two of them. She preferred to walk barefooted through a house instead of wearing shoes. She sat down on the free bed and laid back, letting the weight of her Automail legs lessen a bit. It sometimes still hurt to walk around, but she was thankful for them.

"Think we passed?" Ailne asked and Edward smirked slightly.

"Yeah," He confirmed. "I bet you'll get a name like the spiky alchemist."

"Maybe," She muttered in thought.

She wasn't going to give him the title of tiny alchemist, that would cause a fight, even if he deserved it for that one. Instead, she simply closed her eyes and fell asleep. Edward let out a sound of disbelief over her falling asleep on him, but simply sighed as he relaxed himself. He had grabbed something to eat, while she hadn't. She had a bad habit of skipping meals, and he wasn't even sure she was aware of it. He looked up at the ceiling and smiled slightly, he'd help her figure out the city the following day. It wasn't like they had anything better to do for a week. He fell asleep with a slight grin on his face, yeah, he could do that.

0o0

"Edward, I don't think I've seen flowers like this before," Ailne said the next day as they walked through a small shopping district. "Not even at the Rockbells."

"Oh, these flowers are imported from Xing," The woman running the store stated. "These are peonies."

"I see," Ailne muttered in thought as she looked down at the flower.

The pink flower was nestled amongst ones that were a shade closer to magenta. She liked the layered flower and looked towards the small blue ones that she knew were forget-me-nots. It would be an interesting bouquet. She got up from her crouch and nodded at Edward, she had just wanted to know the name of the flowers. He gave her a strange look before grinning slightly. She narrowed her eyes in response.

"I guess even you have girlish tastes," Edward commented, and he felt a fist come crashing down on top of his head.

"Be glad that I don't hit as hard as Winry," She informed him with a slight glare. "Besides knowing flowers might help you in the future."

"I can't see how," Edward stated as he rubbed at the top of his head.

She didn't answer, she just kept walking through the city. She was heading towards a small stand that was selling bread. She needed to eat, and she might be inclined to share some with Edward if he stopped being such an ass about things like that. She ended up sharing half the loaf of poppy seed bread with him, he was good with the puppy dog eyes. Damn him for that.

"What are your thoughts on the Colonel?" Edward asked as they sat in a park, enjoying the shade from a tree.

"He's an interesting man," Ailne stated, looking at a few of the pale blossoms on the tree. "It's weird that he's only a few years older than me."

"I didn't think he was that young," Edward commented.

"Yeah, I had to look into it," Ailne admitted.

Edward found himself a bit annoyed that the Colonel that held so much above his head wasn't that old. He looked towards Ailne and watched as she pushed her long hair back from her face. It was starting to cover one of her eyes due to the length. He held out one of his spare hair ties and she accepted it with a tiny word of thanks. She pulled it into a low ponytail and was able to keep it out of her face for the most part. She gazed up at the sky and gained a slight frown, there was that strange feeling again, how odd that it liked to come and go. She'd have to keep it in the back of her mind so that she could figure out what it was.