October 28th, 1958
The Drachman train was unremarkable in any difference to an Amestrian train. It had seats, or private berths, and a sleeping car or two. It had a dining car that served food that was mostly the same though with a few local dishes that were not common on the other side of the border; like a cold beet soup served with a steaming hot potato in the center. Strange, but tasty; Ed was glad everything they had tried was good because it was certainly unusual! Drachman cuisine was something he had only dabbled in from time to time.
By the time they pulled up in Petrayevka everyone in their group had started to adjust to the cultural differences; practicing the language and getting used to the food. Ed was glad they had all packed warmly though, because the few times they had stepped off the train it had been frigidly cold!
The landscape they passed through was as bleak as it was beautiful, the mountains of Drachma not unfamiliar, but bigger here, and covered in snow. The whole landscape was covered in snow, which seemed to fall almost daily even if it was just light flurries. It didn't matter that it was not quite November; it was winter in the north.
"So much for a warm reception," Roy smirked as they all gathered in the aisles with their baggage and the rest of the travelers on the train to disembark.
"At least it's a friendly face," Ed retorted as he stepped out onto the platform and spotted Mark Groves, the Amestrian ambassador currently living in the embassy.
The short, middle-aged balding man grinned as he hurried through the crowd. "Ah, there you are!" he called out in Amestrian. "Please, the porters will get your bags." A couple of Drachmans moved past him to take their suitcases. "We'll be going to the embassy house first and getting you all settled in before we go over to the government district."
"Will there be lunch?" Tore asked eagerly.
Winry gave him a short look. "A little patience; I'm sure we will have lunch at some point."
Tore looked mildly contrite. "Sorry," he apologized to Groves. Ed was always impressed – and slightly irritated – that Tore took correction from Winry much more easily than he did from Ed. It probably had to do with being raised by his mother; the boy just responded more instinctively to a female authority.
"No offense taken young man," Groves chuckled. "Lunch is waiting at the house."
"Teaching the boy manners, Ed?" Roy chuckled as they followed the ambassador through the crowd.
"Making more of an effort than you ever did," Ed countered with a knowing smirk.
"As your superior officer it was my job to maintain discipline not manners," Roy retorted.
Ed laughed shortly. "You never managed that either."
"You were unteachable," Roy said.
"Izumi did well enough," Ed shrugged. "You just didn't have the right methods."
"Enough you two," Al chuckled as he walked up on Ed's other side. "Izumi would have clobbered you both by now."
"Not a bad idea," Winry agreed from just ahead of them.
"Indeed," Riza nodded. "That might prove effective."
"Been trapped together too long on the train?" Groves asked, looking back with a chuckle.
"No," Al shook his head, answering before Ed could. "It's just always like this."
Ed watched Groves' expression shift to one of amused resignation. "Then I hope the Drachmans are ready for you."
The drive over to the house did not take long and the embassy house turned out to be just that, a very large row house in a nice part of town. Each couple had a room on the second floor, and Tore even had a room of his own.
"My wife's and my apartment is the third floor," Groves grinned as he showed them where they would be staying. "We do have a staff of two who keep things clean and cook as needed. They are Ilse and Katya; both of the ladies speak Amestrian quite well so you shouldn't have to worry about communication and they're delightful to chat with. Feel free to come down at your leisure for lunch."
"I'll be right down!" Tore promised as Groves headed down the stairs. The boy disappeared immediately into his room with his bag.
Ed followed Winry into their room with a shake of his head. "He gets worse every day."
Winry gave him a wry little smirk. "He's just like you that way you know."
Ed opened his mouth to object that he was never that focused on his stomach, or interjectory, or thoughtless with his questions… and shut his mouth again. He reconsidered his answer as he set his suitcase down by the bed and pulled out the clothes that needed to be hung. They were definitely going to need a good ironing before anything resembling a nice dinner. "Just tell me I'm still not that bad," he finally replied.
Winry hung her dresses next to his suits, and smiled at him over her shoulder. "Not usually." She looked at the clothes she had out contemplatively then pulled out a pair of black slacks and a dark burgundy blouse. "Do you think this is good for this afternoon?" she turned and held it up for his inspection.
Ed resisted the urge to whistle, but he grinned. "I think they'll be too distracted to listening to anything Roy, Al, or I have to say."
"Perfect," Winry giggled as she undressed. "Then they can't possibly take offense."
"And you wondered why I brought you along," Ed shook his head as he changed out of travel clothes into something a little more appropriate to the afternoon's activities as well. "With you, Riza, and Elicia I figure we could talk them into just about anything while they're distracted by Amestris'…assets."
"That may be the most chauvinistic thing you've ever said," Winry commented as buttoned her clean blouse.
"Then I guess that's a pretty good record so far," Ed leaned over, daring a likely smack to kiss her cheek.
Winry kissed him instead. "Actually it is. Come on; let's go see if everyone else is ready yet."
Downstairs, lunch turned out to be a selection of sandwich options, relatively normal, and very tasty. Tore was already half way through a sandwich when Ed and Winry got down there. Elicia and Alphonse had made theirs and were just sitting down at the table, and Roy and Riza were making their own selection.
Groves came down shortly thereafter with a lovely, slightly stout woman about the same age who he introduced as his wife, Clara. "Are there any questions before the tour this afternoon?" he asked once they were all seated around the table. This was certainly the best time to ask, without any concern for who might hear or take offense.
"Do we have a schedule for the visit?" Winry asked logically.
"Indeed," Groves nodded. "Today is intended to simply be a tour of the government district, to give you an idea of how Drachma's government currently works so that the three alchemists can consider how a program for alchemists would fit in with their system, or any suggestions that might be made regarding feasible alterations to make a program work. There has been conflict between the government and Drachma's alchemists for decades. It's a cultural thing," he explained as they ate. Ed listened with rapt attention. "Alchemy has been considered mystical, more like magic, in their history and mythology. Even today the common people are not particularly familiar with alchemy or how it works, and so they tend to be nervous about it. As the purview of wizards it is not as widely practiced or trusted as it is in Amestris or Xing, or even in Creta or Aerugo."
"So why incorporate alchemists into the government?" Roy asked, scowling, though he likely knew a lot of this information from previous exposure.
"As you'll likely hear again this afternoon, the government would much rather work with the alchemists the way we do, to improve conditions in the country and to hopefully diminish the conflict between the two by helping dispel the long feelings of distrust." Groves answered Roy's question. "In the past there have been situations that ended in violence because of the divide between alchemists and the general population."
"It sounds like a good idea," Al nodded his head. "Ending violence and distrust I mean. Are the alchemists amenable?"
"That's where our hosts and I disagree," Groves admitted. "They say that alchemists are interested in hearing what they have to offer to come to an agreement. I think that while alchemists have been talking to the government, they are more interested right now in what they can get out of it. No offense meant to present company," he said smoothly, "but they've been gypped by the government before and they're skeptical."
"No offense taken," Ed replied after swallowing a bite. "Do they have reason to be skeptical?"
"That will depend on you, my friends," Groves shrugged his shoulders slightly. "At least the people in charge of this possible project are sincere in making the attempt. As to what the government is willing to go to for it, I am not privy to that information. They wanted to talk with alchemists specifically. Though I don't think they knew who they were going to get." A small smirk crossed his face. "They were probably expecting someone more along the lines of mid-level bureaucrats or pushovers."
"We'll send Marcus next time then," Al chuckled. "They can see what our mid-level alchemists are really like."
Ed snickered. "Good idea." He'd love to see anyone try and treat Kane like nothing more than a bureaucrat. "What was their reaction when you told them who was coming?" He would have liked to have seen it.
Groves' grin widened. "Oh General Elkhov nearly swallowed his own tongue, though he hid it pretty well. Chairman Akhatova scowled for about fifteen seconds before chuckling and saying he was impressed by our gall and agreeing to meet with you three specifically." The Chairmen, Ed knew, was the head of the government. Similar in theory to the President of the Military in Amestris, or the actual President of Creta, but with more authority as the head of the Council that was the governing body.
"They usually are impressed by guts and daring more than political finesse," Roy commented glibly.
"So who will be giving us our tour this afternoon?" Riza asked.
"That will be General Elkhov himself," Groves answered. "He'll wax eloquent on Drachma's military finesse, excellent government system, and the quality of their existing training programs for hours given the opportunity, and they wanted to make it clear that they intend to take you seriously."
"Or at least put up a good show of it," Ed snorted. "Well since they invited us, I'd hope that listening would go without saying. I'd hate to waste time if it's nothing more than a show put on for the populace."
"Even those can have their place," Riza surprised Ed with a calm comment. "Sometimes people need to see what's going on, even if it's not everything, to gain some semblance of peace and feel secure under their leadership."
Al nodded. "That's true."
"It is," Ed agreed with a sigh. It had happened in Amestris enough with what was given to the public to keep the peace versus what may have actually happened. There were also the public displays, like the ceremonies involved in awarding war heroes for their work. Ed wasn't fond of them, even if it was often for personal reasons, but they made most people feel confident that they were being protected and the government was working for their continued prosperity. "We'll just have to see how much they're really willing to do."
General Elkhov was entirely the kind of man Edward was expecting to be the head of the Drachman military. A tall, solidly built man who stood a good two inches taller than Al and Roy, with well-trimmed gray flecked brown hair and beard. He looked far too comfortable in his military uniform.
What Edward knew about the man was mostly his military record. Elkhov was younger than he was, enough so that he hadn't even been old enough to fight in the Border Dispute, though he remembered it and his father and uncle had done so. A family with a long line of military service, Elkhov had proven no different and risen in the ranks as quickly as it was possible to do in Drachma, handling some internal rebellious elements up in their far Northern provinces about twenty years back.
The man shook hands with a questioning grip too, strong enough that on a lot of people it would be uncomfortable. It didn't bother Ed, who shook back with just as firm a grip. He did notice that the man had offered to shake left-handed with Ed, instead of shaking his auto-mail hand. "Welcome to Drachma, General Elric," Elkhov nodded, a brief glint in his eye saying he had noticed Ed's response to the shake. "Generals Elric, I should say, and General Mustang." He moved on and shook Al, Tore, and Roy's hands, and bowed over the hands of the women, though he had an odd expression as he looked at Mustang. "It's been a long time."
"It has," Roy replied.
"Do you know each other?" Riza asked, looking at her husband.
It was Elkhov who smirked, but nodded politely to Riza. "Forgive me, Mrs. Mustang. I was a boy when your husband negotiated the original peace between Drachma and Amestris, and a teenager when the border was in contention. We met during one of his diplomatic trips."
"Your father was quite the negotiator," Roy chuckled.
Elkhov seemed to relax slightly. "My father was full of bluster and intimidation tactics that were completely useless in dealing with you. I think you will find that I prefer a more sophisticated set of tactics."
"We're looking forward to it," Ed grinned.
The government district was, fortunately, a large number of buildings that were interconnected with covered and often enclosed walkways. Given the weather, Ed was glad for it. He was also grateful that Winry had insisted on replacing his auto-mail with the cold-weather stuff again for this trip. He would have forgotten otherwise. Still, the buildings themselves were well heated, and their overcoats were unnecessary as they saw the main Council room, the offices, the military offices and strategy rooms, mess hall, and one area devoted to their military history. Over all, it wasn't much different from any of the Amestrian military headquarters in form and function, just in details. There were some things about the military and government that were the same, no matter who was in charge. Elkhov was quite the tour guide, giving them lots of details and waxing as eloquent and longwinded as they had been warned to expect.
"Will we get to meet Chairman Akhatova?" Tore asked while they were in the wing near those offices.
"Tomorrow night, young man," Elkhov entertained the question without taking offense. "There will be a welcoming event for you at the Old Palace. The Chairman, Council, military officers, and heads of the noble families will all be in attendance." He looked them over as they walked. "Groves did pass on the information that you should bring your uniforms yes?"
"He did," Ed nodded. It had been made clear that the fact that he and Roy were technically retired as Generals was as irrelevant here as it was in Amestris; time served was time served and rank was rank. The fact that they were all high ranking military held more weight with Drachma than the fact they were alchemists despite the nature of the trip.
"Good," Elkhov replied approvingly. "You will wear them tomorrow night. The ladies," he smiled charmingly, "may wear whatever they like."
Ed wasn't sure how to feel about the collective chuckle that came from the three women. None of them were easily swayed by flattery. He hoped that meant they were just doing what Ed had joked earlier they were here to do; offer nonthreatening and lovely distraction. It had been a joke on Ed's part. Apparently the girls were enjoying it though.
"Thank you, General Elkhov," Winry smiled her most winning smile. "I believe we are prepared for the occasion."
Elkhov smiled back. "Please, Mrs. Elric, call me Serge."
Edward waited until they were in the car on the way back to the embassy house before he said anything to his wife. "Were you flirting with the General?"
Winry smirked and in the back seat Elicia laughed. "Of course," Winry replied matter-of-factly. "Isn't that what we're here for?"
Ed groaned and Al laughed behind him. "Elkhov certainly was pretty relaxed and friendly by the end of the tour."
"Calm down, Edward," Winry smiled and slipped her hand into his. "It's harmless. He knows I'm not serious and I know he's not. It's one of those political niceties."
"I knew there was a reason I hated politics," Ed sighed, but he smiled at Winry and squeezed her hand. "Just don't make me too jealous all right? I think challenging Elkhov to combat over you would be bad for the mission."
"You think?" Roy snorted from behind him. "We really don't need any more international incidents with you and women, Ed."
Ed felt his face go red and not from embarrassment. The Cretan mess hadn't been his fault! While he knew Roy had no idea what had transpired in Xing, he was reminded of that too. He forced a smirk to his face and glanced over his other shoulder at Roy. "Then I guess it's your turn, right Mustang?"
Riza stifled a smile as Roy's expression darkened. "I don't think that's likely," he replied sourly.
"Yeah, you're right," Ed chuckled as he turned around. "You've got to be good looking for that to happen." He was glad for his instincts. Moments later he ducked as Roy took a swing at his head!
November 1st, 1958
The evening and the next day were mostly time for settling in and getting used to Petrayevka, as well as preparing for what amounted to another State Dinner, only fancier; more like the affairs Ed remembered from Creta if he had to guess. Xing had been the only country he had been in on the continent that had forgone a huge public affair and preferred to do things more privately. Ed liked that about Xing. Still, he found himself oddly not dreading the evening's event.
Even so, it was all he could do not to grimace as he finished adjusting his military uniform so it fit just right and everything hung properly. Ed hadn't touched the thing in years. It had hung, unused in his closet, where he hoped it would stay. His hair was back but just in a tail and not braided.
"Aren't you fidgety this evening," Winry commented as she stepped up behind him and reached around, adjusting his collar and the braid on his shoulder. "There," she smiled and he could see her face in the mirror. "You look dashing."
"I look official," Ed groused. "It's uncomfortable too."
"Oh?" Winry looked him up and down in the mirror. "It looks like it fits to me."
"That's part of the problem," Ed couldn't help admitting. He wasn't entirely sure why it irritated him that his uniform still fit perfectly, even if it was a little stiff from having been pressed and starched before being hung up. Old memories he supposed.
Winry's smile softened and she stepped around in front of him. "Just relax. You look about as pleasant as a porcupine."
"I'm about as prickly with all this metal on," Ed snorted, gesturing to the chest full of medals. The Drachmans really did expect full regalia. He looked up at Winry and really looked at her. For a moment his irritation was nearly forgotten. "Wow."
Winry took a step back, hands behind her back as she smiled playfully. "Do you like it?" She wore a floor-length red evening gown with a black sheer layer over the entire thing that made it seemed darker, and to shift colors as she moved. The strap was a loop around the neck, leaving her shoulders and some of her back – though not too much – exposed. Her hair was twisted up in the back, though the front was down as always. To fit the occasion, there was a brooch where the loop met the rest of the dress, set with rubies, since a necklace would have hung funny, and in her ears diamond studs and, dangling beside them, a familiar pair of earrings Ed hadn't seen in quite some time.
"You look fantastic," he couldn't help grinning. "I really am going to be fighting men off you tonight." He brought a hand up to the earrings that looked like transmutation circles, but not quite. "I almost forgot you had these."
Winry chuckled. "Making a statement," she replied as she put her arms around him.
"They're just little silver earrings," Ed pointed out, smiling as he put his arms around her waist. "They're hardly worth anything."
"On the contrary," Winry shook her head. "You bought them for me; if that doesn't make them priceless than how about the fact that they're from another world?"
"You have a point," Ed couldn't help but feel mildly nostalgic. That had been in France a very long time ago. "They still look good on you."
"I'm glad you think so," Winry replied softly, leaning in for what turned into a very long, involved kiss.
Ed was only half-jokingly considering saying screw Drachma and staying here with his wife until there was a knock on the door. "Darned interruptions," he sighed as the kiss broke. "What is it?"
"I have no idea how to tie this thing," Tore's voice came plaintively from the other side of the door.
"I'll help him," Winry smiled as she stepped back regretfully. "He probably needs to brush his hair too."
It only took a few minutes to get Tore in order. Ed knew the kid was probably more nervous than most of the rest of them. After all, he hadn't been on a diplomatic mission before and he was just a kid. Formal affairs weren't his specialty. "Just be polite and answer anything they ask you in Amestrian," Ed said reassuringly as they headed downstairs. "Other than that, eat and look interested."
Tore grinned, looking a little more relaxed. "I can do that."
When they got downstairs Ed couldn't help but notice that Elicia and Riza were just as done-up as Winry. Elicia's evening gown was a deep green with straps and a v-neck and her hair fell down loose in waves around her shoulders. Riza looked, unsurprisingly, every inch the wife of the former President of Amestris in a gown that matched the blue of their uniforms perfectly, but was just a shade darker. It was daringly strapless, but she wore a silk shoulder wrap that matched it, trimmed in gold fringe.
"She'd be in uniform if she could have gotten away with it," Roy smirked as he helped his wife put on her warm overcoat for the trip over.
Riza smirked at her husband. "I haven't worn my uniform since I retired."
"I bet it would still fit though," Ed chuckled, getting in the compliment before Roy could so much as open his mouth.
"I don't recall giving you permission to steal my lines," Roy looked sharply over at him.
Ed shrugged. "I don't recall ever needing your permission."
"All right," Al shook his head, smiling amusedly. "We don't want to give them the idea that we quarrel amongst ourselves do we?"
"Oh look," Ed turned his facetious mood on his brother, "Al's suggesting we should be dishonest."
Roy picked up fast. "Alphonse I'm ashamed," he shook his head. "Where did you learn such deceit?"
"My older brother was a bad influence," Al retorted without missing a beat.
Elicia giggled. "Don't get into it too, Alphonse, or we'll never get out of here."
Groves and his wife joined them then and it was time to go. It took two cars this evening with everyone involved. Edward, Winry, and Tore rode over with Groves and his wife, with the rest in the car following.
The Old Palace turned out to be just that; the palace that had once housed the royal family of Drachma back when the country was a monarchy. It was an impressively large building that rivaled the ancient Cretan structures in size and artistic décor, though it was in much bolder designs and colors that were warm and bright against the bleak landscape and sky. All lit up for the occasion from inside, at least at the end the clearly held the grand ballroom, it looked very inviting.
The inside was splendid; huge vaulted ceilings with large sparkling chandeliers, with everything painted in creams accented in burgundies and other dark jewel-like colors for accents. There was gilding everywhere.
"Imagine what it would have cost to build this," Elicia commented in soft awe, admiring the artwork in the halls as they were escorted to the dining room.
"Drachma was once a much wealthier nation," Roy commented softly. "In the years after the overthrow of the monarchy there were leaders who were no more magnanimous than their predecessors. A lot of the country's wealth was squandered. They've tried to regain that glory ever since."
When they arrived at the door to the ball room – which was set up for both dining and dancing, with the floor in the middle – their coats were taken and they were shown inside to their table. As they entered Ed heard their names and ranks announced to those already gathered. They may no longer be a monarchy but they retained a lot of the trappings.
The Amestrians were all seated together at one table, which was right beside the tables that held the Chairman, Council, and their families. As they reached the table a tall, regal looking gentleman in his mid-forties approached. He wore fine dress attire in the black of the Drachman military though he was clearly not a military officer despite the similarity of the cut. The fabric was a fine silk, brocaded black on black, trimmed in gold. Elkhov was with him, and Edward guessed that this man was Chairman Nikolai Akhatova. Behind him the Council stood respectfully.
::General Edward Elric, General Alphonse Elric, General Roy Mustang, ladies,:: Akhatova smiled as he stopped in front of them. ::Welcome to our country. General Elkhov has assured me that your needs have been met and that you have had the opportunity to see our illustrious government in action.::
Ed certainly wondered what had actually been said, but for now it was time to play along, especially in front of this glittering audience. ::Thank you, Chairman Akhatova,:: he replied with a smile and he shook the man's hand. ::General Elkhov speaks accurately. We had a wonderful tour yesterday. It was very impressive.::
That seemed to be the right response. Akhatova chuckled as they dropped hands. ::Excellent. I hope that tonight is as impressive and you all enjoy yourselves. May the rest of your stay in our country be pleasant and productive.::
Productive; naturally. Ed nodded. ::Thank you. I expect it will be.::
The introduction over, the Chairman returned to his table and they were seated for what proved to be an elegant – and certainly costly – five course meal that included salad, a cabbage soup, roast boar, a bread dish stuffed with a bold white cheese and herbs, and a rum cake soaked in blackberries and wine, though the alcohol was cooked out of both. Edward was grateful for that! He suspected it was mostly because the noble families had often brought children. There were quite a few kids from a little under Tore's age and up.
The food was delicious and Ed managed to get away with drinking water since he was seated entirely with friends. There was a long list of alcoholic beverages he did not take advantage of despite the selection of rare and expensive options. "This is really a feast," he commented as he finished off dessert. Even he was satisfied.
"They've been pulling out all the stops to make a good impression," Groves replied softly as he sipped his glass of wine. "This might have remained lower visibility if it weren't for having three Amestrian State heroes with high political influence here."
"We do seem to be drawing the crowd," Elicia nodded, speaking quietly. Ed had noticed that as well. There were a lot of people who glanced casually in their direction, curiosity overcoming any worry of being thought impolite for looking. Though they tried not to be noticed.
"It's the beautiful ladies," Roy quipped. "They're all ogling or jealous."
"I suspect the ladies are more interested in you boys," Winry chuckled.
"Nice to know we haven't lapsed into the category of distinguished older gentlemen yet," Ed replied. From his own much more successfully subtle glances, he definitely thought they had three of the loveliest women in the crowd, even including the younger generation. Also the most elegantly – and currently – dressed even according to Drachman custom. Ed wondered just how much work Winry, Riza, and Elicia had put into being prepared for this.
"Girls of all age love men in uniform," Elicia pointed out with a sensible little nod. "Most also have, but won't necessarily admit to, a thing for older men."
"Which explains how you fell for Al," Roy chuckled softly.
"It's difficult to find men that have the maturity level of a woman, Uncle Roy," Elicia continued, tweaking him with the term of endearment she hadn't used in years. "We have to settle for men our age, or find someone older who has finally matched us in maturity."
"Hey," Ed gave her a mock glare. "What are you saying?"
"That I settled, or that you matured early," Winry suggested playfully. "Take your pick, Ed."
"I'll take the latter," Ed replied, letting Winry give Elicia the out. He wasn't about to admit that both were probably true. "So what else do we do tonight?" he looked over at Groves.
The ambassador smiled. "Make nice with the locals. Now that dinner is over the dancing and general mingling will start soon. You will be approached by a lot of people who are curious about you, your mission, and Amestris. Talk, dance, drink, whatever you like."
Ed sighed and sipped from his glass of water. "In other words, the usual politics."
"Do you remember the last time we danced in a ballroom like this?" Riza asked Roy as they moved easily and effortlessly across the dance floor until the chandeliers, mixed in with dozens of other dancing couples.
"Other than last New Year's Eve?" Roy chuckled as he turned her. She looked stunning, and he was getting a lot of satisfaction out of the looks on the other men's faces. It did not matter Riza's age, as far as Roy was concerned she never looked older, only better.
"You know what I mean," Riza shook her head ever so slightly as she shot him an amused little grin over her shoulder before he pulled her back in. "We haven't been on a diplomatic visit anywhere together since you resigned."
Roy realized with a slight twinge of guilt that it was true. He had been to Xing since then, but Riza had not come along. There was no reason he could not have taken her off on a trip either, especially not the last few years. With him retired there was nothing to stop them from doing whatever they wanted. After decades of working for the country, they should take time for themselves. Still, that rarely seemed to happen. "I'm sorry."
Riza sighed. "I'm not asking for an apology, Roy. I'm simply saying it's nice. It reminds me of good days, when we worked as a team like this."
When they were just them, or when Maes was still young and they had all gone on trips together. "Would you like to do this more often?" Roy asked, wondering why it had never occurred to him to ask. It rarely did until Riza brought something to his attention. "We could visit Argyros this summer. He's always asking us out to that estate of his along the sea." Roy really couldn't imagine now why they never seemed to have time.
Riza pressed close against him as they spun. "I think that sounds like a delightful idea."
Roy flashed a confident, teasing grin. "Of course it does; my ideas always do."
Riza giggled. "Of course they do, Roy."
Tore stood to the side of the room, sticking near Fullmetal and Mrs. Elric as they talked and made their way through the group. When he was introduced he was polite, but since he knew very little Drachman he was fortunate to only really have to interact with the adults who cared to try to converse with him in Amestrian. He had never been so glad to be ignored in his life!
There was one thing, however, that kept his attention in the room. That was all the girls between the ages of twelve and eighteen. There had to be at least two dozen of them, all in evening wear as elegant as their mothers' if simpler in the cases of most of the younger girls.
One particularly pretty brunette in a lavender dress kept glancing his way and smiling. It made Tore's stomach flutter, but not unpleasantly. They spent several minutes making scattered eye contact before Tore decided he was bold enough to make a move. They were supposed to make a good impression right? Putting on a friendly smile and trying not to seem nervous he walked over to the girl and her little group of friends, bowed politely, and gestured to the floor in a way that clearly said want to dance? Silently he was grateful for the basic lessons Mrs. Elric had given him before the couple of State affairs he had been to in Amestris. Tore might not be a dancing expert, but he could do a basic waltz!
The girl looked momentarily startled, but pleased. She handed her glass of punch off to a friend and stepped over to Tore, taking his arm. Swallowing his nerves, Tore escorted her out onto the dance floor as the next dance began.
Thankfully it was a traditional waltz and Tore had no problem leading the girl through the steps. They were about the same height and she knew how to dance at least as well – almost certainly better – than he did. Of course, she probably came to these things more often and had since she was a kid.
The next dance was one he did not know, but it didn't look too complicated, and she seemed to take some delight in showing him the steps. When it was over, they moved off to the side for more of the punch provided for the youngest guests and caught their breath.
"That was fun," the girl smiled at him, speaking in heavily accented but understandable Amestrian. It was pretty. "Thank you…"
"Terrence," Tore found himself introducing himself properly. That was how they had announced him this evening after all, as Edward's student and by full proper name. It was easier than confusing the girl.
She giggled. "I am Irina," she replied. "I do not get asked to dance often."
"Why not?" Tore couldn't imagine that. Well, okay so most guys their age didn't dance, but surely around here they did?
Irina shrugged. "My brothers make them nervous I think, though really they do not care who I dance with. So it makes little difference."
"I guess." Tore hadn't seen any evidence of angry overprotective brothers anywhere, so they couldn't be too much trouble. "You speak Amestrian really well," he complimented as he realized they were talking entirely in his own language now.
"We are encouraged to learn the languages of the countries Drachma trades with," Irina replied. "My father thinks it wise. I should get back to my friends." Before Tore could blink she leaned over and kissed his cheek, then turned and headed off.
As she walked away into the crowd, Tore felt a hand land on his shoulder. He startled and looked up into Fullmetal's grinning face. "Smooth moves kid."
Tore snorted and shrugged. "She looked like she wanted to dance."
Fullmetal nodded. "I'm sure, but do you know who she is?"
"Her name's Irina." Tore bristled slightly. What was he getting at anyway?
Fullmetal chuckled. "Yeah, Irina Akhatova. She's the Chairman's daughter."
As the enormity of what he had really dared to do set in, Tore felt a little less cocky.
As the night grew later, Edward relaxed and found himself enjoying the party despite – or perhaps because of – the pomp and circumstance. Despite what had happened over thirty years ago, there were few people here who seemed to hold any animosity towards him or Roy. Certainly there were plenty of people who did not approach, or who seemed to be sizing him up, but Ed didn't mind that. No one was being outwardly hostile, which meant he could ignore them. He hadn't come expecting to be liked.
The Amestrians seemed to be making quite the impression actually. He'd been amused by Tore's unwitting daring in asking the Chairman's daughter to dance, and glad his student was proving to have some instincts for this kind of thing and the common sense to use the good manners he possessed. Roy knew some of the people here and he and Riza seemed right at home in the midst of politics. That was completely unsurprising.
Al and Elicia looked like they were having too much fun to worry about politics. Given how rarely they got out of Central together, that was one of Ed's ulterior motives for bringing them along. They chatted with various military officers and old nobles, danced, and just seemed to be having a good time. That, he noticed, put their hosts at ease as well.
Winry drew crowds on her own, though fortunately Ed had managed to avoid being dragged into auto-mail modeling so far. Drachma was a market that Rockbell Auto-mail had not yet branched into and he knew she was dying for a bite. Finally he was able to draw her away for another dance and then a few moments of peace and a drink. "I'm beginning to think Breda agreed to my selections just because he knew we wouldn't be too drunk to do our jobs," he chuckled softly. "I'd forgotten just how much they like to drink up here." He had noticed that the atmosphere had relaxed a lot, and the supply of beverages been well depleted.
"Are you doing okay?" Winry asked with quiet concern.
Ed smirked. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just a just a chance to try a lot of very subtle and judicious uses of alchemy. This stuff is foul when it's not alcoholic and not mixed with something by the way," he added. He'd had Drachman vodka before. It wasn't great straight to begin with in his opinion. Without getting drunk off it he couldn't see why anyone would drink it otherwise. That might be why there was no attempt to make a non-alcoholic version; sparkling potato juice? He shuddered slightly at the thought.
"I'll keep that in mind," Winry chuckled, taking his arm. "I hadn't really been paying attention, but you're right. That would certainly explain why Lord Gurina seemed more interested in my breasts than our discussion of auto-mail."
Ed raised his eyebrows, then grinned. "Winry, I hate to say it, but I think most guys are more interested in your breasts than discussing auto-mail."
"Oh?" Winry looked up at him with an expression somewhere between amused and dangerous. "I'll have to remember that the next time you and I are discussing your next upgrade."
"As long as I'm the only one you show off for when you're talking upgrades," Ed squeezed her arm with his, enjoying the banter. "Otherwise I might have to get violent."
"And that's a difference from your usual behavior how?"
"Normally I don't go around maiming your customers," Ed pointed out.
"This is true," Winry pretended to look contemplative, but Ed could tell she was just playing now. "All right, that's fair I suppose."
"So," Ed asked, "When's the next time you wanted to talk about auto-mail?"
Alphonse could hardly remember the last time he had relaxed and had so much fun. It was strange that it would happen at a state dinner in a foreign country, but having Elicia with him definitely made the difference. He was used to going on missions and missing her; writing back and bringing gifts. Having her along was much better!
His beautiful, vibrant wife had proven to him one more time that she was always more adept than people thought, especially in political circles. Gracia had raised her as an officer's daughter and she made the perfect officer's wife, despite the fact that many men might have found her too opinionated, too outgoing and independent.
Elicia had talked easily with people despite the language difference, charming almost everyone they met. By the end of the evening Al was reminded again why he had fallen for her in the first place.
Al was feeling relaxed and contented when they got back to the embassy later that night. He was fairly certain he wasn't drunk. He rarely indulged at all, but it would have seemed odd and rude if their entire party had turned down their host's hospitality. Besides, he enjoyed the occasional taste of something new. "Did you have a good time?" he asked Elicia as they were undressing in their room. He folded his uniform pants and hung them on the hanger before putting the jacket back as well.
"Wonderful!" Elicia grinned, spinning in just her slip before she finished hanging up her dress. "I never knew how much fun I was missing out on staying home while you went gallivanting all over the continent."
"We go on trips together," Al argued, grinning as he placed his hands on her bare shoulders. Okay, so they were usually very short weekend getaways.
"Not like this," Elicia countered, smiling back at him as she turned in his arms. "I've never been out of Amestris."
"Sure you have," Al objected, though the blurted statement stared at him after he said it. He realized he couldn't think of a single time she had come with him on a trip that left the country. "Haven't you?"
Elicia shook her head. "The only vacations you and I have taken in years were family ones," she said gently. "The longest just us trip we took was our honeymoon."
Al felt immediately sheepish. "No wonder you've been so enthusiastic about planning a long holiday." He really hadn't taken her very many places, and given her adventurous nature that seemed like a crime somehow. "When we get home I promise I'll talk to Breda about a good long chunk of time off for both of us and we'll have a time of it all right?"
"I love you," Elicia's eyes lit up and she pulled him down toward her and kissed him soundly.
Al returned it, enjoying the feel of her against him, her slip sliding across his bare chest; so warm and supple, full of life. He let one hand fall to the small of her back. On instinct he steered her to the bed and Elicia followed willingly, eagerly pulling him down with her as he lowered her onto soft clean sheets. The hour didn't matter. The fact that they had to be up at a decent hour was irrelevant. If they were both in the mood, Alphonse was not going to question further!
It wasn't until much later in a tangle of sheets that they cuddled...and Al drifted off watching Elicia sleeping beside him.
