November 2nd, 1958
Morning found Edward, Alphonse, and Roy back over at the military headquarters in the government district with General Elkhov and a couple of his subordinates, Under-Generals – or so it translated – Obukhov and Rost. Obukhov was old, crusty, and frowned a lot. Rost seemed to be more akin to Elkhov and the Chairman in terms of age and vision.
They started off with a more detailed tour and explanation of the way Drachma's military was currently set up and functioned, as well as some of the history. Some of it was old news, some of it was new, but the three alchemists listened to it all as if they had never heard it before. It was interesting to see how much of it lined up with what they had heard in the past or experienced personally.
When the tour and lesson were finished they found themselves sitting around a conference table back near Elkhov's main offices, with cups of coffee and a lot to think about as Rost explained to them the situation with the alchemists of Drachma. It followed pretty much in the vein of what Groves had told them, at least at first. "The difficulty we're having now is the fact that the alchemists seem to have little use for us," Rost explained in heavily accented Amestrian. "We had made offers in the past, but they show little interest or demand more. We're not sure what it is that is unappealing."
"So you want to talk to alchemists and see if you can come up with an offer that might actually meet their needs," Ed finished the thought.
"Exactly," Elkhov nodded. "Something that will actually make them want to work with us instead of in opposition."
"Opposition?" Roy looked up.
"It's no secret that the alchemists do not agree with the government on many things," Obukhov snorted. "There are reasons we had only one alchemist on the Border."
Ed looked up sharply. "Ice," he commented. She wasn't the only Ice wielding alchemist he had ever fought, but it had been the only name he had to call her by.
Obukhov looked irritated but nodded. "She was the only one who accepted our offer. None have since. Before that there were periods where alchemists were treated with suspicion, so it's no wonder they went into hiding and prefer to seclude themselves as they work on their experiments."
"Social issues are going to require more to change them than just a good deal," Al pointed out sensibly.
"Still, we need a place to start," Elkhov continued. "That is why we asked you to come. Your country had employed alchemists in its military for quite some time, but it was not always the case. We need to offer a program that will appeal to them and show them we can work together. Trust will only come with time."
There was the crux of the problem; trust. Not all of the alchemists, but at least some of them, had to trust the government to keep its word on a deal that was worth taking up or be desperate enough. Ed knew that. "Trust may be where you need to start."
By the time they finished talking and broke for lunch – and in the case of the Generals, other meetings and work – Edward was beginning to see how difficult installing a functional program for alchemists in Drachma was going to be.
"This is going to be a bear," Roy commented as they piled into the car to go back to the house and get the women and Tore for the afternoon. "Obukhov is about as traditionalist as they come. I suspect he's only on that committee to keep the old dogs happy."
"We'll come up with something to suggest," Ed shrugged. "It's not like we're required to come up with an answer. We're being consulted not paid." He looked over at Al and nudged his brother in the side with one elbow. "Not that you were much help."
"Hey, I made suggestions," Al argued.
"Twice," Ed eyed his brother. "Did you even sleep last night? I really didn't figure you for the guy I had to worry about having too much fun on this trip." He looked back over at Roy.
Roy laughed. "Be glad you don't share a wall with his room."
Ed snickered as his brother looked mildly embarrassed, then Al shrugged. "I slept," Al replied with a smug smile. "Eventually."
Ed shook his head. "I'm beginning to regret offering to bring the girls along."
"Oh like you're any better," Al elbowed him back. "Don't even try to tell me you went home and went right to sleep. That would be too responsible for you."
Ed shrugged. "Okay, you caught me on that one," he admitted. As if he ever turned down a little night fun with Winry. "But I'm more functional than you are this morning."
"Give it up," Roy rolled his eyes. "You just have to pick fights with everyone."
"I'm not picking a fight," Ed argued, then sighed and gave up. That wasn't one he was going to win. Not the way Roy liked to set up arguments. He turned back to Al. "Fine, but if you drag like you did this morning I'm going to have to insist we do more sparring practices while we're here."
Al shrugged. "Fine with me; prepare to get beaten."
"As if that'll happen," Ed rolled his eyes, grinning.
"Can't you two take it easy?" Roy groaned.
"Never thought I'd hear that from you, Mustang," Ed chuckled. "You should join us. We can give the Drachmans a little demonstration of what State Alchemists are capable of."
"I suppose a chance to show off and intimidate without actually harming anyone does have its merits," Roy commented, considering the option. "Though it's not always wise to give away your strengths to the enemy."
"What are we giving away?" Ed snorted. "They already know what the three of us are capable of. It's not like that's classified information."
"True," Roy rubbed his chin thoughtfully then shrugged. "Let's think about it later. If we're still talking business this afternoon Riza will get irritated with me."
Ed chuckled. "Well we can't have that."
When they got back to the house the girls and Tore were all ready to go. It was time for the fun part of the day; cultural immersion! Groves and his wife were going to show them around Petrayevka.
"So what did you do this morning?" Ed asked Winry as the cars headed out for their first stop.
Winry smiled. "I took a long hot bubble bath, read a book, and then we all decided what we were going to be doing this afternoon. Clara had some great suggestions."
"This means there's going to be shopping doesn't it?" Ed asked, trying hard not to groan.
"Only some," Winry chuckled. "Elicia, Riza, and I can do plenty of that on our own you know. We don't need you guys following us around to protect us in the middle of a city."
"I know," Ed shrugged, actually relieved that he wouldn't be dragged through too much shopping. It wasn't like any of the women in question were inclined towards opulent spending anyway. "So what did you ladies decide we're doing today?"
"Well after lunch we thought we'd hit their national museum," Elicia piped up. "They have some fantastic art on display, as well as technological displays and the usual historical stuff."
"That sounds like fun," Al nodded enthusiastically.
Ed was good with that. He enjoyed cultural sites almost as much as Al did. Maybe there would be some further information on alchemy in Drachma there as well. If not, he would make a point to hit their national library. Just because no books on the subject had ever been translated didn't mean there weren't any. "So what's for lunch?"
"How did I know you were going to ask that?" Winry asked, amused. "It's Mark and Clara's favorite restaurant. It's a little local place that's supposed to have some of the best Drachman food in the city." Which meant it was the kind of food the regular people ate every day. Ed was glad. As much as he enjoyed any food, he preferred home cooking to a high end meal the majority of the time.
"Sounds good to me," Ed replied. "So, what did you do all morning?" he looked at Tore, who was staring intently out the window.
"Huh? Oh, homework," Tore stuck his tongue out. "I got an entire week's worth done this morning. Can I come with you guys tomorrow instead?"
"A whole week. That's pretty good," Ed nodded. "Is it correct?"
"I looked it over," Winry confirmed.
"Then sure," Ed smiled at his student. "If you'd rather listen to us dicker about politics you're welcome to come along. Sometime in here we might finally get to talking alchemy. Now, what's so interesting out that window?" He leaned over and peered out curiously. He saw nothing in particular that caught his eye; just people on the street on a busy, frigid day going about their business.
Tore turned slightly pink, but he grinned even so. "There were some really cute girls on the corner back there."
Girls? Oh great. It was starting already. Ed groaned.
Al chuckled. "It looks like we'll all find something to appreciate today."
Winry thought they had done a pretty good job picking today's venues. Lunch was delicious and much more the style of thing she might cook at home if she were trying Drachman dishes. Edward certainly seemed to enjoy it. She could see why it was a favorite of the Groves'.
After that they went to the museum which also turned out to have something for everyone. Winry loved the exhibits on their technological and medical history. Elicia seemed entranced by the section on the history of Drachman clothing as well as the art. Riza and Roy spent a lot of time examining their military history and weapons. Al nearly got lost in their historical section, and then the girls found all four guys – Tore included – spending a very long time looking at the very small mentions of alchemy and the stories that involved it that could be found in various spots. It was almost like a scavenger hunt, finding the little bits and pieces to put together any information they might not have gotten before.
"That's enough staring boys," Winry finally said as she walked up to them with a smirk. "That paragraph isn't going to change or divulge any more information if you just keep glaring at it."
"Very funny," Ed replied, though he did stand up straight and face her, stretching. "So what's next on the schedule?"
"A little activity," Winry smiled. She was looking forward to the next event on the schedule even though it was going to be cold. "We thought it might be fun to go ice skating before dinner." It wasn't exactly something that was doable in Resembool. Even in the winter when it snowed it hadn't been cold enough for the lake or the river to ice over enough to be safe for skating. Not that some kids hadn't tried anyway. Central occasionally got cold enough, but who had the time?
She was relieved when Ed grinned. "That sounds like fun," he agreed.
"Sure it does," Al agreed. "Let's go."
Tore looked just as eager. Roy didn't look quite as excited, but Winry suspected he would have fun in spite of himself.
They drove over to what turned out to be a park with a dedicated skating pond. It was kept smooth and fresh, buffed every night by a large machine that Winry would have loved to take apart but was sure it would never be allowed. There was a building off to one side that was heated but had large windows for viewing the skating rink and a café that sold hot beverages. That was also where skates could be rented by anyone who did not have their own though it seemed like most people around here did.
"It's a regular pastime," Groves informed them as they put on skates. "Have fun."
"Have you ever done this before?" Elicia asked curiously.
Winry smiled. "Me? No. I was never foolish enough to try it on the ponds in Resembool. If they iced at all it was always thin." She looked over at Ed and Al. "However some people were still inclined to try."
Ed smirked playfully. "Hey it was fun! Pitt and I only crashed through the ice once."
"Twice," Al corrected immediately. "You almost pulled me in trying to get you out the last time!"
"It wasn't that bad. Don't be so dramatic," Ed shrugged as he tied his skate on and stood up. "You were out there too."
"Only to save you," Al countered as he stood up. "Mom was so mad at you. We were both soaked."
"Yeah," Ed smiled, but he looked nostalgically happy at the memory. "She made us made us take warm baths and we bundled up under blankets by the fire and had hot chocolate."
"What a harsh punishment," Riza chuckled. "Shall we?"
"Of course," Roy grinned offering her a hand. Together they stepped out onto the ice and skated off.
"Something tells me they've done this before," Ed muttered.
"Well Roy has been up here before," Winry pointed out as she took Ed's hand. "I have to admit I'm a little nervous."
"Don't be," Ed grinned. "I'll catch you."
"And if you fall down?" she asked playfully.
"You have so little faith in my sense of balance," Ed replied daringly. "Come on, let's go." He stepped out onto the ice and Winry squeaked slightly as he pulled her with him!
Her feet touched the ice and Winry was glad she was ready and that Ed had a good grip. He hadn't been bragging – well not much. He did have a good sense of balance and while he didn't take off he was still standing when she clutched his arm. "Don't make me regret this," she looked at him sharply.
Ed grinned broadly. "Oh come on, Winry. Don't you trust me?"
"Only as far as I can shove you," Winry teased, pushing at him and nearly sending them both over as he grabbed her to keep her from toppling. "Which is apparently not far!"
"Hey I could have let you fall," he teased, interlacing his gloved fingers in hers. "Let's try this again."
Winry smiled and complied and within a couple of minutes they were moving around the ice at a fairly decent pace. "This is fun," she smiled, watching her breath puff in front of her in a white cloud. "It's not nearly as cold as I thought it would be."
"The exertion warms you up quickly," Ed replied, clearly enjoying himself. Winry was glad.
"Exertion does that," she smirked suggestively.
Ed glanced over at her, catching her look, and startled her by pulling her sideways into him without losing momentum. "So I've noticed," he grinned. "It's been too long since we just had fun! You're a genius you know that?"
"Some people have said so," Winry raised her chin slightly and grinned back. She loved watching him smile. No matter how old they got, he always looked as impish and alive as he had as a teenager when he grinned like that. "How's everyone else doing?" She looked around, feeling sure enough on her feet to do so with Ed there.
Roy and Riza were out a little further towards the middle, moving at a faster pace, also skating together with a stately grace that made Winry sure they had both skated before. While they weren't doing anything complicated like some of the skaters out in the very center who were spinning and doing small jumps and playing around, they did look more like they were dancing.
Tore was moving along by himself but the kid seemed to have a knack for anything that required balance and was moving along as fast as he could manage to without running anyone over or sliding into anything.
Al and Elicia were moving along a little slower than she and Ed were, laughing as they both slipped from time to time and clung to each other, though Al seemed to have a better hang of it. Not that it was surprising that he would, but it was still cute to watch. He was too focused on Elicia to keep his attention on what he was doing.
"Makes you sick doesn't it," Ed commented, but Winry caught him smiling again when she looked back around at him. "They're just too cute aren't they?"
"They always have been," Winry shrugged. "Did you expect anything to be different?" As she watched him, she realized that he looked rather satisfied. "This was part of your whole scheme wasn't it?"
"Who me?" He asked with exaggerated innocence. "It's not my fault my little brother can't seem to find the time to take his wife someplace exotic."
"Actually," Winry argued, still smiling, "It is. You're the one who told Breda to offer him the Program."
"Oh, well that's true," Ed conceded. "So I guess this balances things then doesn't it?"
"Hey check this out!" Tore called as he caught up with them at a good clip, this time he was going backwards. "Pretty cool huh?"
Winry giggled. "Very," she replied. "Just make sure you don't run into anyone!"
"I've got it," Tore promised, still grinning as he glanced over his shoulder as he went around the turn.
"He's a natural," Winry commented as she watched him. It was nice to see a look of pure exhilarated joy on the kid's face. He was so often serious, or stubborn, that it was easy to forget how young he was. He reminded her of Ed in ways that made her heart ache for him.
"We could do that," Ed replied. "You want to try?"
"No thank you!" Winry replied vehemently. "I much prefer being able to see where I'm going."
"Oh spoilsport," Ed laughed and sped up just enough to get in front of her and turned to face her, skating backwards without letting go of her hand. "See! It's not so hard."
"You just don't grow up do you?" Winry laughed, nerves edging the sound.
"Would you rather I act my age?" Ed responded. "We could be sitting on the sidelines watching and I could be griping about my stiff joints."
"Are they stiff?" Winry asked.
"Not a bit," Ed smirked. "Not now that they're warmed up anyway," he spun back around to skate beside her facing front-wards again and she relaxed. No, he definitely didn't act like he would be sixty in three months. Of course, he really didn't look like it either. If Winry hadn't known him, she would have pegged him for only being about fifty. Heck, Al looked like he was only in his mid-forties. None of their group, she realized, really quite looked their ages. They were too active and healthy. Roy, perhaps, was the only one who looked his age, and even then it was distinguished and attractive, not old and decrepit.
"No, I'm definitely glad you don't act your age," Winry sidled up against him. "You're grouchy enough without it."
"Hey!" Ed looked down at her, and while his expression was offended she wasn't entirely sure she believed it. "Have I been grouchy on this trip?"
"Not much," Winry admitted. "I like it."
Ed brought his arm up around her shoulders. "So do I."
November 3rd, 1958
The next day proved to be about as productive as the first. Edward learned quickly that there was a definite split in the military and the feeling in the government in general in regards to this idea of an alchemist program. Some people were eager to be able to match the abilities of Amestris, and some honestly wanted to mend the rift between the alchemists and the average citizens. Others, however, would probably rather alchemy was wiped entirely out of Drachma as an area of study. This was part of why they had trouble offering anything that the alchemists would find appealing or be sure they could trust it.
The second morning was spent mostly in filling in Elkhov and the other two generals about the history of alchemy in Amestris. They also covered a little of the mess with Bradley and why their people had distrusted State Alchemists to explain why so many alchemists had abhorred the State years back.
"The State offers a lot to alchemists that's hard to get elsewhere," Ed explained a bit later on. "Access to classified alchemical information, large budgets for research. As long as a licensed alchemist continues to prove they're worth it and does their duties as the State sees fit, the rewards and opportunities are fantastic."
"But the State has to prove trustworthy," Al added. "For a long time that wasn't the case."
"It sounds like it might be easier to train alchemists from scratch," Obukhov snorted.
"You could," Roy shrugged. "But you'd need someone willing to teach them, which means you need to convince at least one skilled alchemist to work for the State."
"Still, finding an offer that would appeal to one alchemist might be easier than one that appeals to many," Elkhov replied contemplatively. "And might be easier to get through committees and garner government approval. Training alchemists loyal to the State instead of trying to win over those actively opposed, at least to start," he shrugged.
It was a different tactic, but then was it really so different from what Amestris had now? They did pretty much train their alchemists, though most came to them with some learning already. Those who showed up with no prior knowledge usually did not last. Some came back in later years, some didn't.
"So you have more than one option," Ed nodded. "Whatever you do, once you prove that you have something that's beneficial to Drachma and to the alchemists, I think you'll find you get more volunteers."
Rost definitely looked interested. Obukhov seemed thoughtful but just as grouchy about the subject as yesterday. Elkhov was taking them seriously. "So we do," he agreed. "We will discuss them and think on it some more. Thank you for the information and the ideas. We will talk more tomorrow."
It wasn't voiced as a request, but Ed wasn't going to complain at a foreign General who was used to simply giving orders. He also took it as a polite dismissal. "Sounds good," he replied as everyone stood to go at roughly the same time.
"So what did you think?" Ed asked Tore as they walked back through the halls towards where the embassy car was parked. The boy had been allowed to come as he had asked, and he had spent the entire morning sitting quietly and listening to the men talk. Ed was definitely curious what his student had gotten out of the experience.
To his credit, Tore did not give a typical flippant teenage answer like boring or I didn't get it. Instead he looked thoughtful for a moment. "I think Elkhov really wants this to work, Rost just wants whatever's best for the government, and Obukhov thinks none of us are much better than dog crap."
Roy snorted a laugh. "That sure seems to sum it up doesn't it?"
Ed had to admit it did. "That it does. So which do you think is the better option?" he posed another question to his student. "Should they train their own alchemists or try and recruit them?"
"I think it's easier to recruit one than many," Tore shrugged. "But they need a good teacher or it'd be dangerous to try and train them. I mean, without someone who knows what they're doing you get a bunch of second rate alchemists who might do something stupid out of ignorance or thinking they know more than they do. Right?" He looked up at Ed, obviously curious as to whether or not he was near the mark.
"It's as good an answer as any," Ed grinned back at him. "You're right about that much. There's nothing worse than half-trained or badly trained alchemists who don't know their limits or what they definitely shouldn't do." He hated to think what that scenario would look like. Most likely it would be terribly destructive and Ed wasn't sure if that destruction would happen first internally, or if that force would be unleashed outside of Drachma. He didn't really want to contemplate either. But then, this was why they were here. If Drachma wanted to do something with alchemists and the military than hopefully their advice and guidance would help it be a positive thing.
Tore was clearly pleased at the praise, though more for being right than being praised for it. "Or alchemists who don't follow the rules?" he dared to ask, and Ed got the feeling the kid was expecting to be reprimanded for it.
"Exactly," Ed replied instead. He knew that Tore was referring to what had happened with Ed and Al. The kid knew that story and others. Ed had made a point of telling him the horror stories he told his adult students about the alchemists he and Al had seen and what happened when alchemy was abused or perverted. "That's what we need to prevent here as much as possible."
"Without overstepping our bounds," Al stepped into the conversation. "It's not our country. All we can do is advise them the way they asked and hope they listen."
Roy shrugged. "It might not even go anywhere as split as the government is on the issue."
"That wouldn't be bad." Ed would be perfectly happy if nothing changed in Drachma, if only because it meant that the situation was a known quantity and they would know what to expect on the northern border for a while longer. "So, enough about work, let's go find something to eat."
"Was that your real mission, Ed?" Roy asked. "Did Breda send you up here to sample the food and report back?"
"Oh of course," Ed nodded with complete seriousness.
"Is lunch going to take long?" Tore asked, looking mildly anxious.
"Is that a problem?" Roy turned his attention to Tore. "You eat as much as Ed does."
Tore scowled. "Very funny. I'm serious. Miss Elicia promised we were going to do some investigating today."
That was right. They were going to hit the Petrayevka police offices and talk to the government intelligence office. "I'm sure it won't take too long," Ed promised Tore with a reassuring grin. "There'll be plenty of time to see if we can get any new information or help in finding your Mom."
Tore looked immediately relieved. "Okay, great. Let's go! I'm starving." He bolted ahead of them as they hit the doors and he headed for the car that was parked just outside waiting.
Al laughed and Ed shook his head in bemusement. "So much for wanting to know how fast lunch would be," Al commented.
Ed shook his head. "On the contrary, lunch will take only as long as the slowest eater."
"Or the one who eats least," Roy added.
"In both cases, that's probably Elicia," Al smirked. "Tore better learn to be patient."
"He probably will about the same time we did," Ed replied.
Al looked no less amused. "In other words… never."
"Yeah, pretty much."
They split into two groups that afternoon. Edward, Elicia, and Tore – with a translator – hit the military intelligence offices as well as Petrayevka's police headquarters which contained their national police headquarters as well. They asked a lot of questions and tried to get information, or at least future cooperation, in the search for Tore's missing mother.
The best news they got was willingness on the part of the government and police to keep an eye out for her like any other missing person, circulate the picture and see what happened. This late on a cold trail they weren't particularly confident that she would be found either. Still, it was better than nothing.
There were no reports of her per se, but they did find out one interesting tidbit that Ed hadn't known before, and that was that there were several missing people around Petrayevka over the last few months. It wasn't enough to be a rash of incidents, and they were usually poor folk or homeless, people most folks wouldn't miss, but it was interesting. Ed knew even Central had those; Tore's mother being a prime example. The thing that was interesting was that at least half of the missing incidents had involved suspicion of violence.
"It happens in big cities," the translator commented. "Especially in the winter people will go missing, usually dead from exposure if they don't seek out the provided shelters."
A sad reality. Ed hoped that Tore's mother wasn't among those who had been lost to the weather. Still, there was one more set of places to check and that was the hospitals. They had no more luck there. There were two hospitals in Petrayevka and a couple of smaller clinics that specialized in the kinds of treatments that Tore's mother might have sought out. None of them had ever seen her or Tore's uncle.
"We'll see what turns up," Elicia said reassuringly as they walked out of the last clinic and climbed back into the car.
Tore nodded as he climbed in and sat in the back next to her. "Yeah," he replied. "At least we know that if she was gonna get treatment this is the only part of the country that would've had doctors who could do it." The best medicine available in Drachma was here. Even the doctors had said that from what it sounded like his mother had, they had no treatments for it either.
"Which means even if they haven't seen her she's got to have come up this direction," Ed agreed, trying to sound reasonably positive. It didn't look good though and Tore seemed well aware of that fact. "We can backtrack down the rail line for information this way too and see if they stopped in any of the other towns."
"It's possible they didn't come up this far," Elicia nodded. "Let's let them work and go have some fun for now okay?"
"Sure," Tore shrugged. "So, what are we doing?"
"Meeting up with everyone else at Petrayevka's biggest shopping center," Ed snorted. "It's all indoors and heated I'm told."
"It is," Elicia nodded, grinning. "Clara was telling us all about it yesterday. She says you could spend days in there without looking through every store."
"Great," Ed replied lamely. Days of shopping… Whoop-de-flipping-do.
