Draped in Wires
by. Poisoned Scarlet

Theme 054: Advanced Placement

"Your stance was off," Major Edward Elric flatly stated. "Your transmutation was weak and you lack the necessary focus. If you were to be caught in a dangerous situation, you wouldn't be able to properly defend yourself – much less anyone else. The State Alchemist Program is strictly for the elite and I hate to break it to you, but you're far from it." He leaned back in his chair, staring evenly at the older man who glared at him. "You can sign up again next year like the rest of 'em!" He jerked a lazy thumb out the door in dismissal. "Next!"

The two other judges beside him shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

They had passed him but Edward had firmly denied it. He had made his decision and he was, for once, grateful he was the one who had the final say. He was surprised the judges had decided to pass the man in the first place: he had been going easy on him when he said his stance was off. He was very slow to draw the alchemy array and he took too long to concentrate. Even then, his transmutation was weak and choppy; noticeable in the flickering blue light that briefly lit their faces. Edward understood being nervous, he had come across a few who needed to take a few breathers, but this was just plain bad.

Even Winry would able to do a better job and she had never even tried alchemy!

That's how bad he was.

At least, to Ed he was, and he had a tendency for being overcritical...

"Don't you think you're being a bit hard on him?" a senior officer asked him, after they asked the alchemist to step out of the examination room.

"He was better than the rest," the second added.

"Better? Don't you mean worse?" Ed snorted. "That girl with the weird ponytail was better than him! At least she had a specific alchemy type – he didn't even know you could do that! He failed, let him try again when he's actually good."

"Major—!"

"He was the last one, right? Great! I'm starving!" He stood up, stretching out his arms over his head to crack his back. "Results will be posted in a few days. If you have any problems with the decisions, take it up with Mustang!"

"Major Elric, must you be so difficult to grade?" the second officer asked, rather exasperated.

"Of course, this isn't some Central U placement test!" He scoffed. "This is official acceptance to the State Military! This job could get you killed, you know!" He stressed, glaring at the two men. "I should know – I was a State Alchemist myself, once!"

"Yes, I suppose you are right." The first senior officer nodded, resigned. "It's a relief to see someone who takes this job so seriously."

Ed shrugged at that. It would not be the first time someone had told him that, remembering Mustang and even Hawkeye tell him so. "My wife likes to poke fun at my austerity." How great it felt to be able to allow that sentence to flow from his mouth! He had honestly never seen a future after managing to restore Alphonse's body; he always assumed he would never make it as far to do it. It felt great to learn that his life was booming and heading in the right direction, for once.

The second officer's smile widened. "Does she? I hear Mrs. Elric is quite a sensation down by Rush Valley."

"She's one of the best automail technicians around! You can't find a better one than her!" Ed grinned, proud. "I'll catch you two later!"

"Send my greetings to your wife, Major!" The first officer politely waved and the second stacked up the documents on the desk. Edward walked out of the room, a smile on his face at the thought of being able to visit Winry in just a few more days.

Although he had been reluctant to marry under religious terms, Winry had insisted they follow tradition and just about forced him to step into the serene walls of the only church in Resembool. Once he had gotten over making faces and groaning spontaneously, she'd arranged the date with the head priest.

Alphonse had commented that they were delving into the marriage far too quickly but he had understood once Ed mentioned Winry's pregnancy. Although the man could care less about being the town's main gossip, he knew that Winry had a thing about being the center of attention – negative attention, at that. So, honestly, it was more for her comfort than his; he would also be spending more time in Central than Resembool.

The air was crisp and cold, his overcoat fluttering behind him with the currents of the wind. He wasted no time crossing the courtyard and entering the large complex across from the State Alchemist examination hall. The halls were still alive with soldiers and officers and he weaved his way through them, reaching his office at the end of the corridor and enclosing himself in the modest room with a tired sigh.

He would much rather be in Resembool spending time his pregnant wife but he had his own duties to complete to if he wanted the child to be born into a well-balanced life.

A package at the edge of his desk caught his attention and he picked it up curiously. His eyes flashed to the mailing address, the rather surprising words Central University flashing up at him. He tore the package open, shuffling out the paperwork to see just what it was. He didn't remember signing up for anything at Central U...

He stared.

The door behind him burst open, revealing a yawning Roy Mustang and smiling Jean Havoc.

"Yo, Ed!" Havoc bellowed, cheerfully. "We heard you finally finished with the State Alchemist exams! C'mon, we're hitting the tavern after this! I could use a couple of drinks!"

"Reading love letters from your beloved wife, Full Metal?" Roy smirked.

"Piss off. This is actually...an acceptance letter from Central U." Ed looked up at both of their surprised faces. "I qualify for Advanced Placement classes within the university because I passed the placement test without a single error, apparently." He flipped through some of the papers, which showed his score and the scoring criteria. "Except on the written portion – they deducted two points for the length."

"Too short?" Havoc guessed.

"Too long!" Ed snorted, shoving the papers back into their packaging.

"Well, that's surprising," Roy dryly commented. "Usually you have more chance at passing the written exam if it's long."

"I think they deducted the point because I veered off topic toward the middle." Ed said, dismissively. "But it was so boring. I can't even remember what I wrote!" He tossed the envelope on the desk and grabbed the keys he'd left on his desk prior to the start of the State Examinations nearly six hours ago. "C'mon, I'm beat!"

"Lead the way!" Havoc motioned out, Mustang shutting the Major's door as the two men followed the yawning younger one.

"Are you going to attend? It seems to me they're unwilling to let such a well-rounded mind like yours go to waste." A drip of sarcasm stained Mustang's words.

"Nah, I'm good with this job. I only applied to Central U with the hopes of becoming a professor in the fields of Alchemical Chemistry and Calculus," he explained. "The pay is damn good but not nearly as good as being a military officer, sadly."

"In the end, it's all about the money, huh?" Havoc sighed.

"Hey, I'm gonna' be a father, y'know!" Ed stuck his nose in the air. His tone became sheepish: "And that old hag Pinako refused to let me marry Winry if I didn't have a job..."

Roy snorted in laughter and Havoc grinned in understanding.

"In-laws are demons!" The Second Lieutenant shuddered. "You must have it rough, Ed, since you lived with her nearly half your life!"

"No kidding," the newly-wed muttered darkly. After a second of deliberation, Ed shouted: "Havoc's paying tonight!" He rushed ahead, Mustang clearing his throat in agreement and trailing after the younger man briskly.

Havoc gawked at their backsides. "Hey! No fair! Don't I have a say in this? Guys! Damn it!" He snuffed his cigarette on the sole of his boot and dashed after the two men, intent on dogging Edward into paying as the short sneak had wiggled his way out of paying the last time, too!