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FullMetal Alchemist: Shattered Hope, Dreams, & Faith (Athene & East)


Aisyah would wait, subconsciously holding her breath. Her head leaned forward as she peeked past the door, clearly looking for something, though it was relatively obvious to assume what that 'thing' was. It was ensuring Olivier was as far out of eye and ear shot as possible. Only after Aisyah was completely sure this was the case, her head fell back against the pillow as she let out a long, deep sigh. "Hooooooly crap," the dark-skinned woman muttered, chuckling nervously as she rubbed her forehead with her right arm. She hadn't paid as much attention as usual, but now that her focus was more on herself and Markos than anything else, Aisyah noticed her wounded shoulder was carefully draped in a sling. "Goodness! Is everyone here this intimidating?!" she half-jokingly but very half-seriously inquired.

" ... I mean, true. I should expect that but just ... making sure, I suppose."

Another sigh resounded. This one, however, remained in her mind. In all honesty, she was just as glad Markos didn't try to pick up where Olivier had left off about her background. The brutal but honest truth was simple. Just like her surname, the actual reason on why else she had ended up training in the Ruins was escaping her.

Of course, Aisyah inwardly acknowledged that may have been the only incentive. Yet ... it didn't feel like it. And because of that sensation, pondering what she was failing to remember, she was purposely keeping that information to herself.

When Markos asked for her help - and added in he knew he may be pushing his luck - an eyebrow definitely did raise. But she waited ... and snickered slightly as she heard Markos finally inquire about being tutored, more or less.

"Silly," she teased, "Helping out isn't really against me or my customs. It's ... what I said earlier on the train; following them. Doing them myself. However ... I will confess that .... I'm not sure how I can help, simply because I don't perform alchemy of any kind. But ... if it's just combat you want to work on ... "

Aisyah paused, contemplating over the thought for a while before slowly nodding.

"I can do that much, probably. It won't include any of your abilities, but things like punches, kicks, and so on ... yeah. I could do that much. When I can leave? Ummm ... "

As if on cue, a nurse walked inside. Even from where they were, the two could see her name written atop the manila folder, revealing it was Aisyah's file. "Well ... " the woman mused, walking forward as she began to thoroughly examine Aiyasha's shoulder. "Given everything I'm seeing and reading, probably in the morning. You do need to remain here for surveillance, at the very least. Standard procedure, and something we'd do with any other person. As long as everything looks fine come morning, you can leave soon after your inspection."

Aisyah bowed her head politely, smiling to hear the great news. "Thank you very much. I appreciate the swift answer."
Aisyah had been as fortunate as the nurse relayed, it seemed. By the next day, she was dismissed. Even the sling was removed, though she was still advised to be careful when she used it. Another 'standard procedure', though this one solely from the medical team. Nothing more, but certainly nothing less.

Olivier made it painfully clear before the two Ishvalans left, however, that Markos would be in charge of keeping Aisyah at his residence. It wouldn't be long ... only until she passed her test.

Clearly, the elder Armstrong sibling had even more faith and expectations than she obviously voiced for Aisyah. It was both an incredible but equally scary thought for the teenager.

As promised, Aisyah did show Markos what were classified mainly as 'basic techniques'. All the same, they were essential. In that regard, she was hoping they would be enough to help him out.

The stay with Markos had been appreciated despite the situation also being very forced and just a tad awkward. However, the feelings that hinted she was even slightly iffy on being all but shoved into his house - along with her own goals and desires - made the day of the exams that much more of a relief for them to arrive.

If Aisyah wasn't busy teaching or helping Markos, she was typically out and about Central. With help and a guide, of course. And now, she was clad in one of the newer outfits she purchased for herself. She didn't need a mirror to know it was earning her a lot of odd looks, nor did she care.

... Well, not much anyway.

Sleazy as it may look, there was actually a reason she chose that exact set of clothing. There were definitely perks to having been born and raised in a desert, in addition to her early military training. She had tactics and thoughts that no typical person would dare begin to think about using.

Besides, anyone who didn't take her seriously would be easy enough to beat, particularly academically. Point A proven when it was revealed she had ended up in the top 10% for the written exam and thus took quite a bit of people by surprise, especially the potential candidates for future soldiers or alchemists.

Now .... she was at the hard part.

Well, working towards it. Her physical exam wouldn't be first. As such, she found herself sitting in a nearby chair, waiting eagerly to see how Markos's test would end up going.

When he turned to see her, Markos would be greeted with Aisyah grinning and waving.

Luckily, he wouldn't have to wait very long to find out whom he would be tested by. It would have been fair for him to assume it was going to be Olivier. To his credit, it was a blonde-haired woman. Just ... not that one.

"Good morning, Markos Fischer."

In front of him was a woman that, if only by name, fame, or both, Markos would quickly recognize, as would a good majority of the audience. Standing across from him was none other than Riza Hawkeye herself. She was one of the few people who followed a similar style to Aisyah and thus did not use alchemy. However, whereas Aisyah had religious motives, Riza simply had personal preferences as to why alchemy wasn't something the veteran used.

"Your assignment is to include alchemy in your attacks. They can be offensive or defensive. What we are going to examine you in is incorporating them at all, if it seems like effort was put into your tactics, and so on. It will be those factors which will determine if you pass or not. As for myself ... "

Riza smirked as she patted all of the holsters holding numerous pistols, each secured by her sides.

"These are filled with blanks. Even still, I want you to take this as seriously if these were actual bullets. If you have any questions, ask now. Otherwise, we will begin soon."
 
"After working with them for several years, yeah, pretty much everyone is terrifying in one way or another." Markos smiled and also moved his shoulder adjusting himself for a moment to make sure that nothing had gotten completely crushed out of place.

The trip to central had been rather uneventful thankfully it was much more calm and he was able to get the book back to the library and with the exam coming up at the end of the three day mark he had booked that time off pretty much a year ago.

Taking Aisyah to his home he had stopped to give her a warning. He looked at her for a moment trying to figure out how to break this all to her. "I work mostly with chimera, and I don't have an official laboratory or anything so I use my house to keep most of my stuff. Just know you are going to be walking into a bit of a horror show... I've never had guests before."

There was no sounds coming from his house even as he turned the key so if she was expecting to hear twisted animals crying after that announcement she wouldn't hear anything out of the ordinary, but there was a smell as he opened the room.

Something akin to a fruit gone bad, or something left out of the fridge overnight. Walking into the house, it was an apartment with three rooms, the first was a living room that aside from a sink full of clean dishes the only things of note were a radio, and a sofa.

The first room on the left was his room, and opening the door to show her was a little culture shock for her he was sure. He had painted the right wall so that it could be used as a chalk board. On it were several alchemist circles, as well as writings and calculations scrawled as unfinished notes. "It's a little bold to keep them out like this, but this one is the tour de-force i'm up to version twenty seven of it now. But this circle is what is going to make me a state alchemist." He closed the door to walk across the hall show her where she would be sleeping. The second room was practically untouched aside from a few boxes. there was no bed, yet but he assured her that by the end of the second day she would have a bed of her own to sleep on. For now he could toss her some blankets and pillows and she could have the sofa.


the third and final room was his lab. it was actually a master bedroom with twice the size of either other bedroom, but that size was currently taken up by planters with various soils and fitted wall to wall with various plant life. "They may not look it, but each of these are chimera, blending qualities of other plants into fast growing and... fast dying plants." He sighed as he came across the one that was making the worst stink, scooping it into the compost heap.

"When I get my licence I will be able to move these to a proper green house, but for now I just kind of have to make do."


The outfits that Aisyah had purchased constantly made Markos turn his head towards her. He had spent plenty of time around her, wondering about their status, if she hated him, or was at least grossed out by his work.

The fact that the two of them needed to remain focused on their time limit made it impossible for him to really asses the situation with her. and by the time the written exams came and went he honestly didn't know how to feel about her.

She was attractive, and curt, but she had also always been blunt with others, if she had any kind of interest in him why hadn't she just said so? He didn't know and frankly keeping track of her emotions was a nightmare.

Academically he was 11th from the top, his mind too cluttered when he had to perform under pressure.

In truth come his combat exam he had never expected Olivier to show up. For one she was the general of Briggs, and he doubted that she had any care for a central exam such as this. Two it didn't seem like her style.

When he passed Aisyah as she was in the front row he smiled at her. Leaning in for a second. "Your going to want to move to the rafters upstairs, find a good seat and watch the ground."

No she had said to him that he would get a chance to prove that he wouldn't balk when facing a gun, so of course she had sent the worlds greatest marksman. "You're the eyes of the hawk right? You work next to general mustang the 'hero of Ishball' correct? After this is over if I have passed I would like you to deliver a message to the general for me."

He took a breath looking around the plane open field that was the training field. Thankfully he had something made and inscribed for this day. "The first year my delivery method was too slow."

He started taking off his jacket. Tossing off his undercoat. "I personally hate the idea of putting tattoos all over myself like some alchemists do, and going with a cloth glove just seemed tacky."

Tossing it off he revealed that his undershirt was actually a layer of scale mail armor. Stretching for a moment he looked at Riza. If he let this area stay the way it was than she would shoot him no problem.

The armor ran down his shoulder, but had the calculations and circle burned into it. Waiting for a second or two before the starting bell, he decided that he needed to start putting something between him and Hawkeye now. Hitting the ground with his hand there was a large burst of blue static as the entire ground was used in an alchemical reaction.

The ground under both their feet would go from solid concrete to cracking, to the earth splitting apart as tall grass formed around them, encasing and enfolding the entire area, and growing till it was over head. If Aisyah had stayed next to the arena all she would have seen was a wall of green, but from above she would get to see the locations, almost like a hedge maze they could be tracked by where the grass was pressed down.
 

Living with Markos and his new 'work area' was indeed quite the culture shock for Aisyah. It left her ... torn. Some part of her couldn't help but feel just a bit disappointed. She still felt like he was forcing himself to rely on something he simply didn't need to use. But ... every time those judgments tried to come through to her brain, she thought back to the train incident. It had been alchemy that essentially saved them and ensured they weren't blown to thousands of pieces, if not more.

So ... alchemy couldn't be all that bad, right?

She was confused, no matter how many times she kept trying to tell herself that had to be the case.

But now, any ethical or religious thoughts were buried in the deepest corners of her mind. She was focusing on the here and now, which thus translated to the exams. Her head tilted curiously as she watched Markos head back over to her. She started to remind him he needed to be back in teh arena .. but kept her mouth shut as she simply heard him recommend moving and finding a better seat. "Alrighty. Good luck!" she whispered quickly in his ear, getting up to her own feet. While he was talking with this Riza, she took advantage of them not having officially started the test.

... Hmmm. Everyone here's gonna be foreign to you ... she reminded herself, realizing that no matter where she ended up sitting, it would be beside an unfamiliar face.

It took a bit of searching, but finally, she found a set of aisles that were mostly empty and gave a decent view. Indeed, it did seem to be the right thing to do, as she had an easier time realizing what Markos had ended up doing. She couldn't help but smile, unable to admit it was impressive he ended up creating an entire hedge-maze out of next to nothing.
Riza couldn't help but raise her won eyebrow as Markos began asking her questions. That was different. Most future cadets either freaked out about going against her and went right into combat. So to hear someone actually talk? Yeah, that was definitely intriguing. Still, she smirked as each inquiry was heard.

"My, my. You know, quite a few others within the force would say you're being just a tad too nosy. Luckily, I'm more tolerant than others. So, to answer you, yes. I am the assistant - and wife - of General Mustang."

Normally, Riza didn't openly boast about her marital status to Roy. But hey, he'd asked. This was her way of trying ot throw him off-guard, in case he wouldn't have expected such an answer. From what she remembered about him and his usual tactics, he was decent. He just had encountered numerous strokes of bad luck over the years. But he definitely had potential, unlike many of the others. And so, even though this was definitely not something Riza typically resorted to, she gave it a shot in order to try to take him that much more seriously and test how badly Markos really wanted to become a State Alchemist.

If his ambition was as high as she was assuming, that inclusion of how close Riza actually was to Roy wouldn't take him aback for too long.

Otherwise?

Well ... this would all end very quickly.

"Very well. I'll escort you to him personally when this ends, regardless of the outcome. But not before then."

The armor certainly caught her attention. But more than anything, it was the creation of the maze that made her grin widen.

Clever. Very nice.

That had definitely been something she hadn't recalled him ever trying before. This had indeed been a very smart move on his behalf. Since she had restricted herself to using pistols, this new barrier would slow the blanks and weaken their impact. Possibly make them completely miss, even with her usually amazing accuracy.

Even if a rifle had been included ... hmm. You wouldn't be able to be as discreet as usual. He'd see you even with a vantage point.

Well ... how long had it been since she was forced to actually use guerrilla warfare?

Years. And a shit ton of them. This would be ... interesting. Dare she believe fun?

Slowly, her arms lowered as she quietly withdrew two pistols out and began navigating her way as swiftly but silently as possible, trying to keep both ears and eyes out for Markos.
 

Instead of being stunned Markos actually let out a whistle at the fact that Hawkeye was the man's wife. He looked the blond over for a moment but wasn't all that stunned. He had heard that the general had gotten married he had just never paid attention to who.

The hedge maze had multiple functions, the most important of which was to remove line of sight between the two of them. With the ground changed from concrete to padded grass he could move carefully and not make much noise which meant he could stay out of the snipers radar.

Of course the issue then became if she couldn't see him, than he couldn't see her. Moving about the maze was a careful affair he wanted to make sure that he didn't run into the woman too quickly.

As he walked he took a bag from his pocket. Alchemic ingredients for transmutations were not banned from the exam, and he had disclosed the bag of seeds, now all he had to do was start planting them, and each time he did there was the spark of a transmutation leaving a small green patch where a transmutation circle began to form.

With his plants in place all he had to do was have her step on one. The downside was every time he planted something the sparks and noise caused by the transmutation gave away his location.


As the exam began an Older man with dark hair came to sit next to Aisyah. He smiled towards her and even had some pop-corn not really taking the exam all that seriously.

Looking out over the hedge maze he blinked. It wasn't something he saw every day. "You know last year he grew a tree in the examiners office. A large Oak in the middle of a third story building. He uses alchemy to break down the ground and make super food for plants, then forces the plants to grow by sacrificing that soil to grow whatever plants he needs."

"If he wasn't dead set on joining the military he would have made a killing in agriculture, his alchemy could bring an entire harvest to bare in an afternoon." He looked at the hedge maze, seeing the fact that it was grown inside a circle.

He held up the popcorn towards Aisyah. "I'd say that he doesn't stand a chance, but then I guess you could say I'm biased, want some?"
 

Hmmm. There's more to this maze than a mere game of keep away, isn't there?

Common sense hinted that had to be the case. Riza highly doubted he was just sitting or standing in whatever location Markos was now hidden in and doing absolutely nothing. No, he was getting something ready. This was a type of move an alchemist who needed a bit ore time to finish creating or making something would do. Given Riza had seen these exact same types of tactics in the past, it was easy to enough to steadily figure out what to probably expect.

Now, she had to pinpoint a few things, including her opponent.

The faintest sounds of sparks made her smirk.

And there he is ... she mused, picking her pace up and beginning to hurry over to the noises. Raising her arms, Riza pointed both pistols in front of her body, ready to pull back on the trigger the moment she caught sight of Markos.
"Geez," Aisyah muttered, "Only you would be bold enough to play the most dangerous game of hide and seek, huh?" she muttered, grinning softly as she watched her friend begin to hurry up with ... what exactly was he doing, anyway?

As if to answer her internal musings, a foreign voice came beside her and sat down. She jumped slightly, blushing at her own reaction as she turned and listened carefully to his explanation. "Oh? Interesting. Mainly because he didn't really live in an overly rich area of the Ishvalan region -- I don't think there are any, definitely not many, areas that have plentiful amounts of trees. I guess he learned this after we split up ... "

That was something Aisyah needed to muster the courage to ask him about still.

She hadn't been able to simply due to her feelings on alchemy and fearing Markos was being forced to rely on something he didn't need too much.

But perhaps ... knowing more about his side of the story would better assist in her comprehending him and why he'd gone down the path he had.

"Biased? Well, I suppose I am too. Sure ... "

.... Wait. If he's biased, then ....

Even if Markos had been trying to speak with Riza quietly, the echo in the large room made his questions echo loud enough for anyone who had paid heed to them hear his conversation with Riza. So his request to meet with her spouse hadn't gone unheard. It just took for her hand to hover over the popcorn that it all clicked.

"W-Wait! Ar you ... the same man he was just asking to see? Colonel Mustang?!"

Aisyah was having a very difficult time figuring out if she had the best kind of luck or the worst. First, she'd gained attention of the Armstrong siblings, and now, she may be staring at the spouse of Markos's examiner? Now it was her turn to have a hard time believing this was a purely lucky coincidence.
 

Markos was busy, he knew that if he wanted to compete with guns he had to be fast, and he had to do his best to delay her finding him as quickly as possible. The

maze if you could call it that only did so much for him. The lines that ran the maze wouldn't make much sense to those on the ground, and he had to keep it's true nature a secret until he was ready. to that extent he planted a few more items down the way.

Making sure that each plant got a dose of alchemy to speed up the transmutation and make them settle.

He heard some rustling through the grass, and knew that Riza was running towards him. That much alone made his pulse quicken. If she caught up to him she would shoot him, and he would loose, but at the same time he could use this. As long as he didn't make it seem like he was walking her into a trap he could play on her expectations.

He moved a little ways back, waiting for a moment when Riza would burst from cover. He was hiding in the grass for a moment trying to make himself less of a target until she was close enough that he could spring against her. He threw a single kick towards her ribs, thanking Aisyah for the close quarters basics that she had taught him. All he needed was to make her stumble, make her step on a single plant that he had already planted, and hopefully do that without getting shot.



"I haven't been a colonel for many years." Roy said almost a little too wishfully. Nostalgia at being called colonel filled him with pleasant memories of the east city command center.

"Nowadays it's General Mustang, and yes your friend here has been rather adamant about having a meeting with me ever since he first got to central."

Roy didn't really have the time to humor a librarian, but he did have friends who had kept an eye on him. He barely if ever watched these exams, but when Olivier had asked Riza's help in testing the same librarian who had been kicking his name around for years... well he had taken an interest in this years proceedings.
 

As Riza picked her own pace up, she noted Markos sounded like he was doing the same. That made her head tilt curiously -- what was he working so desperately on?

Well, you'll probably learn that answer soon, she mused, pulling back on the hammers of the pistols she was holding.

"More no hiding for you, it seems," she declared as Riza turned the corner and found Markos. About ten paces, maybe a few more, separated the two. But that definitely didn't keep him out of range. Still, as a precaution on her behalf, she started slightly closing the distance. It was by her third or fourth step that Markos's kick connected, causing one of the traps to activate, and her eyes widened as Riza was rather easily hoisted and turned upside-down in the air.

"I can't boast and say I've done this before; shoot from this position. I do hope, though, you're not thinking this'll stop me."

Riza began rapidly pulling back on the triggers, smirking as several of the blanks made their marks.

However, she also began to feel what was maybe another reason he had been so quick to work on these traps.

Slowly but surely, her other guns were beginning to slip out of their holsters and fall down towards the ground.

That made her eyes narrow and her own efforts and actions move quicker. If he got a hold of any of those, she would be in as much peril. Or would have, if this were a real mission.
Oh? He's wanted a talk for that long?

Her head nodded as she gave most of her attention to the fight. It didn't really feel polite to further ask for more information, even less so with her not being an official member of the military yet. But damn, she was curious. And she found herself finding it more ad more difficult to avoid asking why he'd wanted to meet up with the General. Even when she saw Riza still able to shoot upside-down, the display wasn't as distracting as she'd hoped for. Very amazing and impressive, most definitely.

But she still felt the urge to ask her initial question.

Aisyah's mouth remained agape as she continued to stare at the fight.

Finally, Roy would hear her speak. However, rather than voicing her original musing, it'd be a different inquiry.

"Are there even such things as draws in these tests? It looks like that may be what ends up happening."
 

Markos's arm raised to his face as he felt the blanks impact his body. He was glad that he had some additional protection with the amour but even so he felt like he was going be bruised from that. Still his trap had worked.


Markos jumped towards the ground rolling forward as he picked up one of Riza's guns and landed behind her. Twisting himself around he now had the means to finish the battle, the gun to do it with.

Checking the safety he pressed the gun to Riza's back and pulled the trigger three times each blank hitting the woman.


The examiner called the fight and Markos set down the gun, holding his side for a moment. As he dropped the gun he smirked for a moment. "Whelp enjoy living up there. I have no intention of getting you down."

With the exam over there was a loud snap that seemed to echo above the other sounds in the arena as the plant holding Riza burst into flames without burning her or the rest of the plants around them. Markos just rolled his eyes. "Great yeah, just burn two years of my life."



"The test was not about who wins or looses, he could have lost here and still wound a state alchemist, it's about practical evaluation. Can his alchemy be used on the front lines, does he have something to offer the military." Nodding slightly he smiled towards Aisyah as he chewed on the popcorn before offering some to Aisyah.

As the examination was called Roy stood up and snapped his fingers, a trail of red sparks leading from his hand to the plant before it exploded.

"Shall we go see the victorious?" Roy said with a smile. Walking down the steps he invited Aisyah to follow. "It was a skilled demonstration to be sure."

"Good work Hawkeye. You performed admirably."
 

Interesting, Riza noted, tucking away the sight of Markos trying to shield his face. "I realize you knew ahead of time these were blanks. However, I did also recommend you acting as if you were in a real fight. As such, I would have tried dodging, lest you end up risking incapacitating your hands and rendering them useless for your circles. Now then ... "

Her arms crossed over her chest. Indeed, it did seem like she expected and was waiting for Markos to release her.

Except ... he insisted he wouldn't?

"Oh?" Riza replied, raising her eyebrows - albeit while still upside-down - as she heard his declaration. "Well ... then I can't escort you to the man you so desperately wanna speak with, can I?"

Luckily, she was told in the most effective, non-verbal way that her husband had been nearby. A warm set of flames wrapped around the vines. And as they did, Riza began bracing herself. Her eyes shut as she instinctively tightened the grip on her pistols, wincing a bit as she fell on her back. Unfortunately, it had been a necessary evil. But sometimes, she would have preferred Roy not using his flames.

"Luckily for you, Mr. Fischer, I am a woman of my word," Riza began to state while brushing her uniform off, gathering her guns afterwards. "So even though part of me wants to go back on my vow for threatening to leave me hanging, I won't. Come on. This way."

Now, anyone who had been somewhat ignorant to Riza's more personal life knew not only was she married to one of the strongest soldiers, but he was still very protective. Although, that would have been a given if anyone knew even the most basic of details. After all, she was his Queen. It only made sense her lover would be as .... watchful as he had been during this exam.

After ensuring everything was put away first, Riza turned and began guiding Markos up the stairs, eventually meeting up with Roy and Aisyah.
So what's going to happen with me?

Was it only alchemy that had the 'no win or lose' rule? And if no, how were non-alchemist applicants judged?

Aisyah had already been nervous. Now the sensations strengthened as she latched slightly onto her lower lip. Was it this common to feel so inferior after watching alchemy work, and then know you yourself blatantly refused to go against customs?

... It's for the best. There are reasons you have continued to avoid giving into that temptation, Aisyah quickly reminded herself, taking a long exhale to help calm herself.

"Ummm ... "

Aisyah first hesitated not because of her insecurities, but rather, figuring what was about to occur soon. The talk. Wouldn't Markos want to be alone?

... Maybe not, given the way Roy didn't order her to leave his side.

"Sure. Yeah, let's go."

As Riza found herself in front of her spouse, she shot him a teasing smile. "Oh come now, Roy. You don't need to be that formal with me. But ... " Her head bowed respectfully, "Thank you all the same. That was one of the fastest exams I've had in a while."

... Whether that was a good or bad thing would remain a mystery, as Riza simply stated the fact. No disdain or content nature could otherwise be detected, though.

"You, miss, would be Aisyah, correct?" After seeing an affirmative nod from the young woman, Riza's own head moved up and down slowly. "Then you have time. I can at least say your match is after three to four people. And I can be very certain that few, if any of them, will be able to finish their tests as quickly as Markos did. So ... we have time. Let's go to your office then, sir."

Riza had a lot of other personal preferences she would have rather used. However, it was for the best to maintain a more professional appearance.

Allowing Roy to lead the way, Riza would walk beside her spouse. She knew the two were following as both sets of footfalls caught her ears.

But just in case there had been any doubt, Riza made it completely vanish as she used her peripheral vision and saw both Ishvalans following both her and Roy.
 

"Your kidding right? Dodge a bullet, at close range? You told me they were blanks. Sure it would be better to dodge them, but protecting the face is more important you can still put out an eye with a stray bullet after all."


Markos chuckled for a moment hearing the minor annoyance from Riza's voice. It was actually rather fun to know that she took his threat seriously, or that he was stepping on their toes. Walking away from his little garden. Part of him was filled with dread for everything that was about to happen. Most of all he couldn't escape the feeling at the pit of his stomach about how Aisyah would react to him now.

"Oh before we go I should clean up." There was another flash of blue, the hedge maze revealing it's self to be one transmutation circle, the grass twitched and swayed for a moment before it exploded into water leaving fertile mud in it's wake.

"Who ever said I needed a hand for a transmutation, after all that chimera you stepped on didn't require any input from me." He whistled slightly as he walked away. The great thing about a transmutation circle was that it didn't need to be defined by chalk, or metal, or written out on paper it just needed the proper measurements for the transmutation matrix.

Following him to meet up with Aisyah and... Roy the two men looked to one another, there were several conflicts going on in his head. He had no idea what to say at this point. This was the man he had wanted to talk too for three years.

and now it seemed a cat has my tongue.


"Sorry Riza." Roy smiled breaking his somewhat intimidating presence as hew walked up to his wife wanting to check her over to make sure she wasn't hurt in the fall. However he didn't go to hug her, or kiss her as many would expect between Husband and wife.

As they walked Roy took the lead expecting Riza to walk at his side while the 'children' as it were fell in line behind them. Markos was still trying to figure out exactly what he was supposed to say. Now that he had his Jacket back on over top of his armor. He was a little flushed, and red in the face.

He rubbed the back of his head and his eyes drifted to Aisyah. The entire time he had to wonder exactly what she was thinking about him now. He had just put his powers on full display. Something he had never done before, and now his closest friend was here to actually judge him.

"So what did you think?" He kept his voice down as he walked. Even though he had asked for this meeting he honestly didn't know what to say about this. She had just seen him at his best and it was kind of embarrassing.

"Colonel Hawkeye could you get the door." Roy said as they walked into his office. The moment the door was secured he was on his wife in an instant practically tackling her despite the fact that there were two onlookers.

"You looked great out there honey. It was a fast match but you did wonderful, are you hurt at all those bullets didn't bruise at all did they? Your landing wasn't too hard let me look you over!"

Markos just looked to Aisyah, kind of embarrassed by seeing a side of the general that was so completely different from what he expected. This guy was one of the state alchemists of Ishball? He shook his head for a moment turning to Aisyah.

If Markos was completely honest he was kind of jealous to see that almost romantic side of things.
 

" ... I won't say it would be easy. But of all the senses to lose, sight would be one of the easier ones for an alchemist such as yourself to adjust to. Mainly because you can work from a distance. You don't have to be up close to a person, as proven by your exam. Anyway, that's just something to think about."

At the same time, Riza definitely could comprehend why he wouldn't want to risk losing his sight. Roy had already been there, done that for a brief amount of time. He only accepted aid because it had come from her. Even if it wasn't for long, she had been his guide, his temporary sight, per se. It had been ... interesting working with Roy whilst in such a state. And yet ... painful all the same. He hadn't been born blind. No, that bastard child made him become that way by opening that horrid gate and ...

Riza forced herself to stop thinking about it.

She tried to avoid thinking of or mentioning that night as much as possible, siply because she felt a bit guilty for his blindness. It had been because he almost watched her bleed to death that he agreed and, despite admitting he truly never had intentions of committing taboo, ended up being put in that spot anyway. Pride had taken that as him volunteering himself and somehow figured a way to drag Roy to the other side and make him create, then open, his Gate.

"That was .... really good. Interesting, for sure. I never would have thought about that. I guess ... maybe Alchemy can work for you better than it could for me. I'm happy for you. Really, I am."

Whatever cat had grabbed onto Markos's tongue seemed to have a twin, as Aisyah also found herself mostly silent during their walk.

It would only be a bit after they entered before she looked curiously over to her friend, "You umm ... you sure you want me to stay here? If this was meant to be a discreet talk, then .... "

That was as far as Aisyah got though. The exchange between Roy and Riza made her turn. Was this all really happening? Wasn't this sorta an inappropriate time to be acting all lovey-dovey?

Riza's own face flushed as she chuckled softly, seeming to non-verbally agree with Aisyah about that much. She had expected it but, because of knowing Markos wanted to talk with him, didn't at the same time. "Later. We can worry about that later. Really. Don't make me sound like a liar; we're here because of the promise I made to Markos. He wanted to speak with you ... so, we're here for that."

Still wearing a bit of blush on her face, Riza leaned down and quietly opened a draw. Inside of it was what Markos was no doubt waiting for. On the off chance he was uncertain on what exactly she'd found and was holding onto, Riza would set her palm down and slowly open it.

Inside had been a brand new, silver pocket watch.

"It goes without too much saying that you most definitely proved yourself this time around. Congratulations, Mr. Fischer. You're an official State Alchemist."

Aisyah felt ... torn. A bit scared, and yet, genuinely happy for her friend. She turned and smiled over at him. Without thinking much about the gesture, she rubbed her hand lightly along his back. "Good job," she whispered, stopping after several more up and down movements from her left hand.

"So ... you wanted to speak about what so badly?" Riza repeated, curious and - admittedly - a bit ... eager to get the talk finished up with. Something that was probably a bit obvious even though she and Roy hadn't said any verbal hints or cues.
 

"This affects you just as much as much as it effects me in a way." Markos was calm even going so far as to take Aisyah's hand after a moment to convince her to stay. However that thought ended when he saw Riza reach into the desk and take out the watch.

His eyes lit up as the watch was placed onto the table. The seal of the state alchemist was now in his hands, he was giddy after three years he had it.

"You've chosen a difficult path, most alchemist's who get their hands on these watches come to regret it, but effective tomorrow you will have the rank of a major. Further more you will access to labs in central, the ability to pick your personal entourage, and a yearly reaserch grant that most people find... obscene." Roy listed the perks of being a state alchemist but his voice was much less interested in the topic.

Meanwhile Markos seemed like he could care less about the other perks rather he was just completely fascinated by the watch. Opening it and winding it to the correct time.

He turned towards Roy, his crimson eyes more set and determined now that he was here. He had finally made it to the position he had desired for the past three years.

"General Mustang." He swallowed now standing in front of the man he had been demanding to see he could size him up for the first time, and of course he found himself lacking by comparison. For the first time he was given exactly the opportunity to say what he had been wanting to say for a very long time. "You disgust me sir!"

Roy was taken aback by that comment. About to raise his voice in some way to strike back verbally or remind the other where his place was, but was stopped when Markos continued.

"You are the reason I studied alchemy. My parents were members of Ishball's rebellion, they were burned alive. I never knew them, and in truth I don't care for them, I had nineteen Amestrian brothers and sisters so I didn't grow up alone, and I can't even remember their faces. I don't hate you because you killed them that's part of the job." He held up his watch looking at it for a moment, his face actually more kind then his words would suggest. "I'm happy to have this, really well and truly, not that it will make sense to anyone else."

"The alchemy of fire can only burn things, and if left to men like you, this country will turn to ash. My Alchemy? everything I make is edible, I could supply an entire army with food in the short term, I can create chimera that carry the properties of valuable medicines. With a single seed, and some time I could create a forest out of a waist land, the terrain I walk on could make the difference between life and death for every man woman and child on the battlefield. I have seen quotes in magazines where you have called your flame alchemy the strongest in the world, but the truth is it's a disgrace to the very field you claim to research, and you don't deserve your pocket watch."

Markos never raised his voice but still felt like he was panting at the end of it. He looked down at his pocket watch, and again smiled. "Your rank, and reputation as a hero I can't dispute those, but when was the last time you had a review that didn't involve just snapping your fingers? Thank you for your time general I look forward to having the paperwork in hand."
 

Aisyah merely raised an eyebrow, but nodded as Markos insisted it was fine if she stayed for this talk. Some part of her still felt a bit unsure. Now that Markos himself had reassured her it was alright, though, she felt better. More confident, and certainly more curious than she had been. "Okay. If you're really positive then." Moving her wrists behind her back, Aisyah held them in place, silently observing and listening to all that was going on.

Finally, the moment of truth for everyone arrived. For their own reasons, Riza had been as interested in why this one single individual had been so dire to speak with her husband. It could have been with literally anyone else. But he had been so adamant on making sure it was her husband that he saw and talked with, and no one else.

"General Mustang. You disgust me sir!"

Her eyes narrowed and without a second thought, Riza's posture straightened, shifting from a more relaxed standing position to one that was prepared to yank that watch out of Markos's hand and shove him out the door.

But first thing's first ...

Did Aisyah know this was what he wanted?

The shocked look on her face screamed hell no, which worked out for Riza. It would have been a shame to find a reason to keep her from completing her chance at becoming a soldier.

Which thus left Markos and what to do with him left. Her arms crossed over her chest. Even though the boy's tone had stayed relatively calm and his vocabulary hadn't been too colorful, this was beyond disrespectful. And, quite frankly, it was uncalled for.

"Now listen up and listen closely, because I'm not repeating myself, Markos. You have absolutely no right to judge. This applies to anyone, really, be it any other alchemist or another soldier. But for you to verbally scold my husband? Who do you think you are, huh?! Were you around back when we were fighting during the civil war? Or when we worked with the Elric Brothers to get rid of the Homunculi?! Believe it or not, he's actually used his powers for good! He faked the death of one of our officers whom originally was going to be executed because of political espionage! Tell me ... how is that a bad thing?!"

Riza almost never lost her cool. Part of the reason she was accurate was - aside from her skills - the fact she could keep a firm grip on her emotions. Make sure they stayed in check.

"On a very technical note, I should request that watch back. However ... even after these years, I'm still underneath Roy in rank. And so, I'll leave the verdict on whether you have lost your ability to indulge in being an alchemist rest in his hands. But regardless of whatever he chooses, heed this next bit of advice and pay very close attention to it well. The next person you try to use that 'mightier than thou' nonsense with very well may not be nearly as forgiving as us. In fact, there's a good chance they won't, and I can make a ninety-nine percent correct assumption that you will end up losing way more than just that silver watch."

All the while, Aisyah stayed deathly silent. For one, what could she say? And ... honestly? She had to agree with Riza. It was pretty hypocritical - definitely unnecessarily harsh and even a bit cruel - to just attempt judging a person. Not just any individual; a very much higher-ranking one, which thus made Roy Markos's superior. Assuming he didn't lose his title within a matter of seconds, anyway. Furthermore, like Riza said, Markos hadn't been around them during any of the conflicts. The same was true with herself.

I mean .... what about me? Sure, I was shocked when I learned about you. But I mean .... I've stayed by your side, haven't I? So ... why are you taking such a huge risk?

And if this entire room wasn't tense enough ... Aisyah couldn't honestly side herself with Markos. Not really.

All she really could pray for was that Roy would allow him the chance to keep the watch, even if the reason was as simple as he had earned it. True, he probably also made sure that he was very likely to lose it with such hostile words but ... Aisyah felt torn.

How exactly does this affect me? What are you trying to say? Because I'd never do anything like what you just did.
 


Roy looked over the three people in the room. His wife clearly at the point where she was ready to shoot Markos with something more than just a blank this time. Honestly what was it with young Alchemists, and being disrespectful. The kids mouth was something that definetly needed to be cleaned up, but looking at Markos

it was almost kind of amusing. you disgust me sir, He shook his head why did he always get the upstarts, and why even bothering call him sir at that point. "At ease Colonel." He walked over to his wife giving her a calm grin. This was nothing he hadn't heard before in some way shape or form. "In the future Markos you need to ask permission before speaking so candidly to your betters."

Markos swallowed his grip on the watch he had just been given had tightened as if a dare to try and ask for it back.

Roy on the other hand just smiled. "You haven't said anything that I haven't heard before. Just know that you will be under some additional scrutiny in the future. We will be watching."

As soon as they were pushed out Markos turned to Aisyah. He scratched his head for a moment as he looked at the watch. He hadn't prepared his speech before hand. Had been completely inelegant in the way he had spoke, and most importantly he had just flown off the deep end while she was watching.

All of that was making his face go red as he thought about it. "You are... a lot smarter at this than I am."

He looked at Aisyah for a moment shaking his head. He held up his pocket watch. "I trained, and studied up so that I could get this, and now that I have it I'm completely outclassed, and out of my field... I also just kinda dug myself a grave with our superiors."

He swallowed for a moment knowing that this conversation was going to come back to bite him in the ass. "I knew I wasn't going to be able to contain myself in there, and that's why I brought you along. I figured if I still had this... then you would pretty much get to see exactly who you would be working alongside."

Markos let out a long as he just walked down the hall a little and leaned against one of the many windows of the building not too far away from the office. The evening sunlight turning the sky slightly orange through the glass. "I don't think, I'm not that skilled with combat, and in truth I don't really have a goal aside from 'help people.' I'm the perfect combination of stupid and reckless that will in a military sense get me killed. Working along side me is going to affect your career, at this point you now know pretty much everything there is to me... So no one would blame you for cutting ties with me."

Without her he would most certainly probably definitely die.



Roy shut the door after they were gone looking at Riza, and then to the door where the two had just left. "Did you really have to bring up the faked death? That's not even really on military record let alone public record." and with good reason it was already hard to explain the various double crosses that happened the day Bradly died. Maria Ross's return to active duty was a difficult one for the paperwork.

Roy rubbed his neck as he walked to his desk. "His judgement came from a place of personal anger. Alchemy took his parents, so he tries to use it to create, and then he rides his high horse around. It's annoying but a few years and he will realize that his world view is a little too rosy. Honestly... doesn't it kind of remind you of another set of kids?"

Pulling out a file opening it up he had to now come up with a name for the guy. "He's only twenty, while it's not the youngest we have had, but it is still young enough to be stupid. when we were his age we were fighting in Ishball. I say we give him this one, and give him a workload that will teach him some respect. Kick him enough and we either break him in or we end up making another Elric."

Roy pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why do I always get the crazies from these exams? But enough about the boy. Is everything ready for the girl's examination?"
 

Riza frowned, not even bothering to hide her annoyance at the verdict. Her mouth opened, ready to protest. A long speech ahd almost immediately formed in her mind, in fact.

"Sir, whether you've heard this before or not isn't the goddamn point! It's wrong and incredibly disrespectful! Why should he get away with that?!"

And that was but the very beginning of what probably would have turned into a much longer - boring, but vital all the same - lecture against Markos's lack of manners.

"Consider yourself damn lucky, boy ... "

Tempted as Riza was to voice her thoughts, she opted to keep them to herself. A frustrated sigh and groan resounded after Roy shut the door. A gloved hand rose as she began massaging her forehead, sitting in the chair beside Roy.
"Markos? I just .... wow. I mean .... "

Aisyah rapidly shook her head from side to side.

"Here's the thing Markos. To put it blunty, that shocked me. One of the very first things you begged of me was that I didn't judge you. And yet, you did exactly that to one of your own superior officers? By Ishvala, have you lost your mind?! You could have gotten exactly what Riza said; so much worse than a mere scolding! And ... gods, Markos. You scared me, honestly."

Despite knowing most of what Markos was dictating to Aisyah was true, too much of it felt ... wrong. Her steps back towards the exam center slowed before coming to a complete stop. Her head tilted back as she leaned against the nearest wall before looking back over to her friend. "I'm not gonna cut ties with you. But .... I do think you should take some time to yourself. No offense .... but get your beliefs and priorities straight. That was pretty unfair, all things considered. And hell, you yourself are now officially an alchemist. Even though what you said is true - that your abilities can be used in both positive and negative ways - you may be forced to use them in lethal manners. Then what? People may view you in the almost exact same way you look at Mustang. Are you going to be able to handle that?"

Originally, Aisyah hadn't explained her true annoyances for why she was actually irked with him picking up alchemy.

But ... would now be perhaps one of the best times to confess that?

Maybe.

... But then, it'd be more likely to make things worse instead of better.

So, Aisyah merely elicited another sigh before slowly pushing herself away from the wall. "Anyway ... no. It's gonna take a lot more than disagreeing with what you just said to make me fully turn my back on you. Even if, yes, it could be deemed a justified reaction. I don't ... wanna lose you. Not over something too petty especially. But seriously; please be careful from here on out. On a much better note ... are you gonna join me? I ... have no idea what to expect. But a familiar face would definitely be nice as some sort of reassurance."
Riza had mostly calmed down. Not fully, but she was at least back to her more usual attitude.

When Roy began speaking privately to her, the markswoman lashed him a sly grin. "Ohhh. I didn't say whose death you helped make fake. Hell, I didn't even hint what gender the officer in question was."

Granted, that was the only time anyone's death had been feigned.

Still, Markos would have to go through numerous archives just to find that all out. But Riza honestly doubted he would have the time to do just that, even less so now that Roy was revealing he intended to make the boy pay with tons of work.

"... Fine. But only this one. I would have been the same with literally anyone else. It isn't just a personal affair; surely, you understand that. Hopefully. That was seriously uncalled for and ... "

Another soft sigh passed her lips as Riza allowed her gloved hands to fall atop her lap.

"I guess in my own ways, yes, I was stupid. Not enough to talk like that, but ... in my own regards, fine. I'll agree to that much. As for Aisyah, yes. The preparations have been ready for the past few days, actually. She's not going for a watch, so she'll only be a soldier. Almost an Ishvalan version of me, but ... I don't believe specializing in firearms like I do. At any rate, it'll most definitely be interesting. Whether for her or Miss Aisyah's opponent more ... I suppose we'll find out in time."
 

Markos let out a sigh he hadn't meant to scare Aisyah. He had lost his temper, and in truth he didn't even really know why. When presented with what he had always assumed was some cold blooded killer he found something a little different. He shook his head for a moment brushing a hand across his eyes. If he had pulled that stunt with any of the other generals...

Yeah he would probably be dead right now. He at least partly knew that he had been kind of lucky. He looked at the woman standing across from her. "Of course I mean you sat through my exam."

When she moved however he grabbed her wrist to stop her. "You have some time before your match, but hey, want to tell me the question that's always on your mind?"

He looked at Aisyah giving her a soft and genuine smile. "Something has been bugging you since before we even got to central, so why not just ask it already? I don't have anything to hide at this point."



Roy nodded seeing Riza this pent up. He walked behind her resting his hands on his wife's shoulders. his thumbs rubbing agianst the tension in her body. She always seemed so bound up, and ready to attack on his part.

"Honestly I don't know why General Armstrong turned around and wanted both of them tested. I'd call it her Briggs methodology. Normally if a soldier wants to sign up it's just a physical and some paperwork."

Roy had to admit that this seemed rather extreme, but at the same time if she was going up against others, alchemy was going to be a problem, and this test would show just how much potential she had.

"The two of them had never actually been a part of the military before. A library clerk is hardly a major, and she has been raised by dissonant rebels. Honestly I was expecting her to be more of the spit fire, but either way let's just say I have a weakness for young kids." He had to put up with Edward and Alphonse so he could probably put up with Markos.

"Of course that doesn't mean that i'm not gonna pass along a few notes... After all the two of them should probably take a few weeks, learn the basics of how to act in the army." He smiled. "Know any good drill sergeants we can hand these two over too?"
 

Aisyah smiled, bowing her head as Markos promised to be at her exam. "Great, thanks! That means a lot. Alright, well ... "

That was literally as far as she got. Her head turned, gazing back and detecting where the foreign sensation came from. It had been Markos's hand, lightly wrapped around her wrist. Faint tinges of red rapidly spread over her face, simply because physical contact wasn't something she was used to. Well, things outside of hugs, anyway, were odd for her to feel.

But ... hey. Assuming this all goes well, you're gonna be a soldier. You're gonna have to get used to other things.

Any and every thought, no matter how much it may have made her inwardly smile or cringe, began hastily running through her mind. She couldn't help but swallow softly as Markos insisted she let off the very thought that had been plaguing her the last few days. Ever since she found out back on the train, to be more exact.

" ... Why did you really take up alchemy? You did promise to elaborate more, anyway. And ... while we have time to talk, may as well get this done, don't ya think? I do hope it was for more than to try to one-up Mustang, though."

It had been meant to come off as at least an attempt at a jest, though the last sentence had an equal amount of seriousness laced in it.

Slowly, Aisyah leaned back against the wall, allowing Markos to keep holding onto her wrist. Oddly, it felt ... better than she would have guessed. Reassuring in its own ways, even.
Riza's eyes closed as Roy lightly touched her shoulders. Her head tilted back as she let out a soft but long sigh. "Mmmm," she moaned softly, "Thank you. Good to see - and feel - you haven't lost your touch."

Though her eyes remained shut, a teasing and very knowing smirk spread over her face. It wouldn't be until the topic shifted to Olivier that Riza forced her eyes to reopen. She lightly shrugged, trying to recall her talk with the elder Armstrong sibling. "Something about fearing Central would otherwise become too lax ... that we need to follow certain 'standard procedures' or whatnot. I think she's worried about us. She just isn't saying it with the more traditional words."

The thought made Riza chuckle slightly. Though her 'Ice Queen' persona remained, she'd proven before she did have a more typical side to her. She wasn't always cold to everyone and, in fact, could sometimes be softer with other people. It was just a very small handful of said individuals, hence why seeing her act more feminine or any other 'normal' way was so rare.

When Riza heard her own spouse admit a clerk wasn't much of a major, her eyebrow raised. "Then ... why'd you assign him the rank of major if even you just said that hardly seems like a person that should be one?" Riza's smile widened as her head shook. "Somehow, you can still baffle and amaze me some days. As far as Aisyah goes? She probably is the spitfire you think she may be. She's a smart one though. Her buttons really have to be pushed. But I'm pretty sure once that happens ... she won't hold back. As for drill sergeants?"

Now Riza frowned, finding herself at a bit of a loss. The conflict with Bradley and the Homunculi had taken a lot of men and women, many of which were some of the best and strongest people Central used to have.

"I mean, I could volunteer if it's really needed. But I view myself as a better examiner than drill sergeant, truthfully. Even though she's about to go against him soon ... perhaps Scar? He does have a good work ethic, and I can imagine him being a great mentor. The fact he can use alchemy and martial arts makes him that much more appealing of a choice."

Which, in truth, was a good part of why he had ended up being selected as Aisyah's opponent.

"But if not him? Hmmm. That's hard to say. We don't really have a lot of options; yet at the same time, we can't be too picky. That being said ... "

Finally, an invisible light bulb seemed to hover over her head. If the smirk further expanding didn't give it away, a finger gently poking against Roy's chest would help indicate and confirm her suggestion. "You, m'lord. After all, you were pretty good when you were in charge of me, Havoc, and the others."
 


Markos had been anticipating that question for a while and always trying to work out an answer in his head. When she asked if it really was just a way to one up mustang he laughed and waved his dark skin blushing a little as he looked at her with his red eyes.

"No, that's not even part of it. I just... he gets on my nerves because..." He flustered and made gestures but was unable to accurately transcribe why his outburst had occurred. the entire time however he never let go of Aisyah's hand.

"I... went overboard on that." He said with defeated sigh after a long moment. "No the reason I chose to take up Alchemy sounds really childish and you're going to have to promise not to laugh at me."

He paused to take a breath calming down as he looked at Aisyah for a moment and then out the window directing her towards the grass, and gardens that covered the central fair ground. "I wanted a garden."

"Do you remember our home back east? The town you left when we were kids. I remember that nothing grew there. The ground was practically salt, the only reason that people went that far east was to take refuge, and I was raised and schooled within the state orphanage. The bread we got was stale, the rice always tasteless. The only thing they ever managed to grow were potato's and if I ever have one of them again I think I am going to be sick."

"I remember growing up in that place, and looking at pictures of trees and forests thinking that it was some sort of mythical legend. that the further west you went the more magical the land." Markos chuckled shaking his head. "After you left, the weather only got hotter and the land only got more dry, soon enough not even potato's would grow, and they had to call it quits, but I remember before they packed it in, we were visited by two people from the east who had just crossed the desert. One was a woman from Xing, an Alchestiest, and the other was her husband an Alchemist from Amestries."

"I never even learned there names, I remember the man could perform alchemy just by clapping his hands together." He finally let go of Aisyah's hand to clap and then touch the wall. "I never figured out how that worked."

"But with just a clap of his hands and a bit of help from his wife the two of them were able to help grow plants that weren't native to the region, and for a night, and only a night we all had a hell of a feast. The next morning the strangers were gone, the plants soon wilted and died since we had no idea how to maintain them, and the town we grew up in became a ghost town."

He sighed as he took up Aisyah's hand one last time. "For a single night we had a feast unlike anything else, the entire town despite it's mistrust of alchemy came together, and every man woman and child managed to get more food than they would normally see in a month. after that when the Orphanage moved further west I was able to get my hands on books, and start to teach to myself Biological alchemy. I suppose you could say that I want a world in which no one can starve."



"Me?" It was slightly improper for a general to turn around and train the troops, but Roy had to admit that the prospect was rather amusing. He did have a vindictive side and he would be damned to admit that Markos did strike it.

It would mean keeping the two of them in Central for the moment, or at the least keeping them nearby for when duty called. Actually it would be a good way to use them.

He brushed a hand through Riza's hair as she poked him in the chest. Other ideas like sending the two of them to the fridged north. But then if they proved too useful up there he may not get them back which was an idea he would rather not.

"I don't know a lot about martial arts though, I can drill them in military instruction and life style sure, but in terms of fighting and combat." He paused for a few moments as he thought it over.

"Let's send them to east command, I can break them in, but right now east Command is run by Miles, he would have use of these two, and we can pack our things. Central won't need us for a while so why not go back to our old stomping ground for a while. We do have a rebelion to learn more about." The last sentence was merely a justification to get the paperwork under way in a rather sing song voice.

He pulled Riza in closer in a waltz like fashion dipping her as he came up with the idea and then as she leaned back, pressing his lips to his wifes.
 

Aisyah wasn't really sure why. But in all honesty, part of her had expected Markos to snap in her upon hearing the she did want to know why he'd resorted to alchemy. Sure, the topic itself was a sensitive one. And yet, it was partially because of that very fact that she was a bit anxious.

It would have been easy for him to take offense in her curiosity.

So when he didn't ... Aisyah was relieved.

And most definitely intrigued as he insisted she couldn't laugh. She did, though, raise an eyebrow. "Alright. I won't. I may chortle or smirk, but I won't outright laugh. You have my word."

Her free hand moved, wrapping itself around her back and through a loop attached to her shorts. Slowly, Aisyah relaxed, allowing her body to gently lean against the wall while enjoying the still lingering touch of Markos's hand around her skin.

"I wanted a garden."

True to her word, no actual giggling or anything of the like was heard. But it didn't mean Aisyah didn't react in any manner. The eyebrow that had arched now went even higher, almost looking like it would somehow find a way to leave her entire face if it had such a power.

But after hearing his story .... she couldn't help but nod. Slowly ... but very steadily and surely.

"I see," she finally murmured in a low but still audible voice, "Well ... compared to the number of reasons you could have told me, that is by far a much better one to hear. I commend you for thinking others. But .... really. You could have earned yourself in a shitty spot with the outburst you had against Sir Mustang. Please ... "

Her head turned as Aisyah looked right into the crimson orbs.

"Never do anything that hasty again. Not without a really fucking good and justified reason. Please. Swear that to me."
"Am I getting up and going to look for another 'Roy' here? I think not so ... yes. You, my King."

Riza giggled, finding his reaction as interesting as the thought of Roy accepting this offer. It wasn't easy to take someone like her spouse off-guard. Lo and behold, it had happened twice now; once from her, and another from a man who was going to become a major in less than 24 hours.

"But ... if you really don't know .... ohh!"

Before Riza could move too far away, Roy gave an answer ... and in a rather pleasantly surprising manner.

"Well now ... I'm taking this as a sign I did or said something correct. Am I right?"

The combined dip and kiss hinted that - more likely than not - the answer would be a very strong, affirmative yes. Riza leaned into the gesture, adding her own love and passion as their lips stayed locked. Only when the need to breathe overtook them both did Riza dare to pull away, panting slightly.

And at the same time, she was already looking much better compared to how she'd been mere minutes ago.
 

Hearing Aisyah speak about how he had crossed a line and that he needed a good reason to go off like that again he sighed looking into her eyes. He didn't really care about the color, just the determined look that she gave him. He gave a nod.

"I've had my words. Trust me I'm not gonna pull that kind of thing ever again. I need this watch after all."

"Hey it's sappy but it's the honest truth. Unfortunately learning Alchemy has taught me a few things about that dream." He sighed looking back at Aisyah. "It's a tad unrealistic on my own."

"To gain something, something of equal value must be given." He raised a hand placing it on the wall, the armor under his uniform glowed for a moment pulling on the stone as the old stone wall slowly started to turn back to dirt and then from that sprang to life a single seedling of a flower, taking time and effort he was able to pull the small fledgling violet from the wall. Handing it to Aisyah as it bloomed.

"It may look like a miracle, but stone is quarried, and mixed, plants often get mulched into the process, i'm able to revive those in the stone, but life given through alchemy is fleeting." The violet slowly turned dark as it wilted, and then in her hand it turned to ash. "With my watch I'm hoping I can dive a little deeper, and find out what I'm missing."

"I admit I'm not much of a soldier. But i've studied medicine, botany, biology, toxicology, you name it i probably have some kind of plant for it." He shrugged. "Think of me as a... non traditional doctor, most I'm sure will call me a snake oil salesmen."



As the kiss broke and Riza panted, Roy was a little more wanting. The fact that Riza called him her king. He had never actually managed to get the tittle of Fuhrer, that had gone to Grumman as payment for his part in the military coo.

Of course they were much better off now than ever before, and she was his queen. However as he righted her standing position Roy did pull away from her. As much as he wanted Riza at the moment, other more pressing duties were more important.

"Tonight my queen." He gave her a look that was more amorous than usual, his steel eyes watching her for a long time. "First though we have a few more exams to watch over."

His eyes locked on Riza, if there was one reason he had taken the stone above helping all of Amestries, it was the fact that not being able to see her face was probably a form of torture that he didn't want to live through.

Before the two of them reached their door however he did place a hand on Riza bringing her back into an embrace that put his chest against her back. His lips touching her neck softly for a moment. "You are very cute when you stand up for me you know that?"
 

Aisyah's head tilted back as she elicited a long, relieved sigh.

" ... Thank you. Okay. I'm holding you to that, Markos."

As she spoke, Aisyah moved her head so she looked back into his crimson eyes. She couldn't help but envy him slightly. Even if many of the Amestrians thought the color seemed 'unholy' or 'unnatural', it was exotic to her. Then again, it wouldn't be amazing if that was a slightly biased thought. She was an Ishvalan, after all. It made sense to favor most of her traditions over any of the others. Were it not for her friend speaking up and elaborating on his thoughts and hopes on what he was aiming to accomplish, Aisyah felt very certain she could have gotten lost staring in the blood-red orbs.

"Equivalent exchange, huh? That sounds simpler as a title and even concept. I always figured alchemy was more scientific-focused so the more difficult terms would be more ... common. Like ... well .... any of the genus names for trees, flowers, and so on. Stuff like that. Either way ... I actually followed along with what you said."

A small frown crossed Aisyah's face as the flower turned into ash. Her fingers spread apart, allowing the dirt to slip through the gaps and vanish into the air, very likely guided by any breeze from outside or the air conditioner that may be activated at that moment.

"If I have to be honest, though ... it's not always fun being a pure soldier. You all may tend to be called the dogs of the military; but at times, we're as bad, some days worse. We all have our vices and curses."

There had been something else. Another train of thought that briefly entered Aisyah's mind. Before she could fully indulge in it, however, her head turned. Had she just heard her name? "Oh shit!" she whispered, her eyes widening. "I ... I think it's my turn! Crap, I don't wanna lose my chance just because I'm a few minutes late!"

Assuming he would be close behind, Aisyah all but ran back to the stadium, descending down all the stairs. What she found upon walking on the stage caused her eyes to widen slightly. Despite having sparred against many of her kin during her years of training at the ruins, that was to be expected. After all, they were teaching her how to fight. But this ... this was different. Now, she was standing across from another Ishvalan. He definitely hadn't been any of the warriors or monks that helped her, either. Which thus meant this was a new face for her to see. Honestly ... this man seemed even more intimidating than any of the others.

No! Don't let that become too obvious!

"You ... are my examiner for my test I'm assuming, correct?"

May as well make sure before anything overly wild occurred that she had indeed heard correctly. It'd be embarrassing should Aisyah learn she had heard someone else's name instead of her own, after all.
"Oh? That's the only hint I get? The word 'tonight'?"

Riza paused, purposely hoping he may cave in and say just a little bit more. Regardless of whatever Roy may or may not do, Riza smirked, slowly straigthening her uniform out. "Fair enough. I don't think I've been this eager to see the end of the exams in a while; that's for damn sure." Offering little more than a playful wink, a soft sigh passed her lips. She hated when Roy was right about anything. Unfortunately, everything revolving around right one was one of those perfect yet annoying examples. Pleasure had to wait just a bit longer.

Right now, they needed to tend to business.

"Cute?" Riza repeated, laughing softly. "Only you could use such a word to describe how I must look and sound when I verbally lash at others. Words like intimidating and scary are probably what it actually should be labeled as. Then again ... I suppose my words weren't directed at you. Not this time."

They were only human. And as a human couple - especially married - she had been in her share of fights with Roy. None ever escalated past shouting, at least. Then again, it wasn't like anyone else needed to know the details of their personal life, either.

"I'm sure come the evening, I'll find better ways to be more 'cute' for you. Mmm ... you're not really making it simple to prioritize work over you though, you know. Come ... let's leave before we have to explain where we've been since Fischer's exam. I still don't think you're into showing me off just yet after all." Riza very slowly and reluctantly helped guide Roy's arms off of her midsection, slipping out of his hug and walking away. She opened the door for him ... and stood beside the wooden surface. All but forcing him to leave first whilst simultaneously ensuring they could arrive in a timely - and decent - fashion.
 


"Alchemy isn't actually that hard to understand. I know you said you want no part in it, but there may come a time when you face someone who uses it. it could be useful for you to know the basics and how to counter them." Markos nodded when she said that she could follow his logic and how he spoke on the subject of alchemy. Teaching had never been his strongest forte, but she had spent the last few days drilling the basics of combat into him, the least he could do is teach her some of his world.

He was going to go on about how to defeat an enemy one should know the enemy, however there was something in the way Aisyah was looking at him that made him pause for a moment. He really wasn't sure, and when she started to talk about how it was for traditional soldiers he nodded.

It was going to be a lot harder for her at the end of the day. She was different and soldiers often didn't appreciate anything that was unique. He knew he was signing up for a ticket to hell, but as he looked at her he wondered just how bad it could be as long as he got to serve out his time with her.

All of those thoughts were pulled aside when she pulled on his jacket and started to tell him to run. It took a moment to get moving, to run after her, but he was glad they did as they didn't appear to be too late for her exam. However looking at the arena there was a lot to say about this. "Good luck."

When they arrived though he was a little taken aback by the choice of examiner. The dark skin, and white hair not to mention his clothing marked him as a monk of Ishball. What gives? Finding a seat near the front of the audience something about the face of this man was odd to him. An x shaped scar. He was old too, a lot older than most of the ishballins who still willingly stayed in cities like central.

That meant... His eyes scanned the audence for a moment. Trying to find the general and Hawkeye.


If there had been time, or it had been appropriate Roy probably would have undressed Riza right here in his office after that display she had in protecting him. It was a weakness to be sure, but he did always enjoy it when she stood next to him and spoke what was on her mind.

He found her to be rather beautiful in those moments, and the fact that she could still be so loyal and hold his back after everything they had been through gave him the support he needed to rule this country even if he didn't have the seat of Fuher.

When they left the room there was an immediate and proffessional difference to the air. He couldn't afford to be the joking colonel he had once been. The rank of general came with it the duty to loose ones sense of humor and his eyes became more narrowed and focused on what was ahead of him. Walking into the arena to watch the match he had to see how the girl would fair in battle.

"Is this even really necessary? She's coming in as a soldier not an alchemist? I mean yes there is a lot of press around her, and Olivier wanted us to test both of them, but if she really wanted us to go all out on these two she should have just ordered them sent to brigs so she could handle it herself."

This felt kind of barbaric considering who she was facing. It was a bit like watching a bloodsport. Part of him was actually expecting her to loose.



Scar stood in the center of the arena wearing the clothing of an Ishballin monk. His eyes looked over Aisyah she was odd. Her hair was darker than most of his people, and her eyes were dark instead of the usual color red. Compared to her the alchemist who had came into the arena earlier was much more in the image of their people and god.

"You know that Ishball abhors violence and alchemy, you were trained by monks and spiritual leaders in ways of a culture and people who considered themselves separate from the state yet you have willingly chosen to come here and join them." Scar reached up and took off his sunglasses so that his face could be exposed with the red eyes piercing through the young woman as he walked up to her.

"When a friend told me of your deeds and heritage I decided I would see you for myself, and act as your examiner. Now then choose your weapon and let us start this match. I wish to see why you have chosen to forsake your parents wishes and come here."
 

".... You want the truth, sir? Because there's quite the interesting story behind it."

If that didn't get her husband's attention ... well ... then almost nothing would. After briefly figuring out whether to say more now or while they were sitting down would be for the best, she spoke after making her mind up. "It is indeed true Olivier was quite harsh on the girl. But this wasn't her call. This came from higher up the chain of command. Someone else really wanted her to go through with this. And, as far as I know, they contacted Scar and set this up."

Riza rapidly moved her head from side to side, double checking first that they were mostly - if not totally - alone before resuming. Her voice simultaneously lowered, ensuring the next words were only heard by Roy.

"What's really been bothering me, though, is the discreet nature of this exam. Whomever made all these choices doesn't want to be found out, it seems. Every time I think I get a lead, it literally up and vanishes."

Given it had been a few days since Aisyah got dismissed from the hospital, Riza figured this had been long enough. Of course, Roy would know only he would learn about all of this. Should he deem it fair to inform anyone else, he'd give her the green light. Before then, however, Riza would keep her lips sealed which, unfortunately, meant keeping Markos in the dark.

... Speaking of, she noticed him walking around as Roy found a seat. Thankfully, her irritation at him was mostly gone. So when Fischer would find Riza looking at him, she would wear a neutral expression, hiding that there was something bothering her at all, let alone what it was. A 'come here' motion was made with her right index and middle fingers as she sat beside her husband, turning once more to gaze down at the stadium. "This is, if nothing else, going to be very interesting. She's not too different than myself. A pure solider, one that doesn't even use alchemy. Aside from heritage, she doesn't specialize in firearms. She's better with melee, or so that's what the small bits we did get on her from Olivier hinted. This decision will either be one of the best or most brutal ones for her."
"Makes sense," Aisyah mused, pausing to think about those words. With how simple most of what Markos was saying sounded, perhaps there was truth in his words?

Of course there is, idiot. He's not a liar. Overly eccentric at worst, but no. If he wanted to purposely confuse you, he'd just do it.

Were it not for the fact she was hurrying to reach her examine, Aisyah would have taken a few seconds to smack herself upside the head.

... Possibly later, depending on how this would all go.

For now though, there were so many more things to worry about. And they all included the male across from her. The amount of plans racing through her mind practically multiplied as the other Ishvalan confirmed he would indeed be testing her.

Hmmm. Alright. Think, think, think ....

She hadn't really expected time to grab a weapon. That was ... generous, if not unexpected. Aisyah used that to her advantage, staying silent and looking as if she were thinking on his offer. For a few seconds, she had been, in all honesty. Her next words, however, revealed there was something else she'd done; it just wasn't obvious to anyone else besides Aisyah herself.

"I appreciate it, but I am my own weapon."

No sooner than she gave her response did tons of hushed whispers float all around the stadium.

"Is she insane?!"

"Poor girl, does she even know who she's against?!"

"Does she have a death wish?!"

Aisyah inwardly smirked, mentally replying 'no' to all of those inquiries. She wasn't insane, despite the declaration to use only her bare hands sounding otherwise. She most definitely didn't realize the very same Ishvalan she'd heard so much about helping after the conflict versus Bradley and the Homunculi was the same man testing her. And above all else, Aisyah certainly didn't have a death wish.

If she did, she would have caved in and perished back at the hospital.

"Ready? Begin!"

That was all Aisyah needed to hear before running forward. Her right fist clenched, and began to fly right for Scar's gut ---

Only to stop seconds before it hit its destination. That was a fake move, a distraction as it were.

Her right foot raised, hopefully while Scar was still taken aback and distracted, and swung right at his kneecap.

Given the muscles Aisyah could notice on her examiner, his height, and other observations, the most obvious route seemed to be she had to slow him down first. Or at least weaken him.

Hopefully, she would accomplish one of those two with the first hit landing on its actual destination.
 

Roy's eyes narrowed slightly as Riza relayed the information about where the orders had came from. If the orders had come from someone higher up than him that really only left Fuher Grumman. He looked at Riza for a moment. It suddenly made sense that she would have a connection that would have preceeded him.

Right now the command of Amestries was in the hand of the Fuhrer, his private council, and the four generals. Olivier to the north, Roy himself was the general of the east, and that left the generals of the south and west, whom he rarely spoke too. it was uncommon for all five of a nations back ups to be in the same place at once after all.

"Talking to Gramps?" Roy asked wanting to pry where that information had come from just a little more. But why would Grumman not give away his identity? This didn't sit right with him unless there was something else.

As Markos took a seat beside Riza to watch the fight Roy's foot tapped the ground, twice as he pointed downwards, asking Riza to nod if she suspected the same thing he did. He honestly couldn't be sure of where the other alchemists loyalties lay considering that the boy seemed to have a temper, and had already spoken about verbal disgust about Roy.

But in truth he was pretty sure that between fire and plants. he had a clear advantage.


Markos took a seat close to the generals assistant wanting to keep an eye on her. If anything this entire fight was just oddly suspicious. Why would they charge Aisyah with a fight like this. It was overly brutal. Sure his exam had made sense he was applying to be a human weapon, but a regular civilian put through the same ropes as a state alchemist? It was fishy.

The more that he looked at the guy performing the exam the more he was really becoming uncomfortable with this. He could hear the people whispering about how she must have had a death wish, some of them even cheering like this was some sort of sporting match.

Markos on the other hand was more silent than anything trying to figure out just why this guy seemed so familiar. It wasn't until the fight started that he came to the realization when He the man put up his guard and he saw the tattoos on his arms.

He turned towards Riza. "What the hell! that's the Ishballin serial killer. The state alchemist hunter, why is he in the ring with Aisyah."

Wait a second the alchemist hunter was here, and he just got a state alchemist watch. His best friend was about to get herself killed, and then he was probably going to be coming for his head next. He swallowed hard feeling the back of his throat tighten with fear for a moment. He wanted to see Aisyah safe, but this guy had killed six of the states best, including ones who had specialized in weapons alchemy which was probably the second or third most complicated type. At the lybrary he had read pretty much every single file around this guy, but on the night of the eclipse the man had vanished without a trace.

Why was it always the night of the eclipse?



At Aisyah's first strike he raised his arm to block but when she raised her leg to try and take down his, Scar jumped backwards deciding that it was best to put distance between himself and her to dodge rather than to fight her head on. She had been trained by Ishballin monks and her first two strikes had been those of precision and control. She was also smaller, and probably faster than he was. If he let her dance around him he would loose the fight.

What Scar had that she lacked was experience. He had fought against all kinds of enemies. Oddly enough the one that had given him the most pause in his life was a regular solider. While a state alchemist was certainly more difficult to deal with they all had their one focus, it made them easy to predict once you knew what their quirk was.

On the other hand he had been stopped on three different occasions by a woman with a gun. Aisyah's eyes reflected hers really, in a darker sort of way. Though the fact that she had refused a weapon had made the fight much more interesting. In any other instance it was something that would have gotten her killed.

Here relying on herself rather than something he could destroy was actually increasing her chances. Along with her choice of clothing. With his arms now raised and ready for a fight he stepped lightly for a man of his size, the main problem was that she was young. Scar was not exactly in his prime anymore. While he was still in shape a lot more of his hair was grey rather than white and he had faded wrinkes that made up the lines of his face. He was weathered now more so than when he was the serial killer.

So he had to rely on brute force. The longer he waited to attack the harder this fight would be so Rushing the girl was his clear and only focus. If he could catch her and force her take a shot he would carry a considerable amount of strength behind his blows considering he was almost in a weight class above her. His main attack was less of a punch and more of an open palm thrust, but he was going fora series a combo of attacks aimed towards her center, wanting to force her onto the retreat or break her guard where possible.
 

Riza's own foot lightly tapped against the floor a few times before pointing down. It was because of whom the Fuhrer was that she felt certain he hadn't made this choice. There was no need for her own grandfather to be so hush-hush. Hell, it had never been in any of her family member's natures. Roy knew that better than everyone else who wasn't Riza Hawkeye herself. Her father was another perfect example, after all. Berthold had been Roy's mentor. He was the very reason Roy was as excellent with his flame alchemy; because her father taught him. Though they were mostly distorted, the secrets were still on her back in the form of that large tattoo.

If my family wanted to keep secrets, we'd find ways to do so ...

Her head moved from side to side, partly to confirm to Roy what she was trying to say. And at the same time, it was directed to Markos as he gave his frantic concerns to them both. "Calm yourself. He's no longer a serial killer. If he was ... he definitely wouldn't be moving around so freely, nor without any security. You are, however, partially correct. Scar is still strong despite the past decade having already faded away. He is fighting Aisyah because ... "

Riza paused, but only for about eight seconds before deciding to take a risky but acceptable response.

"It was my request. After learning everything from Olivier, she reminded me of myself. It thus seemed like the best opponent for your friend would be someone who fought in a very same mindset and pattern. Don't worry, though. At worst, she'll be in the infirmary again. But I swear to you, she will be breathing and otherwise fine come the end of this match. It won't get too bad."

... That was her hope, anyway. Admittedly, the fact Aisyah had recovered rather recently from a bullet wound was one other advantage Scar had besides much more experience. If he found and pushed hard enough on the injury ... would she keep fighting?

They'd likely find out over the course of the fray.

Either way, until Riza could help her husband discover if there even was a conspiracy of any kind going on, she wasn't about to tell anyone else the truth. It wasn't something she was overly proud of, but it was for the best. After all, why make Markos freaked out if there was nothing amiss going on? Or anyone for that matter?

"Don't freak out though. She didn't when seeing you go against a veteran alchemist. So have some faith in her, why don't you? She needs that more than you fretting about habits Scar has given up for quite some time now. This will definitely be probably the toughest fight of her life, but it's not impossible, believe it or not." Her expression stayed neutral, but deep down, even Riza felt like she'd just hurled several low blows at Markos. Suffice to say, he wouldn't be the only one feeling kinda crappy right about now. Riza definitely was also.

This is for the best, she continued to insist in her head over and over, listening primarily to her inner mantra though also paying attention to her surroundings.
Damnit!

The quick examination of Scar revealed several distinct but very vital disadvantages against Aisyah. She, too, assumed he was far more experienced in fighting, and him managing to block her attacks helped prove as much. While her outfit - lack of, some could argue - would make her speed and pure strength better than if she'd come onto the platform in jeans as opposed to shorts, there was a problem besides being awkwardly gawked at. The shorts did their job a bit too well, and Aisyah didn't need a mirror to know a lot of her skin was exposed.

Including the wound that had recently healed up.

If he really wants to see what you can do though, he won't go right for that ... will he?

... Probably not. But it was an option Scar could use later. That in itself was nerve-wracking enough as it was, and likely something Aisyah didn't want to risk feeling once again. Especially not so soon after it'd healed up.

Here he comes ...

As Scar ran back, Aisyah steeled herself, her eyes narrowing. Though she hadn't replied to Markos's earlier comment about having to face an enemy alchemist, she knew that would be a very likely option. In fact, she was almost certain that one of these days, she would be both beside and against an alchemist. So, she envisioned each punch being laced or covered in the first thing that came to her mind; ice. Whether it was because that would be the deadliest element for her to get hit with - as it would literally make her stuck in the deadliest and most skilled hands, among many other dangers - or fueled by a subconscious motive didn't matter. Her imagination actually seemed to really help Aisyah out.

... Definitely not the first few times, no.

But the moment she recognized the pace and rhythm Scar was using, she found it much simpler to be able to avoid his fists.

Still, staying on the defensive wouldn't do her any good either, so ... she had to wait.

Almost ... almost .... there!

And the moment she was almost certain the perfect opportunity arrived, Aisyah went for it by grabbing Scar's arm and moving behind it. The teenager would then give the same limb a sudden, sharp yank, intending to try to force Scar down on the mat underneath them.
 
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