"Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist,

You are hereby summoned to Central City for a mandatory training event for all state alchemists of Amestris from July 06, 19XX-July12, 19XX. Please make proper arrangements with your families and work-lives. The training event will last a full week, so please pack accordingly. Clothing may be of personal preference and military clothing is not mandatory. Any research or related alchemic knowledge is to be brought.

-Fuhrer King Bradley."

Sharp golden eyes finished grazing over the last of the letter that sat in the perfectly pristine glove of Edward Elric's right hand. "What the hell is this, Colonel Bastard?!" Dark brows twitched in annoyance.

"Didn't you read the letter or are your reading skills on par with your height?"

"DON'T CALL ME SMALL!" yelled Fullmetal.

"I never called you small," smiled the Flame Alchemist, "Not out front at least. However, that letter states that you are mandated to go to Central, just like I am and the other state alchemists."

Golden eyes glared at the under a halo of equally golden hair. "Why should I? I have better things to do like getting mine and Al's bodies back."

Roy got up from his desk and walked towards the window to his office and sighed dramatically. "Look, it's not like I designed this to happen, nor would I want you there. This event is mandatory for all state alchemists every year. As in, I even have to go." Dark eyes gazed at a pair of walking civilians: a mother holding her daughter's hand tightly. "It's a way for the Fuhrer to see our skills and what we're working on, as well as for us, the state alchemists, to see what everyone else is up to. For some this event allows us to see other alchemists we do not see all year." There was soft tone to Mustang's voice that Ed caught onto.

"How long will this take?"

Stiff, broad shoulders turned to face the youngest of his team. "A week, which it clearly states in your letter. The event is basically a training session for all alchemists because not every state alchemists is of military background. We will train as if we were in boot camp, or the academy. We'll spar, and we'll socialize. It's honestly not that bad." The colonel turned his attention back towards the moving civilians on the street. "You might find it relaxing."

A loud snort echoed out of Ed's mouth. "Yeah, because doing what the military demands of me is exactly what I find relaxing. Granted, I'm not trying to kiss ass to climb the hierarchy of command."

"Hmm, and if you remember when you agreed to become a state alchemist you agreed to the conditions that if the military called upon you then you would answer," bit back Mustang, "If you seriously have a problem with it then you can renounce your title and give back you pocket watch."

"You know I can't do that."

"Then I'll see you at Central City." Roy buried his clothed hands into the pocket of his military slacks and kept watching the people, slight envy worked its way into his features. His brows drew slightly, and his lips tightened, which caused him to look like he was fed up with his youngest subordinate.

The younger grunted in forced approval before sudden panic spread across his face. "Wait!" Ed shouted loudly, "What about Al? He's not a state alchemist and I don't want to leave him here at the dorms for a whole week!"

"The Hughes live relatively close to the training facilities and dorms we'll be using, so Alphonse can stay with them." Mustang watched as a small child, a boy this time, laugh contently as his father lifted him up onto his shoulders. "Maybe he can keep Elysia company and give Gracia some private time while Hughes is at work." After a few moments of dead silence, Roy looked at Ed with an expression of anger laced with something else that the young alchemist had yet to see or even begin to describe on Mustang. "Get out. There's nothing more to discuss."

As Ed stormed out of Mustang's office, like he usually did, he wondered why Colonel Bastard was acting odd. He never recalled the Colonel looking so angry, no it was something else - anguished. Never in the time that he had known Mustang had he seen the man act more than a pompous asshole that kissed higher-ups ass for promotions. It was odd seeing something so human on Mustang's face.

"Yo, Boss," called Havoc, "What's got you thinking so hard?"

"What do you mean?" Ed tried to growl, despite his current thoughts.

Smoke streamed out around slightly chapped lips. "Well, you normally storm out, cuss up a storm about how the Colonel wasn't being fair or was being an asshole, then you leave like some angry kitten."

A slight twitch pulsed from Ed as he was called a kitten. "What was that, Havoc? I didn't hear you, but I'm an angry what?"

"Nothing," replied Havoc in a rushed voice, catching on he had pissed the young alchemist off. "But, seriously. You would've normally stormed off by now."

"Its just that," Ed trailed, "Colonel Bastard seemed out of sorts when I was talking to him. Like he was anger, but not at me. That anger didn't seem fueled by rage either."

Breda finished sucking his fingers of any traces of his sandwich before he spoke. "Don't get too caught up in it, Boss. The Colonel is always like that this time of year, then it gets worse for a bit after he comes back from that alchemist training you both have to go to. After a week or so of coming back to Eastern Command he'll be fine. Every year this happens."

Those words got Ed's mind stirring of numerous questions of why the Colonel would act weird. If anyone found out then they could use this time when Mustang was weak, effectively risking Ed's promise to Al, and most of all, Winry. "I see," whispered Ed as he left the office quietly.

"Wow! He's never left so quietly before," chimed Fuery, "Maybe he really does care about the Colonel after all!"

Riza watched as the tuft of golden hair disappeared, her all knowing eyes wondering if he would figure it out or he was too young to see the truth. " Colonel, you need to be careful this time.