Never Been Here Before...

[Alaric]

"Shut up Bark, stupid dog." Al said with a scowl as he sat outside a coffee shop, sipping his vanilla-flavoured green tea while telling his damned dog to shut up and stop barking like a madman... er, mad-dog.
It was a cloudy, yet calm day and he'd just arrived about three hours ago, on a mission. He was actually going out to Ishval to check it out, according to orders, but he decided to stop and spend the rest of his day/night in Reole, a nice town that oddly resembled Lior out in the desert.
Minus the nice big head-poking-out-of-an-abandoned-church attraction, of course.
The boy let out a nice sigh as his long -currently tied up in it's usual ponytail- navy hair kicked around in the wind and he looked up. He was wearing a simple black t-shirt and jeans today, so he didn't have people hassling him about being in the military at such a young age and all. It was common for kids to join the army now, and being a homunculus only helped things out a bit -though people will eventually notice his lack of aging-.
Suddenly a dog's bark rung his ears and he frowned.
"Bark, I told you to shut up."

[Guest]

"Alex!!" Katie Lynn Ash called for her pet ferret. "Alex, where are you?" She called again, sounding really worried. She heard a dog bark, and a familiar growl.

"Alex!" Katie smiled, running to the place where she heard the growl. She stopped, and landed on her knees to pick up her blonde ferret.
She held him close to her chest and cuddled him. "Oh! Don't ever leave me again!"
She was redirected to the barking dog when it barked again. Loudly.
Alex hissed again to the dog, and Katie stood up to take him away. "Stop!" She ordered the dog.

She looked up to see if she could complain to the dogs owner, but she immediatly reconignized him.
"Oh my god, you're Alexander Elric!" She squealed with a smile, and she was slightly blushed.
Alexander Elric was her complete idol! And she might've had a crush on him too, but she wouldn't dare admit it.

"Wha-what are you doing here, Colonel Elric?" She asked excitedly.

[Alaric]

When the dog shut up, the boy let out a long breath in relief as he relaxed in his seat, that was until he heard a woman -maybe girl- seem to squeal or something and recognize him. Of course, as soon as that happened he got a few confused looks and people began to whisper about the whole 'too young to be in the army' crap again, making a bead of sweat run down his face as he sighed and sipped his tea again, before turning to the girl and beaming her a polite smile.
"I've never been greeted like that before, and thanks for shutting up Bark, he has a tendency to... well bark alot, I guess." The boy said, glaring at the dog playfully before ruffling him behind the ears, he then extended his hand to the one seat in front of him and smiled again, "Well, you seem to know me, so how about you sit down? I don't even know your name yet."

[Guest]

Blushing again, Katie sat down in the seat next to him. "I'm Katie. Katie Lynn Ash." She introduced. "Or, as some others call me, The Limestone Alchemist." She added. She let Alex go on the table and curl up to nap.

"Yeah, I do know you. I've...heard of you a lot. And you're part of the reason why I became a State Alchemist. I first entered the exams when I was eight, but I failed. I entered again when I heard that you became a Colonel...and I passed." She explained to him, for no reason, really.
She was embarrassed, which is why she explained that whole story to him.
But she had to tell him that, the least.

[Alaric]

"Eight? Even I didn't try joining up until I was 13." Al asked with a shrug, "So you're this Major Ash I've been hearing about? I heard you managed to beat my great uncle in becoming the new youngest alchemist of the state. I'm not sure if they're rumors though. If you joined before you were 12, then they must be true."
He then took another sip of his tea and chuckled, smiling at the ferret in her lap, before smilin at her.
"Nice Ferret, and I'm honored that I'm part of the reason you wanted to join the blasted military. We both know that it definitely pays the bills." He then let out a chuckle and grinned, "Of course, it doesn't really get you out of school. What grade are you in now?"

[Guest]

"Unfortunately, I joined a few months ago. So I joined while I was, and am, still fourteen. I wish I would've joined earlier than Edward Elric. Speaking of him, my great-grandmother was friends with him. She admired him a lot, and he was the reason why she even started studying alchemy. So...I guess I inherited a few things from her." Katie explained, looking down at Alex whom had snuck his way onto her lap.
"Thanks! He usually doesn't get those comments. People think it's weird to have a ferret as a pet." She listened to him a little more until he asked a school related question.
"Grade...? Oh, yeah, school. Since I'm out on missions a lot, I have school, but not as often as I wish I had it. I'd rather be in school than out on State missions. I'm in 9th grade currently." She replied. A waitress came by and asked if Katie wanted anything. She asked for a cup of sweet tea.
Katie awaited for her drink, and when she recieved it, and listened to Al as she drank.

[Alaric]

"Well I'm in tenth, and personally, I could live without the trig homework." Al said with a chuckle, "And hey, people think it's weird to have a blue dog as a pet, and name it Bark of all things as well, but hey, I'm no good with names. He barks, I name him Bark, yeah? Hm, well my heritage is Edward Elric's little brother, Great Grandpa Al, the best Grandpa I could have! Shame he passed away when I was 7..."
To get rid of the awkward silence following it, the boy coughed a bit and then sipped his tea again.
"Well, life moves on as they say. It's a shame it was just a rumor, but hey, it's a good thing you're here now. I'm actually on a mission to Ishval right now, but I'm hanging out here for a bit... I know it's out of the blue, but do you want to accompany me to Ishval? It's nothing big, just saying high to the locals."
He then smiled, but his eye twitched slightly when that damn dog began barking again.
"Bark I said shut it, or you sleep outside like every other dog in Reole!" The boy hissed, making the dog shut up immediately.

[Guest]

Katie thought that her heart would explode, it was beating so hard and fast.
"U-uh, sure! Sure, I-I'd love to acompany you to Ishval!" She replied, grinning.
This wasn't an official mission, but still, she'd go anywhere--even in the middle of a war--with Al.

"I don't think Bark likes Alex all too much..." Katie stated, hearing Bark bark again, probably seeing Alex move around a little.

[Alaric]

"That's great!" Alexander said with a wide grin before a waitress came around just as he finished his tea, "Hey, can i have a chocolate chip muffin and another lot of vanilla tea, it's my favourite." The boy then grinned at her as she left, before returning with his order and asking if Katie wanted anything.
"Don't worry, I'll pay for it."

[Guest]

"Umm..." Katie thought for a moment. "I'll take a chocolate chip muffin, same as you. I don't want you to go broke over me." She stated.
The waitress brought back over another chocolate chip muffin, and handed it to Katie.
"Thank you." She replied to the waitress. She turned to Al. "And thanks to you, too, Al."

A couple minutes later, after eating part of her muffin, she decided to start another conversation. "So...when are you heading to Ishval? Tomorrow?"

[Alaric]

"Yup, I've got a room in the sunny-vista hotel already, so you can stay overnight with me, it's room 7 on the top floor. It's only got a double bed, but I don't usually sleep at night until late, so you don't have to worry." He said with a grin as he sipped his new batch of tea. He loves his vanilla tea.

[Guest]

Katie could've screamed out of excitment now, but she decided not to. That would cause a lot of stares, and not to mention, Al would probably regret inviting her.
She decided to keep herself in control. For now, at least.

"Alright. Hey, what are you supposed to be doing at Ishval? If I could ask, what type of mission is it, anyway?" Katie asked, putting down her cup of tea that she just recently finished.

She started wondering. What if she had someone like Al for her commanding officer? She wished. It would be so much better than who she has now.

[Alaric]

"Hm... Just check on the locals? I dunno, they just said 'go to Ishval, boy and see if anything's up! We don't trust them!'" When he said the part in the apostrophes, he made a bad imitation of Xan's voice to go with it, since it was the Major General who sent him, "So I packed my bag three days ago and came here, but I've been dragging it out deliberately, too much paperwork back at the office... Crap, i'm starting to act like Mustang..."
The boy then shook his head slightly before taking a bite out of his muffin and sipping his tea.
"So what brings you out here? I hope I'm not stopping you completing your own mission by dragging you along to Ishval, if you want I'll accompany you to, as a repayment. After all, it's the least I can do for you not making me go all on my own."

[Guest]

"Oh, no, I'm not on a mission. My little Alex here decided to be rebellious and ran away from me and jump on a train to here. He sat next to me throughout the train ride, but then he ran out of the train, and came here on his own. I was just following him. I've had him for months. My family has had ferrets for a long time, and he was born before I joined the State. It wasn't until after I was accepted that I named him." Katie explained her situation as she petted the sleeping Alex in her lap.

"I've only been here once before, so I barely know the place. But I like it a lot here. And I guess so does Alex."

[Alaric]

"Is that so? Well come to my office next time you have a mission and I'll accompany you if you want me to." He said with a smile and a light chuckle as he took another bite of his muffin and two sips of his tea, "After all, who likes paperwork, ne?"
Then boy then blinked and scratched his a chin a bit, before asking:
"Say, why'd you name him Alex?"

[Guest]

Katie stopped for a moment and looked up to Al. "Umm..." She blushed.
"I...I also named him after you. He has a similar fur color to your hair," She picked him up gently, and showed him to him.
"See? And he just reminded me a lot of you." She blushed a darker pink, setting Alex down once again.

"Ha, yeah, sure. I'll come by your office someday. I'd be happy to skip a lecture from my commanding officer and visit you."

[Alaric]

Al blushed a light tinge of pink, before chuckling.
"Who's your commanding officer?" He asked with a kind smile while he sipped at his tea again, it was now half empty, and munched on his muffin again, "If I know him, who knows, I might be able to switch one of my subordinates with him for you, since you seem to be alot smarter than the ghouls who call themselves my subordinates -I haven't seen them in ages-"

[Guest]

"Wow, that's really nice of you! That would do me a lot of good. Thanks a lot of the offer. I don't think you know my commanding officer. I think he hates me." Katie took another sip of her drink.
"His name's Matthew Simon, and I know he hates me. I don't like him very much, either. If I could exchange commanding officers, it'd be great." She sighed, remembering that Matthew would scold her just about every mission.

[Alaric]

"If he hates you then it will be easy... actually, let me phone him right now." Envy said with a broad grin as he got out his phone and dialed the number for the Central reception desk, "Hello? Yes, this is Colonel Alexander Elric, 782956, Mm-hm... Ok, I'd like to speak to a Matthew Simon... Lt Colonel you say? This'll be easy... alright..." He then turned to the girl and smiled, "I'm on hold..." He then turned his attention back to the phone, "Hello i'm Colonel Elric, I'd like to speak to Lt Colonel Simon... that's a relief... thank you... Is this Lt. Colonel Simon? ...Oh yes, I'm aware... Oh, well I've just met your subordinate Katie Lynn Ash... Yes, that one, and I was wondering if you were interested in me trading my best worker, Lanza Vice -the Ironbone alchemist- for her, I guarantee he's very good at his job... Yes, after all a small guy like me wouldn't have much influence on him, higher rank or not. I just want someone my own age working for me, if it's alright... Really? Thank you so much, I'll organize a transfer right away! Don't worry, Lanza is a very good worker on the field... Ok, ok, see ya. Bye."
Beep. Alexander then grinned at the girl as he dialed yet another number and put the device back next to his ear.
"...Hi, this is Colonel Elric speaking, could I please speak with Fuhrer Solace? ...Yes, I swear it is work related, Tanya... Alright, thank you... Ah! Kenya! How are you? ...good? That's good to hear. Hey, I'd like to file a transfer between Lanza and Matthew Simon if that's alright... Really? That's great! You're the best Kenya! ...Haha, yes, I know, don't worry, I've got a new circle in progress... Thanks! Yup, ok, see ya!"
Beep. Then boy then put the phone in his pocket and beamed at the girl in front of him.
"Great news, Simon agreed to the proposal I set and the Fuhrer herself is willing t have the transfer completely by the time we get back, with your office set up next to mine and everything. How's that sound to you?" Al asked with a bright smile.

[Guest]

Katie thought she would fall over in her chair.
"T-that sounds great!!! Thank you so much!!" She grinned, thanking Al for his work.
"Now I'm indebted to you, Colonel Elric," She slightly bowed to Al, as a sign of respect, and because she just wanted to.
And now, actually, she couldn't wait to acompany him for his mission.
She finally finished her muffin and drink. Alex's head raised, scurrying over to Katie and curling up on her shoulders, still trying to stay away from Bark.

[Alaric]

"Whoa, whoa, no need to bow down to me, I'm not the prince around here." He said with a light chuckle as girls around them at different tables began to giggle and mutter things about 'young love' or that crap. Al blushed a bit because of it.
He then sipped his tea again and took another bite out of the muffin, before grinning at the girl.
"Say, do you know anyone who wants a dog? Thanks to my... current situation, I can't exactly keep a dog, but I can't find anyone to give him to. Do you have any friends or anyone who wants the poor mutt?"

[Guest]

Katie blushed along with Al when others were talking about "young love" and other things like that.

"Hmm...you know what? My family back at home would love a dog. My little sister Whintey needs someone to play with when mom is busy and when dad isn't home. And she loves animals. I'm sure that she would really appericiate Bark," She looked down to Bark, and gently pet him on his head.

[Alaric]

Bark nuzzled into the touch very affectionately, though he was still quiet -he hated sleeping outside-.
Al just chuckled and grinned as he finished his tea and muffin.
"That's great!" He said with a bright smile as he stood and gathered the dishes, before handing them to the waitress who was cleaning up. He then extended his hand to the girl and smiled kindly, "Wanna go for a walk around town? I wanna see some of the sights too."

[Guest]

Katie smiled and took his hand to stand up.
"Absolutely, let's go!" She cheered, jolting up, startling Alex. He sqeaked a little.
"Oh, sorry, Alex, you can to back to sleep." Katie laughed a little nervously.

The two walked out of the restuarant, paying before they left, and started out on their walk.
Katie had been to Reole once before, but she never had any time to explore the city.

She looked around, gazing at the quiet city. "It's really peaceful here." She commented. She didn't notice the people walking around and looking at them and whispering to themselves about how adorable they looked together or something of the sort.

[Alaric]

Al, however, did notice the whispers and was currently blushing a light pink, while trying his best TO ignore them, which wasn't easy. So, he didn't really feel the peacefulness that Katie felt, no, he felt the utter annoyance of squealing fan-girl-style passer-byers...
"U-Uh, yeah..." Al muttered before looking up at the clouded sky and smiling, "Yeah, it is... though these people around us could be a little nicer and be quiet, all of this 'they're so cute' is getting a tinge annoyance... and embarrassing..."

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