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31_days2011-12-01 07:03 pm
seta-suzume.livejournal.com) wrote in 31_days2011-12-01 07:03 pm
[Dec. 1] [Fullmetal Alchemist] The Past Is Never Over
Title: The Past Is Never Over
Day/Theme: Dec. 1, 2011 "say goodbye to the old world"
Series: Fullmetal Alchemist
Character/Pairing: Ed, Winry, Daniel [as previously seen in these other fics]
Rating: PG-13
Author's comment: Post-canon [manga/Brotherhood], so beware of spoilers.
The entire country was mobilizing in response to attacks on the border. Führer Grumman would show Amestris' neighbors that whatever had occurred within their borders this past decade, the country he ruled was as strong and capable as ever. Even if there was something hollow about that assertion Grumman knew the value of a good bluff better than most.
It was a strain on resources that necessitated rationing of various good needed by the military. But Winry Rockbell-Elric was creative (and when worst came to worst, her sly grandmother had her connections). She dealt with whatever shortages came her way between her imaginative mind and long-held tendency to save for a rainy day (for someone her age, sometimes she thought she had seen far too many rainy days) and was usually able to pass on some of her methods, if not her supplies, to her Rush Valley neighbors.
The draft could not be weathered so easily as two members of her household were torn from their places like seams slashed by a haphazard stitch-ripper. She could not even take the same meager comfort as some of her neighbors whose husbands and sons might serve alongside each other, or at least undergo some basic training together.
Ed had never served in a war, but he had plenty of past experience within the military establishment. Daniel was a novice to war and barely knew how to raise his fists in self-defense. But more importantly to the Grumman administration, he was an alchemist. Every drafted alchemist was being regarded as a potential human weapon, their skills and specialties analyzed for usefulness on the field of battle.
Ed had accepted his fate with foul-mouthed grumbling behind closed doors. Hadn't he done his duty to his country yet? Winry knew he remained capable without his alchemy, but she was still scared. Being frightened was probably the only reasonable response, but in front of their children, both she and Ed kept up a brave facade.
Daniel was different. The moment his draft notice was in his hands, his eyes turned cold. Not voicing his feelings was his own form of bravery. His distress was obvious enough that Ed recognized it as well. Both men were expected to report to South City's military headquarters in three days. "...I didn't teach him alchemy for this, Winry. It's not fair. He's never even applied to take the State Alchemy Exam! So how do they know he's a more than competent alchemist?!" Ed shouted, counting on Garfiel's hammering to drown out his words before the reached the neighbors' ears, "I can think of two possibilities! Either some sly bastard I don't know about researched all the Department of Alchemy personnel and found out who could actually practice and who stuck to theory or another sly bastard I do know put his name on a list!"
"No!" Winry shook her head vehemently. "General Mustang wouldn't do that!"
"I'm not so sure about that..." Ultimately, Mustang was a good guy, but he was ambitious and he had the pragmatic nature to back it up. Daniel wasn't like those well-loved subordinates the general would be looking out for. There was no reason to think that Mustang wouldn't consider him a useful card to play. The more things changed, the more they stayed the same.
"I don't want either of you to go," Winry twisted the corner of her heavy work apron around her hand, "But, Ed, you're strong. I know you can handle it. I'm worried about what will happen to Daniel."
"You can write to Hawkeye if you want, but I don't think any of our connections can change this."
"...I guess I just wish there were something I could tell him..."
"Tell him that you believe in him then. That he'll come home safe. ...And when he does, he'll still be Daniel."
Day/Theme: Dec. 1, 2011 "say goodbye to the old world"
Series: Fullmetal Alchemist
Character/Pairing: Ed, Winry, Daniel [as previously seen in these other fics]
Rating: PG-13
Author's comment: Post-canon [manga/Brotherhood], so beware of spoilers.
The entire country was mobilizing in response to attacks on the border. Führer Grumman would show Amestris' neighbors that whatever had occurred within their borders this past decade, the country he ruled was as strong and capable as ever. Even if there was something hollow about that assertion Grumman knew the value of a good bluff better than most.
It was a strain on resources that necessitated rationing of various good needed by the military. But Winry Rockbell-Elric was creative (and when worst came to worst, her sly grandmother had her connections). She dealt with whatever shortages came her way between her imaginative mind and long-held tendency to save for a rainy day (for someone her age, sometimes she thought she had seen far too many rainy days) and was usually able to pass on some of her methods, if not her supplies, to her Rush Valley neighbors.
The draft could not be weathered so easily as two members of her household were torn from their places like seams slashed by a haphazard stitch-ripper. She could not even take the same meager comfort as some of her neighbors whose husbands and sons might serve alongside each other, or at least undergo some basic training together.
Ed had never served in a war, but he had plenty of past experience within the military establishment. Daniel was a novice to war and barely knew how to raise his fists in self-defense. But more importantly to the Grumman administration, he was an alchemist. Every drafted alchemist was being regarded as a potential human weapon, their skills and specialties analyzed for usefulness on the field of battle.
Ed had accepted his fate with foul-mouthed grumbling behind closed doors. Hadn't he done his duty to his country yet? Winry knew he remained capable without his alchemy, but she was still scared. Being frightened was probably the only reasonable response, but in front of their children, both she and Ed kept up a brave facade.
Daniel was different. The moment his draft notice was in his hands, his eyes turned cold. Not voicing his feelings was his own form of bravery. His distress was obvious enough that Ed recognized it as well. Both men were expected to report to South City's military headquarters in three days. "...I didn't teach him alchemy for this, Winry. It's not fair. He's never even applied to take the State Alchemy Exam! So how do they know he's a more than competent alchemist?!" Ed shouted, counting on Garfiel's hammering to drown out his words before the reached the neighbors' ears, "I can think of two possibilities! Either some sly bastard I don't know about researched all the Department of Alchemy personnel and found out who could actually practice and who stuck to theory or another sly bastard I do know put his name on a list!"
"No!" Winry shook her head vehemently. "General Mustang wouldn't do that!"
"I'm not so sure about that..." Ultimately, Mustang was a good guy, but he was ambitious and he had the pragmatic nature to back it up. Daniel wasn't like those well-loved subordinates the general would be looking out for. There was no reason to think that Mustang wouldn't consider him a useful card to play. The more things changed, the more they stayed the same.
"I don't want either of you to go," Winry twisted the corner of her heavy work apron around her hand, "But, Ed, you're strong. I know you can handle it. I'm worried about what will happen to Daniel."
"You can write to Hawkeye if you want, but I don't think any of our connections can change this."
"...I guess I just wish there were something I could tell him..."
"Tell him that you believe in him then. That he'll come home safe. ...And when he does, he'll still be Daniel."