Sabine thought of herself as a logical person. She had been her whole life. Emotion clouded up judgment thus being a hindrance to logic. However, she couldn't help but find herself annoyed. Perhaps it was the fact she was assigned to spy on you in the first place or the fact she failed so spectacularly in that objective. As the train pulled back into Central station, She could only watch with a hidden glare at your new appendage. It was still glistened with a stench of new metal and looked beyond agonizing. Stretching your nerves to the point of blistering pain, though settled easily with painkillers and the sling you devised until you could find a more steady source of ink. It was then your inky gaze found her thoughtful blue eyes staring at you.

Heinz: Is there an issue, Sabine?

Sabine: I still don't see why you would do this. Your argument makes sense but to so easily cut off your limb...

Heinz: My arm was dying Sabine. It would be a hindrance to my work as an alchemist and only serve as a reminder of my past failures. This automail arm of mine may be cold to the touch but makes me whole again and serves instead as a brilliant reminder of what the future holds.

It sounded like a rehearsed speech but a passionate one at that. The slight grin you pulled onto your face before moving to awkwardly disengage from the train as it finally pulled back into the Central. Sabine took her time trying to decipher your words and roll them over in her mind but she was simply stumped. Of course, she could argue with you all day but the trip weighed upon her shoulders, and the thought of reporting this back to Central only further pushed on her nerves. 

Edward: We're finally back in Central!

The trip had been training but it was comforting to be back on solid ground in Central. It should be refreshing and positive to return home, though Sabine with those careful eyes noted your disinterest in lingering even as two other soldiers approached.

???: Major Armstrong, We've come to escort you.

Louis: Thank you Second Lieutenant Ross and you as well, Sergeant Brosh.

Brosh: Ah this must be the Fullmetal Alchemist?

The two soldiers proceeded to move forward right past Edward and toward his brother, much in the same mistake that you made upon first meeting the pair. It was a shame you would have to be departing them. They were good company. You would have to try and explain this to everyone at home while you still had the time. Sabine shouldn't have been assigned to come with you in any regard if you weren't under suspicion. Armstrong should have been enough in the event something happened but to outright send someone else meant you were going to be in the spotlight more than you liked.

Ross: And you must be the Storybook Alchemist.

The female soldier of the two approached. It was quick but you noticed her glance at your new appendage before extending her left hand out. It was a bit awkward since she clearly was unused to shaking with her left but you could feel your heart warmed by the gesture all the same.

Ross: I've heard much about you. Since you've arrived paperwork has flown so much more smoothly between the divisions. It's honestly a miracle that we have someone that can cut through the tedious amount of paperwork we get.

Heinz: Well it certainly isn't life-changing but if I can make the work easier on my fellow comrades it's well worth it.

Major Armstrong lifted his arms up softly, stretching a bit before his deep voice followed out.

Louis: Well, I best head to central headquarters to file my report.

Edward seemed rather happy about this development before he was crushed in a manly hug by the big buff blonde. This group... it was a nice experience at the very least. If it wasn't for the fact you were surely being examined you would have truly had a good time. Then you looked up just in time for Armstrong to be hulking over you with his arms outstretched and a flash in his eyes.

Louis: I will miss you as well Mackinson! May your new arm bring you joy-

Heinz: Y-Yeah yeah that's the thing you know arm p-please don't hug me!

You said frantically, pointing at your new arm as the major before you just barely let you off without a hug. 

Louis: I shall let you pass for now since you are recovering, but we shall share a manly hug of companionship when you are better! Thus, I leave these two in your care.

Heinz: Wait what? I thought this is where we went our separate ways?

Edward: Whaaat? Mackinson's right. Why do we have more bodyguards?

Brosh: According to reports from the Eastern HQ, the assassin known as "Scar" is still at large. Until the situation is resolved, we have been assigned to guard the three of you.

Louis: Then Private Weber, the two of us shall return to Central together.

Sabine: Of course Major. It was a pleasure traveling with you all of you.

Edward: Same here.

Alphonse: Have a safe trip.

Heinz: Farewell Sabine...

Armstrong and Sabine left to give whatever reports they had compiled on this little trip. It was a surprisingly smart move on the part of Central to slip out one set of eyes for two, but with Scar still moving around the city, you weren't too keen on meeting him again. So with little option, you now sat in an uncomfortably squished ride with the Elric brothers and the two soldiers you met at the train station. However, despite the convenience of this trip, each bump and turn in the vehicle sent a jolt of pain over your nerves, reminding you of your severed limb and the so-called masterpiece you had replaced it with.

Alphonse: It always hurts at first, but soon it should start getting better.

the gentle voice of the hulking suit of armor next to you drew your attention from your painful shoulder and chest.

Heinz: Ah thank you... I'm willing to deal with the pain if it gives me my arm back.

It seems your little exchange managed to draw the attention of the rest of the passengers. The two soldiers didn't want to bring up the arm of course not having any knowledge of it but that didn't prevent the Fullmetal alchemist from speaking up.

Edward: Giving up your arm so easily... Hah, still I'm surprised by your recovery rate. When I first got mine it took me months to try and even move but you managed to fully move your automail mere moments after surgery. It's honestly incredible.

Heinz: Well it was mainly my alchemy at work. 

Ross: I... I had been meaning to ask about that. You use ink, right? But you can only transcribe words?

Heinz: It's not so much transcribing as much as it is ink manipulation. I can condense and stretch ink to a certain degree. For example, I can manipulate the ink in my arm to serve as replacement blood in veins. It's a simple process and besides the pain, I should be able to do it unconsciously once I recover more. As for the spike I created against Scar, It is a bit more difficult.

Edward: I'm guessing your ink requires focus to manipulate. Transcribing words is rather simple but something like your attack is hard to pull off. It is hard to maintain multi-tasking in battle.

Heinz: Well said, Edward. 

Ross: Ah that makes sense! So why does he wear armor?

Edward/Alphonse: It's a hobby.

This of course freaked out the two soldiers. Thankfully, the awkward car ride was coming to a close as the five of you arrived at the Central Library. Stepping out of the vehicle with your arm carefully cradled, you couldn't help but stare up at the building wistfully. It had been a lifetime ago you so casually strolled these halls with your family. The idea to create your own family library arouse in these very halls. But now it just felt so different-

???: H-Heinz?

A familiar voice that once brought you comfort turned your blood to ice. Your inky irises turned sharply in time to see a familiar figure. No... not just one but two. Two women had exited the library and now stood mere steps from you. Emerald eyes met yours as you stared past her to see the barely contained horror in the eyes of your mother. She clutched a book to her chest as her eyes shined with barely contained emotions as she held back for the sake of you. She gulped uncomfortably as she looked away. Emilia meanwhile blinked in surprise at her own reaction as the military personnel with you took note of your interaction.

Brosh: Major Mackinson? Who are these two?

Heinz: Ah... this is my lover Merideth. I wasn't expecting her today.

Alphonse: I remember! You two embraced each other before we left for...

Edward: What brings the two of you here?

Edward clearly wanted to steer the conversation away as your mother joined Emilia at her side. Her eyes never left yours as you simply had to stew in the guilt and pain your felt at having to reveal such a drastic change in this setting.

Emilia: I was planning on baking you some treats when you returned! Thankfully my employer joined me.

Brosh: And who are-

Mother: My name is Dorothea (L/n).

The whole air changed seemingly as your mother spoke. Your two guides tensed up as their gaze shifted away much to the confusion of the Elric brothers.

Ross: Ah... 

Edward: What's going on here?

Ross: Mrs. (L/n)'s... well...

Mother: You can say it. I've experienced my grief.

The soldiers were still uneasy about this as your emotions were boiling over. you wanted to send them off or try to escape this situation but this was no longer about you. It never was Major Mackinson. Because...

Ross: Mrs. (L/n)'s son turned traitor in Ishval and was executed by his unit while trying to help dangerous elements escape. 

Alphonse: Oh my...

Edward: I see... We shouldn't have brought this up. I'm sorry, Mrs. (L/n).

Mother: You're kind but like I said it's in the past. My son... he's... he's gone to a better place. I simply hope that he still remembers his dear old mother's teachings wherever he ended up.

Emilia: A-Ah we should really be heading back now! It was wonderful to see you my dear Heinz~ Return to me soon~

The two bid your group farewell as you managed to shove the lid back onto the pot you called your emotions. It was easy to forget that you weren't just putting yourself in danger but your whole family. What might seem like a simple choice to you like this arm of yours, just caused your mother emotional anguish. Emilia seemed to take it much better but there was no telling with her. 

Ross: It's really a shame.

Alphonse: What could have driven him to a choice like that?

Brosh: Nobody really knows. The only reason we know what happened is that some of the higher-ups in Central were there when it happened.

What...

Heinz: Central was there when it happened? 

Your voice came out shaky and unsure but it seemed to mask well enough for them not to catch on. Central was involved... You expected as much but with the rush of things, you couldn't focus on anything at the moment.

Brosh: Some of the alchemists were dispatched to Ishval and happened to be in the area from what I've heard. I think even psycho McDougal was there.

Heinz: Huh... Interesting... Let's go ahead and head inside before we get stalled any longer. I wouldn't want to miss my lover's delicious treats~

You spoke with a grin, managing to play your best role yet with the mask you wore. Alchemists from Central had been involved... It made a lot more sense with the fire that burned your flesh... But who could it have been? you had yet to see any of the alchemists in action, especially since your sneak attack on Scar drove him off before your could watch. Armstrong didn't seem like a likely candidate seeing-

Edward: Mackinson, come on!

The older Elric brother called from the door of the Central Library as they entered drawing your attention and legs as you jogged at a careful pace to follow them. You would have to go over the details in a more secure location but one thing was for sure. You might consider yourself a good person, but even good people like a little payback. Those horrific burns and damages upon your flesh... You couldn't just forgive them like that. Revenge was a bitter liquid to swallow and you were all for taking shot after shot as soon as you got the names you needed.