An old nemesis.

[Guest]

It was central and as a lowly ranked officer, actually the lowest rank possible in the whole military. Angelika was given the privilege of visiting the library and the ability to read some books. The main objective was to read about alchemy, her old nemesis and still it was. As an old hunter of rogue alchemists, the ivory haired Amestrian militant showed great interest and disdain to the whole subject. Though how much alchemy was powerful, it strained the capabilities of it's bearers, limiting them to the scope of their alchemical specialty. A folly..

And so, The bloody eyed militant whose eyes spoke no amestrian despite being a full fledged one. With her creamy white hands opened books as those very same bloody eyes searched through papers. Ah, her visual abilities would prove useful in her endeavours.

She delved in wondering the nature of alchemy and transmutation circles. It is going to be a long one in the library. Certainly, as a knowledge seeker, it wouldn't be her last visit.

[Reila Tsukino]

[Crim you should spam this in the cbox so people will join 8D <3]

[Guest]

The General was kind enough to give her a leave of absence from South. She found herself away from South and all the troubles that came with it, and back in the relative peace of Central. A quick lunch date with her old mentor, and skillfully avoiding the despicable Stuka, and now she was in… the library. A quick flash of her silver pocketwatch, and she was in, no questions asked! Oh, it was like she was in paradise for once in her life.

She quickly started grabbing books. The Properties of Gravitons, A Study of Implosions, and The Comprehensive List of Metallic Properties were all top priorities, of course. Better to grab the light reading material at the beginning, and ration out the heavier books later.

There was one particular book she wanted, however. Wolfe had suggested it to her barely two hours ago, and he suggested it was available, though public. ”Freezing, boiling, state of matter…” Row upon row, shelf upon shelf, she couldn’t find the book for the life of her. Shrugging, she decided to head over to a nearby table and put her books down. Nodding to the woman sitting across from her, she silently begins organizing her books. Gravitons were promising in theory, but were more of an amusement than a serious option. Implosions were high-priority, as knowing such details would likely come in handy in the future, and Metallic Properties were simply another thing she could branch off into.

Glancing back towards the other woman, she couldn’t help but notice her pile of alchemy tomes. A few basic ones, but… Wait, A Study of Heat and Pressure: Liquefying Gases? Hesitating for a moment, she stands up, leaning over the table. ”Excuse me, miss?” she asks, forcing her politest smile. ”You wouldn’t happen to be using that book, would you?” Pointing to the book in question, she tilts her head slightly. ”It’s a bit important to me, so…” Trailing off, she pauses. She should’ve thought this through a lot more. "I'm, uh, sure I could help you out if you need it," she adds. Can never hurt to bargain with a complete stranger.

[Guest]

Ah, Alchemy. Quite the magical word, it is. It is always said that alchemists are highly intelligent and known for their uncommon aptitude that distinct them from the world of mere men. Those remarkable individuals capable of studying and practicing alchemy are known as "Alchemists", quick and deadly, a force to be reckoned with..but the odd Angelika, she begged to differ.

Her interest in alchemy was rather more different than others interest but that didn't lessen her urge to know more, to know better. In front of her, there were many tomes of knowledge. Some of them were advanced, the others basic. But all of them agreed on the three main principles of transmutation.

Comprehension, The Understanding the inherent structure and properties of the atomic or molecular makeup of a particular material to be transmuted, including the flow and balance of potential and kinetic energy within. her crimson bloody eyes flickered between the opened books. So chemistry is involved, then..

”Excuse me, miss?” Ah, yes. The woman with the metallic arm. Angelika was aware of her presence for quite a while, for the latter -who The enlisted nodded back to- was searching for something lost or rather something by then within the hands of one another. And that one 'another' was simply Angie, the workings of fate.

”You wouldn’t happen to be using that book, would you?” Definitely not an Amestrian but she had a nice smile, An unheard inward chuckle, Angie felt it within her because despite her being an Amestrian, she didn't really resemble any. ”It’s a bit important to me, so…” Both of their eyes met again, the intimidating amber and the indifferent copper. ”It’s a bit important to me, so…”

The shield maiden without the shield returned the nice smile with another of the same caliber. Of course, it is yours.. Angie politely pushed the book towards her Actually, I need some help here to understand something. The enlisted and rank-less addressed her superior All alchemists are talented people however, not all talented people are alchemists..do you agree?

[Guest]

”Of course, it is yours..”

Giving a slight smile, she accepts the book from the soldier woman, not wasting a moment by flipping open the cover and-

”Actually, I need some help here to understand something.” She stops herself, looking back up at the woman. ”All alchemists are talented people however, not all talented people are alchemists..do you agree?”

Ah. This question. She grinned, let out a chuckle, and looked back down at her book. ”There’s no other side to agree with,” she says rather bluntly, her eyes skimming over the pages as she flips through the books. ” Think of alchemy like any other trade. There’s what you might call the ‘knack,’ where it seems to just click better for some people. There’s also the intelligence required, as well as a large amount of studying. Like an automail mechanic must know the parts and materials that go into her products, an alchemist must also understand exactly what she’s dealing with, how it acts and reacts, and how she can use it to her advantage.”

She pauses for a moment, closing her book. ”Anyone can study, though. Anyone can draw. Even if you can’t, many alchemists inscribe their circles onto objects they carry around. The truth is, I think a certain kind of mental flexibility is required to perform alchemy. Like math or physics, anyone can learn it through the brute force known as ‘studying.’ But if you can’t think properly, you can’t perform it.” Looking back up, she offers her titanium hand to the woman. ”Lieutenant Colonel Galicia, by the way.”

[Guest]

The metallic armed damsel words' rang true enough. Alchemists were geniuses on their own right, prodigies walking on this very scorched earth as the fauna and flora was undone by the sheer force of their abilities. The world was ruled by a mere number individuals who on a whim would leave this world into dust and ashes. That's why the shield maiden despised the fatherless Amestris controlled mostly by immature commanders especially those arrogant non-Amestrians. That's why she was studying alchemy not to practice but to understand her enemies for when she would reach this point, they would fall before her like flies. It would take time, a lot of it. But the Arnwald was patient like the eagle souring in the skies waiting to hunt it's pray.

Angilika vowed to herself that she would what was needed to be done. As that woman in front of her had spoken. Auto-mail engineers knew their trade, alchemists mastered chemistry and knowing the knowledge of creation's construction. Angielika would stand true to her old profession..but hush.

The enlisted stood up giving her superior a military salute then handshaking the given metallic arm. Enlisted Angelika Arnwald with a quite smile on her face. I think it did hurt, very sorry about that. The enlisted gestured to the Lt.colonel arm. Losing one and connecting a new one would prove very painful, that the disguised thought to herself.

[Guest]

”Enlisted Angelika Arnwald.”

”A pleasure.” Pausing for a moment, she pondered the next course of action. Introductions were made, conversation was started… Would it be impolite to go back to reading?

” I think it did hurt, very sorry about that.”

Apparently it would be impolite.

Looking at her hand, she started to shake her head, but then thought about it. ”Don’t be sorry. All in a day’s work in the line of duty, after all. Plus, pain’s only a problem every now-and-then. Living with an arm you can’t feel is the bigger issue for me.” Looking down at her book, then around, she sighs. Best not to babble on about the war injury, anyway. ”So, what’s your interest in alchemy? “ She smirks, flipping through the pages of her book again. ”I suppose it comes with a decent rise in your pay grade. Certainly are plenty of opportunities for alchemists in the military here.”

[Guest]

Probably it hurt and it hurt a lot, losing an arm in battle. Auto-mail was the imperfect substitute for a real arm. Putting into mind it needed maintenance on regular basis, pain from now and then and most importantly as the Lt. colonel said, it doesn't really replace your true arm specially when you are Auto-mail engineer. It's like losing your dominant arm as a pitcher and any engineer needed both of his or hers two hands.

What was her interest in alchemy?

Definitely and with no doubt, how to kill an alchemist..That was her true interest in alchemy. Simply, she wanted to understand her natural enemies. It was as simple as that but Angie couldn't tell such a thing to the young Lt. Colonel, for the former was an agent and the latter was a high ranked alchemist militant. Nonetheless, this question needed to be answered and to be answered right.

So, Angie who took the mantle of honorary enlisted rank-less soldier acted s such bringing up a genuine wish into the matter. The enlisted was to be considered rotten and evil if others were able to peer into her heart. Difference in beliefs, provoke people to accuse each other of treachery and betrayal. In fact, Angelika remained true to her ideals and the old regime, she was simply loyal and there was nothing wrong in that.

Well, I just want to serve my country better. Money didn't mean anything to her, it was just a mean to an end Did you becoming an alchemist seeking fame and riches?

[Guest]

”Well, I just want to serve my country better.” Ah, a fairly generic response. Though, perhaps she was one of the soldiers that got a kick out of the whole patriotism thing, a concept slightly lost on her. Still, to each their own. Best not to pry further than that, she supposed.

”Did you becoming an alchemist seeking fame and riches?”

Isabella paused for a moment, pondering whether she should be offended or not. Well, she asked the same of the other woman, so she supposed it was a fair question…

”My interest in alchemy started out as a simple curiosity. When I was a kid, I wondered how things like vacuum cleaners and toasters worked. I suppose it was a natural step for me to jump to alchemy eventually… I actually joined the military at the recommendation of my teacher. I wasn’t confident enough in my skills to apply for the State Alchemist program, and the military offered to cover most of my necessities, meaning any money and time I ended up with was mine to use as I please.” Rapping her fingers against the book, she sighs. ”In short, I suppose it’s merely a hobby that the state will pay me to continue doing. The fact that it allows me to 'serve my country better' is coincidental.”

[Guest]

Indeed, Angelika's question would be considered offensive but as the Lt. colonel said a while ago, there are soldiers seeking the position of alchemist and most importantly state alchemists. Imagine all the power, Angelika would gain if she chose such path but she was destined to destroy alchemy not to be the conduit which feed the monstrosity of science. Angelika thought to herself, why not? Fight her enemies with their own weapons, she silently hummed and only would the halls of her mind hear it. Certainly, such thing was out of her old protocols.

But the Lt. colonel was truly honest, Angelika viewed her with crimson envious orbs hidden behind her calm facade. To be honest, such value was already lost to her. I admire your honesty, Lt. colonel. Now, was that an honest and sincere remark. Maybe, it was still not lost for Angie after all. So If I wanted to learn alchemy, what advice you can give me then. It seems you have a long years of experience in the field? Well, Did she? Regardless, hearing an explanation from the colonel Isabella Galicia would give an inclination to how much she already knew. Angelika was not testing her since there was no reference of comparison between the enlisted and the high ranked officer. The swift fox already outmatched the ivory haired, crimson eyed woman but Angelika wondered nonetheless.

[Shula Brighton]

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