Dawgs of the Military

Early Return

    "What are you picking up?" Maice asked curious. Ed and Al looked at her. "Um, so, don't you have a test tomorrow?" Maice gave him a funny look. "Yah, but I'm taking the midnight train back tonight. Now, what are you picking up?" She said, letting him know she wasn't joking. Edward laughed a little. "The midnight train, huh? What a coincidence." He itched his head. "Edward! I'm not kidding what are you picking up today?!" Alphonse was waving his hands, shaking his head. Maice snapped her head at him, furious. "Ah ha, wh-what a nice carving you did!" Alphonse shook. "Yah, I know. Now I'll only ask this once more. What. Are. You. Picking. UP YOU DAMN FOOLS?!" Maice shouted. "AHH! WE'RE PICKING UP YOUR DOG!" Edward screeched, thrashing his hands about. "Oh, jeez! I thought you were going to pick up my drawings. Phew, catastrophe disabled!" Maice said, relieved. "What's wrong with us picking up your drawings?" Alphonse wondered. "Oh, I put an alchemist lock on them so if anyone, except me, no duh, picks them up, I go into a trance. Kinda like my pocket watch." She answered. "Wait, you're picking up my dog?"  She added. "Yah. Also, how do you put a lock like that on it?" Edward thought. "Equivalent exchange. If I want something protected, the thing protecting needs payment. I thought you would know that, Edward." Maice said. The train stopped, throwing them forwards in their seats. Maice peaked out the window. "Oh, gosh, here already!" She exclaimed, jumping out of her seat and into the cool air.
       The group walked to her house, the hot sun beating down on them. They were greeted by a large man, each of his muscles were as big as goats. "Hello my mighty travelers!" He bellowed. "You must be the new one Mustang spoke to me about, the half homunculus, I see." Maice frowned. "I'm not homunculus." She protested. "But he spoke of the tattoo?" The man said. "I'm not a homunculus." Maice repeated, angered. Edward stepped in, "Armstrong, nice to see you again, yay." Edward said sarcastically. "You as well my fine Elrics!"  Armstrong barked. Maice looked around him, ignoring their talk. Inside she heard a faint whimper. Tilly. Maice ran around the giant and opened the door. She was attacked by a slobbery tongue to her face and tackled to the ground. Maice giggled. "Haha! Tilly, stop it stinky! You need a bath!"  She proclaimed. "Miss, you're not supposed to have your dog yet, not until you pass the test!"Armstrong shouted. "Try prying her out from my hands now! Plus, I'll still pass. I keep my promises." Maice said determined. They both got up, facing the Elric's. Tilly growled a long, slow growl. "Tilly! Knock it off, stinker!" She said petting her. Tilly walked up to Edward and Alphonse, then sniffed, searching them. They giggled. Maice smiled, watching them play with Tilly. "Best, day, ever!"