Soldier Keep On Marching On

Long Time No See

"A ball?" Aiden repeated dubiously, waving the flyer she'd been given in her mail. "We're going to have a ball? People still have those? What is this, 1811? Will the Duchess of Bedford be in attendance?"

Roy blinked and set is coffee down on his desk, barely missing the paperwork strewn across. "Ignoring the possible political figures of your world, yes there's going to be a ball. I don't see the point in asking when you've been to all the military funded New Years celebrations."

"Yes. Celebrations. Forgive my 2019 otherworldly knowledge and preferences but no one calls them balls anymore," she stressed.

"You're being especially moody today," Jean commented.

"Constant vigilance," she replied drearily. Their blank expressions disappointed Aiden and she sighed and slumped further into the couch she'd landed on only minutes ago. Of course no one would understand her Harry Potter reference.

After receiving the sheet of paper notifying her of the upcoming ball, Aiden sped to Roy's office, bypassing her subordinate's questions, though they should've been used to it by that point. It was a new office, given that his last one had been destroyed by Father as had a good portion of Central Command. Roy'd been grinning when he realized all his paperwork had been vaporized, until Aiden calmly reminded him that he'd need to do it all over again. Poor Sheska was going to be worked to the bone. Maybe they should all pitch in and buy the woman a present. Like a chiropractor for her hand.

The alchemists on the job had finished repairs only three weeks ago and work was slowly returning to normal. People were promoted to make up for the missing and dead soldiers from the supposed coup d'etat. The new recruits were rather skittish, but it wasn't their fault they were assigned to Central two weeks after the small war. Not to mention how most the superior officers they'd been assigned to were gone, meaning a lot were on leave until the positions were filled.

"At least Katy would've appreciated my references."

"Keeping you two in the same room is a bomb waiting to happen. And given that you two did blow up that company building..."

"Okay first off, it was the shady employee who lit the fuse, we just didn't stop it. Second, they were lacing their products with drugs! What kind of pharmaceutical company does that? I mean sure, they got people to buy more of their shit but still!" She sighed heavily. "What's it for anyway?"

Rather than pointing out that her flyer was inches from her leg, Roy sat in his chair and explained. "It's the six month anniversary of our government being overthrown. Grumman also wanted to boost the morale of his officers before the councilors we have on staff filed any more complaints."

Aiden hummed and nodded. A salacious grin slowly started to stretch across her face. "And I suppose the Presidency election coming up in two months wouldn't have anything to do with it in the slightest, right, Brigadier General?"

He smiled softly. "Well I suppose you're not all witty comebacks after all, Lieutenant Colonel."

The company of the room rolled their eyes at the not-so-subtle flirting. Ever since the two got over their pining and became a couple the longing looks had lessened and the teasing had grown. They weren't yet sure if it was an improvement.

"Oh please, I'm the smartest dumbass in the room. I can name all the waiting staff around Eastern, and yet I didn't know we had councilors until that murder two years ago."

"Your ability to simultaneously compliment and degrade yourself continues to astounds me."

"Thanks it's the trauma."