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 Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:21 pm
 Eastern Military Headquarters is the nation's first defense against all enemies from the eastern border. Wether they be Xing operatives or Ishbalan revoltists, those who work here in Eastern have dedicated themselves to making sure that the Eastern border is safe and secure. When you are assigned to Eastern HQ, you are expected of much more. Infantry knowledge such as drill and weapons knowledge is your top priorty, closely seconded by knowledge of whatever job you were assigned to. Because of past riots and skirmishes, Eastern HQ is the #1 defense station of the nation. If you are stationed here, you are expected at any point to not only pass a weapons usage evaluation, but a phsyical readiness evaluation and drill movement evaluation. Do not slack off because you are not in Central. You are being monitered.  Because of the dark past reguaring the East and it's lying territory of Ishbal, if you are stationed here in Eastern and have a racial problem with the Ishbalan people, it is advised that yo urequest transfer to a different station ASAP. There is a zero tolerance policy on racial hatred and discrimination. If you are caught or accused of any racial discrimination, you will be court marshalled and you will be separated from the military with a dishonorable discharge. Discrimination is not the answer.  Name: Riza Hawkeye Rank: Brigadier General Age: 29 Stationed: Eastern Background Story: Eastern Command welcomes you into our great military. May your service here be everything that you could possibly imagine.
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Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 8:16 pm
Simon watched soldiers marching on the parade deck as he casually reviewed his transcripts. He was simply assuring that all of the information on him was up to date and accurate. During his last tour of duty, he had been sent North when his transcript read that he should be deployed in Ishvara. His peculiarities kept him in tradition with calling the aged state by its ancient name. Nowadays most just called it "Ishbal", as were something that could be casually thrown around. He sighed and stood up, closing the thick file that was a record of nearly six years of active service.
Now that he had left and reenlisted, he was a private again. Simon glanced at the clouds and wondered about his future. He cracked his neck and began to walk along the path. His stride was slow and gracefully. It seemed that he spent hours choosing each step and then suddenly, without warning, followed through fluidly.
He wasn't in uniform but he could feel the thick cotton collar against his neck and the restraining shoulder strap of his rifle. He saw clearly as if he were there again. The last days were the most brutal. Thats when they brought in the alchemists. They cleared through the cities like an enraged beast and swallowed up every person considered a threat. Often, these threats were as harmless as school children and still they were slaughtered. Simon left the military short afterwards, too disheartened to continue. But after the fall of Bradley, he felt that he owed his nation something and rejoined. And finally, here he was; stationed at Eastern.
Simon's body seemed so loose but he was practically a nervous wreck. He would have to meet with former comrades, who had stayed in the military and advanced in rank. One of his acquaintances from the war had even become the new Fuhrer. Still, most would probably regard him with a casual disdain for his discharge, but there were surely going to be those few, who held him in such foul contempt they would take every chance they could to tear him down.
He paused for a moment beside some gardenias and looked around. Why must I feel so disheartened at the prospect of challenge? His gaze was caught by a pair of doves fluttering along the path. Why is it that my being yearns to rejoin the ranks of my comrades, while my body recoils at the thought? Am I afraid?
Yes, but of what?
... conflict?
No. Not conflict.
Loss?
... no, that doesn't stand to reason. I lost nothing in the war or anytime during my service.
Images of bloodshed came flooding back into his mind. The red storm that ended the war became fresh in his thoughts. Those who he had killed, those who could have lived long, full and prosperous lives, their faces came rising through the flames...
Have I become afraid.... of ending life?
... I think so...
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Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:00 pm
April's fingers gracefully refolded her white button up shirt. Reenlisted. It was a new way; a way to start over. She tucked her file under her arm and watched the marching soldiers with mild interest for several seconds. After previous events she was glad to be a private again. Her silky brown bangs fell over one of her curious green eyes as she watched Simon. She felt awkward as she ran to catch up with him, her boots hitting the ground. Unlike him, she didn't plan her steps with care, she wasn't fluid. Just like a school child running to be first on the playground. With one burst of energy she skidded next to him, smiling.
"Hey there.." she saluted lazily, and shoved her hands in her khaki pants pockets. "Starting new too?" she asked, gesturing to his files and rolling up her shirt sleeves nervously. She wasn't good with people, shy really. Every time she tried to make a friend she messed up somehow, and hoped the new comer would except her. "I'm.. I'm April Batchelder. Private April Batchelder. Who are you?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:12 pm
The girl's sudden movement ripped Simon out of his memories and into the reality of the day. He turned his attention to his comrade. "A salute is not warranted, Private. You should know your rates and ranks by now." In spite of his callous comment, Simon's voice was warm. He held out his hand, "I'm Private First-Class Simon Reichter, former First Lieutenant Simon Reichter. How may I be of service?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:26 pm
April's cheeks lit with a light blush from the embarrassment of forgetting. Shaking his hand she grinned. "Private April Batchelder. Former Corporal. Just looking for someone here to talk to." She let go of his hand and shrugged. "So, I looked for someone I thought I could talk to without seeming like I was talking to a brick wall.. you know?" she asked, readjusting her files. "Sorry about forgetting all that saluting stuff.. I was never good at remembering things like that." she kicked the ground nervously.
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Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:46 pm
Simon overlooked her nervous disposition and continued walking. "Why the reduction in rank? I hear that its a difficult task to be reduced in rank, nowadays." He reached his pocket and pulled out a watch, casually checking the time. The wind was beginning to pick up and his long coat moved like a hidden phantom. On his hip, a sword and a small revolver could be seen, both carefully strapped and belayed.
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Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:55 pm
April readjusted the holster slung around her hip; holding her pistol. "Long story." she sighed, following next to him. "What about You? You seem pretty intelligent." Her eyes lingered on his sword, but snapped back up so she could see where she was going. "And I know what you mean. You actually have to try, to get reduced in rank." she rested her hands behind her head and continued to walk beside him. She enjoyed the company, any company was good as none.
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Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:04 pm
"Thats probably what my problem was... I was too smart for my own good and things were getting dangerous for me. So I left, went North and traveled around. When those two Elric boys came through here, I was enrolled at a university and after I heard about what they did to the Fuhrer's regime, I came back to eastern and reenlisted. They gave me the honorary rank of Private First Class, but I suspect that with my formal schooling on psychology and sociology, the rank will be only momentary. What a deed those two kids did for this nation, I heard they went missing just after the Circle Attacks."
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Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:08 pm
"now now. Being smart is never a problem." April shook her head. "I guess, my problem was that my mother was sick." she paused. "And I'd do anything for my mom. I'm looking for somehthing to help her out. So, I left the military. I came back of course." she gave a peace sign. "I mean. I love this country! It really is sad about the Elrics. I really looked up to them. I heard the same thing." April's eyes flicked upward to the sky to watch the clouds for several seconds.
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Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:22 pm
Simon's thoughts came rushing back to him. He was at the university when he met Alphonse Elric. The boy was so intent on finding his older brother, that he dappled in the sort of alchemy that had put him in that position, in the first place. These thoughts, he kept to himself; they were secrets that he had promised to keep hidden and he honored himself by doing as such.
Simon knew enough about alchemy, to know the chances of him seeing his young friend again were slim, if not existent at all. He had spent his early years in school learning the ancient art that had mystified so many. He believed that through alchemy he would surpass his elder brothers and become their superior.
But the war, oh the war, it had rended this dream as it had so many others. He knew that once people were told about the atrocities committed there, about what alchemy had done to such an ancient and graceful race, it would not be accepted. And for a time it wasn't, alchemists were shunned and distrusted, as were those who openly supported them. The military became regarded as the blunt axe of the state and the alchemists were the executioners.
And then came the time of the Elrics. Those two prodigal sons of Izumi spent years trying to regain what was lost to them; all the while becoming benefactors of the people. The used their alchemy to aid those in need, instead of warping it to bend to their own needs. These were the people the alchemists had to thank, and most did in their own special way.
Simon had thanked Alphonse before he had disappeared, but he knew he couldn't continue studying alchemy after the wondrous and terrible things he had seen. And yet, he vowed, by the memory of the Elric Brothers, that he would return to the military and do what he could to maintain the name of the state.
The outer gates of the male barracks brought a premature end to his reverie and their walk. Simon turned to his companion and thanked her for her company before striding past the guard detail.
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Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:04 pm
April watched Simon intently, studying his face, wondering what exactly was going through his mind. Still smiling she walked through gaurd detail as well, wondering what was in store for her.
This is crazy. All of it. I need to take that alchemy exam though. But... what if...
Her eyes flicked to Simon, striding ahead of her.
I wonder if he knows anything?
She shook her head, dismissing the thought and looked at the sky.
It'll take a miracle to help me pass..
she smiled to herself, and stretched.
But what a wonderful miracle it will be.
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Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:38 pm
Simon noticed his comrade's persistence, in spite of the guard shouting after her and his own forward movement. He stopped and waved the guard down, while waiting for her to catch up. "If I may assist you with something, please ask," Simon called out as he took out his pocket watch again and checked the time, but instead of replacing it in his trouser pocket, he slid it carefully into his breast pocket. As he withdrew his hand, a sheet of paper came with it.
He made no motion to hide the paper and read it in plain sight. By appearances he seemed to be keeping a schedule but his collected demeanor and his fulfilled presence suggested that he had an infinite amount of time. He had an air of capability, that prevented others from thinking he worried about anything at all. He carefully replaced the paper and repeated in a quieter voice, "I am free for the next hour but after that I must take my leave."
Simon thought about meeting those soldiers he had forsaken when he left the military. Truly, what should they think? What will they say? Am I even fit of rejoining their ranks?
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Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:28 pm
April smiled. "I'm free for a bit too.. I guess." She kicked the ground, smiling to herself. "Just, kind of... well... getting back into military life.. it's hard to settle down. I just need a quick walk through and such. I don't mean to waste your time." She quickly added, redoing her shirt collar. "I'm sure it must get lonely anyway." she put her hands in her pockets. "You know? Being in a place full of people, with no friends.. no one to talk to... You have to have some sort of friend.." She shrugged. "I'm just the type of person who needs someone to talk to... Even if they won't talk back.." she stopped speaking abruptly. "I'm talking you ear plain off.. .aren't I?"
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