The Elric Sister: Those Golden Eyes

Chapter 6: The Alchemy Exam

~Continuing Flashback~
Al aged 10, Ed and Van aged 11.
Van POV:
We're in a car now with the Colonel, and we're on our way to a man named Shou Tucker's house. He's going to teach us and we're going to become state alchemists! No doubt about it, but Ed and I decided it'd be best...if Al didn't become a state alchemist, not only that, Mustang told us that Al can't beause of the state he's in. We're always gonna bring him along though, we won't leave him behind.

"We're here." Mustang says and continues with, "It's not just going to be you guys here, Mr. Tucker has a 4 year old so be polite."

'What about his wife?' I sign.

"Let's go in." he says then gives me a look that says don't bring it up and I nod. I was an exception here at Central, I have already done plenty of training with Mustang, Hughes, Hawkeye, Armstrong, ect., they took me in like I was family. I'm allowed to do the Alchemy Exam because I have completed so much for the state that they couldn't deny me. They say I'm a natural.

We walk into the yard of the Tucker Estate and Ed and Al stop, causing me to stop. They're shocked at the size of the house, I continue walking and when I'm almost at the door Mustang turns around and tells the two boys to hurry.

"Coming!" they say in unison making me smile.

Suddenly a giant dog jumps on Ed and he yells. A little girl comes running.

"Alexander..." she says with her little pouty baby voice and I can't help myself. I run up to her and take her in my arms. She's so cuuute. I squeeze her until she couldn't breath. Mustang walks up to me, taps me on the shoulder and tells me I may be hurting her so I instantly let go and she smiles at me. I pinch her chubby little cheeks and walk back to the door with Mustang.

Tucker walks out, "Oh my, I'm sorry."

"Oh no, it's no problem." Ed says.

We all go into the house and Tucker shows us around. He apologizes for the mess and picks up scattered books, clearly he wasn't expecting guests but that's okay. I like that it's messy because it shows how much he works and it shows that not everything can be perfect. I smile while thinking, it kind of reminds me of dad's study, when we knocked his book shelf down by accident right after mom told us not to make a mess.

Mustang speaks up, "Tucker, I'm sure you'll find time to talk to these three about their unusual traits. Until then please, just take them as they are."

Tucker looks at us, "Nina, why don't you go and play outside with Alexander."

Nina looks at Al, "We'll play later, okay?" and then she runs off.

"You're so young to be taking the exam, I'd be glad to help." he says with a smile.

"And we thank you for it Mr. Tucker. To start with, we'd love to see the chimera you created." Ed says.

"The talking one!" Al blurts out and Tucker gasps and wears an uneasy face.

"I'm sorry, you've come to late. it died shortly after it was made. Besides studying for the exam is much more important, you'll need more than an overnight cram session to pass." he smiles weakly.

Tucker continues to show us around and then we reach...the library.🙌

It's huge and there's so many books, Ed and I grab a book and begin to read.

Later on, I finish my book and it's time to eat. It seems that Mustang already left. No goodbye? Or maybe he tried to say bye but I was to caught up in my book to realize.