Lust hated the times she was forced to venture into the military headquarters. Even dressed as she was in a smart women’s suit with her hail coiled at the back of her neck she felt exposed and vulnerable. Or as exposed and vulnerable as Lust ever felt. But someone refused to leave the safety on the headquarters. Someone needed to get over their insipid fear of every shadow.

At least it was late in the evening and the place was nearly empty, the hallways dead save for the fluttering of the banners that lined the walls. Lust was ready to slip out, unnoticed and unbothered after listening to a rather boring report. And then she planned to take a bath, as the place made her skin crawl. Three more hallways and she would be out.

“Excuse me, madam!”

Lust froze and turned slowly, pivoting on one raised heel as the booming voice called out to her. She remained calm, her expression smooth and friendly despite her heart skipping a slight beat.

“Yes?” It was a giant of a soldier, built like a mountain and barely constrained within his blue uniform. It was like a piece of sky had dropped down and formed itself into a massive man-shape. With a curl. The chain of silver at his hip identified him as a state alchemist. How nice. What was his name again? She could never keep them straight.

“I realize this is awfully sudden, but it would be an honour if you could do me a small favor!”

“Oh?” What did he want? And why did he have to see her of all people?

“It’s a tragedy, really. I had dinner plans with a wonderful woman - Katherine Smyth, in acquisitions - and she just cancelled on me! A family emergency, she said! What a waste it would be, to squander reservations!”

“I…see.” Lust watched him with a mix of fascination and horror. Every word sounded as though it were being called up through a mine shaft. Had he just… asked her to dinner? She really hadn’t been paying much attention.

“Wonderful!” It happened before Lust could react. They were standing there talking - though really he was talking the most - and suddenly her vision was filled with rolling boulders swaddled in navy blue as he came at her. She couldn’t see a thing for the sea of cloth that was pressed against her eyes. Her fingernails lengthened to sword points, poised to strike before she realized he wasn’t attacking her but embracing her.

“I’ll see you at seven! Chamberlains, reservations under Alex Louis Armstrong, the Strong Arm Alchemist!!”

Armstrong. That was his name. She’d known it was something like that. Thankfully he released her before any ribs cracked, and Lust adjusted the skirt of her dark green suit. She hadn’t actually agreed to have dinner with him! She was hardly that stupid, to be seen in the open with a soldier! On the other hand, he was an alchemist and therefore possibly possessing information. And certainly his sheer size would detract any attention away from her. It wasn’t as though she had anything else to do that night other than listen to Envy whine and Gluttony slobber.

“At seven,” she repeated, slowly. This was going to be an interesting evening, to say the least.

But one thing was certain - she was never coming into Headquarters again.