Resonance

~~~~A/N: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or any of the characters. They belong to their respective owners…..no matter how much we all wish differently. ~~~~~~

Chapter One

Edward Elric stepped off the train, looking around the new country he decided to study in. Sure, he didn't have his alchemy anymore, but he could still study it. There were other kinds like alchestry, and he was out to find it, and ways to combine the different kinds. Besides, what if their theory about "equivalent exchange" was right? What if what was offered was upped….

Edward shook himself out of his revelry and took a good look around, then sighed.

"I can't see anything if I don't leave the station." He smirked and tossed his bag over his shoulder, turning towards the exit. As he walked out, he wondered if he left home on the right note. He just kind of blurted out a proposal to Winry, but he knew he was going to be gone for quite some time. He sighed again as he walked, scanning the streets for an inn. He couldn't ask her to wait for him. Who knows how long he would be in a totally different country. Granted he would have to get maintenance done on his leg, but he knew just enough to keep it going for a while, and Pinako guessed that his growing has slowed down enough for him to not need that for a while either.

"Maybe I should call her and tell her I was just joking, or I was drunk, or…I don't know…but it's not right either way…" He scowled and shook his head as he stopped at a street corner. "I have to get myself out of this. Got to get my head in the game. I can't help anyone if my mind is going to be stuck back in Resembool…." He closed his eyes and sighed. "Just another reason for that call….don't know if I'll be able to face her when I finally get back. Might have to move to Central…."

With a grin, he started walking once again, towards an inn prominently displayed just down the street. Maybe after some food, a shower and just not traveling for a while, he could think clearer.

"Winry….WINRY! Please….listen….."Edward sighed into the receiver. "Please don't cry…I…" He felt tears sting his eyes and a lump in his throat. This wasn't easy for him one bit. "Winry…. I don't know how long I'll be gone. I don't want to leave you waiting….like Hoenhiem did with my mother. It's not right. I want you to live life and not sit in your automail shop, just you and the machienery waiting on my sorry ass to come back sooner or later." As tears ran down his cheeks, he could feel the burn of a blush on them as he continued. "I care about you more than you'll ever know, and I want you happy. Stop trying to talk me out of it. It's for your own good! Nothing, and I mean nothing good can come of this. This research could possibly take years. I….I'm sorry…" He hung up the phone and wiped his eyes, hanging his head.

"Man….out of all the things I have had to do….that may have been the hardest by far…" He smirked, scoffing at his own attitude, then shook his head. "Wish you were with me right now Al….you'd know just what to say. Hope everything is going good on your end.'

With that, Edward stood and smoothed out his slacks. "Well…. If I plan on doing much more I should hunt down a library and then some food."

Edward chewed on a piece of bread while holding a book with his other hand, most of his dinner pushed to the side. It was a nice restaurant…..quiet, which is just what he needed to get any studying done. The food pushed to the side? After seeing it, he realized he couldn't eat after that phone call earlier today. For once, Edward Elric had absolutely no appetite. He found it strange, but rather than focusing on the cause, he just dove right into his studies, after all, what else is an alchemist with no alchemy good for?

Finishing the one piece of bread, he reached for his coffee without looking and was startled by a voice.

"You should really eat your dinner. I mean, you are paying for it, and if you want to do research that intense, you're going to need your strength." It was a kind voice, with a mixture of admonishment and good humor. The voice laughed a bit as he jerked out of his thoughts slightly violently. "And you may want to be careful around hot coffee….you'll get burned."

He looked over to see his waitress smiling down at him, holding a coffee pot. She must have been refilling his cup. She was kinds pretty in a plain way, with big green eyes. She tucked a lock of the lightest shade of brown hair behind her ear. He felt his face burn with a blush of embarrassment. "Oh….ah….sorry. I was caught up in my book. How did you know I was studying? I could have been just reading a really good story?"

"The look of pure concentration in your eyes. " She replied as she refilled the coffee. "I imagine I have the same look late into the night. I do a lot of it in my off time." She bent slightly to look at the book. "A history of alchemy of Creta. That is such a boring read. That's like elementary. Are you trying to learn alchemy or just the history?"

Edward blinked a few times, startled by her brashness. "Ah…a little of both really. I'm studying the alchemy of different countries, and how we can use them together to make a whole new form really." He widened his eyes in surprise as she sat down still holding the coffee pot. "Sorry, but don't you….I don't know….have anyone else to take care of?" She shook her head ever so slightly, giving him an interested look.

"Not at all. You, sir are my last table of the evening." Then glanced around slightly, before lowering her voice. "I have some books my uncle left me. It's about alchemy in the outlying areas. Might help your search. Probably better than what you're reading now. I didn't know you could combine different kinds like that….could it be done?" Edward nodded once, saving his place in the book before setting it down.

"Yeah. Absolutely. I've seen it. Well Amestrian alchemy and Xingese alchestry. And….that was absolutely amazing in itself. "He smiled a bit as he sipped his coffee. " So, my brother and I decided to do research. He went to Xing where we know people and I came here." He leaned in, giving her his sweetest look, which he hoped looked nice and not just plain creepy. "So, since we are sitting over dinner, may I ask your name miss?"

The waitress smacked herself upside the head, rolling her eyes. "Of course….I get involved in alchemy discussions and always forget to introduce myself." She smiled brightly and held out her free hand. "My name is Lara. Waitress by day, self-teaching alchemist by night."

He took her hand and shook it gently. "Nice to meet you. I'm Edward Elric. Just a studier of alchemy, and I guess world traveler…" he took his hand back and cleared his throat. "So….Lara….don't suppose I can take a peek at those books huh?" Lara gave a slight laugh as she stood.

"As soon as you tell me your real name. That name isn't unknown around these parts. And…well….especially within the Milosians. He did a lot for them. And you don't quite fit that description." She turned away, about to walk away but paused. "A short kid with an automail arm, always in the company of a walking, talking suit of armor." She turned her head with a slight sad smile. "Sure you kind of look like him…. "Then shook her head. "Look when you feel like telling me the truth, come back here at the same time. We can talk then. And then, I'll give you a few of the books I have. "

Edward blinked a few times, frowning slightly. He started to stand, stopping halfway through. He set the coffee cup down. "Lara….I… almost sounds like you were there." He shook his head, as he resumed standing. "I'll be back…. Maybe I'll tell you the whole story….but I am who I say I am, of that I promise." He looked up and she was gone. He sighed and stared at his uneaten meal. He couldn't finish it now if he wanted to. Was he really that renowned? Sighing, he headed for the Inn and his room. He had a lead….kind of….more of a contact. Though, it was more than he had when he first stepped off the train, he wasn't certain how much more.