Rain pours down in buckets, filling up oceans and creating puddles on streets. Thunder crashed over head in the gloomy, gray skies and lighting strikes the sky 10 seconds later. In a small alley between two shops in the small town of Resembool, Amestris sat two small figures huddled together under an umbrella. They were soaked to the bone, shivering together to try and conserve body heat. The two figure were little girls; one of the girls looked to be 7 years old with long brown hair that was tied in a small braid, the other girl was around 5 years old with shorter brown hair who seemed to be afraid of the storm around them. Another crash of thunder sent the younger snuggling deeper into the warmth of her sister's arms.
"It's alright." The elder replied softly, pulling the younger closer. "It won't hurt us."
The 5 year old sniffled, murmuring into her sister's shirt, "I'm sorry...for not stopping you, onee-chan." She reached a hand over and placed it on the left shoulder that had no arm.
Brown eyes widened suddenly but softens seconds later, a small smile shaping the older girls lips. The right hand of the eldest girl grapes the others hand gently, "You have nothing to be sorry for, Allie. It was my stupid idea to go with it in the first place."
"But-" Allie's words were cut off with a finger pressed against her lips, silencing her. Letting out a sigh, Allie snuggled closer to the elder girl and they soon fell asleep in each others arms.
All the dark clouds were gone and was now replaced with the bright, yellow sun high in the clear blue sky. Allie and her sister were still curled together in the alley way, umbrella now laid forgotten beside them. A beam of the suns rays shined through the alley and covered them in it's warmth. Allie's eyes squinted at the sun's bright light, rubbing at them with the back of her fists before they finally adjusted to the light.
"Good morning, onee-chan." Allie said softly at the slightly stirring next to her. She looked over to see open her matching brown eyes and let out a loud yawn, stretching out her limbs the best she could.
"Morin'. Sleep well?" came the elder's sleepy reply.
Allie shrugged lightly. "The ground wasn't the comfiest place but-" She smiled, "I'm glad I was with you."
The older girl blushed at the comment before letting out a cough, "Well, uh, that's good." There was silence between the two until the sound of a stomach growling cut through the silence, causing the younger to let out a laugh.
"Sounds like someone's hungry." Allie teased lightly and stood up from the ground. "I'll go buy you some breakfast."
"But what about you? Aren't you hungry?"
"I'll be fine, Hailey. Your the one I'm worried about right now." Allie reassured before heading out to one of the grocery stores.
After breakfast was done, Allie decided to go find an auto-mail mechanic so her sister didn't just have a stump of an arm to look at and to have an arm while they search for a way to get her arm back. Hailey protested for a little bit on the idea but soon gave up when the younger didn't change her mind. They asked people around Resembool where a good auto-mail mechanic was and they all said the Rockbell's. So after getting directions the two headed off to the Rockbell home.
"ED YOU IDIOT!"
Allie and Hailey both jumped at the sudden yell coming from the Rockbell residence as they got closer. It was a two story house, painted yellow except for the roof, had a brown deck in the front, and words that read 'Pinako's Auto-Mail Shop' painted on the wooden sign.
"I wonder what's going on in there." Hailey wondered aloud, following her younger sister up the steps. Once closer to the door they heard a little argument behind the door.
"Geeze, woman! What was that for!"
"How can you damage your leg so easily by doing chorus!"
"Well your so called chorus are alot dangerous then you think!"
"Oh really!"
"Should I interrupt?" Allie asked nervously as she turned around to look at her sister.
Hailey shrugged. "It couldn't hurt."
Nodding, Allie reached forward and knocked onto the wooden door which quieted the quarrel the people inside were having. Foot steps got closer to the door until it stopped, Allie taking a quick step back as the door suddenly opened and a person peaked out. The person was a young adult woman with long blond hair tied in a pony tail, two pieces of bangs hanging down to her shoulders. She wore a yellow tank top and white cargo pants, a wrench in one hand that wasn't touching the door. Her eyes were as blue as the sky, twinkling with curiosity.
"Hello?" The young woman asked as she looked around until her eyes landed on the two children and she smiled. "Hi! Did you need something?"
"Well y-yes...uhm, you see my sister needs some automail for her arm." Allie explained before stepping sideways so her sister came into view. Hailey looked anywhere but the girl as she slid the jacket Allie gave her to show the stub of her arm, trying to ignore the gasp that came next.
"Oh my- Come in, come in!" The young woman replied, quickly ushering them inside before shutting the door.
It was small inside but very cozy with a small living filled with a some furniture, a fire place and was attached to dining room which was just a few cabinets filled with food and a wooden table fit with four chairs. Allie looked over to see three people staring at them, one being a old women who was probably Ms. Pinako, and two young men. One of the men had hand long golden blond hair tied in a pony tail and wore a navy blue t-shirt and black pants. The other male sitting on the couch had the same color hair except it was shorter and wore a red t-shirt and blue jeans; they both had gold eyes.
"Who do we have here?" Pinako Rockbell asked looking directly at the two new guests.
Allie jumped slightly before bowing slightly, "M-my name is Allie Elric and this is my older sister Hailey."
"Elric?" The braided male asked with slight suspicion. "Our name is Elric as well."
"You sound like we stole your last name." Hailey retorted, glancing at them from the side.
"Onee-chan!"
Pinako chuckled. "Seems like we have another Ed now." Before anyone could reply she looked up at Hailey, "So did you come here for an automail arm?"
Hailey nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
Pinako gently smiled between the pipe in her mouth, "Alright then. We'll start tomorrow but it'll cost you for the over night stay and surgery."
"That's alright, we have plenty of money."