This story has a really good back-story, which I am SO excited to get out there. It'll come when it's time, of course.

So check back for more soon!

Here's Jaeda, if you were interested:

.com/albums/j133/Xanaphia96/Waiting%20for%20Sleep%20to%20Find%

And please, tell me what you think. Enjoy!

"Ohh..." I panted, "It sure is hot in Amestris." I shrugged off my jacket and shawl, just leaving them in the bust street. If it was always like this here, I guess I wouldn't need them anymore. My bare arms and stomach would be very tan very soon, I think.

"Miss!" I heard a voice call after me. I turned around to see a little girl holding up my discarded clothes, "You dropped these, miss." I smiled at the girl, walked over, and laid a hand on her brown curls.

"Thank you, little girl, but that's okay. You keep them." The girl eyes lit up and I smiled wider, laughing a bit, "Think of them as a present from Xing."

Several hours later I was still wandering the streets of Rush Valley. I was tired and hungry and still very, very hot.

"I would take something else off," I said to myself, "If it wouldn't be considered indecent." Nothing else could be lost on top, and I was reluctant to ruin my favorite white capri cut pants, which just looked so good on my athletic frame. I rubbed my pale belly and it immediately rumbled its complaints.

"Be quiet stomach. I know you're empty." I mumbled despondently, but then stopped myself. Being here in Amestris, even with the hunger, soreness, and blistering heat, was still better than life in Xing. I just wish I had some money to spend in a restaurant, to sit and relax and eat. I knew I could use alchemy to fabricate some gold, but I also knew that to be wrong. I respected the rules, but what good was the use of learning alchemy over Rentanjutsu if I couldn't abuse it? I sighed huffily and pouted.

However, Fate seemed to be on my side finally, and for maybe the first time since I started my journey across the desert. The alley I had stumbled into was currently housing another person aside from myself. To my surprise and great thanks this person, out stone-cold and face-down in the dirt, was none other than the Xingese Prince Ling. This could be useful. He was a wealthy and well-connected teenager.

I hurried to kneel by his side and poke him awake. At least, that's what I had planned on; too bad he didn't even move. I had to be careful about how I acted around a Prince, the unconsciousness notwithstanding. So, after some hesitation and careful thought, I shook him. Not even a groan. I sat down in the dirt and reevaluated my situation. So maybe he wasn't in a way to help me on his own, but he might still be of some use. As I was thinking this, a clanking sound came to me from the side of the alley open to the street.

"Are you two alright, miss?" A hollow sounding voice asked me, I turned my head and kind of drew back when I saw not a person but a huge suit of armor.

I grappled for words and might have said something vaguely similar to "unconscious", but I was mostly too startled for coherent speech. The armor picked up Prince Ling by the back of his jacket and, aghast, I might have yelled something else like "not like that!", but it went unheard. The armor was turned towards someone else, and thus wasn't able to take a stab at communication back.

"Take him back to where you found him." I heard a short boy about my age say, his gold eyes lowered to slits. He slurped some more of his drink up through a straw and looked very nonchalant about it.

"How can you be so mean?!" The armor yelled at the blond boy, pointing at Prince Ling, who was once again deposited back in the dirt. Thinking quick, I worked up some tears.

"Oh please help us!" I wailed from the alley, running over to the two strangers. I intertwined my fingers together in front of me and tried to look helpless, "We have traveled so far, my brother and I. We are hungry and tired-" I paused to cover my face and sob, rather convincingly I thought, "And we don't know anyone here. I just don't know what we ever will do!" I completely broke down now and slumped to the ground for dramatic emphasis. My timing was very effective. I felt a metal hand pat my back.

"Don't worry miss, we'll help you." The hollow voice said, "Won't we, brother?" I rose what I hoped to be pleading eyes to the short boy, my lower lip quivering pathetically. He looked off down the road and scratched the back of his head. I could see his resolve dissolving in my wide, glassy eyes.

"Fine." He said, defeated, "But only until you're feeling a little less helpless." It was hard to tell whether or not he has seen through my charade. Regardless, I was getting some much needed food and rest.

"Thank you, kind sirs!" I said, keeping up the vulnerable traveler act for my own amusement. I stood up and bowed to them, "My... brother and I," I started carefully, "Are most appreciative."