Disclaimer: I don't own FMA, nor the characters within.

how sweet the sound

She sat in her chair with thump, placing her elbows on the vanity. The noise from the party downstairs came through under her closed door.They sounded so happy, but were they really?

"Are you happy too?" she asked her reflection. Her dark blue eyes were cold and distant, but with an edge of sadness. She pulled a long lock of her straight black hair forward to examine. It was prefect and fell right back into its chosen place, much like herself. "Do you even know who you are?"

Her door opened without a knock."Wynflaeth Dear, come back down stairs.Alfred hasn't met you yet. How do you expect to attract a husband holed up in your room?"

"Mother, I don't want to marry, I told you that? I'm only fourteen!" She wanted so bad to just pick up Loveday, leave and never look back.

"Fourteen is a fine age to be certain of your future. Now, fix your hair and come meet the rest of the charming young men here to see you tonight.You father has already approved several.You just need to find one you get along with. Come now dear, be happy your father loves you enough to give you a choice. When I was your age, my betrothed was picked out for me—"

"That's just it! Why do I need this big plan, huh? What's wrong with going to school and being something, someone?"She knew raising her voice was unladylike but didn't care. She had a point to make.

Her mother just sighed and smiled down at her. "You are such a spirited child and it will gain you a fine catch, just come downstairs.I'll be waiting, and don't forget to fix you hair…that one piece, did you touch it?"

"No…" she sighed, "I'll be down in a minute." The anger washed away as she watched her mother leave. This happened every time. There was no communication exchanged, they merely talked at each other."No more. I refuse to live this sham of a life. I want, I want, I want to choose!"

She ran over to her polished dresser and took down her horse figurine. "Come on Loveday, we're leaving. I don't want to be in this house another second. If I stay I'll just be 'Wynflaeth Maria Russ' forever. Wait, that's not true, I guess I'd have to take on my dear husband's name, and you know, lose my identity."

She threw some clothing into a bag then stopped. These were all things her mother picked out. She looked around the room. Everything from the pink shear curtains to the lacy dust ruffle were all her mother's choices. The only thing she could see that was really hers was Loveday, her only friend.

She put the horse in her shirt between her small teenage breasts and walked towards the window, leaving behind all her material things, even her coat. They disgusted her; every single item was tainted with bondage and confinement. She opened the window to the rainy night and climbed out onto the sill easily with her slim form. She sat, letting the water soak her side.

"Goodbye Wynflaeth Russ, I hope we never see each other again," she said to the empty room, a place she would never return to, leaving behind the name of who she was told to be.

A/N: So yes, welcome to another fic. I'm so weak I don't even care anymore. I can't stop posting to save my soul. I hope you stick with this one, it's elaborate and detailed after this brief prologue. Also, Russ is not a typo.

This fic is for Marylover who loves Maria Ross. Her adoration somehow infected me and here we go on another adventure.

-rix