Fullmetal Alchemist is not mine. Please Review and offer advice if you think I should continue with this.:D
First Impressions
The sun rose lazily over the ramshackle buildings as the two weary travellers trudged along the dusty winding path. The taller, a hulking giant clad in heavy armour and to his side a substantially shorter individual wearing a long maroon cloak, his face framed by a halo of golden hair. His steps were rhythmic and oddly metallic.
Shutters slammed shut as they entered the town, Ed was aware of watchful eyes. 'Warm welcome eh?' he said nudging his brother in the side then grimacing and grabbing his elbow, rubbing it while muttering to himself. Al sniggered, an oddly hollow sound emanating from the fearsome carapace that bound his soul to this earth.
They came to a halt at a building with a rather unenthusiastic sign indicating that it was an inn. Ed walked purposefully up the steps and banged on the door. There was a pause and the door slammed open hurling Ed back down the steps into the dust at his brothers feet. He leapt back up and slapped his hands together, blue sparks crawling across the surface of his gloves but they fizzled out as the dust settled. A tall man in the late middle ages stood in the doorway, he held a rifle but his shaking hands betrayed his inexperience with the weapon, a teenage girl huddled behind him, glaring at them defiantly, dark eyes burning with hatred.
Ed and Al stopped dead. 'What's the big deal?!' Ed exclaimed taking a step forward, 'We just want a room for the night'.
'Yeah' chipped in Al. 'What did he do to deserve that?'. The man lowered his rifle but kept a grip on it. 'We don't want anyone from the military here' he growled. 'We can all remember the last time your lot came here'.
'How do you know we're military anyway?' Ed retorted. He wasn't in the mood to be pushed around by anyone today.
He gestured towards the pocket watch dangling from Ed's belt 'State Alchemists wear those' he said simply. 'And I doubt you were able to steal one short stuff'. Al unconsciously put out a hand to restrain Ed and addressed the man as Ed swore and made condescending comments about the strangers immediate family.
'What did the military ever do to you anyway?' said Al.
'You scum used to have an outpost here. Every night there were drunken soldiers harassing our women and causing havoc.' His eyes darkened with past memories as he spoke. 'One night a year ago, a group of soldiers started trying to pressure my daughter into 'being' with them'. He indicated his daughter who was gazing fearfully at them 'We resisted and in return they torched our food stores. We've been unable to recover since and this is why we appear so'. He gestured vaguely, taking in the ramshackle buildings and shabbily dressed people who had gradually converged on the inn.
'Well we aren't like them', said Ed who had recovered his composure by now. 'We aren't on military business and we don't want trouble. Just a room for the night'
The man looked hesitant then decided. He stepped forward and extended his hand. Ed shook it, relieved that he wouldn't have to spend a night outside again.
'My name is Rahen and my daughter is Tanya, cause any trouble and you're out on your ear'.
'Thanks' said Al gratefully.
The sun rose over the village as the others dispersed now the entertainment was over. Just before they walked in Ed paused, a lock of hair falling over his eye. 'By the way, call me short again and you're in trouble'.