A/N: Okay, so yes, I said I was going to wait to publish this one, in case I lost interest. But I want opinions so I know whether to post more, yes? So I've got the first three? chappies written up.. so I'll post those and see what feedback I get, right? Okay. This is an OC story, don't like it? I don't care. I'm pretty proud of it. I don't usually do OC stories, but I like them for Full Metal Alchemist... but, I don't think it'll be a romance. Who knows? It may turn out to be one... I'm still not quite sure. If it does become one, it'll be Envy/OC. Why? Because I love Envy with all my heart, that's why. Annnyway, that's all for now, I think, so on with the story!
SyncxArietta
Summary: Jaden Mallard is neither happy nor sad with her life. Everything's good. She loves her family, practices alchemy in her spare time, and reads a book here and there. Then she met them - the Homunculi', or rather Envy, Lust and Gluttony. A palm tree, a beautiful woman, and a fat - man? Now, she's found herself kidnapped for sticking her nose into something that wasn't her business - by accident of course - and has been taken to see Dante? What will she do? Can she cope with living with murderers?
Disclaimer: I do not, and never will, own Full Metal Alchemist. I do however own the Mallards and Darren.
Humanity
Chapter One: Meet the Mallards
Jaden Mallard let out a small sigh as she tiredly dragged her feet in the morning snow. She was on her way to the market to buy some eggs for her needy mother. She selfishly wished she could have slept in that particular morning, but her mother had woken her up at eight to run to the store. Jaden wasn't a morning person, and their mother knew that, whereas Jaden's nineteen year old sister loved being up early. So why couldn't Cam go get the eggs?
Well, whatever; complaining wouldn't get her anywhere, and she didn't want to get her sick mother upset. The young girl shook her head to try and shake off her bitter mood. She had finally looked up and was just in time to swerve around another girl coming her way.
"Watch where you're going, idiot," a snarky girl hissed before flipping red hair over her shoulder and hurrying away.
"Sorry," Jaden murmured even though the girl was long gone. The sixteen year old decided to pay attention to her surroundings. She hated living in Central. It was too busy all the time, and there were always military men rushing around. Sure, it had to be the safest city in all of Amestris, considering the Military Headquarters were located there, but Jaden would have preferred a quiet, country life instead.
She entered the store – at eight in the morning, a small shop was still extremely busy – and went straight for the aisle with the eggs. Grabbing a carton, she made her way back to the front of the store and stood in line. It wasn't that long yet, so it was only a short wait for her to reach the cashier.
"Hello Miss Jaden," the cashier, Jim, greeted her with a smile.
"Morning, Jim," Jaden said quietly, returning the smile.
"Will this be all?" he asked, lifting an eyebrow curiously.
Jaden nodded in response, digging out the right amount of money from her trouser's pocket. She set the change on the counter and took the bag from the elder man.
"You have a nice day," Jim called after her and she lifted a hand in parting. She dragged her feet once more on the way back, though remembered to pay attention to where she was going this time.
She greeted a few people who passed her as she walked, including military personnel rushing to work. She smiled inwardly, thinking of what their days would entail. She would never understand how someone could work in the military. It seemed like such a dull, horrible life choice to her.
"Jay!" At the sound of her nickname, she snapped her eyes up to look at the thin boy running towards her.
She clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "Theodore, what did mom tell you about leaving the house unsupervised?"
The young dark haired boy pouted. "C'mon sis, I'm ten!"
"But you're mom's little boy; you know she worries about you," Jaden said, ruffling her little brother's hair. He pulled his head out of her reach, still pouting.
"Yeah well, I'm the man of the family. She doesn't need to worry about me," Teddy said and Jaden snorted.
"Sure kiddo, keep telling yourself that," she said laughingly, wrapping her free arm around his small shoulders as they walked. They didn't live too far from the small market, only a five minute or less walk. Their house was rather large, surrounded by a green lawn and backyard (currently, as it was winter, the green was covered in white). It was a two story house, with four bedrooms. Cameron and Jaden shared a room, and Teddy got his own room. Their mom had the master bedroom to herself and they had a spare room used as a guest room.
The kitchen was located on the first floor, directly off from the entrance way. There was a large dining room to the right of the entrance way, though the small family rarely used it. The stairs to the next floor were located immediately in front of the entrance way. The house had only one bathroom, found upstairs next to the girl's room.
"Can you tell Cameron to stop hogging the bathroom? She's been in there all morning," Teddy spoke up suddenly as the siblings arrived at their house.
"And what makes you think she'll listen to me?" Jaden asked with a frown as she headed into the kitchen to deposit the eggs in the refrigerator. "Mom, I'm back!"
"She's scared of your alchemy," Teddy was saying as he perched himself on the counter. "She doesn't like it when you perform alchemy."
Jaden shushed her brother, looking around warily. Their mother didn't know she practiced alchemy in her spare time. She would have a cardiac arrest if she knew. Madeleine Mallard didn't like alchemy – mainly because she hated State Alchemists and to her, alchemy related to the military. Jaden didn't quite understand her mother's hatred of it, but she did her best to keep her abilities quiet. It wasn't like she was planning to become a State Alchemist, anyway. She'd never be able to be one, even if she wanted to. She was terrible at tests and studying so she would never pass the exam.
"I'll ask her to give up the bathroom, how's that?" Jaden placated her brother, turning to look back at him as she shed her winter jacket. He beamed in response and she smiled.
"Jaden, honey, was that your voice I heard?" A tall, too thin woman with pale skin and short, messy black hair entered the kitchen.
"Mom, you shouldn't be up," Jaden said immediately, rushing to help the fragile woman to the kitchen table.
"I'm feeling strong today," Madeleine protested with a small smile. "Don't worry so much, dear."
"Aw, mom, I'll always worry about you," Jaden argued, sitting at the chair beside her mother. Madeleine had always been a very weak woman. She had met their father when she was young, too young, and had Cameron when she was only seventeen. From Cameron's birth and on, the vibrant woman's health had begun to deteriorate. Jaden had no idea how she managed to survive two more births.
Madeleine's blue eyes sparkled at her middle daughter for a moment before she let out a tired sigh. "Hun, can you make your brother breakfast? I don't think I… have the energy this morning."
"Of course," Jaden replied, standing and heading to the fridge to grab the eggs. She lit the stove and heated a pan to begin frying a couple of eggs in.
"Mom, can I go to Andy's today?" Teddy asked, swinging his legs as he watched his sister cook.
"No, sweetie, I don't want you going anywhere today," their mother murmured, clasping her hands in her lap.
"But mom," Teddy whined, looking at Madeleine with wide brown eyes. He was the baby of the family and was thus overprotected and spoiled. He used that to his advantage quite frequently.
It wasn't going to work on this matter though. "I said no, Theodore. You know you're not allowed out unless one of your sisters goes with you. Maybe Jay will take you skating."
Jaden sighed as her brother immediately turned to her. She didn't need to turn to know he was using his 'adoring puppy eyes' on her, "Yes, I'll take you this afternoon."
"Aw, thanks sis! You're the best! Can Andy come too? Please?" Teddy pleaded, tugging on Jaden's long sleeved shirt.
"Mhmm," Jaden consented absently, putting out the fire on the stove and getting two plates out. She flipped Teddy's egg onto one plate and her mother's egg onto the other. Then she added some toast to both plates. Pouring Teddy a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, she set it on the table, "Eat up; I'll go get Cam."
"Mmm, looks delicious!" Teddy could be heard cheering as Jaden exited the kitchen to find her sister. She smiled slightly but continued upstairs.
Cameron Mallard may have been the oldest of the family but she certainly didn't act it. She was incredibly irresponsible, vain, and annoying to no end. Jaden was quite used to her after sixteen years and knew how to handle her, though Cam did still manage to irk her.
Knocking on the door, she called out, "Cam? Breakfast is downstairs, you want some?"
"No way!" Cameron called in response. "You know I've been skipping breakfast lately, Jaden! I need to lose the five pounds I put on! Darren will never look at me again!"
Jaden sighed quietly and opened the door. "You look fine no matter what, and Darren isn't that shallow. You and I both know that,"
Darren Malachite lived a couple houses down from the girls. He was a nice boy and they had known him their entire life. Jaden had shared her first kiss with him, but found him too brotherly to date. Cameron apparently had no objections.
Cameron was naturally beautiful to begin with and Jaden really didn't understand why she put such an effort into wearing that foul stuff she called 'make up'. She didn't need it at all. Cam had their mother's pretty blue eyes, surrounded by long dark lashes. Her hair was long, wavy and the same shade of black as all three Mallard children. She had a thin mouth and petite nose, with a slightly curved chin. If Jaden were into looks at all, she would find herself jealous of Cameron's beauty.
Cam scoffed. "You would say something like that," she said scornfully. "I swear you've never even looked in a mirror. Do you know how embarrassing it is having a sister like you?"
"Yeah, yeah, heard it before, Cam," Jaden murmured, appearing unperturbed by the insult. "Anyway, starving yourself will get you no where, so get your butt downstairs and eat or I'll tell mom."
Cam smirked, "Liar; you won't tell mom anything."
"Oh? And why wouldn't I?" Jaden said, though she knew Cameron was right.
"Because it would stress mom out and then make her even sicker," Cameron taunted, looking back into the mirror and painting her cheeks with something she called 'blush'.
"Well whatever. Teddy wants you outta the bathroom, so could you try to spend less time in it?" Jaden asked, trying not to argue with her sister.
"The day I spend less time in here, is the day you spend more time in here," Cameron retorted coldly and Jaden sighed again.
"I'm taking Ted skating in the afternoon at the park, you coming?" Changing the subject was always good when avoiding an argument.
Cameron met Jaden's eyes in the mirror and appeared to think. "Well, I guess Darren and I could go skating too. Yeah all right, we're in,"
"Okay, but I wish you would eat before you go," Jaden murmured and didn't wait for a response as she left the small bathroom and headed to her room to change into something warmer.
She entered her room and paused before going to the mirror. There was nothing wrong with her looks, was there? She groaned at her thoughts but couldn't help skimming her brown eyes over her face. She was plain, that was all. But putting that disgusting stuff on her face wouldn't be worth it, so she shrugged and shook off her sister's harsh insults.
Throwing off her long sleeved shirt, she switched it for a green turtleneck that was thicker. She looked out her window as she went to leave her room and caught sight of the kids playing in the road. They were young and seemed to be having a snowball fight. Jaden smiled, remembering when she was a kid and used to do such things with Cameron. Teddy had been too young, and had stayed inside with their mother. Cam would always purposefully hit Jaden in the face but the younger girl didn't mind, so long as she was spending time with her big sister.
Jaden chuckled fondly at the memory and then headed out of her bedroom. She went to the kitchen and toasted a couple of slices of bread for herself. Madeleine was still sitting at the table, staring forlornly out the window.
"Everything okay, mom?" Jaden asked as she sat and waited for her toast.
Madeleine shook her head slightly, as if coming out of a daze, and turned to smile at her middle daughter. "Of course, dear, I'm fine,"
Jaden knew her mom well enough to know that she was lying, but she didn't press her. "Cam's coming skating with us. Are you going to be all right all alone for the afternoon?"
The older woman's eyes seemed to water as her smile widened. "Honey, please stop worrying over me. I'm fine, really,"
Jaden swallowed hard and looked away from her teary mother. "Okay," she whispered, not really believing her, but not wanting to upset her.
"Jaden, you've always been so mature. There's… there's something I need you to know. But you must promise not to tell Cameron or Theodore," Madeleine spoke after a small moment of silence.
Jaden made a noise of consent as she stood to put homemade jelly on her toast.
"It's… it's about your father," her mother added, sounding nervous. Jaden's hand froze spreading the jelly.
She had to swallow the lump in her throat before she could speak. "What about him?" she asked.
"Well, I'm sure you've realized he's not coming back," Madeleine said softly and Jaden's eyes squeezed shut as she nodded. "The military sent me a letter. He was indeed killed during the Isbalan war."
Her mother's voice had turned bitter. "I didn't want to tell you all, but I knew you of all three would figure it out. You've always been very perceptive."
"So why are you telling me, if you knew I knew?" Jaden said as she gathered her emotions and continued spreading the jelly. Her father had been a State Alchemist and was sent to the terrible war so many years ago.
"I just… wanted to be sure you didn't tell your siblings. Especially Teddy. He was too young really, to remember Dermot, but I think he believes he's coming back. He believes Dermot… is off doing work and will someday return," Madeleine said, her voice sounding far away.
"Is it really right to let him believe so?" Jaden asked, sitting at the table with her toast but not eating yet. She had lost her appetite at the start of the conversation. She had never been close with her dad, for he was a very busy man. He was actually closer with Cam than he was with Teddy or Jaden. It pained her when she realized he wasn't coming home, but she was careful not to let it show.
"Probably not," her mother admitted. "But I don't want…"
"To see him hurt," Jaden finished. "Yes, I understand. I'll keep the knowledge to myself. I promise, mother,"
Madeleine looked back at her as Jaden raised her head. Her mother's blue eyes softened, though they were still watery, and she reached a hand over to touch Jaden's face. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"For what?" Jaden asked, swallowing hard.
"For being so weak, and making you grow up faster than you should have," the older woman said, her voice still a whisper.
Jaden reached up to place her hand over her mother's on her cheek. "Don't be sorry, mom, please. It's not your fault, and I don't mind… really."
It was almost the truth. It wasn't her mother's fault her health was terrible. It wasn't her fault Cameron was irresponsible and didn't take on the duties of helping around the house during their mother's sickness. It wasn't her mother's fault at all. And though Jaden wished with all her heart that her mother could have lived healthily, she knew she didn't regret anything she'd done in the past. Though she wished she could be a little irresponsible like Cam sometimes, she knew it wouldn't change anything. And she knew it was up to her to look after Teddy and the house, since no one else could or would.
"I'm still sorry," Madeleine repeated, closing her eyes as crystal drops of salty water slid down her cheeks. Jaden forced a smile and pulled away from her mother. She stood and helped her mom stand.
"Come, you should get back to bed," she murmured and wrapped her arm around her mom's waist to lead her upstairs. Madeleine followed without complaint, obviously feeling very drained.
After tucking her mother into bed, she went to leave the room but Madeleine's weak voice stopped her. "It should've been the other way around,"
Jaden turned to face her bedridden mother once more. "What do you mean?"
"I should've been tucking you all in. I should've been making breakfasts' and dinners' and taking you skating. Instead, I've burdened you with it all," her mother said absently, her eyes still closed.
Jaden didn't know how to reply so she walked back over and ran a hand over her mother's short hair. She bent and kissed her mother's cheek, "Sleep," she whispered and left the room, blinking back tears.
Why was her mother acting like this all of a sudden? Apologizing, and telling Jaden the truth about their father? Did it mean something? Was it her way of saying goodbye? No, Jaden scolded herself. She wouldn't – couldn't think like that. Their mother wasn't on the verge of death; she was just weak. She couldn't die. It… it wasn't possible.
Jaden sighed and grabbed a book off of her bookshelf in her room. She hurried back downstairs to grab her plate of toast and then returned to her bedroom. She threw herself on her bed and immersed herself in the fictional novel as she ate. It was a romance, something she found corny but still captivating. If only real life were like that. If only you could walk down the street and find your 'true love' so easily. "Yeah right," she murmured softly.
After finishing her toast, she grabbed a towel and went to the bathroom for a quick bath. Cam was gone, so Jaden assumed she'd gone to see Darren. Teddy was probably in his bedroom, reading or playing with his action figure things. She finished her bath quickly and then began the housework, starting with the laundry.
Around lunchtime, there came a knock at her door and she looked up from her book. She had finished the chores for the day and so was back to relaxing with a book. Teddy stood in the doorframe. He grinned. "I was wondering if you could make me a sandwich. I'm sort of hungry. I asked Cam, 'cause I didn't wanna bother you, but she told me to go away."
Jaden smiled weakly and stood up, folding a page in her novel. "Don't worry about bothering me, Ted. What kind of sandwich do you want?"
She knew she was lucky to have such a relationship with her kid brother. And she treasured that relationship more than anything. She'd seen other siblings. They would fight, and argue and though you could sense the love between them, you'd never know it. Jaden acted more motherly to Teddy than sisterly. She couldn't help it really. She had done so many maternal things for him that it came naturally to her.
"Peanut butter, please!" Teddy called brightly, letting her ruffle his hair as she passed him.
"Peanut butter sandwich, coming up," Jaden murmured. "You know, it's probably about time you learned how to cook by yourself. I won't always be around, kiddo,"
Teddy's brown eyes widened as they entered the kitchen and he grabbed her arm fearfully. "You don't mean that, do you? You're not going anywhere, are you?"
Jaden looked at him disapprovingly. "Ted, you need to grow up a bit. I'm not going anywhere now. I'm just saying that I won't always be here to cook for you. You're ten now. Aren't you the man of the house?"
Teddy looked slightly cheered just by her second statement. He seemed to ignore the rest of her lecture. "I'll watch you make my sandwich, how's that?"
Jaden chuckled, shaking her head. "Sure, sure," she appeased, digging out a plate and the bread. She found the peanut butter and grabbed a knife. It was true though. He was ten now. He should be able to make himself a sandwich. Perhaps he had been babied a little too much. He was too dependant on her and their mother now.
"So where's Cam?" she asked as she spread peanut butter over the bread. She finished quickly, Teddy watching the whole time, and slapped the two pieces together.
"I dunno, she was outside with Darren when I asked her to make me food," Teddy replied finally, taking a bite of his sandwich.
"Okay, well you finish your sandwich quickly and I'll go find her. After you're done, go get ready, m'kay?" Jaden said as she pulled her blue winter jacket on. Teddy murmured a confirmative and Jaden headed outside.
Darren and Cameron were sitting together on the porch swing, dressed warmly. Jaden grimaced in disgust when she realized they were kissing. She cleared her throat awkwardly and Darren pulled away in embarrassment while Cameron shot her sister a glare.
"Eh, we're going to the pond now, if you'd like to come?" she said ignoring Cameron's dark look.
Darren was kind of handsome. He was eighteen, tall, light haired with green eyes. His face was narrow, his nose rather large, and his mouth full.
"Sure," Darren said cheerfully. "I'll just go get my skates, kay?" He bent to kiss Cameron once more and then squeezed Jaden's shoulder as he passed her.
Cameron glanced up from her nails to look at her sister again. "What did I tell you about bothering me when I'm with friends or my boyfriend?"
"Sorry, just had to see if you were still coming," Jaden replied in a forced cheerful tone before she headed back inside to get her own skates. She grabbed Cam's as well, knowing the older girl wouldn't come get them. "Ted, you good to go?"
"Coming sis!" Teddy called from his bedroom and he bounced out of his room, dressed in his snow outfit – puffy snow pants, and a thick winter jacket. He had his skates over his shoulders, and his hat on half way. Jaden spotted his mittens hiding in his pocket.
The siblings walked downstairs together and Jaden scribbled a note for their mother, in case she woke up. They put their boots on and exited the warm house.
Cameron was still on the porch swing and Jaden handed the older girl her skates. Cam muttered a thank you and walked to the end of the sidewalk to wait for Darren.
"We'll meet you there," Jaden said, laughing a little as Teddy practically skipped towards the park. Cameron didn't respond and Jaden walked after her brother, slinging her skates over her shoulder.
"Hurry up, Jay!" Teddy called, turning back to look at her. She smiled brightly.
"Don't forget to stop at Andy's and get him," she yelled back to him and his face lit up.
"Oh yeah!" he said, pumping a mitten clad hand into the air. Jaden laughed, shaking her head at his enthusiasm.
She walked in silence behind him, surveying her surroundings almost dully. She had the creepy sensation she was being watched, but assumed it was her sister. Cam could still see them, after all.
But the feeling didn't go away, even after they had turned the corner and she knew Cameron couldn't possibly see her any longer. Teddy was already at Andy's house, knocking on the other boy's door.
Jaden paused to wait at the end of the driveway, still on the sidewalk, and scuffed her boot in the snow. She glanced around curiously, but other than the busy people walking the streets, she couldn't see who would be watching her. She shook her head, shrugging the irksome feeling off just as Andy and Teddy came up to her.
Andy was a short kid, Teddy's age, with bright red hair and black glasses covering blue eyes. He and Teddy had been best friends practically since birth. Jaden found the boy almost annoying sometimes, though, but she didn't complain.
"Aw man, you didn't tell me your sister was coming," Andy whined as soon as he saw Jaden.
Teddy punched his arm. "Too bad. You know my mom won't let me outside, 'less one of my sisters come."
"Well, at least it's Jay and not Cam," Andy said with a shudder. Jaden resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"Cameron's coming too, so be good Andy," she said sternly as she walked away from the two boys. Andy made a face at her that she didn't see but both boys followed her regardless.
Jaden sighed. It was going to be a long day.
A/N: Do they have skates in Amestris? Beats me. Do they go skating and play hockey? Beats me. Do they have peanut butter? Beats me. But they do now. Kay, so I'm still iffy on the whole timing on this story with the anime, but I wanted it to be winter, so thus, it's winter. It may not fit, but I'll work around it? This is set just after the whole mess in Luin was cleared by Envy, Lust and Gluttony... or something anyway. I'll figure it out.
So? How'd you like it? Lemme know please.
SyncxArietta
