Chapter 1: The Library

If she had never strayed from the path, she would have lived a normal life; but the knowledge she acquired changed her fate.

Festa Farlock was born in a village south of West City called Panisora. It was a quiet village for the most part, known for its entertainment and musicality. Her family was known to be great dancers according to her mother. Ever since she was a child she practiced her turns, flips, whatever her body was able to do before she began to hurt. Her mother wanted this fate for her daughter because she was to be her last child.

Festa could not bear the endless days of turning in a room; facing the mirror which was the eyewitness to her every motion. Though her mother did not push her daughter all of the time, there were nights were Festa would practice flipping in the dark were no one would watch her, not even the mirror. She wanted to feel perfect on her own terms, not when someone told her to perform.

The only sound she heard was the cry of a bugle in the distance. It was her brother, Horace, who also felt the night provided no judgment. He was five years her senior, and now that he was fifteen he was practicing to audition for the military band to play for funerals and service events. He was Festa's only source of comfort since her parents were oblivious to her perfectionism. Her father was practically invisible; he also went away to play for weddings in West City and around Amestris. He was a very quiet man, but his opinions on religion and politics were set in stone. That was why he got along with his wife.

Festa's mother would teach her to read on occasion if she felt Festa needed a break from practice, but it was rare. There came a point where Festa felt that no one could help her. Though she practiced she would still fall. Her mother became more impressed with the fact that she had never broken a bone instead of how her turns progressed. Festa wanted to be as good as the ancestors that her mother told her about. From birth her mother said that she must be important. She could sense that if Festa was her last child it must be because her talents were so great that they could not fit into two children. Though she heard this, proving it was another story.

Horace would sometimes be her audience when he wanted a break from practicing. One night he even came to the studio at night to watch his little sister dance. Festa would perform her toughest routine. She flipped backwards three times and spun across the room. Her finish was supposed to be ten turns in place ten catch her leg where she spun out and posed. But before she got to the finale she attempted the turns in place. She fell and got back up, but again she felt judged fell by her fifth spin.

"Relax." Horace said uncrossing his arms, getting up from the floor.

"I can't." She immediately got back up and began to spin again. She got four spins before losing her balance.

" Stop." He grabbed her arm and she began to cry. "Take a breath."

"I'll never be as good as she wants me to be." She collapsed onto the floor. "I try but no matter how many times I watch her I don't get it. I disappoint her."

"You shouldn't say that." Horace was now stern. "You should be as good as you want to be, not what other people think." He paused as she continued to cry. "My bugle teacher told me many times that my dream would never be true if I limited myself."

"But I practice every day. And I don't get anywhere."

"I didn't say keep practicing." He reached into his pant pockets. Festa rested her head on her brother's shoulder and he put his arm around her for comfort. He pulled out a pocket book entitled with music terms and positions for his horn.

"I thought that my teacher would teach me, but this book is what guided me. I carry it every day and refer to it whenever I get stuck." He put it back into his pocket as Festa gave him a puzzling look.

"But you need to practice."

"Yes. But you can learn things differently." He glanced at her and smiled. "I tell you what, tomorrow I will take you into town and we can pick up some books on dance technique, okay?"

Festa was stunned by such a kind offer but agreed to go. She was glad that someone was offering her another opinion instead of the same one she had been hearing. She thought reading might be a better idea. That night she slept, excited to spend time with her older brother.

The sun had barely risen before the two siblings walked down the gravel road leading into town. Festa woke her brother and he took his music bag with him to carry the books they hoped to receive. Horace was still tried, but was pleased that he was able to spend time with his sister.

They passed the worship center which was about a half an hour walking distance from their home. They went there every Thursday morning. It was a place where the community could feel supported and celebrate each other's gifts. Horace generally played the bugle and Festa would dance every other week. It was what they worked for.

When they entered the town, it appeared Horace was very popular. They could not walk two steps without someone saying 'hello' or 'good morning'. Festa had spent most of her time inside her home, away from civilization. She never stayed long after services because she didn't want others to critic her performance. She was only five years younger than Horace, but she still hid behind him like a toddler.

When they reached the steps of the library, Horace escorted her to the main door.

"Now let's meet back here at high noon." Horace said holding the door open.

"Are we splitting up?"

"You're not going to get lost, just stay in the building. Who knows, you might find something unexpected." He gestured for her to enter and she did with reluctance. She did not know what she would find but hoped that whatever it was would give her confidence to build her strengths as a dancer.

The library had two floors with a main staircase which was positioned in the center. There were multiple windows that lined the first floor but not the second. The sections were marked by subject. Immediately Festa could tell that most of them were art topics. She had lost her brother already, assuming he fled to the section marked 'Solo Repertoire'.

Since the library had just opened, only the siblings and the librarian were in the building. This made Festa more willing to explore what was inside. She went to the dance section first and found the books she could read for technique and styles. They were fascinating; turning each page was exposing her to more ideas for her dances. She spent almost two hours glancing through whatever struck her interests. She was looking for a book which told her what she knew but in a different way. When she reached the end of the aisle, one book gave her the idea to venture elsewhere.

The title was "Techniques: The Structure of Human Anatomy and Movement". It discussed the various ways in how the body functioned, how each vertebrae moved on the spine to the structure of the foot. It was more factual, and also provided insight into what caused the pain in her foot. She glanced over the chapter about feet and how they could be cared for.

She wanted to learn more, but it was the only book which mentioned anatomy of the body. She checked the back cover and saw that it belonged for the Biology section. It was about an hour before the sun would reach the center of the sky. There was only an hour left before she would have to leave. She did not want to spend the whole time looking for the section, so she went to the front desk.

The librarian was missing, she must have gone to file or take a break. Instead of waiting, Festa decided to head to the second floor. The atmosphere was different, without windows the floor was dark, unloved. One could barely read the section titles. She found a light switch after walking alongside the wall across from the stair case. She looked at the titles that all related to science. She glanced around for the section labeled 'Biology'.

As she began to go towards it as she tried to find the shelf which the book belonged to; but she could not see the books that were marked anatomy. She decided that she would keep the book anyway because it was the only one that helped her understand the problems she might be having, and prevent from having. But as she glanced at the shelves she saw one corner with only two books. This was peculiar which only meant she had to find out what they were.

They were both old; dust had formed a layer on their covers. The first book's title read "Alchemy: The Art of Transmutation". She had only heard of alchemy occasionally at the center of worship. It was considered to be an act against humanity, a gift that was shunned because it should not belong to humans. But Festa had never known why. She was curious and opened the first page and a letter fell out.

It was delicate, and she opened it with care. It had turned brown over time as the pages had, but the ink was still black as coal.

Dear Alchemist,

I hope this book can act as a beginning to new discoveries. I have done what I can for Panisora, and wish that what you discover can create progress and not hatred. If you have better luck gaining acceptance, then you will have seen a world that I could not create. Always remember that you control your actions. Think before you attempt.

From,

The Man from Zerkzes

Festa had only heard rumors of this man from the brief history which mother taught her.

It was said that the people of Panisora were subjected to their egos. They would play their music and wait for money to come their way. They believed that the only knowledge they needed was to take what was given to you and never give the same back. Reciprocity was seen as unneeded because the best musician would get paid while the others starved.

This philosophy lead Panisora close to extinction, the only thing that kept their spirits up was the music which they sang. However, one day a man with golden hair came and showed them how to rebuild their civilization and sustain themselves though farming and trade. The man mysteriously disappeared after helping them rebuild, but it was said that without him, Panisora would have never learned to survive.

The worship center in town was originally made as religious support. It was run by the community, not a specific leader. This was to ensure everyone had a chance to say what they felt needed to be discussed. The Man of Zerkzes was viewed as an omniscient being from legend; most thought he was a messenger from the afterlife helping the souls of the living.

Once a year during the harvest season, people have a huge celebration to honor the man who brought knowledge from Zerkzes. After his visit the people of Panisora began to sing praises to him for saving their lives. However, one man tried to recreate the actions performed. He claimed his acts were only alchemy, but the people called him a demon and killed him. Since then no one had dared to attempt transmutations.

The second book was wrapped in a brown package, secured with twine. She did not open it but the words written on the package simply said 'Research'. She could tell the book was much thinner than the beginner book, but its unknown contents made it more desirable. She knew that if her mother found her with these books, she would not be pleased.

But it was something new. For ten years she had been spinning, learning ancient dances and performing at the festival or at the worship center. She wanted to know more, and this was her chance to discover. Horace had told her she might find something unexpected, and these books made her curious to learn.

She figured that she should go downstairs and check them out. Horace said he could put them under his name because she didn't have an account. When she walked down the steps, Horace was already at the counter, talking to the librarian. Festa ran down the steps with the three books. When she reached the bottom, she gently placed the three books on top of the counter.

"I see you found some things." Horace had a huge smile.

"Yeah, did you find anything?"

"I did." He had a stack of sheet music about two inches off the counter. He looked at the librarian to check out the books.

Festa did not know what would happen once the alchemy books appeared. The librarian wrote down the dates for the anatomy book first. She placed it on top of Horace's pile and then grabbed the alchemy books. She held it and paused, questioning the materials before her.

"I thought I had gotten rid of them." She set the books down. "If you want, you can take them for free." Festa was surprised. Were they that worthless? For a librarian to give away books was unheard of.

"Why?" She had an idea but didn't want to sound obvious. Festa wanted reason for every action. She liked to interpret once she knew the correct method, or one that worked for her.

"It has been forever since someone has checked these out, why should I keep them if they only collect dust?" She paused before stacking the alchemy books on top of each other. "Besides, if you want to get in trouble, that's for your parents to decide." She slid the books over to Festa who grabbed them immediately. Horace tried to glance at them but Festa wouldn't let him see.

"Have a good day." Horace said carefully placing the anatomy book in the bag before his own music.

"You too." The librarian said, turning her back to go up the stairs. Festa and Horace turned their backs on the stairs and began to walk home.

"What are you hiding from me?" They had just reached the outside of Panisora, about to pass the worship center. Festa didn't want to tell him what she discovered. She thought he would call her sinful.

"I'm just curious what you found. I know that librarian; she wouldn't give books away unless they were too obscure.

Festa couldn't contain herself, she decided to tell him.

"They're about alchemy." At that moment, Horace grabbed the beginner book from her hands. He examined the cover and then stopped. Festa held onto the brown package and fell to her knees.

"Festa, where did you find this?"

"On the second floor. I knew I shouldn't have taken them. I'll bury them when we get back."She was mumbling, regretting the decision.

"No." Festa turned to her brother who held the book out to her. "It looks interesting."

"But mother says it's a sin."

"Isn't drinking until you can't control yourself also a sin? But that doesn't stop people from passing out at the harvest festival." He paused to smile. "Let's keep this a secret between you and me, okay?" He still held out the book and she grabbed it.

"Thanks, Horace." She pulled herself up and they kept walking. They began to speculate what they were going to have for dinner and laughed together which they hadn't done in a long time. Her big brother had always been her closest ally, and now they shared a secret. Festa knew that no matter what, Horace would be on her side; even while exploring this new endeavor.