Kiana woke up at dawn. The inn was already bustling with the sound of breakfast being cooked and guests waking up early to be on their way.
She yawned, stretched, and slipped off her nightgown in the semi-light. Shivering, she quickly grabbed her working dress, and an apron.
Just a little bit longer, she thought. A little longer and I'll have enough to go home. I'll show him that I can contribute. That I'm worth something. And that he doesn't have to protect me.
She tied the apron around her waist and walked into the main office.
"I have a wake up run for you," Mr. Hulling said, checking something off a list.
Mr. Hulling was the owner of the inn. He and his family were friendly and kind, and allowed Kiana to live in the inn as well as work there. The rent was always free.
"Room 14 again?" Kiana asked, looking at the list. "Didn't I do this for that Fullmetal kid last week? Wow, he was a piece of work."
"Yes well, this guest probably won't give you any trouble," He said. "I spoke with her earlier. She's very worked up because she can't seem to find her brother."
Brother…the word rang in Kiana's head. How long? How long has it been? I turn fifteen tomorrow. Two years. And tomorrow I'll have enough money. I have to go back.
"Kiana?" Mr. Hulling waved a hand in front of the girl's face. "I need you awake and on the job. After you finish with the wake up run, come back here for your chores."
Kiana nodded.
She left, taking the master key, and got to room fourteen in a moment. She knocked on the door, but there was no response.
"Alright, miss, I'm coming in to wake you," Kiana said, and opened the door.
"Wake up," Kiana said.
She had already set about to tidying the room. There wasn't much to clean up, but the girl lying in the bed there had left some clothes on the floor.
There was a lot of difference between the two girls. The girl half asleep on the bed was blonde, with a slim frame. Kiana, on the other hand, had dark hair, and she was graceful, but her frame wasn't as slim as the other girl.
Oh yeah, and Kiana was working for the other girl. Well, sort of. She was working for the whole inn, really.
Kiana picked up the clothes and folded them neatly, setting them on the chair.
"Miss Malia," Kiana tapped her on the shoulder. "You scheduled for me to wake you up and..here I am, so get up."
"Meh..." Malia said, rolling over and falling off the bed.
Kiana struggled not to laugh. She pulled the older girl up. "Be more careful."
The girl stood, and Kiana noted that she had an automail leg.
"Is today the last day you are staying?" Kiana asked.
"Yes," Malia said. "Al and I are going back to Central after this. We're hoping our brother Ed will turn up there."
There it is again, Kiana thought. Brother. This girl has two brothers. And here I am not speaking to mine. I wonder if I could've ever been that close with him? Maybe, if not for that damn war.
"You said you were looking for your older brother," Kiana said softly. "I did a wake up call for a kid who might've been him. He had automail, like you, except he had an automail arm and leg, instead of just the leg. He made an awful fuss when I called him a 'kid' and he was looking for his brother and sister."
Malia grabbed Kiana by the shoulders. "That's him! That's my brother, Edward Elric! Do you know where he was going?"
Kiana nodded. "Sure, but if I tell you…I wanna come."
Malia released her. "Why do you wanna come with us?"
"Well, because," Kiana said. "We're going to East City. And I have to settle something there. Plus, do I look like I wanna be a maid forever?"
Malia laughed a little. "Guess not. You can come."
"Hey, sister?" someone in a suit of armor knocked on the door.
Malia went and opened the door. "Hey Al. I just picked up a hitch-hiker."
"What do you mean by that?" Al asked.
"She knows where Ed is," Malia said. "But she wants to come."
"I can talk for myself, thanks," Kiana said, annoyed.
"Well, in any case, it's time for us to catch the train," Malia said.
"Have you seen them?" Ed asked Colonel Mustang. "Did they come here?"
"I don't know who you're talking about," Mustang replied. "Why are you bothering me, Fullmetal?"
"Malia and Al!" Ed exclaimed. "My sister and brother! Have you seen them or not? I'm not messing around!"
"I haven't seen them," Mustang said. "And before you ask, I haven't gotten any reports of them around East City, either."
"Well thanks for nothing!" Ed exclaimed, and left Colonel Mustang's office.