The air was cool, sunlight just beginning to peek over the edges of the great maze walls warming the lush, green grass and trees that blanketed the Glade. It was the first real day that a young Edward had joined the Gladers and Greed was already worried about him. He'd done nothing but stare off into the distance, repeating his name under muffled breaths and staring at his hands as if there was something there but he couldn't quite see it. Greed had no idea what to do about this, and so, had taken to mostly watching him from a distance just to make sure he didn't hurt himself, letting some other Gladers know to keep an eye out as well.

The boy looked about thirteen, with shoulder length, golden blonde hair tied in a ponytail and a seriously unfitting grimace that could sour milk. His bright, yellow eyes were dulled the moment he could remember his name. Greed just assumed he thought it was ugly or something. After all, 'Edward' was probably the most boring name they'd heard on the Glade so far.

"Call me Ed," The child had said before becoming totally silent to the group from that moment on.

Now that the morning had come, and Ed was no longer allowed to mope in his sleeping bag, Maes, a tall, kind looking man and definitely one of the older ones of the group, was showing Ed the gardens. He brought him through the strawberry patch and pointed out the different types of vegetables they were growing. Roy had already introduced their low quality beds the night before - simple hammocks, or ragged looking sleeping bags if you were lucky - and was now busy building another shelter for any more Greenies who may end up joining them… which was exactly what Greed was supposed to be doing.

"Ahem." Roy's low cough brought Greed back to attention and he shrugged sheepishly in return. "He's not going to go insane the moment you take your eyes off him."

Greed could only laugh at that, moving back into his working rhythm, picking up the long branches they'd stripped from the trees the day before. It was a simple shelter, not that they needed anything more solid. Any rainfall was a blessing and dried very quickly in the hot sun.

"Hey, you never know." Was his reply, another worn shrug to go with it. "I've seen it happen before, Mustang."

The Gladers had grown accustomed to calling the black haired teen 'Mustang'. He was built like a horse - Greed insisted everyone used their imaginations when they first asked why he was called that. He got a lot of confused and shocked expressions before Roy made him tell them the real reason - and ran for ages without needing a break. A good Runner he was, but unfortunately not that fast. He would always lead the team if he sensed any danger on their way back or through the maze. He was good like that. Careful, and with great instinct.

Roy snorts at the nickname and shakes his head. "Whatever, Bossman." They smirk at eachother and continue their work.

The makeshift cabin took until nightfall to be completed, with countless extra hands helping out here and there to give both Roy and Greed a break to go grab some food or take a drink. They were used to the process by now, the two older members, plus Maes on occasion, would start building-projects and rally in help from the others to teach them a thing or two just in case they'd need it. Passing on the survival tips and all that. Roy generally did that part, explaining what needed to be done with precision and care, like a true leader, unlike Greed.

Usually someone would ask why Roy wasn't in charge of things, since clearly he was more organized, but it was always met with a laugh and a shrug. Maes explained it was because Greed had been there the longest of anyone. He knew the most and therefore should be the leader by proxy.

Tonight was one of those nights.

With the Runners having returned safely once more, everyone had gathered in the main cabin for the nights meal to properly welcome their new green bean, Edward. Sitting around the hearth in the center of the room, everyone was chattering comfortably, laughing and talking about their day, sharing jokes and gushing over their special dinner of vegetable soup, laden with tasty, meaty chunks. The older Gladers encircled their young charges, letting them stay warm by the fire as the night grew cold.

It was Ed who spoke up, breaking his full day silence to ask the question on any Greenbean's mind.

"So why's he the leader?" The quiet question broke the buzzing chatter, a wooden spoon jabbing hesitantly in Greed's direction, "And why's he called Greed? That's not a name." His frown was still there, deepened by the shadows cast by the flickering fire before him.

The room fell silent, some Gladers snorted and nudged eachother. Like clockwork, the newbies always ask some variation of the question, and by now it had become an inside joke. There was an equally sudden eruption of faint grumbles and moans around the mess of tired boys, Greed guessed that some of the kids had placed bets, hoping on Ed's continued silence so that they could win an extra piece of bread or chunk of meat. The looks on their faces proved as much when they gave up some of their food to their sniggering companions.

Ed didn't seem to be too bothered by it, his eyes were on Greed, now completely unwavering.

Roy gave him a look, catching Greed's gaze as if to ask if he was going to tell him or not. Purple eyes locked with black, only breaking away to meet young, golden ones. With a heavy sigh Greed nodded.

"I'm the leader because I've been here the longest." He pointed out simply, not even managing to explain his namesake before Ed struck again sharply.

"I can't believe that." Was the instant reply.

Greed raised his brow and stood, bowl placed on the floor with a hollow clack as he did so. Around the hearth others exchanged looks, some smirking uncertainly, others intrigued by what the greeny had to say.

"And why's that, kid?"

"I watched you today, that other guy-" A bowl raised in Roy's direction, "-was doing most of the work." He took a bite of his food thoughtfully, eyes still on the two elder Glader's, calculating. "I don't believe you were here for a whole month on your own."

Ah, so someone had explained how things were run here, that's good. It saved Greed from having to explain later.

"That's…" It occurred to him that not everyone in the room knew the answer to this either. Eager eyes watched him, waiting for half truths, disappointment, or utter avoidance of the question. Even Roy was looking at him now. "... Correct."

Maes gave a sigh from the corner as he stood as well, moving over to join Greed giving him a heavy slap on the back. He didn't say anything, just looked around and smiled at the younger ones sadly before taking a seat by Roy.

Greed continued, Ed's stare becoming a little unnerving for such a small boy.

"The first guy here was a man by the name of Hoenheim. Weird dude, I'll admit. Total dad material." Greed snorts, "Then Bradley. He was honestly pretty scary, you could never tell what he was thinking. He was the first Runner." A bitter laugh, "I'll admit, he's the reason I'm called Greed, we made jokes about him bringing down his Wrath upon us and it kinda stuck from there. Next was Sloth, I don't remember that guy's name at all, it was really hard to pronounce so we collectively decided Sloth was just quicker. He and Wrath built this cabin all you lazybones' are sitting in right now." His eyes glanced over the faces of the children, mockingly accusatory, "I came next. I'm more of a Runner too, so I spent a lot of time with Bradley out in the maze." In an afterthought he adds, "I do not recommend that experience." He lifts a hand, showing on his fingers the number of Gladers as he names the remaining few, motioning briefly to the man beside Roy as he spoke, "Our very own Maes came the next month. Then Roa, Gluttony, Martel, Bido and Dolcetto." It's at this he finally grimaces, unsure of what else to add. The warm expression on his face as he named his old friends had faded with his words, the hush in the room was the only respectful response the others could give him.

Ed seemed to pick up on it, setting his own bowl down and tilting his head, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Where are they now?" It was one question that anyone could have answered, but they didn't. They were waiting for Greed's permission, or to see if he wanted to tell the new kid anything yet. It was the bitter cold look that had made it's home in Greed's eyes that confirmed that he did.

"We call them Homunculi."