This is just a short story on how my OC meets the elric brothers...and, dare I say...falls for one of them.

Give it a read and let me know what you think. She's my fist and only OC I've written, I'm quite proud of her.

How We Met

'One mile - Lush valley' was what the sign said on the side of the road. Alphonse eyed it curiously. "Hmm, sounds a lot like Rush Valley, I wonder why?"

His older brother shruged. "I don't know, I just want to get some food in me." He rubbed his neck. "Uh, I can feel it in the back of my throat I'm so hungry."

Upon reaching the gates of the town, it's name became clear; it was a farming community, a rather large one at that, and a valley no less. Small stalls and shops lined the streets near the entrance, barns could be seen off in the distance and up close, animals grazing in their respective feilds. Though the town was rich in farming, it looked as though it also had some industrialization taking place as well. "Looks like they're putting up a mill." Edward said as he rubbed his temples, looking up at the tall structure being constructed a little further away.

"Hmm?" Noticing his brother's discomfort, he interveaned. "Are you feeling ok?"

Edward nodded. "Just a headache. We've been on the road too long, I need a real bed and some real food. Some sort of meat based dish." Along the way there were only fruit trees and bushes, sadly, due to the location, there weren't many animals, so no trapping.

"The taste for blood isn't a good thing." He joked at his brother's despairation to eat something that didn't have leaves.

"Hehe, I'd be happy with a burger right about now...or maybe stew..." He mulled the idea over in his head as to what he wanted to chow on whilst they looked for a resturant.

Nearly an hour of looking and they came up dry. "Maybe I should just chew my own arm off." Ed grumbled over the hunger pang in his stomach as he clutched his sides.

"That's no good, you'd just have to pay Winry and Pinako more money...or chip some teeth depending on which arm you pick." It was either Alphonse trying to be funny, or him being flakey; either way, he scanned the area from higher up for some sort of sign indicating food. "You might as just well pick up some vegetables, it looks like things are starting to close."

"Excuse me?" A female voice sounded from behind them. "Are you lost?"

Alphonse turned around to see a cute little brunette standing there. "Uh, not really, we were just passing though and wanted to stop for something to eat...but..." He glanced off side to side. "There's been no luck. Stranded is more the word for it."

The young girl nodded. "I suppose you're not from around here." She pointed in the direction of south. "All the eateries are down by the water." She referenced the lower section of the valley that eventually led into an ocean. "We don't just specalize in growing food, but also tourism, so the bulk of places to eat are by the boats. You guys are in the farmers market up here."

Ed quickly approached the girl, placing a hand on each one of her shoulders, he had unusually large dark circles under his eyes and a strangly emaciated face. "Please take me to some food." Edward said as he slowly crumbled to the ground at her feet as the sound of his stomach intensified. The girl looked horrofied.

She introduced herslef and led them to her favorite place to eat; she was then offered to with them, Ed wanted to know more about the town, and how to get through to the pass so they could keep on moving. "Let's dig in." She exclaimed after ordering and receiving their food.

Her name was Aria, a village girl who lived there, apparently, all her life.

"This is great!" Ed exclaimed through a mouth full of food. A burger was the first thing that jumped off the menu at him, and it came with vegetable soup, so Ed managd to get both earlier requests.

"Brother. Have some manners, we're eating with a lady." He said, knowingly it didn't hapen often, or at all.

"It's alright." Aria said through chewing her food as well. "I'm no lady, just a farm girl." They shared a laugh as they all chatted throughout the meal. Lush valley was apparently the main sole supplier of produce throughout all Armestis and due to it's location near the harbour, they also imported and exported from Xing as well on top of being a torurist spot.

The sun had begun to go down and the balmy blue hue of the sky changed to that of a ember-like yellow color. "Looks like rain." Aria said, using her napkin to clean off her face.

Edward looked out to the sky. "I don't see many clouds."

Aria pointed to the horizon through a window off to her right. "Look at the color of the sky. Red means it's a nice day tomorrow and the lighter the color gets, the better chance of rain." She stood up at her seat. "It has to do with the moisture in the air." She reached into the little coin purse hanging over her shoulder and tossed a few coins on the table for a tip. "Good for the garden though...where are you two staying tonight?"

Ed and Al exchanged glances. "Uh, well, we were planning on camping." Edward said with regret.

Al nodded. "No chance in finding a hotel this late, but no worries, we've grown use to it."

She shook her head. "With pending rain? I don't have an extra bed, but I have a couple of couches. They're soft, and I have tons of pillows."

"On second thought." He shot up from his seat. "I think I might take you up on that offer."

"We really don't want to impose." Al placed a hand on the back of his head; he was always uncomfortable staing at other's houses on account of his condition. He also wasn't fond of lying as to why he never ate, slept or took off is armour.

Ed got close so only his little brother could hear. "I get the chance to use something other than a rock as a pillow in three days and you're trying to take it away from me?"

Alphonse stood up straight. "I suppose we really don't have any other choice."

"Great." She smiled. "I always love having guests." On the walk home, Ed couldn't help but stare at the girl leading the way, it was as though he was trying to figure something out.

"What are you thinking about?" Al could noice the preplexed look on his own brother's face from miles away.

"Huh? No, no...nothing." So they continued to walk till they came to a medium sized, one story house, 'L' shaped, red roof and tan siding.

"It's nothing fancy." She opened the lock and pushed the door open. "I'm ho-...what's this?" She noticed a note suck to the door slightly above her head. "I'm going to Felix's home for the week so we can discuss our arangments, I'll see you next Tursday." She read the note alloud. "...Just because you pronounce it 'Tursday', doesn't mean that's how it's spelled." She looked over her shoulder whilst she folded the note. "My older sister. She's not too bright." She continued to walk into her home. Extending her arm to the right after turning around. "There you have it," There were two couches lining the walls, meeting in the corner to conect with a small square end table.

"So soft..." Ed swaggered over and flopped himself down and sunk into the thick cushion. "Ah, you weren't kidding." He sat up. "Thank you again."

"Thank you." Alphonse followed up.

Aria smiled wide, her bright green eyes lit up. "No problem. The only thing I ask in return is you chop some wood so I can make us breakfast."

Ed nodded. "That's fair."

"Great." She began to walk down the hallway. "I'll go grab some blankes. Oh." She turned around and walked backward a few steps as she spoke. "The bathroom is the first door on the right when you make the turn." Once more rotating on her heel, she disappeared around the corner.

Later on in the evening, Ed addressed his brother who looked like he was deep in thought. "What are you thinking about?" He quoted his brother from earlier.

Alphonse turned his attention away from the shoreline through the lare pane of glass in the living room. "It started to rain."

Edward looked out the window. "We can' risk getting you wet, so we'll just stay here till it stops." He laid back and looked up to the celing, there was a vine like plant creeping along, held up by a hook every few feet. "Aria seems like a good person, I'm sure she won't mind, she said she likes company." He smiled wide. "And this couch is so comfortable." He wiggled a little and tugged the blanket tightly around himself. "Could go for another blanket though."

Al chuckled warmly. "Here." He tossed over the blanket he had been given, landing almost flawlessly on his brother.

"Thanks." Ed snuggled down, still plauged by a slight headache, he figured a good night sleep was all he needed.

Hours passed and Ed had fallen into a deep sleep, one his brother knew he needed for days. Al had gotten up from his sitting position on the opposite couch and took to wandering. He didn't find anything around the house that was of any significance, in other words, no bookshelves. Alphonse did happen upon an open door, wide open. The room was lit by a low orange glow from an arificial light source in the corner. The room was lined with rectanglular tables and four of the same tables were in the middle of te room, making two rows. Each and every table had a plant on it, some of them had several. "This must be a greenhouse room." He looked to the celing to find clear panels, they were foggy looking from the rain, but it sounded quite refreshing.

On a table near the back of the room he noticed some bottles and papers. Upon taking a closer look, he saw a simple transmutation circle amidst the papers. It looked like someone was beginning to learn alchmey. Al began to wonder if it belonged to Aria, or her sister she menioned. He would have to wait at least another four hours till morning to ask.

PS - If you know Aria, don't give anything away. Be a good sport. ;)