A/N: Alright, this is my first FanFic. I'm not usually a big fan of this sort of stuff, but I couldn't get the story out of my mind. Well, I hope you enjoy ;)

Adelle sat across from Wendy, staring out the train's window. It was the first time in her life she'd ever left Central. Wendy had long fallen asleep, but Adelle's racing heart kept her from doing the same. She fiddled with the pocket watch she defiantly put around her neck. She had impressed even the fuehrer with her demonstration. "Just like Fullmetal," they had said. Why had they said that, she wondered. If it was their ability to transmute without a circle, then at least she wasn't the only one in the military who had performed an alchemist's greatest taboo.

She had been put under the command of Colonel Roy Mustang, who also mentioned Fullmetal, but she was too ashamed to ask. Mustang looked at her as if he were fully aware of her situation, even if no marker of her mistake could be seen. It was unnerving, but it was quick. He had given her the piece of paper with her title—the Cold Tide Alchemist they had dubbed her—and then sent her on her first mission.

Wendy yawned and began to stretch, slowly opening her eyes. "Are we there yet?" she asked.

Adelle shook her head, "but soon enough," she said.

"You know, your hair is a mess," Wendy said laughing.

"It's curly, it's supposed to look messy," she retorted, taking it more seriously than she should have.

"Not the look I'd expect from the 'Cold Tide Alchemist,' though," Wendy said. She loved to taunt her older sister for her hair. It was Adelle's pride and joy, and to mock it was a serious matter to her. "Hey, Adelle, why'd they name you that anyway?"

"Because I moved the water of a pool and froze it. It wasn't that great, but apparently it was a good enough show for the judges," she shrugged. She didn't like hearing questions about her alchemy, especially not from her sister.

The train began to slow. And the few attendants stood up. Adelle and Wendy took their luggage and walked quickly out onto the platform.

"What's this place called again?" Wendy asked.

"Resembool," Adelle said. "Come on, let's go," she said and took off.

"Hey, not fair!" Wendy chased after her. Adelle stopped when she saw Wendy catching up. She put her hands on her knees and started to pant, feigning fatigue. "Cheater," Wendy sneared.

Adelle stood up again and smiled at her little sister. "You're just a sore loser. Now let's act professional, this is my first mission and I don't want to screw it up."

"What is it you're supposed to do again?"

"I need to escort some man. His name's Edward Elric. It sucks, though, I thought I'd be seeing some action when I join the military, but instead I'll be taking some pansy back to central. Well, whatever, I don't care anyway."

There were few people on the road. Adelle stopped a few, asking them for the Elric residence, but they only glared at the watch. They kept their mouths shut, though.

"Maybe you should take off the watch," Wendy suggested as she stared at the woman who had just passed them by. "Nobody here seems to like the military."

"Not too different from Central then," Adelle laughed. She picked up her hair with one hand and pulled the chain over her head with the other. The next person they encountered smiled and even shook their hand. "We were hoping you could help us," Adelle began.

"Sure thing, do you need a place to stay?" the blond girl said.

Before Adelle could open her mouth to decline, Wendy nudged her with her elbow. It was doubtful there was any inn or hotel they could stay at, and they might not come across someone else so kind as this girl. Adelle nodded. They could question her later, at least after they eat.

"Oh, come with me, then. There's plenty of room at my place. My name's Winry, by the way."

"I'm Adelle Lakefield, and this is my little sister, Wendy. It's a pleasure to meet you—and lucky. We didn't know where we were going to stay."

Winry laughed. "Well, it's no problem. You don't happen to need any automail by any chance?" Adelle cocked her brows and shook her head. "Oh, I'm sorry. It's just that I'm an automail mechanic, so it's a natural question for me."

"You're a mechanic?" Wendy asked, excited. Adelle began to trail behind the two as they continued to walk. "Our brother was one too. He was obsessed—he had his own shop and everything."

"Really? Where—Rush Valley?"

"No, we lived in Central."

"You know, maybe I can meet your brother some time—two automail enthusiasts; what can be better?"

"You can't," Adelle said from behind. Her voice had grown hoarse in just a few moments. "He's dead."

Winry stopped. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean—"

"It's okay," Wendy said. "Don't worry about it. It would've been nice, though, I'm sure you would have liked him," she tried to change the mood, but Winry talked very little the rest of the way.

"Well, we're here," Winry smiled. It was a two story, yellow country house. It was beautiful, and by far bigger than any house they'd been in. When she opened the door to let them in, they could smell the stew, beckoning them to the kitchen, but they refrained. "Granny, I brought some guests!" she shouted, her hand cupping one side of her mouth. "Follow me, dinner should be done by now," she said.

The dining room was simple. One paining and a plant in two separate corners, and the table was plain as well. A boy, and old lady, and a man in armor sat at the table. The young, gold-haired boy looked up for a moment before continuing to stuff his face. The armored man didn't even have a plate in front of him.

The old lady and the man stood and greeted them both politely. It was rather odd the way the man spoke, though. He sounded like a child.

"Ed, at least say hi, you rude little pipsqueak," Winry said.

"Who are you calling a pipsqueak?"

"Don't worry about it, it's okay," Wendy said, waving her hands in front of her and shaking her head.

"Well, sit down and eat, there's enough—that is if the pipsqueak doesn't eat it all," the short, old lady said. "My name's Pinaco, by the way, and these two boys are Edward and Alphonse," she said as she took a seat. Winry, Adelle, and Wendy followed suit.

"Edward?" Adelle whispered. "Is it Elric," she asked.

"So you've heard of us, huh?" Ed asked, a cocky smirk plastered on his face.

"Actually, yes. We're supposed to escort you back to Central," Adelle said. This really was a lucky encounter. "Mustang sent us."

"What? I don't need an escort, I'm fine. My automail's been fixed and I can defend myself perfectly fine. And who are you to be escorting me anyway?"

"The name's Adelle Lakefield, the Cold Tide Alchemist."