Chapter 1:
Mirielle
"Well Al, we've arrived."
Edward waited for Al's response but began to get impatient after five minutes of waiting.
"AL!-Huh? What are you doing?"
He stepped over to his younger brother and waved his hand in his face.
"Al are you ok?"
Trying to get Alphonse to look at him Edward went as far as to act like a complete moron but still got no response. He sighed and decided go to Al's point of view by standing beside and that's when he saw a stunning young woman with golden brown hair and azure eyes wearing agreen halter dress and a smallwhitethat was slightly ruffled around her shoulders.She seemedabout his age who appeared to be waiting for someone. Ed stood there for a few moments then took in a deep breathe and yelled in his brother's ear.
" AL SNAP OUT OF IT!"
Finally he came to his senses and looked down at his brother.
" What is it Ed? Did you want to tell me something?"
Ed let out another sigh and placed his hand on his head.
" I just wanna know something; Do you got the hots for that girl over there?"
"What girl?"
Al looked around frantically as if to distract Edward.
" I knew it, you do have to the hots."
Alphonse blushed and twiddled his fingers.
" Well uh you see I just think she's pretty is all."
"Save it Al, you don't need to come up with an excuse to-"
Suddenly a soft, quiet voice interrupted Edward and Al's conversation.
"Excuse me?"
The two brothers looked to the side and snapped into place. It was the girl they were starring at not to long ago. She smiled softly and spoke again.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you but, would you be the Elric brothers I've heard so much about?"
A grin came across ed's face as he answered.
"That's us, Edward and Alphonse Elric. Why'd you wanna know? You want an autograph."
The girl shook her head an introduced herself. "My name is Mirielle Hartwood, you and Alphonse are stationed with me."
The two jerked stiff nervously as they thought about how it would look with the two of them and her under the same roof.
"There's no need to worry, I live under the watch of the military."
At hearing this the brothers felt safe but curious and suspicious of Mirielle.
"Why are you under watch of the military? Is someone after you?"
Mirielle stared blankly at the two for a moment then shook her head giggling.
"Oh no it's nothing like that at all. I'm under watch of the military because my uncle is a state alchemist. I'm sure you've at least heard of him, Colonel Maes Hughes?"
"COLONEL HUGHES!"
Mirielle blinked in a confused manner at the her guests.
"Is that so hard to believe?" "Excuse us for a minute, Al and I need to discuss something among ourselves."
Ed dragged his brother off to the side and whispered.
"Colonel Hughes' niece? He never told us he had a niece."
"Well, he never mentioned any of his family besides his wife and Elysia." "That's true but you do know one wrong move and we could get our butts in serious trouble." "You worry too much brother, I'm sure he can't be that over protective." "We'll see."
The boys having finished their conversation walked back over to Mirielle.
"Are you ready to leave?" Ed placed his fingers together behind his head and replied.
"Yeah, the station is getting a bit boring." "Alright then follow me to the car."
Soon after leaving they arrived at the car which happened to be a high-class escort car.
"Here we are."
Ed and Al's mouth's dropped.
"What's the matter? Are you surprised to see this car?" "It's a...High-class...escort vehicle..." "Well, you are the Elric brothers and I thought this would be best instead of a lower-class vehicle." "Thank you but you really didn't have to." "Non-sense now hurry and get in, the driver tends to get impatient."
Once the boys and Mirielle were inside the driver took off.
"So tell me Mirielle, how are you and Hughes related?"
Mirielle bit her lip and sat there silent for a few moments. After summoning up the courage to speak she told the boys the entire truth behind the relation.
"Well, you see...Colonel Maes Hughes isn't related to me at all...he's actually a family friend and I've known him my whole life so I considered him my uncle. I never really got to see much of him since he works for the military but he would visit every once in a while...it was nice because my real relatives lived to far to come and see me...but about a year before Elysia was born my parents were killed and my relatives didn't want me. So Uncle Maes took me in and adopted me a few months later."
Al spoke up so Mirielle wouldn't continue.
"So you're basically his adopted daughter." "Yes but to me he'll always be my uncle." "Well, at least you've got someone who cares about you now."
Mirielle just smiled at Alphonse and looked out the window when the car stopped.
"Well it looks like we're here."
Mirielle opened the door and stepped out.
"Come on you two, stop sitting there and come out here."
As soon as Ed stepped out after Al his mouth dropped as he slumped over.
"This...is...your house...?"
Mirielle snapped her fingers and giggled.
"Bingo. This is my home."
Ed straightened himself out as he looked up to see the top floor.
"IT'S HUGE!" "Of course it is silly, it's a mansion. So let's go inside so you two can settle down in your room."
They followed Mirielle inside and upstairs to their room.
"If you need anything just press that little red button next to the phone." "Thank you Mirielle,we'll be sure to use it when we need to." "There's no need to thank me...Now I must be on my way so remember to call one of the authorities if you need anything."
Mirielle shut the door and left them to be alone.
"She seemed in a hurry to leave." "You think maybe she's nervous around us Ed?"
Ed shrugged and plopped himself on his bed.
" I don't think so, maybe she's got something to do." "Yeah I guess you're right. Hey Ed?"
Al waited for his brother's response then looked over at him to see he was alseep. He sighed then layed down and went to sleep.
Later on when the two woke up they realized they had taken a longer nap than expected.
"I guess we must've been tired from all that traveling;wouldn't you say so Al?" "Yeah but it feels good now that we've rested up."
Al stretched then got up off the bed when there was a sudden knock on the door. Ed got up and answered.
"Yeah,who is it?"
He opened the door to see it was Colonel Mustang.
"MUSTANG!What the hell are you doing here!"
Mustang entered the room and sat down in the chair to the right.
"I'm here to give you your assignment." "Assignment? But I thought we were just being stationed here."
Alphonse sat back down to listen carefully to what mustang was going to say.
"You were stationed here for a reason. Apparently there's been some complaints about strange creatures coming into the village during the night and sometimes during the day around the feilds."
Edward and Al looked at each other then back at the colonel.
"And these strange creatures...Do you think they're chimera's?"
Mustang turned his eyes to ed.
"I'm guessing so. You're assignment is to watch over the village, especially Mirielle Hartwood, if anything happens to her Colonel Hughes won't be happy." "That is true considering that she is his only neice." "Yes, but that isn't the only part of your assignment. You are also to find out if these creatures are chimera's and if they are, report it immediately and I'll send back up to help control the situation."
Mustang stood up and looked at the boys.
"Be careful, both of you."
He walked to the door and whispered in Ed's ear. Ed's eyes widened and he snapped around but mustang left before he could say anything. Al walked over to his brother concerned.
"Ed? What did he say?" "Nothing Al...He's just being stupid and harsh as usual."
Al's stomach growled out of random and Ed looked back at him with a smile.
"I see it's time to stuff your face again 'ey Al?" "So what if I'm hungry?" "Take it easy Al I'm just teasing you. Now c'mon let's go to the kitchen and get some chow."
Al laughed for a moment at Edward.
"You don't even know where the kitchen is."
Ed scowled and crossed his arms.
"Aw c'mon Ed, that's not such a bad thing. We'll go together, I know you of all people can't resist food." "Alright then let's go."
Ed opened the door and started marching down the hall in a cheerful manner until he bumped into one of the authorities.
"Ow! HEY WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOIN'!"
Ed stared at the officer and realized it was Armstrong.
"Such poor manners Edward Elric." "Armstrong?What are you doing here?" "I was assigned to watch over Miss.Hartwood." "Uh right, could you tell us where the kitchen is?"
Armstrong just grabbed the boys and started dragging them down the hall.
"If it is food you require then I shall take you myself." "AH! LET GO OF ME YOU BIG MUSCULAR FREAK!" "Edward that wasn't very nice to say."
Ed trailed off in his loud rambling until they had arrived in the kitchen.
"Here you go boys. Now be sure to eat your fill and go outside to keep watch." "Yeah, yeah I know."
Ed shuved Armstrong out of the kitchen then rubbed his hands together and opened the fridge.
"WOAH! They've got a lifetime supply in here!" "We have to save some for everyone else Ed."
Alphonse looked inside the fridge and grabbed something to drink and a few things to make into a meal for him and Ed. Edward just watched as his brother made the meals. And before he could say anything Al handed him a plate of food and a glass of orange juice.
"Thanks Al."
Ed sat down at the table and started wolfing down his food.
"Ed don't eat so fast you'll end up choking yourself like last time."
Edward ignored his brother and just kept eating and before Al was even halfway through his plate end leaned back in the chair patting his stomach.
"Ahhhh...that was great food. Al are you gonna finish that?"
Al just shuved his plate to Ed.
"You sure?" "Go on I'm not that hungry anyway." "Suit yourself."
Ed started munching down Al's food and gulped down his orange juice.
"You really are a bottomless pit."
Ed finished off the last spec of food tehn stood up and took the plates and glasses to the kitchen and put them in the sink.
While ed was washing Armstrong came in.
"Alphonse, Edward."
Ed hesistated to look over since the tone scared him. Amrstrong cleared his throat.
"Do you happen to know where Miss.Hartwood is?"
Ed and Al looked at each other then at Armstrong.
"She's been gone for quite a while."
Ed finished washing and put the dishes in the drainer to dry off.
"Al and I haven't seen her since she took us to our room."
Armstrong put his fingers to his chin and stood there thinking.
"Maybe she fell asleep in the garden again." "Well we'll go look for her if that helps." "Please do." "Alright Al let's go."
The two took off and began their search by splitting up. Alphonse went to search the house and Edward went outside to see if he could find Mirielle. They searched in the first places they could think of then in the last places. But while Ed was searching he heard a voice.
"Huh...?"
He turned around but no one was there. He decided to look by the pond and the voice he heard got louder as he got closer to the pond. In the meantime Al was ready to give up searching when he came across a room that glowed in the moonlight. He curiously went inside and through the window he saw Mirielle standing at the pond.
Edward noticing Mirielle as well hid amongst the trees and watched her as she seemed be saying something as she was apparently feeding fish in the pond.
"You know...You're always the best part of my day. I could just stand here and watch you swim around so freely all night...But one day...I'll be free just like all of you..."
Ed stepped out from the trees and spoke up.
"Free from what?"
Mirielle gasped and turned around.
"Oh Edward...How long were you there?" "Long enough to ask you what I did. So tell me...Free from what?" "That's none of your business, it's my personal matter so leave me alone."
Mirielle walked away and ran inside the house bumping into Alphonse.
"What will you be free from Mirielle?" "You heard me to?" "I opened a window in a room and I heard everything you said." "I already said it's my personal matter now both of you just leave me alone." "Ed and I just want you to answer a simple question. What will you be free from?"
Mirielle looked down at the floor clenching her fists then snapped her head upward looking at Alphonse.
"IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THAT BADLY THEN LOOK AROUND YOU!" "What's wrong with having the military around you?" "That's the problem, they're always around me! Every single day it's Miss.Hartwood don't do this Miss.Hartwood don't do that Miss.Hartwood be careful. I never have any freedom! I'm not even aloud to leave my own house without being told not to do something!"
Edward came up behind her and spoke.
"If that's how you feel then why didn't you say so?"
Mirielle turned around and slapped Ed across the face.
"You have no idea what's it's like..."
Ed just stared her down.
"Actually we do, Al and I grew up working for the military."
Mirielle shuved edward aside and ran.
"Mirielle!" "C'mon Al, if we don't follow her she could cause us a whole lot of trouble." "Right."
They chased after Mirielle as she made her way outside.
"Damnit!"
They sped up getting closer but once they got outside they stopped. Armstrong had stopped Mirielle from running away.
"It's ok boys, Miss.Hartwood won't be running away anytime soon." "Going easy on her will ya. I think you need to listen to what she has to say. Especially since she ran way from me and Al." "Don't worry, I'll see what she has to say and take it into consideration."
Al and Ed went back inside and upstairs to their room.
"Ed? Is your face ok?"
Ed just layed back on his bed and kicked off his boots.
"Yeah, it just stings a little." "You think she'll learn that being protected isn't such a bad thing?" "Well, in her case it is. You gotta have at least some freedom Al. Being cooped up like a zoo animal can drive a person crazy. Anyway Armstrong's talking to her so we should get some sleep."
Al crawled under the blanket and closed his eyes.
"Night Ed." "Night Al..."
Ed layed in his bed staring at the ceiling and mustang's words repeated in his head over and over.
"Don't fall in love..."
Ed turned over onto his side considering mustang's words.
"What the hell did he mean? I'll figure it tomorrow."
He closed his eyes and fell asleep. As he slept those words remained repeating in his head. Throughout the night Ed tossed and turned unable to sleep well. Soon the morning came and Armstrong came into the room pulling the boys out of bed.
"Alright you two it's time for an early start."
Ed sat up rubbing his back and Al was scratching his head.
"Come on get up." "Geez, you act like we have to go out or something. Al and I were only assigned to kep watch." "That not only applies to this house but to the village remember?" "Oh yeah. Damn that guy."
The boys stood up and got ready after armstrong left the room.
"Hey Ed; where do you think we're going?" "Armstrong is probably sending us into the village."
Ed opened the door and ended up walking into someone. He shook his head to clear up his senses and realized it was Mirielle.
"Sorry about that, I didn't see you." "It's alright but um...I want to apologize...For the way acted last night..."
Alphonse came up behind Ed.
"It's alright, we understand how you feel."
Mirielle smiled and grabbed the boys by their wrists and started running down the hall with them. Ed was confused as to why she was so cheerful all of a sudden and spoke up.
"Mirielle what are you doing!" "I'm taking you with me to the village." "Is that why Armstrong got us up."
Mirielle stopped and let go of them then turned around with a smile.
"Yup! It was on my request, I hope you don't mind."
Al scratched his head and half smiled.
"No but you really should have warned us." "How can I warn you if you're asleep?"
Ed crossed his arms and smirked.
"That explains a lot." "Now come on, I can't wait to introduce you to the villagers. I bet they'd be happy to meet you."
Mirielle grabbed their wrists again and started running down the hall with them again. After a session of dodging military personal and running down the stairs they arrived outside.
"Ahhhhh...The sunlight and fresh air feel so nice at the start of your day. Wouldn't you say so?"
Mirielle turned half way looking back at the two. All Alphonse and Edward could do was stand there and stare.
"Is something wrong?"
The two snapped to their senses and Ed spoke up.
"No nothing's wrong...For a minute you just looked like someone we know."
She blinked and turned her back to them again as she started walking.
"Well in any case let's get going."
After twenty minutes of walking down a hill they arrived at the village. The first house they came across belonged to and elderly couple. Mirielle ran up to them happily.
"Mr. & elderly couple looked at Mirielle unable to recognize her at first but then greeted her with smiles. adjusted her glasses as she looked at Mirielle.
"My my...How you've grown...The last we saw you, you were just girl and now look at you. Such a beautiful young lady you've become." "Thank you but I want to introduce you to my guests."
The elderly couple looked over Edward and Alphonse then back at Mirielle.
"Is one of them your boyfreind?"
Ed and Al were surprised as to what the old man had said and jumped back.
"Oh no, it's nothing like that at all...They're the Elric brothers. They've been stationed here at the village and are staying with me."
The elderly couple just laughed.
"So me and my wife here don't need to worry then." "Of course not. Well I'll be going now. I'm going to introduce them to the rest of the villagers." "I don't think you need to do that."
Mirielle turned aorund to see the other villagers introducing themselves and surrounding Ed and Al.
"Ummm everyone..."
The villagers payed no attention to Mirielle and continued piling Ed and Al with questions and suggestions.
"I guess I'll have to do this the non-vocal way."
Mirielle knelt down and quickly placed her hands on the ground creating a gate to block the villagers. Ed and Al were surprised and looked over at Mirielle who had just stood up.
"And when were you planning on telling us you're an alchemist?"
Ed placed his hands in his pockets staring at Mirielle with a serious look. Mirielle started playing with her hair and a nervous smile came across her face.
"Hahaha...Well I'm actually the only alchemist in this village..."
Ed fell flat on his face at hearing this and Al brought up another question.
"So you mean out of all these people you're the only alchemist?" "I'm afraid so Al..."
Ed jumped to his feet and yelled in Mirielle's face.
"HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE!" "Ed you don't have to yell."
Al pulled his brother back trying to keep him calm. "Well...I'm not originally from this village. I told you that yesterday just before we arrived." "You did? I don't remember." "Well that's because you don't have very good memory Ed." "Gee, thanks Al. That's really nice of you." "I was just telling the truth."
Mirielle laughed causing Ed and Al to blush and turn away so no one could see.
"Hm? What's wrong?"
They quickly turned around placing on hand on the back of their heads.
"Nothing, nothing at all." "Well seeing that you've already met the other villagers I guess you two can go around exploring."
Ed got in her face again. "And what will you be doing?" "Me? I'll be at the beach." "Beach? There's a beach here?" "Guess I forgot to mention that…."
Ed started walking off.
"Well I could really careless. What about you Al?"
Al went after Ed holding Mirielle by the wrist.
"I think you should go with her to the beach."
Ed turned around pointing to himself.
"ME! But why do I have to go!"
Al placed his hands on his brothers shoulders.
"Because this way you can get to know her." "And why would I wanna do that?" "That way you guys can share your knowledge of Alchemy." "But Al-" "No buts Ed. Either you do this or we leave her by herself and get in trouble. So which one will it be?"
Ed gave up and decided to agree with his brother.
"Fine, I'll go. But you owe me Al. Come on Mirielle…"
Ed grabbed her wrist and started walking off with her.
"You know…you really don't have to do this if you don't want to."
Ed just kept on walking without saying a word.
I guess he really doesn't want to do this…Or maybe he just doesn't feel like talking….
"Edward…"
Ed still didn't respond.
"Edward you can stop now."
Ed just kept walking so Mirielle stopped and pulled her wrist away.
"Edward Elric listen to me." "Don't call me that…" "Look, if you don't want to be here I understand. You can leave me by myself I really don't mind."
Ed turned around and stared at her with a look of sadness.
"What's the matter Ed…? There's something bothering you isn't there?"
Ed fell to his knees and began to cry. Mirielle knelt down in front of Ed and placed her fingertips under his chin lifting it.
"Tell me what's bothering you…"
Ed couldn't stop himself from cry so he looked away.
"Damnit all…Just looking at you I see her…" "See who?" "Someone I lost a long time ago…" "And who would that be?"
Ed stayed quiet for a moment then spoke under his breathe.
"My mother….She was always there then one day she's goes just like that…"
Mirielle felt saddened but she didn't cry, she just sat there and let him cry.
"That's right…just let it all out…"
Ed wiped away his tears and looked at Mirielle.
"I'm sorry Mirielle…I should've just held it in." "No…it's good that you let out your feelings, because if you hide them then no one can help you feel better." "I haven't done that in a while…"
Mirielle just smiled and stood up holding out her hand for Ed.
"Come on Ed…let's go back to the house."
Ed took her hand and stood up then walked with her back to the house.
