The Carnival of Dolls

by SparklyLarry

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA... What a surprise...)

"If everything depends on the equivalent exchange, then cannot one's destiny be exchanged for another's...?"
Now, that the author of these words has appeared at the threshold of Hughes' house almost 15 years later, does Roy remember his old friend, who's come with a birthday present not just for little Elysia, but Edward Elric as well...
EdxOC AlxWin [ AU ]

Chapter One

Of Copper and Bronze

They may change their colors on the surface due to years and water, but they always remain the same within.

"... Tiny grey feathers were swiftly floating through the opened window, making him feel alone and abandoned. He had failed to catch the Sun, to touch the Moon or grasp the Lightning. There was nothing else to do but sit in front of the old window and look at the River, whose ringing laughter was forcing memories of his blighted dreams and goals. On a dusted windowsill stood a brass candlestick with a lonely wax candle, though there were no spurts of fire anymore. The Flame was done warning him and had no intention of talking to him any time soon. He tried to find comfort in the Sea, but azure waves stayed immune to his tears. He wished he could confide in his closest friend, the Maple, but he was too far away. That is when Loneliness revealed herself to the Petrel. No matter how hard he was fighting against her chilling embrace, the deceptively soft hands were gradually twisting around his soul...

... Well... Please, remind me again... Why am I reading this damn fairy tale for two hours now!?" Ed's patience got the best of him. No way he would read another word from the stupid book.

Smack.

"Don't you dare call my daughter's favourite story 'this damn fairy tale'!" Hughes cried indignantly, giving him another clip on the back of the head. Ed huffily rugged a sore place with his left hand, throwing daggers at the older man.

"Hey! That's my birthday, so..." Edward was going to make a decent argument against reading the fai... whatever kind of fiction it was, but Hughes didn't allow him to finish.

"Sorry, Ed! Elicia is the one who is five today! Her birthday is far more important! It's not every day you are turning five!" Maes' eyes were literally sparkling with glee and pride.

"As if it's every day I turn seventeen!" Ed's grump remark was left unnoticed, as the man continued nonchalantly.

"And she wants her best friends to read her favourite books! You aren't going to tell me you are not her best friend, are you? Surely, you don't want to upset such a sweet girl on her fifth birthday! Not even a cold-hearted man can possibly imagine hurting this wonderful, cute, lovely and completely adorable child! Have you noticed her pink cheeks? My big girl is using rouge for the first time! You couldn't have possibly missed it, could you? This great event..."

"I get it, I get it!" raising both hands in surrender, Ed hurried to stop the unstoppable torrent of a Daddy's ramble. Just a great birthday party! - he thought grudgingly to himself, looking sullenly at Al, who chuckled nervously, all along doing his best to avoid a brother's death glare. "Just give me already this stup..."

Smack.

"Ug-huh... Really, Brother... The book isn't all that bad..." Al's attempt to become a peacemaker did nothing but amplified Ed's annoyance and, unfortunately, Maes' indignation. "I-I mean, there are even moments I wish I could cry..."

"Yeah-yeah... Since when are you so fond of drama?" Edward mocked his younger brother, making him squirm even more. Right, as if our life isn't dramatic at all... He didn't say it aloud, of course, though the words hung in the air. So many years had passed... They still had neither the stone, nor the bodies. Only tormented minds. I've become even older and what's the point?! I have achieved nothing in the last five or so years, excepting the fact that now the Military has a new dog to command around! However, somebody simply missed the moment and went on with his ramblings.

"What is the whole fuss about, Fullmetal?" Speak of the devil... The Colonel with a steaming cup and a saucer in one hand appeared just behind the Hughes' back, who, though, was either too busy defending his fairy-tale or simply decided to ignore the man.

"That's a genius piece of literature, boys! Something every respected alchemist should know by heart!" All of a sudden Hughes dropped his high-pitched voice and was whispering seriously, making both brothers leave the inner world of their thoughts. "Believe it or not, but the Colonel himself has read it several times." At last, something worth listening to! The sentence immediately picked up the Elric's interest and caused a certain someone choke over his hot drink. An evil smirk appeared on the young alchemist's face. Well, well... Maybe, I still have a chance of getting a lovely present... he thought maliciously, secretly watching flushed Mustang wipe his blue uniform restlessly.

"Oh, really? I would never have thought that the Colonel was keen on reading girlish fairy tales." Ed snickered, all the while enjoying the view of the very embarrassed and furious Flame Alchemist... who liked girlish stories, that's it... To think of it, the party is getting more interesting.

"Sure!" still being unaware of a seething friend behind him, Hughes specified. "Actually, we reread it several times! I can remember the time when we argued about who would quote the coolest part of a love declaration to a girlfriend! Man... I've learnt twenty two pages by heart precisely! My sweet Gracia was listening for about half an hour!"

"I wonder, how many chapters has Mustang learnt?" false innocence was evident in Ed's question. Even Al was hardly suppressing a laugh, as the Flame Alchemist was literally becoming a torch, blazing with impotent rage.

"Can't say... Five or six..."

"Four lines. No more, no less." came a short remark from behind Hughes' back. Caught by surprise, Maes put a wide smile over his face, acting as if Roy's dark aura had no effect on him.

"What about a girlfriend?" Al pried, and Ed could imagine his eyes glittering hopefully. That, he couldn't deny, was the question of the day.

"Have no doubts, I produced a special impression on..." Mustang started all self-confident in a high voice only to be interrupted with a burst of laugh.

"Do you mean that girlfriend of yours from a mirror? Wow, I do remember you talking to her for hours and hours without end! 'Cause I surely haven't seen any..." and so, the happy birthday party began. The scene in front of Edward was probably the best present he had received in recent years. Somehow, a friendly squabble, irritated but amused Gracia, who was trying to make a new hairstyle for overexcited Elysia, hopelessly sighing Hawkeye with a cup of coffee at her lips and a chuckling younger brother... who was a meter higher than him on his seventeenth birthday!... created an amiable atmosphere. A warm feeling was filling Edward's heart, something he hadn't had a chance to feel for who knows how long. It was just... nice.

Ed came up to a window; rain drops were merrily playing with silver puddles beyond a glass surface. He watched them for a while, than focused an amber gaze on his own reflexion. It was quite surprising to find a peaceful expression on his face. Such a grey morning and yet it promises a colorful day! His optimistic thoughts were interrupted by a sudden flick of light outside that immediately caught the young alchemist's attention. A lonely silhouette was standing hunched in the middle of the road, a damp coat sticking to his evidently exhausted legs. Edward watched with a raised brow as a stranger pulled a piece of some paper out of his pocket only to throw it away; mocking rain drops turned the thing into a mess in less than a heart beat. A man looked around again and than, to Ed's astonishment, headed right for a door of Hughes' house. A moment later he was knocking. In a strange way... Is he tapping out some melody? Well, that's weird!

"Ah!" Gracia's exclamation reached Ed's ears. "Why do guests always choose the least convenient moment to arrive?"

The woman was standing behind Elicia's back, her hands tangled in long blond locks. The look of utter despair written all over her face. Guess she has a tough time with this birthday hairstyle...

"Who's coming!? Who's coming!" the girl cried excitedly, clapping her hands and ruining her mother's hard work. "More guests, more gifts!"

"Elysia, dear! Try to stay motionless!" Gracia moaned, vainly trying to hold several thick braids with her fingers.

Seeing that Mustang and Maes were too engrossed with their heated argument and Hawkeye and Al were just about to interfere, Ed moved away from the window.

"No problems, ma'am, I'll get the door!" he called helpfully, receiving an appreciative look.

"Thank you, Edward! You are a hairstyle's savior! Now, if there is still anything left to save..."
Chuckling, Ed made his way to the door, wondering who the guest was. All in all, Maes refused to reveal a list of guests, claiming it was a surprise for everyone. Yeah, a really BIG surprise: Mustang and his team, Winry and Al. Had he not seen the man outside, he would have thought it was Winry. By the way, where the hell is she? It's long time she should have arrived! Urg, she is even less punctual than the guy behind the door, whoever he is!

A little bit irritated at the others' attitude to his birthday... It's my seventeenth birthday, dammit! Instead of a present from my childhood friend, the first thing I get is an annoying brat's remark "I believe you're becoming not that short with coming years, Fullmetal!"... Ed thrust the door open. The amiable atmosphere from before had mysteriously vanished.

"Five seconds to explain your coming late or you're going to fly over that roof!" Ed yelled from a threshold, incinerating a black figure in front of him with a furious look. Sorry, pal. I'm kind of pissed off right now and I really need to rehearse my meeting with Winry.

"So, I see I have succeeded in finding the right house." came a polite reply. The stranger threw off a wide hood to reveal a glittering bald head with a violet ribbon tied around it just an inch higher than his thin black brows. A pleasant smile stretched pale lips. "You should have taken a lot after your mother."

Taken aback, Ed stared at the stranger with a dubious look, his mouth dropped.

"But, of course, the character is your father's."

That's it. The first impression's the most lasting. It took just six seconds to make Ed hate this guy. A record time!

Bam.

"Don't you tell me this "you're like your daddy" crap, Baldy!" the young alchemist bawled out, seething and fuming like a tea pot; his eyes throwing lightnings and teeth ready to reap the guy to pieces. "Now call me a pipsqueak so I have an excuse to kick you out of here!"

"My apologies, boy, easy now!" the man's chuckle was a good-natured one, though it did nothing to calm Ed down. If anything, the courteous behaviour and the manner to speak slowly made him hate the stranger even more. "Sorry, I could not help myself. Every time I was late, your father's reaction was exactly the same. Oh... Roy is too impatient for his own good."

All Edward's rage was unexpectedly swept away by confusion.

"...Roy?" The stranger closed his dark ash eyes and smiled nicely at Ed's lost expression.

"I am Sokol Jarris. A great pleasure to meet..." he didn't finish his greetings, politely waiting for the young alchemist's introduction. An elegant hand in a violet glove was extended.

Edward stood in stupor. One, two, three... four seconds and his irritation was gradually recovering after a wave of shock. Irritation was slowly flowing through his body like a boiling oil, turning into a fiery fury. Fury was going to become a big explosive. The man, it seemed, had no idea of an effect his words were producing and he definitely was not aware of repercussions, for he continued nonchalantly.

"Well, I remember Roy fumbling when we tried to get him acquainted with a lovely lady. Sons must always erase their father's mistakes, boy. Try to be more eloquent." the damn Jerris freak advised with the same freaky benevolent smile. At last, something just broke with a nasty crunch inside Ed's mind.

"The hell, are you talking about Mustang?!" the young alchemist snapped, only to receive a disapproving look from the Sokol guy, who shook his head and sighed sadly.

"I see, despite you taking after your mother, this temper is Roy's heritage..." the guest reached the limit. Tick-tock... Explosion.

"Don't you call this brat my father!" What used to be fury was at that moment beyond any known forms of anger. Man, I will kick him outta here if he says even one more...!

"So, Roy is that bad, isn't he? Sorry to say, but I am not surprised you believe your father to be terrible, however I would like to assure you..." before anymore crap could come out of the mouth, Ed rushed forward, aiming at the stranger's front. He noticed a spark flickering in the man's ash eye before the guest calmly stepped aside. Automail fist flew just in front of a bald head of his.

"I have a terrible daddy, all right!" he shouted, pissed off even more now that some freak dodged his attack as if he were nothing but a fly. "Though, no way it is Mustang, dammit! If he were my daddy, I would have drowned myself in milk long ago!" the young alchemist had just readied himself for another fierce blow to wipe that annoyingly benevolent expression away. To make matters worse, the freak did not appear to be worried in the least. If anything, he was... curious? Curiosity was another thing Ed detested in the guy. Man, he has headed the list of brats I hate in a record time!

"Urg... Brother? You alright?" Al's concerned voice literally stopped him in a mid-jump. He actually remembered where he was and what the atmosphere was supposed to be like. Damn, right... That's a birthday party in Hues' house. No need to ruin Elicia's birthday. Or mine... he struggled hard to calm down inwardly and pulled a phony smile on face, his eyebrow itching all along.

"Everything is fine, don't bother!" Ed replied in an optimistic tone, drilling the freak with a deathly look, hoping he would just dissipate in the air. Surely, the guy had not. Sokol turned his head to see Alphonse entering the view, comprehension drowning on him like a lazy tide. The younger Elric, in his turn, took into surroundings; two small dots instead of bright round lights stared confusingly at the two.

"I see... It is clear now." the man whispered in astonishment... if a slight rise of eyebrows may be called so. "Please, accept my apologies once again, Fullmetal Alchemist."

The worst... birthday... ever...! Edward grudged to himself. To take his younger for him was just a perfect excuse he needed to kill the guy. Blinded by a new flash of rage, Ed raised his automail arm, ready to strike the freak for the common mistake everyone made,
and jumped high to land a heavy blow at the shining head. Will I ever be recognized?!

"Why do people never learn that I am the one who's Fu...!" the young alchemist stopped abruptly; his mouth dropped, eyes round. He could hear a gasp escaping Al behind him.

"Is Something wrong?" the freaky man inquired in a friendly tone, looking right at the elder brother. His right hand was still waiting patiently to be shaken. Edward needed several seconds to gather his wits.

"Are... are you talking to me?!" he asked incredulously, finding it hard to believe his eyes and ears.

"Why? You are Edward Elric, aren't you?" the guy bent his head slightly to be on an eye level with the young alchemist. Only then did Ed noticed how overly tall the guy was. Slim and tall, somehow resembling a reed. "Or am I wrong to assume that you are the elder..."

"No-no! I mean, yes! I mean, I am the elder brother!" the young alchemist was quick to assure the man before he took his words back and lost the small amount of respect he managed to gain. "Huh..? Hold on a second! How do you know who's Alphonse and who's me?"

"Urg, it's just people are used to take me for the elder... No offense, Brother!" Al added quickly when Ed shot him a death glare. The freak... what was his name again?... chuckled good-naturedly.

"You see, I have heard a lot of stories about the youngest State Alchemist." he explained, finally shaking Ed's hesitant automail hand and stretching his own towards shocked Alphonse. "Ones tell he is a giant suit of armour, others that he is a funny pipsqueak..." Be careful there, pal! One wrong word and you are flying outta here! Edward snapped inwardly; his eyebrow itching. "Well, my years taught me to never believe gossips. I get information solely from trusted sources."

"By that you mean..." the young alchemist never got a chance to ask, as a loud exclamation devoured all noises and voices in the house. Hugh is still arguing with Mustang.

"Well, my friend! If you had a wife, you wouldn't be so lazy..!" Huh, they had definitely changed the topic! Edward snickered, gaining a knowing glance from the guest and a worried one from Al.

"I get it that Roy is a bachelor." the man deadpanned, readjusting his headband. "And Maes is still a matchmaker."

"Nah, he is just a crazy, overloving, overcaring, mad, fanatic daddy." Ed corrected, thinking whether he had forgotten to mention something else.

"And a husband!" Alphonse added helpfully.

"Yes, I figured that much from his letter," the guy chuckled, pulling an envelope from his pocket. Through the paper Ed could see at least ten pictures of Hughes' family. He could only wonder how many paragraphs were dedicated to Elicia and Gracia.

"Then you must be a mysterious guest Lt. Colonel Hughes was talking about!" Al gasped, turning to the brother and suddenly becoming beet red. Ed took a moment to realize what the cause of embarrassment was, and it suddenly hit him. Right... They had been making their guesses just the day before. Urg, he is definitely not a "pretty lady" Alphonse has been mocking about. The case was, that Hughes had had a very, suspiciously even, smart face while speaking about his secret guest... "What all the crap about that guest is, anyway?" Ed wondered lazily, not really interested. "I don't know... But, maybe, it is going to be a lovely girl?" his younger brother suggested, making Edward stare at him with disbelief. "What?" "Whoa, Al! Where would this come from?" "Well, the Lt. Colonel did have this strange smile..." "Hmm... Now that I think of this... It may very well be some pretty face to annoy Mustang..." It was clear that the brothers had got it wrong.

"Sokol Jerris, young Alric." the man introduced himself again; good thing, because Ed had been too irritated the last time to pay attention to the guy telling the name."Not really mysterious as you can see." the guest shook his head as if laughing at the word, gingerly stepping over the threshold. You may think he has glass instead of legs there. Edward puffed, examining the newcomer more closely. Taking apart his freaky calm ash eyes, small and benevolent smile, thin brows and polished bald head, there was nothing abnormal about the face of his. Judging by the behaviour and a few wrinkles, Sokol was about forty; albeit, Ed had to admit, the man looked pretty well for his age.

"Just a second, please!" came Gracia's exhausted voice. She evidently hadn't reached much success in making a special hairstyle. "I will come in a second!"

"I beg you, no need to hurry, Gracia dear," the guest answered loud enough for others to hear, shrugging a damp coat off and folding it neatly. Suddenly something seemed to be wrong. Edward didn't recognize immediately the source of his uneasiness, but there was something heavy and suffocating in the air.

And then it struck him... The whole house was submerged into tense silence.

Tick-tock... Rain drops were flippantly dancing on the roof, watching curiously through the cold window the quite house. Edward exchanged confused glances with Alphonse.

"Have... have I just heard..." Gracia's whisper put a start to a burst of commotion in the living room where all the guests were. The young alchemist couldn't see the chaos from his place in the hall, although he didn't have to; clang of glasses and cups, shouts and excited remarks gave him a clear idea of what's happening there beyond the wall. A heavy tramp of tens of feet informed the three about the crowd coming... or, more specifically... running up their way.

"It's him!" Hughes singsonged happily and instantly appeared in the doors; his eyes shut joyfully. Ed raised a brow, shifting a dubious glance at the newcomer who was still keeping his cool. That moment he appeared to be almost shy and lost. Almost. The young alchemist easily saw through that bashful expression. Too calm, a little bit tired eyes gave up his confidence. If Ed could tell anything about the man according to the first impression, he was anything but shy or hesitant. Others began to flow in the hall, staring at the newcomer with big round eyes. Somewhere behind the mob Edward noticed pathetic motions; the Colonel struggled to make his way through everyone, but his indignant orders died in the storming sea of murmurs. At least, that scene put Ed's spirits up, and he smirked secretly. "So many years later we can all finally meet him again!" Maes took on dramatic notes. "The great comrade of me and the Colonel, ex-Captain Sokol Je..."

"Huh? That's him? Never thought him to be bald." Havoc deadpanned out of the blue. The silence followed.

Mustang managed at last to get at the front. His face was priceless, Ed wished he had a camera. Actually, he didn't understand very well what the hell was going on, but it was obvious that almost everyone there, at least Roy's team and Gracia, had known the ex-Captain.

"Do you think Jerris is a friend of the Colonel?" Alphonse whispered his own musings out loud. "But he seems so shocked!"

"I dunno, Al." he whispered back, studying the Mustang's expression and stifling a snicker. "But I enjoy Hughes' present for me very much. Guess that even our all-knowing Colonel can't avoid surprises!"

The walls literally began to shake. The brothers turned their heads to watch the host falling down and laughing out loud; tears sprinkling from his eyes and arms hugging the stomach. Everyone's mouth dropped, excepting Mustang's, whose lips were sealed tightly and brow furrowed.

"You're... killing... me... Sokol!" Hughes panted through his laugh, trying to catch a breath. "Bald... no kidding!"

"Have I forgotten to mention it, Maes?" the ex-Captain was tapping his low lip with a middle finger while pondering. His pensiveness was soon to be replaced by a mild expression, as a slight smile bloomed. "Oh, I may very well have. My bad."

"Your... bad?" that malicious hissing made Ed flinch and Al terrified. The brothers simultaneously switched glances towards the forgotten figure of the Colonel; dark aura radiating from him, evil shadows stroking his face. Not good. My present turns out to be too dangerous! "Your bad!?" Mustang yelled again; fists shaking. Edward took quick notice that his hands were still bare and sighed with relief. No gloves, no flames! "Is it all you can come up with, Captain?!"

"Naive me thought you had a wife to cool you down," Jerris shook his head sympathetically and casted an apologetic look to Ed; the smile was still hanging there. To think he was Roy's son... Edward shuddered as he imagined what his childhood would had been like. Lots of fried stuff, that's for sure...

"Easy now, Roy!" Hughes stood up and brushed off dust from his grey-and-blue holiday attire. The Colonel paid no heed to his old friend's words; his cold onyx eyes were glued to the ash ones. The air was almost cracking with animosity from him. Seeing that no one was interested in him, Edward took his chance and slipped inconspicuously to Gracia, the only person who appeared to be completely aware of the relationship between the three.

"Does Mustang have issues with comrades or something?" he hushed; his brother stood right next to him, eager to hear an explanation as well. The woman, however, did not respond. Fighting confusion, Ed was about to repeat the question again, when she suddenly snapped exasperatedly at the three surrounded friends, glaring daggers at each of them. Fortunately, Gracia had been too mad at her husband and his comrades to hear the Elric's question, so they were lucky to escape her outburst... Unlike Hughes, Mustang and this Jerris.

"Do you mind, sirs, if I interrupt you!?" never before had Gracia's voice sounded so intimidating. The brothers gulped. Even if they weren't the target of woman's ire, it was dreadful enough to imagine themselves in the trio's place. All the things Mustang planned to say fled his mind, guilt was washing his face. The host was chuckling nervously, fidgeting with his glasses, and Sokol preferred to drop his gaze all together. "I thought it was a birthday party for my daughter and Edward here, not a meeting of bickering men!" The three flinched, not daring to look at either little Elicia, who was obliviously chunking on cookies beyond the wall, or Ed, who flushed slightly under glances of others.

Satisfied with quietness, Gracia allowed a small smile to form on her lips. The guests, kind of embarrassed, were eventually returning to the living room, leaving the unhappy trio, the hostess and the Elrics alone. Snickering Havoc was obviously dying to make some smug remark... something Ed could understand very well... but a scrutinizing glance from the First Lieutenant forced him to keep his mouth shut. Two women were in control; the elder one casted a grateful look at the blond, unofficially entrusting her with the guests. Hawkeye replied with an understanding smile; slight amusement was glittering in her eyes. She pushed the crowd out the hall without a word and closed the doors, providing them privacy.

The tension in the room could be easily cut with a knife. Poor Alphonse tried to find a suitable spot to rest his gaze at, however, no matter where he looked, the younger Elric still felt awkward and wished to be anywhere but there. Edward completely shared his uneasiness. It was one thing to laugh at a family's argument from the side, and another to participate in it. And frankly, neither brother had any experience in that aspect of life. Squabbles with Winry and Pinako didn't count.

Five or ten minutes had passed in a deafening silence. They were ones of the most awkward in the Elrics' life ever. No words were spilt. The annoying rain made all the blabbering. Ed would remember his seventeenth birthday as the day he started to dislike downpours even more. Finally, Gracia inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, everyone tensing immediately and watching her cautiously.

"It is good to see you again, Sokol." she smiled kindly at the ex-Captain, her tired gaze warming up."Though, it would have been nice if Maes had let us know beforehand about your visit." Gracia scolded her husband, who just smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head.

"What kind of surprise would it be then?" he laughed nervously, causing Mustang to snort in disbelief. The hostess ignored his excuse and turned to the guest.

"Glad we are to meet you again..." the Colonel huffed again at the words, though was smart enough to keep his opinion on the matter to himself. "... But we still wonder what has made you to pay us a visit?"

"Fifteen years later, damn you!" that time Mustang couldn't restrain himself from adding; even Gracia allowed him to express his obvious anger. Uh-huh, to disappear for so many years without a single word is a serious business... Ed remarked bitterly to himself, exchanging glances with Alphonse; thoughts about the father invading their minds. "And you, not telling me about him!" the Colonel shifted a flaming gaze at Hughes, betrayal evident behind the boiling wrath no matter how hard he tried to conceal it. "How long have you been in touch with him?"

"Easy-easy!" his friend raised both hands in surrender. "It is been only a year since I heard from him!"

"One year?" Mustang repeated slowly, his brow itching and a suspiciously calm tone promising nothing good. "Why the difference then? Why not two more years without showing me yourself?"

"We have been keeping in touch exclusively through letters." It was the first thing the ex-Captain had said since the beginning of the interrogation; his voice perfectly composed as if the Colonel's yelling had no impact on him. "It was a whim of destiny I even heard a passer-by talking about Maes Hughes fourteen years ago; a whim I took for a sign to turn for advice to him."

The last statement made Mustang run cold, his pupils narrowed in some inexplicable terror and teeth clenched. A nasty feeling settled deep within Edward. All in all, there wasn't news that could take the Colonel by surprise. If it could, news was definitely worth heeding.

"Tell me, have you achieved success in your... research?" the young alchemist could say with hundred percent certainty that Roy dreaded the answer. Hughes and Jerris glanced at each other. Before either could give a decent reply, the doors opened slightly and a little head with a messy hairstyle popped in. Elysia was standing there, braids and locks were sticking up as if her hair hadn't been brushed for weeks. The girl stared curiously at the ex-Captain and then cried joyfully.

"Daddy, is it a new guest?!" she was clapping her hands and jumping happily around the grown-ups... and the Elric brothers. "You promised he will have a big present!"

"So, you are the lovely young lady who happens to have a birthday today?" Sokol bent and kissed Elysia's hand, making the girl squeal in delight. "I assure you, my lady, that presents are on their way." He raised his head again and casted a slight smile at the young alchemist. "As is your's, Edward Elric."

"Yeah... Thanks..?" he replied awkwardly, not really anticipating that coming.

"Mummy, someone has eaten an apple pie! We need a new one!" the girl exclaimed suddenly, saving Ed from another uncomfortable moment... just to push him into the shameful one.

The elder Elric refused to look at Alphonse, who, no doubt, was giving him a I've-warned-you look and inwardly laughing at him. Well, it's not my fault I skipped my dinner yesterday trying to buy a gift for Elysia! The brothers had returned late at night and had no desire to take a risk and wake the Hughes' family up. The repercussions of troubling Maes' daughter's or wife's beauty sleep were always severe; a lecture on their rude behavior guaranteed, including a lyrical digression to Elysia's cuteness. So, Ed had decided to snick into the kitchen and grab something edible... It just had happened to be an apple pie.

"Don't worry, my dear!" oblivious to the Elric's shame, the hostess reassured the girl and claimed pointedly. "I am sure your father will go to the market to purchase more apples so I can bake the biggest apple pie ever for you and Edward!"

"But..." Hughes tried to come up with a coherent excuse, however Gracia's adamant stare didn't leave much to discuss. Seizing his chance, Ed was quick to interrupt.

"Actually, mem, I and Alphonse were just thinking about going for a walk! We can buy apples by the way!" it was the very least he could do to redeem himself. Moreover, neither Ed nor Al wanted to take part in all that old-friend-meeting event any longer. The same thought had visited the brothers at the same moment: "It's better we wait until they let some steam out." Who knows what crazy ideas and orders may pop into the Colonel's head when he's absolutely pissed off?

"Nonsense!" the hostess cut short, still unaware of the brothers' itching to leave the scene as soon as possible. "In my house the boy whose birthday it is will not go out while it is pouring cats and dogs just to purchase.."

"No, no! That's fine with us!" Edward shook his head frantically, trying to convince her otherwise, but no ideas came to his mind. He glanced desperately at Al and began to improvise, hoping against hope that he was speaking quite persuasively. "I mean... em... Rain water! Yes, Al needs some rain water to... mm... To wash his brains! Right, Al?!" he nudged him urgently, chuckling nervously.

"Um... Yes!" the younger brother blabbered quickly, waving his large hands perplexedly. "It is very... Cramped here! I should bath my head under the rain once in a while!"

"Well, if you are sure, boys..." Gracia watched disapprovingly as her husband happily hugged the Elric brothers, squeezing Edward between him and Al's metal chest. The young alchemist's groans were completely ignored. Hughes was yelling his gratitudes, glad he could spend an hour before the actual celebration began in the company of his friends. Some guests were to arrive yet, Winry included, so there was some spare time left.

Two minutes later the brothers were walking down the street towards the city's outskirts where a big fair was. Rain seemed to become exhausted and was lazily licking cobbled roads; grey streams were merrily running under the feet. It was far from Edward's favourite kind of weather, however he found himself quite at peace. An unknown feeling returned. No matter how frustrating the day had promised to be, he met the midday with a content smile. He stopped abruptly right in the middle of the street, raised his head and looked at the silver sky. A few drops kissed his cheeks teasingly. Alphonse noticed that his brother wasn't following him; he came up to Ed and watched heavy clouds as well. They refused to give them a glimpse of sunshine, but did it really matter? Seventeen years. It wasn't sun that helped him and his brother. It hadn't made their life any easier, it only fed people with false hopes as any trite metaphor did.

Spending a moment motionless under the rain's care, the brothers continued their way to the fair; their minds at rest and full of cheerful thoughts.

...

"You sure you haven't seen it?!" Winry tried one more time to look absolutely adorable by making eyes big, round and teary. She had already attempted to play a scandalous and capricious lady... that tactics made her no good. Later the girl turned into a shy, blushing blonde... it made no difference. Finally, Winry became a damsel in distress. If a deep frown on an inspector's face could be any index, then that role wasn't successful as well. "Urg! I guess it's high time to reveal my true essence of a demoness!" With that said, the girl pulled out her instruments. At first the naive stout man didn't get the point... He started to grasp the idea when something cold and solid made a contact with a plump cheek of his. Abashed, the inspector rubbed his face and moaned in pain as a huge purple bruise was forming there.

"What the hell, you little wench!" the fat man hissed angrily, getting another smack that coloured his second cheek the same violet hue. Suddenly entrance doors slammed ominously behind him. He stared in awe at the girl; one hand holding the door's knob, another in possession of some frightful instrument. Strait sunny locks concealed her eyes, but he dreaded to look in them anyway. The dark aura around the blonde threatened to consume him, making him tremble with fear. "I-I dunno where your bag is, miss!" the instructor pleaded miserably, falling to his knees. Winry made an intimidating step towards him. "Please! I haven't seen! All I know is that lost things are brought to the office at the next station! Please, have mercy!" he was blabbering and panting, but the girl had lost interest in him the second she had heard about her precious luggage.

"Next station?" the blonde groaned, hating that she had to lose more time. Well, I am already late and Ed will be pissed off anyway, so another hour won't make it much worse. Winry concluded wisely, turned to the frightened instructor and flashed him a lovely smile. "Thanks a lot!" leaving the speechless man to sit in the corner, she made her way out the inspector's booth and rushed back to the station to catch the train.

Once inside the coach, the girl flopped into a seat, closing her eyes and sighing tiredly. That is a loooong day! She had spent the whole night traveling from Resembool, hence her absent-mindedness because of which she had forgotten her bag with Ed's present in the previous train. Oh, my poor gift! It is somewhere there, all alone in this cruel world... Winry shook her head immediately, driving away pessimistic thoughts and hoping that her new automail for Edward would be safe and sound. Boy, I spent several weeks constructing this new model! How could I just forget it?! And in the coach of all the places! My fate is playing silly games with me! She thought dimly, puffing and shifting a sad look to the sceneries behind the window. Somebody sat next to her, but Winry was too engrossed into the inner world to pay attention. Green hills and crawling rain drops calmed her down and soon she found herself nodding. Before the girl drifted to slumber, she had made out a few snatches of neighbors' conversation, not really intrigued or interested.

"... and we can also purchase some lovely dress! Or a big candy. Or both. Right! We need all these things. Make a list, will you? ... Don't forget flowers!"

"Sure."

"Splendid! Something else... Well, your suggestions?"

"What about the second one?"

"Thank you for answering my question, because I am trying to compute the total price for everything. By the way, how much money do we have?"

"We have none."

"Excuse me?"

"It appears that sir has forgotten to give us a purse."

"Of course, you recall this fact only now. I am not planning on returning. Great! Now each of us has a specific and individual task. My is to think of something else to buy; your's is to think out a way to get money!"

... "I know."

My first and last long author note:

So, I really hate long and tedious ANs, hence I promise you this is the only one. The following notes will be pretty short =)
Three reasons I write this FMA story:
this serial inspirited me and made me want to try and create an OCC, who is NOT Mary Sue.
I promised myself that if I enter the University this year I am writing a fic no matter what. Well, I did enter)) So, here my promise comes)
My faculty isn't connected to English, so I need to practice it a lot as I don't want to forget this language.

As you see, English isn't my native language and I don't have a beta (my numerous grammar mistakes should be a serious give up)). Sorry in advance for all the mistakes)

This is actually an AU story and bases on some events from the original serial. Everyone is a year older, though. Just to make it clear: characters don't know about our world and there will be no connection to it; no Dante; characters know pretty much about Homonculies. Oh, and Hughes is alive =D ... At least, for a time being...

Well, that's all for now) I know, that's a futile thing to ask, but, please, review! Constructive criticism is welcome and appreciated.