Oh my gosh… I'm really into this story. I have so much planned for this thing it's not even a test run anymore…

Thank you for my reviewers Madcat153, Xodiac 451 and BlueRoseRabbit! I love hearing what you guys think of her and thank you for your suggestions and encouragements! They help me with my story and push me along!

So know without a further ado, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own FMA or FMAB.

That was how I got a new family and a new name in this weird and unusual world.

For the next several years, Eliza would become my surrogate grandmother with very comical and odd tendencies that kept me amused and happy days on end. She acted like a child at times,grandmotherly at others and sometimes it would seems like she has seen the horrors of the world.

She taught me many things, like how to cook properly, (Unlike the first time when I nearly blew up the kitchen) how to survive, the history of this world, how to do basic household chores and sewing. She also taught me one thing that did not exist in my world: Alchemy.

Apparently in this world, Alchemy was a very big thing so she resolved to teach me.

It was an unusual science to say the least, unlike the rest of the sciences I was used to. However, thanks to the… Gate I was able to learn alchemy in a shorter period of time. When Eliza first saw me perform my first transmutation, she squealed and drew me into a death hug calling me a little prodigy. If only she knew…

Also, Eliza had quite an eventful past despite her first impression. A long time ago, she was actually a pretty famous state alchemist working for the military before she met the love of her life and settled down. She retired from the military and had a child.

Then like any other clichéd story, tragedy struck.

There was a huge fight in this town. This town which used to be a bustling city. Blood seeped through the streets, life was lost, buildings destroyed, livelihoods gone. It somehow came up all of a sudden with no warning, and took apart the once bustling city.

In that chaos, Eliza lost her son and husband.

The years following that incident left her despondent, she despaired over her loss before she bucked up one day and picked up from where they left. Resolving to live a life in which they would not be ashamed of.

The day that she picked me up, she could not leave me alone because I had the same eyes as she did back then. When she told me her life story, I stayed quiet; I didn't know how to respond.

I told her of my circumstances the day after that. I was eight years old and we had developed a bond over the years. She stayed quiet the whole entire time I was explaining to her. When I finished, she stood up and dragged me into a hug. She had accepted me, murmuring warm words into my ear.

I cried so hard that day. I felt a burden lift slightly off my chest and I felt so relieved.

We became even closer after that. Sometimes she would scold me for my mistakes, sometimes I would advise her in something's. It was a mutual relationship with acceptance and I felt so happy after that.

The town's people were cautious of me at first. It was to be expected. I was the stranger with no memory who wandered into their close knit community. Anyone would be cautious.

It took a while, but they opened up to me and I melded into their community. I was a part of their family now.

I reached the age of fifteen again; I would be aging mentally now. Every time I looked into the mirror and I still did not recognize the person in the reflection, I would shut my eyes and turn away. I was still not ready to face what I had lost and still I pushed it to the back of my mind.

And so peaceful days like that was the norm for several years.

Until now.

"Travel?"

I echoed, the words coming out of my mouth before I could think about anything. I blinked as I looked up from the Alchemy book I was reading.

"Yup." Eliza smiled as she said that.

I frowned, "Why would I need to travel?" I sighed as I tried to go back to the book I was reading, it was getting to the interesting part.

I could hear Eliza pout. "You need to go out and see the world!"

I looked up again as I raised a brow, disinterested. "Why would I want to go and see the world for? I'm happy here." I said a little confused.

"It's because of that view that I feel you should go and travel." Eliza pointed out. "When I was still working in the military, I got to travel a lot and I saw a lot of things. It really broadened my perspectives. You meet people you would never meet if you stay in this town."

She went up to me and took the book out of my hands. "Lucia, it's been twelve years since you came to this world. I know that you feel that you should try not to forget but you should see what this world is like too. What the people is like, learn and live. Don't just survive. I know you've thought about it before."

Biting my bottom lip, I looked down to our joined hands. Although now I'm not that much of a blank slate, my time with the Eliza and the people of this town have filled the hole in my heart, I still felt nervous and afraid.

I still felt as if I did not know myself as much as I should. Wondering who I was in my past, thinking if I the 'me' know is an actual person and not a fabricated being, contemplating if the bonds, the time I spent here were not fake. If the 'me' now was able to create something from this blank space in heart, mind and soul.

I closed my eyes. It was true, I felt as if I was just surviving in this world. That was my original goal when I landed in this alien world, to survive. But living with Eliza has taught me just that, and now she wants me to not just survive but live.

I admit there were times that I thought if I should try that. I always smashed that idea before it grew. I was lucky to be given a second chance, being too greedy could cost me. Now though…

"Honey," Eliza voice made me open up my eyes as I looked at her. "Lucia dear, you're still young. I know that you're worried that you don't belong in this world, or if you actually know yourself, but you should see it. When you see, you will feel as if you belong."

"Besides, you can still learn." She continued, "I have taught you what I know of alchemy but you can still learn more. Travel, see the world. Learn about yourself and others. It shatters my heart to know that you still feel lost and alone and still look so confused."

"Dear, you are rotting away in this town. You always look like you want to look for the missing ieces but you can't and you're unhappy." Her fingers clenched over mine. "I want you to be happy. Look for the happiness you deserve and you deserve it very much."

She cupped one finger over my cheek. "And at the end of the journey, know that you always have a home to come back to, that I will be here for you always."

I bit the inside of my cheek. "You're… not kicking me out right?"

Eliza's eyes widened, before pulling me into a hug. "Oh honey, of course not. You are the granddaughter that I never had. Of course not, it's just that I want you to be happy. You always look out to the distance and I don't want you to do that anymore. No one in this town does."

Her soothing voice made me relax before I processed the words. "Everyone?"

Eliza pulled back and smiled. "Everyone. The whole town as noticed how you act and we want you to be happy. We're your family."

I bit my bottom lip, "You will still be here… right?"

Her eyes softened as she rubbed her thumb over my fingers. "No matter what happens, I will still be here to accept you. You are family, to everyone in this town as well."

She pulled me into a hug, and without realizing it, tears leaked out of my eyes. I held her close, as if she was about to disappear.

I wanted to know.

I wanted to learn.

I wanted to live.

Was I meant to be in this world, will I belong? I always wanted to know the answers. If I had someone else other than Eliza who was willing to accept me wholeheartedly despite my circumstances. I wanted to do something and not just sit down and do nothing. Could I do something to help the people of this world? To help the community?

I always relied on Eliza the whole time I was here. Hiding behind her warm comforting back from the cold unknown world in front of me. I was curious but I never had the courage to step out.

I firmed my resolve.

Eliza gave me the go.

I should firm up and stand on my own two feet.

And walk forward.

"If you head in that direction you should be able to reach the next town. The next town has a train station so get on that and head towards East City. An acquaintance of mine should be able to direct you the next path you should go."

Eliza directed me as I clutched my luggage.

It was here, the day that I would be leaving.

Everyone in town had gathered to send me off. When I saw the large crowd, I felt like crying from sheer happiness.

Everyone was waving; others were crying and saying their goodbyes. Others were cheering me on.

I felt uncomfortable with the attention, but my heart swelled with the fact that they cared.

"You're ready to head off. Go out and learn, and when everything is done, I'll be here waiting for you." Eliza said with a warm smile.

I sniffed, my eyes were tearing up. Their kindness was too much, I wanted to cry so badly…

"I'll call," I forced out, my throat scratchy. "I'll call and tell you guys what I saw."

"Lucia-jou! Stop saying that or I'll cry!" Arthur the librarian called out.

"Lu-nee! Come back soon okay!" Nick, the three-year old son of the Stevenson family called.

"Lucia!"

"Lu!"

"Lulu-nee!"

"We'll be waiting okay!" They all shouted as I was about to leave and I could feel my eyes watering.

Eliza pulled me into one last hug "Look for happiness okay? I'll be here if you ever need me." She whispered softly into my ear before pulling away and pushing me towards the hill. The direction leading to the next town.

I sniffed, desperately holding my tears as I picked up my luggage and took slow steps towards the hill.

I turned one last time, "I'll come back one day! Wait for me!"

I quickly dashed before me resolve crumbled. Running up the hill and vaguely hearing their farewell.

Panting as I reached the top of the hill, where the single tree still stood there all those years ago. I turned and saw the town, my home.

Turning to the tree, I brushed my fingertips over the bark. This is where everything began, that day twelve years ago. It is here again, twelve years later, that the next chapter of my story is beginning.

I turned and headed towards the next city.

My steps are shaky, slow and uncertain.

But I'll walk slowly and surly, to reach the answers that I seek.

Maybe I'll find my reason of existence in this world...

The happiness that I yearn for...

In East city, a pair of brothers played with a little girl and her big white dog.

The red strings of fate tied to them have slowly begun to woven with yet another string. A string that was not meant of this world.

The strings of other, the dark haired man and his best friend have begun to tie in as well with this unfamiliar thread. Their colleagues follow suit.

It slowly forms, and has slowly begun to tie.

In the Gate, truth grinned.

The paradox has moved. The gears have been shifted.

The beginning of a different ending has begun; all that is left is to wait for it to unravel.

And done! As you can see, this chapter is mainly for background information since I'm kind of lazy and is a filler for what is to happen. This is also to show bits and pieces of Lucia personality.

Lucia, as you can clearly see is very uncertain, shy, nervous and very emotional. She's kind of vulnerable and her true personality has yet to take shape will grow into her as the story proceeds. Right now, her base is starting to form.

Lucia, who was mentally a fifteen year old the whole entire time, did not have a child's innocence to forget and grow into a new person, she still clings a little to her past, though she is beginning to assimilate herself into the world. She still feels like she does not belong and that will play a part in her eventual realization and break down… I am not looking forward to writing that scene…

Also, while Lucia has told Eliza about her circumstances, she never told her she saw Truth. And currently, only Eliza knows of her circumstances, no one else!

So the Elric brother's are mentioned, and they will probably appear in the next chapter. It will be kind of brutal though, how they first meet.

Are you guys kind of curious of Eliza's past? Maybe I'll do an omake or bonus chapter on that one day…

As to what type of alchemy Lucia specializes in… look forward to that.

Review! I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions! It doesn't matter if it is just to say hi, I would still like to hear it anyway!

See you soon!

SilverStar56