Fullflame

By: Bar-Ohki

Disclaimer: My name is not on the copyright paper, I assure you.

Other Stuff: I am tying this in to my other stories a little. The Western area of Ametris is like the Southern part of the United States (if you want to learn more, read A Pen or A Sword). But this is an AU story unlike my other two so there will be some distinct differences as well as parallels. You are not required to read my other stories to get all the references, they will be explained.

Also-! I drew a fanart for this story!! It's on my homepage off my profile.

And forgive me for the lateness, my beta flaked. I'm posting without him, this chapter is self-edited.

Chapter 10: Family

Depending on where you live in Ametris, different things are held in varying amounts of cultural value. The West holds males and heritage in higher regard than say, the Central Area, which instead, cares more about independence and equality. The East values loyalty to your hometown and neighbors as well as lending a hand to those in need. The South values the individual and strength of character, things like the ability to move forward. In contrast, the North values physical strength and stamina.

In Ametris there are some universal values such as: history, respect for your elders, and education. With the different values of each region coupled with the universal values, all areas have a different culture. A well traveled person could easily experience culture shock going from one region into another.

Roy Mustang was not a well traveled person. Though he had grown up with his family out West, he barely remembered the people and culture there. All he knew was the harsh survival of the fittest culture of the training camps and Central's unique culture that was a merging of all areas at once. Maes had warned him that the West was very different than Central, but Roy was dubious.

People are still people right? Roy thought to himself. How could changing place change how they act?

Boy was he in for it.

"Now arriving at Clayston!!" The conductor announced.

"This is the stop right?" Roy doubled checked with Maes as he stood up.

"Yup." Maes grabbed his suitcase, both men quickly gathered up their things and stepped out onto the platform.

Standing on the empty platform was a woman wearing in a blue dress with a pair of working boots on her feet. She also wore a scowl on her wrinkled face. Her brown hair was streaked with grey and hung around her head in a close haircut. She had sharp onyx eyes that Roy recognized from the mirror.

"Who's she?" He whispered nervously to Maes.

"I'd say your mother, but she doesn't carry herself that way, a cousin perhaps?" Maes wondered, seeing the family resemblance in the face shape and body type between his friend and the woman.

She locked eyes with Roy and marched over, her boots clacking loudly on the platform. Without warning she grabbed his chin and shoved his head from side to side to get a good look at his face. After that she let go and walked around Roy, looking him up and down. In the end she came to stand right in front of him, looking him in the eye.

"Cindy." Roy said quietly after a while, his memory faintly recognizing the behavior.

"Cindy Lynn, Roy Andrew." She corrected him with a smile. Suddenly Roy found himself in a bone crushing hug.

"Welcome 'ome!" Cindy cried. Roy returned the hug, happy.

"I'm glad to be here." He told her. Maes smiled, pulled out his infamous camera and took a picture of the reunion.

"Where 'ave you bin?" Cindy asked him, looking up a little from her hug. Roy sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"It's a long story, I just want to get back to mummy and pa." Roy explained.

" 'Course you do!" Cindy nodded. She then eyed Maes as if he was a poisonous snake.

"Cindy Lynn, this is Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes, he's in charge of investigations at Central Headquarters." Roy introduced her.

"Charmed." She remarked acidly, not even holding out her hand to be shook.

"Nice to meet you too?" Maes didn't feel all the comfortable under her gaze.

"He's the one that helped me find mummy's phone number." Roy went on. "Without his help I wouldn't have found this place."

Cindy's eyes widened, she then looked on Maes with a new respect.

"Thank you for bringin' 'im 'ome." She stepped out of the hug to bow.

"Anytime!" Maes smiled.

"Let's head back to the Big 'Ouse." Cindy grabbed both men by the wrist and led them to a truck. Soon all were piled in and Roy found himself staring at the hauntingly familiar scenery.

"So how are you two related?" Maes asked, knowing Roy may well not remember.

"Siblings." They answered. Maes nodded.

" 'Ow much do you remember?" Cindy asked, sounding a little tense.

"Not a whole lot, but sometimes seeing things helps me." Roy admitted.

"Ah." There was a tense silence. "Pa's dead."

Roy didn't say anything, it was a sensitive subject for his sister and causing her great distress. He could Feel it, and with his empathy, he couldn't help but to feel a little upset himself.

" 'E got ill, lost 'is will and died. Everyone was really upset." Cindy explained. "Mummy said 'e died because you were taken away. It's bin 'ard for everyone since…."

"I see." Roy made tight fists in his lap, feeling distressed as to what his absence caused.

"But everythin's gonna be okay now." Cindy smiled. "Your 'omecomin's all over the town."

"Er-" Roy wasn't sure how he felt about that.

"Don't you remember 'ow important it is to 'ave an 'eir to the family name?" Cindy asked him, realizing just how ignorant her brother was.

"No."

"Well, it means a whole lot, just 'bout everythin' 'round these parts." Cindy nodded her head, content with her explanation.

"Okay…." Roy's eyes widened as he tried to wrap his mind around that thought. It was then they pulled into a long gravel driveway. Pecan trees lined the drive, which held two large grass fields to either side. The drive led up to a large yellow mansion, with four marble pillars up in the front. Cindy stopped the truck on the round about in front of the front door.

"We're 'ere boys." She told them and got out. The other two followed suit.

When the final car door shut, the front door opened. A large bunch of woman of varying ages poured out the front door and embraced Roy.

"Roy!" Was the general cry. Roy tried to hug as many back as he could.

"Who is everyone!?" He gasped, bewildered.

"Let your brother 'ave some space!" An old woman snapped from the porch. She had a head of white hair tied back in a no nonsense bun. Her face was covered with hard wrinkles and her onyx eyes sparkled with fire.

"Mummy!" Roy gasped, running up and embracing his mother. He held her in a hug tightly, not wanting to let her go.

"Welcome 'ome ma son." She told him, patting him on the back.

Maes just kept taking pictures.

-an explanation and a meal later-

Roy had finished telling everyone his life story over the course of a large feast they insisted on calling 'dinner'. Maes added his two cents whenever appropriate. Within a matter of hours, Maes had become somewhat of a town hero for bringing Roy home. Many of the neighbors had come to visit, turning out to be distant relatives, giving Roy their greetings.

In turn Roy had been introduced to all of his sisters, nieces, nephews, and his two great-nephews. It was a lot of names to know, Roy found himself overwhelmed.

"So," Janet Lane, one of the sisters, inquired, "who is your Other 'Alf?"

"Edward Elric." Roy answered.

"Elric!?" Victoria, Roy's mother, exclaimed. "My! I've met some of them."

"What!?" Roy snapped up, on the edge of his seat instantly.

"Yeah, they came through town a while back…." She began.

---------

And I'm going to be evil and end it there. Review! Story art on my homepage off my profile.