The clock struck twelve times.

Outside, the world was asleep under the dark blanket of night. Inside, a little girl crept out of the bathroom, rubbing her eyes and brushing golden strands away from them. Stifling a huge yawn, she tottered back to her bedroom, but along the way, a bright flash of light made her stop in her tracks. For a moment, all she could see was blinding goldenrod.

When everything cleared, she followed the light, slowly climbing down the stairs, hands constantly gripping the banister, and tracing the flickering glow to a room. She took a peek and blinked as the last of the excess brightness ebbed away.

She knew this place; her father's study. It was strictly off-limits unless her parents said otherwise. But her childish curiosity won over her hesitation, and she continued to watch, making sure nobody saw her.

"Fire…is too wild to be tamed. I cannot do this. It's so much easier to repair the plate I broke awhile ago. Why am I chasing such a futile dream, something that more skilled alchemists have learned to leave alone? I'm too stubborn for my own good…an admirable trait and an annoying habit at the same time…"

"Don't give up, Nick. Maybe now is not yet the time…"

"Then when will it be, Nellie? You know how long I've worked and waited…"

"No one but Ishbala knows. I know you really want to finish this."

"Of course I do!" The man stood up from where he was crouching down on the floor. In front of him was a large, chalky runic circle, and he was pointing to it with the stick he had used to draw it. Beside him was a woman as tall as his shoulders, and she placed an arm around his waist before taking his chin into her hand and gently kissing his cheek. He blushed, scratching the back of his neck before opening his arms and hugging her tight.

Perenelle smiled. "I'll help you, no matter what. Remember that."

Meanwhile, the girl flinched at this sudden display of affection and made a disgusted noise – but unfortunately, her reaction gave her away, and they instantly saw her little face through the doorway. They both gaped in surprise, but it was Nellie who walked over to her, reaching down and picking the girl up.

"Riza…what are you doing up at this time? It's way past your bedtime," said Nellie, the corners of her mouth moving up in an amused smile.

Riza pointed upstairs, attempting to zero in on the general direction of the bathroom.

"Oh…I see." But she didn't know if Perenelle did see or not.

Nick ruffled the girl's blond hair, the same shade as his own. "Okay, now that you've done your business, you can go to bed now. Come on."

He accompanied Perenelle as she carried Riza up the stairs and back to her bedroom, but just as the woman's brown hand was an inch away from the doorknob, Riza tugged at her mother's nightgown collar.

"You said you were gonna help Daddy," she said curiously. "You're gonna help him with his work?"

Nick found himself grinning along with his wife as she replied, "Yes…why?"

"Well…I wanna help too. I'm gonna help you and Daddy. Can I?" asked Riza, her lips curling into a child's typical expectant, stubborn pout. Nick had to stifle a laugh and put on his straightest face, but it was Perenelle who answered for him.

"We'll see in the morning. But for now, you need your sleep."

---

It had been a few years ago, back when Riza called her father "Daddy" instead of "Father", as she did now. That was how long ago it was. But the scene was still fresh in her mind, as if it had just happened last night. And now, she thought of it again, as she passed by Mr. Hawkeye's study. Since they already had dinner at the Mustangs', he instantly trooped into his workplace, shutting the door behind him and telling Riza a hurried "Good night."

Glancing at the old grandfather clock in the hallway, she saw that it was only a few minutes past seven – too early for her bedtime.

Still, it wasn't the first time that happened.

The corridor ended in their living room, and the first thing the girl saw was the piano, covered once again after Roy had played one of her favorite songs on it when he and Major General Mustang paid her father a visit. She was seized with a strong urge to sit and recalled the little lesson she had with Roy that afternoon, and she took a step towards the piano, ready to whip off the thick checkered cloth…

But Riza thought of her father next, holed up in his study again, working on his alchemy again.

These days, he seemed to work harder and longer, to the point that she often had to coax him out to eat, like a timid stray. The piano could wait, anyway; it was always there for her to play whenever she felt like it. And maybe, if Roy became Mr. Hawkeye's apprentice in the near future, he could teach her more…

She pouted and banished that notion from her mind. After all, many children, after enjoying the piano in their younger years, leave it to pursue more important matters when they grew older. Roy would probably be too busy learning alchemy to touch their piano again, anyway. Then Riza turned on her heel and made her way through the corridor once more, heading for only one room in particular.

The door suddenly opened, and she stopped in her tracks as the alchemist emerged, wiping sweat from his brow and clutching half a candlestick in one soot-blackened hand. His breathing was hard and fast, and sweat dotted his forehead.

"Father, are you all right?"

He turned grim gray eyes towards her and attempted a crooked smile. Dropping the candlestick, he knelt on one knee and placed his smudged hands on her shoulders, and almost laughed at the look of aversion that briefly crossed her face.

"Oh, Riza…you're so much like your mother, worrying like that. Besides needing a bath, I'm fine."

"You do need a bath," she answered with a straight face before adding quickly. "But…do you need any help? I mean…with whatever you're doing…"

"So much like your mother," Mr. Hawkeye repeated. "Listen, it's all right. You don't have to worry about things I worry about." He raised a hand to ruffle her hair, but she stepped back, watching the ash smeared all over his fingers. But his smile disappeared when he heard her speak again.

Riza twisted the hem of her shirt. "I want to help you…like Mom wanted to. Especially now that she's…"

"I know. But not right now…I'll call for you when I need help. And I'll clean up when I'm done, don't worry."

As he picked up the candlestick, which was already dotted with many dark fingerprints, he watched her retreating back and sighed, smiling again.

---

"Are we there yet?"

"Almost, Lizzie, and why are you so excited to go to a little girl's birthday party, anyway? You were never into these kinds of things to begin with, anyway. Ooh, wait I know…you just want to see Samuel Saint-Claude, don't you?"

"Stella's older brother, right?"

"Ginny, don't you get it? Lizzie's IN LO-OVE – "

Victoria gasped and attempted to prize her twin's hand off her mouth. Regine stifled a snicker, earned matching glares from her sisters and decided to focus on their brother, who was too busy staring out the window to notice the scene.

"Roy?"

"What?"

"What's wrong? You look like you're about to be marched off to your execution."

He pouted and crossed his arms. "I don't wanna go to Stella's party. She'll just force me to play the violin and the piano, make gifts for her using alchemy, or even sing those stupid songs with her…those really, really stupid ones with the really high notes. And all her friends are gonna do the same."

Olivia heard her son and turned around from the front seat.

"Is it really that bad, playing with your little friends and seeing them again after a while?"

Roy shot her a look that really did remind them of someone about to be marched off to his execution. But before she could react, Arthur spoke first as he turned the steering wheel.

"All right, we're here – the Saint-Claude estate. I'll just park the car…"

At those words, Roy's expression changed into one that told them that his executioner had already arrived.

---

"It's not fair! Roy should sit beside me!"

"I'm the birthday girl, so he stays here, with me. And I'm gonna open his present first before yours, Penny, so there!"

"Don't you know how much my mom paid for that green dress with all the fancy ribbons and laces and beads?"

"Nice going, idiot, you totally gave away your gift."

There were times when Roy actually enjoyed the attention the girls often showered him with. But these days, it was just getting on his nerves, and Stella and Penny grabbing each of his arms was not helping one bit.

"Umm…it doesn't really matter where I sit," he said slowly, trying to break free and break up the fight, to no avail. The only boy in the group hurriedly began to scan the premises for anyone who could help him – even the other boys who were clustered in a small group, but they didn't appear to notice that one of them was caught in a terrible crossfire.

Thankfully, Elizabeth passed by them at that moment, her arm in a young man's. Like Stella, he had piercing green eyes and wavy blond hair pulled back in a ponytail, and he seemed to be laughing at something Roy's sister had said.

Roy stared desperately at her, hoping she would notice, and she did.

"It's quite crowded there, don't you think?" said Lizzie nonchalantly, breaking away from her companion and heading for her younger brother, who was instantly relinquished by the girls. "Mom and Dad are looking for you and want you to sit with them for a while. You can play with your friends later."

"Does she really mean it, Sam?" asked Stella, pouting. "I really want to – "

"I think she means it, and if she doesn't, I'll teach Miss Elizabeth Mustang here a lesson on keeping promises," said Sam, winking and receiving a nudge from Lizzie. "Ouch, what was that for?"

Steering the two boys away from the girls' table, Lizzie answered, "I don't need a lesson in keeping promises. Speak for yourself; you promised to write to me when we met during Roy's eleventh birthday."

"You do realize my parents want me to get into the Military Institute of Amestris, and that would mean working my behind off! So, we'll drop your brother off at your parents' and sisters' table?"

"Yes…honestly, Roy, you should consider yourself lucky, always the center of attention. When you're older, I can't always bail you out like that, and don't even think about asking Vicky or Ginny, or Mom and Dad."

He glared at Lizzie and wrenched his hand away from hers, but continued walking beside her. "No way, they always want me to do things for them and they think it's real awesome to be sitting beside me and holding my hand and stuff like that. I know that when everything's over, they're gonna take me to the music room where they'll make me play all their favorite songs and fix their broken toys."

"Fix broken toys?" repeated Sam curiously.

"Roy's a budding alchemist, remember?" said Lizzie, her eyes twinkling as she turned to speak to him. "Okay, Roy, you can hide here…but you're on your own later. I have a life too."

"A life you'll spend making out in Samuel's bedroom!"

Cheeks glowing brilliant red, she turned to her twin and hissed, "One more word, Vicky, and I swear…"

"Elizabeth, Victoria, please," whispered Olivia, wagging a finger at them. "You two know better than that."

"If it weren't for Liz – hey, that flirt, she's gone!"

"Let her," said Regine, fanning herself delicately and catching the eye of a redheaded young man at a nearby table. Roy slipped into the empty chair beside her with a relieved sigh, and caught the eyes of his parents.

Arthur blinked. "Ah, Roy…I thought you were with your friends."

"Were you and Mom looking for me?"

Olivia and her husband traded a surprised expression, and she answered, "Not really…why?"

"Lizzie just used you as an excuse, I guess," said the boy, shrugging. "The girls were…well…I'd rather not talk about it. Is there a library around here?"

---

Even though he was fairly sure the girls were still back at the party, Roy still glanced both ways as he strolled down the corridor that led to the Saint-Claude library. His parents had told him that the Saint-Claude clan wasn't exactly a clan of alchemists, but he didn't care; maybe there was a stray book or two about even basic alchemy he could immerse himself in and well away from those annoying –

He gasped as a pair of large, tan hands grabbed his collar, just a few steps away from the double doors he was about to reach out for. His toes were brushing the floor, and he was staring at a boy probably twice as heavy as he was, and who resembled those gorillas he saw in one of the encyclopedias Lizzie constantly picked off the Mustang shelves. A couple of wiry boys who reminded Roy of some reptilian creature – either a lizard or a crocodile, maybe even both – flanked this big one.

"That's him – that's the Mustang boy, always getting the girls – "

"Ooh, you're in trouble now, you're really gonna get it unless you stay away from – "

Roy struggled in the grip of the apelike one, who remained silent. "Stay away? That's what I've been trying to do all day! You want them? They're back there!" He jerked a thumb towards the party and scratched at the hands that still held him. "You're wasting your time!" And then he bit down as hard as he could on the nearest fat finger he could reach.

With a yelp, he let go of Roy, who scampered away while the two others scrambled around their companion, who was whimpering, tears streaming down his face. What a baby, thought the youngest Mustang, as he rounded a corner and bolted down another corridor, well aware that they would probably still see him if he ducked into the library. This new corridor had no other doors besides a bright, curling gate at the very end, which he pursued and pushed open.

The first thing he saw was sunlight; dazzling rays that filled every inch of his vision, temporarily blinding him. But everything cleared instantly, and he heard the rustling grass under his feet, saw the many trees, bushes and other plants scattered all over the verdant expanse, and smelled several scents of different flowers mixed with that of a fresh lawn.

He slowed down to a walk as he explored, taking in the carved marble benches that seemed to be under every tree, the different fountains that splashed simultaneously, and the few but extremely spacious gazebos painted to match the mansion's color scheme. For a moment he thought of running away from the party.

Another moment later, Roy was walking up to the guard that stood by the second, larger and more elaborate gate that led to the outside world. Maybe there was a nice bookstore he could stay in; he saw one on the way to the Saint-Claude manor…and those boys, whoever they were, would not find him…

"Whoa there, mister…kids like you shouldn't be leaving without their parents or legal guardians," the guard chanted, as though he had memorized a rulebook of sorts – and got bored with it. "Besides, isn't it a bit too early for that?" he added, checking a small bronze pocket watch that was becoming quite tarnished in places. "And it's for your own good."

"Oh," said Roy, staring down at his shoes and looking every bit the disappointed youngling, but deep inside he wanted to blurt out to the man that being fought over by girls, fawned over by adults and fought by other boys wasn't for his own good either. "I see." He walked away, hands in pockets, head bowed down.

And the guard bought every bit of his act, and didn't notice the boy quickly duck behind a large bush bearing dozens of tiny, perkily pink flowers and pull a piece of chalk from his pocket.

---

"I thought I saw some light," said a woman whose graying black hair was pulled back into the tightest bun possible, her teacup a fraction of an inch away from her lips. "And, I thought we wouldn't have to worry about the hubbub back there while we're here. Don't tell me we'll have to choose that other gazebo, which is farther but is in need of some repairs."

"It is quite a bright day today."

"No, actually, if I'm not mistaken…that looked like an alchemic reaction. But none among the Saint-Claude family is an alchemist, right, Aunt Susan?" A much younger woman shrugged and looked at all her comrades before adding, "Please pass the cream."

The one called Susan obliged before replying, "Then…perhaps it was one of the Mustangs. Olivia has been telling me that one of her children has become quite the prodigy. Imagine, only eleven…"

"But why?" asked her niece. "I mean…"

"Maybe he's just showing off to his little friends," said Susan fondly, smiling. "He may be smart, but he is still a child."

---

Roy scowled.

Standing beside him was what seemed to be a boy a little more than half his height, made out of dirt, fallen twigs, dry leaves, and a few stray blades of grass. If it had facial features, it looked like they had all been warped and melted into each other. Its arms were stuck to its sides, and its legs were fused together, as though his creation had only a single overlarge leg.

In frustration, he punched it in the face – or at least, where its face would have been. The head topped right off the neck as if severed by a sword, and rolled in the grass, coming to a stop at someone's feet.

"Tried to trick me with alchemy, didn't you, boy?" The guard grinned, picking up the head and examining it like an archeologist with an old skull. "That's really something; being able to do alchemy at your age."

"What's it to you?" asked Roy, raising an eyebrow and folding his arms across his chest. "And aren't you supposed to be at your post?"

"It happens to be the end of my shift, young man," the guard answered. His free hand twitched, as though he wanted to ruffle Roy's hair but decided against it. "And this is quite impressive. Though of course…you've got a long way to go if you want to get past me with this."

He tossed the head towards the boy, who caught it and watched the guard walk back to the gate that led to the mansion. Meanwhile, Roy stared into where the head's eyes could have been.

"I know," he said to it.

And how long is long, anyway?

---

Wow, that's a lot of breaks there. XD Sorry 'bout the delay, folks. College.