Disclaimer: Don't own it!
063: Fortune
Winry slumped on a bench. She was waiting in East City for her next train. After that, only one more stop and finally, she would be in Rush Valley. Sometimes Winry wondered why she hadn't built a car to drive around in yet. After all, cars had cushioned seats. And there was no hopping from one car to the next to get to the final destination. Even better—she could control the speed.
That decided it. She was going to build a car. Didn't Edward and Alphonse say there was one in the Nedobeck pasture...? Maybe she could convince Mr. Garfiel to let her salvage that over the next three months instead of returning to work full-time in Rush Valley.
Not that she didn't want to go back to the bustling town filled to the brim with automail and all of its mechanical glories. She loved Rush Valley! Winry just thought that maybe this wasn't the best time for her to be working there. Why wouldn't Granny just let her work from home? All the supplies and equipment were in Resembool, and customers always came to the house.
Granted, they were all Granny's customers. None of her clients from Rush Valley had been able to make the trip east. And Tetsu definitely grew. He would probably be the first in for an adjustment. And Paninya most likely got a new upgrade from Mr. Dominic. Winry couldn't wait to ogle the new prototypes. Mr. Dominic made some of the best automail she'd ever seen. He was a real master.
Winry huffed and slumped further in her seat. She was thinking in circles which wasn't helping her mood. In an effort to stop her unwanted introspection, Winry sat up and started looking at her surroundings. The train station didn't have much to offer. The same glass skylights and arches in any big city station. A few statues here and there. Nothing special there.
A girl was sitting next to her, folding and refolding her hands in her lap. She had a scarf over her head, but Winry thought she could tell the girl came from closer to the Eastern Desert, judging by the dark complexion visible on her hands. The girl was dressed modestly, with a calf-length skirt, boots and long sleeves. She moved her head, and a thick braid of white hair came out from under the scarf. The girl started. Quickly, she tried to surreptitiously tuck the offending braid back under her scarf.
She accidently made eye contact with Winry while doing so. There was an awkward minute or two while Winry took in the girl's Ishvalan features. Her only experiences with the people were with their men, so Winry was rather interested in the girl. Her features were sharper and finer than Major Miles's, but her eyes held the same knowing glare as Scar's. This girl had seen death.
The Ishvalan gave Winry a sheepish smile. Winry smiled back.
"I'm waiting for my grandmother to come from Youswell," the girl said.
"I'm on my way to Rush Valley," Winry replied.
"We're headed to Reole. My brother's getting married to a woman there." The girl's shoulders had dropped, she seemed a little more at ease.
"Oh, that's so exciting! Congratulations!" Winry cooed appreciatively.
The girl beamed at Winry. "We are all very pleased with the match."
"Reole is such a nice place this time of year, too. It's the perfect weather; no bundling up to keep from freezing. Make sure you go visit Rose Thomas," Winry continued. "She's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. And she has some of the best bath salts this side of Xing."
"You are kind to offer such advice, I thank you."
"It's nothing. Meeting someone new and chatting is more entertaining than moping about the station."
"Can I repay your kindness, miss?"
"Um," Winry paused. "Sure?"
"May I see your hand? It does not matter which." Winry placed her left hand in the girl's right. The Ishvalan then placed her other hand on top. Her eyes closed, and she began humming to herself. The wayward braid fell out from under the scarf again. Then, the girl smiled. She released Winry's hand and opened her eyes. Winry was a bit confused.
"Er, what just happened?"
"I have a gift," the girl answered. "I can see inside a person's heart with these hands."
Winry stared at her. A fortune-teller? Maybe she hadn't been sleeping enough lately...
The girl smiled kindly and continued. "You are strong-willed and loyal. You are a fierce companion, but you show your steadfastness through sharp words as often as you do kind ones. There are two boys you love. Although you would die for both, only one is your brother. I can see much happiness in your future and many blessings. You only need to go forward on your own legs."
"Thanks, I think," Winry replied after another silent, awkward moment.
"And I thank you for the advice." Steam hissed, and gravel crunched as a train hefted its way across the platform. The girl looked up and grinned wider. "My grandmother's train is here. I hope you find your future, Miss Winry."
Winry watched the girl walk away. She paused as she greeted a old woman with an eye-patch, but eventually, she was lost to the crowded station. Winry shook her head to clear it. Now she had an entirely new circle of thoughts to ponder through. She slid back down the bench. Great.
Hardly a second later, she sprang upright.
"How did she know my name?"