You like the Image I gave this story?

I had no idea where I was going with this one... but it ended up pretty darn amazing in my opinion. I hope you think the same.

I kinda skiped a lot. They've been out for a few months now and Al's 19 now. Mei's still 16 though. I'm not going to be recording every where they go, just bringing up these ones here and this one there. For example, in the beginning journal entry Goddanpai. I took that name directly off the map at the end of the series.

Barata however does not belong to me. It actually belongs to Kalirush. If you've read the stories with Al and Mei then you've probably read one of her stories, but she's also wrote this AMAZING story called Homecoming. It talks about what happens 10 years from the Promised Day and it's brillaint AlMei and EdWin and Royai and it's wonderfully consructed and researched and... well I could sing praises about it all day. But in one of her chapters she has Al cooking a meal that he learned to cook from a man from the country Barata. I asked her if I could use the idea and she said I could. So she owns the name of the country, the base (vaugely Indian), and the cuisine. The rest of it I made up myself.

(Seriously, you should read her story)


We spent two weeks in Goddanpai. The people were cautious and did not seem to trust us. They would not answer most of our questions, which made things much more difficult. After the fifth night that we woke up in the inn to find the doors locked and a man with a knife sitting outside, we decided that it was time to leave. We spent one night sleeping outside while waiting for someone to give us a ride to the next town or area.

Right now we are in the back of a cart full of some form of grain going to a large trading town in Barata. From what they man has told us, it's a fairly conservative country with strange customs, even to the people out here. They apparently don't eat any form of met or animal products because they consider all animals sacred. They have a rigid social caste from what we can tell and Mei and I aren't sure of how we're going to be accepted. Hopefully they make exceptions for foreigners. Mei made me laugh when she started joking about how we can always just tell them that I'm a Western god and that she is my human consort. I'm thinking that might not be the best idea.

I'll write again once we've found a place to stay, though that may be a while. Hopefully they will afford us lodging and even more preferably two rooms. I still haven't gotten over the room mix up in Xiongnu.

Al closed the journal and tucked the pen he was writing with into his suitcase. The man who was giving them the ride was happily chatting away with Mei about the cuisine from his home town. Somewhere along the way, Mei had become just as interested in trying out the different foods they encountered as Al, though she wasn't quite as enthusiastic about trying them out.

"How far are we until the city?" Al asked, interrupting their conversation.

"I'd say another hour or so," the man said. "You're pretty lucky you guys ran into me, not a lot of people from up North make the effort to deal with the Baratans."

"Really?"

"Yeah, like I told you earlier, they're a strange bunch of people but I find that they also have the best trading materials. You won't find any better pottery and that goes for a lot among the high classes so I can usually trade it for some high quality seeds. My father used to trade with them so I grew up pretty much used to the customs."

"You wouldn't happen to mind sticking around and helping us out, would you?" Al muttered under his breath. The man however caught it and laughed out loud.

"Sorry mister, but just because I'm used to them doesn't mean I want to spend time with them. The lady tells me you're a great adventurer set on seeing the world, so you might as well get used to figuring it out on your own." Mei blushed slightly.

"Great adventurer?" Al questioned in Amestrian. She looked into her lap, the red still dusted across her cheeks.

"Well you are. There probably isn't another person alive who's traveled as much as you and don't you dare tell me that you don't hope to see the world one day because I know that that's a lie."

"Okay I can't deny that I don't want to see and explore the world. It would be fascinating. But in the end I would rather have a happy life with a family. You know… children and a woman I love to be my wife…" his cheeks were turning red as he stared directly at her, unable to take his eyes away from hers. She was turning red and broke contact first.

"Sorry, that was… I don't know where that came from," he apologized, smiling awkwardly. Mei smiled nervously and looked away.

Why does he have to be so perfect? Mei wondered. Even when he's embarrassed!

"Okay, so I have to ask," the man, who had introduced himself to Mei as Jeond, said, looking back at them. "what's the deal with you two? You're obviously travelers, but I've never heard that language before."

"Sorry," Al apologized to him. "I'm from the West, a country called Amestris. You probably haven't heard about it because Xing pretty much blocks us from any other Easter countries. Mei traveled to my country from Xing and I went there myself after she had returned home to learn from her. I wanted to learn more about the countries out here and I asked her to come with me."

"So you're married?"

Sometimes Mei really hated how fast her blushing reaction was because the man started laughing. He had a pleasant laugh, very large and boisterous.

"Okay, I know how to recognize people who get that a lot. My daughter's close friends with a boy from out village and everyone predicts that they're going to get married. Every time someone mentions it she turns the exact same color as you two!"

"Do you think they're going to get married?" Mei asked politely.

"Truthfully," he said, turning around and winking. "Absolutely. The two kids are perfect for each other, only they deny it. Though I think that he has a bigger crush on her than she realizes."

"How old are they?"

"She's twelve. He's fourteen."

"… oh."


"Here we are," Jeond said as a rather large city came into view. "The biggest trading city in Barata. The people know me pretty well so they'll most likely treat me better than you. Whatever you do, don't mention any eating of animal products. They'll accuse you of killing gods and most likely eat you. I know some personally who made that mistake. They kicked him out pretty fast."

Both of them nodded.

"Since you're planning on sticking around for a bit, I'll introduce you to the man who rents out rooms to traders. He should be able to get you a room."

"Thank you for all you've done, if there's anything we can do for you…" Mei said bowing her head in his direction.

"Nah, it's a pleasure. The conversation has been payment enough."

"You are very kind. If you ever choose to take your trade to Xing, I'd be more than happy than to give you a good mention," Mei said graciously. The man tipped his hat towards her and she laughed. Al smiled as she laughed.

As they entered the town, the people stopped to look. Some called out greetings to Jeond, and some turned back to the work they were doing, but the majority stopped and stared eerily at Al and Mei as they went by. At this point, Al was resigned to the fact that people would stare at him for his blond hair wherever they went. He had suggested dying it a few weeks ago to Mei, but she told him no. He wasn't quite sure why, but she had mumbled something about "perfect".

In about ten or twenty minutes they arrived at a small store looking establishment and stopped Jeond stopped the cart. He tied it up quickly to a fence post and helped Mei out. Al couldn't help but feel a quick stab of jealously before he squashed it. The man had a twelve year old daughter for crying out loud.

Al got out of the cart himself and followed Joend up the small path up to the door which was swung open.

"Joend!" a heavily accented voice cried loudly. "You man!"

"Hello Fakhry, what have you been up to lately?" Joend replied, grinning widely.

"Trying to make up for your last mistake!" the man roared, slapping him on the back. "What have you been up to?"

"I picked up these two on the road. They're interested in learning more about the culture here. Do you have a spot for them in your rooms?" The man, Fakhry, looked them over, his eyes lingering a bit on Al's hair.

"What are they paying with?"

"We can work."

"I don't need anything done." Al looked at Mei worriedly. That was what they normally did. Keeping up with the different types of currencies that had developed was very complicated and they usually managed to get by offering their services in some manner. They had a bit of gold, which almost always worked, but they wanted to save that for another time.

"I can pay for them," Joend offered, but Al shot him down immediately.

"No, you've already done more than enough. You shouldn't have to—"

"What about stories?"

All three of the men turned to look at the Xingese Princess.

"Stories?" Fakhry questioned.

"Stories," Mei confirmed. "We've traveled all over the land and collected thousands of stories and legends which have never before been told. You'll never meet anyone else who can tell the same stories."

"Really? And you're sure about this?"

"Positive."

Even though she literally almost half the size of the large inn-keeper, she was standing with her feet apart and was staring up at him with brave and defiant eyes. I love her, Al couldn't help but remark in his head.

Falkhry stared at her for a few more moments then started laughing. It was easy to tell why he and Joend were friends.

"That's more than enough, Shoushu. Your room will be prepared at once and I'll have the clothing sent up to your room. You too, Shoushun," he said turning to Al. Al smiled uncertainty and then walked away, yelling at a boy who stood in the doorway to fetch the proper clothes. Joend stared at them happily.

"That was brilliant," he told Mei, smiling at her. "How did you know?"

"How did I know what?" He chuckled.

"The Baratans value stories over almost anything else. They believe that stories are gifts from the gods and everyone is divinely given. Someone blessed with the art of storytelling is to be treated with the highest honor. I told you they developed some weird customs."

"… they think I'm divinely blessed?"

"Pretty much. So make sure to tell some good ones." Joend smiled at her before climbing back into his cart. "I'll make sure to stick around for it." Then, tipping his hat again, he rode off again.

"Why do we always get confused with something supernatural?" Al wondered out loud.

ASDFGHJKL:

Later that night after a surprisingly filling meal of dozens of vegetables that Al couldn't even name doused in sauces that were spiced with spices he couldn't even say, Al was ushered into his room and told to get dressed in an outfit that he had a lot of trouble putting on. It looked similar to what the men they had passed had been wearing and it wasn't too dissimilar from the common dress in Xing, but he couldn't figure out how to keep it closed.

When he finally did manage to get it to stay on and tie it together, he exited the room to be ushered quickly outside where there were hundreds of lanterns handing in the streets, but no people. It felt awkward and wrong, but the man who was leading him didn't seem to have a problem with it. He hurried him down the street until they ran into another man who was leading Mei in the same direction.

She looked amazing. Her hair, in two braids over each shoulder, was falling from a low but very large braided bun. Like the rest of the locals she was dressed in a pair of large pants and a carefully decorated green wrap. Someone must have given her jewelry because she also wore a delicate headdress and earrings. He tried not to smile to largely at the fact that she was wearing the necklace he gave her.

"Do you know what this is about?" he asked her, hurrying up to her.

"I think this is where I tell our stories."

"Really? They're making such a huge deal out of it." Mei shrugged.

"You're forgetting Al, the gods have given me a divine gift. It's my duty to share it with these people." Al chuckled and smiled as she grabbed his arm. They were led through some back roads until they came to a small platform. Al helped Mei up onto it then climbed on top himself and stopped.

The entire town was gathered in front of the platform, some in chairs and come just on the floor.

"When word gets out that a Shoushu is in town…" Al muttered and Mei giggled before stepping out in front of the crowd. For once, she was thankful for her mother's lessons in etiquette and addressing a large group of people. The hours spent sitting at the knee of the storyteller who loved visiting the capital didn't hurt either.

"Welcome. My name is Mei Chang, and I have been gifted with the gift or legends and myths. Some of the stories I tell you tonight are as real as I am sitting here before you. Others are not. You must find the answer of which are which within yourself."

She sat down on the stool on the stage and Al moved to stand next to her.

"I'll start with a simple one of which there are many versions."

Mei then went on to tell a beautiful story about a child who grew up in horrible poverty with a horrible family. Though the help of fairies and magic she was able to procure one night of happiness in which she meets the prince of the land and they fall desperately in love. Then the night ends and the prince spends the rest of his life trying to find his love. There are many moments when he is close to finding his darling again but the family keeps her away. In the end they finally meet as she cleans his shoes for a spare coin.

Mei had the audience enraptured the whole time she talked, even Al. Of the two brothers, he was always the one more willing to listen to their mother's stories about goblins and fairies. Winry had taken full advantage of that fact and had always chosen to make Al the prince when she would convince them to playing dress up.

When the story came to an end the crowd started calling for more, and Mei, blushing slightly, obliged. She went through at least three more stories, some with happy ending and some without. At the end of the third, she had to stop and ask for a drink. They quickly fetched one for her and she took a moment to drink it down. She moved to leave afterwards but the crowd started screaming and shouting for one more.

"I really must be finishing," she protested, but the cried came louder. She looked desperately in Al's direction and he stood up.

"She cannot finish, because the last story is not her story to tell."

The crowd quieted quickly and he took a deep breath.

"The last tale of the night begins with two children. Two innocent children who lived in a land of ignorance and bliss. These two brothers were gifted beyond anything the world had ever seen because these two children possessed magic, which had been passed down to them by their father who was the greatest mage in the world.

"One day though, the sky turned black and clouds hung heavy in the sky. A disease plagued the land and their mother fell ill and died. The children were heartbroken and decided that they could not survive and chose to spend every moment working to use the magical arts to bring their mother back to life.

"No one had ever managed to do this and the children, ignorant and confident trained and studied so they could attempt to bring those who had been lost to the world back.

"When they finally deemed themselves ready for the task, the readied the spells and the materials. Magic in that world was not a simple matter, it required intricate ingredients and precise wording. So they arranged it and spoke their incantations. Lightning raced through the room and filled the corners. The ingredients roiled and moved but it wasn't right. The children could feel the energy flowing maliciously and tried to end the spell but it was too late. They had guessed wrong and it backfired and stole the older brother's leg and the younger brother's entire body."

Mei watched as Al unfolded his entire life in the form of this magical narrative. He was talking about things she had never heard of and gasped along with the crowd with the man with the scar blew apart Elphon's arm. Even during the Promised Day when Mei knew very well exactly what happened, she still jumped and waited with baited breath as the story continued. When the younger brother, Adwar, begged for the powerful princess mage to help him sacrifice himself for his brother's safety, she got tears in her eyes, remembering how hopeless she felt at that moment.

"Elphon stared as the guardian, not willing to give him anything less than what he deserved. The Guardian stared back, equally determined. He asked, 'What can you give me that you haven't already? What is worth your brother? What can you give me?' and Elphon said in a firm voice, 'I can give you my magic.' 'I don't want your magic,' the guardian answered, laughing. The Elphon grinned, and the Guardian stopped. No one grinned when in his presence. 'No, I'm giving you all of my magic. My ability to do magic.' You see, after years of searching for the final answer that would save his brother, Elphon had encountered more people than he could count, each of which he would suffer for. And he knew that as long as he had them and his brother, magic wouldn't mean anything. The Guardian laughed again and smiled, telling him 'You've finally beaten me. Take your brother home'

"The brother, now united and both with the thing they loved most—each other— returned home where they could rest and live the rest of their lives in peace."

Al finished, bowed, and stepped of the stage and Mei followed him quickly. He was pale and shaking a little.

"That was horrible, I hate speaking in front of people."

"Al… that was…"

"I know it was horrible. I mean they didn't even clap or anything but…"

"No, Al that was amazing. I… that was more amazing than anything I could have done."

"They didn't even applause," he said, starting to turn a little red. Then the man who had led them to the spot appeared, staring at them with something akin to awe.

"Honored ones," he said bowing low. "The Gods have favored you two above all of Shoushu. The stories you have told tonight will be recorded among the greatest of all the stories told by the gods." He bowed low again and when he straightened they saw tears on his face. Mei and Al stared at each other in confusion as he led them back through the streets. Whenever they passed people returning to their homes, the people would bow and praise them. It made them both feel rather awkward and they were quite glad to reach the inn. Joend was leaning against his cart which was once again parked in front of the small inn.

"That was amazing, both of you. I've never heard better. You're pretty lucky…"

"Why?" Al asked, confused.

"I don't think you'll ever have to pay for anything in this town ever again.


Shuoshu = shuoshu ren = story teller in chinese. This isn't Xing but none of the translators I could find for other Asian/Oriental/Indian translators came up with Latin alphabet translations. So I went Chinese. *uses the force* You will forget this. *random duplicate of me uses force also* You will review now.

:D Geeky Star Wars refrence.

(Oh, and yes, I am going to be uploading something for Royai Day tomorrow, and it's going to be fluffy which is hard to get for Royai. I would appriciate it if you guys checked it out :D)