"Papa... have you seen my coloring?"
A girl named Alexis entered the room with mid-length blonde hair with two natural silver streaks that framed her face walked into the main room. Her eyes were a bright red and her perplextion was a beautiful light tan color. Compared to most girls her age, she was taller since she was 5"2' and was very thin. She proudly accepted her looks, except her hair color.
In the same room, was her father Scar, a tall man with strong muscles and short light brown hair. Silver bangs spiked out from his forehead and added a look of mystery to him. His eyes were a dark red and he had a strange black tattoo that covered most of his right arm. Across his face was a large white X shaped scar he received from a war many years ago. In his hands, he held a small bottle of hair coloring. He handed it to his daughter who took it proudly and ran into the bathroom.
"I don't know why she colors it, her hair is so beautiful..."
A young looking woman named Rose commented as she entered the room carrying a three year old daughter on her hip. Rose had long black hair with pink bangs. Her daughter, Kendra, had long black hair with silver bangs. Rose placed Kendra on the ground and she ran off to play in the corner with her doll. Scar turned to face Rose.
"Her hair is not normal. An Ishbal's hair is always a dark color..."
Scar's voice was deep and concerned. His daughter was different and that difference was dangerous. Her mother was not native to Ishbal. Her mother was light skinned, light haired and light eyed. She gave Alexis up right after birth to protect Alexis and herself. The small family all knew the secret, but they choice not to discuss it.
After another five minutes, Alexis exited the bathroom with a light brown hair, her silver streaks still framing her face beautifully. She smiled and did a double spin like a model. Sporting her favorite dark red sleeveless hoodie and black worn out jeans. Around her neck sat a silver star pendent which was strung around a purple cord. She wore it proudly and it shined brightly like real stars. It was the only thing she owned that tied her to her real mother.
"Hey papa, can I talk to you about something I want to do for my thirteenth birthday?"
Alexis spoke not so happily about her upcoming thirteenth birthday. Scar turned to face Rose and Rose's smile faded. She nodded to him and then walked over to Kendra. Picking up her small child, she left the room, heading outside into the sunshine. Alexis watched her step-mother leave the house. She turned back to her father who sat down at the table. Sitting across from him, Alexis took a deep breath.
"Let me just get to the point... I want to find my real mother."
Alexis spit out in one breath. Scar's face never changed. He knew this was coming one day; he just didn't want it to come this soon. He leaned back in his chair, eyes never leaving his daughter. She stared her father down, the way she always did when she really wanted something. Finally, she won.
"Do you understand everything behind this...?"
"Yes. I know it may take a long time. I understand it will be painful. and yes I understand I may not be happy with the results. But I just need to know..."
Alexis smiled a fake smile at her father. Scar's face remained emotionless as always. He knew who her mother was. He knew where to find her. and he knew it was not going to end well, but he wanted to please his daughter.
"Okay, listen closely. I know your mother's first name and where she was last known to be. But I warn you, it's not a pretty place. A place we've avoided forever. You really want to know?"
"Yes!"
Alexis jumped to her feet, hands planted on the table. Scar sighed and leaned back forward, resting his elbows on the table. He took a deep breath.
"Her name was Elizabeth and she was a solider of the military..."
-- Hundred-Thousand Miles Away In Central City --
"Good morning Riza, what brings you to work today? Aren't you on maternity leave?"
Maria Ross greeted her friend as she entered the base. Riza walked over to the lobby desk and leaned gently on the top.
"Roy forgot something at home."
Riza placed a folder on the counter full of notes for today's meeting.
"Girl, he would loose his head if it wasn't for you."
"True, but it has always been like that. It only got worse after the wedding..."
Maria laughed. She took the folder and called to a private to deliver it. After he left Maria turned back to Riza.
"I love being a higher up. I can boss everyone around."
"I'm only a Brigadier General and I get to boss the Fuhrer around..."
"True..."
The girls smiled at each other. The front door opened and in walked a young girl. She approached the desk next to Riza and smiled up at Riza. Riza smiled back and noted how the girl's eyes were a dark red. The girl removed the hood of her brown cloak and allowed it to fall behind her head. It was Alexis.
"Hello dear, how may I help you."
Maria greeted the small girl as Riza parted and headed for the door.
"My name is Alexis and I'm looking for my mother. Her name is Elizabeth and I was told she worked here as a solider..."
Riza hesitated for a moment then shook her head. She figured the heat was getting to her. She pushed open the door and exited the building, heading home for the rest of the day. Maria looked down at the girl.
"I'm gonna need more then a first name dear."
"That's all my father knows. My mother gave me up when I was just a baby. I wasn't even a day old. Please, I'm turning 13 soon and I really want to meet my mother."
Alexis played with her pendent. As she fiddled with it, she looked down at it and then removed it from her neck.
"This was once her's. Does it help...?"
Maria took the necklace and held it looking at it. It was a beautiful pendent. It looked aged by the black ink on it and in the center was a small crystal. Maria tapped the crystal and it opened to reveal a small locket. Inside the locket were two initials and an old, small black and white photograph. Maria tilted the star top better read the initials.
"E.H. 6-y-o."
She read to herself as she looked at the photo. The girl in the photo had to be no older then six years old. She had light colored hair, bright light colored eyes and light colored skin. Her hair was in pig tails and her bangs were jagged to the side and very short. Maria looked closer at the image.
"She looks familiar but it's hard to say. The photo is old, distorted and almost faded away."
Maria closed it and handed it back to the girl. Alexis frowned and turned to leave.
"Wait, give me your name and phone number and I'll look into it. Let me see the necklace. I'll make sure to give it back."
Alexis handed Maria the necklace.
"My name is Alexis. I live in Ishbal. I have no phone. But, I can come back tomorrow."
Maria hesitated at the mention of Ishbal. But the girl looked so innocent and not guilty.
"Bring your father tomorrow, I'll have some photographs."
"He shouldn't enter here..."
"I'll meet you guys in the park around noon time."
"Perfect."
Taking down the notes, Maria sent the girl off with a promise she will look into finding her mother.