Chapter 2: First Stop, Fullmetal

I remember it like it was yesterday, after all, it isn't everyday that one meets the infamous Fullmetal Alchemist. Though, with my record of travel, I had met many alchemists on their way to and from places. I was beginning to make a list in my journal of those I had met and those I wanted to meet. It was a sort of game to pass my idle time between trains. A girlish fancy really.

It was a beautiful spring day, almost a complete year since I had taken this job. The train was rather crowded that day because of a festival occurring in the local town to which we were traveling. I had barely managed to secure a booth for myself, the last empty one. Settling in, I had taken out my book and begun to write about my expectations for this trip but I was interrupted by the sound of a suitcase rattling onto the luggage rack above my head. Looking up, I saw an armored man towering above me. Beside me a boyish voice remarked, "This seat taken?"

I turned to face the newcomer, a short blond boy with a long trailing red jacket. Now, at this point in time I had only heard stories of the Fullmetal Alchemist and-as anyone knows-stories never match up to the actual person. To me he was a total stranger, just some kid asking for a seat on the train. Silently, I scooted over and offered him half the seat. He took it casually. His friend, the armored man from before, gingerly scooted onto his own seat across from me, careful to avoid snagging his armor or crushing anyone's toes. I stiffened and turned back to writing in my book, my concentration blown. As a result of growing up in a small town with wide open spaces the concept of being jammed so tightly into a booth with two male strangers was more than a little unnerving. As the train was full, however, I had no other option but to stick it out until the end of the line. I was due to return to Central sometime this week and now that I was crammed on the train I regretted the decision of picking a holiday to leave on.

A movement to my left drew my attention and I realized that the young blonde had retrieved a small leather bound volume from somewhere inside that coat of his and was scribbling furiously in it. Silently, I turned my attention to the window, hoping to pass the time by enjoying the view.

The morning passed between us in a relative silence. I say relative as the rest of the train passengers were quite noisy and boisterous. Eventually, bored with the view and curious about my fellow seat mates, I started small talk, "Beautiful country, huh?"

The helmet's face turned towards me and a childishly high pitched voice spoke, "Yes, it's very beautiful. Reminds me of home."

The blonde grunted at this but didn't speak. My tension eased slightly, they were just kids after all. The big one seemed older but his voice said otherwise and the small one was so youthful in his looks that he couldn't be more than twelve or thirteen.

"Yeah? This is home to me. I grew up around here. Where are you from?" I asked, smiling up at the big guy.

"We're from Risemboul but it's been awhile since we've been back." he replied.

"Risemboul . . . Hmmm . . . I don't think I've been there yet." I remarked, thinking. I recalled seeing the name on the map once but that was about it, "And where are you two headed this morning?"

"Melicar, have you ever heard of it?" he asked softly and politely, seemingly pleased to be spoken to.

I flashed him a smile, "Heard of it? It's my hometown!"

This caught the blonde's attention. He looked up from his scribbling and closed his book with a snap, "Your hometown? Then, have you ever heard anything about an alchemist named Thomas Lan?"

"Thomas Lan?" I repeated, "Sure, he was a friend of my grandfather's."

"Really?" the armored man leaned forward a little and said to the blonde, "Ed, this could be our big break!"

The blonde nodded his reply then turned back to me, "You wouldn't happen to know where he lives would you? We're looking for him."

"Well, to be honest, I'm not sure. He was local man but I can't give you an exact address." I replied.

The blonde sighed then brightened, "Well, at least we know he's still around."

The armor nodded.

"What are you looking for him for?" I asked, intrigued.

"We're interested in his research. We wanted to ask him a few questions." the blonde responded.

"Well, I'll tell you what. I'm due to be back in Central by the end of the week so I've got some spare time and I've been meaning to stop by and visit my parents. How about you accompany me? My father could tell you where Thomas lives more than likely." I offered.

"Couldn't hurt, I guess. Do you know any good inns we could stay at around here?" the blonde asked.

"Inns? We have one but with the festival it's going to be full up, always is this time of year. We have some extra beds though. My mothers a midwife so we always have spare rooms open for incoming mothers. She won't mind the company, she loves to cook."

"Sounds good to me, what about you Al?" my seat mate turned to look to his companion.

Al nodded with an affirmative noise.

I laughed as a sudden thought hit me, "Mom always did say strays followed me home."

"What's funny?" the blonde asked.

"Nothing," I responded, waving my hand dismissively, "I just realized I invited two strangers home with me without asking their names or introducing myself. I'm Adelle Barso."

"I'm Alphonse Elric and this is my older brother." the armored man said, gesturing to my seat mate.

"Well, you've probably heard of me. I'm Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist!" he responded in a boasting tone.

I blinked in surprise and reached into my bag to retrieve my book, "Really now? Then could you do me a favor?"

"What?" he asked, looking at me curiously.

I shoved the pen and open book beneath his nose, "Sign next to your name? I'm making a collection."

Edward blinked, "Of what?" he scanned the list, "Oh . . . Wait, you've met all of these alchemists?"

"Only the ones with signatures." I replied, blushing a little.

"And the check marks?" he asked, signing his name.

"Those are the ones I've seen but haven't spoken to." I replied.

"Why would you want alchemist's autographs?" he asked, scanning the list and showing it to Alphonse.

I shrugged, "It's a hobby. I need something to keep me busy on the trains."

"Really?" Alphonse asked, "Brother and I play cards usually . . ."

"Yeah? What's your game?"

"Poker." Ed replied with a shrug.

With a smile I asked, "Care for a round?"

Edward fished in his jacket and held up a deck with a slight smile, "I'll deal."