Chapter 2

A knock on the door roused Pinako Rockbell, who was softly correcting her granddaughter on the art of sculpting.

At 9 years of age, Winry Rockbell was, let's say, a sponge at a beach. She loved everything about sculptures; observing human nature and reproducing it in stone.

Pinako smiled as she watched Winry beam with excitement at the start of her first sculpture: Den, their dog. "Okay, Granny!" She would wriggle with joy every time her grandmother said something, blue eyes sparkling, blonde hair flipping as she vigorously turned back towards Den.

Pinako waddled up to the door, readjusting her gray hair in the strange bun-shape it was held tightly in. Coal eyes danced with wisdom and contentment. She opened the door, to find Grici and Noa standing there.

"Gyp-" Pinako cut Winry off and said cheerfully, "Grici! How nice of you to stop by. What can I do for you?"

Grici nudged her younger sister forward.

"I'm Noa," She said quietly.

"I'm Pinako, Noa. It's nice to meet you."

Noa only let a "hm" escape her throat at the introduction.

Grici laughed nervously. "She's shy." Pause. "Well, I guess I should tell you what her problem is, right?"

"It's not a problem," Noa whispered.

"She has powers."

Pinako's thin eyebrow raised. "Powers?" Grici nodded.

"She claims to be able to tell the future, to look into people's hearts when touched by them." Grici frowned. "We were hoping you could help to cure her of this sickness."

"It ISN'T a sickness."

"Noa's right, Grici," Pinako said calmly. "Things like this have no need to be cured. Perhaps we can work something out.."

"PLEASE!"

Grici fell to her knees, hands clamped together. "She killed our sister."

Noa's eyes widened. "No.."

"Tyia died. You and your cries of 'death, death, death' killed her!"

"NO!" Noa's eyes blurred with tears.

"PLEASE, Pinako, help her!" Grici turned to her sister. "Why are you denying it, Noa?" She hissed. "She DIED because of you."

"NO, NO, NO!" Noa screamed. "I DIDN'T-"

She stopped as Grici spun on her heel.

"Wait, where are you going!" Noa cried.

"You're staying here." Grici looked at Pinako. "Find her a home; nobody wanted her anyways." And with that, she left, delivering a kick to her younger sister as Noa groped around for her leg, blinded by tears.

Silence swallowed up the hallway.

Noa stared at the spot where her sister once was; Pinako's eyes lowered to the ground.

"She.." Noa's voice broke the silence.

"You poor child.."

Noa curled up into a ball, shaking with sobs. She began to whisper Kelas, oblivious to the world around her. "Gaivahn..."

She only looked up with wide eyes at Pinako when she rushed over and touched the Roma's shoulder.

After some time, she backed away.

"You can stay with us!" Winry said. She appeared in the doorway after hearing 'tell the future.' This girl was only her age, yet she had so much more knowledge!

"Yes.." Pinako smiled warmly. She gently grabbed Noa's shoulders and wrapped her into a hug. Noa still cried as they found a blanket and escorted her into the apartment.