July 24th 1924

Xenotime

I've been here for two days. Russle's hand is, thankfully no longer in need of replacement. I would rather not attach auto-mail unless it was necessary. I have a feeling I will be here for awhile, so maybe I'll set up shop here. I called Granny to tell her where I was and that I might be her a bit longer than expected. There's a lot of noise coming from the back room. Fletcher insists that it won't be long before his Brother "repays" me. However, I would still be in his debt, (to borrow a phrase from Ed) if this pans out. I don't know if I'd ever be able pay him back enough if it pans out.

"Miss Rockbell?" Fletcher poked his head in the doorway to my room.

"It's ok Fletcher, you can call me Winry". He seemed uncomfortable just then. He switched his nervous gaze to focusing on his shoes.

"… You really like Edward don't you. Ah! I'm sorry Miss- I mean Winry I shouldn't have asked such a personal question. I've only known you a couple of days… It's just…."

I looked at him wide-eyed, semi stunned by the question. I returned the turned the subject back at him asking: "How well do you know Ed and Al?"

To this he hesitated then:

"I knew Alphonse a lot better then Ed… Ed seemed to the opposite of Russle. Alphonse, from what I can tell is more like me… sort of… maybe a bit more chatty then me, why do you ask?"

"I was just wondering what they were like in their travels. I only saw them when Ed broke, no shattered his arm and Al or when they were on the run."

Fletcher's eyes went wide with surprise this time.

Russle called Fletcher for something involving what he was doing in the back. Fletcher excused himself, and I was left once again to set up.

July 25th 1924

Xenotime

Russle shook me awake early this morning. He sounded excited over something that my half asleep brain refused to register quickly enough.

"What are you doing? What's going on?"

"Winry, please get dressed and meet us in the basement. I'm sorry for intruding."

I simply lied there with the blankets pulled up to my chin. Did this guy not know how to knock? I waited till he left (and he did so quite fast) to throw on whatever set of clothes that lay closest to me at the time and ran after him.

I saw Fletcher at the door leading to the basement, his hair ruffled as though he had foregone brushing his hair out of excitement.

"Miss Winry! You're here! That's great! Now we can repay you and Ed!"

They did it, a small voice in my brain whispered. THEY.DID.IT. I can see Ed and Al!!

I ran down the stairs, thanking Fletcher on the fly.

"Winry! We're all set!"

Before me stood a gigantic door, with a bright yellow light pouring through the frame.

"How did you do this? I heard it took thousands of human lives!"

"It does. That is if you don't already have stones. Fletcher and I were working for a land baron a while back. We manufactured red stones for him. Their not the like the real philosopher stone. Their a bit less effective, and have an unreliable time limit before they bust. This thing is powered by those stones. About 200 of them to be exact. I've thrown a few rabbits that I've found in Belsio's farm They've all come back in a week or two, but I haven't tested it out on a real person yet so I don't know what will happen with a human. Are you sure you want to do this?"

I bit my lower lip. I must be out of my mind. I was actually considering it.

"A week or two? Half a month… that's half a month in a different world. "

My eyes wondered back to the door. It seemed to be waiting for my answer as well.

What did I have waiting in this world? What could possibly be waiting for me in a different world all together?

"What do I have to do? Just stand in front of it? Do I walk through it? What?"

Running his fingers though his hair, He seemed lost in thought for a moment. Looking back at me, I could see how nervous he was with this.

".. You just walk in front of it. I wouldn't touch the sides. I don't know what will happen to you. Something may go wrong. I don't want you getting killed.

He was really worried about me.

"I want to do this. If something went wrong, wouldn't you rather it be someone who volunteered?"

"Fine, I'd tell you to come back safe, but the last time I told someone that, I never saw them again…"

"Thank you Russle." His face went slightly pink.

"No problem. Ok Winry. I wish you the best of luck"