Disclaimer: I don't own FMA, nor the characters within.

that saved

Cold and wet, she sat alone in a derelict doorway. Leaving home with nothing a few days prior had seemed like a liberating idea at the time, but now it meant she actually had nothing, no clothing, no money, no place to sleep, not even her name. She was no one and very hungry. Her black hair was pasted to her head and neck like a second skin, her eyes were dull and directed towards her white heeled dress shoes, now a murky brown. She examined her hands and smiled. The nail polish was chipped and there was dirt everywhere. She was pleased, some where beyond the massive feeling of hunger, that she looked less like a doll, and more like a girl.

"See, Loveday? I'm a mess but I'm me," she spoke to her little black horse. He never answered but she knew he was listening, her constant companion.

She decided it was time to explore her surroundings more. The alleyway was dark and full of garbage and murky puddles. Her long skirt was brown around the edge and torn on the side. Her bodice shirt was tight and confining, but she allowed it because it kept her warmer than to take it off.

A stray cat dashed across her path and she jumped. It looked at her for a moment with its eerie orange eyes before taking off into the shadows. She hugged her horse close to her heart and continued the long trek between the tall brick buildings. The street noise grew fainter as she made her way into the very heart of the city.

"You know," a low voice said from her left she jumped, "a pretty girl like you shouldn't be hanging around here. Hurry up and go home to daddy before someone sees you."

She couldn't see the person speaking, only a pair of well worn in boots poking out from under and shabby blanket.

She fingered Loveday and tried to see the speakers face, but it was covered. She found her voice and replied, "You see me."

"Yeah, I do," the voice said simply. It sounded young, but that's all she could decipher.

"So, what does that mean?"

"That's yer a foolish rich girl who's gonna get caught if she doesn't head home soon."

She didn't know what possessed her, but she answered back, "You've already caught me, and nothing's happened. Why should I fear another encounter?"

"Cuz, I ain't interested in the likes of you. Go home before someone who likes yer face comes to play with it." The voice was cold and indifferent.

She took a step to the side, away from the blanketed person, but didn't move any more than to shift Loveday into on hand and hold out her other one in greeting. "Why don't you come out?"

"Cuz I don consort with idiots like you. Go home!" The blanket was pulled away and a girl the same age jumped out. She would have been blonde, if it weren't for the layer of gutter living all over her. She panted with an odd wildness that only the alley could have supplied.

She clutched Loveday and looked into the other girls eyes. "They're green, they're gorgeous." She smiled sincerely. "What's your name?"

The wild girl blinked at her question. "Are you daft?"

She replied, "Possibly. How many other girls do you see wondering around here? None I suppose. Truth is, I don't have a home or any friends, and it looks like you are in the same situation. Tell me your name, so we can be friends."

"You're touched in the head, insane."

"And you are avoiding the question. Do you not have a name?"

"I do so!" The green eyed girl glared at her. "Martel."

"That's it?"

"Yeah, you got a problem with that girlie? What's your grand ass long noble name then?"

A moment of indecision, then, "Ross."

"Yer names shorter," Martel sneered.

Ross smiled and held out her hand. "Exactly."

Martel took the offer and they shook hands. Ross had made her first real friend.

A/N: Yay, I was finally able to post something. For all you people who read everything I write, you'll notice this has a different feel to it. I'm trying out a different style. Now that Ross picked a name for herself, it will be a hell of a lot easier to do dialogue. YAY!

Anywho, I have to go catch a bus home.
-rix the demon