2.
It was a usual morning for the poor blonde girl; get up at 6am. Get dressed before going downstairs and starting breakfast. Scrub the stairs before collecting the mail...
The mail! Winry scrabbled at the envelopes on the doormat, her wet soapy fingers leaving fingerprints on the three light blue papers lying there. She smiled as she stared at the one with her name on, written in some swirly type of writing. Her named actually lookedgood for once. As she slipped her finger under the flap, she heard footsteps coming towards her. Quickly stuffing the envelope into her pocket, she felt the usual sprawling of her body as she was pushed onto the cold floor. The remaining two pieces of mail were torn from her grasp, along with a couple of gleeful giggles.
"I know this would come today!" Envila said, tearing open one of the envelopes.
"The Prince's Ball! And so many riches that come with such an fool..." Greedila grinned as she copied her sister, ripping her invitation with a flourish. She leered greedily at the piece of paper in front of her, studying it. Suddenly she glared at Winry, aiming another kick at the poor young girl sprawled on the floor.
"Shouldn't you be cleaning, idiot!" She hissed at her as she watched Winry push herself off the floor.
"... I'm just going." Winry replied, turning her back to them as her heart urged her to read the paper still lying in her pocket. She was about to walk away when Envila called out behind her, making her stop;
"Stop right there." She hissed, storming up to Winry and stuffing her hand in her dress pocket. Winry yelled 'No!' and tried to shove her away, but it was too late.
"Ahah, what is this here...~?" Greedlia grinned, grabbing Winry's stolen envelope off her sister. Winry stood there hopelessly, tears in her eyes, as they opened the invitation, her invitation, and held it up in front of her. Winry scanned it quickly, reading the gold-inscribed lettering held in front of her;
To Miss Winerella Rockbell;
You have been invited to Prince Edward Elric's Birthday Ball, along with every girl in the town of Risembool. He would be delighted if you attended.
Formal dress is requested.
Yours sincerely,
Alex Louis Armstrong, Royal Representative of the Prince and family.
"Did you actually think you'd get to go?" Greedlia hissed at the blonde girl standing in front of her.
"Yeah, what are you going to where? A dress made of metal?!" Envlia laughing cruelly, her sister joining in.
Winry scowled, her fingers itching for her wrench in the back of her pocket. She knew what would happen if she threw it again though- Last time all her tools and creations were locked up, and threatened to be destroyed, however much money they made on the market. She knew she couldn't bear another few weeks without her stuff, it was the only thing keeping her working through her hell of a life! Instead Winry growled at her step-sisters, telling them to give her property back. Even though she didn't expect them to, it made her heart ache to see the pieces of paper tumble to the ground, all her hope of finally escaping this hell-hole lost. A small sob escaped her strangled throat before she turned on her heel, running as fast as she could up to her small bedroom in the attic. She threw herself on her bed crying, her sisters evil laughs still ringing in her ears. Why are they so damn mean to me?! Why! Her thoughts span miserably around her head, torturing her. She sighed and shook her head, suddenly surprising herself as a blonde-haired, golden-eyed boy popped into her head. Ah, the prince... She had only seen him once, riding out into the town, but even over the heads of many people, she could still remember that face. He looked so unusual, mysterious, interesting... Even if he was a little on the short side.
But why would he even bother to look at a girl like me, when there are girls so much better? Winry's mind tortured her again, as she buried her wet face in her pillow.
Meanwhile, the exact person Winry was thinking of was boredly sitting on a throne, watching the preparations for his birthday. So far he'd had a couple of science books off some friends and... a bunch of crap he'd never use. Ed sighed, watching as some poor soul attempted to add streamers to a hideous gold statue standing by the door. He would help but, he knew he wouldn't be able to reach- I mean, that wasn't the thing a prince did! He shook his head angrily at his thoughts, cursing himself and his height. He knew that girls were only after his title - and maybe his looks - and he hated it. Couldn't he find someone who he could be with, for just being him? He stood up, wanting to get out of the stuffy royal hall, and stuck through the doors. As he reached the back entrance of the castle, he grabbed a red coat hanging there, using it to disguise himself by pulling the hood up, as he snuck outside to the valley below...