Second chapter is up. Enjoy!

Reviews are love. :3

"Mother, please. I can't just sit here anymore."

It was those brilliant crimson eyes that looked back into my fiery almond ones, filled with a mother's worry – and the fear that hollowed the eyes of anyone who'd lived through the mass murders in the brunt of the Ishbalan war. She held my gaze for a good few moments, and finally sighed with defeat. It had always been hard for her to say no. "It's hard to see you go anywhere," she admitted with a smile, "Even if it's just a trip to the bathroom. Call it that love of a mother who lived a little too close to the edge."

I understood what she meant immediately, and nodded. In the old cities, it wasn't unheard of for a kid even my age to be stolen even if they were only headed across one of the foot-worn roads. But I wouldn't budge, even though I knew I'd already won. "I'll be careful. I promise."

"Oh, I shouldn't be worried about you." Vanessa laughed. "You've always been able to take care of yourself. You're a strong girl." She brought forward her right hand and ruffled my hair affectionately. "But are you sure you want to?"

"Yep," I said, not hesitating for even a moment. "That convoy'll be leaving tomorrow morning, and if I don't catch it there won't be another one for months." Then I grinned. "I'll get something done in the world and come back to tell you all about it. Wait for me, won't you?"

For a fleeting moment I thought I saw a tear spring to her eye, but in the next moment it had been wiped away by a mottled sleeve. "Of course." And without warning she took me in her arms and hugged. It was a comforting gesture, even though I knew my friends were watching me from the end of the barracks, and I hugged her back. Let them have their fun. "I don't think you were every mine," She whispered, glowing as she smiled proudly at me, "never. You were always the adventurous one. Make sure to find whatever it is that you're looking for."

I nodded again, and she broke the hug. "Like I said, don't worry. Love you!" With the casual farewell I was off, bringing my arm up in the arc of a wave before turning around and jogging down the pathway. I didn't dare look back; call it stubborn Ishbal upbringing, but I knew better than to do something to regret later. It was done, and I'd make sure I made the best of it from now on. Stopping before the boys who had indeed been waiting, I gave my cocky grin. "Ready to go?"

"Sure, as long as we won't have to hear you cry about your dear mommy," Franz cheeked, mocking the embrace. I gave him a playful punch in the shoulder.

"Oh, shut up. It's not my fault you've got no mom to say bye to." I scoffed, poking fun at our inside joke: Franz's had always worn her hair notably short and did a lot of brawny jobs, so we inevitably called her a guy from time to time. He pretended to growl, but was interrupted by the other boy who was already walking off.

"You two are slow," Keith remarked airily, striding off as if he was really that cold. It was a rouse, and all three of them knew it. Nonetheless, Franz and I muttered our retorts under our breaths and ran to catch up as we headed to where the convoy was staying their final night.