(Sorry about it being short, i am having a serious case of writers block! It's annoying, help! Give me ideas! also, i need you guys to pick who Ed ends up with! Ling or Russell?

Winry dragged Edlyn into the large house, Ed trying to remember what room looked like what as she was pulled past them. The walls were lined with portraits of people she couldn't identify. The short blonde almost tripped multiple times from her lack of attention, especially when they started up a set of steps. Winry didn't seem to notice Ed's troubles, she just continued on merrily, wanting to see the Automail as soon as possible.

"Can you maybe, oh I don't know, tell me where were going?!" yelled Ed when she was finished looking at everything.

"To the mechanic's room!" said Winry, looking at Ed as if she were stupid.

"Why?" Ed asked; a little offended by the look she received.

"I want to see your Automail, that's why."

"Why?"

"I make Automail."

"Oh," was all Ed said after that, the rest of the trip quite.

The mechanic's room was nicely sized, all the walls having endless counters and cupboards, the cupboards only stopping twice to make room for windows. Work tables were placed about the room, different machines and tools scattered on their surfaces. The smell of oil was strong, making Edlyn wrinkle her nose. The floor was hardwood though; pointing out that this room wasn't originally made for this purpose. Of what walls were still visible, you could see that it was a nice tan color to match the floors.

By the time the others got to the mechanic's room, Ed was only wearing her tank top and a loaned pair of shorts. The blue eyed blonde was tinkering with her arm, the metal plates off to reveal the wiring. Ed looked uncomfortable; her shoulders hunched inwards, same with her legs. Al walked straight towards her, kneeling down so he could actually see her face, Ed having hid behind her bangs. Al sighed, pushing her bangs behind her ears to show that she was blushing.

"Winry, can I put pants back on know?" Ed whined, "I don't like people staring." she added, looking at the teens standing near the door.

This made Russell blush suddenly, making a beeline for the door. Fletcher scrambled after him with a concerned 'brother?' Ling laughed at Russell, already picking on him for his hasty exit. Lan Fan stayed for a moment longer, giving Ed an apologetic smile, before taking her leave.

Ed sat there confused for a second, and then looked back and forth between Winry and Al. "What was that all about? Why did he go red, is he sick?" she asked, her eyes wide with innocent concern. Al and Winry shared a look, before bursting out in laughter. "What? What's so funny?" Ed asked, pouting.

"It's nothing Ed," Al said, smiling at his sister. "…But, I might want to go and have a talk with him and the others." He finished, standing up and leaving the room.

"He is a very protective brother, isn't he?" Winry asked Ed.

"Yeah, why?" said Ed, head tilted to the side.

"Oh no reason, it's just that Russell and Ling might not live to next week. Fletchers a good kid though, he'll be fine." said Winry, this just confusing Ed even more. Sighing, the short blonde gave up with trying figuring out the riddle and sat still, letting Winry continue her examination.

The others stood in a different room a few doors down; it looking like it was made to please each and every teen. The walls were lined with books, besides the one parallel to the door which had a fire place. In front of the fireplace was a fluffy red rug that had a few decorative yet comfy pillows here and there. Stacks of blankets were at the rugs edge, showing that that spot was used often. Since they were still on the second floor, there were windows on the sides of the fireplace giving a nice view of the back garden. In the middle of the room were a few desks, and each one had its own lamp. The room was very large, so there was still plenty of room to the right for an island which looked to house snacks if the food on the counter was anything to show. In the same spot to the left was a reading area with four couches that made a square, the corners far away enough for people to get through.

Though the room had plenty of space, most of the occupants were near the door. Ling and Lan Fan stood in the doorway, Ling, for once, serious. Russell and Fletcher were in a few feet, and Al was standing in front of all of them, his eyes having yet to leave Russell. Lan Fan looked slightly amused, knowing what was to come. Finally, Al heaved a sigh, uncrossing his arms as he shoved them into his pockets.

"I don't think I really need to tell you to stay away from Ed, she does know how to take care of herself. But, she tends to be naïve in the relationship department. If I catch any of you taking advantage of her naiveté, then I think you should wish farewell to your safety, or lives for that matter." Al said, his gaze mainly going between Ling and Russell. Though gaze seemed like the understatement of the century. It was more like the stare from hell, Ling going as far to think he saw flames in Al's pupils. "Get it? Got it? Good," was how he finished, putting on a smile. He then simply started looking at the book selection, his arms once again crossed.

"God damn, all I did was blush and the older brother gives me a lecture." growled Russell, him going to his usual desk.

"Ha! So you admit that you blushed?" crowed Ling, giving a triumphant smirk.

"Oh shut up, the lecture wasn't for me only you know!" said Russell as he sat down.

"But brother, Alphonse was looking at you most of the time." Fletcher pointed out, not helping his sibling in the slightest.

"Be quite! You're supposed to defend your brother in times like these!" cried Russell.

"In times like what?" came a voice from behind Ling, causing everyone to look towards the door besides Al, he out of hearing range. There stood Ed, she back in her normal attire.

"Nothing," Russell replied hastily.

"He lies; we were talking about the times when a man gets feelings for certain-" Ling cut himself off to dodge a flying book, the thrower glowering at the smirking teen.

"…I don't think I want to know anymore." said Ed, she walking past Ling and Lan Fan to stand next to her brother, now looking at the books with him. Everything went quite once she was gone, though the tension wasn't gone. Ling was smirking at Russell while Russell glared at him.

"Al! Look, they have 'Alchemy, the Theories of Combining Metal'! It has been sold out for like, ever!" squealed a now excited Edlyn. She grabbed the book and ran to the desk that was in front of Russell's, sat down and began to read. Alphonse laughed quietly, shooting a caring gaze at her before he put the book he was looking at back on the shelf.

"Well, she won't be amongst the living until she has finished that book, so I am going to go and see Winry and ask what she found out about Ed's Automail." With that, Al left the room, a smile on his face.

"What do you think he meant about 'amongst the living'?" asked Fletcher, he staring at Ed's back.

Ling shrugged while walking towards her, observing how absorbed she was in the book. He poked her shoulder, waiting for her reaction. Nothing happened. "Well, for one, I don't think she can even hear us." Ling stated.

"Bug off and stop poking me, I'm not deaf. I just want to read, so go away." said Ed, her eyes never leaving the book.

The blond across from her gave a snort, Russell shaking his head as he started writing on the papers he pulled out of a drawer. Ling shrugged and grabbed Lan Fan's wrist, stating that they were going to the training room that was in the basement. The younger Tringham went to the desk beside Russell's as he also started working.

Besides Alex Louis Armstrong the rest of the house's owners weren't home, so the teens just ate from the snack counter, the maids having brought up sandwiches. They now all sat in the couch square, eating different kind's snacks. Al sat on one side of a couch with Winry to his left; Ed sat on the floor in between Al's feet. On the couch parallel to the Elric's and Rockbell sat the Tringhams. Then to Al's right, the couch had Ling and Lan Fan, and on the last couch sat the newly introduced Mei Chang and Rose.

It was still too quite, everyone a little tense. Besides Ling of course, he thought it was kind of funny. Everyone looked to Edlyn as she gave a groan and stood up, putting her hands on her hips. "Why is everyone being all depressing? Is this what it's normally like here? That's boring. I am going to ask Armstrong to show me around the city, so if any of you want to get off your butts and join me, come on!" she huffed, starting to stomp out of the room. Al and Winry shared a look, along with Rose and Mei, and then all four of them got up and followed the blonde in her quest to find Alex.

"Well, shall we join them Lan Fan?" Ling asked her, raising one brow. Lan Fan nodded and they too went after the others. That only left the two brothers. Russell sighed and stood up.

"We might as well go too." he said, happy that that made Fletcher smile.

Once Fletcher and Russell caught up with them at the main entrance, they saw Armstrong chasing Ed with his arms open for the second time that day. What was different though was after a few moments; she stopped and turned towards him. She braced herself, and let him give her a hug. He started crying harder, claiming that she had a heart of gold. Once she was on the ground again, ling had to open his mouth.

"So her heart matches her hair and eyes?" said Ling, smirking when her face went a little pink. The smirk vanished though when he saw Al's warning glare.

Ed huffed, crossing her arms and looking to the side to hide her blush. "Can we just go and look around central now?"

They had a fun time walking around and looking at all the buildings. The streets were lit up by the street lights and stores, making Ed's hair glow, which didn't go unnoticed by Ling and Russell. The two plus Al also noticed all the other admirers. Without even talking to one another, they ended up making a shield. Al was in the back, Ling and Russell on the sides, and the others in the front.

"Ooh! Let's go in here!" called out Winry, Rose and Mei quickly agreeing. The mechanic went to the back and once again grabbed Ed's wrist, dragging her into a clothing store. The boys groaned while Armstrong said he would pay, herding everyone into the store. The guys found a bench near the changing rooms to sit at while the others looked around. Except for Ed, who was standing their awkwardly, looking around with wide eyes. She walked over to Alphonse and bent down to talk into his ear.

"Do we have to stay here? Everything's all, all, ya know, frilly and-" she gave a shudder, "pink." She finished in a disgusted voice, wrinkling her nose. Ling gave a cry and glomped the blonde, rubbing his cheek on her head again.

"She is so cute! Her and her tomboyness is just adorable!" Before Al could get mad, Ling started dragging her to the dress section. "We are going to get you to wear a dress, and I won't take no for an answer! I am sure that the girls will help me." He stated in a matter of fact tone.

Ed spluttered in horror, shaking her head hastily. "No! I hate dresses! Nooooo let me goooo! Help, ack, no dresses!" That got the other girls' attention, and Ling was in fact correct, for they all rushed over and started pulling her towards the dresses.

"Green would totally match her eyes and hair; it needs to be a mossy green!" Winry said.

"But she also looks good in red, see how her cloak matches her skin complexion?" said Mei as she plucked at Ed's hood.

"Well I think it should be black, it would make her eyes and hair pop out even more than they already do." was Rose's statement.

"She should were something gold." said Lan Fan simply.

"Hey, why not just make her try on all of those colors?" suggested Ling, much to the chagrin of Ed.

"Wait, don't I get a say in this?!" yelled Ed.

"No." is what they all said in unison.

Al, Fletcher, Russell and Armstrong couldn't see any of this, but they sure did hear it, and they all had to laugh at all the yelling Ed was doing. After a while of loud arguing, they finally started pushing the short blonde towards the changing room and guys, each girl holding a few dresses. Even ling had some, he still smirking.

"Come on guys, that has to be, like, a thousand dresses! It's already dark out, we don't have time for this!" said Ed, she digging her heels into the ground with Winry and Mei pushing her.

"Nonsense, I will persuade the shop employees to stay longer! The art of persuasion has been passed down the Armstrong family for generations!" Alex yelled, his shirt suddenly gone as he stood up and walked to the check out area, his muscles flexing.

Everyone had stopped at that, Ed still leaning back into the two girls. She looked at Winry with a blank face. "He won't persuade them to stay open; he will scare them into it."

"Yes, you're right. But you still have to try the dresses on." The struggling started all over again, the boys trying hard not to laugh at both the girls and the fact that they could hear Armstrong 'persuading' the employees.

After a while of the girls being in the dressing room, arguing and Ed yelling could soon be heard again.

"Hell no, I am not going out there in this!" Ed shouted before being harshly pushed out of the curtained area. She stumbled over her own feet for a moment before straightening back up. Ed turned to start yelling again, but stopped when she noticed the stares. All the boys were staring at her, Fletchers face a bright red.

Ed was wearing bright red dress that flowed silkily down to her knees. It had a small belt that sat on one hip and laid on her other thigh. The top was like a tank top, but had a jacket with see through sleeves that went to her wrists. The girls had changed her hair into a loose side pony tail. The Automail only added to the effect, twinkling in the light as she stood there awkwardly.

Al grabbed Ling's shirt collar right before he started hugging Ed again, he smiling at her. "Wow sister, you look great."

Ed's face went even redder as she stammered out a 'thanks'. She then dashed back into the dressing room, leaving Al to deal with a pouting Ling.

"Aw, why did you stop me?" Ling whined, looking like a kicked puppy.

"That's my little sister, haven't I already talked to you about this?" Al replied with a glare. Al then looked at the other boys, Russell was staring into space with wide eyes, he facing where Ed had been. Fletchers face still resembled a tomato, he hunching his shoulders in while looking at his lap. Al could understand Fletchers reaction, but he was a bit confused as to why Russell looked so shocked.

After a few more dresses that only the girls got to see Ed in, the short blonde was dead on her feet.