I've Grown Tired of This Body

Hughes

The hustle and bustle of the town square was something Maes always enjoyed. It was nice to watch people just going about their busy lives as he went about his. There was just something soothing about it.

He pulled out his shopping list, scanning over it once more. His beautiful Gracia had asked him to pick up some vegetables on his way home, and where better than the farmer's market on the square? Putting it back in his pocket, he began to closely inspect the produce. Only the best would do for his Gracia.

He was interrupted by the sound of clanking metal. Odd. He looked up and was greeted with the sight of a giant man in a suit of armor holding a notebook, a little girl in tow. He furrowed his brow in confusion. The hell?

The man seemed to perk up upon seeing Maes, racing toward him. "Excuse me, sir! You're military, right?" a surprisingly high-pitched voice asked, gaze turning to his uniform.

He nodded. "Is there something I can help you with?" he asked cautiously.

The armored man nodded frantically. "Yes, sir! Something really bad has happened to my brother and a state alchemist did it!" he exclaimed, desperation coating his voice. "Here, I have proof! Just look at the most recent entries!" He held out the notebook to Maes. He took it, flipping through the pages until he found where the entries ended. His eyes widened as he read through them.

Human transmutation? Maes didn't need to be an alchemy expert to understand what these notes were implying. And he said something bad happened to his brother...was he used in a transmutation? He'd have to consult Roy about this. But first, he had another problem to deal with.

"Can you two come with me? I'd like to discuss this a bit more in private," he asked. The armored man nodded, following Maes as he walked away from the busy square, taking them to a corner free from other people.

"Okay, can I get your names?" Starting out with the basics was always the best course of action.

The man nodded. "I'm Al. Alphonse Elric. And this is Nina Tucker."

"And your brother and the state alchemist?" he continued. Al slumped slightly at that, and Maes couldn't help but pity him.

"Edward Elric," he answered. "And the state alchemist was Shou Tucker. I think he's called the Sewing Life Alchemist."

Tucker? "Any relation to Nina here?"

A nod. "He's her dad."

Maes looked back down at the notebook. Edward and Nina had both been mentioned in the pages. He reread the entries with this new information in mind.

Oh, god. He'd planned to transmute his own daughter? Maes was not a man quick to anger, but he was filled with rage at this realization. He couldn't imagine doing that to your own child. He was already in love with his own kid and they weren't even born yet, still maybe another week until they were due. How could someone care so little about their child?

He took a deep breath. He had to learn more. "How old is your brother?"

"Twelve. Thirteen in a few days." Maes shoved down the anger that was once again growing. He was just so young.

"Do you know where he is? Have any idea at all?" Maes asked, keeping a calm front for Al and Nina's sakes.

Al shook his head. "I don't know. He went missing a few days ago. I'm not even sure how human his mind is anymore." His voice cracked a bit at the end, and Maes was overcome with the urge to comfort him.

He placed a hand on Al's shoulder, which was a bit awkward with the height difference. "Hey, I'll do everything I can to find him, okay? And I've got a friend who's a pretty good alchemist. We'll help your brother, I promise."