Full Metal Alchemist: Harmony In Alchemy (ON HOLD)

Chapter 5: The Man With The Mechanical Arm

Harmonys' P.O.V.

We're at the train station, waiting to board our train. Al and I are trying to pick out some bread to buy while Ed is calling someone on the phone nearby.

We're looking down at the bread. "Let's see." Al scrutinizes the bread. "Do they smell good?"

I pick up a roll and smell it. "Yeah, it smells pretty good." I look at Al. "You wanna get some rolls?"

He glances at me before looking back down at the bread. "I dunno..." I sigh and lean against the wall. By time the train's whistle sounds, Al's bought some bread.

Ed whips around to us from the phone. "Hey, guys! Boarding time!"

"Now?" Al asks with surprise.

I grab my backpack and put it on. "Really, Ed?" I mumble.

He runs to the tain and yells over his shoulder. "Change of plans! Come on!" Al and I take off after him and we just barely make it to the train before it departs.

Later....

I'm seated beside Ed while Al is sitting on the seat across from us. I'm munching on one of the rolls with Ed munching on one beside me. His eyes are closed as he eats. "I can't get a solid read on this Mustang character yet." He looks out the window (because I'm sitting next to the aisle). "What kinda guy do you think he is?"

I swallow the bread in my mouth. "I don't know... I guess we'll find out when we get there."

Al's gaze focuses on something behind Ed and I. "Uh..." He waves to whatever's there. I notice this and follow his gaze to see a little girl duck behind the seat. (Editor: When I read this, I accidentally read "Little Duck Girl" and I have no idea why. Then I started to imagine a duck girl sitting behind Harmony and Ed. I'm weird. Author: haha, I'm weird too editor. Don't worry.)

Al's head hangs. "Guys.... am I scary?" He seemed sad.

Ed leans forward. "Please. You're kindness in a can."

I nod enthusiastically. "Yeah. And I think your cute, not scary." I give off a shy smile.

"Look, mom. He's strange." I hear a little girl whisper behind us. Ed and I grimace.

"Strange?" Al's voice shrinks in his suit.

"That's not nice, Mary. You shouldn't say things like that." I hear a woman's whispered reply to the little girl.

"But, look at him. He must like armor a lot to wear it everywhere. Even on a train. Do you think he gets hot?" I hear her whisper to her mother. Ed scowls as he stands up, turns to the girl and her mother, then he freezes.

I stand up to see what's he's staring at and see a lot of people staring at Al and now, us. Ed just blanks in front of all the eyes watching us. "Uh..." He holds his hands up defensively. "Aheh. Nothing to see here, folks! Nope! Nothing out of the ordinary!" He laughs nervously as he disappears into his seat.

I smile sheepishly at the people before I shrink back into my own seat. Ed wipes his forehead. "Geez, no one told me we had tickets to the Normalcy Express."

I hear giggles behind me and look up to see the girl smiling at Al and waving. I grin. "See, Al? She's not scared of you. She likes you!" I look at the girl. "Right?" She nods and smiles.

She looks at my left arm in curiosity. I look at my arm and see that my sleeve has rolled up slightly, revealing my automail. She looks at Ed's arm next and stares at it. He glances at his arm and back at her, he grins and rolls up his sleeve some more. "Cooler than skin, huh?"