Of Wolves and Metal

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Beth didn't come down from the top of the train until almost nightfall. When she did finally descend, her eyes were pink from either the wind or crying. She looked for the 2 armors and the blond but they weren't in the luggage car.

Must have gone to sit down. She thought as she walked through the cars back to where they had sat this morning. She saw the big armor waving at her as she approached, tapping the spot next to him. Helen sat down with a sigh as she looked at the blond and her brother. FullMetal had a journal out and was talking to Howard, getting his opinion on whatever was written down. She decided to officially introduce herself.

"You must be Alphonse Elric," She said looking at the armor, which turned it's helmet and looked at her with attentive soul-fire eyes. "I am Elizabeth, but most people call me Beth." She held out her hand with Alphonse took in his large glove and shook. "Are you an Alchemist too Al? Do you mind if I call you Al or do you prefer Alphonse?"

Al giggled a little which was odd for a large suit of armor to do before responding.

"Al is fine and yes I am but not a State Alchemist." He pointed to his brother, "He is though. I'm shocked though, most people get us confused."

"Well your mannerisms suggest whose who. One only has to observe to find truth. Eh, Brother?"

The two older brothers both looked up at this point, realizing that they were in their own world.

"Yep, that's an old philosophy. One that actually still has some credibility." Howard replied before looking back at Edward. "You have some fine notes there kid, maybe once we reach where we're going we can compare journals, I have all of mine with me."

"And who ends up carrying that trunk around?" Beth said, lifting her left eyebrow at her brother. "you really should consider making just one large journal you know."

"But each one is special and therefore individual."

"Sure sure, but I'm making a pack of some sort and you'll start carrying them. Maybe a big saddle that way you can carry me too eh?" She retorted with a small giggle.

"Do I look like a pack mule to you?" Howard's soul eyes narrowed at his sister.

"You're the size of one."

Beth leaned back with a smirk, knowing there wasn't much else he could say.

Ed and Al watched the small exchange smiling at the antics of the two.

"Anyway, Al." Beth turned her attention back to the large armor next to her. "What all can you do, alchemy wise?"

"Oh well lets see, I can do repairs of nearly anything except Ed's automail and a few more complex things like cars." Al's helmet hung down a bit, "I can also make toys to amuse myself." The last part was said quietly as if he were afraid to be called a child.

"Really? What kind of toys?"

"Anything really, I just need the right materials. I like animals the most though."

Beth looked at him with big blue eyes, being a big kid at heart she still liked the occasional toy but whenever they moved, she would give the toys she got to younger children who would have more fun with them and to keep their trunk light-ish.

"I'd love to see what you can make, if you don't mind sometime." A large smile on her face.

"Sure, when we get home I can gladly show you." Al replied happily.

Across from them, the older siblings watched happily as their youngers talked of toys like little kids. I made the two think of simpler times before alchemy and war.

"Looks like they became fast friends eh youngin?" Muttered Howard to Edward as the latter nodded his head and flipped to another page in the journal and began their discussion again about various variations of current formulas.