Beauty and the Alchemist

You don't understand! I'm nothing more than a freak! A metal monster who scares the hell out of everyone! Who could love someone like me?" he asked in anger, eyes piercing her own. Gently, Winry placed a palm to his cheek, feeling the sudden heat rush to his face. "I could."

Disclaimer: Since I'm not on that level of epic, Fullmetal Alchemist characters and themes belong to Hiromu Arakawa

Chapter 1: The Odd Beauty of Risembool

Long ago, when peace flooded the world like an overflowing river, nestled in a group of rolling hills resided a small village. The village was not poor or wealthy, but it was an average area to call home. Within this town lived a young woman, a woman with undeniable beauty who you could say was unusual compared to the other women. She did not want to flaunt in a gown or pretty herself up for a husband. No, she wanted to invent.

Her life revolved around mechanics and technology, enhancing and improving. Like her grandmother, she wanted to create new things and explore the art of metal. Many townspeople disapproved of her actions, going as far to calling her family crazy. But Winry Rockbell's interest and compassion would lead her to other things, like risking her life for her grandmother, discovering a hidden town, and most importantly, falling in love with a man who thought himself to be a monster.

It was a typical sunny day in the small village called Risembool, beams radiating much appreciated heat. Winry Rockbell strided down the long dirt path that led to the main part of the village, eyes hopeful and longing. A large oil smudge rested comfortably upon her face, as if it truly lived there. She took a deep sigh. Her heart was beginning to yearn for more than this common routine. Everyday she woke up, did her chores, went to the village to find metal scraps, and then ended the day with some mechanical work.

"I know there's something beyond these hills, I just have to find it."

When Winry came upon her standard destination, she was not shocked to see it was the same. The butcher and miller where having their evening conversation as always, bartering and arguing. Older, refined women still strolled proudly down the street, catching any ounce of gossip they could lay a finger upon. Even the town farmers were selling the same crops. Winry shook her head in disappointment. Could there be one day where something, just one thing could change? Just when the young mechanic thought her day couldn't get anymore traditional, her notorious suitor appeared before her eyes.

"Good afternoon, Miss Rockbell. I see you're on a daily stroll," said Zolf Kimblee, blocking the young woman's path.

"Yes, I am. It's mostly a business run though." Winry prayed he would get the picture that she was busy, but he remained next to her, matching her stride.

"Oh I see. More metal work? My dear, you shouldn't be fooling around with that stuff. It's very dangerous for a young woman."

Winry bit her tongue, angered by the statement. She heard the same comment every time she came into town. Building was not just a man's work, women could run mechanics too, and sometimes better. Still, she kept her cool. "I believe it is, but I can't give up my passion. I've got so many ideas and so little time."

"Indeed so, but you should watch out about that thinking." Zolf replied, staring her down suspiciously.

He obviously knew she was trying to resist him. In all of Risembool, she was the only girl who'd never once droned over him or his achievements. Zolf Kimblee was an astounding alchemist and fighter, not to mention the owner of the finest estate.

"I will," Winry said briskly, finally seeing her way out of the conversation. "Well, I have tons of work to do. I hope to see you again!" Without waiting for his reply, the young woman fastened her pace to a run. "Goodbye Zolf!"

Behind her Kimblee smirked, amused by her getaway. "You can run all you want, but I can catch you, Miss Rockbell."

Eventually, Winry's feet brought her to the abandoned yard at the edge of town. This land aside for the leftover scraps that most people saw as garbage. Winry, however, saw the place as a pure paradise. Eyes observant, she plundered in multiple piles, searching for any materials that would help her complete the current device she was working on. Her grandmother and she had worked on the idea for a year, hoping to finish it by the end of the month. Their plan was to design a limb—automail they called it— to help those who were injured in an accident and lost an arm or a leg. So far, they were making progress, but the experiment still needed a few extra parts.

"You'd think they'd take the time to organize this stuff." Winry muttered digging through old roof tiling. "Knowing this place, they probably didn't want to ruin the routine. Trash is meant to be trash to them."

soon enough she came upon a few lucky finds. Using both hands, she piled her arms up with multiple sheets of iron, old bolts and screws, aluminum, and copper wire.

"This should please Gran." Using all of her strength, she hauled the scraps through town, earning the usual stares.

After she made it out of the main square, the young mechanic began following a narrow dirt path leading closer to the forest. She and her grandmother enjoyed their isolated house, far away from all the people who called them weird.

Winry sighed with relief when she saw the small cottage in the distance. The chimney was brewing smoke, a signal that her grandma was working diligently. With a smile on her face., Winry skipped the rest of the way, happy to see her home. Balancing the raw materials in one arm, she pushed the door open, greeted by the smell of iron and smoke.

"Welcome home dear," her grandmother Pinako said with busy enthusiasm. "Any luck?"

"Some Gran, I found a few good-looking screws." Winry hefted the materials onto a nearby work table, laying them out for her grandma's use. She glanced to the corner of the what originally was the living room and discovered her grandmother working on yet another automail arm. "How's that prototype coming along?"

Pinako looked up from her work, a small smile stretching across her wrinkled face. "Well, if I can get the screw in there right, this one will be complete!"

"Really?" Winry asked in excitement. "That's amazing!"

Her grandmother gave her an appreciative nod and went straight back to work. Winry smiled at the old woman's efforts, glad about being born into such a hardworking family. Seeing Gran did not need her help, the young woman wandered back outside, heading straight for the fields. Her heart often led her there, filling her mind with ideas of falling into the sky and escaping this small village. The wide-spread land often reminded her that there was more to this world, she'd just have to get out and explore it. With grace, she fell back upon the tall grasses, eyes closing in relaxation.

"There's somewhere out there for me. It could be a millions miles or just a few, but I know something is waiting." Winry whispered, breathing in what was around her and admiring the field that brought her so much comfort.

When Winry arrived home that evening, a small horse and wagon were sitting in front of the cottage. Confused, the young woman picked up her pace, curious about the sudden transportation residing in the yard. Her questions were answered when she noticed her grandmother's small frame loading equipment into the wagon.

"Gran, what are you doing?" Winry asked, mind bewildered by the situation.

Her grandmother turned around, an over sized smile on her face. "You see Win, I just received a letter from the man over the Mechanic's Fair down in Rush Valley. He wants to feature our work in it! He said I should come down immediately and set up since it's only a few days away."

"Are you sure you'll be able to make it on your own? Are you sure you don't need any help?"

The old woman crossed her arms. "You should know I can handle my own, Winry. I'm tough for my age. I just want you to stay here and keep the house going, okay?"

The young woman nodded, not daring to question her grandmother. If Winry knew the woman, she would know that Pinako was braver than any man on the Earth. She smiled warmly and hugged her grandmother, dreading the goodbye. "Okay then Gran. Be safe."

Pinako squeezed her granddaughter tightly. "I'll be gone for five days at the most. If I'm not back, then have some people come look for me. Don't come snooping around on your own, Winry."

Winry sighed. Her independence had always been a big quality that made her personality. "I know, now you better get going. You have to show those people down there what the Rockbells are made of!"

Giving her one last smile, Pinako climbed aboard the wagon, reigns tight in hand. She offered her granddaughter a long wave before she took off, ready for the fair. Winry watched her only family member ride off into the distance. She felt a grin travel across her features.

"I hope you have an exciting trip Gran. Meet some new people and see the world for me." Winry said to herself. However, the beautiful mechanic did not know her words were going to become reality in the matter of days.