-- she seems to have a little shadow.

Cute kid.

She steps into a little half park, and smiles back at the kid. "Hello," she calls.

Skye freezes and steps back one step. She didn't mean to be seen. Doesn't want to get into trouble.

"M'sorry."

"It's no problem at all. Curiosity should be rewarded."

She doesn't believe that, hasn't ever experienced that, but...

"Are you an alchemist?"

"Yes. They call me the Rising Life Alchemist. I work with biological organisms."

"Biological organisms?"

She doesn't know what that means, but she wants to so very much. It sounds Important.

"Beings with cells, which are the tiny things that make up our bodies. Humans are biological organisms, as are dogs, and birds, and plants, and mushrooms."

"But not houses or rocks or fire or wind?"

"Exactly! Those things do have smaller pieces that make them up, but they aren't organized like organisms are."

Skye smiles hesitantly. She made the alchemist smile. And she's not in trouble!

"Are you can... change them? Make them different."

"Yes. Alchemy has three stages: Identification. Deconstruction. Reconstruction. It is the very art and science of change."

Skye listens carefully and tries to memorise everything. They're big words, but she has a book that tells her the meaning of things. She wants to ask more, but doesn't want to push her luck. She's never gotten this far before without upsetting someone.

She looks around the park to make sure nobody is watching them. Someone who will tell her parents.

They don't seem to have caught too much attention.

"Would you like to learn more?" the alchemist asks.

She does so much. She can't stop herself from nodding.

"The university has programs for young alchemists."

Skye deflates and looks down.

"They won't let me. Want me to be a soldier." Like her brother. The hero.

"That's silly. Alchemists do so much more good. And you're a clever kid. People shouldn't stand in the way of knowledge."

"I've read about them. You help people?"

"Yes. I'm Amestris's foremost medical researcher. If your parents are opposed, I can talk to them. Very few people wouldn't be impressed by an offer of an apprenticeship from me."

She's going to get into trouble and this is going to go wrong and she might be lying. But.

"I want to help people and learn. Would you really?"

"Yes, really. You've already shown yourself to be quite clever, and I do need an apprentice."

Clever. She's never been called clever before.

"Is your name Marian Yashagoro?"

"Got it in one. I suppose you recognized my title?"

"I read the newspaper and there's a book in the library that has a list of all the different State Alchemists. But you don't work for the State. So I dunno why they listed you."

"They stick their fingers in the University a lot, and I am the most famous contemporary non-State alchemist."

"Is that a good thing? That the State does that."

"Depends on if you like the State. But I'm generally in favor of academic freedom. Leads to better results."

"They say the State wants to keep the war going. But that hurts people."

"Yes. Wars always do. And they often benefit those above, at the expense of those below."

"I wanna help. So they don't hurt. Or heal them when they do."

"A very noble ambition. Remember that, as you become powerful."

"Don't want power. Not like that."

"Healing people is a power all of itself. People will respect you because of what you can do."

"Will it help me?"

"People with respect can make bigger changes, yes. If everyone respects you, they might listen when you tell them to be kinder, or to take their children to the physician."

Skye nods and rolls it over in her mind.

"My parents say that word a lot. I think it has a different meaning to them."

"It does to many people."

Skye nods.

"Why do you want an apprentice?"

"A general desire to pass on my techniques. Also apprentices are convenient for tedious work."

She doesn't know what 'tedious' means, but she can guess.

"I want to be your apprentice."

"Then you shall be. Will your parents be more likely to agree if I ask them, or if I inform them that you are now my apprentice?"

Skye giggles a little.

"They might have demands if you ask them."

"Then I won't."

"I'll take you there now?"

"That'd be appreciated." And then: "What's your preferred name, and what's your parents' names?"

This stops her short.

"Parents are Peter and Olivia Moran."

"Alright. And 'apprentice' works for now as a name."

Skye nods and starts leading the way. The route they take is strange and they seem to be going down strange paths.

They don't run into anyone though. Which is unusual since it's the middle of the day and the town is pretty well populated.

The child's likely avoiding people. Cautious. Clever. Good memory, good eye for analysis and rhythm.

She doesn't comment on the strangeness.

Eventually they come upon one of the more rich houses in the neighbourhood. Skye quietly enters the front door, opening it for Marian.

There is a tall blonde woman waiting in the entrance hall. She pauses and looks at them both.

"Spencer, where have you been? Who is your guest?"

"I'm Marian Yashagoro. The Rising Life Alchemist. I spoke with your child for a bit, and was quite impressed."

She throws her son a look, composes herself a little, and nods to the Alchemist.

"My name is Doctor Olivia Avery Moran. Welcome to my home. What has my child been telling you?"

"Asking questions, mostly. The highest calling of an alchemist is to know the right ones, after all. Answers are easy enough after that."

She does not look impressed.

"Has he indeed." She crosses her hands together, and very pointedly does not invite the Alchemist further inside her home. "Thank you for returning him. He has a habit of getting into places he shouldn't. Especially with his questions."

"I will be taking this one as my apprentice, actually."

...this gets a pause out of her.

"Will you now. What authority do you have to do that?"

"Wartime Recruitment Act. Of course, no matter how clever, your child is woefully unprepared for the state alchemist entrance exams, so I will handle the education requirements."

"You're just going to take him away and teach him. With no incentive or reward for yourself?" She sounds very doubtful.

"Clever apprentices are few and far between, and much of my work is repetitive. I don't want someone who won't question it if a mark is slightly off. I'm sure you understand how it is in research."

She hums, if still a little unimpressed, but also with understanding.

"He is clever, I will give him that. His other faults... will be your problem now. Take him. I expect weekly reports of his progress."

"Very well." Then, to the child: "Anything of yours you wish to collect?"

Skye considers for a moment. Does she have anything that she can't live without?

No. She shakes her head.

"Very well. Do you have an objection to us moving on now?" she asks the mother.

"No. Be quick about it. I have guests coming over for supper."

"Then I won't hold you. Come, child." And she turns.

Skye is... stuck. Looking up at her mother. Was that it?

That is, indeed, it. She leaves the room to make her point.

Marian walks around, so she's in the child's line of sight. "You're my apprentice now, alright? There's quite a lot to learn, so we best get started soon."

Skye stares at Marian for a moment, she's scared. But... she needs to leave. Needs to learn more. Help people.

She nods and walks forward. "I'm ready."

"Good. Now, come along." And she leads her apprentice out of the house, and back towards the bed and breakfast.

Once they're sufficiently distant, between groups of people so she won't be overheard: "I can't say I approve of that woman."

"Most people are scared of her."

"I have quite a bit more power than her. Though I imagine she's a big fish in this tiny little pond."

Skye nods. "The world is bigger than she chooses to believe."

"Precisely. And more marvelous. Do you know much of alchemy already?"

"I know some of the language. The library doesn't have any textbooks with formulas."

"Then I'll have to get you set up with some that do."

"Anything you're interested in first?"