Before giving a straight answer to her request, Daisuke gives Winry a surprised look.
“Wow, you’re a mechanic? I’ve never met one, but you sure don’t look like one!”
The words simply slip, so Daisuke doesn’t even have time to know if he’s being rude or anything: it’s just that when a girl who looked as pretty as a model and had delicate features like Winry’s, the least thing he’d imagine was for her to have a job that involved mechanics and all that complicated stuff.
After saying his little surprised comment, Daisuke takes a pause to think about her actual question.
“Ah, now that you mention it… there’s a city north from here, it’s called ‘Polis’. Pretty much every commercial place is in there, so it’s the place to go if you’re looking for a job. I’ve been there a bunch of times, and from what I remember, there’s already a mechanic’s shop in there!”
He takes yet another pause to try and remember the details,
“…DS Mechanics, I think? I’ve never been there myself, but I’ve seen the owner before. He’s kind of young, and I think he’s hiring!”
Winry laughed a bit at his comment, completely unaware that he was complementing her! She’s not really great at picking up on things like that because, well, as soon as someone starts talking about automail and her works, she checks out and goes into crazy gear-head mode.
Then, she smiled slightly, her face still somewhat sad. “My Granny’s a mechanic, and the whole automail thing runs in my family.” Her voice trailed off, and soon her and her mind started to wander off.
She did, however, snap back when her new friend mentioned that there was actually a place for her to go and continue the only thing that made her feel safe; her work. Turning her frown upside-down, she raising her arms above her head and groaned as she stretched.
“The Polis, huh? Sounds like fun. Let’s go then! I’m really curious about this DS Mechanics place! Maybe I’ll learn a thing or two from the other employees there! Maybe I’ll even teach them something too!”
This was quite terrible! What a sensation the auburn haired girl was feeling as she twisted and turned herself on her little bed. Rolling on her back, she place both of her palms on top of her stomache. Laying there flat, her eyes shifted down at her hand which were now gripping at the soft material of her shirt. “Oh, this feeling is a bit unbearable….” She softly spoke out. “I think my tummy is telling me that I’m hungry.”
And that exactly what her body was trying to inform her. Now that she thought long and hard about it, she couldn’t recall the last time she had eaten a decent meal. Picking herself up from her bed, she wiggled herself to the edge were her feet touched the floor. Once she was standing on two feet, she reached over for her soft knitted sweater and threw it over her shoulders.
Leaving her hut to guard itself for the time being, she hurried across the village and towards the nearest forest path. If she recalled correctly, there was actually a raspberry brush nearby with the sweetest and tastiest raspberries she ever had the pleasure of placing in her mouth. However, before her eyes caught sights of the brush, she noticed a small-girlish figure wandering all on her lonesome. Wondering what on earth she was doing out at this time of night Orihime decided it was best to check up on the girl.
“Ah…Ano..” She spoke out, trying to gain the girl’s attention.
“Well hello there. Have you lost your way?”
Winry still didn’t find her way back yet, but she was probably getting close! Her eyes have adjusted to the darkness a bit, and she could even see a cluster of light a little ways in the distance. Let’s just hope that it’s the right Village.
Suddenly, a figure appeared up the path. It didn’t move, but as soon as it made noise she realized that help has arrived! Maybe she could get back to her hut after all! Walking over to the girl, Winry nodded.
“Yeah, actually I have!” I’m trying to get back to my home. I’m really sleepy, you see.”
“If it isn’t too much, do you think you could help me out? I haven’t found anyone else around here this late at night.” She chuckled. “Boy am I glad you came around, haha. I was worried I might not have made it back.”
Once again, Daisuke nodded to her comments.
“Yeah, it’s weird. But once you know a person or two, it isn’t as bad. I’m practically meeting new people every week, and it’s kind of exciting, even if I miss home!” Daisuke replies- it’s eager, yet a bit heavy.
No getting him wrong here, though. He did like Arcadios and all the people he’d met alright, but the thought of his family, friends, and mostly- his important person being somewhere else all alone and uncared for did sting him badly.
Somehow, Winry’s expressions were telling him that she was probably feeling the same, so being a support was going to be a source of comfort and help was going to be a priority to him now, so he keeps a steady grin as they shake hands, confirming their newly found friendship. Even a laugh or two escapes him.
Once they shook hands, Daisuke sheepishly looked up to her.
“So, Miss Winry, is there anything you’d like me to tell you or show you about Arcadios, since you’re new?”
So, he misses home too? He seems so confident and sure of himself, but it didn’t surprise her that he missed home too. There’s wasn’t a single person on this planet, or world, or whatever that didn’t miss their home. Winry herself had a weird feeling of homesickness in her stomach, and in the back of her mind all she could think of was her family and the Elric brothers. Hopefully she’ll make it back soon, but for now she just needed to focus on learning about her new surroundings because it seems like she’d be there for a while.
Winry tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ear and nodded. “Yeah, sure! Since you’re so nice to offer and all.”
“See, back home I’m a mechanic. Is there any place I could possibly get a job to keep me busy around here? I haven’t done any exploring before you showed up, so I’m not sure if there are stores or some kind of market anywhere, aha.” Winry knew that no matter where you were, you had to have currency, so that was her top priority right now.
Whitlea had let time creep up on her at the shop. They were surprisingly busy today, so cleaning and counting down the register had taken a while, all the while the sun was sinking down over the horizon. Now it was pitch black outside and she had to make it back to her village somehow.
She had never liked the dark. Not afraid of it, just…wary. Putting a brave face on, Whitlea scooped up Oshawott, “Come on, we need to get back, I’m sleepy.”
Of course she wasn’t paying any mind to her surroundings, just concentrating on making it to her nice, warm bed—
BAM!
She accidentally walked into something or someone in front of her, causing her to get knocked down to the ground. “Oh s-sorry! I didn’t see you, who or whatever you are.”
Winry still wasn’t back yet, and she was afraid she won’t be getting any sleep until the same came up. Arcadios should really invest in some lighting structures or something because this was getting ridiuculous and she was getting really sleepy…she could probably just take a nap right her—OOOF!!!
Winry was bumped by something and suddenly hit the ground. Before starting to yell at whoever (or whatever) hit her, a girls voice filled the space and let Winry know that it was just another person that hit her. Phew, at least it wasn’t some kind of monster or something.
“Ow….” Carefully pulling herself to her feet, Winry dusted herself off and touched the air, trying to find the girl that called to her. “I’m sorry I was in your way, but geez you scared me half to death! I thought you were some wild anima—” As she moved forward a bit, she touched something a little cold, slimy, and rubbery at the same time. After rubbing her hands over it a bit more she jumped back and freaked out.
“EeeAAHHHH what did I just touch?!!?”
When the girl starts counting and reaffirming what Daisuke had said, he could see the probable disbelief and annoyance on her voice. He simply nods, and tries giving out a reassuring smile. (Though it’s more nervous than anything)
“I know it’s hard to believe, but I’m afraid it’s all correct. I wasn’t too happy or convinced about it, either, if it helps.”
Daisuke then sees her introducing herself, and smiles in a more cheerful way, politely extending a hand to shake. It was one of the first times he had such a peaceful encounter with a new friend.
“It’s nice to meet you too, miss Winry! My name is Daisuke Niwa.”
“I hope we can get along!”
Daisuke had such a calming effect on Winry. Even though he’s been here for a while, he looks healthy and okay, and even has time to help others. He made her feel…safe despite being in such a strange situation. She was so lucky to have stumbled upon him!
“Well, yeah it’s a little hard to wrap my head around but I guess all I can really do is believe it, right? I guess I’ll get used to it, it’s just a little strange.” She paused, looking around at the most vibrant wildlife she’s ever seen. It was such a surreal feeling, two kids in the middle of a jungle. Was this really happening? Is she really not going home to Amestris? And what about Ed?
Thinking like that was gonna be the end of her. She absolutely had to stay positive, and by meeting this new friend it seemed like she was gonna be okay.
“Of course we can, Daisuke! I’m Winry Rockbell, nice to meet you!” Extending her hand, she grabbed his and shook it firmly, almost as if confirming the new friendship.
Winry really wasn’t used to this kind of nighttime darkness. Even the nights back in Resembool weren’t this dark, mainly because it was out in the country and the stars made it so bright. The poor girl was having a hard time navigating herself back to her hut (or even her Village for that matter), and it didn’t help that she was probably in the middle of nowhere considering there weren’t any store lights or fire braziers around. Still, she had to stay calm and keep pressing forward if she was ever gonna get back. This wasn’t gonna defeat her.
“No worries! My sense of direction isn’t that bad, I know I can get back.” She was brave (she had to be for other reasons, obviously), but really the only thing that would make her scared right now would be if a monster or a scary person sneaks up on her. And well, judging by what she’s seen today so far, she had a feeling something might happen. She’d better get back, and fast!
The girl had fortunately heard him and even greeted him, so Daisuke stays right where he is, and patiently waits for her to reach him catch her breath. It wasn’t the first time he had seen someone run like that or have such reactions, so he’s fairly used to the situation.
Alike all the people he had met so far, this girl seemed nice, but most importantly, as Daisuke had guessed, like she had been recently taken away from her own home-place. Poor girl, he knows the feeling very well by now.
“About that? I’m not so sure myself, to be perfectly honest. I don’t really know if we’re on some other country or world or dimension, but I do know this place is called Arcadios. Seems like most of the people were taken out of their home because of some sort of bad event going on there, and we’re supposed to be safe in here?”
He chuckles, a bit awkwardly, since he knows his information isn’t that reliable.
“I mean… That’s what I gathered after a few weeks in here! I was also dragged out of my own home like you, so.”
Woah woah woah! Just what was this guy saying?! He sounds like he’s reading from a children’s book or something! How was Winry supposed to believe this?! Well…this boy did seem like he was was absolutely sure of what he was saying, and she sure doesn’t have any other kind of leads….guess the only thing she could do was believe him.
“Okay, lemme get this straight,” Counting on her fingers, Winry ran through the details again, “Something happened to our home worlds, so we were taken here where its supposedly safe?”
“That’s so out there! But I guess there’s not really any other explanation…” She shrugged her shoulders and smiled at her new friend. “Thank you for helping me, uh…” She chuckled, a little embarrassed. “I’m Winry, nice to meet you.”
Even though he wasn’t on his own village right now, Daisuke felt truly at ease visiting the others. There was something quite different, yet really familiar from all of them- specially when being in Strength’s, since the people from there were quite alike Valor’s. He liked walking around, comparing the atmospheres and the type of people that went in and out.
Suddenly, as he walks, he notices someone frantically running. Was it a girl? She looked sort of frightened. Like so many people (himself included) do while just arriving to the strange country-world-thing. Daisuke isn’t sure anymore about this place, even with all the exploring around.
Due to his newly-found experience on getting violently bumped whenever a running figure was nearby, a concerned Daisuke was able to get to a safe distance, and shout:
“Excuse me, miss! Are you alright?”
“Do you need any help?”
Winry was running around so fast that she could barely see where she was going. Eventually, she ran out of breath and came to a halt, putting her hands to her knees and taking deep breaths. This was hopeless!
Suddenly, a voice called out to her, and as she stood up she saw where it was coming from.
“Miss?”
The lost blonde raised her arm and waved it across the way. “Oh, hello!”
Winry was always careful of who she associated herself with (even though she can sometimes be talked into things with lies if they’re good enough *cough* KIMBLEE *cough*), so she took a quick glance at the boy as she walked over to him. Hmm, there didn’t seem anything funky about him, well, other than his hair! He was dressed a bit funny too but that didn’t matter because he looked like he knew what was going on.
“Actually, yeah, I do need some help. I’m not really sure where I’m at. Where is this place?”
Winry wasn’t stupid enough to ask him if this was Amestris or not because it’s definitely not. She was, of course, shocked by this realization but decided that panicking wasn’t gonna do her any good. She needed to get information and work on getting back home.
