Disclaimer: I don't own FMA – it's a creation of Arakawa Hiromu

"Femininity" by Dailenna

Most of the girls she knew had all been brought up with the same basic rules: femininity reigns supreme for a woman. She must not work. Walk, talk, smile, dance, listen, and dress to emphasise the feminine side of your character – without being immodest, of course. Don't laugh. If you must, be quiet about it, and try not to show your teeth. Don't speak often, and be demure. Let the man in your life have priority.

Her upbringing hadn't been centred around being masculine, exactly, but there was a distinct lack of the societal norms that other girls had been brought up abiding to strictly. She was still expected to be quiet and let her father have his way, but without a mother to guide her, and with the absent-mindedness her father carried, she wasn't brought up being taught how to catch a man who would hereafter take care of her every need.

Alchemy was her father's main love, but he didn't think it was proper for her to study. Instead, he let her pick her own pastimes. This was what led to her fascination with artillery. He allowed her to practice, whereas none of the other girls were allowed to so much as touch a gun. She took the chance given to her and learnt what she could.

Her hair was short for practicality – long hair only got in the way of any of her activities. It was fine for the others, who didn't really do anything other than flirt or embroider, but she couldn't deal with always having it in her face, so she had it cut. There were times when her short hair made others mistake her for a man – or boy, at least. Once, she was even wearing a skirt. The other woman didn't even notice what she had done until she took a second glance, and apologised profusely.

He just accepted her short hair and less feminine activities, whereas others had mocked her for them, and got on with his study. She appreciated his nonchalance more than he realised, but said nothing. He understood her need for practicality. That was all she required. Whether she had been taught how to catch a man or not, it didn't matter. She knew that he was the one her life would revolve around, and awaited where the next twist of fate might take her.