Summary:
When Winry finally arrives in Rush Valley, she marvels at the number of automail studios lining the streets, and explains to a decidedly less interested Ed and Al that the violence of the Ishval Civil War and all the skirmishes since then fueled a boom in the prosthetics business centered in that town. However, after Edward’s unique arm and leg causes him to be mobbed by the enthusiastic craftsmen of Rush Valley, he discovers that his State Alchemist pocket watch has been stolen in the confusion. While searching the town, the trio learn that the most likely culprit is the local pickpocket Paninya, and that she will most likely be found selling her loot at Glotz’s Pawn Shop on the west side of town.At the aforementioned establishment, young Paninya tries to stop Ed’s watch, but the owner mentions that the watch’s lid is stuck and the gears don’t seem to be moving. Before Paninya could try to reel it in, Ed and Al burst into the store to confront her. Paninya escapes from a nearby window and the boys chase her across the rooftops and back alleys of the town, trying in vain to surround her as she displays remarkable agility. Edward comes up with a plan and uses alchemy to drive Paninya to where Al and Winry are waiting, and when they arrive, Alphonse uses the prepared transmutation ring to transmute a large iron birdcage around her. However, with a movement of her right leg, Paninya immediately cuts off several bars, revealing that her leg is not only automail, but also contains a hidden carbon blade along the length of her shin. She then reveals that her other automail leg hides a 1.5 inch carbine grenade launcher in her knee and fires it to escape. But when she tries to get away, Paninya is stopped by Winry, who refuses to let the thief go free unless Winry lets her automail be examined.