never forget..................
3. Oct. 10..................
https://i.postimg.cc/sDJt3kJH/inkchange.png

Hello and welcome to my little doodle space dedicated to Seektober 2025! My hope it is to complete the Aparecium 30 challenge all while drawing inspiration from Hiromu Arakawa's Fullmetal Alchemist. Depending on how life decides to poke and prod, this might end up as an Aparecium 15 challenge instead...but here’s hoping I make it to all 30! Fingers crossed!

https://www.snitchseeker.com/images/icons/icon4.gif SPOILER NOTE
I’ll do my best to avoid any direct spoilers from Fullmetal Alchemist (both renditions of the anime and the manga) in my doodles and commentary. Experiencing the series fresh with all its twists and turns is a really unique experience I don't want to rob anyone of! That said, a few minor hints or details might slip through the cracks. If you haven’t seen the show yet and want to go in completely unspoiled, please take extra care especially when reading the explanations that accompany my doodles!

transmutation list

1. cheerful
2. frightening
3. cunning
4. betrayal
5. kindness
6. flirtatious
7. haunted
8. recklessness
9. loyalty
10. chains
11. glasses
12. witch hunt
13. unrequited love
14. wisdom
15. crush
16. pipes
17. knight
18. nobility
19. peacekeeper
20. envy
21. stains
22. hufflepuff
23. ravenclaw
24. slytherin
25. gryffindor
26. evasive
27. rage
28. inconsolable
29. groaning
30. laughter

#01 CHEERFUL.......................
https://i.postimg.cc/ydBcnZ6z/seektober01thmb.jpg
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BEHOLD! Behold Major Alex Louis Armstrong in all his glory! A couple of characters manifest cheerfulness in the series, but none quite like this muscle man. His cheerfulness is always at its peak in the middle of a flex while paired with his iconic pink sparkles swirling around him. He rips off his shirt practically eeeeeeevery time he meets someone new, flexes in numerous poses, and sparkles while declaring his name and titles. He also enthusiastically demonstrates alchemy with boisterous glee - even mid battle - and is overall an incredibly kindhearted person. His character is often the comic relief, even in dire situations, in which Armstrong is depicted flexing his way through walls or offering aid to allies in over the top ways - sparkles and muscles breaking through tension with comic cheer. Of course, his magnificent mustache is also a source of sparkly joy.

#02 FRIGHTENING...................
https://i.postimg.cc/Gt6jn04X/seektober02thmb.jpg
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While this precise scene does not happen in the series, let's just leave this description with a 'if you know, you know':omglook:

Shou Tucker, the infamous Sewing-Life Alchemist, lives with his young daughter Nina and their big, lovable dog Alexander. Their story appears early in the series and marks one of the first major shifts in tone. It's an unforgettable and chilling turning point that many fans consider one of the most frightening moments in Fullmetal Alchemist - I know I do.

As a slightly chipper palate cleanser, daily zentangles helped me improve my line tracing and outlining on this one :pea:

#03 CUNNING...................
https://i.postimg.cc/qqk5TngB/seektober03thmb.jpg
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Colonel Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist, is is known for his sharp intellect and strategic thinking. Roy is incredibly skilled at reading people and using his charm to influence others to subtly guiding situations in his favor while maintaining control over his professional and personal relationships. He’s always thinking several steps ahead and hides his true motives behind a calm and charismatic exterior, exploiting his apparent lack of seriousness to mask his true ambitions and manipulate others without them realizing it. Like all great cunning characters, he operates in morally gray areas, aligning himself with groups while subtly undermining them, carefully navigating complex political landscapes for personal gain and to achieve his ultimate goals.

Roy Mustang is an incredibly ambitious man who sees both himself and his subordinates as pieces on a chessboard, with himself as the King. There’s a powerful speech he delivers that encapsulates this mindset, but it edges into spoiler territory regarding other characters and their roles in Mustang’s endgame. So, for now, you’ll just have to take my word for it.:lol:

#04 BETRAYAL................
https://i.postimg.cc/6qsbW6VP/seektober04thmb.jpg
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Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Markers
Copic Multi Liner

This will read as a spoiler but I promise it's not - quite literally the set up for the whole story and you either learn it in the literal first 30 seconds of the show in one version of the anime and certainly by the end of the first episode in both.

The story's co-protagonists, Edward and Alphonse Elric, are brothers who broke alchemy’s greatest taboo: human transmutation. Doing so in a desperate attempt to bring their mother back to life, the transmutation fails disastrously...resulting in Edward losing an arm and a leg, while Alphonse loses his entire body and Edward just barely manages to bind his little brother's soul to a suit of armor. To restore what they’ve lost, the brothers set out in search of the Philosopher’s Stone, a legendary alchemical power said to not operation under the law of equivalent exchange and make the impossible possible.

However, the truth behind the Philosopher’s Stone is far murkier than the brothers could have ever imagined. What they discover is not just unsettling, but a complete and utter betrayal of everything Elric believe in.

This one also turned my fingers red...betrayed by my own markers - the audacity.

#05 KINDNESS.............
https://i.postimg.cc/ncHKymZW/seektober05thmb.jpg
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Took five days, but finally one of the protagonists has made their appearance :whaa: Alphonse Elric, the younger of the Elric Brothers, is unconditional in his kindness and a soul that truly has no limits to its gentleness. Despite everything he endures (and it is A LOT - his soul being bound to a suit of armor is just the tip of the iceberg). Al consistently meets the world with empathy and compassion. He comforts others in their grief, protects small animals and children without hesitation, and always believes there is a way to help rather than harm. His wide-eyed innocence, bordering pure naivety at times, reminds me of deer early in the morning when their grazing is interrupted...which then made me think about classic Bambi image of Bambu with a butterfly balanced the fawn's nose - which gave inspiration for the pose ... the butterfly looks more like the Life is Strange butterfly but that's fine :lol:

May be the first time I am genuinely pleased with how all the swish swish swishing for the grass came out. There are four different shades of green in use and I think I once again have zentangle practice to thank for the precision and delicate touch of of the chisel tips.

#06 FLIRTATIOUS..........
https://i.postimg.cc/jS6sS7gQ/seektober06thmb.jpg
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Ohuhu Alcohol-based Markers
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Copic Multi Liner

With a name like Lust, it doesn't take much to piece together why she is THE character to embody the theme 'flirtatious'. I personally prefer her characterization in the 2003 anime compared to Brotherhood's, but in all versions she embodies the allure of control disguised as charm. Lust moves through every scene like a whisper of temptation. There is precision in everything she does, from the way she tilts her head when assessing a threat to the cold elegance of her extended claws - her chosen weapon that pierce through everything.

I was especially excited to experiment with a more unusual skintone - an ashy red-grey color - along with the never ending struggle that it is to shade with black :lol:

#07 HAUNTED...............
https://i.postimg.cc/R0PWKFfJ/seektober08.jpg
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For this prompt, haunted, I was immediately reminded of Father who is haunted by his imperfections and seeks to become.

https://www.snitchseeker.com/images/icons/icon4.gif Major spoilers for the series ahead, so I will put the rest under a tag.

Text Cut: spoilers for FullMetal Alchemist Brotherhood ahead

Father is the source from which all the Homunculi were born. Much like a starfish can regenerate from a single fragment, Father divides pieces of himself to create his "children," each one embodying a part of himself he views as flaws that prevented him from becoming a superior being.

His god complex drove him to create the Seven Homunculi—manifestations of the Seven Deadly Sins—by purging those emotions from his own being. In doing so, he sought perfection through division, tearing away pieces of the Philosopher’s Stone that composed his body to form smaller, flawed reflections of himself. Where a starfish’s regeneration is an act of survival, his is one of pride and control.

#08 RECKLESSNESS...................
https://i.postimg.cc/QMvJxyCY/seektober08thmb.jpg
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Solf J. Kimblee, also known as the Crimson Alchemist, is a former State Alchemist (now war criminal) and easily the most reckless of characters in the series and THAT is saying something. Oftentimes we frame recklessness through a heroic lens, but Kimblee is the complete opposite of that - or if there is a state of being that conveys more than the opposite, he is that. His psychopathic enjoyment of destruction, complete and total disregard for collateral damage (and allies), and hi nihilistic belief in the inherent worthlessness of life fuels his twisted perception of his alchemical abilities are which are designed to create explosive effects by putting his palms together and utilizing the transmutation arrays tattooed on his palms.

#09 LOYALTY..............
https://i.postimg.cc/9FpZ0dBm/seektober09thmb.jpg
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When it really comes down to it, Fullmetal Alchemist is the story of two brothers bound by loyalty and a shared promise to reclaim their original bodies, no matter the cost. Amidst the series’ darker turns, moments of comic relief are a breath of fresh air. Armstrong, as previously mentioned, serves as one source of this lightness...but so does the brothers and their devotion for one another. I wanted to capture that unshakable closeness between Edward and Alphonse here, in which they are quite literally stuck together with Alphonse accidentally squishing Edward under the weight of his heavy (but hollow) armor. Despite the chaos, the Elric brothers are always in each other’s corner. Their loyalty isn’t just solemn or serious—it’s lived-in, affectionate, and full of humor, the kind that endures through every trial and tumble.

#10 CHAINS.................
https://i.postimg.cc/KvjTMchQ/seektober10thmb.jpg
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Prisoner Number 48 and Prisoner Number 66 were once death-row inmates. As 'disposable' criminals, they were condemned, executed in name only, and then revived through cruel experiments that stripped them of their bodies, tethered their souls inside armor - their autonomy chained. The real horror is in that binding, in being forced into roles they didn’t choose, forced to guard the secrets that were supposed to stay buried and swept under the rug. There are lots of characters chained to things in Fullmetal Alchemist, but Number 48 and Number 66 feel like the strongest representation of this both thematically and literally as their suits of armor also contain chains in their design.

I really...tried to draw them in their non-chibi forms but the amount of detail quickly became overwhelming to me so I went the chibi route to make their designs a little more simple and manageable :lol:

#11 GLASSES.........................
https://i.postimg.cc/PqmqyCNn/seektober11thmb.jpg
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When it comes to glasses, there really is only one character from Fullmetal Alchemist that comes to mind: Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes. Seriously, you can’t think of Hughes without picturing the gleam of his glasses mid-lecture or mid-laugh ... or mid-showing someone pictures of his family, particularly his daughter. Yes, that little quirk from Charles Hollingberry was very much inspired by this character - easily the one from the Fullmetal Alchemist universe that I warmed to the quickest. It’s impossible not to love him, honestly, which any fan will tell you is so deep an affection that it stings. His humor and big heart make him a rare light in Fullmetal Alchemist, a reminder of what’s worth fighting for and is the source of motivation and drive for several characters in the series overall.

#12 WITCH HUNT...........
https://i.postimg.cc/fRB7bD6L/seektober12thmb.jpg
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Copic Multi Liner

First, a moment of silence for YR212 Milk White. You were a fabulous base for skin tones and shall be missed :rip:

I should probably should have waited to draw another Roy Mustang, but my eyes landing on 'witch hunt' immediately conjured up this scene and...well...any excuse to draw the man's abs s good enough for me :lol: Also very well timed - if you know, you KNOW.

In the world of Fullmetal Alchemist, “witch hunts” lie at the heart of some of the series' heaviest themes and becomes a powerful metaphor for vengeance, obsession, and the weight of grief. I have always felt this the most poignant in Roy Mustang’s character arc... though I also admit I have a huge bias *ahem* About a third-ish into the story, he becomes consumed by an almost single minded pursuit of revenge, turning the Flame Alchemist into a man fueled by the fire of righteous grief. It isn't, obviously, about hunting witches - though he is after a single individual - but about confronting the demons born of loss and the danger of letting the flames of justice burn you from the inside out.

Honestly, I don't do THE moment he is able to enact his vengeance justice - though I AM pretty darn happy with how the lighting came out. And skin tone shading *ahem* yes, shading.

#13 UNREQUITED LOVE.....
https://i.postimg.cc/RZFZM0Xm/seektober13thmb.jpg
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Some loves are simply not meant to be. All milk ever wanted was to help Edward Elric grow tall and strong... but the young alchemist wanted none of it. Truly a tragic tale of unrequited love for the ages.

One of his quirks his his height, specifically his reaction to being called short or even something her perceives as being a comment about his short stature causes his temper to flare instantly and is a consistent running gag throughout the series - especially with his younger brother's soul occupying a suit of armor that towers over him. Most people encourage him to drink his milk, which turned his agenda against milk into petty stubbornness and childlike pride. Of course, this isn't really about the milk or his height per say, but rather about Edward's pride, frustration, and his desperate desire to be seen as grown up and capable.

RIP to the white paper for the milk. When I went to erase my pencil sketches...the lineart SMEARED something horrible and not even paint pens could fix the mess. Makes the milk look like it curdled or something - truly horrifying stuff. My son actually had the original version of this as fan art on his phone and sent it to me ages ago as a laugh, so full credit for the concept goes to that artist… whose linework did not meet the same tragic fate.

#14 WISDOM...........
https://i.postimg.cc/wBzQBjwB/seektober14thmb.jpg
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In the world of Fullmetal Alchemist, there exists a mysterious and powerful concept known as the Door of Truth: a metaphysical gateway that alchemists may encounter when performing a certain kind of forbidden transmutation. Crossing that threshold grants them a glimpse of the universe’s ultimate knowledge, but it comes at a terrible cost. Because of this, only a handful of individuals ever experience this.

Each alchemist’s Door is unique, reflecting their inner self and relationship with knowledge. For this piece, I chose to depict Edward Elric’s, the first Door we as viewers are introduced to and the one that remains most familiar throughout the series. His is adorned with an interpretation of the Sephirothic Tree of Life, a symbol rooted in ancient mysticism that represents the divine structure of wisdom, creation, and understanding... all which are essentially the path toward enlightenment. In Fullmetal Alchemist, the Door of Truth mirrors that same pursuit: humanity’s relentless and the often perilous desire to grasp the infinite and uncover what lies beyond mortal comprehension.

Things have been difficult lately and I found myself not in the mood for color so much this week. So I leaned into my multiliners and a limited time frame in order to attempt to resist the urge to overthink every line. Working with ink is always nerve wracking for me, but I decided to embrace the imperfections and let stray or messy pen strokes become part of the final image. I did sketch a few faint pencil guides to start... but after that it was mostly all or nothing in black ink.

#15 CRUSH....................
https://i.postimg.cc/8CGmCzZP/seektober15hmb.jpg
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MATERIALS USED:
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As previously shared (and not a spoiler since it is in the opening ish moments of the series!), Edward Elric loses his arm and leg after a tragic attempt at a forbidden form of alchemy. To replace them, he’s fitted with automail which is a highly advanced mechanical prosthetic made of metal and powered by intricate engineering and nerve connections. These become a defining part of who he is, even earning him his State Alchemist title: The Fullmetal Alchemist. Oh hey, that's the title of the show :omglook:

Of course, Ed’s recklessness and tendency to throw himself headfirst into danger mean that his automail doesn’t always stay intact. It’s strong, but not indestructible... and it has been smashed, dented, and completely destroyed more than once.

The prompt 'crush' actually came from Moaning Myrtle’s list and, weeeeeeeeeeell, the word has quite a different intention in that context. My interpretation takes the word a bit more literally. One of the many devastating moments early in the series is when Edward’s automail is crushed during a violent encounter. Without giving too much away, the event is shocking, both physically and emotionally, leaving Ed utterly crushed in spirit as well. It’s one of those pivotal moments that strips away his bravado and reminds both him and the audience just how fragile even 'Fullmetal' can be.

As with my previous piece, I went with multiliner only...and this time I didn't use any pencil before laying down the ink. In its own quiet, unique way...this one may be my favorite thus far, even in its simplicity.

#16 PIPES................
https://i.postimg.cc/vmLjwX3L/seektober16thmb.jpg
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MATERIALS USED:
Ohuhu Alcohol-based Markers
Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Markers
Copic Multi Liner

Winry Rockbell, childhood friend of the Elric Brothers, lives in a world of gears, bolts, and pressure lines, the very veins (the pipes, if you will) that keep her creations (and her loved ones) moving. She is a bright and talented automail mechanic known for her quick temper, big heart, and incredible skill with machinery. She’s a mechanic through and through and often the voice of reason (along with the occasional wrench-throwing) in the brothers already chaotic lives.

This image captures the moment when she realizes her blunder' she has forgotten a single bolt in Edward’s automail and boy does this come at an unfortunate time.

Yay for the return to color - though really did enjoy the multi liner only challenge so I think I will have to revisit that option again soon.

#17 KNIGHT................
https://i.postimg.cc/bv19szZL/seektober17thmb.jpg
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Known as the Ice Queen of Amestris, Major General Olivier Mira Armstrong is a force not to be reckoned with and highly respected among her troops. A decorated soldier and guardian of Briggs Fortress in the icy North, she lives by a personal code as unyielding as steel which she wields. A code that prizes loyalty, honor, and the protection of those under her watch above all else. Like the knights of old, her strength lies not in ornate armor or titles - though she wears many - but in the conviction to do what must be done, no matter the cost, and to honor the code and vows she swore to uphold.

And yes, she IS the older sister of Alex Louis Armstrong - the man with the impressive moustache seen earlier :lol:

#18 NOBILITY................
https://i.postimg.cc/FKR9hz8L/seektober18thmb.jpg
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"Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return.
To obtain, something of equal value must be lost.
That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange.
In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only truth."

In alchemy, Equivalent Exchange represents nobility in its truest form. It is the embodiment of fairness and moral discipline: to gain, one must give; to create, one must sacrifice. That balance reflects the nobility of accepting consequence, of honoring the laws that govern both science and life itself. Alchemists who live by this rule practices nobility through restraint, refusing to take more than they deserve, respecting the value of every element and every life.

Which is why what the Elric Brothers attempt to do is destined to fail. The law of Equivalent Exchange fails when it comes to human transmutation because there’s no way to measure the true worth of a human soul. The brothers conduct meticulous research into the compounds that make up the human body — water (35 L), carbon (20 kg), ammonia (4 L), lime (1.5 kg), phosphorus (800 g), salt (250 g), saltpeter (100 g), sulfur (80 g), fluorine (7.5 g), iron (5 g), silicon (3 g), and trace amounts of fifteen other elements — a list Edward repeats throughout the series. Yet the payment demanded goes far beyond chemistry.

When Edward and Alphonse Elric attempt to bring their mother back using this forbidden alchemy techniques, the exchange takes everything from them instead. Alphonse loses his entire body, and Edward sacrifices his leg and then his arm in a desperate attempt to bind his brother’s soul to a suit of armor. It’s the moment they learn the harsh truth: no matter the precision of ingredients or the depth of love behind the act, a human life cannot be replicated or a deal made through alchemy.

So this is why I decided to draw imbalanced scales: one side holding the carefully measured and weighed elements that make up the human body, and the other bearing the weight of a single human soul - representing how the Elric brothers’ (and others, DUN DUN DUN) desperate attempt to defy nature reflects the corruption of the very nobility behind Equivalent Exchange and the reality that human life is more complex and valuable than simple exchange.

And back to multi liner only for the fun of it this time ^_^

#19 PEACEKEEPER.............
https://i.postimg.cc/s2KQjXJw/seektober19hmb.jpg
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Major Miles is a mixed-blood Ishvalan and Amestrian officer serving under Major General Olivier Armstrong at the icy fortress of Fort Briggs. Despite the prejudice he’s endured, Miles consistently chooses empathy over resentment, dedicating himself to fostering peace and understanding between peoples long divided. We don’t meet him until later in the series but he quickly proves to be one of the most quietly compelling characters.

His personal mission within the Amestrian State Military is to bridge a fractured past and ensure that the future is built on reconciliation and not revenge. Calm, steadfast, and deeply principled, Miles embodies the spirit of a true peacekeeper and even helps guide one of the Elric brothers’ fiercest foes toward redemption, leaving a lasting mark far beyond his limited screen time.

#20 ENVY.....................
https://i.postimg.cc/pX6xbc6m/seektober20thmb.jpg
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MATERIALS USED:
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Pretty self explanatory why this character for this prompt :lol: Like Lust, Envy is one of the Homunculi - artificial beings created through alchemy and named after the Seven Deadly Sins. True to their name, Envy personifies jealousy in its most venomous form. Cunning and cruel, they delight in stirring conflict and exploiting the emotions of others, wearing many faces both literally and figuratively.

A shapeshifter by nature and design, Envy thrives on deception and chaos, slipping into others’ forms to manipulate, divide, and destroy. His rivalry with the Elric Brothers runs deep as they represent everything he despises (and secretly envies) about humanity: resilience, compassion, and the strength that comes from love. For Edward and Alphonse, Envy isn’t just an enemy... he’s the living embodiment of one of the series’ darkest truths: the line between human and monster is drawn not by physical form, but by heart.

I went back to just multi liner for this one mostly because the Homunculi characters are a lot of black and I did not have the confidence to work with black alcohol marker again. That said, the chaotic strokes of multi liner used to create the image are remarkably fitting for Envy as a character - much more than polish and fluid ink would accomplish.

#21 STAINS...............
https://i.postimg.cc/g0h5KcVF/seektober21thmb.jpg
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Scar is a man marked by loss. Every scar on his body, every symbol etched into his skin, even his adopted namesake, carries the weight of the past. His name, as you may expect, comes from the distinctive scar on his face. This scar is a physical and symbolic reminder of his past trauma and hatred after the Ishvalan War and a name he took on to represent what he believes is his ordained role: to seek vengeance against the State Alchemists. The intricate tattoos that wind along his right arm are remnants of his brother’s research that have been twisted into a weapon of destruction. Through them, Scar channels devastating alchemical power where a single touch enough to blast matter apart at its core.

From this, is is probably easy to draw the connections to 'stains'. For Scar, his stains are reminders of grief, vengeance, and the burden of survival. His journey is one of reckoning with what those stains mean: whether they define him as a destroyer, or as someone capable of breaking the cycle of violence that branded him in the first place.

#22 HUFFLEPUFF...........
https://i.postimg.cc/nc8fVjwD/seektober22thmb.jpg
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Figured it was about time I leaned into some Hogwarts Houses this Seektober :lol: There are many characters in Fullmetal Alchemist who embody Hufflepuff traits and Maes Hughes is usually the first who comes to mind (and rightly so!). Hufflepuffs in this world possess a goodness that isn’t naive... it’s resilient, forged through empathy, service, and quiet strength. But there is another character who reflects these qualities just as deeply, if not even more so: Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye.

Hawkeye is a sharpshooter in the Amestrian State Military and serves as Colonel Roy Mustang’s most trusted aide. She represents the buttoned-up restraint that keeps others grounded and her composure, loyalty, and control hold Mustang’s volatile ambition together. Their relationship is built on profound trust, mutual respect, and an unspoken bond strengthened through shared ideals and burdens. She serves not just as his subordinate, but as his moral compass and steadfast ally...someone who understands his ambitions and the weight of his responsibilities better than anyone else. Her devotion isn’t blind loyalty but a deliberate, thoughtful choice rooted in belief in his potential to create a better world. Together, they balance one another: his fire and her calm, his vision and her discipline, forming one of the most powerful partnerships in Fullmetal Alchemist. Which is why I depicted Hawkeye handing Mustang one of his flame-ignition gloves. a gesture symbolizing trust, readiness, and shared purpose.

At her core, Riza embodies the heart of a true Hufflepuff: loyal, disciplined, compassionate, and grounded. She doesn’t chase recognition or grandeur but rather stands firm beside those she believes in, holding everything (and everyone) together.

#23 RAVENCLAW..............
https://i.postimg.cc/SxDKDj9S/seektober23thmb.jpg
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May Chang is a young alchemist and princess from Xing - a country in the world of Fullmetal Alchemist located east of the main country of the series, Amestris. She is driven by curiosity, faith, and the dream of healing her people through the power of Alkahestry - an eastern form of alchemy. She approaches the world with an insatiable hunger for knowledge, but her intellect is rarely detached from compassion. 　What makes May distinctly Ravenclaw is not only her wisdom, but her acceptance. She seeks understanding over judgment — learning from strangers, embracing new cultures, and finding common ground where others see division which leads her to befriend and become allies with some of the more unlikely cast of characters. This open-hearted acceptance is especially reflected in her bond with her tiny panda companion, Xiao-Mei, whom she took in without hesitation after they were abandoned at birth due to their abnormally small size caused by a birth defect. Her loyalty and tenderness toward her little panda companion echos her belief that every life, no matter how small or different, is worth cherishing.

Like a firefly, May carries her own light through the darkest corners of the story. Her youth makes her naive, but it is because of this that she has a unique view of the world that is unclouded by cynicism or bitterness. She is incredibly imaginative, her belief in alchemy’s potential not as a weapon but as a means to heal and connect marking her as both visionary and hopeful - which is also rather Ravenclaw.

Everyone in this house is sick now and honestly I am a bit surprised I had the energy at all to draw but certainly not enough to do a full page piece and with color. The black and white paired with sleeping positions kind of adds to the innocence of May and Xiao-Mei :loved:

#24 SLYTHERIN...........
https://i.postimg.cc/Dw8SgHTD/seektober24thmb.jpg
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MATERIALS USED:
Ohuhu Alcohol-based Markers
Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Markers
Copic Multi Liner

Ling Yao is a young prince from the eastern nation of Xing, one of 43 potential heirs to the throne. Born the twelfth son of the Xing Emperor and the descendant of the wealthy Yao clan, he lived a childhood of privilege and mortal danger as the unstable succession situation in Xing meant a constant threat of assassination from each of the other clans hoping to attain the throne. He journeys to Amestris in search of the Philosopher’s Stone in hopes of achieving immortality and become the Emperor of Xing where he can protect and serve the country for the long term.

He’s a fascinating blend of rowdy charm and razor-sharp ambition. Loud, playful, and often comically over-the-top, Ling raids kitchens for food, teases his companions, and turns every situation into a bit of theater. His easy humor and carefree attitude make him seem like a cheerful troublemaker rather than a future emperor, masking the keen intelligence and calculating drive that lie beneath his grin where a clever mind and fierce ambition reside.

Like Mustang, Ling's character is defined by his unyielding ambition and a strong representation of Slytherin. cunning adaptability, and willingness to make difficult choices in pursuit of his goals. Ling knows when to lead with charisma, when to listen, and when to strike, demonstrating the sort of strategic intelligence that defines Slytherin’s best qualities. Unlike those who see ambition as selfishness, Ling wields it with purpose. Every risk he takes (crossing into Amestris, bargaining with dangerous forces, even walking the thin line between life and death) is rooted in his desire to protect his clan and secure lasting stability for his people.

And for a fun fact: his voice actor in Japanese, Mamoru Miyano, is also the Japanese dub voice for Newt Scamander and Percy Weasley.

#25 GRYFFINDOR.........
https://i.postimg.cc/YST0c7JF/seektober25thmb.jpg
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MATERIALS USED:
Copic Multi Liner

Izumi Curtis is the no-nonsense alchemy master of the Elric brothers. A self-taught alchemist from the northern reaches of Dublith, she blends intellect and instinct, teaching that alchemy’s power means nothing without an understanding of the natural balance that governs life itself - One is All, and All is One. Though she’s often gruff, blunt, and intimidating, her harshness comes from a place of immense care. She pushes others - often well beyond their limits - to be their best, not for glory, but for survival and self-understanding. She has faced her own "Gate of Truth" and through her arc in the story reveals that beneath her fiery temper lies a heart defined by compassion, humility, and the kind of hard-earned wisdom that comes only from walking through the inferno and coming out the other side.

She embodies the essence of a true Gryffindor with mature unwavering courage that defines real strength. She’s brave enough to face both the physical dangers of the world and the internal pain of her own past - literally. Her fearlessness doesn’t mean she lacks fear, but rather confronts it head-on, driven by conviction and love. Her teaching philosophy reflects Gryffindor values as well. She demands that her students take responsibility for their actions, stand up for what’s right, and face the consequences of their choices with dignity. Izumi’s moral compass never wavers, even when her own heart breaks, and she refuses to let guilt or loss define her. What makes her such a powerful Gryffindor figure is her blend of fierce protectiveness and deep compassion. Like a lioness guarding her pride, she shields those she loves with ferocity, fights for what she believes in, and walks through the inferno of her own mistakes to emerge stronger, wiser, and still unafraid to love boldly.

#26 EVASIVE.....................
https://i.postimg.cc/V6c803k5/seektober26thmb.jpg
click the above image
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MATERIALS USED:
Ohuhu Alcohol-based Markers
Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Markers
Copic Multi Liner

"...it's a terrible day for rain."

This one is just going to be a 'if you know, you know' kind of image.

#27 RAGE.....................
https://i.postimg.cc/9QsL4D9r/seektober27thmb.jpg
click the above image
for the full size version

MATERIALS USED:
Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Markers
Copic Multi Liner

When first introduced, Führer of Ametris King Bradley easily disarms both allies and subordinates with an almost grandfatherly warmth - a genial smile, a hearty laugh, and the easy charm of someone who seems approachable, even benevolent. There’s a Santa-like twinkle in his eye that makes it hard to believe he could harbor anything darker than firm leadership.

But that geniality is a masterful mask. A Commanding and fearsome presence, beneath the surface lies a man shaped by Wrath, whose polished civility conceals the skeletons in his closet... secrets buried under layers of duty, power, and deception. Bradley embodies the terrifying duality of rage restrained by reason, a reminder that the most dangerous monsters are often those who smile the widest.

I used my 0.05 multi liner first with this one to lay down the shapes and shadow lines. For the larger shadow areas, or those that were meant to be darker, I switched to a 0.3 tip multi liner and then finished off with a final layer of 0.5 - a process very different from my interpretation of 'evasive' where I used my black Ohuhu to do all the shadows.

#28 INCONSOLABLE............
https://i.postimg.cc/D0N6mJxT/seektober28thmb.jpg
click the above image
for the full size version

MATERIALS USED:
Copic Multi Liner

State Alchemists are easily recognized by the silver pocket watches they carry - powerful emblems of authority and allegiance to the military. For Edward Elric, however, the watch is far more than a badge of rank or proof of status as a "dog of the military." Inside, Edward engraved a date by his own hand: the day he and Alphonse burned down their family home and set out in search of the Philosopher’s Stone. He sealed it shut with alchemy to ensure that no one, not even his brother, could open it. The inscription is a private memorial and symbol of grief that cannot be soothed, a burden he chooses to carry as a reminder of his past mistakes. The watch holds both punishment and purpose for the teenager, a vow never to turn back, never to forget the price of choices, and to keep moving forward, no matter how painful the journey becomes.

#29 GROANING......................
https://i.postimg.cc/Vv9bLzcC/seektober29thmb.jpg
click the above image
for the full size version

MATERIALS USED:
Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Markers
Copic Multi Liner

Gluttony is another of the Homunculi in Fullmetal Alchemist and the one that makes me the most squirmy. is childlike behavior and simple manner of speaking only heighten the eeriness of his existence as hunger given human form. Forever craving and never satisfied, Gluttony’s stomach is a bottomless void—both literally and symbolically, constantly groaning for more. His chilling lines, like "I’m hungry…" and "Can I eat him?", capture the horror of endless desire stripped of reason or restraint. Often seen alongside Lust (another embodiment of insatiable craving and another bottomless pit of symbolism) Gluttony’s presence serves as a reminder that emptiness and appetite, when left unchecked, can consume everything.

#30 LAUGHTER.......................
https://i.postimg.cc/pr2Z5jwy/seektober30thmb.jpg
click the above image
for the full size version

MATERIALS USED:
Ohuhu Alcohol-based Markers
Shuttle Art Acrylic Paint Markers
Copic Multi Liner

The strong bonds that tie our hearts,
Will certainly never be undone.
We have continually searched and finally reached,
This place and period.

The love filled with warmth runs through the body,
Is a memory that will never fade
Period by Chemistry
[fourth anime opening for Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood]

This piece captures one of the rarest and most precious sights in Fullmetal Alchemist: the Elric brothers laughing together. After everything they endure (their losses, their guilt, their endless journey toward redemption) moments like this feel like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. Laughter, for them, isn’t just joy; it’s healing, connection, and the quiet proof that even after all the pain, they still have each other. Their smiles speak louder than any grand victory or Philosopher’s Stone ever could. In the end, the true award for all their struggle isn’t power or glory... it’s this: the warmth of shared laughter, the bond that never breaks, and the peace they fight so hard to earn.

As this is my final piece for this year’s Seektober, it only felt right to end with the Elric Brothers. There are still prompts I want to tackle - how I managed to not do 'short' is truly sacrilegious :lol: - but perhaps those will find their way into my portfolio someday.

I ended up filling an entire Maruman sketchbook with these prompts so that is a special little souvenir to commemorate this year's Seektober. I’ll have to think of a fitting way to decorate the cover :hmm:

https://i.postimg.cc/4dCwsysq/sketchbook.jpg

A huge thank you to everyone who’s followed along and shared this creative adventure with me throughout October. Your encouragement and enthusiasm made the process all the more meaningful :glomp:

…and since I’ve successfully converted so many of you into watching the series:shifty: please, please, please do share your reactions with me :x3: I absolutely love hearing everyone’s thoughts as they experience Fullmetal Alchemist for the first time.