trans_9 | Experimenting [Open]

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Experimenting [Open]

He had taken it to hydroponics before he decided everything would work out. Freed from the biological confines of the ship with a large layer of dirt and like hell he was going to attempt transmutation there, Ed was gathering a pile of familiar and alien pieces of wood, dirt, rocks and avoiding the clusters of alien animals. One of them seemed to like him and had given him a lick, and it reminded him of Den whenever they had gotten to Amestris.

A lingering thought circled through Ed's mind. If proper alchemy drew power from the movement of energy in the earths crust, then what was he powering on? Silently he hoped nothing crazy had happened to him while in pod stasis. And even moreso he hoped Father wasn't in the area, since he seemed to be able to power alchemy and turn it off at the same time.

But with Greed in the vicinity, nothing could be for certain.

"Alright, here we go."

Clapping his hands, he was gratified that the familiar tingle of energy moved through his limbs as he placed them atop the small pile of wood and stone. Light flared and the molecules reshaped itself. Several animals backed away instinctively, and when it was done, Ed stood in front of a bench carved out of stone and wood.

"Still feels interesting after all this time," murmured Ed as he clapped his hands again.

A stone carving. A fresco. A towering wall. A swingset.

Ed clapped again and in a flash of light, a replica of Alphonse stood there like a statue.

For a long moment, Ed bit the inside of his lip, thinking of his brother. And then clapped again, returning it to a bench before flopping down onto it.

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Riza was still getting used to going around the ship, and perhaps getting used to the idea that indeed she was not in Central. For the past few days it had been making the way around, learning and figuring out in her mind where everything was, and then back for target practice. That was the way it was working out, anyway. She had seen the Colonel, of course she had, as his bodyguard she simply couldn't avoid him, but matters of their time difference certainly had her on edge.

Sooner or later he'd asked questions. Questions she wasn't certain she wanted to give the answers to. Experiencing it once was bad enough, telling someone who didn't know of it--probably never would-- seemed a silly idea in itself.

But sooner or later she'd have to say. Just not today.

Today she had Black Hayate with her and was making progress around the ship. Keeping the small pup from trying to play in any tentacles they might pass and shaking her head at his sudden hyperactivity. It was nice, if she had to admit it. At least, even in this setting, her pup didn't change. Something was comforting about that to the woman. (But then again, didn't Black Hayate always have that simple, easy way to comfort her?)

Shaking her head as she came into the hydroponics, she blinked at the familiar blaze of alchemical light. Eyes narrowing some, her stare turned to the gaze of where it came from just in time to see the replica of Alphonse standing there before Edward changed it back to a bench. She held back a frown as she sent a small word to Hayate. Said puppy having tried to dash over there, and no doubt try and tackle him.

After a moment the two made their way over, all the while Black Hayate wagging his tail and keeping in foot with his master.

"I'm sure he's fine, Edward."

"I'd like to think that, but there's no telling what kind of state he's in," replied Ed with a sigh, having looked up at Riza's approach. At the very least, the Lieutenant was a good person to talk too, and much easier than say Russel or Roy.

He bent over and ruffled Black Hayate's ears with his good hand before scooting over to let her sit. "I'm just worried. Obviously. I mean, if he's in the pods, what about his blood seal?"

The unspoken, "What if it was disrupted and Al's... dead..." lingered in the air.

Watching him, Riza nodded before taking the seat he'd offered and allowing Black Hayate to run lose in his normal glee over the young male. Her expression remained neutral, but she couldn't help but feel troubled about that herself. Those boys had went through too much for something like this to tear them apart.

"We can't really say much, Edward," she finally responded calmly and simply, "just as easily as he might be in one of them, there is a possibility that, unlike us, he's home."

"If he's in one of the pods, though, the chances this ship would allow him to die aren't high. They want us for something here," her words weren't emotionally attached, but they were as logically as the woman could put them. After all, before she arrived her she was sure she took a blast that should have killed her. And at the very least, she shouldn't be alive due to blood loss. If she had been spared, Riza was certain Alphonse would be as well.

Logical. Yeah. It was something Ed was good at being, but like most kids his age, he let his temper run wild. But Riza always made it hard for him to respond in his normal way and he simply exhaled slowly.

"Chosen. Protectors of Life." Ed bit his lip and shook his head. "As selfish as it sounds, I want him here. Unscathed and alive before I can pass judgment on that. If we were protecting life..."

Riza closed her eyes listening, thinking calculating. Edward was still a child, no matter how mature he acted or adult he tried to be. He was a child, soldier or not. It was the reason the Colonel had held back telling them so much, the both of them even making sure to protect them in any way possible. They may have seen 'hell', but they were still children.

She could only work with logic.

"I know you hate hearing it, Edward, but we are soldiers. You, the Colonel, myself, it's our duty to protect the lives of citizens no matter the circumstances. I can understand your desire for your brother, but I'd like to think... I know Alphonse well enough to say this," and she paused, thinking it through.

"Alphonse has always wanted his older brother to move forward, continue living and protect people. I'm sure he wouldn't like it if he arrived and found his brother sitting and thinking about what may or may not be true about him when he could be helping to save people. He doesn't like to worry you, Edward, anyone can see that. And arriving to find you worried won't help him."

Opening her eyes, amber eyes turned to the young man and she thought a moment. "You're allowed to be selfish, Edward, but don't forget to move forward. It's all we can do in this situation. Even the Colonel isn't the one I know, we're nearly a year apart."

A blink. And then Ed laughed, slightly bitter but amused. "That makes sense why he sort of stopped and stared at me like I had swimming off the coast without a rope or something. He has no idea of the Homunculus situation does he?"

Al would say that. He was always the optimistic of the pair, and it would have killed him to hear it from the gentle soul within the hard armor, but for now, Riza would do. "Yeah, moving forward seems the only way we can get through this."

Riza nodded, brushing the strand of blond hair back. "From how he said it, not at all. The Colonel is from... shortly after the Brigadier General's death. Please be careful what you say to him, Edward. There are certain things it's probably best to keep from him. I've made the mistake once." Riza didn't say which, the neck slitting and the blindness, but it was evident for a moment on her features it was something rather big. She wasn't certain where Edward was from, and so she kept that away as well.

The small, almost stern, smile upturned at his next words and she felt momentarily relieved. At least he wasn't like that anymore. "Whatever this may be, Edward, remember that you're not alone. The Colonel and myself will help you, and..." Ah, did that smile turn almost devious? It's not known as she continues in that same even tone. "I'm sure Miss. Rockbell as well."

Right just after Hughes...

"That explains everything," sighed Ed, palming his face. "No wonder he was so horrified at everything I told him. I don't think he's wrapped anything around his head yet. And Greed being here complicates manners since we've got proof."

At the mention of Winry, Ed flushed red. "I-It's not like that, she's just my mechanic!" It was half-hearted but there was a definite encroachment into familiar territory where he could only try to deny. And unsuccessfully at that. "I'm just worried she's still moping around. It's all she did for the last month or two before I, we, awoke."

Riza's eyes narrowed at Edward's words. There were certain things she refused to tell the Colonel. Havoc, the team, Envy... those were things she couldn't tell him. What had? After a moment, and through a clipped, stern voice she used when absolutely necessary, she spoke. "What all did you inform the Colonel of, Edward?"

She smiled some, shaking her head. "But you do love her, Edward, even as a friend," the words weren't underlying anything, but stating a fact. Sighing she looked at Hayate. "The Colonel hardly responded as normal when I appeared, but we can't think about what they did and what happened. There's no way we can prevent or take back what may have occurred while we weren't here," logical, those were the way her words continued to be although they were familiar and tinged with a slight emotion, "What we can do is continue acting as we normally do. There's no reason we shouldn't. We're here now, aren't we?"

She looked up, playing with the serious face that was appearing on her features. "So we help and behave for them as we normally would."

"Um, told him of how many Homunculus are out there... Father... the government conspiracy... but I didn't tell him any real specifics. And spoiler time, the Furher's one of them too." He looked up. "I did have SOME tact."

Not much, but it counted. He didn't even get into the team or Fuery or any of the details.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. We're here now and we can just do what we must. Even if it means learning new things or dragging them out by their feet to have fun."

She frowned, nodding, before placing her fingers to her temple. "Please tell me you didn't tell him about Lieutenant Havoc, the team... or especially Envy specifically," her words were low despite the fact she kept calm. She didn't want the idea of if he knew any of that. If he was going to find out what happened there, she would have to be the one to tell him.

A small smirk. "I'm afraid I've been told I'm incapable of having fun, Edward. That job will have to be given to you. If I must I'll find some sort of paperwork for the Colonel to do."

Edited 2010-06-09 23:14 (UTC)

"Oh hell no!" exclaimed Ed at the thought of telling Roy about that. Even though Havoc refused to stay down, the memory and news was way too painful. "Believe me Lieutenant, I would never tell him about that!" He softened a little. "It's... like talking about the Brigadier General. I didn't mention any other names. I don't want him to worry since we both seem to be from further on in than he is."

Ed sighed at that. "I know I'd hate to ask but how far away are you? Further than when Al and I went to the North?"

He reached down and rubbed Hayate's ears. "If you want, I could give him a manga and try to convince him it's a visual record of alchemy in another world. Though I doubt that'd actually work from how long he's been here, but I nearly fell for it." He smirked. "Get him to take notes."

Riza nodded, visibly relieved for a moment. She knew Edward well enough that she had doubted he may, but she had said something irreversible herself. The possibility that it even slipped. "Thank you, Edward, I apologize," she said carefully, moving again.

Breathing she kept her eyes towards the pup. "The Promised Day, we were in the middle of fighting the one called Father," the words were careful. Edward had mentioned Father, so it should be safe to mention that name.

She blinked. "I'm afraid I don't even know what manga is, but it is true... He's been here much longer than either of us, if it's on this ship he probably found it," Riza's smile tugged a bit more at his last bit, "I was thinking of finding stocks of things and making him take inventory, actually."

So it really did happen. The final battle. And against Father no less, that bastard. Ed nodded. "It's alright, I'm good with that. Al and I were headed to the North, to check out a lead there. And see about stopping any more bloodshed from happening."

Ed chuckled at the thought of Roy being forced to take inventory. "Well if there's inventory, there's the loose items in Weapons and Possessions. There's a huge pile of unclaimed things, just random assortments of things. It would keep him busy for days. Weeks even."

Riza was getting tired of this whole... time-switch-a-roo thing. It felt completely counter-productive to anything. If they were going to pull people, why not from the same time? It felt completely illogical.

She sighed. "I'm afraid any of our efforts were futile," she responded, "he managed it; containing his so called god, at the very least." There wasn't much she was certain of. No one told her what happened after the darkness of the center swallowed them. After the Colonel was forced to see the gate... they were separated until she met him at the top with Darius to find him blind. This was aggravating, to say the least.

"Maybe I'll look into it," she said softly, thoughtfully, "but for now I think I'll leave him be. It's evident something happened."

"Damn. Just another thing to prepare for if we get back," growled Ed. Damnit why couldn't it be EASY? Then he realized god hated him and it made him feel a little better. "Well, there's no use worrying about it now. We've got a legion of bug-people to squish and if my alchemy works, all the better."

He chuckled. "Just hand him a pile of papers to sign. I heard they have this thing called "photocopy machines" now."

It was funny how easily Edward voiced the emotion to those sentiments that ran through her mind since she arrived. It didn't matter what they said, if this whole time tihng was possible... than so was Amestris' existence. "I'll just be lucky if I can do anything with a gun here," she said the tone was serious, although with a tinge of amusement. She really did hate the fact she was useless against the homunculi.

"Photocopy machines? If it's what the name implies, then I'll have to be certain to make paperwork as different as possible," she said lightly, "...Don't worry, I'll figure out something, Edward." In more ways than one. The paperwork and what was wrong.

"I think they've got an armory here. Maybe inquire to the head of security to get a feel for what kind of arsenal they have? I doubt we'll find a tank squadron here but you never know." said Ed. "At least I've seen a few armed people."

Ed laughed, his first good laugh in a while. "Sounds good. Let me find some way to capture it on film first when you present him with the stack."

A small smirk. "I do have my guns, Edward. You should know better than to think I'd go anywhere without at least two," Riza shook her head. How many had she had on before coming here? It was at the least eight. "Nonetheless, I'm more worried if guns will have any affect is all."

"I'll be sure to, but don't think he won't get onto you for trying." This was easy, speaking to someone from home. It was at least nice to feel some normalcy.

"That's true. I'd hate to see a situation where you'd have to disarm before peace talks. We'd never get anywhere." chuckled Ed.

"It'll be worth it, if I can manage to get his expression on camera."

"I'd be worried if any of the places we ever went to decided to even have peace talks, first," Riza responded in dry humor. Amestris definitely wouldn't have them, not for a while at least, and if this place had peace talks than none of them would have to be here.

"Very well, but don't say I didn't warn you, Edward."

Ed chuckled at that. At least the banter was coming easily enough. It was easier for him to talk with Riza now, now that the atmosphere was relaxed a little more.

"I'll make sure I know what I'm doing."

To say that this area particularly interested Ba'al would be inaccurate; in fact, he found it somewhat dull. However, it was still an area of the ship that deserved exploration, and wandering, and it seemed appropriate enough to partake it a walk of sorts (he didn't mind it so much, anyway). And perhaps he could learn something new, or discover something.

Apparently that was correct.

He watched the last of these strange feats from a distance, with one raised eyebrow out of curiosity. A peculiar ability... he could not see it clearly from that distance, but all the same. The boy did not seem to have any technology on him, after all.

"That's quite the ability," the older male called as he began to approach the boy in question, putting on a smile.

"Thanks," said Ed, turning to face Ba'al. "It's called Alchemy, and it's a science, not a magic or anything like that."

"I'm Ed Elric," said Ed by way of introduction.

Alchemy? He had heard the term in the past, in passing. It wasn't something he'd taken too much of an interest in, however. "Of course," he agreed, thankful for this boy's logic. "Magic is only an explanation for that which you do not understand."

Ba'al nodded his head in response to the introduction. "A pleasure. I am Ba'al."

"Clarke's Law huh?" said Ed, having poured over the theories of magic vs technology on the ship days ago and had immediately come across the description.

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Seems about right. Though Alchemy's an ancient science, and different regions have developed it differently." said Ed. "At least back home."

While Ba'al had not been completely aware of the concept beyond in passing - he had studied much of Earth, when he had the opportunity, after all - the description sounded apt. And perhaps a touch ironic, considering his own experience with more primitive cultures. "Magic implies something otherworldly, and that is simply not the case."

It might be useful, though, to find out more about this boy's skill, "I cannot say that Alchemy, in my own world, was considered a viable science, however. Perhaps it is a different concept?"

"Possibly. Alchemy was born of scientific study, and pioneered in the kingdom of Xerxes a hundred years or so ago in my world," said Ed, thinking of the things that brought up to this point. "It was taught by sages who came to my homeland and over the years, became a national art."

"Though it hasn't got it's ups and downs due to the rules of Alchemy."

A low, impressed whistle came from a few feet away from Ed. The Brazilian man in the ridiculous purple hat had been watching the alchemy display for a while, and was impressed and intrigued. He could hop through time and came from a world crawling with superheroes, but this was new to him. And pretty freaking cool.

"How'd you do that?" he called out. "No way that was metahuman abilities, at least none that I've ever seen before."

"This? Ah this is science," boasted Ed. "It's what we call alchemy, the science of transmutation. To understand, deconstruct, reform and reconstructing matter into a similar baseline molecular element. I'm Ed, nice to meet you."

"Jesus, alchemy can do all that?" Rei said, raising an eyebrow. "Here I was thinking it was about turning things into gold. Obviously I need to hang out in the middle ages more. But that'll have to wait until I get my powers back. Man, I really miss being able to just hop around."

"Anyways," At this point, he seemed to be mostly talking to himself, but he managed to pull himself back to the present moment. "Name's Rei. Rei Vargas."

"Nice to meet you," said Ed. "And yeah, Alchemy can do that."

He picked up a chunk of rock he found and light sparkled when he clapped his hands over it, revealing a gold nugget in his hands, tossing it to Rei. "Keep it. We don't exactly have currency here, and the way I see it, Colonel Mustang's not going to hang me by my automail for making a tiny bit of gold for demonstration."

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Experimenting [Open]

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