Rewrite (Open)

[hisfathersstaff.livejournal.com]

Negi had been released from the hospital, and he was actually standing. Chamo had gone off somewhere, but he had been driven home from the medical wing to the home he made in the city.

However, he had found a letter addressed to him, and a brass key. As such, Negi flew over to the shop which was locked up tight. Atelier Elric. The store was brightly colored and there were tasteful decorations everywhere, as well as several circles and such inscribed into pasteboard.

Negi had spent hours there in between training, goofing off with Devlin and otherwise reading when he wasn’t being foisted off on Ren and Phillip, and there were really good memories. He picked up the jacket that was laying in the corner, and hung it up respectfully.

A book of notes stood at the side, and he opened it up, reciting the quote that lay there. “Humankind cannot gain without giving. To obtain, equal amount must be given. This is the law of Equivalent Exchange.”

A little sticky was attached to the bottom of it and Negi smiled, reading it. “Magic on the other hand, is totally wonky with its own set of rules. Turn the world inside out with it. – Ed.”

With great flourish, Negi threw the curtains open as he put up the sign. He would do his best, for now.

It was still Atelier Elric in spirit, as Negi added a sign in the shape of a white wing, proclaiming the site.

“Sleep well, Ed.” Said Negi as he began to do something he hadn’t done in ages – potion making and magic-based alchemy.

Comments

[fanservicesnegi.livejournal.com]

"..." Asuna was speechless as she allowed Negi to hug her, in disbelief at the news she'd just heard. A guy who had most of Negi's craziest traits, was near her age if not older, and had a bit of an attitude...that she'd grown to really care for...was repodded?

"It's not your fault, Negi..." she replied, hugging him back after a moment.

[hisfathersstaff.livejournal.com]

Negi tightened his hold on Asuna just a little more, to reassure her that it would be okay. "Maybe someday, he'll wake up. And you two can meet each other once more."

He knew Asuna was probably hurting from this news, especially how sudden it was as well. He had gone through the same thing when Konoka, Setsuna, Chao, Yue and Arika were repodded as well.

"He did leave something for us though; this place, if you'll help me around the store." said Negi. "Potion making isn't really a magically-charged science so I could use help moving a few herbs here and there."

[fanservicesnegi.livejournal.com]

"...He left us the entire store?" Asuna tightened her own hold on Negi, silently making a vow that she would do her absolute best to never be repodded and leave him alone. After all, they were partners.

"Ahhh, I guess we can figure out what to do with the place later."

[hisfathersstaff.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, true enough. There's a private room, but Ed rarely used it. Said something about girl stuff in there," said Negi. Clueless he may be about women, he knew that their privacy was paramount.

"Want to help me move a few of these raw materials somewhere safer?"

[fanservicesnegi.livejournal.com]

"Hmm, I could fix that place up if it's got stuff to deal with girls." While she didn't completely know what the private room was about, Asuna knew that she could possibly make the room her own training area.

"There's a basement, right? We can move them there, or you could just use your magic and teleport it."

[hisfathersstaff.livejournal.com]

"I think that would be for the best. I think it was out of respect for the previous owner and all. Well, before it was moved here at any rate." said Negi with a nod.

"I think he's got a few things here as well. We should look through them and put them aside, so that if he does return, there's things he can take up again."

[fanservicesnegi.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, yeah..." Asuna responded with lightly bopping Negi on the head before moving to open one of the boxes. "Do you really think he'd be the same if he comes back?"

Being realistic was Chisame's title, and Asuna didn't really like taking up the mantle but...in her eyes the possibility of Ed remembering what they meant to each other, assuming he ever did return, wasn't high.

[hisfathersstaff.livejournal.com]

"All we can do is hope," said Negi with firm conviction. "And if he isn't, well just go about befriending him again, right?"

That reassured smile of his was hopefully stretching to his ears, as he nodded at Asuna. "Never give up hope, Asuna-san."

[fanservicesnegi.livejournal.com]

"...You baka Negi!" Asuna gritted her teeth before moving back to grab the little school-teacher in another fierce hug. "Always trying to sound so smart even though you're just a kid..."

[hisfathersstaff.livejournal.com]

Squeezed, all Negi could do was hug her back. "Sorry, it's just how I am. You know this already."

He was teasing her, just a little at that.

[fanservicesnegi.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, yeah - it's in your nature; I get it." Asuna briefly nodded while resisting the urge to give Negi a noogie - for now, at least.

[hisfathersstaff.livejournal.com]

Laughing lightly, Negi nodded as he pulled away to start bringing a couple of things to the back. "Let's hope we can find a good owner for this place," said Negi wistfully.