1st Transmutation

[unexculpable]

[Ok, this whole books talking to him thing was really, really weird and he did not like it at all, but he didn't have much of a choice when it came to forms of communication. He had done a bit of exploring, tried to figure out just where he was while looking for Al. Hell, he was looking for anyone familiar. Clearly he was not succesful because the voice coming from the journal is loud and very, very irritated.]

First thing's first. I'm looking for my little brother. His name is Alphonse Elric, goes by Al. He's hard to miss, wears a big suit of armor. If any of you know where I can find him I'd appreciate it.

[He takes a deep breath.]

Alright, I have questions and I want answers. Now.

[Listen and be amazed as the tone of his voice goes from irritated to pissed off in less than .001 seconds.]

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?

Comments

[snacklist]

R-Right!

Don't move!

[And he's running there as fast as he can, loud clanking footsteps echoing on the stone floor.]

[unexculpable]

[And for once ED LISTENS.

But as soon as he hears those loud, hollow footstesp, Ed takes off after them. He'll meet Al halfway.]

[snacklist]

[Hopefully Ed wants one of those bone-crushing hugs, because he's getting one when they collide.]

You're really here!

[unexculpable]

[oh my god not really he was ok with his ribs not being broken.

Needless to say running into said little brother in armor quite literally knocked the wind out of him and a strangled sort of wheeze attaches itself to his words]

I won't be for much longer if I can't breathe.

1/2

[snacklist]

[--!

This place took something from everyone, what if it had taken away Ed's ability to take air into his lungs?!

Lifting him up to eye level, Alphonse's voice was a little more frantic now, as he looked Brother up and down.]

You can't breathe? B-Brother, it's--

[snacklist]

[--oh wait, it's because he's holding on too tightly. He puts Brother down, leaning over despondently.]

Sorry.

[unexculpable]

[He doubles over, putting his hands on his knees as he catches his breath.]

Jeeze, Al. It hasn't been that long since I last saw you.

[He straightens up, brows furrowing.] ... How did you get here anyway? Weren't you staying with Pride?

[snacklist]

I was!

[All the indignant, he'd never leave such an important duty unattended.]

This place just takes people, Brother, I've been here three weeks already.

[unexculpable]

Then how are you -- [... h e r e]

[There is an immediate shift in attitude, his entire body seems to sag a little and he looks up at Al in mild disbelief. Not that he doesn't trust him to be telling the truth, but...]

How is... how is that possible?

[snacklist]

I don't know, Brother, it shouldn't be. People here can produce things without obeying Equivalent Exchange, it's almost--

[Like the castle has a philosopher's stone. A big one.]

[unexculpable]

[... his eyes widen considerably.]

You don't think...?

[Serious time is NOW.]

You think they have a stone here?

[snacklist]

[He's serious as well, stepping back a bit to look Ed in the face.]

Mm. I've been thinking about it, but there's no other way it could do all this stuff without one.

[unexculpable]

Like how the castle can grant wishes...

[snacklist]

Mm. Right.

[unexculpable]

Have you actually seen it happen?

[snacklist]

Yes, someone showed me them wishing for a coat, and it just appeared out of nowhere.

[unexculpable]

There's no way to get around equivalent exchange, you can't just make something out of nothing.

... Shit. [And now all he can think about is how many people died to create a stone that powerful.]

[snacklist]

[It's all he's been able to think about for days as well, looking down and sighing hollowly.]

I know, Brother.

[unexculpable]

So this stuff I've been hearing about people coming from other worlds, there being no way out... it's true?

[snacklist]

It seems to be, I've been looking and there's been people trapped here for four years, at least.

[unexculpable]

No leads on how we got here or why we're here?

[snacklist]

No, none.

I've been in the library for weeks, Brother, and I haven't found much useful at all.

[unexculpable]

We'll just have to keep looking. There's gotta be a way.

[snacklist]

Right!

As long as we keep moving forwards, I know we'll get there.

[unexculpable]

You said it, Al.