[Al has been stewing on that conversation with Heather for a few days now. Part of him knows he's being ridiculous, that surely Ed will understand the circumstances and not be so mad at Alphonse--but it doesn't change the way his gut twists up with guilt. Being glad that Envy was growing and becoming a better person was one thing, but to be so casually hanging around him like nothing was wrong--]
[Edward's reaction that first day had been a slap in the face, but one he'd deserved.]
[It's very late when Al approaches Ed, hesitating just a moment before he shakes his brother's shoulder gently to get his attention.] Brother? Can we talk?
[Ed is reading when Alphonse approaches, and it takes the shaking of his shoulder to even get his attention. The question seems to come out of the blue, but he doesn't comment on it - or the way his stomach drops from his brother's delivery. Something was definitely up for Al to approach him like this and he tries to keep the wariness out of his gaze as he glances to Alphonse curiously.]
[For a moment Al is tempted to back out and turn the conversation somewhere else, but he swallows and sighs before pulling out a chair to sit next to Edward.]
I was talking with Heather a few days ago, and...she mentioned that you'd asked her about me an Envy.
[Wow, Heather. Way to keep a conversation confidential. Ed looks surprised for a moment but he shrugs, glancing at the book before shutting it if only to give himself something to do besides look at his brother. Clearly there's more to this than just 'Oh, Heather mentioned you talked to her in passing.']
Oh? What did she say?
[He's totally innocent. For now Ed suppresses the urge to point out that Al clearly hadn't wanted to talk about it and he needed to get his information somewhere if he wasn't going to be in the dark the entire time he was here. However long that may be.]
I figured after all these years she might already know about all that.
[Eight years with Envy? Where he was clearly transparent about his hatred. Plus, however many years with Al around, and with them in close proximity. It certainly seemed like something that was bound to have already come up.
Or you know, we're just going to ignore it and pretend like it doesn't exist. That works too.]
What is there to talk about?
[Giving Al an out is probably not the best way to go about this, but he seemed to be dragging and only really bringing it up because Heather had prompted him to.]
[Al winces slightly, glancing away, and...he almost takes the excuse. The awkwardness is proof enough of Al's fears, isn't it? He's already betrayed Edward on so many other levels, so what's another, right?]
[...but it's not fair, to leave things hanging.]
...how things got to where they are with Envy and I, for starters.
[Ed is just going to quirk a brow at that statement, because he's pretty sure this isn't about to be an easy conversation. He's not making it any less awkward, mostly because he's not sure what to expect of the direction this was going in, but he was curious. His expression shifts to something more neutral, carefully. Alphonse has his full attention, although he already figures it has everything to do with how many years they'd both already been here.]
All right.
[He resists the urge to add "So, talk." Figuring if Al was going to get this out and over with, he would already.]
[Why does he feel like he's being pulled to the front of the class to explain why he put a whoopie cushion down?]
[Running his hand back through his hair, Al grimaces before just...starting at the beginning.]
When I first got here, Envy and I got on about as well as you'd think we would. He hated me for existing, I wanted to punch his face right in--didn't learn until later that Heather's the only thing that kept Envy from flying out that night to try and murder me.
[He's still pretty sure he would have won that fight, but details.]
We didn't really talk after that first shouting match. We were both in Goldenrod, but we never ran across eachother and honestly I was okay with that. Wasn't until the first weird weekend I had here that we did, and...uh, I remember us kind of trashing half the city duking it out.
[He's listening carefully, at first not too concerned because all of that sounds wholly logical. The thought that Envy would go after Al was alarming, but it made sense and considering how things worked here it was realistic to assume they would be more evenly matched.]
Weird weekend-?
[Why did those always come up? His eyes widen some at the last part, eyebrows raising thoughtfully.]
The weird weekend... everyone's abilities come back, right?
[He's following so far. Envy could shape shift, Alphonse could use alchemy. Destroying half the city hardly even sounded surprising if they were going all out, but in that situation it was far more likely someone would actually get murdered and they weren't talking about two powerless humans at this point.]
So, what happened? It doesn't seem like anyone was murdered.
[Although if Heather had talked Envy out of trying to murder Al before it raises the question of why they went after each other later.]
Neither of us remember doing it--or at least, I never killed Envy enough for him to stay down. The way things just fix itself after with those times, it's kind of a toss-up.
[He should probably be more concerned about that, but...#worth.]
But Heather was pretty pissed when she found out about it. Envy hadn't given her a clear picture of who we were--or how 'old' I am, really--and he'd also made her a promise to not go after me. That was part of why we hadn't had a run-in before then. I had enough to deal with without seeking him out, and he was actually reeling himself in. [Alphonse indulges himself in a vindictive little smile.] I wasn't there for it, but apparently she really went off on him.
[He pauses for a moment, then sighs.]
I'd...asked her to pass on a message at the same time. To clarify a lie I'd told to Envy about what happened in Germany.
[He's learning more and more about these weekends than he ever imagined.]
Obviously, he didn't give her a clear picture.
[If she was learning things still, now? From Ed? Neither of them had. Honestly, if the situation had been reversed "he killed my brother" probably would have been one of the first things he told her, knowing they were involved at all.]
I mean, I didn't either, and I have less excuse that he does on that when you get down do it.
[Even if it had been due to awkward timings and circumstance...it would have made so much more sense to just say it early on. But he'd...wanted to give Envy a chance at a new start, and you don't really do that by telling someone's friend that they're a petty murderer.]
Envy...he was taken here just after he went through the Gate. He didn't know what happened in Germany, and when we had that first fight...I let him think that Dad had just used him to get us back home again. I didn't tell him Dad died when he did.
[Funny, how such a small detail can make so much difference.]
[Okay, well he wasn't going to point that out but you go right ahead.]
He went through the Gate.
[Well, that answers Ed's question about just what Envy did know.]
Why would you lie about something like that, Al? You- weren't even there...
[Alphonse only knew what he'd been told, he hadn't seen it first hand like Ed had. It probably sounded logical to the younger Elric, to dig the knife in deeper, but Edward was not following his motivation for that, at all. He was also starting to think he might need to clarify, despite whatever explanation had been given.]
She told him, then. Everything's cleared up now, right?
[Still trying to figure out how we went from nearly murdering each other and outright lying to laughing at Envy in a train car.]
[Just taking a nice big slice of humility pie at the moment, my guy.]
Yeah, she did. Envy talked to me about it again later, though that was him wanting to know how the whole transmutation worked.
[Al settles into one of the chairs and stares down at the ground with a grimace, elbows braced on his knees and one hand gripping his bicep.]
I just...he killed you, Brother! He killed you and--I hated him for that. I wanted him to hurt, too, and it was the only way I could think to do it right then and there.
I'm traveling through Kanto with Harry, a friend. We haven't left Pallet Town.
Catch the ferry to Kanto. We'll wait for you.
[Lust doesn't think she needs to explain or give further context. She hasn't seen Edward on the network but she doesn't have to. She pays attention to when a number goes dead in her 'gear.]
[And she knows what a loss like that can do. He shouldn't be alone, and she doesn't think he has anyone else here.]
[Way to call him out, Lust. Wow. He can't even argue that though, she's right and they both know it.]
All right. I'll meet you there.
[Besides, even if he wanted to refuse, sulking around being depressed was only going to frustrate his team, and they weren't going to put up with that either.]
but also, I'm me and not particularly trustworthy in either universe. shapeshifter and notorious liar comes out of the bushes on day one and says oh no actually that was a different Envy the homunculus?
not the most believable source of information
but hey he's already seen me so you're off the hook for being envy now
[The surprise reveal of Edward Elric's ongoing presence in the land of magical technicolor animals had NOT gone unnoticed. However, the fact that he'd not just returned but also managed to stay completely under the radar for months hadn't gone unnoticed, either.]
[There are untold quantities of things that could mean, and Heather isn't even close to being qualified to figure out which of those it is.]
[But her best guess, given the fact that Envy had been the sole keeper of this apparently-forbidden knowledge, is that Ed hadn't been in the mood to talk to anyone, friendly or not. So despite her curiosity (and CONCERN, to be frank), Heather has held off under the assumption that maybe getting buried under a bunch of YOU'RE HERE????? right off the bat would only make the most mysterious Elric withdraw even further.]
[However, by now it's been a bit.]
[And it's time to reach out.]
Heyyyyyyy there... it's, uh, Heather.
I know it's been awhile, but since you and Envy are currently on nonviolent terms, I'm assuming you remember that much.
Just wanted to check in and... you know. See how you were doing.
Nobody's gonna come drag you kicking and screaming into the public eye or anything, but we do... y'know. Care.
Soooo... if you're up for talking, it'd be good to hear your voice sometime. Just to make sure you're still alive and kicking, if nothing else.
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alltoblame) wrote2037-05-10 11:39 pm
Action, sometime late august?????
[Edward's reaction that first day had been a slap in the face, but one he'd deserved.]
[It's very late when Al approaches Ed, hesitating just a moment before he shakes his brother's shoulder gently to get his attention.] Brother? Can we talk?
no subject
Sure, Al. What's going on?
no subject
I was talking with Heather a few days ago, and...she mentioned that you'd asked her about me an Envy.
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Oh? What did she say?
[He's totally innocent. For now Ed suppresses the urge to point out that Al clearly hadn't wanted to talk about it and he needed to get his information somewhere if he wasn't going to be in the dark the entire time he was here. However long that may be.]
no subject
[Al rubs at the back of his neck sheepishly.]
She was, uh. Worried about whether I'd actually talk to you about anything.
no subject
[Eight years with Envy? Where he was clearly transparent about his hatred. Plus, however many years with Al around, and with them in close proximity. It certainly seemed like something that was bound to have already come up.
Or you know, we're just going to ignore it and pretend like it doesn't exist. That works too.]
What is there to talk about?
[Giving Al an out is probably not the best way to go about this, but he seemed to be dragging and only really bringing it up because Heather had prompted him to.]
no subject
[...but it's not fair, to leave things hanging.]
...how things got to where they are with Envy and I, for starters.
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All right.
[He resists the urge to add "So, talk." Figuring if Al was going to get this out and over with, he would already.]
no subject
[Running his hand back through his hair, Al grimaces before just...starting at the beginning.]
When I first got here, Envy and I got on about as well as you'd think we would. He hated me for existing, I wanted to punch his face right in--didn't learn until later that Heather's the only thing that kept Envy from flying out that night to try and murder me.
[He's still pretty sure he would have won that fight, but details.]
We didn't really talk after that first shouting match. We were both in Goldenrod, but we never ran across eachother and honestly I was okay with that. Wasn't until the first weird weekend I had here that we did, and...uh, I remember us kind of trashing half the city duking it out.
no subject
Weird weekend-?
[Why did those always come up? His eyes widen some at the last part, eyebrows raising thoughtfully.]
The weird weekend... everyone's abilities come back, right?
[He's following so far. Envy could shape shift, Alphonse could use alchemy. Destroying half the city hardly even sounded surprising if they were going all out, but in that situation it was far more likely someone would actually get murdered and they weren't talking about two powerless humans at this point.]
So, what happened? It doesn't seem like anyone was murdered.
[Although if Heather had talked Envy out of trying to murder Al before it raises the question of why they went after each other later.]
no subject
[He should probably be more concerned about that, but...#worth.]
But Heather was pretty pissed when she found out about it. Envy hadn't given her a clear picture of who we were--or how 'old' I am, really--and he'd also made her a promise to not go after me. That was part of why we hadn't had a run-in before then. I had enough to deal with without seeking him out, and he was actually reeling himself in. [Alphonse indulges himself in a vindictive little smile.] I wasn't there for it, but apparently she really went off on him.
[He pauses for a moment, then sighs.]
I'd...asked her to pass on a message at the same time. To clarify a lie I'd told to Envy about what happened in Germany.
no subject
Obviously, he didn't give her a clear picture.
[If she was learning things still, now? From Ed? Neither of them had. Honestly, if the situation had been reversed "he killed my brother" probably would have been one of the first things he told her, knowing they were involved at all.]
Lie- .... what'd you lie about, Al?
[Why does this keep getting more complicated?]
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[Even if it had been due to awkward timings and circumstance...it would have made so much more sense to just say it early on. But he'd...wanted to give Envy a chance at a new start, and you don't really do that by telling someone's friend that they're a petty murderer.]
Envy...he was taken here just after he went through the Gate. He didn't know what happened in Germany, and when we had that first fight...I let him think that Dad had just used him to get us back home again. I didn't tell him Dad died when he did.
[Funny, how such a small detail can make so much difference.]
no subject
He went through the Gate.
[Well, that answers Ed's question about just what Envy did know.]
Why would you lie about something like that, Al? You- weren't even there...
[Alphonse only knew what he'd been told, he hadn't seen it first hand like Ed had. It probably sounded logical to the younger Elric, to dig the knife in deeper, but Edward was not following his motivation for that, at all. He was also starting to think he might need to clarify, despite whatever explanation had been given.]
She told him, then. Everything's cleared up now, right?
[Still trying to figure out how we went from nearly murdering each other and outright lying to laughing at Envy in a train car.]
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Yeah, she did. Envy talked to me about it again later, though that was him wanting to know how the whole transmutation worked.
[Al settles into one of the chairs and stares down at the ground with a grimace, elbows braced on his knees and one hand gripping his bicep.]
I just...he killed you, Brother! He killed you and--I hated him for that. I wanted him to hurt, too, and it was the only way I could think to do it right then and there.
Video
Catch the ferry to Kanto. We'll wait for you.
[Lust doesn't think she needs to explain or give further context. She hasn't seen Edward on the network but she doesn't have to. She pays attention to when a number goes dead in her 'gear.]
[And she knows what a loss like that can do. He shouldn't be alone, and she doesn't think he has anyone else here.]
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What, why?
[He's not refusing, just ... confused.]
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You're not going to do much of anything otherwise.
I...have been in that place. So you're joining us in Kanto.
This isn't a negotiation.
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All right. I'll meet you there.
[Besides, even if he wanted to refuse, sulking around being depressed was only going to frustrate his team, and they weren't going to put up with that either.]
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....and bring me my babies, I miss them.
[She can transfer in and out, when it's time for training and battling.]
[text]
so your clone from another dimension is back
no subject
What the hell are you talking about?
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not London, the other Amestris with father and the creepy tunnels. go check the network he's on there yelling and fighting a hoothoot.
Me also but thats not on the video. I told him I'm a different Envy already but for some mysterious reason he didn't believe me
oh and his head is covered in blood that was NOT ME
no subject
You mean "this is all new and understandably unbelievable" kind of mysterious?
no subject
but also, I'm me and not particularly trustworthy in either universe. shapeshifter and notorious liar comes out of the bushes on day one and says oh no actually that was a different Envy the homunculus?
not the most believable source of information
but hey he's already seen me so you're off the hook for being envy now
[Audio] Beep! You have one (1) new message!
[There are untold quantities of things that could mean, and Heather isn't even close to being qualified to figure out which of those it is.]
[But her best guess, given the fact that Envy had been the sole keeper of this apparently-forbidden knowledge, is that Ed hadn't been in the mood to talk to anyone, friendly or not. So despite her curiosity (and CONCERN, to be frank), Heather has held off under the assumption that maybe getting buried under a bunch of YOU'RE HERE????? right off the bat would only make the most mysterious Elric withdraw even further.]
[However, by now it's been a bit.]
[And it's time to reach out.]
Heyyyyyyy there... it's, uh, Heather.
I know it's been awhile, but since you and Envy are currently on nonviolent terms, I'm assuming you remember that much.
Just wanted to check in and... you know. See how you were doing.
Nobody's gonna come drag you kicking and screaming into the public eye or anything, but we do... y'know. Care.
Soooo... if you're up for talking, it'd be good to hear your voice sometime. Just to make sure you're still alive and kicking, if nothing else.