unexculpable | ➤ 5th Transmutation

A. » Action/Locked to notalwystrthful「1652 Albright Lane ☼ Early Morning」

[Ed was actually on his way out, he never stayed at this house for too long. The only reason he came back at all was because he would be droned if he didn't sleep in here once every three days.

He took the stairs two at a time, pulling his hair back into a ponytail along the way. He didn't know if Lust was here and he didn't want to find out, he almost made it to the door, but something caught his eye. Leaning up against the wall was a fairly large box with his name on it, written in crisp, bold letters.

He couldn't think of anyone who would send him something and he knew that people often recieved things from home in the mail. Was that what it was? Was this something from home? It could be, but... maybe it was from Olivier? Some project she wanted him to work on? Or Diana? It could be materials for that... slime stuff they were working on for the trolls. There was only one way to find out.

Ed didn't take his time opening it, but maybe he should have. His eyes widened and he stood up on shaky feet, stumbling backwards until he slammed into the wall behind him.]

No. No, no, no, no. I don't want this damn it!

["Water, 35 liters. Carbon, 20 kilograms. Ammonia, 4 liters. Lime, 1.5 kilograms. Phosphorous, 800 grams. Salt, 250 grams. Saltpeter, 100 grams. Sulfur, 80 grams. Fluorine, 7.5, iron, 5, silicon, 3 grams, and trace amounts of 15 other elements."

He could see it all happening in his head. The voice, one he knew to be his own, was so clear. He could see himself and his brother standing next to the pile of ingredients. Everything they needed to create the body of an adult human being.

The brothers knelt down outside of the circle and with a nod of determination, they down and placed their hands on the carefully drawn lines of chalk.

Ed swallowed hard, unmoving, barely breathing as the circle lights up. A bright blue light engulfs their father's study. The light illuminates the boy's faces - grinning, hopeful expectant, excited. For a minute everything seems like it's going like it should. That changes fast.

Things that look like long, thin pitch black arms rise up from the circle, writhing and twisting in the air and in the very center of the circle an eye cracked open.

His stomach clenched and he gasped for breath, trying to hold back the scream that was trying to force it's way out. For a minute, he was able to hold it back, but that didn't last long. It was far too late to take this all back. Far too late to close the box and pretend this never happened. He stumbles forward and falls to his knees, his heart pounding in his chest. He could already feel it.

The light from the circle changes to a deep, piercing red. The hands that erupted from the ground surround the two small boys -- grabbing at them, pulling at them, tearing at them. Al screamed, terrified, tears streaming down his face, his hand stretched out reaching for his brother as he was torn to apart -- pleading, begging and disappearing piece by piece.

The scream clawed it's way out of his throat -- shrill and pained and terrified -- as his leg was ripped apart. Blood trickled onto the floor, quickly pooling under him. Ed's arms buckled and and fell flat on his stomach, coughing and choking, his throat already raw from his agonized screams.

He was alone again. No one was here to help him. He was alone and terrified and there was so much blood god there was so much blood.]

B. » Action「Around Town ☼ Evening」

[Those who know Ed, or at the very least have seen him around frequently, might notice something a bit... off about him. For one, he looks incredibly exhausted -- his face is pale and honestly he seems like he might be sick, but that isn't quite the case.

Upon closer inspection those with an observant eye will notice three other things, the first of which, and the most obvious, are the pair of white gloves he's wearing. It's been colder than this and so far Ed's never bothered to wear gloves. They're not even thick ones, so it would be safe to assume he's not wearing them to keep his hands warm. His right arm looks... different somehow. It's impossible to see why, the long sleeved shirt is doing a good job of covering everything up. And... is something wrong with his left leg? Is he limping?]

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[ Diana watches and listens to him, sighing a bit. Deep down, she knows that he has enough tenacity to fight through the hardest battle imaginable and yet, to see him be scared, frightened, and unsure of what to do hurts her inside. But, it's her time to be strong for him. She wants him to be as happy as he made her.

It takes her a bit, but she grabs his hands into her own and holds them tightly. Through all the things she's experienced so far, it's time to let him know what sort of a person he is. ]

There's no need to be scared, okay? I'm here, your mother's here - everyone that has made a positive impact on your life is here and right behind you every step of the way. Yeah, from here on out, things are going to get tougher, but... you don't have to let Mayfield win. If you let them win, then what does that say? It says you've given up.

And, frankly, the Edward Elric I know never gives up if he can help it.

You don't need to go about this alone, all right? We're all here for you to be your emotional crutch, your shoulder to cry on - anything. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we just want you to be you and be happy. I know. Your wounds have been ripped open again, but now... now you can take the time and heal and start to just be the best Edward Elric you can be.

[ She lifts her head so that he can see that she's smiling. There's a few tears pricking at the corners of her eyes, but like hell is she going to let them fall now. All she wants is to see him be the confident person she knows he can be. That's it. ]

But, do know this. No one is going to leave you. Not when you have people who can help prevent things from happening.

[ A pause before she shakes her head. ]

Like me. I want to see you happy and I'll join in with making sure you can have the best time of your life with your mother. We'll work on it together, okay?

[And for once it's Ed's turn to be rendered speechless. He can't. What is this. How does he even. Damn it is he crying again why is he crying again this is ridiculous WHY IS SHE SAYING THESE THINGS.]

... R-right.

[ Oh, come on. What is this.

So, guess what, Ed? She is going to pout at him before landing the world's wussiest punch for his chest. ]

No crying, okay! It's time for happy smiles and cheer and rainbows and -- why am I saying this? You should know it already.

[.... What. What just even--?

He wipes at his face with the back of his hand and stares down at his chest where she punched him before looking back up. Just completely. What. How. Did she really just...?

His lips twitch a bit.]

... What the hell was that?