➤ 5th Transmutation

[unexculpable]

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?]

Comments

[unexculpable]

Tch, I'd like to see you try. I've fought under worse conditions. [TRUFAX, MAN.]

[custodismundi.livejournal.com]

Is that a challenge, Edward~? Because I'm not the sort to turn down a friendly challenge between friends...!

[unexculpable]

[Cracks the knuckles of his left hand with a smug little grin. BRING IT.]

Yeah? Well then, let's see what you've got.

[custodismundi.livejournal.com]

E-eh... what's with the serious face?! Y-you're creeping me out, here...

[unexculpable]

What? Didn't you just say that you wouldn't turn down a friendly challenge?

[custodismundi.livejournal.com]

I'm a pacifist, you know?! It was-- a joke, okay?! Why are you so riled up?!

[unexculpable]

[smiiiiiirks]

Knew you didn't have it in you. [just calling your bluff, man. c:]

[custodismundi.livejournal.com]

[........t-twitch.]

Honestly... if I were a lesser man, I might be goaded into proving you wrong with an attitude like that...

[unexculpable]

[OH REALLY NOW???]

Please, you wouldn't stand a chance.

[custodismundi.livejournal.com]

Are you serious?! It's like you WANT to pick a fight or something!!

[unexculpable]

[He gives Abel a one shouldered shrug. ]

It's been a long time since I've had a good fight.

[custodismundi.livejournal.com]

[eying him warily...]

From the looks of things, that might be a blessing right about now, my friend...

[unexculpable]

[he sighs, gingerly rolling his right shoulder]

Yeah, yeah. You're right.

[custodismundi.livejournal.com]

[huffs...]

...Are you sure you wouldn't like to double back? We can take a breather at my house if you'd like. Maybe with a blanket and tea?

[because you are obviously not in good shape bro.]

[unexculpable]

[.....................]

Might be a good idea.

[custodismundi.livejournal.com]

[a...aww, Ed. he lays a hand gently on his good shoulder, having already determined the other is bum from the way he's been moving it.

Abel is many things... and secretly perceptive is one of them :|]

Come on.

This way, eh? I'll pretend not to notice if you need to lean a bit, too.

[unexculpable]

[Abel stop that.

He offers a halfhearted smile and laughs a little]

Thanks.

[custodismundi.livejournal.com]

[no he will never stop it. MAKE HIM.

and he'll set a slow pace so Ed doesn't strain himself. poor kiddo.]

No problem, no problem... what are friends for, eh?

[unexculpable]

[It's appreciated. Judging by how he's walking right now he probably already has. Could be why he's holding his shoulder.]

[custodismundi.livejournal.com]

[he lets the silence linger as they walk back, all the way to unlocking his door and giving Ed a glance over his shoulder before leading him to the living room and gesturing to one of the chairs.]

Take a breather, would you? ...You look pale, Ed.

[unexculpable]

[a little pale is a slight understatement. he nods and slooowly takes a seat, still gripping his shoulder. was it bleeding? fuck, it was probably bleeding. hopefully it wouldn't get worse now that he was just sitting. sitting and being so very, very quiet.]

[custodismundi.livejournal.com]

[he fetches some water from the kitchen, bringing it back with a blanket and holding it out... ;/]

Do you need a doctor...?

[unexculpable]

[he takes the blanket, murmuring his thanks as he shakes his head]

No, no. I'll go see Winry later, it's fine. Thanks though.

[custodismundi.livejournal.com]

[the smell of blood is one he doesn't need heightened senses to pick up, sadly. he's accustomed... to its presence, and he's crouching in front of Ed's chair.]

...Will you let me take a look... [wait trailing off a bit--]

--Winry?

[unexculpable]

[... oh fuck his life. IMMEDIATELY DUCKS HIS HEAD DOWN.]

Pretend I didn't say anything.