Equivalent Exchange

&& Just like ICARUS –

He Flew too close

To the SUN

Indie & selective Ed Elric from FMAB

Loved by Jas

     “ Goodness no ! But I don’t really come to HQ, so, that’s probably why you haven’t seen me around… And, more than likely why I haven’t seen you or your brother up close either! ” Yes the tone was casual, but she was intent on leaning in closer - arms folded under her chest, crimson eyes peering at his face, then straightening up so that she may look into the blue armor that so balanced the appearance of his elder red brother.  This was Fullmetal, wasn’t it? 

    “ Huu huu ~ You two. You’re the Elrics, is that right? ” she turned to the boy in red - remembering all the stories overheard in the cafeteria, the clanking of the empty metal, faint yelling coming from the office of Colonel Mustang ( all chaotic energy felt even down the hallways ) - yes, they matched up.    “ I’ve only ever seen your backs at the distance, I’m afraid! ”

“Huh.” That would make sense why they never saw this woman before, then. Ed can’t help but lean back slightly when she peers at him, trying in vain to hide his discomfort at her close proximity. When she moved on to look at Alphonse, the armor gave a polite wave, his voice sounding friendly as he greets her. 

“It’s nice to meet you, miss!” Out of the two of them, Al had always behaved much better than his elder sibling. 

Well, Ed supposed there was no point in continuing his research now. It was getting late anyways & Alphonse was probably starting to get worried. He closes the books, beginning to stack them up neatly as he collected his notes. The teen nods his head, a small yawn leaving him as he stretches his arms upwards. He looks towards her once again, scooting his chair back so he could stand. 

“Yeah, jus’ researchin’ more alchemy stuff ‘n lost track o’ time. Surprised Al hasn’t come to get me by now.” He admits, a sheepish grin on his lips. “‘m surprised the library even stays open this late.” Perhaps for the people like himself & Sheska, who get lost in their research & reading. Really, he wasn’t too surprised at seeing the woman here, she probably spends more time at the library than even he does. 

even in central where strangers hustling destination to destination, it’s the alchemist’s voice—one that’s too distinct not to notice—that grabs rose’s attention immediately. “  edward! ”  she calls out aloud with the same enthusiasm, finding comfort in seeing a familiar face. lugging her bag just a little over her shoulder,she rushes her footing to meet him halfway. of course she expects the questions—it’s not everyday a girl from a desert village comes to a big city. still, it proves difficult to find a well-meaning answer to reply with. awkward, a faint smile gradually shifts onto her lips. “ oh, everything’s okay back home, ” as okay as a city being rebuilt can be. “ i thought that .. maybe .. i could come and explore central, a little. you’re always traveling yourself, so .. i figured .. why not try? ” 

He couldn’t deny it - Edward was glad to see a face that didn’t belong to the military’s. He could talk freely (not that he really held his tongue that much in the first place), & for once have a conversation that didn’t involve him taking orders. His grin fades into a friendly smile as he meets her, automail hand reaching out in an offer to help carry her bag. It was kind of amusing to see her struggle with it, in all honesty.”Oh yeah? You travelin’ all by yourself?” 

He couldn’t suppress his surprised expression. Sure, Edward was always travelling -- but that was more by his desire to find the Philosopher’s stone. Though the places he & his brother had visited were pretty interesting so far. “Guess that makes sense, how’s that goin’ for ya so far? I coul’ show ya aroun’ Central, if ya’d like.” 

There wasn’t much to the city besides the shopping. But who knows? Maybe Rose would like it, if she’s anything like Winry. 

He doesn’t move, like she had hoped that he would, and Riza suppresses the urge to sigh. Stubborn, stubborn boy! Just like all of the men in her life! They are all stubborn in their own ways, and its quite frustrating. (She isn’t going to think on her own stubbornness now. She doesn’t feel like doing that bit of self-reflection at the moment.)

She turns around to face him, her own senses on high alert. Perhaps it’s paranoia, perhaps its some sort of soldier’s instinct, but either way, she allows it. She’ll accept some paranoia if it means keeping Edward safe, just like she does for the colonel. She knows that an attack could come inside the hotel too, but it was less likely in a military hotel that is filled with the military, and more likely in a dark back alley.

“I understand that, Edward,” she says, her voice even, easily catching who he was talking about, even if he didn’t name Scar specifically. “And I understand why you want to be busy trying to solve these problems. But think Edward. Is right now the best time to go searching for an enemy who is highly skilled, who has almost killed you, who has killed highly skilled and experienced alchemists? It’s dark, which limits visibility. It will make it harder for you to see him coming. And Ishvalans are very good at coming from where you least expect them. Trust me on that. Is this really the best time to go looking for Scar?”

She doesn’t move from her spot, but she keeps her gaze settled on him. “In the morning we’ll be better able to gather information, to track him, and to see him coming. That’s the current plan. Try to keep the targets low during more vulnerable hours, and then become more active when we’re better able to be prepared.”

“As for your research, well, you’re free to keep doing it in your room. But even you need rest to be able to look at the research with fresh eyes.” Its another truth she knows after watching her father become more and more obsessed, not that Edward knows that. 

“For now, please abide by the guidelines we’re giving every state alchemist. It’s the best way we have to address the problem with as little risk as possible.”

Damn. Edward’s lost this battle, though he knew he wasn’t going to win against Riza either way. He sighs, irritation fading away as a sudden exhaustion began creeping its way into his bones. He wasn’t sure what time it was exactly, but it had to be pretty late judging by how dark it had gotten. Well, he had least gotten some answers, although it hadn’t been what he wanted entirely. Finally, he nods his head, as if satisfied with the Lieutenant’s response. 

“Alrigh’, alrigh’ I hear ya.” He gives her a tiny, bashful grin. Really - he knew he was acting like a stubborn brat. Ed didn’t even take into account the risk she had taken in following him. It was just as dangerous for her being out here. She may not be an alchemist, but she is still military. What’s to keep Scar from going after her as well? 

Idiot, shouldn’ ‘ave put ‘er in danger like that. Bet she’ll tell Mustang about this in the mornin’. 

“What about you? Will you be okay walkin’ home by yourself?” Ed didn’t doubt she could defend herself. But still, anything could happen. He begins walking towards her, his indication that he’d (for once), do as asked & stay inside. At least until the morning, anyways. Then he could drag Al & the bodyguards along to the library with him. “’nd ‘ll try to be more patient.” As patient as an Elric could be. 

“Hello to you too, Fullmetal.” Quick and to the point as usual, it seemed. Roy rolled his eyes to the slamming door as fingers tapped on the file in front of him. Once Ed sat down, Roy stood, taking the folder with him to hand to his subordinate. “An assignment for you in New Optain. Or, if you really can’t be bothered, I suppose I’ll find someone more capable to handle it.”

“Depends on what kinda assignment it is.” Edward mutters under his breath, although he knows full well he’d be better off accepting it either way. It’d look pretty bad if someone else were to pick up his slack, especially since he really didn’t have a good reasoning to not go. Who knows? Maybe he’d get lucky & find a lead on the Philosopher’s stone. Golden hues glance upwards at Roy, before flesh hand reaches out to grab the file. 

“ Not illegal more towards ‘ get stabbed, knocked out, and robbed all the same the authorities will turn a blind eye ‘ with the occasional wild animal appearing to seeing you as their next meal “

They reply with a shrug. Their not sure wither or not the situation is the same the last time this stranger dropped by but that is the currents. They don’t care wither or not he takes their word but it never does hurt to offer up the warning. Perking up at his words. Oh? So that means someone has finally called about this place. 

“ I’m just someone passing through. Hard not to drop by and see what’s with the alleys “

“Wha-? What kinda place is this anyways?” Ed’s expression turns into one of shock at their words, a sigh leaving his lips as he looks around the alley once more. Worst case scenario, he could transmute himself a weapon if he needed to. But, Colonel Mustang’s instructions were pretty clear:

‘No unnecessary violence, you’re only there to scope out the scene and report the situation back to Headquarters afterwards.’

…..There still wasn’t any try to move and hurt him. Pride watched Edward and didn’t come any closer to the other, tensing when the other moved closer. Still no move to attack. It was dark though, and humans didn’t see well in the dark. Neither did he, not really, but he might see a little better than they did. It was probably hard to see the tattoo.

He pulled the jacket sleeve up quickly and shuffled back half a step, glancing away and then back up briefly. Thinking. No yelling. No move to fight. Was Edward nice then? He was an alchemist but wasn’t acting like one. Not the scary ones. No circle, no fighting, he wasn’t even trying to grab Pride and take him somewhere he didn’t want to go. Edward also already knew about them. Hadn’t met them all, but he knew. Telling wouldn’t be sharing secrets. Secrets weren’t said out loud, his name wasn’t a secret.

“……………………Pride.”

His eyes glanced down again, away from Edward’s face but still focused around him. On edge. Just in case, “………………..I’m Pride………”

“Pride?” Ed found that to be just a bit strange. This Pride didn’t act how Edward expected -- wasn’t Pride supposed to be . . .boastful? Or egotistical? But, the other boy didn’t seem to have those qualities in the slightest. He was quiet, shy, even. Fullmetal stops himself from walking closer, not wanting Pride to run off before he got a chance to talk with him more. 

There’s a tugging sensation in his gut, telling him that there was something else to this Homunculus. Ed had only seen golden hair & eyes like that on two other people (besides himself, of course). Was it just coincidental maybe? Did Pride’s creator make him this way on purpose? There were so many questions running through the teen’s brain, making it feel as if his head would explode.