Equivalent Exchange: Episode 3--Crimson Eternal

[Dire Lemming]

Al does indeed want to speak in private about the things his research in the library turned up. Once he's told her everything he's learned, he follows her back downstairs to the others.

(OOC: If the messenger doesn't come within an hour of when they arrived at the Hughes' house Al is going to get impatient (especially after Laura's words) and go back to the HQ)

 

[Rystil Arden]

(OOC: I shall assume the following by lack of responses)

*Selim leaves for his residence unmolested and unprotested by the others. Meanwhile, the others make small talk for a while as Gracia prepares dinner. An hour later, Al is twitching with impatience and is about to pull the door open in a dramatic reverse slam when, as he puts his hand on the knob to do just that, there is a knock. A young boy of perhaps 14 is at the door.*

"Excuse me, sir...uhh, Full Metal Alchemist, sir?"

 

[Dire Lemming]

Alphonse cocks his head and stares at the boy for a moment. "Yes, that's me... Do you have a message for me?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Yessir. It's from the Brigadier General, sir. She told me to tell you that she'd like to talk with you, but she's busy right now with important official matters. If you are free tomorrow morning at 9:00 after her morning training, she would like to talk to you then. Can I tell her that's okay, sir?"

 

[Dire Lemming]

Alphonse frowns slightly when he hears the news. What had taken the messenger so long only to end up with 'wait until tomorrow'? Laura's words still worried him as well, though he's not sure what exactly he's worried about. He's also just plain impatient. And it wasn't right to keep Miller locked in a jail cell overnight when she hadn't done anything wrong. "Are you sure she can't talk today? What I've got to talk to her about is very important. I can come and speak with her right now. Actually, I was just about to head there now."


(OOC: How late is it now?)

 

[Rystil Arden]

(OOC: It's around 7 PM by now, so the day is winding down)

"It's already late today, sir. I'm afraid the Brigadier General doesn't have any time until tomorrow morning. She sends her regrets that she doesn't have as much free time as she used to, but she said she knows you will understand."

 

[Dire Lemming]

Alphonse sighs, it was no use arguing with the messenger. "Yeah, alright. You can tell her I'll see her to tomorrow morning. Thanks for bringing me the message... hey, wait a sec." Alphonse stares at the boy again for a moment and realizes what was bugging him before. "Er, how exactly do you know Brigadier General Hawkeye? I mean, you're not in the State Military are you? Or are you one of those Junior State Alchemists?"

 

[Raylis]

Selim felt the lack of greeting from Gracia, it stung but he felt he deserved no better.

"Perhaps I should take my leave," Selim suggests in an even tone, "I have a few things to write up, so I'll leave you all in peace. Enjoy your evening, and Elysia, thankyou."

Assuming noone makes a point of preventing him leaving Selim returns to his residence for the evening where he'll write on the day's events before getting some sleep.

"Selim, wait." she moves over to grab his sleeve, "Don't...don't mind Mom, she's probably just doesn't like me hanging around because you're in the military, not anything else. She thinks I'm going to abandon her and join up. Elysia says with a pause, "At least stay for dinner, it'll be a lot better then anything you get at the barracks.

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Excuse me sir, but I am in the military. Not everyone in the military serves in active duty, sir. Some are just cadets, like me," he shakes his head, "I'm not a Junior State Alchemist yet, but I am also training in alchemy, and I hope to take the test in five years or so if I'm ready then. I'm required to perform duties and odd jobs as part of my training, and I like to be assigned with Junior State Alchemists if I can so I can watch them at work."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take so much of your time. I will deliver your reply to Brigadier General Hawkeye."

 

[Dire Lemming]

"No, It's no problem at all, really. I'd just finished eating dinner, so I was about to go and see if the General was ready to see me yet when you came. Actually, your message canceled most of my plans for the evening... But don't worry about it, it's not your fault... Hey, if you're studying to be a Junior State Alchemist, maybe I could give you some help. If Hawkeye is expecting you back you can just tell her I asked you to help me with some research. Tell her I insisted." Alphonse smiles, somewhat mischievously. If she was going to make him wait, it's only fair. Besides, he was interested in seeing this guy's alchemy.