mayfield_rpg | ➤ 10th Transmutation

A. » Action 「1649 Albright Lane」

[Good morning, housemates! Sure hope you weren't in dire need of sleep because you'll all be getting a 6 AM wake up call in the form of a completely devastated, broken, piercing scream when Ed wakes up.

After the scream subsides there's a tense, stunned silence. It's heavy, almost palpable and all Ed can hear is the staggered sound of his own breathing. Slowly, he pulls his legs up to his chest, hugging his knees as his entire body starts to shake.]

A-Al... Alphons --

[The moment he tries to say his brother's name he feels his eyes start to sting. His throat seems to close on him and he squeezes his eyes shut. A painful sob rips at him and it doesn't look like the tears are going to stop anytime soon.

His brother. His little brother. He was... he was gone.]

B. » Action 「Around Town」

[He wasn't able to stay in the house for too long. Fresh air was something he desperately needed. Ed's not going anywhere in particular, he's just wandering. He's barely paying attention to where he's going and he really doesn't care where he ends up.

Those that know him will notice something is very wrong. It was the way he's walking, the way he's holding himself, the look in his eyes. The confidence he usually exuded is gone. The determination that always lingered behind his eyes has vanished. It's almost like he's not even the same person.

Approach?]

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[ She can't be hearing this. This can't be happening. It's got to be a joke. All of those years filled with waiting and hope are crashing down at once.

Winry holds him more firmly, making up for his lack of a hug by doubling her own efforts. ]

Ssh... s-ssh, okay? It... It's not over yet. It's not hopeless yet, okay? [ She rubs his back, but she knows he won't calm down. He shouldn't, if what he's saying is true. ] Ed... That can't be true, okay? Please.

[You've got that right. He's not calming down at all. In fact he's just getting himself more worked up than he already was. It isn't long before he's gasping for breath between heart wrenching sobs.]

Wh-why the hell would I lie about something like this?! He's gone, Winry! Al's gone and there is nothing we can do. Nothing.

Sh-shut up! [ You doesn't mean that cruelly. But she doesn't know what to do. Alphonse being gone is the worst thing that could happen. She's angry about it, but there's no one to be angry at. She's depressed, but she can't cry on Ed when he's like this.

She pulls his closer, to muffle his crying against her and keep him from moving. ] I know. I know you wouldn't lie, it's just... Ed... Ed, I'm sorry. [ It's all she can think to say. ]

[he wraps his arms around her, burying his head on her shoulder and clinging to her desperately.]

I tried, I swear I did everything I could. I'm sorry. This is all my fault. It's my fault. I'm sorry, Winry. I'm s-so sorry.

It's not your fault. It's not your fault, Edward.

[ If it was possible for her hold to get any tighter than it just did. ]

I know you did. And I know Al knows that too, Ed...

It is. I was the one who suggested the transmutation in the first place. Not Al, me. I was the one who stuck his soul in that suit of armor. I was the one who was so damn sure that I could get our bodies back.

It's my fault. I was just arrogant. Still thought I could play God and get away with it. If it wasn't for me...

If it wasn't for me Al would still be here.

Edward, Al never blamed you for any of that. He's never lied to you about that. Al's never resented you for what happened and it's never been all your fault.

And Al... Al wouldn't have made all of those wonderful friends if you didn't help him, Ed. [ Talking about Al like he's gone... because he is gone... Winry is feeling sick, but forces herself to continue. ] H-he... he got to grow up. And be happy. And see great things, all because of you.

[The sobs have subsided for the time being, but the tears certainly haven't. His voice sounds so small, even to his own ears. He sounds... broken.]

Al usually decks me if I say shit like this. He gets so angry... he'd tell me that too, that he was grateful. That I... that I saved him.

But I just... I don't feel like I did. I... I might as well have condemned him.

[ Winry gives her head a very slight shake. ]

That's not it. You did save him. And Al saved you too. Th-this isn't how it should have ended up, but... but Al would be so upset. He'd be unhappy to be... seeing you like this would make him so upset.

That seems like the only thing I've ever been good at.

Don't you dare say that!

[ Geez, Winry. Don't yell... ]

You know that's not true! You know he wouldn't want you saying that!

[He grimaces, shoulders sagging.]

I...

I'm sorry.

[ She seems to shrink when she realizes she went and yelled at him. ]

No, I... Me too.

... What do I do now? What am I supposed to do?

I don't know... Just don't blame yourself anymore, please.

[He doesn't say anything. He doesn't want to make a promise he knows he can't keep.

He pulls her closer, swallowing the lump in his throat, taking deep breaths to try to calm himself down.]

[ She doesn't say anything either, immediately anyway instead adjusting her grip so she can support him and let him focus on calming down. ]

It's okay... if you want to cry, it's okay.

No, it's... it's fine.

I'll be alright.

I know you'll be fine... I know that, but... but that doesn't make it any better right now.

You're right. It doesn't.

... What are we going to tell Al?

[ She knows Ed is worrying about that... and she doesn't want him to have to worry about that all alone. ]

➤ 10th Transmutation

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