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[xerxesalchemist]

[Action for housemate] [Trisha, there's someone next to you. He's fast asleep, kind of sprawling everywhere in the bed, all bony knees and elbows, golden hair loose and fanned across the pillows.]

[Action for anyone]

[Van's gotten the basic rundown, even had the entire problem of timelines explained. Now, he's just exploring. He could probably be mistaken for Edward Elric at first glance, the same golden eyes and long gold-blond hair, but his build is different (thinner, for one thing), and he's kind of lost-looking (but not frantic, not obviously looking for anyone), and he's wearing basic Mayfield clothes but no shoes.

Maybe Ed and Al had a brother they never mentioned before.]

Comments

action for house;

[nurture]

[Trisha is usually up early, earlier than the drones -- so it isn't surprising to wake up beside someone still in the bed. she usually didn't have the heart to break her drone husband's heart, even if many residents would say they didn't have one, by asking him to sleep elsewhere. he was convinced she was his wife and someone he loved, even if there was nothing personal about their relationship at all.

but this morning, there's something... different, isn't there?

she's tilting her head as she sits up, something of a confused look on her face... before it's turning into one of outright shock. her knee-jerk reaction has Ed's name on her tongue -- but she knows this isn't Edward in the next heartbeat.

...welp

maybe the sound of her gasp has him waking up? or the shift of the mattress where she gave a start? or maybe her lazeabout loser husband just. doesn't wake up at all through any of this... either way, his wife is staring at him with a hand to her mouth.]

[xerxesalchemist]

[He wakes up, slowly at first, and then jolts fully awake. In a show of absolute agility and grace, he fumbles backwards away from Trisha, and winds up falling entirely off the bed.

He doesn't know what's going on. But he can't ask.]

[nurture]

[...it's a little strange, isn't it?

that this is all it takes to secure her suspicions. that familiar clumsiness -- the deer in headlights look in his eyes. it's endearing, actually, and she's missed it.

even if he's not quite the man she associates with this, just yet.

Trisha is stunned for a moment more before she's leaning over the side of the bed to look down at him, surprise and softer concern in her eyes. she opens her mouth, but... shuts it again soon after, realizing she has absolutely no idea what to say to him at all.]

[xerxesalchemist]

... w-who are you?

[He's scrambling to his feet now, backing away from her more. This doesn't make any sense.]

What's going on?

1/3

[nurture]

[maybe it's shock; though she thinks she's pieced together who he was... it hadn't really sank in. the sight of him -- the man she waited years, held on long as she possibly could to see just once... just once -- is so bittersweet. he's missing those silly glasses and the age in his face; he doesn't have much weight to him, either.

including the distinct lack of a sincere and terrible guilt and burden in his eyes, too.

but it's with that question that it really hits her. this is Hohenheim...]

2/3

[nurture]

[...and he... has no idea who she is.

Trisha sits where she is upon the bed; he seems frightened... of course -- he doesn't understand where he is, can't recognize her and know that she would never hurt him. there is part of her that's the rational woman who pulled it together to raise two small boys all alone as her husband pursued the path he felt he needed to travel, and it's telling her she should explain things to him -- reassure him he's alright, get him settled.

but there's a small part of her that has her eyes misting up a bit and her throat feeling tight.

...she finally saw Hohenheim again.

but her husband never really came home.]

3/3

[nurture]

[she swipes at a tearful eye, but-- Trisha is smiling warmly.]

I'm-- sorry... This must be scary, but I promise-- you're safe with me... [dear.]

Hohenheim.

[xerxesalchemist]

[She knows that name, and suddenly this whole situation has become even more confusing, because he hasn't told anyone that name yet, no one but him and that thing in the flask should know that name.

It's obvious that he doesn't feel safe with her.]

Who are you?

[nurture]

My name is Trisha.

[she's slowly sliding off the bed, the smile softening further as she regains more footing.]

You don't need to worry... you aren't in any trouble, and I'm a friend.

[xerxesalchemist]

[Still not reassuring, Trisha.]

What's going on?

[nurture]

[Mayfield never really is, sadly :(]

You and I and many other people here were all taken. We all wake up like this in different houses together as 'families' even if we aren't told why. I wish I could explain the reasoning, or how it happens... but these are things no one knows.

[Hohenheim. ...it's really Hohenheim...]

Are you alright? You had quite a scare...

[xerxesalchemist]

[It's strange, one of the strangest things he's ever heard, but it fits, and he doesn't have any reason to question it.]

I'm... fine.

[But there's still something that doesn't sit right with him.]

How'd you know my name?

[nurture]

[she clasps her hands in front of her, just watching him for a moment... before her smile is becoming fonder, even if it's terribly sad.]

You don't have any reason to believe me, but... one day, you'll tell me everything about you... and you'll know everything about me, too.

[xerxesalchemist]

... One day? [You're not making any sense.]

[nurture]

The reason I know who you are, but you don't recognize me... is because you haven't met me yet, Hohenheim.

But you will.

[xerxesalchemist]

... 'cause of how this place works?

[He's trying to figure this out.]

[nurture]

That's right!

[she's taking a little, tiny step closer... hopeful.]

So please don't be afraid. I would never hurt you... and I promise, I'll help you find your way.

[xerxesalchemist]

[And he's getting more comfortable, slowly.

At least he's not backing away from her anymore.]

How'd we meet?

[nurture]

[she is trying so hard to resist reaching out to him, but she knows it's too soon. he doesn't remember her, and he's just a frightened boy...]

You came to Resembool.... it's a quiet village, small and humble -- but you truly loved it there. We were very happy.

[xerxesalchemist]

[... oh.

Oh.

Now he gets it.]

That's why this town put us in the same house.

[nurture]

Do you think so?

[she feels terrible for him. pulled out of his life at this time, his family here long from his future... do the boys even know about this part of his past? he's got to be just about the same age as Ed is...]

Then, if you think so...

You know I'll always be here for you. Even if you can't remember the happy days we shared... I do.

[xerxesalchemist]

[He's good at adjusting to things, going along with whatever's happening, but this... this is a bit much.

He just nods. He's going to need a lot of explanations. ]

[nurture]

...Would you like to see the rest of the house? You must be hungry, too... I can make you something to eat and we can talk, if it's alright?

[xerxesalchemist]

[... He's never had someone ask him for permission like this. A nod.]

... yeah. I'd like that.

[nurture]

[she'll offer her hand to him. it's a small step... and it isn't the hug she desperately wants, but it's something.]

Then how about we get you something good to eat?