1

[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

[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?

[xerxesalchemist]

[He reaches out, cautiously takes her hand, and follows her.]

[nurture]

[...this poor boy. she's gentle as can be as she takes the robe hanging on the door that had belonged to the drone husband up until now, and carefully wraps it around him.]

Now! I bet you'll love this. [he always had. she's going to cook him up a full spread and get that skinny frame all filled out!

she's guiding him down the stairs-- ignore all those creepy pictures of Trisha and Hohopapa with their smiling drone kids; their real children are much cuter, really-- and toward the kitchen.]

[xerxesalchemist]

[He pulls the robe tighter around himself with his free hand (an excuse not to look at Trisha, to focus on something else). The pictures get a second glance, because he's never seen his own face so clearly, even if the expression doesn't seem right (to say nothing of the other people in the photos). There's a lot to take in, all at once, and he's going to need to adapt quickly to survive.]

'm sure I will.

[The whole building is different, and the furniture. More bright colors than he's seen in a house, more wood and metal too.]

[nurture]

[she watches him without trying to appear like that's what she's doing, not wanting to make him uncomfortable -- but he truly is much more like a child than the man she had known.

...not that Hohenheim hadn't been anything but a big overgrown boy at his heart, anyway.

she takes him downstairs slowly and into the kitchen, getting him sat at the table and clasping her hands enthusiastically.]

It won't take too long, and I promise the wait will be worth it!

[xerxesalchemist]

[He sits where she places him, tugs the robe closer around his thin frame.]

Thanks.

[He'd offer to help, except the only thing he's good for in a kitchen is hauling in wood for the fires and scrubbing pots and pans and spills.]

[nurture]

[he'll have to get used to being coddled, because Trisha does a lot of that...

she has a lot of time to make up for, too. even if he can't remember as much.

she goes to the stove and sets a few pans going-- eggs, bacon and sausages, toast, some fruit, freshly squeezed juice... he's going to get the full nine yards and be left wanting for nothing!]

I know you must have a lot of questions...

[her voice piques up from the middle of her cooking endeavor where the silence save for clink of pots and pans had settled over them.]

If there's anything I can answer or help you understand, you just have to ask, dear. Alright?

[xerxesalchemist]

[The coddling is going to be the hardest part, at first. He's never really met anyone so nice.]

Um. [What to ask? He probably should ask something, since she offered information.] How long have you been here?

[nurture]

In Mayfield...?

[she puts a finger to her chin, looking thoughtful a second.]

It's been a few months, total. The season is late summer if the heat didn't give it away. It's a little strange to wake up to a different season, isn't it? Or was it hot at home, too?

[xerxesalchemist]

It's always hot there. [During the day, at least.] It's a desert.

[nurture]

Oh! Hohenheim...!

Have you seen snow?

[xerxesalchemist]

[... Snow?]

... No. I don't think so.

[nurture]

Really? [she looks rather delighted at this prospect.] In a few months, it will get cold enough and I'm sure you will see some! There was a big blizzard last year... oh! We can build snowmen with Ed and Al!

[xerxesalchemist]

[Her delight is contagious, and he smiles.]

Yeah. I'd like that.

[nurture]

[his smile melts at her... he can probably see how happy it makes her in turn, and she's going back to cooking practically humming with palpable warmth.]

I know this sounds strange, but...

I'm so happy to see you again, dear.

[xerxesalchemist]

[And "again" is wrong, but he's still happy to see her.]

Yeah. Nice to meet you.

[nurture]

[it feels like no time at all before she has everything cooked and ready for him -- it probably smells a lot better than the breakfasts he's used to for sure.

she's setting it in front of him with eagerness, wiping hands off on her apron with a sunny smile.]

There! Now you better eat up and I expect you to clean your plate, too! You're far too skinny, you know that?

[xerxesalchemist]

[It smells nice (different, but nice), but he's got no idea how to eat the food. In Xerxes, they don't really have utensils, but this doesn't look quite right for eating with his hands.]

Looks good. Thanks.

[Meat, eggs, some kind of fruit, juice, a piece of something (bread, maybe) that he picks up and takes a careful bite of. It's pretty good, but different, and he's hungry.]