[000] Open Log: Month One

[ironysoul]

[Logs in this post may take place any time during the first month or so following the Promised Day. Al's symptoms will be extremely severe.



Al is most likely asleep.

If he's not asleep, he will be soon.

When he is awake he is very overloaded and hypersensitive to all sensory stimuli. This means:
- If anything touches his skin, he will be in extreme pain.
- Changes in the light/noise/scent levels will result in extreme pain.
- He's probably in pain, and therefore heavily medicated.

His medications will most likely make him... sleep.

He cannot tolerate any food or liquids well. If you attempt to feed him he will vomit.

Due to the severity of his condition, visitors will likely be restricted to family and those he requests to see. Visitation times will be short.

This log takes place in Risembool.]

Comments

[hoboheim.livejournal.com]

[Hohenheim will sit quietly in the corner of the room, elbows on his knees, chin resting on his folded hands. The very figure of contemplation.

He still can't believe that Ed sacrificed his ability to use alchemy to bring Al back from the Gate. No... he can believe it. Those boys began their journey together as brothers, so it's only fitting that they finish it together. Even so, Hohenheim can't help thinking that it should have been him to make the sacrifice. To put things right as a father should. Ed's bought him a little more time, yes, but not much. Hohenheim knows that he's dying: he can feel his body breaking down little by little with each passing day...

Ah... But he is grateful for Ed's sacrifice, nonetheless. Without it, he wouldn't be sitting here right now at Al's side, ready and willing to do anything that might speed his youngest son's recovery.]

[ironysoul.livejournal.com]

[Hey, papa -- Hohenheim far enough back from the bed that at first, Al didn't see him. He thought he was alone. So, as his body emerged from sleep, he drew in one and then two unsteady breaths before letting out a soft, pained whimper.

He didn't want to bother Winry, or upset her, and if he said anything Brother would freak out... but every nerve of his body felt like it was on fire, where the blankets and sheets scraped against hi skin.]

[hoboheim.livejournal.com]

[Stupid, hovering, useless father is GO!

Hohenheim stands and slowly approaches Al's bedside, smiling wearily. He looks worse for wear. There's a bandage on his cheek, which nicely conceals the transmutation marks where his skin started to flake away, during the fight...]

Hello, Alphonse. How are you feeling?

[Stupid question is stupid.]

[ironysoul.livejournal.com]

[Darn... Caught.]

Dad? You're okay?

[He still doesn't know who made it through and in what condition... people have been telling him, he just can't hold on to details.]

[hoboheim.livejournal.com]

[His hand reflexively reaches up to brush the bandage on his cheek.]

Ah, it's just a flesh wound. Nothing too serious. [smile smile smile] I'm just a bit worn out, that's all. Activating the fail safe... it took a lot out of me!

[Yeah, it took up all of the souls within his Philosopher's Stone. Ed knows that, but even he's unaware just how serious Hohenheim's condition is... And he doesn't intend to tell his sons. Not right away, at least...]

[ironysoul.livejournal.com]

'm glad you're okay.

[Sleepily. His brother's okay, his dad's okay, even Naoto's safe. What more could he want?]

[hoboheim.livejournal.com]

Likewise. [He lets his hand drop down to rest against the blankets.] I know there's not much I can do now, but... if there's anything you need, anything I can do to make you more comfortable, please let me know.

[ironysoul.livejournal.com]

[Must not let his father know that even that small jarring hurt!]

'm okay.

[hoboheim.livejournal.com]

All right.

[There's a long, awkward silence. There's probably nothing more that needs to be said, for now.]

Anyway, you should get some rest. I'll come check on you again later, okay?

[ironysoul.livejournal.com]

I'll stay right here.

[Yes, that was an attempt at humor.]

[hoboheim.livejournal.com]

[He gives a soft laugh, and reaches forward to absently brush some hair from Al's face, but pulls his hand back. There's still a bit of that old, irrational fear about touching his children. It's a lingering fear, but one he hopes to overcome in the coming days...]

Me too. I'm not going to leave you boys alone anymore. And that's a promise.

[ironysoul.livejournal.com]

Unlike his brother, Al wouldn't flinch from or snarl at his father's touch -- but in this case, any contact would cause him extreme pain. He'd do his best to hide it -- he doesn't want any of his family to know just how bad he feels, it would only make them feel bad -- but he can't stop a small sigh of relief when is father withdraws.

"Thanks, dad."

reverse icon twins, hah...

[hoboheim.livejournal.com]

He knows Al is only trying to spare his feelings, but Hohenheim can be very observant at times. More than he lets on. Even now, he has ended up hurting his son without meaning to. He can't help but notice the terrible irony of the situation: now that Alphonse has finally regained his human body, he can't take advantage of its tactile senses without succumbing to pain. And yet here he is, smiling as always. Alphonse was always the type to put the needs of others before his own.

"Ah..." Hohenheim rubs his neck awkwardly as way of reply.

He glances toward the door again, thinking it might be best to leave Al alone for a while. Or is he just running away again?

Wait. There is something else that needs to be said...

"I'm proud of you, son. Everything you and your brother have done for this country, and for yourselves... I'm proud of you. I just wanted you to know that."

[ironysoul.livejournal.com]

Al immediately turned pink, staring up at his father with wide eyes. He didn't know what to say to that, even though it was something he'd been longing to hear for his entire life.

"Thank you, dad."

[hoboheim.livejournal.com]

Hohenheim can't help but smile at Al's embarrassment. To think he'd been so foolish as to leave home and miss out on moments like these...

His hand was already on the doorknob. "Sleep well, son."

And with that, Hohenheim closed the door softly behind him. He hoped that Ed would be in a good enough mood to allow his own father to visit him...