(no subject)

[ironysoul]

Adjusting to life in Xing wasn't the most difficult thing Al had ever done. But it wasn't the easiest, either. There had been a very definite "settling in" period. Adjusting to a new culture, a new country. Without money. That had been exciting. But now, he had the backing of two major clans. The Emperor himself. And he was currently the only alchemist in Xing.

At first he hadn't liked it. He wanted to learn Alkahestry, and all the other alkahests wanted to learn was Alchemy. But now that they were settled, he'd found a good balance. Learning and teaching... in fact, he was something of a local celebrity.

But they'd worked it out now. And he really loved Xing. He loved being important, but just another person. Not an Elric. No relation to the Fullmetal Alchemist.

He was browsing in the marketplace, carefully considering fresh fruit and vegetables. They ate in the inn, mostly, but Chimera ate. A lot. And if Al didn't do the shopping, the stuff they ate wasn't very good for them. So here he was, hunting for healthy chimera snacks. And that was when the ruckus began.

Al looked up, shielding his eyes against the desert sun, and squinted at the next stall over. There was a lot of yelling in Xingese, high and fast-paced, and a tiny woman, even shorter than Al, seemed to be going wild.

Comments

[ironysoul]

That, at least, Al waved away with a bright smile and good nature. He really didn't mind the expense, and he shouldn't have said anything to make Edmund think that he had. Even as a joke! Besides, he was just going to stick Ling with the bill later, see how he liked it.

He was still preoccupied, a little, as he set down his share of the plates on the small table in the room, resuming his seat and nudging most of the food toward Edmund. There was fruit juice, too, some sort of sweet-tart-red syrup that Al poured them each a glass of over ice. Very refreshing when you were out wandering the desert -- which apparently, Edmund wasn't! Brood, brood brood.

"Please don't worry yourself. It's no trouble at all, and we'll figure out how to get you home very soon, I'm sure."

Wherever home was...

[just_edmund]

Edmund needed no further invitation to sit down and tuck in. Maybe he hadn't been wandering in the desert for weeks, but he had the appetite of a healthy 18-year-old young man and there was certainly nothing at all the matter with his stomach. He ate with a gusto, although never forgetting his company manners - the napkin went in his lap, the elbows stayed off the table, and everything about him showed he'd been well-brought-up.

As he ate, he sneaked peeks at that bright smile that had so caught his eye in the first place. Edmund couldn't help smiling back between bites. "Thanks, Alphonse. You're a brick." He tried some of the juice Al had poured - ice! what luxury! - and found it just as delicious as it looked in the tall glass. "While we eat, could you tell me more about this place? I have the feeling it might take a while to figure out the way back home, so I might as well learn as much as I can about what life's like here."

Truth be told, the prospect of getting to stay with Al and spend some more time with him - and in such close quarters - was making Edmund rather reconciled to the idea of living in Xing for a little while. As nice as his new host was, he was sure Al would take care of him for as long as he was here, and meanwhile he'd get a bit of an adventure in a new world. Sure, it wasn't Narnia, but it was still exciting to be taken to a whole new land and discover what was there.

[ironysoul]

Always with the ravenously hungry kings. Al rolled his eyes, but with a bright smile that took the sting out of it as he nudged more of the food over toward Edmund. Something that, maybe, he shouldn't be quite so eager to do, since underneath that bright smile, he does look a little, well, scrawny.

"A... brick?" Al blinked wide, pumpkin-colored eyes at Edmund. He'd never heard that particular slang before. But it sounded positive, so -- have a bit of a shy, uncertain smile. Nothing like the bright look he'd sported earlier. It wasn't that Al's charm was false or manufactured at all. But this one had an air of intimacy that was definitely missing from the other.

But he quickly redirected himself to Edmund's request, completely unaware of the underlying feelings that spurred it. Since Edmund didn't seem rooted in the world at all, what better way to start than with a map? Al grabbed a sheet of paper and a pencil, scooting over to sit beside Edmund. He started with a rough circle. "This is Amestris, the country I'm from." Suspiciously round, for a country. "And then there's the Eastern Desert, here, with the ruins of Xerxes. And then Xing, where we are now." He roughly outlined the country -- definitely not as circular as Amestris -- and began dividing it up. "There are fifty clans in Xing, all constantly vying for the emperor's favor. This area is controlled by the Chang clan."

[just_edmund]

Edmund gave him a raised eyebrow at the food nudged his way. "Aren't you going to join me, Alphonse? You look like you could use a bite. Not," he clarified with a slight blush at how his words might sound rude, "that there's anything wrong with the way you look, I don't think so, at least. You'd be the dote of the co-eds at Oxford." And some of the men, too, Edmund included...

Still flushed, he gave a nod and a grin between mouthfuls. "A brick. A swell fellow, you know. One you can really count on. I think you're one, anyways." Stop while you're ahead, Ed.

Thankfully, Al was already showing him the layout of the country and its surrounding areas. Edmund scooted closer, till their shoulders were just brushing, and studied the map Al was drawing very carefully, instantly committing all of the drawings and information to memory. "Ah, Xing sounds a great deal like Calormen," he said with a nod. "So many territories and vying clans, all controlled by a single emperor. So...if you're from Amestris, how did you end up in Xing?" He turned the question on Al, peering up at him curiously. Certainly Al looked very different from the locals, as different as Edmund did from the Calormenes when he'd been in Tashbaan.

[ironysoul]

Apparently he was both a brick and the dote of the co-eds at Oxford. Al's color matched Edmund's, right up to the tip of his ears, and beneath the table his toes were scuffing the floor. Other people had said similar things, ever since he'd gotten his body back. He'd heard from almost everyone how handsome he looked. But he didn't understand it. He'd been without a body for so long that he was just glad to smell and taste and hear things.

Gratefully, he seized on the map again. Distraction! Thanks for asking questions, Edmund.

"Uhm, well. My teacher, May -- she came to visit Amestris, and when she came home, I followed her so that I could learn Alkahestry. My friends -- Zampano and Jerso, you'll meet them soon -- they're sick." Not exactly, but it was easier than explaining the truth. Not his secret to reveal. "I promised to help them. And I need to learn Alkahestry if I'm going to!" Jerso and Zampano had stayed by his side as he fought to fix his body. He couldn't do any less for them!

[just_edmund]

Anytime, Al. Anything to distract from the way Edmund had thoroughly embarrassed himself with how ridiculously cute he found his new host. Maps, yes, maps were good. He considered the sketch and where this Amestris was compared with Xing, along with all the names Al had just rattled off. The short version was just fine for now. He knew things could get a little complicated, especially with the way this magic - no, alchemy and alkahestry - business worked.

He smiled slightly and put his hand reassuringly on Al's wrist. "I'm sure you will, in time. You're a smart fellow, and you don't give up easily, do you? Those two traits together bode well for your friends. I look forward to meeting them."

His lunch was nearly all gone by now; Edmund had been hungrier than he'd realized, and nudged the remaining food on Al's plate (he'd left most of it) back over to the other. "Now, I don't want to wear you out or anything, but on your next day, do you think we could do a bit of exploring around town? You could show me your university and anywhere else you like to go. It's one of the best things about traveling - all the new places to explore." Edmund's dark eyes danced a little.

[ironysoul]

Yeah. People found him cute. Well... maybe May did, that way, but... another boy? This just got more and more and more confusing. Al decided to deal with it the way Elrics dealt with most things that were awkward or uncomfortable -- ignoring it entirely.

Hard to do when Edmund was touching him. He was almost holding his hand!!

"I'm sure you will sooner rather than later. They're staying in the inn, too."

Based on how delicate and adorable Al was, Edmund probably wasn't expecting two hulking, barely human brutes for friends. he was in for a rude shock when Zampano and Jerso returned.

Al picked at his own plate once again, really only nibbling. He was too frail to subsist on such tiny bites, but it seemed like he wasn't going to take in much more.

"Of course, I'd love to show you around. I think you might be disappointed, though... I don't have a university. It's really just me and May."

Of course, a tour of Xing in Al's company might include, oh, the royal palace, so it was really "half of one", right?

[just_edmund]

Edmund couldn't even help it. He didn't get crushes easily, and even more rarely on someone actually possibly attainable. Al was just...well, he'd blush to describe it as such, but sweet, even innocent, in a way that fired him up beyond what was probably decent. He wondered if he'd be sharing a room with Al...and of course, there was only one bed in the room, sufficiently large for two but the thought still brought a light flush of heat at snuggling up in the middle of the night to Alphonse's cozy frame.

Delicate and adorable indeed.

His fingers curled around the outside edges of Al's hand. "I can hardly be disappointed. I've never seen anything around here. Even your small classes will be fascinating, I'm sure. Especially..." Edmund was being a little daring here. "If you could persuade your masters to let me sit in on a few. You know, as long as I'm here. I might as well learn a thing or two."

Under the table, he lightly bumped his knee against Al's. "Even if it was just you...I think we could have some fun." So much for being distracted by maps; Edmund was definitely smiling in a flirtatious way at his gracious host. (He didn't use those full red lips on many boys, or girls for that matter, but Al was getting the full effect today.) "So..." He pushed his chair away with a satisfied nod at his plate, then glanced at Al's. "As soon as you're done, shall we?"

[ironysoul]

Edmund was in for a bit of a rude awakening when he discovered just how highly May and Alphonse were esteemed in Xing, then. No need to double up, oh no. Why, they could have the whole inn gratis, if it came to that. Not that Al would ever accept such an extravagant gesture, but surely they could manage a room for Edmund.

Tomorrow. It was too late for such a thing tonight. Especially if they were headed out to explore.

Still very red, Al hurriedly pushed back from his plate, all nervous smiles. If he happened to break contact, his frail legs against Edmund's, at the same time, well... well. "Oh, we can go, I've had plenty!" He didn't know why Edmund made him feel quite so unsettled. At least, not consciously. There was just something about all that sweet intensity that had Alphonse feeling nervous. Shifty. Getting out of the room was sounding better and better.

"Why don't we start with the library?" His favorite place! "We can find something about where you came from..."

[just_edmund]

For once in his life, having his own room would be a disappointing prospect. Thankfully, Edmund's hopes weren't to be dashed yet as he kept any questions of rooming arrangements to himself for now, and just cheerfully nudged his knee against Al. His hand remained around the other boy's as he stood and helped Al to do the same. "Brilliant," he said with an enthusiastic nod of his head. "I'm curious to see if England shows up in your library, or any place from my world at all..."

Alphonse's favourite place might well turn out to be Edmund's here too. He trotted with wide eyes taking in the foreign place's offerings, and followed Al's lead when it came to actually touching any of the many intriguing tomes in their midst. He didn't want to take liberties as Al's guest, and certainly didn't want to get his host into any trouble. There was plenty to see even with a cautious tact taken. And as for what they'd find there about his home...well, Al would certainly know better than he would, where such books might be.

"What do you think?" He peered over Al's shoulder, half behind him, and smiled. "Any luck there?"

[ironysoul]

Al had never in his life been in a library where he didn't feel at home. And in fact, once they arrived and settled in, the effect bled over to him, until he himself became so much more settled.

And not shy, either, pulling books off the shelf at an alarming rate. He ended up with more than he could carry, even having left his crutches by their chairs, and started transferring the piles to Edmund good naturedly. England. He hadn't been lying when he'd said that he and his brother were well-traveled, yet he'd never heard of such a place Or any of the other places Edmund had named. And the more they searched, without any results, the more concerned he became about Edmund's sanity.

But Edmund seemed so calm about everything, not bothered in the slightest that book after book after book turned up no mention of such a place. "There's no other name I might find it under?" Al closed the atlas in front of him with a frustrated sigh. "You're sure it's called England?" No, Al, he didn't know where he came from.

[just_edmund]

Edmund, for his turn, was more than happy to be Alphonse's book-carrier. The prospect of cracking into all those unread volumes made his dark eyes glint almost greedily. He carted them all to their table and dove in as soon as Al did, scanning not just for any familiar geographical places but everything, mentally cataloguing the places and terms he came across. Nothing he recognized, and many things that brought more questions than answers, but some more time in the library (and pestering Al) would no doubt begin to appease his curiosity.

He gave Al a look that was a cross between amusement and exasperation. "No, I believe it's called the Land of Bathtubs and Broomsticks," he snarked, without a trace of ill humour. "But I suppose you could always check under Great Britain, or the British Empire. The capital is London, if you come across that, and the continent it's on is Europe. Oh, and keep your eye out for Narnia or Calormen? That's the other world I'm from."

Edmund was starting to grow reconciled to the idea of staying here for a while, given that there didn't seem to be any physical link between any of these universes. Not from what he could see, and Alphonse had studied quite a bit; surely he would have at least heard of most far-off places by now. As long as there was some sort of time-passage like between England and Narnia, where nobody back home would be worried about him, Edmund was remarkably content to stay here as long as he needed to.

"Are we allowed to check any of these out?" he asked eagerly, pointing to a few of the history books and literature he'd found. "I'd like to keep reading them, just for fun you know. Plus - " He gave Al another little smile. "The rest of the tour can wait till tomorrow, if you'd like. I don't want to wear you out too much."

[ironysoul]

Al was already warming to Edmund, but seeing the joy in his eyes and recognizing a fellow spirit, at least when it came to reading, that could only hasten things along. He took careful note of the texts Edmund seemed most interested in. After all, he'd had to learn all about Xing, too. He could recommend some readings!

In fact, he was compiling a list in his head, smiling slightly at the good-natured ribbing, when Edmund said something that completely threw him out of it. The other world I'm from? How could someone be from more than one world!

Once again, a look of soft concern passed over Al's face. He wasn't the type to judge, and he certainly didn't think that someone who was a little detached from reality (that's the polite way of putting it!) was automatically someone to be feared and avoided. If anything, he wanted to help Edmund.

"I don't tire out that easily. But if you're ready, we can go back. Maybe you can tell me a little bit about your worlds." Getting the s on there was a mighty effort.

[just_edmund]

The concern was, in turn, something that concerned Edmund, seeing it etched there on Al's face. Why did he look so troubled? There was no flicker of recognition over the names, just puzzlement and a faint sort of worry, perhaps from not recognizing them. Edmund offered him a soothing look in exchange. "This isn't the first time this sort of thing has happened to me, you know," he said placatingly. "I'd be happy to tell you all about it on our way back. It's a bit of a long story..."

Gathering up the books he'd decided on, and checking with Al whether they should leave them there or re-shelve them themselves, Edmund made for the front desk. "I could be here all day, you know," he muttered in passing with a sideways grin at Al, "so best make a break for it while we can." He really could, too. A whole library full of books he'd never read. It was a student's paradise. Maybe the two of them could even sneak off here once in a while and read and hide in the shelves and make out wait no well maybe just a little...

Slightly distracted, Edmund hefted his mound of books that he was carrying (so that Al could wield his crutches unhindered) and headed back for the inn. "So...this worlds business. It all started in England when my sister Lucy discovered a wardrobe..." And from there, the tale spun them back to their lodging and all the way up to Al's room, where he plopped the books down and wound back to the bed, still giving an abbreviated version of his history, from his childhood in London to fifteen years as Narnia's Kings and Queens, two more trips to Narnia, and his current situation, on a train to help other Friends of Narnia get back to it.

"Our country's in trouble," he said, looking more grave than he had so far. "Usually when that happens, Aslan summons some of us to come help. This time though...it seems like we had to find a way in ourselves." He'd given a short explanation of the Lion who'd been the one to call them there in the first place. "And now, instead, I find myself here. I thought at first I'd been brought into some land beyond Narnia, on some mission to rescue it. But I don't think that's the case anymore." His brow furrowed in thought as he glanced at Al, seeing how his story was received.

[ironysoul]

Smiling softly, Al trailed after him. It was sweet of Edmund to carry all the books. Not necessary, but so sweet. "Don't say things like that to me," he teased, hearing Edmund say he'd happily spend the day. "I might take you up on it. I love libraries."

Loved reading, loved learning in general. It was so nice to find a kindred spirit, and it seemed like Edmund was. Well. Except for the mystical tale he was weaving now...

Al listened attentively, but the words Edmund was saying... well, he had such conviction. Almost enough that Al found himself believing, following along as Edmund told him about Narnia, Aslan.

Al had experienced amazing things in his life. Men who harnessed the power of alchemy for immortality, inhuman beings. But what Edmund was talking about... it was magic. Real magic. And travelling through alternate dimensions? Concerned, he bit his lip.

"Edmund... what you're saying sounds...."

[just_edmund]

Edmund winked back and leaned closer on the way out of the library. "What? 'Let's spend all day here'?" He murmured the words almost in Al's ear, whuffling strands of fine blond hair, like he was murmuring some scandalous invitation there. "There are worse fates. Next time?"

He straightened, still grinning, and tossed back his hair. It was nice to find a kindred spirit, someone he felt comfortable enough to tell about Narnia. The first, in fact. Alphonse was such a nice boy, so keen-eyed and intelligent and thoughtful at the same time, Edmund could only hope he would take the story well.

The expression on Edmund's face faltered the slightest bit at the look on Al's. His lips twisted in a wry, almost sad smile. "Mad?" he suggested, sighing. "Everybody back home would think I was making it up. That's why I haven't told anybody. Ever. I thought here...since you have marvelous abilities yourself...since you've seen me show up from another world..."

His shoulders went down on a low exhale. He'd hoped Al would be different. Might understand. And there was still a chance of it. Unfortunately, Edmund didn't have any sort of proof of his story, and Alphonse seemed a man of science, first and foremost. He leaned slightly against Al's shoulder, sitting next to him on the bed. Please, believe me.

[ironysoul]

It certainly felt scandalous -- for no real reason, Al felt himself blushing again, the hairs on the back of his neck going up. He was used to all kinds of physical contact -- hugging, fighting -- but nothing quite like that. It felt almost like the electrical charge of an alchemic circle.

And then he went and ruined everything, with his concern. "No, I mean -- it just sounds... unlikely." Yeah, way to save it there, Alphonse. His own powers might seem fantastical by Edmund's standards, but by Al's, they were very scientific. Completely well-understood. "I want to believe you. I mean, I don't think you're lying." Edmund clearly believed every word out of his mouth, however impossible. And he was right, Al had seen him appear seemingly out of nowhere.

"I don't understand it, that's all. But I'm sure... I'm sure we'll find the answer, and a way to get back home. Just... until then, if anyone asks, let's tell them you came from Amestris, okay? Central City. It sounds kind of like your London." Dark and rainy, at least.

[just_edmund]

Was it just Edmund's imagination, or did Al prove not quite immune to his whispered suggestion? Edmund filed that little observation away for later use. He'd felt that strange spark too, like electricity between them. Had Al felt it also?

However, his chances for romance were rapidly diminishing the more he sounded like he was either lying or out of his mind. Edmund almost regretted telling Alphonse so soon, when his story was much less likely to be believed. But he'd felt like he could trust the alchemist with it, and at least Al was kind about it. Edmund smiled faintly at him. "I'm glad you think so. I don't think I could ever lie to you, Alphonse."

Al's words were reassuring too, and Edmund's smile grew a little stronger. "Thanks," he said with genuine relief. "I can do that. Maybe you can tell me more about Central City in case I need to give any convincing details. Do they have a university or higher education there too? Sticking as close to my actual story is probably my best bet..."

He scooted backwards towards the headboard, to arrange a few pillows there for them to lean on as they talked, and grabbed several of the books at the top of the stack he'd put within easy reach on the nightstand. He wanted to ask Al about his theories so far of what else could explain Edmund's sudden arrival, but he was afraid he wouldn't like the answers. Maybe he should just wait and read up himself. He settled himself back against one plumped mound of pillows and indicated an invitation to Al beside him. "You haven't ever heard of other worlds, then? Other dimensions?" It was a safe-ish question, and it would let him know if there was any point searching in books here for the answers.

[ironysoul]

Just to be absolutely safe, Al sat facing Edmund, at the foot of the bed. Far away from soft pillows, where any more of that nuzzling might occur. Someone had to consider this stuff!

"Well... there's a university. But most studying at home is done with teachers. Especially alchemists. You just... find someone skilled enough to teach you, and learn from them. And research on your own, of course. Lots of research." Something all alchemists had in common, a shared love of research. "Central City is huge. It's the capitol of Amestris, at the very center of the country. The fuhrer lives there, and it's where most of the military is headquartered. And there's a wonderful public library, not to mention the private collections."

Al watched him browsing the books, his chin resting on his palm. Edmund didn't look insane. In fact he looked, seemed, perfectly lovely. Normal. There had to be another explanation.

"I've never heard of anything like that. Except -- well, I guess -- there's the gate."

[just_edmund]

Oh, Edmund was considering it. Just from the other side of things. Bed, books, a room to themselves, and Al just a couple feet away. This was surely prime cuddling opportunity? He was a little disappointed when Al stayed a safe distance away facing him, but maybe he just had to warm up to Edmund a bit more.

He contented himself for now with paging through the books and paying close attention to Al's explanation, clarifying them with a few questions, coming up with his cover story of a philosophy student studying privately in the city and coming out to Xing for some extended research on alchemy. Edmund was a serious student when he wanted to be, and he absorbed all the information readily. It was almost a shame this story about himself wasn't real. It would be a nice life...

His eyebrows went up at 'the gate'. "One to another world?" Edmund tapped a contemplative finger across his lips. "What do you know about this gate?"

[ironysoul]

Oh. As Edmund's story started to come together, he hesitated, picking at the blanket on the bed. The suggestion, when it came, was meek, almost tentative. But... Al was an excellent alchemist, that wasn't news to anyone. Well. Maybe news for Edmund. But anyone in central city would give a limb (haha) to study with Alphonse Elric. Well -- to study with Edward, but that wasn't really an option anymore.

But certainly there was someone in Central City who would go to great lengths, who would even cross a desert, to study with Al. Wasn't there? And it would make sense, then, why he trailed after Al and their entire party. Because Al couldn't just send him off on his own. He was committed, now.

And then the question came. "Not to another world, exactly. The gate.... well, the I guess you'll need to learn this anyway, if you want to be a convincing alchemy student. The first law of alchemy is the law of equivalent exchange. Nothing can be created from nothing. To gain something, something of equal value must first be lost. Anything you get has to come from somewhere, and what you lose has to go somewhere. The gate is -- the gate is that somewhere."

[just_edmund]

Edmund's eyes lit up. He pounced on the suggestion (figuratively, at least) with the energy of a boisterous kitten around catnip. "Yes of course! Why didn't I think of that? Well, because you're the genius around here!" Carried away with his excitement for this plan, Edmund leaned forward and pulled Al into a grateful hug, swift but enthusiastic. He hardly wanted to let go, but any more than a moment or two and it would be more than just a grateful hug.

Straightening and letting go, he retreated once more to the jumble of pillows and considered his first lesson from Al's lips. (Not the fun kind, but very interesting all the same.) "I see. It's like a - an alchemical marketplace. Can alchemists choose what is gained and lost? And this gate - is it an actual, physical place or just a theoretical construct?"

Edmund was all ears now. He could be a very attentive student, and he wanted to prove to Alphonse that he wasn't completely out of his mind; he had an analytical mind, and he liked learning new things, even (especially) if they were difficult to grasp at first.

[ironysoul]

Genius. Al laughed nervously, a sound that cut off and became something more of a squawk as Edmund's arms went around him.

Not that it was bad. The hard, deep pressure of a hug was something Al loved, and Edmund gave very nice hugs. His arms were powerful, and he smelled very nice -- clean, a little like soap, and maybe some shaving cream. To Al's sensitive nose, it was very pleasant.

He laughed again when Edmund released him, this time nervously. "Well... you have to provide the materials, of course. That's the first rule of alchemy. Most alchemists start small, taking sand, say, and making it into a stone or glass figurine. You see? The raw materials are the same, but you use alchemy to transform them from one state to another. Most alchemists believe that the materials you use are the materials in the final product, but the truth is they go to the gate. It's an abstract concept that many alchemists never get."

How you could trade blood and body, say, for a human soul. Or an approximation of one.

[just_edmund]

The squawk sounded surprised but not appalled or anything, so Edmund decided overall it was a good sound. And Al himself was such a nice person to hug, delicate but cozily so, with a warm softness to him that made Edmund just want to fold him up in his arms and tuck him into his lap.

Ahem. It was supposed to just be a quick hug, Ed.

Making a note to himself to find and take the next excuse for another hug that came along, Edmund stayed close and paid rapt attention to Al's teaching. After all, he didn't want to miss anything, right? (Nevermind that the teacher was half the appeal.) "I really am learning from the best, aren't I?" he said rather admiringly, chin propped on his hand. "A beginner like myself, finding out what many alchemists never learn. So, is the gate a concept not taught commonly in alchemy, or simply the idea of its exchange isn't properly grasped?"

One elbow perched on a hiked knee, he found his other hand falling companionably on Al's knee again. There was something comforting about holding onto solid things while talking about such abstract notions as turning things into other things with your mind. It still sounded a lot like magic to Edmund, and he'd never dabbled in the stuff himself. Al felt soothingly solid and real under his hand. Not to mention the one familiar thing in this world of strange and new places and ideas.

[ironysoul]

Al rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, trying to focus on Edmund's words, and not the comfortable, companionable weight on his knee. Not even his brother and Winry touched him quite so casually, but... everyone he knew saw the small, frail boy who'd come back from the gate. Poor replacement for the invulnerable armor or even the robust youth he'd been. It was so nice to be treated like this. Normally. By someone who'd never seen him like that.

"I guess it's both, really. You never see the gate in alchemy. I only know of 5 alchemists who've seen it at all, actually, though there are a few more who know and understand the concept. Our teacher --" Thinking of Izumi, Al stopped, and straightened up. "Actually, our teacher didn't even tell us, even though she discovered the Gate before we ever did. She'd kick me for even starting here. You need to start with basic alchemy, even if you're only going to be a believable student!"

Al nodded, decisively, and reached for one of the books they'd taken. "I don't really have an island, but I guess showing up in a strange land --" for whatever reason -- "is trial enough. First you need to read this, and learn about the laws of equivalent exchange. And you need to solve a riddle."