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[October 3rd again. Don't forget. This marks the second time he's hit this date in Luceti, and the first time in his life since carving the words upon his pocket watch that he's met it without Alphonse. That's probably what hurts the most, this time. No closer to getting home, no closer to regaining their bodies, even though he knows that he's only a day away from victory when he goes home. The second worst part is that he's only one day past an experiment that stole those memories from him- that he had, in fact, forgotten. Hadn't even known what the watch or the date upon it even meant.

Tch... stupid place. For the first time in a while, he hates it again.

He's going to keep up with the annual tradition anyway, for Al's sake as much as his, so tonight at the back of House #23, some time after dinner, Edward will be seated at a campfire, occasionally tossing logs into the flames, with a collection of snacks, some books, and notebook paper piled around him to get some work done. He'll be there all night, so any nighthawks or curious passerbys are free to stop in and see what's up.]

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[He catches it and rifles through it for choice marshmallows.] Thanks, Ed. I think I see a good one right here. [Then he kneels down to grab a stick.] It's a pretty nice night, isn't it? I didn't know you liked to camp.

I wouldn't exactly call this camping, since my house is right here. [He jerks a thumb back towards #23.] I used to do this on the road sometimes back home, though.

[He makes a sweatdrop-esque expression as he looks towards the house.] Good point, unless you just pretend the house's a really big tent...

But we're pretty experienced with camping, too. We had to do it a lot when we traveled around during the war. [Especially in areas where the Fire Nation was in charge.]

With... Sokka, right? And his sister?

[It's been a while since he met her, so he can't really remember her name. Or anyone else in the group, for that matter. Oops.]

[Wow Ed, way to be the worst. But Aang isn't bothered.]

Yeah, Sokka and Katara were there from the beginning of that journey. Then Toph and Zuko and Suki all joined us later on. We went through a lot of rough times, but whenever it was just a bunch of us by a campfire in the middle of nature? It was always more relaxing and comforting.

Sounds like it. When I was traveling with my brother, we usually went from town to town and slept in the inns, so we didn't camp all that much. Not like when we were kids, anyway.

[Alchemy training on the island gave him all the survival skills he needed, that's for sure.]

Maybe you should try more often. But just a campfire's still really fun. [He reels his marshmallow back in to examine it and then puts it back over the fire.] So you mostly traveled with your brother?

Yeah, back home. [He tosses another twig onto the fire, brows furrowing.] We left home when I was twelve, so we've been together all the time since then.

[Until coming here, he doesn't say, because it's pointless to dwell on that. Even if that's all he's been doing for most of the day.]

[The fact that there's no brother sitting there with him - let alone any mention of him beforehand - helps Aang to understand it anyway. It's hard for him to imagine. The closest thing to a brother he's had is Sokka, who's always been near since he met, even if here in Luceti his individual time apart from Aang has complicated this. Aang still has the people most important to him, unless he considers the lost people from his younger days like Gyatso or Kuzon. There was also Zuko's recent departure.

He knows the wrong thing to say would be "I'm sorry he's not here with you". The proper substitute comes to mind.]

I'm sorry that you two are apart now.

[Edward doesn't answer for a while, shifting uncomfortably, then stretching out his left boot to nudge a bit of glowing embers back into the heart of the fire. Not really much to say to that; he's grateful for the sentiment, even if it's pointless in the end. No amount of blameless apologies are going to reunite he and Al.]

...Me too. It's better that he's not here, though.

[A soft nod as he looks into the fire.]

That's the only way to take comfort in people not being here. We all have to get home. So everyone who isn't here... that would be a victory, right?

Technically, yeah. [It sucks, but... it really is better this way.] He was here for a while, actually. And a few times before I even got here. I guess when they sent him back the last time, it was enough to make him stick.

[~~OR IS IT~~. Aang blinks as he processes that.]

I didn't know he was here. I'm guessing it was before my time here? But... I hope so, too. And hopefully one day we can all get that same treatment.

Definitely going to be nice to go home, that's for sure. Even if it's taking longer than expected.

It looks like it'll be taking long for a lot of us. But... it'll be worth it. [To be free of trauma and pain. To be able to live through the rest of their lives, no matter how long or short. To be able to live through their choices instead of having to face the consequences of just observing them from outside.] I take it that... things are good for you back home?

...Well, they will be. [Edward can't offer much more than a sheepish smile.] I'm actually one day away from a big fight- the end of a war for my country. Just need to go home and win it.

[Aang gives a nod with a light smile.]

I think I understand. Katara and Zuko still have to live through the end of the war back home, and there's kind of a skirmish going on in my time. But one definite good thing about having people from the future around is, we know there'll be lots of peace in our future. So I'm glad you guys should have good times ahead, too.

The good news is I know how it'll end. I already went back once, I just have to do it again.

You did? But I'm glad that things will go well for all of you. Elicia's from your world too, right? [He figures based on them all living together, but might as well make sure.]

Yeah, we are. Winry too. Elicia's family really helped me and Al out back home, so I guess looking after her is sort of a way to repay them.

[Not that he'd just ignore her if they hadn't, but it feels more justified this way.]

[He nods and looks back to the campfire, but without paying any attention to his marshmallow.]

That's really nice of you, Ed. I'm glad you're looking out for her. She's... How has she been? [He asks concernedly, remembering the Loki incident.]

[It doesn't take much thought to understand what he's really asking about. And it's no wonder, with all that's happened...]

She's... okay. She's a tough kid. But we're keeping a close eye on her, just in case. She's already been through so much...

I see. I was worried about her after I heard. It could have easily been Ikki instead, and she doesn't need anymore nightmares. [He shakes his head, while his neglected marshmallow is charred and dripping.] This place just isn't easy on kids, is it.

It's not easy on anyone. That's probably why it's so much harder for kids. They have to endure the kind of stuff that even leaves the adults shaken.

[He's well-versed in childhood trauma- probably the biggest reason he wants to protect Elicia from that. No reason that she should go through such horrible things.]

You're right, Ed. I've always thought that... kids should be able to be kids for as long as possible. And they're both so strong because they're still being kids even with what they've been through and learned already. But... I won't be able to take it, I don't know how I'll be able to deal with it, if this place ever truly breaks her.

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