automailed | [Action]

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[When Edward Elric wakes up in the middle of the forest after his kidnapping, he is not quite himself. Outwardly, of course, there is no change- he looks a little more tired, perhaps, as if he's been sleeping poorly, and it seems like he hasn't eaten well for the past month. If asked, he'll complain about a seemingly perpetual hunger that no amount of food seems to satisfy.

Beyond the physical sense, however, he's not Edward at all. Not that he'll let anyone else know about it. There's a homunculus in control of his body, tied by a twisted bloodline, with a maelstrom of wailing voices in the back of his mind, one he's grown so used to over the course of several hundred years that it's nothing but a dull background noise now. With one additional voice that just happens to be louder than all of the others-

"You bastard! You bastard, Pride, give me back my body!! You think I'm going to sit here quietly while you use me like this!? You can't just take over!! You can't shut me up, dammit!!"

But even with all that shouting, all that effort... it's still nothing more than just that: background noise. And he can ignore it, as long as it takes. Homunculi are skilled at such things.

Still- he lingers in the woods for a while, considering his next step. Separated from Amestris and Father, no goals to be met, no Promised Day of which to ensure the successful passage, no allies to speak of, and a new body to which he needs to adjust. Fullmetal has friends here, people who would fight him if they knew the truth. And as strong as he is, he can't fight off an entire village of powerful fighters.

The alternative is obvious, and not, he assumes, difficult. He's spent more than fifty years pretending to be a young child; a teenage alchemist shouldn't be that hard.

When he finally makes it into the village, his first step is not to head back to his own house. Truth be told, he's not certain where that house is. His priority instead is getting himself a good meal, and for his current stomach, that means ordering a lot. So "Edward" can be found in Seventh Heaven for most of the afternoon, eating enough food to fill about five people, minimum. With a bit of directional help, he'll be heading to the smithy to look for Winry, then home itself. He can be pestered in any of those locations, in the woods, or in the village somewhere on the way. He's been gone for a month, so his sudden return is something to celebrate, right...?]

(ooc: like the post says, Ed's basically shifted to an AU where Pride took over his body in volume 26 of his canon. This means that his body is that of a human-based homunculus, and has the strengths and weaknesses of Pride and (to a lesser extent) Gluttony. The journal

prided may occasionally be used for special icons, but he'll be keeping his true identity on the down-low as much as possible. If your character can sense multiple souls or other such things, please contact me! It would suck to spoil the surprise to everyone before it's time |D)

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[Before she finishes her sentence she opens her eyes. That's not Sokka. Quickly she jumps up from her seat, and opens her arms for a hug.]

Ed, you're back!

[A hug? So they're like that, are they? Interesting. He pointedly ignores the internal protests of a single soul in his mind and steps in to wrap his arms around her waist, impulsively lifting her up and spinning her around with a grin. Fullmetal's all about enthusiasm, nothing half-assed. He might have to step up his game.]

Finally! Thought they'd never let me out.

[Whoa! Winry is genuinely surprised when she gets picked up like that. Quickly she wraps her arms around him in return, and when she is put down she pecks him on the lips. Sure, maybe she should have waited five minutes, but being spun around gave her such a thrill that she felt impulsive. Butterflies float around her stomach as she smiles up at him. So... well at least something doesn't seem to bothering him?]

I'm so glad you're back! Elicia and Ran Fan will be too!

[...Ran Fan. There's a name he remembers; one of the Xingese warriors constantly interfering with their plans. She had the ability to sense the presence of homunculi.

She's a problem.

The kiss, as well as the woman's name, are both surprising, but he remains unfazed, a calm smile frozen on his lips. He'll have to deal with this issue privately before he can relax.]

Sorry to worry you like that. Not that I had much choice, but... well, you know.

I know... They didn't do anything weird to you, right? Does everything seem okay? No big chunks of lost memories, or freaky abilities?

Nothing serious. I don't remember the kidnapping itself, and I'm having trouble remembering the names of the people I know here, but otherwise I'm just... hungry.

Hungry? All right, I'll make a big dinner tonight. Any requests?

[A moment's thought, a bit of mental sifting, and-]

How about a big pot of stew? Good and meaty. And an apple pie, if you're game!

[It sounds appealing enough, and the way the alchemist rages within the core of his Stone makes it that much more worthwhile.]

Oh, sure! I'll pick up the ingredients up on my way back. It takes a while to cook... I guess I can cut out early.

Does it matter? It's not like you're getting paid for this.

So? You know I like spending my time here.

[It at least makes her feel productive.] Besides, it's like telling you to get your nose out of a book because you're not paid to do it.

[Hrngh. Human logic and fairness. He'd forgotten about that annoying business.]

Did... you want me to get the ingredients, then? I can go shopping, I guess.

No, that's fine. You just got back, and I want you to feel settled before doing too much. It's okay, I've got this.

Mm... your call, I guess.

[Hell if he's going to push for doing work he actually has very little interest in doing. Most humans would offer, though, as far as he understands it.]

What are you working on? Besides your sleep schedule.

Real funny, Ed.

...But I really haven't been too focused since you left. For the last three days I've been stuck on redesigns of Hiccup's leg.

[As, yes, the crutches. This woman is an automail mechanic. It's all coming together neatly.]

Redesigns already? He's only just had the surgery, aren't you rushing things?

I never said I would implement them right away! Most of the redesign is superficial, but I'm wondering if I'll need to update his foot in the future so it doesn't mess with the device he has on his dragon.

[Memories are spotty on that one. Something about a busted tail?]

Well, you'll make it work. You always manage it somehow.

Yeah... well I'll pack up now. Did you want to go shopping with me, or catch up with some other people?

I wouldn't mind coming along. I've already met with just about everybody on my way here.

Oh, okay! [She feels a little silly asking after that, but it's all right. In fact she offers to hold hands to make up for it.]

[Physical contact is usually a good sign that he's been accepted, so he takes her hand without complaint, giving her fingers a light squeeze and following her lead.]

So did I miss anything important while I was gone?

Not really, I don't think... But Elicia will be ecstatic to see you again.

[Oh, right. That girl.

.....Ugh.]

Maybe I should do something special for her. The both of you, even. It must've been hard, being on your own for so long.

Ed we were worried, not helpless. It's fine. Being back again is enough. Maybe if we all play a game together it will make her happy.

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