[Voice / Action]

[automailed]

[Now that he's gotten over his own embarrassment somewhat-]

...So that's what an experiment is like, huh.

[Okay, maybe not entirely over it. That was beyond humiliating and he doesn't even want to acknowledge it anymore. Ugh.]

Whatever, forget it. I have a question for the people who've lived here longer than me. What kind of escape attempts have already happened here? Has anything worked, or even showed small signs of success? If it's not something you want to talk about over the journals, you can find me at the library.

Thanks in advance.

[...Oh right, before he forgets again-]

And if anyone finds a silver pocketwatch in one of the shops, chances are it's mine. I'd appreciate it if you let me know if you see it.

...Don't look inside, either!

[And as promised Ed will be at the library today, either inside pouring over a dozen books or just outside the entrance, probably munching away at something he pilfered during a visit to the bakery. You know, after he realized he hadn't eaten for seven hours or something. As usual he's probably wearing five different layers despite the heat, the nutter.]

Comments

[Action]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

Oh, then I'll definitely need to take a look. We'll do it in my work room.

[Action]

[automailed]

[Another nod, and Edward wanders into the living room, sitting himself down on the couch and pulling out his journal.]

It looked easy until I actually tried it, but it's more like a puzzle than a code to break. I couldn't figure it out.

[Codes? He could totally handle. Hell, he writes codes. Puzzles, not so much. It's like basic math, he gets bored and loses focus.]

[Action]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

That's the point though, Ed. You make the puzzle. If you don't make it well enough people can solve it and listen to or read your conversations.

[Action]

[automailed]

[That makes him frown, studying the page thoughtfully and tapping his pen for a moment.]

You just make something up? Isn't there a known process that everyone uses?

[If not, that would explain why he's having so much trouble with it.]

[Action]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

Here, I'll show you how Donatello showed me.

[Action]

[automailed]

[Erk. Why so close, Winry? Edward shifts a bit awkwardly and leans over to watch what she does.]

[Action]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

I never really knew how to make one on my own, so I just used Donatello's as a base and substituted here what journal I needed to filter to. Now it's not perfect, but I'm sure it'll keep most people out.

[Action]

[automailed]

Guess it'll do until I figure something else out. [He takes a few notes, watching as she works.] ...Does Al know how to do this?

[Action]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

Not that I know of. Should I teach him, or do you want to?

[Action]

[automailed]

...Give me some time. I'll show him how. [Truth is, he doesn't want Al to know the same method he uses. There are some things he can't talk about, even with his brother. Though most of that is Greed's fault, these days.]

[Action]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

All right! Is there anything else you wanted? You know I'm happy to help.

[Action] damn html

[automailed]

Well... it's not really something that you need help with or anything, but... [Ahh, dammit, this is hard to do. She must have so many friends here.] I told Ling already, so- the circle's almost done. We're probably going to try it before the end of the month.

[Action]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

This soon? Are you sure it's ready?

[Action]

[automailed]

It didn't take as much work as most transmutations. I already had the circle as a base, it just took some investigating... to make sure it would work for Lt. Colonel Hughes.

[Can't abandon the dead here, after all. He can't blame her for being worried, though; not like he's told anyone much about the circle itself.]

[Action]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

You think you can bring him back too?

[Action]

[automailed]

I'm not so sure Miss Gracia or Elicia would have wanted to go back without him. And I can't just leave him behind, either.

[And he has that lovely guilt complex to think about, still.]

[Action]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

I know that - I'm just wondering if it's possible.

[Action]

[automailed]

Bringing people back from the dead with alchemy is impossible. But he's already alive here, so these Malnosso guys have done the hard part for me. Now we just have to take him back with us.

[In other words, he believes it's possible.]

[Action]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

I'll believe you.

[Action]

[automailed]

Do you know if there's some special way of leaving behind a message to the people here? So it doesn't disappear when you go home, I mean.

[Action]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

I've never really looked into it, but I do know that people have done it before. I'd say your best bet would be to let someone else hold on to it.

[Action]

[automailed]

I'll do that, then. If another alchemist shows up and it's worked for us already, maybe they can figure out a way to send everyone else to their worlds.

[Action]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

And if it doesn't work?

[Action]

[automailed]

[...He hasn't wanted to bring that option up to anyone but Hughes, admittedly. Al already knows what a rebound can do.]

Then I guess we'll have another example of what doesn't work.

[Action]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

If you get hurt what could happen? Should I be read to heal you?