maskormenacelogs | When I say “like those days”, it doesn’t mean I want to go back

WHO: Edward Elric, Alphonse Elric and Winry Rockbell
WHERE: Residence # 35, Heropa
WHEN: probably backdated a bit?
WHAT: Ed talks to Winry and Al on the Promised Day, explaining what he has gathered from questioning Greed and Roy.
WARNINGS: Spoilers for Fullmetal Alchemist manga/Brotherhood if people still haven't read/seen the ending?

[It's about time, really. Ed's been putting it off a little for fear of Winry's worry and possible interruptions while he explains all he's gathered on the Promised Day and what happened. What will happen, rather. What has already happened for some of them back home with the different timelines. It's all damn confusing, really, but Ed's trying to make sense of it and keep it all in mind in terms of how much everyone from home seems to recall.

He gathers his brother and Winry into one of the bedrooms, sitting himself on the bed and resting his chin on his hands for a moment as they get comfortable before he speaks.]

So, I've been talking to Greed, and the Colonel about the Promised Day. Got some answers to what happens.

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[Winry glances between both brothers, sitting on the bed with her hands in her lap. She halfway doesn't want to hear this. Would anyone have told Ed that she'd died? Or maybe she didn't die. She wound her fingers together tightly. She swallows, looking sideways at Ed.]

Wh-what did you find out?

[Al situates himself on the bed because it's either there or the floor. In all honesty, he's not sure what to expect. What he knows is that he had been trapped with Pride - that's a good thing since it means that Father is one sacrifice short.]

Go on, brother.

Well....I'm still not sure if I have all the details, but....the Fuhrer gets taken care of. We weren't without losses either. Bucaneer.....he died too. But the main thing -- your body, Al. The answer was right in front of us all along. I know I probably flipped out at the time, but....you reverse the transmutation I did to bind your soul to the armor.

[He exhales, lips pursed and he remembers how well that news went down just hearing about it. How he yelled, protested and demanded answers from both Greed and then Roy. He shakes his head, rubbing a hand over his face briefly before giving a wry smile. He's still kicking himself that in hindsight it seems so obvious.] All I had to do after taking care of that bearded freak was to figure out a price to bring you back. Alchemy. My Gate.

Mr. Bucaneer died...?

[Winry liked him, after all; he was so nice to her!

And then the rest of what Ed said penetrates.]

Wait, you can...you can reverse a transmutation?

[It makes sense, in a way. But Ed...without his alchemy? She isn't sure how to react to that. Even if she could care less about alchemy, she has watched these boys pour over alchemy books since they could read. It's an incredible sacrifice, but to get Al back, Winry's sure Ed would've done it anyway.

Reaching over, she squeezes Ed's shoulder.] I'm glad you figured...figure? it out, Ed.

[Al is silent for a long moment thinking it over. Not just thinking though but giving a moment of silence to thank Bucaneer for his help.]

It wouldn't exactly be a reversal. More like I would give my soul back and in exchange Ed would get his arm. It would be a new transumation with something that we've used before.

[It would be like creating something from ingredients and then breaking it down to ingredients after it had been something once. Ed was the one who did it in the first place and it would be Al who undid it.]

You gave up your alchemy? [Somehow it's more of a shock than anything else. His brother was always better at alchemy than he was and to think of his brother without it was strange.]

Y-yeah. I was surprised too. I'm.....guessing the Major General already knows though. She seemed to recall more than I did anyway. But that's right. It's possible. I did--do manage it. Even with that price....I'm just glad it works out. That I keep my promise.

[That goal he has striven for ever since that night, the only way he could think of to make up for that mistake, even if Al didn't hate him for it. He did it. Restored Al, after so many years. After so much blood and tears were shed. In spite of everything, all the obstacles. It's enough to know that in the end, it works out. Somehow.]

If that's the price, I'd pay it. I can still study alchemy, even if I can't use it anymore. And I still have you guys. Everyone. I'll manage without it.

[Winry starts to say it doesn't seem fair...then she stops. Ed would trade almost anything to get Al's body and soul reconnected. His alchemy was better than another limb, or his life. And he's smart, and there are other things besides alchemy, right? Friends and family, and...

She tries to stop herself, but she still sniffs.]

When I say “like those days”, it doesn’t mean I want to go back

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OH GEEZE, never got the alert! sorry!

no worries!

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[aaaand never got the alert for THIS, either.]