AGE PLOT SHENANIGANS

[microbrobotics]

WHO: Everyone and anyone!
WHERE: De Chima, various
WHEN: Around 6 PM EST, March 25th
WHAT: Age plot kickoff!
WARNINGS: Cuteness.

[ LET'S GET THIS PARTY OFFICIALLY STARTED! Opening events so we don't do too much comm flooding (although people are welcome to make their own posts for the event). You're welcome to toplevel with your character if you'd like to have them show up somewhere else for this plot.

Current toplevels:
Spring Festival in a De Chima city park
De Chima #1
De Chima #1, later (Minato)

The age plot will run from March 25th through Sunday, March 29th. More deets available at the plotting post. ]

Comments

[restingstitchface]

[Crane shakes his head, tilts it ever so slightly, and presses his lips. He crosses his right leg. Glancing down at his hands, he brings them to rest together in his lap. Pathetic. He may be in the situation to understand, but that doesn't stop him feeling slightly disgusted as he holds his raised ankle a little.

He hadn't known his mother at all, and had been raised by somebody terrible - somebody cruel. But he hadn't moaned. He hadn't cried or complained about wanting his life back.

He realises he's put his analysis of the room on the back foot - and it's going to stay there for now, for this is more intriguing.]

"Your mom?"

[A deliberate, childish choice of word. Speak in their language. Get them to talk.]

[truth_unseen]

Yeah. She got sick. I miss her. We both do. After he left us and made her wait.

[But Hohenheim never came. It's evident 'he' is likely Ed's father. Someone at this point he's obviously pissed off at for walking out. For never coming even to Trisha's funeral. Somehow wondering if she wasn't trying so hard to raise him and Al by herself she wouldn't have got sick. Either way, it meant they lost her. But not for long, if Ed can help it. What started as a means to make her smile might mean the way to bring her back - through alchemy. Which is forbidden, but Ed's willing to ignore and risk that. If there's a chance of bringing her back, seeing her smile again.

There's a pout, a frown at his features as his parents are brought up. Or, Hohenheim at least. Trisha he actually spent more time with, loves her. ]

[restingstitchface]

And you hate him for that?

[He furrows a brow and leans forward. Unobtrusive, thoughtful, attentive. The itch to note is familiar - but sure enough, he's going to have to remember this to transcribe later.]

[truth_unseen]

Of course! He didn't even explain where he was going, when he'd be back or why he was leaving. He left her to care for us alone. And he didn't even come to mum's funeral either.

[While earlier he may have sort of idolized Hohenheim in the brief family moments he wasn't in his study, now Ed's just not the biggest fan. Not after that. Leaving Trisha, having Al constantly ask where he was, when he would return. The frustration of not being able to answer and knowing it upset his mother and younger brother.]

[restingstitchface]

[Crane's leaning forwards, slowly, naturally, till he's mirroring Ed's pose exactly. He's taller but seems kind and on Ed's level all the same.

He supports his chin with his right fist. He pushes his glasses with his left forefinger, then lightly shakes his head. He sighs, sympathetically.]

It sounds like he doesn't care about you at all.

[Present tense. Bring the problem into the present.]

[truth_unseen]

Well he doesn't. He can't if he's been gone this long and we've never heard anything from him.

[At least, that's what Ed figures. Hohenheim doesn't pay the boys any attention so surely he doesn't care. Didn't care enough to even write or call. Or show up to Trisha's funeral.]

Al kept asking when he'd be back. Like I know. He probably won't ever be back. It's been years.

[restingstitchface]

[Crane gently shakes his head. It's the slowest, smallest movement - barely even there. The action opens up his posture a little; a deliberate means to open himself up to being trusted.]

He won't ever be back, Ed. [His voice is thoughtful, soft. His words are a deliberate mirror.] It's been years, remember. In situations like these it's best to cut your losses and show him you're not scared.

[truth_unseen]

I never said I was scared. Al and I are doing just fine without him. We've had Teacher and Sig and Granny looking after us so we don't need Hohenheim!

[A touch defensive. Or rather, a lot. But he's been doing his best with Al ever since. And they've been getting on well enough without Hohenheim coming back into the picture years later - too late.]

[restingstitchface]

[Crane watches quietly.

He's not missed the fact Ed's called his father by his name. It tells him the familial bond is twisted and brittle - it hangs by a hair's breadth, and it's those kinds of fearful, precarious thoughts in people's heads that interest him the most.

So he verbally claws that scab open.]

Really? Are you sure? Fathers are not easily gotten rid of. They're nature's way of making us feel safe. You cannot say in your heart he's an imposter, because you know that's a lie.

[truth_unseen]

We can't even get a hold of him even if we wanted to. I don't even know if he is still alive or what. I have more important things to worry about anyway.

[Like taking care of his brother. Researching to do so via resurrecting Trisha with their alchemy. He may know and acknowledge Hohenheim as his biological father, but he has been absent so long. And when Ed's main memories of him are watching him in the study or that one lecture he gave Ed about Trisha loving both boys equally, years later when he left. Well. It's not the best.]

[restingstitchface]

[Crane nods. He's standing up as his hands clap together - and whilst bowed in that process he's smiling with his eyes as much as his mouth. Soon, his eyes are looking down at Ed, in a soft and emphatic manner.

He pushes his glasses up his nose.]

Like your brother, yes. [A pause - one heartbeat.] Of course. It's a wise idea to pace yourself. Speaking of health, are you certain you'll be fine?

[He's ready to go, almost. He's got the juicy information he wants.]

[truth_unseen]

Exactly! Like Al. [Ed gives a nod, relieved the man seems to understand. No point fretting over Hohenheim when Ed has no idea if his father is even alive, no contact for years. Better to focus on the people right there and more in need of his attention and time. In theory, at least, given Al is not here right now.]

Me? Yeah. I'm fine.

[restingstitchface]

Good, good.

It appears you have a handle on things. But if you struggle, should it become too much to bear, if you experience any kind of distress, please contact me. I'm here to help you any way I can.

[His voice is warm, considerate, and with a jovial tone - it's trying to keep up Ed's spirits, of course. He offers a small smile.]

But for now, if you'll excuse me. I must return to work.

[He's come all this way, in his free time, to see Ed. That would be worth something to most people. He turns for the door a moment later, glancing over his shoulder.]

[truth_unseen]

Ah, okay. I will. Thanks for checking on me.

[Trying to be polite at least. He gives a wave as the other seems to be leaving, swinging his feet from the bed one last time before jumping down to escort him to the front door.]