maskormenacelogs | (no subject)

Hm... Yeah, I can definitely understand that. I can't even imagine how bored I'd get if I didn't have some challenge to work on.

Yeah.

[ He smiles just a little, then asks: ]

What are you working on now?

Ah, well I'm never working on just one thing... [He trails off a little sheepishly.]

My primary research is figuring out how the porter works—or even getting close enough to be able to travel between worlds would be great... And figuring out how to keep us from forgetting when we leave here.

I'm also looking into some tissue regeneration and growth studies that scientists here have been working on. The results look pretty promising, and I want to see if I can build on that.

[ He leans back, interested. ]

What's that second one? Tell me more about it.

[The shift in attitude is immediate—one moment weary and a little too serious, the next a bright and tightly wound ball of excitement.]

The tissue studies? Oh man, they're amazing. Did you know they've had some promising experiments with regrowing actual limbs? They're still years out from even starting animal trials, but the fact that they're close enough to even be thinking about it— And the progress they've made with simpler structures! They can just grow skin in a lab to use for grafts! And I haven't even started looking into what they've been doing with other organs.

[ With interest - ]

Are you thinking about trying it for your arm?

Huh? Oh...no. [He frowns.] A little, maybe? But Mustang said I'll get my arm back at home, so that's not really why.

Miles said he was having some pain from an old injury that isn't healing well, so I thought looking into this could help.

[ Mark hesitates, wondering if he'd said the wrong thing. Is the stuff with his arm personal...? Not something he'd want to talk about? Well. Regardless. ]

That would actually be really good. How is it that you'd help?

It depends a little on exactly what's hurt... I think it's the bone, but Winry should probably check to make sure. For bone there's some interesting ideas about using carbon particles to make a sort of scaffold for bone to grow on. It should stimulate bone growth just having it there.

[ Oh. With considerable interest - ]

And that'd strengthen bones?

Well, bone that's been weakened by injuries. But yeah, it should help whatever grows over it be a little stronger.

[ He nods and looks away. ]

Or for someone like Miles - it could reinforce what he has. Possibly.

[He hums softly to himself, turning the idea over in his mind. It would take an entirely different approach to work on something technically whole, but maybe...]

I can talk about it with Winry. She knows more about the skeleton than me.

[ A nod. ]

Yeah. His legs are synthetics, now, but, uh - his arms still need help. And his ribcage.

Mm... Whatever we figure out won't be a quick—unless we use a healer to speed it up...

Uh—anyway. I'll keep you and Miles updated about it.

Yeah. Thanks. And I'll - pay for it for Miles. The research and all of it. If he can't afford it.

[ A beat - ]

Don't mention that part to him, though.

[For just a moment it looks like he might try to argue, but then he remembers who he's talking to. And really...he can't fault him wanting to take care of his brother.

He smiles fondly at him instead.]

I won't say a word.

Okay. Good.

[ Thank God Ed has a brother. And he understands. ]

So is that why you're up? Working on things?

Ah, no... I just couldn't get to sleep. Like I couldn't relax, I guess.

Any reason for it?

[With a hint of bitterness,] A couple of them.

[And as soon as he says it he realizes he's going to have to explain at least one. No way would anyone let him weasel of of a slip up like that. He feigns an awkward cough and tugs nervously at his braid.]

I mean... I kind of had an...argument with Gregor. The emperor.

[ Mark grunts in acknowledgment, but there's no judgment in his face. God knows. He doesn't have that same knee-jerk absolute loyalty to the Emperor that the others do. Personal loyalty to Gregor, sure, but he doesn't consider him anything like infallible. ]

What about?

Uh... About you, sort of. He was mad that I "interfered" with your rescue.

[ Mark grimaces. He doesn't like the thought of being the cause of any arguments. But... ]

Oh. Uh - did you? Interfere? I thought you were helping.

[Ed grimaces too, but in his case it's because now he has to explain all the ways in which Gregor was right. ]

I... We did help! We got you...but after your dad told us to stay put.