They can't see me

[Al's back in the armor, of course. No, he totally wasn't moping after his wish was granted and it was brutally torn away from him and his soul was put back in the armor, not at all. The camera's on a steady surface to show Al standing in his Marshall apartment. He waves before continuing.]

Is it over? Looks like some people are starting to come around, thankfully. Does anyone know what could've caused it? Seems to short of a duration for Malice. ...I'm not sure I want to know the death rate for this. Hopefully no one was mutilated.

Ah... anyway, sorry I was so scarce! I was, um, busy. As much as I like being... well. The way I was, I gotta admit, this body has certain perks! Are you ready to come out now? No more murderous tendencies, right?

[He looks down and opens up his chest plate.

Behold: one terrified, shaking Latvia curled up inside of the armor. Poor country probably wasn't expecting this.]

Sorry about that, but you did chop my head off. It was the easiest way I could think of to keep you restrained! U-um... yeah. Sorry.

[Lativa comes up with the most articulate response he can: he screams and cries. Startled, Al too lets out a cry and stumbles over. It's like a screaming party over here. They land with a "clang!" and the post times out.]

[At first the video swings across Al's armor... well, except, the eyes aren't lit up anymore. Usually that means he's dead. But, no, Al's voice comes through the communicator! Actually, it's just chattering teeth accompanied by laughter.]

F-figures th-this would happen during fall!

[Despite the complaints, he pretty much sounds on the verge of tears from sheer fucking JOY. The camera turns; behold an extremely emaciated, long-haired, hobo-looking Alphonse Elric. (Wait-up view, thankfully). Holy crap he is crying! Al doesn't really realize it though. He's a little too busy being cold and naked.]

H-hah! Good news is that I'm not sneezing maggots this time. D-does, um, anyone want to lend me a pair of pants?

...Brother? Dad?

Still no sign of Bra▒▓░

...I had ▒▒omething to say, but I think I'll wait until the communicators stop malfunctioning. There's no--

[MASSIVE STATIC ATTACK ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ FOREVER no wait now you can hear Al screeching]

▒-OW D-DID YOU EVEN GET IN THERE?!

Omigosh hi Al~!

[Guess. Who.]

L-L-LINDA, GET O▓▓▒ OF MY A-ARMOR! THIS IS AN INVASION OF PRIVACY! P-PLEA--!

You're soo░o echo-y! I bet if I like, sang a song in here, it'd be l▒e there were two Lindas! It would be the best song ever!

[And then she starts singing. Sure enough, her voice echoes in Al's armor. There is static, but you can hear her singing and Al still begging her to get out.]

Al should si░░with me!

...I-if I sing, will you ░░░░░?

Totally~!

[TOO BAD FOR YOU THERE'S AN ERUPTION OF STATIC BEFORE AL CAN START SINGING and then the post ends. What now.]

Sorry it's been so long, everyone! I've been a little busy with research, not to mention trying to repair the room without alchemy. After going home for so long, it's been taking me a little longer to get back into the swing of doing things with the chip in.

OH! Latvia! I heard about Russia, are you alright?! I'm so sorry I haven't dropped by, I've just gotten so caught up lately!

So... question. What sorts of magic can people do here? Are there any limits to what you can do?

( Locked to Ed )

--looks like nothing's changed at all, there's even still ash in the air-- Oh, it's on! Nearly forgot how to use this thing.

Um... hello? Anyone remember me? Alphonse Elric, the kid in the amor. I'm back! Probably not something to get excited about, but I've missed everyone, and it's not as though homelife is any less chaotic.

Looks like little time has passed here, weirdly enough. Either that, or Discedo has broken its record for miserable weather. Why is the ash red? Please tell me this is because of geological reasons and not.... At least now I don't have to worry that the world is going to end while I'm here. Thank you, manipulated principles of time and space. You're an inspiration to scientists everywhere and a relief to all those here.

Anyway! I don't even know where to begin with what's happened to me in my time away. Last thing I remember is Yoki running over Pride with an armored car and us, Dr. Marcoh, and Heinkel heading towards Central... if... that makes any sense to anyone other than me. Probably not. So rather than take an hour to explain all of that, I'd rather find out who's still here. Kamui? Miranda? Eriol? Latvia? ...Mr. Hughes?

Is my brother back too? Or, er, still here? ...Damn time stream.

I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'M SO SORRY.

I-I don't normally... erm, most of you know I don't normally act like that, and-- oh man, I really punched a stranger through a window?! Wh-whoever that was, I didn't mean to! I... someone said something about malice, but I don't remember anything beyond that. I didn't mean to hurt anyone, I swear! Kamui, Miranda, Fai, everyone, I'm so sorry. I know an apology doesn't change what I did, but I hope you'll forgive me.

And I'm sorry for lying too. About... you know. My armor. If you're mad about that, I understand, but I really did keep it a secret for good reasons. Or... at least, saying that I'm sick is a much easier explanation than the truth. Erm. I'd rather not talk about that right now, though.

I'm just gonna clean up the mess I made and hide forever.

...Brother? Winry?

[OOC WARNING: LINKS CONTAIN SPOILERS TO THE FMA MANGA (uhhh Chapters 84-87 I believe) so don't click them if you care.]

( AND NOW THE POST! )

( YET ANOTHER OOC NOTE sorry guys )

[The communicator turns on as though it'd been thrown against a wall. The scene shows Al... pretty much tearing the apartment apart. Smashed electronics litter the floor and other things... just seem warped by alchemy. Al himself is on the edge of the camera's vision; only his feet can be seen.]

Nngh. What's wrong with my head-- my seal? But I guess none of you would no about it.

[The comm is kicked. You are now staring at a shot of Al without his chestplate. Al, with no fucking body controlling his armor WHAT THE SHIT IS THIS. To make things creepier, the helmet's eyes are glowing an even brighter red than normal.]

Because if I tell, people start assuming, o-or asking questions! I can't tell back home because of the damn law, and I can't tell here because the last time someone knew what I was, I WAS FUCKING MURDERED!

[He claps and punches the wall, which then slowly breaks apart to reveal the wires and insulation and all that good stuff. Al's voice takes on a more desperate tone. People would probably be more sympathetic if he wasn't, you know, acting like a goddamn lunatic.]

Wh-why do people keep punishing me?! I know what I did was wrong, I'm living proof of that! If you can call this living. I couldn't help mom, I can't help Brother, and all people ever want to do when I ask for help is use me! What the hell is wrong with people?!

[One scream of frustration and another clap later, and the screen goes black. Whoops, looks like the lights just went out in the apartment.

All that can be seen as the device clicks off are Al's red eyes glowing in the dark.]

[Everything is, predictably, utterly dark on the communicators screen. The only thing that can be seen is the outline of Al's legs and hands.]

...I just spent the past half hour finding my way out of a maze. It got easier after I realized that making holes with alchemy only made things worse, but seriously. What was that?! And this:

[The communicator swings around to witness... Al's armor. Glowing a bit from within due to glowy-things. What. The light goes on and off; looks like the little bursts of light got a tad lost in that maze too. It doesn't help that the lights are moving around inside his armor.]

THIS IS JUST CREEPY! Whatever these are, they're all inside me and I can't get them out! I don't mind the mazes so much, or the dark, but WHY THIS?! G-get out of my armor, I need that!

[Al waves his arms (and thus the communicator), frantically trying to get the lights out. IT'S NOT VERY EFFECTIVE... so poor Al just growls in frustration.]

Somehow, I really think I would have preferred flying. At least that would be fun! This is just... embarrassing.

Oh. This again. Please don't let anyone proposition me this time!

Um, welcome back everyone?

Happy Mother's Day.

...Well. No use being morose over it. It's not a big holiday, but it would've been nice to at least put some fresh flowers on her grave.

Erm. Anyway! Is anyone interested in teaching languages? I've been here a long time and I can barely understand half the city. I promise, I can do work in exchange for lessons! I'm really good at repairs and building things, and, um, I can make weapons? I mean. If anyone wants to consider it...

( Private to Ed//unhackable )

It's not as sentimental as the picture I got last time, but these alchemy books will definitely come in handy! Especially if I try to teach it like I intended to long ago... I'm still grateful that we still get small things from home sometimes, anyway. Hopefully next time I'll get a cat! Surely Brother wouldn't be such a heartless person to leave a cold, defenseless kitten to defend itself in the city, right Edward?

If nothing else, maybe reviewing these books will help find a way to, erm, cure my illness and fix Brother's arm.

Oh, and Miranda: you've been doing really well lately! If you want extra help though, maybe you could talk to Mr. Iroh about it? He's very good with helping you spiritually. And his training is easier than being pushed to your breaking point on a deserted island by hunger and frustration and a masked man you think is going to kill you.

( Private to self//hackable if want to waste precious minutes of your life )


Ah, I'm sorry I haven't been in contact lately! I've... just been searching for someone I'm certain has gone home now. Harry Mason, as I'm sure many of you remember.  He really helped this place improve. Great guy all-around. But I'm glad he's back with his daughter or at least I hope he is.

Er, anyway. Welcome, all new arrivals! We aren't quite as organized with information as we used to be, but if anyone has any questions, I'll do my best to answer them. Oh, and I'm still available for repairs if anyone needs any help! I can't guarantee I can do much with newer technologies, since my world has an older time period than most others here, but I'm willing to give anything a try! Not to mention it would give me more cool future stuff to study, heh.

Miranda? I was thinking; you mentioned wanting to learn physical combat, right? Well, if you're still interested and have time, the offer still stands. N-not that you have to! Just leaving the options open!

"Use this."

A-ah, I don't think I like the sound of this. I DON'T EVEN HAVE A GIRLFRIEND.

Um.

Um.

I doubt I'd be able to feel the effects of whatever consequence comes from the rose, considering my, erm, condition. But, ah. It is part of the holiday, a-and...

Erm. I-if there's any girls out there th-that collect flowers. Or something. You can have this one. Uh, let's see, girls I know... Winry and Shyna and Umi and Miranda and Saber and Rin and River...

...

JUST SOMEONE TAKE THE STUPID ROSE, PLEASE?

( Private//hackable with a LOT of effort )

[The comm click on to a shaky sigh. Al tries to say something, but it only comes out as a choked whimper. He sighs, and tries again, his voice strained and soft.]

Brother, you idiot, you said you wouldn't go off without me. You said, you made me promise not to exclude you from anything. Edward...

[There's a long pause, and then a loud crash as he throws a microwave to against the wall. He goes on breaking a few more things, giving a frustrated shout as the last electronic is shattered.]

Fuck, I can't even cry! EDWARD YOU GOD DAMN IDIOT! YOU STUPID FUCKING MORON, WHAT THE HELL AM I--

[A small echoing sob breaks through; it's not as easy to gasp for air without lungs.]

What the hell am I going to do without you? I-I need you, please, I'm sorry, just don't be...

...


Where is she.



[ooc: Replies will be slow/come tomorrow!]

Damn it, not again! I knew all those fumes had to go somewhere...

Everyone, stay inside. This acid rain is deadly--I know, it happened over a year ago--it's going to start out very bad, but if it's like last time, it will go back to normal after a couple weeks. We'll deal with the aftermath once it's passed. The buildings are going to need some serious repair after all of this.

Brother, I accidentally sent Kite out into this, so I'm going to go get him. It won't corrode my metal as quickly as it does skin. It's my fault, he's in pain, I'm going to get him, BE RIGHT BACK. You can fix my armor when we get back to the high school.

[ooc: FORGOT TO ADD. Al's legs are pretty much going to... break off as soon as he gets a couple steps inside the high school. SOMEONE HELP HIM AND KITE TO ED'S ROOM PLZ?]

So. Um. Good thing the air is clearing up! I'm still worried about where those fumes are going to go, but...

Erm.

Well. The good news is, I managed to get an oxygen tank from the hospital with Prydain's help. I'm giving a little to my brother until I'm sure he won't pass out again, a-and I'll be sure to give some to whoever is in desperate condition!

...

The bad news is, I, um. IkindaneedanewarmDON'TKILLMEWINRY. I'm already getting my ass kicked by Edward as it is!

Does anyone have any spare metal I could use to fix my armor?

Everyone is complaining of burning lungs and smelling rotten eggs and Mr. Iroh said whatever substance in the air is flammable so there runs not only the risk of explosions but of literally drowning in fire not to mention the possible lung damage from inhaling these fumes--!

...

[Al lets out a shaky, echoing sigh]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm worrying needlessly, aren't I? I don't want to worry you all when no one can...

...A-ah. Nevermind. Whatever it is, I'm sure the wind will pick up soon and disperse whatever this is! I just wish I had my alchemy. Maybe then I could construct some sort of detector to see what this could possibly be. Sulfur, if the rotten egg smell is right, and other things... no particulates, as far as I can see.

Um. How is everyone doing? Is anyone breathing easier yet? ...Brother? You're still doing alright, right? Maybe if I find an instructional book and materials, a-and if it wouldn't take too much of your energy, maybe you could... construct it.