riverviewlogs | [closed]

Following this broadcast.

After helping with the weird insectoid things, Ed returned to communal housing to find out if Cain had been brought back there. He knew something was up with that broadcast, it didn't sound like he was barely wounded but his suspicions weren't going to be answered without finding the person with the answers. He located the other resting on the couch when he finally entered their floor once more, regarding him curiously with a raised brow. Ed's arms cross over his chest as he moved through the room to where he was, using his words from the broadcast itself.

"You're fine, huh?"

It had taken some mulling to figure out how to discuss this with Al, and he knew that he still wasn't prepared. He wasn't going to be any more ready if he kept putting it off though, and it wasn't fair to his brother to make him wait and worry as Ed knew he would. He's spent some time pointedly staying away from anywhere Al would locate him, needing the time to really think this over. When he comes back to the housing building he finds Alphonse reading, approaching without so much as a word in greeting and watching him for a moment as if unsure exactly how to start this conversation.

Healing always came easy to Cain. It wasn't like he could control it, and after millennia of getting used to it, he expected it and lived by that expectation rather than a regular person's reality. Although that had changed only the slightest bit with the serum that had come through the portal, the vast majority of the time it was always the same. Recovering from a wound didn't take long, but sometimes it was tiring. Mentally, to recover from the automatic shock reaction his body went through, if not actual physical symptoms.

So here he was in the common room of the sixth floor, laptop on his chest. There were some things he could work on even when he was resting without needing too much mental energy for it, after all, like his actual job. Sorting through the scans of Lucretia's project was going to take more effort since it was a subject he was inherently unfamiliar with so far...

That said, Cain wasn't so out of it or focused on the screen that he didn't notice Ed coming in. That tone got a wry look from Cain and he just said, "Yeah. Sure am. Your concern was appreciated, though."

"Sure worried a bunch of people."

This wasn't about a lecture though, as if Ed was in any place to be giving those. Mostly, he just needed confirmation so he knew where to stand on the whole concept of Cain getting injured in the future. If he didn't have to think the guy was in danger, at least he could offer some help - if he was going to be helping Giovanni of all people, no reason not to turn up the same offer here. Even if Cain didn't seem to be the type to go looking for that sort of trouble.

"You bounce back pretty quick, huh?" He looked Cain over for any obvious signs of the injury, still frowning slightly as if this had been a huge inconvenience to everyone else. He's sure the number of people that panicked over it definitely felt like it was something noteworthy. "That sort of thing normal for you?"

Anyone that knew Ed here might think he was skeptical, as if he didn't believe that Cain had the ability to just regenerate after an incident like that. Homunculi on his own world aside, he'd met enough strange abilities in Purg not to question it at this point. Like Claire... and the others, who used to throw themselves from the clocktower for fun.

"Which sucks," he allowed, shifting his laptop further down his body so he could sit up. Guess Ed wanted to talk about this, and it made sense since they were something like research teammates. Or maybe the kid was just nosy. Hard to say and Cain knew he never owed anyone an explanation about himself but he definitely knew that it could help in the longer run. "Not like I chose to get filmed after being sniped in the middle of nowhere."

It was out of his hands, sure, but he could probably do with contacting the ones who had expressed concern but didn't know about him yet... He shifted tabs on the computer, making a note about that as if he would need it, and glanced over to Ed. He'd changed his own clothes even before he got back with Dodger's help, so there really wasn't a single sign of issue with him now. The beauty of his power, at least, was that everything went back to how it was or... how it should be. However his power would define itself, it's not like Cain knew exactly what it was for.

"Yeah, it's normal," Cain said. There was no reason to be coy about it. "Even if my body stops functioning before the healing can kick in, I'll come back."

Well, he couldn't argue with that. At least Cain acknowledged that it certainly sent out some alarms. "How did that happen, anyway?" His tone might have softened to something more like concern there. He had asked, but was brushed aside since Cain was fine and all, no explanation had been offered aside from that.

Ed didn't really know what he was doing on the computer, but had he known he would have been relieved to find out the other was putting in that sort of effort. There is the briefest flicker of surprise at the last part said, but overall his expression lent itself to something more along the lines of relief. For one, it was one less person to worry about getting into danger in this place - even if they weren't exactly close. "Guess I'll worry less about you putting yourself in danger then."

Cain liked to keep his own affairs to himself for no other reason than they were his own to keep. He would take care of whatever happened to him and his own and being judged on his own lack of narration on it was not his problem. That said, he inclined his head to the question and gave a one-shouldered shrug. "I know someone out that way and hadn't come across any of the escaped animals yet, so when I went around the corner and crossed paths with it..."

Well. Bang.

His luck had never really surprised him, even before he had gotten used to the physical consequence (or lack thereof) for such. It just seemed to follow him everywhere that he'd get into trouble and usually work his way out on his own. That it had been broadcast was his only regret.

"Exactly, don't worry about that kind of thing with me. Focus on the ones that aren't immortal," he added.

"Hopefully she'll be more cautious in the future." He didn't like that much, what if she had shot someone else? Immortality wasn't exactly a prerequisite for being out there. Ed's not usually the type to pry into other people's business. At least, not without a purpose. Are you safe, are you good to continue, and can I help tended to be the most common.

At the last part he gave Cain a look as if to say he didn't buy into the concept of immortality. It was starting to get strange the way his kneejerk reaction still went against logic - and living proof.

"Just let me know if you need any clothes patched up." He might sound amused with the next part, "It only takes a second and I have a few references already."

"Pretty sure it was just a freak accident," Cain excused. He'd met the woman beforehand and she was nothing if not consummate professional, cool and calculated even when not on the job. He'd definitely wandered in at the exact wrong time over Widowmaker's skill being too poor to stop her trigger finger in time.

That look just got Cain raising his eyebrows in return because what? Magic and portals and alternate realities and sciences that wouldn't even work in a different home reality, and immortality was where Ed drew the line? "Promise it's the closest thing either of us will likely ever see," he said tamely. At the offer, his chin tilted up and he gave Ed a curious look. "Better than regular patch jobs? I've got a few already, one I had to throw out since there was just no fixing it."

They can hope, but Ed's happy to change the topic to something else. To be fair, all of those things also got the same kneejerk reaction - even after four years of being told alchemy was magic there was a brief twist of irritation every time he heard it. Just the same as spending four years under the power of gods and he still said the word as if it was a joke, rather than a reality. As if any beings could truly claim to be a god- and yet how many resided here within Riverview?

"Better than any patch job you've seen." He actually laughed at that, "I can fix just about anything, although I'll need extra materials if the damage is too much - can't fix something with nothing to work with." Giovanni's holes required replacement fabric pretty much every time, but it really depended what sort of danger Cain got himself into. "If you've got something, I can give you a demonstration."

Cain didn't really mind what views other people held. It was when those views might intersect poorly with the people around them that he got annoyed; as long as people were willing to let whatever matter rest and focus on the important things, it was all good with him. Kneejerk reactions before getting down to business was definitely something Cain understood well.

At that offered, he looked to be considering something briefly before setting the laptop aside and heading into one of the communal bedrooms to retrieve something. When he returned, it was with a T-shirt torn through around the ribs by a singular circle. Bullet hole. It seemed clean enough all things considered, especially since it had been torn up just that day. No blood, anyway. "Need extra material for this?"

Ed blinked as Cain simply got up and moved to the bedroom while he was still recovering. He wouldn't pretend to understand the healing the other had to go through, but he couldn't imagine getting up and walking around casually after such an incident - then again, for all he knew Cain healed instantly like a homunculus so it was hardly something he could fairly judge.

He looked at the shirt, golden eyes narrowing curiously as he inspected the hole with a shrug. "Nah, that's easy. How did that happen without getting any blood on it, though?" By this point he was used to having to clean up Giovanni's clothes on top of mending them. Maybe Cain just didn't bleed like regular humans, that was also a possibility with all the different species and magics around this place.

For Cain it was mostly a matter of physical exhaustion. When that was his only deterrent, however, it was easy to push back and continue with his business until he felt like finally resting. Life here in the city was ridiculously forgiving compared to other ways he had lived and perhaps his ability to push through had degraded since then, but it was still above average. He wasn't going to go completely soft.

"There was blood," he said, moving to hand it out for Ed. If he wanted to look it over or see the damage up close, whatever the case. "It just goes back to wherever it came from when I heal."

It's impossible to ignore his brother's presence when Ed's around, meaning that when he's approached, Al is immediately aware of him. And he doesn't have to guess what this conversation will contain. He can see it in his brother's eyes, in his demeanor. Ed is burdened and he remembers Ed making the same expression at their hardest times. Enough of a reason for Al to close the book and set it aside.

"Brother?" he asks quietly before shifting to make room on the couch for his brother. He's tempted to ask, but he knows Ed needs to do this in his own time, at his own pace. So he merely nods and waits for Ed to speak his mind.

Okay, Cain that just gets another look. After a moment he takes the shirt, shrugging a shoulder as he sets it down to clap his hands. "Less work for me, then." That's how he was going to choose to look at it, at this point - no reason to question him about it, it's not his business, and it's not something that he'd bother to pry about. After all, there wasn't anything he could do there.

He brought his palms to the fabric, watching the blue light flash over it as the shirt seemed to close itself around the bullet hole. Once he was done, he picked it up again to hand back over to Cain. He did say it would be quick.

"There you go, good as new."

Edited 2017-07-14 01:31 (UTC)

Ed blinks when Alphonse speaks as if not expecting him to realize he was there just yet, smirking faintly as the younger shifted on the couch. His response might surprise the younger, as it certainly doesn't fit his apparent mood but he tilts his head some - ignoring the space offered - smirk still in place.

"C'mon, Al. I want to show you something."

That certainly doesn't sound like he's going to be talking about anything his mind is burdened with. It almost comes off that Ed's made an amusing discovery he wants to share, rather than get involved in any conversation explaining the inevitable.

Blinking in surprise at the sudden shift in his brother's features and the way his voice sounds light and confident as opposed to the more cynical and hurt voice he'd been expecting, Al pushes himself off the couch. He's a bit confused by why Ed wants to show him something, but there's no one he trusts more than his brother and it must be something worthwhile.

"What is it, Brother?" he asks, ready to follow wherever Ed might go.

He notices the surprise, but ignores it - knowing that if he was going to be determined to do this, it had to be away from any possible distractions. More than that though, he did want to show his brother something and as far as he was concerned there was no better time for it. Enjoy that whiplash, Al, it's probably not going anywhere for awhile.

Ed turns to leave as Al moves himself from the couch, amused expression never faltering as he slipped both hands into his pockets. "You'll see." Just like that, no explanation.

They're hardly out of the building when he glances at his brother with a shrug, "You've told me what you've been up to, I think it's only fair that I return the favor. Five years is a pretty long time..." This wasn't about to be a short discussion, there was plenty to talk about and he was sure that Al would have questions. Even before he got to the inevitable part of the story that he knew his brother was so patiently waiting for.

"Five years..." It's a low hum and even more of a surprise. For him, it's been six (ish), but he knows things are different for Ed. Especially after having heard that Ed hadn't made it to the place below Central. It's a lot to think about and Al can tell his brother is different from what he remembers, from what he knows. Which is why he wants to understand what happened to Ed over that time, and what had made him into the man he is today.

But the way Ed is approaching this so casually strikes Al as strange. For one thing, it doesn't quite jive with the way Ed had pulled away so abruptly when they had been preparing for the meeting. Instead, Ed seems like he's almost... pleased and confident. A change from the broken and hurt Ed he'd seen earlier.

"Yeah..." That is said softly, it was still hard for him to wrap his own mind around. Years barely felt like they moved in Purg, since no one aged. Being 16 for four years straight definitely minimized the impact of it being four years. Then he had arrived in Muir, suddenly a full grown adult without any explanation. He remembered turning 21 and Michel throwing him that birthday party as if it was a big deal, the drinking age in Purg had been 18 and Greed certainly had no issue handing him alcohol there even if the Tavern might have turned him away. Not that he ever tried to go there, anyway.

Ed also remembered the way people started disappearing then. It was like his birthday had been some bad omen, and within a few months nearly everyone he knew was gone - before he showed up here. Which was another matter all together.

"I was pulled into a place called Purgatorium. They said we were there to atone for our sins... The people that showed up there- didn't always make sense, though. Wrath was there for awhile, you and Winry came and went a few times during those years... Even- Nina." That's what he'd told Chloe about, Nina showing up in Purg and how there was a surprising number of children there - even if most of them weren't nearly as innocent as she was. He explained how she was pulled in after her death which inevitably led to him explaining what happened to her to begin with. "The punishments there hardly fit the crimes most of the time... and things happened that couldn't- always be explained."

He wasn't going to tell Al about Zhygure threatening to turn her back into a chimera, just because he'd dared to speak out against her being there. It wasn't a burden he needed to share on top of everything else, this conversation was already going to be going places he'd rather not. "Some thought... Maybe she wasn't there to atone for her own sins - what sins could a little girl like her have? Maybe she was there all along as part of- the punishment for mine."

All of this time he'd managed to sound like he didn't believe in this stuff, sneering at the concept of gods in conversation, doubting anyone here claiming to be one. He definitely didn't come off as someone that hadn't believed it now, they were powerful and they were dangerous. They'd killed Greed as a punishment once, and Ed still didn't have much of a taste for tea anymore.

Despite all of this though, his tone is still casual. Soft, serious, but hardly as traumatized as he had been when those memories came flooding back to him on their first meeting. He'd had time to prepare himself for this, and he refused to do something that would startle Al like that again. At least not if he could help it.

As they walked, Alphonse might notice they're getting closer to the river - but his brother is deliberately avoiding the beaches full of people as they approach the shore. No, Ed has a specific beach in mind. A secluded one that he'd found wandering out here, one that was lined with rocks, large and flat enough to sit, stand or even walk on. When they finally arrive, he turns to face Al - back to the waves. Clearly, this is where Ed had intended to take him, but there wasn't really anything notable around for him to be shown.

Yeah, Cain didn't get to decide how his immortality worked. It was an unfair trade-off in that he never asked for it, got to live thousands of years and literally outlive everyone he ever loved, and can't die or even leave traces of himself somewhere unless it was naturally-dying pieces like dead skin cells or hair. Thankfully, Cain was very good at dealing with it.

Watching the interaction, it was definitely not what he was expecting, and he took the shirt to inspect the spot with interest. "Well, that's handy. Just like that?"

"Just like that." He grinned a bit at the question. "It's a little more involved if there's more damage, but- as long as I have all the pieces, or the right materials to replace them, the outcome is the same."

It wasn't often Ed took the opportunity to boast, anymore - but when it came to alchemy and how useful it was, he didn't mind talking that up to anyone willing to listen.

"Then I'll definitely keep even the clothes that are usually beyond repair," he promised. Right now he was just feeling out the area where the hole had been just moments prior. How about that?

That said, he glanced back up to Ed and raised an eyebrow in question. "What's the damage?"

He's going to quirk an eyebrow at that and offer a nonchalant shrug.

"It doesn't cost me anything, if we need materials in the future though... You might want to buy them." That's how he usually handles it, especially in a situation like Cain's where he's not running around looking for trouble - he wouldn't be keeping Ed too busy compared to certain others.

After a moment he tilts his head slightly, as if considering something before smiling. "A little word of mouth wouldn't hurt, if you know anyone that needs something repaired. Just don't tell them it's free, not everything is as easy as a t-shirt."

"Fair enough," he said. Cain wouldn't have complained if Ed wanted payment for such a thing even if it was trivial to do. It was still a unique skill he could provide in a way he hadn't heard of anyone else doing so far. On the other hand, word of mouth was a good request and he nodded to that.

While he started folding up his shirt to toss it back into his room later, he said, "You got it. I'll give you that, definitely."

[closed]

[Closed to Cain]

[Closed to Alphonse]

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