[VOICE .006 | username edward.elric]

[alchemyfreak]

[the recording starts as Lyle presses the button, mumbling to himself before clearing his throat]

So I... managed to get stuck on this terminal. I'm at--

[he pauses as he sees someone walking by and calls out, ignoring the recording.]

Oh, hey, Ed! Great timing. Can you come over for a second?

[There's a pause as Edward hesitates - debating how much trouble Lyle can cause him before deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt, the volume of the alchemist's voice increasing as he got closer to the terminal.]

Great timing for what? .... What are you doing?

[Lyle clears his throat again and tries to sound casual]

I got stuck. Just help me pull my hand away. I'll even treat you to some ice cream if you help me now.

[Ed's voice alone is evidence of how wary he is of this offer, but it doesn't stop him from trying to help.]

How do I know that 'ice cream' isn't some secret code you have for zombie-?

[The blond's voice cuts off abruptly as any attempt to get close enough to Lyle's hand instead ends with his arm now attached to him.]

It's not a code for--what the hell!

[there is a long pause before Lyle sighs, his voice incredulous.]

This is a joke, right? What's wrong with your arm? Don't tell me you suddenly have the power to turn into metal....

DON'T BE AN IDIOT!

[There's another pause before Ed also sighs, and a rustle of fabric as he pulls his sleeve up with his free hand. When he speaks again, his voice comes through clenched teeth.]

My arm is metal.... Always has been. What are you, some walking magnet?

[Lyle snorts, then sighs again.]

Apparently I am. Though I thought it was gone until I got stuck to this terminal... and now you. You know, if you were a girl, I'd be telling you that this is fate.

[his voice almost sounds flirty here, just to bother Ed.]

[There's another pause as Ed just stares at Lyle for a minute, before returning to the topic.]

Shut up, idiot. We should be more focused on fixing this. I'd stay away from anything metal until everyone's powers go back to normal if I were you. Especially me.

[Lyle chuckles at that before trying to pull away from the terminal, though it doesn't work, and he gives up again.]

Yeah, not my fault. I thought the power was gone. Try pulling? If you run away from me hard enough, maybe you can get away.

How long does it usually last? Maybe it'll stop on its own-

[at the suggestion Ed didn't hesitate to pull away, even bracing a leg against the terminal to try and get some distance between them.]

This isn't going to work...

[Ed makes a frustrated noise, trying to push off of the terminal as hard as he can]

WHO THE HELL NEEDS THE POWER TO BE STUCK THIS STRONGLY TO METAL?

Someone with a crush on you and just can't bring themselves to get close to you? I sure as hell don't. I was glad when it went away but it came back.

[he pauses, as if thinking it over.]

...The longest it lasted was... five hours.

What is wrong with you? Do you think about anything else, ever?

[At the answer, the blond snarled as if it was entirely Lyle's fault.]

Five hours? You can't be serious, I'm not going to just st- Well. How long has it been this time? Maybe it'll stop soon.

[Ed didn't bother waiting for an answer before trying a new approach to his bracing against the terminal and pushing away from Lyle.]

I only got stuck a few minutes before you walked by so that's still over four hours to wait...

[he watches Ed's antics for a few moments before speaking again, half amused and half annoyed at the situation.]

Give it up, it's not going to work. Just sit here and wait for it to wear off. We can... get to know each other, or something?

[There's silence as the blond quirks a brow at that suggestion, watching Lyle as if waiting for the punchline to that offer.]

I'd rather not be stuck here for the next four hours, but I guess you have a point. At least if I had my alchemy I could try something else... This wasn't a very fair trade off.

[Lyle snorts again, his voice a little weary now.]

Honestly, I did fine without some kind of power, I'm getting sick of this. I hope it goes away completely soon. Can't even fight zombies with this, you know.

Well, freezing things doesn't do me any good, either. I could do that already, and a lot more-

[The next part is muttered under his breath, instead of being spoken to Lyle.]

Citrine seems to be enjoying it...

[when he speaks again, his tone almost sounds annoyed.]

What is it with you and the zombies, anyway? They're not even real where you're from.

[Lyle pauses for a second to consider what to say, then he speaks easily, teasing.]

I don't know. I just think of zombies when I see you. Short ones, but still zombies.

[The fact that Lyle was teasing registered more than the actual words, growling at the short quip.] What was that?

[he laughs, not intimidated...much, obviously having fun with this despite being stuck.]

Nothing, nothing. Though you should probably listen to my brother and drink more milk.

[Ed snorts at the suggestion, obviously bristling.]

I'm not going to drink that crap, it tastes like vomit. It's not going to matter once I get out of here, anyway.

Sure, stay short then. Some girls actually go for that so I guess you're fine...

[he trails off as he remembers what he was originally doing.]

Wait a second, is this still recording?

[There's another pause, as Ed was about to start yelling at the short statement when the rest of what Lyle said registers suddenly.]

That's been recording this entire time!?

[there's the sound of clothes rustling, except Lyle can't reach the terminal with his hand stuck and Ed stuck to him.]

... Turn it off. You still have a free hand.

You're an idiot-

[The rest of what Ed was about to say is cut off as the voice activation is shut off, mid-sentence.]

Comments

in person;

[alkahestic]

[ so that was weird. al can't help but wonder about the place ed was at ( clearly this must be purg ), and just how much affected him over the time he was there. and he's curious about the man, the stranger whom al doesn't recognize. a friend, maybe? really, the memory just brings up a lot of questions.

sitting nearby with his eevee in his lap, al tilts his head at the feed he'd been looking at. apparently ed's memories have been affected, just like everyone else's. but he's glad it's nothing too dark. they both have a lot of memories they'd like to keep to themselves. ]

Brother... [ why are you always so antagonistic, even to your friends? he doesn't say it though. he knows why. ] You really should drink more milk.

[ a slight smile because he knows ed will argue, but he cuts him off, continuing. ]

Was that a friend of yours?

[alchemyfreak]

[Ed is not paying attention, and would be blissfully unaware of what was going on except that Al is nearby and he can hear the recording playing over the network. He keeps his gaze pointedly in his book as if he's not listening to the entire thing, trying not to tighten his grip at the idea that any of his memories could have easily been broadcast the same way.

He remembers that day though, he remembers that time, being without alchemy again in that place. His brother at least had enjoyed his ability to communicate with the animals around, if there was one thing they'd learned in Purg it was to look at the silver linings.

At the sound of his brother's voice golden eyes snap up from the book, he's not looking at Alphonse, stare pointedly forward for a moment before lowering once more as if intent on ignoring those words. With the question his expression softens, finally glancing at Al curiously, fingers no longer clenching the book in his lap.]

That was Lyle... You didn't recognize his voice?

[Not important, he clears his throat before shrugging. It wasn't like he could hide it anymore, and if it was public on the network that meant even Lyle could catch it. He'd know Ed hadn't been entirely honest about their relationship before, even if he had mentioned it was rocky he'd never really explained it at all to the other man.]

We weren't exactly friends in Purg, that's all.

[alkahestic]

Oh... [ a thoughtful hum. not knowing lyle too well, he'd missed who it was by voice alone, and felt a little silly that Ed had to remind him. part of it he could blame on being distracted by the goings on of late, but he also figured he should know better. so he gave his brother a sheepish grin and shrugged.

but it's the way ed's fingers grip the book that have him sitting up more, dislodging his eevee and scooting closer in order to reach out. he settles a hand on one of ed's and realizes for the first time that this is probably the one time that it's been revealed to the public that ed has automail. al, naturally, wonders how ed feels about that. ]

I could tell, Brother. That was... Hm. [ another thoughtful noise as he watches ed. ] Do you want to talk about it?

[alchemyfreak]

[It was easier when it was what you had to get used to and only now is he realizing how out of place it might be for others. Everything was audio in Purg, unless it was text. Ed only knew how video feeds operated because of Lang, before that broadcasts didn't come with much of a visual to identify people. He can't blame anyone here for not having to build on that same sense of recognition, catching who people were by their voice alone for more than just family and close friends.

He watches Al move curiously as he shifts the Eevee and moves closer to place a hand over his. Closing his book and setting it aside as his brother asks the question, Ed shrugs without looking back up.]

Not really much to talk about, we just didn't get along. He was always like that.

[As for the automail, yes that was an issue that Ed was dealing with mentally. It was too late to change anything about it now, though.]

[alkahestic]

[ audio or not, al was beginning to get a better picture in his mind about what life was like in that strange world ed had stayed in. clearly it had put a lot of strain on ed and al was even more adamant than before about making things better for ed here in quarantine. and they were getting by, too. the store and apartment were coming along nicely, their relationship (while still tenuous) was stable, and they had each other. there wasn't much more al could ask for. he just wanted ed to be just as content.

which means that when ed sets aside his book, al is quick to lean into him, fingers coiling in the very ends of ed's hair. he toys with the strands as he listens to ed and then nods. ]

Even here? It's kind of like you and the Colonel, in a way.

video | un: tieria.erde

[vedaandme]

What was that?

[Tieria was confused. When did this happen? Why were they stuck? What was this 'powers' thing they were talking about?]

[alchemyfreak]

[Ohhh boy, uh. Hi Tieria.]

Long story short Lyle's body got turned into a magnet.

[He's not sure how much to explain, how much Tieria wants to know or can handle at the moment so. Short, simple, to the point. If he wants to ask question, Ed will gladly answer them.]

[vedaandme]

[Tieria looked disturbed for a moment.]

How is that even possible?

[Welcome to weird happenings land, Tieria.]

[alchemyfreak]

[Well, if you're going to ask better buckle up.]

Before coming here I was in another world that also brought people in from multiple realities. I met... A version of Lyle there, not the one that's here, that happens sometimes.

[Usually, but it sounded weirder to say it like that.]

The place I was in before... Everyone's abilities started vanishing, no one could use their powers. The people in charge tried to fix it, only they were pretty new at what they were doing so people wound up with the wrong abilities. I lost my alchemy and at that point had picked up some ice powers or something, and Lyle-

Well, someone must have had the ability to control metal or magnetic fields or something. Only, Lyle couldn't control it so he just got ... stuck to things.

[Like computer terminals and one very angry alchemist. Ed's still not sure how he missed the metal limbs since they were pretty public knowledge in Purg. Go ahead, Tieria, tell him he's crazy.]

[vedaandme]

[Well, he did ask...

Being here now, the idea of different worlds and universes was no longer all that foreign to Tieria, but powers? And changing them around? That sounded very strange, rather unbelievable, and incredibly dangerous.]

Why would someone do that to someone else's abilities? That sounds very foolish.

video | un: l.dylandy

[holds_up_walls]

[Lyle's just going to... yeah, stare for a few moments at this after watching. He probably should have done that before he decided to call Ed but whatever]

So... I was what? Magnetic?

[alchemyfreak]

[And there it is, the response he's been dreading.]

Something like that, I guess. Everyone's powers started going crazy, you wound up with one you couldn't control.

[holds_up_walls]

So everyone had powers there? Was that a standard thing or had it just happened?

[alchemyfreak]

Well. Everyone that came in with powers had powers, so you wouldn't normally. Something changed that and those of us with... abilities. Lost them.

[It was really awkward to talk about alchemy as a "power" like others had, but how else could he put it?]

The prophets tried to restore everyone's powers but things didn't exactly go as planned. So people wound up with the wrong powers, people like you with no abilities at all even wound up with someone else's abilities. Temporarily, until it was all sorted out, at least.

[holds_up_walls]

Woah. That's odd. You did come from a weird place. So people who had them lost them and someone else picked them up?

[It took a moment, but then there was that characteristic goofy grin]

Well, I know I had a magnetic personality, but that's ridiculous.

video; un: ghostking

[deathkid]

You too, huh?

[ it seems these memory shenanigans are happening to everyone. he's just glad his hadn't been publicly broadcast-ed. ]

Why is your arm and leg made of machine anyway?

[alchemyfreak]

It seems to be pretty common.

[At the question Ed just blinks before switching the feed to private:]

Got a little too close to the sun.

[That conversation from forever ago just came full circle, thanks Nico.]

private;

[deathkid]

[ nico is caught between wanting to frown and wanting to nod in understanding. on the one hand, having his words thrown back at him is not something he likes. but at the same time, he can understand the point ed's getting at. in the end, he keeps his features blank as he takes a stab at what ed is meaning. ]

You meddled with something you shouldn't have.

private;

[alchemyfreak]

[Sorry Nico, he was saying it long before he met you. There's a reason he didn't like that conversation, but since Nico doesn't address it out loud he sees no point in bringing it up either.]

Trying to bring back the dead comes with a pretty hefty price on my world. Even if it doesn't succeed.

private;

[deathkid]

There's raising the dead and bringing the dead back to life. Both come at a price.

[ a pause as he frowns more, brows beetling as he wonders who it was ed had tried to bring back. he remembers the conversation of ed killing his brother, but that had been in a world where no one stayed dead ( something nico still has issues with ), so who could it have possibly have been. ]

I told you about trying to resurrect my sister, didn't I?

video | un: v.ymles | Backdated to October 19th

[whenturksfly]

[ It's that first yell that sees any lingering sleepiness yanked up and away from Valeria more than lifted after she's settled into this curious broadcast. She hasn't relaxed since then for the tension she came into at that moment, cheek resting in a gloveless hand as she regards the camera now from her position propped up on the pillows of the bed within her blanket cocoon. If she seems like she's taken to burrowing a bit more deeply into it, she has. She hadn't been prepared to hear Ed yell like that or for that voice and her eyes are wide open for it and still wondering despite that she took the time to run through the conversations that followed in turn. One plus one is two and she's put well enough together, but it's still strange and that's saying something. ]

Like oil and water.

[ Ed and Lyle, that is, and it is Lyle. As well as she knows Neil, she doesn't have to guess and she gives her head a single shake in quieting some thoughts and reordering others. It's as she's trying to find her words that she pauses with realization, leveling the camera a look with an increasingly rising brow as she reaches to tug the blanket from her mouth so that her words can't be passed as muffled. ]

You know, I'm surprised Lyle didn't catch it. How can you hate milk but enjoy ice cream so much?

[alchemyfreak]

[The first thing Ed notices is the new, familiar, username. Her quiet words don't go unheard, but for the moment he's more distracted that one more person had caught wind of this particular memory to voice anything right away. Before he can voice a thought he catches the way she's looking, trying to find words while struggling with her realization which apparently proved to be ever more pressing.

His tone is flat when he responds, not bothering to even look at the feed, now.]

Lyle didn't even have any reason to believe I ate ice cream.

[As far as he knows. Val is aware that Ed does, but it wasn't information Lyle was aware of, so he'd always dismissed the offer as some generic reward the older guy figured anyone would enjoy. The prohibitive cost alone made it a rare luxury, so all the more valuable an offer from Lyle's standpoint as far as Ed saw things.]

I wasn't exactly doing it around just anyone. I only really bought it for Wrath before-

[Before things changed, before Wrath disappeared. Take your pick, Val. Well, that also doesn't exactly answer her question, either. He shrugs.]

Besides, it doesn't taste like vomit.

[Aren't you so glad you asked? After a moment he blinks and looks back at the feed curiously.]

What's like oil and water?

[whenturksfly]

You and Lyle.

[ She pauses a moment and turns her head at the sound of paw pads across the floor to catch her Quilava jumping to settle into place at the edge of the bed. Turning her eyes back to the camera, she can't quite help the corners of her mouth turning up at the thought. Knowing what she knows now from Ed's disclosure, thinking back to the video, it seems to her that much more fitting a statement now. ]

Don't tell me you're unfamiliar with the saying?

[alchemyfreak]

[He's just going to squint at that response while he tries to work it out. Blinking curiously at the distraction before quirking a brow at the smile when she glances back to the feed. She might as well be speaking in riddles, and the question doesn't help the narrowing of his eyes, head tilting just slightly as if he's thinking that hard about whatever she's talking about.]

No, I get it. It just came out of nowhere.

[Context, Val. Why is she smiling like that though? Judging from the sounds one of the animals just appeared, so he's going to assume it must have something to do with that distraction and not that she finds it amusing he asked in the first place.]

[whenturksfly]

Considering the broadcast and how you and Lyle are with each other in it, I disagree. First impressions and all that. Anyone with two eyes could see it.

[ She'd wave it off if she weren't cocooned in her blanket and relatively comfortable. ]

Speaking of ice cream, though... ah, nevermind. [ She gives her head a light shake. Change of subject? Change of subject. ] How are you holding up? I'm pretty sure that broadcast wasn't intentional. There's no way to change the privacy on these sorts of things, is there?