STOP. You need to read "State of Mind" first to understand any of this...or at least know what zoognosis is and the crack land it belongs too. Dunno? Pretend all Edwards are cats, Mustangs are dogs, Alfonses are fawns etc. etc. But human-shaped.

Author Notes: Sequel to State of Mind. Also, I have a garish red jacket and I love it. Sadly, it is not a ¾ length coat.

Our Environment
A Fullmetal Alchemist Zoofic by Elric 'Hunter' Ward

Copyright:
The Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkinjutsushi) and all its respective work and ideas are copyrighted by Hiromu Arakawa and her distributors.

Comments and critique welcome.

Chapter One

Ward stepped into the cool air, sharp and crisp against his face. It was a new start today. Today, he and Fons will travel around and depend on each other without the safe security of a pack and territory. He shifted uneasily in the morning snow as the rest of the pack huddled in the doorway, suddenly unsure about this new step in life.

'You two are ready then?' Sting's voice carried clearly in the air as the Mustang stepped forward, foot-covers crunching crisply through the snow.

No greeting for the morning, no wishes of good luck. Ward frowned at the gunbu as he shrugged, eyeing the Heiderich with a question in his eyes. Was everything ready? The Edward reluctantly admitted he would have to keep taking the lead from his companion for a little while more yet.

'Almost.' Fons smiled a little, 'We need to do this properly, so no-one will steal you away.'

Ward cocked an ear, listening.

'You need to wear a red outer pelt.' The Alfons described, hands moving animatedly. 'Bright red and long, nearly to your feet. That way others will know you're courting and leave you alone.' He finished triumphantly.

The Edward nodded at the explanation; it made sense. Although he couldn't comprehend why any other animal would want him as a companion, he doubted any others were as patient as Fons. He had been very lucky so far with Alfons and gaining a pack – however reluctant and conflict filled it had been at first.

'So, what's it look like?' Ward asked, hands ready to clap and change his gifted blue pelt. At least it was the right length already, considering it was one of Havo's castoffs.

Fons shrugged back at him, 'Alphonse-sires said that it was bright red, thick and long. It has a hood.' He scratched the back of his head and smiled with his eyes, 'I've never seen another Edward, so I don't know the specifics. As long as its red, does it matter? They shouldn't get close enough to tell the difference, unless they're trying to take one of us.' A sudden frown and his companion looked very fierce. 'It won't matter then, because I will fight to keep you and get rid of them.'

Ward felt a thrill of pleasure and warmth at the words. 'I'll fight to keep you too!' He grinned back.

Sting rolled his eyes and tapped Ward on his head. 'Well, make the pelt red and give it a hood.' He smirked at them. 'Make it red and it's not too different from any other Edward's. It'll be better this way. It'll show that you're also pack if you just make it red.' He nodded, 'Get to keep the pouches in it too, can carry more food that way.'

It made sense in a way. The Edward shrugged and clapped his hands. Soon his blue pelt was a bright red, and shortening the length just a bit gave him the desired hood. Ward turned a little, looking anxiously at the others as they gathered around. 'Well?' He demanded, 'Does the pelt look stupid in red or what?'

'You look great, Ward!' Flash enthused as he fluttered around pulling at the recoloured pelts. 'The hood looks great and it's a lovely, bright red!'

Ward grinned, pleased.

'Yeah. You still look like pack.' Havo put in as smoke whirled up from his fire stick. 'Still one of ours.' A lazy smile tugged at the Havoc's mouth as he companionably patted the Edward's shoulder.

Ward looked expectantly over at Sting.

'Absolutely garish. You Edwards and your bright colours.' The Mustang's tone was sarcastic. 'You'll have to practice hard at hunting now, any rabbit will see you.'

The Edward's ears lowered dejectedly with every word.

Sting sighed dramatically, 'You look good in gunbu pelts, even if they are red. Blood won't show up, so that's also good.' He raised his hands helplessly in the air, 'You Edwards are such sensitive creatures! Take your mate and go on your journey!' Sting shoved Ward toward Fons, 'The sooner you leave the sooner you can get back and make our den bigger.' He leered. 'We can all be mates then.'

Ward stumbled to a stop in front of Fons, the Heiderich who had been blissfully ignoring the interactions, only now regarding him with an assessing gaze.

'Red looks good on you.' He said simply, 'Let's go now.'

The Alfons walked quickly with Ward hopping to keep up. Trying the hood on over his head, he waved back at the watching gunbu as they walked. His pack-mates gave their weird goodbye-salute, feet snapping together and backs rigid. Ward strangled down some melancholy feelings he had at leaving his first pack-family. He would see them again eventually, but right now he had to focus on his companion…mate. His face flushed red as he stumbled to catch up to Fons, hand determinedly grabbing the others.

At Fons look of surprise, all Ward could do was grin back sheepishly.

The hand he held tightened around his.

Ward eyes the hard, grey river nervously. He still remembered the monsters that ran along it and attacked innocent Edwards vividly. Now that he had his companion-mate, his Alfons, he felt even more wary over the potential danger.

He flicked his head back and forth, ears perked for the roar that warned of approaching monsters.

It was silent.

Fons was watching him concernedly, his own ears flickering back and forth. 'What's wrong?' He asked, 'Is there something bad?'

Ward grunted as he hauled their food, wrapped up in a spare pelt, over his shoulder. He cast his eyes once more over the grey river. 'Monsters run along the rivers. They're big, loud and hurt a lot when they hit you.' He shifted uneasily, 'Masters….humans travel in the bellies.'

Fons cast a fascinated glance at the winding grey. 'Really? I'd like to see that.'

Ward shuddered, 'Don't…just don't. Stay away from them and stay off the hard river.'

The Alfons eyed him oddly. '…Okay then, I'll stay off the human river.' He conceded. 'But just for now. I'd still like to get a close look one day.'

Ward twitched and wondered if this was going to be a continual thing or if the Heiderich's fascination with the monsters would leave once he saw one too.

They walked on in silence, following the grey river. Since humans had spread so far everywhere, there were no longer any deep forest areas to court in. Instead, Fons had explained to him last night, courting travels took place in giant human territories. It had similar challenges in regards to food, predators and lack of shelter. It was the perfect test for a courting bond.

Fons sighed and brushed up against the twitchy Edward. Reaching out, he combed down the raised hairs on Ward's nape and patted reassuringly at his face. 'Relax.' The Heiderich murmured. 'This will go well. Courting travels are not hard to do, besides finding food and shelter. It's a lot like before, only travelling.'

He bumped lightly into Ward again. 'Alphonses-sires said that it's just a test – to make sure we can care and protect each other. Sires said to make sure that you get an Edward who can care for you – and you – you need to make sure I'm a good mate for you.' He smiled, 'Of course, I'm great for you.'

Ward blinked at him, 'Laying on the pressure a bit, aren't you?'

'Just letting you know.' Fons hummed in reply.

Ward fiddled with the red edges of his pelt, admiring the colour. Red really was much better than blue he decided. It was more him – and much more flashy than the Mustang. The hood would be such a nice protection for his ears in cold weather too.

His pleased thoughts were halted when he heard that sound. Grabbing Fons by his arm and ignoring any protests of confusion, he tugged the Heiderich firmly away from the human's river.

'Ward? What's going on?' The plaintive cry followed as the Edward forced Fons down into the ditch with him. Pushing him down hurriedly, he whipped around to stare intently at the grey river. A small monster was barrelling its way along and Ward crouched as he stared at it. His tension heightened as it got closer and very nearly snapped when it screeched to a stop near them. He hissed under his breath, having hoped it would continue on its way or not notice them in the ditch.

He half-heartedly glared at his bright red pelt, already missing the duller blue. Too obvious.

Ward returned his resentful gaze to the monster. It was quiet now, but it's eyes were opening and human heads were looking at them from inside the monster's belly. He hissed and growled at them, not moving from his crouched position over Fons. The Heiderich just peered bewilderedly from behind him as Ward puffed and growled and threatened the Monsters.

There were a few flashes of light and humans babbling to each other in their near-nonsense language while Ward stood stiffly. Eventually, just as his legs were getting stiff and his lips aching from the snarl, they monster started roaring again. He watched warily as the monster with its humans sped off and eventually the land was silent again.

The tug on his hand startled him, as Fons leant up against him.

'You know.' The Alfons smiled. 'I think you'll do just fine with the protection.'

Ward puffed up proudly as they began walking again.

'That monster was amazing!' Fons blurted out after some companionable silence. 'I hope I can get a good look at one later.'

Ward sighed.

Family trip got more exciting

A family on their way back from the Amestris National Park got an extra bit of environmental delight.

On the E5 highway, they came across the rare and endangered Edward travelling on the side of the road. The animal appeared to be quite threatened by them, as there was lots of growling and hissing. The family decided it was best to stay in the car and take photos.

The Edward was in the bright red colouration of a courting pair and an Alfons was present. Edwards are not commonly seen and the family was very excited with the chance to view one naturally in the wild.

It appears likely that the pair is from the nearby Park, which has an unusual Edward and Alfons pairing. The animals are also noted for their close contact with the local Mustang pack and the Park is sad to see them leave.

As with most courting Elrics, it is likely they will end up in a city sooner rather than later. It is recommended to keep a distance and leave them alone, with feeding them discouraged. Animals accustomed to humans may become violent and unafraid.

Should a pair of animals hole up in an undesirable place, such as your backyard, it is best to phone your local Animal Control rather than attempting to remove them yourself. Edwards are noted to be particularly dangerous.