Disclaimer: Don't own don't sue. Sue and I will not be able to write this story.
An: Due to recent events in the plot, (Italics) represent thoughts, namely Al's.
July 9th 1924
Lyons
So, Brother and I went shopping yesterday. Now I know why we don't do this too often. He is the pickiest shopper I have ever... Well, regardless we met up with the ladies at a nearby café by noon. They were both wearing new outfits. Did I mention how awkward this whole situation is? Well, I'm mentioning it again. Here we are, a world away from both Winry and Rose, yet, here are their counterparts. It's like they came with us, but lost all memory of who they used to be. I sat there, covering my straw with my index finger, pulling it out of my half empty drink and watched the liquid quickly drain when I moved the index repeat motion; while Ed the conversationalist, went on for hours with Adelaide. He's the same Ed but then not… When did he become such a flirt?
Tonight, was no different.
After dinner the four of us walked around the town. Noa and I trailed behind the two lovebirds.
"Al? Are you ok?"
I was startled by the sudden question. I turned around to see the most puzzling look on her face.
"Why do you ask?"
"You keep staring at Edward and Adelaide. Do you know her?"
"I know just as much about her as you do."
"Then why do you stare at them like that?" There was a trace of aggravation in her voice.
"….…Something's not right….. Never saw him like ….."
"Does she look like someone you know?"
I didn't want to answer that.
Noa stopped dead in her tracks, grabbed my arm and pulled me aside.
"….Adelaide looks exactly like someone you and your brother both loved dearly. It's been a year since either of you have seen her. Already Edward has accepted the fact he would never see this girl ever again, and with the death of a small part of him he moves on. Yet you have spent more time with her and are less willing to give up.…."
My eyes widened. "H-How do you know that?!"
Her voice was low, barely above a mumble. Her eyes seemed glazed over and yet clearer than before. She now continued in a slightly louder.
"You think Ed is turning into your dad little everyday. You don't know what happened to him do you? He went by many names in this world; Paracelsus, also known as Phillippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus Von Hohenhiem. A professor, and wandering alchemist, and helper of the Thule Society.
(Eckhart… Ed said she was part of the Thule Society… He helped her?!)
But I know he was your father as well. I know because Ed called him 'dad'. He was a good man to the end. Perhaps Ed knows this deep down. Perhaps this is his way of telling deaf ears he's sorry."
"Deaf? What do you mean? What happened to dad? What happened to Hohenhiem?!"
"Al!"
Ed's voice penetrated the air demanding my attention. I gratefully turned my attention to him and away from Noa. She let me go so easily you'd never guessed how strong she was seconds earlier.
"C-Coming Ed!"
"Qu'est-ce qu'il y a Alphonse?" (What's the matter Alphonse?)
"N-Ne vous en faites pas Adelaide, Ce n'est pas grave."
(D-Don't worry Adelaide, it's alright.)
With that I ran to catch up with the two. I said I was fine, though my rubbery legs said otherwise. What did Noa mean? Deaf ears… Ed would know, yes but he'd have to be good and drunk before he'd mention anything willfully.
That night we began packing our things for another train ride.
"Sorry to startle you like that Al, I didn't want to lose you."
"It's alright. Pass me that box over there will ya?"
"Sure. What did Noa say to you that scared you so much?"
"…Since when could Noa read minds?"
"She's been able to that for as long as I've known her."
"... Brother what happened to dad?"
"!!…"
There was a short gasp of surprise from him in response instead of the much desired explanation.
"… He left"
"That's all?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Noa said… Noa said' I know he was your father as well. I know because Ed called him 'dad'. He was a good man to the end.' Ed? What. Happened. To Dad?"
"He died. Opening the gate required sacrifice. Dad volunteered before I could stop him."
Maybe I didn't need him drunk to talk…