A/N: I was kicking around the idea of joining in with the SOPA solidarity blackout and pushing this update till tomorrow, but then most of the webcomics I follow still posted content today, albeit with a banner and anit-SOPA statement. So I blacked out my blog, and here's my statement: EFF YOU, SOPA. Call, write, sign an internet petition, but please do something. Google's petition can be found at https:/www [dot] google [dot] com/landing/takeaction/
The long and short of it, for those not in the know and those outside the US, is that Hollywood wants the ability to take down websites that allegedly infringe on their copyrights. I emphasize "allegedly," because the drafts of the bill include a very "shoot first, sue second, ask questions never" kind of approach. To top it all off, the people voting on the issue still think the internet is a series of tubes. I normally wouldn't get political here, but considering the derivative nature of fanfiction in general, how do think "I don't own this so don't sue me XD" would hold up against a Hollywood lawyer?
ANYWAY, back on topic now. I guess you could say this is sorta like that time in Brotherhood/manga when Ed actually showed up in Rush Valley for maintenance, minus Ling and Ran Fan.
43. Proof of a theory
"Winry, honey, it's a great idea, but I'm telling you, no one's doing the extra plating on the arms anymore," said Garfiel as he examined her design. "Why not throw a canon in the elbow? It's more effective than weighting down the armored model," he suggested, handing the drawing back to her.
The girl smiled like she knew a secret. "Call it a theory I'm testing," she said. "I make a custom model like this for a friend," she added, and she also added something to the drawing.
Garfiel sighed. Winry proved to be a very quick study in the few weeks she'd been in the shop, but she'd had this silly armor idea lately. Weapons sell, and light-weight sells, but she looked like she was making automail fit for Ishval. "Sweetie, it's just not a marketable design- too heavy, and doesn't do enough damage," he explained.
The smile on her face stayed put. "Mr. Garfiel, have you ever heard of Edward Elr-"
The approaching clanking sounds drew Garfiel's attention to the door- where none other than the Fullmetal Alchemist wandered in, and they really weren't kidding about Fullmetal. "Hi, Winry!" he said, and waved. Odd that his voice sounded so much like a child, and he was so big…
"Hey Al, did you manage to drag Ed away from that crowd yet?" Winry asked- Garfiel gasped and covered his mouth, seeing that his new apprentice was on friendly terms with a state alchemist- a famous one at that!
"Oh Winry, I see how, you're designing a whole body! That explains-"
"Well, not exactly," said Winry, finally looking up. "This is-"
"AL! What the hell are you doing, leaving me to that pack of rabid mechanics? They're freaking wolves!"
A short blond kid with a busted arm stormed in and slammed the door shut. Garfiel saw the clear evidence of Winry's destroyed handiwork, and the silver chain of a pocket watch hanging from his belt. "That's-"
"Yup," said Winry. "The extra plating is technically material for transmutation, but I've had some requests from people around town, so-"
"You know a state alchemist?"
CLANK. "Edward what did you do? This is worse than when I saw it half hour ago!"
"Tell your friggin' neighbors; they wouldn't let it go!"