(I was going to update this at the same time as Seven Names, like three-four days ago, and then I forgot! I'm so sorry! I'm going to put up like three today to make up for my week-long absence, and because I have three to put up. Ha.)

I used Christianity because Hiromu Arakawa said somewhere that it was prominent in Amestris until the onset of alchemy. That, and it's what I'm the most familiar with aside from Wicca. If you're uncomfortable with religion or you think you might be offended, I'd give this one a miss :P

Rockmari: Mwahaha. The tears, they are my lifeblood XD I'm glad you liked it~ (And trust me, you wouldn't be saying that if I'd left some of my old fics up -_-)

Pen-Name-Kitsune-Chan: Teehee. Good to see that pair had the desired effect :D (And I remember now! Been too long since I watched the movies OR read the books _ This is why I post review replies publicly, thank you ^^)

Rowana Renee: Eyes: Pride!Ed is a character from the fanmade video game Bluebird's Illusion. I've never played it – few people have, because it's really rare – but it's quite renowned for its artwork and for turning Ed into a homunculus at the end. Most people use Pride when they turn Ed into a homunculus now because of this game – look up the character design, it's pretty incredible. Scream: Bahaha. Fangirl. You should try drawing it~

What-is-the-colour-of-love: *blink blink blink* you alright? XD Man, I can only imagine how you must have reacted to episode 50 of the 2003 anime XD

58. Prayer

"I find it strange that a creature like you should find comfort in fables."

Envy opened one eye to glare peevishly up at the intruder. Ed had mumbled his statement quietly in an attempt at reverence, but the words ruined any goodwill the low voice had bought him. "And I find it strange that you're in here in the first place. Piss off."

Ed, however, didn't leave as Envy had so politely requested. Instead, he looked around the interior of the church. "I didn't know this was even here."

"The locals probably kept it a secret so you wouldn't barge in here and demand that it be shut down for offending your scientific sensibilities."

"I wouldn't do that!" He actually looked indignant, noted Envy wryly.

"Didn't you already? In Lior?"

Ed snorted. "That was different."

"Of course."

"He was trying to turn them into an army!"

"And you obviously knew that right away." Envy sighed. "Now get lost."

Instead, Ed slid into the pew next to the homunculus, looking up at the domed ceiling. "So what is it?"

Envy tried to ignore him, but apparently he'd also been given the sin of curiosity. "What?"

"That brings you here. I mean, you don't seem like the type."

"What, a "creature like me"?" Envy made air-quotes with his fingers, sneering rather unpleasantly. Ed winced.

"Well…I mean…an artificial human. You're nothing but science. You're made through alchemy." Ed blinked owlishly, and then shrugged. "Just seems weird to me to be in a place that's all about worshipping what can't be proved."

"Think again, pipsqueak." Envy leant back. This place calmed him, and besides, he had enough respect not to punch the idiot in the face in a church. Barely enough, but it was there. "You called it 'fables', right?"

"Yeah."

"First time you saw us, you said we were nothing but myths." His mouth curved up in a smirk. "If homunculi can be real, half-complete transmutations of the dead, what's so far-fetched about a God?"

Ed opened his mouth to respond, but Envy continued. "Hell, look at this Messiah guy. He came back from the dead. Maybe he was a homunculus. Wouldn't that be a kicker?"

He glanced at Ed. He seemed well and truly speechless now. However, a moment later, the blonde smirked. "Well, well. You're capable of intelligent thought after all. I never knew."

"You're a brat."

"And you're an asshole. So we're even."

"And you, pipsqueak? I thought you were the most loudmouthed atheist ever to walk the surface of the earth."

Ed snorted. "What, I'm not allowed to walk into a church if I feel like it?"

"No," he responded bluntly.

"Well, fine, I'll leave then, if it offends you so much," he snapped, jumping to his feet and making as if to leave. Envy rolled his eyes. Fullmetal was such a child.

However, Ed stopped, paused and glanced down at the ground before looking back at him. There was a new light in his eyes, something Envy hadn't ever seen directed at him. It was strange what a different location did to interactions, especially one like this. "I was…I was praying," he mumbled, flushing embarrassedly. "Or I was going to."

"Praying? What's the good of that if you don't believe?"

"I don't believe, I hope." Ed shook his head awkwardly, trying to stop blushing. "You're not gonna use this against me, right?"

"I wouldn't bet on it. I'm not exactly a good Christian." There was a beat of silence. "Listen. This thing you and your brother are trying to do is really, really fucking stupid."

"Swearing in a church?"

"Shut up. You're gonna get yourself killed, or at least fucked up even worse than before. But I guess it's what ya got."

Ed cocked an eyebrow. "So what are you saying?"

"What I'm saying is good luck – as long as it doesn't interfere with our plans."

The blond grinned. "We'll see about that."

He left, and Envy leant back, looking up at the crucifix on the wall. It was strange, seeing the church so empty. In the early days of his life and unlife, Christianity had been the expected norm – but he supposed things changed after four hundred-odd years.

Suddenly, he grinned.

Two brothers talking of goodwill and peace in a place of the Lord?

It even sounded like a Bible story.