A day late, but part two of the story for jacktsuki in the RoyEd Gift Exchange is here :D Holidays and babysitting an overly energetic seven year old really don't sit well with me. On the bright side, this story has now six parts, so I'll post two tomorrow and two on January 1st. I don't have any big plans, so it should be fine.
Here we have bits and pieces of letters exchanged between Ed and Roy during Ed's trips.
Part II
January 21st, 1918
Hey, Roy,
I've made it across the border, and it was a pain in the ass. Provisional treaty or not, Creta's government is as annoying as ours. Good thing I don't actually have a record or they wouldn't have let me into the country (and stop smirking, you're the one who covered my ass).
Anyway, I'm not good at this writing letters thing, but now Al's at Xing, Winry threatened to wreck my leg on purpose if I didn't write and, well, we got this thing going on.
Damn, I suck at this.
Anyway, I just got out of the train station, so I can't tell you much. Train food sucks as much here as it does in Amestris, I'm pretty sure they've swindled me at the hotel (I still haven't figured out the local currency) and I'm gonna play tourist tomorrow.
That's about it for now.
Take care, behave, and don't give Hawkeye a reason to shoot you,
Ed
P.S.: Send your answer to this same address. I'm gonna hang around this town for a couple months at least. I met an Amestrian who's gonna teach me the local language.
February 15th, 1918
Hello, Edward,
I must say I was surprised to receive a letter from you so quickly after you left. When you said you would write, I expected a letter every six months or so.
I won't lie, I did smirk. If you hadn't been a State Alchemist, many of the actions that gave me headaches and tons of paperwork would have built up into an impressive record. I believe Havoc kept tally of how many fines you should've paid and how much time in prison you would've served. I could ask him if you're interested.
[…]
March 1st, 1918
[…]
You're an ass, Roy. And tell Havoc I still have an automail leg to kick his ass.
Speaking of automail, it turns out it's as uncommon here as it is at Xing. I figured it out when a guy tried to pick a fight with me at a bar. You should've seen his face, it was worth taking a picture. The cops were baffled, too, but everybody said I'd only defended myself, so I didn't get into any trouble. Just a warning to stay out of trouble, as if I could do that.
I heard from Al. He's going back to Amestris for a couple weeks. If you see him, tease him about Mei for me. You remember her, don't you? The Xingese girl who helped us beat Father. She had a massive crush on Al. Do your worst.
By the way, I'm moving out of here next week, so don't write back. I'll call you for now.
[…]
June 12th, 1918
Hi, Roy,
I decided to settle down at a beach town for now. I've met a local alchemist, and we've been exchanging tips. There's a notebook in the box I sent with this letter, I've written in it some interesting stuff I've learned so far. I thought you'd like to have a look, if you can decode my notes. Take it as a challenge to get your mind working and away from the evil dull paperwork.
There is a box of local sweets too. They're pretty damn good, baking is like an unofficial sport here or something. I went to a fair that […]
September 28th, 1918
Fucking shit, the heat has finally left! I'm never again complaining about summer in Resembool. And you can cut the comments about the nice summer you're having at East, Roy. I've been there, I know it can suck.
Thanks for the pictures of Elicia's birthday. How can that kid grow cuter every year? You'll have your hands full once she hits puberty, Uncle Roy. Can I be there when you start scaring the crap out of potential boyfriends or girlfriends? Hugh
Shit, sorry. How are you doing? I know that day's tough on you.
[…]
October 12th, 1918
I'm fine, Edward, thank you for asking. I've had years to come to terms with Maes' death, and I would never allow my own emotions to ruin Elicia's birthday.
When did we forego the greetings? I was expecting we'd fall to cheesy nicknames at some point, though I guess that wouldn't be in character for you. Me, however? I've made an art out of cheesy nicknames, but I have the feeling that I'll become far too closely acquainted with your automail leg if I used them with you.
[…]
December 3rd, 1918
[…]
So, anyway, they're obsessed with fireworks here at Creta, so I think I'm gonna have fun this New Year's Eve. I want pictures of your party, and don't be stingy. I know you're a lightweight, and I want to see the shit you get up to. Hand them over yourself or I'll enlist your team.
[…]
March 20th, 1919
Roy, about that phone call from yesterday… Please, tell me nobody knows about it.
I was drunk, okay? It was a national holiday, and I got dragged into it this year. We were talking about relationships, someone brought a phone and… I'm moving. Today. I refuse to stay in this tows, people are giggling when they see me.
P.S.: I don't regret what I said.
July 14th, 1919
Stop laughing at me, Edward. This isn't poetic justice; we're positively melting over here and your pictures from the beach don't help anyone.
(I'm keeping them, by the way.)
I've been tinkering with that sand-manipulating array […]
October 3rd, 1919
[…]
How are negotiations with Drachma going? I know I said I'd be gone for two or three years, but I think I've already gone through most of the non-classified alchemical resources that Creta has to offer. After learning of Xingese alkahestry I was expecting to find more interesting stuff abroad, but it turns out Creta is pretty behind Amestris in most alchemical fields. I haven't found anything interesting in months.
I could go farther, I know Al has been roaming all over Xing with Mei, but I miss Amestris.
You owe me like a thousand meals, by the way. No flowers or freaking candlelit places, but I accept chocolate and fancy foods. (By the way, I've been learning Cretan cuisine. Just a thought.)
Ed