Chapter Text
Alchemy, It is the scientific technique of understanding the structure of matter, decomposing it, and then reconstructing it. If performed skillfully, it is even possible to create gold out of lead. However, as it is a science, there are some natural principles in place. Only one thing can be created from something else of a certain mass. This is the Principle of Equivalent Exchange.
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From an early childhood Edward Elric and his little brother Alphonse were very different. Edward was brash and blunt, while Alphonse was kind and soft spoken. But, they were also very close with one another. Whenever their mother Trishia Elric saw Edward, whether it be running around the house or playing in the garden, Alphonse was close behind. This day was like many others.
Trishia, like many other days, had been in the garden picking vegetables and hanging clothes out to dry. Then came a little Ed trotting out the door and up to his mother, close behind both of them having their little Fists cupped around an object.
“Hey, mom, mom look at what we made!”Ed called with Alphonse trailing behind him all the way outside. The little boys both opened their hands and held up little metal horse figures.
“Tada!”the brothers cheered in unison.
“Oh, it looks wonderful boys!” Trisha exclaims, setting down her basket and patting her sons on the head. “You two are my very clever alchemists! Just like your father!”
~~~
Ed and Al arrive in Loire on the ground and groaning.
Al taps on Ed's shoulder to get his attention.
“We should really get you some food, brother,” Al says, signing to Edward.
Edward rolls his eyes and signs back, “I'll be fine, just need something to drink and some shade to sit under.”
The pair was interrupted by a stranger tapping them both in the shoulders. She had mostly black hair and dyed pink bangs and lightly tanned skin.
“Hiya there! You two look exhausted. Why don't I take you guys somewhere to get some drinks, you guys look like you're pretty thirsty!” she states happily.
Al turned to his brother and moved his hand to ask, “She seems nice. Can we?”
“Alright, fine, the drinks better be ice cold, though", Edward signs tiredly.
The boys get up and follow the nice girl to an open shop with a radio above the awning playing a what sounds like some random news gibberish. The girl orders three drinks for the group.
“Oh, I don't need anything. I'm fine,” Al says to the girl.
“But why? I'm surprised that you haven't taken that armor off, it's smoldering today!” The girl exclaims.
Ed, having pulled out a notepad, responded for Al.
“It's a part of a super strict training regime,” was written in very neat handwriting.
“Oh, well…” a beat of silence passed before the topic was changed, “I don't think I introduced myself! I'm Rose and who are you two?”
Al brightens whilst Ed rolls his eyes, “Well you may know us two we are the Elric brothers!” Al rings in a chirp and moves his hands in signs with his words.
“Well it rings a bell…” Rose pauses in thought, tilting her head to the side.
“Wait, you two are the Elrics? As in the Fullmetal Alchemist and his brother?”, another patron questioned.
“We sure are sir!”, responded happily, still signing. He was soon swarmed by other patrons. Ed had to stand on the chair to see Al in the crowd. Questions were being called left and right.
“Why the suit of armor?”
“What's it like to be the youngest state alchemist?”
“How hard was the exam, actually?”
Alphonse flails his arm before calming and signing while speaking.
“Woah I'm not the fullmetal alchemist, my brother is,” Al exclaims almost exasperated.
“Wait, it's the runt?” one of the patrons inquired.
A chair was hurled at the patron. “He hates being called any variation of short,” Alphonse sighs, definitely exasperated now.
“Ed," says mustering up as much annoyance in his voice as he can while Ed pointedly ignores Al.
However when Ed swung the chair back it hit the inner bit of the awning and accidentally broke the radio on top of said awning.
“Hey you smashed my radio!” the shopkeeper hollered at Ed.
“Don't worry we can fix it!” Al declared already drawing a transmutation circle on the ground around it. Al touched the circle with both hands to activate it.
The patrons Oohed and Aahed as the radio became good as new.
“Hey, what is even playing on that thing?” Edward signed.
Al nodded and turned to the owner, “Hey what is this broadcast?”
“Well I'm glad you asked! It is our religious leader, Father Cornello, spreading the good word of the Sun god Leto. Letoism is what we practice.” The owner claimed happily. He can even perform miracles like making statues from nothing and creating anything he desires!”
Ed raises a brow at Al and starts writing something in his notepad and showing it to Rose.
“Do you think we could talk to Father Cornello? I'd love to know more about Letoism,” again written well and tidy.
“Absolutely! I'm sure he could convert you to Letoism and bring you into the light!” Rose beamed, trotting in the direction of a looming building. “Just follow me!”