Returning Home (Open to all)

[taisky16]

((I'm waiting for Winry. ^-^))

[akidasoren]

This whole situation was difficult, the fact that they had not seen their father in such a long time was discerning enough, but after everything that had happened today it was on a low priority. Alphonse had felt some elation at his father’s presence, but he knew all too well that Edward did not feel the same. He had often expressed his dislike for their father, something Alphonse found to be disturbing, yes....perhaps he too should have hated him for what he did, but then, he barely remembered him...all he felt was that something that was lost, had been returned to him, and whilst Edward cared little about that fact, Alphonse wished he could spend time with his father. As Edward spoke the younger Elric merely nodded his head in response, he’d promised Winry they would not leave without saying goodbye, a promise he was intending to keep, if he could.

There was a brief glance back to his father before Alphonse, somewhat reluctantly followed after his brother, there were so many things he had wanted to ask him....but it seemed, those questions would have to wait, if he did see his father again. No sooner had they started walking when Izumi returned, walking over to them her concern for Edward obvious, things had always been harder for him he surmised, after all, Edward had done everything for him, he gave his right arm for him, practically killed himself in the process. Even now he knew that his brother tried to do what was best, tried to keep things together as best as he could, but there were fine cracks showing in Edward’s emotional armour, and it seemed their father had encouraged a few more. As Izumi hugged his brother Alphonse merely watched, silently as ever, before he was beckoned and again he found himself looking back at where his father was before he shook his head slightly. “Coming....” he said quietly.

[Winry Rockbell]

(o.o sorry for the delay)

Winry didn't notice the door open or any noise around her. When Tai spoke to her her attention still on her work, she still managed to say a few words.

"Thanks." she said to getting the parts, as she listened more she heard him say more about ordering the parts from central. She stopped for a minute and looked at him, "You sure it's okay?"

Winry then went back to work, after awhile she heard Tai again, "Oh it's no trouble at all. Don't you worry I'll have your arm fixed soon!" she said with a determined look on her face. She then went back to her work. All sounds around her drown out.

She then wondered if she should check on Edward's auto-mail as well. That is if he don't leave before she gets to. Sighing mentally she focused on the task at hand. Before she knew it she had half of an arm built.

[AG]

Ed nodded at Izumi's words, "we do need to find Winry first. She needs to do a check up on my arm and leg." He said to her. He wanted to hide from her that he was now a member of the military, so telling her that he should probably return to Central was not a good plan. Not just yet at least. He followed his teacher as he did as a young kid.

((Sorry, LOTS of Admin stuff for some reason))

[taisky16]

Tai noticed how Winry was when he spoke. She seemed so focused on her work, tuning out any distractions. This mad him feel slightly like a burden, as if he might annoy her. He didn't want to be a bother, so he paced over to the door to leave. He called over his shoulder that he'd be back later before quietly closing the door behind him with a faint 'click' of the lock.

Once downstairs he noticed Pinako wasn't around. Assuming she was out doing something, he was about to head out the door when a thought occured to him. Grabbing a kitchen knife, he quickly chisteled two transmutation circles on the palms of both his hands.

This was more of a comfort measure then anything else. He was sued to the circles being on his hands, and even if this was a desolate country town, there was still that chance that he'd need to get out of a bad spot quickly, and in his state alchemy would sure help then.

Replacing the knife, Tai edged out the main door and down the dirt path that led to town. He walked until he got to the train station, hoping to catch Riza and Roy before they departed. Apparently they'd left earlier than expected, because he couldn't find them.

"Hi Tai!" someone called out. This was such a s,all town news traveled fast. Waving back with a smile, Tai contiuned on until he came across a strange, grungy man.

"Pardom me sir," he said politely. "But you're standing in my..." Then he looked up and instantly got a sense warning from the man.

[ryuki]

The place seemed to go on forever. A tiny dirt road wound between miles and miles of grassy hills, dotted with the occasional sheep or scraggly tree. There weren't many houses, at least. Fewer people to notice him there. The only real problem was going to be discerning which one was the Rockbell Automail Shop, where Lan's sources had estimated he might be going.

Unfortunately, while standing and looking at houses on the horizon, he didn't notice anyone approaching him until they were only a few feet away. He turned dark eyes to them just as they spoke.

"Pardon me, sir," the brown-haired boy said, albeit politely. "But you're standing in my..." He seemed to trail off when he caught Lan's eyes, and suddenly became alert. Lan knew exactly who the kid was on sight--Tai Sky. His target ran into him before he could find him.

He shrugged nonchalantly, not even acting as though he recognized the boy. "Sure, kid. I was about to go on my way anyway. Just admiring the scenery." Just like any guy that might happen to be passing through. He walked past him, not attempting to act as though he was in any hurry, though his long coat still billowed behind him. He didn't look back.

This wasn't good. The way the kid looked, he had instincts. He knew a killer when he saw one. He wasn't one himself, but he'd seen enough that he could recognize him. That also meant the kid had some experience, if he'd survived this long. And, he could add that to the fact that, if he ever saw him while Lan was trailing him, he'd recognize him right off and realize something was fishy. And then, there were his arms. Lan knew the kid had automail, but both arms? That had to be some mill he'd lived through.

Not that he was giving up. It just made the chase that much more interesting. There was still plenty of time to catch a break and finish the job. Really, he'd just have to be a little more careful. That was all. And now, at least, he knew the kid was here.

He kept walking and didn't look back.

[Winry Rockbell]

Finally after a long time of working, she stretched and admired her work. She had finally fully completed one of his arms. She looked over it again making sure nothing was out of place, the last thing she wanted to hear of is someone getting hurt because she had missed up on the auto-mail.

[taisky16]

Tai watched as the man he had bumped into walked casually away, his frayed cloak billowing behind him as he went. He seemed so calm and self-confident, yet that wasn't enough to fool Tai. That feeling...that sense of warning... that he'd gotten from that stranger... he somehow KNEW it wasn't coincidence. He'd gotten the same feeling times before, but not quite this strongly.

I should probably tail this guy, he thought quietly, turning around and following the man. But I have to at least try and be descreit about it. I can always tell him I'm going to see a friend and we're heading in the same direction, but that excuse won't bode well for long. And I may not even find much out by doing this. Man, sometimes military work can be such a drag.

He followed the newcomer, stopping at random intrevals to avoid suspicion. He paused to talk to a few people, pretended to drop something, and even faked that he was tired and exhausted at one point. Hopefully this man would never know this was all just an act. If so, things could turn south very quickly.

That was when a lean man in torn clothing wearing a hat with a bill covereing his face motioned to the man. Curious, Tai went to the side of the same building. He found a fire escape and used it to scasle the structure to the top, then lowered his brething to hear what they were talking about.

((There's your scout Ryuki. xD))

[ryuki]

The boy had decided to follow him.

Lan could see that he was trying to be discreet about it, though it was still pretty obvious. The likeliness of him just happening to turn around and come this direction, when he had been going in the opposite direction when they had bumped into each was extremely unlikely. He would have been better off keeping back out of his sight whenever he turned, but such was the naivety of children.

Then, Lan noticed Ralph. It was hard to miss that big nose, even under a cap like that. He did his best to keep himself relaxed, trying not to let it seem like his guard was up. Ralph motioned for him to talk to him, and Lan complied.

Although he no longer saw the boy when they walked into the alleyway to talk, Lan was fairly sure he heard something climbing up the fire escape. It almost sounded like the person had one leg longer than the other, which was odd. Still, since the boy was probably listening, he tugged the ear closest to Ralph, making it look as though he was simply pushing his hair behind his ear instead. Ralph's eyes widened a little, then he nodded, almost imperceptibly. Which, of course, told the boy that they knew they were being listened to, but at least he wouldn't be finding out anything too important.

"I haven't been able to get a hold of it yet," he said quietly, nearly at a whisper. Ralph's expression turned somber.

"Hurry up, then. The boss doesn't like to wait." His voice, too, was low, though a bit louder than Lan's.

"I'll do what I can," Lan replied, "but getting these kinds of things take time. I probably won't be able to find it here, anyway. I may have to go all the way to Central."

"Just don't take too long, or we'll find someone else who can get it for us quicker." With that, Ralph left, but Lan didn't miss his thinly veiled threat. He was going to need to finish this up. He may have to do it here and Resembool, even though he was loathe to. Too many things could go wrong.

[arythknives]

Anthras finally arrived at rissembul, the home of the elrics: his new wards. alexs letter had described an essential need for someone discreet, but able to protect the back of Alex's friends. "An address would have been helpful, Alex." anthras said to himself. Seeing a sign describing an automail shop that was down the road he followed the directions and ended up at a house. Anthras knocked on the door and waited for some one to answer. looking around he noticed several houses in the distance, maybe a quarter mile away. the closest one seemed slightly disused for the last couple months and showed only very recently, traces of inhabitants. he would have to check it out after he talked to the automail specialist...

[taisky16]

Tai cringed as the metal staircase he was climbing shuddered and creaked a bit. It gave off faint sounds, but he couldn't afford to be uncatious. This guy LOOKED dangerous, so Heaven forbid the boy dropped his guard for even a second. And in retrospect, perhaps getting his leg upgraded woiuld've been a good idea. It was slightly longer then his right, which meant that an uneven shift of weight was being placed upon the metal bars on which he stood.

Crawling over the roof of the two-story building he was on now, Tai made sure to control his breathing and flew his arms before moving onward. These arms were old and not his own, and even five days of having them, he still had kinks to deal with. He'd have to be more careful then usual if a fight were to suddenly come on.

As Tai peered down with his clear blue eyes, it became painfully obvious that his suspicions were correct about this man. He instantly recognized Ralph, one of the men who had been recruited into the terrorist group Tai ahd faced five years ago when he had become a State Alchemist. Even if this burly newcomer denied he had any involvement in shadey affairs- the guy looked THAT suspicious to Tai, who had dealt with many othewr similar people before- he could always reel in the fact he was talking to a known criminal. And if their words were anything to go by, Tai was confident he could take this guy down, physically or legally.

No use waiting around here, he thought to himself, sweeping a ahand through his fluffy, golden-brown hair, which was a habit for him. I've got enough evidence to go by if they try to talk themselves out, and I've got a hunch I can move things in my direction if things start to go south. But why not have a little fun while I'm at it? After all, gotta balance out work and play!

Grinning, Tai pressed both hands down against the roof. Immediately blue sparks played from his fingertips and spread out along the building top. The scattered downwards, increasing in ferosity as they hit the ground. The concrete of the ground shifted and surged, then sprung up as if it had come to life. A solid stone box with a few holes here ansd there for breathing and seeing remained. Then the roof collapsed, and Tai landed safely in the building on his left leg. Strolling out through the dust, he coughed slightly and brushed dust of himself.

"You need to be more quiet and stealthy when dealing with gangsters," he said mockingly, giving a sly wink. "They might attract you some 'unwanted attention'. Not that you helped yourself, but hey, I have good senses for that kind of stuff."

[ryuki]

Lan wasn't able to even think about moving before the process was finished. Ralph, however, seemed to be the lucky one--the cage missed him by inches. He fell backwards, his cap falling off in the process, and screamed like a girl. He clambered to his feet and ran, full out. Lan watched him through one of the holes in disgust. The coward. Then, the kid spoke.

"You need to be more quiet and stealthy when dealing with gangsters," he mocked, then gave Lan a wink. "They might attract you some 'unwanted attention'. Not that you helped yourself, but hey, I have good senses for that kind of stuff."

Too bad I can't kill this kid now, he thought, eyes narrowing slightly at the jibe. He certainly was cocky. He'd see how long that smile lasted. But first, the formalities.

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, kid," he shouted loudly so that he could hear him clearly. "And I don't think the authorities would take kindly to knowing that your idea of fun is locking up a random guy you've seen on the street in a box." In spite of the darkness, though, he was glad for the lack of holes. Would make things a bit easier for him.

[taisky16]

Tai watched on as Ralph ran away. In truth he was inclined to go after him, but he was a small fry and only good for being a scout. Things wouldn't much worse even if he managed to get out of Risembool. Besides, the main catch of the day was already locked in a stone box. Ralph could come later. Amazing what a trip to the local train station could result in.

"You serious?" Tai asked as Lan blatantly faked his innocence from the inside of his concrete prison. "You're actually trying to pull that on me? Sorry, but caged criminal in a three-inch stone box don't get to call the shots tough guy." He walked over small piles of metal, drywall, and berick and tapped on the ox he had made a few times before speaking again.

"I have enough evidence to convict you. The fact that you were associating with a know scout for a disbanded terrorist group is enough cause for arrest, but given the conversation you two were having, I'd say you're in a position to feign innocence mister."

Pacing around, Tai quickly placed his hands on the building's side. Blue sparks surged across the side of the broken structure and the ground, the debris seeming to simply melt away. then, almost as suddenly, the hold in the ceiling was gone and the door frame repaired.

"I used the stone that composed the roof to reinforce that box," Tai explained, moving his arms a little bit, trying to get rid of the tightening feeling he was getting from them. This happened when he used alchemy with them. He'd be glad to get his old limbs back. "So don't think of escaping. Even if you tried using those few holes I left you, unless you have a bomb or something, the military will be on you in about an hour or so."

"Now, mind telling me you name? I'm Tai Sky, the Albus Alchemist."

[ryuki]

"And here I was about to ask what right you had to be locking me up," he sneered. The kid couldn't see his face, but it didn't matter. "Usually, I'd think you were lying about something like that, but I'd say your handiwork is proof enough."

"They call me Hallow," he continued. "But that's all you'll get from me, kid. I might be caught, but I don't have to give away all my secrets. And you're right--not much I can do with these itty bitty holes." For emphasis, he tried sticking his finger out the one on the top. Only his pinky was actually small enough to go through. "Yup, can't even hardly stick my fingers through. I guess I'll just have to wait for you to go get your military cronies and ponder all the mean and horrible things I've done in my life."

To himself, he was wondering how long it would take for this act to really piss the kid off. If he was lucky, he might even get mad enough to break the box open for him. Not that he was really counting on it, but wouldn't that be nice? And the kid had already let slip what he really wanted to know, anyway. It was just a matter of time.

[taisky16]

Tai raised an eyebrow at Lan's next bit of conversation. What was he trying to say? That he had committed other crimes in the past, possibly ones that would actually lock him up for life? If so, then this was one of those times when judging by appearence actually MEANT something. Tai normally didn't, but this time at least his reasoning was well founded.

"...yeah. You're stuck all right." He voice was still self-confident as always, but a note of uneasiness rested within it. Something about this guy's bluntness...his calm and collected way of being despite the fact he was in such a bad jam... it led Tai to believe something was amiss, that this guy was planning something. It made his stomach turn.

"So 'Hallow'..." This was obviously an alias. Given the information he had already obtained, everything pointed to that conclusion. Not to mention the fact he had said 'that's all you're getting out of me'. "Mind explaining to me what you're doing here in Amestris? I don't normally see Xingese people all the way here past the desert. Business or other?"

He was trying to keep the conversation up. By now somebody would have noticed the fleeing Ralph, see or heard the ruckus, put two-and-two together, and phoned the police. Might as well make the most of things til they showed up, right?

[ryuki]

"Strictly business," he responded. He had noted the unease in the kid's voice, behind that facade of self-assurance. He was getting to him. Good. "Even with all the wars among the clans going on, there's not a whole lot of business for men like myself anymore. Emperor doesn't exactly like us. And, I have to say, his men scare me a lot more than your Fuhrer's. So I decided to take a look see over here, find out what kind of job opportunities there might be." He really didn't mind telling the kid any of this. After all, it wasn't like he was saying is exact occupation. And if he were to be caught, well, he could always feign something else. They couldn't kill a man for vague hints, now could they?

"Though I have to wonder--what kind of circumstances would get a kid locked into the military? As a State Alchemist, no less. I might not be from around here, but I know a thing or two about 'em, and getting to be one is no picnic."

[taisky16]

Tai smirked and gave a small laugh. His unease was still there, but it wasn't bothering him as much now. Hallow's story was more likely then not true. He'd heard that Xing had different methods of going about their business then Amestris did. Financial and governmental problems seemed to make Amestris superior to its bordering brother town.

"Don't think I'm letting my guard down," Tai said slowly, as if trying to make sure his words wouldn't be used against him. Then again, when was he one to care what others thought of him so long as it wasn't a huge lie? "You've given me inclination to believe you're involved in far more shadier things then what you think you've let on, but I believe you about what you just said."

Hallow's next question made Tai blink, though. Not many people had ever asked him about his past, despite the fact there were many reasons why people should. He'd always assumed it was troublesome and he didn't want to speak about it. But it had been so long ago... Maybe it was time he stopped clinging to it like he could change it. They were gone, and were only still alive in his heart.

"Doesn't take a genius to see it odd for an 18-year old like myself to be certified as a State Alchemist I suppose." He leaned against the stone box, staring up at the sky, as if looking for something or trying to make sense of a problem. "It's obvious why I'm a State Alchemist, what with he display I just put on, but the reasoning behind it..."

"...my parents in a fire that consumed our whole house. I lost my limbs at went to go live with my aunt in Rush Valley. I was left a small fortune from my parents, and even more money came in when my aunt passed. I bought mechanical limbs so I could move freely once more, and since I had nowhere else to go and was fluent with my alchemic study, I tried for a State Alchemist position, hearing of all the benefits and thought I could continue my studies and help people if I joined. Took out a terrorist group after a year of being there, and now I travel from place-to-place solving cases."

He sighed. Even if it WAS to a crook, Tai felt good getting all of that out.

[ryuki]

Lan laughed a little. Damn kid thought he had a sob story, when really, he was pretty lucky. He'd had relatives and money to live off of, after all. Hell of a lot more than he'd had when he'd lost his parents. Sure, he lost some limbs, but he had automail now. He didn't have to steal and kill just to scrape by.

Regardless, though, the kid had used what he had to the best of his ability. Now he was set for life, most likely. He had to commend that kind of action. Didn't mean he wasn't going to have to kill him, though. He had himself to worry about, after all.

"In any case, kid, I guess I feel a bit sorry for you." As he spoke, his hand when to his gun holster. "Maybe that's why I'll be a bit nice and warn you to duck." As soon as the last word had left his mouth, he pointed the barrel of the gun towards the wall of the box that faced the street and squeezed the trigger. Once, twice, three, four, five, six times the gun went off, bullets pounding the concrete wall, causing dust and shards of stone to fly backwards towards Lan. Several went through, the rest dented it sufficiently. Then, in one quick movement, he slipped the gun back under his coat and hit the wall, hard, in the center of the bullet holes he'd made. At first, he was afraid it wouldn't give, and then the section of the wall fell and broke apart upon hitting the street. He leaped through the hole, rolling when he hit the ground until he was back on his feet. Then, he ran like hell as far away from Tai as fast as he could, pulling out his sword in the process. He didn't waste any breath taunting his former captor.

[taisky16]

At first Tai didn't know what to make of Lan's words. One minute he was saying he felt sympathy for the teenager, and the enxt he was yelling for him to duck. Instead Tai dove to the side of the box. Then he heard a series of gunshots, six in total. Two punches through the stone exterior, the other four simply clinking iinside. Tai guessed what would happen mere seconds before it did.

There was a cracking sound, like metal against stone, and a large hole was punched in the box he had just transmuted. The impact from the blow added with the shattering force of the breaking stone caused the whole of the wall to cave outward, and Lan quickly rolled out through the flying chips of grey concrete.

Instinctively Tai reached out his left hand to grab at the hostile, but got a fistful of the man's tarnished black cloak instead. He yanked back, trying to force Hallow to stop, but of course he met with resistence to his tug. That's when the unexpected happened: Tai's entire fake arm was pulled right out of it's socket. Hallow, not noticing this, ran with the arm still grabbing him.

"Hey, get back here!" Tai demanded, rushing out of the alleyway after his target, empty green sleeve batting about in the wind as his bright orange shoes padded against the pavement. "You jerk, come back here with my arm! I need that, y'know! And we're not through here!"

Tai could see the looks on people's faces as thye ran past. It was all too obvious what they were thinking: What. The. F*ck.

[ryuki]

(... He has bright orange shoes? -barely stifles laughter- )

Lan didn't falter when he felt Tai grab onto his coat, but when the resistance gave way, he kept going.

What he wasn't expecting was the clink of metal against the ground while he ran. He glanced back over his shoulder just as the kid began shouting, "Hey, get back here!" When he saw the disembodied arm, his face noticeably paled. It really was one thing to know that your target had automail arms, and other to see one clinging to your coat, with no body to go with it.

"You jerk, come back here with my arm! I need that, y'know! And we're not through here!" The yell rang through his ears as he lifted his sword and deftly sliced off the corner of his coat that the arm had grabbed, causing it to roll away in a series of clangs.

"Not my fault you can't keep your hands to yourself, kid!" He yelled back. At least this might slow him down a little, not to mention hinder his ability to use alchemy. Well, maybe. He hoped.