Mary Nodded With A Soft Sigh, Looking Over At Ed. Yep, They Sure Did. Outta Nowhere, I Was Just Minding

Mary nodded with a soft sigh, looking over at Ed. “Yep, they sure did. Outta nowhere, I was just minding my own damn business! I was walking home from the bar when suddenly I felt that awful pulling sensation you likely felt...then I find myself here, listening to these whack jobs telling me some ‘you are the chosen one’ nonsense and handing me my kidnapper gun,” she answered, pointing to the pocket that held the offending relic. “That was six months ago, and they’ve been dragging me on their missions ever since, telling me to use this thing to kidnap them more ‘heroes’. The majority of them fit the part, but I’m no warrior or master strategist! I’m a performer, Ed! I sing, I dance, I play the music! My job was to make people happy, now I’m a glorified kidnapper! Risking my hide for their war!” the summoner ranted, steaming at the thought, but deflating a little at the thought of how long it had been.

“...I’ve been trapped here for six months, if I remember correctly. Maybe longer, I don’t even remember. I know it’s felt like forever, and god I hate it. And y’know what sucks the most? People don’t even call me by my name, most of the time. To most people ‘round these parts, I’m ‘the Summoner’. Only the commander, and the prince and princess call me by my name anymore. It’s like all they give a damn about is the fact I can basically kidnap people for them, they don’t actually care about who I am, who I was! Alfonse asked me about my world once, Ed. And when I asked how I was gonna go back? They dodged the question and said that this was my home now...” she trailed off, worrying her lip. “I’m so sorry, Ed. I’d send you right back to where you came from if I could...”

A Summoner’s Tale (closed FEH AU with traceofalchemy)

rxinbowtrxveler

Mary, too, was fidgeting with a piece of home that sat beneath her cloak. A pendant, a ladybug on a sturdy chord reinforced with magic thanks to a spell she’d learned, to keep it safe as she was dragged along by the Order. Maybe she didn’t remember the details of home, but she remembered pieces. She knew that she was a performer; a dancer, singer and musician, someone who brought joy. Now? She was a professional kidnapper and battle strategist, but she knew she wasn’t meant for this, no matter what the Order said. Mary wanted out, and as of the moment, she didn’t know how she’d get there.

It wasn’t much longer until they reached the castle, and the scent of food immediately wafted out as the front door opened. Commander Anna and Princess Shareena were the first to rush in, but Prince Alfonse took a moment to look back at the two still outside.

“Please…try to make yourself as comfortable as possible, if you can. Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions or concerns. When you’re ready, Mary will lead you to your rooms,” he spoke up before following the two women.

Ed nodded in response to Alfonse, and waited for him to walk away before he turned to Mary. The smell of food was definitely tempting, but he felt disgusted at the thought of eating their food after what they’d just done, 

“So, they got you too, huh?” he mumbled and looked Mary over, “How long have you been  here?”

Naturally, the room was rather...empty, save the bed, a dresser and the desk. A door to the right lead to a small bathroom, and on the bed sat a change of clothes. White, blue and gold, just as Mary had described. He too had a long, hooded coat, but as she said, he likely wouldn’t be forced to keep it up. A white tunic, and pants were similar to Mary’s sat beside it, but his boots were shorter than hers, and had golden metal bits wound around them. There was also a layer of scalemail like the three warriors Ed had already met wore, same golden color.

The desk already had blank paper, an ink well and an iron dip pen sitting on it. A few books sat there too, one of which, ironically enough, were alchemy books. Not that it was intentional, likely someone forgot them there when setting up a room for the new arrival...

A Summoner’s Tale (closed FEH AU with traceofalchemy)

rxinbowtrxveler

The summoner wore a rather…simple outfit; a white coat with a hood, and gold Askran embellishments (much like the alchemist’s red coat back in his heyday, but much larger to completely cover her head and face), loose pants that matched the coat, a blue tunic also trimmed with gold, a brown belt, and brown boots with golden accents, plus a black and gold mask that covered her eyes. It was as if the outfit was meant to erase all sense of identity and self outside of being the summoner.

“Right? Can’t mess up hair like that, it’d be a tragedy,” Mary joked along with him, before answering the questions she was sure he had. “I don’t think so, your clothes will likely be a lot closer to what the royals and Commander Anna wear. Only I’m not allowed to have my hood down, unfortunately. I’m pretty sure at this point those three have forgotten what I look like without it, and like it that way. Can’t say I’m anything but what they want me to be if I don’t have a sense of autonomy or identity, right?” She joked, but it was easy to tell how much it wore on her. All you could really see was a few of her dark chocolate waves, really. Nothing else that defined her as Mary.

“Alright… I’ll be going, then. Knock on my door four times, so I know it’s you.” Mary instructed before turning away from the man and leaving for her own private rooms. Oh, if only she could change these awful, ugly clothes, even just a little! Maybe then she’d feel herself again…

It saddened Edward to hear her explanation on her outfit. To know that she had been forced to do such silly things in order to please them was fueling his fire even more. There were definitely somethings in this place that needed changing, and there was no way he was going to let them change him. If anything, the more he learned the more motivation he had to get moving already.

“Alright.” Ed nodded and watched her walk to her room. He made sure she was inside safely before checking on his own room to find out what he was in for. It was quiet when he entered the room and he let out a deep sigh. What an interesting day it had turned out to be… 

Mary nodded slowly, bashully smiling up at him. “Y-Yes, I am! Thanks to you! Honestly, I don’t think I needed another blow to the head; my memory’s been effected enough as it is, so thanks for the save,” she spoke, her cheeks red as she rubbed the back of her head. This had actually been the first time Mary had been in a man’s arms at all; she had whacked her head and been knocked unconscious during a battle around the time of the Múspell conflict, but Commander Anna had been the one to carry her back. Ever since then, her memories of people from her world had started to fade; not that she’d really had anyone to begin with, but still...

“Here’s one of the books, by the way,” she added after a moment, holding a worn, leather bound book with a startlingly familiar flame array on the cover. Now, it wasn’t a guarantee that the book was from an alternate, or past Amestris, but the contents would be similar enough. It was likely that these were the remnants of another flame alchemist’s research that was left behind upon death...

A Summoner’s Tale (closed FEH AU with traceofalchemy)

rxinbowtrxveler

“Get my hands on them? They were already here when I arrived, actually. I guess they wanted to be prepared for whatever their summoner turned out to be, so they put a whole lot of different books in here. That and I think the prince mentioned that alchemy isn’t as common here anymore, as their last summoner hundreds of years ago summoned quite a few, but they eventually all passed, including the summoner, and they hadn’t passed the knowledge to use it on, only leaving the books…. so they kind of stored most of them in here to make room for the books they’d need more in the main library. From the looks of it, you’re the only one around now. That honestly might get you a room upgrade…” she prattled on as she spotted a book on the list, struggling to reach it (and being fresh out of ladder, this was going to be a task). Puffing her cheeks out in annoyance, Mary stood on the tips of her toes to grab it.

“I found one! It’s the one on flame alchemy! I’ve almost…got it…!” the girl told him, her balance wobbly as her fingertips just barely brushed the book. “S-So t-tell me, Ed! Is….is alchemy c-common where y-you’re from? I-If I recall, w-where I’m from, alchemy was brushed of as pseudoscience c-centuries ag-OH!” Mary had begun to ask, but as she got the book… she fell off the ladder.

The information she had to share about alchemy dying off was both saddening and a relief at the same time. It was good to know that he wasn’t up against many other alchemists and maybe alchemy would benefit him well. On the other hand, it was sad to hear that it was stowed away in some room away from everything else.

He wasn’t sure what all he would tell her about his alchemy knowledge. Clearly she could tell he had an interest in it from the obvious topic of books, but he thought it’d be best to keep any bragging about his abilities a minimum.

He watched her reach for the book and held onto the ladder when he noticed her instability. Just when he was about to answer some of her questions, he saw her slip on the ladder. With his quick reflexes, he was able to catch her before she could fall into anything, “W-Whoa! That was close, are you alright?”

Thought so, bingo. Mary nodded excitedly, beaming with joy. Ed actually believed she was capable of actually learning to use this wonderful science he could do, he thought she could help.

“Oh yes, absolutely! I will! Whatever it takes..and...if I don’t get something... you’ll help me figure it out?” She asked, nodding again. He could take whatever he needed, it was all fine with her.

“Of course, keep them as long as you need to. Come back tomorrow, everyone’s going to be at the Spring Festival, so we should have plenty of time to study uninterrupted,” she told him, giving him her first real smile in months.

“Gnight, Ed...and...thank you...”

A Summoner’s Tale (closed FEH AU with traceofalchemy)

rxinbowtrxveler

Mary listened with intrigue and awe at his explanation, enchanted with the thought of this almost magical science existing. She did cringe a little at the idea that alchemy was prominently used in their military, and she could only imagine what kind of damage that could do. After all, she’d read the one on flame alchemy, and she knew there was something about bombs somewhere in the books she hadn’t pulled out for Ed yet… at the mention that the philosopher’s stone was a real thing, and it was the most dangerous form of alchemy they had…then what the hell had Nicholas Flamel made, if he’d even succeeded at all like the legends said.

“That’s…just… so amazing and terrifying at the same time. I mean, I’ve seen magic here, but…nothing like alchemy. It…makes more sense than sorcery, it’s the closest to true science you can get here…and the stone, I can’t believe it’s real for you…but…what’s it made of, if it’s so dangerous? Is it made of poisonous stuff like the ‘alchemists’ from the history of my world thought? Or…is it worse?” Mary asked, not meaning any harm by any of her questions…she just, she wanted to know. Even though it was mostly fantastical in her world, Ed’s world and its alchemy was the closest to her world in its own way, around here at least.

Listening to her excited rambling, he couldn’t help but think of a lot of the dark… and not so dark things that alchemy brought him. It had allowed him to fail his family, and bring parts of it back… And although it had destroyed cities overnight, it had also saved cities. It was a strange balance, and he’d learned to use the science in ways that others wouldn’t even think to. It was fascinating, and he would always find a way to study it, but what needed to be changed was the way it was used… and that’s part of what he’d been working on before he was sucked into this world.

“I wouldn’t have guessed you’d be so interested in alchemy.” He commented, “You seem to know quite a bit.” A small sigh escaped his lips as he set the books down on her desk, “Now, the stone…? I’d rather not be spewing secrets on something so powerful, so if one’s not been made here yet… it’s best we keep it that way.”

Reblog if your muse is a fucking hottie

And as if the universe had decided to be kind to him during this time of turmoil...it worked. Responding to the Fullmetal Alchemist’s call, blue sparks and a glow lit the desk as Ed acted as the catalyst for his transmutation. By the end of it, a tiny wooden sword sat atop his desk; proof that the Fullmetal Alchemist had rose once again, that he didn’t have to live in this foreign universe without his treasured alchemy, a piece of the home he loved had returned to him once more...

Mary sat in her room, coat and mask removed as she brushed out her hair in front of the vanity mirror that Shareena had kindly added to her room, the only thing Mary considered a kindness in this torment. Her old makeup bag sat atop the table as she sat in front of it, reminding her of a time that she was someone other than ‘the summoner’. A happy time, where she chased her dreams of bringing joy to others with her gifts. Oh, how she missed dancing, missed her harp and lyre, her piano. The woman longed to sing on stage once more, wondering if she’d ever get to again. Humming a soft song to herself, Mary continued almost mechanically with her long waves...

A Summoner’s Tale (closed FEH AU with traceofalchemy)

rxinbowtrxveler

Naturally, the room was rather…empty, save the bed, a dresser and the desk. A door to the right lead to a small bathroom, and on the bed sat a change of clothes. White, blue and gold, just as Mary had described. He too had a long, hooded coat, but as she said, he likely wouldn’t be forced to keep it up. A white tunic, and pants were similar to Mary’s sat beside it, but his boots were shorter than hers, and had golden metal bits wound around them. There was also a layer of scalemail like the three warriors Ed had already met wore, same golden color.

The desk already had blank paper, an ink well and an iron dip pen sitting on it. A few books sat there too, one of which, ironically enough, were alchemy books. Not that it was intentional, likely someone forgot them there when setting up a room for the new arrival…

Ed picked up some of the clothes and looked over them. He raised an eyebrow, mumbling something to himself about having to wear an kind of outfit that felt more like a uniform. He was definitely not happy about any of it.

Stepping over to the table, he set his notebook down next to the other books. When his eyes met the words alchemy he froze and stared at the book. He laughed a little to himself after a moment, being teased even here about not being able to use alchemy anymore… Although he didn’t mind not having it… It was still something he couldn’t help but miss, even if it was in the slightest. With a deep breath he decided he’d give it one last try… although he would always tell himself it was the last time. He couldn’t help it, it was too tempting not to clap his hands together and press them against the desk’s wood to give it One. Last. Try.