Well...when Youve Got, Like, No Friends, You Have A Hell Of A Lot More Time To Learn Stuff Youre Probably

“Well...when you’ve got, like, no friends, you have a hell of a lot more time to learn stuff you’re probably never going to use. Other than work, I spent most of my time at the library...just...learning, I guess. I’d pick up anything that looked fascinating, and I tended to poke around the historical and scientific stuff the most. All the stuff about alchemy and what they thought was medicine and science, it was the coolest to me. I mean, some of it was pretty fucked up, but most of it was just....I can’t really explain it,” She answered, scratching at the back of her neck again, a tick of hers. God, she must sound so boring. Especially now, and considering Ed was just, so awesome. At the mention of the philosopher’s stone being so dangerous that Ed didn’t even want to let out what he knew about its creation, Mary’s eyes widened a little. Plus, the look on his face...

“Yikes...that bad, huh? Got it; no more questions about the magic, highly dangerous and possibly deadly rock. Especially considering how absolutely bonkers these guys are...” damn, what’s it made of? People? Might as well be, the way Ed was talking about it...

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.”

“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.

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

rxinbowtrxveler

The girl tilted her head in confusion as he stared, not used to anyone paying extra attention to her well, she was fairly underdressed, but that’s beside the point, aside from a glance, or to what she was doing rather than herself. It was only when Ed shoved the book into her hands that she too snapped out of it, looking down at the long list of books that were apparently on her bookshelves.

“Oh, of course! I’d be glad to! Come, I’ll pull up a chair so you’re not just standing around while I look for them!” Mary chirped happily, stepping away to grab and pull out her desk chair for Ed to sit in, putting the book down for two seconds to put on her dressing gown (since opening the door for Ed let in a bit of a chill), and picked the book back up. “And Ed? Could you close the door behind you when you step in? The castle can get rather nippy at night for me, I don’t retain heat well,” she asked, pulling a ladder to her as she looked down at the list of books. The room was bigger and nicer than Ed’s; almost half the walls were stacked to the brim, ceiling to floor with all sorts of books, her bed was large, covered with many warm blankets (as she’d begged Shareena for more blankets. Mary was a small girl, and the cold seemed to go right through her!) and quilts. Near the bathroom door sat a white vanity table and mirror with a matching stool, a golden hairbrush (also from Shareena) sat atop it with a big, pink bag that didn’t seem to fit the room at all. Not with how modern it looked compared to the medieval decor of the castle. The stone floor had a blue and gold rug atop it, and the desk was cherry wood with a glass inkwell and pen sat atop it with plenty of paper to use.

“Oh goodness, I’d think I had more than half the stock of the alchemy books in this place with how many they’ve got written here! And oh rubbish, they’re all so high up!” She spoke aloud mostly to herself, unused to company as she scurried up the ladder like a mouse, her foot wiggling with concentration as she looked for Ed’a books…

As he entered the room, Ed shut the door behind him. Once he was able to get a better look at her room, he couldn’t help but feel a little jealous -mainly about the amount of space she had for things like books and all. It was definitely felt more comfortable in her room with all of the blankets and personal items. 

After getting a good look around the room, he followed her over to the bookshelf and started looking through the titles with her, “How the hell did you manage to get your hands on all of these alchemy books? Is it a big thing 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… 

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.”

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?”

Please explain to my Muse why you’re naked.