driftfleet | Tenth Transmutation [Video]

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Tenth Transmutation [Video]

Who: Alphonse Elric and YOU
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: The Vanquish if you wish
When: October 23rd

[Al smiles bashfully as he addresses the Fleet.]

Clay asked me to be the First Mate of the Vanquish, and I've accepted. It seems fitting that it happened so close to my first anniversary here, doesn't it? I'm honored, and I'll do my best to keep supporting my shipmates.

I'm glad to have been on such a great ship and met such great friends, and I wish all of you who are working on the shipwreck the best of luck. And if you're staying closer to the Fleet and are able to scavenge any usable ship parts, I'd be happy to fix them up with my alchemy.

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Alchemy is also bound by something we call equivalent exchange. If you want to gain, something must be lost. So I couldn't conjure things out of thin air- I have to work with what I have. Trying to take too much can resort in... ... backlash.

So what would you need to make clothes?

[There at least seemed to be a method in all of this, one that she could understand and actually agree with. Magic should always have a price and a limit.]

Cloth, thread... any zippers or buttons. Enough to make it to that person's size and specifications. Brother always wears a long red coat, and he was able to transmute a new one just from a bolt of cloth once.

You have a brother? Is he among the fleet as well?

If I were to provide a button, cloth or thread, would you make me a gown?

Sadly, no. I do miss him, but back home we were preparing to go our separate ways anyway... so we would've been apart, anyway. I try to look at it that way.

[He nodded.]

I would be happy to- besides the materials, if you could give me a description or sketch of what you're looking for, it would be even easier.

Why were you going your separate ways? Forgive me if I'm prying.

Of course, I can do that. I appreciate this, thank you.

No worries. We were going to seek out knowledge, in fact- I was headed east and Brother was going west. There's a form of alchemy taught in the country of Xing that originated for medicinal purposes, and I wanted to learn. I don't like causing destruction, and I figured it would be nice to know how to heal instead.

[Al grinned.]

It's not a problem. I like being able to keep my skills sharp- Teacher pounded the importance of that into me.

I have a bit of familiarity with healing and experience in nursing. It's what I will be doing on my ship. If you like, I could teach you a little?

Your teacher?

I would appreciate that. I think we're short on people who know how to deal, so I'd like to learn.

Yes- she taught me and Brother alchemy at an early age. Teacher is the strongest woman I know. I love her, but she can be a little... scary, too.

I'm not as skilled as a... [what was the word again? Not maester...] doctor? [She's fairly certain that's the word.] But I would be happy to teach you.

Scary? I think everyone feared their teachers when they were young. I imagine that she was formidable and skilled.

[Al nodded encouragement.]

Anything you'd be able to teach me would still be useful.

[Al chuckled.]

She can still best me and Brother in a fight- and when she was doing her own alchemy training, she survived in a cold, snow-covered environment on her own for a month. Including breaking into a military fort that's considered impossible to breach to steal supplies.

Are all the women in your world so courageous? She sounds remarkable, she must be a highly sought after teacher.

[With that sort of reputation, how could she not be?]

All of the ones I know are. Teacher prefers to keep to herself and her husband, though- she only took me and Brother in because we begged her to. Most of the time, she likes doing things the old-fashioned way and prefers being a simple housewife.

Why did you stay with her? Why not with your family?

Your world sounds very exciting. Women have a choice in such things?

She lives a pretty far distance from my hometown- she'd only been passing through while on vacation. Granny saw how much we wanted to learn and gave us permission to go back with Teacher, though.

They do. I know a lot of high-ranking women in the military, too.

So would that make you her ward?

Women actually serve as soldiers? But...I.. [She feels speechless at the idea.]

Mmhmm. We lived with her for half a year or so while she taught us, then she sent us back home. [To try and bring their mother back to life, but that was a story for another day.]

... they don't in your world?

No, not at all. It isn't proper for a woman to wield weapons or become knights.

[Yet another thing she'd have to accept in this place.]

That doesn't seem right. Some of the women I know are better combatants and leaders than the men are.

I suppose with all of the strangeness in this place, there isn't anything strange about women as soldiers.

Mmhmm- we all generally respect each other here, no matter who you are or where you came from.

I hope then that we may meet face to face soon.

I hope so, too. Which ship are you stationed on? I live on the Vanquish, but I spend some time on the Iskaulit and the Blue Fish, too.

I don't know yet. I am still on the Marsiva. If I am fortunate, than I hope to be on the Blue Fish.

Once I am placed, I shall be certain to pay a visit.

I will look forward to it, then, my lady. Just ask for Alphonse.

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