driftfleet | Iskaulit Mingle

[Oh, that's Alphonse, isn't it? He's about to say something - also say hello, ask about the fox... but then the question comes and Shiro tenses. It's the first time he has to talk about it outside his world and... it's weird, to say the least.

Is it a prosthetic? Technically, he supposes it is, though part of him thinks t's an insult to people with actual prosthetics. Shiro quits the training position and glances at his arm before looking at Al. He has to admit, part of him is curious...]

...you could call it that. [And that's all he says, not wanting to expand on the subject.] Your brother has a metal arm too?

[He nods.] Back in my world, we have something called Automail- steel mechanical prosthetics. Brother has an Automail arm and leg, and Granny and my friend Winry are engineers. [Then, awkwardly:] ... I'm sorry if it's a sore subject. I forget that it's not as common in other worlds as it is in mine.

[He shakes his head, poker face in place. He didn't mean to make Al feel bad either.]

No need to apologize, you can't read minds. [...or so he hopes.] You call it prosthetic but you said they're like mine, right? The brain controls them? Because that's amazing. Is it part of the advanced alchemy you told me about?

[Al smiles back.]

Automail is a combination of engineering and medicine, actually- the arm or leg connects to the person's nervous system, and it allows them to move and manipulate it like a normal limb. The downside is that the surgery to install one is extremely painful, and it does require regular maintenance... which Brother doesn't always bother with. But it gives people who have lost a limb a better quality of life. [He then adds, by way of explanation:] My country was at war when I was young, so a lot of people ended up needing Automail.

Edited 2017-04-10 01:26 (UTC)

That's some impressing engineering and medicine then. I'd say worth the pain. your brother should take better care of such work.

[It feels a bit funny to talk about metal arms like... just like this. So casually. He's different, his arm loss can't be compared to a soldier's, he wonders if it's fair... but part of him appreciates the fact Al wants to talk to him about it this way. It feels a little less... monster. He continues talking as he moves to grab a towel.]

Sorry to hear about your country. I hope your childhood wasn't too bad.

It is pretty great. Though when I think about it, it's a bit odd that we do have that sort of technology, but we can't go into space or anything like that, either. We have telephones, but nothing with a screen like our devices have. I guess necessities were sped along, though. [He grins.] Brother needs to be reminded to take better care of himself in general. He's older than me, but sometimes I feel like the elder brother because I'm always reminding him to eat and sleep and mind his manners.

[His expression then softens.]

I was lucky enough to live way out in the country, so we didn't experience much of the conflict. It touched everyone in some way, though.

[Not gonna comment on Ed this time. Because Shiro is also the older brother of the group, and should be reminded to sleep.]

You'll get there some day. It took us hundred of years to even leave the atmosphere, and some more to make space travel some thing more than limited launches. We also started with those simpler phones.

[And Shiro's fills with sympathy.]

War always has that effect. But the conflict was solved?

Yeah, that's true! I may not live to see it, but at least I got to experience it here. Nobody else from my world can say that.

[He nods.]

It's going to take some time to rebuild, but we'll get there. Brother and I were trying to do what we could- put more good into the world than what we're given. He and I had gone our separate ways to travel and learn new things- I want to learn alkahestry, a type of alchemy that was originally used for medicine. Maybe at some point in the future, I could use it to heal people.

I hope your experience has been good. The circumstances aren't-- [Fuck Atroma, seriously.] --but space is still amazing.

[Shiro is immediately reminded of the situation at home, of the planets they've freed so far, but all the ones left that they haven't. Shitty circumstances indeed - maybe he should punch that bag again...]

That's a noble cause. You and your brother should feel prof of yourselves. Is he here too?

It is, and I've been lucky to have a crew that feels like a family to me. And I've been able to help people wherever I go.

[He then shook his head.]

No. I've only had one person from my world here, and he left after a few months. I miss my brother terribly, but I know he'd want me to trust that he's doing okay and keep going.

[A nod.] Having a crew you're comfortable with is important. Good to hear you're doing fine with them.

[Great, even, considering Al is already calling them family. I know he'd want me to trust that he's doing okay and keep going. Shiro trusts his team - that doesn't mean he can stop worrying.]

I know what you mean, I miss my team too. Exercise isn't a good replacement for them. [See, he's trying to joke.] Are you here to train too? [He asks while glancing at the fox.]

Clay made me first mate, even. It meant a lot to me.

[He grins, then nods towards the fox when he sees the glance.]

I was taking Cosmic out for a run and decided to stop in and work out a little. Though I know she's far away, Teacher would skin me alive if she knew I was shirking my workouts. She always taught us that a healthy spirit makes its home in a healthy body, and I like staying in shape anyway.

Iskaulit Mingle

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