Edward Elric (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
imperfect) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
exsiliumlogs2013-10-26 10:19 pm
imperfect) wrote in exsiliumlogs2013-10-26 10:19 pm
exit wound in a foreign nation (closed)
Date & Time: Sometime in the 1900s, late spring
Location: London
Characters: Billy Cranston and Edward Elric
Summary: A completely routine and uninteresting medical supply run, for want of a conference.
Warnings: TBA, but likely PG-13 for language and shounening!
[Only a thin, peeling wall separates this little research lab from the rest of the world, but it might as well be a second time jump. From below, through the propped-open window, the warm breeze bears up the chatter of students' voices and the promise of summer; inside, the still air settles around the scattered flasks and papers like dust.
There isn't much actual dust to be found in the room, though; it's clearly been used not just often, but recently. That, along with one or two other facts evident on their cautious but uneventful way up here - the near complete lack of anybody who could have objected to their presence since they set foot in the building, for instance, and a few passing glimpses of notes on blackboards that didn't have enough time to register more than vague unease - would set alarm bells ringing in Ed's mind (and maybe make up for their current distinct absence in reality) if he stopped and thought about it for long. He hasn't yet. He's been getting a lot of practice at trying not to think about things lately.
(A small part of him wonders how long it's going to take for someone to set this iteration of London ablaze and whisk him away before it can even sink in, the helpless opposite of a canary in a coal mine. A different part of him almost figures that at this stage he might as well just light the torch personally.)
Still, whether he thinks about it or not, the medical wing of that stupid tin can nestled a thousand years and four hundred thousand kilometres away isn't going to restock itself - and after all this time, he's still an alchemist. If he had other qualms about raiding this place, he left them up there.
But as the crackling under his palm gives way to a quiet clunk and the unlocked door of the supply cupboard creaks slowly outward, Ed picks up another noise - muffled for now, but getting closer. He shoots a look over his shoulder, towards today's partner in crime.] Someone's coming.
Location: London
Characters: Billy Cranston and Edward Elric
Summary: A completely routine and uninteresting medical supply run, for want of a conference.
Warnings: TBA, but likely PG-13 for language and shounening!
[Only a thin, peeling wall separates this little research lab from the rest of the world, but it might as well be a second time jump. From below, through the propped-open window, the warm breeze bears up the chatter of students' voices and the promise of summer; inside, the still air settles around the scattered flasks and papers like dust.
There isn't much actual dust to be found in the room, though; it's clearly been used not just often, but recently. That, along with one or two other facts evident on their cautious but uneventful way up here - the near complete lack of anybody who could have objected to their presence since they set foot in the building, for instance, and a few passing glimpses of notes on blackboards that didn't have enough time to register more than vague unease - would set alarm bells ringing in Ed's mind (and maybe make up for their current distinct absence in reality) if he stopped and thought about it for long. He hasn't yet. He's been getting a lot of practice at trying not to think about things lately.
(A small part of him wonders how long it's going to take for someone to set this iteration of London ablaze and whisk him away before it can even sink in, the helpless opposite of a canary in a coal mine. A different part of him almost figures that at this stage he might as well just light the torch personally.)
Still, whether he thinks about it or not, the medical wing of that stupid tin can nestled a thousand years and four hundred thousand kilometres away isn't going to restock itself - and after all this time, he's still an alchemist. If he had other qualms about raiding this place, he left them up there.
But as the crackling under his palm gives way to a quiet clunk and the unlocked door of the supply cupboard creaks slowly outward, Ed picks up another noise - muffled for now, but getting closer. He shoots a look over his shoulder, towards today's partner in crime.] Someone's coming.
no subject
He looks over his shoulder at Ed and jerks his head, carefully tucking his notebook under his arm.]
You remember the cover story, right?
no subject
[He's keeping his voice down, listening out for the leisurely footsteps outside as they fall nearer and nearer - perhaps more than one set - but the defensive look on his face trumpets the fact that he didn't listen too closely the first time around loud and clear.
...It's a large cupboard, but it isn't that large. None of the tables or workbenches around here are bulky enough to duck behind, either.]
no subject
Hiding when we'll certainly be caught is equivalent to a confession of guilt, unless you have a story for that?
no subject
Well, if this doesn't work, I don't need to remind you whose head it's on. [All the same, there's a suggestion of a smile at the corner of his mouth as he tugs his shirt sleeves down a little. It doesn't always have to be the boring option, deferring to people who are better with words.
Right on cue, the door to the lab itself swings open to reveal a couple of young men, one with a thicker northern accent than the other, chatting amicably - until they catch sight of the two unfamiliar faces and the unlocked supply cupboard, at which point both of them stop and stare.]
no subject
[Billy swallows just once as the door opens, then gently tugs on his collar and dusts himself off.]
Good afternoon, gentlemen. You'll be pleased to hear that we haven't found a leak in the gas valve back here!
I trust you know how dangerous that can be.
[He notes the suspicion in their gazes and quickly passes a toolbox over to Ed.]
Our chief mechanic here has done a great job.
no subject
[By his standards it's not a bad act... although it would be a better one with anything that remotely resembled an English accent. In any case, the students just stare back at them for a few uneasy seconds. Presently, one of them turns his head and can easily be seen to mouth something along the lines of "the gas valve back there?"]
no subject
[Billy looks nervously at the students...it seems they're still talking amongst themselves, looking at the two suspiciously. They need to take some initiative here.]
We're scheduled to repair on the third floor before the meetings there begin, so if you'll excuse us? This is a big day and we don't want it ruined with an evacuation.
[He hands Ed a fresh seal, gesturing for him to apply it to a pipe in the wall. Leaning in, he lowers his voice.]
If I distract them can you move some metal to make this convincing?
no subject
His friend's misgivings about the quirky young foreign repairmen don't seem so easy to dispel, but he does turn his head to give his fellow student a weary look.
Across the room, with his hands pressed together around the seal, Ed doesn't immediately capitalise on their lapses of attention. His fake smile momentarily freezes. Splitting the atom? ...Did they hear about that part before?
No, dammit, he's getting a grip. After a fashion. He shakes his head and hurries over to the pipe.
At the brief but harsh crackle that follows, both of the students jump.]
Uh oh, would you look at that? That was a spark. [A weird-looking one, and the noise didn't really resemble anything igniting, but he pushes on before anyone can point that out.] Looks like my friend here made a miscalculation somewhere. Don't worry, that's what we're here for - but I think you two better clear out of here first. [Right at the end of his sentence, he drops most of the facade.] Now.
no subject
Thanks. So perhaps we can grab what we need and leave in a hurry?
no subject
[He's not trying to sound accusing, but the difference between that and his more habitual wariness is hard to hear while he's keeping his voice down.]
no subject
But I do admit to being suspicious of some of the words I heard on the way in.