Stand Up and Walk

Far Too Close to Home

"I still have too long a life ahead to get rid of these feelings, right? I want to try doing over the things I've left undone. I thought I was running after something carried over from my dreams, yet I'm stumbling into people on this narrow, winding road. It's not like I want to go back to the way things were back then; I'm just searching for the sky I've been losing. Here's hoping you'll understand. Stop making that sad face as though you were a victim. Sins don't end in tears; you have to carry the pain forever. Who am I waiting for in this maze of emotions with no way out in sight? I want to purge myself more simply, as if writing in a blank notebook. What is it I want to escape from? ...Is it reality? It makes me want to scream that we're alive for things to come true. Can you hear me? I can't put up with playing it safe. ...I've got nowhere to go home to! I'm always grateful for kindness; that's why I want to grow stronger (I'm on the way). I even welcome this pain for the things I miss."
—Yui, Again

...

You're sitting on the train, having just boarded a few minutes ago. The air smells unpleasantly of feet, and you're not excited for the long ride. You are sitting next to Ed, and had conceded to let him have the window seat. You plan on sleeping for as long as possible anyway, so there's no point in blocking the poor boy's view.

You shift, folding your long legs beneath yourself in an attempt to get comfortable. You stretch your arms over your head, enjoying the pull in your back and shoulder. You crack your knuckles loudly.

A sharp rapping sound catches your attention. You turn to see Maes at the window. "Hey," he says, sounding muffled by the thick pane glass separating him from the rest of you.

Ed manages to get the window to open. He pokes his face out of the space in the top. "Lieutenant Colonel?" he says, surprised.

"The folks at the Eastern Command Center were a little too busy to make it down here today," Maes answers. "So I came to see you off instead."

"Great," Ed replies, not sounding exceptionally happy. "But would you mind telling us what the Major is doing here?"

He turns to look at Mister Armstrong over his shoulder, and you both glance at the massive man on the seat across from you, who sparkles as he takes up nearly the whole bench.

Oh yeah, whoops. Did you forget to mention that Armstrong is here, too?

"He's for protection," Maes says. "What would happen if Scar came after you again?" Ed grips his right, armless shoulder tightly. "You're in no shape for a fight now, Ed." Maes leans casually on the side of the train. "The Major's here to help," he continues. "Just try to grin and bear it."

"Children can be so stubborn," Armstrong mutters.

You and Ed whirl on him simultaneously, anime-veins pulsing and fists waving angrily.

"Hey, shut up!"

"Watch it old man!"

"I'm not a child!"

"Don't call me a child!"

Ed cools off first. "Anyway, are you sure Al made it on board?" he asks the Major.

"Of course," Armstrong answers, his voice a low rumble. "I put him in with the sheep. I thought he might get lonely otherwise..."

You and Ed have very different reactions (as usual). You snort in amusement at the thought of Al in his wooden crate, surrounded by sheep, all baaing at him mindlessly. On the other hand, Ed starts fuming again. "My brother is not some kind of farm animal!" he roars at the Major.