maskormenace | First Detonation; Video

[The video feed comes alive to show Kimblee sitting comfortably and smiling at the camera, impeccably dressed in his white suit and hat. There's no hesitation the suggest he's unused to the technology, having thoroughly experimented with the communicator before trying to broadcast. First impression are important and it simply wouldn't do to appear backwards when presenting himself to his fellow imPorts.]

I must admit, this is all rather unexpected to say the least. I had thought the world was done with me.

[He stops and shakes his head reprovingly, as if just remembering that he's got an audience. There's a brief glimpse of the circular array tattooed on his right palm as he tugs off his hat and inclines his head at the camera in a mock-bow.]

Ah, where are my manners? Being as it seems standard to introduce oneself upon arrival, permit me. My name is Solf J Kimblee, although I much prefer simply Kimblee if it's all the same.

I'm honestly not sure about this hero business I was told about but I am happy to be of assistance however I am able. Military service is at least not entirely unfamiliar to me so I suppose that may be of use. Otherwise I am a fairly accomplished alchemist if I do say so myself and would be happy to make my skills available to those who might have use of them.

[He goes to finish then stops, as if he's just remembered something.]

Before I take my leave, I do have one small request - could anyone recommend me a dry-cleaner? I know it seems a trivial matter but it can be quite troublesome finding a reliable service. Being as I've been assigned to work at a local men's outfitters it would be inappropriate of me to look less than my best.

I thank you all for you attention.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[His smile sharpens at the concession. It will be amusing to see what the limits of that tolerance are. For now he just tilts his head in acknowledgement.]

I'll keep the warning in mind.

[Not causing trouble is another matter but he was hardly expecting Ed not to treat him with suspicion.]

Was there anything else you needed of me Fullmetal or is that all? I do have a new life to adjust too.

You better. [But then. Kimblee is well aware of Ed's talents and skill in both alchemy and combat if anything did come up. He's likely anticipating Ed keeping an eye on him even here for obvious reasons. Kimblee could well be the type to try something even without Father around. And there are two of the homunculi here for him to potentially work with after all.]

One question. What's the last thing you recall back home? Some of us remember more or less than others.

[Which is something obvious enough that anyone here would have been able to tell him if it hadn't been explained already.]

The last thing I remember?

[He leans back, folding his arms and studying Ed intently. It's not actually something he'd been aware of up to this point. The possibility would almost be a cause for concern under different circumstances - the idea of having his memories tampered with is one he finds to be simply unacceptable. But given what he does recall that seems unlikely to have occurred. In which case the question is who might remember less than he does and what use that information could prove to be.

Eyes narrowing Kimblee holds Ed's gaze unwaveringly as he finally answers.]

I remember dying Fullmetal Alchemist.

[Which only reveals so much if Edward doesn't already know the details.]

Yeah. The Porters don't care if someone was dead or dying back home, apparently.

[Which, depending on how much Kimblee might really know on Ed's past there may be a slight give, a hint of bitterness there but he doesn't elaborate on how it is impossible for them with alchemy. No. But then, he has no idea what happened to Kimblee back home after the mines. Al still only had recalled being in the dome with Pride. Nothing of the ensuring fight afterwards when Ed and some of the others split off. He didn't recall if Mustang or Greed mentioned the other alchemist when they talked of what they knew regarding the Promised Day.

And yet, for any life to be cut short, even a bastard like Kimblee, Ed still feels some sense of compassion there in spite of everything he did. He tried so hard not to kill the guy. Yet somehow it happened anyway. Was it from him? The injuries he sustained with the mines? Ed isn't sure on the details. But he doesn't want to give away too much either, so stays quiet for now.]

So I noticed.

[He knows the relevant parts of the Elric's history from the Fuhrer. Edward's reason for becoming a State Alchemist in the first place, the brother's goal to restore their bodies. How they wound up with those bodies as punishment for performing human transmutation. It really must sting to be faced with something that can restore the dead with, as far as he's been able to determine, no drawbacks. Possibly it would have the power to restore the brother's bodies as well, making their entire journey in vain.

There surely must be a cost to it, just as there was to make a Philosopher's Stone. Such a thing could not be free. Yet it seemed they weren't the ones to pay it. They simply reaped the rewards. Even someone like him could be granted a new life. It truly would sting.

He leans forward, eyes bright and intense.]

It's interesting isn't it? If that's the truth then anyone living or dead could have been brought here. Yet out of all those many souls we are the chosen. It really is gratifying.

But we weren't chosen. That machine just plucks people at random. The government and military don't chose us specifically. Sure someone must have mentioned that to you by now.

[Except. Well. Ed isn't about to consider or hope for those that died helping them back home. For those long gone like his mother, Winry's parents. The possibility may be there but that doesn't mean it will be so. No guarantee.]

I've already heard that the local authorities seem to have no control over the technology that is responsible for our presence, yes.

[Kimblee sits back again, the intensity of a moment ago fading. He already knew Elric didn't share his egocentric views. No surprise he wouldn't choose to see the circumstances the same way. No matter. They could debate the topic another time.]

Now, I told you my last recollection prior to my arrival. It's your turn. Equivalent exchange yes?

I remember...the Promised Day. We were looking underground for that bearded bastard when...the Gate. It opened up and took me and I ended up here.

[So of course others here recall more. Ed has no recollections of the final fight itself against Father, even if he has heard of the end result for the most part from Mustang and Greed in particular. But he answers, since Kimblee told him. Even if Ed himself had no idea what happened to the other alchemist in the midst of the mines and everything afterwards, oblivious since Al didn't recall yet to explain him returning to rescue Pride.]

Well, well. The Promised Day hmm? That is interesting.

[And the Gate? Presumably he referred to what Pride had forced the Flame Alchemist through to secure as the final sacrifice and bring to his Father. Elric had already been present at that point. So before then. Odd that such a thing were possible, that Edward could have been taken to this place and yet presumably would be returned to fight that battle in the future with no hint that any length of time had passed in between.

It all raised a number of questions. How much did Elric know about what was to come for him? Could the outcome be changed? Kimblee himself had no personal stake in the outcome of that battle any more but it was interesting to consider. What would happen if Edward were to die here? He had some research to do it would seem.]

This has been enlightening Fullmetal but I think it's time I take my leave. I'm sure we'll see each other again soon.

[Not waiting for a response he severs the connection.]

First Detonation; Video

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