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[alchemicallybonded]

[Congratulations world, everyone is getting a nice shot of a suit of armor. Yes - a suit of armor. And a big hulking one at that with all kinds of spikes everywhere. It takes up most of the screen and leaves little of the background visible. More surprisingly - it talks. The voice is tinny but sounds like a young male.]

Um, hello. My name is Alphonse Elric and I've been here for a little over a month. There's been so much to learn about this world that was different from my own. But I'm not really going to talk about that.

[Right now he is sitting in a back room at the library. With Winry and his brother gone for summer camp, there isn't a lot of reason to go back to the house.]

What I am curious about is people who have the ability to change their form from human to something else. I hope no one minds me asking questions. [Ahem, excuse him while he pulls out a journal.] When you changed, was there any sort of negative side affect? If you'd been hurt the last time you were in the form, was it still there the next time you changed? How long have you been able to stay in this other form? What did the transformation feel like? Do you know how you accomplished it?

[He lowers the book.] That's it for now. Thank you for your time.

Comments

Permavid

[governorkang]

Why are you curious about it? Is it listed as one of your powers?

Permavid

[alchemicallybonded]

Yes, but I haven't even attempted to try it yet. Back in Amestris being able to do something like this wasn't without a hefty price.

[governorkang]

Here, there doesn't seem to be much of a price. I am only able to retain my true form [he gestures at himself] while I'm conscious. Injuries and illness transfer as well, unfortunately.

[alchemicallybonded]

It does when alchemy is involved. [Equivalent exchange is a big thing when dealing with alchemy.]

So when you sleep you revert back? [That's no good.]

[governorkang]

Yes. It may be different for others, though.

[heartboxer]

I see you have not gone to the wonderful country of Colorado, Alphonse! [ Armstrong beams before his genuine, heartfelt grin turned into a nervous one. ]

I am guessing you're still nervous about your human transformation ability? [ Armstrong cannot provide a solution for Alphonse but perhaps he can console him. ]

[alchemicallybonded]

I wanted to keep working. [And didn't think there would be a lot of activities there that he could do.]

Brother and I want to have all of the details before I even try it and my research in the library is only getting me so far.

[heartboxer]

Work is always a fair thing to put yourself into! It builds who you are and is quite fulfilling. [ He approves of your choices, Alphonse. ]

Hmm... your brother told me something about Greed being able to reach his original form again. I think it's best if we were to pay him a visit sometime.

[alchemicallybonded]

[He laughs nervously.] I'll have to take your word, Major Armstrong.

That's what he told me too. Though I don't know if that has anything to do with his new powers or not.

[symmachy]

[small redheaded woman squinting at u]

Nice armor. I've never seen any like it before, which is honestly saying something.

[alchemicallybonded]

[If he could smile, he would.]

It was my father's and he told me it was antique.

[symmachy]

Antique and decorative, most likely. It isn't very practical.

[alchemicallybonded]

I don't have a lot of problems using it. [Of course, he also is the armor rather than being a guy inside the armor.]

voice;

[taselikeabee]

I'm human at the moment, but I'm not actually human at all. Does that still count?

voice;

[alchemicallybonded]

So you can transform into something that's not human. It definitely counts. I don't know how many others are in my exact situation since it seems to be opposite of those who have a similar ability.

voice;

[taselikeabee]

Here I can transform back to my actual body, yeah. I've always been able to transform into my altmode too.

Having problems changing your shape?

voice;

[alchemicallybonded]

Altmode, what's that?

More like being cautious. These kinds of transformations weren't exactly something people could do back home.

[Not unless we're counting Envy and we're not.]

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[sanguineseams]

[Talking armor. Please excuse Senketsu as he goes doe-eyed for a moment--

BUT THERE ARE QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED. Business first.]

This form may be a far cry from being human but it's a lot closer than what I am by default. I can't say that there were "negative side effects" other than having to get used to a new body. I heal pretty quickly, but generally speaking I sustain injuries across transformations.

I can stay in any form indefinitely provided that my diet is accounted for. I've always been able to transform between states, so this body is just another form to me.

As for what it feels like...well, there are no human words to describe it.

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[alchemicallybonded]

[Oh, someone is eying his armor something fierce.]

So the change isn't natural feeling. I know that one person wasn't used to being human when he wasn't originally. [Now Al really is worried about what it will be like for him.]

You had the ability to always change your form?

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[sanguineseams]

[Don't worry, he's just getting excited over an incorrect assumption...]

The important part is that it wasn't unpleasant. Though, if you find yourself to be quite impatient with yourself...I imagine the struggle would be more of an endeavor.

Yeah--I changed "modes" to suit different needs for combat.

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[alchemicallybonded]

[Al is all about incorrect assumptions. Sometimes he even straight-up lies about himself.]

I'm a pretty patient person. [His brother was a different story.]

That sounds very convenient. Do the transformations happen quickly then?

voice.

[altercate]

Why are you asking?

voice.

[alchemicallybonded]

It became my power when I got here. Back home such an ability would mean a price I wouldn't pay, so I want to know everything about it before I try to change what I look like.

voice.

[altercate]

Change into anything, or change into something specific?

voice.

[alchemicallybonded]

Into a human. [He taps on his chest plate and it's a hollow sound.]