video;

[velveteened]

( oz has spent some time practicing, so when the video feed comes on, it's steady and propped up to give a good view of him in the living room of his apartment. he shoots the camera a grin before holding up a helmet that may seem familiar to some people. )

Hello, everyone! You won't believe what I found today. ( a meow can be heard off-screen, and he corrects himself - ) Or more correctly, Li Jun did. Something like this must belong to someone, right?

( he hefts it up closer to the camera so that viewers on the network can get a better view. it's probably clear he basically thinks it's one of the coolest things ever. a real helmet like what a real knight would have!! maybe even what one of his favorite fictional knights would wear while doing something gallant.

it would probably be rude to put it on his head. which is what he does a moment later, cheerfully, because look okay how many chances like this does one get!! the network gets a wave before he takes it off and adds, )

Well, if it someone's, I wouldn't want to keep it from you. So tell me if it's yours, alright?

Comments

[alphonse]

Brother!

[He means to say more than this, really, but today is not his day for getting things right on the first try.]

Don't bring the poor cat into it!

[imperfect]

Don't think I'm done with you either, Al! You know better!

[And don't interrupt him when it's Al's earlier verbal slip-up he's trying to smooth over! (Keyword: trying.)]

[alphonse]

[Oh no, his precious (imaginary) cool guy reputation!]

Being so embarrassing isn't going to help!

[imperfect]

How am I the embarrassing one here?! [Al should damn well know what he's referring to!]

[alphonse]

[Oh, he certainly does. So his arguing comes out a lot less heatedly than he would like.]

By making things worse. You jumped straight to threatening him!

[velveteened]

( just pops in for - )

And my cat!

( okay that's all carry on. he'll just popcorn.gif from over there )

[alphonse]

Well, he didn't immediately threaten your cat. But don't worry about it. He's not that kind of person.

[velveteened]

Well, that's a relief.

( if his relief reads a little insincere - well. he hadn't figured ed for the type anyway, especially given their last meeting. )

[imperfect]

There's a first time for everything!

[velveteened]

True, true!

[imperfect]

[WELL WHO ELSE WAS HE GOING TO THREATEN

He huffs.] It got the point across, didn't it?

[alphonse]

I appreciate that you're trying to help, but it's really okay. He didn't mean anything by taking it.

[...Probably.]

[imperfect]

Well, whatever.

[Yep, definitely the very essence of maturity and responsible older siblinghood going on here.]

But I better not catch any other dumb cats hauling that thing around, you hear me?

[...Al should probably realise what he means by that, too.]

[alphonse]

I'll do my best.

[imperfect]

You can stop putting food out for them while you're at it.

[alphonse]

[But he was so stealthy about it.]

What? Brother, that doesn't have anything to do with this!

[imperfect]

[Clank, clank, clank.]

Oh, doesn't it? [He's cooled off pretty quickly; it's just a good thing he's not giving this lecture in person, and so there's no danger of him actually freezing onto Al.] Then tell me, Al - how'd it happen this time?

1/2

[alphonse]

You're making it sound like something that happens all the time!

[alphonse]

[Quieter.]

I mean, I guess there was that dog back in Dublith, but... anyway, it's not the same at all!

[imperfect]

[...Dogs too? Great. Now isn't a fantastic time to publicly nitpick, though... if any time ever is.]

What, this isn't already enough times for you?

[alphonse]

I'm just saying you shouldn't exaggerate! I didn't lose it on purpose!

[imperfect]

Yeah, and you could wait for it to happen on accident again, or you could listen to me for once. They can fend for themselves, Al!

[alphonse]

Brother, I didn't even see the cat. You've got completely the wrong idea.

[Not explaining anything was working so well.]

Can't we talk about this later?

[imperfect]

How could you not see -

[He stops, it having finally occurred to him that maybe he should quit while he's more or less ahead.]

You know what, fine. You can talk about this later. Looking forward to it.