[text] (backdated a couple of days)

[imperfect]

This won't surprise anybody keeping track, but we're down most of a lab for the time being. The power is out, and replacements for everything damaged are going to take a while. I'm kind of tied up at the moment.

The building's cleaned up and safe to go in again, if you want to go look for anything in particular yourself. Don't get your hopes up. Sorry.

It'd help if we could get a roll call of who's still around and didn't just have a change of priorities.

And on the off chance anyone does have equipment they'd be willing to spare or trade to speed this up a little, let me know. We can talk it over.cvffffff

[...Dammit!]

Comments

[alphonse]

[The towel thunks harmlessly against his chestplate, so it's a pretty good effort. Al grabs it without any complaints about bossiness, mostly because he suspects Ed will give in and pay some attention to his new companion once he doesn't feel like they're being watched.]

Fine. But don't forget that I need your help later.

[imperfect]

I said I would, didn't I? Least I can do.

[In fact, he's already scooping the kitten up; it's not really possible for him to do it huffily and surreptitiously, so he's leaning on the former to get his point across.]

Just hurry up and give me the list before I change my mind.

[alphonse]

Give me time to write it first, Brother.

[The effort is more or less lost on Al, who heads to deposit the towel with the rest of the laundry.]

I should probably come along to help you carry everything anyway. I'll just have to wait outside and stay out of sight.

[imperfect]

[Once Al is no longer watching, Ed absently gives the kitten a scratch behind the ears.]

I'll be all right, Al.

[alphonse]

[From the sound of Al clanking through the apartment and rustling around for a spare sheet of paper, it's likely that Ed's in no danger of getting caught in the act.]

The litter alone's pretty heavy, Brother. This way we'll be sure to get everything everything we need in one trip.

[imperfect]

I can manage. It's fine.

[The cat gets bored of the petting before Ed does, and squirms until he lets it down. The other kittens around the water bowl are starting to disperse underfoot, too.]

[alphonse]

[It's several more minutes before Al emerges with the list. Writing legibly with hands as large as his takes a bit of effort and patience.]

You're sure?

[He's hesitant; he knows Ed can take care of himself just fine, but having a terrifying suit of armor around for backup tends to make people back down fast.]

The locals didn't seem that bad when I talked to them, but I've heard people a lot less strange looking than me say they were given a really hard time.

[imperfect]

[In the meantime, Ed finally hauls himself to his feet, and inspects his coat uncertainly for a moment before pulling it back on. Does it make him stick out? He still would've thought it was pretty ordinary compared to the red...

He looks up sharply when Al comes back.]

Yeah, but...

[...he's used to it? He hesitates. It's not exactly right, but he can't come up with a better excuse either to explain that or to keep Al at home, out of trouble.

He sighs.] Just pass it here. Someone's gotta pay attention to these things. [He makes an expansive gesture towards the floor.] They'll start climbing up the walls.

[alphonse]

[Al's not convinced, but he's not concerned enough yet to make Ed take him along either. After a brief stare down, he relents and hands the list over.]

Watch yourself. And you know to call me if you need help with anything.

[imperfect]

[Ed skims the list, resists the urge to sigh - yep, looks like more than one trip after all - and tucks it away.]

Yeah, yeah, I know. I won't be long. [He takes a couple of steps before looking down at his foot.] C'mon, move.

[He leaves pretty quickly once all of the kittens are out of the way.]