star_kingdom | [Video] 001 * Intro & Traverse Town

[There's a bit of static. The device is recording, but its user has no idea how to use it and for a moment, all you can see is the white blur of a young teenager's hand. The sound of heavy breathing and a heavy footfall on cobblestones can be heard. Between the cracks in the hand, small flashes of red.

The image is suddenly free, looking at the sky of Traverse Town, and with a clatter, a glimpse of a golden braid and then a skidding sound as more of the child comes into view. Edward Elric has tripped and fallen, white gloved hand outstretched, the other hand beneath him.]

Son of a bitch.

[He rolls flat on his back and pushes himself up onto his elbows, eyeing the innocent stuffed animal with a red puff ball that has been chasing after him. Nothing that innocent looking is good in his experience. His chest heaves with the heavy breathing and he reaches for the device again, grumbling.]

Turn it off, turn it off.

[His face comes into view, strikingly golden eyes are focused on the device as though the moogle were remote controlled...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What's a gummi ship? [Ed asked, a little less freaked, but he still doesn't look happy.]

It's a means of transportation here. It's a ship, like it sounds, but it travels through the air. [And is powered by... happy... thoughts.... alright, leaving that part out; it's really not very... scientific.]

...A boat. That travels through the air? Not possible.

It's unusual, that sort of shape, but I suppose the principles of lift could be similar to an airplane's still... [She trails off, already getting sidetracked by theory.]

[Ed has given up on running around and he takes a seat on a bench, looking at the little screen which he thankfully hasn't broken.]

What's an airplane?

It's a little hard to explain. It's an aircraft; a vehicle that flies through the sky much as a vehicle on land moves. Of course, the physics and mechanics are quite different.

I've never seen such a thing.

[She's already gathered he's from a slightly lower-technology era, which makes her smile now.]

It's an amazing thought, isn't it, then? That something like that could become real?

Well...I don't know. I never thought about it.

It opens up new opportunities to travel quickly. It makes the world a more connected place to grow even more.

I'm used to traveling by train...It's pretty fast.

A commercial airplane typically goes at a speed of more than 700 km/h. Even the shinkansen high-speed train rarely approaches 300.

I don't know how fast the train goes. I just know how long it takes to get from place to place. Geography was never my interest.

You could cross the country in a few hours.

Would my brother fit on an airplane? He...wears a full suit of armor.

I suppose it would depend on the type. He might have to wear normal clothes instead.

He...can't. It's a thing. Anyway...thanks I guess. I'll stick to trains.

[Ed sighs and slouches further, fiddling with the end of his braid idly. What he wanted was a book and Al.]

I see. [She could provide the books, if she knew he'd want them.]

But you know, some day you might be able to fly still.

Maybe. For now I am stuck here. Well except I'm supposed to find and inn and an island. [He shrugs. He can't really be bothered.] But maybe I should wait here. See if Al comes.

Do you mean the hotel? I can direct you there.

No this bench here. Because if I was saved, Al must have been! [He looks almost hopeful.]

I mean, were you trying to find the hotel. You said you were meant to find an inn.

I'm supposed to but if I go there, how will Al find me?

[And Ed, despite all of his grandstanding, looks like a child in that moment.]

[Ami does not seem troubled by this difficulty. She nods to indicate the screen, or something beyond it.]

We're speaking right now, aren't we? He'll have a communicator, too, when he arrives. You can know he's here right away.