8th Picture [Action]

[bestpapaever]

[Hughes was the smart one. He was supposed to be the cool-headed, composed guy. Hell, ever since coming to Mayfield he's done his damnedest to make everyone stay alert, stay out of trouble, try and be calm about everything going on... Even when this place went to Soviet hell, he was dishing out his usual advice as best he could.

But--upon working in

Comments

[kimitoaruiteku]

[Oh yes, Al has the best job ever.

You might find him throwing up in a corner if you're nearby where he's supposed to work.]

[best_papa_evar]

[Lucky you, Hughes is changing shift to another machine and notices Alphonse. He'll just walk over and put his arm around your shoulder, wincing at your sickness as he waits for it to pass.]

[kimitoaruiteku]

[Shaking and coughs a little.] I... I'm alright...

[best_papa_evar]

No--none of it's okay. This isn't right.

[He clasps the boy's shoulders delicately, the disappointment all over his face. It's hard to mask it, at this point.]

You shouldn't be here...

[kimitoaruiteku]

How can they just... just let that happen to people...

[best_papa_evar]

...I don't know...

[He scopes the factory, from one end to the other. It was horrid to look at.]

But if they think this is going to make us any happier to have Mayfield, they're insane. To be able to toy with us like this...

[kimitoaruiteku]

[He looks down at his trembling hands.] My alchemy... it got taken away again... There's nothing... I can do anymore... I can't fight like this... I have to... I won't... let them take my mind too... Not again...

[best_papa_evar]

[He shakes his head.]

You won't be taken anywhere, Alphonse. Do you hear me? You've fought this far--you have to keep going. You're still here. You're still with us. So keep fighting. All right?

[kimitoaruiteku]

[Nods.] Right... Got to... got to get up... Keep moving forward... Can't give up...

[He's cracking.]

[1/2]

[best_papa_evar]

[best_papa_evar]

[He grits his teeth, trying not to freak out at Alphonse's change.]

S-stay here! Don't move!

[And he walks toward the nearest machine, intent on doing some of Al's job, looking for some fingers to force out while his jaw is so tight he's worried it'll snap out of place.]

[kimitoaruiteku]

[He's just going to sit there and collect himself for a few minutes, wiping his mouth, then looks around after that to see where Hughes has gone to when he sees him... What was he...

His eyes widened and he gets to his feet, wobbling a little because he's still not back at full strength.]

L-Lieutenant Colonel Hughes...

[best_papa_evar]

[He shakes his head.]

I said not to move, Al--you're too tired to be moving right now!

[While he speaks, he doesn't let up, every once in a while finding something carved and mauled in a machine and digging it out with his hand.]

[kimitoaruiteku]

You... you shouldn't... They told me to... I can't let you... You could get hurt...!

[best_papa_evar]

Tell 'em I threatened you or tied you up or something. You won't get into any trouble--[He huffs while he's forcing an entire arm into a shut-off machine to reach... well, someone else's arm. Why would they issue such a horrible job to someone Alphonse's age?!]--so just wait. This row's almost done.

[kimitoaruiteku]

M-Mister Hughes... [He's trying not to cry. Having to go through Hughes' death back home, seeing him here again, seeing him do something like this in a place like this... It's just like him.]