♠ SECOND || ➥ VIDEO

[nestingdevil]

[There's a flicker and the video starts. Greed's behind the counter of the 'Nest and the camera is set on what appears to be a pool table. It's midday, so the joint is empty.]

[He's all smiles, hands placed atop of his bar.] It's that day, folks. Maybe some of you know, maybe some of you don't. But I promised to deliver and I don't count myself a

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[sunnyworks]

(video)

[Vanille should have turned off her phone. She heard the warning, saw the gun. Should have said 'nope' and shut everything off. But she didn't, because she couldn't, because this was a person, someone'd spoken with a few times now, about to blow his head off! Friends don't let friends shoot themselves, okay? But there's nothing Van can do to stop him, and she just watches in horror as it happens, feeling like she might be sick. Even when his body starts to shake, bits and pieces reforming until he looks good as new, she doesn't know whether to be horrified or relieved. Relieved, mostly, that he's not dead. But don't think for a second you can pull a stunt like that and not hear some strong words from Vanille.

When she can finally form a coherent sentence without spluttering, she looks absolutely livid.] What do you think you're doing!

[nestingdevil]

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Ah? What? [Really, this should be expected by now. Maybe two people were impressed, but the rest seemed honest-to-God worried. Terrified.] Didn't you hear you me?

[But he's got to sigh - Vanille is a pretty gal, after all. And he's not such a monster that he's willing to scar her.] I'm fine. It's only one death.

[sunnyworks]

I heard you, but that's no excuse! It's not nice to make people worry about you like that! A-and you didn't say you were going to, to come back. [She frowns, still can't shake the worry from her system even though Greed's clearly alive and talking to her.] Not human doesn't always mean immortal, or whatever you are.

[nestingdevil]

No. Not immortal. Build sturdy, but I can still die. [Oh for the love of - all this worrying is really cramping up his style!]

I figured that was implied. Suicide's a drag.

[sunnyworks]

[Oh yeah, because telling her that he can still die is really reassuring.] 'A drag' is kind of an understatement! I'd hope you had more sense than that.

[nestingdevil]

When I just got back? You think I'd off myself? [Pfft. That earns a laugh, a hardy one. Greed bents with it, throws his shoulders back, and puffs out his chest.] The name's Greed - you know, the one who wants it all? Permanent death just isn't on the check list, sweet heart.

[sunnyworks]

Maybe you would, I wouldn't know. [She's still frowning, but it's more of a 'disappointed mom' expression than anything actually angry now.] And good. I hope you keep it that way. And no more freaking people out over the network, okay?

[nestingdevil]

I'll try, but I can't promise a thing to you. Some of this is just out of my control. But I'll make a mental note that the display isn't appreciated.

[sunnyworks]

[That's probably the best she can expect from Greed, so she'll take it. She takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly.] Right. So. That's a homunculus, then? Someone who can...put themselves back together like that?

[nestingdevil]

There's more to it than that. [He palms his chin, slides his fingers up the side of his face.] A homunculus - we were created using alchemy. There's nothing really real about us. Well, I mean. We're standing, living breathing. Not illusions, but - [Really, it's hard to explain when most of the people here don't know what alchemy even is.] - let me break it down simple. You were born, right? Had a Mom, Dad? I wasn't. I was put together about two-hundred years ago. Never was a kid, always had this form.

[Ok, so. Maybe that doesn't work.] Basics are that we're all one creature's sin that he tried to cast off, made solid and true.

[sunnyworks]

[She nods, trying to work his explanation into something recognizable.] So you were made by magic. That is what alchemy is, right?

[nestingdevil]

Magic? Eh. I suppose some people would call it that. Others call it science. [Shoulders back, he stretches himself out. Gets comfortable.] I just call it what it is - alchemy. Equivalent exchange between two objects preforming the task.

[sunnyworks]

I know a lot more about magic than I do science, so. It's easier for me to understand that way. [She shrugs, a small smile on her face.] But your alchemy sounds interesting.

[nestingdevil]

Well, if you want to learn - [Might be dangerous territory, but he'll give it a shot.] - there's someone working at the 'Nest who's the real deal. State Alchemist, military. I'll ask if he'll give you lessons.

[sunnyworks]

Really? I mean, can anyone learn alchemy? I'd love to talk to him though, if he doesn't mind.

[nestingdevil]

It takes a while, but you could learn. At least, you could learn about how it works. Not sure if this place would allow it, but how about I do you a favor. In return, you can come by the 'Nest sometime.