Array 154 // Video

[bloodseal_soul]

[The feed clicks on with Alphonse inside a dark room, with the camera (and lit screen) shining toward a door with an old lock.]

Ed? Brother!

[Al tries the lock again. It won't budge.]

Oh for- now? Really?

Yes! Really, really! [Ed's voice comes from the other side of the door.]

You could have at least left the light on.

What? And make it easy

Comments

[Video]

[verydistinct]

[Well, actual lock picking isn't his speciality, but he knows at least one other method past simply breaking the door open.]

If you can find a knife or flat head screw drive, and you can get it between the door and frame next to the handle. Use that to push the metal bar over. That or if you do find a flat head and it's small enough, jam it into the lock and turn it.

[Video]

[bloodseal_soul]

That's an option too, but probably against the rules for now.

[Al taps his chin and gives a soft sigh.]

But I don't think I've seen you before. Nice to meet you.

[Video]

[verydistinct]

It didn't sound like it. It just sounded like something about transmuting. First rule is to get around a sibling's rule.

[Nods in greeting.]

Haven't been here long. I think I spoke to your brother once before, though. Name's Kenneth Crane.

[Video]

[bloodseal_soul]

If I knew what lockpicks were supposed to look like, I could transmute those. But we're supposed to learn how to pick locks. Knowing him if I try to do it another way it'll be worse in the end.

[Al beams back at him.]

It's nice to meet you, Mr. Kenneth. I'm Alphonse Elric.

[Video - filtered away from Ed]

[feel_nevermore]

Ed said you're not allowed to transmute the lock but he said nothing about the door. [Hence the filter because she doesn't want his to change the rules.] Transmute the door.

[Video - filtered away from Ed]

[bloodseal_soul]

I could do that, but then he'd probably lock me in a closet with arrays on the door. I'd better just learn to pick this lock...

[Video - filtered away from Ed]

[feel_nevermore]

Why is it so important anyway?

[Video - filtered away from Ed]

[bloodseal_soul]

Teacher always taught us to get along without alchemy, and to use it only when we were out of options.

But we are still human, and it's possible for us to get trapped somewhere we can't get out of without our powers, so it's important to learn all sorts of things. Like how to open locks.

[Private//Unhackable]

If I were tied up or could only use one hand, I couldn't use alchemy. Not unless I had a way to draw an array. And one of Ed's arms even comes off- he's been kidnapped and had his automail removed before. He got out.

[bestestfurrend]

Is he being a meanie again? [Nepeta is still upset that Ed didn't let her talk to his kitten last time, oh yes.] Breaking down the door is almost pawsitively the fastest way of getting out!

[saintedsinner]

That's not a part of the plan.

[bestestfurrend]

I wasn't talking to you!

[saintedsinner]

So? He asked if anyone knew how to pick a lock, not break down a door.

[bunny_flower]

Alphonse-san, what is your brother doing?

[bloodseal_soul]

Making sure I learn how to pick locks.

[Siigh.]

[bunny_flower]

How exactly are you supposed to learn if no one teaches you?

[bloodseal_soul]

By figuring it out, I guess.

[hyuugahime]

A-Alphonse-san?!

[bloodseal_soul]

I'm all right, Miss Hinata.

[hyuugahime]

What is going on?

[bloodseal_soul]

Lockpicking training.