Sebastian tensed at the question. Engel sent a worried glance in his direction, if armor could somehow look worried. He felt just as startled as his friend did, but the combination of being trapped in an inexpressive suit of armor and years of experience made it quite easy to hide how he was currently feeling. The boy was familiar. He had seen him around the military headquarters before, and Sebastian had mentioned him after he became a certified alchemist - they had become alchemists at roughly the same time. If he remembered correctly, his name was Edward Elric. He had been walking around with someone in a suit of armor the last few times he had seen him - his brother, Alphonse, right? People walking around in suits of armor were rare, especially in the military headquarters. It would make sense for Edward to mistake Engel for his brother.
But being this close to him brought attention to something that had been easy to miss from a distance and he was shocked that he had never noticed it before. His features were striking Xerxian, with the golden eyes and golden hair that had been so characteristic of its people back when Xerxes was still around. What was even more surprising was his uncanny resemblance to a certain Xerxes man he had known quite well. Which was just as impossible as him carrying the blood of Xerxes, as that man should have died hundreds of years ago with the rest of his kingdom.
“Hi,” Engel finally said, still flustered but not wanting to draw attention to his hesitation. “I’m doing good.”
Sebastian awkwardly slipped off inside the room he had been about to enter with a half-wave and a smile in his friend’s direction. Though Engel desperately wished he wasn’t leaving him alone, he understood the logic behind it. He had a meeting, and the question had been directed towards Engel.
'I’m good, thanks.’ Edward replied, suddenly aware of how awkward the situation was. What am I doing? This is so stupid. ‘Sorry, I, uh — mistook you for my brother, for a second. You might’a seen him around, he’s in a suit of armour too.’
Standing up close to the suit of armour was even worse. The tinny sound of the voice was so similar to Al’s — surely someone else wasn’t as stupid as he had been? But, then again, if they had been, it would be good to have an ally. Someone to help them in their search. Edward looked over to where the alchemist had been, but he was gone. Edward was both disappointed and relieved; at least he didn’t have to pretend that he knew his name.
Edward suddenly realised he’d been left alone in the corridor with the suit of armour. Maybe he could try finding out some information?
‘I’m, uh, good.’ Edward replied. ‘Just — wandering, I guess. Al — my brother — wanted some time alone, so I’m here. Are you, uh, part of the military too? Also — sorry, but, I don’t know your name.’
