Angela Ledore

…Oh, Ran, I…I’m sorry.

[She kneels down so she’s at his level]

Are you feeling better, now? There aren’t any after effects of the stream, are there?

[She stops, trying to bring the shaking in her voice to a minimum]

I know it’s not the same. But I still couldn’t stop him. I couldn’t stop anyone.

I just…I’m sorry.

….

[She takes a shuddering breath and wraps her arms around herself]

When…when they took him, they said they would hurt us if he didn‘t comply with their demands.

…

He just…he said that he would go willingly if we weren’t hurt. And I tried to stop him, all of them, but I…

(It was me, wasn’t it? If I had convinced him, he would still—)

[She gently returns the hug, trying not to disturb his new body. She’s obviously very worn out]

It’s…it’s so good to know you’re safe, Ran. I was worried about you.

[The walk back to Monte d’Or with @2rich4montedor.bsky.social is a somber one. She stays silent, but her mind begins to race as they get closer and closer]

[A thought occurs, and she tries to hide her guilt and discomfort. Her eyes dart over to Dalston]

Ran!

Y—

[She gets a good look at him from head to toe]

…Ah. I…shouldn’t be surprised.

[With a pause, she looks back to Dalston]

Alphonse, I…assume you’re ready, then?

…..

…Of…of course.

…Thank you.

[After a while, she lowers her arms]

I’ll try to be back soon, but it might take a while.

[She lingers for a bit, then goes to stand by Dalston]

…Goodbye for now, Simon.

[That‘s all he needed to ask. She embraces him gently, as to not get in the way of his cane]

[But her mind is racing. Every time she’s lost someone, she hasn’t been there. This could be the last time. They could find him too, and then he would be cold and dead and staring with—]

Please. Stay safe.

Alright.

…Thank you.

[She tries to keep her voice from cracking]

I’ll stay safe. As safe as I possibly can be. Please do the same.

…

…I found Alphonse, and I’ve updated him on…

[A glance back towards the house. It’s clear what she’s thinking]

He…he wants to go back to Monte d’Or. And I know how I can’t stop him, so I’m going to accompany him.

…

[She quiets as well, one arm grasping the other awkwardly]

I…I thought so.

…

[She slowly makes her way outside and looks around for @fabricatedfatality.bsky.social ]

…Simon?

could say. If…you agree to it.

[She looks towards the door]

If we’re leaving now, I ought to tell Simon.

…

[She closes her eyes, satisfied]

Yes, it’s…always better to have another, isn’t it.

…

Ah. We…perhaps, after everything is settled, we could…

Have a proper funeral. We were thinking of burying him next to Randall’s memorial.

[Her eyes shine once again]

I…had an idea for what his grave

I know, god, I know, but…

Simon told me that Targent has occupied the manor. I don’t…I don’t know what we can even do, and…If they see you, if they take you or…kill you…

Please. We can’t lose anyone else.

If you can’t be swayed, then I’m coming as well.

[The ring was part of the act. To help with the believability of it all. She remembered when—]

[The sound of movement jolts her out of her mind momentarily]

…Alphonse? You…

[She was barely listenin. But his last sentence makes her pause]

Alphonse, no, don’t tell me you’re…

[She hates how his face looks more peaceful than she can ever remember it being]

I’ll…let you two have some space.

[She leaves the room, her footsteps heavy. Sitting down, she looks down at her hands. At her finger, and the old ring on it]

[She had never bothered to take it off.]

[The smell of must in the air is strong, but there’s another underlying scent. She stops at a room with a decorative sofa. There is a blanket placed overtop of…something. Someone.]

[Her hand falls to her side, limp]

[She nods, swallowing again]

…Alright.

[She takes his hand, looking at him to figure out if she’s going too far, and gently leads him to her old house.]

[Her heart aches at his silence, and she takes a wavering breath. Every time she wants to wake up, to rewind time, anything to make it untrue. And she always feels helpless. Except for when—]

…He…he would know w-what to do, I think.

…

…I don’t.

…..

Do you….do you want to see him…?

is unable to continue]

[She pauses, then begins to cry into his shoulder. One hand grasps his shirt tight, while the other rubs his back, albeit slowly. She thought that she had cried out all the tears, but of course, there were always more.]

I-I…

[She sobs]

H-he’s…h-he’s at my-my old…

[Her voice cracks, and she

[A nod as she inhales]

I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.

[She has to say it. But her mouth is dry.]

…

…I found h-his…his body. He’s…

[She covers her mouth and tries to stop anymore sobs.]

[She chokes back a sob and looks away]

…He…he got…taken by Targent. At the manor. I…

…And I-I found his….

[The tears are falling down her face again. She brings her voice to a whisper]

I’m so sorry, I’m sorry, he…

I…

[She swallows]

I f-found…

[She stops.]

It’s H-Henry.

[Her hands shake as she puts one on his shoulder. She struggles to do anything else at first, save for staring at the ground. It’s so hard to look him in the eye. To see his expression. But she forces herself to do so anyway]

[It’s good he’s sitting]

[It‘s easier to receive the news that way]

[She opens her mouth, but quickly closes and covers it as a new wave of tears prick at her eyes.]

…Alphonse, I…

[It’s always been hard on the receiving end. But this seems so much more daunting. Hershel was braver than she would ever be]

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so…God, I…

[There is the sound of leaves crinkling underfoot as Angela walks by, head moving as she scans the area. She notices the man on the ground, gasps, and rushes over to him]

ALPHONSE?! Is that you?

[As she makes her way over, it‘s easier to see her face and the red around her eyes]