with the river's flow (open)

[unerasable]

Characters: Alphonse and whoever!
Content: This place just took in an alchemist, and it's a lot to take in.
Location: The fountain in Traverse Town, Fourth District
Time: Morning-ish
Warnings: None for now!

[At some point early in the day, there's a sudden crackling burst of blue light - and then, without further fanfare, a large key nestled in a hollow in the cobblestones that wasn't there a minute ago.

It's perfectly formed; the only giveaway that he didn't just find this thing is a couple of very, very tiny rectangular cracks along the side, and that's if you know what you're looking for. Still, that doesn't stop the nearby kid in the red duster from looking a shade disappointed as he picks it up. Sure, it's about the right size to fit the keyhole he remembers, but what's he going to do with it, stick it under his head the next time he takes a nap and hope that if he happens to dream the same thing again he'll be lucid enough to carry it in with him? Geez. He'd been hoping he was done with dreams like these.

Then again, the way that bat-winged cat thing had put it, maybe it won't be too much longer. He has to get his bearings first, though, and he won't make much progress there if he just sits by the water for the rest of the day. He can practically hear that in his brother's voice already, even awake.]

...I think we've both got a lot to get used to.

[The Meow Wow beside him tilts its head sympathetically.

Then, without warning, it springs up and snatches the key out of his gloved hand.]

H-Hey! [Al scrambles to his feet so quickly he almost trips on his own coat.] Look out - don't -

[He's too late. The Meow Wow collides head-on with whoever was in its path and bounces helplessly away, losing its grip on the key, which clatters some distance across the cobblestones.

Al hurries over to help it right itself before looking up.] Are you okay? I'm really sorry!

Comments

[letteropener]

Not to worry. Hero is a very tough Thunderaffe. Which is fortunate, considering he is named after what he believes his duty to be.

[She pats the Thunderaffe fondly with a wing as it stands proudly beside her, then turns her attention fully to the human.]

I take it you are new to the dream worlds?

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[Worlds in the plural, he notes again, and for a moment starts to wonder if all of his other dreams leading up to today had any bearing on how he ended up here, but doesn't comment on it besides a sheepish smile. From the sounds of it, he'll have plenty of time to think his situation over later.]

I guess so. Honestly, it's pretty hard to believe.

[He looks down at the Meow Wow, which at least doesn't seem like it's about to snap the key out of his hand a second time but nevertheless is still eyeing it hopefully, then back up again.]

Sorry if this is rude, but - you're not the same as these animals, are you?

[letteropener]

I am not. These are Dream Eaters, Spirits, native to the dreaming world. I am a pony from Equestria, an unwilling visitor to these worlds in the same way you are.

[She takes no offense to the question. After all, she'd had a great deal of her own adjusting to do when she'd arrived, given the sudden existence of humans.]

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Unwilling... I see.

Um, in any case, I'm Alphonse Elric. [He bows quickly, because it's what he'd do on meeting anyone else and she seems friendly enough.] You probably don't recognise the name, but it's nice to meet you. [Worth a shot.

This does mean that for the briefest of instants the key he's holding is back in the Meow Wow's reach, but this time it misses and contrives to look disappointed.]

When you say "these worlds"... you wouldn't know anything more about where this is exactly, would you?

[letteropener]

This, or rather these, are the world of dreams -- sleeping counterparts of waking worlds, or so I am told. I have never been to any of these lands while awake, but others here have, and I believe them.

I can also assure you that, according to all evidence we have, time does not pass in the waking world while we are here. [She knows that is a worry many have, quite justifiably.]

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[Actually, he looks a shade more surprised on hearing the last part, although worried would be a stretch. He glances down at the key.] Evidence?

[letteropener]

My sister is here as well, but her entrance to this dream world came at a different time than mine. However, she never went missing at any time between her entrance here and mine. We conclude based on this that she must leave the dream world at essentially the same time as she entered it.

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But if there's more than one, they might not all work the same... [He's half talking to himself.

Down at his feet, the Meow Wow loses interest in its toy for now and toddles over to the Thunderaffe, radiating innocence.]

[letteropener]

[Said Thunderaffe looks down on the Meow Wow with as benignly protective a attitude as befits any protector of humanity.]

While that is possible, it seems less likely than the alternative.