bard_linn

Inspired by

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Exception

The sound of laughter outside of his window drew Edward out of the world of elements and their combinations. The blond looked up and out at the scene playing itself out. Rowan happily clambered up on a swing attached to a nearby tree. “Sarah! Watch this!” The boy quickly began to swing…while standing on the seat. Edward shook his head, memories of doing the exact same thing flashing through his mind.

“Rowan! Watch out, you’ll fall!”

“I’m fine!” Rowan laughed.

Edward tucked a sheet of paper into his book to mark his place, then placed it in his lap. For a moment he merely watched his son and his niece play beside the tree. Rowan left the swing to start chasing Sarah. The girl quickly sped around the tree, shrieking. Rowan followed quickly, picking up a nearby stick and brandishing it like a sword. “I’ve got you now!”

“No you don’t!”

It was times like this that Edward couldn’t help but think of the past. Their mother had sacrificed a great deal for them in order for Al and Ed to enjoy a happy childhood. As they had grown older and begun their study of alchemy, they became aware of how often their mother received nothing in return for her efforts. All of their attempts to make things equal had fallen short of their goal. And then she had died.

Al and Ed had used the principle of Equivalent Trade as a way of life after they left their home. They had believed that for all of their efforts they would receive something in return. Later, they learned otherwise. The world did not function by Equivalent Trade. It wasn’t until much later, however, that Ed really understood something his mother had told him long ago. Not until he had his own child. How a parent could give and give without demanding anything from their child.

“But Mom, that isn’t Equivalent trade!

“I know. But you see, love doesn’t work that way, Edward.”

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familiar_series