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Liliana lay where she had been when Edward left the room, sad green eyes watching the door. Hoping, but not expecting, to see him come back through. Maybe with Alphonse in tow. She was daydreaming, of course. Her suppositions that Al was gone were too strong. Her petite form shuddered with the force of a great sigh. Had there been more she could have done? Knowing what to do when emotions were involved... well that had never been something she was very good at knowing. Her own emotions had been through the roof yesterday -Ed growing on top of his brother having just arrived, then the whole mess with the automail... & everything that led to...

There hadn't been enough time... not enough time by far. Neither Edward or I had a chance to fill Alphonse in on how we met... how we became best friends... how... Even in her thoughts it was hard to think about the 'love triangle' without choking up inside. There were so many times Liliana wanted to go check in on Endless... but something told her that might not be the best thing for him. Would it just hurt him more?

She shook her head, a few tears pulling loose from moist eyes in the process. Sometimes, Liliana wondered if she was doomed to hurt those she cared about... just by existing. For she did care about Al. Even though she had only just met him. How could she not? He was her mate's dear & beloved brother... Let Edward find him... please let Edward find him...

*Why not go with Edward to find him?* The rabbit's telepathic question reached her, his 'voice' tired and lacking his usual strength. A gold tipped ear flicked. It was not uncommon for the 'paths to speak so with those in the family & therefore not nearly as much of a surprise as Peter's tiredness. So yesterday had been very hard on the telepaths too. Not really surprising. *I've already been too much in the way. If Alphonse will not believe me that I've no intention of getting between them... maybe Edward can explain things better.* Her green eyes closed, willing the tears not to come. Her eyes burned so.

*Then follow... obliquely* Peter's faint voice chuckled softly. The suggestion was followed by an image of the control panel that tracked their communicator/locaters. Mentally, the witch smacked herself on the forehead. *Of course!!.... Thank you, Peter* A soft laugh. *Anytime. I'd've kept touch with both of them but...* *no... you've done plenty. Thanks* Neither had to say how helpful it would have been had the macro-talent been able to keep a fix on Alphonse. It was pointless.

Stretching Liliana hopped from the lonely bed and padded from the room, stopping for nature but not for food before entering the room where the great machine lay. Machines were not her specialty, but everyone who could learned the basics of this machine. Seifer Talaye was there, scowling. He hardly looked up at the crimson furred kitsu, though his wings bristled at having company. Liliana hung back. This Seifer had no Rune or other love to temper his attitude, and like the others was missing his friends, his 'posse', from his 'Before'. With a grunt he pushed a plate and a bowl her way. Liliana could see the thick red slice of tomato, smell the hint of Liverwurst. Her empty stomach rumbled. When had been the last she had eaten? Yesterday breakfast? How was Edward faring? Had he eaten? Had Alphonse? "Eat up." The SeeD snarled in the closest he got to kindness. Then Liliana noticed the bowl was filled with cranberry juice and allowed herself to smile faintly. So he did care.

Nodding Liliana lapped at the juice, green eyes on the screen looking for Edward's beacon. He was... at Realm HeadQuarters? Taking a bite Liliana chewed slowly. Thank goodness for the tomato, her mouth was extremely dry. "Well?" The winged kitsu blinked at the gruff single-word question. Seifer rolled his hard blue eyes. "You gonna tell him you'll come when he calls needing you or will I?"

Green eyes widened. Seifer would do it to. Edward certainly knew all he had to do was call for her, she'd always come. But a reminder... it couldn't hurt, could it? And better it came from her than Seifer.

"I... I'll do it." She whispered, setting her food aside. The SeeD nodded and snorted, setting up the proper connections before passing the headset to her.

Breathing in shakily she donned it & spoke. "Edward? If you need me... If I can help... don't forget to call me, okay?" Her voice quivered over the connection with her uncertainty of what to do, her love for him, her well wishes in finding Alphonse, her grief at the situation. Hemi stepped into the room, nudging his sister comfortingly & setting Edward's coat & shirt beside her. Liliana nearly sobbed breathing in her mate's scent from the garments. "I'll be right here... waiting."

Her eyes closed softly, a slight sigh escaping her to hear Edward's voice. So Liliana did not see the tala roll his eyes and shake his head at her reaction. "I have the twins' tracking powder. Alphonse's trail is a dusty golden brown..." She winced. Having chased after his brother was not something she had a chance to tell Ed about yet. It was not that she was keeping it from him... there simply had not been the time. "I'll bring some to you. And the rest of your clothes. Anything else?" Liliana waited. She would go to him... but not stay with Edward for this pursuit. Long enough maybe to explain how the powder worked. Other explanations she could tell him over the communicator if Ed wanted them now. Again... there was really no time to lose on explanations, was there?

Lily gave a nod to Seifer as she took of the headset & set it aside. "I'll be right back." Pulling out her wand she disapparated, not waiting for the SeeD to respond.

She apparated a foot or two from where Edward was, able to pinpoint very closely since he was still near the HeadQuarters in areas she knew fairly well. Once he got further... it would be more difficult to apparate as efficiently. Trotting few paces between them Liliana noticed how Ed wore his brother's coat. Easier than carrying it. Speaking of... she shrugged off the fullmetal's coat as she moved. If he wanted it this would be easier. Though he might get too hot with two coats...

A quick nuzzle, eyes closed, then Liliana was all business. She pulled out a drawstring bag from her shoulder bag. "It's magical in properties but anyone can use it. Like potions."

With a gold tipped paw she opened the bag. Inside it really did look like dust. No sparkle or anything. "Just sprinkle some out. Paths will form along the ground shimmering in different colors. The newest will be the strongest. Hopefully Alphonse hasn't been gone long..."

She gave a faint, strangled sob while anding over Ed's clothes. "I'm sorry! I'm sure if I had handled it differently he never would have run off!"

"It's so much at once for him..." Her voice was still soft, a bit calmer from Edward's actions and words. Really... she had the oddest ways of reacting to crisis situations. "We didn't have the time to explain everything, and well, the cottage can be pretty chaotic without anything else."

Leaning forward Liliana quickly kissed his cheek. "I'll go back now. By the call board. If you need me for anything. Or if you just need me to fill you in on what happened yesterday..." a soft whimper. There had been no time for that either, she thought again. "I can tell you as you run. If the path's clear enough."

She stepped back, ready to disapparate.

"I love you too." Holding onto the feel of his paw on her cheek Liliana disapparated.

"Finish eating." The tala barked as greeting, dropping the headset on her forcefully. Green eyes blinked up at him, then blinked again at the smirking grin. "Good job. He'll be fine. Tough kid." His smirk switched to daring, but Lily did not feel like arguing that Edward was not a 'kid' anymore. She knew Seifer was pushing buttons again. So dutifully she sat down, adjusting her headset & finishing her meal. A frown and she stopped. I should have brought Edward food... She felt the SeeD's scowl, the 'you better keep eating' look in his cold blue eyes. Then there was the scoff. "He'll be fine. You think wherever he was 'before' with that brother of his they didn't sometimes go without food? 'Sides, Ginny's prepped to fix up a huge batch of the beef stew that pipsqueak devours for when he gets back. Now. You. Eat."

Eyes wide, she did.