"We torch the book and we're trapped wherever we are," Naomi said. "Even if we torch it at home, we're stuck there." And Hiei and Kurama would be elsewhere, and the girls would have no way to get to them. But she didn't add that aloud.

Osanna made a face as that occured to her, too. Damn. We'll just have to figure out how it works so we can do it too. She was sure she could figure something out after all...

"Yeah," Naomi replied. "I've been thinking about it. I just don't know where to start."

Well it has to be a spell or something. Maybe it's somewhere in the book? Osanna shrugged. It was worth a try, anyway.

"It's worth a shot," Naomi said. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out the Book again and opened it.

Osanna started investigating the contents, frowning. Okay, this looked more like something she should shove at Ed to decipher, and she signed that to Naomi.

"Not a bad idea," Naomi replied. "We tried giving it to Harry already, maybe the other end of the spectrum might work better."

Osanna nodded. He wouldn't be able to make heads or tails of it. She nodded at Duo. But maybe Ed can find something out.

"Maybe," Naomi agreed. "It's worth a try." She looked at her friend. "Do we want to try now, or wait a bit and see what happens here?"

Osanna shrugged. Dunno. Maybe we should take him with? She jerked her thumb at Duo. Bet he and Ed would get along really well, and it might be fun to watch.

"Could be interesting," Naomi mused. Closing the Book for a moment, she went over to Duo. "Hey, we're planning to head back to visit a friend of ours, want to come with us? I will warn you that it's approximately the early 1900s there and they pursued alchemy rather than engineering, but elsewise it's pretty much Earth."

Duo blinked. "Alchemy? What's that?"

Science. I'll give you a demonstration when we get there. Osanna grinned.

Duo was quiet for a few moments. "I can only leave for a couple days, but sure. Why not?"

"Time seems to move consistently no matter where we are, so we can have you back a soon as you want," Naomi replied. She grinned. "Everyone is human where we're going. Osa and I are the only ones not, and we're just visitors. So no worries there."

Duo nodded. "Well, that's a small relief. Although I don't know how they're still alive if they're stuck in the 1900's. I don't know how anyone lived through that."

"I said it's the equivalent to the early 1900s," Naomi replied. "Not exactly the same."

Duo shrugged. "Yeah, yeah. Well, let me go tell Hilde I'll be back in a day or two and then I'll be ready to go." He slipped out of the hangar easily.

Osanna grinned. She was definitely looking forward to this now.

Naomi opened the Book again while she waited for him.

"You going to behave this time?" she asked it. "Or do I need to break out some scissors and start snipping corners?"

As I have told you before, I always behave. I just don't behave well. The book paused. However, I will do as you ask. For the moment.

Duo came back in and blinked when he saw the book. "What's that?"

"This is our interdimensional transportation," Naomi replied. "The Book moves us between worlds, sometimes even on command."

"...I'm not even going to question anymore."

Probably better for your health that way. Osanna grinned at him.

"Smart man, you're learning already," Naomi teased. "Alright, gather round. Technically it only moves me, and anything close enough just gets pulled along for the ride."

Osanna pulled Duo over so he would be close enough before nodding to Naomi. She kept hold of Duo so that he didn't fall over when they arrived back in Central.

Duo blinked several times, his eyes widening. "The hell?" he muttered.

Once they were back in Central, Naomi closed the Book.

"And here we are," she said, looking around for the distinctive pair of blondes.

Ed was currently back at the sweet shop, needing something to placify him after his meeting with Mustang. Then he noticed the girls and blinked, paying and taking the bag before he jogged over to them.

"You're back. That was fast." Then he paused when he noticed Duo. "New guy?"

"Name's Duo." He looked Ed over critically before he grinned. "You're kinda short."

"Who're you calling so microscopic you need a magnifying glass to see?!"

"Easy, Ed," Al said, jogging to catch up to his brother. He nodded in greeting to the girls, and looked over at the newcomer. "My name is Alphonse, and my older brother is Edward."