"Alphonse," Al said, shaking her hand. "Yeah, your cousin said you were studying alkahestry too."

"Yeah. I'm not so bad with alchemy, and I decided I wanted to study something new." Ruby smiled a bit. "So here we are."

"I see," Al said. "That's kind of why I'm here, too. Alkahestry can be really useful, so I want to learn everything I can about it."

"Right. It's challenging, but it's interesting, and it certainly has its uses." Ruby smiled a bit. "But it's a different mindset from alchemy, which is kind of neat to examine too."

"I've noticed that too," Al said, nodding. "It's fascinating."

"It is," Ruby agreed with a brief grin. "It should provide sufficient challenge for a while."

"If you want, we can compare notes," Al offered. "Studying's always more fun with someone else."

"Sure," Ruby agreed. "I wouldn't mind that." She held up her notebook a little awkwardly.

Al grinned and gestured to another chair at the table, sliding over his notebook.

Ruby handed him her own notebook and took his, starting to look through his notes. Most of it was very similar to her own, but some of it was new.

Al took her notebook in exchange, reading through the notes carefully. They were very detailed, and mentioned some points he hadn't thought of.

"Good work," Ruby commented as she flipped to the last page. "Looks like we tend to think in similar terms for the most part."

"Looks like," Al said. "Your notes are great. I never would have thought of some of this on my own."

"Same with some of these observations," Ruby offered with a little grin. "Some of this is just brilliant."

"I kind of have an advantage," Al admitted, flushing just a little. "I have some Xingese friends, and a couple of them know alkahestry, so I've seen it used before."

Ruby grinned. "Ah, I see," she said. "Well, that's alright. I'll just have to find someone who can show me a few things is all."

"When are you heading back to Amestris?" Al asked, curious. "I'd love to keep in touch, once we leave Xing."

Ruby shrugged, glancing around to see if she could spot Garnet. "Dunno yet," she said idly. "We don't really have plans yet. We're just here studying, for as long as it takes."

"Alright," Al said. "Well, maybe we can study together, while we're here? I'm sure we'll get a lot more information that way."

Garnet was just one stack over, keeping watch more than anything. Something wasn't right about the guy from earlier, and she wanted to make sure Ruby was safe.

"Sure," Ruby agreed after a moment. "That sounds good. Should held both of us, too." She offered him a little smile.

Al smiled back.

"Great!" he said. He made a mental note to see if he could find Mei and get her opinion on their notes. He knew Mei was as much a genius with alkahestry as Ed was with alchemy, so it was worth a shot.

Ruby glanced at a clock and smiled apologetically.

"I think I need to get going, I'm usually in charge of dinner and I'm starting to get hungry."

Al grinned.

"Alright," he said. "I'll see you later, then. I'm sure I'll be back here tomorrow."

Ruby nodded to him and stood, gathering up her notes before she left. She met up with Garnet but didn't say anything until they were outside.

"So. Thoughts?"

"He seems nice enough," Garnet replied as she walked with Ruby. "Familiar, though, very familiar, and I'm certain I've never met him before."