"Less structured?" Garnet asked, making more notes.

"Yeah," Ruby agreed. "That's one way to put it." She shook her head. "It is certainly different."

"Well, we'll keep notes on it," Garnet said. "Keep track of the differences and how they affect the work."

Ruby nodded. "What shall I try next?" She looked over at Garnet for input.

"Try something more complex than a pot," Garnet said. She looked around the small apartment. "Some sort of toy or trinket or something."

"Right." It took a bit of hunting, but Ruby found a toy train. "This'll do." She promptly dropped it into the middle of a circle. That would be harder to put back together accurately than a simple pot.

Garnet nodded and watched. Transmutations were always fascinating for her, and she enjoyed watching Ruby work.

Ruby grinned and focused for a moment before activating that circle. The pieces of the train knit back together, but it was a little sloppy. Ruby just grinned.

"Oh good, this will take a little more work."

"That was still good though," Garnet said, grinning. "I think you just need a lighter touch."

"Probably. That and practice." Ruby grinned. "But not bad so far."

"Not bad at all," Garnet agreed. "We'll need to get you more to practice with." She grinned a bit. "But now I think we should go back to the archive and see what else there is to find."

"Alright," Ruby agreed, standing and stretching. "Let's head back." She grabbed her notebooks so she was prepared to head back.

Garnet nodded, grabbing her notebook as well.

Elsewhere, Alphonse Elric was just arriving in Xing. He'd been given special dispensation for a research trip, and he was there to learn everything he could about alkahestry.

Ling-Greed was there to greet him, grinning.

"Hello!" he greeted, raising a hand. "Safe trip?"

"Yeah," Al said, grinning and waving back. "The trip was fine. I haven't seen you in a while, how have you been?"

"Oh, you know, busy," Ling said with a shrug. "Getting things in order here. How about you? How have you been?"

"Not bad," Al said, walking with him. "I went for the State Alchemist certification again." Grinning, he pulled out his gleaming silver pocketwatch.

"Ah," Ling said, grinning. "Is that what brings you here, then?" He remembered that Al had been interested in alkahestry, after all.

"Yup!" Al replied. "They gave me time to do research, and all State Alchemists have a research grant to use, so I figured I'd come out here to see what I can learn." He paused. "That's alright, isn't it?"

"Of course," Ling said with another grin. "Should be fun. I can show you around if you'd like."

"Sure, thanks," Al said, grinning as well. "Lead the way, then."

Ling nodded and started walking.

"Library first?" he guessed with a knowing grin.

Al couldn't help but laugh a bit.

"Of course," he said.

Ling nodded and headed to the main library, leading him inside.

"We'll get you a pass later so you can come and go as you please," he said, looking back at Al.

"Great, thanks," Al said. He grinned. "I just know I'm going to learn a lot here."