I really like the look into Miles’ head hole we get. In animated (or even manga) format we don’t really get to see what especially the side characters are thinking, especially-especially with the stoic-type folks like Miles and general Armstrong. To get to see what they’re thinking while the scene unfolds through their eyes is just *chef’s kiss*
The whole Animal thing and especially Ed’s little furryphone service is making the whole thing with the separation a lot easier. Like the canon does just plain skip most of that time, but now I’m just imagining what it must’ve been like.
I also find it slightly hilarious that Michella plain and simple just. Doesn’t like Ed. My man gets fatally impaled and Michella’s just like “read 4:43pm”

I’m lowkey sad that Ed and Al didn’t do the ‘oh no a scary chimera’- thing they did in the anime. It’s so ridiculous. I love how Miles just goes “Johnson, I need you to impersonate a 14-year old kid” and just how impossible that would be in any other context.
Now, I’m going to be completely honest here- when Ed ‘blew up’ the dynamite, I imagined a giant fart sound on that. (There’s a good four-second youtube video called “fart with reverb” that perfectly matches the sound effect I imagined, if you’re interested in subjecting yourself to a reverberating fart sound.)
I half expected Ayala to get impaled instead of Ed, but I think all things considered it was best it did not happen like that. Just imagine how utterly awful Ed would have felt about that with his watchamacallit, the thing where he blames himself. Glad to see he didn’t have to use his own life force! I always hope something happens to stop that. I hoped Darius or Heinkel would spot the Stone earlier but you know what? I really liked that thing you did there! And also the mention that Ed could feel his lung filling up with blood so that he would drown in it soon, way to make me super uncomfortable! (Like, I mean that in a good Yikes He Really Got Impaled Through His Flesh- kind of way. Really brings it all home)
And lastly, loved the bit of Nala pov there. Just... the uncertainty of getting nothing but the raw emotion of All That.

Raven just rubs me the wrong way. Nasty old man. Shan’t miss him. But you know what I really like? The Briggs soldiers. They seem tho flourish on nothing but rumors and respect. They’re just so on board with everything. General Armstrong commits murder? Hmm, that guy’s missing, let’s organize a search party. The Fullmetal Alchemist has been secretly holed up in their basement for a week? He just arrived this morning. Also, wasn't it said earlier that Kimblee’s Animal was called Chad? But now it’s Steven? Or do I remember wrong

Rip Sloth, can’t honestly say he’ll be missed. I half expected Miles to be at Datepul and sort of pick the boys up on his way. I love Armstrong... she’s like. Beans. Spill ‘em. Or perish by my blade. And I think that’s great

I like Colonel Moon- he’s very excited about dirt and I can both respect and relate to that. I like the idea that Ayala and Chester are not only betting on any- and everything all the time, but also keeping a perfect score of how many hundred bets each of them has won. Ngl during this entire chapter, leading up to a certain point you might be able to guess, I was just like *jaws theme* and the moment Raven showed up my brain did that thing that people watching sports do where they jump from their seats and go hog wild when their favorite team scores a goal. You really would think that by now Ed had learned to just trust Aya and Ches when they think something’s fishy. Like, just looking at their track record.
Huge fan of General Armstrong pov.

Lots of frustration in this one! Really liked Hughes giving Ed knife lessons even if we didn’t get a very detailed look into them. Excited to see the boys go back north.

Ah, consequences... sad to see team Mustang split up but such is the plot. During this chapter I also came to the conclusion that I don’t know what size Rachel is. I forgot what species of ray she is and generally imagine her to be roughly the size of a dinnerplate, and as she and Falman were described as standing at the Hughes’ I visualized Falman wearing her as a hat for some reason. Then I was like, wait, how big is she? Would she be a hat or more of a wimple?
Also back to your actual story, Ed sharing the image of Father with the Animals but conveniently forgetting to tell Hoho also looks exactly like that is pure gold. Like he’s very against killing but if it’s his dad then he’s all for one of his friends straight up committing murder.

If anything, Mustang’s certainly got gall.
I found Lust and Gluttony’s reunion oddly heartwarming. I also liked how things that were done by Envy in canon here now done by Lust, which yeah, obvious move, but I still liked it. And I feel really bad for Laika :( but glad he’s okay :)
Dr Knox’ reactions to people knocking on his door are gold.

I love how Ed basically accidentally sends a message to the group chat saying he’s gonna fight a mass murderer today. Also this chapter made me realize that we the audience have seen May Chang before but to the gang? There’s just. Suddenly this small pink girl who kicks ass. Hanging out with the mass murderer.
I did wonder what would happen with Gluttony now that he won’t flip his shit at Mustang for killing Lust. But that was... surprisingly in-character for him. I like it. Sad to hear about Greed :’( but that means we get Greedling...?

Oh no... Scar’s in Central... whatever will happen :) I’m curious how all this will turn out, with the everything.

I can’t believe Hoho would just try to leave like that without saying goodbye- wait, yes I can. Bit of a wet sock, that man imo. The image of Cal stopping him from leaving is very good. I love Cal. The revelation that Hoho can also talk to Animals isn’t /that/ big of a surprise if I’m being completely honest, but it does make him even a wetter sock. Can’t wait to get a closer look at Ling’s shenanigans.

Some good angst in this one! I generally don’t know what I think of Hoho as a character, but I love, LOVE Calix. Sofd horse dad. Ayala is making some valid points.

Was hoping we’d get more Briggs but like, Armstrong DID all but throw them out of the window. I find it really intriguing that the tunnel digging could and has been felt all over and that some guy, conveniently located where Ed goes, has been hoarding all possible info on it.
I just love how the Hughes’ just straight up adopted the boys. Like this isn’t optional we’re your parents now.
I kinda figured Hoho might be in Resembool, since Den was being so cryptic but it wasn’t urgent. Can’t wait to see what happens next!
Also, Gracia inviting Ling and his gang over is pure gold.

(I left reviews on the last two chapters but they’re not showing, at least to me. I hope these are coming through.)

Yooooo it’s Olivier, babey! An icy blue snake is perf for her. While a large mammalian predator is directly and bluntly threatening, there’s nothing quite as unnerving as a viper wrapped around someone’s shoulders and/or neck, giving you a tandem death glare with them. I also think you got Olivier’s character perfectly. Ed didn’t exactly have shit for actual proof on him. I’m boldly jumping to conclusions here but does, mayhaps, Sloth turn up while the boys are in Northern Command? I’d LOVE to see Olivier driving a tank into the elevator.

It’s Ling! And the gang. Ngl I had to google what a yellow-throated marten looked like, and it really does match Ling’s aesthetic. I also like the name Laika. I also like Logan, though Garfiel struck me more as a rock dove kind of guy. Can’t help feeling bad for Fu, though I’m hoping he has an Animal but it’s either like, sneaky pocket size or a bird that’s always on the lookout.