Conditional
Cephied Variable

Roy's brain almost didn't process the question in time, and he caught the automatic 'Yes, Alphonse' just as it was leaving his lips. When he realized the gravity of the question, his eyes widened, his pulse quickened and he swallowed awkwardly before raising his gaze to stare in carefully guarded bewilderment at the suit of armour. Where would an eleven year old boy ever get the idea to ask such a question?

"Well, Alphonse, that seems like a very horrible thing for one person to do to another. There are many things that love can overcome in this world, but I'm not sure if-" and then Roy remembered Edward, and the flash of metal underneath all the black and red fabric. He remembered a young boy writhing on an operating table, made smaller in the abscence of one arm and one leg. Roy cut himself short and began again, "Well, I suppose it depends on the situation. If there's enough love, anyone can overcome anything."

Al shifted, metal creaking, and sighed hollowly, "Oh. T-thanks, Colonel." as Al was leaving, Roy acknowledged that fact that he had probably said all the wrong things.