She "hmm"s at that. It still seems a bit painful, for Aerugo to lose their territory. Though she supposes that historical accuracy and the need for a happy ending means the author can't really dwell on that too much without making things awkward. What's the alchemy book again?

Basic Tenets of Alchemy. A large part of it's philosophy; it goes into the principle of equivalent exchange, and what this means for an alchemist's life. There's also discussion of the three steps: identification, deconstruction, and reconstruction. Some discussion of historic alchemy, including mentions of the lost Xerxes. There's admonishments about the importance of getting an alchemy circle exactly right, and advice against writing down complete circles in notes. It also comes with some lessons on ciphers, and how to make your own and read others'. It strongly assumes a background knowledge of what alchemy even is. 

Well, all that is very interesting. Are there any examples of incomplete circles, then?

Nope.

Well, if these are the basics, she'll probably have to ask personally to get a better explanation. Though she does talk to the building quietly to see if it can reinforce her knowledge. After a bit, she opens the door to ask the guards if they have more large print romance books.

The building knows that it was made partially with alchemy, especially the underground, and that alchemy was used to tear up its grounds, but doesn't really know specifics. Father was very good at alchemy, it's pretty sure.

The guards don't think there are more of such books, once she gets her meaning across. 

Do they have any other large print books, then?

They can send someone to look. They don't think so, though.

Before any other books are scrounged up, someone else arrives - who the building really doesn't like. (It informs her rather angrily that he's the one who killed Father.)

After a brief discussion with the soldiers outside, a heavily bandaged boy with a heavy tread steps into the room. 

"Surolam, right?"

Surolam stiffens, but nods once, her body somewhat tense. "Yes."

He pulls a chair over and sprawls into it. "This'll be a lot easier since you already understand Amestrian. I'm going to say some sentences, and I'd like you to repeat a translation in your language, if that'd work for you."

She nods. "That will be easy."

But boring! complains Little Pummerin's voice in her head. She ignores it for now.

So they can, very boringly, help Ed build up an idea of the Shikoku language (and hopefully help Surolam rely less on the building's translations, since it's getting grouchier the longer Ed stays in the room). 

Surolam is trying to pick up the language herself! Not every building is as good a translator as this one, probably. At some point she's probably going to ask what Pokemon are native to this place.

He's kinda confused what she means by 'Pokemon'. 

"Do you mean animals?"

She tilts her head, looking confused. "Pokemon are animals, but not all animals are Pokemon." After a bit, she picks up one of her Pokeballs. She kinda forgot about them in all the excitement. "I can show you?" There's definitely a lilt of worry in her voice now.

"...Show me how."

"Kiir is in here. He's one of my Pokemon." The name she used probably sounds a bit unusual even among the Shikoku words she's been using.

"So Pokemon are a type of small animal?"

"Some are small. Some are big." After a pause, she presses the button. Red light spills out and gathers by her side.

The red light resolves into a long, serpentine form. Kiir shakes his head as he looks around, before worriedly curling his tail around Surolam's wrist.

"It's alright. We're not in danger." Surolsm strokes the top of his head, and he seems to relax.

He audibly startles. "What - How does that work."

"Pokeballs. I'm not a scientist. I don't know more than that."

"Was the Pokemon elsewhere - spatially or dimensionally - and moved here, was it stored inside somehow just shrunk, was it deconstructed, the pattern stored, and then reconstructed - do you know anything about 'Pokeballs'? ...Also I've never seen something like that, do they naturally occur or are they constructed? And can they understand speech? You spoke to it like it could."