Well, you can have multiple threads open at once each from different times/places/etc. if you'd like. But I can have Al walking outside the house or something if that works better for you :)

Also, Al currently doesn't know anything about homunculi existing yet. And I don't think he's ever actually met Bradley in person. (He's due a cannon update at some point, but for now... he doesn't know anything.) So he'd be quite surprised, I'm sure :D