First off, I apologize that it's been so long since I wrote something else. Second, I apologize for the horror I am about to indulge you with. An idea that no one else has ever done before (to my knowledge, at least).
This was spawned from a comical conversation about out-of-left-field pairings in Abyss on the official Tales forums. Beever, if you're reading this, lookie 'ere at how I did it! Goddamn am I good at keeping promises. At the expense of forgetting others, but that's not what's important.
What is important is that you read this clever little story and review. I mean, jeez people, it's not like you're buying these stories; you get them all for free. It's my freakin' payment! KTHXBI READ NAOW.
(PS: The title is simply "Tales of Rappig" in Japanese. Dammit if I don't keep up my retarded habit of using foreign titles!)
Disclaimer:Tales of the Abyss and its characters are owned by Tales Studio "Team Symphonia". Ah, don't hear that company often, do ya? NAMCO KEEPS THEM IN THE DUNGEON! IT'S TRUE, I HAVE CLEARLY-NONDOCTORED PHOTOS!
"..." - Quotes.
(Italics)...(/italics) – Thought.
Teresu Obu Buusagi!
The brown-spotted beast solemnly stood on its specialized throne, a jeweled masterpiece with an abnormal amount of detail carved into its golden-laced length, specifically designed to house the anatomically-alternate behind of the hybrid animal.
The rappig, a very rare male specimin of the species due to the proud red tint on his pale, pink skin, had a look of sorrow planted on its squinted face, seemingly drowned in its own melancholy. The creature took one quick look around the glorious room with what little movement his neck allowed, and sighed. At least the rappig equivalent of a sigh, which was a quick disgruntled snort. Other than the intricate make-up covering his face like the black as night eyeliner and the blushed cheek polish, the creature also wore a golden collar with the human letters "L-U-K-E" carved into its surface. He responded to that name, so he knew it to be his.
Servants docked in blue work clothes surrounded him on all sides, rubbing cloths across his body, dabbing wet pieces of soft tissue in his ears, dashing his eyelids with some type of painting brush, and doing all other sorts of things that others would find unbelievable. Let alone all of the people giving the rappig attention; the throne itself would've been enough. A delicate piece of fragile beauty, it had been crafted from the very products of heavy mining deep within' the mountain range near Grand Chokmah, by the hands of the most skilled workmen from Sheridan. So exquisite in its design that it put the actual throne of the Kimlasca-Lanvaldear kingdom to shame.
Even the rappig understood that a creature like him receiving this kind of attention was not only abnormal, but also quite different than what his normal brethren were used to. Sometimes, it surprised even him about how far his owner went to make sure he was in a state of constant bliss for every waking second of every day.
Perhaps the only one that received more flatter and praise than him was Jade, his slightly pudgy kin from the same litter. The other rappig was five years Luke's senior, but even after taking that into consideration, he was quite the obese piglet, towering over nearly all other rappig litters in the Palace in both height and bulk. Occasionally, he would even be allowed to sit atop the throne on the enigmatic leader of the entire nation's lap. Emperor Peony, Luke's owner.
The quiet rappig didn't exactly understand why Jade received more attention in the first place. Sure, most rappigs were only meant to serve as either cuddly pets or food, and rarely did their simple lives require any more physical labor than next-to-nothing, but even Luke took sporadic walks around the city with the Emperor's maids, and more recently the Emperor's close associate, a quiet, pleasant man with golden-light hair stylized on his scalp. Jade, however, did absolutely nothing, for every second of every day. His activities merely consisted of laying near the window where the most sunlight was streaming from, sometimes getting up and moving as the sun did. When a servant would attach a leash to his collar, he would instantly plop down on the tiled floorings, refusing to get up and get some fresh exercise. He was perhaps the most boring, lazy animal Luke had ever known.
In all rappig honesty, he really didn't care whether or not someone else got more attention than him. That wasn't what was dragging on in his mind, although sometimes he wished it was that simple.
There was another rappig from a different litter than him, a fudge-colored female hog. He wasn't completely sure why, but he did liked being with her whenever the chance arose for as long as possible. He'd try to budge in between the maids' feet in order to be with the walking group she was in, even if he had been tired out by a previous one. He'd stick next to her side throughout the entire walk, and ignored the snorts from the other rappigs behind them.
Unfortunately, those days had left and gone, and didn't look like they were coming back any time soon.
How was he suppose to know that was her favorite silver bow?...
--------
"... To the capital, it'll be twelve-thousand gald apiece," the coachman hoisted up the water canteen in the nook of his hip and looked at the two travelers, one of them suddenly forming a frustrated grimace, "You got enough on you?"
He took a good look at the people infront of him. There were two travelers, and while it wasn't rare to see adventurers group in pairs, these two both had outfits that looked far from ideal for traveling across rough terrain. One of them, the young woman, wore an official Order uniform, which he noted looked more ceremonial than operational, and the boy looked like a punk dressed in everyday summer clothes.
This certainly would be a much more interesting day than he first thought this morning.
The brunette crossed her arms, "That's expensive..."
"Really? Sounds cheap to me."
The woman's redheaded companion spoke up in an arrogant tone. Almost immediately upon hearing him, the coachman felt an inner hope that he wouldn't have to be with them one moment longer than needed. The boy spoke up again, twirling his hand about in the air, "My dad'll take care of it when we get to the capital."
The boy knew it wouldn't be that easy getting home the instant he saw the frown form on the man's face. The older workman sighed, "That's no good. I need payment in advance."
He heard the sound of something being shuffled, and turned his gaze back over to the woman. No sooner had he twisted his head when she held an outstretched hand, holding a beautiful pendent with a purple gem embedded in its crest.
She looked troubled for handing it out, but spoke nonetheless, "... Take this."
Wait... She was handing this out to him? Just like that? Sure, the coachman would admit the twelve-thousand was a bit greedy on his part, but this fine piece of jewelry would more than make up for his price. He reluctantly grasped it from her hand, holding it up to his face and turning it in the palm of his hand to inspect its edges and shiny surface, still not completely sure that she would give away something this spectacular, "... Wow, this is some gem!"
He slowly stuck it in the napsack tied around his belt, making sure not to scruff up its value. Turning around back to his cart, he swooped his arm towards the two, "Alright, hop aboard."
The redhead also seemed to be surprised, going bug-eyed at her jewel offer, "Huh..." he grinned and placed a hand on his hip, "You got some nice stuff. Now I don't have to get my shoes all dirty."
The girl stood silent; her taciturn expression said it all.
-Author's Notes-
I believe this'll be my first story on that isn't a one-shot. It won't be that long, probably within' 5000-10,000 words, but I hope you all have fun reading it nonetheless.
This is also my first time writing in the general perspective of a non-human. If you specialize with these types of characters, then feel free to criticize my style and give me a few pointers in your review. : ) You can just tell me my style sucks, and I'll be happy that you took the time to say that. No, seriousely, that's how much I adore other people's opinions.
Thanks to this story's existance goes to the following Official Tales Forum members: Beever, for giving me the idea in the first place (Even if it wasn't her original intention : P ), and ladynadiad, who wrote down a good portion of the Abyss script, because lord knows I wouldn't take the time to replay the game up to that point.
