Disclaimer: Otaku-Sage-of-Llamas does not claim to own Tales of the Abyss and its characters. Rather that privilege belongs to Bandai-Namco. Also, she does not claim the Wizard of Oz, Klondike Bars, Shenmue, Tales of Destiny, Energizer Bunny, and etc…
Summary: In all honestly, I don't know how to describe this fic. And really, I don't know why I am posting this. I hope you enjoy it but also feel free to dislike it, though please be polite about it.
Warnings: None really, except for the presence of an OC, the authoress' first attempt at writing in first person perspective, and the authoress' sad attempt at writing (that includes her horrible grammer).
Genre: Humor/Drama
Pairings: none, though there might be hints at the "canon" pairings
Rating: T
Authoress' Other Notes: Being that this is first person perspective, it should be noted that the narration may be unreliable as the story is being told from the OC's perspective (with the exception of the italicized segments). In addition, the characters' dialogue isn't going to be exactly like the game script for certain reasons pertaining to future plot points in this fic, which also applies to other things like why there is not going to be a language barrier between the OC and the Tales of cast.
Awakening
Lost in the daily grind of life, one may start to lose sight of the borderline between reality and the land of our daydreams. Sometimes, reality becomes too hard to handle so we retreat into the sanctuary within our minds, distancing ourselves from the world that our body actually resides in. But, how long should we stay there, shielded from reality? At what point do we lose sight of what is real and what is not?
Chapter 1: Brave New World
I stared out the window, the foul odor permeating through the interior of the bus no longer fazed me, chanting a mantra of success to myself as I mentally prepared myself for my oral interview.
My hands tightened its grip over the pants to my suit, a red undershirt and a yellow tie covered by a black jacket, that I received from my neighbor. Fragments of my Dist cosplay, I chuckled.
The odd looks sent at me no longer bothered me. It is not that strange for a woman to be wearing a suit in this day and age.
In an attempt to calm my mind, I closed my eyes and took some deep breaths.
And for the first time, I fell asleep on the bus.
"Sir, are you okay?" a soothing female voice called out to me.
Upon opening my eyes, I did not realize that I was no longer on the bus until a gust of wind passed through my hair. Then I felt the earth covered with grass and flowers underneath my resting body.
Indeed, I am no longer in Kansas, Dorothy.
And hello…where am I exactly?
I looked at the girl that awoke me from my sleep and blinked.
Tear?…As in, from my favorite RPG game, Tales of the Abyss?
No, this can't be possible. I must be hallucinating.
"I'm fine, thank you," I quickly put on a mask that I learned to use so well after living with some untrustworthy people. I reached my hand to hold my head.
"Did you hurt your head?"
"No, I'm just confused on how I got here…"
"Amnesia?" Tear offered in confusion. I looked away and finally noticed Luke's passed out body.
Ah, the hyper resonance the in Tataroo Valley. That explains their presence here but what about me? Tear walked over to Luke and woke him up as I sat there in deep thought over my predicament.
"Where the hell are we? This isn't the manor and why were you trying to kill Master Van?" Luke shouted. Man, this reminds me how much I wanted to slap Luke for being so whiny before the scene where he cuts his hair. Honestly, PMSing much? I sigh as I stand up and take in the beauty of the landscape before me.
"And who's he?" he pointed at me. Yet another one fooled. Although standing at 5'7", I have a plump body and a light patch of facial hair above my lip due to a medical condition. I ran a hand through my medium length dark brown locks and looked at him through my thick framed glasses.
"I'm Emilio," I gave a false name and sniggered mentally. Though with the hair and glasses, I resemble Hugo more than Lion but they aren't going to know any better.
"I'm Tear and this is Luke," I smiled and shook her hand.
"What are you doing here anyways?" Luke demanded.
Keep sarcastic remarks to self…don't ruin your first impression by flying off the handle…
"I am not sure myself," I replied in a mysterious voice.
"Are you crazy or something?" Tear jabbed Luke in the side at that remark.
"Emilio has a little bit of amnesia and it's a serious matter," she scolded him like a little boy who put their hand in the cookie jar. But cookies are so tasty!
No, focus at the task at hand, girl! Ha, no wonder why I am so scatterbrained.
"Would you mind if I traveled with you?" I can't defend myself so I am not going to wander around Auldrant trying to find a way back home alone. I would get injured easily.
"I don't mind," Tear said as Luke shrugged whatever.
"Thanks, you're a cutie," I teased, causing the seventh fonist to blush. I have no shame.
"C'mon, let's get out of here!" Luke impatiently said, starting to walk without us.
"Yes, o fearless leader.~" Luke growled as we headed off.
"Best be careful, there are monsters around," Tear warned as I debated what to do. I could either stand to the side looking like a jerk or try fighting to end up looking like an idiot. I mean, I am unarmed and can't use fonic artes so I am basically useless in battle.
I know how to use a bow and arrow from doing archery in P.E. and in addition to that, I doubt that playing Shenmue would count as knowing anything about martial arts. With my weight, I could easily overpower anyone smaller than myself but I would be helpless against someone like Largo, that man is a powerhouse.
"Tch. I know what to do! Master Van taught me how to use a sword. I would be more concerned about Emilio," Luke taunted and I wasn't going to dignify him with a response. Though, 'oh Luke, I didn't know that you cared' was tempting.
"You're so insensitive!"
"As fantastic as this conversation is, I regret to inform you that there is a monster waiting behind that bush getting ready to strike," playing video games had really helped me to develop good observation skills. Or so my dad said. I could tell from the shape that it was a Filifolia, a rather weak monster but even still I couldn't do anything, not even use a lighter to set it on fire.
What can I say, I go to a university full of arsonists. Fire is always the first option for us.
It charged at us bravely but Luke took it down easily with his wooden practice sword. Afterwards he said, "Geez, can't you do anything?"
"I'm sorry that I pursue more intellectual activities," I replied sarcastically. Ah, Jade would be so proud if he were here at this moment. I pushed up my glasses, not with the middle finger like the colonel because I would break out into laughter.
"You're unarmed?" Tear asked seriously in concern. I nodded in affirmation.
"I'm just a civilian. Unfortunately, I don't have any military training or the like," besides I wouldn't last a day in boot camp. I could just picture myself breaking down into tears within the first hour. Despite my masculine front, I reluctantly admit that I have a sensitive side, which I try to hide but it typically find its way out anyways.
I continued to walk behind Tear as we approached the carriage driver, leaving Luke and Tear to handle the monsters.
"You're me-members of the Dark Wings!" the carriage driver stuttered.
This is bad. I can't tell the driver that I'm not a guy after Tear and Luke already believe me to be one. Though, shame on them for assuming! Anyways, that would be awkward, not that it isn't going to be when they eventually find out since nothing ever goes right for me.
"If I recall correctly, the Dark Wings is led by a woman with pink hair named Noir. And really, how could you tell without any proof to back your claim?" I tried to reason.
"Yeah, I just want to return to the capital," Luke says in his whiny voice.
"Sure, but it's going to cost you."
"What? I don't have money on me but my father can play when we get to the capital."
"No, that's not good enough," Tear sighed and removed her mother's pendant and handed it over. I felt bad letting Tear do it knowing that it held special meaning to her.
"That should be fine instead, right?"
"Yes…" the carriage driver gawked at the beautiful necklace
"Right this way," I sat myself next to Tear, across from Luke.
"Man, I can't wait to get back to the manor," Luke stretched while I took in the beautiful scenery. I would love to see Grand Chokmah with all the water flowing everywhere as it was my favorite city in the game next to Keterburg. Then I noticed the Tartarus in the distance and I wasn't alone.
"Wow, what's that?" Luke pressed his face against the window like a young child. Well, granted, he is mentally…
"Ah, that's Malkuth's land vessel, the Tartarus." The carriage the Tartarus was chasing came into view and crossed the bridge we just came across. Our driver narrowly avoided collision with the massive landship as the Dark Wings blew up the bridge.
"Wait, you mean that we aren't in Kimlasca?" Luke said as I sighed. Poor sheltered Luke.
"No, I am headed towards Grand Chokmah. Are you citizens of Kimlasca?"
"No, we'ew merchants from Chesedonia that were going to do some trade in Baticul," Tear covered up before Luke spilled that he's the son of a Kimlascan duke.
"Sorry but with the bridge's destruction, you won't be able to get there. I can drop you off here or at Engeve."
"We can walk," Luke suggested and I wanted to smack him. Dude, what is your problem? I don't do well in warm weather, especially with this black suit.
"I don't understand what's going on…" Luke said as we were walking.
"Are you that ignorant? War is about to break out between Malkuth and Kimlasca," Tear started to explain but I paid no attention as sweat poured down my face. That's it, I am buying new clothes when we get to Engeve.
"Why?"
"The Score…" I said bitterly, shocking Tear a bit. Oh, how I hated the idea of being chained to a certain fate and unable to change it. Tear filled Luke on the rest as we approached Engeve.
"Finally!" I cheered, getting down to my knees and kissing the dirt covered earth at the entrance to the village.
"Man, it's not that hot out," Luke gave me an odd look. Well, sorry for being a creature of the cold.
"Let's get a room for the night," I suggested but when we saw the crowed around the entrance of the inn, we decided to come back later after wandering about the village for a while. First, I stopped at a clothes stall in the market area and bought a sky blue yukata-like garment.
"I want to change into this right away so I will go back and see if the inn is clear now," Tear nodded at my request to go ahead. Thankfully, I had no problems getting inside the inn.
Inside the bathroom, I took off my suit so that only my tank top and boxers remained on and put on the pseudo-yukata. Smiling in the mirror at my reflection, I tied my hair up into a ponytail before returning to the inn's reception area to wait for Tear and Luke to come back.
Anise popped in after a few minutes asking the owner about Ion when Luke and Tear finally returned from Rose's house, or at least I reasoned as the excuse for their delay.
"The Fon Master is in Rose's house," Tear offered to Anise, who ran off smiling.
"Geez, I was getting worried that you two ran off and had some fun without me!" I joked as I walked towards them.
"You're disgusting!" Luke scowled, causing me to chuckle.
"Nothing of the sort. Luke got arrested for stealing an apple," Tear explained. Ha, instead of a Klondike Bar, it should be, 'what would you do for an apple?' Yup, that was totally cheesy.
"I want to go to those woods and track those beasts down!" My, what a nice way to address sacred animals.
"Huh?" I played dumb.
"Luke was also blamed for stealing food from the storehouse, though it turns out to be the doing of the Cheagles," Tear crossed her arms, obviously annoyed with Luke.
"Must be some desperate Cheagles since they normally keep to themselves," the fonist nodded in agreement.
"I want to go now!" Luke whined some more.
"How about at least resting first and go out in the morning? I'm tired from the walk here." Yeah, not everyone is the Energizer Bunny. Though my leg muscles had built up from walking about campus, that meant nothing in the heat. Granted, it wasn't that warm but my body still couldn't stand it.
"Fine," Luke reluctantly agreed, "so how many rooms did you get?"
"Well, I only had enough money for two…" and it finally dawned onto me that I would have to share a room with Luke. Oh dear, this is going to be very awkward. I hope he doesn't sleep in the nude. That would be a visual overload, not in a good way either.
Tear settled down in her own private room as Luke and I decided who got which bed. I offered to take the one next to the window and Luke had no complaints. Thankfully, Luke only removed his white jacket, leaving on his black tank top, and he kept his pants on to bed.
I left my yukata on because it would become very obvious that I am girl with just my tank top. Mine aren't melons like Tear's but I wasn't flat either.
I crawled into bed and shut my eyes, worrying about how to get back home. If I managed to arrive in Auldrant then there must be some way back to earth…I hope.
I guess I will just go wandering around Auldrant with Luke and Tear for now…
Dream for now, little one…but know this, one day you will be forced to face reality again. So, for now you can stay here, until you can find your strength to face the cruel unforgiving world waiting for you. And please, do not forget yourself, for if you get too caught up within this dream world, then you will lose yourself…
…Do you understand what you must do now?