Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of the Abyss.

Chapter 9

Lunaday, Gnome-Decan 32, ND2019 – 8:20am local time (Sheridan)

The Albiore II hovered above the City of Craftsmen, Sheridan. As Noelle aligned the aircraft with its designated landing platform, Anise held her breath. Landings always gave her a sense that she was falling since the Albiore ascended and descended vertically instead of using a runway.

There was a clunk from the landing gear deploying, and a moment later the Albiore gently touched down. The whine of the engines faded away, and Noelle rose from the pilot's seat.

"Here we are!" Noelle announced. "Welcome to Sheridan!"

Anise couldn't help smiling. The pilot's cheerful attitude always put her at ease, no matter how dire the situation.

"How long will it take to repair the Albiore?" Tear asked Noelle.

"It's just a tune-up. I don't think anything's actually damaged yet," Noelle replied. "But I'd like to make sure that everything is in tip-top shape before taking you and Anise to Daath. I have a feeling you'll be needing the Albiore again soon, maybe for quite a while, so I want to be prepared."

"So how long will it take?" Anise pressed.

"About a week, I think," Noelle said apologetically. At Anise's incredulous look, she added somewhat defensively, "The Albiore is a very complex machine, and there aren't many people left alive who know how it operates. And I want to inspect the flightstone to make sure it's in good condition, which will mean partially disassembling the hover drive. I'm sorry, but I want to be thorough. I just have this feeling... well, please trust me, okay?"

Damn, damn, damn! Anise thought. I need to be back in Daath right now, making myself useful to the higher-ups so that they can see how hard-working I am! "Oh well, I guess there's no help for it," she said instead, shrugging as if the delay didn't matter a bit. "Let's get some rest at the inn, then. I could sure use a few nights in a real bed!"

"Yes," Tear agreed. "That would be a nice change."

"I'll keep you posted on the Albiore's status," Noelle promised. "Oh, by the way..."

"Yes?" Tear and Anise chorused.

"You should probably change into civilian clothes before you disembark. Oracle Knights aren't exactly welcome in Sheridan after the massacre last year. I don't want anyone to give you any trouble."

"Oh. Yes, of course," said Tear. "I'm glad my luggage is still under my bunk in the crew cabin."

"Good for you, Tear," Anise muttered. "But I don't have any civilian clothes with me!" she added more loudly. "All I have is what I'm wearing right now."

"Me too," said a voice from the bottom of the stairs. Anise's heart sank as she peered down into the stairwell and saw Florian's upturned face.

"Florian?!" Anise exclaimed.

Florian gave Anise his most winning smile, the one he put on whenever there was something he really, really wanted. "Hi, Anise," he said cheerfully.

Anise managed not to groan out loud. Instead she said sternly, "Florian! Why are you here? I told you to stay in Yulia City with Mama and Papa!"

"I know," Florian replied, still smiling. "But I'm not sorry, Anise. I want to come with you to Daath, even if it's dangerous. And I want to talk to Grand Maestro Tritheim."

"Huh? What do you want with him?" asked Anise, confused.

"Ummmm..." Florian said, his smile fading. His face was turning red, Anise noticed.

"Florian, don't lie to me," Anise said dangerously. "You don't care about seeing Tritheim. You just want to tag along with me wherever I go."

"I'm not just tagging along! I'll help out, too. Really, I will!"

"Help out with what, exactly?" Anise asked, descending the narrow stairs into the hold. She was beginning to get angry.

"Umm... what you and Tear are doing."

"And just what do you think Anise and I will be doing when we get to Daath?" Tear asked, as she climbed down after Anise.

"Umm... helping people," Florian tried.

Anise rolled her eyes. Above her, she heard Tear sigh in exasperation.

"Anise, I'm safer with you than I would be in Yulia City. Nobody mistakes me for Ion when you're around, Anise," Florian insisted.

"Florian, stop it!" Anise snapped.

"No! You stop it, Anise! Stop pushing me away!" Florian was beginning to cry. "I love you, Anise. I want to be by your side, always!"

Love? Anise thought. No way. He doesn't know anything about love. He's just insecure.

"Excuse me... Could I put in my two gald here?" Noelle asked.

"What is it, Noelle?" Anise allowed grudgingly.

"You three don't have to settle the question of who's going where right this instant," Noelle suggested. "You have a week to talk it over – more calmly, I hope," she added, sounding slightly annoyed. "You can make your final decision when the Albiore is ready to fly again."

"Good point, Noelle," Tear agreed. "Anise, Florian, let's set the matter aside for now and go get something to eat. It's breakfast time, and I'm hungry. Aren't you?"

Florian looked at Tear hopefully. "Yeah, I'm hungry too."

"Fine," Anise muttered, defeated. A whole week to argue with an idiot, she thought in frustration. I'm going to go bonkers if this keeps up.