Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of the Abyss.
Chapter 26
Lunaday, Gnome-Decan 46, ND2019 – 10:45am local time (Daath)
The Oracle Knights' headquarters were almost as deserted as the rest of the cathedral. Only a few soldiers patrolled the area, and although they recognized Tear immediately, they looked askance at Florian. Nevertheless, they allowed the odd pair to pass. Florian held Tear's hand the entire time, and to his relief, she didn't ask him to let go.
They entered a room full of clothes racks that held an assortment of uniforms. Robes and cloaks in green, blue, red, white, and black filled one rack. Another rack had tabards of various colors and lengths. Most of the tabards were white, black, or gray, with a double Y on the front in goldenrod-yellow and matching goldenrod trim.
Tear handed Florian a complete outfit from a stand in the corner. It was a knee-length, short-sleeved white cloak with a dark blue tabard trimmed in light gray.
"This is a Knight Cloak," Tear said. "Some of the youngest Oracle Knights wear cloaks like this one. Usually those knights are fonists, but a few of them fight with a sword and shield."
Florian held the cloak up on himself, checking its size. "I think it's a little too small."
"Try it on and see," said Tear. "I'll look away while you change clothes."
Florian pulled Ion's green robes off over his head and dropped them on the floor. He slipped the Knight Cloak on and adjusted the tabard. Just as he'd thought, the sleeves and collar were too tight, and the hem was embarrassingly short, closer to the length of a tunic than a cloak.
There was a mirror half-hidden in a corner behind one of the racks. Florian checked his reflection. "It's definitely too small," he said. "And I don't really like it. I think looks too much like something a little kid would wear."
"I'll see if I can find a larger size," said Tear. "Or perhaps..." She took a different white cloak with long sleeves off a hanger and found a white tabard with the standard goldenrod trim and double Y. "This might fit better."
Florian gratefully removed the too-tight Knight Cloak and put on the white outfit. It fit comfortably, not too small or too large, and the sleeves weren't too long, too short, or too tight. The hem of the cloak was a reasonable length, just below the knee. He checked the mirror again.
"That one is a Mage Cloak, for mid-level fonists," Tear said. "I'm not sure you qualify as mid-level yet, but if you're going to learn more fonic artes from the sentiences—"
"It looks awful!" Florian interrupted. "I don't want white. I don't think red or blue would look good, either, and I'm not ever wearing green again! Can you find me a black outfit?"
"Well, there is a uniform in black very similar to the one you're wearing. It's called a Druid Cloak, but it's for advanced fonists only," Tear replied. "You're not an advanced fonist."
"Isn't being a Summoner advanced enough?" Florian asked. "No one else is a Summoner! Maybe we should invent a new uniform just for me."
"Hmmm," Tear said thoughtfully. "Yes, you may be right." She took a plain black cloak with long sleeves off its hanger. "Try this on while I look for a different tabard to go with it."
The black cloak was the same size as the white Mage Cloak and fit just as comfortably. Florian smiled at his reflection. Black looked even better on him than he had expected, and it suited his rebellious mood.
"Here's a tabard," said Tear, handing Florian a dark gray tabard, also with goldenrod trim and a double Y.
Florian fastened the tabard over the black cloak. "Yeah!" he said, admiring the results. "That's perfect. Thanks, Tear."
"It looks very good," Tear agreed. "Let's find some leggings to match, and some boots."
With a bit of trial and error, they found dark gray leggings in Florian's size and knee-high black boots with gray trim. Florian also found a pair of fingerless black leather gloves with reinforced palms designed for gripping a weapon.
"What about a hat?" Tear suggested, holding up a cylindrical black hat with the symbol of the Order on the front.
Florian tried it on, checked the mirror, and hastily took it off again. "No way. It looks stupid."
"A helm, then?"
Florian tried on a Knight's Helm. It was too large. "I can barely see anything!" he exclaimed. "How do Oracle Knights fight in these helmets?!"
Tear laughed. "Ha ha ha! I've always wondered the same thing."
"Tear!" Florian protested, as he pulled off the helmet. "Don't laugh at me!"
"I'm sorry, Florian. I wasn't laughing at you; I was laughing at the helmets. They aren't very well designed, are they?"
"No, they're not," Florian grumbled, still annoyed. "Do I really have to wear something on my head?"
"Not necessarily," said Tear. "Anise and I usually don't."
"Good," said Florian, satisfied. "I won't, then. What else do I need?"
"I think we've finished with your clothes," Tear replied. "But you need a weapon. Do you want to use a sword, since Guy has been teaching you sword attacks and strike artes? Or would you rather have a fonist's staff like mine, for channeling fonic artes?"
"Sword," Florian said without hesitation. "Do you think I should have a shield to go with it?"
"Do you know how to use one?" Tear asked.
"No," Florian admitted. "But I can learn, can't I?"
"You could, but it's not something Guy can teach you. He fights in the Sigmund style, which doesn't use a shield. You would have to learn from an Oracle Knights' instructor."
"I don't think we have time for that. Okay, no shield," Florian decided.
"Let's go to the armory, then," said Tear.
Florian followed her to another room. This one was full of weapons: long swords, short swords, wands, maces, staffs, spears, and more. Shields of different sizes and shapes hung on the walls. He picked up a double-edged broadsword that was about the same length as Guy's single-edged blade. It took both hands for Florian to swing it, and he knocked over a rack of wands by accident.
"Be careful!" Tear scolded him, as the clatter faded.
"Oops, sorry," said Florian. "Well, I can't fight with that one. It's too heavy." He looked around for a smaller weapon and stopped in front of the rack of short swords.
One sword in particular caught his eye. It was about three-fourths the length of his arm, with a plain steel blade, a sturdy-looking steel crosspiece, and a handle wrapped in black leather. A matching black scabbard was propped behind it. Florian picked up the sword and checked its weight this time before swinging it – more carefully – and practicing a few of the moves Guy had taught him.
"That's a Knight Fencer," Tear commented. "It's designed to be lightweight for fast strikes. Knight Fencers are sometimes used as training swords for beginners. I think you've chosen well."
Florian smiled, pleased by Tear's praise.
"Here's a belt to hang the scabbard on," said Tear, handing Florian a black belt. "It should be the right length for you."
Florian buckled the belt, sheathed the sword, and fumbled with the strap that held the scabbard.
"Here," said Tear. "I'll help with that."
"Thanks," said Florian, feeling slightly embarrassed. He held still as Tear fastened the scabbard to the belt on his left side.
Tear stood back to examine her handiwork. Florian looked around for a mirror, but this room didn't have one.
"All right, try drawing your sword," Tear instructed.
Florian pulled the Knight Fencer out of its scabbard somewhat awkwardly. He lost his grip, and the sword landed on the floor with a loud clank. "That didn't work," he muttered as he bent to pick it up.
"Oh, you're left-handed," said Tear. "Let me move the scabbard to your right side, then." She removed the scabbard and re-positioned it. "Try again now."
This time Florian was able to draw the sword without dropping it, but it still felt awkward. "I'm not very good at this," he complained.
"It's fine. Guy can teach you how to improve your technique," said Tear. "We should find some civilian clothing for you as well. Sheridan is probably not the only place where Oracle Knights are unwelcome."
Florian shrugged. "I'll just take off the tabard like Anise did. That should be enough, right?"
Tear sighed. "I suppose so. Very well. Shall we go to the library and see what the others think of your new uniform?"
"Yes!" Florian replied eagerly. He could hardly wait to see Anise's reaction.
"I ought to scold you for running on the stairs," Tear called after Florian, as she followed him down to the Fon Master's library, "but I won't. Just this once."
Florian grinned, but now that he was reminded to take caution, he didn't look over his shoulder as he called back to her, "Thanks, Tear! Thanks for everything!"
"You're welcome," Tear replied. "I'm happy for you, Florian."
"Yeah, me too!"
They arrived at the door to the library, and Florian burst through it. As he reached the open area apart from the fallen center bookcases, he stopped short in surprise.
Guy was asleep at the table with his head pillowed on his crossed arms, snoring. Natalia was also asleep, curled up on the cushioned window seat. Jade was sitting on the floor with his eyes closed and his back propped against a bookcase on the outer wall.
"Everyone...?" Florian said tentatively.
Jade's eyes flew open. Spotting Florian, he instantly jumped to his feet. His spear appeared out of seemingly nowhere, and he lunged forward, pointing the spear at Florian's throat.
"Whoa!" Florian yelped as he tried to dodge. "Colonel Jade, don't!"
Jade blinked twice and lowered his weapon. After a short pause, he said, "Ah. Florian. I take it you're feeling better." His spear disappeared in a flash of light.
Florian was momentarily distracted. "How do you do that thing with your spear?" he asked curiously.
"I use the contamination effect to store it in my arm," Jade replied absently. "My apologies for startling you. I didn't expect to see any Oracle Knights here." He adjusted his glasses and added, "So, Florian. Why the Oracle uniform? I wasn't aware that you had joined the Order as a soldier."
"Huh...? What the hell...?" Guy groaned as he sat up. He turned in his chair. "Who are—?" he began, squinting suspiciously. Then his expression cleared, and he said, "Oh, hey Florian. Why are you dressed as an Oracle fonist?"
Natalia, who had fallen off the window seat, scrambled to her feet. "What? What's happening?" she gasped, looking around wildly. She caught sight of Florian, and after a moment of staring blankly at him, she exclaimed, "Oh my! Florian! You look... very different."
"So I don't look like Ion anymore?" Florian asked. His heart was pounding with anxiety, and not just from Jade's attack. He held his breath as he waited for an answer.
"Goodness, no," said Natalia. "Although... no. Never mind."
"Do I look like Sync?" Florian asked, just as anxiously. He hadn't even asked about Sync's clothes. What if Sync had worn the same uniform?
"No, certainly not, but... you look a little like Asch," Natalia said. Florian detected sadness in her voice.
Guy cocked his head to one side. "Yeah, maybe," he said slowly. "Asch wore a black Oracle uniform, too. But his outfit had fancy red decorations, and he had long red hair, not green... Hey! Florian, you got a haircut too!"
"Yeah!" Florian exclaimed. "How does it look?"
Guy grinned. "It looks great! Man, you really went all-out. You've got a sword now and everything. I guess you're serious about learning to fight, huh? We'd better get some more practice in, before we leave."
Florian nodded, remembering the trouble he'd had in the armory trying to get the sword out of its scabbard.
"Hmm," said Jade. "Well, I suppose you'll be a very...unique Oracle Knight, with your Summoner's abilities – if that's what you want to do once you've finished forming pacts."
An idea occurred to Florian. "Maybe I'll be Anise's Fon Master Guardian someday, when she becomes Fon Master," he said.
"Yes, perhaps," said Natalia, smiling. "Oh, by the way, what are you going to do with Anise's dagger?"
"Oops," Florian realized. "I left it in my— in Ion's room. I need to give it back to her. Where is she?"
"Uh... good question," said Guy, glancing around. "I haven't seen her since we split up. She never came to our meeting with Tritheim."
"She had an argument with Florian yesterday," said Tear. Florian jumped slightly. He had forgotten that Tear was behind him.
"When Tear and I asked her what was going on, she screamed at both of us and ran away," Natalia added.
"I checked her family's room last night," Tear continued. "The door was locked, but there was a light on."
Jade sighed. "It would appear that she needs some time alone. Let's leave her in her room for now. Once we're ready to depart, someone can ask her whether she wants to continue traveling with us."
"What?!" Florian exclaimed, feeling as if he had just been punched in the stomach. "She might not want to come with us anymore?"
Tear, Guy, Jade, and Natalia exchanged glances. Florian wished he knew what they were thinking. It was frustrating sometimes, that everyone else could communicate just by looking at each other.
Tear was the first to answer. "This journey has been very stressful for Anise so far. She may need a break."
"At the very least, she must repair Tokunaga," said Natalia.
"Not necessarily. She's a competent fonist. She could fight using only her fonic artes," Jade pointed out.
"Yeah, but she was pretty heartbroken when Tokunaga was... er..." Guy trailed off.
Florian wasn't sure how to describe what had happened to Anise's puppet, either. Hurt wasn't true, and neither was killed.
"Damaged," Tear finished for Guy. "Yes, she was quite upset."
"Perhaps those strong emotions contributed to her argument with Florian," Jade mused. "In any case, we should organize the materials we've found so far and the notes we've made. Not that there are very many," he added, sounding dissatisfied. "There may be more resources among those fallen bookshelves, but it would take half a month to sort through that mess."
"Half a month might be optimistic," Tear said with a sigh.
"No kidding," said Guy. "Anyway, let's get ready to go. We can have breakfast once we're aboard the Albiore."
"Lunch," Jade corrected, looking at the clock on the far wall. "It's already past noon. We should hurry if we wish to reach Yulia City before nightfall."
A/N: And now we know why Florian is wearing a black and gray Oracle outfit in the cover artwork. :)
Also, if anyone remembers the original versions of chapters 1 and 5, the Fon Master's library was described as being underground. That was incorrect, I discovered, when I took my 3DS and ran around the Daath Cathedral, double-checking details as I wrote Chapters 24 through 27. An underground room wouldn't have a window or window seat. Oops, my bad. I've fixed those early chapters. And for those who are unsure, yes, Jade can sleep sitting up. It's in the anime.