Finally! I had a bit of writers block here, but I managaed to skid by! Seriously though, I'm up to my hair in plot bunnies. I'm slowly, ever so slowly, going through them, picking out my favorites.

I don't own Tales of the Abyss.

Read on!!


Gailardia the Ninth, now a High Guard in hiding, stared down at the sleeping form of his former teacher. Streaks of grey ran through his red hair and his face was scared from sword fighting. Even in sleep, the man never seemed to actually relax.

The moonlight filtered through the curtains red, and gave a cold reflection on his sword. Luke didn't stir as the thin silver blade was held over his hear, with icy, emotionless blue eyes watching.

"Even though you were my former teacher, and guardian...I have no regrets in this."


Guy,

In Engave now, no sign of the princess yet however. Please tell me you got rid of that teacher of yours already, we're on a time limit, I can't wait for you forever! I'm going to keep going to St. Binah soon, meet me there. Take care of your father later, I'm getting tired of waiting.

Asch

Asch read over his short letter. Deciding it was good enough, he folded it, shoved it into an envelope, and handed it to the waiting carrier pigeon. "You know where to find him." he whispered just before it took off. No one in Engave could give him any leads to his investigation, he was preparing to leave to St. Binah now. The only thing holding him from heading straight over to Kimlasca was Guy. The man had refused to leave the country until he took care of an old teacher of his. Why Luke fon Fabre would hide himself away in Malkuth, he didn't know. To escape Guy?

He brought his cape around his neck, clicking the clasps in place, then walked briskly out of the inn room. He nodded a silent good-bye to the inn owner, and was about to leave, when he was stopped by two girls. The inn owner's daughters.

"...What?" he stared down at the two girls with cold eyes. They both had blond hair and bright blue eyes. The girl on the left, who appeared to be the older of the two, stepped forward, and her sister took her place in front of the door.

"I am Mary, that is my younger sister, Natalia." Mary gestured to the other.

"What business do you have with me?"

"We wanted to know if you were a High Knight, dispatched to find-"

"I am a High Knight, yes, and if I were not searching for Her Highness, would I really be wasting my time here?" Asch replied coldly before Mary could finish. She seemed unaffected. She was about to open her mouth again before the inn owner called to them.

"Hey, c'mon girls, don't bother him. He's on a mission, so let him be on his way."

"Alright, father." Mary moved away silently, Natalia was a little more reluctant, but followed her older sister. Asch glanced at her, causing her to give a small squeak, flush, and move slightly behind her sister.

Asch sighed and shook his head in slight annoyance as he left the inn and a cold nights air hit his face. But Mary did look somewhat familiar...he shook his head again as he left the small village, deciding it was nothing. He wasn't that far away, maybe just a few meters away when another voice called for him to wait. He spun around in annoyance to find yet another girl, this time with light brown hair, and deep blue eyes, running to him. "What now?"

She was obviously a farm hand, as she wasn't even panting as she stopped in front of him. "I just wanted to wish you good luck in finding Her Highness. And to a safe journey." she bowed slightly. "And...to ask a favor." she added quietly.

Asch raised an eyebrow. He was annoyed, but refusing a request would smudge his name. "Well might I ask your name first?"

She looked at him, as if she was in thought, then opened her mouth. "Grantes. Aurora Grantes."

"Well then, Aurora, what do you want from me?" Asch asked. Then something caught his eye behind her. Blond hair. Mary again? No, it was...

"Guy?" he suddenly said. Tear blinked in surprise. Asch mentally slapped himself. Damn it! Aurora stared at him suspiciously. "Guy...Do you mean Gailar-" she was about to turn around, when she suddenly crumpled. Asch gapped as he saw Guy appear behind her.

"Guy?! What the?! I thought you were-"

"I was in Grand Chokmah, heading to Engave when your letter got to me." Guy held up the letter, smirking.

"Well I understand that, but why did you just knock her out?!" Asch pointed to the girl on the ground.

"I'm on the run, Asch. I couldn't have her turn around and see me!" Guy shrugged. "Don't make such a big deal of it, or we'll get caught!"

"You mean you'll get caught! Jeez-" he was cut off as the voices of the village guards came over them. Lamps illuminated the night, and it would just be a matter of time before they were spotted. "Damn it!" Asch looked around quickly. "This is your fault!" he growled.

"Too bad! Let's just get out of here!" Guy tried to step around Asch.

"Wait! We can't just leave her there!" Asch exclaimed. The yells were getting louer..."Damn it!" he repeated, then scooped Aurora into his arms. He spun around, in the direction of the wester woods. "C'mon Guy! Let's go!"

"Why are you bringing her along?!" Guy asked as he fell into step with Asch.

"What? You want me to leave her there so she can tell the guards, or walk up to them and say 'Here, my friend knocked her out, you can have her back now. And just so you, my friend isn't the guy you're trying to find.'?!" Guy didn't reply. "Exactly!"

As soon as they were in the cover of the woods, the two collapsed on the forest floor, panting. The sound of the guards had disappeared long ago, but Asch wanted to be safe. Especially since now they would probably be questioned by the whereabouts of Aurora Grantes if they were seen. Or be accused of kidnapping, either way, Asch didn't want to be anywhere near a town right now. St. Binah would have to wait now.

"This is your fault you know, you didn't have to knock her out." he growled.

"What was I supposed to do?! Let her see me?" Guy exclaimed.

"...Well now we have to have her tagging along or we're both screwed!" Asch lay flat on his back, staring at the stars above.

This was great. Just fantastic.