I apologize for being utterly useless lately, guys. This update took about seven months longer than it should have. There's just been a lot going on lately, and I haven't really had the will to write. Sorry.

I also apologize for any OoCness that might occur, I haven't played Abyss in a long time. O.O;; Which might also explain things if there are some things that are just wrong. That and writing at three AM. –shifty eyes- I wanted to have it up on June Fourth…really. A fact I forgot until, well, June Third. –sweat-

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy anyway, and maybe a bit of review love? Pwease? -heart-

The atmosphere in the Gardios Manor was relaxing as Jade sat, waiting patiently for Guy to return from his 'day job'. The colonel had to admit that the building was very tasteful; not overly elaborate, but far from dull. As per Grand Chokmah style, the prevailing colours consisted of shades of blue, and white, creating a watery experience.

The trim lining the banisters and framing the windows was moderate, yet pleasing to the eyes, having been carved in the shape of waves. Marble floors reflected the light from several lanterns that had been placed about, flickering gently to give the room a flowing appearance as the blues merged together, like waves on the ocean.

As he sat, patiently waiting for Guy in the main hall—he had refused offers to wait elsewhere—the front door banged open, revealing the frazzled figure of the swordsman himself.

"I would tell you to quit your day job…only I suppose you can't."

Guy frowned; just what he wanted first thing after walking in the door, jibes from Jade.

"Jade…what brings you here today?"

"Lovely smell, did your little pets give you problems?" asked Jade, completely ignoring the blond's inquiry.

Guy grunted. Today had not been a good day.

"Yeah, Luke decided to chase after Tear. They got into the garden and found some mud…"

"And I suppose that explains you appearance," Jade stated, indicating the mud-covered clothing the swordsman still wore. "And the smell."

"They didn't want to be caught. They're good at getting what they want…"

"So it would seem. But I suppose that's what you get for walking rappigs for a living."

"Wh-wha? You think I wa—"

"—so Guy, it would seem that Luke is causing problems," Jade continued, ignoring the blond's efforts to explain himself.

Leaping up, Guy began looking around frantically.

"What? Where is he? I swear, if those things followed me home…"

Ignoring Guy's reaction, Jade continued to speak, "coming back like he did, and now all of this."

Guy blinked, "oh…you meant that Luke."

"Honestly Guy, what did you think I was talking about? Rappigs?"

Guy flushed slightly in embarrassment. Jade had won that round.

"…so, did you need something?"

"Yes, I just wanted to inform you that Yulia has the answers."

Guy blinked yet again. "What? Uh…okay?"

"Excellent, now that will save me the trouble of telling the others. Make certain you inform them promptly," he informed the other, making to leave as soon as he had finished speaking.

The blond stared, dumbfounded into silence yet again.

"W-wait! You're joking, right?"

Jade sighed, "partially," he replied, stopping.

"Okay, so I'll ask you one more time: what does this have to do with me?"

"Fontech."

"Fontech?" echoed a now even more confused Guy.

"Yulia's Day was the peak of fontech technology."

"Yes, but what does tha—" Guy's eyes widened as he realized what Jade was saying, stopping mid sentence to meet the ruby eyes of the colonel. "Wait, you're saying that the information you've been searching for all this time is—"

"—stored using fontech technology? Yes," Jade finished, reaching up to adjust his glass. "That, dear Guy, is why I need your help. No one in this day has as much knowledge of fontech as you."

"So then I am to assume you want me to return to Daath with you?"

"Exactly."

Guy nodded, "okay, then you go tell Peony while I get ready to depart."

Jade sighed, this would mean that he would have to tell Peony everything himself…

"Very well, I will meet you back here first thing in the morning."

Guy was in the process of voicing his agreement with Jade's plan when a sudden thought struck him.

"Hey, wait! What did you mean by 'partially'?!"

Not bothering to even turn around in his departure, Jade simply raised a hand in a gesture of farewell. Guy was too much fun sometimes.

Tear lay on her bed, gazing up at the ceiling, deep in thought. It felt so weird. Just months ago, Van had still been alive, then, in one fell swoop, she had lost both him and the man she loved…Luke. Now, Luke was back, and yet here she still was stuck in Yulia City, apart from him. Things needed to change.

Rolling over, she set her feet to the floor and pushed herself up. Lying around was certainly not going to get her anywhere. She knew that several investigations were being conducted on Luke's unexpected return, so it was therefore likely that her grandfather had one planned too. Perhaps he would allow her to head it…

Making her way over to his office, she rapped lightly on the door before entering, unsurprised to see Teodoro busy pouring over several stacks of paperwork.

"What is it, Tear?" he asked without bothering to look up.

"Grandfather…" she began, "I was wondering about the investigations into the matter of Luke's reappearance and the problems with the Fon Belt."

"What about them?"

"You were planning on conducting some, right?"

"And if I am?"

"I was hoping you would allow me to be included in the research team."

"Tear…" he stated flatly, looking up for the first time.

"I…I can't stand sitting around here doing nothing when something could be seriously wrong with the Fon Belt…or Luke," she added softly at the end.

Teodoro gazed at his beautiful granddaughter for several moments before sighing. "I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you," she whispered with a small bow before exiting the room.

Anise, unbeknownst to Jade—or anyone else, for that matter—had decided that she, too was going to help look for information on Lorelei and the Fon Belt. Locking herself away in her room, the former Fon Master Guardian poured dutifully over several of Daath's oldest texts, telling of everything from the discovery of the seventh fonon to the mastery of its power, right down to Yulia's pact with Lorelei itself. Even age-old theories regarding the Fon Belt and similar phenomena were discussed in detail.

All in all it was proving to be a very enlightening reading session, and she had managed to learn quite a few facts that she was certain Jade would be interested in learning too. There was often more credit due to old legends than people realized or acknowledged.

The myth—legend?—behind initial formation of the Fon Belt was something very interesting indeed…

Luke groaned as he kicked off his boots and flopped down onto his bed. He had spent the majority of the day looking over old records in the Baticul library with several scholars who were eager to learn all that he could tell them of the Fon Belt. Which wasn't much. All Luke knew was that Lorelei had been released into it by his actions, and that that was supposedly a good thing. However, he had learned that the Fon Belt was sensitive to matter, and that it might not take well to a foreign object such as Asch's soul.

The Fon Belt was composed entirely of Fonstones and the other sentiences, such as Lorelei, which were just the physical embodiments of their respective elements. It was really quite simple. The scholars had then sat around discussing possible outcomes, reasons, and consequences for what was happening. Needless to say this was where they lost Luke, who ended up daydreaming for the rest of their talks.

Daydreaming about Tear. Why was it that she had had to leave too? Something just seemed so wrong. After years of traveling together why was it that they were suddenly being forced apart? It was not right! Although he did admit that she had had no real reason to stay beyond him, and she had work to deal with in Yulia City, too. Maybe it was for the best that she had gone home after all, as much as he hated to admit it. He really had nothing to offer her here either. Well, nothing beyond his love anyway. Hopefully someday there would be more, but for now he just had to get back on his feet after so long. Hs life had never really gotten started as his own, either. Having been trying to save the world for as long as he knew who he was.

A sharp rap on the door soon interrupted his thoughts. Without bothering to get up, the redhead simply called for the person to come in.

Natalia stepped into her cousin's room with a faint grimace. Honestly, how many servants did the Fabres have? And Luke still couldn't keep his room clean? Ridiculous.

Ignoring her own disdain, the blonde princess motioned for Luke to follow her.

"Come on, let's go for a walk."

Not bothering to question the girl's motives, Luke climbed tiredly to his feet and stepped back into his boots. He was pretty sure what it was that Natalia wanted anyway.

They walked in silence for several minutes before Natalia finally ventured to speak.

"Luke…"

"Yeah?"

"Do you…do you think we can save Asch?" she asked, eyes glowing with fear and uncertainty.

"I…I honestly don't know, Natalia. Everything seems pretty confusing to me right now, to be honest. All I know for sure is that Asch is up there somewhere…" he muttered, pointing up to the Fon Belt. "Whether or not we can get him down is a major issue."

"Natalia simply nodded her understanding. She had been expecting such an answer, yet she had still had to ask. It wasn't comforting, but then again, just two weeks ago she had thought both Asch and Luke dead…so she really had no room to complain. At least one of them was definitely okay.

Bright and early the following morning, Jade was at the Gardios Manor, waiting patiently for Guy to finally emerge. Honestly, could Guy really not understand the idea of 'first thing'? It was already sunrise and he was still waiting. Lazy nobles.

By the time Guy finally emerged, rubbing sleep from his eyes, the sun was already halfway risen.

"Come Guy, it's time to go," he informed the blond flatly, already making his way over to the docks where Noelle awaited them.

With a tired yawn, Guy trailed after the fonist obediently, too asleep to react any more than that.

When Jade said first thing, he meant first thing…