DarkRuby: thanks :3 I'm hoping to make the transitions a little more obvious… _ but obviously, if Artemis is referred to as a man, its not in her POV xD
Well atleast this chapter is mainly Jade's POV
Anonymous reviewer: maybemaybemaybe, you're hitting it close tho!!
Midnightxwolfx: o.o
Black-Dove15: … I love you. I'll definitely dedicate the next chapter to you xD
Yuleen75: thanks :3
So erm… I decided to just redo the chapter!
Ahaha…ha.
depressed.
Actually… someone might get more confuzzled with it D;
more depressed.
Buah, don't worry too much about this dead guy tho, he doesn't really play much of a part…..maybe I said too much .___.
summary: Artemis Niels is a part-time topographer, gel maker, and merchant, with some medical talents just for kicks. Dressing as a male comes naturally. but she never thought she'd be dragged on a quest to save the world. 'Tales of the Abyss is not my property'
Page 4:
Artemis gave him and uneasy look.
"…Are you alright, Jade?"
Jade steadied himself before he lost anymore of his composure. It was uncharacteristic of him to act in such a way. Perhaps it was his impatient curiosity towards his green haired companion.
Perhaps he was reminded of the man that had once liked Nephry. He had liked Nephry, but she denied him because she was obviously in love with Peony. The man was distraught but continuously sought after his sister, but she wouldn't have it. She continuously turned him down until he finally concluded he could not have her love. His last attempt he tried with force, and had been brutally humiliated and exposed by Peony and Jade. Peony had actually gained a wound from the man which drove Nephry to impulsively declare that she hated the man.
Days later his sister had learned that the man was ill. Nephry was determined to speak to him. Jade was against it and agreed to go in her stead. Jade met a miserable sight of the man. Sitting in his bed staring at the ceiling.
'Trying to use pity now?' Jade said.
The man's eyes slowly looked over to Jade, who was standing in his doorway. Then turned back to look at the ceiling.
'Oh.. It's Nephry's brother..' then he sighed deeply as if those few words had tired him out.
'Have a seat?'
Jade spotted the chair near his bed and walked over to it. He intentionally pulled it farther away from the bed and sat down.
'It's not that…' he continued, 'I'm not going to go after Nephry anymore…'
'…What's that? You suddenly decided to stop chasing after her.'
'…No, I can't have her love…'
Jade wanted to laugh, did the man really think that he could have Nephry? No she was in love with someone else and Jade would definitely not allow someone like him to have his sister.
The man let out another sigh, 'I've… given up. Don't worry.'
'I see,' Jade stood up. At least now he and Nephry wouldn't have to ever worry about the gifts the man had been sending.
Jade walked over to the door and stopped. He looked at the man sick in his bed.
'What are you going to do now?'
He didn't know why he asked. Perhaps it was so he had something to tell his sister when he returned. Maybe he was concerned for the man… he doubted it.
For a long time the man didn't answer and Jade grew impatient. He was about to leave without a reply when the man finally spoke.
'Nothing.'
Two weeks later he was given word that the man had killed himself. The man had decided that his life wasn't worth living without Nephry's love and killed himself. He didn't even bother to seek out a purpose in the world. He decided that he wouldn't eat, wouldn't bathe, wouldn't leave his home, wouldn't speak with anyone, wouldn't look at anyone, wouldn't live. Just because none of it would give him the love of the woman he desired.
When the news had gotten around. The atmosphere in their town just seemed grim. Jade's sister had been upset for months and for the first week or so, she would not even speak to anyone. The man had left the world because he couldn't have a woman's love and inconsiderately left wounds in the hearts of his family and friends. The man was pathetic.
Jade hated when people gave up. It was such a nuisance to anyone that knew them. He closed his eyes and adjusted his glasses.
"Forgive me," he said in reference to his delayed reply.
"Ah…"
Jade opened his eyes to see Artemis walking away from him. Perhaps, he had upset the young man. Jade wouldn't be surprised if he did. But if that was the case, it seemed Jade would not get his answers anytime soon.
"Artemis," he started.
"Hey, Jade?"
Jade frowned because he had been cut off, but replied nonetheless.
"Yes?"
"Don't worry about it," Artemis turned to him with a small smile on his face.
"it's not like I plan on dying anytime soon."
Jade didn't know if he was supposed to be comforted by the young man's claim or not. But he could only stare as Artemis continued to walk. The green haired man paused again and turned expectantly at Jade.
"Are you coming now?" he asked, "I'll get you a pair of new glasses."
"Pardon?" Jade wouldn't admit that he was at a loss for words. Especially as an amused expression fell on Artemis' face.
Artemis pointed behind him where a shop stood.
Jade sighed, well, there was no point in being upset at such a point.
He smiled his slightly condescending smile and spoke.
"I'm afraid you won't be able to replace these."
Artemis' face dropped and his arm fell to his side. He turned away from Jade.
"What a shame…" Artemis began to mumble to himself, "I try to be nice and…"
"Excuse me?" Jade asked with a bemused expression.
Artemis spun around to face the Colonel.
"Well your glasses," he put his hands to his face to demonstrate, "they keep falling down…I thought we should get you a pair fitted to you."
Jade chuckled to himself, "No, I thank you for the thought but there is no need for such things. You can't replace these from a place like this."
Artemis unaware of the reason behind Jade's answer began to mumble to himself again.
"Well, I like this shop…"
Jade stopped himself from continuing on the subject of the shop and decided to remind Artemis that the rest of their party were waiting.
"Perhaps, we should continue on our journey rather than idle around here?"
"Hm? Oh right, of course… This way then."
------
"…I see. That's our specialty."
A spark of recognition filtered through Artemis and she turned to Jade with a weary expression. She didn't like the group one bit, even though because of them she met her new companions… but then again, maybe that wasn't such a good thing either.
'Dark Wings,' she mouthed to him.
He nodded to her. The two looked over and spotted the Dark Wings talking with a soldier. Artemis' eyes narrowed. What was going on with the military?
"We'll expect a fat check for this one."
"This is going to be a big job, Noir."
So the name of the leader was Noir.. She'd have to remember that for future reference. Just in case.
"What's up?" Artemis frowned as she heard another familiar voice. Was Luke really an idiot?
"You going thieving again?" he said smartly.
The Soldier stiffened, probably from the fact that he was caught conversing with criminals.
"W-well, then. That will be all. Excuse me, Fon Master."
The Soldier ran off and passed by Artemis and Jade.
Artemis glanced at Jade and caught his eyes following the escaping soldier.
"Oh," the two turned back to the group as Noir began speaking again, "is that boy Fon Master Ion?"
Artemis' body stiffened involuntarily and she made move to step forward but a firm hand kept her in place. She was about to lash out at the person responsible, but stopped herself short and closed her eyes. Why was she so agitated so suddenly? She opened her eyes and her sight landed on Ion. The boy looked all too much like Evenos..
She clenched her fists and then relaxed them.
Too much.
She'd have to get away from him -her eyes glanced to the Necromancer beside her and the blonde haired servant in front of her- them.
"Had a run in with the Dark Wings before this?"
She hadn't forgotten Jade's presence beside her, but his sudden voice startled her. Neither had she realized just how tense her body was.
She let out a long breath.
"Other than the incident earlier, no, I haven't."
"Oh?" Her ears perked up. She could hear the smirk in his voice.
She turned to look up at him. He was indeed smirking.
This man… He was dangerous. He could find out everything if she stayed too long, for sure.
"Then why are you so agitated?"
"I.. I'm not," she lied. His eyes remained on her momentarily before he adjusted his glasses.
"So be it," he spoke aloud, "every truth will be revealed in the end."
Artemis involuntarily stiffened.
This man…
He was…dangerous.
------
Jade watched for Artemis' reaction from the corner of his eye. The reaction was no less than what he had expected of Artemis.
He smirked. He'd have his answers in no time.
"They're coming this way."
Jade nodded his head and replied, "It would seem so."
He pretended not to notice the annoyed expression on Artemis' face.
"We'll just walk around and meet the others somewhere else," he said with a huff.
He took a step foreword, but stopped and held his hand to one of his eyes. He was probably still feeling ill, Jade surmised.
"Perhaps, you should wait and have the group find you instead," Jade said lightly.
Jade saw the man shake his head, "No, it's fine."
Artemis stood straight and shook his head. He pulled out a small notebook and began to walk ahead. Probably to make it seem that they hadn't been listening. Or perhaps Artemis simply wanted to avoid anymore time with Jade. He fixed his glasses again. To Jade, it didn't really matter as to what anyone thought of him, so long as he got what he wanted.
Jade decided to stay where he was and watch Artemis walk on ahead. Artemis was walking with one hand halfway in his pocket and another holding the notebook out in front of him. He flipped a page. The sound from the page was all that the Dark Wings needed to queue into action. Jade watched as Noir nudged her hands in the air behind her. The two clowns behind her went their separate ways while the ringleader began to walk in, if possible, a more seductive manner. She flipped her hair behind her shoulder as she made her way closer and closer to Artemis.
The grin on Jade's face grew. Well then, wasn't this interesting.
"Why hello there handsome~," she cooed.
Artemis gave a curt 'hello' and left it at that. Perhaps, his rude manner was in due to him knowing she was a criminal, but Jade couldn't help but think his sudden agitation from earlier and sudden head pains had some part in it.
However, Noir didn't miss a beat at all. Instead, she began to walk around Artemis.
"Hmmm, and what's someone like you doing in a place like this?"
"I'm busy," Artemis immediately responded.
Noir frowned, but didn't give up.
Jade noticed the woman look Artemis up and down, probably trying to find where Artemis' gald would be. Finally the woman stopped walking and stood in front of Artemis.
"Busy? With what?" she put a finger on the top of Artemis' notebook.
"Research."
Noir tugged the notebook down and met Artemis' eyes. Jade's interest grew as the woman drew in a gasp.
"Peacock eyes."
The woman licked her lips and then smiled. She attempted to wrap her arms around Artemis' shoulders.
"Why don't you research this…?" She said seductively.
"I'd much rather not."
A dark look flashed through the woman's face, but she regained her composure.
"I think you should reconsider.."
"I think not, I'm afraid I can't thank you for the offer either," Artemis replied flatly.
"Why you.. What's wrong with you??" the woman blew up at Artemis. She pushed him away by his shoulders and he dropped his notebook from the force.
Artemis stared at his disregarded notebook and looked back to the woman.
"Excuse me?"
"What kind of a man are you?" she exclaimed, "There's a beautiful woman in front of you."
She saw the notebook on the ground, "-and you'd rather put your face in a notebook!"
She growled and stomped her heel into the notebook. Artemis' frown deepened.
"You stupid researchers and scientists! I hate your kind of people, you disgust me-."
"Who's the disgusting one?" Any humor that the man had had while speaking with Jade left his voice in an instant.
To Jade's surprise the air around Artemis seemed hostile, almost unnaturally so. His eyes were narrowed and pointed towards the red-haired woman in front of him.
"Stupid? You're calling me unintelligent?"
Without warning Artemis grabbed a handful of the woman's hair and pulled down. The woman's body followed until she was standing on her knees. She looked up to glare at Artemis, but the glare was quickly replaced with fear.
"You said Peacock Eyes earlier with such enthusiasm earlier," Artemis spoke in the same deadly cold voice. He pulled out a dagger and held it to her face..
"Planning to kill me and then sell them off in the black market?" He raised the dagger to just below her eye.
Jade uncrossed his arms just in case he would have to intervene. The situation seemed to have grown incredibly out of hand in a short time.
"You disgust me." Artemis raised the dagger above his shoulder and brought it down.
Jade ran but he knew he wouldn't make it in time.
The woman let out a scream. A warm liquid slipped across her face, but there was no pain. She looked up. Artemis still stood over her, but the dagger was embedded in his thigh rather than her own eye. Jade held one of the man's arms away from himself
"Artemis," Jade started but Artemis hadn't even recognized his presence yet.
"Don't you know what it means to have Peacock Eyes?" Artemis hissed at the woman.
"Artemis," Jade said more sternly, but the man still wouldn't respond to him.
The eyes of the leader of the Dark Wings remained fixed on Artemis, partly in fear, the other in some unnamed feeling.
"Maybe I should do some research on you," Artemis said darkly to the woman. He smeared some of his own blood on the woman's face.
"Run," he said coldly.
Noir stared at him stupidly for a single moment and then stumbled to her feet and took off.
Artemis started to walk after her but Jade had had enough. The man had ignored Jade for long enough. And so, Jade resolved to twist both his arms behind his back.
Artemis hissed at him. Jade just smirked at the green-haired man.
"Very mature for your age, Artemis, I'm sure."
He held both of Artemis' arms with one hand, while the other reached in front of Artemis' body. He grabbed the dagger and with a quick motion he pulled it out. Artemis made no response to even feeling it.
He leaned in to speak lowly into Artemis' ear.
"You know, you never said anything as to having Peacock Eyes."
"Jade!" "What are you doing!"
-------
"I assure you that the wound Artemis took was not dealt from me."
Jade almost chuckled at the sight of the small Anise bearing down on him as he sat on the bed in an inn.
"How could it not have been from you, Colonel!" She exclaimed, her face red.
"Anise," Ion reprimanded the young Fon Master Guardian, "It isn't right of us to accuse Jade of something like this. I'm sure he has an explanation."
"Humph."
"Jade?"
"Of course." Jade adjusted his glasses.
"I just wish I could get off of this bed."
He looked down onto the bed where Artemis had actually grabbed on to his waist in sleep.
"This is rather uncomfortable."
"Jade!" Anise exclaimed, upset at having to wait so long for an answer.
Jade smiled to himself.
Ion turned to Anise and put a hand on her arm.
"Anise, if you could, I'd like to speak to Jade by myself?"
"But Ion!" Anise exclaimed, upset with having to travel with the man.
"Don't worry Anise."
She huffed and glared at the Colonel.
"I want an explanation!" Then slammed the door to the room shut.
Ion sighed and turned to the Colonel.
"Jade, if you would."
------
"Boss!! Are you alright??"
"Do you want us to go back and beat that guy up?"
Noir stopped pacing around and slammed her hands down on the table of the inn they were staying in.
"Would you two just shut up for a minute!"
The two men looked at each other, then back at Noir.
"Get out! I need time to think," she yelled at them.
They hesitated at first but walked out. Noir waited a few seconds after they had left and collapsed on the ground.
Peacock Eyes. She couldn't believe that there existed a person that had them. They were beautiful in pictures and even more in person. But that man... Noir shuddered and held herself. Such a deadly beauty in his eyes. The man's glare made her blood run cold but the fear was intoxicating. Like everyone's addiction to adrenaline. If only she could have him.
No. She held herself still. She was the leader of the Dark Wings. She would have him.
Old review replies _
Midnightxwolfx - oooo you've got the closest answer so far!! :D just wait tho u'll figure it out x3
Black-Dove15 - .. I didn't update ASAP… well I guess technically I did… but …. D; it took forever…-dies-
Apprentice Writer - …? i dun recall you being .. mean?
Yuleen75 - yeah.. i figured itd be confusing ___ and its in Jade's POV for the last part of ch3
Culinaromancer - AHA I UPDATEs!! (it just took ages…) actually its kinda funneh.. Cuz like I read over the chapter.. And realized I had typed enuf like last week AHAHAHAHAHA. darn, i hate myself