Chapter 11: Broken Mirror
The sunrise danced across the water as the ferry departed from the Kaitzur docks. After spending the night in port, everyone comfortably settled into one of the many rooms at their disposal for the duration of the trip.
Ever since their arrival in Kaitzur Port, Van had been conspicuously absent. Had it not been for Jade spotting him board with Arietta still in custody that morning, they would have wondered if he had missed the ship altogether. It certainly was a troublesome fact. Jade would much rather have the man somewhere where he knew what he was doing. Better yet, he'd rather have Van somewhere he'd be forced to answer each and every question on the steadily growing list at the back of Jade's mind. The more he thought on their circumstances, the more he wanted to steal a moment with the mysterious Commandant, but such fortune wasn't shining on him this morning, and Van was no where to be found.
In spite of everyone's reservations about the man, the lot of them were in a pretty good mood. The recently returned Ion had become the center of attention and he probably couldn't have detached Anise from him even if he had wanted to. In fact the only person happier to see him back than Anise, was Luke.
The redhead had been positively thrilled at the Fon Master's return and both of them had been chatting well into the night until Tear and Anise came in and put a stop to it. Something about getting some much needed rest. Jade didn't see a problem with it, the ferry ride should provide ample opportunity to catch up on sleep. The two girls however, seemed inclined to disagree, and far be it from him to interrupt them while they ensured the wellbeing of their respective charges.
"Fon Master," Jade interrupted the discussion, when the idea of exploring the ship came up. Before he let them go on their merry way, there were a few things he wanted to know.
"Yes?" Ion looked up. "What is it Jade?"
"I realize you can't tell us what you have been doing during your absence-" Jade paused, wondering if Ion just might divulge something.
"No I'm afraid I can't." Ion replied.
"That's fine," Jade stated, adjusting his glasses. Clearly he'd have to alter his strategy. "Can you at least tell us where they took you? Hopefully it won't be necessary, but should the God-Generals decide to take you on another field trip, I'd rather not leave finding you to chance."
Ion sighed deeply, contemplating Jade's request. The internal struggle between guarding the Order's secrets and his desire to be of assistance was written across his face. "We went to the Sephiroth," Ion finally offered.
"The Sephiroth? That sounds familiar; I know I've heard of it before," Luke pondered.
"The Sephiroth are the world's ten most powerful fon slots. They're places where memory particles concentrate and fonons gather easily," Asch answered.
"Oh yeah! I remember now. Man that was a boring lecture!"
"It might be more interesting if you were awake," Asch said with a jab.
"I was not sleeping!" Luke protested. "So what if my memory isn't as good as yours?"
"Right, so pacing my notes to the sound of your snoring was clearly my imagination."
"So what? I just don't get what's so interesting about fon slots. It doesn't really have much application if you're not a fonist anyway, right?"
"Actually Luke, it has a great many practical applications," Ion replied. "Take the Planet Storm for example, without the fon slots that power it, there would be no fonons to provide energy. In a sense everything on this planet is dependent on the existence of fon slots, even if they don't directly utilize their own."
"Sorry Ion," Luke said with a chuckle. "You lost me."
"You're hopeless," Asch muttered.
"Actually, on the topic of fon slots," Luke continued. "How are you making out with that fon slot seal, Jade? I mean, are you making any progress with it at all?"
"Why, are you worried about me?" Jade taunted.
"Not especially," Luke shrugged it off, "I was just- well- you know..."
"Thank you for your concern Luke," Jade said, somewhat sincerely this time. "But a fon slot seal is like a lock, with a code that changes periodically. I'm working on it, but it will be awhile until it's completely undone."
"Oh. Okay."
"Hey Guy?" Anise spoke up. The blond in question had been quiet the entire time and seemed to be focused on whatever he had sitting on the table in front of him. With his back to everyone, he was oblivious to the world, Anise's query included. Rather irate at being ignored, Anise decided to take the direct approach.
"Watcha got there?" Anise chirped cheerfully as she jumped onto Guy's back, her arms wrapping around his neck. Even from across the room, everyone could see Guy freeze. He slowly turned his head and next thing anyone knew, Anise was on the floor, having overturned a few chairs on her way there, and Guy was in the corner, curled up and shaking.
"What the hell are you doing?" Asch yelled at Guy, extending a hand to help the young Fon Master Guardian up. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Anise replied, quickly shifting her leg as to hide the trickle of blood coming out of the cut she had incurred from her fall.
"What's wrong?" Ion inquired.
"Yes, that's more than just a startled reaction," Jade commented. "And far beyond a simple aversion to females."
"I-I'm sorry. I just…reacted. I can't help it. I'm sorry Anise."
"Don't worry about it." Anise replied.
"Ah, so this was the cause of the commotion." Jade picked up the fon disc from the ground. It was the same one he had returned to Guy after using it to taunt Dist.
"Yeah, I was kind of curious as to what's on it," Guy replied. His words caught the attention of both redheads.
"Well, when we reach Chesedonia, we can get it checked out." Jade suggested. Asch and Luke caught each other's eye. This was going to be a fun mess to get out of.
"Anise, you're bleeding!" Ion exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention away from the fon disk for now.
"I'm fine Ion, don't worry. It's just a scratch." Anise cheerfully insisted.
"But it could get infected if it's not treated properly," Ion argued. Accepting some bandages from Tear, he began properly dressing the wound. "There," he stood up once he was finished, "that should do for now."
"Th-Thank you Ion." Anise stuttered, blushing.
"I'm really sorry Anise," Guy repeated. "I wasn't like this when I was a kid."
"What do you think started it then?" Tear inquired curiously. Guy shifted uncomfortably but didn't answer. "I'm sorry, that was inconsiderate of me." Tear apologized after a moment.
"Oh give me a break," Asch muttered. "How about one of these days you just grow a spine before you seriously hurt someone?"
"Asch!" Anise exclaimed. She was appalled by his statement. Sure it seemed like a dumb thing to be afraid of, but even she could tell he had a very good reason for it, even if he didn't feel like sharing it. It was written all over his face. Asch couldn't seriously have missed that fact, not living in the same mansion. Why was he being such a jerk?
"So it's a fear. Get over it," Asch continued. "Yeah it's all fine and well to be afraid of something, but when people are getting hurt, just because some girl touched you? It's pathetic. Then you expect to have everyone tiptoe on eggshells about it afterwards? Get real. Deal with it instead of running away like some coward."
The room was completely silent and Anise didn't dare breathe for fear of snapping the tension. Somehow she was getting the impression, if only from the aura of hatred radiating off Guy and Asch, that if it did there would be a bloodbath. This went way beyond her scrapping her leg on the floor. There was some serious bad blood between those two and she didn't want to be around when it all spilled over. Much to her relief, Guy didn't respond in any way. Instead he muttered something about needing some air, and was gone before anyone could say a word.
"I think that's a good idea," Jade agreed, his own disapproving glare never leaving Asch. "I think we could all use some fresh air, and a chance to unwind." He left, and everyone else was just as eager to escape the room, leaving only Luke and Asch in the haze of tension that had yet to disperse.
"Hmph, fine be that way," Asch scoffed at the metal door that closed behind his travel companions.
"It's your own fault," Luke spat. He was just as angry as everyone else, if not even more so at how Asch had treated Guy. "Why the hell do you always have to be so mean to Guy?"
"What do you mean always? How would you know? You're only seven. You have no idea what went on before then!"
"That doesn't matter. You have no excuse to treat him like crap!"
"Why the hell do you care, he's just a servant."
"He is not just a servant!" Luke yelled, outraged.
"He is so!"
"Then what am I? Just your brother? Just your replica? You think you're so much better then everyone else! So much more important! Maybe you are important, but guess what? That doesn't mean you get to treat the rest of the world like the dirt under your boots!"
"What the hell do you know?"
"I know you'd never treat Natalia's servants like that!"
"You leave her out of this!" Asch threatened venomously.
"Yeah well until you learn to treat the people important to me with a little respect, I'll say whatever the hell I please!"
"Important to you? You mean the people who spoil you!"
"That is not true!"
"Yes it is! You only defend him because of the way he dotes on you day and night!"
"And how would you know? You can't spend 10 seconds with him without making one of those snide remarks of yours!"
"Don't talk like you know everything!" Asch shouted.
"Then why don't you grow up and be a bit more responsible!"
"Don't give me crap about responsibilities when you don't even have a future!"
A cold silence fell over them both.
Luke didn't answer, but the fury and hurt in his eyes was more then enough for Asch to know that his hit had landed. After a moment, Luke spun around and stormed out of the room slamming the door behind him. Asch cringed as the door flew shut. Well, now everyone on the ship knew something was up.
Asch almost regretted what he had said. It had been a low blow, to a subject that he knew was sensitive to begin with. That was the most hurt he'd seen Luke in a long time. Maybe he had gone a bit too far this time. No; Asch shook off the feeling, dismissing his tugging conscience.
Let him be that way. He had more important things to deal with than Luke's temper tantrums.