A short story written by the scriptwriter for Tales of the Abyss. It's time for Peony one break of the day, which means its vent all his frustrations to his rappigs.
The waterclock in the office chimed for 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Peony flew out of his chair and ran for the door, ignoring the disapproving glares from his secretary and chamberlain. Just then, various knocks echoed through Peony’s cheek, which was pressed up against the door.
“Hold tight, I’m going as fast as I can!”
As he spoke, he burst open the door. Beyond those double doors were four rappigs, snorting away without a care.
“Nephry! Aslan! Jade! Saphir! Come here!”
Peony welcomed them with arms wide open. They all charged towards him, tiny legs flailing about. He’s tackled to the floor, all while cradling his babies in his arms.
“Whoa-ho-ho! Aren’t we lively today? Aww, were you lonely without me? Papa’s here now!”
As the emperor gave each and every rappig a kiss on their little heads, the secretary and chamberlain simply slumped over in defeat. Peony turned and glared at them with disdain.
“What are you still doing here? This is my one and only break and I’ve only got 15 minutes. Everyone clear out!”
Had you only heard the voice, it would have sounded like an absolute order from a dignified ruler, but pair that with the visuals of him rolling around the floor covered in rappigs and it loses some of its impact… However, his subordinates understood that this was just par for the course and gave a respectful nod as they took their leave.
“Yeesh...”
Peony picked himself up, rappig still in his arms as he nuzzled his face into its fur.
“Papa’s sooo tired…”
The two rappigs he currently had held in a headlock let out displeased squeals.
“Hey, what’s the matter? Oh, it’s just Jade and Saphir at it again.”
Peony let them go free, and they started sniffing around the office. By the chair he just so carelessly knocked over, he spied a lovely little rappig.
“Nephry! There you are!”
Peony picked up the little piggy, skillfully put the chair back with just his foot, and took a seat. Nephry laid quietly upon Peony’s lap, belly facing up. Even rappigs will expose their tummies to trusted humans and ask for scritches. Peony gently stroked his beloved rappig’s tummy, following the grain of her coat just as requested, of course.
“Hey, Nephry? Being an emperor's tough work. I hardly have time to spend with my little darling, and there’s always a mountain of work to do…”
Peony turned his gaze to the pile of documents littering his desk. Just the thought of having to sign so many was enough to make you want to cry.
“See, look at this! They expect me to read the whole thing and sign off on it by the end of the day. Are they devils or what?! Well, not so much as Jade, at least.”
Just then, the rappig Jade who’d been sniffing around the chair let out a panicked snort. Peony's expression softened as he petted Jade on the head.
“Ah! No, not you! Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. I meant the not-so-cute Jade. It must be kinda confusing, so let’s just call him “that four-eyed creep.”
Jade let out an oink, seemingly in agreement.
That four-eyed creep still hasn’t contacted me! How long has it been since he took off to Kimlasca with my letter? Everyone’s saying he went and died... Pfft, yeah right. You couldn’t kill him even if you tried. Isn’t that right, Jade?”
“Oink!”
“Exactly! So basically, my workload keeps piling up because he’s always taking his sweet time to report back. All the while I’m being pressured by parliament, not to mention my best friend has up and vanished and I’m so worried sick I don’t even feel like working! Well, those are the excuses I have to make so I actually have the time to get anything done…
“Oink…”
“I know, it’s all that four-eyed creep’s fault, isn’t it? My ever increasing workload, getting hungry, heck, even why the sky is blue–it’s all his fault!”
As he sat there petting Nephry and complaining away, he noticed her collar had gotten dirty. He froze mid-pat and gazed intently at her collar. It was crafted from the finest leather and encrusted in jewels. Nephry’s in particular is adorned with a 15 carat topaz, and it was exactly that gem that had a black smear on it.
“Oink?”
Nephry looked up at Peony, puzzled, as he gently placed his fingers upon the topaz.
“You really are the sweetest little thing, aren’t you Nephry?”
Mumbling to himself, with a dour expression he grabbed the topaz and flipped it over. With a small clicking sound, the locket popped open, revealing a small piece of paper hidden inside. He took out the paper, nonchalantly humming all the while.
“There’s a traitor among your staff. Please remain vigilant while the investigation is underway.” The hastily written note was from Frings, who Peony had great trust in.
“Seriously… It ain't easy being emperor…”
With a grumble he scrunched up the paper and tossed it to Saphir, who swiftly gobbled up the paper with delight. Peony set Nephry down as he stood up. He walked over to the rappig seemingly guarding the door and kneeled down beside it. Incidentally, that one just so happened to be named after Frings himself.
“Hey, Aslan. On guard duty again today? What a clever little boy.”
As he pet him, he reached for the turquoise on his collar, turning in exactly 180 degrees. This was his secret way of communicating with his most trusted subordinates. Ever since taking the throne, he’s made many enemies trying to achieve peace with the kingdom of Kimlasca. He was never truly safe, not even within his own palace’s walls.
“But you don’t want to be too clever for your own good. Take me for example, I’m smart, well-versed in martial arts and handsome to boot, but that only makes other's jealous.”
“Oink!”
“Heh, I knew you’d get me, Aslan.”
As he scooped the rappig up in his arms, there was another knock at the door.
“What now?! I’m busy spending time with my precious babies!”
“Your Majesty, your break is almost over. You have a meeting with the National Defense Committee in 30 minutes.”
“Yeah yeah, I hear you.”
Peony gave each rappig one last kiss and cuddle before walking out the door. Just outside the office, the secretary and chamberlain stood with solemn looks on their faces. They must have heard every word, but still have the gall to pretend they didn’t. Don’t they ever question their beliefs of what qualities truly make for a fine emperor?
“...Nah, I'm probably just working them too hard.”
The two looked shocked at the words that just left his mouth.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking the palace must be a tough place to work.”
Peony placed a hand on the chamberlain's shoulder as he walked by, only to receive an awkward “Umm…” From his perspective, there was no way the chamberlain would ever dare to try something like betraying the emperor. But still, there was always a chance. He may appear to be nothing more than a kind old man, but you never know. He could be the one plotting the rebellion. Noticing Peony’s gaze upon him, the chamberlain spoke with great trepidation.
“I-Is there something on my face, Your Majesty?”
“Hmm… nope. I was just thinking about getting another rappig soon, but I haven’t decided on the name yet. Say, let’s hear yours, why don’t we?”
“S-Surely you jest, Your Majesty! Such an honor would be wasted on someone such as myself…”
“Not into the idea?”
“N-No, I’d never say such a thing…”
“Relax. I’m not mad or anything. I know you’ve had it rough, too.”
Even if he may be innocent, should a traitor among his ranks be uncovered, they will surely face severe punishment.
“But of course, no one’s got it worse than me. I’m putting in an order that starting tomorrow, my rappig break is extended to 20 minutes!”
With this parting gift, Peony strolled with a smug grin on his face.
A short story written by the lead scriptwriter for Tales of Graces. Set on the night before the final battle of Lineage & Legacies, Malik looks around Telos Atsue when a conversation with Hubert dredges up some past memories…
Absorb Fodra’s eleth and shut down the core. Having made that decision, Asbel and companions decided to rest in the residential district of Telos Astue to prepare for the day ahead. The rest wasn’t just needed to physically prepare themselves, either. Asbel’s declaration that he would sacrifice himself sent shockwaves through the party. Cheria and Richard were particularly shaken, and clearly did not approve of the plan. If they head to Fodra’s core and even a single person failed to mentally steel themselves, one misstep is all it would take for a lifetime of regrets.
Malik, as the elder of the group, decided somewhat forcibly that they must rest. After the decision was finalized, they all went about their own things. Malik, not having any particular goal in mind, wandered around the residential district. The area once inhabited by the people of Fodra appeared remarkably well maintained despite many years of abandonment. It’s as if time itself had suddenly stopped, yet lingering traces of their humdrum lives could be seen in every nook and cranny. Malik couldn’t help but feel a sense of sentimentality at such a sight. It felt familiar, almost like he’d seen it all before…
He paused in what appeared to be an abandoned office as these thoughts drifted through his mind. The facility is a far cry for the brick and stone buildings he was accustomed to. So then… Why does it feel so familiar?
“Hmm? Is that…?”
Among the rows of translucent containers lined up on the shelves, one that was a different color from the rest jumped out at him. As he reached out to inspect it, he heard a voice call out from behind.
“Oh, Captain. So this is where you were.”
Malik turned to see who it was. Sure enough, it was Hubert.
“Exploring is all well and good, but isn't it about time we all gather for dinner?”
“Oh, is it that late already?”
“It’s an unfamiliar environment, after all. To be honest, there’s hardly any sense of time here… but that’s precisely why we must stay regimented and maintain a sense of normalcy.”
As Hubert spoke, he took out his pocketwatch from his breast pocket and turned his gaze toward it. The clock ticking away time as it flows back on their distant homeworld of Ephinea.
“Sense of normalcy, huh? You sure think of everything.”
“H-Hardly… It's simply the logical thing to do to make sure Asbel can be in peak condition tomorrow…
As Malik praised him, a brief look of embarrassment crossed Hubert’s face.
“Hubert, have you found your resolve? For what might happen with Asbel.”
As he heard the question, his expression turned grim.
“I wouldn’t say resolve… rather, I choose to have faith in him.”
“Faith?”
“Indeed. He said he could handle it… so I must take him at his word.”
Memories of first meeting Hubert suddenly popped into Malik’s mind. Back then, he had such a stern, meticulous air about him, but he knows better now. It’s now clear to see he holds a compassionate heart and true inner strength.Having noticed just how much this young man had grown, Malik’s tense expression softened into a gentle smile.
“I see. Despite what you might say, you’re still brothers through and through.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Who can say?”
Both are strong willed and refuse to back down once they’ve made up their mind. The list of similarities could go on forever, but hopefully they’ve realized that for themselves one day. With that thought in his mind, Malik chose to keep the answer to himself, returning his attention back to the shelves.
“Are you investigating something?”
“Nothing so important. I’m just rummaging around to kill time.
Malik picked up the unusually colored container and cracked open the lid. Inside was a small metal ring.
“What’s this?”
“A ring, I presume.”
“A ring…?”
Malik held the ring up to his eye and inspected it closely. That’s a ring, all right. Judging by its side, it was most likely made for a woman. Perhaps it was just an old piece of junk. It was completely covered in rust, yet the inlaid gemstone shone bright.
“Why is there a ring in here…?”
“Huh...”
The ring reflected its colors upon the other containers, catching Malik’s attention. Suddenly the many rows of containers were dyed a twilight hue. The metallic shelves shifted to the warm tones of wood, with rolled up papers haphazardly stuffed into wooden crates which once held ammunition. Through the rusted ring, Malik saw a vision of a bygone era.
Back to that day where he scrounged up a bunch of crumpled notes and gold coins to buy a cheap ring adorned with a crimson stone. Surely a perfect fit for the woman he secretly loved. Malik never handed her the ring, but instead hid in a crate hidden away in the back of the cabin they used as their base of operations. If only she stumbled upon that ring…
Perhaps this rusted ring too was the dashed hopes of a fool who out of cowardice, or maybe stubbornness, hoped their loved one would notice their feelings without a word. Did they hide it away here? Just as this old fool once did. What ever became of that ring? The rebels were cornered by the government, and their strongholds fell one by one, until none remained. Surely that cabin too had been reduced to ashes. Even had it remained there untouched, she wouldn’t have wanted it anyway. That ring will never be worn upon anyone’s finger. Even that burning passion within his heart as he prepared to give it to her has long since faded.
“Hmm…”
A sudden silence filed the room. Hubert awkwardly cleared his throat, snapping Malik back to reality.
“...Sorry.”
“Don’t be… It’s quite curious, isn’t it? Though the ring has completely rusted, the gem still remains vibrant as ever."
“Hubert…”
Hubert’s words struck a chord with the captain. He’s right... And here he thought time had cruelly stripped everything away. But, not everything has been lost. Whether the fire within him was love or passion for the revolution, it was still burning. Whatever it was, Malik could feel a fire stirring deep within a corner of his heart.
“You’re quite the fountain of wisdom today, aren't you?”
A rusted ring hidden within the depths of his heart. So deep it was almost buried for good. It was these kids who shone their light upon him, illuminated his passion once more. He always aimed to serve as a role model for them, but perhaps that was overly presumptuous of him.
“It’s not like you to so easily hand out praise. What’s gotten into you?”
As Malik gave a hearty pat on the pouting young man’s back, he thought to himself… He may not be a role model, but perhaps giving a little push is enough. So the next generation won’t follow in this old fool’s footsteps.
“Still, is this really the time to waste chatting with me? Isn't there’s someone else you should be talking to instead?”
“A-And who might that be?”
“The one who just popped into your mind, of course.”
His face beet red, Hubert stormed off, insisting it was “none of his business.” Malik watched him leave, framed by the hole of the ring. And for just a brief moment, it was like watching his younger self march off full of resolve.
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