Status Update + Tales of the Abyss Flash Fiction Gift
Until then, here is the Christmas flash fiction story that was supposed to go to
sagesoren a couple Christmases ago. I was going to post them all in one update this year, but it might be better if I just post the ones I do have done and just add more as I finish those. A special thanks to neontiger for helping me write this. Enjoy!Anise turned the doorknob slowly, careful not to make a sound as she slowly pushed the door open. Although Ion wasn’t a particularly light sleeper, she didn’t want to risk an ill-timed creak of metal to give her away. She slipped into the dark room once the crack between the door and frame was just big enough to wedge her body through to lessen the amount of light that would spill inside from the hall. She closed the door as quickly as she dared and kept her hand upon the knob even after it was securely shut. She waited, straining to hear anything other than the faint sound of the Fon Master breathing. He hadn’t stirred from her entrance, but there was a chance that someone might have seen her. She had taken extra precautions to make certain to slip in undetected, but she couldn’t let her guard down. It would be just like Jade to notice her despite how careful she was, so that he could his presence known, loudly, while asking why Anise was pretending to be a cat burglar, or something equally embarrassing. The last thing she wanted to do was explain what she was doing in Ion’s bedroom, even if she was his Fon Master Guardian.
A full minute ticked by. When it was clear that no one was coming, Anise almost felt disappointed. The Colonel must have been slipping or too distracted by overseeing Saphir. Being the former God General’s parole officer was a tough job, but at least it was hilarious to watch.
Anise almost relaxed, but then quickly reminded herself that she was still at risk of being caught. If she was sloppy now, Ion would wake up and all her careful planning would be ruined. She watched the bed, thankful that her pause had allowed her eyes to the darkness, and slowly crept her way towards it.
Ion had no idea Anise was there, she could tell. He slept in that same, serene, unguarded posture that she was used to seeing. His breathing came deep and even, his chest rising and falling underneath the thin white sheets. Anise watched that movement, her own breath catching once or twice. Each breath Ion took reminded her that he was alive. There was no terrible glow of fonons breaking up and disappearing around him, his body breaking down into nothing. He was whole, and he seemed healthier now than she had ever known him.
Yet Anise couldn’t stop this new ritual she had made for herself. She had to come see him every night and watch him breathe. She couldn’t sleep until she saw for herself that he was there and still alive. It had been like that since his revival. She hated this anxious feeling yet was strangely grateful for it. It was far easier to bear than the guilt that it was her fault Ion died. However, that guilt was still there at the back of her mind, whispering in a terrible snide voice that sounded too much like her own. It still reminded her that even though Saphir brought Ion back for her sake, she still made a terrible decision that led to Ion’s death. That fact would never change. Both her guilt and anxiety were easier to bear when she reminded herself that Ion was alive now and she would give up her own life before she would allow Ion to die.
“I won’t make that mistake again.”
Anise covered her mouth when she realized she had whispered her thought aloud, as though the action would take back those words, and winced at the quiet smack of skin hitting skin at a slightly uncomfortable velocity. She silently cursed her clumsiness in language most unbefitting to a young lady such as herself, and decided that she had better sneak away before she risked Ion waking up.
Anise kept darting her eyes between the bed and the door as she made her way through the dark bedroom. Somehow the space between her and the door had grown to twice in length. Halfway there she hesitated, as there were no signs that Ion had been disturbed by the noise she thoughtlessly made. Just a few seconds more, part of her whispered, but she had already indulged herself too much. It would be just awful if Ion found out about all this. He probably would blame himself for dying and apologize, again. There was no way she was going to hear him tell her he was sorry for something she did ever again.
Biting back the urge to sigh, Anise slipped out the door. She allowed herself one final look to verify that Ion was still sleeping. Ion was still alive and sleeping peacefully, dreaming of whatever fluffy dreams that only Ion could conjure up. He was content, relaxed, and enjoying some well earned sleep, so why shouldn’t she do the same?
“Goodnight, Ion-sama.”
All was still inside the Fon Master's room after Anise had shut the door behind her. Once the knob had clicked shut, Ion slowly sat up and turned to look at the closed door – and undoubtedly where his Guardian stood. He was quiet for a moment before he smiled softly. “Goodnight, Anise.”
