Claim: Luke Fon Fabre
Community: 30 flowers (livejournal)
Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Abyss or any of the characters.
Title: Duplicity
Theme: #58 - Venus Fly Trap / Duplicity
Summary: He was after all, just a replica; a Duplicate.
Part One
The Calm before the storm
I.
'W-What is that thing?' cried the red haired youth as he leaped back from the venoms plant on instinct. A tall, much taller than Luke – nearly seven feet vine towered over the group with a menacing demeanor. Jade who was beginning to get fed up with the boy's antics throughout the day, rolled his eyes at the question.
'I do believe it's a Venus Fly trap and an evolved one at that.'
'From the miasma I'm guessing?' piped up Ion staring at the sharp toothed plant in awe.
'Your guess is as good as mine. It seems it has developed a mind of its own – and appetite; quite a nasty fellow this one. If you're not careful getting to close will result in your untimely death.' Though his words were a light teasing (as usual par Jade) there was a malicious intent behind his words that were directed mostly towards the young duke.
Luke gulped, oblivious to the colonel's mounting dislike, wisely taking a few steps away from the plant. His eyes never left that of the plant's – which seemed to stalk him with a predatorily glare.
'Well I think that's enough time spent here, it's just a plant after all' cut in Tear with a note of annoyance in her voice. They had been up since dawn traveling through a heavily infested area of monsters that kept them on their constant guard. They were all tired, hungry and sore and wearing each other's nerves thinner than they already were.
With grumbles of agreement, the party started to move forwards once more.
II.
'Be careful Luke,' the gentle whisper sounded in the red head's ear as the teen turned to find his caretaker, walking beside him.
'Ah – Guy, what do you mean 'be careful'? I'm one of the most careful people here – if anything you should watch out,' retorted Luke on impulse. Guy chuckled raking a gloved hand through blonde matted hair. In the mid afternoon the canopy of leaves above them heated up under the sunlight like a sauna making traveling through the forest a rather unpleasant experience.
'I will, but you watch yourself too.'
Luke made an 'hmphf' noise as he crossed his arms stubbornly. 'Yeah, yeah...'
Guy wouldn't have it though, as the look in his eyes seemed to speak words to Luke. I mean it.
Luke shrugged back. I know.
Silence settled between them. Everyone else was already up head; Luke and Guy were pulling up the rear – unintentionally of course. The distance however hadn't accumulated so far away that Anise's usual fussing over Ion was inaudible. (Currently the young guardian was going on how it was improper for the Fon Master to have to travel in such conditions.)
Beside Luke, Guy sighed, lost in thought. His charge could be nothing less than impossible sometimes, especially when things weren't going his way – actually this whole trip Luke had basically behaved like a spoiled rich brat (which he was.) The red head had grown up, secluded in a manor filled with servants who did everything for him. Now he was out in the wilderness, in a completely different world. He had no money, knowledge, food, shelter, maids nor anyone who would willingly stand around and listen to him complain; especially the latter. In fact their current traveling partners were constantly irked by it. It made getting along, twice as hard as it should have normally been.
They still managed, but barely.
The only thing that kept them around was Tear's promise to return Luke to his manor, and Jade's use for his own swordsmanship. It was mostly by Jade's influence however.
But Guy couldn't hate Luke for his faults – if so he wouldn't have gone looking for him, or constantly stood by him.
He's a completely different person from before the kidnapping though.
III.
Stuffing his hands in his pockets, the red head's pace slowed considerably. Everyone was already up farther than himself, and Guy seemed lost in thought. Scratch that the blonde was definitely thinking deeply about something or the other – seeing he hadn't responded to Luke, when boy tried to get his attention. Well fine, if they all wanted to be that way – so be it.
Glancing over his shoulder, Luke's gaze lingered on the man-eating plant - according to Jade. The sight of it gave Luke chills – even compared to the countless of battles he had engaged in with monsters who happened to be twice as deadly.
Yes it was abnormally big, especially for a plant; had razor sharp teeth, poisonous venom and just looked ugly all together. But that wasn't exactly what bothered the boy. Maybe it was just Luke, seeing no one else said anything – but the plant didn't feelright.
Well not actually felt – no, that would have meant he would have to get close enough to touch it (though Luke was certain even that wasn't right either – with its scaly looking appearance; how do plants grow scales anyhow?)
Rather the beast of a weed gave off an ominous feeling that didn't limit itself just to one's death... but rather a foretelling. Or maybe it was familiarity?
Gah this was too confusing. How could something like that ever be familiar? Because there sure as hell wasn't any growing in his manor (As much as a excellent gardener Pere was, Luke didn't think his abilities could tame something like a – what was it, a mercury death trap? Or something...)
'It's just a stupid plant,' grumbled Luke wrinkling his nose as he glared at the said being. As if sensing his animosity, the demon-disguised-plant whipped out a thick arm – er vine; with the agility that mimicked an assassin's blade. And Luke was its target. For a moment, Luke thought it might collide – and maybe it would have; if Guy hadn't pushed him out of the way – his cutlass nicking the leafy appendage with a ferocity that got it to back off.
-
'What was close,' breathed Guy as he sheathed his sword. He'd have to be more careful of his surroundings when he decided to let his mind wander. (But really why would the plant suddenly attack Luke again just like that? They weren't even near it)
'Is everything alright back there?' Tear's voice floated back to the pair and Guy felt his face tighten into a smile.
'Yeah – though I think we should take a break.'
He could hear the conflicting murmurs up head, which Guy effectively tuned out – turning his attention back to the red head.
'Are you alright Luke?'
'Yeah...'
Not good. Luke was too quiet for his usual self – was he in shock?
'Gee Luke; I thought you were the careful one' teased Guy. The boy grunted in semi-annoyance. Well it was something...
'Looks like we're taking a break, Tear and the other are up further ahead by a creek,' Jade's voice called the attention of the two youths as he walked up casually. Though the colonel's gaze was fixated on the plant; piecing together the scene before him.
'Really a creek – here?' chirped Guy curiously. And here he thought they wouldn't find suitable accommodations until after they left this damnable woodland.
'It would seem so, did anything happen?' inquired Jade, his attention lingering from the plant to Luke, who was dusting himself off.
Guy scratched the back of his head as the colonel grilled him for answers, which he answered – for fear of disobeying the famed Necromancer. Though both men, silently followed Luke's lone figure as the red head made his way towards the others.
'Strange,' Jade murmured to himself, though Guy couldn't agree more.
(01. Fin)