Eco

soon

[ Prelude ]

Eco was not born as Eco, but rather "Francesco," the name given to him by his father. He had not been the ideal successor for the rules of the house. According to him, those who cannot abide by the rules of the house are not needed. Across Eco's torso is a scar caused by that of a blade, the very blade that should have killed him. It was that day Francesco died, and Eco was born.

"The Watchdogs were created by the Lagen family using the technology recorded in the Rovisco documents. They are the main protection of the castle. -- The Watchdogs live in the waterways where light does not reach. If they are exposed to the sun, the will go on a rampage because of the brightness. Francesco is said to have worked with the researchers of the Lagen family since childhood. So there's no reason he wouldn't know, or perhaps letting the Watchdogs out of the waterways was too easy."

From a young age, it is thought that Francesco had strong ties with the Lagen house and their projects. (Allowing him such foreknowledge and easy access to the sewers that stretched under the castle.

Eco also worked as a student in the Aiden house. It is here he met Dietrich and became familiar with all of their experimental drugs. Although he originally was taken in as a stay-in who wrote letters, copied books (by hand) and so on. Additionally he snuck out, went to Sana's red-light district and joining drag contests.

[ During ]

Eco first makes his appearance in a casual restaurant in Neue Favrille where he learns Prince Hector is returning to kingdom. Being that Hector is the crown prince, it is cause for celebration.

Upon traveling abroad, Eco encountered an unconscious body on the verge of death. He had taken the injured Belca in and dressed up his wounds. Knights of Neue Favrille approached the cabin in which they resided in, claiming that a rebel using Belca's name had fled to the mountains. (Though it is an excuse to discreetly kill Belca without causing a public reaction.) If not for the cabin's owner chasing away the district soldiers, they might have been found out. Belca was under the impression that Eco had no idea who he was, but the three-peeves emblem worn by Belca was a dead give away. The young prince insisted he was better off dead. Eco, in a weird fashion, attempted to strangle Belca to death until he fought back; this proving, that Belca didn't want to die.

While Eco was out chopping wood for fire, Belca slipped out unnoticed, determined to make it back to the kingdom to save his younger brother. Reckless behavior such as this, landed Belca in a predicament with the guards when they figured out he was the "rebel." Eco, being the sly character he is, tampered with cargo that held golden coins and treasure. The tampering cause the treasure to fall over and cause the surrounding masses to retrieve it, allowing Belca and Eco a distraction for a swift escape.

They took shelter in a [whore house] where an business acquaintance of Eco's, Ricolise, allowed them to stay. It is also here where the boys disguised themselves as women to hide from the soldiers that were after them.

Eco shared his song about Belca's predicament causing the town to spread rumors of this song. It eventually telephoned its way all the way to the viceroy, the actual culprit, and willed that Eco be quietly executed. The towns people second guessed everything that was happening around them and began to suspect their government, and insisted Eco's innocence. They went as far as helping him escape; although, it was in vain when two other soldiers cut him off. If not for Belca rescuing him, he would have died. It wasn't long before they ran into the captain (whom are secretly helping them realizing the two aren't evil) of the solider who stood in their way. Using the attack aimed at them, they fell into a nearby riverbank that flowed through town and used it to make their escape.

While camping out, avoiding the chance of being sought out by Sana soldiers, they encounter an Amontel that had escaped from slavery whom belonged to Dietrich. Dietrich had become Earl of Arlon since last encountering Eco. The two were familiar with each other because Eco had done student work for the Arlon family. When Dietrich found out Eco had a fever, he insisted they stay at the mansion. At this point, the two had no choice but to comply least they be suspected. Despite their efforts, word had reached the head of Arlon, placing Eco in a dungeon. Belca had stumbled upon them. They were to be returned to Neue Farville as per directed by Dietrich. Eco managed to free himself thanks to the aid of one of the maids that served Dietrich. Her affection for Eco allowed him to persuade her to his favor. Because of this, he was able to make it Belca in time before things got any more desperate while Belca was being pursued by Arlon.

The poison the maid released for Eco became leverage for him later on. To wager against Dietrich who had recently turned against them, Eco exchanged the antidote for a signed letter that would allow them to travel safely until they reached Neue Favrille. He also insist that they take the Sana knight with them, as the knight had pledged his allegiance and trust to Belca.

Acting as an envoy for the nobleman (Dietrich), they decide to use the knight in their favor, who is more than happy to oblige without pay. For this, Eco took the identity of a coachmen, pigeonholing Belca into dressing as a maid for a disguise.

When Linna (the knight) and Eco returned from their snooping, Belca was nowhere to be found. Thinking he was lost, the two went after him. Belca had run into his younger half sister Musca, and their knight "Ossan" from their kingdom. Linna had created a cover for them, allowing them to travel along with them saving them from the knights that were trying to apprehend them.

Due to the severity of the situation and the fact that Musca was not only too young, but also too naive, Linna, Eco, and Belca had to leave her behind with Ossan. Later on, Belca claimed he was hungry and left the envoy without the others, but only so he could actually sneak away. Eco knew that and impeded, asking if Belca thought he could do it all by himself. After a pact the three make, they eventually make it to the out gate of the castle of Neue Favrille. This was the end of the line for Eco, as he had successfully returned Belca back to his home country. It is here they part paths (temporarily) because coachman aren't allowed within the compounds. One of the other coachman who transported often was familiar with the guards and lent him a solid by speaking to said guards to at least let him watch rehearsals.

Eco used this opportunity to not only watch rehearsals, but also sneak around the castle in search of information. While doing so, he managed to find the library and set one of the guards to sleep using a sedative created by Dietrich.

Upon returning Eco and Linna were to part from Belca. They were to return to Musca and inform her of their recent findings. Belca wanted to remain in order to try an convince Prince Orcelito (his brother who was being used as a puppet by the viceroy as of late) and make things right. Before Linna and Eco could leave, the guards at the gates were already closing their exit. Despite this, escape was still in their favor, that is until one of the guards had hopped onto their carriage and cut the harnesses from the horses. If not for Linna's interference, the guard would have struck Eco. It is also because of this, that Linna was unable to escape.

While wandering about, Eco took up drag to disguise himself in hopes that the surrounding guards would think he had still drowned in the river. Midway through he had encountered Musca (who at first thought he really was a girl) and allied with him so she could see her brother (Orcelito) for herself. Eco agreed to help if only so he could write a song of misfortune about it.

On their way to the outer gate, the guards were beginning to suspect Eco's disguise due to matching eye colors (that being purple, and that it was rare.) They refused to open the gates until the ceremony was over, though Musca was just happy her hair was done. Soon after a barrage of arrows were aimed at Musca and Eco. It had been Neue Favrille's mercenary, Ossan, who saved them from the arrows. The attack had been led by Hakulea (Amontel to everyone else.) Musca had been able to escape, but Eco wasn't so lucky. Rather than being rescued, Eco claimed he would be fine and to just let them go. Of course taking Eco as hostage. It was part of Eco's plan to help the Hakulea invade the castle. The invasion was successful for Eco at the very least.

The commotion that Eco had planned was successful yet again, as his main goal was to help Belca escape. While he wished the same for Linna, it could not be achieved. He had been left behind due to the barred gate closing on him as he rescued Belca from it.

They escaped to the native land of Hokulea where they took refuge. It is here Eco and Belca share a serious discussion of Azelprade's possibly founding structure and that Hector wished to bring it to light to the public in order to amend the hostility toward the Amontel/Hokulea.

The Elders wish to hear of Belca and his stories. (His late older brother Hector, having already been acquainted with them.)