Tango

Peterny wasn't actually much further away. The town could be seen from the hill they had camped on and was less then a day's walk from getting there. At the brisk pace that Albel was walking, it wouldn't take them more then an hour or so. As usual, Albel kept to himself as Fayt struggled a bit to follow behind him without getting left behind. "You're in a hurry..." Fayt stated about 30 minutes into their walk. Albel just huffed, and quickened his pace. Fayt sighed, having to nearly jog now to catch up. "Hey! Wait a second.." he huffed as well, walking side by side with Albel now. "What's your deal? You're being worse then usual..." Albel promptly stopped and glared at Fayt. "I didn't ask you to tag along, you pest, and if you're being to be such a pain in my ass, You can fly back off with that large blonde idiot and his band of maggots." Fayt glared back at Albel. "That band of maggots saved your life more then once..." he stated, walking off leaving Albel behind. Albel grumbled something, then started walking as well, catching up to Fayt and didn't say anything. Fayt eyed him, then frowned a bit, looking down at the ground. Once they reached the gates , Albel stopped, looking at the ground as well.

"Fayt", he said, looking over at the blue haired male with a softer tone to his eyes. Fayt looked back at Albel with a light smile. "Yeah?" Albel's eyes softened up more at Fayt's smile. "Are you betrothed? To Sophia?" Fayt's eyes got big and a light blush fell across his face. "Am I...what?" he gave a light laugh, scratching that back of his head. "I guess I haven't really...well no. She's always been like my little sister, you know? I've known her since I was a kid...and well..I mean I guess there were kinda hopes that we...but, No...why?" Albel looked a bit confused but nodded. "Then who are you promised too? Who are you going to produce your heir with?" Fayt just chuckled. "Produce my what? Heir?" he laughed a bit more. "I mean...I'm not promised to anyone....if I find the right kinda girl, then maybe, but I don't have any plans for that any time soon...." Albel looked like he understood a bit more, then put his hand on his chin. He looked down as in thought and nodded. "I see. So in your world, you marry like peasants....There's not real since of duty..."his voice trailed off.

Fayt eyed him, blinking a moment. "Albel..are you..?" He started to asked, but was cut off by one of the gate soliders. "Lord Nox! Lord Nox! Lady Arimis has been waiting for you! Please, come with us!" The solider bowed and Albel nodded. Albel turned to Fayt, handing him the wallet. "Restock and meet me at the inn. I shall return by nightfall." With that, Albel started to walk off, followed by the gate solider. Fayt was too stunned to say anything and stood there in silence, holding the wallet. He suddenly burst into a sea of laughs. "Oh...oh...this is too good..." he chuckled, heading more inside the town. As he was shopping for supplies, he started to add things up in his head. Albel Nox was a Lord, after all. He was leader of the Black Brigade still, and lived in the castle...with a monarch structure that Airyglyph was based on, it made a lot of sense for Albel to have duties that included marriage into a well-blooded house as well as having a duty of producing an heir for his line. Not to mention Albel was already 24...Royal marriages were arranged at birth and consummated in the early teens...

What worried Fayt now was that he was keeping Albel away from his wife...it was Fayt's wise to be Albel's companion but he never considered that Albel would have actual duties other then running his section of Airyglyph's army. With the war over...he figured Albel had time to just...hang with him. Guilt racked Fayt's mind even as he checked into a room and laid out on the bed. The stress on his mind and the cool breeze coming through the window made it easy for him to fall asleep. It wasn't until Fayt felt gentle fingers brushing his cheek later that night that he opened his eyes. Sitting on the edge of the bed, poured over by candle light, Albel leaned over Fayt trying to wake him up without making to much noise. Fayt sat up on his elbows about to speak, but Albel covered his mouth with his hand. "Shh" he hissed lightly, then removed his hand. Fayt stayed quiet, sitting up while pressing his lips together and eyed Albel with raised eyebrows. Albel looked at him, then pointed at the next bed. Fayt looked over and his eyes widened as he saw a curdled up little bundle of clothes and hair, wrapped around a stuffed toy dragon. Albel had stood up, already at the one of the room's doors, beckoning Fayt to come over as he walked out to the balcony. Fayt got up quietly and followed, shutting the door softly behind him.

Before Fayt could say anything, Albel had already begun to speak. "Detrin" he stated, looking out at the stars then at Fayt. "His name is Detrin. He's 5 years old." Fayt blinked a bit, trying to take this all in. "....Detrin...so that's your..." Albel gave a slight nod. "Yes, that's my son. His mother is going a few diplomatic missions and didn't want to drag him around, so I offered to take him for the time being... problem?" he eyed Fayt, waiting for some type of remark. Fayt looked at Albel, then smiled brightly. "I had no idea that you had a son...but no, there isn't any problem..." he chuckled a bit. "In fact, I'm looking forward to it...It's been kind of quiet since Roger and Peppita aren't around anymore..." Albel just rolled his eyes, then went to stare back at the stars. He let out a heavy sigh, and looked down. Fayt eyed the man. "...aren't you happy to spend time with your own son?" he frowned a bit, nudging Albel with his shoulder. Albel didn't answer him, so Fayt nudged him again..and again...and again. Finally Albel growled, pushing back roughly with his own shoulder that made Fayt stammer a bit then laugh. "Come on, I loved spending time with my dad when I was a kid...didn't..you?" Albel frowned at that, closing his eyes.

He was nudged by Fayt again, except this time instead of pushing Fayt back, he leaned on him from support, still staring at the ground. Fayt sighed, letting Albel lean on him. "I miss..my dad too..." he started to say when they both turned when they heard the door open. There in the doorway was a 3 foot tall little Elicoorian. He had black hair, tied in 2 tails in the back like his father and matching red eyes. His face reminded Fayt of a albino rabbit...he was pale, scared looking, and rubbing his eye with one hand as the other gripped the leg of a stuffed red dragon toy that he was dragging behind him. All of Detrin's clothes were that you would expect from a Lord's child. He did not wear the worn clothes you saw on the city streets or the type of clothing that Roger had. He was in a tight silk black and gold shirt, sleeveless with a gold trimmed collar. He had on matching arm sleeves, black sarong like Albel's except he wore shorts underneath it. His shoes were off, leaving just the red stockings covering his feet up to his mid thigh. Fayt thought he looked positively adorable. "....oh...Hello Detrin..." he smiled, kneeling down in front of him. Detrin looked up at Fayt, pressing his lips together, then went to hide behind Albel, tugging at the male's purple skirt, then hid his face. Fayt frowned a bit. "It's okay. You can come out. I won't hurt you, I'm a friend of your daddy's...." he held out his hand to the little boy, but Detrin only pulled away more from Fayt.

Albel sighed, pulling away his skirt. "We'll have none of that. Detrin, this is Fayt. He'll be your nurse while your with me." Fayt nodded. "Yes, I'll be your...what?" Fayt eyed almost, trying not to use foul language in front of the small child.