The Sentimental Feelings
folder
+S through Z › Star Ocean 3
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
17
Views:
8,969
Reviews:
75
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
+S through Z › Star Ocean 3
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
17
Views:
8,969
Reviews:
75
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Star Ocean 3, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
The Haste
Author: Ciissi
Fandom: Star Ocean III: Till the End of Time
Pairing: Albel Nox x Fayt Leingod
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Ocean III. It belongs to Square Enix, may they do lots of more good games.
Warnings: Eventually NC-17. Contains yaoi meaning at least two boys having sex together but not in first few chapters. Possible child abuse but not in sexual manner.
Author's Note 1: I was kind of disappointed to Chapter Four because it did not came out as it should have. There was supposed to be some shopping in that chapter... Well... There was not. Nothing even resembling of going to shopping. I am trying again with new vigor. Fayt is trying to be reasonable. Albel is being nuance. Fayt torturing, Albel torturing and Albel torturing Fayt (and everybody he sees). XD Perhaps I am having too much fun on my own...
Answers for Reviews: You all really are hanging there and wow! Over 30 Reviews. I never expected as much. I thank you very much of your patience with me. Seraph and SuijiDL, you two reviewed once again. That must mean that you like what you are reading. Thank you both of you so much. Your support is really important to me.
To Seraph: I really needed time when writing this. Hopefully this is worth of the wait. I am bit sure that Albel... chan... will kill me when he catches me... I do not think he is very happy with the choices given... ^^;;
To cassy: Thank you for encouragement. I need it.
To SuijiDL: Well... Cliff... He... He just has some issues... I agree that Fayt would do wonderful father, but I am not that sure of Albel... ^^;; Well... At least their children have two interesting (and opposite) role models. When taking Albel to shopping... "Traumatic" might not be the word you want to use...
To mysticneko: I still think that even if English is not my native language it really is no excuse. But you should be glad that you probably never see my writings in Finnish because there is "no" exact grammar in Finnish. I too am kind of amazed that they did absolutely nothing. I think that Mirage is to Fayt like an elder sister. She sees more than Fayt or Albel because she is the outsider in the relationship those two are having. The relationship of Albel and Fayt is not by any means easy and Mirage can see that clearer than the ones involved.
To one-eyed jester: You really, really think that they are IC? Wow... I am not that sure of it...
To Sukara: Your first SO3-fiction... Makes me wonder why to read this one as first one when there are many others out there...? Sorry if the sentences are weird but I cannot help it. The weirdness orientates back to my native language in which the order of the words is not as fixed as it is in English. I love to write complicated sentences which tone varies depending on the reader.
To all alone: I hope this is satisfies your appetite for this fiction for now. Thank you for support.
*****
Part One - Chapter Five: The Haste (The Chores of the Day)
There were things one simply did *not* do to Albel 'the Wicked' Nox, if one wanted to keep his or her life. One of those things was cowardly escaping and then locking him into a room. The other was suggesting that he would dress up as woman. There were several others too and Fayt Leingod was quickly exceeding all the worst possible things Albel had *ever* thought that one might *ever* want to do to him or make him to do. Albel had to admit that if situation had been other it would have been in a way really hilarious and it would have been interesting to know how Leingod came up with these ideas of his.
But Albel was not amused. Not amused *at all*! He glared at Fayt with all of his might his blood-red eyes blazing in fury. He was well aware that he was no where near the sanest person is the world but as he looked at the blue-haired embodiment of destruction he started to believe that there was someone in this room who really, really, *really* should reorganize his top-priorities and fast! As a hint, it was not Albel Nox, that was sure. Which lead Albel to wonder *why* he had not already killed the blue-haired boy...
Irritating!
Fayt had been aware from the beginning that taking Albel Nox with them would cause trouble for Fayt himself. Others had not been very supportive when he had told them about his decision. Albel was not making things easy for him. Fayt was not making things easy for himself. Too many distracting dreams. Too many ideas to make Albel's thin patience run even thinner.
At this point of the time that Albel had been with them Fayt had realized that when Albel set something in his mind, it became *very* hard to reason with him. But this time he really did not have other choices. Roger was the only small male in their group and around same size as Albel-child. Fayt was not sure whether Albel was acknowledging the fact or not but he was sure that if the crimson-eyed sword master *was* acknowledging it, he *was* doing good job in *ignoring* it.
Irritating!
Fayt was getting angry. He reminded Albel - once again - that neither of them had any clothes suitable for Albel as long as he was in child's body.
Albel answered sweetly that he rather walked around naked that put on *Roger's* clothes. Fayt had to force him if he wanted to Albel walk in public on that kind of clothing.
Because Fayt was reluctant to use brute force to make Albel wear the clothes he clearly disliked, the argument went on for next ten minutes or so. After that Fayt became aware that they did not have the all day to fight over something like this and gave up.
Fayt sighed and raised his hands in defeat. "I understand, Albel. You don't want to wear Roger's clothes so we have to think something else..." He had a bad feeling about this because nothing was coming to him and Albel was wearing a sneer on his face. A sneer which seemed to scream to Fayt 'You're an Idiot, Leingod!' and he could not do nothing about it. There simply was not anyone in their little troupe except Roger that was small...? Fayt glanced Albel as a thought game to him. There was nothing else to do...
Fayt shifting and withdrawing towards the door alarmed Albel. "Where are you going, fool?" he asked and his tune was oozing coldness. Not that he was really interested of course. Albel was just protecting himself from Fayt's idiotic ideas.
Fayt turned to look back to Albel. He raised the clothing in his hand and waved them. "Because you refuse to get dressed on these, I have to go and ask Peppita to borrow some of her clothes. She and Roger *are* the only one's with same size as you."
Albel paled to the purest white and his entire body froze over. He thought he might have a heart attack and die where he was standing. Or perhaps he had already died and gone to hell.
*****
There were not very many persons in the trading town of Peterny who did not heard the scream of utter horror and terror that shook the very foundations of the buildings of the town. For a moment the entire town seemed to stop, hold breath and wait what might happen next.
"I'LL GIVE UP, YOU SADIST! I'LL WEAR THEM! GIVE THEM TO ME!"
Somehow a very unpleasant feeling flowed over every single person in the town and they decided that whatever was going on it was not their business and they were not interested.
*****
In the inn Mirage pounded Cliff's back to prevent elder Klausian from suffocating to his breakfast bread. Maria and Peppita dried their faces which had got dirty because Adray had sprayed his drink out of his mouth. Sophia was trying to clean her skirt where Roger had dropped his porridge and Nel... She... she just wished she could go to get a bath and change her clothes. The startled servant maid had dropped the pot of soup all over even unluckier Nel.
Adray glanced up, towards Albel's room. "That sounded like Lord Nox... I wonder what he and Master Fayt are doing up there...?"
Nel shot a cold stare to Clair's father and stood up. "I think, we *don't* want to know..."
Rest of the group could not disagree with Nel. They really did not want to know what Albel and Fayt were doing and what kind of clothes were the reason for Albel's discomfort.
*****
Demon! Devil! Scheming worm! Evil! Corrupted maggot! Fool with mind twisted beyond reparation.
Albel reminded once again himself of the reason *why* he had not killed the blue-haired Earthling long a go. It was his looks. He looked so damn innocent that no one suspected that inside that innocent and warm smile lived an evil and thoroughly corrupted soul that only desire was to humiliate the others around him. The looks that hid behind themselves a mind that continuously plotted against others.
Mortified Albel stood in front of Fayt who was happily humming and taking measures from his left hand for his new claw. He was wearing Roger's clothes and if the look could have killed, Fayt would have been dead beyond dead. Albel had known that the fight over the clothes had been fight of principle. No way had he thought that Fayt would decide to use dirty tricks against him. And *no way* Albel had thought that Fayt might threaten to dress him, Albel the Wicked, into a *girl's* clothes!
In a way Albel was kind of grateful to Fayt. This experience taught to Albel that there was *always* a way to look things from different point of view no matter how one thought that there were no new points of view. There always was it appeared. So this experience also taught to Albel something new about Fayt himself. The blue-haired Earthling was more cunning than anyone around him could ever think. Or then he just had an unbelievably strong luck and intuition.
A very teaching experience indeed... but the Hell if Albel *ever* admit that to Fayt!
Fayt happily ignored boiling Albel and proceeded to take the last measurements. Originally he had thought that threatening Albel with Peppita's frilly clothes would be low, very low and might later on cause some physical damage to Fayt's being but in the end it had been Albel's own fault that Fayt had been forced to take some extra actions to get Albel dressed. They did not have eternally time to spend.
Fayt wrote up the last few numbers which he had gained from measuring to the paper and lifted his head to look at Albel. He kind of felt sorry for the proud swordsman to be forced to submit in front of person he had painfully slowly learned to respect in some aspect. That in mind Fayt stood up and pulled a small quilt of the bed. He returned back to Albel and gently wound the quilt around the body of the child. With every touch, with every move he tried to signal his apologies and remorse towards Albel for using such a dirty trick. Fayt neatly folded the quilt around Albel's neck so that his head was shown but not the clothing covering his small body. He collected the paper full of numbers and measurements for Albel's new claw from the floor and picked Albel up to his other arm.
Albel sat comfortably on Fayt's left arm but he found out for his little distress that there was no way he could hold on Fayt. He had to resolve his problem by only leaning into Fayt's chest. So he pressed his cheek onto Fayt's clothed chest and closed his eyes firmly. Albel did not want to see other's expressions as they would see him warped into a quilt and helplessly resting on Fayt's arms.
Fayt neatly folded and ripped into two parts the paper with measurements and stood up. He slightly wobbled being unused the extra weight of Albel on his arm but it was hardly noticeable and he put on remark that Albel had closed his eyes so it was very unlikely that he noticed Fayt's staggering. Also it seemed to Fayt that Albel had made himself as comfortable as possible against his body and its warmth and was dangerously close falling asleep.
Fayt smiled on black-and-gold-haired head and proceeded to look for his wallet among the things he had brought with him into Albel's room. It took some time and some acrobatics to pick up his wallet amongst his clothes, put it into his pocket and *not* drop Albel on the process.
When he thought he was ready, Fayt checked once more that he had everything they might need with them before exiting the room and finding his way to the common room where everybody in their group excluding Nel were having their breakfast served. They stopped enjoying their nourishment and fixed their eyes on Fayt and Albel inside the quilt carried on Fayt's arms.
For many in the room - both those who were traveling with Albel Nox and those who knew him only by reputation - it looked like Albel was *snuggling* against Fayt. They all were wise enough to keep their thoughts to themselves but they could only admit that there was first time in everything. Apparently even on seeing Albel the Wicked snuggling.
Fayt aristocratically ignored the sudden oppressing silence which fell in to the room after he and Albel entered. He strode to Cliff's side and without explanation he handed over the other half of the paper containing the measurements for Albel's claw. Then he made sure that Peppita, Sophia and Puffy would start working on antidote for Albel rather than slacking off somewhere out of others' sight. After that he turned to the one of the servant maids and requested some bread and cheese to take them with. Fayt had come to conclusion that he would not dare to make Albel eat in front of everybody. It would be share torture to both him and Albel.
As soon as Fayt got the food he left the inn with drowsing Albel. The street in front of inn was bustling with life. People passing by while continuing their traveling, merchants selling their items, soldiers guarding the peace of the town, children playing and other sounds of life filled the air. Fayt was grateful that he already knew where he was heading because the bustle and hustle was so intense that looking for a tailor might have been almost impossible.
As he took the first few steps away from the sheltering haven of the shadow of the inn, Fayt could feel thousand eyes fixing themselves on him and Albel and not letting go. Fayt felt very awkward and exposed and he could tell from the stiffening of Albel that other was feeling so too. Fayt had forced Albel to leave Crimson Scourge to the inn - allowing Albel to carry the tiny katana was like *begging* of trouble - although he had his sword Fayt still felt little too unsecured. He hurried his steps.
What neither Fayt nor Albel noticed, was that there was no malice in those eyes that looked at them. There was lot of wonder and warmth. Many of the owners of those eyes wondered the simple peaceful beauty of the picture those two formed. Many of the on-looking women were jealous of someone having such a beautiful and caring husband. But they had to admit from the looks of the black-and-gold-haired child that his wife had to be a beauty herself too. Then they noticed a young woman stopping father and son and talking to them. Women saw how the young blue-haired father tightened his grip on his son and shying away from the young woman. Everyone that saw the young man's action instantly knew that he was not very fond of women and he would do anything to protect his child.
People of Peterny knew that there were women and men who cruelly abandoned their families for one reason or the other. Many times those whom were left behind became extremely cautious towards the gender of the one that had abandoned them. This rare beauty of a male was truly in distrust of women. His body language told on-lookers that he did not want to talk to the young woman but because he had no intention of being impolite he made the effort before bowing quickly and continuing on while whispering to his son.
Fayt hurried away from inn. He could feel his lips moving but he did not hear any words or voice. It was like he was silently praying that all of this would be over as soon as possible, that Albel would return back to his old body, that he could one again talk with other male without feeling these strange feelings filling his head, heart, spirit and soul. These feelings he had never felt before yet they were so sentimental like he had always felt like this.
Albel squeezed his lids tightly shut. He felt the eyes on him and he did not like the feeling. He felt naked and vulnerable without his sword. He felt small and useless in this body that belonged to someone else. This body... was not his. Definitely not his. This body gave him some pretty spooky and strange vibes. Albel wished that this all would be over soon, that he could return to his real body so he could kill those brainless girls and blond ape as thank you for putting him to suffer through this humiliation, that he could return to fight against strong enemies, that he could ridicule the blue-haired fool without sensing these strange feelings filling his head, heart, spirit and soul. These feeling he had never felt before yet they were so sentimental like he had always felt like this.
It was something... Something that both Fayt and Albel found hard to ignore now that they were constantly together, unable to vent those violent, disturbing feelings with fighting. They both sensed that something was going to change and they were not able to prevent the change not matter how much they tried.
Because it had already started. The changing.
And the feelings that they thought they had forgotten and grown over were there now. Changing. Moving. Filling the void. Perhaps it was Destiny doing her job. Perhaps it was their minds playing tricks on them. Perhaps there just was no other way out from this situation than accepting and waiting to see what was coming.
Fayt tightened his hold on Albel and rushed on in the labyrinth of side streets of trading town Peterny. Silently he admitted it. He was afraid, afraid of loosing Albel, Albel's friendship he had worked on so much. He was so much afraid of loosing the elder man's respect and friendship that he was sure that if he did not hold tightly on Albel, other would disappear from his arms just... like... that...
*****
Fayt's fear that finding the tailor's would be hard fortunately had proved to be wrong assumption. Albel and Fayt had stepped in and they had greeted by the tailor and his helpers and apprentices. Fayt had seen that the shop - although small - was doing good work and in reasonable time. He had been happy to find a place where there were no persons whom might say something insulting to Albel. Fayt had quickly put Albel down and introduced him as the person in a need for new clothing.
Of course... Introducing child-Albel when the women of the shop were present and Albel's mood because of the clothing he had to wear was not the most understanding one had been mistake from the Fayt's side. And the reason which had led them into the current, no less than catastrophic situation inside the tailor's shop.
The tailor looked horrified and utterly worn-out as he took up his tape measure once again and carefully approached Albel. First he tried to take the measurements from afar but it clearly was not going to work. The tailor gave up and looked around with certain desperation. His method was not working but he was not fond of the thought of going any nearer the child.
While sitting further away Fayt was feeling for the tailor. Albel was still throwing a fit and Fayt sighed. It was not his fault that those giggling women had called Albel 'cute little angel' - which the Wicked One had not appreciated - before he had had time to warn anybody. But that was aside the point and problem he was facing. Fayt knew he had to do something before the tailor would grow tired of Albel's tirade and would throw them out of his shop.
Fayt exhaled his lungs empty and stood up. He smiled to the elderly tailor apologetically when passing by and kneeled in front of Albel. He extended his hands and placed them on Albel's cheeks forcing the other's eyes to meet his.
The heavy silence fell into the shop as Fayt and Albel stared each other without a word. It seemed to the outsiders that there was some kind of formless message passing between those two.
Fayt withdrew his hands and placed them on his knees but his eyes never left the crimson ones of Albel. Then a tiny, tiny smile touched his lips. "This all will be over sooner if you let it be, Albel", he reasoned. "I know you don't want my protection, but I ask you to remember the situation we are in now. It's much easier to fight over this after you have regained your real body." Fayt knew that even if his words reached Albel it was always a great possibility that swords master would choose to ignore his advice.
Albel pondered Fayt's words and tilted his head to the other side like he was looking for a reason - no matter how small - to reject Fayt's reasoning as something that was not worthy of his time. But Albel Nox was neither child nor stupid. No matter how much he felt that Fayt was treating him like a child the blue-haired youth never talked or dismissed him like he would be one. He heard from the serious tone that other used that Fayt remembered clearly that only Albel's body was the one of child's. Albel had no reason not to listen Fayt. He was very aware of the outsiders in the shop as he nodded.
Fayt's face melted into the beautiful smile that almost stopped everyone's hearts. "Thank you for understanding, Albel", he whispered and leaned forward. His lips gently swept over Albel's forehead before he got back to his feet and made way to the tailor.
Albel felt the heat rising to his cheeks and he was damn sure that he was blushing brightly. But he gallantly ignored the warmth on his skin and stepped forward to allow the tailor to take the needed measurements.
*****
Albel had been dead tired when they had finally left from the tailor's with Albel's new clothes. Swordsman had been irritated because he could not understand the cause of his body giving in and he had reacted like only three-year-old could. He had thrown a big tantrum over it and made himself even *more* tired. Albel had fallen sleep on Fayt's arms before they got to the workshop where Cliff, Gusto and Boyd were making new claw for Albel and Sophia, Peppita and Puffy were trying to create antidote for Albel. The men had succeeded in making of the claw although it had been very, very hard and they had tried the claw on Albel. On the other hand the girls... Well... There had not been success of any kind or even smallest improvement of understanding the composition of the potion they had given to Albel on the first hand.
Fayt had been little disappointed that there had not been improvement on the potion analyzing and antidote creation but he had accepted them as facts and had not chided the girls. But maybe Fayt's encouraging smile and understanding attitude had been the blades that had hurt the girls most. Or perhaps it had been the sight of his action as he had turned to look and talk to Mirage and Maria while affectionately petting sleeping Albel's hair without making fuss over it or even without realizing what he had been doing. Three girls had been mortified and they had vigorously promised to do their best on next day.
Fayt had answered with small, tired smile not wording the fact they all knew how they could not spare another day in Peterny. He had bowed for thanks to all persons present and had left the workshop to take Albel and their shoppings back to the inn where he had changed Albel's clothes and laid him to the bed, under the covers.
Now the evening was falling over the trading town of Peterny as Fayt left their inn behind him once again. This time he was alone because Albel was still sleeping and he did not want the company of the others. He needed the time for just himself to think and find the next best possible course of action. Fayt sighed and he reminded himself that they had to go to Aquios. The queen herself had asked them to come to see her and they had already accepted the invitation before the catastrophe of last night. The queen was expecting them. What queen of Aquaria was *not* expecting was Albel reverted into a child.
Fayt sighed and looked around himself. His surprise was only mild as he found out that his legs had carried him back to the tailor's where he and Albel had been earlier that day. After all Fayt was supposed to fetch the clothes that tailor had made for them to the party the queen of Aquaria was going to keep during their stay in Aquios.
Fayt stepped into the shop and was immediately saluted by the owner of the shop. For Fayt's immense relief tailor was the only one at the shop as his helpers and apprentices had either already gone home or they were out delivering tailor's business. Fayt had pale suspicion that tailor had sent others away for Fayt's convenience.
The tailor handed the finished clothes for Fayt and showed him a place where he could change his clothes.
In the small, closet-like dressing room Fayt looked at the pieces of cloth on his hands and scowled a little. For some reason Albel had earlier decided that his and Fayt's clothes should look exactly same and because Fayt had not came up with good reason to say no, they had now same kind clothes. Fayt was kind of sure that this was just new way of Albel's to compensate with current situation. He sighed and put the clothes on. He stepped out of the dressing room and turned to look himself from the mirror.
Fayt was hardly aware the presence of the tailor and the violent exhale as he presented himself warped up on the garments meant for the banquette of the queen of Aquaria. Fayt slid his hand on the expensive fabrics and fidgeted a little. He was not used to something like this. Back home something like this would have never happened and newness and strangeness of the situation made him extremely nervous.
Reluctantly Fayt raised his eyes and examined his reflection from the mirroring surface.
Fayt was clothed into tight, black tanktop accompanied with also tight and black suede pants. The tanktop hugged very closely his upper torso revealing his well toned muscles on his chest and leaving his arms and stomach bare. Several black leather belts were wrapped around his waist. White, transparent tunic which reached almost to Fayt's knees was pulled over the allusive outfit giving it an appearance of modest and decent. Transparent tunic was rimmed with blue satin cordon that matched with the color of his hair. On his feet he was wearing pair of black ankle boots.
Fayt stared several moments the reflection in the mirror before his shoulders slumped in defeat. He just *knew* that this was going to be so not good... He smiled to the tailor before stalking back to dressing room and changing back to his original clothing. He could not do else but think that the queen's banquette was going to be one hell of a flop for him. He would look like... like... like... Oh, he did not know *what* he would look like.
Fayt stepped out of the dressing room, collected the banquette outfits for him and Albel and paid them to the awe-struck tailor. He bowed to the elder man and exited the shop silently wondering what tailor had seen when he had been wearing those clothes. But really... it was not something he could affect...
*****
Servants of the Apris did not believe in angels. Correction. They did not have a term of 'angel' in their religion. But they had term of 'Messenger of Apris' whom were always viewed as women. The pureness they carried, the warmth they enkindled in the chests of the humans, the caring and parenting they showed could only manifest in women.
First time in his life this tailor wondered *why* those Messengers were always said to be women because this young man had to be someone that had descended from the heavens. He had seen the reason, the passion, the care, the willfulness to step down for another, fight for another's sake. The pure intention clashing with the strange malice the child, whom the young man had earlier accompanied, had been oozing.
Tailor shivered. They were like two sides of the coin reflecting on each other. Tied together for ever. Needing the other, leaning to other for support without ever realizing it. Co-existence. Harmony. Life and death circling around and around those two.
The unknown destiny waiting...
*****
Fayt glanced up towards the twilight sky to check the time. Almost immediately he stopped dead and cold shiver ran down his spine. In the past, before all this had started, he would have checked the time from his wrist watch or from his Communicator. When it had became a habit of his to check time from the position of the sun, moon or stars? Fayt could not tell. Perhaps the habit had developed during his first stay in Elicoor II. Perhaps he had absorbed the habit from Albel whom he knew possessing this habit. Had Fayt really somewhere along the journey studied and watched Albel so much that he knew other's little habits and was even able to copy them into his own behavior patterns?
Fayt shook his head and looked up again. In mild shock he found out that he had not used even half an hour in tailor's and he still had plenty of time to finish his chores before the market and shops would get closed.
Fayt rummaged through his pockets in search of certain piece of paper he had written earlier on the morning. Onto that piece of paper he had written what he should buy for Albel and it would be kind of bad thing if he had lost it. As Fayt walked forward while searching his pockets something shiny caught his attention from the corner of his eye. He stopped and turned to look at the display on the window of a jewelry store.
There in the display window placed nicely on the small, white velvet pillow rested one of the most beautiful piece of jewelry Fayt had ever seen. It really was a simple one, but there was something in it that Fayt realized it had taken hours and hours to complete. It consisted of black leather band on which had attached one big ruby, two smaller sapphires and several rings made out of mythril. The leather band was also reinforced with mythril. It was not meant for woman, but for male. It was not soft and light enough woman to wear.
The collar made Fayt remember Albel's complain about his too big collar.
Fayt swallowed and fought back urge to step in the store and buy the collar for Albel. But as his rummaging fingers touched the paper with info for stuff Albel needed, Fayt reasoned with himself that if Albel needed a new collar there was no reason *why* it could not be also pleasant for eyes. With that in his mind he opened the door and entered.
The jewelry store was quite capacious and well-lighted. The door bell rang clearly but not disturbingly. The insides and only few costumers told Fayt that he had entered into shop that held high quality both in merchandise and in service. And like to confirm his suspicion a man greeted him and introduced himself as the owner of the store and maker of the jewelry sold.
Fayt hoped he had not bitten more than he could swallow. He remembered his worn-out clothing and almost blushed guiltily. But the owner did not seem to care although others seemed very intimidated so Fayt dared to voice his wish to see the collar displayed in the window.
The immediate reaction for Fayt's wish was deep silence and raised brows of several other persons in the store room. The owner stayed expressionless but he warned Fayt that the collar in question was very, very expensive before he took the collar from the pillow it was resting and placed it carefully on Fayt's hands.
As soon as the collar was deposited on Fayt's hand he could feel the rush of power flush over him(1). That was what finally convinced Fayt that the collar was meant for male and to be precise for warrior. It was like it had made especially for Albel. Fayt passed the collar back to the owner of the store and smiled. "It has a pleasant feeling on it. Untamed and powerful." He flicked a stray hair behind his ear. "I'm sure that even Albel can't reject present like this", he murmured absent-mindedly before gazing back to the store owner. "Yes. I'll take this."
This time even the owner had a little trouble to control his facial expression when hearing the steady tone of youngster's voice. He did not judge persons by their clothing but still... "Young, sir..." he started hesitantly but he knew he had to tell the price of the article in question before all. "This collar in question has a price of 71 000 Fol(2). It is not cheap by all means." It was kind of sad to lose good costumer like this.
Fayt took his wallet and held it out to store owned to take. "Where do you want me to count the coins?" he simply asked.
About 20 minutes later Fayt was walking towards the central market place while scratching the back of his head. He had not realized how much money they had collected during their travels. He had been amazed even himself not to mention the persons that had followed from the side when he had paid the asked price from the collar. Now Fayt's only problem was that Albel would not like the collar.
*****
Albel was getting really fast on bad mood. He had woken up an hour or so ago, got up and dressed. He had left the room in search of Fayt but he had been informed that Fayt had left from the inn some time ago and had yet to return. Albel would have gone to seek out Fayt - because he was already damn bored - but Mirage and Adray had stopped him and reminded him that towns were dangerous for child-like persons as soon as twilight fell on the streets. Albel had argued with those two but when Mirage had pointed out that they *were* - at least for now - bigger and stronger than Albel they would tie Albel down if he would not listen them voluntarily.
Albel had shut himself into his room without further conversation. He really had *not* liked the way Adray had smiled to him... and the way Mirage had ruffled his hair. Things were getting *too* irritating for Albel's taste.
And now here Albel was. In his room sharpening his katana and no Fayt! Albel was getting mightily irritated.
There was a knock on the door before it opened and Fayt stepped in while carrying several packages and wishing good evening to Albel.
Albel answered with ignoring Fayt entirely and continued to take care of his katana.
Fayt put down his load and turned to look at Albel. Albel's coldness failed to surprise Fayt. Mirage had been on downstairs to greet him when he had returned and warned him about Albel's possible foul mood. But it *was* kind of understandable. Albel was used to being independent not needing to rely on anyone and now suddenly he was very dependent of Fayt and Fayt's actions. Fayt remembered how helpless he had been when he had first time arrived to Vanguard III all alone. It was a feeling he never wished to feel again.
Fayt rummaged through his pockets to find the silken pouch. He drew it out of the pocket, opened the strings holding the mouth shut and poured its contents to his hand. He stepped and kneeled in front of Albel who was still vigorously ignoring him. Fayt placed his free hand on Albel's trouser clothed knee. "Albel." The name was a silent whisper disappearing like it had never passed his lips. But Albel heard it and looked at Fayt. "I have something for you", he said and moved his hand off the knee taking Albel's hand on his and putting the collar he had bought earlier on the hand.
The tinkling feeling of powerful magical object ran through Albel's hand and his eyes fell on the marvelous piece of artwork on his hands. He had to use all of his self-control not to gasp.
"I hope you like it..." Fayt muttered shyly and unsurely. He returned to stand on his feet. He did not know where to put his hands. The situation was little awkward for him.
Albel stared Fayt speechlessly. He looked again at the collar on his hands. It was truly a beauty. It had truly must cost a lot. Albel wondered why Fayt had spent his money on the collar for Albel. He remembered how he had made fuss out of new collar but he had never thought anything like this. He wondered whether or not there was something hidden meaning the given treasure.
Fayt shifted his weight from leg to other nervously. Albel was too quiet. Fayt wished that Albel would say something, anything at all.
"Hmp. Fool", Albel said and turned his back to Fayt. He raised his arms and locked the collar around his neck and felt the power of it surrounding him together with Fayt's presence like warm quilt. He hurried to the door and turned to look back to Fayt scowl fixed on his face. "I'm hungry, fool. You'd better to provide me with something to eat!"
Fayt smiled and walked to the door while hiding his blush of delight. He had not expected Albel be that happy about the collar. He held out his hand for Albel and opened the door feeling warm, small hand with unidentified strength sliding to his hand.
Fayt really enjoyed walking hand in hand with Albel and it seemed that Albel was not that much against the action either.
TBC...
*****
Author's Note 2: OMG... I just realized that Albel has been kid only about 24 hours but he had caused trouble enough for 24 days! This is just horrible... Could I drag this on any slower?!
And *why* the end of this chapter is so Fayt-centric?! This was supposed to be AlbelFayt-fiction, not Fayt-centric AlbelFayt-fiction! Where did Albel go?! Argh! Killing me!
(1) "The Rush of Power": In the game Ruby has following attribute: ATK +20. But in it is also the stone of life which strengthens the heart and restores strength. In the Middle Age people thought that it had magical powers and it would guard against demons/devils. In the game Sapphire which in this collar there are two of them has following trait: DEF +10. But it is stone that bestows its bearer power/strength/force, honor and immortality. It also helps against insomnia and abrogates the pain. In the game Mythril has following attributes: ATK +200, +20 critical rate, +10 enemy Fury reduction when guard broken.
If you want to know more about jewels and their attributes I have taken these facts (others than in-game ones) that I have presented here from the book that's originally is called: Rudolf Ďud'a & Luboš Rejl: Svět drahých kamenů. The book is originally written in Czech.
(2) "The Price of the Collar: 71 000 Fol." The price is very approximate because I have counted it myself but here are the values where I base it on: 1 Ruby: value 1600 Fol; 2 Sapphire: value 3200 Fol; 1 Mythril: value 30 700 Fol. I did double the price because it seemed too cheap otherwise. I know that there are weapons and accessories in the game that are more valuable than this but it is not very large piece of jewelry and those very valuable accessories are mainly found from the Maze of Tribulations.
// 9 pages in Word
// 6 143 words
Fandom: Star Ocean III: Till the End of Time
Pairing: Albel Nox x Fayt Leingod
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Ocean III. It belongs to Square Enix, may they do lots of more good games.
Warnings: Eventually NC-17. Contains yaoi meaning at least two boys having sex together but not in first few chapters. Possible child abuse but not in sexual manner.
Author's Note 1: I was kind of disappointed to Chapter Four because it did not came out as it should have. There was supposed to be some shopping in that chapter... Well... There was not. Nothing even resembling of going to shopping. I am trying again with new vigor. Fayt is trying to be reasonable. Albel is being nuance. Fayt torturing, Albel torturing and Albel torturing Fayt (and everybody he sees). XD Perhaps I am having too much fun on my own...
Answers for Reviews: You all really are hanging there and wow! Over 30 Reviews. I never expected as much. I thank you very much of your patience with me. Seraph and SuijiDL, you two reviewed once again. That must mean that you like what you are reading. Thank you both of you so much. Your support is really important to me.
To Seraph: I really needed time when writing this. Hopefully this is worth of the wait. I am bit sure that Albel... chan... will kill me when he catches me... I do not think he is very happy with the choices given... ^^;;
To cassy: Thank you for encouragement. I need it.
To SuijiDL: Well... Cliff... He... He just has some issues... I agree that Fayt would do wonderful father, but I am not that sure of Albel... ^^;; Well... At least their children have two interesting (and opposite) role models. When taking Albel to shopping... "Traumatic" might not be the word you want to use...
To mysticneko: I still think that even if English is not my native language it really is no excuse. But you should be glad that you probably never see my writings in Finnish because there is "no" exact grammar in Finnish. I too am kind of amazed that they did absolutely nothing. I think that Mirage is to Fayt like an elder sister. She sees more than Fayt or Albel because she is the outsider in the relationship those two are having. The relationship of Albel and Fayt is not by any means easy and Mirage can see that clearer than the ones involved.
To one-eyed jester: You really, really think that they are IC? Wow... I am not that sure of it...
To Sukara: Your first SO3-fiction... Makes me wonder why to read this one as first one when there are many others out there...? Sorry if the sentences are weird but I cannot help it. The weirdness orientates back to my native language in which the order of the words is not as fixed as it is in English. I love to write complicated sentences which tone varies depending on the reader.
To all alone: I hope this is satisfies your appetite for this fiction for now. Thank you for support.
*****
Part One - Chapter Five: The Haste (The Chores of the Day)
There were things one simply did *not* do to Albel 'the Wicked' Nox, if one wanted to keep his or her life. One of those things was cowardly escaping and then locking him into a room. The other was suggesting that he would dress up as woman. There were several others too and Fayt Leingod was quickly exceeding all the worst possible things Albel had *ever* thought that one might *ever* want to do to him or make him to do. Albel had to admit that if situation had been other it would have been in a way really hilarious and it would have been interesting to know how Leingod came up with these ideas of his.
But Albel was not amused. Not amused *at all*! He glared at Fayt with all of his might his blood-red eyes blazing in fury. He was well aware that he was no where near the sanest person is the world but as he looked at the blue-haired embodiment of destruction he started to believe that there was someone in this room who really, really, *really* should reorganize his top-priorities and fast! As a hint, it was not Albel Nox, that was sure. Which lead Albel to wonder *why* he had not already killed the blue-haired boy...
Irritating!
Fayt had been aware from the beginning that taking Albel Nox with them would cause trouble for Fayt himself. Others had not been very supportive when he had told them about his decision. Albel was not making things easy for him. Fayt was not making things easy for himself. Too many distracting dreams. Too many ideas to make Albel's thin patience run even thinner.
At this point of the time that Albel had been with them Fayt had realized that when Albel set something in his mind, it became *very* hard to reason with him. But this time he really did not have other choices. Roger was the only small male in their group and around same size as Albel-child. Fayt was not sure whether Albel was acknowledging the fact or not but he was sure that if the crimson-eyed sword master *was* acknowledging it, he *was* doing good job in *ignoring* it.
Irritating!
Fayt was getting angry. He reminded Albel - once again - that neither of them had any clothes suitable for Albel as long as he was in child's body.
Albel answered sweetly that he rather walked around naked that put on *Roger's* clothes. Fayt had to force him if he wanted to Albel walk in public on that kind of clothing.
Because Fayt was reluctant to use brute force to make Albel wear the clothes he clearly disliked, the argument went on for next ten minutes or so. After that Fayt became aware that they did not have the all day to fight over something like this and gave up.
Fayt sighed and raised his hands in defeat. "I understand, Albel. You don't want to wear Roger's clothes so we have to think something else..." He had a bad feeling about this because nothing was coming to him and Albel was wearing a sneer on his face. A sneer which seemed to scream to Fayt 'You're an Idiot, Leingod!' and he could not do nothing about it. There simply was not anyone in their little troupe except Roger that was small...? Fayt glanced Albel as a thought game to him. There was nothing else to do...
Fayt shifting and withdrawing towards the door alarmed Albel. "Where are you going, fool?" he asked and his tune was oozing coldness. Not that he was really interested of course. Albel was just protecting himself from Fayt's idiotic ideas.
Fayt turned to look back to Albel. He raised the clothing in his hand and waved them. "Because you refuse to get dressed on these, I have to go and ask Peppita to borrow some of her clothes. She and Roger *are* the only one's with same size as you."
Albel paled to the purest white and his entire body froze over. He thought he might have a heart attack and die where he was standing. Or perhaps he had already died and gone to hell.
*****
There were not very many persons in the trading town of Peterny who did not heard the scream of utter horror and terror that shook the very foundations of the buildings of the town. For a moment the entire town seemed to stop, hold breath and wait what might happen next.
"I'LL GIVE UP, YOU SADIST! I'LL WEAR THEM! GIVE THEM TO ME!"
Somehow a very unpleasant feeling flowed over every single person in the town and they decided that whatever was going on it was not their business and they were not interested.
*****
In the inn Mirage pounded Cliff's back to prevent elder Klausian from suffocating to his breakfast bread. Maria and Peppita dried their faces which had got dirty because Adray had sprayed his drink out of his mouth. Sophia was trying to clean her skirt where Roger had dropped his porridge and Nel... She... she just wished she could go to get a bath and change her clothes. The startled servant maid had dropped the pot of soup all over even unluckier Nel.
Adray glanced up, towards Albel's room. "That sounded like Lord Nox... I wonder what he and Master Fayt are doing up there...?"
Nel shot a cold stare to Clair's father and stood up. "I think, we *don't* want to know..."
Rest of the group could not disagree with Nel. They really did not want to know what Albel and Fayt were doing and what kind of clothes were the reason for Albel's discomfort.
*****
Demon! Devil! Scheming worm! Evil! Corrupted maggot! Fool with mind twisted beyond reparation.
Albel reminded once again himself of the reason *why* he had not killed the blue-haired Earthling long a go. It was his looks. He looked so damn innocent that no one suspected that inside that innocent and warm smile lived an evil and thoroughly corrupted soul that only desire was to humiliate the others around him. The looks that hid behind themselves a mind that continuously plotted against others.
Mortified Albel stood in front of Fayt who was happily humming and taking measures from his left hand for his new claw. He was wearing Roger's clothes and if the look could have killed, Fayt would have been dead beyond dead. Albel had known that the fight over the clothes had been fight of principle. No way had he thought that Fayt would decide to use dirty tricks against him. And *no way* Albel had thought that Fayt might threaten to dress him, Albel the Wicked, into a *girl's* clothes!
In a way Albel was kind of grateful to Fayt. This experience taught to Albel that there was *always* a way to look things from different point of view no matter how one thought that there were no new points of view. There always was it appeared. So this experience also taught to Albel something new about Fayt himself. The blue-haired Earthling was more cunning than anyone around him could ever think. Or then he just had an unbelievably strong luck and intuition.
A very teaching experience indeed... but the Hell if Albel *ever* admit that to Fayt!
Fayt happily ignored boiling Albel and proceeded to take the last measurements. Originally he had thought that threatening Albel with Peppita's frilly clothes would be low, very low and might later on cause some physical damage to Fayt's being but in the end it had been Albel's own fault that Fayt had been forced to take some extra actions to get Albel dressed. They did not have eternally time to spend.
Fayt wrote up the last few numbers which he had gained from measuring to the paper and lifted his head to look at Albel. He kind of felt sorry for the proud swordsman to be forced to submit in front of person he had painfully slowly learned to respect in some aspect. That in mind Fayt stood up and pulled a small quilt of the bed. He returned back to Albel and gently wound the quilt around the body of the child. With every touch, with every move he tried to signal his apologies and remorse towards Albel for using such a dirty trick. Fayt neatly folded the quilt around Albel's neck so that his head was shown but not the clothing covering his small body. He collected the paper full of numbers and measurements for Albel's new claw from the floor and picked Albel up to his other arm.
Albel sat comfortably on Fayt's left arm but he found out for his little distress that there was no way he could hold on Fayt. He had to resolve his problem by only leaning into Fayt's chest. So he pressed his cheek onto Fayt's clothed chest and closed his eyes firmly. Albel did not want to see other's expressions as they would see him warped into a quilt and helplessly resting on Fayt's arms.
Fayt neatly folded and ripped into two parts the paper with measurements and stood up. He slightly wobbled being unused the extra weight of Albel on his arm but it was hardly noticeable and he put on remark that Albel had closed his eyes so it was very unlikely that he noticed Fayt's staggering. Also it seemed to Fayt that Albel had made himself as comfortable as possible against his body and its warmth and was dangerously close falling asleep.
Fayt smiled on black-and-gold-haired head and proceeded to look for his wallet among the things he had brought with him into Albel's room. It took some time and some acrobatics to pick up his wallet amongst his clothes, put it into his pocket and *not* drop Albel on the process.
When he thought he was ready, Fayt checked once more that he had everything they might need with them before exiting the room and finding his way to the common room where everybody in their group excluding Nel were having their breakfast served. They stopped enjoying their nourishment and fixed their eyes on Fayt and Albel inside the quilt carried on Fayt's arms.
For many in the room - both those who were traveling with Albel Nox and those who knew him only by reputation - it looked like Albel was *snuggling* against Fayt. They all were wise enough to keep their thoughts to themselves but they could only admit that there was first time in everything. Apparently even on seeing Albel the Wicked snuggling.
Fayt aristocratically ignored the sudden oppressing silence which fell in to the room after he and Albel entered. He strode to Cliff's side and without explanation he handed over the other half of the paper containing the measurements for Albel's claw. Then he made sure that Peppita, Sophia and Puffy would start working on antidote for Albel rather than slacking off somewhere out of others' sight. After that he turned to the one of the servant maids and requested some bread and cheese to take them with. Fayt had come to conclusion that he would not dare to make Albel eat in front of everybody. It would be share torture to both him and Albel.
As soon as Fayt got the food he left the inn with drowsing Albel. The street in front of inn was bustling with life. People passing by while continuing their traveling, merchants selling their items, soldiers guarding the peace of the town, children playing and other sounds of life filled the air. Fayt was grateful that he already knew where he was heading because the bustle and hustle was so intense that looking for a tailor might have been almost impossible.
As he took the first few steps away from the sheltering haven of the shadow of the inn, Fayt could feel thousand eyes fixing themselves on him and Albel and not letting go. Fayt felt very awkward and exposed and he could tell from the stiffening of Albel that other was feeling so too. Fayt had forced Albel to leave Crimson Scourge to the inn - allowing Albel to carry the tiny katana was like *begging* of trouble - although he had his sword Fayt still felt little too unsecured. He hurried his steps.
What neither Fayt nor Albel noticed, was that there was no malice in those eyes that looked at them. There was lot of wonder and warmth. Many of the owners of those eyes wondered the simple peaceful beauty of the picture those two formed. Many of the on-looking women were jealous of someone having such a beautiful and caring husband. But they had to admit from the looks of the black-and-gold-haired child that his wife had to be a beauty herself too. Then they noticed a young woman stopping father and son and talking to them. Women saw how the young blue-haired father tightened his grip on his son and shying away from the young woman. Everyone that saw the young man's action instantly knew that he was not very fond of women and he would do anything to protect his child.
People of Peterny knew that there were women and men who cruelly abandoned their families for one reason or the other. Many times those whom were left behind became extremely cautious towards the gender of the one that had abandoned them. This rare beauty of a male was truly in distrust of women. His body language told on-lookers that he did not want to talk to the young woman but because he had no intention of being impolite he made the effort before bowing quickly and continuing on while whispering to his son.
Fayt hurried away from inn. He could feel his lips moving but he did not hear any words or voice. It was like he was silently praying that all of this would be over as soon as possible, that Albel would return back to his old body, that he could one again talk with other male without feeling these strange feelings filling his head, heart, spirit and soul. These feelings he had never felt before yet they were so sentimental like he had always felt like this.
Albel squeezed his lids tightly shut. He felt the eyes on him and he did not like the feeling. He felt naked and vulnerable without his sword. He felt small and useless in this body that belonged to someone else. This body... was not his. Definitely not his. This body gave him some pretty spooky and strange vibes. Albel wished that this all would be over soon, that he could return to his real body so he could kill those brainless girls and blond ape as thank you for putting him to suffer through this humiliation, that he could return to fight against strong enemies, that he could ridicule the blue-haired fool without sensing these strange feelings filling his head, heart, spirit and soul. These feeling he had never felt before yet they were so sentimental like he had always felt like this.
It was something... Something that both Fayt and Albel found hard to ignore now that they were constantly together, unable to vent those violent, disturbing feelings with fighting. They both sensed that something was going to change and they were not able to prevent the change not matter how much they tried.
Because it had already started. The changing.
And the feelings that they thought they had forgotten and grown over were there now. Changing. Moving. Filling the void. Perhaps it was Destiny doing her job. Perhaps it was their minds playing tricks on them. Perhaps there just was no other way out from this situation than accepting and waiting to see what was coming.
Fayt tightened his hold on Albel and rushed on in the labyrinth of side streets of trading town Peterny. Silently he admitted it. He was afraid, afraid of loosing Albel, Albel's friendship he had worked on so much. He was so much afraid of loosing the elder man's respect and friendship that he was sure that if he did not hold tightly on Albel, other would disappear from his arms just... like... that...
*****
Fayt's fear that finding the tailor's would be hard fortunately had proved to be wrong assumption. Albel and Fayt had stepped in and they had greeted by the tailor and his helpers and apprentices. Fayt had seen that the shop - although small - was doing good work and in reasonable time. He had been happy to find a place where there were no persons whom might say something insulting to Albel. Fayt had quickly put Albel down and introduced him as the person in a need for new clothing.
Of course... Introducing child-Albel when the women of the shop were present and Albel's mood because of the clothing he had to wear was not the most understanding one had been mistake from the Fayt's side. And the reason which had led them into the current, no less than catastrophic situation inside the tailor's shop.
The tailor looked horrified and utterly worn-out as he took up his tape measure once again and carefully approached Albel. First he tried to take the measurements from afar but it clearly was not going to work. The tailor gave up and looked around with certain desperation. His method was not working but he was not fond of the thought of going any nearer the child.
While sitting further away Fayt was feeling for the tailor. Albel was still throwing a fit and Fayt sighed. It was not his fault that those giggling women had called Albel 'cute little angel' - which the Wicked One had not appreciated - before he had had time to warn anybody. But that was aside the point and problem he was facing. Fayt knew he had to do something before the tailor would grow tired of Albel's tirade and would throw them out of his shop.
Fayt exhaled his lungs empty and stood up. He smiled to the elderly tailor apologetically when passing by and kneeled in front of Albel. He extended his hands and placed them on Albel's cheeks forcing the other's eyes to meet his.
The heavy silence fell into the shop as Fayt and Albel stared each other without a word. It seemed to the outsiders that there was some kind of formless message passing between those two.
Fayt withdrew his hands and placed them on his knees but his eyes never left the crimson ones of Albel. Then a tiny, tiny smile touched his lips. "This all will be over sooner if you let it be, Albel", he reasoned. "I know you don't want my protection, but I ask you to remember the situation we are in now. It's much easier to fight over this after you have regained your real body." Fayt knew that even if his words reached Albel it was always a great possibility that swords master would choose to ignore his advice.
Albel pondered Fayt's words and tilted his head to the other side like he was looking for a reason - no matter how small - to reject Fayt's reasoning as something that was not worthy of his time. But Albel Nox was neither child nor stupid. No matter how much he felt that Fayt was treating him like a child the blue-haired youth never talked or dismissed him like he would be one. He heard from the serious tone that other used that Fayt remembered clearly that only Albel's body was the one of child's. Albel had no reason not to listen Fayt. He was very aware of the outsiders in the shop as he nodded.
Fayt's face melted into the beautiful smile that almost stopped everyone's hearts. "Thank you for understanding, Albel", he whispered and leaned forward. His lips gently swept over Albel's forehead before he got back to his feet and made way to the tailor.
Albel felt the heat rising to his cheeks and he was damn sure that he was blushing brightly. But he gallantly ignored the warmth on his skin and stepped forward to allow the tailor to take the needed measurements.
*****
Albel had been dead tired when they had finally left from the tailor's with Albel's new clothes. Swordsman had been irritated because he could not understand the cause of his body giving in and he had reacted like only three-year-old could. He had thrown a big tantrum over it and made himself even *more* tired. Albel had fallen sleep on Fayt's arms before they got to the workshop where Cliff, Gusto and Boyd were making new claw for Albel and Sophia, Peppita and Puffy were trying to create antidote for Albel. The men had succeeded in making of the claw although it had been very, very hard and they had tried the claw on Albel. On the other hand the girls... Well... There had not been success of any kind or even smallest improvement of understanding the composition of the potion they had given to Albel on the first hand.
Fayt had been little disappointed that there had not been improvement on the potion analyzing and antidote creation but he had accepted them as facts and had not chided the girls. But maybe Fayt's encouraging smile and understanding attitude had been the blades that had hurt the girls most. Or perhaps it had been the sight of his action as he had turned to look and talk to Mirage and Maria while affectionately petting sleeping Albel's hair without making fuss over it or even without realizing what he had been doing. Three girls had been mortified and they had vigorously promised to do their best on next day.
Fayt had answered with small, tired smile not wording the fact they all knew how they could not spare another day in Peterny. He had bowed for thanks to all persons present and had left the workshop to take Albel and their shoppings back to the inn where he had changed Albel's clothes and laid him to the bed, under the covers.
Now the evening was falling over the trading town of Peterny as Fayt left their inn behind him once again. This time he was alone because Albel was still sleeping and he did not want the company of the others. He needed the time for just himself to think and find the next best possible course of action. Fayt sighed and he reminded himself that they had to go to Aquios. The queen herself had asked them to come to see her and they had already accepted the invitation before the catastrophe of last night. The queen was expecting them. What queen of Aquaria was *not* expecting was Albel reverted into a child.
Fayt sighed and looked around himself. His surprise was only mild as he found out that his legs had carried him back to the tailor's where he and Albel had been earlier that day. After all Fayt was supposed to fetch the clothes that tailor had made for them to the party the queen of Aquaria was going to keep during their stay in Aquios.
Fayt stepped into the shop and was immediately saluted by the owner of the shop. For Fayt's immense relief tailor was the only one at the shop as his helpers and apprentices had either already gone home or they were out delivering tailor's business. Fayt had pale suspicion that tailor had sent others away for Fayt's convenience.
The tailor handed the finished clothes for Fayt and showed him a place where he could change his clothes.
In the small, closet-like dressing room Fayt looked at the pieces of cloth on his hands and scowled a little. For some reason Albel had earlier decided that his and Fayt's clothes should look exactly same and because Fayt had not came up with good reason to say no, they had now same kind clothes. Fayt was kind of sure that this was just new way of Albel's to compensate with current situation. He sighed and put the clothes on. He stepped out of the dressing room and turned to look himself from the mirror.
Fayt was hardly aware the presence of the tailor and the violent exhale as he presented himself warped up on the garments meant for the banquette of the queen of Aquaria. Fayt slid his hand on the expensive fabrics and fidgeted a little. He was not used to something like this. Back home something like this would have never happened and newness and strangeness of the situation made him extremely nervous.
Reluctantly Fayt raised his eyes and examined his reflection from the mirroring surface.
Fayt was clothed into tight, black tanktop accompanied with also tight and black suede pants. The tanktop hugged very closely his upper torso revealing his well toned muscles on his chest and leaving his arms and stomach bare. Several black leather belts were wrapped around his waist. White, transparent tunic which reached almost to Fayt's knees was pulled over the allusive outfit giving it an appearance of modest and decent. Transparent tunic was rimmed with blue satin cordon that matched with the color of his hair. On his feet he was wearing pair of black ankle boots.
Fayt stared several moments the reflection in the mirror before his shoulders slumped in defeat. He just *knew* that this was going to be so not good... He smiled to the tailor before stalking back to dressing room and changing back to his original clothing. He could not do else but think that the queen's banquette was going to be one hell of a flop for him. He would look like... like... like... Oh, he did not know *what* he would look like.
Fayt stepped out of the dressing room, collected the banquette outfits for him and Albel and paid them to the awe-struck tailor. He bowed to the elder man and exited the shop silently wondering what tailor had seen when he had been wearing those clothes. But really... it was not something he could affect...
*****
Servants of the Apris did not believe in angels. Correction. They did not have a term of 'angel' in their religion. But they had term of 'Messenger of Apris' whom were always viewed as women. The pureness they carried, the warmth they enkindled in the chests of the humans, the caring and parenting they showed could only manifest in women.
First time in his life this tailor wondered *why* those Messengers were always said to be women because this young man had to be someone that had descended from the heavens. He had seen the reason, the passion, the care, the willfulness to step down for another, fight for another's sake. The pure intention clashing with the strange malice the child, whom the young man had earlier accompanied, had been oozing.
Tailor shivered. They were like two sides of the coin reflecting on each other. Tied together for ever. Needing the other, leaning to other for support without ever realizing it. Co-existence. Harmony. Life and death circling around and around those two.
The unknown destiny waiting...
*****
Fayt glanced up towards the twilight sky to check the time. Almost immediately he stopped dead and cold shiver ran down his spine. In the past, before all this had started, he would have checked the time from his wrist watch or from his Communicator. When it had became a habit of his to check time from the position of the sun, moon or stars? Fayt could not tell. Perhaps the habit had developed during his first stay in Elicoor II. Perhaps he had absorbed the habit from Albel whom he knew possessing this habit. Had Fayt really somewhere along the journey studied and watched Albel so much that he knew other's little habits and was even able to copy them into his own behavior patterns?
Fayt shook his head and looked up again. In mild shock he found out that he had not used even half an hour in tailor's and he still had plenty of time to finish his chores before the market and shops would get closed.
Fayt rummaged through his pockets in search of certain piece of paper he had written earlier on the morning. Onto that piece of paper he had written what he should buy for Albel and it would be kind of bad thing if he had lost it. As Fayt walked forward while searching his pockets something shiny caught his attention from the corner of his eye. He stopped and turned to look at the display on the window of a jewelry store.
There in the display window placed nicely on the small, white velvet pillow rested one of the most beautiful piece of jewelry Fayt had ever seen. It really was a simple one, but there was something in it that Fayt realized it had taken hours and hours to complete. It consisted of black leather band on which had attached one big ruby, two smaller sapphires and several rings made out of mythril. The leather band was also reinforced with mythril. It was not meant for woman, but for male. It was not soft and light enough woman to wear.
The collar made Fayt remember Albel's complain about his too big collar.
Fayt swallowed and fought back urge to step in the store and buy the collar for Albel. But as his rummaging fingers touched the paper with info for stuff Albel needed, Fayt reasoned with himself that if Albel needed a new collar there was no reason *why* it could not be also pleasant for eyes. With that in his mind he opened the door and entered.
The jewelry store was quite capacious and well-lighted. The door bell rang clearly but not disturbingly. The insides and only few costumers told Fayt that he had entered into shop that held high quality both in merchandise and in service. And like to confirm his suspicion a man greeted him and introduced himself as the owner of the store and maker of the jewelry sold.
Fayt hoped he had not bitten more than he could swallow. He remembered his worn-out clothing and almost blushed guiltily. But the owner did not seem to care although others seemed very intimidated so Fayt dared to voice his wish to see the collar displayed in the window.
The immediate reaction for Fayt's wish was deep silence and raised brows of several other persons in the store room. The owner stayed expressionless but he warned Fayt that the collar in question was very, very expensive before he took the collar from the pillow it was resting and placed it carefully on Fayt's hands.
As soon as the collar was deposited on Fayt's hand he could feel the rush of power flush over him(1). That was what finally convinced Fayt that the collar was meant for male and to be precise for warrior. It was like it had made especially for Albel. Fayt passed the collar back to the owner of the store and smiled. "It has a pleasant feeling on it. Untamed and powerful." He flicked a stray hair behind his ear. "I'm sure that even Albel can't reject present like this", he murmured absent-mindedly before gazing back to the store owner. "Yes. I'll take this."
This time even the owner had a little trouble to control his facial expression when hearing the steady tone of youngster's voice. He did not judge persons by their clothing but still... "Young, sir..." he started hesitantly but he knew he had to tell the price of the article in question before all. "This collar in question has a price of 71 000 Fol(2). It is not cheap by all means." It was kind of sad to lose good costumer like this.
Fayt took his wallet and held it out to store owned to take. "Where do you want me to count the coins?" he simply asked.
About 20 minutes later Fayt was walking towards the central market place while scratching the back of his head. He had not realized how much money they had collected during their travels. He had been amazed even himself not to mention the persons that had followed from the side when he had paid the asked price from the collar. Now Fayt's only problem was that Albel would not like the collar.
*****
Albel was getting really fast on bad mood. He had woken up an hour or so ago, got up and dressed. He had left the room in search of Fayt but he had been informed that Fayt had left from the inn some time ago and had yet to return. Albel would have gone to seek out Fayt - because he was already damn bored - but Mirage and Adray had stopped him and reminded him that towns were dangerous for child-like persons as soon as twilight fell on the streets. Albel had argued with those two but when Mirage had pointed out that they *were* - at least for now - bigger and stronger than Albel they would tie Albel down if he would not listen them voluntarily.
Albel had shut himself into his room without further conversation. He really had *not* liked the way Adray had smiled to him... and the way Mirage had ruffled his hair. Things were getting *too* irritating for Albel's taste.
And now here Albel was. In his room sharpening his katana and no Fayt! Albel was getting mightily irritated.
There was a knock on the door before it opened and Fayt stepped in while carrying several packages and wishing good evening to Albel.
Albel answered with ignoring Fayt entirely and continued to take care of his katana.
Fayt put down his load and turned to look at Albel. Albel's coldness failed to surprise Fayt. Mirage had been on downstairs to greet him when he had returned and warned him about Albel's possible foul mood. But it *was* kind of understandable. Albel was used to being independent not needing to rely on anyone and now suddenly he was very dependent of Fayt and Fayt's actions. Fayt remembered how helpless he had been when he had first time arrived to Vanguard III all alone. It was a feeling he never wished to feel again.
Fayt rummaged through his pockets to find the silken pouch. He drew it out of the pocket, opened the strings holding the mouth shut and poured its contents to his hand. He stepped and kneeled in front of Albel who was still vigorously ignoring him. Fayt placed his free hand on Albel's trouser clothed knee. "Albel." The name was a silent whisper disappearing like it had never passed his lips. But Albel heard it and looked at Fayt. "I have something for you", he said and moved his hand off the knee taking Albel's hand on his and putting the collar he had bought earlier on the hand.
The tinkling feeling of powerful magical object ran through Albel's hand and his eyes fell on the marvelous piece of artwork on his hands. He had to use all of his self-control not to gasp.
"I hope you like it..." Fayt muttered shyly and unsurely. He returned to stand on his feet. He did not know where to put his hands. The situation was little awkward for him.
Albel stared Fayt speechlessly. He looked again at the collar on his hands. It was truly a beauty. It had truly must cost a lot. Albel wondered why Fayt had spent his money on the collar for Albel. He remembered how he had made fuss out of new collar but he had never thought anything like this. He wondered whether or not there was something hidden meaning the given treasure.
Fayt shifted his weight from leg to other nervously. Albel was too quiet. Fayt wished that Albel would say something, anything at all.
"Hmp. Fool", Albel said and turned his back to Fayt. He raised his arms and locked the collar around his neck and felt the power of it surrounding him together with Fayt's presence like warm quilt. He hurried to the door and turned to look back to Fayt scowl fixed on his face. "I'm hungry, fool. You'd better to provide me with something to eat!"
Fayt smiled and walked to the door while hiding his blush of delight. He had not expected Albel be that happy about the collar. He held out his hand for Albel and opened the door feeling warm, small hand with unidentified strength sliding to his hand.
Fayt really enjoyed walking hand in hand with Albel and it seemed that Albel was not that much against the action either.
TBC...
*****
Author's Note 2: OMG... I just realized that Albel has been kid only about 24 hours but he had caused trouble enough for 24 days! This is just horrible... Could I drag this on any slower?!
And *why* the end of this chapter is so Fayt-centric?! This was supposed to be AlbelFayt-fiction, not Fayt-centric AlbelFayt-fiction! Where did Albel go?! Argh! Killing me!
(1) "The Rush of Power": In the game Ruby has following attribute: ATK +20. But in it is also the stone of life which strengthens the heart and restores strength. In the Middle Age people thought that it had magical powers and it would guard against demons/devils. In the game Sapphire which in this collar there are two of them has following trait: DEF +10. But it is stone that bestows its bearer power/strength/force, honor and immortality. It also helps against insomnia and abrogates the pain. In the game Mythril has following attributes: ATK +200, +20 critical rate, +10 enemy Fury reduction when guard broken.
If you want to know more about jewels and their attributes I have taken these facts (others than in-game ones) that I have presented here from the book that's originally is called: Rudolf Ďud'a & Luboš Rejl: Svět drahých kamenů. The book is originally written in Czech.
(2) "The Price of the Collar: 71 000 Fol." The price is very approximate because I have counted it myself but here are the values where I base it on: 1 Ruby: value 1600 Fol; 2 Sapphire: value 3200 Fol; 1 Mythril: value 30 700 Fol. I did double the price because it seemed too cheap otherwise. I know that there are weapons and accessories in the game that are more valuable than this but it is not very large piece of jewelry and those very valuable accessories are mainly found from the Maze of Tribulations.
// 9 pages in Word
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