An Airyglyph Interlude

By Nicolle

1st Note: I'd like to apologize to all my Army Life fans. I've been sick with the flu. Please let this tie you over till the next update.

2nd Note: OOC-ness ahead.

3rd Note: My husband bought Star Ocean 3 and I've been watching him play while drinking orange juice. As a result, I have Star Ocean on the brain. This story was actually a dream I had. I woke up laughing so hard, I hurt my side. Ouch!

4th Note: This story takes place after Shelby's death, but I figured he'd be replaced quickly enough. As to why this new guy doesn't die five minutes before the fic ends is a mystery.

Disclaimer: Star Ocean 3 belongs to Tri-Ace/Ubisoft/Square-Enix.

An Airyglyph Pastime

Fayt turned around to give everyone orders about when to be back and only found Nel standing behind him. He blinked several times before looking around and catching glimpses of everyone as they ran into town. Shrugging, he turned to Nel.

"I'm heading for supplies. Meet you back at the castle?"

"I'll walk you to the store."

They trudged through the snow laden Royal City of Airyglyph. A glint cught Nel's eye and she turned to watch a group of youngsters learning how to ice skate on a frozen lake beyond the city gates. Guards stood around the lake to keep monsters at bay, but the entire area was only filled with the sound of laughter. Smiling to herself, she slipped off to watch for a moment. And Fayt, poor Fayt, was left to fend for himself.

After a conversation with the King and a promise to deliver a letter, Fayt found everyone waiting for him at the city gates. Everyone that is, except Albel. An extensive search of the castle left them empty handed. As a last resort, Fayt knocked on Woltar's door. He entered when summoned.

Without looking up from his desk, Woltar asked, "What can I do for you young people?"

"We can't find Albel. Do you know where he is?" Fayt asked.

"Hmm... Probably ice skating."

Jaws hit the floor.

"What?" Fayt managed.

"Ice skating is a very traditional pastime here in frigid Airyglyph. Regardless of Albel's attitude, he enjoys the ice as much as any other citizen of the kingdom. Just go out the gate to the frozen lake."

Fayt nodded and they soon found themselves standing on the edge of a very crowded lake.

"Great. How are we supposed to find him?" Cliff groaned.

"He's right there," Nel said. She pointed and everyone followed her gaze.

"He's wearing pants," Maria muttered.

"I'm sure you're devastated," Cliff said.

"I am," Nel said.

Everyone looked at her, except for Fayt, who seemed to be staring off into space.

Nel crossed her arms over her chest. "Oh come on. He maybe insane and my mortal enemy but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy the view."

"Point taken," Cliff said.

"Hey, Fayt?" Maria waved her hand in front of his face. "Are you okay?"

"He's teaching them how to skate," he muttered.

Eyes went back to Albel, who was, sure enough, teaching a bunch of children to skate.

"Priceless," Cliff said, "I wish I had a camera."

"I do," Maria said, "Hold me up." Cliff lifted her and she took a couple pictures. She reviewed them on the digital camera. "I love black mail."

The Black Brigade's second in command stepped up to the ice as Albel released the children he was with to skate on their own. "This bag of gil to the first person to make Captain Nox eat snow!"

Albel looked up, took a quick look at the teaming children, and was off like a shot. The sidelines filled with oohs and ahhs over Albel's footwork and speed. He dodged left to right, much like on the field of battle, dodging group after group of little ones reaching for him. The familiar game had other skaters involved, trying to close line Albel from behind, only to have him duck underneath arms and jump over prone forms. The children kept rushing after him, and for them he seemed to slow down, staying just out of their reach.

"I don't know about you," Cliff said, "But I think those kids could use a hand." He reached down and found a nice smooth stone. Taking careful aim, he skipped it across the ice and into Albel's path. The Captain's blade caught the stone and sent him crashing into a snow bank. The children jumped him, snowballs in hand. After a bit of scrambling, a snow plastered Albel stood and the kids ran off to receive their reward.

Shaking the snow out of his hair, the Captain sauntered over to the group. "Who threw the rock?"

Everyone suddenly found something fascinating to look at, faces innocent... except for Fayt. His face as stony as always, his hips settled and he put his hand on his sword. Albel's eyes narrowed and he fell into a stance of arrogant readiness. After a stare down that seemed hours long, Fayt jerked a thumb at Cliff.

"He did it."

Cliff jumped. "HEY! You sold me out! HUMFFF!" He leaned forward at the pain from Albel's fist saying hello to his stomach. He looked up into red eyes.

"We'll not be doing that again, will we?"

"Nope," Cliff gasped.

Albel snorted and walked off. "Fool."