Albel barged into the room. If the door hadn't been electric he would have surely ripped it open. He marched his way across the room and went towards the refrigerator. Leaning over, he pried the door open and stuck his head inside to look at the food. He pulled out a hunk of raw meat out and slammed the door behind. He looked around the room and saw that stupid girl sitting on the table with a box of Kleenex beside the book she was reading.

"What device do you cook this in?" Albel demanded in a forceful tone.

"Oh, I'll make it for you if you'd like." Sophia answered, revealed her face when she moved the book to her side. Her eyes were swollen and tears had formed, still located in her eyes.

"What the hell are you reading?" He questioned, dropping the package of meat on the table and yanked the book out of her hand. "Je t'Adore Mais Tu Adores Un Autre?" He read the title, while skimming though the page she had read. "Reading porn? Here we thought you were some innocent virgin."

"Give it back!" Sophia blurted out, as she stretched her arms out, but he placed the book above his head and kept reading. "It's not porn."

"Then why are they having sex?" Albel asked, with a smirk on his face.

"They love each other." She replied as she jumped up to grab the book but Albel's height was superior. She gave up. Crossing her arms across her chest, she flashed a frown with her eyebrows crossed, which make her cheeks a little chubby. "You're mean," she pouted.

"You're mean." Albel mimicked, in a high voice, as he smiled. He read some of the words to the book and laughed, "Wow, you really think this is how it is?"

"Give it back!" She complained, as she leaped into the air, and grabbed the book, stole it from him, and snatched it out with great force. He let go, and still held onto that smile on his face. "Thanks," she spoke, shortly, "Fayt gave this to me because my birthday is tomorrow."

"How old will you be, three?"

"Hey, stop that! I'm going to be eighteen." She responded, smacking the book on him, gently. "I'm going to be an adult!"

"That's hard to believe." Albel added, while he made his way to the leg of lamb and started to open the wrapping. "So what device do I cook this with?"

"I'm not telling." Sophia answered, as she turned her back to him and walked with perfect posture towards the opposite end of the table.

"Fine, I'll ask your boyfriend, Fayt." He teased, tearing the paper away from the meat.

"He's not my boyfriend!" Sophia shouted, defensively, a millisecond after he said Fayt. "We're just friends."

"Then why are you blushin-"

"I am not!" She shouted as her face became pinker.

"Sure," He pointed out. He stepped towards the cupboards and stared at them. There were so many of them, covering contents behind them. Airyglyph kitchens were easy: nothing was hidden. They had shelves for the plates and racks where you put cooking utensils, such as pots and pans. Cutlery was stored in a wooden box on the counter and everything was cooked over a fire.

"Fine, I'll help you cook." She gave in, slamming the book down beside the box of Kleenex.

"What, the book was boring and unrealistic?"

"No, I just wanted to help." She answered, as she tied her hair up in a bun with pieces coming out of it. "That story is really sweet."

"Don't make me laugh," he chucked as he turned to her to give her a glare. "I don't need your help, little Sophia, I can cook by myself. Besides, that sex scene was anything but true. Sex is just sex, which is different from love. It's nothing sacred, just there for pleasure."

"No it isn't!" She protested. "You are thinking of lust, which is different from love. Sex is the ultimate expression of two peoples love for each other."

He laughed like a hyena, and almost dropped unto the floor. He leaned over and tried to stable himself from falling. A moment later he calmed himself, to say, "Sorry, but that was a classic. You really think two people were distant to be together, don't you? You're as pathetic as those Aquarians. You shouldn't describe something you've never experienced. I've given up on love and yet I have sex. Go hump Fayt, if he gave you a porno book then he wants it. You do love him don't you? He can't stop talking about how much he's in love with you."

A hand slapped across his cheek, leaving a red imprint on his face. Sophia's eyes glared at him, not with eyes of hate, but eyes of sorrow and sympathy. Tiny tears were inside those eyes, ready to cry for him. He looked at her with contrary eyes that resembled icy daggers.

"How dare you say that!" She yelled at him, but out of a concern. "If you'd like to know I'm saving myself for marriage. Fayt and I are just friends, but if you and he happened to be the only men in the universe I'd go after him! Besides, this book isn't about animals that do it in every chapter. Maybe you should read it for yourself and learn from it!"

"Don't look at me with those eyes!" He snared, out of fear, while he threw himself away. "I don't need your empathy!"

"Sorry I hit you."

"Why do you care? He asked, as his voice quivered. "No one cares about me. My own mother wishes I were dead!" He stomped towards her and clawed one hand into her shoulder and one on her chin. "Look at me!" He commanded, as he moved her chin to look at him. "Aren't you afraid of me? I kill innocent people and animals because I enjoy it. The first time I killed someone I wanted to kill again! How can you sympathise with someone who takes the lives of others so merciless? THIS IS THE FACE OF A MANSLAYER!"

Her eyes watered as the tears flooded down her face. She glazed into his burgundy eyes, with a faint smile through her lips, saying, "I'm not afraid of you, nor do I hate you."

"I told you not to look at me with those eyes!" He threatened, as he moved his claw towards her throat. "Why?"

"I don't think you're a bad pers-"

"LIES!"

Silence erupted through the room; a piece of fine cloth could have been heard. His chest pounded as he tried his best to hold back the sadness he felted deep into his soul. Sophia's eyes stopped weeping, as she opened her mouth to speak. He immediately let go of her, which caused her to drop unto the floor and stormed out of the room, fearing what she would have said.

"You and Fayt make a perfect couple: you both are pathetic!"

"That lamb looks delicious." A voice snapped him back into reality. He blinked for a second, and looked down at his plate. The herbs flowed into his nostrils with a garlicky fragrance as the steam escaped.

"Well, for seven hundred fol that better taste good." Adray added, as he tore into his steak. Albel poked the mutton with a fork and cut a tiny piece of it, then picked at it like a bird.

"Why did you order it if you weren't going to eat it?" Nel asked, twirling her fork with the pasta noodles. "Hurry up and eat. Clair should be here soon."

Albel moved the small morceau of meat from his decorative plate and into his mouth. It tasted rich as the flavours mixed together on his taste buds. Flinging the fork and knife at five o'clock was tempting, but the sorrow of his people from five years ago made him eat every crumb on his plate. He dabbed the serviette onto his face as the waitress took off with the empty plates.

"Uncle Nox!" A young voice beckoned. Albel sighed, and then turned around in the location of the voice. He narrowed his eyes, as his face was expressionless: his signature glare, and stared at this brat. He had wished that they hadn't eaten at the open restaurant in the centre of Peterny. People turned around and watched as the young girl race towards him, and gossiped about him to their neighbour. Clair and Mayu stood metres away, casually walking behind her. Isabelle held in her hand, opposite to hand she would hold her bear in, an emerald umbrella with frogeyes poking out of the top. Her dress matched with forest green ribbons along the bottom of the skirt and sleeves. Her hair was down in thin curls with a ribbon the colour of lemons tied in a bow off to the side. Looking at this flamboyant ensemble made him shiver. When she was beside him she stretched her arms up, bounced, and said, "Up-ies, Up-ies!"

"No," Albel answered, but Isabelle didn't take no for an answer.

"Up-ies! Up-ies!" She kept saying, even more cheerful with a large smile on her face. "Uncle Nox, Up-ies!

Nel stood up and stepped over towards the child. She bent her knees and made her the same level as the girl, telling, "He's not going to let you up."

Isabelle turned herself around and leaped into Nel's arms, invited herself to an 'up-ies.' Nel caught her and stood herself up; Isabelle sat comfortable in her arms, and when she turned around, she almost whacked Nel with the umbrella.

"She may be innocent but she sure is demanding." Nel commented, as she held unto the umbrella for her. Adray waltzed over towards the girl with a large smile on his face. "Grandpa Adray is going to get you!" He spoke, in baby talk as he placed his fingers out to wiggle them. Isabelle laughed, and squirmed around, as her face was full of joy.

"She's so adorable, Albel." Clair added. She was about to say something but Albel cut her off. "Don't get any idea's!" Clair gave a pout as she dragged him off to a secluded area to the street.

"Look," she whispered to him, "Your mother was preparing for your wedding to Count Neppon's daughter. We made an agreement, Albel."

"Mother says a lot of things." He answered, as he rolled his eyes. "Do you really think I'd marry someone ten years younger than I am? Especially to a snobby bitch like her."

"Good," Claire spoke, in calm tone, "you promised you'd marry me! If you don't I don't know what to do." She said, in a nervous tone as her eyes started to water.

"I'm marrying you, Clair." Albel assured as he placed his hands on her shoulder. "Did you tell that to mother?"

Clair nodded, as a smile slowly formed on her face. She wiped the tears trying to pop out of her eyes and said, "She said I was a tramp and unworthy to marry a Nox, but I demanded her to agree."

"What did you say?" Albel asked, curiously, with a smirk on his face. "I've never met anyone who was able to tame mother."

"I threatened to run away with you." She explained. "If you aren't there then her nobility status would go away. She would have to fend for herself."

"That's genuis!" He spoke, astonished. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"Thanks."

The entire party strolled along the streets of Peterny. The sun appeared and gleamed in the drab sky, adding colour to it. It would hide behind the clouds, but shine brightly through them.

Nel placed Isabelle down as her yellow boots planted themselves unto the stone. Nel handed the umbrella to Mayu to free her hands and unzipped the purse. Rummaging through it, she pulled out the photo from the wallet and showed it to her. Isabelle's eyes lit up as she jumped up and down, saying something in her mother tongue.

"What did she say?" Clair asked, as Albel's eyes widened, and couldn't blink.

"She said 'daddy.' Guess she's Fayt and Sophia's child." Nel replied, putting the photo back into the purse. Albel marched towards her and snatched it from her and retrieved that card with Sophia's picture on it.

"We don't know that!" Albel barked as he threw the purse back to Nel. Marching towards the nearest stranger he showed the card to her and demanded if she had known Sophia's whereabouts. The middle-aged girl's eyes started to water as she stared at the photo. She placed a hand over her mouth, covering how her lips curved upwards.

"Where is she?" Albel asked, in a harsh tone, as he snatched the card from her eyes. "I don't do crying women!"

"Oh, I don't know." The woman responded. "Her sister used to live beside me, but four and a half years ago she died."

"Bah," Albel snorted as he shoved the card into his pocket. "This is no use."

"Are you hungry?" She asked the party, in a cheerful tone. "You're that woman who paid for Ameena's bills. Thank you so much for paying them. I'm glad to have met with people who knew her family."

"Oh ya, I remember you." Nel answered as she took a step forward. "It's someone else and not her sister."

"Would you all like a cup of tea?"

"No-" Albel wanted to say, but the rest followed the woman down the street, cutting him off. He gave a growl as he stomped behind them in protest. The woman looked down and saw Isabelle holding hands with Clair and Mayu; her bear tucked under her collar. Occasionally, they would lift her and swaying her forward, which caused her to giggle. They also skipped with Isabelle down the street as well as sang childhood songs. Even Adray joined their happy songs as he lifted the girl up and spun her around like a helicoper. Albel was tempted to unshealthe his katana and slash these people into pieces. Instead, he announced: "I'm going to the Inn!"

"What's wrong?" Clair asked, with a smile.

"You know what's wrong! You guys are singing lame songs and skipping down the street like a bunch of hippies on drugs! It's annoying!"

"She is a child." Nel spoke, as if he were from another planet, while rolling her eyes.

"Calm down, Albel." Adray adviced, as he placed Isabelle on his shoulders. "I used to hate children but when my little Clair was born, things were different."

"Fine, I'll calm down." he barginned as he crossed his arms around his chest. "After this we are leaving for Arias!"

"It'll be sundown in a few hours."

"We'll just camp!" Albel hissed, parading his way ahead of the crowd. The rest followed him in silence. Isabelle wrapped an arm around Adray's face as the opposite arm that had the bear dangled while she relaxed and fell asleep. Albel's lips curled in a faint smile as he was pleased that she wouldn't be speaking. He was about to turn his head forward but he glanced at her a while longer.

"Do you want to hold her?" Adray offered, but he quickly swung his head to face the direction he was going.

"No," he replied, "She just reminded me of Sophia."

A few minutes later they arrived at the house. Nel, went straight for the garden and bend down to feel the soft texture. The woman told them they could drink tea there, so the party sat down on the wodden stools. The clouds started to disappear as the sun lit the entire sky. Albel crossed his arms in disguest as he glared at the girl. Nel kept eyeing the roses, and stroked them.

"Would you like me to cut you some?" The woman asked, as she placed the tea unto the table.

"Oh, thank you so much." Nel gleamed. "Since we were traveling to Arias I'd thought I'd take these flowers for my husband's grave."

"I'll go with you to the Inn, Albel." Clair suggested. "You look bored."

"You poor dear, a widow at so young. I hope you don't mind me asking, but how did he die?"

Albel got off his seat, as Clair did the same. She strolled over towards the woman and opened her mouth to speak.

"Some bastard killed him and I will not rest unless I find that person and avenge his death!" Nel cut her off. Her expression on her face changed as her eyebrows crossed, and twitch out of anger.

"I'm sure you'll find him or her." The woman conforted, as she placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry," Clair interupted in a poliet tone in her voice. "Albel and I need to leave. We thank you for being hospitable, and could you please excuse us?"

"Oh, leaving so soon. Well it was nice to meet both of you." The woman spoke, kindly.

Clair gave a slight bow as they made their way out of the garden. They reached the edge, but Nel added, "You better take Isabelle with you. She seems tired and there is no way she is well enough to leave if she stays here."

"Fine!" Albel agreed. Clair trotted over towards the girl and picked her up. Isabelle moved around, and made herself comfortable, still asleep. Clair held her stomach against her chest as Isabelle's hands dangled over her shoulders, almost dropping the bear behind Clair. Albel yanked it from her hand to prevent it from falling unto the streets.

"I can't believe this is Fayt and Sophia's kid." Clair said, as they exited the garden. "It was cute when they were holding hands that one time when they thought no one was around."

"Humph, I though it wasn't necessary." Albel mumbled, in an angry tone. "We don't have proof that she is their child."

"You promised to marry me, Albel!" Clair spoke, forcefully. "Besides, she loves Fayt. Get over her!"

"You're right," Albel sighed, "she has Fayt. She always had him. Always loved him."

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Disclaimer: If Je t'Adore Mais Tu Adores Un Autre happends to be a book, I do not own it, nor do I own Star Ocean.

AN: (evil snicker) keep reading or re-read! Dragon Chyld, you are right, it is spelled Adray. Spelling is something I am terrible with. Also, I use British spelling which some people aren't familar with but I guess that isn't relivent. This site is my friend: dictionary dot cambridge dot org. I do apologise for all of the errors in the previous chapter. I forgot to proofread that one as well as the others. Thank you Dragon Chyld, Goddess Irui, and Xin-No-Hikaru for the reviews! Feel free to add more and Thanks for those who read this story! Tell a friend. I like attention.