Disclaimer: It's obvious I don't have Tales of Xillia, because it was properties of Bandai Namco.
Hello everyone after so long! Well, maybe you might read my other story as well and it hadn't been that long since I updated but... okay, I'm being sidetracked again. Anyway this is the update for this story~ I really hope you'll enjoy it as I enjoy writing it~ Oh and I'm on break of my university so you might see me more often than not~ I intended to make the most of my break so see ya soon~
After another set of walking through the Aladhi Trail, the party finally found a place that had become a common resting place for traveler to spend the night in the wilderness on time as the night fell around them painting their surrounding into velvet.
"How about we stop here for today?" Altair asked as he kicked the remaining ash that was left behind by traveler before them. The resting spot was a small cave that would protect them from cold wind and rain, though considering the Clime, it would be quite unlikely.
Altair's suggestion was replied by collective 'yeah' and 'yes' although Altair noticed that his sister looked the most tired of all. He sighed at the expression the girl made since it was obvious for him that she blamed herself for what happened with the big monster from before. It was something that Stella always did when she made a mistake either small or big and so he was used to see it.
Altair decided to leave Stella alone for now since when Stella was like this, there would be no one who could stop her from being negative. He then looked at Alicia who was fiddling with her earring and he noticed that her Spyrite had more recognizable presence than before. Before the summoning, it was natural that a Spyrite had no presence, but considering that the Spyrite already helped Alicia for long then it would mean that it should have more presence. He wouldn't deny that Alicia always felt off since before and her Mana felt like one of Spyrite user, but something blocked it and he couldn't put his fingers on it since the presence was very thin he could forget about it.
"Anyway, I and Al will look for some stuff to make our fire. Stel and Alicia should stay and cook our dinner. If we found something to eat we would bring it as well," Kevin suggested as he grinned to Altair who merely nodded at the suggestion.
"Okay… be careful out there you two," Stella said with solemn note as she turned around to start her job to make food.
"…" both Kevin and Altair noticed Stella's solemn tone but couldn't do anything to revert it back to her usual tone. Alicia merely gazed at Stella as the boys walked away to give the girls their privacy and for their food.
Alicia had once again materialized Nancy for moral support as both girls sat in silence together as they were working on preparing their food for the night still in silence. Stella is the first broke the ice and asked, "Are you okay, Alice?"
Alicia was startled at the sudden question and replied with a question of her own by saying, "What do you mean Stella?" which Nancy duplicated with the same question but with different tone.
Stella glanced at Alicia once before focusing back to her job. She focused her eyes on her hands that was chopping the ingredients of the food she was about to make as she said, "I mean… about the monster this afternoon… are you scared? I felt bad to make you do something like summoning your Spyrite… Nancy, I mean… because I couldn't do anything…"
Alicia finally got the meaning of Stella's question before replying, "I'm glad to be everyone's help… lately I'm nothing but a drag after all… sometimes I hope I remained in Talim instead. But… but knowing that I too could summon Spyrite… I felt glad that I could make myself useful… and Stella, the last thing I would think about you is that you aren't being useful…"
"You know having you around gave me some peace of mind… that's why I asked you to come. But it looked like I practically forced you to come with us Alice… I'm sorry," Stella said with a serene tone as she looked at her sword that was placed neatly beside her. Her smile looked down and wasn't her usual gentle friendly smile.
Alicia noticed how Stella seems genuinely guilty about what happened this afternoon and contemplated on how to make her better. She then reminded about Stella's inability to use offensive Artes until the end albeit having the talent of it. It made her curious so she asked, "Hey, Stella… may I ask you something?"
"Anything except boys because I have none," Stella replied with a hint of joke when she mentioned about boys.
Alicia got it and stifled a giggle of her own albeit in her heart she felt bad for Kevin who looked like he had special feeling to the twin sister of Altair. If the boy wanted to make Stella notice about his feeling, she just knew that the road would be long and painful.
"Say… why you couldn't use your Artes to the enemy before? I don't particularly understand since you are a… a genius on it," Alicia said with a curious yet careful tone. She is not one to hurt the feeling of other party in her conscience after all and she won't start to be one as well.
Stella froze at the mention of her problem. She sighed inwardly before putting aside her sword and replied, "Well, a lot happened. It was a ridiculous story for me but somehow… it just couldn't get out of my head…"
Alicia notified Stella to go on as the latter sighed, knowing that she couldn't get out from this one. Stella lightly scratched the side of her forehead before saying, "Don't laugh okay… when I was still kid… maybe around 4 to 5 years old… I have told you before that I often stay in Leronde instead of Trigleph because Dad is busy with his research, right? Well, it's not that I am angry about how Dad put his research first but… okay I got derailed. Anyway, one day I got a Rappig from my grandpa since I had nagged him to give me one since Al seldom play with me. Al at the time had fallen in love with Aspyrixes in Grandpa's house so he looked like he is right now, more or less. I need to nag him reaaaaaally hard to drag him out of the clinic or the library. I'm so surprised at first that Al understands all those hard stuff…"
Alicia nodded knowingly as she tried to prevent all kind of laughter that boiled inside her throat thinking how Altair looked like in his childhood. Stella looked grateful at it and then continued her story, "So it was like I really love my pet and all that stuff… But accidentally when I was on my offensive Artes training with Aunt Elize, it hit my pet and it got enraged… It then attacked a frightened me since all I could do is cry while casting barrier over and over until Aunt Elize killed it. I was scared and confused at that time as Aunt Elize took care of it so I don't know the detail. I guess from that point on, I was scared to use Spirit Artes against monster… actually for some time even I couldn't use my Spirit Artes… like, at all. I was so frightened at that time…"
Alicia gasped after Stella end her story about the reason why she couldn't use offensive Artes against monster. Stella looked to the side before saying, "It's not that I couldn't each time… you see me yesterday as well… I was fine using offensive Artes. It was just some time-to-time occurrence… well, the fact that I gripped a sword helped me to dim that memory and I could focus more to cast Artes. But if I had a staff the memory easily resurface making me numb and couldn't move an inch."
Alicia nodded knowingly as she decided to not pursue the matter further. At least she understood that Stella was traumatized by the attack by her own pet that she loved because of the latter accidental mistake. She didn't really understand the concept of the difference between having a sword and having a staff, but she saw that Stella had more energy to attack when she had a sword. Maybe it was a problem on the feeling.
As they decided to close the case, Altair and Kevin, who had brought back a bunch of firewood with some edible-looking food, came back from their simple hunt. Alicia noted that none of them had any particular injury, save for their injury prior the hunt. She mentally noted that they looked a tad bit too used in this area for someone who looked reserved.
Stella was oblivious to the fact as she fetched the ingredients that the boys brought back. She examined the mushroom and other veggies while Kevin lit the fire, settling himself across Stella. He didn't do anything and just did his job because he knew that if he dared to make a move, he would get another lovely bruise behind the scene. But after seeing that Stella and Alicia took their sweet time on cooking, Altair decided to take Kevin on some training season to wait for the food to be done.
After the food was done, Alicia and Nancy looked all over their campsite, hoping to see the boys but found that they are not in their rightful place. Alicia contemplated on searching the boys or not, fully aware of her lack of coordination ability. Nancy who floated beside the girl understands what had passed the girl's head before saying, "You can just look for them."
Alicia was startled and looked to the side to find Nancy grinning from ear to ear. Her face quickly turned red like a tomato as she replied, "N-no… I would be more of a hindrance than of help… "
Nancy placed her palms over the tip of Alicia's nose before saying, "You silly, silly girl. Maybe you will get lost but I AM here to guide you. I'm not going to bring harm to you my girl."
Alicia stifled a laugh before saying, "You sounded like an old man."
Nancy pouted, offended by the harmless comment. She was glad that Alicia had her smile back anyway as she said, "For your information, I am still 13 years old!"
Alicia laughed some more much to Nancy dismay before saying, "Okay, okay, I know Nancy. Then could I rely on you to guide me?"
Nancy smiled once more as she flew happily ahead of Alicia before saying, "Yes, and yes of course! I sensed they are not so far… and they sure love to waste a lot of their energy for a simple training. Then I'm sure they are all hungry after the workout!"
Alicia nodded happily before following Nancy's guidance. She felt her heart become light as she took her steps to follow the newborn Spyrite. And good things for the girl… she actually didn't have to lose her way from the campsite.
"Nothing beat Stelly's food after good workout! Stelly, you will be a good wife in the future!" Kevin exclaimed happily before he took a spoonful of made-shift stew that Stella cooked with Alicia's help. And hopefully my wife that's it, Kevin added in his head.
"Stel is always a good wife material… her love for cute thing aside," Altair added with nonchalant tone as he ate his portion. He knew that Stella wouldn't cut his food portion down for one harmless joke.
"Oh why, thank you Kevin! But this food can be made courtesy to Alicia and Nancy pair! They are a great help, better than certain twin brother I have…" Stella replied as she looked at Alicia who sat beside her with Nancy and at the same time threw some mocking smirk to certain raven-hair across her.
Alicia face turned red though it was hidden well by the color of the fire. Altair noted that the orange fit the girl quite well somehow. Nancy was the one who responded to the comment as she said, "I know that I am awesome! Talking about cooking, when I was just a normal earring for this master… well, mistress of mine, I saw her win some sort of cooking contest! I wonder why she went to Talim instead of-" but quickly pulled back by Alicia who covered the fairy-shaped Spyrite mouth as the latter struggled to break free.
Kevin caught on that though so as he pointed his spoon to Alicia, who was evidently panicked, he said, "Now that I think about it, why you entered Talim? If what Nancy said is true, I'm sure you will do better in Culinary School."
This caught the interest of Altair and Stella who seemed to have the same thinking. Spyrite had no reason to lie, heck; they couldn't even lie for their own life. Alicia looked at the other with nervous look as she let go of Nancy who complained about how it was hard for her to breath. She saw the look of her traveling companion and knew she couldn't hide it so she decided to open it up.
"Well… my mother wanted me to go to nurse program and be a nurse… I-I do want to try Culinary School one day but for now I enjoy cooking as a hobby of mine. D-Did that answer your question?" Alicia said with a nervous tone as she fiddled with her fingers. There is another reason as well but she was reluctant on saying it.
"And you agreed with that?" Altair asked with one of his brows lifted. It was absurd for him to know that there were parent who forced their will to their kids. After all, he noticed that Alicia gift is certainly not in medical field.
Alicia laughed sheepishly with Nancy looked at her with peculiar look. Stella took her cue to ask question by saying, "So… do you want to start explaining how you get Nancy in the first place? How long you had been with her?"
Alicia looked at Stella and then to everyone before saying, "Well, long story short at the age of 6 my family was attacked by some would call as Devil's Beasts. Don't ask me what happened in detail, all I know is that all my member of my family knocked out. I was out cold after the monster did something I didn't want to remember. When I wake up, I was in hospital completely paralyzed and diagnosed that it would last forever and my Father passed away protecting us."
"That wasn't short…" Altair muttered under his breath and resulted on him got kicked in the shin by Stella, who sat beside him, for being so insensitive.
Alicia obviously heard it and with a dejected look she said, "I could go detail on that… well, I remembered that we were on a trip to my relative that lived in Drellin. The accident happened when my family ride on the ship, so I guess it was attacked by a Hydra or Sea Dragon for all I care. My family put up some fight at first but we were on a losing side. My sister is smart enough to send a signal for help as we tried to hold it off. Well, help did come after I got knocked out and the rest is what I told you. If it wasn't for this one kind doctor that gave me hope for recovery, I think I will be bedridden forever or worse commit suicide."
Stella threw a dagger-like glare to her counterpart for asking something that better stay in the dark. Altair shrunk in her gaze albeit he now realized why Alicia was very bad with water transportation. Actually, he was interested by this person she called as a 'kind doctor'. If it were when Alicia is still 6, then it would mean it was already 11 years since Nancy first used. He didn't think that there would be a Spyrite in the shape of earring around that time, but maybe it was some of the in-development prototype. Then if that was one of few prototypes around, Altair could narrow the identity of the 'kind doctor' that helped Alicia.
Alicia then continued her story as she then said, "I was given a Spyrite in the form of earring by that kind doctor. He told me that if I want to recover then I should do my best on rehabilitation. At that time, the doctor said that Nancy is a good-luck charm for my recovery. Maybe because I was still a kid back then that I didn't knew that it was a Spyrite. I did what the doctor said to me and did the rehabilitation while the Spyrite he gave heal me as days passed. I recovered in 3 months and the result is as you can see now. I only learned that my earring is a Spyrite only when I was teenager. I guess my Mana Lobes malfunctioned as well because I never get to use Artes after the incident and rehab, thus my inability to summon Nancy until now. I never actually get the reason to summon my Spyrite so at one point I stopped trying as well… until Nancy popped up this afternoon that's it. I'm searching for the kind doctor that had helped me as well but so far, no luck."
"That's one amazing freaking long detailed story… and absolutely made sense as well," Kevin commented as he putted his empty bowl on the ground. It seemed like that he had cleaned it up as Alicia told her story.
Alicia tilted her head to the side with a nonchalant face and with soft smile said, "Well, thanks I guess? I guess that conclude my story. It's been quite late so… how about we rest up?"
This hit the wrong radar in both Stella's and Altair's head. They felt wary about how they felt a sense that it wasn't right despite coming from Alicia. Stella quickly dismissed herself to clean the dirty plate and to direct her mind to another direction. Altair decided to take some breather and to contemplate on his instinct. Kevin didn't feel it as he propped Alicia to join his business on building a restaurant after the latter graduated and didn't had any plan which the girl agree.
All in all, the day closed as a peaceful one.
Skit: Camping
Alicia: Hey, everyone I have one question to ask…
Stella: What is it? What is it? If it was something I could answer then I would gladly answer~
Altair: I don't mind either. But, that's rare… coming from Alicia.
Kevin: As always, Al is so rude towards girl.
Altair: I'm just saying the truth.
Alicia: It's okay Kevin… well, I just wonder did everyone like to camp in wilderness… or something.
Stella: When we are still living in Leronde, we often went on camping together, right Al, Kevin~
Kevin: Stelly loves to go outside you see… there were time she literally drag me out.
Altair: She is a tomboy after all…
Stella: Geez, Al and Kevin are so rude! *pout*
Stella: …Well that aside how about you Alice? Do you like camping as well?
Alicia: Me? Hmm… I often camp out as well…
Kevin: That's quite surprising coming from Alicia… you look like the type to stay indoor all the time. Not that it was bad or anything.
Altair: I hate to say this but I seconded Kevin's words.
Stella: Alicia looked like the type to play doll or cooking right? I'm surprised as well, in a good meaning.
Alicia: *laugh nervously* Actually it wasn't because of my hobby to camp but because I got so lost that I spend the night out… there were time I got lost for three days before I managed to go back… that time was very troublesome you know… there were search party looking for me as well you know.
Stella: … Hah?
Altair: A-Aah… is that so?
Kevin: That's one hell of a 'lost my way' case…
