Nel had no idea why she was so annoyed with Albel's response to her in the inn. True, she hadn't been expecting anything better from him-- he was very readable in that sense-- but the fact that nothing had changed since the moment that they had met irked her slightly. She had been tempted to prod him with how he probably felt nothing like that toward Fayt Leingod, but she had kept her mouth quiet long enough not to have pointed that out.
The others in the group were much more easy going now, toward everyone. They, with the exception of Albel, all treated each other like they had been childhood friends. Especially Cliff, who made it a habit to pat people on the back sometimes. The movement kind of hurt though, and Nel tried to avoid being close to him as much as she could.
She shouldn't have to mind Albel's distinct separation from the group, since she should be used to it by now. Most often than not he kept at least a few feet away from them when they gathered, and she had noted his expression hadn't changed from calm annoyance for the last who knew how long.
No, it wasn't that she minded. She didn't really care what the Airyglyph ex-captain was doing or not. None of the others did. She knew well enough to mind her own business.
But his response had irritated her somewhat.
Okay, scratch that. It had irritated her a lot. The point of this mission was to save the world, not to make friends with everyone in the group-- so technically she had no need at all to talk to the man unless it was necessary.
Nel shook her head a few times. Clair would know what to make of it, she thought to herself. She wished she could visit her old friend, but knew that Arias would be the last place they would take a stop to before returning to Gemity. Lucky for Albel, he was able to see his own friends in Kirlsa. That is, if he really had any. Woltar was probably the closest she knew, and the first time she had seen them talk they didn't seem the friendliest. Then again, that was when Albel was being taken out of the dungeon anyway, so it would have been very odd to have a heartwarming moment between the two at such a place. The last time she had trailed along with Fayt to look through Woltar's mansion, they had crashed into a young servant who took the time to explain that Albel owed much to Woltar and that he used to play there when he was younger. That got her to thinking that Albel the Wicked really was an Elicoorian and not a complete monster. Him? As a child? What a thought. She wondered if he was the type to rip apart stuffed dolls when he got hand of them. He was probably just a spoiled pretty boy anyway.
The woman found herself slowly starting toward Woltar's mansion and quickly stopped in her tracks. The last thing she needed was to talk to anyone in there. They were now allied, she knew, but deep inside she still felt anger when she had to speak with the old man. Her family ties were important-- just not as important as her mission. Or so she attempted to convince herself. She was turning aside right when Adray Lasbard appeared, also heading in the direction of the castle. Nel groaned in her mind but nodded outwardly. Adray burst out into a large smile that she knew was signaling trouble.
"Oh, so you were going to visit the old geezer too, eh?"
Nel shook her head. "I was actually thinking about something.... I guess I got distracted and ended up here. I'm going to head to the grocers."
His smile curved to be a frown for a moment before he continued, in his loud hearty way, "Well, getting food for us is always a good thing, eh?"
"............"
Adray took this as his note to pass her by, and he did, pausing when he was a slight step behind her. "Oh, come to think of it. You know that pretty boy Fayt? You think that he would be a good husband for Clair to have?"
The redhead kept all her restraint that Clair never had when she spoke with her father. "......maybe. But I think he's already taken."
"Taken! By who, that bozo head Cliff?"
"................"
"Well, what he needs is a pretty girl like my daughter, don't you think, Nel?"
She knew she wasn't going to be let off if she stayed any longer so finally responded, "I have to get going now, enjoy yourself at the mansion."
She wandered off afterwards, feeling somewhat sheepish. Clair's father was very eccentric-- completely the opposite of her friend. She hadn't really wanted him to come along with the group, but there wasn't much of a choice. Fayt had decided he would be an asset anyway. He was undoubtedly a good fighter, though slow and much reliant on his spells nowadays. His figure showed enough for it. His posing showed a little too much. She still wondered why on Elicoor he wasn't wearing his shirt. It was very cold in Airyglyph, and still, even there, he wouldn't wear it. Then again, it must have been cold for Albel, in his tank top and with one leg basically out in the open. He never complained though, and he had been raised around in Airyglyph anyway so he must have been used to it. She couldn't understand the man's fashion sense. He wore something a woman would wear. Not that he didn't look good in it. He looked, well, rather nice in it actually.... but she couldn't think of Albel the Wicked taking a moment to get himself nice and tidy before going out to slaughter people as he had done before.
Come to think of it, she had never really seen him as a man. Just as the legend of Albel the Wicked-- a bloodthirsty monster that no one could tame. Fellow Elicoorian? Truth, but he seemed so much different in status. Yet, he was a mere mortal, like everyone else. Heck, even like Sophia Esteed.
Now that was a new thought.
Somewhat humored, she headed to the grocer before they needed to rest.
---
"Nel, it's time to wake up."
Out of all people in Fayt and co. the group, Nel Zelpher had not expected to see Albel Nox standing above her, looking somewhat annoyed and ready to prod her with his sword if she didn't wake up quick enough. She rolled over and sat up, unable to hide her irritation. "Why are you here?"
"Because none of the other worms had enough guts to come in here and wake you up."
".......I see." That wasn't surprising in the least. With a sigh, she started to gather her things, pushing him out of the room before she got changed, when she realized that he had called her by her first name. But then he had referred to the others as worms still. That was odd, to say the least. Slightly confused but not really in the mood to show it, she exited the inn door, following Albel's lead to the others.
"We're going to Sphere." Maria announced, taking Fayt's words from his mouth. Fayt simply nodded along with the group, not seeming to mind her bossy qualities at these times. She was the leader of Quark, so she had to have something going for her in order for it not to fall apart. Then again, it was surprising that it never fell apart with Cliff as the leader. Buff he was, but brains people wondered if he really had.
When either Maria or Fayt said so, it was what was going on. Sphere211 seemed very high tech, especially for someone who had been raised in a undeveloped land like Elicoor. Nel felt a little strange as they walked through into the door on some invisible pathway. Sphere was a large adventure, each of the group had to admit. They met with Blair there, which cleared up any particular questions that Nel had on what was going on. The redhead held her relieved sigh when Fayt proposed to stay a night at Gemity to recover. They knew that they had little time, but they needed all the strength they could manage. In one of the battles there, Maria had gotten injured and Sophia said it was the easiest to heal her at an inn, where there was no threat to danger. Her healing powers were the best of the group, but she had been tired out as well.
No one really paid attention to the others in the group who were hurt, namely Cliff and Albel. Cliff was always getting hurt one way or the other, but like everyone said, he was easy to treat. Klausians just were. Albel on the other hand wouldn't show any pain on his expression so he could be bleeding all over and the only reason someone would know he was hurting was if they saw the blood trailing behind him. Which is what Nel Zelpher spotted that day, as the others dragged Cliff and Maria off into a room to help heal them. Albel seemed somewhat surprised (as much as he had heart to show) that Nel wasn't rushing off with the others as well. He, of course, was planning on heading to his room alone most like every other day.
"You're bleeding." Nel stated, following the man to his room.
Albel simply shrugged, his expression neutral. "We have a day of rest. I'll be recovered by then, fool."
He turned to look at her, as if telling her to exit the room and leave him alone. Which was, she had to admit, the first thought that entered her mind and would be much preferred, if she hadn't begun to worry about what might happen. Of course Albel would be fine like every other day, but lack of blood loss may make him slower. Plus, it wasn't safe to let anyone, Albel or not, stay in such a state until nighttime. With growing resolve, she took a seat next to him, raising one hand. "Don't move."
She could feel his eyes on her as she drew out a symbol with one hand, allowing a green light to envelope the man's form. Slowly, the wound he had received disappeared, and he flinched slightly, getting used to the pain relief. She breathed a slow sigh when she was done, putting a hand to her head. She had used up a little too much MP that day, she figured, and her head was starting to ring. When she recovered enough to speak, she questioned, "Feeling any better?"
"................."
Nel blinked a few times as he pulled out a small bottle from whoknowswhere on him. He raised it toward her and she stared at it, blank. "..huh?"
"Drink, wench."
The woman nodded slowly, doing as she was told. The headache disappeared immediately, and she felt her symbological strength return. Must have been a mental enhancer, she figured. She had no idea what he was doing with one, figuring that he barely ever used symbology himself, but she wasn't complaining. Maybe one of the monsters had dropped one. "..thanks."
"Hmph." his clawed arm gestured toward the door. "If you're done here, I need to rest."
"Alright." she took a moment to stand, then paused, turning back toward him. "Albel?"
"What now?"
"......oh, nevermind."
She felt his eyes on her the entire time as she left, shutting the door quietly behind her.