Chapter 5
Fayt glared at his reflection in the mirror as he scrubbed his face with a washcloth. Thinks I'm just a boy, Fayt thought angrily. Whatever. He only wore his boxers since his clothes had been accidentally bloodied from the tumble he had with Albel.
"Talk about unresolved sexual tension," Fayt muttered, to himself.
His thoughts had been in a whirlwind since he'd first stepped into Albel's room. In all his obliviousness, he didn't even know he felt that way about Albel. It was slightly unnerving; Albel wasn't exactly the ideal relationship partner. Not to mention Fayt and Sophia had grown noticeably closer. Especially after defeating Luther.
Fayt sighed. He didn't want to have feelings for Albel. Yet they were there. The swordsman would surely dice him if he knew. It would just complicate things further than they already were. I don't even know why I'm attracted to him in the first place. Or men period, Fayt thought. However, he knew his body responded to Albel in a way Fayt had never seen before. Not even when he had that dream about Mirage after he met her.
He then began to wonder if he was just attracted to Albel and not to men. It would make things a hell of a lot more easier to figure out. Fayt wanted to figure which one it was though. His life had been in a state of confusion for far too long and for once some clarity would be nice. Luckily, he got his chance to practice figuring out his attraction problem when his opportunity barged through the door.
"Hey, Fayt!"
Fayt whirled around and almost blushed. "Cliff! Can't you knock?" Fayt's limbs had moved of their own accord to try to cover his skin.
Cliff stared at him and then burst out laughing. "Are you trying to cover yourself?" Cliff wheezed. "I didn't know you were so modest, Fayt." His eyes teasingly looked Fayt over.
"Whatever. Close the door already," Fayt said embarrassed, as he quickly threw on a spare white shirt, provided by the maids. It was long and it thankfully fell to mid thigh.
"You've got nothing I haven't already seen before," Cliff said comfortably, while he leaned against the door with his arms crossed. "Anyway, the Queen wants to have a little celebratory party tonight. Provided we wear the appropriate attire."
Fayt sat on his bed and thought that the Queen must be ecstatic that war was finally over. Ecstatic enough to throw a party. Wow, we really have come a long way. He told himself he would save all thoughts for Albel later. He wondered whether they should find some kids for Peppita to hang out with. I'll ask around, Fayt thought absently.
"What's the appropriate attire?" Fayt asked, as he leaned back on the bed with his hands. He swung his feet back and forth.
"White and/or blue," Cliff answered. His eyes narrowed on Fayt.
"Oh," Fayt sounded. Then he caught Cliff's expressed and then frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Such a tease," Cliff mumbled, as he ran a hand through his blonde hair.
"What?" Fayt blinked.
"You're so clueless," Cliff chuckled. "People like you, kid."
Fayt looked over Cliff as he tried to figure out what that statement could mean. He settled on Cliff just being his brotherly self.
"People like me?" Fayt rolled his eyes. "Stop teasing, Cliff. It's not funny." Albel had already mocked him earlier. He wouldn't be mocked again.
Cliff held up his hands imploringly. "Honest. You think no one likes you?" He raised his eyebrows.
"Probably not in that way," Fayt said, as he rolled his eyes. Cliff's expression disbelief prompted him to think.
The first girl that came to mind was Maria. She was like an older sister, who always bossed him around. She did trust him enough to open up to him. He knew Maria was passionate in the things that mattered to her the most and that she was always determined to independent. Sometimes, she let her emotions get the best of her. Fayt also saw how she usually was always in leader mode. She didn't how to relax when the time came and her posture remained stiff.
Fayt shook his head and thought, who else? Nel... She would probably guillotine him for even thinking of her. She seemed to have deep respect for him. More than a warrior's respect and for that, Fayt liked her even more. Nel seemed to care about his well-being and could be very supportive when she liked. However, her bitterness and her envy of others at times totally turned him off.
Mirage was simply thought of like cousin. Fayt unconsciously smiled. A person who was always in background that made sure everything ran right. Mirage was a person dependable when you're down. Mirage is really nice to everyone. Well, maybe not Cliff sometimes. Mirage was also in a way, the voice of reason and maturity. She also had great humor and was extremely capable of coping on her own. Furthermore, she would be great for a spar. Fayt inwardly shuddered at the thought of having his ass handed to him by the blonde bombshell.
Then there was Sophia. Sophia... She was optimistic in the darkest of times, with an intelligence that wasn't overbearing. Most girls who happened to be intelligent often behaved as if they were all knowing. It peeved Fayt a little bit and he was glad Sophia didn't do that. Especially when they were in school, he remembered how her friends would always share those... 'I already know' girl looks. It annoyed him. However, Sophia never lorded her intelligence over him, not that she could. Fayt's understanding was that they both were intelligent.
Fayt had some inkling that Sophia might have some feelings for him. He'd seen some hints after they defeated Luther. The way she would always seem so bright and cheerful around him. Or when she would sometimes lock arms with him while they walked together. Sophia would even sit really close to him, and try to cheer him up when he felt moody. After all, she had known him the longest out of the whole group. They grew up together, and they shared more than few embarrassing moments together. She was the most probable person to like him. But she could get clingy, dependent, and nag at times.
"I think..." Fayt almost gulped under Cliff's unwavering scrutiny. "That Sophia might like me."
Cliff smiled lopsidedly. "Well, you've got one person." Then he laughed loudly. "So what are you going to do with this newfound information, kid?"
"Should I-"
"Do something?" Cliff finished dramatically. "Hell, yeah. Go after her."
Fayt felt as though the walls were closing in on him. "You really think so?"
"Did your mom drop you when you were a baby?" Cliff teased. "Life's too short. I know you like her too. Go for it," he added solemnly.
Fayt stood because his body was suddenly restless. "I don't know. I think it may be too soon to do that." He gave Cliff an uncertain look.
Cliff responded with a disbelieving look. "You've only known each other practically all your lives, right?" he said sarcastically. "What's the matter? Don't you like her?"
"I'm not sure who I like," murmured Fayt uncertainly.
"Ah, ha!" Cliff strode over to Fayt with a finger in his face. "So you have prospects!"
What have I just done? "I have-" Fayt faltered, as he thought about Albel again. It only confused his feelings even further. He frowned.
"It's all right!" Cliff said loudly, as he patted Fayt's back roughly. "You can tell me!"
Fayt's eyes widened and he backed up so much he fell back on his bed. He looked up at Cliff, and felt oddly uncomfortable. "I'm not telling you anything. I need to figure this out on my own." It was completely true and he did need to mature. In more ways than one. Jeeze...
"Wow, kid!" Cliff bent slightly forward with a huge smile on his face. "You're growing up before my very eyes!"
Fayt rolled his eyes again. "I'm not a kid!" Fayt protested irritably.
Cliff's joking expression softened somewhat when he crossed his arms. "I can see that." Suddenly, the stare Cliff gave made Fayt feel as though he wore nothing. Cliff had caught Fayt off guard.
For some odd reason he didn't understand, Fayt blushed. Come on, Fayt. This is Cliff here. With this reasoning, he boldly returned Cliff's burning stare, which earned him a surprised expressed from the muscled man. See he was just teasing... Fayt then noticed how close they actually were and how Cliff's middle finger twitched whenever he thought. Not this again! Fayt's mind cried, as he noticed he started to grow overly warm in certain places.
"I know a tailor's shop nearby," Cliff said abruptly, as he suddenly straightened. "We can get out outfits made there. It's still early so we have plenty of time to prepare," he continued, as if he hadn't just been burning a hole in Fayt with his searing gaze.
Fayt grappled control over his damning hormones, which had started behave wildly as of late, and calmed himself down. "All right, I'll be dressed in a second, and I'll meet you outside." He just blandly looked up at Cliff.
Cliff nodded but he remained there and Fayt saw how his whole body appeared to beat. Just like a heart. What the hell?
"Cliff!" Fayt said, annoyed with himself, his damn hormones, and Cliff, who teased him. He sat up and pulled down his shirt modestly.
"Oh! You want me to leave?" Cliff's expression was complete feigned innocence.
"You want to watch me dress?" Fayt asked half incredulous.
Cliff smirked and Fayt knew 'Cliff Charm' was set to on. He sauntered over to Fayt, which would've looked weird to someone who didn't know the Klausian, since he was so big. "Is that an invitation?" he asked, in a mockingly seductive voice.
Fayt swung at him and missed. Then he glared at the amused Cliff and pointed at the door. "Out."
Cliff left but before he did, he snickered at Fayt. Was he flirting with me? Fayt thought confused. Cliff liked women. A lot. And was sometimes a little pervert. Fayt just shook his head and ignored Cliff booming laughs, which came from down the hall.
---
"Lord Albel?" a voice squeaked meekly at his door.
Albel chewed on the blueberry pie in his mouth and licked his lips. He ignored the door and continued to eat. He thought about the boy, how he had tasted addictive. An addictive, exquisite, and mouthwatering flavor. Something he wanted more of. He growled to himself. He shouldn't want a mere boy. He had no experience what's so ever. Even still blushed like virgin. Well, that wasn't exactly bad, Albel thought, as an image Fayt's downcast eyes and rosy cheeks flashed through his head.
"Hmph, little fool," he muttered, while he enjoyed the breeze from the window.
He had needed to cool down surprisingly a lot and was even tempted to sate himself. At first he figured his erection would go away soon enough, but when all those recent memories of those sounds, and expressions came to his mind... It produced such a powerful cockstand that Albel looked at it and it's pulsing veins in amazement. Which was a bad idea when a picture of him pushing into Fayt flashed through his head then. He had asked one of the inn maids to bring up cold water.
He now sat there on his bed, naked, empty basin depleted of cold water at his feet, with thoughts of Fayt still on his mind. Albel could still feel the imprint of Fayt's firm body. The tensing of his muscles, the melting of his resolve. His hands all over his-
"Lord Albel," the voice squeaked again, at his door.
"Damn it!" he muttered, as he got up to place his pie back on his bureau. He grabbed a sheet from the bed and wrapped it, for modesty sake, around his thin hips and then yanked open the door.
"W-we need the b-basin back," the young girl stuttered. She had dirty blonde hair and navy blue eyes. Another fucking blonde.
He glared at the girl. I got up for this? Albel thought annoyed. He closed the door and sat back down on his bed. He heard the girl burst into sobs on the other side of the door and smirked. She shouldn't have bothered me with her petty problems. He laid back down. He would think about something different. Different from the boy he wan- No! I don't want him. I was just amusing myself with his innocence, Albel convinced himself. What you really wanted to amuse yourself with did involve his innocence, came that irritating voice in his head again. He growled. Silence!
Albel now breathed in deeply and wondered vaguely, if in fact, he was going mad. This is all his fault! Albel thought, with poison green eyes in his mind. With steel control, Albel thought about what he would do next. He would... His mind drew up blanks and it almost made Albel panic. What would he do next? The war was over and unless another one started he would really have nothing... to do... It was an extremely depressing thought.
He could spar often with Fayt and- Albel's eyes widened with realization. Fayt wouldn't be there. After Fayt took him Airyglph, he would leave the planet. Gone... So what, my only loss is a worthy opponent. One he wouldn't find anywhere else in the universe. Albel's frowned at himself for feeling loneliness of all emotions.
He'd talk to Count Woltar before they went to Airyglph. He would know of some things Albel could get into. Yes, surely the old man will have something for me to do. He'd also ask the man for some of his father's possessions, that Count Woltar had kept to himself. He'd then go to Airyglph castle and-
"LORD ALBEL!" shouted a woman loudly, on the other side of his door. She then began to bang on it.
Albel didn't think as his hand went immediately to the basin and picked it up. He strode over to the door, yanked it open, and flung the basin as hard he could into the woman's face. He saw her roll down the steps and glared at the young girl who stared at him with huge eyes. Her eyes then went down and she gasped.
Albel's sheet had come off when he opened the door. "Hmph," he smirked at her, and then slammed the door in her face.
Hmm, maybe stripping others of their innocence isn't as bad as I had predicted, Albel thought, before he started to laugh wickedly.
--
"Turn this way please," said the girl named Mitzy. She was a girl of maybe fifteen or fourteen, with bright reddish orange hair, a toffee like skin complexion, and sort of an pretty olive colored eyes. She looked as if she didn't belong on Eliccor, especially with those freckles and full lips of hers.
Fayt stared at Mitzy and then turned the way she asked. The tailor's shop was owned by an older man name Garrett, and it had three employees. All teens, there was one other girl and a boy. The girl, who's name she shrilled when she met them, was Wimbo. She was extremely flirty and practically crowed over Cliff's body. She was probably the oldest of all three. With her long black hair, pale complexion and her golden eyes, she was really pretty. But Fayt thought she was a bit exuberant, especially with her huge breasts, which swayed everywhere.
The boy, Kaleb, the storeowner had called him, had deep honey locks and was quiet. The only thing he ever seemed to do is listen to the girls' orders and brush one of his short locks out of his face. Fayt could see how the bossy women could easily intimidate him.
Mitzy had designed a simple outfit for him. It was a very roomy white shirt with had blue squares stitched into the edges of the simple round collar, cuffs, and edges. The same was done with the pants. She ran a critical eye over him, with her finger on her snub nose and the other hand twitched with a sleeve of her blackberry colored dress. She was completely covered, except for the very ends of her calves. Fayt thought that maybe she was going to become a nun or holy woman. Whatever they had on Eliccor.
"Hmm, you look nice, but I have to make sure you look nice in action," Mitzy commented, with smiling eyes. "Hmm..."
She then proceeded to ask him to pose in various positions while she walked around to make sure everything looked right. Fayt felt a bit flustered and didn't know that Eliccor's tailors were just as bad as the ones on Earth with technology. He almost felt like a model and it bothered him to be put on the spot like that.
"You look great!" Mitzy said finally, with an adoring expression.
Fayt was now seated at a table and looked up at her. He could practically see hearts float above her head. "Thanks," he said, uncomfortably.
"You should get some navy blue sandals to go with that, kay?" Mitzy smiled at him.
He smiled back. "Kay. Thanks." He looked around and wondered where Cliff was.
"Oh, I think Wimbo the bimbo has him somewhere trying to cop a feel," Mitzy said, with a sardonic eyebrow cocked. "I'll tell my grandpa to tally up the cost of your clothes and then I'll go get that shameless wench." She turned and walked off before he could say anything to her.
Well, there goes my nun theory. She seemed strange, as if she were from another planet. It made Fayt frown in thought. Someone else has probably ignored the UP3 law and came here. Fayt knew it was possible. The girl spoke in an odd, modern way, like they did on Earth. Not mention her physical appeared looked like a far cry from anyone on Eliccoor and looked more like a person from the more diverse Earth. Fayt shook his head and almost cried out when Cliff suddenly fell on him.
"Jeeze, Fayt, that girl has overactive hormones," Cliff said, as he took deep breaths and looked oddly flushed.
Fayt felt his face morph into horror. "Cliff, you didn't..." He looked at Cliff seriously.
Cliff glared at him. "Hey! Of course, I didn't do anything. It was her who was trying to strip me of my innocence!"
Fayt couldn't help but crack a smile. "You aren't innocent, I don't think you ever have been."
Cliff waved him off. "Whatever. Man, I thought I would die in there. She kept trying to rush me with her breasts."
In Fayt's opinion, Cliff didn't look like he was displeased with Wimbo's actions. He leaned in close to Cliff's ear. "You know, if you had children with her, you would have all fat babies."
Cliff pulled back and looked incredulously at Fayt. "Hey! I'm a bachelor still! I can't have babies running around."
Fayt laughed but stopped when he noticed the four people who stared at them with bewildered expressions.
"What the hell?" Mitzy eyed both Cliff and Fayt like they were lunatics.
"Oh, no!"
"-not what you think!"
He and Cliff tried to explain it to them but they all walked off. But Fayt heard when Mitzy muttered, "Mad. They're both mad."
Cliff shoved him.
"Hey!" Fayt said, as he glared at Cliff and shoved him back.
"This is all your fault!" Cliff looked murderous. "Now Wimbo thinks I'm crazy."
Fayt returned the look. "It shouldn't matter since you weren't doing anything with her!"
Cliff got up and started pull out the money to pay Garrett. "That doesn't mean I didn't like it."
Jeeze, now I see what Roger was talking about, Fayt thought annoyed. "What were you doing flirting with someone so young anyway!"
"I wasn't flirting!" Cliff protested loudly, as he shoved the money toward the tailor, who had an eyebrow raised. "She was flirting with me! Chicks just can't resist the Fittir's good looks, magnificent body, and charm. Besides, she said she was twenty one."
It took a lot of Fayt's control not to snort. "Shut up, Cliff."
"Make me," Cliff said, with a clear challenge in his eyes. Fayt just rolled his eyes, he didn't feel like fighting anymore and it was getting to be tiresome lately. Cliff grinned cockily at his small triumph. "Since, you're so tired of my great company, go give girly man the memo of the party. I don't even know why the queen would invite him anyway. He's such a rotten, skirt wearing bastard."
"You're coming with me," Fayt said firmly, with his arms crossed.
"Why?" Cliff chuckled.
"Unless you want me to tell Nel you're flirting-"
"Hey! Hey! What's with you man! Always cramping my style!" Cliff looked irritated and Fayt didn't care. "We're supposed to be in this together."
"Down to the wire, you'll be the only one who's in anything," Fayt said, and left a flabbergasted Cliff behind him as he made for the inn Albel stayed at.
---
"Get that man outta here!" the woman with very bruised face said frantically. She held a large wet piece of cloth over her swelled face.
"The debil he is! He threw that basin at my poor mam!" the young girl sobbed, through the gap in her teeth. "He is a wicked, wicked man!"
"I knew I never shouldn't let him stay here!" The woman's husband held her close and looked extremely angry. "Cross dressing son of-"
Fayt and Cliff stood there speechless. Fayt didn't know what to say to either of them. He and Cliff both knew how Albel could get and that he was prone to random acts of violence. The blue haired boy bowed his head as frustration and the heat got to him. The sweat that rolled down his back didn't help either. With a sigh, Fayt went to go get Albel while he ignored the curses of the innkeepers and Cliff's tries to calm them.
When he knocked, he was instantly greeted with a fist. Luckily, he dodged it and before Albel could try again he grabbed his hand. "Stop that," he said, with challenge clear in his eyes.
Albel's eyes narrowed, but he pulled back his hand. "What do you want?"
Fayt kept himself from staring at Albel's bare chest and pulled his wits together. "Queen Romeria is throwing a celebration party tonight. You're invited."
Albel looked confused. "Why would she invite me?"
"You did help save this planet and universe. She's only trying to compensate what we did."
"Really?" Albel snorted. He then looked at Fayt new clothes. "For the party?"
Fayt nodded. "The Queen would prefer blue and/or white."
"I'm a grown man, I don't need some old maid telling me how to dress," Albel snapped.
"Stop being childish," Fayt snapped back. "Are you coming or not?"
Albel crossed his arms and appeared to think about it. After a while, he sighed in disgust. "Fine. Only to keep you maggots out of trouble."
Fayt smiled and it made Albel glare at him. "Good. Get dressed and come to tailors shop. I think the people here don't want you as guest anymore."
"Don't look at me as if I am a doddering peasant!" Albel growled. "They're luckily I spent a small portion of what I have in this dump. I would've slept better outside."
Fayt shook his head as he turned away. "Then you should have."
---
Why the hell did I agree to this? Albel thought, for perhaps a dozenth time as the girl frowned at him but continued to make his outfit. He told her exactly how he wanted to look and he knew she wouldn't disagree with him. Albel had agreed to let Fayt talk him into covering more of his skin. He wore a gray and black top to cover his chest and stomach. The black leggings went perfectly with the deep navy blue skirt.
At first the girl named, Gimbo, Bimbo, something, Albel couldn't remember, she threw herself at him. He almost cut her in two, except Fayt meddled and got him to put away his sword. Damn boy, Albel fumed mentally. After she had gotten it through her airhead that he wasn't interested, she became confused about his gauntlet. He had told her in very few words that he would dress alone and tell her if he needed some adjustments. She had said nothing about it since.
Fayt and Cliff remained in the sitting room talking about inane things Albel didn't care to hear. However, he was in the vicinity of a very talkative girl who kept going on about some other girl that worked there. Perhaps she didn't talk to him, but talking at and around him was just as bad.
"She's always on break!" she whined. "Making me do all the work. She'll get what's coming to her..."
Albel glared at her black hair so much, any other person wouldn't have been surprised if suddenly it caught fire. He was tired of her prattling and he was about to say as much when she stopped in front of him. She cast a critical eye over him.
"We need to do something about your hair," she said, with her hands on her hips.
"What?" He wished she would do something to his hair.
She appeared unfazed by his antipathy. "It doesn't go with the outfit... Hey! Mr. Garrett, remember that wonderful hair dye Mitzy made? Get it."
"What's it for?" Albel asked, in a deathly whisper.
She frowned at him confusedly. "It's for dying your hair," she said, as if he were a small child.
Albel fumed. This is all his fault!
--
Fayt was about to punch Cliff in his face. The man's ego really was extremely big and annoying. Fayt really didn't want to sit there and listen to how Cliff would conquer and be worshipped at the whorehouses outside of Aquios. He ground his teeth together and couldn't take it anymore.
"Cliff, shut up!"
"Excuse me? You could learn a thing-" Suddenly, Cliff stopped in mid sentence and stared at the doorway to the fitting room.
"What-" Fayt wheeled his head around to see and almost forgot to breathe.
Albel stood there in the doorway, dressed in dark grays, blues, and black. He looked magnificent. However, the thing that caught Fayt's eye the most was his two toned hair. No longer was it a dark brown and dark blonde. It was white and a soft bluish, lavender color at the ends of his hair. The streaks on his cheeks matched the soft blue color of his hair and it looked great on him.
"Well?" Albel snarled, and glared at Fayt and Cliff, as if daring them to say something looked wrong.
"You look great," Fayt said, without thinking. Though Fayt wondered why Albel would care how they thought he looked. Hmm...
"Do all of you always look so pretty when going into battle?" Cliff asked sarcastically. "At least now I won't have worry about seeing something distasteful if a draft blows up your skirt."
When Fayt saw Albel's left eye twitch, he stood up hastily. "Shouldn't we get going? I mean, all the girls are probably ready."
He glanced nervously between the two men and sighed when Albel turned away from Cliff. He watched as Albel paid the old man and stopped in front of them.
"Wait!" Wimbo said. "You need to wash the dye off your hands sir. Hair dye can stay in the skin for a very long time if you do not wash it immediately."
"Then what's that on his face?" Cliff said, as he looked at Albel. "Wait... Makeup?" He then laughed. "You're really on your way to becoming a real woman, eh, Albel?"
Fayt didn't move fast enough to prevent Albel's fist from knocking Cliff out the door. So he turned his attention to Wimbo. "Miss, can he wash his hands here?"
"No, we share a basin with the innkeepers not too far from here. They should have it today, even though they were supposed to return it earlier..."
Fayt knew he was cursed. He knew it. He sighed. "Let's go."
--
It had been difficult to keep Cliff and Albel from getting into a brawl in broad daylight in front of everyone, but somehow he managed it. He peeked into the inn and saw that only the daughter sat at counter. He had brought Wimbo and the boy from the shop for credibility because for all he knew, the family would throw them out as soon as they saw them. Fayt looked behind him and saw that Wimbo and Kaleb seemed a little too cozy for friends. None of my business, he thought and opened the door.
"No, no, no," Fayt said quickly, as the girl looked prepared to scream.
"We're looking for the basin," Wimbo said charmingly. At least, Fayt thought she thought it would be charming.
"Mitzy has it," the girl said in a pathetically small voice, as she eyed Albel and Cliff. She pointed over to where people usually dined.
Fayt spotted her blackberry dress and tried to walk over there before Albel. He mentally cursed as he saw the swordsman say something rude to her. Fayt figured she said something rude back and Cliff smiled.
"I like her," he said, as Fayt came to stand beside him.
Oh no. Something tells me this is not good.
"What? You peasant, you better give it to me before I make confetti out of your entrails!" Albel snarled, at the girl.
Mitzy lazily regarded Albel and just for a moment she actually looked older than Fayt first thought. "You'll do no such thing you cross dressing, psycho, transvestite." Then she cocked her head to side. "Then again, I wonder do you have all your parts for a transvestite."
Fayt gasped and he just knew she wasn't from this planet. But what he also knew was that he needed to stop Albel from killing her. "Er, Mitzy, don't antagonize him. We just need the basin."
"I'm not sharing! I'm washing my woes in it, you blue haired, freak," she snapped moodily. It looked like she had bed sheets in it.
Fayt flinched from the insult and wondered just what happened to the girl in such a short time to make her like that. "Hey, don't insult me!"
"Yeah," Cliff agreed, too brightly for any good, "insult skirt wearing, bastard over there!"
Mitzy glared at him. "What are you... The muscle?" Mitzy asked sarcastically.
Cliff's blonde eyebrows arched and he frowned at her. "Just hand over the basin, little girl."
"I'm not a little girl, you decrepit old man," Mitzy insulted. "I can't believe you think you're such hot stuff. That girl was only flirting with you to get Kaleb jealous!"
"What are you talking about?" Kaleb asked quietly, behind them.
"You bastard!" Mitzy suddenly yelled, her cheeks flushed with anger. "I know you and that fucking bimbo are sleeping together!" She picked the basin up one handed and threw it on Wimbo.
"She's strong," Cliff commented unnecessarily. "Is she a Klausian?"
"Doesn't look like it," Fayt dazedly replied.
It should've taken her at least two hands to lift it up and Cliff's strength to hurl it that way. Wimbo sputtered as much with the bed sheets on her head as the innkeeper's daughter at the mess. Kaleb looked blandly at Mitzy.
"I needed a womanly woman," Kaleb said, as he puffed out his chest. "Someone who'd listen to me and not try to behave like man. Someone soft, and..."
"Willing to be a puppet?" Mitzy said, and Fayt thought he saw her olive eyes flash. "A damsel in distress? Someone to bed you at will? Don't make me laugh! You're in the wrong kind of city for that kind of talk! The Crimson Blade would cut a little ignoramus like you down to size if they heard these words from your mouth! I found these filthy sheets in room you and that bitch stayed at last night!" She wrinkled her delicate nose in disgust and stalked out the inn.
Fayt and company rushed out after her. She walked toward the outskirts of the city.
"I still need to hurt her for insulting me," Albel said, as he unsheathed his sword.
"What?" Fayt and Cliff both said same time.
"You need to learn to respect your elders, slag!" the drowned looking Wimbo cried out behind them.
"You! Ha!" Mitzy only turned sideways and looked at Wimbo as if she were dirt on her clothes. "You're only ten months older than my sixteen years!" With that she turned back around and continued to stalk away.
"What?" Cliff shouted loudly. "Hey! You lied to me!" Wimbo just ignored them and walked back with Kaleb, who had his arm around her waist, down the street.
People stared at them and Fayt just noticed how much attention they attracted to their selves. People muttered curses and several things like, "I always knew she was trouble." "Poor Kaleb and Wimbo, getting mixed up with the likes of her." "Her looks aren't natural, she surely is a witch to make herself look as does." Fayt glared all around them and suddenly broke into a sprint to catch up with Albel.
"Albel what are you doing?" Fayt breathed with Cliff behind him, strangely quiet.
"I'm going to teach her a lesson," Albel replied coolly.
"Hey! Did you see all that?"
Everyone turned to see Nel with Farlene behind her.
"Hey, Nel," Fayt greeted, with Cliff, glad to distract Albel for a moment.
"MY CHILDREN!" a woman shrieked and pointed near the outskirts.
Several children were being chased by an Executioner and was about to cast thunder flare. Oh no...
"FIRES OF HELL ROAST THIS ENEMY OF MINE!" a voice they heard cried.
Fayt saw the Executioner get surrounded by pillars of fire and then it moved in circular motion to engulf it. Wow... The Executioner died and that didn't surprise Fayt, he had felt the heat from there. He ran and looked past the barrier wall and saw Mitzy with three small children in her arms. She looked sweaty and smiled weakly at their mother.
"Here you go," she said, as she set the children down to run to their mother, with a huge grin. "They were good sports."
"Thank you, thank you," the mother said repeatedly, as she tried to smother all her toddlers.
"No problem," Mitzy said nonchalantly, and then saw Fayt and everyone else. "What?"
"You can use symbology," Nel said quietly.
"Yes. What of it?"
"You saved that woman's children and I heard you defended the Crimson Blade's honor, though you aren't apart of it." Nel smiled at her and Fayt thought it had been a long time since he seen her do that. "You're welcome to come to a celebratory party tonight at the castle."
"REALLY?" Mitzy looked extremely excited.
"Yeah," Nel said, while she still smiled at the red haired girl.
"Thank you!" Mitzy gushed. "Oh my gosh, I need an outfit... And shoes... And my hair..." She walked speedily off in the direction to grandfather's shop.
"It's nice to meet good citizens like that," Nel laughed. It was sound that Fayt really liked.
Albel ignored Nel. "Whatever, that twit still needs to be-"
"Oh stop it!" Fayt snapped disgustedly. "Just let it lie, Albel. She was going through a break up. It's a lot for a teenage girl to take."
"What do you mean?" Nel asked curiously.
"Well, let me tell you the whole story..." Fayt said.
---
Albel leaned against the wall as he watched all the disgustingly happy people socialize. They were all annoying; he didn't know why he was even there in the first place. Though to see Cliff get slapped by a mildly inebriated Nel was something he wouldn't miss for the world. However, what his eyes always strayed to was the blue haired boy. He laughed, smiled, and looked as if he hadn't a worry in the world.
Albel sipped the honey-flavored mead and stared at Fayt. Fayt carelessly held Sophia's hand with his and laughed at something that stupid graybeard, Adray said. Albel mentally snickered as he saw Nel and Maria's jealous looks at Sophia and Fayt. The blue haired boy didn't know so many people wanted him. He really is a fool is doesn't see Nel's murderous intent directed Sophia's head.
Albel knew Fayt's wits were really addled by the drink in his other hand. Probably doesn't even see Sophia's besotted look. He knew that drinks tonight weren't for novice drinkers and Fayt, Sophia, and Maria appeared to be them. Nel had seemingly over drank and glared at everyone. That stupid little Peppita girl and that Mitzy girl danced around the table to the loud music. Mirage talked animatedly to Maria who was only half interested in what the blonde woman said.
Albel shook his head and wondered why anyone bothered to come if all they were too caught up in jealously and envy to enjoy their selves. He tried not to let Fayt's touching of Sophia bother him. Bothering me? That? Albel thought confused. I must be drunk. He looked inside his cup as if it were to blame for his wondering thoughts. Then he looked up to see a surprised Fayt just finished being kissed on the cheek by Sophia. In that instant he want to cut the girl's head off.
As he vaguely saw Nel walk by him, a woman appeared and loudly said, "Hi Nel! I heard you were back."
Albel turned his head and saw Nel stiffly hug a woman. Nel didn't appear to be happy that woman was there. Interesting...
"It's nice to see you safe and whole," the friend said, with a smile. "There are lots of men here for you to choose, Nel. You really should start thinking about marriage before it's too late."
Everything in the room, except the music and the teenager's that danced, stopped. Albel knew the young woman had said something that made Nel angry.
"I don't need a man to get by in life," Nel said angrily. "Leticia, you were always a homemaker. I'm a warrior, I don't have time for such frivolities in my life."
"Please, I know you're jealous of my great marriage," Leticia said conceitedly. "Some of us are just lucky, Nel. You'll be an old bitter maid with no children if you keep this act up."
Nel stepped forward and her hand twitched near her weapon. "Ha! You mock me and call me an old bitter maid. You're one to mock me," she snarled angrily. "Your husband does not love you. He loves another. If whom he had really wanted accepted his proposal, you would not sit so loftily upon your great fortune. Your marriage is nothing but an arranged farce."
Everyone sucked in breath, even Albel. He wanted to laugh, but felt it wouldn't be appropriate at the moment. He wanted to know what was going to happen next.
Fayt shakily stood but Clair was faster. "My apologies, Queen Leticia. Nel is too far-gone with drink to speak appropriately to a superior. The mead has loosened her tongue and addled her sense. Let me escort her away from you. She will apologize when she is not so filled with drink." Clair led Nel out and he snickered at Leticia's outraged expression.
"I'm sorry you had to withstand that," Romeria said mildly. "She has been acting unusual since she came back. She is probably under stress, though I know not why she wants to work so much. My apologies, I will speak with her later."
Leticia seemed to reign in her anger. "No need. I'm going, and I'll be awaiting her apology in Airyglph. At the castle," she added, as if everyone didn't already know. She left huffily with her two guards behind her.
"I think this night is at its end," Romeria said, as she stood. "This old woman has drunk and eaten her fill tonight. I've jested with almost of all you and enjoyed your company."
"Hear! Hear!" Adray said loudly, while he banged his cup on the table.
The Queen merely smiled at him. "Once again, I appreciate what you all did for everyone. Thank you honoring me with this evening."
"The pleasure's all ours, Queenie," Cliff said loudly, as he giggled at Magistrate Lasselle's scandalized expression.
The Queen laughed gaily and bid them all good night. Everyone began to wander off to their own rooms. Albel stalked away when he saw Sophia wrap her arm around Fayt and walk out with him. Albel had stamped down on his anger, and walked heatedly to his own room the Queen had graciously given him. Albel would ask the maids to draw up a hot bath for him. He needed to cool his anger. Damn it! I not jealous! Though he knew it probably was a lie.
--
Sophia held him up, that much he knew. That scene with Nel, Fayt was a little shocked she let herself get so... Well, he couldn't really talk now could he? He stopped Sophia when he noticed she passed his room.
"Hey! My room's back there," Fayt said, as he wobbled a little to point backwards.
"I- I know that," Sophia said, as she arched against me. "Come spend the night with me." Her brown eyes looked up at him.
"What for? You need me to tuck you in?" Fayt asked mockingly. Sophia was such a sweet girl.
"In a manner of speaking," Sophia replied, as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
Huh?
"Get a damn room!" Maria huffed, as she angrily pushed past them.
"What her problem?" Fayt said, as Maria stalked away.
"She jealous," Sophia giggled. "I always knew she was the type."
"Jealous of what? We're just standing here." Fayt unwrapped himself from Sophia's arms and shook his head. Maybe I shouldn't have drunken so much.
"We're together, you know," Sophia said brightly. Fayt looked at her confusedly. "I want you to come to bed with me." She fluttered her eyes seductively. But what it really turned out to look like was her trying to get something out her eye.
Fayt laughed. "Come on, Sophia. You make it seem like you want me to have sex with you."
Sophia backed up as if struck. "You're so dense, Fayt." She shook her head annoyed and left him in the middle of the hall.
"What's so funny?" Cliff asked, as he came level with Fayt's face.
"Something, Sophia said," Fayt giggled, as if he were a girl. "Nothing important. You... going... to bbbeeeddd?"
Cliff's eyebrow cocked. "Yeah, but how about I help you there? I don't think you're capable of getting there on your own steam."
Fayt frowned at him. Like I'm too weak to walk to my room! "I can so get there!" He walked around Cliff and saw his door, but everything moved.
"See?" Cliff said, with an arm around Fayt's waist before he fell.
"What are you talking aabbout?" Fayt said angrily. "I was walkin' straight... It was everything else that was movin'..."
Cliff looked at him a second, like he was drunk. But Fayt knew better. Cliff just wanted to baby him. "I'm not a kid!" he protested again, for the second time that day.
"I know that," Cliff said calmly, as he opened the door.
Fayt suddenly jolted sideways as they went into the room. Cliff himself must be a little tipsy himself.
"Hee hee," Fayt giggled again. They were on the floor in front of the doorway and Fayt leaned against Cliff's side.
"Sorry about that," the blonde man said sheepishly. "Let's just close this..." He closed the door and looked at the bed.
Fayt looked too. It seemed so far away. "Just leave me here. I like it here. It's comfortable." Even though it wasn't. The floor was cold and hard. The only thing that was comforting was Cliff. Fayt snuggled against him.
"Well, it is far," Cliff agreed, while his eyes looked unfocused. He slumped against the door. "All right. I'll leave you here. Though do you mind if I stay for a bit? I don't think I'm ready to get up just yet."
"Sure, stay as long as you like," Fayt said, as he dramatically waved his hand around his room. "Besides, you're all nice and warm and cuddly."
"Cuddly?" Cliff choked out.
He laughed and it made Fayt hold him because he didn't want to fall the other way. Suddenly, Fayt was struck with idea. An idea that even seemed stupid to his drunken mind. However, his drunken mind had the stupid courage his sober mind didn't.
"Cliff?"
"Hmm?" Cliff absently began to stoke Fayt's hair.
"Do you think I'm an attractive guy?"
Cliff looked down sharply and squinted at Fayt. "You're not ugly. All the girls want you. Not as many that want me though," he joked.
Fayt smiled stupidly. "Do you really think I'm just a kid?" he asked, with big doe eyes at the older man.
"Well, no... I think you're a half way responsible adult." Cliff gestured to their current drunken situation.
"So you would treat me like you would another man?"
"Something like that... I mean, we've known each other for a while and been through a lot together. So it's a bit different."
"You sure? I'm all grown up in your eyes?" Fayt was coming to the climax of his great plan.
Cliff smiled down at him. "Yep. All grown up."
Fayt, with iron control, sat up close to Cliff's face. "Good." Then he kissed him.
Fayt felt Cliff freeze and wondered would he soon be thrown across the room. But the man didn't move and thus forth, MOTIVATION! Fayt took this motivation and slipped his tongue in Cliff's unresisting mouth as he laid a hand on a muscled thigh. It was a little stiff and didn't feel like it did with Albel.
Fayt at least felt a little better that he knew he wasn't really attracted to Cliff. That was, until suddenly, he felt Cliff kiss back. Fayt immediately heated up and felt the blood rush through his veins. As much as he would've liked to enjoy all this adrenaline, Fayt felt so sleepy. He parted from Cliff with a dazed expression mirrored on Cliff's face. The last thing he saw before he blacked out was Cliff's two fingers lightly touch his own lips in amazement.
--
Fayt woke with a start and a severe headache. And then quite suddenly, the last images of what happened before he slept assaulted him. He jumped out of bed and crumpled to the floor with pain. He put his head in hands.
I kissed him. Cliff. I kissed Cliff. Straight Cliff. Straight Cliff Fittir, renowned womanizer. Oh my god...
Fayt stood up slowly and looked at a note on his nightstand.
'Hey kid, drink this tonic. I know you'll have a headache. Us Klausians don't really suffer from hangovers, so I'm spared. It's instantaneous, so drink up! See you later.
-Cliff.'
Nothing about the kiss. Or Fayt throwing himself at him like a desperate whore. Fayt breathed in deeply. If Cliff didn't want to talk about it, neither did he. He needed air and fast. So he drunk the tonic and the headache started to fade along with the weak stomach cramps. Jeeze, Fayt. How do you get yourself into these messes? Fayt got up and walked out his room. He immediately walked into something wet.
When he looked up, he saw a wet Albel free of makeup, but still had the dye in, with a towel wrapped around his waist. That and sandals. He just finished wrapping the other long braid. Albel's red eyes smoldered and looked at him with unrestrained lust. Fayt had no doubt he looked at Albel the same way. His heart tried to beat out his chest and suddenly his shorts felt too tight. Their eyes locked.
"Come with me," Albel said quietly and walked away.
Fayt followed him and knew there was no turning back. Turning back wasn't even option in his mind. Nothing to turn back from. He wanted this too and he would get it.
A/N: Thank you all for reviewing! Especially Zen, a great artist. Hee. Sorry, I couldn't put the blue berries in this chapter, but I'm sure it'll be in the next. I hope you enjoyed it all peoples! If the characters seemed a little OOC, I'm sorry. I'm going to blend what they're like in the Manga and what they're like in the game together. In the Manga, Cliff is a huge pervert. And Mirage has huge breasts. I don't know what's up with that. . Anyway, this is starting to get too long. I'll start on the next chapter as soon as I get my other projects out of the way. Once again, thanks for reading my story!
---Amber P.S. I plan on making a picture what Fayt's outfit looked like. You can see what Mitzy looks like on my Deviant Art page linked in my profile. Yes, I am shamelessly plugging. Hee!