Thank for the reviews, sorry I took so long:

KyasarinBurukkuTakara: Thanks! Glad you like it.

ManaMage: Just math in general it crazy. And Presea may show up…maybe.

Suzu Fujibayashi: Thanks! Wait no longer. But I hope it's what you were expecting --;

The Zelda Master: twitch Not at all twitch no, really, I don't mind. Last chapter I didn't bother with checking for mistakes, I was in a huge rush to get it done. And It seems I only do my best when my grade's on the line. That past/present thing really bugs me sometimes, I hope it's not to bad in this chapter QQ

Raine's Tears: Here you go!

spice lily: Sorry for the wait, I think I'll be able to update faster now.

MoonCannon: well, it's been more than one week…hasn't it?

Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia…except my own copy of the game…I think.

Stuffed Potato

Sheena's POV

Lloyd and Colette went back to the Sylvarent part of their world and Raine stayed back in Altamira along with Genis, something about another rock with weird inscriptions in it.

"-and my grandmother's, mother's daughter had married her twelfth cousin from across the sea, imagine how horrified she must have been when she found out…but that's nothing compared to my fifth cousin's mother's, granddaughter's, grandchild's grandmother-" Sebastian continued along his oh-so-interesting stories but I just can't bear to listen anymore…how can anyone possibly talk so much?

He was never like this when Zelos is around; he's so quiet and only talks when Zelos asks for something…perhaps that's just the way the butlers are in this part. I can tell he just longs for company.

I sighed watching the raindrops pitter patter on the soft grass outside, yeah I had arrived at Zelos' house and it was almost two days in and yet Sebastian was telling me his whole life story. He must be pretty lonely…Zelos is hardly ever home, like right now for instance. As much as I hate to say it, I miss his company but I know when he is here all I want is for him to be gone when he gets me angry.

"-oh and my dear sister, now who did she marry again?" Sebastian poured more tea in his cup, "Are you sure you don't want some Miss Sheena?"

"No thanks." I had told him numerous times not to call me 'Miss' but he just won't listen, "Hey, Sebastian?"

"Yes Miss Sheena?" he looked up from pouring tea.

I couldn't resist asking, it may be stupid but, "Were you married before?"

"Oh heavens no, but I'll tell you something, can you keep this from Master Zelos?" He asked slowly, which made me think it was something big.

"Yeah sure." I nodded and bit on the edge of a crumpet, "What is it?"

With a quick look around he began, "Well, I do have my eye on that beautiful maid next door, but she is bound to her master, that snotty little girl won't let her out for even a minute…but as a butler I am also stuck with my master Zelos."

"Um…" I didn't understand what's so hush-hush about this, "Would Zelos really care that much if he knew?"

Sebastian brought his hand up to his face and rubbed his temples, "Honestly speaking, I don't know but one can never be too sure. He may think I'm being disloyal. Once I am married, Master Zelos would have to find another butler."

I couldn't think of what to say, "Oh, um, I guess."

It's kind of depressing in a way, by working for Zelos he's completely letting go of his own desire to be happy.

Sebastian scared me a bit when he suddenly stood up and rushed to the door to open it, funny I didn't hear a knock.

"Any messages?" Zelos came in and sat himself on the couch facing me.

"No, but a young woman did come by and drop off a present for you." Sebastian remained still, with a towel on his right arm.

"Well it seems my hunnies still care for me." He got up and went around to the table stacked with decorative boxes and giant ribbons, "You can go do whatever now."

Sebastian bowed and left the room.

"Hey Sheena can you reach that pink one?" Zelos asked, half buried in a pile of boxes on the floor.

I got up and worked my way to the back of the room where Zelos sat crossed legged on the floor with boxes after boxes stacked up around him. I laughed lightly and took a seat on the floor opposite him.

Zelos' eyebrows rose in amusement, "And what's so funny?"

"Nothing, you just look so innocent like that." I leaned in and grabbed the tiny pink box, "Is this the one?"

Receiving the box Zelos pouted a bit, "And I'm not otherwise?"

"Yeah right." I stretched and leaned on the back of the couch, "What's so important about that one?"

"It's the latest addition to my growing pile." he shook it and frowned, "It's so hard being popular."

"You can't be serious Zelos, you seem to love all the attention." a big brown teddy bear in the corner of the room caught my attention, "They even send you stuffed animals?"

He sighed and hung it by the ear, "I don't understand why they think I would like this stuff."

I reached in and pulled it by the paw, "It's so soft."

Zelos chuckled, "Getting in touch with your feminine side huh?"

I blushed and threw down the bear, "N-no, I was just looking at it. Besides what do they give you anyways?"

"Hmm, mainly gels and energy tablets."

"I see." I continued to watch him unwrap the boxes, after a while he got bored and tossed the rest aside.

Getting up his offered me his hand, "You hungry?"

I started at the palm of his hand, he no longer wore his pink and black arm things, making him look a lot more masculine, not that I care or anything…

I heard a soft laugh and looked up to see Zelos still standing in the same position he was in five minutes ago, "Come on, I won't bite…"

Warily I placed the tips of my fingers on the middle of his palm, it tingled a bit. Pushing myself up with my free hand I dusted my clothes out of habit.

"Sebastian doesn't cook so I'll have to make something myself, what are you in the mood for?" Zelos pushed open the swinging door and dug through the cupboards.

"Surprise me." I sat down and watched his back as he tossed random potatoes into a boiling pot, "Do you always cook?"

Still keeping an eye on the pot he replied while stirring, "Not always, I go out to eat sometimes. But I don't want to lose my touch."

I dug my chin into my arms and closed my eyes for a bit, "So I assume you're quite the chef."

Zelos turned around and grinned widely, "You bet!"

I have to confess, it smelt amazing. That's all it took to make my stomach rumble. The last time I had a home cooked meal was back in Mizuho. Now, just the thought of fire makes me sick.

"All done!" Zelos placed the big pot on the table and I couldn't help noticing the big pink and white oven mitts he wore.

Zelos caught me starring and quickly pulled them off, "They don't belong to me."

I gave him a quizzical look but didn't push it, he was a bit red in the cheeks. I wonder why. Could it be a gift from someone special, nah, he gets too many from them to have any true sentimental value. It was probably something from the past, belonging to family maybe.

"So how is it?" Zelos broke my concentration and I starred at him dumbfounded, "The food, is it okay?"

I swallowed what was in my mouth and nodded, "Yeah it's really good. What is it?"

"My famous stuffed potato! Filled with the passed down spices, and potatoey goodness." He laughed and poked his potato.

I could feel his ego rising, "Who thought you the recipe?"

"Huh?" Zelos had this lost puppy look on his face.

"Ah, you know, someone had to teach you it, right?" I felt a bit award asking since he looked a bit far away.

"My mother, I guess. She always made me watch her cook. After that Sebastian gave me the recipe." He looked away and quickly changed the topic, "So did you hear about the dinner party?"

I almost choked, "What?"

He smiled and cleared his plate, "It's coming up this weekend, they now hold one every once a month."

I hated those things with passion; I always managed stand out from the rest, "Oh."

"Well, I've made reservations for two so you'd better be there." His voice held a teasing tone and he dumped the plate and pot into the sink.

I frantically searched for a reason not to go, "Um, I don't have a dress, I can't go."

"No worries." Waving his hand Zelos made his way back to me, "There's a whole bunch in your closet, I had Sebastian stock it up."

How'd he know I was going to come for sure?

"Oh, but what if they don't fit?" I tried once more.

Zelos sighed and leaned over the counter, dangerously close to my face, "They will, you got the body to fit into them…since the neck is quite low."

A little nerve twitched when he said that, "You'd better shut up or I won't go!"

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NOTE: wee little question, does it really matter whom you chose to cook for that Gnomelette guy?...He says "spicy!" no matter what --;;

Anyway…………….REVIEW

I should be updating a lot faster now.