Disclaimer-I don't own Tales of Symphonia

Polerman-Alright people I won't be changing the name because I don't think it's the greatest idea to change the name at this point in the story. I guess I could say his full name is Kloitz Thomas Sage and he goes by his middle name to fit in a little more. But I'll try to put his real name in the story somewhere…sorry if the huge wait offended anyone but schools really has me tied down even at this moment, so sorry once again but this may happen a lot considering.

Beware spoilers on games plot

Ch.5 One Big Happy Family

Genis sat in the kitchen with his father, feeling overwhelmed and relieved. Relief because all his life he'd never known who his dad was and here he was cooking of all things after a story of his life.

"Are you alright Genis? I know this maybe tough but try to understand." Thomas said reassuring.

Genis didn't respond he kept eyeing the big cooking pot his father was tending to, throwing ingredients here and there and taking a few taste sips. "Genis…are you alright?" Thomas questioned again but more stern. Genis just slightly nodded still unable to avert his gaze off the cooking pot.

"Hey it ready yet sensei?" questioned a very hungry Lydia.

"No Lydia it's not ready yet, just be paitin please." Said Thomas as Lydia walked away in disappointment. Genis did a quick study of Lydia since he was going to be staying here for a bit so he thought he should try to put these new faces to memory. Lydia was about sixteen, had long brown hair, a slightly tan color of skin, and a gentle looking face with a set of memorable blue eyes.

"So how are the studies going on in the library?" Thomas questioned before her before she was outside of earshot to listen.

"Oh, there going great! Mrs. Raine decided to stay and help us along with it."

"So she decided to stay after all!" he said with a slight chuckle as Raine suddenly entered the room.

"Yes I have decided to stay"

"Good I was hopping to talk more on Beacons' theory." He said calmly.

"I'm afraid I can't…I've got to…go place." She said hesitantly.

"Yes…I've heard place is nice around this time of year." Thomas said jokingly but it didn't show in any of his expressions.

They stared at each other blankly, as nothing else was going on in the world. Raine broke the delicate silence. "Oh…Genis I hope you don't mind staying here with Professor Sage while you attend the academy."

"He could stay here as long as he wants." Thomas said.

Genis watched the two as they're gazes never left each others. Well do I get any say in this thing Genis thought of saying but strongly decided against it considering his sister looked as she was about to burst out in tears.

"Goodbye…Raine." The two walked slowly to one another meeting midway into a tight embrace. "Raine you've grown so strong." Thomas said with what sounded as lumps in his throat. "I've got to go." Raine said as she quickly and forcefully broke the tight embrace and dashed for the door.

"Raine wait!" Genis shouted frantically before he attempted to chase after her but his father grabbed him by the shoulder and said reassuring. "Genis, don't worry she'll be alright." Genis processed his fathers' words carefully then thought 'yeah I know but will I?'

Some time later at dinner

The table was set for about ten people, Genis was sat at the left of the table one away from the head of the big oak monster of a table, it was a grand like thing polished and kept very well.

"Dinner!" shouted Thomas. A rumble of foot steps and random chatter came it's way towards the kitchen. A group of 5 girls came in, San and Lydia being the only two he knew and two other men trudged there way in after.

The huge group of people were about to pounce the pot of stew but in an instance they were stopped by Thomas quickly shouting. "Wait!" they stopped with baffled looks and suddenly those who didn't even notice Genis' presence were ever so drawn to him "who's that?" Questioned the younger one of the two men.

"Well if you would shut up for a second Ash…maybe we'll find out." Said Lydia with a cynical tone and the man known as Ash just gave her a look like he would take the insult but could end up enraged.

"Okay." Began Thomas. "This is Genis he will be staying with us fro a while and well try and be nice to him." Thomas sounded as he wanted to say more but San broke in.

"You kidding, Genis will be treated like family." Lydia said rather loudly.

"Alright this calls for proper introductions." Said Ash. "Thomas if you will?"

Thomas looked about for a sec and began. "Okay you should probably know San and the girl who's usually late for class." Thomas said as he motioned to two girls. "And that over there is Heather Rafferty." Genis glanced at her, about age 14 but was very tall for someone her age and sort of lanky like. She brushed a hand nervously through her dirty blonde hair.

"That over there…is Alexandria Stukov or Alex most call her." Thomas motioned Genis gaze over to a long blonde haired girl with very long blonde bangs covering most of the left side of her face. She was maybe slightly shorter than Heather but of course she looked older than her like about 17 so she was about average for someone her age.

"And the last but not least is Claire Morris of the local sea patrol and part time student to the academy." Genis studied Claire for a while she was older than most of the others about 19, give or take a year or 2. she had brown hair up in a ponytail and she wore a sea patrol uniform which was white with a few other badges and decorative things on it.

"The last two men at the end of the table are Ash Burton and my butler Ted." Genis looked at the two peculiar like, Ash Burton looked some what in shape muscles yes but not over muscular, just enough to look threatening and a head of crazy spike like hair kept some what out of his face by a black bandana. Ted looked and acted very disciplined although someone his age would have probably have been expecting retirement soon but he was about 65 and stood straight, not a single crease in his suit, and a very well trimmed mustache. After the quick study of the two gentlemen they both nodded friendly at Genis and Genis returned the nod back.

"Alright now that introductions are made…lets eat." Thomas said obliviously annoyed that he had to do most of the talking that strange night. They all served themselves and began to eat when they saw there plate fit.

Most of the meal had been silent in till Lydia got an idea to start some conversation. "So Ash get a new job yet?" Lydia started but her tone sounded different and a smile escaped across her face.

Ash seized up slightly to the sudden question and tried to avoid eye contact with anyone at the table. "Uh…I." he seemed to be short of words and very nervous. "Why do you care anyway?"

"Oh I don't." Lydia said as she continued to eat.

"Then why ask?" Ash shouted.

"Because I'm trying to start conversation!" Lydia shot back quickly.

"That or your trying to annoy the hell out of me!"

"There's no way anyone could get any hell out of you because you are hell or at least hell to live with!"

"Oh if I'm hell than that would make you a frick'n angel now wouldn't it!"

"You bet your ass I am Ash!"

Ash seeming to caught off guard by her accepting the whole angel insult shot dumbly back. "Fine than dammit I've got a job."

"Oh what is it then?"

"Taking out the trash." Ash said as he got off his chair.

"Oh so that means you're a garbage man who works at night, how convenient for all the perverted people who throw out all their weird novels on girl on girl relations." Lydia said obviously aiming to embarrass Ash.

Ash was once again caught off guard by the sudden comment. "That only happened once and you only found out because you were stalking me."

"Stalking I wasn't stalking I only followed you because Thomas and Ted left on business and you were given the job of watching us and then I caught you throwing that junk away."

"That's it!" Ash shouted as he ran over to where Lydia sat and hefted her over his shoulder by the waist and out the door with Lydia shouting and kicking the whole time. The room was quiet gain and everyone began to do what they were doing before the small skirmish.

"What was that about?" Genis asked anyone who would answer him.

"That's them just having fun." San said with a smile.

"Yeah it's been going on for a while. Just don't get involved." Thomas said.

"I'll try and not." Genis said.

"Master Sage should I retrieve Lydia? It is a school night after all." Ted chimed in after being silent the whole time.

"Sure, I guess so." Thomas replied sounding unconcerned.

"So where do they go anyway?" Genis asked questioningly.

"Over to Doctor Williams office. He specializes in family relationships, but I think it's a complete waste of time."

"I will return master Sage." Ted said before the door shut behind him.

A while of silent eating continued for a good while till Thomas yawned. "Well its getting late girls better start getting to bed." They all got up and left the room saying their own unique way of good night. Genis and Thomas were the only two left at the table, Thomas got up and began to clear off the table. "So Genis you ready for school tomorrow?" Genis stared at his father for a second and thought 'am I really ready because uh I didn't even know what the heck he was talking about at all this morning.'

Polerman-Hey people this chapter is just here to introduce new characters and just a heads up the next few are about school life for Genis so keep reading.