Author: Cheza-chan
Rating: Young Adult (PG-13/R)
Summary: It is quite feasible to find love in the midst of a universal war.
Disclaimer: I could never create a game with such wonderful characters (whispers: except Sophia—damn, why'd her name have to sound so similar to mine).
Author Note: Hahaha! Hahahaaaa! (Mandark laugh) Look!—I doubt anyone still is. I brought out another chapter of what I thought was only going to be a one-shot. I mean… come on! I did the first chapter when I was barely aware of what good things SO:TTEOT was capable of bringing me. Now, I've almost reached Luther (yeah, I haven't finished, so if any facts seem wrong, it's cuz I improved) and ideas are racing into my head. I don't intend for this to actually have a plot line, but I have another chapter already in the works! (twirls with a giggle)
Nel's organization is the Secret Legion, right? Hopefully...! (crosses her fingers)
Old Adages – Chapter Two
Albel had just finished snapping his claw back into place when the mass of muscles on the bed behind him shifted. He glanced over his shoulder to stare at the Klausian he'd claimed as his own and felt a grin tug at his lips at the angry gashes decorating the broad back. He had been replacing the removable and clawed appendage because Cliff, fed up with the excess pain, tore it off and tossed it aside.
The Klausian slowly turned onto his back and raised his arm, thumb pointing downward. "…one-man wrecking… crew…"
"Idiot," Albel scoffed, tossing one of his wrapped ponytails over his shoulder. He snatched up his katana where it was balanced against the wall and left the room. He was courteous enough not to slam the door but not enough so as to be human to the other guests. Brushing rudely by them, the Elicoorian slowed then stopped, glaring at the last two Earthlings he'd wanted to run into.
Sophia smiled brightly, rod held tightly in her hands and tucked behind her back. "'Morning," she chirped.
Albel wanted to wrap his claws tightly around her neck, listen to her howl like a dying cat, and watch her head fly off. He grinned broadly in spite of himself and Fayt shuddered.
The Earthling boy cleared his throat, avoiding looking directly into the wild crimson orbs. "We'll see you when you get back. Castle Aquaria."
"Fine… maggot," Albel added for the fun of it.
"Hey!" Sophia glared at him. "That's not nice."
Fayt grabbed his friend's arm and pulled her aside. "Go join Peppita and Maria at breakfast. I'll be there shortly." The young girl nodded and walked off. "Albel. Sorry about last night."
"I'll just add it to my… list of things I need to repay you for. Just keep that wretched wench away from me. One of these days…" Albel growled softly, tightening his hand around his katana's handle. He exited swiftly before Fayt could reply.
§§§
Cliff yawned then dropped his head to his upraised knees, smiling. Mirage laughed softly as she continued treating the wounds on his back. "I guess it's worth it?"
"It is," the older blonde said with a broad grin. "And you know us Klausians—it rarely hurts."
"That's because you're numb with love." Both figures fell silent at the distant dragon roar and they both stopped to stare out the window. The winged creature took to the air beyond the walls of Peterny—Albel rode along with the Dragon Brigade soldier sent to escort him back.
"Where are we going again?" Cliff sighed.
"Wow. You're in deep, Quark founder." Mirage slapped him on the shoulder. "Get dressed. We need breakfast, us Klausians, or we won't have that strength."
"You're right," the man groaned, stretching. The muscles of his upper body rippled. He sprang from the bed and snatched up his gauntlet from the floor. Mirage handed over his sleeveless leather vest with a sly smile and Cliff grinned, snatching it from her grasp. He pulled it on and they headed out together. After breakfast, everyone, minus a few Elicoorians, would rendezvous in space with a Federation ship to discuss the planet Styx and its Time Gate.
Albel placed his right hand against his slender hip, tired of the pointless meetings with Airyglyph XIII. His gaze swept over Rozaria and the scowl slipping into place on his youthful features felt so natural, he didn't even know he did it. The High Priestess's daughter gave a trembling smile, tightening her fingers together before her.
"As I'm sure you've realized, the war has ended," Arzei spoke. "Airyglyph and Aquios are now deepening the bonds of their alliance."
"What does this have to do with me?" Albel scoffed. He could care less about Aquios and the runologists of Castle Aquaria.
"Because I've informed the Queen there to allow you to set up headquarters in the sacred city."
The Elicoorian's clawed hand dropped to the hilt of the Crimson Scourge and tightened around it. The solder beside Arzei stepped forward but Albel's ice-cold crimson-eyed glare kept him from commenting. "Is this a punishment of some kind?" the young man hissed. "I have done nothing wrong!"
"That's beside the point," the King sighed. "Creatures still inhabit the shrine below the castle and Nel Zelpher, as good as she's said to be, can't handle it all by herself."
"Move that old man! He'd love working with that Zelpher woman. Let me take his place in Kirsla, my birthplace!"
"It would be far too strenuous to move him," Arzei sighed. "Queen Aquaria XXVII has agreed for you to treat her castle as though it were your very own… except for the audience chamber." Albel tossed his head with a haughty scoff. "Gather as many Black Brigade soldiers as you see fit," Airyglyph XIII continued. "I expect you to be situated and fully operational by the end of the week."
After giving the man a sharp nod, Albel the Wicked shot Rozaria a look of great distaste. His eyes wandered to her stomach and he snorted, turning and walking away. The woman relaxed as he turned the corner and lightly touched her abdomen; Arzei's first child grew within her.
Nel Zelpher of the Secret Legion was there to greet Albel at the end of the week. She gave a slight bow then straightened and crossed her arms. The scarf around her neck was unwound and both ends hung down past her waist. "Lady Aquaria XXVII sent me to help you get familiarized with the castle."
"Bah. What's new to see? I've been here countless times."
Nel gave a small smirk and shook her head. "I guess that's as good of a 'nice to see you' I'm going to get. Your room is right next to mine." Albel's eyes narrowed and he brushed by her. "See you around!" the redhead called after him.
He entered the castle, muttering angrily about worms, maggots, and any other weak and pathetic creature that could be found in the garbage or under the earth. He could hear that old geezer of an Alchemist pacing and muttering in his room as he passed. 'Guess no one in the Guild wants him.' Albel pushed open the door then slammed it shut behind him.
Cliff walked down the left hall leading to the transporter room of the Diplomatic Flagship "Diplo". Maria and Mirage walked with him, meaning Fayt, Sophia, Peppita, and Adray walked on the other side. He stretched and tucked his arms behind his head.
The meeting with the Federation took longer than he would have liked but it was for the best; Styx would remain off the maps and undetectable. The Diplo was also detoured because Fayt and Sophia wanted to visit Blair at the Sphere Corporation. The former founder of Quark stood back as everyone filed in then entered the transport room last. He grinned. 'Albel, here I come!'
§§§
Cliff couldn't help but laugh as Nel finished explaining about Castle Aquaria's newest member. It was surprising to find nothing had been destroyed.
"He spent the first few days down in the sealed cavern," the Elicoorian runologist added, placing a hand to her hip with a smile. "Left a trail of blood through the Great Temple."
"Where is he now?" the male Klausian interrupted, smiling.
"I haven't seen him as of late," Nel murmured, pursing her lips.
"He can't be too far. See ya!" Cliff waved over his shoulder as he walked away from the group. But the time he headed out after searching the entire castle, the sun had dipped out of sight.
"He left about an hour before your return," one of the guards outside Castle Aquaria told Cliff.
The blonde rubbed the back of his neck and sighed deeply. 'He knew we were coming back… That moron!' He smiled despite his inner monologue and thanked the man, walking away.
Sophia and Peppita stared down at him from the "White Dew" garden on the second floor of Castle Aquaria. "They're so in love," the younger of the two sang, smiling. She glanced at the Earthling who sighed deeply. "Something wrong?" Peppita questioned, jumping onto the wall and swinging her legs.
"I was just remembering the conversation I had with Fayt up here, about princes and princesses." Sophia lowered her head with a small smile. "Maybe I do think about things too lightly." Peppita glanced at the blue-haired swordsman approaching and smiled. She returned her attention to the girl still speaking. "As much as I hate this new lifestyle, I've grown and adapted to it. You have to… fight… to survive."
"Keep thinking like that—"
Sophia gasped and spun around so she was face to face with Fayt.
"—And you'll probably end up rescuing your prince and his white horse."
The blush on her face from his smile grew a shade deeper as Peppita erupted into a fit of giggles. Fayt shook his head, still smiling, and watched the blonde figure disappear through the raised gates that led out onto the Moonlit Bridge.
Cliff grinned. He'd just experienced the world's shortest search—five minutes if that much—with fruitful results.
The Elicoorian had been looking for sat on the right side of the bridge, bathed in an eerie light that was a mixture of that from the moon overhead and the lamp he sat directly beneath. His raised right leg, chin resting idly in his palm, propped up his arm; he looked almost civil and serene.
Cliff wasn't sure whether to laugh or continue watching. A pink bunny ran around his dangling leg and would occasionally rub against the appendage and butt into the katana sheath. He shook his head, shifting his weight to one side, and crossed his arms. The bunny started at the movement and darted behind Albel's leg.
The claw that was his left arm twitched and the Elicoorian straightened up to confront the creature. "I ignored you for thirty minutes because no one else is here for you to annoy but now…!" He trailed off as he caught sight of the second inhabitant—third if you count the bunny on the verge of being hacked and slashed—of the bridge. Cliff raised his hand in a small wave and started over. "Get away," Albel growled, kicking his leg. The bunny scampered off toward the city, speeding up as it passed the beefy blonde. "What are you doing here?" the brunet mumbled, glaring down at the sparkling water.
"That's my question to you," Cliff said with a sigh as he fell against the wall Albel sat upon. He grinned up at the night sky. "Heard about your promotion."
"My ass," the Elicoorian spat, bristling and closing his eyes. "The place is so damn big. I have to patrol both floors and check on the Black Brigade soldiers stationed in the Shrine of Kaddan. I swear that man's punishing me for something." Silence enveloped them slowly and his eyelids slid open, revealing each crimson orb. He turned his head to find the Klausian grinning at him. "Worm." He jumped from the wall but Cliff grabbed his arm before he could go anywhere. "What now?"
"Did you miss me?"
Albel scowled and wrenched his claw away. "No. I had a variety of monsters at my disposal."
"And they hurt you," Cliff said softly, turning the young man to inspect his thigh. His hand was slapped away. "I can't have your lovely skin scarring." He smiled.
Albel turned away sharply to hide the faint coloring of his cheeks. "Disgusting, pathetic… worm! Maggot… Idiot!"
Cliff strode alongside the storming Elicoorian. He pulled him into a right embrace before they left the Bridge. Albel closed his eyes and accepted the warm mouth against his and parted his lips. The Klausian's tongue brushed against the other's before outlining every contour and crevice of the younger man's mouth. He tilted Albel's head upward and smirked inwardly as the brunet fought for control; their tongues warred passionately. And there was that claw again.
Cliff grinned, nibbling lightly on Albel swollen bottom lip and took hold of the sharp fingers digging into his skin. "I missed you, too." Albel scowled. "Now! Let's treat your burn!" He was hoisted onto the older man's shoulder and his screaming protests had no effect as they entered the half-asleep Sacred City of Aquios.
A/N: That thing with Albel mentioning Ansala... that's because I still can't recruit the damn Alchemist! (stomps her feet) No one wants to make me a bloody Philosopher's Stone! (screams)