Disclaimer: I don't own Star Ocean it belongs to Tri-Ace/Square.

A/N: Sorry about the semi-long wait. This chapter and 13 are really transitiony. There's a bit of humor in the beginning and a whole section of Nel for those of you who like her as a character to read about. Read the A/N at the bottom please. And this part is really bad...so warning there.

PART 12

"Come on Mirage! TIME TO GET UP!" Chirped Peppita.

She shook the sleeping woman with vigor, energy flowering from her. There was an eager smile on her face as she bounced around the room, dancing and twirling.

"Come on sleepy head!" She continued to yell, finally jumping on Mirage's bed.

Mirage came through the door behind her, "Oh, you're up? I didn't expect you awake so early."

Peppita turned around, looking at her, "Wait, if you're not in this bed…then who?"

"Little maggot, I swear you will pay for this intrusion!" An angry voice spoke from beneath the covers.

She did a little back flip, landing on the floor with a thump, watching the blankets uncovering the sigh of boiling scarlet eyes. There was no voice that escaped her lips, but a soft whimper.

"He woke me up last night and asked to switch beds with him for the night because Sophia would bother him when he woke up. I told him that you would be worse but he was convinced that it would be better to wake up without Sophia nearby." Mirage proposed to give an explanation, trying to soften Albel's anger along with Peppita's fear.

Albel merely glared at Peppita on the ground, "Would you leave me alone so that I may rest in peace?" His voice chorused with anger, boiling down the edges of his patience.

Sophia turned into the doorway completely dressed, "Are we all up already?" She sounded quite happy, the comforting sound echoed in his ears burning them slightly for they had returned to the more optimistic nature.

"No, I need to rest. You will all leave this room before you will regret ever setting foot here this morning." He spoke slowly and harshly. Tired emphasize on every word.

Peppita found her hyperactivity again and squealed, "Don't be such a party pooper! You need to get up! It's already morning and the birds are even up! Besides we need to go shopping since tomorrow is Clair's wedding after all!"

Mirage siphoned Peppita out the door, "I do not think that is smart. We should really leave him be."

Sophia shrugged, following them out with a simple, "Ok, if you wanna be that way. You won't have fun choosing out what you want to wear tomorrow."

"What makes you think that I would demean myself by attending such a gathering?" He said, causing her to pause and turn her head.

"Because Nel's going to be there," She lightly, shutting the door quickly before he could get in another word.

"Bah, damn woman, thinks she knows what she's talking about." He rolled his eyes.

He lay down, turning on his bed, using his claw hand to place the covers over his body. He closed his eyes, watching his vermilion tinted inside of his eyelids, just swirling in his thoughts before he was to fall back into sleep.

The morning was early, the sun still on the horizon when the three females left the inn.

Peppita led the group with much enthusiasm, followed by a cheerful Sophia, and the balanced Mirage.

"I'm hungry!" She exclaimed as a demand more then a request.

Peppita ran ahead into the forum, spinning so quickly she fell into a basket of fruits. She merely laughed, "I think I want these apples!"

"Peppita, we can get you something when we return." Mirage said, trying to keep everyone sane.

Sophia agreed, "Yeah, come on! People are going to be at the store soon and we'll have to wait in line for a long time!" She said, trying to sway her.

Mirage felt a jerk when Peppita and Sophia took each of her hands in different directions, each crying out for a different desired store.

"How about I go with Peppita to keep an eye on her and Sophia, you can go and we'll meet back here at eighteen hundred hours for dinner?" Mirage choked out.

Sophia was saddened, "But!" She didn't want to go by herself, but she wouldn't say so.

But before she had a chance to answer, Peppita had dragged off Mirage and they were nowhere in sight.

And Sophia turned away, the store she intended to go to first, a bit crestfallen.

Nel had awoken, with Farleen by her side, being greeted by her soft voice.

"Lady Nel, you're all right. And your fever's gone down! Tynave, she's awake!" She chirped loudly out the open door only to be greeted with thumps of quick movement.

"Lady Nel, and just in time. Lady Clair's wedding is tomorrow!" She said with urgency.

Nel felt a tug on her arms, being hit by the cold air of morning. She groaned, "Where's Cliff?"

They answered her, "Master Cliff left late last night. He seemed to be headed toward Peterny."

The other nodded in agreement with this knowledge.

Nel had quickly dressed herself, taking up her daggers and dashed out of the room. 'Why would he leave? Is there someone else?'

Tynave and Farleen were confused to her speedy departure at this critical time. They were left in the wake of dust that was her speed.

The dismal town or Aire was bustling with life. The eager voices of the coming event were all about her. She was confused, letting the monsters on the road get the best of her while she was distracted.

She went to the different armors and other shops littered about Peterny but no one knew if Cliff had been seen or was still there.

Suddenly there was yelp from a form she had run into. She was forced back to her dismay. When she saw a brunette girl sitting on the ground, "Sophia!"

Sophia mumbled, "Yes?" She glanced up, crying out, "Nel!"

Nel was in a rush for words, "I need to know where Cliff is for I heard he may have come in this direction."

"Yeah, I saw him last night-."

"You saw him last night?" She had cut off her off, speaking suspiciously.

She only laughed, "Yeah, he told me he was heading toward Aquois for some things. He didn't tell me what though. That's it."

Nel felt reassured, "Ah, you seem to have been the only one who's seen him since he left Aire. I wouldn't know what his business in Aquois was but I will find out. Thank you for information, Sophia."

With Nel, leaving the town at the north end, Sophia called, "No problem!"

'What could Cliff being doing? No one but Sophia has seen him since last night. May be he is really with another woman. Sophia perhaps, she is the only one who's seen him. But the age difference is too great…Perhaps he goes for younger women. This is ridiculous; I can't be thinking such thoughts. It's just the effects of the fever at it ends.

Albel would never do that; he wouldn't think any other woman was worthy of him. That was his version of faithfulness that almost assured the woman his eternally loyalty. He would be strong, always there protecting what was his. I know him well enough to know he would not waste his time for things not deserving of his effort. He was truly a unique piece of work in his own way. The way he was built, strong and swift as well as everything that made him so desirable.

Now what am I doing, I am doing what I was hoping Cliff would not. But Cliff is not even of this world, how could I possible know.

It may be Mirage, that other woman of his world. They did have some history and are always together, he could be a traitor to me. What if it is Maria? It could be anyone but most unlikely Peppita. Maria is a little young, but he does admire strong women like myself I've noticed. Maria is young and independent and Mirage may take orders well, but I've heard she has had a reputation for being physically stronger then Cliff himself.

I must be mad by thinking this, but it can't be out of the question of what he is doing when I cannot track him…'

She did reach Aquois quickly despite her distracting thoughts. She called out for anyone who had seen him once more, but still it failed. She suddenly had a thought that Sophia may have lied to her because she wanted to hide Cliff from her.

Nel started to turn away when an oddly dressed woman approached her.

"You seek a large yellow mane man with a bulky figure who looked as if he had the strength of many soldiers?"

She looked down, "Yes, have you seen anyone by that description?"

The woman nodded, "Yes, he is doing a series of tasks for me so that I will create a special item for him. He is collecting a few materials needed to make this prized creation."

"What items?" She asked, eyeing with skeptically. "Who are you even?"

"I am Chilco, the famous Craftswoman. Surely you've heard of me, I am the best after all," she said airily with boastful pride.

"Ah yes, you make wonderful accessories, but what would he want you to make?"

"A simple item that makes use of the Orichalcum and Rainbow Diamond. It's very beautiful that gives the wearer increased strength and speed as well as a great boost in charisma, being quite valuable."

"So he's gone after the Orichalcum and Rainbow Diamond?"

"Most likely."

"How much is it?"

"That is something kept between myself and who would like me to make such an item, but he had visited me very early this morning. I was quite surprised and I'm sure he'll get them to me by noon. If you'd like to weight in my store until then, you are most welcome."

Nel looked around, wanting to go after him, but having the common sense to know she would not find him in time. She sighed, giving into Chilco's offer.

Fayt stood up, turning to look at the bared door that he had covered himself. He left a note on the door:

Maria, I'm sorry I have to take my leave but I will escort you to Clair's wedding tomorrow. If you are ready tomorrow at eight hundred hours, I will return to this cabin to go with you. Please take my apologies for leaving you in such a state last night. I just need a little more time to think away from this place. Everything is crowding my thoughts and please don't look for me nor tell anyone else. I will be back in enough time to be ready for tomorrow. Fayt.

He turned, running quickly away into a non-populated area to clear his mind, mumbling, "Maria…don't take any of this personally. Sophia, please forgive me; I'm so sorry."

"Nel what are you doing here?" Cliff asked surprised. He quickly gave the two items to Chilco to work on.

"Looking for you." She said calmly, as if she were stating the obvious.

"Uhh…I just wanted this item made so that it could be worn at tomorrow's wedding." He said, starting to sweat.

She looked at him skeptically, "Are you so sure? You are acting quite suspicious. I feel there is a need to be concerned for your current attitude is just off."

"No nothing's wrong. Can we get out of here? It's a little warm." He said in a rush of words.

"You're just sweating for some reason," she spoke slowly.

The warning signals were going off that he was doing something behind her back. She watched him carefully, trying to keep her cool. But her patience was waning and she could stand for this no further.

"If you are to lie to me at this moment, I would have to leave you right now."

"Nel, just listen, there's a really good explanation for this. I just needed something… Tomorrow, you'll know promise."

She turned away from him, leaving him standing at Chilco's doorsteps.

A tear leaked from her eye, as she walked toward the Aquois castle gates, only momentarily interrupted by Lady Tynave who rushed toward her.

"Lady Nel! Here is your attire for tomorrow. This outfit was requested to be worn by you by Lady Clair." Tynave said, handing her the shaded dress. "It's the Maid of Honor dress."

A/N: Wow, there are suddenly so many AlbelxSophia fics. What happened? Did I miss something when a whole lot of people started writing AlbelxSophia stuff? Oh well. Some of them of I question...but that's ok.

Dragon Chyld: I would love for you to put my story in your C2.

allmysensesfail: Thank you for your several reviews. And that part you quoted, that's about my favorite section in the entire fanfic.

NelZelpher88: Don't worry, it's ok. Not many people like Sophia as their favorite character.

Fluff: Well, if you just read my review for that thing you'll understand. And I'm glad you like the AxS pairing.

Cliff's Girl: Well, I just love your reviews as always.

Insomniac: Don't worry. I don't know when I'm going to end this just yet but when I do, I'm trying to decide right now if I should just create a sequal that focuses on just one of the pairings or triangles. (Most Likely AxS or AxSxF) And sorry I didn't comment on my other update.

Last note, the only reason I take so long to write a part is because I force myself to write 4 pages every single part just because I like giving you readers a lot to go on but I think the next part may be the exception because it'll be short for a smaller transition. Sorry, though I think I've said that before but oh well. So warning if the next one feels really bad. I promise in Part 14, even though it's not written yet, to be really exciting!

Thanks for reading, please review.