Game Four- babysitter

Albel seemed surprised for a moment at the words that had just come out of the youth's mouth; but it was quickly replaced by a triumphant smile at the expressions on the other party member's faces.

“I guess... I may have overreacted,” he considered thoughtfully, looking back down to Fayt’s beaming smile with one of his own- an arrogant smirk. “This doesn’t seem to be that bad- it’s like he’s just smaller than he usually is,”

“Exactly, if Fayt turned this way for no apparent reason when he was with you, chances are he’ll turn back pretty soon. In any case, we’ll have to stay here until he recovers- we can’t travel to Arias with Fayt like that, and in the mean time we should rest, and I’ll look for a cure. How does that sound?” Mirage inquired.

“But- but- who gets to look after Fayt!” Sophia began, going to volunteer herself when once again someone spoke for themselves.

“Albel!” Fayt blurted out.

“Wha!” Albel exclaimed. “Don’t say it like that! Don’t forget that you’re still 19 years old!” he was blushing. “Stop being so clingy!” he frowned.

“It’s not his fault, Albel, kids just say whatever’s in their mind, and they’re the most honest people in the world. Fayt probably remembers everything we’ve done, but to him, he’s always been this young. Children are surprisingly aware of some things and they don’t hold back anything- they’re also incredibly sensitive,” Maria explained, matter of factly.

“That’s exactly why we shouldn’t leave Fayt with... with him!” Cliff retorted.

“I don’t want to go with any of you guys- you’re always mean to Albel- anyway- Albel says you’re all idiots- so there!” Fayt repeated- poking his tounge out with a small 'so there!' noise to go with it.

“Heh, that’s cute,” a swoon of sorts came from Albel himself, startling those in the room as he took delighted Fayt by the hand. “I think I can manage to look after the little fool,” he decided, to Sophia’s horror, and Fayt let out a whoop of joy at this (“Yey!”).

“Wha- but- I- this- you- why- we- I!” she blurted out.

“She’s weird…” Fayt stared as Sophia’s jaw dropped.

And Albel started to lead Fayt away. “That’s right, yes she is, and she’s an annoying wrench… say it,” Albel ordered.

“Sophia’s an annoying wrench.” Fayt repeated obediently.

“Very good!” Albel chuckled, taking the time to stop and pat Fayt on the head again, as Sophia wailed in the background, and they went out of sight.

It was at this time when Mirage and Maria also left to search in Woltar’s library, while Adray suspected that the two more reluctant party members to the 'Albel as babysitter plan' needed time to complain. And when they were finally alone-

“Well? What are we going to do about this?” Sophia demanded.

“There’s not much we can do.” Cliff sighed.

“Whaaat?” she replied indignantly.

“Well, Mirage seemed to go along with the idea.”

“So?”

“And I'm not going to cross her- it hurts…”

“So you just want to leave poor Fayty with that awful man? It’ll end in tears!” Sophia objected. Hers and Fayt's.

“Hey, Mirage says its ok, and even though I don’t like the guy… I trust Mirage. Besides, the kid wants to be with him- I'm not saying his taste is good- I'm saying we can’t stop him from being with who he wants to be with, we couldn’t before he changed, and we can’t now- remember, it’s still Fayt, no matter how young he looks, so he still wants what older Fayt would want. If he wants to be with Albel…” Cliff sighed, but Sophia had heard enough.

“Albel will just upset Fayt!” she huffed.

Cliff nodded. “I bet, but if that happens, only then can you do something about it,”

“Hmph…wait until Albel hurts Fayt?” she repeated dubiously.

“Then you can go to him and…” Cliff began, but a cunning smile had formed over Sophia’s lips.

“Then I can sneak in and take Fayty for myself!” she proclaimed.

“Uh, yeah,” Cliff stood uneasily and went out to find the nearest free house.

“It all depends on how long it takes for Albel to crack,” Sophia wore a pensive expression.