Game Seven: Park Rescue

In his infinite wisdom, lord Woltar realised the need for an area in Kirlsa that would rejuvenate post war depression and symbolise the coming of peace and happiness. Where there had once been a storm brigade training ground outside of his mansion- which had been moved to just outside Kirlsa in the Aire hills on the way to the training facility- there was a park which extended to the east gate of town. As a result, Woltar had also conveniently claimed back his mansion for himself, but I'm sure that had nothing to do with it.

Sophia had laid down a chequered blanket from which she and Fayt sat contentedly eating. She watched with many a swooning heart as chibi Fayt sipped orange juice through a sucky straw, picked mini sausages and tiny triangle cut sandwiches of cheese and ham and took teeny tiny bites from them and munched whilst smiling at her.

“Say Fayt, do you want to take a swing?” Sophia pointed to the single swing in the park close by the low picket fence separating it from the cobbled street. He paused thoughtfully. “I loved swinging when I was your age Fayt!” she added, which seemed to clinch the deal as he jumped up and ran over to it.

“Will you push me please, Sophy?” Fayt asked, when he had sat down on it and held on.

Sophia smiled gleefully, like she would do anything else- the day was turning out just as she’d planned. “Here we go!”

“Yey!” Fayt sang happily, his tiny legs and blue shoes sticking out from the swing, his hair dangling as the swing swayed.

“So what!” Albel exclaimed, legs against the small picket fence as black brigade soldiers approached him carefully.

“Well sir, we were wondering how long this mission was going to take you- with three brigades and two captains (only one of whom is on duty) things are pretty hectic,”

“I’ll take however long I bloody like!” Albel snapped- when a strange noise came from behind him and he turned in frustration.

He turned to see pure joy.

“Whaaaay- this is really fun!” Fayt laughed. “Higher!” he pleaded.

And there was the annoying one, stealing the moment in all her devious scheming. “When I was little,” she began, and Albel slashed aside at the soldiers with a quick katana (easily sheathed again) to make them go away, “I liked to go as high as I could, I thought that if I went high enough... I could catch cloud!”she chanted. Albel went to scoff at this; but at the boy’s happy expression, Albel kept quiet.

“Catch a cloud?” Fayt was now looking up in awe, staring at the huge fluffy clouds, and his hand rose, reaching for one of the clouds, his body tipping.

He’s going to fall…were the thoughts instantly in Albel’s mind- but he had already leaped over the fence and side jumped under Fayt’s falling body, long before Sophia even realized that Fayt had swung up and let go of the bars.

She was left to watch in relief and yet horror as Albel caught sweet little Fayt in his arms as he lay back onto the grass, and Fayt lay against the samurai silently in shock. Albel didn’t even notice how he held Fayt in relief until Sophia poked her head over his shoulder and stood over him sheepishly- and then his anger erupted.

He stood and let Fayt plop back on his feet, bewildered and yet hopeful at the sight of the samurai.

“What the hell did you think you were doing- you damn idiot! ‘Catch a cloud’! What did you think he would do if you told him that, say ‘oh, that’s nice’ and just ignore them! I can’t believe you’d just put the fool in danger like that!” Albel snapped- his face furiously red.

“Well I…I mean I just,” Sophia began indignantly, but she looked down in shame.

“Tch, you’re right,” Albel folded his arms, “some people are just not made to look after kids- to look after a child, you can’t act like a child yourself, you have to be responsible! It’s all very well buying your way into a kid’s affections with ice-cream and- and picnics- and filling their head with rubbish, but you have to be serious and stay alert- it’s not all fun and games!” Albel told her, and she went red in the face.

“I know that!” she replied hotly. “And I don’t need a lecture on how to look after children from you! At least I let him have fun!” Sophia defended herself- he was the last person who could lecture her about being kind and taking care of someone.

“Then how come this happened, well!” Albel demanded. “You were so happy to have the brat with you and make him play with you that you didn’t stop to think!”

He had a point. “What do you care for anyway? I thought you hated children!” Sophia huffed.

“In case you hadn’t noticed, the fool is only a child temporarily!” at least he hoped so. “Other than that, he’s still a 20 year old swordsman who’s leading this group! Leave him some dignity! You really think- even if the sap did decide to be with you- that he’d have a tea party, play on a swing and need you to wipe his face clean! He’s suffering from a condition- he’s not your doll!” Albel exclaimed.

Sophia went a deep red now. She only had one tactic left to chase Albel away.

“You sure are making a big scene about all of this for someone who thinks we’re all maggots and worms- you like Fayt or something? I never would have guessed that Albel Nox would have a soft spot for someone!” she snarled.

And Fayt looked between them as they snapped and shouted at each other- not understanding a word. It all came out as loud noise, until-

“You’d better believe it,” Albel’s voice was suddenly devilishly soft, and her jaw dropped, Fayt unplugged his ears in disbelief, “after all, if I left the brat with you until he changed back, I might lose the only half-decent training partner I’ve ever had.” And he looked down as Fayt tugged at his skirt once inquisitively. “What?”

“Umm…Albel?” Fayt began shyly, face going red as Albel looked down.

“Just forget about everything,” Albel decided quietly.

“Everything?” Fayt repeated sadly.

“Bah…” he paused reluctantly as Sophia hovered by, perplexed, “I suppose it would be fine… to have one…‘friend’…” he muttered meekly, looking down at Fayt. “But don’t go thinking I’ve decided to be your friend because you’re all small and cute, or because I find you remotely adorable- it’s just that I can’t deal with the bother of not being your friend- understand me?” he was dark.

Fayt smiled widely, nodding in fervor. “Okay!”

Albel looked back to Sophia through narrowed eyes. They were both still. “Thanks for amusing him for a while- Fayt! What do you say?” Albel was gloomy, as if saying this was a chore.

Fayt was bright faced now, even Sophia saw it. “Thanks a lot Sophy! Bye-bye!” he waved, before a strong hand took his and lead him away.

Sophia was left dumbstruck, perhaps Fayt was- at the moment- too small to notice the way Albel wheedled round his words, but she had heard something quite astonishing.

‘But don’t go thinking I’ve decided to be your friend because you’re all small and cute, or because I find you remotely adorable,’ and she swallowed before sitting down- she had to sit down.

Albel had used the word adorable and cute to describe Fayt…did that mean- she went red.

Albel smiled deviously as the sound of Sophia’s far off wail came from behind them. Fayt turned, alarmed, but he was gently tugged back by the samurai who refused to stop moving.

“Is Sophy okay?” Fayt looked up at Albel in concern, but he showed none in return for the girl, in fact, he was grinning wickedly.

“Don’t worry about her, she just realised something a little too late, that’s all,” he smirked away a cackle.

“Oh. Oh, okay! So…Albel…?” Fayt began, licking his lips.

“Yeah, yeah, I know- cookies, nap. Bah! What am I, your mother?” Albel huffed, but for all his moaning, Albel was full of relief that the tight feeling in his chest had been replaced by a less painful warm fuzzy glow that only made him slightly queasy.

“Double chocolate chip please!” Fayt sang over Albel’s moaning, his empty hand raised in the air like he were attempting to ask a question in class.

Being a Samaritan had its benefits- number of annoying allies horrified: 1; number of small training partners reclaimed: 1; number of close encounters avoided by close contact: 1! Besides, not only had this saved the poor boy from falling, but it had also rescued him from the awful wench, Sophia.