Game Three- Who are they?

Before he knew it, Sophia was picking him up and swinging him in a hug like he was a fluffy teddy bear.

“Put me down- Sophy! Waa!” Fayt’s wails and wriggling only seemed to make Sophia more attached to the chibi Fayt, and when at last he could take no more of this gooeyness, and the close proximity of the baffled worms, Albel passed through them all to exit the kitchen.

“Bah! This is ridiculous! I'm outta here,” he frowned.

“Noooo…don’t leave me!” came Fayt’s whine, as he managed to break free from Sophia’s grip and run over to the samurai again, holding the side of his skirt tight so he would not be left behind.

Albel let out another growl at this, but Fayt only held on tighter and with greater stubbornness.

“Albel, Fayt’s right, you can’t leave him,” came a wise voice, and they all swerved around to the calm Mirage who, if she felt Fayt was as cute as the other girls, hid it well. Being the only one Albel remotely respected, Albel stopped to listen, letting Fayt cling onto him for the moment. “Albel, it may have been you that caused the transformation, we have no idea- but maybe if he doesn’t stay with you, he won’t change back,”

“So what!” Sophia huffed, “it’s better that leaving my Fayty with that horrid man!” she complained.

“Yeah, I agree,” Cliff’s eyes narrowed to the samurai with equal contempt.

“No!” Fayt cried over them all, and they all looked down to him as he poked his tongue out at the two on the attack. “You’re the mean ones! I don’t know why you’re being so nasty! It’s not Alby’s fault!”

“Call me that again and I’ll kill you,” Albel frowned.

“Hmm, Fayt?” Maria stepped up now, also taking the calm approach, and speaking in a patronising, yet deceptively reasonable tone to the little bluenette.

“Yup?” Fayt smiled happily, pleased with the level of respect he was given by being included in the adult conversation.

“Do you know who we all are and what we’re doing here?” Maria asked.

“Silly, don’t you know?” Fayt sniggered to himself. “Well, we’re here…to beat up the bad guys!” he chanted, taking a mini leap in the air, and Sophia let out another swoon of joy at this.

“That’s right, and do you know who we are?” Cliff asked, trying to take that same tone, but Fayt frowned at him.

“I do! You’re Cliff… and you’re a big nasty ogre!” Fayt pointed, and cackling filled the room, Albel’s. “And she’s Sophia- a scary squeaky girl…” Fayt listed, and tears appeared in Albel’s eyes as the laughing made him hold his sides.

“Fayt, who’s that?” Albel pointed to Nel hopefully.

“Nel Zephyr- an Aquian hag!” Fayt stated proudly, and Albel burst into a cackle again.

Nel frowned from the corner of the room and made a grumpy face. “That’s it, kids are not my forte, I'm going,” she huffed, stalking from the room as Albel patted Fayt on the head.

“Very good, Fayt, that’s right,” he grinned deviously, and Fayt beamed up proudly.

“Mirage- we can’t leave Fayt with Albel, he’s teaching the little guy bad things!” Cliff whined.

“Yeah!” Sophia agreed, in a high pitched wail, offending Albel’s ears. “Hey… Fayt?” Sophia cooed, and Fayt drew away suspiciously.

“Whaaat?” he replied.

“Fayt, can you tell me who this man here is?” Sophia asked, pointing to Albel, who went to protest until Fayt gave his answer.

“That’s Albel! He’s the bravest, bestest, greatest, strongest, coolest guy in the whole universe!” Fayt chanted, and Sophia turned a ghastly pale.